Last week there was some type of hurricane/tropical storm. If I wasn’t an atmospheric science dropout I might have been able to give you a more technical description of what happened but I am; so, I’ll just tell you that it rained a lot. I do remember something about the length of time between thunder and lightening mattering. I think if there is no time it means you were just struck by lightening, that has happened a lot lately. On Thursday I was walking home and when I left school it was just a little misty, things change fast in a hurricane. By the time I got home, fifteen minutes later, I was completely soaked with my jeans plastered to my legs and my shoes ruined. At least I wasn’t sweating and I’m pretty sure I saw a partial smile on our guard Hector, and he never smiles.
Besides tearing apart my most rain-worthy shoes, the storm didn’t really have a negative effect on my life, I even got a day less of Domestic Arts out of it. But, really why would rain matter? The dirt roads may have turned into rivers but that just makes them more exciting to run in, and I can come home and take a warm shower and then put on clean dry clothes and drink tea. I have walls, and floors, and a roof, and even a dryer. Unfortunately many (maybe even most) Nicaraguans do not live in such weather resistant conditions. The river roads aren’t much fun to walk to work or school in. And it is really hard for people to dry their clothes even inside, because the houses are always damp since they aren’t built quite up to code. And then there is this family I know who’s outhouse caved in during the storm. Yes, their outhouse. Poor me with my broken shoes.
El fin/mi retiro
Last Thursday night we had our Domestic Arts’ banquet. Here is a picture of me directing to prove that I actually do something.
I think the event was a success.
On Monday I gave my class their final exam. School policy is that seniors with over a 90% are exempt and other students need above a 93%. I gave the exam to three students, all boys. So, as of 12:30 on Monday I am retired from teaching, or so I think.
Un otra vez
A few months ago I told my faithful Korean ex-boss that maybe in June I would consider helping him out again. On Saturday May 30th, he called me to ask what I had been thinking. I told him that I could see myself helping out one day a week, he asked me if I had a ride to school on Monday. Hold up, Monday! I guess he took that beginning of June thing seriously. I had to give my exam on Monday so he said he would come get me at 7:30 Tuesday morning, I had to clarify whether Tuesday morning he expected me to work or just to see things, he said the latter. So Tuesday he sent me into the office to set my schedule with the directora. Can we rewind to September 11, 2006 my first day on the job? Similarly, on this day in history, Matthew threw me into the work world with little direction. Fortunately, my relationship with the directora and with the Spanish language has greatly improved in the past 21 months. Back to present day, I told her I could come one day week, she picked Tuesdays. So next Tuesday I am starting again with my 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders. Maybe the third time is a charm and someone will actually learn something. Oddly enough, I am really excited. I missed the school (not so much the teaching), and am looking forward to being there again. I’ve been feeling very bubbled in lately so I think this is away to pop out and regain some perspective. By saying that I guess now I have to let you hold me accountable.
Mateo and I also went to see his ministry center at the Oriental Market. It has grown a lot since I’ve been here and within the next week he’ll be opening a clinic. In a few weeks he is going back to the states and I’ll be the on-call tour guide of the market if supporters come down during his absence. That’s me, great at making up facts on the fly.
Los grupos y mi sello nuevo
I got my stamp. I know, you’re excited, me too.
I’m trying to get the books all labeled quickly because lately it has become increasingly difficult to keep finished and unfinished books separate. You may wonder why. I’ll tell you. It’s because there are a lot of people helping lately. But today I’m going to lay down the law: put things back where you found them, don’t sit on the arms of the chairs, don’t ask me to take your picture, clean up after yourselves and encourage students to do likewise. You know, basics. But short-term, it is great having people entertain the kids, and recently there have been a lot of them.
Vigilancia
Tomorrow I am starting to housesit for Grant and Kandy Ferrer. They will be gone for a month and have a dog named nappy that they are leaving behind. They live a housing complex right next to where I live. I think I’ll still be spending a lot of time in my apartment because I don’t want to be bored out of my mind. Yay for summer.
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