Teacher Satisfaction Week

I guess since we're an American school, we are also celebrating Teacher Appreication Week this week.  Some teachers have had elaborate things planned by parents.  Coordinated items delivered daily.  I was not one of those teachers (not a big deal to me) but this week I've had a students give me gifts. 

Tuesday I received flowers (picked at school) from two of my girls.

Wednesday PTSO put on an amazing breakfast from this awesome local (like down the street from my apartment) bakery.  Chocolate croissants, quiches, freshly squeezed mango juice.  Yum!

Thursday I got a beautiful chocolate shoe from my favorite Brazilian confectionary, Stan's, and a super cute note that said, "You are the best teacher ever.  And I'm not joking!"   from a special student. (Side note:  All of the kids are special to me, when I say special I mean Erica's daughter).

Thursday I also received some yummy chocolate almonds from a student which I gobbled down by the end of the day.

The best gift so far though was from a student who recently traveled to Canada.  Yesterday morning, he walked down the steps to our classroom and said, "Miss Megan.  This is for Teacher Satisfaction Week."  I gave him a hug and said, "Thanks _____.  It was really sweet of you to think of me."   As he walked away I giggled and hoped that a maple leaf shaped maple flavored sucker he gave me is equal to family and student satisfaction with their child's teacher.  What do you think? 

Teacher Satisfaction Week? 
God I sure hope satisfaction not something that we educators (or politicians) begin to create tools to measure. 

Teacher Appreciation Week?
I think I'd rather be appreciated for a week but that being said, I'd do without the flowers and fruit and other stuff to know that a family is satisfied with their child's year in my classroom. 

Either way you say it though, it's nice to be appreciated especially during 4th quarter when it's so busy and you need a little TLC. 

Catch Up #1 Pirenopolis Girls' Weekend

Ketchup?  Or catch up?  When I first wrote "catch up" on my class' daily schedule this year and we were reviewing the schedule at our morning meeting, I had a ton of kids who said, "Ketchup?  Like the sauce?"  or  "Are we catching something?"  They had no idea what the phrase meant.  Even my American students.  Must have been out of context for them.  So after some explaination and being a little silly during said explaination, the kids find it hilarious when the occasional the phrase "catch up" appears on our schedule.  One of them always chimes in something like, "Ohhh, I love french fries and ketchup."  Gotta love 9-year-old humor.

Anyway, catch up #1 is the first in a series, of what will be some attempt; and at this time of year in a school teacher's life a wonderful form of procrastination as well to catch you all up and myself on what's been going on in Brazil.  There's so much to cover...months and lots of events to be exact but should be a fun way to reminse about my first year teaching in the sun. 

And finally onto Pirenopolis!

A couple of weeks ago, I'd decided the girls in my life needed the opportunity for a little getaway.  I mean, come on, we'd been in Brasilia for almost a whole month!  So, last weekend, Vanessa, Andrea, Kathy and I took a girl's roadtrip to the nearby colonial town of Pirenopolis. 

Something else you should know is that Pirenopolis (for those who want more info) is usually one of very first trips that newbies take when they move to Brasilia.  Guess I was a little out of order and I didn't go till just last weekend but at least I went this first year, right?  And I'm so glad I did because it's such a great little town and the perfect way to enjoy life outside of the city.

We left around 5 pm on Friday in Vanessa's cute red Honda.  We made a quick stop at Carrefore on the way to pick up essentials like potato chips and cookies for our ride.  On our way out of town, we hit Friday rush hour.  Not such fun but Kathy plugged in her ipod and we were set.  One of the Glee seasons soundtracks was our playlist while we fought our way out of the city and satelites.  Perfect mix for a roadtrip.

Along the way, as we drove into the darkness of the cerrado (and please let me tell you, it is really, really dark).  It's like driving in rural Illinois but darker.  Obviously driving without an urban glow is something I'm accustomed to at night but imagine really poor roads (HUGE pot holes) with lots of twists, lack of lines with reflective paint and for Vanessa, her first time driving to Pirenopolis.  She was amazing and got us there easily in about 3 hours. 

As we drove into the town, I leaned over to Andrea, my perfect backseat roadtrip partner, and said, "I'm a little worried about our reservation."  The reason for the worry was that I'd asked my assistant to make the reservation for us.  Usually in Brazil for all lodging reservations, you must put down a deposit to hold your room.  When I'd asked him to specifically ask about this, he was told that no deposit was needed. 

A few minutes later we found our cute weekend home, Pousada O'Casarao.  This adorable and perfect getaway spot is owned and operated by an American man, Bob, and his Brazilian partner.  They've got it all...perfect gardens, wondeful pool with water features, cute rooms all of it wonderfully manicured and decorated.  Upon our arrival, we entered and discovered that they did not have our reservation.  Sigh. Luckily they did have one room and after seeing it, all four of us decided to bunk together.  We went out for some wonderful pizza (actually some of the best I've had since arriving) and a drink before we hit the hay.  Pretty long day after teaching and driving (or riding). 

Saturday morning after waking up pretty early and getting dressed, V and I went to breakfast.  If I haven't mentioned this before, Brazilian breakfast is to DIE for...pastries, eggs, meat and cheese to make sandwiches, fruit (mango, bananas, melon, etc), freshly squeezed fruit juice, delicious coffee and of course pao de queijo.  Yum!  While sitting at a pretty table admiring the street view, including horse draw carts clip clopping their way down the street, I looked up to see a familar face.  Yep.  One of my parents.  This is the same family that I saw while in Rio on vacation when the Brazil girls came to visit.  Pretty small world.  They were really nice and gave us a few places to visit in town.  I asked the mom where she was traveling next.  She was very polite, smiled and replied, "I'm not telling you."  It's probably better for both of us that way. 

fter some more breakfast and coffee, Vanessa, Kathy and I ventured out into Pirenopolis to do some shopping.  Man, it was hot that day.  We saw the church, cute shops (I bought a couple of things) and then we hit my favorite location, a delicious cafe which Kathy exclaimed had the best iced coffee in Brazil. Of course we had to take the test and it definitely did.  Hit the spot after a long and hot shopping trip.  After our coffee and a wonderful treat of what they called foccacia but really was more like a calzone (but the bread was so much better) we were back at the pousada for some much needed R & R.  Ahhhh. 

Dinner that night was at the pousada.  We were serenading by Bob who sang Broadway and movie love songs in English.  It was one of those moments where you just sit and ponder, "How am I in the middle of Brazil, in a tiny colonial town, being serenading by an American singing show tunes?"  Is this real?  Dinner and the music were both good but the best part was our dessert.  We all opted for the scrumptious petit gateau (for my American friends, that's lava cake) which is really popular in Brazil.

Then we were off to the night market where Vanessa bought a lamp and Andrea bought a scarf.  On the way we saw that they the town was hosting a movie night.  Some of the streets were shut down completely and chairs had been brought out for the event.  It was just winding down when we arrived. 

After our stop at the market, more drinks were needed.  We opted for one of the restaurants that pours out into the streets in the evenings.  We sipped beer or whiskey or po, listening to an awful singer whose repiture included from Bob Marley and popular Brazilian songs.  At one point he leaned out the window to try and get the crowd going more.  I think my karaoke may be a bit better but after a few drinks, other definitely were feeling the music.  We walked back to our pousada and feel soundly asleep.

Sunday we ate a leisurely breakfast and lounged by the pool until it was time to depart.  They were preparing for a photo shoot with a famous singer from Goiania. We opted not to be part of the paparazzi and went to make a couple of final stops...Kathy's little grocery/5 and Dime Store.  You name it, they had it.  From cases of wine to plastic pieces of grass to flipflops, clothing, fresh slabs of beef and more.  I bought a hat for the upcoming Festa Junia party in late May (yes I know that it's a June Party), a water and a lightbulb.  After our stop and random purchases we needed one final iced coffee for the road. 

It truly was the perfect girls' getaway.  Pirenopolis will definitely be a place I visit again soon.  It's gives you the Brasilia break that you need.  Perfect distance, food, scenery and mental relaxation everybody needs.

Big Johnny B-Day

Monday, April 19th I celebrated by 33rd (firty fird for my special friend) birthday.   I was spoiled with attention, showered with gifts (near and far) and lots of love. 

Here is just one of the ways the love was shared that week. 
Note:  I write this post the week of my birthday and have tried every day since to download the video.  It's made my computer  completely freak out (flashing, opening random programs) so unfortunately, you won't be able to see it.  So sorry for many reasons.

I LOVE my family!  How many families do you know would sing "Happy Birthday" to you in front of the Big John port-o-potty sitting on their driveway. 
Note 1.  My parents do have 3 working bathrooms so those of you not from DeKalb, they are not starting some new environmental trend.  They're remodeling their kitchen and this is for the wonderful people building it.
Note 2.  Even if it did take me almost one hour to download it to my computer after creating a new email account and another hour to download it to youtube.  Which never even worked!  Grrr...

Lately I'd planned on catching up on posts, writing about when the girls came to visit, my birthday and more but on my birthday, things kinda changed.  As most of you already know, that evening my sister was in a car accident.  And let me start this by saying, she's fine.  Sore but okay.

On her way home from work and she called to wish me a "Happy Birthday."  Suddenly, I heard a scream and then her crying and saying, "I can't find the phone, I can't find the phone."  Instantly my heart stopped and I knew she'd been in an accident.  One of the scariest moments of my life.  Especially since I didn't know if she was okay because the phone was thrown from her hand.  After a scrambling of phone calls (between myself, my dad and finally Erin) lots of which involved tears, she got the help needed from some wonderful bi-standers and a police officer. 

She was rear ended on the corner of Rt. 64 and Randall Road in St. Charles.  Her car will be in the shop for 3-4 weeks.  The damages are around $13,000.  She injured her back and is in pain but been a real trooper. 
Luckily and amazingly, she's okay but it's definitely put things in perspective.

So just barely into my 33rd year I was reminded of what's important.   Sister, I love you.  I know you may hate me for posting this video but I had to.  Sending lots of muscle relaxing, feelin' good vibes to you.  And even some sunshine too so you can get out for a walk and start healing your muscles.  And take it easy at prom tonight.  Love you!

New Roommate

Well, I'd had my suspicions and tonight confirmed it.

I am officially sharing my apartment with a bat.

While on the phone tonight with my parents, a small friend flew in and then out of my guest room/office.  It surprised me since I hadn't seen it, just the presents it had left behind (a few small spots on the walls every few days for the past month). 

The bat flew back out of the room during my chat.  It was really tiny, the size of a sparrow.  What was strange it was completely silent when it flew around the room.  Maybe he was using a frequency I can't hear. 

You can hear the bats using their echolocation.  I remember early in the year finding that noise at night comforting but such a different noise - high pitched and squeaky.  I think it's (the bat) gone for a while now.  Probably off to find some yummy insects to eat. 

It'll be interesting in the morning to see if there are any new spots, the real evidence of my new roommate.  Was he scared off by my presence or just indifferent?  Definitely won't be able to get any pictures of my friend since I think he's found a great little nook somewhere inside to sleep in during the day and I figure you don't want to see any bat poop photos but will keep you updated on my possible new roomie.  Sorry Goo, Andrea and Amy, you may have some new competition.

And for those of you wondering about Luis (my lizard roommate from earlier in the year) he moved out long, long ago.  Guess I'm onto mammals now...

The End is Coming!

When you teach overseas, one way you know that the end of the year is arriving, is your toiletries' stock begins to deplete.

This week I started my final tube of toothpaste.*

Only 57 days till I'm home.  I can't wait to see my fam, friends and of course visit my local Target to stock up on all of my toiletry needs again. 

* Note:  Yes, they have toothpaste in Brazil and even familiar brands like Colgate.  I'm just a snob and have sensitive teeth (just like everything else about me) and I use Sensodyne.  And yes, I'll admit that I do and always will have an obsession with toiletries and am particular about the ones I use but at least I'm honest about it.

Happy Birthday Brasilia

Even Coke got in on the celebration!

This week Brasilia turns 50!

We happen to have the day off of school for another holiday, Tiradentes but the day has lots of fun activities planned on the Esplanada.  Will definitely be checking it out once I translate a few more of the events from the informational birthday sites. 

As I write this, I can hear that the 50th b-day bash's already begun and there's a parade going on pretty close by.  On my way to check this out soon.  More b-day to come!

Sister

Just over a week ago I was in Rio, feeling a bit blue because my sister had left.  We had a great time together during her visit (of course I'll write more soon about it).

But just a quick note to say, I miss her and that even though it's gonna be a bit before I see her again, I'm glad we had some time to hang out, giggling late into the night.

Love you Sister!