Well. My time here in Guatemala is coming to a close. In 5 days, I will be back in the good old U.S.A.
I have nothing really more to write other than, please pray that I don't end up some where random because of my lack of Spanish skillz at the airport.
Also, in case you are not my facebook friend, here is the link to my pictures:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2045340&id=179202342&l=ec8cc90a9e
You should be able to look at the pictures even if you're not on facebook.
Looking forward to seeing all of you!
Peace, Love and More Airports,
Claire
Shoutout to Smelissa: Yeah, that's right..called you Smelissa again...
Shoutout to Haley and Mom: Go ahead and get that baking done before I come home...
Monday, December 14, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
I'll Be Home for Christmas
Hello Friends,
As of this moment I am exactly 9 days and 1 hour away from being home. I am one excited girl. I can tell you that much. However, with that joy comes the sadness of leaving, which is more than I thought it would be.
Christmas in Guatemala is MUCH more festive than I ever thought it would be. I would almost say that they outdo us Americans in their decorations and celebration. Granted they do Christmas up a little differently around here, but all in all, they LOVE Christmas. Some examples:
1. Massive decorated trees every where. The largest of which is sponsored by a beer company.
2. Tons of Christmas lights. Everywhere.
3. The malls and stores are DECKED out. They put Fayette Mall at Christmas to shame...I can tell you that much.
4. They celebrate by shooting off fireworks almost constantly...the culminating event being Christmas Eve...which I hear can sound a little like a war zone.
5. They burn the devil in preparation for the coming of Christ. This consists of bonfires everywhere, with pinatas of the devil being burned.
6. They have multiple showings of the Messiah and the Nutcracker in various locations.
7. They definitely DO NOT wait for Thanksgiving to be over to start the festivities either.
Keep in mind all of this goes on in 80 degree weather...which is about the only thing to me that makes it really not feel like Christmas. However, it's kind of nice...because you're experiencing all the fun Christmas things...but you're not freezing your butt off. I have become a great hater of cold weather while being down here...I never realized how awful it was until I experienced life without it for a bit. AMAZING.
We are also having our Christmas concert for the elementary school tomorrow night. It's a Superhero Christmas..and I wish I could tell you how stinking cute all these kids are in their superhero costumes...but it's too cute to describe. My class, third grade, are Jedi. Although our original intention was to make the robes ourselves...an opportunity arose and a man who needed work ended up making them for 25Q (about $3) a piece. They are SO good. The kids love them and they LOVE carrying their light sabers with them. We told them they could wear their robes to Spanish class this morning if they were on their best behavior...and I did not hear one peep from them as we walked there and none of them got in trouble in Spanish (a TRUE accomplishment). It was probably the cutest experience of my life. Needless to say I am very excited for tomorrow night.
I can't believe how close I am getting to the end of my time here. It has truly been a wonderful experience that I have loved and has changed me and impacted me in so many ways. I hope to write again before I leave, but don't hold it against me if I don't...I have a feeling this last week will be pretty busy.
Peace, Love and Jedi Knights,
Claire
Shoutout to Melissa Coffey: LOVED talking to you today. I miss you. We were not meant to spend this much time apart. I am so glad I get to see you before you leave for Ecuador!
Shoutout to Haley: PLEASE make me an awesome a capella Christmas CD to listen to on the drive home from the airport. I can't wait to see you! Good luck on Finals!
To all College Students: Good luck on your finals! You can do it!
7.
As of this moment I am exactly 9 days and 1 hour away from being home. I am one excited girl. I can tell you that much. However, with that joy comes the sadness of leaving, which is more than I thought it would be.
Christmas in Guatemala is MUCH more festive than I ever thought it would be. I would almost say that they outdo us Americans in their decorations and celebration. Granted they do Christmas up a little differently around here, but all in all, they LOVE Christmas. Some examples:
1. Massive decorated trees every where. The largest of which is sponsored by a beer company.
2. Tons of Christmas lights. Everywhere.
3. The malls and stores are DECKED out. They put Fayette Mall at Christmas to shame...I can tell you that much.
4. They celebrate by shooting off fireworks almost constantly...the culminating event being Christmas Eve...which I hear can sound a little like a war zone.
5. They burn the devil in preparation for the coming of Christ. This consists of bonfires everywhere, with pinatas of the devil being burned.
6. They have multiple showings of the Messiah and the Nutcracker in various locations.
7. They definitely DO NOT wait for Thanksgiving to be over to start the festivities either.
Keep in mind all of this goes on in 80 degree weather...which is about the only thing to me that makes it really not feel like Christmas. However, it's kind of nice...because you're experiencing all the fun Christmas things...but you're not freezing your butt off. I have become a great hater of cold weather while being down here...I never realized how awful it was until I experienced life without it for a bit. AMAZING.
We are also having our Christmas concert for the elementary school tomorrow night. It's a Superhero Christmas..and I wish I could tell you how stinking cute all these kids are in their superhero costumes...but it's too cute to describe. My class, third grade, are Jedi. Although our original intention was to make the robes ourselves...an opportunity arose and a man who needed work ended up making them for 25Q (about $3) a piece. They are SO good. The kids love them and they LOVE carrying their light sabers with them. We told them they could wear their robes to Spanish class this morning if they were on their best behavior...and I did not hear one peep from them as we walked there and none of them got in trouble in Spanish (a TRUE accomplishment). It was probably the cutest experience of my life. Needless to say I am very excited for tomorrow night.
I can't believe how close I am getting to the end of my time here. It has truly been a wonderful experience that I have loved and has changed me and impacted me in so many ways. I hope to write again before I leave, but don't hold it against me if I don't...I have a feeling this last week will be pretty busy.
Peace, Love and Jedi Knights,
Claire
Shoutout to Melissa Coffey: LOVED talking to you today. I miss you. We were not meant to spend this much time apart. I am so glad I get to see you before you leave for Ecuador!
Shoutout to Haley: PLEASE make me an awesome a capella Christmas CD to listen to on the drive home from the airport. I can't wait to see you! Good luck on Finals!
To all College Students: Good luck on your finals! You can do it!
7.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Tis the Season
Well friends,
Let me be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas! I officially started celebrating Christmas the day after Halloween...as is typical for me...but, now that Thanksgiving is behind us, I am in full on Christmas mode. I have like 5 advent/count down to coming home calendars...including one for my students...which they love...even though it's putting a paper ornament on a paper tree...they argue over who's turn it is to put it up just like we used to do Mom..haha. (P.S. I sincerely hope that you have the advent calendar down and are putting up the stuffed nativity pieces even though we aren't there...I am ashamed of you if you haven't. It needs to be not only up, but updated when I get back...I think it's my turn for Jesus this year.)
Let me back up for a minute and talk about Thanksgiving. I ate a traditional Thanksgiving meal on Wednesday night, which was great. The reason for eating Thursday being that a lot of families here take vacations for Thanksgiving...including me and some of the other teachers. We traveled to Belize on Thanksgiving day and returned on Sunday. It was quite the adventure. It was 5 hours on a bus (that cost approximately 9 dollars to ride), which was actually a very nice bus...and then an additional hour on a water taxi across the Caribbean to Belize (not as nice...way more sketchy...cost about 20 dollars...go figure). After quite a battle with Guatemalan immigration, we finally got there and to our hotel, in Punta Gorda, Belize, which was very nice. Punta Gorda however, is teeny tiny and has about 3 restaurants that open whenever they feel like it.
On Friday, we got to take a boat out to the many tiny little islands that are off Belize (I think they said there are something like 139 of them) and we went snorkeling, which was probably the single coolest experience of my life (you know how I feel about animals). I got to hold a starfish and a sea cucumber, which was SO sweet. We had a guide who could point out all the different fish and tell us their names...like I said, probably the best experience of my life.
Saturday we rode some bikes around and just hung out by the pool... it was cloudy...so I naturally didn't put on sunscreen...mistake...burn central. Oh well. Bet you most of you can't say you got sunburnt on the Saturday after Thanksgiving...
We came back on Sunday, with immigration being a lot easier this time, around 9 at night. Overall, it was an excellent Thanksgiving...I had my doubts about missing the traditional Turkey feast...but for one year and the most awesome fish I have ever seen...I can let it slide.
As I write this to you I have 2 weeks and 2 days left until I leave. It is AMAZING how fast the time has gone...but at the same time, the beginning of the semester and middle school seem like they were 10 years ago. I think I'm stuck in a time warp. I am getting VERY excited to come home because I miss all of you so much, but I will be very sad to leave here too. Catch 22.
As per my mother's request...I will be writing a blog about Guatemalan Christmas traditions...which I'll be honest...I will probably google to find out. I know some things...just not everything. Hope you all are doing well! I can't wait to see your faces in a very short time!
Love,
Claire
Shoutout to Melissa Coffey: Don't go to Florida...I mean...I know you need to and all that junk...but just don't. It won't be healthy for you to be away from me for so long.
Shoutout to Haley: Please keep Mom in check about the advent calendar. It's very important to me.
Shoutout to Ross: You thought you were going to get Mom and Dad to get the tree without me. FAT CHANCE. You cannot take away from me something that is part of my being.
Let me be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas! I officially started celebrating Christmas the day after Halloween...as is typical for me...but, now that Thanksgiving is behind us, I am in full on Christmas mode. I have like 5 advent/count down to coming home calendars...including one for my students...which they love...even though it's putting a paper ornament on a paper tree...they argue over who's turn it is to put it up just like we used to do Mom..haha. (P.S. I sincerely hope that you have the advent calendar down and are putting up the stuffed nativity pieces even though we aren't there...I am ashamed of you if you haven't. It needs to be not only up, but updated when I get back...I think it's my turn for Jesus this year.)
Let me back up for a minute and talk about Thanksgiving. I ate a traditional Thanksgiving meal on Wednesday night, which was great. The reason for eating Thursday being that a lot of families here take vacations for Thanksgiving...including me and some of the other teachers. We traveled to Belize on Thanksgiving day and returned on Sunday. It was quite the adventure. It was 5 hours on a bus (that cost approximately 9 dollars to ride), which was actually a very nice bus...and then an additional hour on a water taxi across the Caribbean to Belize (not as nice...way more sketchy...cost about 20 dollars...go figure). After quite a battle with Guatemalan immigration, we finally got there and to our hotel, in Punta Gorda, Belize, which was very nice. Punta Gorda however, is teeny tiny and has about 3 restaurants that open whenever they feel like it.
On Friday, we got to take a boat out to the many tiny little islands that are off Belize (I think they said there are something like 139 of them) and we went snorkeling, which was probably the single coolest experience of my life (you know how I feel about animals). I got to hold a starfish and a sea cucumber, which was SO sweet. We had a guide who could point out all the different fish and tell us their names...like I said, probably the best experience of my life.
Saturday we rode some bikes around and just hung out by the pool... it was cloudy...so I naturally didn't put on sunscreen...mistake...burn central. Oh well. Bet you most of you can't say you got sunburnt on the Saturday after Thanksgiving...
We came back on Sunday, with immigration being a lot easier this time, around 9 at night. Overall, it was an excellent Thanksgiving...I had my doubts about missing the traditional Turkey feast...but for one year and the most awesome fish I have ever seen...I can let it slide.
As I write this to you I have 2 weeks and 2 days left until I leave. It is AMAZING how fast the time has gone...but at the same time, the beginning of the semester and middle school seem like they were 10 years ago. I think I'm stuck in a time warp. I am getting VERY excited to come home because I miss all of you so much, but I will be very sad to leave here too. Catch 22.
As per my mother's request...I will be writing a blog about Guatemalan Christmas traditions...which I'll be honest...I will probably google to find out. I know some things...just not everything. Hope you all are doing well! I can't wait to see your faces in a very short time!
Love,
Claire
Shoutout to Melissa Coffey: Don't go to Florida...I mean...I know you need to and all that junk...but just don't. It won't be healthy for you to be away from me for so long.
Shoutout to Haley: Please keep Mom in check about the advent calendar. It's very important to me.
Shoutout to Ross: You thought you were going to get Mom and Dad to get the tree without me. FAT CHANCE. You cannot take away from me something that is part of my being.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving from Guatemala.
Dear Friends,
I finally feel like I have enough information to tell you to write a blog post. So here it is.
This have been going well in the last week! I think I'm finally starting to feel comfortable and not so shell shocked...granted it took me more than half the time I'm going to be here...but...oh well. I am in my second week of full time teaching...which granted is a cheating week because of Thanksgiving and a field trip we took this morning...haha...but I'm not complaining.
This weekend was also great! I got the opportunity to work at a VBS in Sumpango, which is about 45 minutes away. We painted faces and dipped ice cream for the boys who won the offering challenge. They were the cutest children ever! People in Sumpango are of Mayan descent , so most of the girls were wearing traditional dress, which was neat. I painted tons of rainbows and spiders and soccer balls.
As I mentioned before, today we went with the entire elementary to the Children's Museum. Which was by far the sweetest children's museum I've ever seen...which...I haven't seen many...but it was SO neat. We had so much fun and the kids loved it...even though most of them had been there like 100 times already.
Things have been going really well! I am really starting to LOVE this country and the people in it. For Thanksgiving I am going to Belize to the beach...am I excited about that? Absolutely! When I come back tan...you can all take your awesome Thanksgiving Dinners and shove them down your throats...I don't actually feel that way. I'm very bummed to be missing Thanksgiving. However, I can get excited for some beach. If you are concerned that I am not getting a Thanksgiving meal...rest assured...I am going to a Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow night for all the single teachers...I'm making Derby pie...Not exactly a Thanksgiving classic...but there's not much better that you can put in your mouth.
Happy Turkey Day One and All!
Love,
Claire
P.S. The last Thanksgiving (and the only) other Thanksgiving I have not spend with my entire family...was spent freezing my butt off. This time around...that will not be the case! Sweeeet.
Shout Outs:
Mellers: Sorry to hear about your grilled cheese...but I'll be honest...I DIED laughing. Hope helping with thanksgiving goes better than the grilled cheese experience.
Haley: I need to send you an email. Sorry I suck. I'll do it right now.
I finally feel like I have enough information to tell you to write a blog post. So here it is.
This have been going well in the last week! I think I'm finally starting to feel comfortable and not so shell shocked...granted it took me more than half the time I'm going to be here...but...oh well. I am in my second week of full time teaching...which granted is a cheating week because of Thanksgiving and a field trip we took this morning...haha...but I'm not complaining.
This weekend was also great! I got the opportunity to work at a VBS in Sumpango, which is about 45 minutes away. We painted faces and dipped ice cream for the boys who won the offering challenge. They were the cutest children ever! People in Sumpango are of Mayan descent , so most of the girls were wearing traditional dress, which was neat. I painted tons of rainbows and spiders and soccer balls.
As I mentioned before, today we went with the entire elementary to the Children's Museum. Which was by far the sweetest children's museum I've ever seen...which...I haven't seen many...but it was SO neat. We had so much fun and the kids loved it...even though most of them had been there like 100 times already.
Things have been going really well! I am really starting to LOVE this country and the people in it. For Thanksgiving I am going to Belize to the beach...am I excited about that? Absolutely! When I come back tan...you can all take your awesome Thanksgiving Dinners and shove them down your throats...I don't actually feel that way. I'm very bummed to be missing Thanksgiving. However, I can get excited for some beach. If you are concerned that I am not getting a Thanksgiving meal...rest assured...I am going to a Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow night for all the single teachers...I'm making Derby pie...Not exactly a Thanksgiving classic...but there's not much better that you can put in your mouth.
Happy Turkey Day One and All!
Love,
Claire
P.S. The last Thanksgiving (and the only) other Thanksgiving I have not spend with my entire family...was spent freezing my butt off. This time around...that will not be the case! Sweeeet.
Shout Outs:
Mellers: Sorry to hear about your grilled cheese...but I'll be honest...I DIED laughing. Hope helping with thanksgiving goes better than the grilled cheese experience.
Haley: I need to send you an email. Sorry I suck. I'll do it right now.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
A Tribute
Well. My week has been pretty uneventful and this weekend I'm gearing up to start teaching full time, which is slowly eating up my weekend. So. I've decided to dedicate this blog to those who have kept me company and been patient enough to skype with me. This one's for you all.
The way I've decided to pay tribute to you all, is probably one for which you will all hate me, but know that you all are great...despite what you may look like in these pictures.
Mom, Dad and The Coop (two of these are missing from the picture...can you figure out which two?)
Ross: Thanks for talking to me in between conversations with Taylor...and don't worry, it doesn't bother me too much when you drop my calls to pick up hers even when I'm mid sentence
Haley: I'm glad you can update me on the goings on of Ross's life when he won't actually talk to me himself.
Mike, A, Conner and Jude: Hope you all have been able to get out of your house...but it was fun to talk to you all while you were stuck there! Looking forward to some more songs courtesy of Jude.
Sarah: Don't hate me for putting up this picture...but it's pretty priceless. Glad we can exchange stories! Hope everything continues to go well for you in Brazil!
Nathan: Hey. Sweet headset. I'd like a #2 with a diet coke...
The remaining Villains (Mel, Gina, Mags and Katie): I miss you all dearly! Congratulations on definitely having the cutest candid skype snapshot.
Well there you have it: All my lovely skypers...bet you didn't know I took those pics did ya? Hahaha. But. Keep up the good skype work. You all are great.
Claire
P.S. Consider this post one big shout out!
The way I've decided to pay tribute to you all, is probably one for which you will all hate me, but know that you all are great...despite what you may look like in these pictures.
Mom, Dad and The Coop (two of these are missing from the picture...can you figure out which two?)
Ross: Thanks for talking to me in between conversations with Taylor...and don't worry, it doesn't bother me too much when you drop my calls to pick up hers even when I'm mid sentence
Haley: I'm glad you can update me on the goings on of Ross's life when he won't actually talk to me himself.
Mike, A, Conner and Jude: Hope you all have been able to get out of your house...but it was fun to talk to you all while you were stuck there! Looking forward to some more songs courtesy of Jude.
Sarah: Don't hate me for putting up this picture...but it's pretty priceless. Glad we can exchange stories! Hope everything continues to go well for you in Brazil!
Nathan: Hey. Sweet headset. I'd like a #2 with a diet coke...
The remaining Villains (Mel, Gina, Mags and Katie): I miss you all dearly! Congratulations on definitely having the cutest candid skype snapshot.
Well there you have it: All my lovely skypers...bet you didn't know I took those pics did ya? Hahaha. But. Keep up the good skype work. You all are great.
Claire
P.S. Consider this post one big shout out!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Week Three: Underway
Well Friends,
I would first of all like to take a moment to congratulate my alma matter, (i think just using that word makes you sound old...) Lafayette on yet another EXCELLENT victory at State Finals. Special congrats to my cuz Clay who felt victory with the band in his last season...I won't lie...that, I am jealous of.
Anywho,
I have officially been in Guatemala (or the Guat as some of you prefer to call it) for 2 weeks, 1 day, 6 hours and 44 minutes and I think it's safe to say I've kind of gotten the hang of the routine around these parts. Just in case you were wondering (which you weren't...because what I'm about to tell you is going to be exceedingly boring) here it is. What you've all been waiting for. A DAY IN THE LIFE OF CLAIRE L. KINNEY, STUDENT TEACHER AT THE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF GUATEMALA.
6:30 - Wake Up
7:40 - Leave for School
7:43 - Arrive at School (if you'll note...school is very close to where I'm staying)
8:00 - School Starts (I would write more about my school day...but it varies so frequently, that it's just a lot of typing that...let's be honest...most of you would skip anyway)
10:00 - First Recess
12:00 - Lunch
12:20 - Second Recess (yeah...they have TWO recesses...it's pretty sweet)
3:00 - School Ends
3:20 - Go Home
3:23 - Arrive back...play on the computer...write lesson plans...that kind of thing.
6:00 - Dinner (typically)
7:00 - Finish Lesson Plans and stuff
However, I do go to a Bible Study on Monday nights and Thursday nights, one of the mom's at the school has all the single women teachers over for dinner and to watch Survivor (which...you know i love).
Weekends are up for grabs...This weekend I mostly relaxed, but I did get the opportunity to go to The Oasis, where my host family works and see their facility and play with some of the girls that stay there. Which was really fun...except It took me like 25 years to realize that "empuje" meant they wanted me to push them on the swing. They were probably really frustated with my lack of Spanish..but I like to think I made up for it in my intensly good pushing abilities. They kept saying, "Mas" which is like the one word I know (it means "more" for those of you who lack the kind of natural Spanish ability that I have). I'd like to thank my Mom and Grandmommy for always pushing me on the swing as a child and teaching me the proper technique.
I've been picking up more and more at school. This week I teach Math, Bible, Spelling and Phonics and Writing and Grammar. I like having more teaching to do...it makes life much less boring.
I think the kids are starting to warm up to me a little bit more and I think they even admitted to liking one of my lessons today. They are a rowdy group, that much is true, but they're precious when they want to be.
Overall, things are going well! I miss home and I miss all of you, but I know this is where I'm supposed to be right now and I'm just trying to live it up!
Peace, Love and My Typical Day,
Claire
Shout Outs:
1. As always to Miss Melissa Coffey: I miss you a lot. I really miss being super funny with you. I feel like I'm losing some of my funniness because I'm not with you.
2. Haley: You wanted a shout out and here it is! I just want you to know that sometimes when I want a laugh...I think about all your ridiculous experiences at the corner of Main and Jefferson with the gangsters.
3. Allison Brown: I really wish I could hear your Obama voice. I hope you're treating your first lady Michelle nicely. Also. You're great. Let's hang out when I get back.
4. Mamaw and Papaw: I am writing this on here so that hopefully my parents are responsible enough to print this out and bring it to you! I love and miss you all! Can't wait to see you all when I get back!
5. Grandmommy and Granddaddy: This is also a reminder to my parents to show you all this! I hope sometime when she's at your house I will be able to skype with you! Love and miss you both!
I would first of all like to take a moment to congratulate my alma matter, (i think just using that word makes you sound old...) Lafayette on yet another EXCELLENT victory at State Finals. Special congrats to my cuz Clay who felt victory with the band in his last season...I won't lie...that, I am jealous of.
Anywho,
I have officially been in Guatemala (or the Guat as some of you prefer to call it) for 2 weeks, 1 day, 6 hours and 44 minutes and I think it's safe to say I've kind of gotten the hang of the routine around these parts. Just in case you were wondering (which you weren't...because what I'm about to tell you is going to be exceedingly boring) here it is. What you've all been waiting for. A DAY IN THE LIFE OF CLAIRE L. KINNEY, STUDENT TEACHER AT THE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF GUATEMALA.
6:30 - Wake Up
7:40 - Leave for School
7:43 - Arrive at School (if you'll note...school is very close to where I'm staying)
8:00 - School Starts (I would write more about my school day...but it varies so frequently, that it's just a lot of typing that...let's be honest...most of you would skip anyway)
10:00 - First Recess
12:00 - Lunch
12:20 - Second Recess (yeah...they have TWO recesses...it's pretty sweet)
3:00 - School Ends
3:20 - Go Home
3:23 - Arrive back...play on the computer...write lesson plans...that kind of thing.
6:00 - Dinner (typically)
7:00 - Finish Lesson Plans and stuff
However, I do go to a Bible Study on Monday nights and Thursday nights, one of the mom's at the school has all the single women teachers over for dinner and to watch Survivor (which...you know i love).
Weekends are up for grabs...This weekend I mostly relaxed, but I did get the opportunity to go to The Oasis, where my host family works and see their facility and play with some of the girls that stay there. Which was really fun...except It took me like 25 years to realize that "empuje" meant they wanted me to push them on the swing. They were probably really frustated with my lack of Spanish..but I like to think I made up for it in my intensly good pushing abilities. They kept saying, "Mas" which is like the one word I know (it means "more" for those of you who lack the kind of natural Spanish ability that I have). I'd like to thank my Mom and Grandmommy for always pushing me on the swing as a child and teaching me the proper technique.
I've been picking up more and more at school. This week I teach Math, Bible, Spelling and Phonics and Writing and Grammar. I like having more teaching to do...it makes life much less boring.
I think the kids are starting to warm up to me a little bit more and I think they even admitted to liking one of my lessons today. They are a rowdy group, that much is true, but they're precious when they want to be.
Overall, things are going well! I miss home and I miss all of you, but I know this is where I'm supposed to be right now and I'm just trying to live it up!
Peace, Love and My Typical Day,
Claire
Shout Outs:
1. As always to Miss Melissa Coffey: I miss you a lot. I really miss being super funny with you. I feel like I'm losing some of my funniness because I'm not with you.
2. Haley: You wanted a shout out and here it is! I just want you to know that sometimes when I want a laugh...I think about all your ridiculous experiences at the corner of Main and Jefferson with the gangsters.
3. Allison Brown: I really wish I could hear your Obama voice. I hope you're treating your first lady Michelle nicely. Also. You're great. Let's hang out when I get back.
4. Mamaw and Papaw: I am writing this on here so that hopefully my parents are responsible enough to print this out and bring it to you! I love and miss you all! Can't wait to see you all when I get back!
5. Grandmommy and Granddaddy: This is also a reminder to my parents to show you all this! I hope sometime when she's at your house I will be able to skype with you! Love and miss you both!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
The Best of Times...The Worst of Times
Well. There's a little Dickens for you as a title... but it pretty accurately sums up my weekend. You all read (I'm sure!) about my adventure up the volcano, but don't be fooled...I did not have just one adventure this weekend...but one every day!
On Saturday, despite the fact that I was pretty sore, I woke up and met up with some of the other teachers and drove to Antigua, which is a city outside Guatemala City, to go to a museum about coffee (Which Guatemala is famous for) and the history of Guatemala music. My inner nerd (I know...maybe not so inner sometimes...) came out and I was loving life learning all this stuff. For instance...did you know that the Marimba is the national instrument of Guatemala? Or that one coffee tree really only makes about a pound of coffee? Fun Facts...I know. But after the museums... we had lunch and then went to a market. After all that, I came back and ate dinner, played scrabble and cruised the internet...classic.
Sunday, which I don't know if you are aware of this or not...is the Day of the Dead...which in Guatemala, is a huge stinking deal. So. This is bascially what they do. They eat this food called fiambre, which is basically like tons of pickled stuff all thrown together. Then they head out to the grave yard to hang out with the tomb stones of their deceased loved ones and fly kites...because since it's the day of the dead...their relatives are as close to earth as they will ever be...therefore by flying kites...they can get really close. Granted this is probably not the continued belief of many Guatemalans...but its the root of the idea none the less. So. Where does my life come into all of this you might ask? Well. I went with a group from C.A.G. (Christian Academy of Guatema, where I'm student teaching) in the back of a truck (an experience in itself...) to one of the most popular places where they fly kites. Just another FYI...the kite flying has turned into a much bigger deal that it once was. There are now sponsored kites that they make (and these things are HUGE like probably 2 stories high sometimes), and they usually have a super political or religious message on them. But they're absolutely beautiful...and I cannot fathom how many hours goes into each kite. So we went and watched them fly kites and we looked at all the huge kites. It was really sweet and it was neat to be witnessing something that is obviously so important to their culture.
That was Sunday. You may be asking yourself..."Wait, I thought this was titled, The Best of Times, The Worst of Times...these all seem pretty best to me!?" Well. Here comes the worst. Sunday night...after I apparently drank or ate something fishy...I got very sick. It was not fun. I do not reccomend it. I could not even go to school yesterday. It was pretty terrible. BUT. I feel fine today...apparently their water poisoning only lasts 24 hours...which is awesome becasue I wouldn't have lasted much longer...and I went back to school and all is well.
Love and Miss You All (unless i don't).
Peace, Love and Stinking Huge Kites,
Claire
Shout out to Melissa Coffey: I'm glad you got skype. It makes our seperation easier...but not much, because I still miss you a ton!
On Saturday, despite the fact that I was pretty sore, I woke up and met up with some of the other teachers and drove to Antigua, which is a city outside Guatemala City, to go to a museum about coffee (Which Guatemala is famous for) and the history of Guatemala music. My inner nerd (I know...maybe not so inner sometimes...) came out and I was loving life learning all this stuff. For instance...did you know that the Marimba is the national instrument of Guatemala? Or that one coffee tree really only makes about a pound of coffee? Fun Facts...I know. But after the museums... we had lunch and then went to a market. After all that, I came back and ate dinner, played scrabble and cruised the internet...classic.
Sunday, which I don't know if you are aware of this or not...is the Day of the Dead...which in Guatemala, is a huge stinking deal. So. This is bascially what they do. They eat this food called fiambre, which is basically like tons of pickled stuff all thrown together. Then they head out to the grave yard to hang out with the tomb stones of their deceased loved ones and fly kites...because since it's the day of the dead...their relatives are as close to earth as they will ever be...therefore by flying kites...they can get really close. Granted this is probably not the continued belief of many Guatemalans...but its the root of the idea none the less. So. Where does my life come into all of this you might ask? Well. I went with a group from C.A.G. (Christian Academy of Guatema, where I'm student teaching) in the back of a truck (an experience in itself...) to one of the most popular places where they fly kites. Just another FYI...the kite flying has turned into a much bigger deal that it once was. There are now sponsored kites that they make (and these things are HUGE like probably 2 stories high sometimes), and they usually have a super political or religious message on them. But they're absolutely beautiful...and I cannot fathom how many hours goes into each kite. So we went and watched them fly kites and we looked at all the huge kites. It was really sweet and it was neat to be witnessing something that is obviously so important to their culture.
That was Sunday. You may be asking yourself..."Wait, I thought this was titled, The Best of Times, The Worst of Times...these all seem pretty best to me!?" Well. Here comes the worst. Sunday night...after I apparently drank or ate something fishy...I got very sick. It was not fun. I do not reccomend it. I could not even go to school yesterday. It was pretty terrible. BUT. I feel fine today...apparently their water poisoning only lasts 24 hours...which is awesome becasue I wouldn't have lasted much longer...and I went back to school and all is well.
Love and Miss You All (unless i don't).
Peace, Love and Stinking Huge Kites,
Claire
Shout out to Melissa Coffey: I'm glad you got skype. It makes our seperation easier...but not much, because I still miss you a ton!
Friday, October 30, 2009
And Then My Shoes Started to Burn...
How's that for a catchy title? Pretty good eh? Well. Here's the sitch. Today, despite the fact that I'm already suffering because of the extreme altitudes here and the fact that I just got done with my first week of student teaching...I went with some of the other teachers at the school to climb a volcano. (yes. an ACTIVE volcano). It was pretty awful. I won't lie to you. So awful, that I quit walking and rode a horse...it's true...I Claire Kinney pansied out and rode the horse, but that was actually pretty sweet. HOWEVER, the horse can only take you up so far, so the rest of the way I just climbed. Sweet...BUT when we got to the top...I did definitely see a volcano and I stood on top of the lava, to the point that my feet started to feel hot...which if you know me and my foot condition...you know is a rare occurance. It was pretty nuts. My pictures are all awful because it was dark, but i'll paint a picture of it from my mind or something...hahahaha...like that's even possible.
School is still going well, I think I'm finally starting to get into the swing of things. The kids are a little slow to warm up to me...but that's to be expected with me coming in half way through the semester and it's in the nature of Third Culture Kids...which if you don't know what that means...I'll explain it to you sometime...but not on my blog on the night I climbed a volcano. I taught my first lesson today and it went pretty well. I start teaching Bible on Monday, which is basically reading to the kids about Paul and holding up some flash cards...definitely doable.
I'm like falling asleep mid sentence here...so I'm going to go to sleep, but...I love and miss you all!
Peace, Love and Volcanoes,
Claire
Shoutout of the Day to Melissa Coffey: There was literally a time today when everyone around me knew what was going on and I had no freaking clue...because it was all in Spanish...you would have known...wish you were here.
School is still going well, I think I'm finally starting to get into the swing of things. The kids are a little slow to warm up to me...but that's to be expected with me coming in half way through the semester and it's in the nature of Third Culture Kids...which if you don't know what that means...I'll explain it to you sometime...but not on my blog on the night I climbed a volcano. I taught my first lesson today and it went pretty well. I start teaching Bible on Monday, which is basically reading to the kids about Paul and holding up some flash cards...definitely doable.
I'm like falling asleep mid sentence here...so I'm going to go to sleep, but...I love and miss you all!
Peace, Love and Volcanoes,
Claire
Shoutout of the Day to Melissa Coffey: There was literally a time today when everyone around me knew what was going on and I had no freaking clue...because it was all in Spanish...you would have known...wish you were here.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
I can't think of anything witty to write here...Sorry...better luck next entry.
Haley. Please be aware that this is for you because I know you will eat my breakfast if I don't update today. But anyone else who's reading...don't feel unwelcome on my blog. It's a free and open blog for everyone to enjoy. No prejudices here.
Also. When I get on here, the buttons are all in Spanish, so I kind of just click until I get it right...I am seriously regretting my decision to take German for 6 years of my life. So impractical. Seriously...I never thought I would say this, but everyone should be forced to take Spanish in school. Anyway, I digress.
So. I started school yesterday, which went well. I am student teaching in the 3rd grade, and there are 10 students in my class...a far cry from 137...It took me two minutes as opposed to two weeks to learn their names...great. Yesterday, I observed for part of the day and learned general information about the school the rest of the day, which was good and today I observed all day. I start teaching math on Friday, which I am excited about, since...I'll admit...I love math. Fact families here we come. Next week I start to teach Bible, which could be interesting considering the fact that I've never taught it before, or even had Bible class anywhere other than college...we'll see...I guess it can't be that complicated in third grade...
But all in all things are going well. I am stinking tired. Apparently the extremely high altitude here tends to have that effect on new comers...sweet...But I think that's about all I have for you today.
Peace, Love and Third Grade,
Claire
Shoutouts of the Day:
Smel: I wish I could watch St. Elmo's right now...I was thinking about the fact that you would definitely be the coke addict and I would be the suspected gay guy were our lives the movie...pretty unfortunate.
Mags: I definitely went to sleep before 9 o'clock last night...as I was drifting off, I thought of you and how proud you would be. I hope that big room all to yourself is treating you well and Mel isn't doing anything crazy...like making you stay up until 11:04 (clearly the devil's time of night)
Katie: Ultimate TWSS today.
Also. When I get on here, the buttons are all in Spanish, so I kind of just click until I get it right...I am seriously regretting my decision to take German for 6 years of my life. So impractical. Seriously...I never thought I would say this, but everyone should be forced to take Spanish in school. Anyway, I digress.
So. I started school yesterday, which went well. I am student teaching in the 3rd grade, and there are 10 students in my class...a far cry from 137...It took me two minutes as opposed to two weeks to learn their names...great. Yesterday, I observed for part of the day and learned general information about the school the rest of the day, which was good and today I observed all day. I start teaching math on Friday, which I am excited about, since...I'll admit...I love math. Fact families here we come. Next week I start to teach Bible, which could be interesting considering the fact that I've never taught it before, or even had Bible class anywhere other than college...we'll see...I guess it can't be that complicated in third grade...
But all in all things are going well. I am stinking tired. Apparently the extremely high altitude here tends to have that effect on new comers...sweet...But I think that's about all I have for you today.
Peace, Love and Third Grade,
Claire
Shoutouts of the Day:
Smel: I wish I could watch St. Elmo's right now...I was thinking about the fact that you would definitely be the coke addict and I would be the suspected gay guy were our lives the movie...pretty unfortunate.
Mags: I definitely went to sleep before 9 o'clock last night...as I was drifting off, I thought of you and how proud you would be. I hope that big room all to yourself is treating you well and Mel isn't doing anything crazy...like making you stay up until 11:04 (clearly the devil's time of night)
Katie: Ultimate TWSS today.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Touch Down
Well. If you cannot tell from the title, I have arrived. The airport was easy breazy...probably because I prayed for a good hour of the flight there that it would be. Thanks, God. Stressful situation...averted. Anyway, I was picked up at the airport by the director of the school and his wife, and had (a great) lunch with them before I was taken to my host family's house.
The family I am staying with works with another ministry (kids alive) and they send their son Jared to the school I am going to be working at. They are great! Jared is nine and I have already played about 15 rounds of catch phrase, some game called bouncearena and some game on his play station. So far. So great. I also went to a church service with them tonight (in English) and there were more people from Kentucky there than there are at Taylor...I'm not even kidding. It's pretty great. You all know how I feel about the state of Kentucky...
Everything is going so well, thus far. I start school tomorrow, and I'm really excited! But it is time to go to sleep. This has been one massive, stressful, and great day. You can now all sit in eager anticipation of my next blog entry...try to find something fun to do to pass the time...i know it'll be rough...but you can do it!
Peace, Love and Customs,
Claire
Smellisa Coffey Shout Out of the Day: At church today, I literally got introduced to the entire group, like I was an announcement. It reminded me of that one time we were at St. Matthews (or is it St. Pauls...not sure) and they made us stand up in front of the entire congregation and introduce ourselves. Yikes. Shockingly, this was less stressful.
Shout Out to Haley: Today I saw a man wearing cargo shorts over plaid pajama bottoms...I don't know why, but when I saw this I immediately wanted to tell you...
Shout Out to Maggie Haire, Katie Barnes and Gina Dammeyer: Yesterday, I fully had the intentions of making a video of me lip syncing to Friends are Friends Forever (Michael W. Smith) to send to you all, telling you I missed you...but I couldn't figure out my camera...maybe one day soon.
The family I am staying with works with another ministry (kids alive) and they send their son Jared to the school I am going to be working at. They are great! Jared is nine and I have already played about 15 rounds of catch phrase, some game called bouncearena and some game on his play station. So far. So great. I also went to a church service with them tonight (in English) and there were more people from Kentucky there than there are at Taylor...I'm not even kidding. It's pretty great. You all know how I feel about the state of Kentucky...
Everything is going so well, thus far. I start school tomorrow, and I'm really excited! But it is time to go to sleep. This has been one massive, stressful, and great day. You can now all sit in eager anticipation of my next blog entry...try to find something fun to do to pass the time...i know it'll be rough...but you can do it!
Peace, Love and Customs,
Claire
Smellisa Coffey Shout Out of the Day: At church today, I literally got introduced to the entire group, like I was an announcement. It reminded me of that one time we were at St. Matthews (or is it St. Pauls...not sure) and they made us stand up in front of the entire congregation and introduce ourselves. Yikes. Shockingly, this was less stressful.
Shout Out to Haley: Today I saw a man wearing cargo shorts over plaid pajama bottoms...I don't know why, but when I saw this I immediately wanted to tell you...
Shout Out to Maggie Haire, Katie Barnes and Gina Dammeyer: Yesterday, I fully had the intentions of making a video of me lip syncing to Friends are Friends Forever (Michael W. Smith) to send to you all, telling you I missed you...but I couldn't figure out my camera...maybe one day soon.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Here goes nothin'...
Well friends (or people reading my blog...I guess you don't technically have to be friends),
I am doing the unthinkable (and not stereotypical at all...) and setting up a blog that can hopefully keep the world (aka. my world) updated on my whereabouts and activities while I'm gone for the next 7 weeks.
What am I doing? A very good question. Here is what I know.
I am leaving on Sunday, October 25, at an unholy hour of the morning, to fly to Guatemala City, Guatemala, where I will remain for the next 7 weeks. I am fulfilling the second portion of my student teaching, the first of which was spent in Gas City, Indiana, teaching 7th grade science at RJ Baskett Middle School. While in Guatemala, I am going to be student teaching 3rd grade at the Christian Academy of Guatemala and staying with a family that sends their son to that school, something I think I could go as far as to call the opposite of my current situation. Any other details you might be wondering, I cannot tell you because then I would have to kill you...not actually...I just don't know the answer myself.
So here's to a little leap of faith, that will hopefully end up as an amazing and impacting experience both for the students and people I interact with while I'm down there and for myself as well.
Any prayers you would be willing to shoot up on my behalf are greatly appreciated, especially as I get ready to embark on this adventure.
Peace, Love and Airports,
Claire
I am doing the unthinkable (and not stereotypical at all...) and setting up a blog that can hopefully keep the world (aka. my world) updated on my whereabouts and activities while I'm gone for the next 7 weeks.
What am I doing? A very good question. Here is what I know.
I am leaving on Sunday, October 25, at an unholy hour of the morning, to fly to Guatemala City, Guatemala, where I will remain for the next 7 weeks. I am fulfilling the second portion of my student teaching, the first of which was spent in Gas City, Indiana, teaching 7th grade science at RJ Baskett Middle School. While in Guatemala, I am going to be student teaching 3rd grade at the Christian Academy of Guatemala and staying with a family that sends their son to that school, something I think I could go as far as to call the opposite of my current situation. Any other details you might be wondering, I cannot tell you because then I would have to kill you...not actually...I just don't know the answer myself.
So here's to a little leap of faith, that will hopefully end up as an amazing and impacting experience both for the students and people I interact with while I'm down there and for myself as well.
Any prayers you would be willing to shoot up on my behalf are greatly appreciated, especially as I get ready to embark on this adventure.
Peace, Love and Airports,
Claire
Shout out of the day to Smelissa Coffey:
Remember that time you loved the movie CAMP? I'm watching it for you on the plane ride down. (subshout outs to Sarah Vogel and Emily (crabtree) Downey, who also love this movie).
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