Maracaibo Madness: January-March
Luckily for my own benefit, I take pictures of basically everything. Anyone who knows me knows that. I am lucky because I have been so incredibly lazy about sending updates about what I have been up to since I got back from my winter break in January.
I will start with my return to Venezuela from the States:
Leaving home is the worst thing ever. Honestly. I try to stay strong, just like my parents and my sisters, but it really sucks. I am confident that leaving home will always be like this. That being said, I was really looking forward to getting back into the routine here. After being with my EBV family practically every day for the 5 months we have known each other, being apart was strange.
What I didn't realize was the culture shock I would experience upon my second arrival. It was much worse from the first time I met Maracaibo back in August. I assume it was because I expected to settle back in easily? Or maybe because I didn't expect my Spanish to have gotten worse? Maybe it was the fact that the shelves in grocery stores were pretty empty? Or the fact that I was yet again confined to my apartment?
This culture shock affected my attitude not only toward teaching but to all of the things I thought I should have here but didn't. I hate being like that. In time these feelings faded because of my focus on my work, and being together with my friends.
With every bit of horror that Maracaibo has to offer, there are hidden gems everywhere that make it all worth it: restaurants, cafes, family meals, travel, and the amazing culture of dance.
The highlights of this half of the year include: Choroni, Orlando with my students, singing at Coffeehouse and then performing a flash mob with some pretty amazing teachers, co-choreographing our International Day dance (including the teacher flash mob and senior class pillow-people dance), allowing International Day to take over my life, St. Patty's day bar crawl, Curacao, and Aruba.
This is a picture with my 5th grade performers at the Spring Coffeehouse; I was still very calm here; it wasn't until the act before that I started to panic. Mike chose the song, because I couldn't decide on one, and he played the guitar while I sang. Who am I?! The song is called "It Don't Matter" by Donavan Frankenreiter (one of his favorites). When he started strumming the first few notes I was sure I forgot the lyrics to the whole song. So I leaned over and told him, "I forgot the words," in a panic. I cringe and laugh thinking about it now. Anyway, without thinking really, I just opened my mouth and hoped the right words would come out. Thank God they did. It was absolutely a moment to remember; and I just about gave poor Mike a heart attack seeing as he figured he would have to step up and sing the song! Sorry Mike! But we made it through without any problems.
The next phase of this quarter was international day. Each grade level had to create a project that related to their assigned continent. Our continent was North America. The project I assigned to my students was to research a famous Freedom Fighter across the history of North America. After they did the research, they had to put their information inside of their display for other kids to read. They had a lot of fun making them and learning about different historical celebrities across time. Thanks to our 5th Grade Room Moms, the display looked like this:
Aside from the project, each grade level had to create a dance that was relevant to their continent. Because Julie and I are really over the top when it comes to performances, the creation of our dance took a TON of time, dedication, creativity, and patience. We had a variety of dances in our performance including: step, hip hop, pop, and techno. The final act in our performance was a secret. 18 of the 19 seniors would come out and dance as pillow people (an idea Julie saw on YouTube). It was very difficult to keep this from our students, but we did it--even having a student whose brother was a senior! It was perfectly amazing. And now for next year...........
I will start with my return to Venezuela from the States:
Leaving home is the worst thing ever. Honestly. I try to stay strong, just like my parents and my sisters, but it really sucks. I am confident that leaving home will always be like this. That being said, I was really looking forward to getting back into the routine here. After being with my EBV family practically every day for the 5 months we have known each other, being apart was strange.
What I didn't realize was the culture shock I would experience upon my second arrival. It was much worse from the first time I met Maracaibo back in August. I assume it was because I expected to settle back in easily? Or maybe because I didn't expect my Spanish to have gotten worse? Maybe it was the fact that the shelves in grocery stores were pretty empty? Or the fact that I was yet again confined to my apartment?
This culture shock affected my attitude not only toward teaching but to all of the things I thought I should have here but didn't. I hate being like that. In time these feelings faded because of my focus on my work, and being together with my friends.
With every bit of horror that Maracaibo has to offer, there are hidden gems everywhere that make it all worth it: restaurants, cafes, family meals, travel, and the amazing culture of dance.
The highlights of this half of the year include: Choroni, Orlando with my students, singing at Coffeehouse and then performing a flash mob with some pretty amazing teachers, co-choreographing our International Day dance (including the teacher flash mob and senior class pillow-people dance), allowing International Day to take over my life, St. Patty's day bar crawl, Curacao, and Aruba.
Choroni
Can you spot the Venezuelan in this picture? Hmm...
Orlando: First stop: STARBUCKS!
This is Julie; she is my teaching partner. I love her.
Homework time in pajamas!
All the 5th grade girls with their Minnie ears!
I hate rides. And yes, that is me holding on to one of my 5th grade students.
This night was our second night back from Orlando; It felt like we were gone for ages! But I was really happy to see everyone.
This is a picture with my 5th grade performers at the Spring Coffeehouse; I was still very calm here; it wasn't until the act before that I started to panic. Mike chose the song, because I couldn't decide on one, and he played the guitar while I sang. Who am I?! The song is called "It Don't Matter" by Donavan Frankenreiter (one of his favorites). When he started strumming the first few notes I was sure I forgot the lyrics to the whole song. So I leaned over and told him, "I forgot the words," in a panic. I cringe and laugh thinking about it now. Anyway, without thinking really, I just opened my mouth and hoped the right words would come out. Thank God they did. It was absolutely a moment to remember; and I just about gave poor Mike a heart attack seeing as he figured he would have to step up and sing the song! Sorry Mike! But we made it through without any problems.
The next phase of this quarter was international day. Each grade level had to create a project that related to their assigned continent. Our continent was North America. The project I assigned to my students was to research a famous Freedom Fighter across the history of North America. After they did the research, they had to put their information inside of their display for other kids to read. They had a lot of fun making them and learning about different historical celebrities across time. Thanks to our 5th Grade Room Moms, the display looked like this:
Aside from the project, each grade level had to create a dance that was relevant to their continent. Because Julie and I are really over the top when it comes to performances, the creation of our dance took a TON of time, dedication, creativity, and patience. We had a variety of dances in our performance including: step, hip hop, pop, and techno. The final act in our performance was a secret. 18 of the 19 seniors would come out and dance as pillow people (an idea Julie saw on YouTube). It was very difficult to keep this from our students, but we did it--even having a student whose brother was a senior! It was perfectly amazing. And now for next year...........
This picture below is of our LAST secret meeting where the seniors tried on their costumes...
This is Julie and I, testing out the pillow people...
Spring Break 2016: Curacao and Aruba
In the picture below, my orignial plan was to block the noise from a screaming child as we waited to exit the plane.
Welcome to Curacao!!!!
And our beautiful home for the week!
Sara being silly on the beach!
And my favorite married couple together.
One of the first things we did was buy lots of cheese and stuff!!!!
We also had family dinner one night. :)
Most perfect selfie lighting EVER!
Curacao was very windy-- can't you tell?!
We went to the mall, and stumbled upon trampleens; obviously this was a no brainer.
Next stop: Aruba
And a short trip ended with a Taste of Belgium!
We had an amazing, very restful adventure. <3 :)
Next stop: Margarita.... To be continued...
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