Wednesday, August 24, 2011

2nd Day Highlights!

Little bitty ones learning to line up with one hand on the rope... and play "Duck, Duck, Goose!"  Mind you, these 4 year olds don't speak ANY English and we are only supposed to talk with them during certain times IN ENGLISH.  You feel sorry for their confused little faces, but they are learning every day, just like we are!  One little boy gets tagged by Colleen (teacher) in the "Duck, Duck, Goose" demonstration.  He realizes quickly that he will never catch her, so he splits down the middle of the circle and takes a flying leap onto her lap.  She catches him during the tackle, as he giggles so proudly!  AWWWWW- how the little ones watch the big kids at recess!  They are struggling to find their way, but far fewer tears today!


The snack bar opens during morning recess.  I excitedly buy a treat, just like the kids- frozen bag of pineapple juice, basically.  You have to bite off the corner of the bag and spit it out to then taste the goodness.  How refreshing in the Honduran heat!  I got greedy and tried to expand the corner opening.  Ready to take a BIG BITE of frozen goodness, the whole thing plopped out onto the ground in front of us (one other teacher and 3 elementary students).  We all dropped our jaws. When I looked up, a little girl was staring straight into my eyes, head empathetically tilted off to the side... "Ohhhhh, I'm S O O O O R R Y, MISS!"  It was quite evident that she understood this exact pain!

Crying first grade boy curled up on the ground... alone.  Won't speak to anyone.  He willingly comes into my make shift office (when I tell him to...ha!).  He sits in the chair across from me.  Tears rolling, no speaking.  We toss the ball a few times.  He loosens up enough to draw me what happened.  Still no words, until I begin speaking to him in Spanish.  I earn a few nods and then understand just what to do.  Feels amazing on multiple levels.  This is what I have and continue to strive for in so many ways, a dream coming true!

What fun watching the first music lesson...  Every student participated, great energy, outdoors, smiling moment today!


This is going to be a great year!  

***Just a quick note home, saying that I am thinking you guys and am relieved to hear everyone is okay after the earthquake yesterday.  Thanks to all who share this experience with me.  Bless my family!  Bless my friends!  ...And Bless my FALCONS at Fairfield Middle School!  For each new day I experience here, I think of you and enjoy receiving your news.  I love and miss all of you!