While explaining the difference of when to use "there is" verse "there are" I was asked the very intelligent question of: "Profe, if one duck means it's singular, and two ducks means it's plural, what is three ducks?" I know we were always taught that there is no such thing as a stupid question, but this was a stupid question. The sad part is I am asked questions like this often, and not because they are unintelligent but because they often don''t have the confidence to believe in themselves. Even the older kids, I have to hold their hands through every little step of the day from what color to write the title of the unit in, to if every single answer is right on their test, they don't trust themselves to do it on their own.
With that being said the end of the first trimester grades were rough to give. Passing in Peru is a 55% or higher, based on a grading scale of 1 to 20. At a 55% you think they would all pass with flying colors yet, still at least 12 kids a class did not pass multiple subjects. Grades are based on a notebook grade, participation, homework, and a final exam. To say I spent more time grading notebooks and tests than all of my students combined spent studying would probably be a fair statement.
Funny mistakes: "He can party rock" "You should do the doctor" "I must not go the house of Britt DeLine" (taught the class to call him a 'Suck Up' after that one)
Luckily, I really really enjoy these kids and have developed pretty solid friendships with several of them. They may not be the best students, but they are great kids. Gone running with a couple of them, gone to the river with others, done service with some of them at the Hogar de Abuelitos (Little Grandparents House, or nursing home) and the Special Needs School. I also started an after school study hall to hopefully help improve their English grades and/or give them something to do after school a couple hours a week. It has also given me a chance to get to know them better with less of them in a class. And on days when I don't have my afternoon class, I am helping with the school volleyball team. So, to say the least, I live at Santisimo Cruz.
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| Chantal's 23rd birthday party group pic! |
But, don't worry I find time for fun and friends as well! We threw Chantelle a birthday party a couple weeks ago, American style, with games, conversation, music, dancing, and 10 different people that hardly knew each other, of all different ages. It was a blast!
I've learned to ride side saddle on a motorcycle. I drove a car around Chulucanas!
We went to our friend Nena's birthday party that was suppose to start at 7:30, so we got there at 8:00, guests continued to arrive at 9:45, so finally ate at 10:45, dancing started at 12:00am, and left at 1:30am on a school night!
Two university students came over and cooked for us all day, tried Pulpa (octopus), pretty darn delicious!
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| Walking with an Iguana |
We have great overprotective guy friends who were scared for us to go to Ecuador alone, they wanted to call friends they have in Ecuador to pick us up from the bus station and take us around. One even stayed on our couch while we were gone to make sure no one broke into our house. Then, they were mad when we didn't call them the second we got home to let them know we were safe.
But, our trip to Ecuador was awesome! After an 11 hour $17 bus ride we arrived Friday morning at 9 am. Found ourselves a $5 a person a night hotel room, and started exploring the beautiful city of Guayaquil. Guayaquil is famous for the Malecón River and it's three mile boardwalk of gardens, ponds, playgrounds, restaurants, shops, bridges, towers, statues and parks. We spent the day eating, exploring, and watching Lacie play in an inflatable ball in a pond with other kids under 15 years old. We got up early Saturday to head to the bus station to find a car that was heading to Montiñita. After nearly causing a fight among taxi drivers we headed out with our chosen driver and two 22 year old Ecuadoran guys. Three hours later we piled out of the 5 seater car the 6 of us uncomfortably road in to hippie land! Montiñita is about 4 blocks by 4 blocks of straight hostels, restaurants, bars, and hippies selling anything they can make right there with their hands. We spent the rest of the weekend at the beach, eating, making new friends, shopping, and dancing on the beach! It was great to get out of Chulucanas, have a break, and get to know a little bit about our neighbors!
But, our trip to Ecuador was awesome! After an 11 hour $17 bus ride we arrived Friday morning at 9 am. Found ourselves a $5 a person a night hotel room, and started exploring the beautiful city of Guayaquil. Guayaquil is famous for the Malecón River and it's three mile boardwalk of gardens, ponds, playgrounds, restaurants, shops, bridges, towers, statues and parks. We spent the day eating, exploring, and watching Lacie play in an inflatable ball in a pond with other kids under 15 years old. We got up early Saturday to head to the bus station to find a car that was heading to Montiñita. After nearly causing a fight among taxi drivers we headed out with our chosen driver and two 22 year old Ecuadoran guys. Three hours later we piled out of the 5 seater car the 6 of us uncomfortably road in to hippie land! Montiñita is about 4 blocks by 4 blocks of straight hostels, restaurants, bars, and hippies selling anything they can make right there with their hands. We spent the rest of the weekend at the beach, eating, making new friends, shopping, and dancing on the beach! It was great to get out of Chulucanas, have a break, and get to know a little bit about our neighbors!