I cannot tell you guys how many times I have said, "I have time
to do that later"; whether it be taking a bike ride to La Chiquita (restaurant)/having
Digna over to cook a Honduran meal/ taking 20 minutes to do some yoga/WRITING A
BLOG POST!
And in truth, I actually do have time for these
things, but for reasons I can't explain, I choose not to. Now don't worry, I
was not always like that. Up until
maybe a month ago we took two bike rides every weekend. Jenny and I did yoga at
least 4 times a week. (The blog thing, however, I never really got accustomed
to doing). But recently, instead of doing those things I have focused more on simpler
things/comfort things. I am getting lost in a book, eating a good meal, or
trying to understand how I never watched Grey’s Anatomy before this year?? And
while cleaning has always been something we do every weekend, I find myself
choosing to sweep outside or do laundry instead of exploring outside of our
house.
Sister Marta, my sister, Sister Maria, Sister Olga |
So as I had come to realize this, I wondered, am I too comfortable
here? Am I not taking advantage of being in Honduras? Am I ready to go home? Do
I not yet fully realize that in a month I will be leaving what has been my home
since January? Am I anxious/sad/excited/sad/scared?
I think the first time I realized that we were coming to the end was
after the last volunteer group left. Throughout the year, the sisters have had
weekly groups come down and help at the school/farm/clinic. In March we would
be talking about the dentist group that comes down in July and in June we were
talking about the church group that comes down from Dighton, Mass in October.
But now, we don't talk about any future volunteer groups because we won't be
here. We won't be able to go out to dinner with them/have them over for a home
cooked meal, get to watch them enjoy their experience here.
So since my last moments in Guaimaca have to be a bit different, we
have made a list of activities/goals and are going to try very hard to get this
all done and experience Guaimaca to its fullest. Just yesterday, Jenny and
myself went with Father Jorge and a couple friends to lunch in a town outside
of Guaimaca and then to an Aldea(mountain village) for mass. We got to see two
of my girls who live up there! It was a great trip and whereas earlier that day
I was unsure as whether to go, I am glad I went. I just got to take advantage
of all opportunities that present themselves; through all the trips/moments I
have with my students and friends; because if I don't take advantage of all these
moments, why on earth am I here?
My clowns! Girls from Segundo Ciclo. |
Now a bit about
teaching
Wow. The amount of respect I have for teachers. From understanding
the different methods in teaching/learning the subject material/CONTROL OF YOUR
CLASSROOM-(the hardest step for me). So to sum it up:
Teaching is hard. There are times I don't look forward to entering
the classroom. Whether it be the subject or the rowdiness of the kids. Sometimes
there are days I would like to say, "No thank you!" What I have
discovered, however, is every time I think this, 90% of the time I have a
perfectly fine class. The girls listen(well, most),we get through the subject, I
don’t run out of things to say, the girls UNDERSTAND!! And when I do have a bad
day, it takes just ONE of them to smile, sit in my lap or give me a hug to
remind me that I love them and they love me. I can already think of a millions
instances I will have when I go home and automatically think of on of the
girls.
Glee:Karely.
Books-Angeles.
Suamy de IIICC |
Titanic-Victoria Alejandra.
Snickers-Ricza.
Smile-Jasmin.
Sarcastic comments-Jennifer.
BAH-Geovana.
Saying the word 'Hello'-Paola.
And I could keep going..... because, sometimes they are not my
favorite and I KNOW at times I am definitely not theirs, but in the end there
is so much love, those little moments don’t even matter.