Day Twelve: Routine? What Routine?

Since this week is the first week of school, I know from experience that it's a lot of work to get myself and my students into a good routine. 

So this morning I woke up at my "normal" time of about 6:00 and got Hannah up shortly after that. We have talked about who will do what each morning and because oatmeal was on the breakfast menu, that was my job to do. However, I also needed to print some things for my little guys.  My computer and printer were not cooperating. By 7:30 I was almost in a panic because I wasn't done and definitely wasn't ready to go. Plus that, I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself to be at school an hour before it starts.

In any case, we were flying out of the house shortly after 7:30 and arrived at school in plenty of time, even though I was frazzled.

Our Wednesday schedule at school is just about the same as the Monday schedule, which is very nice. I like to be scheduled and I like routine in certain areas of my life...like school. In years past my classroom schedule was the same every day, with some variation on Friday. Even when birthday celebrations occurred they could always be counted on to begin at 3:15. With the schedule here, though, every day is different, so I'm going to guess it will take me until about April to get it down. And unfortunately I think the students somehow sense that and take full advantage of it.

This morning, my little guys, I'm convinced, were already exhausted from their first two days of school. So they swung between being hyped up to having their heads dragging on their desks. In addition, they didn't seem to understand one word of English. I have the feeling that this morning's class may end up on some tv show and I'm going to be a laughing stock! There were seven kids in there and all but one were going in different directions. It was something to behold.

We muddled through, though, and I even think the kids learned something (besides how to torture their teacher), and we made it one step closer to having classroom routines. I think I passed whatever test I was being given, too, because the rest of the day went very smoothly. The kids remembered the music I'd taught them and one group sounded especially good. I was very proud of them.

After school when Hannah walked down to my room, the first thing out of her mouth was that she was wanted on both "teams" when they were competing for knowing the state capitals! She was so pleased with her prowess and the popularity it brought! I'm thankful for her fifth and sixth grade teachers who made that a priority for her to learn! Thanks Mrs. A and Mrs. S!!!

When Abbie was leaving she mentioned that she needed to make a run to the post office, so Hannah grabbed a ride with her so I could continue working. When she came back it was like Christmas!! Only maybe better! Three boxes arrived! One of them was my phone from Stan (my phone is now working, but I've lost all my contacts) and the other two were filled with supplies for school!!! THANK YOU!!! You know who you are. Hannah didn't quite know what to do when I opened them and started crying.  The scissors, the markers!, the colored pencils, the glue, staplers, staples (I haven't been able to staple anything until today because the stapler kept getting jammed from the yucky staples) the boxes of crayons with 24 colors, the Post-Its (our school has none of those) and the ream of notebook paper (our school has no paper either) are ALL so wonderful. I am completely overwhelmed and excited to show them to the kids tomorrow morning! 

I carefully sorted and put away the precious items for safe-keeping, and Hannah and I came home to fix our Wednesday evening spaghetti supper after our Skype with Stan. Since my phone came in I thought I would quickly get it activated and we'd have a quiet and early evening again. Three and a half hours and who knows how many customer assistants later my phone is now working! Yay!!

Today I realized again that there are many valuable life lessons we will gain from this experience. To be so very thankful for notebook paper is something I've never felt before. To have a good reminder of  how important it is to do the daily grind together, having conversation and modeling how life should work for my daughter was truly a blessing. 

Thank you, God, for today's craziness, for the wonderful gifts from people who care, and for important reminders. Your love was displayed in all those things.

Day Eleven: A Lesson in Sports

Tuesday mornings at Abbie's school begin with physical education.


Yesterday before the kids left for the day she instructed them to wear their swim suits under their clothes and to bring a towel. This morning we all arrived ready as instructed. We were heading to Flamenco Beach to play soccer! Since we have no bus, Abbie decided who was going to ride with whom. Hannah and three other girls were in my car and the rest of the kids were shared among the several adult drivers.  We took the public road toward Flamenco Beach, but before we arrived at the entrance I am familiar with, we took a right onto a dirt road that was rather generous with its potholes. The road's potholes were often still full of water, too, which made for an interesting obstacle course. 


At the end of the road, we dismounted the ride and made our way to a very quiet spot one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. A couple of the boys ran ahead and dug their heels in the sand and drew two end lines and a center line. We readied ourselves for a game of soccer on the beach!

The little guys and girls were assisted by the older students and they played a spirited match. It was fun watching Hannah light up as she played her favorite game with her new classmates. She scored a couple of goals, which gave her the opportunity to hear praise from these important people, too! The sand flew and it was hot, but even the initially reluctant kids joined in the game while Abbie, Lisa, and I refereed and coached. I'm sorry, but I forgot to take my camera so I don't have any pictures to show you of our game, but this it the beach where it all happened!


When the time came for the game to be done we all stripped to our swim suits and headed into the crystal clear sea. Although this beach is over a mile long, there was only one couple on it besides our kids. That in itself was pretty wonderful. Abbie assessed the swimming abilities of our new students (she's a swim instructor as well) and we split up so we could watch all of the kids as they enjoyed the water and each other. 


By 9:30 or so we were back at the school, ready for the rest of the day's classes. Our schedule is different every day, so it will take a while to get used to it. The new students, though, including our little first graders, already had more confidence than they had yesterday and the time on the beach strengthened our connections even further. Although we were all salty and sandy, it was completely worth it!


On Tuesdays I am finished an hour ahead of the rest of the school, so I had some extra time to prepare for tomorrow. That made it possible for Hannah and I to leave very shortly after she was dismissed. We went to drop off a couple of letters at the post office and pick up a few things at the store. Then we headed home so we could shower! 


Tonight has been relaxing, with a few hands of Rummy (Hannah's favorite card game) and she's now watching The Lucy Show before she heads off for bed.


Thank you, God, for today. We are finding life challenging and different here but You are giving us such an amazing experience. Thank you for soccer on the beach!

Day Ten: First Day of School!

Wow!!! What a great day!


Twenty-seven students from six- to sixteen-years old in one school is a wonderful thing. I woke up before the alarm this morning, ready to get to it, feeling a bit anxious, wondering if I had prepared enough, and hoping Hannah would feel good about her first day. She certainly looked cute!!

Hannah in her First Day Outfit

We had a good breakfast of eggs and toast and then made our steep drive down the hill, arriving after Abbie around 6:45. It gave me plenty of time to be sure to get a few last minute things in place inside my classroom and look over my lesson plans again; it also helped Hannah to get herself together so her head was ready for this new experience.

All the Students in the Big Classroom

The Oldest Students Sit in the Back

We began the day all together in Abbie's classroom upstairs, which we won't typically do. However, she wanted to set some guidelines and make introductions, so that was the best way to handle it! Seeing all the kids in the classroom again was terrific for me. Guess that makes sense, though, huh?

The front of my room

A First Grade Desk that Hannah Painted!

Another First Grade Desk

 First Grade Desk

My Little Sopia Coming Down from the Big Classroom

We then headed to our separate classes/classroom and worked through our schedule. My day began with the little guys, who are in first grade. There are three in this group and we had a good morning. They aren't used to the structure we have because apparently the public school system here runs things much more loosely than we do. My three seemed a little surprised a couple of times when they realized that what I was asking them to do wasn't optional! I think, though, that within a short time they'll get the hang of it! As you can see, each desk is highly personalized because they're pretty old and they get a fresh coat of paint each year. Then Abbie allows a few students to help her over the summer to paint artwork on them. I am so proud of Hannah's work!

Jump-Roping at Break Time

Chatting at the Tables During Break

During break time and at lunch the kids all interact with each other so well, with the big kids helping the littler ones, and all of them joining in for jump rope, conversation, shooting hoops, or whatever. 

After lunch on Monday is when I will be doing the bulk of music teaching, so it will be a terrific way to begin each week. The kids are split into three age groups, which will be a nice way to teach them music and the day ended with music class for the eighth- through eleventh-graders. It rocked!

Four Kids in Four Different Grades...Awesome!

 

Cedric, Our Tallest Student! :)

 

Hannah and I were both pretty exhausted when we got home at around 4:20. I think it took more energy than usual because we're using so much brain power trying to keep up with the language and culture differences. As a result, we decided on an early supper of pita pizzas and we Skyped with Stan early, too. As a matter of fact, I was in my pjs by the time we Skyped at 4:30!

Thank you, God for a great first day of school. Today was a boost to my confidence, so I'm very thankful to have it under my belt! 

Day Nine: First Day of School Eve

That's an awkward title, I know, but it's almost 9:30 and school starts tomorrow, so it's the best I can come up with.

We've had a very busy day! I'm going to give you the Cliff Notes version of it, since we need to get out of here by 6:30 in the morning, okay?

Since we had a late night last night Hannah slept in a little late, so we had a nice bowl of cereal with blueberries while we Skyped with Stan. It was a good way to start the day. Oh, and I haven't even mentioned the fact that Puerto Rican coffee is WONDERFUL!!! So I enjoyed that, too.

We tried to watch the live stream from Westwinds at 9:00 but it wasn't working, so we headed to school around 10 or so to get some more done. Hannah helped out quite a bit, too, by looking up more book levels online for me, which saves me lots of time. I so appreciated that! I met with Abbie to go over some of the details and talk about teacher stuff.

Around 1 or so I realized I was starting to feel a bit hungry and Hannah piped up that she wanted to walk home and get lunch and our swim suits! After I picked myself up from the floor, I double-checked that she understood it meant going uphill for over half a mile at an often 45 degree angle to get home. She assured me she was up for the challenge so away she went! I continued working in my classroom, trying to get myself ready for tomorrow. I kept an eye on the clock, trying to estimate how long it would take her to get up and back. I also wondered (but just for a minute) if she would say "forget it" about halfway up, but knowing Hannah I wasn't planning on that happening. She's very good at sticking with something once she's made up her mind to do it!

Sure enough, she showed up with our lunch and swimming gear! She had fixed it and organized it herself and she did a great job. Plus that, she had blisters to prove she had not hitched a ride with anyone! What a trouper she is!

We turned a desk around to use as a little table between the two of us and enjoyed our lunch together. Then we changed into our suits and headed out to Zoni Beach to meet up with the others who go out on Sunday afternoons. After parking, we raced across the hot sand to the water's edge and walked all the way to the end. Then we turned around and walked back the half mile to where we like to swim. Hannah joined in much of the conversation, but after a while she wandered up to get her swimming goggles. When she returned to us, she went under to check it out and came back up almost immediately, letting out a yelp of excitement! She announced to us that she had just seen a "really cool" stingray! It was the first one she's seen and I have to say that it is a pretty cool experience!

We stayed on the beach for a while and then returned to school, where we worked until about 7. Then we came home and I fixed some leftovers while Hannah showered, we Skyped Stan and Jessie, cleaned up supper, and got Hannah off to bed. I'm headed there now!

Thank you, God, for showing Hannah a "really cool" stingray!

Day Eight and a Bit: We Have a Post Office Box!!

You would think this is no big deal, but it is here! I won't bore you with the gory details of what feats it took to get it and the hoops we had to jump through (THANK YOU, STAN!!!), but we finally have our own PO box! Please send us a letter or card. We would love it!!!


Suzanne and/or Hannah Gibbs
PO Box 590
Culebra PR 00775-0590


If you're at Westwinds' 9:00 service, I hope to see you there via vod-cast! Be sure to wave at us!! :)

Day Eight: A Car Wash and A Lunch Fundraiser

Today we began with a fundraiser for Abbie's school. We washed lots of cars (this is Nadeen's, which Hannah and I are using) and it helped raise money to help cover the costs of the school and the upcoming trip many of the kids are going on.

Carlos, of Carlos Jeeps, allowed us to use his facilities, which made for an ideal situation! He has two super power washers, so most of the time both of the bays were busy with a car. Abbie ran one sprayer and I ran the other, and we each had a team of kids washing while a couple were out in the street advertising. It was great! And boy, did I get muddy from the dirty wheel-wells of some of the cars!!

We were finished at noon and then the moms from the school all chipped in and made pollo (that's chicken in Spanish) and rice, along with a really great macaroni dish to further the cause. For dessert they had brownies and cookies. They were right out on the street, so people passing by could stop and pick up their lunch. Hannah and I took the plunge and bought tickets for lunch and it was amazing!

We took our lunch and a new friend of Hannah's to Abbie's school so I could work in my classroom to attempt to be ready for Monday morning. Hannah helped out by looking up reading levels on several books. I was able to sort through books on the shelves in my room and although there is still much to be done, we accomplished quite a bit today. I was even able to spray paint my chalkboard (yes, chalkboard...there's no whiteboard, let alone a magnetic one...) so it's useable. I also clear-coated the desktops so they will hopefully wear well.

When we called it quits for the day, we decided to make a trip to Brava Beach. Stan and I never actually went there so this would be a new adventure for Hannah and me. We took the road to it and as you can see, it's not the widest in the world, although it was well-paved, for the most part. All of the sudden, though, it came to an abrupt end. There was a house next to where we were forced to stop and noticed a couple of people enjoying their out-of-place above ground pool. We asked about getting to our planned destination and they told us it was just a 35 to 40 minute walk. I looked at Hannah and she was shaking her head, remembering the hike I took her on yesterday. So I backed up, turned around, and we decided to head to Flamenco Beach, where we enjoyed a late afternoon swim and rest. The beach wasn't too crowded, but Hannah wondered out loud if this beach was ever empty and I assured she can look forward to a time when it will be just the two of us there enjoying the waves and clear turquoise waters.

Then we returned home and had our showers, shared a bag of microwave popcorn, some very expensive blueberries and strawberries we splurged on and "The Lucy Show" from a DVD Hannah had brought with her. We laughed together and even the cat crawled up onto the little couch with us.

Hannah has been asking to go to Mamacita's Restaurant to see the local band and tonight seemed like a night when we needed a little boost. Since we were all cleaned up and fit for being in public we headed out and enjoyed the local island band playing their own version of Caribbean music. The entire crowd got a huge kick out of a little guy who must have been only about four years old, just dancing up a storm. Finally his older brother and a couple of young adults joined him in the dance and it was just a great time.

We decided to come home when Hannah began to yawn. Another good day. 

Thank you, Lord, for a good fundraiser and a night of good music. You allow us to experience the full gamut of life and creativity. We are truly blessed.

Day Seven: Work Hard and Play Hard!

My mother always used to say,
     "Once a job you have begun
      Never leave it 'til it's done.
      E're the job be great or small
      Do it well or not at all." (Actual author unknown)

My classroom, looking from the back to the
front (7 desks in all!)
Note the size of the a chalkboard
(no money for whiteboards...), and
there are zero bulletin boards.

Obviously, that saying has stuck with me my whole life (at least so far), but a teacher's work is never done. Much like being a mom... So today I worked like crazy in my very tiny classroom, trying to get it set for Monday morning.

The view from the front of the room

The view of the "big" wall. That red storage bin is
ALL of my supplies, including scissors, crayons,
 colored pencils, pencils, erasers, etc.

Hannah worked, too, cleaning the outside area where the kids eat lunch and work on things sometimes. It used to be the carport before Abbie's home was turned into a school. She helped Luce, a wonderful Culabrense grandmother who works with Abbie on administrative stuff, wash the concrete with Clorox and then hose down the driveway area, too. She came in a time or two and boy, was she sweaty! 


However, today, we set a time to "be done" and worked in my room until then. After that, it was time for play, and we played just as hard as we worked!

Hannah was disappointed about the scant amount of sea glass we had found during our last time out and after talking with some other folks she tracked down a good spot to find it. In fact, she was given some "inside information" on where is supposed to be the best place on the island for it! Of the two locations she was given, we opted for the one closer to home. Once we stepped foot onto that rocky beach, it was as though Miss Hannah had struck paydirt! Within about 20 minutes she, well, we had filled a discarded water bottle, a can, and a stryofoam cup with her treasure. And I even found a beautiful shell, fully intact! Even better is the fact that it was so easy and plentiful that if she uses up her stash there's lots more where it came from.

One of our Hermit Crab Buddies

Another Buddy

Leaving there we decided (well, actually I decided) to go to a beach Hannah hasn't seen yet. It's near the really popular beach, but you have to hike a bit to get there...probably a mile up over a great big hill (or small mountain, I suppose) and down the other side to get to it. I think it would have tried her patience were it not for the really cool hermit crabs she spotted on the way there. She would say, "Look, Mom!" and I'd respond, "What? Where?" and she'd point and I still couldn't find what she was pointing to until I was right on top of it. It was probably due to the fact my calf muscles haven't been stretched that much since...well, never. Once the novelty of the hermit crabs had worn off, however, she was ready for the sea.

View over Carlos Rosario Beach

Another Breathtaking View

She was quite a bit ahead of me because I stopped to take these beautiful pictures, so she arrived at the beach first. As I was rounding the last bend in the road/trail, I spied her coming back to meet me. With raised eyebrows and hands on her hips, she stated in a disgusted tone, "Mom, there are PEOPLE on the beach."



"Well, Honey, do you want to just skip this beach and go all the way back to the car and go to another beach?" I asked.

And Another....

"No, I guess we can stay here."


Sure enough, there were people on the quarter-mile long beach: one couple and a family in a boat near the shore. Darn, this over-crowding is getting pretty old, you know???

This is water that's PERFECT for snorkeling!

As it turned out, the boat family left within minutes of our arrival, so Hannah loosened up a bit. I challenged her to a swim out to a mooring buoy because I wanted to go out there. On the way, back, though, she was sort of freaked out because she brushed up on a jellyfish. Since Stan's incident with the jellyfish in Miami, she's been very leery of them.

Hannah at Carlos Rosario Beach

Somehow she started a conversation with the couple with whom we shared the beach (go figure...). They had been snorkeling, but we had left our snorkel gear in the car so we were anxious to find out if they had seen anything of interest. They told us they had and offered to share their gear. We politely declined, however, and said we'd come again. They were well-equipped with a lovely beach umbrella and straw mats that you set on the sand and lay on. (They're so much better than beach towels and much easier to cart around than beach chairs.) In our chat we found out they were from Argentina but are now living in San Francisco. We had a lovely conversation with them and they disappointedly told us they were leaving tomorrow. When they found out we were here for the whole school year, they were pretty shocked.

A Beach Buddy Standing at Attention

Beach Buddy

Then Hannah and I headed down the beach toward some of the rocks to see what new and exciting things we could find above the water. As we were headed back, the young man walked toward us and generously presented to us their beach umbrella and the two straw mats they had just bought a few days ago! He claimed they would just be a hassle to take home on the plane and since we are going to be here for ten months we'd get much more use from them! Wow! We were both so dumb-founded we were almost at a loss for words. We thanked them profusely and once he showed us how to set up the umbrella I happily plopped myself under it on my "new" mat and enjoyed a few minutes of just watching Hannah.

The Pack Mule!!!

Our return walk was without incident and we came home, showered, and then headed over to Abbie and Billy's house, as they had invited us for a spaghetti dinner! Their home was built completely by Billy, and he created much of the furniture and artwork himself as well. It is a wonderful home that really shows who they are.


Hannah and I both enjoyed stories of their wedding, their travels, and surviving hurricane Hugo. It was a wonderful evening and our first night out!


Hannah is completely wiped out and so am I. She's now fast asleep and I'm there shortly. 


Thank you, God, for your provision AGAIN. We are experiencing a very full life.