More pics to share

Disclaimer:  These pictures were taken by other people.  I just love them and wanted to share with all of you!

My kids love reading books!  The English teacher at school is sooo kind to share her 10th graders on Wednesdays in order to do Reading Buddies with the Kindergartners.  They loved the extra attention from the big kids.  This was the funniest part:  I had each student ready to go with one book of their choice for their buddy to read.  One girl grabbed my children's Bible off the shelf.  When she handed this heavy book to her 10th grader, he just looked at us like "What am I supposed to do with this?" !

Just to show that they didn't all sit there like little angels the whole time.  This boy was hopping all over!

Today I did a little shopping :) This is the lady that sold me a long table runner. I am going to use it as a curtain, but it was just gorgeous. She said it is made of traditional blouses and that she was giving me a great deal because business was slow today. I never quite believe them when they say things like that, but it's a beautiful cloth nonetheless.
 

September 22, 23

 Last Saturday some of us teachers toured the Museum Casa Santa Domingo.  It is currently a hotel, that has been built on the ruins of a 1700's cathedral.

Mona, Kristen, and me in the rain





me and Charlotte

Then on Sunday, we took the hotel's free shuttle up the hill where they have a restaurant and a nice view of the city.

For my Wednesday night Spanish group, I took these just for you!  They were stones placed in the walkway, but they reminded me of the book we read last year.

One Month!

I have a lot more pictures to post from this weekend, but they will have to wait until I have a little more time.  I just wanted to say that I have been in Guatemala for one month now!  And in three months I will be back in WI for Christmas!! (Change of plans, for those of you who I talked to before I left.  I don't want any issues with the visa.)

School has been frustrating.  I have too many students, and a lot that don't understand any English.  We have already had our first staff turn-over: the principal has left and we met the new one last Friday.  Also last Friday was "meet the teacher" day and I met the parents of about 10 of my students.  They were all really supportive!  Of course, the ones that I really needed to talk to didn't show up :) 

And here's one of my favorite pics from the weekend: 

Feliz Dia de Independencia!

Last Saturday was Guatemala's Independence Day.  The celebrations went on for about five days- most of this I missed because we were in school all day during the week.  I got to see some on Saturday, though.  We caught the main parade through town.  We watched for over two hours, but it had started before we got down there.  All day there were parades and music in the streets.  The amount of people in Antigua was incredible! 

Leslie had a scary run-in when a lady tried to take a razor blade to the bottom of her purse.  Luckily, she was paying good attention and we avoided any tragedies.

Snack Time!

I'm hesitant to post pictures of my students on here, but this is too cute!  One of my boys (right) and his brother brought coconuts for snack today.  As in a whole, shelled coconut.  I had to laugh when he pulled that out of his backpack! 

Sadly, we do not keep the machete-type knives at school that are needed to cut open a coconut.  

 

 

 

 

I Knew I Brought My Tennis Shoes for a Reason

Today there was a bug this big in my bathroom  [------------------------------------------------]
Usually I get Ruth to kill the bugs for me, but this one was running too fast and I didn't want to think about it in the walls.  :(

Title Here

 Last weekend Charlotte (another teacher from school) and I hiked up Cerro de la Cruz, which is a hill north of town that overlooks Antigua.  It was a cloudy day unfortunately. 

We also explored the market.  I found the cutest kittens!!  But I think Ruth would kick me out if I brought home a cat :)  She's not overly fond of Rufi and that's her own dog. 

I know I initally said I would not do a family stay, but it has been a great blessing.  It is constantly changing, who is living here.  Here we are:

The "familia".

An evening out.

Still Safe

Good morning!  I just wanted to let those of you who have heard about the volcano know that I am very safe where I live. 
Volcan del Fuego has been having small erruptions.  It is about 6 miles southwest of Antigua, but there is a valley between it and us, so we, at least, are not in the way.  I have also been told that the crater is collapsing in the opposite direction of Antigua. 
I am actually hoping to see it!  It tends to be very cloudy in the afternoons, so by the time I get back from school the volcanos are no longer visible.  Last night another lady from my house and I walked to the end of my street and we could see a little glowing red in the distance.  This was pretty awesome and I'm hoping for a view of Fuego "in action" :) 

School

Well, school started this past Monday.  It's been a crazy week, and I'm hoping things will settle down a little soon.  Right now I have 22 students, with another one joining us in October.  It is already too many, so I hope they don't add any more! 
Most of them do not understand much English.  A few do not understand a word I say- including when I call their name!  A handful catch most of my directions and are even able to ask for simple things in English.  As we persist in our daily routine, it is my hope that they will start to catch on.  It is definitely a test of patience, but they are cute kids and can be really sweet :)  (I just wish there weren't so MANY!) 

Today was better, but this is what I heard all day Monday and Tuesday (they call me "Miss.")

"Miss."  "Miss."  "Miss."  "Miss."  "Miss." 
"Raise your hand"
(Raise hands) "Miss."  "Miss."  "Miss."  "Miss."  "Miss."  "Miss."  ...




And finally, here are some pictures of my classroom:



Homemade calendar and weather pieces.  I am so happy to have an easel!
  "Carpet area" where I can fit about 5-8 students in front of me.

I am missing having a laminator.

My House / Mi Casa

Ok, here are 2 videos of the house where I am staying.  In the first you can meet Rufi (sp?) and there's a little narration in the second so turn on your speakers!

Ok, aqui hay 2 videos de la casa donde vivo ahora.  En el primero puedes conocer a Rufi y en el segundo hay una pequeña narración.  ¡Encienda los altavoces!

First one is about 2 minutes.  Second about 4 and 1/2.  El primer es 2 minutos.  El segundo 4 minutos y media (mas o menos).

*I'm having some difficulty loading the videos, so in the meantime here are some pictures.
**After lots of confusion, trial, and error... I seem to have uploaded a video!  Enjoy!