As most of you know, I am originally from Alexandria, Virginia, a suburb of DC. As most of you also know these past two weeks have proven chaotic and a little scary for DC, and the majority of the East Coast. I just wanted to write you all to make sure you knew that everyone affected by the earthquake and the hurricane was and remains in our thoughts and prayers here at the finca, especially you all, my friends and family. I was glad to hear everyone seemed like they faced minimal damage from the two disasters and remains in good health.
As the eve of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks approaches, I know this cannot be any easy time for any person who remembers that fateful and awful day in our past. This anniversary compounded with 2 natural disasters does not make it any easier for all the East coasters who were so gravely affected. Please know that although I am far away geographically, I was there on 9/11 ten years ago, and will be with you in spirit this coming weekend. Know that you all remain in my prayers, and I will be thinking of you all often in the coming days.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Regifting...Hondu for "I love you!"
Growing up in the states one learns that regifting heirlooms or special items is very kind; while regifting standard new presents can prove rude and insulting. Honduran culture and finca kids have granted me new perspective on this strange phenomenon.
My older sister Ann sent me a package of snacks and crafts to share with the kids right before my vacation. I was saving them for a special day with students and my special friends here on the farm. When I returned from Ceiba this past weekend I found out that my special friend Elena (7) had gone through a tough weekend where nurse Deirdre had to remove a small worm from an infected bug bite on her head. No worries, she was just fine, and actually made Deirdre walk her to all the houses to show off her scar. Nonetheless, I decided to indulge her and show up Sunday afternoon with a little doorknob hanger craft project to pamper her a little after a long weekend.
She loved it, and we used half the stickers right away. She then told me she wanted to finish later and gave me a hug. Then today, Monday, about 24 hours after I gave her the present, Francesca, her social worker, showed up at the house with a smile. She told me that Kimberly, another 7 year old in house one had given her a present, and I wouldn’t believe what it was. It was the door hanger. Elena had regifted it to her, and then she to Francesca, all in the past 24 hours. We simply laughed and could not help but smile.
Our kids don’t have much extra, so what little they do have they love to regift, it is essentially hondu for “I love you.” So translated, my sister Ann loves me, I love Elena, Elena loves Kimberly, and Kimberly loves Francesca. So in the words of the great movie “Love Actually”, “love really is all around us” here at the finca, and it exists in the form of a sticker covered doorknob cover.
My older sister Ann sent me a package of snacks and crafts to share with the kids right before my vacation. I was saving them for a special day with students and my special friends here on the farm. When I returned from Ceiba this past weekend I found out that my special friend Elena (7) had gone through a tough weekend where nurse Deirdre had to remove a small worm from an infected bug bite on her head. No worries, she was just fine, and actually made Deirdre walk her to all the houses to show off her scar. Nonetheless, I decided to indulge her and show up Sunday afternoon with a little doorknob hanger craft project to pamper her a little after a long weekend.
She loved it, and we used half the stickers right away. She then told me she wanted to finish later and gave me a hug. Then today, Monday, about 24 hours after I gave her the present, Francesca, her social worker, showed up at the house with a smile. She told me that Kimberly, another 7 year old in house one had given her a present, and I wouldn’t believe what it was. It was the door hanger. Elena had regifted it to her, and then she to Francesca, all in the past 24 hours. We simply laughed and could not help but smile.
Our kids don’t have much extra, so what little they do have they love to regift, it is essentially hondu for “I love you.” So translated, my sister Ann loves me, I love Elena, Elena loves Kimberly, and Kimberly loves Francesca. So in the words of the great movie “Love Actually”, “love really is all around us” here at the finca, and it exists in the form of a sticker covered doorknob cover.
3rd Quarter Report Card--Escuela San Pedro
During the first quarter of the school year I learned the realities of my job, and fell in love with my students. During the second quarter I continued to love my job, but also found myself covering many classes in the primary school due to the beginning of vacation season for teachers and other reasons. The 3rd quarter of school ended on August 18; and I have learned that you never know what will come when working at Escuela San Pedro.
I began the quarter by taking a wonderful vacation back to the states to visit family and friends. The lovely summer vol Rose covered my classes with great care, and for that I am ever grateful. Upon my return we celebrated day of the lempira, a truly fun cultural holiday that celebrated the native Honduran indigenous hero, Lempira. The next week Keenan and Ted sadly had to leave early from the finca, and I became the middle school math teacher in addition to special ed teacher. During this time I also helped to cover health, computers, and kindergarden to help cover others’ vacations. The quarter finally came to a close mid August, and most all teachers came back from vacation.
Special Ed continued to prove the highlight of my day, but the middle schoolers are growing on me daily. I watched my kids learn cursive, measurement conversions, clocks, and geometric area formulas. I also watched many of them greatly improve their writing and reading skills. I was especially impressed my Jessica’s amazing science essay and Magdalena’s several occasions where she almost read an entire book all by herself.
Middle school math proved a new adventure in every sense of the word. I found joy in the job in that it awoke my inner math nerd and allowed me to work with a really fun group of kids I otherwise did not get to work with. Their hormonal reactions to my every move and great fear of being discovered as someone who cares about their grades proved greatly entertaining. While many moments have stuck out to me, these three are some of my favorites.
First, there is no set classroom for math, so I push around a little cart with all my books and notes from classroom to classroom. After fellow volunteer Nils one day saw me rushed and pushed my cart over to the classroom for me, the teenage boys felt inspired. Several of them now find it quite fun to push my cart around for me from class to class when they are bored or feel like entertaining their class. They seem to think this will win them extra points or a free homework pass one day. While mistaken, they still prove wonderful Don Quijote like “caballeros” during my rush between classes.
Second, one day when I was unlocking all the doors, I found a large blue crab about the size of my hand guarding the padlock to the gate in front of the door to the computer lab. My initial reaction was to laugh. Upon hearing my laughter, four boys from 7th and 8th grade heroically arrived to “save the day.” They first tried to draw the crab out with their hands as decoys, after many almost pinches, Omar decided to bring a stick to draw it out. While he did so Juan Carlos grabbed my keys and quickly opened the pad lock. Then after one swept the crab out of the space in front of the door, Manuel kicked the crab into space as if trying to make the goal to win the world cup for Honduras. The fireworks display of its insides simply made me smile. All I could do was laugh and think “only in Honduras.”
Lastly, I found great satisfaction when all of my kids passed their quarter exam with me. I realized that I was not just providing material for all the girls gossip, or creating new opportunities for the boys to play jokes, but that they were actually learning, and some even enjoying themselves a bit.
I have no idea what the 4th quarter will bring, but I am truly grateful for having experienced, and finished this truly unpredictable third quarter.
I began the quarter by taking a wonderful vacation back to the states to visit family and friends. The lovely summer vol Rose covered my classes with great care, and for that I am ever grateful. Upon my return we celebrated day of the lempira, a truly fun cultural holiday that celebrated the native Honduran indigenous hero, Lempira. The next week Keenan and Ted sadly had to leave early from the finca, and I became the middle school math teacher in addition to special ed teacher. During this time I also helped to cover health, computers, and kindergarden to help cover others’ vacations. The quarter finally came to a close mid August, and most all teachers came back from vacation.
Special Ed continued to prove the highlight of my day, but the middle schoolers are growing on me daily. I watched my kids learn cursive, measurement conversions, clocks, and geometric area formulas. I also watched many of them greatly improve their writing and reading skills. I was especially impressed my Jessica’s amazing science essay and Magdalena’s several occasions where she almost read an entire book all by herself.
Middle school math proved a new adventure in every sense of the word. I found joy in the job in that it awoke my inner math nerd and allowed me to work with a really fun group of kids I otherwise did not get to work with. Their hormonal reactions to my every move and great fear of being discovered as someone who cares about their grades proved greatly entertaining. While many moments have stuck out to me, these three are some of my favorites.
First, there is no set classroom for math, so I push around a little cart with all my books and notes from classroom to classroom. After fellow volunteer Nils one day saw me rushed and pushed my cart over to the classroom for me, the teenage boys felt inspired. Several of them now find it quite fun to push my cart around for me from class to class when they are bored or feel like entertaining their class. They seem to think this will win them extra points or a free homework pass one day. While mistaken, they still prove wonderful Don Quijote like “caballeros” during my rush between classes.
Second, one day when I was unlocking all the doors, I found a large blue crab about the size of my hand guarding the padlock to the gate in front of the door to the computer lab. My initial reaction was to laugh. Upon hearing my laughter, four boys from 7th and 8th grade heroically arrived to “save the day.” They first tried to draw the crab out with their hands as decoys, after many almost pinches, Omar decided to bring a stick to draw it out. While he did so Juan Carlos grabbed my keys and quickly opened the pad lock. Then after one swept the crab out of the space in front of the door, Manuel kicked the crab into space as if trying to make the goal to win the world cup for Honduras. The fireworks display of its insides simply made me smile. All I could do was laugh and think “only in Honduras.”
Lastly, I found great satisfaction when all of my kids passed their quarter exam with me. I realized that I was not just providing material for all the girls gossip, or creating new opportunities for the boys to play jokes, but that they were actually learning, and some even enjoying themselves a bit.
I have no idea what the 4th quarter will bring, but I am truly grateful for having experienced, and finished this truly unpredictable third quarter.
Happy 1 Year Anniversary Central America!
On October 24, 2010 I left DC and met Miss Deirdre Flemming in Chicago’s O’Hare Airport bus terminal. After an entertaining night, we boarded our flight, and after a quick layover in Houston, arrived in Guatemala City. After a short ride we arrived in Antigua early afternoon of August 25th.
In the past year we have faced many trials, received countless graces, and grown a lot as people. While time has flown, days have been long. I am truly grateful for every single moment I have been gifted in this great place, whether it proved trying or rewarding.
In celebration of all these memories, Deirdre and I went out last Tuesday for licuados, baleadas, and ice cream in town. We reminisced about the past year, and looked forward to the year to come. Neither of us knows exactly what it will bring, but we are both excited to take it on together.
In the past year we have faced many trials, received countless graces, and grown a lot as people. While time has flown, days have been long. I am truly grateful for every single moment I have been gifted in this great place, whether it proved trying or rewarding.
In celebration of all these memories, Deirdre and I went out last Tuesday for licuados, baleadas, and ice cream in town. We reminisced about the past year, and looked forward to the year to come. Neither of us knows exactly what it will bring, but we are both excited to take it on together.
51 things in 51 days
Hello again! So as some of you may have noticed I have been somewhat out of contact with the world since I returned to the finca from my vacation in July. I have been back in Honduras for exactly 51 days, and I can honestly state that these have been the longest, craziest, and most exhausting 51 days of my entire time here. They have also been full of many graces in their own unique way. In an effort to catch you all up on my life here is a list of 51 things that have happened in the past 51 days.
1. Upon return to Honduras I spent a lovely night in Ceiba (where our adolescents live and go to high school) followed by a great morning run with Erin (their encargada) around town.
2. Upon arrival to the farm I met the 6 new kids who arrived at the finca while I was gone: Angel, Nahomy, Duncan, Hildebrando, Kimberly, and Brittany…the last five being siblings, and all proving adorable
3. We celebrated the national holiday “Day of the Lempira” at school with amazing costumes for every child.
4. We celebrated Magadlena’s 11th birthday with chocolate oatmeal cookies…she lovingly named her new stuffed dog Mary Kate.
5. We celebrated the golden birthday of our beloved nurse Deirdre with amazing chocolate cake and a fun game of watermelon rugby out in the ocean.
6. Nils’ very kind mom, sister, and dad visited the farm.
7. After a series of unfortunate events, Keenan and Ted (volunteers) had to leave the finca 4 months before their planned departure. This proved the saddest day on the finca of the past year for many volunteers, myself included.
8. As soon as Keenan left, I became the middle school math teacher in addition to my job as a special ed teacher.
9. A group of social work and teaching specialists from Chicago came to the farm to help out and help paint a mural for our school. Jeanette, the special ed teacher of the group, proved an angel during a very trying week for myself.
10. Mangos are finally ripe again, and the second wave of yummy mango surplus season brought a little joy to all our taste buds.
11. Kristina and Nelly head out to World Youth Day in Spain for 2 weeks.
12. The Hurst family left for a well deserved vacation in the states.
13. Betsy came back from vacation, this brought a smile to everyone’s face.
14. Due to the high rate of vacations and other things going on, I had the pleasure of covering kinder garden, health (grades 1 through 9), and computers (grades 1 and 2), during my free periods.
15. I kept eating delicious mangos.
16. A tarantula took up residence in the girls’ bathroom in the vol house, but proved very kind and never hurt a soul.
17. Iced coffee became a popular breakfast treat, this is a trend all would like to see continue.
18. I gave out the tutus and ballet dresses to the girls that I brought back from the states, the little ones literally screamed and jumped in joy.
19. I went on a lovely silent retreat with several fellow vols and found peace in the silence.
20. Deirdre and I celebrated our one year anniversary of arriving to Central America with baleadas and smoothies in town.
21. Rony, one of my all star students, won the responsibility award for second grade in the month of August.
22. Jonathan, another one of my all star students, not only learned cursive, but can now write it better than me.
23. Jessica and David, my two all star sixth graders, got 95% on their math test on conversions of measurements.
24. House 1 giggled wth glee as they danced in their pink tutus in ballet class.
25. I learned that the big apple style mangos are my favorites.
26. Sor Elda, one of our Fransiscan sisters, took her final vows.
27. I slept well every night...in part due to an extreme level of tiredness that hit me about 9 pm every night.
28. My special friend Elena lost 3 teeth, and is now even cuter than before.
29. I got a new special friend (similar to big brother big sister program) named Hildebrando (8 years old)
30. We celebrated 6 birthdays in one week in July (4 kids, 2 volunteers).
31. My kids at school have fallen in love with my new crayola special dry erase board.
32. Since the priest cancelled last minute, I got to lead a communion service for the entire school.
33. Magdalena almost read a book all by herself…twice…it’s going to happen soon!
34. The 7th and 8th grade boys very craftily and dramatically removed a large blue crab that was blocking my way of unlocking the padlock to the computer lab.
35. The mosquito population of Honduras all moved to the finca, and they have fallen in love with my ankles.
36. I got a wonderful care package from my mom with rice krispy treats and oreo cakesters, along with 2 letters all in one amazing mail day.
37. My new water bottle from my sister with the flip top made me very popular with the little girls on the farm…they quite enjoy playing with it.
38. Deirdre went home for a brief vacation to catch up with family, we were glad to see her get a break, and even more glad to have her back.
39. I got a double scoop ice cream cone at Saritas…twice.
40. I spent a lovely weekend in Ceiba with Amanda visiting our teenagers Arturo, Dalila, and Marina, vol Alisha, and the Satterlee family (friends of the finca).
41. We sang all 10 verses of the Honduran national hymn to celebrate flag day at school.
42. I have only done laundry three times, each time I hand scrubbed clothes for several hours because I was literally washing almost all of my clothing in Honduras.
43. Scarleth, one of our amazing Nicaraguan psychologists, went on a three week well deserved vacation, and was welcomed back with open arms.
44. I began practicing with my 1st grade ballerinas for our presentation in the Independence Day parade on the 12th.
45. Swim lessons continued on, and every week I still had to explain that grey sand dollars are still alive, and you therefore cannot take them home with you.
46. My community and I enjoyed my experiments in breakfast bread making on Saturday mornings.
47. Every two weeks the vols get to watch a video. Amanda and I continued our Harry Potter video series and very much enjoyed videos 2, 3, 4, and 5.
48. All of the incoming class of volunteers arrived in Guatemala for their entry retreat and language school. They will arrive on the farm October 1.
49. Nature continued to be beautiful and inspiring all around us.
50. I found solace in cold showers after many long hot and sweaty days.
51. I finally found the time and means to write a blog update!
I promise to try to keep you all better posted form here on out. Wishing you all the best!
1. Upon return to Honduras I spent a lovely night in Ceiba (where our adolescents live and go to high school) followed by a great morning run with Erin (their encargada) around town.
2. Upon arrival to the farm I met the 6 new kids who arrived at the finca while I was gone: Angel, Nahomy, Duncan, Hildebrando, Kimberly, and Brittany…the last five being siblings, and all proving adorable
3. We celebrated the national holiday “Day of the Lempira” at school with amazing costumes for every child.
4. We celebrated Magadlena’s 11th birthday with chocolate oatmeal cookies…she lovingly named her new stuffed dog Mary Kate.
5. We celebrated the golden birthday of our beloved nurse Deirdre with amazing chocolate cake and a fun game of watermelon rugby out in the ocean.
6. Nils’ very kind mom, sister, and dad visited the farm.
7. After a series of unfortunate events, Keenan and Ted (volunteers) had to leave the finca 4 months before their planned departure. This proved the saddest day on the finca of the past year for many volunteers, myself included.
8. As soon as Keenan left, I became the middle school math teacher in addition to my job as a special ed teacher.
9. A group of social work and teaching specialists from Chicago came to the farm to help out and help paint a mural for our school. Jeanette, the special ed teacher of the group, proved an angel during a very trying week for myself.
10. Mangos are finally ripe again, and the second wave of yummy mango surplus season brought a little joy to all our taste buds.
11. Kristina and Nelly head out to World Youth Day in Spain for 2 weeks.
12. The Hurst family left for a well deserved vacation in the states.
13. Betsy came back from vacation, this brought a smile to everyone’s face.
14. Due to the high rate of vacations and other things going on, I had the pleasure of covering kinder garden, health (grades 1 through 9), and computers (grades 1 and 2), during my free periods.
15. I kept eating delicious mangos.
16. A tarantula took up residence in the girls’ bathroom in the vol house, but proved very kind and never hurt a soul.
17. Iced coffee became a popular breakfast treat, this is a trend all would like to see continue.
18. I gave out the tutus and ballet dresses to the girls that I brought back from the states, the little ones literally screamed and jumped in joy.
19. I went on a lovely silent retreat with several fellow vols and found peace in the silence.
20. Deirdre and I celebrated our one year anniversary of arriving to Central America with baleadas and smoothies in town.
21. Rony, one of my all star students, won the responsibility award for second grade in the month of August.
22. Jonathan, another one of my all star students, not only learned cursive, but can now write it better than me.
23. Jessica and David, my two all star sixth graders, got 95% on their math test on conversions of measurements.
24. House 1 giggled wth glee as they danced in their pink tutus in ballet class.
25. I learned that the big apple style mangos are my favorites.
26. Sor Elda, one of our Fransiscan sisters, took her final vows.
27. I slept well every night...in part due to an extreme level of tiredness that hit me about 9 pm every night.
28. My special friend Elena lost 3 teeth, and is now even cuter than before.
29. I got a new special friend (similar to big brother big sister program) named Hildebrando (8 years old)
30. We celebrated 6 birthdays in one week in July (4 kids, 2 volunteers).
31. My kids at school have fallen in love with my new crayola special dry erase board.
32. Since the priest cancelled last minute, I got to lead a communion service for the entire school.
33. Magdalena almost read a book all by herself…twice…it’s going to happen soon!
34. The 7th and 8th grade boys very craftily and dramatically removed a large blue crab that was blocking my way of unlocking the padlock to the computer lab.
35. The mosquito population of Honduras all moved to the finca, and they have fallen in love with my ankles.
36. I got a wonderful care package from my mom with rice krispy treats and oreo cakesters, along with 2 letters all in one amazing mail day.
37. My new water bottle from my sister with the flip top made me very popular with the little girls on the farm…they quite enjoy playing with it.
38. Deirdre went home for a brief vacation to catch up with family, we were glad to see her get a break, and even more glad to have her back.
39. I got a double scoop ice cream cone at Saritas…twice.
40. I spent a lovely weekend in Ceiba with Amanda visiting our teenagers Arturo, Dalila, and Marina, vol Alisha, and the Satterlee family (friends of the finca).
41. We sang all 10 verses of the Honduran national hymn to celebrate flag day at school.
42. I have only done laundry three times, each time I hand scrubbed clothes for several hours because I was literally washing almost all of my clothing in Honduras.
43. Scarleth, one of our amazing Nicaraguan psychologists, went on a three week well deserved vacation, and was welcomed back with open arms.
44. I began practicing with my 1st grade ballerinas for our presentation in the Independence Day parade on the 12th.
45. Swim lessons continued on, and every week I still had to explain that grey sand dollars are still alive, and you therefore cannot take them home with you.
46. My community and I enjoyed my experiments in breakfast bread making on Saturday mornings.
47. Every two weeks the vols get to watch a video. Amanda and I continued our Harry Potter video series and very much enjoyed videos 2, 3, 4, and 5.
48. All of the incoming class of volunteers arrived in Guatemala for their entry retreat and language school. They will arrive on the farm October 1.
49. Nature continued to be beautiful and inspiring all around us.
50. I found solace in cold showers after many long hot and sweaty days.
51. I finally found the time and means to write a blog update!
I promise to try to keep you all better posted form here on out. Wishing you all the best!
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