Things are going great! Besides the fact that sometimes during the day I'm falling asleep, because the night before I stayed up till three in the morning being teased, jumped on, scared out of my mind, tickled to death, and then laughing all at the end. . . . because my brothers (all four of them) are "only adjusting to having a sister" According to Bayardo they are just not used to it and don't really know what to do but they are starting to figure it out. . . .I guess I'm adjusting to having brothers too. Francie and I are close now and laugh at all the boys in the house and call them crazy, but of course the only two girls in the house. . . we're not crazy at all! MIra is also doing good, still very very tiny and very crazy. She is also in love with Derick, the oldest. Everything in the house is going good. Classes are going amazing. I love all my little children and I'm pretty sure they love me too! We have been learning colors, shapes, numbers, time, alphabet, family, and short sentences. With the little kids right now it is better to stick to simple vocabulary like food, family, and animals, because they really do not understand sentence structure. Today in class we are learning to write things in a birthday card and after, each student will make a card for Luisa, my best friend here because Monday it her 15th birthday (with a party on Sunday in the church) In Latin America the 15th birthday of a girl is very important. Luisa cannot afford the huge fancy party that a lot of girls have; actually she cannot afford anything for her 15th. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I'm helping! NOw starts where the money that all my supporters have given me.
1. Luisa has many problems and comes to me very sad and crying a lot of time. It is very important to me to help Luisa and make her happy for her birthday. I am having a beautiful pink dress made for her, earrings and a necklace to match, and a few other things. I am also helping the pastor to organize a small ceremony for her in the church on Sunday so she can have a party.
2. Many of my friends have never been to the water park here or the movies or little things like that, that is very common for kids in the US to do every weekend. So every so often I'll take people to the water park, movies, or to eat pizza or other things that they really want to do but cannot pay for and probably never will be able to.
3. After class, I say all my goodbyes to my students and many hugs and then eventually they start to leave. There is more than one boy (and girl) who does this but one comes to mind. His name is Ervin and after class as I'm walking away, I feel a little tug on my shirt. . . "Teacher I'm soo hungry and have no food and no money and my mom cannot feed me." He also looks like he is about to pass out because he is so hungry. So Ervin and I go to the park every other day or so, and I buy him lunch, everything that he can possibly eat, which is not expensive at all. We sit in the park and he tells me about his life, and I make sure he eats enough. There are other boys and girls that I do the same thing with.
Everything is good here and getting better every day. I have had no problems but one. It is soooo hard for me to see so many people who need help and who are not happy. Everyday Luisa or someone else come to me and tells me about their problems and cries and wants a hug. Or a kid tells me how hungry they are. I want to help so much and sometimes i just don't know what to do. BUT .. . .. I'm figuring it out and doing the best I can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Never say Never
Never say . . .
. . . that you won’t stick out your thumb on the side of the road and then the next thing you know you’re in the back of a truck flying down some road trying not to fall out.
. . . that you won't buy the cutest puppy ever that can only sleep when you or your “brother” Heyler is holding her
. . . that you won't go to a water park with no rules or lifeguards. . . .a.k.a. you can do whatever you want, like go down the huge slides with 5 other people at the same time
. . . that your brother (Heyler) won't convince you to do crazy things. . . like get up super early and climb down a huge rocky mountain, swim in some interesting looking water, and then climb ALL THE WAY back up. . . .and think you are about to die
. . . .that while taking a nap during the day, every 15 minutes or so you have to wake up and look in the mirror just to make sure you are not on fire because it is sooooo ridiculously hot
. . . that girls won't go up to your brother and the whole rest of the family very concerned, because they are scared that you might be Joel’s girlfriend who they are in love with. . . and then have to explain that you are only living with the family and not to worry heheheheh!
. . . that your students won't bring you the cutest little gifts like candy, drawings and on some special days, birds that they found on the street right before class
. . . that it won't rain so hard for so long that you are a little worried you might be swimming to teach English the next day
. . . that your cute little puppy wont give you a big ugly scratch on your face that makes you not want to leave the house
. . . that you won't go to a “farm” with a huge machete and help cut fruit and other things
. . . that you won't fall in love with all your little children, because they wait for you to come down the street and then run to you so they can walk with you to class
. . that you won't miss your Zachy Poo more than anything in the world and can't wait for him and the rest of the family to come in December
. . . that you won't meet the most amazing, cutest, smartest 8 year old boy in your English class that gives you huge hugs and smiles everyday. . . that is in desperate need of a surgery so his brain can grow properly or the worst can happen. I'm determined to help, and my family is helping me. More information later; for now please keep Christian and his family in your prayers.
. . . that you won’t stick out your thumb on the side of the road and then the next thing you know you’re in the back of a truck flying down some road trying not to fall out.
. . . that you won't buy the cutest puppy ever that can only sleep when you or your “brother” Heyler is holding her
. . . that you won't go to a water park with no rules or lifeguards. . . .a.k.a. you can do whatever you want, like go down the huge slides with 5 other people at the same time
. . . that your brother (Heyler) won't convince you to do crazy things. . . like get up super early and climb down a huge rocky mountain, swim in some interesting looking water, and then climb ALL THE WAY back up. . . .and think you are about to die
. . . .that while taking a nap during the day, every 15 minutes or so you have to wake up and look in the mirror just to make sure you are not on fire because it is sooooo ridiculously hot
. . . that girls won't go up to your brother and the whole rest of the family very concerned, because they are scared that you might be Joel’s girlfriend who they are in love with. . . and then have to explain that you are only living with the family and not to worry heheheheh!
. . . that your students won't bring you the cutest little gifts like candy, drawings and on some special days, birds that they found on the street right before class
. . . that it won't rain so hard for so long that you are a little worried you might be swimming to teach English the next day
. . . that your cute little puppy wont give you a big ugly scratch on your face that makes you not want to leave the house
. . . that you won't go to a “farm” with a huge machete and help cut fruit and other things
. . . that you won't fall in love with all your little children, because they wait for you to come down the street and then run to you so they can walk with you to class
. . that you won't miss your Zachy Poo more than anything in the world and can't wait for him and the rest of the family to come in December
. . . that you won't meet the most amazing, cutest, smartest 8 year old boy in your English class that gives you huge hugs and smiles everyday. . . that is in desperate need of a surgery so his brain can grow properly or the worst can happen. I'm determined to help, and my family is helping me. More information later; for now please keep Christian and his family in your prayers.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
English Class!
“. . .but when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. So that your giving may be in secret. Then your father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Matthew . . . something, sorry can't remember right now
Had my first class!!! First class Tuesday morning. . . 4 kids. Very calm and just went over some basic things and got to know each other. All was pretty well except the oldest boy was about 13 and knows a good amount of English and the youngest one I really think is only five and knows nada!!!! Next class in the afternoon I had fifteen kids. Same things for the most part. . . . some kids know a lot and some are soooo young and don’t know anything. I love all the kids and they are amazing and fun, but I realized I am going to have a challenge when it comes to making sure everyone is having fun, understanding, learning something new, and not bored because they already know what is going on. I went home that night and kinda freaked out. How was I going to do this?!?!?!?!?! I still had one more day this week of teaching, (Wednesday), so I decided I would bring some notebooks and folders to pass out, do some more basics and then try to get a better feeling for what people know. So Wednesday morning I packed up 5-6 notebooks for the first class (and a bunch more for the afternoon) just in case there was an extra student or two. . . There was ten students instead of four! OK that’s fine. Afternoon class I had over 25 students of all different ages! It was crazy, and I will definitely need to be bringing more notebooks on Monday! I have some ideas of how I am going to do everything, I just need to work it all out and sooner or later it will all be good. All the kids get along great with each other and me, and we are having lots of fun already even though it’s a little loco! My Dad and my Mom are giving me a lot of help and ideas but if anyone has any suggestions of games, things to do, and strategies please let me know!
Everything else is going pretty well. Soon I am going to be doing some special work with the church and soccer team because they need some extra help with something that I'm not quite sure of what it is, but they asked for help and that’s what I'm here for! I have really become close with the girls on the soccer team. I go to almost all of their games. I'm getting to be a good cheerer! They keep asking me to play, and I keep saying maybe one day just for fun. . . but I know sooner or later they are going to get me to play. In the mean time I have my own soccer practice going on with some of the kids in my class. Nelson (20) one of my good friends here has a very younger brother about 5 or 6 maybe (who I am in love with and is soooo cute!), and then a sister and brother who are about 12 maybe. Since I know their family pretty well, when I'm bored or in between class, I wander over to their house (even though Nelson is not usually there because he is very busy) and they get me to play soccer in the street with them. Last night we played for about two hours! There you go mom, there is my exercise you wanted me to have! Even though soccer is not my specialty, I had fun getting the crap scared out of me when they would kick the ball at me as hard as they could on purpose, and the kids probably could have died they were laughing so hard.
In the house everything is going well. I am starting to learn to cook with Franci. Bayardo loves to mess with me and play every joke he can think of on me. I talk with Derick the most about his music and my favorite question is “your wedding is getting closer!!! How nervous are you?!?!?!?” Then he tells me about everything he has to do for it and other stuff. . . . Joshua and I joke around a lot and now we talk more because he is in my English class. Joel is teaching me the piano! And there is a new member of the family. . . my puppy! I mentioned one day that I would love to have a puppy one day because they are so cute, and Bayardo instantly said you can buy one and have it here at the house. Their other dog is getting very old and is sick and they are sad. They are dog people. So Bayardo, Franci, and I went shopping for everything for my puppy! I think they had more fun then I did. In a few days I will be bringing home my puppy. I can't right now because she is to small, but I visit her almost everyday! Her name is Mira ( which means look in Spanish. . . and I stole this name from my neighbor at home) Hope to write again soon!
Matthew . . . something, sorry can't remember right now
Had my first class!!! First class Tuesday morning. . . 4 kids. Very calm and just went over some basic things and got to know each other. All was pretty well except the oldest boy was about 13 and knows a good amount of English and the youngest one I really think is only five and knows nada!!!! Next class in the afternoon I had fifteen kids. Same things for the most part. . . . some kids know a lot and some are soooo young and don’t know anything. I love all the kids and they are amazing and fun, but I realized I am going to have a challenge when it comes to making sure everyone is having fun, understanding, learning something new, and not bored because they already know what is going on. I went home that night and kinda freaked out. How was I going to do this?!?!?!?!?! I still had one more day this week of teaching, (Wednesday), so I decided I would bring some notebooks and folders to pass out, do some more basics and then try to get a better feeling for what people know. So Wednesday morning I packed up 5-6 notebooks for the first class (and a bunch more for the afternoon) just in case there was an extra student or two. . . There was ten students instead of four! OK that’s fine. Afternoon class I had over 25 students of all different ages! It was crazy, and I will definitely need to be bringing more notebooks on Monday! I have some ideas of how I am going to do everything, I just need to work it all out and sooner or later it will all be good. All the kids get along great with each other and me, and we are having lots of fun already even though it’s a little loco! My Dad and my Mom are giving me a lot of help and ideas but if anyone has any suggestions of games, things to do, and strategies please let me know!
Everything else is going pretty well. Soon I am going to be doing some special work with the church and soccer team because they need some extra help with something that I'm not quite sure of what it is, but they asked for help and that’s what I'm here for! I have really become close with the girls on the soccer team. I go to almost all of their games. I'm getting to be a good cheerer! They keep asking me to play, and I keep saying maybe one day just for fun. . . but I know sooner or later they are going to get me to play. In the mean time I have my own soccer practice going on with some of the kids in my class. Nelson (20) one of my good friends here has a very younger brother about 5 or 6 maybe (who I am in love with and is soooo cute!), and then a sister and brother who are about 12 maybe. Since I know their family pretty well, when I'm bored or in between class, I wander over to their house (even though Nelson is not usually there because he is very busy) and they get me to play soccer in the street with them. Last night we played for about two hours! There you go mom, there is my exercise you wanted me to have! Even though soccer is not my specialty, I had fun getting the crap scared out of me when they would kick the ball at me as hard as they could on purpose, and the kids probably could have died they were laughing so hard.
In the house everything is going well. I am starting to learn to cook with Franci. Bayardo loves to mess with me and play every joke he can think of on me. I talk with Derick the most about his music and my favorite question is “your wedding is getting closer!!! How nervous are you?!?!?!?” Then he tells me about everything he has to do for it and other stuff. . . . Joshua and I joke around a lot and now we talk more because he is in my English class. Joel is teaching me the piano! And there is a new member of the family. . . my puppy! I mentioned one day that I would love to have a puppy one day because they are so cute, and Bayardo instantly said you can buy one and have it here at the house. Their other dog is getting very old and is sick and they are sad. They are dog people. So Bayardo, Franci, and I went shopping for everything for my puppy! I think they had more fun then I did. In a few days I will be bringing home my puppy. I can't right now because she is to small, but I visit her almost everyday! Her name is Mira ( which means look in Spanish. . . and I stole this name from my neighbor at home) Hope to write again soon!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
here!
Hola. I am in Nicaragua and first i cANT typw very well on this jeyboard so sorry for the mistakes ill try and fix them lol. so the first night bayardo and joshua picked us up from the airort and i was sooo happy to see them. once in the car on the way to his house the talking was a little slow but we quickly got talking fast about everythin and my dad and bayardo get along great. Everyday bayardo tells me how he misses my dad and how he loved to talk with him. I have an amazing room with a big bed and a big mirror. It is so nice, and I have a nice place to put my clothes. I am not really in there that much because it is soo hot. The weather is out of control! I am always hot no matter what, but I am getting used to it. I have figured out not to take my shower when i first wake up and take it before i leave the house to feel refreshed. And the bugs are huge all over me in the night. lol Its crazy. The food is amazing. We eat all the time huge meals, and I am going to explode. i told franci, my mom, lol, that I can't eat so much. She doesn't seem to always understand that I am not Bayardo who could eat everything in the house. lol I have finally been reunited with my best friend in Nicaragua, Luisa, and we talk all the time and sit with each other in church. I start teaching CLASSES THE FIRST WEEK IN OCTOBER AND I AM PRETTY EXCITED TO BE WITH ALL THE LITTLE KIDS, and then i have one adlut class a week. I am also learning to play more on the piano from my new brothers. The other day Derick, Joshua and I played the piano together for hours and it was sooooo fun! Okqy I'm running out of time on the computer now, but one last thing! I have finally gotton one of my wishes in life. I have always wanted an older brother who is nice that I can talk to and kinda looks out for you i guess. . . I dunno but i got one, Derick! He is sooo nice, and we talk all the time and get along and he is always looking otu for me and teaching me new things. This morning he made me breakfast. Everything is perfect except I can't figure out how to work my phone. Love everyone. Hope to write again soon.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Thanks!
Thank you so much EVERYONE who has given me so much support. My church, friends, and family have done so much for me to help me on this trip it is crazy! You all are amazing people with huge hearts <3
I have 4 days before I leave and the packing is. . . . well it is getting there. I have packed one suitcase and all I could fit in it was paper and it already weighed 50 pounds!
As for all the other school supplies my dinning room is still kinda filled :)
but eventually it will hopefully all be packed and ready to go! Most likely I will talk to everyone again once I am in Nicaragua!
but eventually it will hopefully all be packed and ready to go! Most likely I will talk to everyone again once I am in Nicaragua!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Counting down. . .
So today it is exactly three weeks until I move to Nicaragua. I am not really nervous at all just a lot to do! Getting all my school supplies together and planning out how to teach kids and adult English classes! Thanks to everyone who has given me so much support and donations! Also just working on getting Zach his passport. . . get on that buddy!
:)
Thursday, August 20, 2009
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