Airports

Anybody need a map of concourse A at the Atlanta airport??? Cuz at this point I could probably give you a pretty good one. That's where I've spent my last 2 days and probably at least one more. Hopefully only one more. Maybe later I'll be ready to talk about it.

Summer, so far

Today is Laney's birthday-I can't believe she's already 5! Makes me feel sooo old!!!
I've been home for one month now, and no, it hasn't been restful. Not to say I haven't enjoyed it, but I've ben working since the day after I got home. Except for this week. I've been babysitting 3 girls, ages 7, 3, and 3 months, and this week the older two were with grandparents, and the mom and dad wanted to spend some time with the baby, so I've been able to sleep in some. Earlier this week I took the kids to the pool, another day we went to the library, and yesterday I took my brothers to play soccer and I got to play a little myself. I figured since I've coached the sport for 2 seasons I'd better start learning how to play it myself!
A couple of weeks ago, I dropped my mom off at a cleaning job, and went in search of a Cuban restaurant I'd been told about. I was really looking forward to some Caribbean food, so when I finally found the place ( I only knew the exit it was near, not the address or anything like that) I was pretty excited. I ordered a ham and cheese sandwich (cuban/caribbean style, not the straight from the frig variety americans are used to) and tostones-sliced and fried plantains. While I was sitting there eating my half of the meal (I saved half the sandwich and most of the tostones to share with my family because the portions are huge), a Hispanic man in scrubs came out one of the doors and said, "Haven't I already given you one of these (referring to the valued customer cards-get it punched 7 times, you get something free)?" I'd never seen the man before in my life, but he was convinced he knew me, either from the other restaurant or even from his office, and he also seemed to know about me being in Puerto Rico. Really weird! Anyway, I found out later that he's my mom's dermatologist and either he'd seen pictures of me, or I looked enough like my mom that he recognized me.
My next interesting experience for the day came when I walked into Walmart. I was a little frustrated, because I'd looked in several stores, including another Walmart, for the game "Operation." My dad had mentioned a few days previously that he had always wanted that game and never got it, so we decided to get it for him for Father's day. Only problem was that it was pretty difficult to find a version that wasn't Shrek, or Spiderman, or something else weird, we just wanted the plain old Operation! Thankfully I found it at this Walmart, and began walking towards the checkout. On the way, I saw some people setting something up, and discovered it was Truett Cathy (founder of Chick-Fil-A) doing a book signing. I've always been impressed with the man and his testimony, but I've also always been a chicken, so I didn't want to walk up and talk to him. After all, what could I possibly have to say that would be worth his time, especially since I didn't have the money to buy his book. I had a collection I got from the kids to pay for the game, but that's about it. I called my mom to tell her Mr. Cathy was there, because I thought maybe she'd like to see him later. She told me I should go talk to him, so I said, "Fine, I'll do it!" When I went up to the table there were 2 or 3 other people there, and I said "Mr. Cathy, I'm sorry I can't buy one of your books, but I wanted to tell you that I love Chick-Fil-A. I'm living in Puerto Rico now, and I really miss it. Every time I come home, it's the first meal I eat, usually even before baggage claim in the airport." He said he was real happy to hear that, then he said, "You know what? I'm going to give you one of my books." he picked up a book off the stack, opened it up to sign it with his name and Proverbs 22:1, then he looked at the front of the book and stopped. Apparently they weren't taking money for the books at the table, which I didn't realize at first, because they were Walmart's books. So, he said, "I forgot these were company books, so I'm gonna give you the money to pay for it." He reached into his pocket, pulled out his wallet, flipped through several bills, and handed me a $20. "Keep the change," he said. To which I replied, "Thank you sir, and God bless you!" I payed for the game and the book in the Walmart checkout, all the while amazed at this man's kindness towards me, a random person walking through Walmart. Just a really neat experience!
the other fun part about it was that we signed the card that came with the game with all our names, and at the bottom, "and Truett Cathy" because the money left over from what he gave me helped pay for the rest of the game. That was a lot of fun explaining to Dad!!

new instruments

I don't normally carry around student quizzes to show people, but two this past week were too good to pass up.
One of the questions required a list of 3 of the following 4 instruments: harp, English horn, bass clarinet, bass trombone

several of my students involuntarily created new instruments in answer to this question, but these were my 2 favorites: tropical bass, and bass hormone. yep, you read that one right.

Student quotes

Teacher, can you turn the sun off? It's hot out here!
-Achsah, 6th grade

Teacher, you're beautiful!
-Natalia, 1st grade

After being asked if they knew where in the Bible you could find "Be ye kind one to another" :

On page 25!
-Nicole, 1st grade

life

Yeah, I know, it's been forever. But life has been crazy. Among other things, I've been sick for a week with a mild form of dengue, field day, spring break, soccer finals, and this weekend the senior banquet. I've decided I'm not going to put pictures up here any more. I'll still write, but my pictures will go up at facebook since it's so much faster to upload them there. So, if you have a facebook account, look at the pictures there. If not, leave a comment to let me know and I can email you the link so you can see them even if you don't have facebook. Anyway, that's all for now.

2nd falls at the Wilds during Music Conference.

Zasheyra and Karimel, two more 5th graders.

Ariana and Lizmarie (5th graders) at the "Sit-go" station-so named because with the roof it actually looks like a gas station, and that is where they wait to be picked up in the afternoons. Keeps them out of the sun, and at times, the rain.

Lyanne (10th grade student) and Janice (fellow teacher) at Janice's birthday party.

Four of my oldest players clowning for the camera. Or maybe not for the camera-they're usually clowns anyway. =)

My nutty soccer players, minus one of my 6th graders. Back row (left to right): Frances, Daniella, Gabriella, Ashley, Raquel. Middle row: Shalibel, Stephanie. and laying across the front, Andrea. My missing sixth grader is Ruth Anne. Our record now is 3-3 after winning 2 awesome games last Friday afternoon. Finally we won a game that went to penalty kicks-2 of our losses were penalty kick games, the other we lost 2-1.

I took this picture because it looked interesting to me at the moment. This lady was sitting on the steps outside the Catholic church. She was talking loudly and excitedly, and as you can see there's no one there. I'm not sure if she was on the phone, or what. There was actually a Mass going on in the church as this picture was taken. We had walked in to look at the cathedral, when we heard the service going on.

Pictures again

Oscar, a K4 student, started the year coming in crying every morning, babbling in Spanish. Now he comes in bouncing and laughing, sometimes running, all the while talking non stop in English.

My whole family New Year's Eve.

La Boca, literally "the mouth" is a beautiful out of the way spot we found a couple of weeks ago, definitely worth a return trip!

Church during missions conference. Each flag represents a country where we have at least one missionary, though not all the countries where we have missionaries are represented.

Happy Valentines Day!

Last night I went shopping. I know, I'm an idiot-going shopping the night before Valentine's Day. Here in Puerto Rico, the traffic and lines in the stores were as bad or worse than Christmas in the states. If this is Valentine's Day here, I don't think I want to see what Christmas is like. There was actually a good reason I went, and with the good deals I got, I'm glad I went. On Saturday when I was out shopping, I hadn't really thought about what I would do for Valentine's Day for my students, etc, so I didn't want to just randomly buy things. After all, Walmart had tons of valentines on Saturday, surely there would be some left on Monday. When I went on Monday, all they had left was Superman and Barbie. I was kinda disappointed, because I really didn't want to have to go out on Tuesday, but oh well. Last night, I went straight from school to the mall. I was looking for a few cards and some other things. As I passed Champs, I happened to see they were having a shoe sale, so I stopped in since the running shoes I've been wearing for the last 6 years are falling apart. I know, 6 years! Kinda depressing that they lasted that long-in highschool I ran so much I needed a new pair every year. I have been running and exercising more lately, so I've noticed the wear on my shoes much more. Anyway, as usual, there were hardly any shoes in my size, but I did find a few. Only problem was that most of the shoes were pink! I like pink ok for clothes, but for athletic shoes??? Nope! I happened to find a pair of Nike Shox for $20 in an acceptable color-white, silver and a mint green. They fit, so that was even better. I also found 2 hats on sale for $3-Texas Longhorns, and Braves. I was very excited about my first pair of Nikes, and I became even more excited when I looked at the receipt. The normal price for the shoes I got was $150, and I only paid $20! The feel of these shoes is incredible, too. After shopping and standing from about 5:00 to 9:30, I put the new shoes on at home while I hung my laundry, and let me tell you they felt good!! I also got a purse from the clearance rack because my purse was falling apart. So, in spite of the insanity of traffic, I'm glad I went. This morning I came in and found on my desk a couple of cards and some mini Snickers. Students and teachers have given me hazelnut chocolates, brownies, and chocolate dipped strawberries-those count as fruit, right??.
As for much more important news, on Monday night visitation, I was translating for one of the first grade teachers. As usual, when I know I'm going to be translating, I call mom and let her know so she can be praying. We talked to the mother for a while, and then Julie (the other teacher) asked if she could share the gospel. I was nervous and praying that the Lord would give me the right words to accurately convey what Julie was trying to say. God was good, and the mother prayed to trust Christ! It was really exciting to be able to help-you could see on her face that she understood about sin, the penalty and the payment, and that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven. Praise the Lord! If you think about it pray for Brenda, she told us when we came in that she was a practicing catholic-Mass every Sunday, etc. Pray that the Lord will continue to work in her heart, that she would be able to grow, and that she would be able to come to church.

Two thoughts

First: Anthony, a second grader, asked me today, "Teacher, if my skin's made of dust, why can't I take it apart?"

Second: Tomorrow, I will purposely wear pink on Valentine's Day for the first time I can remember. Why, you may ask? Because I can!

New soccer season

The after school soccer season started last week, and we have our first games this week. I have 3 returning team members from last year, as well as some others I'm looking forward to working with. Since there are only 3 teams this year, we are alternating multiple practices and games. Each week one team will have 2 practices, and a different team will have 2 games. My team has 2 games this week and 2 practices next week.
In other news, Carlos turned 10 on Monday, and while I was talking to his mom, I learned 2 new Spanish phrases-flat tire, and the Puerto Rican expression for old maid.
The reason I learned about flat tires is simple-I had one. Monday morning on the way into work, I started to hear a funny noise, but I wasn't sure what it was. As I've told people here, even if one side of my car was lower than another, with the road conditions here, you never know if it's because of a pothole or a flat tire. By the time I figured out it was a flat tire, I was not in a safe place to stop. I know it's not good for the car to keep driving on a flat tire, but Dad always said you can replace a tire, but not a life, so get somewhere safe. I drove into the parking lot of a Texaco station, where I saw a couple of men, one of whom I was sure I recognized from seeing him begging at the traffic light. He ended up being the one who changed my tire. After about 45 minutes, a changed tire, and an interesting conversation with an older man waiting in the parking lot, I finally made it to school at 7:50, only 50 minutes late. Thankfully on Mondays we don't have chapel, and I don't have a piano lesson until 8:30, so I was there in plenty of time.
A few recent student quotes:
The other day, I was coming out of the restroom, and I heard one of the teachers ask if there were any students left in there. We both heard a voice from one of the stalls say, "No, teacher, nobody's here!"

The other day, Gabriel in first grade told me, "Teacher, I like chapel days!" When I asked him why, he said, "Because I like to be with God!"

I was talking to a few of the 5th grade girls in the park, and Yolimar said, "Teacher, when you get mad, you get real quiet. You don't get loud, you just talk really quiet and when you're mad at the boys you get in their faces and talk to them really quiet."

More pictures

I love taking pictures of the water here, especially the varied colors you can see.

Puerto Rico is so beautiful!

One of my favorite buildings in Old San Juan. I think I end up with at least one picture of it every time I get my camera out.

For our Columbus day activity each team had to solve a series of riddles to find the word "Spain," which they had to spell using their bodies on the lawn of the big fort on the island. You can see the word if you use your imagination!

My team serenading a random stranger with a Christmas carol.

My team with a blue Ford Mustang (happened to be at the Ford dealership)

My lovely car, which celebrates its 20th birthday this year. Any suggestions for a name (female) are welcome. Yes, I parked first, no, they're not touching.

Manmade waterfall in Centennial Park. I like water!!

Downtown Atlanta's Centennial Olympic Park with the Peachtree Westin hotel in the background along with other buildings.

My favorite picture of Will and Anna together. This was taken while we were waiting in line to "spin the wheel" at an Atlanta Thrashers game.

The kids also got tickets to an NHL game-Atlanta played New Jersey. I went to my first NBA game on a Friday and my first NHL game the next day in the same place-Philips Arena. While we were at the hockey game, they have one of those things where you can spin a wheel to win prizes. Most of the time there aren't that many good prizes, but this time I won 2 free tickets to another hockey game! So, the day after Christmas, Dad and I went to Atlanta 4-5 hours before the game started to make sure there would be tickets available. We were able to get the $55 seats, but still had to kill time in cold, windy downtown Atlanta before we could get in. That was one time I was definitely missing the Caribbean! I did enjoy the cold most of the time I was home, though.

Our seats for the Thrashers game were higher up than for the Hawks game, but still good.

All of us kids (minus Ruth) in front of the CNN Center Christmas tree after the basketball game.

My brothers and sisters did some sort of reading contest, and got free tickets to an Atlanta Hawks game. The Hawks played the Pacers, and lost. I don't remember the score, but I really enjoyed the game!



Half time practice at the Hawks game.

Delaney cheering on the Hawks, even though they were losing.

Anna and I at the Hawks game enjoying the hats they handed out at the door-this was the Friday before Christmas.

Missions Conference

Tonight is the last night of missions conference. I'm exhausted, but it has been good.
School has been very busy this semester-hence the reason this is my first and only post of January! Soccer started yesterday, so I'm sure it will only get busier. Hopefully sometime soon (maybe after the weekend) I'll be able to post some pictures from Christmas break-I got a new camera, so I had a lot of fun with it, especially going to an NBA game, 2 NHL games, and then spending a week at the Wilds.

Field day pictures

I know, these were promised last March. Sorry, I had computer glitches. So, here they are now.
Several of this year's 5th graders, with a few others thrown in. Starting with second from the left, Sergio, Deborah, Ariana, and Cristal. (guess which one's not a fifth grader, and tell me what grade you think they're in)




Jancarlo, a 6th grader, doing the long jump.




6th graders, from left to right: Natalia, Johanys, Paola, Zuania.
The middle two are not at CBCS this year.

Several of the 6th grade boys.


More 6th grade girls. From left to right- Rosalin, Darlene, Johanys, Natalia and Raquel, with Ruth Anne in the background


Lower elementary blue team tug of war.


This year's freshmen. From left to right: Cristina, Jadys and Nildaly


Karina, a 5th grader, gets ready for sack races.

More pictures

My pastor and his wife.


Me with a family friend from Texas. Looking at the dress (and the ice cream cup) this must have been before someone bumped into me as I was spooning ice cream into my mouth.



My 16 yr old sister (in the blue dress)

More pics

This is all of us-the last time all of us were together before the wedding.



My sister and brother in law show their true personalities. =)

Pictures, finally

Here goes an attempt to finally post some pictures, since I am at home and can use dad's computer.
These will be a very random assortment going all the way back to last March!

Finally a decent picture of an iguana. This one was taken in the Atlanta Zoo, but is very typical of what I see, although the ones I see in PR seem to be a little more green. Fascinating animals!

Wedding party plus ushers at my sister's wedding this summer.

Speling

(the title's for you, Dawn)
Spelling was always something interesting for me in school, and I find it even more so now that I am teaching in an ESL school. I'd like to share with you the text of a birthday card I received from Ezequiel:

Dear Miss Nething,
I hope that have a good day in your work and have a happy Bierthday and what shout for the revench of Miss Griffin. Piece.

I enjoyed immensely the reading of that card. He is speaking of the 79 water cups trick that I wrote about in my last post. After the cups, with a little help, of course, found their way back to the offender's (Ezequiel's teacher) desk she informed me that this meant war, to which I said, "That's ok, my room has a lock and yours doesn't!" =)
The fifth grade class was greatly entertained by all the proceedings of the day.