Hurricane season

All our thoughts and prayers are with the people of the gulf coast of the United States as yet another hurricane gets near after, the not so long ago, devastation of Hurricane Katrina. It’s that dreaded time of the year again. Dreaded for the last 20 years because before that I don’t remember it to be a problem. I have vague recolection of minor storms but nothing like the way it has been for the last 20 years when it is one behind the other. For the months of August and September especially we prepare ourselves for the season. Before or after that we consider it a rare occurrence having a storm but it definitely can happen. In fact, anything can happen. I only remember 2 mayor hurricanes in my life. We have been blessed because even in the worst circumtances we have been spared of the worst. Hugo was my first hurricane and it was September 18, 1989. Vivi was almost 3 months old. I remember that i placed her little crib between our 2 closets in my bedroom far from windows. But we never fear for all our lives or anything because we don’t live in a area that could get flooded. Our house is 100% concrete and we had all of our windows covered. We were safe and we felt safe.The main problem of a hurricane here is the after part. The no power thing. UGH! It is too hot to not even have a fan. In our area for the water to go away is rare and if it does it comes back in no time. Many people have generators but I hate them. Why? you may ask. It is difficult for me to understand that in a emergency when many people are without homes and suffering, my neighbor cannot live without air conditioner. It just boils my blood, it makes me want to go to their houses and tell them HELLOO!! And the other thing is lack of respect toward others, THE NOISE! it is difficult enough to sleep with this heat to also have the noise. And them? Fine thank you, sleeping like nothing has happened with all the devastation outside. Do they care if the neighbor sleeps.NO. right. The other and most recent hurricane that I have lived is George’s that was September 22, 1998. Again we didn’t get the worst of it. We like to think that hand is protecting us, changing hurricanes path and force at the last minute. It could have been much worst. We are praying that we don’t get hit by and hurricane this year, The economy can’t get a blow like that. Not strong enough. I can imagine what it would mean for my family with a struggling small business. Let’s see. In the meantime let’s pray for the people that need it most right now. I hope that God protects them from the worst. We can do it with our prayers.

Ahh kids…

Things that happen in school many times are unique. Many of them are funny some are not that funny. Here are some examples of this week and this week alone. This are not all my stories but also from other teachers. You know that we are like moms and we try to do many things at the same time, On Monday the English teacher was grading some papers at the desk when one of the students went to her and told her that her glue wasn’t coming out. The teacher continue to look at her work but took the glue and without looking tried to open the glue. The glue came out all at once and made a mess. The teacher at her surprise just screamed AYY ! What’s this?? The kid at her side just look at her and told her Glue! DUH! LOL Another thing that happened to a first grade teacher just this week ( 3 days) was that one of her kids got another student to put her finger in an electric pencil sharpener. The teacher asked the kid why he has done that. Her answer was I wanted to know if it hurts. OPPS! Wednesday are my worst days. I’m with the kids the whole afternoon alone. Today was different though. We had a violent thunder storm. It was bad, very bad. It was a show of force for me. I could see one of my students really afraid, his face change completely. He was the only one. But he was crying you could really see he was suffering. I try to stay near him. I think I succeed in making them feel secure. From the first moment i explained that we were in a concrete building and that nothing was going to happen. It was only noise. They could hear the little ones screaming but I told them they were big third graders and continue with my lesson as if nothing was happening. LOl It was so difficult not to react at the incredible noise. Not jump or anything. ahh! but the kid that was really afraid didn’t see his teacher afraid or nervous. She was in control even though I’m sure they don’t remember a thing of what i tried to teach them during that time, That’s ok tomorrow is another day. I was reading John’s blog today and I can hide that I love the idea of John reading the kids a book. Can you imagine that ?? So funny! I would give anything to have John in my classroom. I remember the time I brought the video of my trip on the Freedom to show the kids the different volcanoes I saw on that trip. When i was searching for the volcanoes on the CD sometimes John would come out of the video. When I finish showing them the volcanoes they asked me to put the video again because they wanted to see the funny man.

I have to add this to the blog. This happened today August 28 . We as teacher also have shifts to do outside  during lunch. Today one of my friends got a bunch of kids around her telling her that a first grade girl was kissing boys behind a tree. When she went to see what was going on a kid (first grade also) show her a picture taken by one of the them on a cell phone. They have proof! OMG Today’s kids… The girl later confessed. Can’t you believe them ? Not only a first grade girl was kissing boys ( all  3 of them )  but other was wise enough to take a pic with his cell for proof.

Lazy Sunday

Or not that lazy, there are always million things to do but I’m taking it easy. Just a little bit of cleaning and right now I’m watching again one of my favorite movies Cinema Paradiso. If you haven’t watch it please do. It’s Italian and very moving. One of the best things about the movie is the music. Incredibly beautiful music by the award winning composer Ennio Morricone. The music alone can move you to tears. Anyway I’m sitting here a little afraid of the long week ahead of me. Thank God next weekend is a long one. I have some issues in my classroom that I think I need to talk about it with my superior. As I have told you before this group is very different from last year but as I get to know them better I have seen some things that might be a problem. My children are different, very different. I have some very good ones that finish their work in no time and i have others that are just in the first line when the others finish. Children that need some serious help. It’ the first year that I have encounter such abismal difference. There are always kids that stay behind but not that much. This kids literally has no work done. I can’t send them home like that but I can’t wait for them that long when the other 30 are finished and bored. It is not fair for them either. And there is the problem of the afternoons with no help. My schedule is done for me to have the least lessons on the afternoon. My kids have music, computer, art, physical Ed and religion in the afternoon and mainly one class with me except Tuesday that they have 2 and Wednesday that they have the whole (3) with me. And this doesn’t count the times that one of the other teachers is absent and I have to cover it has already happened to me 3 times in 2 weeks.I’ts very difficult because I am alone with the 35 at the worst time of the day when they are tired. Mine it’s the only third grade that doesn’t have and assistant during the afternoon. My assistant is the french teacher at High school in the afternoon. It has been fine with me until this year. I, and my co workers think so too, think it is not fair for me or the children. This kids need especial assistant and In the afternoon I can’t give it to them. What should I do?? By no means I want to think I don’t want her to be my assistant. She really needs her work because her husband is a sick man going through a difficult economic situation but I think that soon the parents are going to say something. I have a meeting with one of them and she specifically asked me about that. She has always been and assistant at the elemetary in the mornings and teacher at high school. Our superior has always said to her that they can’t accomodate in the schedule french class in the mornings. There is no time. Ok changing the theme I wish I can see John sometime when he is in the Caribbean but I think it is going to be difficult. Only 2 possible chances. If he remains on the Splendor for the 2 sailings in the November that the ship comes here is one of them or in April the Liberty’s last cruise before the Trans Atlantic in April. Difficult ahh?? I know. I’m not going to ask for anything I only wish I can see him for at least 5 minutes to give him a hug. Anyway miracles can happen and i can dream about July 8, 2009 Liberty Northern Europe cruise, Why not?? When you wish upon a star….

BTW Miracles…. Why not?? today Is my father’s 70 birthday. I can’t forget that he almost didn’t make it. Today he is happy in Maryland in a shrine to the Virgin Mary giving thanks. Later they are going to a restaurant with my brother and his family. On Tuesday they are leaving to Texas. Life is good.

Pay it forward

I thought about the title for this blog and it brought me to the title of that famous and sad movie. Right now I feel strong and even though everything is not exactly right, I have hope that sometime soon everything will fall in it’s place. I’m fighting to keep my joy and my enthusiasm. I’m not letting anyone get me down. Last year was completely different. I suffered what up to this day have been my worst days. Incredibly sad days, fill with fear and questions, lack of enthusiasm and joy. The death of a sister (in law) , my father sickness and open heart surgery, economic problems, problems at  work. I can’t forget the people that help me get through those days. I wish I could repay them in some way. Pay it forward. I wish I could do the same things they did for me. Make them smile , take them in my hands and hold them, give them a hug. Show them how much they mean to me. I wish I could bring into their lives the same joy that they brought to mine when they I really needed it. They are the ones that really made me feel especial, important and loved. How can they mean so much if some of them I haven’t even meet?  From a distance but always there. One of them, literally keep us (husband and I) standing. You held us up. It meant a lot, the notes and comments, the concerned face, the smiles, the laughs, the gifts, the hugs. How can I give you back all that you gave me?  It is a debt that I have with you. I will never forget it. Thanks for making us smile even in our darkest days, I wish I could do the same for you. But just like the  little drummer boy I only have my drum. I’m here and I’ll always going to be. I owe it to you. We will never forget that you help us survive our darkest hour. That’s real friendship. Give and you should receive. It is your time. Take it. I will keep praying for you and yours because you deserve it.

Update 8/21/08- Everyday i receive in my email an inspirational email from a famous preacher. I just opened it and was surprised to see this message for today, just hours after I wrote this blog.

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2 NIV).

It pleases God when we live in peace and unity; when we love and serve others and put their needs above our own. The bible says we are fulfilling the law of Christ when we carry each other’s burdens, when we pray for them and when we are supportive in their time of need. There are many ways to reach out to people and help carry their burdens. Just by giving an encouraging word or smile, you can help lighten the load for someone. When you pray and intercede for others in their day of difficulty, you are helping carry their burdens. Maybe there are other ways to help the people around you. Maybe you can pay for someone’s groceries, or give someone cash at the gas pump. Anytime you help others and reach out to them, it’s as if you are directly lending a hand to God.

Remember, in God’s kingdom what you sow, you shall reap. When you help others, God promises to repay you. He’ll make sure that people reach out to you in your time of need as well so that you can live in victory and blessing all the days of your life.

Funny how God talks we just have to listen. Have a good day!!

New school year , new beginnings, new hopes

My brother and my sister just posted this pictures in facebook. It made me very happy just looking at them. It gave me such joy and made think. Specially the first one of my parents with my sister with the rainbow in the back. New hope , new beginning. Just seeing them looking so good and happy. It made me remember how different last year was. So hard ! I look at the pictures and I see my father looking better than ever just 9 months after his open heart surgery. Oh my!  I have to be  so grateful that he can enjoy life to the fullest again. Seeing those stairs. He can do it and he enjoys it a lot. He is going to be 70 on the 24 of this month. They just celebrated their 45 wedding anniversary. They enjoy traveling a lot and when they travel they are like me they don’t stop. No rest for them. They want to to see and enjoy. Just like children. They are trying to catch up after 30 years of not traveling. Yes 30 years!! How could they do it?? They were raising 5 kids in private school  with one salary. I thank God that they are healthy and still can enjoy it to the fullest. Me and my sister are behind them and we insist that they have to go to Europe. Now is the time. They need strength and health to do it. Since my younger sister went to college they started traveling again but they have remained on cruises and USA visiting their grandkids. Let’s see if we can convince them. Just talked to them on the phone, they are at my brother’s in Pennsylvania last weekend the went to Niagara falls as you can see. Love it! Love it! They told me I should go, so I have another place in my long list of my must see’s. My sister just returned home to Texas she is a teacher and she starts on Monday. My parents are going to meet her there at the end of the month.So, I’m happy for that and I am happy also for the way that the school year has started. Definitely attitude helps. I started the school with a smile, well dressed and in control.  Thinking that this time is going to be different and I’m going to do the best I can do be the best teacher. I have not stopped and I’m trying to do things different. I have left nobody to bring me down. I can and i have the pan by the handle. I’m in charge. Im praying that I don’t get discourage by no one or anything. The fact that I drop a few pounds is helping a lot but I’m not finished yet. I want to lose 3 or 4 more. That is one less thing to worry about.  Our sacrifice of turning off the air conditioner has payed off bringing down the energy bill from $428 to $250. Still not enough because $250 is what we should be paying with the AC on. There is only one thing that is not perfect. One thing that we need. We need our business to produce enough money or the building to sell. So we can be at ease and not worry about money. We really want to be able to travel again. Our passion. We have so many plans! But that will come to. We will continue to wait. Good things happen to those who wait. Right Elaine? Have to go do lesson plans. Keep praying. Prayers are always needed.

So far so good

Wednesday and still nobody have managed to steal my joy. Everything is going fine. This new group seems to very different. No real problems. I’m trying to be very enthusiasthic, doing new things. It takes times, plenty of my time but I’m still willing to do it. I’m trying hard not to fall on last year hole. SO HOTTTTTTTTTTT here that you can’t imagine. Have to go make a Power point. I’m learning but it takes time.

Bachata y Merengue with Juan Luis

Last night I went to a great concert at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico and I had FUN!! Who doesn’t have fun with Juan Luis Guerra? Let me tell you who is Juan Luis first. He is a Dominican singer, songwriter, and self-producer who has sold over fourteen million records worldwide and has won numerous awards, including ten Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards, and two Latin Billboard Music Awards. Let me tell you that I am not a big fan of listening to merengue music. Merengue is for dancing and I am bad at it. I don’t like bachata at all. But Juan Luis’s is different. He has a class of his own. Music made for everyone to like. Juan Luis merengue’s are unique, they have class. When you hear the first chords of one of his songs you inmediately stand up to dance and with scream eaaaaahhh!! And It was like that last night with a full coliseum. 15, 00 dancing in every corner.  From the first song the party started and it lasted for the next 2 hours. I was  far  from the stage  (very)  almost changing the ceiling  light bulbs.   But from  there I could see the whole place. It was very special to see so many people forgetting about their problems and sharing a good time with everyone near them, known or unknown. The arena became a sea of people all on their feet ( forget seating) dancing . People on the balconies and even on the highest place. It was a pleasure to see. After it was over I meet a couple of people outside they were sweating from all the dancing and the party continue even on the train back to our houses. We are a little crazy sometimes and loud but we surely know how to put our best face even on bad times and have fun anyway. Juan Luis gave us a chance to do this last night with good music. If you curious and want to hear 2 of the many Juan Luis songs go to this links:

La billirubina

A pedir tu mano

Enjoy!!

Everything is ready!!

I’m ready to welcome the kids on Monday. Most of the paperwork is done and the classroom is ready. Everything has gone smoothly. Here are some pictures of my classroom

This is were I work

As promised here are some pictures of the school. I have spent 3 days working inside the classroom. I end the day very tired. It always happens to me when I start again. I think it takes the body some time to get used to the routine. The classroom is finished (pics tomorrow) now the days that are left before the kids start is for the paper work. So here it is my children’s and my colegio:

Second floor hallway, to the right my classroom, left my boss office

Happy birthday Cristian!!

Today is my son’s 15 birthday. He is going to have a friend come over to spend the day with him. My parents and my sister are going to come also. Tomorrow were are going to celebrate with Eugenio’s family. Cristian is a great son. He has many things in his mind and because of that he is the quiet one in the family. He is like an old man with a strange sense of humor. He is always at the computer gathering information so he knows a little about everything. Sometimes he really surprises me with all he knows. He wants to do many things in the future. Many times I wonder what he finally is going to do. The only thing he has always been sure is that he wants to study in the United States. He starts ninth grade now so he has to study hard to make that possible. I know he is going to do it. Happy Birthday Cristian!!