hoodlums and other goings on

February 22, 2012

What to blog about when you haven’t blogged about in forever? Who knows?

My thoughts lately have been on my Grade 6 pupils. Honestly as much as I completely hate them as a unit (but not always) I am really going to miss all the characters that make up that unit.

Yesterday Jocelyn hit Xed right in the forehead. It may have been an accident, and it may have been deserved. The look on his face was that priceless shock, when he finally gained composure he said, ‘That could make me comatose.’ I laughed and was super glad I was able to witness that moment. Who are these kids?

I guess while I was in Manila last week to see the dentist they made the student teacher cry. I don’t know how and I don’t know why, but I do know she won’t be teaching them. Which… ok.

So they are cute, and they are difficult, and I’m going to miss them. And apparently I’m going to be done with them sooner than I thought. Way back in January I wanted to have a sit down with my principal about my last months here. Today we finally had that talk. I walked in with all sorts of ideas, and she dropped a reading class on me. Drop isn’t fair. We’ve talked about it on and off but nothing has happened. But she dropped it in the sense that she said how about that reading class, starting March 6. Which is two weeks away. Which the school year ends the last week of that same month. I tried to explain this to her, and she didn’t care. I said what happens to the program when I leave. She said oh you have teachers. Which I don’t know why, made me feel 1,000 times better.

We are starting on that date (but I’ll be in Manila). Maybe all day, may half days. Either way I’m going to be seeing a lot less of those Grade 6 hoodlums.

I hope this reading program works, and can get started early next year. I think this will keep me busy to get on out of here.

I’ve been nagging more on the library, which I think is finally sinking in. It helps that the governor just gave us a computer. While I was talking to my principal about what can we do in these next 8-9 months they were installing Internet. Things take forever, but once they start they tend to fly.

wow!

October 5, 2010
How is it even possible that I am 6 almost 7 weeks into this? I’m halfway to being a volunteer and that is a lot to process and take in. So here are some thoughts from Supervisors Conference.
-First my alphabet has been turned, flipped upside down. Peace Corps loves acronyms, and DepEd loves acronyms, and to an extent the Philippines is a country all about acronyms. For the most part they do save time and it is easier to type. But to prevent myself from being all Rachel Ray every time I post I will make a list for my blog to help you along.
-I’m feeling like I’ve come a long way, but still feel like I’ve got little to show for it. That should be changing very soon. On Monday I got my assignment. Tomorrow I’m heading to site. I’ve met my Supe and hopefully things are super.
-The thought of going to site is very exciting, but also very scary. This will be my first time flying solo so to speak. I’ve got a tight unit in Capite West, and it is part of a tight group of PCTs in Palo. Here at conference it is nice to see the other PCTs in Luzon but I’m glad I have those 5 and 15. On Thursday when we step of the plane it is going to be leaving them. That seams kind of sad to me. It is goodbye all over again. Luckily it is just a weekend, and everyone has some pretty dope sites.
-I’m coping really well with my lack of luxuries. That being said, my Training Family is pretty posh. I’ve mentioned it before, but a shower and a flushing toilet. Who knows what is in store for me. I love that the shower this week has been hot, but I still took a semi-cold shower after my run. Oh and the two pillows on my super soft bed? They were just too much. My back was sore when I woke up and the pillow was on the floor. Oh and that AirCon as usual is much too much!
-I’m already having major issues with communication and now I’m walking around the streets of the city of Antipalo trying to learn how to buy Bar Nuts in Tagalog only to find out they don’t even exist up here.
• A quick note on Bar Nuts. The packaging says Wow, Bar Nuts!, and quite frankly no truer words have been printed. So think of a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup (but made with homemade peanut butter). Think so hard that it melts. Now do a happy dance that blends that up and now mold it into a teeny tiny bar (about the size of a rectangular pink eraser). That, my friends, is heaven for only one Peso (which, don’t quote me on this, is about 2 cents). Sorry Beatles, but when Bar Nuts are involved you can buy me love! Wow!
So, moral of the post? I’m stoked like a fire to be half way to a Volunteer! Going to site tomorrow! and it is still hitting me that I’m in the Peace Corps. Wow!