what's a boo-noo-noo?

Despite the lack of sleep, sore throat, body aches, cramps, and freezing cold rain that has not stopped in three days it actually wasn't the worst day. I had plans to wake up early and get back on my yoga routine but could not get past the throat pain and general sick feeling. So I took some Advil and slept for another half hour. Then I woke up and took a... get this... HOT shower. My host dad could not have picked a better day to fix the shower. Once I got ready I started planning my lesson. No idea what I did all afternoon yesterday. Procrastination, some unit planning... turns out the internet can be a real time suck. I have yet to get complete control over that.

We just finished our first test of the trimester and in 4 more weeks I have to give the next one (our last of the year!), which doesn't give me much time to teach anything. We voted on Food for our last unit which should be fun and I started the day off teaching my first graders the song "Apples and Bananas." Yanno, the one where you change the vowels in the song. "I like to oot oot oot ooples and boo-noo-noos" They liked it and I'm looking forward to singing it for the next few weeks. My sixth grade class went well today too, but possibly because there were only 9 of them. Usually the 14 of us are crammed in that room like a 5:00 city bus where I'm tripping over everyone's feet and repeatedly trying to get people's attention like some bum begging for change.

Fast forward through the lame acto civico to celebrate Columbus' brutal slaughter and conquering of the native people to the post-lunch slump. Rice and beans get me every time. Brings my whole body to an energetic screeching halt. I had to go home and take a nap and them somehow managed to teach three more classes. Luckily half of my 2nd grade didn't show up (i.e. one person was absent) so I put 2nd and 3rd together. Time saver.

At the end of the day I had a meeting with (what I could only assume would be) a disgruntled parent. The director was leaving early so she was no help, so I asked the other teacher to stay and "support" me. Or at the very least be a witness. My previous conversations with this mother had gotten very heated and her opinion is that it would be better to have a Tico teacher than someone from the US teaching English. I'm not even going to dignify that with a response other than to say that if this program were not teaching English here there would be no English classes. 'Nough said.

So basically her son went from having a 95 in my class to an 87. He's an extremely smart kid but his attitude took a turn for the worst last semester. I tried talking to his mother, called a parents meeting and visited her house on several occasions. All to no avail. So I did what I could, I gave him poor grades for attitude and participation. He came into class speaking Spanish and mouthing off about one thing or another every day. He would then proceed to scoff and scowl at every activity and practically refuse to participate. Eventually I had to tell myself that the look on his face was a medical condition because it allowed me to stay calm and not take it personally. Anyway, I explained most of this to his mother and added that since grades had been handed out his attitude had greatly improved. Coincidence? I think not. So his mother didn't really agree with me, she didn't see how things so "small" should bring his grade down so much when he brings all his homework and does well on the tests but she seemed to accept it. And obviously if he keeps up this angel-like attitude that started last week he'll be back to a 98 by the end of the year.

To be honest I would love nothing more than to give him a good grade. I want to give all my kids good grades and it is, by far, the worst part of my job to give grades and tests. But I also don't think its fair to give them a grade they didn't earn. It's not fair to the kids who work much harder and participate but it's also not fair to those who do not. Sure grades aren't everything and if you don't learn anything it doesn't matter if you got a 100 BUT I also know that the teacher I learned the most from in high school was the one who absolutely refused to give me an A unless I really deserved it. So, here's hoping for high marks in the last trimester...

I <3 Raffi!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKEUAzzn-Ig

orange you glad this day is over?

So it's been one of those days. One of those wake up late, nauseous, bad news, trip and fall, bad-hair days. Woke up and did an abbreviated yoga practice at the house this morning to make time for lesson planning that didn't get done yesterday. Yesterday I had copies to make and a youth group meeting which left me too tired to lesson plan. The youth group meeting went well and things are looking hopeful for the future of the group and I'm both honored and excited to continue to be a part of it. When I mentioned that I wouldn't be here next year there was the initial moment of shock (I think they'd forgotten that I don't in fact live here) followed by someone making the realization that I've been more a part of the group than most people in the community. Followed by some gratitude. It was one of those moments you always wait for but never expect when people recognize your hard work.

But I'm getting sidetracked by positive things. This was supposed to be a post about what a horrible day I've had.

So I get to school in time for breakfast which is more white bread with margarine and honey. How this constitutes breakfast is beyond me. But I eat it anyway. And then she covers the rest of the bread in sweetened condensed milk so I can't even get a second piece because well you gotta draw the line somewhere.

Then my director casually mentions that she's probably not going to go the congreso. "Wait, what? So are we having classes Thursday and Friday?" Up until now I had been planning and rearranging my entire unit including test dates to accommodate these days off. Not to mention canceling my adult classes and planning a sweet weekend away at the beach. Her response, "Oh I don't know. We'll see." To which I (trying not to shout though probably seeming mildly hysterical in their eyes) ask "Well when are you going to know? Because I'd like to make plans." I wanted to explain what a major inconvenience/frustration/annoyance this change would be but talking to people who don't plan about ruined plans is like talking to a blind man about the beautiful view. So I left breakfast in a frustrated huff and tried to shake it off enough to teach my classes. My exam review went better today but they still need to study at home to really be ready. I'm not holding my breath.

Then a conversation with a parent about why I keep the forth graders until 11:30 when they're supposed to get out at 11:20. Basically the director gave me a schedule that has me teaching them for 40 minutes until 11:30 and then told the parents their kids get out at 11:20. Awesome job directing. Keep it up superstar! So the parents have been knocking on my door and asking the kids to leave early because they think I'm keeping them late. ::sigh:: I wish I could say this an unusual miscommunication. I also wish it hadn't taken until October to figure this out.

So then lunch... white rice, black beans, cabbage and tomato salad. What else is new? I think someone should do a study on the rice and bean diet and the onset of depression. Seriously it starts to bum a person out after awhile. I went home to rest and eat some chocolate and had to used the bathroom but my host sister was in the shower. She takes forever, so I went in the "other" bathroom which has a toilet that doesn't flush right and no toilet paper but I was desperate. I stubbed my foot on something in there and got a nasty cut between my pinky toe.

Then first grade. I was in no mood for their adorableness. Poor things. But we did color for awhile so they were pleased. Then sixth grade. Luckily my archenemy in that class arrived in a decent mood but my favorite student came in late with a bad attitude so I made her pay me $1 in English money. This did nothing to improve her outlook. However, we did get some good review in and they seemed involved in the game. Again, if they study at home as well they'll do great.

This really ISN'T the worst day by any means, just some bumps in the road combined with a grumpy perspective. So I came home and made freshly squeezed orange juice with some oranges I found on the side of the road outside my friends house. I then sat down to write this blog, determined to end on a positive note about how even when things don't go as planned or you don't have the best day there are always little things to appreciate like fresh squeezed orange juice. That's how I would have ended this blog. Until I got up to have a sip of juice and found dozens of fruit flies feasting on it and at least 20 dead ones belly up in the juice. I think it's time for a nap.