Well, it's the end of a work week. Honduras does not, in fact, celebrate the Pilgrams and the Mayflower but our school follows the American calendar so we get Thursday, Friday, and Monday off! My roommate Rachel and I are going to celebrate Thanksgiving with the school in Tegucigalpa. They're making us a real Thanksgiving dinner so that should be great! :) After Thanksgiving, things are going to be CRAZY. We are doing a Christmas program and each teacher is in charge of teaching choreography to their class. I'm teaching a dance to a song called "Mary's Baby" which is a parody of "Sherry, Baby". Example of some lyrics?
Mary, Mary's baby, Mary, Mary's baby, Mary-y-y-y-y-y's Baby....
Jesus's mother tonight!
Yup. pretty good. Anyway, the program was supposed to be on December 16, but it's been moved up to December 9 and they gave us the DVDs ... this week. We have 40 minutes each day to teach the move to the kids. My class only has a dance with the girls so I have 13 6th grade girls that I need to teach a two and a half minute song to- I think we're at about 30 seconds. :) Anyway, it's minorly stressful, but I yelled at the girls today and said if they wanted to waste my time then I would go ahead and tell the principals that they didn't need to schedule our dance. That got them to shut up :) We were actually pretty productive at the end of the day, but I'm still nervous about how it's going to turn out.
Today at the end of the day, Mr. Lara (one of our principals) had to talk to me about something so I was rushing to put my stuff in my room and go to his office when about 6 third graders surrounded me. I have a rows system for my music classes where I give the row that earns the most points a sticker at the end of the day. Those third graders wanted their sticker! So, I quickly tried to cut out the ones that they wanted and then noticed I had a girl crying in my room with another girl glaring at her (oh yes! finally sixth graders acting like they're supposed to!) Apparently, they were fighting over the dance and talking about how bad the other was.... so I had to solve that and get the girls on their buses- I did a little trick I learned from my parents and made them each say one nice thing about each other and then give each other hugs. It worked- they're totally best friends now- and I didn't even have to lock them in the bathroom together! (common VP occurance :)) Finally, I was able to go to the office and get my own stuff figured out. :)
Speaking of principal's office visits... I had an evaluation this last week. It was pretty good, I was glad it was at the end of the week instead of the beginning because the beginning of the week I was an emotional wreck. If they had tried constructive criticism on Monday or Tuesday I would have probably burst out crying or something equally unprofessional. ;) But actually didn't have a whole lot of criticism- constructive or otherwise! They haven't actually visited my classroom or seen me teach a lesson, which annoys me a little bit. They base their observations off of if my kids have their workbooks filled out and parents don't complain. When they asked for comments or questions, I requested that they sit in on one of my classes and actually comment on how I interact with the kids. But! I can't complain- they didn't complain about me so I suppose that's not a bad thing :)
I talked to 3/8 family members tonight plus about 2 seconds worth of zach and olivia.... it takes a lot of time to get through everyone, so it sometimes takes me a while but I'm kind of bummed I'm missing Thanksgiving. I'm starting to get really excited for Christmas and am realizing how many traditonal things I'm missing from this time of the year- Turkey Bowl (although I don't think I've actually gotten up for that in a couple years.... ), putting up Christmas decorations (we cut down a regular tree with a machete and hung some lights and ornaments ;)), Advent wreath (I'm for sure buying candles and making my housemates celebrate Advent each week), egg nog.... anyway, I'm excited to be home to get the tail-end of all that stuff!
That's about all for now. I've been thinking a lot about our pastor Chuck and his family tonight- he's in Heaven now... so strange. And wonderful right? But anyway, I've been thinking of their family- pray for them with holidays :(
Talk to you all next week- Enjoy turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE!!!
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Happy Thanksgiving to our dear lAURA bETH. I just finished reading your Thanksgiving message to Grandpa. You write such meaningful and colorful messaages. I'm so anxious to see and visit with you. tomorrow we plan to have our Thankgiving in Paullina at the Pres. Church. Trust the weather will be o,k. Today was dreary and some snow fell. Sat. our family is getting together to celebrate my 90th birthday, which is the 30th. Your family is unique--they enjoy doing traditional things like the Advent, which we have witnessed at your house. Such good memories. Enjoy your day..We are so thankful for all the blessings which our way. Your telephone call and your message made my day. Love Grandma.
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