I'll miss you
Valmir's own goodbye...
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Feelin' the Love
Today, I felt lots love. It was our last day with kids.
As usual, I stood at the door to welcome everyone. I was greeted by the usual hellos, how are yous and several sweet gifts which included a silver shiny lotus flower candle holder (cuz you're moving to India and that's like their flower), a Sobral Cobacabana inspired ring, a mug with Portuguese writing and a Korean wallet which reminds me of the hanboks I saw in shop windows.
After morning meeting, we started the day celebrating their memoir writing. Erica and I combined both classes memoirs into one third grade book. Each trio of authors shared their stories followed by two compliments from their peers. Then of course there had to be an autograph session for the authors to sign each others work.
We celebrated the end of the year with an ice cream party outside behind our classrooms before field day. Team M (my team) rotated around to seven different stations "competing" against other teams along the way. The teams were a mix of all grade levels and classes making them a fun mix of kids. I had two former students along with new faces in my group.
After field day, the kids returned to the classroom where I had compiled their Top Ten of third grade into a Wordle document. The Cool V.I.K.s loved (counting down):
10. Field Day, New Books Arrived (they had fundraised and I brought back about 30 books at semester) and Read-A-Thon
9. Book Fair (kids perform and also buy books)
8. Book Clubs
7. Miss Megan Returned (from my surprise trip to the U.S.)
6. Brasilia Field Trip (saw the sights and learned about the city's unique history)
5. Silent Ball (gotta love a game of toss where one of the rules is you have to remain silent).
4. GleEAB (mentioned on previous post)
3. First Day of School
2. My parents visit to Brasilia (that one really made me smile)
1. Nex (field trip to Jaguar sanctuary where we saw rescued jaguars, ocelots, panthers and pumas and cooled off under a waterfall).
The kids got a chance to trace their top ten and then gather email and Skype addresses. I have four students and myself leaving EAB. You all know where I'm headed. The students are going to: the U.S., Malayasia, Sweden and Spain. While they were gathering this important info, two parents stopped by. Both started by telling me that they knew I was going to hear that I was their child's favorite teacher but they really meant it.
One mother, told me that her son loves me and that with my care and attention, he's become a better person this year. He loves school and has felt so comfortable. She told me that he's been sad for weeks that I'm going and that she hopes I'll visit and if I do, I need to stay with them. This mother has been such a supporter all year long and just wonderful to work with. I had to say goodbye to this student before the end of the day and was just heart-broken as he's been such a light this year.
The second mother and I have had our ups and downs. She and I see a lot of things similarly but she's got high expectations but has a realistic picture of her son. Her son's just an amazing child who has so much potential. He spent K - 2 being the class clown for attention and does have a great sense of humor but doesn't love school so much. We've worked ALOT on his behavior, attitude, responsibility for actions and self-control. I'm so proud of him and today I learned what this work meant to her. She came into the room, saw me in tears and began to cry which shocked me. I quickly looked around for her son who then I realized I'd sent back to the bathroom to rewash his face (he had black face paint on it from field day). My heart sunk until she came and hugged me. She shared that I'd made the biggest difference in her son's life this year and that with my help, he'd started to become the boy she always knew he could be. He just needed someone to be tough to show him he could do it.
I was now full-on snotty, gross, crying teacher. I let the kids work for a bit more and then pulled them together.
We had a final game of frogger which is a class favorite. For my teacher readers, frogger is a game where one child is a frog who's rather hungry. To eat, the frog sticks out their tongue quickly at the remaining students who are flies. By doing this, they are eaten and die usually a rather painful overly dramatic death. All of this happens while a fellow classmates tries to guess the frogs identity.
To end the day, we sat in our same circle we'd sat 200 days so far and gave all of the kids a chance to share about this year, their feelings and what they just thought in the moment. Here are a few highlights:
"This year my parents got divorced. It was hard. Lots of you know what it's like and you made me feel better. You could tell when I was sad and you made me happy with hugs and nice things you told me."
"So, you guys know that sometimes I'm not very nice. I can be mean especially when we play games and especially soccer. I'm a bad sport sometimes. And you guys even after I was mean would ask me to play again. I just wanna say thanks for being my friends. I wish you lotsa luck in your new schools and in the future."
"Miss Megan. We could fill a swimming pool with all of the tears in here."
Out of the 18 present, more than half were in tears. I was teary but wanted to end with something positive. We did a final huddle and yelled "VIKs" and then dismissed the kids a few at a time for a final hug, handshake or high five. Mostly hugs.
I had a few more special moments after school with kids and I could share those but what really struck me is that this has probably been my second most challenging class of my career. Today made all of the blood, sweat, tears, beers, complaining, work, consuling, emails, meetings and more worth it. This class has a special bond that I felt like will be important for them for a long, long time.
One of these moments included a particular girl. One who started the year in a pretty mean way. She complained. She was rude to teachers and students. She moaned and groaned. She avoided work and blamed everyone for her mistakes. This girl though, has made major strides. She problem-solves. She helps others without being asked. She gives hugs even when she doesn't want to but knows her classmate has asked and needs it. She sobbed after school. I gave her a long, hard hug. I told her (please know that after the work we've done I was being honest due to the types of conversations we've had) that at the beginning of the year she was mean. She was rude and people were frustrated with her a lot. I squeezed her tighter and told her as I touched her heart. I said that this, her heart, is what changed this year. She let people in. I told her I knew it was hard and that even though her report card didn't show it that the work she'd done was some of the most difficult of all. I told her she now was loving and kind and that by opening her heart her classmates liked her. I told her that sometimes opening her heart actually made her hurt more but that she had to leave it open so others could learn what a wonderful, compassionate kid she is. I told her I was so proud of her and that I loved her. While I was telling her this, her mom was standing nearby. Her mom speaks just a bit of English so another parent translated what I said. Her mom started to cry too.
Wow. I realize this is a really long post. I want these documented so when I have a tough day in the future, I can be reminded of why what I do is so important. It's not a perfect post and it lacks some of the details but to me today couldn't have been a more perfect last day with my students. This year I loved my kids hard and today the love was sent right back.
As usual, I stood at the door to welcome everyone. I was greeted by the usual hellos, how are yous and several sweet gifts which included a silver shiny lotus flower candle holder (cuz you're moving to India and that's like their flower), a Sobral Cobacabana inspired ring, a mug with Portuguese writing and a Korean wallet which reminds me of the hanboks I saw in shop windows.
After morning meeting, we started the day celebrating their memoir writing. Erica and I combined both classes memoirs into one third grade book. Each trio of authors shared their stories followed by two compliments from their peers. Then of course there had to be an autograph session for the authors to sign each others work.
We celebrated the end of the year with an ice cream party outside behind our classrooms before field day. Team M (my team) rotated around to seven different stations "competing" against other teams along the way. The teams were a mix of all grade levels and classes making them a fun mix of kids. I had two former students along with new faces in my group.
After field day, the kids returned to the classroom where I had compiled their Top Ten of third grade into a Wordle document. The Cool V.I.K.s loved (counting down):
10. Field Day, New Books Arrived (they had fundraised and I brought back about 30 books at semester) and Read-A-Thon
9. Book Fair (kids perform and also buy books)
8. Book Clubs
7. Miss Megan Returned (from my surprise trip to the U.S.)
6. Brasilia Field Trip (saw the sights and learned about the city's unique history)
5. Silent Ball (gotta love a game of toss where one of the rules is you have to remain silent).
4. GleEAB (mentioned on previous post)
3. First Day of School
2. My parents visit to Brasilia (that one really made me smile)
1. Nex (field trip to Jaguar sanctuary where we saw rescued jaguars, ocelots, panthers and pumas and cooled off under a waterfall).
The kids got a chance to trace their top ten and then gather email and Skype addresses. I have four students and myself leaving EAB. You all know where I'm headed. The students are going to: the U.S., Malayasia, Sweden and Spain. While they were gathering this important info, two parents stopped by. Both started by telling me that they knew I was going to hear that I was their child's favorite teacher but they really meant it.
One mother, told me that her son loves me and that with my care and attention, he's become a better person this year. He loves school and has felt so comfortable. She told me that he's been sad for weeks that I'm going and that she hopes I'll visit and if I do, I need to stay with them. This mother has been such a supporter all year long and just wonderful to work with. I had to say goodbye to this student before the end of the day and was just heart-broken as he's been such a light this year.
The second mother and I have had our ups and downs. She and I see a lot of things similarly but she's got high expectations but has a realistic picture of her son. Her son's just an amazing child who has so much potential. He spent K - 2 being the class clown for attention and does have a great sense of humor but doesn't love school so much. We've worked ALOT on his behavior, attitude, responsibility for actions and self-control. I'm so proud of him and today I learned what this work meant to her. She came into the room, saw me in tears and began to cry which shocked me. I quickly looked around for her son who then I realized I'd sent back to the bathroom to rewash his face (he had black face paint on it from field day). My heart sunk until she came and hugged me. She shared that I'd made the biggest difference in her son's life this year and that with my help, he'd started to become the boy she always knew he could be. He just needed someone to be tough to show him he could do it.
I was now full-on snotty, gross, crying teacher. I let the kids work for a bit more and then pulled them together.
We had a final game of frogger which is a class favorite. For my teacher readers, frogger is a game where one child is a frog who's rather hungry. To eat, the frog sticks out their tongue quickly at the remaining students who are flies. By doing this, they are eaten and die usually a rather painful overly dramatic death. All of this happens while a fellow classmates tries to guess the frogs identity.
To end the day, we sat in our same circle we'd sat 200 days so far and gave all of the kids a chance to share about this year, their feelings and what they just thought in the moment. Here are a few highlights:
"This year my parents got divorced. It was hard. Lots of you know what it's like and you made me feel better. You could tell when I was sad and you made me happy with hugs and nice things you told me."
"So, you guys know that sometimes I'm not very nice. I can be mean especially when we play games and especially soccer. I'm a bad sport sometimes. And you guys even after I was mean would ask me to play again. I just wanna say thanks for being my friends. I wish you lotsa luck in your new schools and in the future."
"Miss Megan. We could fill a swimming pool with all of the tears in here."
Out of the 18 present, more than half were in tears. I was teary but wanted to end with something positive. We did a final huddle and yelled "VIKs" and then dismissed the kids a few at a time for a final hug, handshake or high five. Mostly hugs.
I had a few more special moments after school with kids and I could share those but what really struck me is that this has probably been my second most challenging class of my career. Today made all of the blood, sweat, tears, beers, complaining, work, consuling, emails, meetings and more worth it. This class has a special bond that I felt like will be important for them for a long, long time.
One of these moments included a particular girl. One who started the year in a pretty mean way. She complained. She was rude to teachers and students. She moaned and groaned. She avoided work and blamed everyone for her mistakes. This girl though, has made major strides. She problem-solves. She helps others without being asked. She gives hugs even when she doesn't want to but knows her classmate has asked and needs it. She sobbed after school. I gave her a long, hard hug. I told her (please know that after the work we've done I was being honest due to the types of conversations we've had) that at the beginning of the year she was mean. She was rude and people were frustrated with her a lot. I squeezed her tighter and told her as I touched her heart. I said that this, her heart, is what changed this year. She let people in. I told her I knew it was hard and that even though her report card didn't show it that the work she'd done was some of the most difficult of all. I told her she now was loving and kind and that by opening her heart her classmates liked her. I told her that sometimes opening her heart actually made her hurt more but that she had to leave it open so others could learn what a wonderful, compassionate kid she is. I told her I was so proud of her and that I loved her. While I was telling her this, her mom was standing nearby. Her mom speaks just a bit of English so another parent translated what I said. Her mom started to cry too.
Wow. I realize this is a really long post. I want these documented so when I have a tough day in the future, I can be reminded of why what I do is so important. It's not a perfect post and it lacks some of the details but to me today couldn't have been a more perfect last day with my students. This year I loved my kids hard and today the love was sent right back.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
One Sister for Sale!
Today for some reason reminds me of the Shel Silverstein poem, "One Sister for Sale!"
One of the lines goes something like this..."Do I hear a dollar? A nickel A penny? Oh isn't there, isn't there, isn't there any one kid who'll buy this old sister for sale?"
No, I'm not selling the Goo but I had my Looney Sale here in Brazil. I sold things like my microwave, lamps, kitchen stuff, garbage cans, etc. I sold a lot of it. This is great so I can have some money this summer to use toward buying things for India, like a new queen bed. Ahhh, that makes me happy just thinking about it.
People are picking up their items this evening. So far three people have come and they've all been just lovely. Sharing stories and chatting.
There are supposed to be 5 more people coming. And they are supposed to come in the next 15 minutes.
Any bets on whether they'll come or not?
Alright, off to do one final bank email and then some packing. I've procrastinated long enough tonight but on a positive note have caught up on some emails and arranged two more shippers to come and give me estimates in late June. More soon...
One of the lines goes something like this..."Do I hear a dollar? A nickel A penny? Oh isn't there, isn't there, isn't there any one kid who'll buy this old sister for sale?"
No, I'm not selling the Goo but I had my Looney Sale here in Brazil. I sold things like my microwave, lamps, kitchen stuff, garbage cans, etc. I sold a lot of it. This is great so I can have some money this summer to use toward buying things for India, like a new queen bed. Ahhh, that makes me happy just thinking about it.
People are picking up their items this evening. So far three people have come and they've all been just lovely. Sharing stories and chatting.
There are supposed to be 5 more people coming. And they are supposed to come in the next 15 minutes.
Any bets on whether they'll come or not?
Alright, off to do one final bank email and then some packing. I've procrastinated long enough tonight but on a positive note have caught up on some emails and arranged two more shippers to come and give me estimates in late June. More soon...
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Today I...
- Went to bed at 1:30 a.m. after ending a work conference Skype call at 12:15.
- Takes some time to wind down after talking about writing for an hour with my new boss, new reading specialist and a writing consultant. I got the shaft in the time zones.
- Proctored a math test covering decimals and the kids did great,
- Said goodbye to my amazing and wonderful maid Davina because unfortunately ans sadly her mother passed away (done during the test),
- Determined placements for my students into their 4th grade classes,
- Don't like this one for many different reasons. The biggest one is that I won't be here or with them next year.
- Watched third graders create decorations for a baby shower,
- Blue monkeys? Well, he is a boy...duh!
- Helped a third grader to realize that when your water bottle falls off your desk 4 times that there's gotta be a better location for it,
- In my room the sound is awful so this is just so loud and interrupts everything but it's really annoying when it's 4 times in a 5 minute time span.
- Wrote my final parent email of the year,
- Called the Indian Embassy,
- Read my other blog if you want to learn more about this call.
- Met with a student book club for the last time,
- We had such an awesome, easy and intelligent discussion.
- Was amazed by my teaching assistant's McGyver skills as he constructed the perfect sponge device for washing 42 brand new water bottles for the third graders to take on tomorrow's field trip,
- Three dowl rods, one sponge, hot glue and staple gun = pretty awesome bottle washer.
Reviewed,Shared, Tried to share information for our field trip tomorrow to the jaguar sanctuary we visited last year,- The kids are so excited and it's the end of the year but why would I do this at 2:45?
- Broke up a third grade kicking fight on the soccer field,
- Yup. I'm cool. But to be completely honest when there's a third grade you really just have to say, "Stop that! You two come here now," and they do and then you start the process of figuring out what happened.
- Shared a banana and chocolate crepe with Erica while talking about silly school stuff like what kids "accidentally" google when they're supposed to be looking for jaguar information,
- It starts with an "s" and rhymes with hex.
- am headed to a final EAB end-of-year celebration at a local pizza place with everyone
- It's chilly here, like in the 60s, so I'm wearing a fleece and jeans and a scarf.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
This Week in Photos
Images from my life this week...
Jack Johnson live in Brasilia with friends. My first and only concert in Brazil. One of the best shows I've ever been to because he's so wonderful live! They even mixed in Brazilian tunes to his music.
Jack Johnson live in Brasilia with friends. My first and only concert in Brazil. One of the best shows I've ever been to because he's so wonderful live! They even mixed in Brazilian tunes to his music.
The utility building outside my apartment's been painted. The Brazilian flag is gone. So sad. I think I'm taking this harder because of my transition. Wonder how long till the new graffiti arrives...
The GleEAB concert and my students singing a Sound of Music Medley. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much.
How can you not love this? I felt so proud as a teacher but just the joy they brought to the entire audience was amazing.
Makin' smores during my Savvy sleepover. We cooked over my gas stove, one burner each. They were delic!
Festa Junina, a Brazilian kinda wedding/harvest/bumpkin party hosted at school. There are food booths and also game booths while a band plays forro music all evening. It has been one of my favorite EAB evenings. The kids all dress up for it as do the adults too. Ellie and friend Fiona.
Savvy and Amanda, two of my former students enjoying the night. AP, KD and I took the Wolvie girls since their parents are in Buenos Aires after taking 16 bags for their move.
KD and I.
Andrea and I post bbq chicken and canjica.
14 days till departure.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Better Together
Tonight I'm off to see Jack Johnson with AP, Erica and Jamey. Valmir and his lovely wife Camila will also be there.
We're sitting in the premeir section which means we're really close to the stage. It's a mid-grade ticket versus the $350 USD all you can drink option. I'm happy with our mid-grade choice.
Valmir picked up his tickets last night and said the box office told him that they didn't sell as many as they'd hoped so they were shrinking the seating area. That means fewer people squeezing into the parking lot stadium. Yay!
I'm soo looking forward to some great tunes with some wonderful friends outside on this starry 60 degree night.
We're sitting in the premeir section which means we're really close to the stage. It's a mid-grade ticket versus the $350 USD all you can drink option. I'm happy with our mid-grade choice.
Valmir picked up his tickets last night and said the box office told him that they didn't sell as many as they'd hoped so they were shrinking the seating area. That means fewer people squeezing into the parking lot stadium. Yay!
I'm soo looking forward to some great tunes with some wonderful friends outside on this starry 60 degree night.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Bittersweet
Excited for new adventures ahead as well as lots of qt with my family and friends in just three weeks but at the same time I'm feeling very blue today.
Trying to live in 3 continents simutaneously isn't as chique as it sounds...
South America
North America
Trying to live in 3 continents simutaneously isn't as chique as it sounds...
South America
- packing,
- paperwork,
- spending times with friends at spas, dinners, for birthdays and good food = wonderful
- finally got a hold of the Indian Embassy and will turn in things on Tuesday morning at 11 a.m.
- 4 hour trips to governmental agencies (Monday) and
- friends leaving for last minute trips makes me feel blue.
North America
- plans with friends - check,
- plans with family - in the works
- online ordering for clothes and tech and books and fun,
- organizing shippers - "Yes, I realize that you can't come and complete a survey because I'm living in South American and yes, I also realize that June is your busiest month but can't a quote be a quote? Then when you actually pack me then you give me the final price? I'll make as complete a list as I'm able now..."
- banks and trying to get reimbursed is a pain so I'm
- feeling excited to see everyone but realizing that my time is short, jam-packed six weeks is an understatement.
- organizing shippers is a pain,
- my school is great about communication in regards to banking and shipping and visas,
- starting to think about my new job is exciting but overwhelming too,
- excited for new friendships but also sad because I'm leaving good friends in Brazil
- wondering why am I going to India since it seems each place I live internationally teaches me new things...Korea - what's important in life (family and friends), Brazil - i've always thought life is a journey not a destination but it's reminded me how i need to be in the journey more, India - ???
Thursday, May 19, 2011
quotes
Figure a little humor's needed this time of year so I'm sharing a couple of quotes from today with you.
"Knowledge is like ice cream; it tastes delicious," said a third grade student who was explaining her Lewis and Clark mind map to me today. If only you all could meet said child, you would know so much more to this statement.
"Can't we please listen to "It's Raining Men?" begged another third grade student. If only you knew his family...
Hope your learning and living brings you smiles today.
"Knowledge is like ice cream; it tastes delicious," said a third grade student who was explaining her Lewis and Clark mind map to me today. If only you all could meet said child, you would know so much more to this statement.
"Can't we please listen to "It's Raining Men?" begged another third grade student. If only you knew his family...
Hope your learning and living brings you smiles today.
Monday, May 2, 2011
My 34th Birthday Bonanza!
This year I was completely spoiled.
Completely spoiled. From even before the beginning of the day till the end of the real day. Home highlights:
- Being able to celebrate early at home with my parents and the Goo in my parents' kitchen
- Cake 1 was Portillo's
- The Goo sang "Happy Birthday Dad" when she was supposed to say Megan or Sister. She's never living that down.
- A 6:45 birthday call from my parents who sang it not once but twice and the second time with feeling,
- Arriving to school and finding a clue on my desk,
- A birthday scavenger hunt that led me from friend to friend who passed on wonderful gifts that my mom had sent. Thank goodness the bras weren't part of the mix as I had to open up things in front of everyone.
- The clues were written by each person so some were more easily determined than others. Being my usual overanalytical self I had trouble starting but once I got rolling, it got easier. In most rooms I had to complete a task to earn my present. Tasks included: listing all of the Character Counts Pillars, taking a trig quiz (brought up my math phobia) and also a quiz where I had to determine HS students' nationalities by only asking 5 questions.
- Getting lots of great treats from my family including Reese's, Amazon cards for more books for my Kindle, cute shirts, a book sharing Mumbai fables and some really cool glasses
- Having an extra long lunch with my wonderful teaching partner at Tribo. Amazing.
- Having my students surprise me with notes and a lovely cake and loads of presents including lots of beautiful flowers
At just about 6:30 I headed over to Wolvies where my presence had been requested. This is where the birthday bonanza went to a whole new level.
The evening was titled "Fun and Funky" because they said those words that describes me. It included:
- A Fun and Funky dinner with with dishes like exploding salad, deviled egg boats, asparagus with proscuitto, meatloaf and mashed potato cupcakes, ants on a log, mini-cheese burgers and ice cream cupcakes for dessert
- A FLASHMOB! A personalized flashmob just for me. I've always wanted to be in one and my friends here practiced in their homes and arm chairs and performed one to Katy Perry's Firework just for me. They changed the word "Baby" to "Megan" to personalize it even more. The flashmob began with Erin asking me the question, "Do you ever feel like a plastic bag floating in the wind?" and then Sam following up with "Do you ever feel already buried deep six feet under scream but no one hears a thing?" At this point I recognized song lyrics. I said that and then Erin said one more line before she and Ellie jumped up with plastic bags and began dancing. Soon Jamey joined, then Sam and Andrea and Kathy and finally Erica. It was amazing. I still shake my head just thinking about it.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Balloons over BSB
Last week on my way home from school, Sam called. I'd seen 'em too but he said if I walked a bit further than my apartment, I'd get a better view. So I went. It was worth it.
Not sure why they were out. It was right before Brasilia's birthday so our best guess is that they were connected somehow but regardless, made for a fun walk home.
Some dipped pretty low. You can see one yellow balloon through the low trees. A man selling honey approached me because he saw me taking photos. He told me that if I went under the road (you can see there's an underpass) that I'd get a better view. He was going there and asked if I wanted to go with him. It was a nice offer but I just wanted to get home so I politely said no thanks. Then he asked if I wanted to buy one of his honey pockets. Again, polite no thanks. At least he waited to ask until after sharing the info.
A nice surprise on the way home.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Brrrr!
You know you've lived in a warm country too long when you are freezing even while wearing a fleece sweatshirt, socks, sipping Starbucks instant coffee and are covered in a blanket when the temperature outside is 63 degrees. Brrrr!
Stay warm Chicago!
Stay warm Chicago!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Pillow Fighters Unite!
As we descended from the National Museum ramp (which looks like you've just landed on Earth from a large white spaceship) we noticed that there was a large group of late teen and early twenty-somethings hanging out by the National Library. We additionally noticed that many in this group were yielding pillows.
So being the tourists we are, we stopped to ask what was going on. Andrea asked a nice couple in Portuguese what was happening. They replied in Portuguese, "a pillow fight." We all then said in unison in English, " a pillow fight?" And they replied, "Yes, a pillow fight," in English. Andrea then asked what time it was going to start. It's supposed to start at 5:00.
That's now we all thought. So we sat down on some bench-like structures. As we watched people wait for the fight to begin we watched some amazing roller bladers weaving in and out of tiny cones testing their skills while simutaneously our bench was being jumped by skateboarders. A young man approached our group and in English asked if we wanted to borrow a pillow. He had an extra. And that's where our fun began...
 |
| You show 'em Ellie |
 |
| Our friends who told us about the fight |
 |
| Preparing for battle |
 |
| Andrea getting in some hits |
 |
| Mickey and friend making their getaway |
 |
| Girls only! |
 |
| E running out of the fight |
 |
| One of the organizers |
 |
| Families joined the fun |
 |
| Baby's first pillow fight! |
We got to join in the fun and let me tell you, it was a great time even when the fluff had landed..
Thursday, February 24, 2011
The Goo
My sister rocks and here's one reason why. Can you find her???
Stay tuned for more Looney mobs...
Stay tuned for more Looney mobs...
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
I Loathe Brazilian Buracrazy
Anyone else want a button? Because I'm going to begin printing them this week. Since so many of you live so far from here and the post office is taking eons for mail they are going to say, "I Loathe Brazilian Buracrazy!" I'm not sure how that quite translates into Portuguese but that's fine with me. It'll just add to the burcracy I've been dealing with here.
Valmir will not be returning to EAB anytime soon. He got the official okay from his doctor last Sunday (February 13). His hand was completely healed. He called to share the good news and learned he would be able to return after a few extra visits, aka buracracy, (I just accidentially typed buracrazy and hence my blog post cuz it's kinda funny) on Monday (February 14).
After school on Monday, Valentine's Day, my phone rang and when I saw it was Valmir, I knew it couldn't be good. He wasn't able to see all three doctors needed to return to work. You might be thinking, 3 doctors. My goodness, that's a lot. Well, it is but you need to be cleared by:
Dr 1 - the doctor who treated you
Dr 2 - the school's doctor
Dr 3 - the social security adminstration's dr
He was cleared by #1 and then proceeded to see #2. #2 then said he wouldn't clear him unless he saw dr # 3. When he went to try and see dr #3, the receptionist told him there aren't any appointments until March 17th. He said, "But I'm healed and ready to return." The receptionist laughed and replied, "You're the first person to ever say that." This should give you a little hint into this system.
That was Monday after school. He hoped he'd be able to squeeze in on Tuesday afternoon but unfortunately dr #2 shut him down again. I was just a little frustrated to get this call. I know it's not Valmir's fault but didn't understand why the school wasn't helping him.
I then learned that they won't help him because they are worried about being sued. If they help him, the government will view it as a push back to work. The funny thing is that he's healed. Completely better.
Another funny thing is that since Valmir had to visit the SSA (Social Security Admin) since he missed over 15 days of work, that they are paying both Valmir and EAB for his time off. Yup. They're double paying. So Dilma, I've heard you want to cut the govt's budget, well, silly things like this would help ALOT!
And it wouldn't just help the budget, it would also help, um, let me think, children. 22 of them to be exact. It would help 1 teacher. It would help countless other people as well. Grrr!!!
In the meantime, I'm sharing an assistant with Erica. It's fine and all but it's when you are used to things being one way and then for a really dumb reason the change, it's annoying. For a girl who's trying really hard to focus on just her class and grade level, there sure are a lot of things interfering with my plan. Silly, silly buracrazy. Silly, silly adults.
My solution? If we just listened to my 8-year-old students who said simutaneously in two different languages, English and Portuguese, "That's just dumb," then maybe we'd be a whole lot smarter.
* This post has been rewritten about seven times since starting it last week so I apologize if it doesn't flow so well.
** This post has additionally been rewritten about seven times since last week as it's taken me that long to calm down and accept the buracrazy.
Valmir will not be returning to EAB anytime soon. He got the official okay from his doctor last Sunday (February 13). His hand was completely healed. He called to share the good news and learned he would be able to return after a few extra visits, aka buracracy, (I just accidentially typed buracrazy and hence my blog post cuz it's kinda funny) on Monday (February 14).
After school on Monday, Valentine's Day, my phone rang and when I saw it was Valmir, I knew it couldn't be good. He wasn't able to see all three doctors needed to return to work. You might be thinking, 3 doctors. My goodness, that's a lot. Well, it is but you need to be cleared by:
Dr 1 - the doctor who treated you
Dr 2 - the school's doctor
Dr 3 - the social security adminstration's dr
He was cleared by #1 and then proceeded to see #2. #2 then said he wouldn't clear him unless he saw dr # 3. When he went to try and see dr #3, the receptionist told him there aren't any appointments until March 17th. He said, "But I'm healed and ready to return." The receptionist laughed and replied, "You're the first person to ever say that." This should give you a little hint into this system.
That was Monday after school. He hoped he'd be able to squeeze in on Tuesday afternoon but unfortunately dr #2 shut him down again. I was just a little frustrated to get this call. I know it's not Valmir's fault but didn't understand why the school wasn't helping him.
I then learned that they won't help him because they are worried about being sued. If they help him, the government will view it as a push back to work. The funny thing is that he's healed. Completely better.
Another funny thing is that since Valmir had to visit the SSA (Social Security Admin) since he missed over 15 days of work, that they are paying both Valmir and EAB for his time off. Yup. They're double paying. So Dilma, I've heard you want to cut the govt's budget, well, silly things like this would help ALOT!
And it wouldn't just help the budget, it would also help, um, let me think, children. 22 of them to be exact. It would help 1 teacher. It would help countless other people as well. Grrr!!!
In the meantime, I'm sharing an assistant with Erica. It's fine and all but it's when you are used to things being one way and then for a really dumb reason the change, it's annoying. For a girl who's trying really hard to focus on just her class and grade level, there sure are a lot of things interfering with my plan. Silly, silly buracrazy. Silly, silly adults.
My solution? If we just listened to my 8-year-old students who said simutaneously in two different languages, English and Portuguese, "That's just dumb," then maybe we'd be a whole lot smarter.
* This post has been rewritten about seven times since starting it last week so I apologize if it doesn't flow so well.
** This post has additionally been rewritten about seven times since last week as it's taken me that long to calm down and accept the buracrazy.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Monday Night
Tonight I...
- got a Valentine's Day package from my mom and dad filled with cute heart covered p.j.s, peanut butter hearts, an InStyle magazine, several baking mixes, peanut butter, sunflower seeds, peanut butter hearts (small ones this time) and a cute t-shirt which were all wrapped in fun Valentine tissue paper,
- got soaked walking home in a rainstorm (I was just over halfway when the skies literally opened) while carrying above package and my netbook,
- chatted with my dad who's extra healthy today,
- walked for an hour with Hayes for my physical and mental health,
- took a hot shower (it's a miracle to have hot water!),
- ate yummy taco soup and Parmesan baguette slices from Boulangerie for dinner,
- watched a rerun of Law and Order SVU,
- covered up with a blanket while sipping tea because it's a chilly 70 degrees here tonight,
- read two emails from teachers in India who welcomed me,
- signed up for a summer laptop conference in Memphis (Graceland anyone?),
- listened to crickets chirping and
- will read more of Maximum City (a book about Mumbai) on my Kindle snuggled up under blankets before I go to bed early.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Casting Update
In case you were wondering. Valmir's still out. At least one more week. Sigh.
Each day my students and I are crossing more body parts for good luck than I knew possible. In case you were wondering, third graders also think crossing lips and elbows will help. At this point, they can cross whatever they want as long as it gets Valmir back quickly!
Each day my students and I are crossing more body parts for good luck than I knew possible. In case you were wondering, third graders also think crossing lips and elbows will help. At this point, they can cross whatever they want as long as it gets Valmir back quickly!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Who's On First?
Yesterday I went to play softball for the first time in about god only knows how many years with a group of female teachers and expats against the EAB girls' softball team. I'm definitely sore (my back, arm) today but it's a good sore and playing was a lot of fun.
Dad - You'd be bummed by my stats. 1 walk. 1 pop out and 1 hit. I just wanted to hit the ball!
Our teacher team was a hodge-podge of players: 5 EAB teachers, 1 American Embassy consulate officer, 1EAB fifth grader (coach's son) and 2 EAB teacher assistants (one is the assistant coach). One of the teacher assistants had never played softball and actually wanted to just come and watch. She was convinced to play by Nickie's (Kindergarten teacher) son, Teague, a 4-year-old. He told her that you just gotta try your best.
She asked lots of great questions about the game. Things that you forget about...strike zone, how to hold a bat, what's a hit, where to run, etc. Her first time to bat she got a hit. Not bad for the first time.
This assistant has been immersing herself in American culture. She came to watch the Bears v Packers a couple of weeks ago and tried to learn about American football. She's going tonight to the Super Bowl bash. Now she's learning softball and I'm not sure what else. It's great! There's one part of American culture baseball/softball culture that we need to teach her about. It's about bases. Yesterday, she was excited about her play and posted the following on facebook, "I made it to first base!" And yes, that's true but being an American and since there's no other context applied, that has a second meaning. Tomorrow, I'm gonna provide a follow up lesson that "making it to first" can imply something completely different.
Dad - You'd be bummed by my stats. 1 walk. 1 pop out and 1 hit. I just wanted to hit the ball!
Our teacher team was a hodge-podge of players: 5 EAB teachers, 1 American Embassy consulate officer, 1EAB fifth grader (coach's son) and 2 EAB teacher assistants (one is the assistant coach). One of the teacher assistants had never played softball and actually wanted to just come and watch. She was convinced to play by Nickie's (Kindergarten teacher) son, Teague, a 4-year-old. He told her that you just gotta try your best.
She asked lots of great questions about the game. Things that you forget about...strike zone, how to hold a bat, what's a hit, where to run, etc. Her first time to bat she got a hit. Not bad for the first time.
This assistant has been immersing herself in American culture. She came to watch the Bears v Packers a couple of weeks ago and tried to learn about American football. She's going tonight to the Super Bowl bash. Now she's learning softball and I'm not sure what else. It's great! There's one part of American culture baseball/softball culture that we need to teach her about. It's about bases. Yesterday, she was excited about her play and posted the following on facebook, "I made it to first base!" And yes, that's true but being an American and since there's no other context applied, that has a second meaning. Tomorrow, I'm gonna provide a follow up lesson that "making it to first" can imply something completely different.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Casting
The past two weeks I've been without Valmir, my teaching assistant. Why you might ask? Well, he's in a cast.
He broke his pinky finger while swimming in the ocean over Winter Break. I was surprised when I returned to see him wearing a splint on his pinky finger. I of course teased a bit because he could quite properly drink tea with his finger being forced erect in this splint.
He returned the first week or so and then went back to the dr on a Sunday evening after having worked for 5 days including 3 with students because he was still in some pain. After watching the sad end to the Bears v Packers game, I got home and talked to my parents. I noticed that Valmir had called twice and not left a message. While I was talking with my parents, I heard the phone ring a third time and finally the "beep, beep" signaling that he left a voicemail, I was able to hear that unfortunately the dr casted his hand. That's pretty normal round here and maybe anywhere for a broken finger.
Here's the unique part. In Brazil, if you are wearing a cast you cannot work. Simply cannot. You have a paid medical leave. So Valmir's home for a broken pinky finger for 2 weeks. The dr originally wanted three weeks but Valmir talked him into 2. Seriously he cannot come to work for 2 weeks or he could get into trouble. Please cross your fingers as he returns to the dr tomorrow that he will be back because I need the ying to my yang again.
Think about the trouble I'd be in if that was law in the U.S. So, if you're looking for some paid vacation, come work in Brasil! If you're willing to break a limb, this is the place to live. Wonder how many people break their limbs on purpose because of this law. I will not be one of those either accidental or otherwise.
He broke his pinky finger while swimming in the ocean over Winter Break. I was surprised when I returned to see him wearing a splint on his pinky finger. I of course teased a bit because he could quite properly drink tea with his finger being forced erect in this splint.
He returned the first week or so and then went back to the dr on a Sunday evening after having worked for 5 days including 3 with students because he was still in some pain. After watching the sad end to the Bears v Packers game, I got home and talked to my parents. I noticed that Valmir had called twice and not left a message. While I was talking with my parents, I heard the phone ring a third time and finally the "beep, beep" signaling that he left a voicemail, I was able to hear that unfortunately the dr casted his hand. That's pretty normal round here and maybe anywhere for a broken finger.
Here's the unique part. In Brazil, if you are wearing a cast you cannot work. Simply cannot. You have a paid medical leave. So Valmir's home for a broken pinky finger for 2 weeks. The dr originally wanted three weeks but Valmir talked him into 2. Seriously he cannot come to work for 2 weeks or he could get into trouble. Please cross your fingers as he returns to the dr tomorrow that he will be back because I need the ying to my yang again.
Think about the trouble I'd be in if that was law in the U.S. So, if you're looking for some paid vacation, come work in Brasil! If you're willing to break a limb, this is the place to live. Wonder how many people break their limbs on purpose because of this law. I will not be one of those either accidental or otherwise.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Guinea Pig Anyone?
You know you live in Brazil when a wild guinea pig (called a prea in Portuguese) runs into your classroom. Not mine but my 1st grade friend Erin. This is what it looked like. I saw it!
It's now in a cage in the science lab. At least they don't eat guinea pigs in Brazil like they do in Peru! I just read that they are hard to capture. Not in Erin's room. Erin had already evacuated herself and her students. Her brave teaching assistant used her will and a cardboard box to trap said rodent.
The funniest part of this is that moments after the guinea pig's arrival, the lockdown drill began. Erin's students thought that the reason for the lockdown was the guinea pig. They thought it might have rabies and that's why they had to take cover. I guess some didn't want to lay down on the floor after it entered. Can't really blame them!
I had never heard of this animal until today. I mean, you hear of large rodents like capybara and rats but wild guinea pigs, who knew?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)