Alright, it's been waaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyy too long. I know, I'm sorry and I apologize. Lately blogging has been looked at as such a hassle. The date is a big motivation to me right now. I at least have to blog once every month. Let's see. Where to begin? Well, I went to Italy for break. Danielle and I decided that we should see each other and meet up in Italy. It's somewhat the middle for both of us and Danielle had some family friends there, so we could stay somewhere too. I don't feel like that's quite the missionary experience, but it was wonderful and really needed. Five months is a long time not seeing someone you truly love, but it's better than waiting 10 months! Now, if you want to know more about Italy, you'll have to ask me or Danielle, and I'm sure you can find photos on Facebook, but this blog I want to be more about being in Belize and my mission experience. Therefore, that's more what it is going to be about.
When I got back school was already in session. Because of the hurricanes and days off, they came a half week earlier than originally planned to make up for missed days. I came back and was not in the right mindset at all. It was rough coming back. It was a review week though and it was alright to not be completely back into the swing of things. It was review week because the next week was exam week. I was suppose to write 8, 2 hour long exams that first week. I didn't, I wrote like 1 and a half that week. So during Exam week I was busy writing exams and grading exams. That week there's not much to talk about besides I was a busy beaver pumping out exams and grading them just as fast. I graded all 150 or so exams that week! Then this past week was finishing up getting grades in order and starting the new semester.
I've made some new changes this new semester. I've been wanting to make changes and this is the perfect time too. First of all to help classroom management a little bit, the first class for all my classes was time to talk with the students of how to help our class. New rules, things that can help their learning that I can do, and that they can do, working together to make learning easier, and more fun. Now they're small changes and not too much, but makes them more aware and I have a better idea already what to do and it's working well. Improvements are already noticeable. It's been really enjoyable lately. I've also been focusing a lot more on here and putting a lot of effort into it. I've also been talking with the students a lot more and building relationships with them. Slowly but surely. I really think it helped being away from it all and coming back. To really see what needs to happen, what needs to change and what this year is for. I also think I've been trying to do too much too. Being so involved with the church takes me away from being here. Spending time with the students. Reaching out to them. To help them learn, and to be there for them. Hardly any of the students are Adventists. Now that's not my goal to make them Adventist, but to show them love and let them know that someone does care about them. Show them Jesus. That's more my goal for this semester. To live more, day by day. To stay up with grading and lesson plans and with the students too. Be more relational. I was also a little afraid at first to be there friend, because I need to hold the authority as teacher. Things are good though and getting better. I'm getting this thing down. Live and learn. That's what is going on right now in the life of Matthew in Belize. I miss you all and love you. I'll blog more often now. I have finally done the deed now for the new year and I'll continue to. Maybe I'll blog about my adventure today for trying to pick up my work permit. But that can wait until next time. I'm tired and should get to bed. Happy New Year to everyone!!!! Ha ha, a month late. But the same month none the less.
