I am a teacher. I so I’ve been acting like it. Well, I really haven’t been teaching, I’ve just been used. At first I was quite proud of myself how I pulled some things off yesterday. But thinking about it later it wasn’t me at all. As I have been praying continually to be Spirit led and for help. Our God is great and such a help. Yesterday was my first day actually teaching classes and I had to teach six. I was only expected five but on my schedule it didn’t show another class I was supposed to teach. The Math classes were really easy for me so I really don’t ever have to spend too much time planning for those classes, except that a lot of the students have the 3rd edition book and I have the 2nd edition, so I have to look at their books and find the same problems so I can assign them their homework. The Physics class is quite easy as well just because I have been doing that for quite a long time now and I am really comfortable with it especially after this last year of school. But the biology class is interesting. The books here are way different than the books in the States. Books in the States are big and thick, have lots of pictures and examples, words and a lot more information to be blunt about it. An average chapter in the Biology book here is two to three pages. And I have about three to four weeks for each chapter so, it takes a lot expanding. At the same time though, there is a lot of memorization in Biology so I’m going to have to do a bunch of different activities so the information will stick in the students’ brains. So I’ll have to play games, do presentations, color and draw, and lots more. But I’m feeling good about it. I have been having a lot of fun.
Right now I haven’t taught yet today and I have had quite a bit of time. I have used it well too. I have cleaned my desk and organized it. I’ve got all my record files on my computer for grades. I have my week pretty much figure out as well for what to teach during my classes, so I’m feeling good. And, I have some free time so I’m decided to blog, even though I won’t be able to post it ‘til later. Well, I’m about to teach 1st Form Math now so I should get going. Much love and prayers too all of you!
PS
There’s a sweet double rainbow!! I’ll try and put some pictures up soon of where I am. And the double rainbow.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
School's in Session
Hello Everyone!!!
Things are improving day by day. Just adjusting and figuring myself out and why I’m here and my purpose. I went askew somewhere along the way and just confiding in Jesus helps a lot to figure things out. And to be comforted. We should always confide in Jesus even when things are great; especially when things are great.
I’ve been meaning to blog lately but every time I get on I get distracted. Not distracted; just I really enjoy talking to people that I really miss. But anyways here I am blogging without internet access so this will be posted later. Tomorrow is the first day of school. Finally going to start being really busy. So I know what I’m teaching now. I am teaching First and Second Form Mathematics, Third and Fourth Form Biology, and Third and Fourth Form Physics. I am also the Third Form home teacher. That means I make sure the kids clean what they’re supposed to, do their community service, and I believe do devotions for their class in the morning, and whatever responsibilities come with it. Therefore, I have my own classroom, but a lot more work.
As I said school starts tomorrow. We still don’t have one teacher that we need so that is going to be interesting. If anyone wants to come to Belize and teach English and Bible, I can probably hook you up. You’ll have your own room/house and be feed meals. But yeah tomorrow is only orientation and a half day so not much will happen. I get to meet my class and tell them what’s expected; get to know them a little bit. I have the smallest class. Eleven Third Form students are registered but I was told I’ll probably have fifteen of them. Then hopefully tomorrow we’ll figure out our schedule so I can start planning what to teach on what days.
Oh, I’ve attended the church. There were more people there than I expected. The church was still small but I was told about three families attend. It was a nice little service. I really do enjoy just singing hymns and always having music that we “youth” listen to. I really do enjoy a good hymn. But the sermon, I don’t know how I liked it. There was a great meaning behind it and some of the stories really didn’t tie in, but the people here when the talk, I’ve noticed they really like to repeat what they have already said quite a bit. Then it becomes almost said too much and loses meaning. I know that sounds bad but he was talking about marriage and how young people need to be careful and communication is important and said the same thing over and over and when it becomes lessened like a no duh type of thing and not as meaningful to me. Yet, that could be just because how I’ve been raised in my own culture compared to theirs, or maybe it’s just my thinking. I don’t like the feeling of being told what to do over and over again especially when it seems obvious. But there were good points like, oh if that is a problem with someone else, that could become a problem for us, how do I fix/prevent that. And how when you become married the two shall become one in flesh. You’re no longer two individuals. You are one. You take care of each other like yourself, you make sure everything is going ok and working fine and that you can make life easier and exciting and adventurous, make your dreams come true. Now all that wasn’t said but that’s what I got from it. So many people just think of themselves, even in marriages nowadays and that’s where the devil attacks hardest; on the special gift God gave to us; companionship.
Well now that I have gone of rambling about marriage, I should probably get to bed because tomorrow starts the beginning of the school year. So please pray for me, for guidance and for the Holy Spirit to be in charge of my teaching and life. For it not to be me by myself, because I can’t do it by myself; I must be Spirit led. And I’ll probably add more to this before I post it so thank you for the ones that are praying for me. I love you and miss you all.
So today was pretty amazing not going to lie. Orientation was long and boring of course but I meet all the students and it was fun and exciting. Most of them are really shy to me right now, mostly because it’s the beginning of the school year and I’m a lot different and do things a little different than the other teachers. But when I was introduced and I was making a little talk about how exciting I am and what classes I teach, I accidently said Third and Fourth Farm instead of Form, because the way they pronounce Form here sounds like Farm. Oh well. Then when Kelly was talking, he said that we were already good friends and we both do math and science and we’ll be working together and he really complimented me and I appreciated that a lot. His family has been so great to me. All of them, Kelly, Alondra, Ethan, and Edson. The Landero family. I really enjoy them and I’ll probably spend my holidays with them and be able to travel with them and see wonders. And hopefully some friends, you guys will come and visit and we can travel as well.
So my home room. There is only twelve Third Formers so far. They were really quiet, the quietest of all the classes today; but at the end after all the teachers went to each class they were already more talkative. I want to make sure all my students learn a lot and have fun at the same time. And I’m positive they’ll warm up, it’ll just take a little bit of time. Right now, as the schedule reads I’ll be teaching 25 classes, be in charge of 4 devotions and clean up duty for my class each week. And as of now, I haven’t planned at all and I need to start doing that. But I must share one more thing.
I went with Mr. Cabanas (the principal) today to drop off some students at Belmopan. Then we went to drop something off at a school in Santa Elena so I got to see that and then we just crossed the river so I could so San Ignacio. I was so great to see more of Belize. I was just a few miles away from the Guatemalan border as well. And it was a lot hillier there and mountains were there and I really like that terrain better. It’s prettier to me and more adventurous. Like what’s over that hill? Then you can see everything and it’s so gorgeous, I love look out points. Anyways it was great to go explore more. Well, I guess I should get going and start planning. Thank you all once again for your prayers. Please pray for me and that I may be Spirit led in all that I do. Much love to all.
Things are improving day by day. Just adjusting and figuring myself out and why I’m here and my purpose. I went askew somewhere along the way and just confiding in Jesus helps a lot to figure things out. And to be comforted. We should always confide in Jesus even when things are great; especially when things are great.
I’ve been meaning to blog lately but every time I get on I get distracted. Not distracted; just I really enjoy talking to people that I really miss. But anyways here I am blogging without internet access so this will be posted later. Tomorrow is the first day of school. Finally going to start being really busy. So I know what I’m teaching now. I am teaching First and Second Form Mathematics, Third and Fourth Form Biology, and Third and Fourth Form Physics. I am also the Third Form home teacher. That means I make sure the kids clean what they’re supposed to, do their community service, and I believe do devotions for their class in the morning, and whatever responsibilities come with it. Therefore, I have my own classroom, but a lot more work.
As I said school starts tomorrow. We still don’t have one teacher that we need so that is going to be interesting. If anyone wants to come to Belize and teach English and Bible, I can probably hook you up. You’ll have your own room/house and be feed meals. But yeah tomorrow is only orientation and a half day so not much will happen. I get to meet my class and tell them what’s expected; get to know them a little bit. I have the smallest class. Eleven Third Form students are registered but I was told I’ll probably have fifteen of them. Then hopefully tomorrow we’ll figure out our schedule so I can start planning what to teach on what days.
Oh, I’ve attended the church. There were more people there than I expected. The church was still small but I was told about three families attend. It was a nice little service. I really do enjoy just singing hymns and always having music that we “youth” listen to. I really do enjoy a good hymn. But the sermon, I don’t know how I liked it. There was a great meaning behind it and some of the stories really didn’t tie in, but the people here when the talk, I’ve noticed they really like to repeat what they have already said quite a bit. Then it becomes almost said too much and loses meaning. I know that sounds bad but he was talking about marriage and how young people need to be careful and communication is important and said the same thing over and over and when it becomes lessened like a no duh type of thing and not as meaningful to me. Yet, that could be just because how I’ve been raised in my own culture compared to theirs, or maybe it’s just my thinking. I don’t like the feeling of being told what to do over and over again especially when it seems obvious. But there were good points like, oh if that is a problem with someone else, that could become a problem for us, how do I fix/prevent that. And how when you become married the two shall become one in flesh. You’re no longer two individuals. You are one. You take care of each other like yourself, you make sure everything is going ok and working fine and that you can make life easier and exciting and adventurous, make your dreams come true. Now all that wasn’t said but that’s what I got from it. So many people just think of themselves, even in marriages nowadays and that’s where the devil attacks hardest; on the special gift God gave to us; companionship.
Well now that I have gone of rambling about marriage, I should probably get to bed because tomorrow starts the beginning of the school year. So please pray for me, for guidance and for the Holy Spirit to be in charge of my teaching and life. For it not to be me by myself, because I can’t do it by myself; I must be Spirit led. And I’ll probably add more to this before I post it so thank you for the ones that are praying for me. I love you and miss you all.
So today was pretty amazing not going to lie. Orientation was long and boring of course but I meet all the students and it was fun and exciting. Most of them are really shy to me right now, mostly because it’s the beginning of the school year and I’m a lot different and do things a little different than the other teachers. But when I was introduced and I was making a little talk about how exciting I am and what classes I teach, I accidently said Third and Fourth Farm instead of Form, because the way they pronounce Form here sounds like Farm. Oh well. Then when Kelly was talking, he said that we were already good friends and we both do math and science and we’ll be working together and he really complimented me and I appreciated that a lot. His family has been so great to me. All of them, Kelly, Alondra, Ethan, and Edson. The Landero family. I really enjoy them and I’ll probably spend my holidays with them and be able to travel with them and see wonders. And hopefully some friends, you guys will come and visit and we can travel as well.
So my home room. There is only twelve Third Formers so far. They were really quiet, the quietest of all the classes today; but at the end after all the teachers went to each class they were already more talkative. I want to make sure all my students learn a lot and have fun at the same time. And I’m positive they’ll warm up, it’ll just take a little bit of time. Right now, as the schedule reads I’ll be teaching 25 classes, be in charge of 4 devotions and clean up duty for my class each week. And as of now, I haven’t planned at all and I need to start doing that. But I must share one more thing.
I went with Mr. Cabanas (the principal) today to drop off some students at Belmopan. Then we went to drop something off at a school in Santa Elena so I got to see that and then we just crossed the river so I could so San Ignacio. I was so great to see more of Belize. I was just a few miles away from the Guatemalan border as well. And it was a lot hillier there and mountains were there and I really like that terrain better. It’s prettier to me and more adventurous. Like what’s over that hill? Then you can see everything and it’s so gorgeous, I love look out points. Anyways it was great to go explore more. Well, I guess I should get going and start planning. Thank you all once again for your prayers. Please pray for me and that I may be Spirit led in all that I do. Much love to all.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Culture Shock!
So here I am; I am at Valley of Peace Academy. I’m in the middle of NOWHERE!!! (Which is actually like a place I wanted.) I have super culture shock, or had. Last night was a little rough. It was a combination of things like being super tired, so dang humid and missing Danielle mostly (Sorry if I offended anyone, she’s not the only one I miss, but mostly =P). Also realizing it’s not like this for a week or two, or even a month, I am going to be here for ten months and there’s no easy way to just go home for any reason. But now I am already feeling so much better. I feel like I’m starting to get use to the weather, the humidity doesn’t seem as bad. But what about the community, the school, my living situation? Just hold on I’m about to get there. So the community has a lot of housing that is just tree’s for the house and branches for the roof (it actually is really sweet to me though). There are concrete houses too. The sky is so open! It’s pretty flat where I am and we happen to be at the top of a hill so the sky is so huge and there’s lots of clouds. The school is a decent size and has its own bakery, wood shop, computer lab, library, science lab, farm and I think four classrooms. Oh and a kitchen. There is suppose to be eight of us teaching and more like around 90 students, not 100.
My living situation… it is actually really nice and pretty big, but all I have in it is a bed, a small desk and a chair. I have a lot of room in there and nowhere to really put my stuff. I want to make it homey but I really don’t know how. The toilet is kind of like an outhouse style but it’s an actually toilet so that’s not bad at all, but I have no shower. I have to fill a bucket with water, and then bath myself. So that’s pretty exciting.
I eat all my meals with the other two teachers who are married that live on campus. They are very nice and so good to me. They have two boys, Edson (6) and Etan (4). Those guys are fun and already have a special place in my heart. We’ve played a lot today and they have given me something to do. So the meals. A lot of the meals, actually all of my meals I have had rice and beans. I have had fried planta a few times too already. I’ve tried some fruit as well, mommy (how don’t know how to spell it but that’s how it’s pronounced) and guava.
Tomorrow we must drive about two hours and go to Belize City and do my paperwork. Other than that I really don’t know what I’ll have to do. Oh and if you want an address it is
Valley of Peace
Cayo District
Belize C.A.
They said that will be good enough. Well I should go and hopefully eat soon and go bath with my bucket. God has been good and has been showing me lots of things and has given me great people to help me. Pease continuing praying for me especially as I am adjusting. Goodnight, I love you guys and miss you.
My living situation… it is actually really nice and pretty big, but all I have in it is a bed, a small desk and a chair. I have a lot of room in there and nowhere to really put my stuff. I want to make it homey but I really don’t know how. The toilet is kind of like an outhouse style but it’s an actually toilet so that’s not bad at all, but I have no shower. I have to fill a bucket with water, and then bath myself. So that’s pretty exciting.
I eat all my meals with the other two teachers who are married that live on campus. They are very nice and so good to me. They have two boys, Edson (6) and Etan (4). Those guys are fun and already have a special place in my heart. We’ve played a lot today and they have given me something to do. So the meals. A lot of the meals, actually all of my meals I have had rice and beans. I have had fried planta a few times too already. I’ve tried some fruit as well, mommy (how don’t know how to spell it but that’s how it’s pronounced) and guava.
Tomorrow we must drive about two hours and go to Belize City and do my paperwork. Other than that I really don’t know what I’ll have to do. Oh and if you want an address it is
Valley of Peace
Cayo District
Belize C.A.
They said that will be good enough. Well I should go and hopefully eat soon and go bath with my bucket. God has been good and has been showing me lots of things and has given me great people to help me. Pease continuing praying for me especially as I am adjusting. Goodnight, I love you guys and miss you.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Destination Out of Here!!!
So it begins. I'm leaving my house in 12 hours to head to the airport. My flight is at 6:15 am and they want travelers there three hours early. Who needs sleep anyways? I'm going to land in Houston and then fly to Belize City, Belize. I'll arrive in Belize at 2:44 pm. (Belize is in mountain time for everyone's knowledge.) There I will go through customs and be picked up by the principal of the school I'll be teaching at. I'll be teaching at Valley of Peace Academy which is 15 miles from the capital Belmopan and about 50 miles from the coast. It is a small community with a population of about 2000 and around 100 kids attend the academy. There I will teach Math and Science to the high schoolers.
This is going to be one amazing year! I'm super excited and I'm going in God's name and as I like to say, "This is a year I'm running away with God!" And we are going to have one crazy adventure. So for all of you who are reading this please keep me in your prayers, I miss you guys and love you. I'll try and post regularly for everyone to read what is happening in my life and in Belize. Thank you everyone for your support. Soon more shall come.
This is going to be one amazing year! I'm super excited and I'm going in God's name and as I like to say, "This is a year I'm running away with God!" And we are going to have one crazy adventure. So for all of you who are reading this please keep me in your prayers, I miss you guys and love you. I'll try and post regularly for everyone to read what is happening in my life and in Belize. Thank you everyone for your support. Soon more shall come.
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