Friday, November 4

This will have to be quick.  It's 9 pm, and I'm leaving for Manuel Antonio around 5 am for the weekend.  I'm not packed, but the cell phone is charging.  Need to:

Charge the camera
pack the clothes
pack the snacks
empty the dryer
fold the clothes
play with the cat
ignore the cat
avoid the cat (as she attacks)
wash the last dishes
pack the cell phone
update the ipod
SLEEP!

Okay, time to get all those things done.

PS.  I don't like field trips I don't get to go on.  Kids get nutty when they come back to school.  Nutty kids are not good kids.   Just sayin'.
PPS.  Still making the decisions.  Ah, stress.  You're so not good to me.

Thursday, November 3

It was an exciting day.  I got to school with about 8 minutes to gather all the supplies for the cooking class, gather the students, find the keys to the room, and figure out if we actually had all the utensils and such we'd need.  Any day that starts with that sort of energy is bound to be busy.

I started my day in the foods room, and ended it there, doing inventory and throwing out things that had expired over four years ago.  There was one thing of food colouring from 1998.  Yikes.  I wasn't prepared for this level of work when I offered to teach this class.  I thought I'd be going in to a fully stocked kitchen, and all I'd have to do is submit my food/supply order the week before.  Now I find myself washing everything in the room, doing inventory and hoping the cockroaches stay hidden.  The class itself is good, minus one whiner who likes to argue with me, but hey.  He'll learn.

I used my new messenger bag today.  Works like a charm.  I think I'll be taking it to Manuel Antonio this weekend, and again to Puerto Viejo in three weeks.  All this traveling; it's more than I did all year last year.  Perhaps I feel I need to do these things now, just in case.  Maybe.

Wednesday, November 2

Happy Birthday CBC!  75 years and going strong!

It was a surprisingly long day.  The kids went home at noon, leaving the staff to stick around for meetings and development.  I stuck it out, got a bit of writing done, and then spent a lovely evening shopping with Lorrie.  I didn't find any shoes, though not for a lack of trying on our part, but I did purchase a new messenger bag in Totto.  It has a slot for my laptop, and looks/feels a lot more maneuverable than my backpack.  At least now I'll look like a university student instead of a high school one!

Plans are in the making for a trip to Manuel Antonio this weekend.  I love the place, so I'm hoping the weather stays fine and that we get the B&B booked.  Yay for travel buddies!

Tuesday, November 1

The longest part of my week is over.  Mondays are full, and Tuesdays are just a bit shorter.  I take a couple of kids to the pool after school, a so-called "Swimming Club" in which I don't actually swim, and then their father is kind enough to drive me to Plaza del Sol, where they turn off the main drag.  It's usually convenient; I do a bit of shopping at the Automercado, catch a bus to Mall San Pedro, and a taxi home for less than $2.  Only catch?  Each time I've gotten to Mall San Pedro recently, it's been raining cats and dogs, and the taxis are gone.  I walked home this evening; I don't think my runners will be dry in time to wear to school tomorrow!

I'm looking forward to the rest of the week.  We're starting holiday prep in all of my classes (I had a parent ask me if I thought there was still enough time!)  and there's a chance that Jess and I might head to Manuel Antonio this weekend.  I don't know what I'll do when she leaves; we've had fun traveling together.  I've figured out how to send money to my bank in Canada without having to go to either the bank or Western Union, and I get to shop/chill with Lorrie tomorrow after the half day.

On a different note, I have a decision to make.  Please, if you're the praying sort, pray that I'll see the guidance I've been asking for.  Sometimes I can be pretty dense, and I'd rather see the point before it's rammed home.  I'm measuring it all, day by day.  Sigh.  I know there's a plan.  Too bad we weren't all born with a map tattooed on the bottom of our feet or something.  Then again, life could get pretty boring if we all knew where we'd end up.  Ah, free choice.  If not for an apple...

Monday, October 31

My dad likes to watch the Weather Network.  Not long after I left for university, he and Mom installed a satellite dish, and with that came the WN.  When I say he likes to watch it, I mean it's always on; either that or the Business News Network.  Yup, really exciting in the Graas household.  Anyway...

My dad likes to watch the Weather Network and give me updates on where I live.  He's figured out how to get the interactive menu to show him  San Jose, which he likes to pronounce exactly how it's spelled, "San Joe's".  Yesterday, it was supposed to rain, and today the channel was calling for heavy rain.  I'm not a meteorologist, but I'm pretty sure I could have predicted that.  Welcome to Costa Rica in the winter, after all.

Best part?  The meteorologists were WRONG!  Yes, it did rain on Sunday, but it was nothing compared to what we have been receiving, and today it didn't rain until after dark!  It was a highlight of a really long day spent teaching and nursing a sore throat.

And don't get me wrong.  I love the fact that my dad cares enough to look up my weather.  I love how he knows how to say San Jose, but makes a joke out of it every time.  I'm proud that he was brave enough to come visit without knowing the customs or the language.  I might roll my eyes, and groan at his corny jokes, but he's a pretty awesome guy.

Just sayin'.

Sunday, October 30

Today has been mildly productive.  I've done some laundry, cooked the chicken I had in the fridge, and currently have a concoction of sorts in the slow cooker.  It has carrots, chicken, peppers, potatoes, pineapple with barbeque sauce mixed with sour cream.  I have no idea what this will taste like, but I hope it works for lunch for at least a couple of days.  We'll find out!

Tomorrow promises to be the busiest day of the week.  I have a full day of classes, not a single block free, and then rehearsal followed by tutoring.  All I've wanted to do this weekend is sleep; hopefully that urge passes by tomorrow.

Cassie is STILL a big suck.  She's currently watching me from the arm chair next to the computer desk, lounging on her back, paws in the air.  She has spent the past two nights sleeping in between my knees and meowing at me whenever I move too much.  I guess we both need to get back on a regular schedule.

Saturday, October 29

Today was market day.  The market in Guadelupe is within walking distance (in my opinion) of my home, so when I need to stock up on vegetables and fruit, I head there on Saturday mornings.  I like thinking that I'm supporting local growers and such.  I honestly don't know if all of them grow their own stuff, or if some of it is bought from the supermarket by case lot, but most seems to be plucked from the ground no more than a day ago.  Carrots, onions (red and yellow), baby potatoes, peppers, apples...I now have plenty to cook and prepare with.    I still get my meat at the supermarket, though it's offered at the feria.  I just haven't been brave enough to chance that.

I also took Cassie to the vet this morning.  She wasn't ill, far from it.  She's almost a year old, so it was time for inoculations and another rabies shot.  I wasn't popular after that, but she likes me more than the vet!  I'm okay with not being popular, especially when I know what I'm doing it the best thing for her.  Funny how that works with people, too.  

Oh, and it was a different vet today.  A young man doing an internship saw Cassie.  He spoke pretty good English, and looked pretty good too!  Cassie may not be impressed, but I was!

Friday, October 28

I don't know if I will ever be accustomed to the rain here in Costa Rica.  We saw the sun this morning, and it was beautiful, but within two hours it had clouded over, and it was pouring again by noon.  I know it's the rain that keeps this country lush and beautifully green; I just wish the green didn't show up on my moldy belt, or the shoes in my closet, or the very slippery sidewalk outside my gate.  It would be so nice to wash my clothes, hang them to dry, and actually have that happen!   Oh well.  October is almost over, and that means we are that much closer to December and some sun (knock on wood - but not too hard.  It's rotten.)

We had our Halloween parade today.  It's really fun seeing some of the impressive costumes.  Some might call it a waste of time, and the amount of sugar provided by the parents afterward as scarily excessive, but those people might be called teachers.  While I was bemoaning the fact that we've lost so much "instructional time" this week, it occurred to me that I had participated in events like this in school, missed this time, and still turned out okay.  It was not the end of my educational career.  In fact, when you think about it, the students learned hot to think flexibly, how to create and innovate, and how to think and work interdependently (Yay for the Habits of Mind!)

Overall, they learned outside of the classroom today, and that's quite all right.  They're going to have to live outside of the classroom eventually.

Thursday, October 27

I think my brain has run out of any important thoughts.  It has been a long week, but that's probably because last week was so far from normal.  A number of us are already counting the days until American Thanksgiving; the school puts on an amazing lunch which almost makes up for the fact that we're celebrating Thanksgiving a month and a half late!

I was finally in touch with the family I've been tutoring for, and spent an hour tonight working.  It's really fun working one-on-one with a student, being able to really focus on her needs and weaknesses.  I like being able to check for total understanding.  A cool side-benefit:  I'm hoping this will pay for my scuba course I want to take!

Ok, all of a sudden it's nearly ten, and I had plans to crash earlier tonight.  Hasta la vista.

Wednesday, October 26

I am done in.  We had a whole school activity this morning that I'm still trying to assess.  I'm just not sure the outcome was worth the stress of the unknown, and the time missed in class.  I think the elementary students had fun, but the preschool, middle, and high school students and staff are another story.  I dislike whining and apathy, and while I had a decent group in regards to this, many other groups were not as well-behaved or motivated.  Anyway, this year's Wild/Cat activity is over until next year.  Breathe.

We had another rehearsal this afternoon, and for the first time, I had all six cast members there, plus our understudy.  I nearly died of shock.  Of course, we still had to end early as one of the students had to leave, but hey.  You can't win them all.

It took me about an hour and a half to get home via bus.  I had a student with me, so we stopped for supper, and then his mom picked him up.  She's a good friend who needed a break.  It all meant I wasn't home until 7 pm, and still without groceries.  I'm supposed to tutor at some point tomorrow evening.  Maybe I'll have time to get some food before then.  Sigh.

Tuesday, October 25

The longest day yet.  Why does it seem like the days where you don't teach many classes feel interminable?  I expected the grade three class which didn't show up, and then I took all of two kids to the pool for swimming club.  The highlight of the day was Maya picking me up and taking me to the gym she attends.  It's impressive; two floors of equipment and class space, and a pool outside.  Most of it is a really open design; you can even train on equipment outside.  You've gotta love a climate that let's you do that year round!

Maya is very fit; there was no way I could keep up with her, and I didn't try.  Much.  I did what she did, only at about 30% of the weight, until she started doing chin-ups and lifts.  There's no way I'm lifting all of this off the ground!  She was a great guide; we laughed as much as I worked!

I'm really thinking of joining.  The gym is in Pinares, which is really no where near my home, but I think it might be worth it.  It means paying one monthly fee, and then being able to take as many classes (spinning, yoga, dance, aerobics) as I can fit into my schedule, while the pool and equipment is open from 5 am to 10 pm Monday through Friday, and shorter hours on the weekends.

It all comes down to motivation and will power.  Always back to that.

Monday, October 24

Eek, I did it again.  Just ignore the actual post date, ok?

Let's see...Monday...

Monday was the first day in the quarter, the first day where I teach all five blocks, six classes total.  It was long, especially with a rehearsal added on, but it was a good one.  We've moved the date for the high school play until February, so we have some more breathing space.  I think everyone is feeling better about it, as the AASCA Basketball was moved to next week as well.

I'm teaching a foods/cooking class this quarter, and I'm doing more than just turning them loose in the foods room.  We're looking into theory and recipe creation and fun stuff like that.   For one of my grade nine boys, you'd think I was torturing him with every new instruction.  I've never heard a young man whine quite like this; I give him maybe two weeks before he clues in that it's not helping his case.

So that's the sort of day it's been...

Day Twenty Two

It's raining again.  I'm beginning to relate to Noah; should I build an ark?

I went to the Avon Walk for a Cure this morning in Paseo Colon with Ileana and Jessica this morning.  Jess ran while Ileana and I walked.  It's always amazing to see how many people turn out, especially when most of them are in this vivid pink.  We saw Judy, Margaret, Monica, and a few other students at the end of the race.  Thank goodness that Alberto picked Ile, Jess and I up.  A bus would have been packed, and there wasn't a taxi in sight (surprisingly...) but, with Alberto driving, I made it home by 10:30 am, just in time for church!

I'm always impressed when someone from the Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM http://www.cbmin.org/cbm/home ) speaks.  No matter who it is, or where they're from, there is such a passion for people and for Christ in their words.  This morning, Mr. Guthrie spoke, not about his specific work, but about how we need to live a missional life.  Everything we do for others builds them up, and in turn, prepares the way for God to work in their lives.  I wish I could have been there, to ask some questions, and to have some lunch!  I miss lunch at church.

So now I'm listening to podcasts, trying to get my head around the plans for the week.  We're moving full throttle into holiday prep, and I'm excited, nervous, and beginning to be stressed.  December will be a busy two weeks, but then the six weeks of holidays will be fantastic.  Any one want to go to Panama with me?

Let's hope the rain stops so I can run up to the corner store.  Cassie will not be pleased if I don't go; we both need food!

Day Twenty One

Oops.  I knew it was bound to happen, but it's sad I couldn't go three weeks without missing a blog.  It's not like I didn't have time yesterday; I spent more time online than anything else.  Oh well, here's making up for it.

Cassie came home from the Zuniga-Owens Cat hotel yesterday.  I know she enjoys it there, as there are four other animals, two children and two adults to wind around her little paw; however, she has been glued to me ever since coming home.  I can't sit down without her being on my lap, and sleeping with her on my feet (and then my chest) was not easy.  I'm sure we'll get back into the swing of things tomorrow when I go back to school.

I went to a Guari-shower last night.  This is essentially a baby shower with alcohol.  Most of the attendees were from work, and the woman of honour didn't show up, but it was a decent evening.  A bit of dancing, a few hard lemonades, and my first chicharonnes...all right all round.

More on "tomorrow's" post!

Day Twenty

Yay, Friday!  It was a good day.  I was able to think flexibly, support a colleague, encourage an intern, and teach two new games to my grade one class.  I had fun at work today, and that's not something I can say every day.  Next week we start getting ready for the Christmas program, so this should be fun too.

This weekend I'm planning on going to a baby shower for a colleague.  It's a little strange, as we've already had a shower for the child (who isn't going to be there yet!) but this is apparently more of a fiesta.  It should be interesting if nothing else.  Also, Cassie comes home tomorrow, so I have to go pick up her food and such, along with some groceries for me.  Market day!  Sunday is the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, which starts at eight am.  All I'm asking is for sun.  It rained ALL day today, and just quit a few minutes ago.  At one point the rain began to look like snow, though it never piled up on the snow.  I wonder if we'll miss school because of rain again this year.  It sure seems possible at this point.

Anyhow, it's an early night for me, as tomorrow will be an early morning.  I'm going to try out all of my anti-itch lotions on my hand; something bit me while we were in Panama, and it's causing a good portion of my hand to itch uncontrollably.  It's even swollen.  I'm sure I'll live, but man, it's annoying.  Let's hope Goldbond is up to the challenge, because the Afterbite was useless.

Ciao!

Day Nineteen

Yay!  Parent/teacher conferences are over for the 2011 year.  For the most part, I had really positive, encouraging conferences.  I love talking to parents when I can say positive things about their children.  It's more challenging to speak with parents whose children are challenges, but the key for me is to always accentuate the good things.  I don't ignore the behaviour issues or the learning problems, but I always try to have a strategy for the parents to try at home to support the child.  Even with this attitude, I'm always nervous, a little on edge.  Any time you work with the public, there's always the human element that can't be predicted.

I also presented to a group of parents this morning about the direction the drama program is taking, particularly in the elementary school.  I was uber-nervous, as things are changing and people don't always appreciate change.  I think I did a pretty good job, and the director of the school sat in, and she said I did a good job.  I had a few parents come to me this afternoon and tell me that I was right!    I`m just glad I was able to express myself clearly.

All in all it was a pretty good, if long, day.  Now, if the rain will stop like the radio keeps promising, the weekend should be great.

Day Eighteen

Day one of parent/teacher conferences are over for another year.  It's a long afternoon of sitting in the gymnasium, hoping that all the parents who come see you are happy and thankful that you teach their child.  Or just hoping that parents visit you at all!  Today was a good one, I think.  No one seemed particularly upset about anything in particular.

I have hopes of putting up the pictures from Panama in the next few days.  It was a beautiful trip, so I want to share it, but the world is sort of upside down.  I present to the parents meeting tomorrow, then interviews all afternoon, possibly picking Cassie up tomorrow night, then stuff with Isella on Friday, a baby shower on Saturday, and the Avon Walk for the Cure on Sunday.  It never rains but it pours.

Anyhow, the presentation tomorrow should be taking my attention tonight.  More tomorrow!

I wish I wasn't such a procrastinator.

Day Seventeen

What a wonderful place.  I love Bocas del Toro, and I know I'm not alone.  It was a great place for a weekend, and I'm seriously considering a much longer time in December/January, if I can afford it.  Then again, I might want to spend the time in Costa Rica, and avoid the crazy bus ride/border bridge.  We'll see.

Now it's back to work tomorrow with a half-day teaching schedule and  the first of two afternoons of parent/teacher conversations.  It will be a long day, but I believe Monica and I are doing supper tomorrow night in order to prep for my presentation Thursday morning.

I'm presenting to the parents Thursday morning.  I might upload it here when it's ready.  We'll see.

So, none of this is very interesting or informative.   I need a bit of sleep before I can attempt those things.  'Night.

Day Sixteen

I might have to start dating these posts, rather than numbering; I keep forgetting what day I'm on.

Jessica and I had another lovely breakfast - as much bacon as we could eat!  Then we went into Bocas Town to catch our tour.  We ended up being two of about 13 people, some of which were Swedish, and others we're pretty sure were German.  Decent group; we didn't mingle much.  I snorkeled amid hundred of jelly fish; I wasn't stung, but that's probably because I was super paranoid about it.  I did see some amazing fish; I'll put pictures up when I can find them. I've decided I'm not doing this again until I have two things:  a wetsuit and a waterproof camera.  I've never seen such amazing creatures.  After snorkeling, it was off to Red Frog Beach for us, where our guide caught us a red frog.  I felt so sorry for the poor little thing - pulled from a nice leaf somewhere, and set down in the middle of a crowd of cameras.  I didn't feel so sorry that I didn't take pictures, but I hope he found his way back somewhere shady.  I now have a sunburnt back, but it's nothing compared to the sunburn I received last October in Nicaragua.

Back home tomorrow.  I'm wiped right out; hopefully the trip back is fairly straight forward.  I think there will be some definite sleep to be had!

Pictures to follow when I'm not falling asleep at my keyboard!

Day Fifteen

I now have a bit of heat stroke headache coming on, a thunderstorm moving in off the ocean, and a two wet bathing suits in the bathroom, both of which I own.  It's been a great day.  Jess and I woke up about 8-ish, Panama time, and headed downstairs for a pretty good comp. breakfast.  Okay, I woke up when the sun cracked through the curtains, lounged in bed, and then woke Jessica up at 8:15 am.  No one has accused me of being a good roommate.  A swim in the pool followed, and then we took a taxi into Bocas Town proper.  We wandered, almost caught the Packer game on tv in one of the restaurants (too late - a couple of older guys had claimed the satellite tv for their game) and then wandered some more.  I found some nifty deals in some of the booths set up in town, and then we went to a restaurant for lunch.  I'll post the name later; I can't remember at this point.  We sat down, and it took a good 8-10 minutes for the girl to bring us the menus.  After being ignored some more, we left and went to the restaurant next door (The Buena Vista Bar and Grill)  where we received excellent service, wonderful food and amazing cocktails.  Oh, and the really hot guy we had been checking out happened to work there, and was hanging around.  SO good-looking. A bit more wandering brought us to the grocery store where we picked up beer, coolers and water for our trip tomorrow.  Then, back to the hotel for more sun beside the pool!

We're going on a boat/snorkel tour of the area.  We were accosted on the street by a lovely lady who offered us a bargain even before we said hello back.  For $2o, we're going to four different points, snorkelling, a trip to Red Frog beach, and a restaurant somewhere in the middle.  We pay for our own food, and bring our own drinks, but they have a cooler and provide the snorkel equipment.   It should be pretty cool.  We leave at 9:30, and don't get back until 4:30.  Sunscreen time!

It's only 7 pm here, and I'm tired.  I love the fact that we didn't get rained on today.  I think going back to Costa Rica will be very hard...back to work and rain.  Rain and work.  How many day until Christmas?

Day Fourteen

I'm here!  Jessica and I made it to Bocas del Toro this afternoon, right to our hotel by 3:30 Costa Rican time.  We made it across the border with no problems, other than a few snotty New Zealanders who were too good to talk to us.  We took the bus from San Jose to Sixaola at 6 this morning, walked across the border at noon, and officially entered Panama about 1 o'clock in the afternoon.  An insistent minivan driver took us to Almirante, and from there the water taxi took us to Bocas Town.  It's such a quaint little resort town; I fell in love with it at first sight.  Another taxi driver brought us to our hotel, after a bit of a tour, and then the lady at the front desk...couldn't find our reservation.  After a mild heart palpitations,  I found the reservation confirmation email in my inbox, showed it to her, and we were on the way.  We have a lovely room, nice and clean, and two beautiful beds complete with pillowtop covers and all.  We freshened up, explored a bit, and then went and treated ourselves to a pretty good meal at the restaurant over the water.

Now we're just chillin'.  We might be kindred spirits...we're both on our laptops, PC and Mac, waiting until it's a civilized hour to go to bed, and enjoying the lightning and thunder show.  Tomorrow is a trip to Bocas Town, hopefully some sun and a few more cocktails...  it's a wonderful life!

Day Thirteen

As I prepare for my trip to Panama tomorrow morning, I'm struck by how things have changed in the past twenty years.  Let's compare the packing lists:

Twenty Years Ago

• books and books and books
• colouring "stuff"
• paper
• more books
• gameboy and games
• discman (I think... it could have been my walkman...)
• cd's  (or tapes...I don't remember when I received my first discman)
• licorice
• juice boxes
• chips
• anything that would make my bag as heavy as possible.

Today's Packing List

• charged Ipod
• charged camera
• charged laptop
• charged Blackberry
• batteries, SD cards, cables
• portable external hard drive
• one book  (Third in the Millenium Trilogy)
• passport
• licorice  (some things never change! Thank you, Auntie Judy!)
• chips
• bottles of juice
• cookies!
• As little as necessary to be safe and travel "light" - it really has gotten lighter now that I'm not in my own vehicle!

It's very different traveling on your own.  For the past ten years, that's how I've done the majority of my traveling - Minneapolis, to Germany, to England, to Costa Rica.  I've been blessed with good friends to travel with in most of these countries, but I am excited about STARTING a journey with a friend.

Remember, it's a grand adventure.  Live it with all your heart!  

postscript:  Pictures will definitely follow.  

Day Twelve

Me voy a Panama a sabado!  I'm very excited.  Jessica and I are booked into an actual resort...no Nicaraguan craziness this holiday!  I'm sure there will be excitement and adventure, as our travel plans stop at the border with the bus we have tickets for.  After crossing the bridge on foot, we hope to catch one of the rumoured busses to Changuinola, then a water taxi to Bocas del Toro.  Cross your fingers this will all be as easy as everyone makes it sound.  We might even be able to get the taxi right to our hotel.  We'll see.  I've been excited all day, ok, since we booked the hotel yesterday.  Sleep was somewhat elusive.  Tonight may be tougher.

You see, Cassie left this afternoon for her spa weekend with the Zuniga-Owens family.  They have two kids, three cats and a dog.  It's a built-in exercise program for Cassie!  I miss her; I keep expecting her to come around the corner, stalking me.  She's in wonderful hands; this is the same family who cat-sat for me when I was home this summer.  Sometimes I think, no, I know I bore her.  Such is life!

Speaking of summer, it's winter here.  The rainy season and the inherent hurricane weather is very much upon us, though the promise is that it will clear up by tomorrow.  It's amazing to me that a country located in this part of the world, with the reputation that Costa Rica has, doesn't have the infrastructure to maintain it's roadways and such when it rains like this.  I mean, it does this EVERY YEAR...  I recognize that the country's GDP is lower than the province of Saskatchewan's, but still.  If I can predict some of these things already, maybe it's time to really examine the corruption and shoddy work going on.  I'm not a construction worker, but even I know cement isn't supposed to virtually dissolve.  Just sayin'.

All right, time to pack and do a final load of laundry.  I'll just pray that tomorrow is dryer, and that the clothes will dry...pray!

Oh, here's the link to the resort...eeeee!  www.hotelplayatortuga.com

Day Eleven

At times, I'm not sure what a feminist is, by definition alone.  I don't think I'm a feminist if by that I should be fighting and protesting every day/weekend for women's rights to do...whatever.  I feel like I have the power to do anything I want to.  I think I'm a feminist in the idea that I believe all women should feel that power.  Perhaps because of the place and way I was raised (Thank you!) I can't understand what it means to be powerless. I'm a fairly typical middle-class single woman. The key to me is having choice.

Here's a link to a website for a film called Miss Representation. It's about the portrayal of women in the media, and about how there is an imbalance between the numbers of women in the world, and the power they don't wield...and I'm oversimplifying.  Check out the site, and especially watch the trailer.

Here it is on facebook:     http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=2349117563337

Here's it's own site:  http://missrepresentation.org/

There's a whole movement behind the film, right down to curriculum you can buy for your school.  

Now, I'm not endorsing this film.  I've only seen the trailer myself, and what caught my attention was that my Mom had shared it from one of her friends.  My mom is not the sort to do that.  It struck her as something that needed to be shared, regardless of the scantily clad women and objectification clear in the images.  I can't endorse something I haven't seen fully.  I do want people to check it out and see for themselves.

It's a strong message about the power of women, and the need for women in power.  I can appreciate the desire for there to be equity.  I like things to be fair.  My question is:  is fair, equal?  In the trailer, the narrators speak of how few women are in powers of authority. Sure it would be nice to see women in those positions.  However, I have no desire whatsoever to be in politics, to head up a multi-national company, to be the top lawyer in a firm.  Does that make me less of a feminist?  Does that mean I'm letting down my gender?  Should that question even come to my mind?

What if there are just people?  People, regardless of gender, who are good at certain things, and poor at others?  Why should I worry about "letting my gender down" when really, I need to be true to myself and what I feel God is calling me to be?  If women have the power to do anything, what's so bad about CHOOSING to be a stay-at-home mom?  There are a lot of people today, men and women, who are stronger, healthier individuals because they had a stay-at-home parent (not just moms - dads too!)  Perhaps if we spent more time with our children, we'd have fewer societal issues for the media to explore.

Just sayin'.  Many women seem to pull it off - the career, the marriage, the family...But "seem to" might be the operative words.  Just when did it become necessary for women to do it all in order to be successful? We buy into the belief, the dogma, that as women, we have something to prove, that we have to do more to become equal.  Why not just do it?  Whatever "it" is, get out there and do what you feel is needed.  Don't try to do everything all at once.  There are no rules in this game, unless you make them.  You have the power to choose who you support and to choose what you will do.  Just don't let your choice be taken.

Day Ten

I'm listening to the rain fall on my tin roof.  It's the same rain that has been falling since about 10:30 this morning.  It's very similar to the rain that fell yesterday, and the day before, and the day before...  Yes, it's the rainy season.  To top it off, there's a hurricane nearby.  It's not forecasted to hit us directly, they never seem to be, and yet we will be subjected to more than enough rain and possibly some pretty high wind.  All of that means there's a greater chance of mudslides and such, so travel is recommended only for those who have the brains to stay out of trouble.  It's not restricted, but most sane people are staying home.

I must be Canadian.  Even when I'm not in Canada, the weather plays a major part of my daily decisions.  If you had told me two years ago that I would survive a month, even three months, where it rains every day, I would have laughed at you.  Now?  I've done it.  Last year was the rainiest season on record (I didn't ask who kept the record - a radio personality may have made it up) and September of this year was supposedly the driest September on record.  I must say that October is making up for that in a big way.

Now I could complain about getting wet every day; about how my shoes aren't drying properly; about how my umbrella shows signs of growing mold because it doesn't get a chance to dry.  I could whine about not being able to dry things outside, or about how much it sucks to wait for the bus or taxi in the rain.  I could do all of these things, but I won't.

Why not?

Because I live in a country where neon green really does exist in nature; where there is more biodiversity that almost anywhere else in the world.  Because the temperature at home this morning was 2* Celsius, and here, even with the rain, I'm pretty sure we saw 20* Celsius.  Because, though it may seem doubtful in the middle of a tropical rainstorm, God has promised that He will never destroy the world by flood again.  He might take little bits of property that shouldn't have been built on a landslide-prone piece of land, but that's another story. God loves us and the earth He created so much that he gives us and nature what we need.  He is a generous God.  It's us humans who complain and try to manipulate things to fit our own agendas.

I wonder if the Garden of Eden had neon green in it?  I bet it did.

Day Nine

"Thank you, Teacher Erin.  I like the game."  Imagine this in a four-year-old's voice, and you have what made my morning.  We all like positive instant feedback and it makes it even better when it's not coerced or asked for.  This wasn't a big deal for my K4 class; they were just telling me what they thought of the class and the game.  There weren't (and rarely are!) any filters for my little ones as they try to communicate in their second language.  I love them to bits.

Their praise made me think though.  How often do we praise each other as adults?  How often do we just take a moment and say, "I like the way you did that.  Thanks."  Unfortunately, we're more likely to remain silent.  We don't want to come across insincere, or as if we're sucking up to the person in question.  Our motivations seem to always be suspect.  We all want the positive reinforcement, but we're more likely to give the negative.  Complaining could be an international sport. 

Here's the challenge for the week. When I see something pleasant, good, pleasing, I'm going to comment.  If it's someone I don't normally compliment, all the better.  I'm also going to hold my tongue a lot more often.  I won't even comment on it being Monday.

Day Eight - One Week Mark

I've managed to post every day this week, and it feels kinda good to have accomplished that.  Especially since I am such a procrastinator, I don't necessarily accomplish something every day.  There always seems to be a million things left to do, and how do I respond?  I have a nap.  I play on facebook.  Sigh.

Today's sermon at Westhill Park Baptist Church ( www.westhillchurch.ca ) was designed for me.  I "went" to the 9:30 am service via the internet, and I'm glad I did.  About practical atheism, it was a strong reminder that I can't change anything without the grace of God.  I will fail and fail and fail until I admit I can't do it all by myself.

Here's a link to the podcast.  It's well worth the listen.  If the link doesn't work, leave me a message, and I'll try again.
   http://www.westhillchurch.ca/mp3lib/?p=episode&name=2011-10-02_20111002.mp3

God bless, and Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!

Day Seven

I had a lovely chat with my Grandma Walter today.  She and I share a birthday, so it's always been pretty special.  This year, obviously we weren't together, but it felt like we were even further apart as I couldn't reach her.  She went into hospital Saturday with what the doctors think was a mild heart attack.  She's home on her own now, but it was a scare.

I was meant to go to a birthday party today, but Cassie woke me up by throwing up on the bedroom floor.  As it's the only carpeted floor in my apartment, it was Murphy's Law that had it happening there.  I don't know what she ate, or did, but I didn't want to leave her.  Sad, I know.  I put my plans on hold for a cat.  She's better now, so maybe she just knew I needed a day at home.  She's been a big suck all day.  I love cuddles.

I used the slow cooker Emily and Ryan left me.  I say left, rather than sold, as I can't remember if I did give them the money for it.  One of those confusions at the end of the school year in June.  So, Emily, Ryan, let me know, send me an address, and all that.  The rice turned out well (I know...way to start with a challenge ;) )  and I am one step ahead for next week.  I need to start eating more healthily, and less school cafeteria food.  It's good, but perhaps too good, and too easy.  I'll run out tomorrow and pick up some chicken and some veggies, and we'll be good.

A week today I'll be in Panama.  I may have to cheat and blog on paper while I'm gone.  I don't think I'll take my computer.  Perhaps there will be a coffee shop or something, but I doubt where we'll be staying will have wifi or anything.  We'll find out!

Still contemplating this past week.  Prayer would be appreciated.  I don't really like decisions.  Thanks a bunch.  Ta!

Day Six

Whew, I'm cutting it close!  The clock on my computer says 11:51 pm.  It has turned into a long, but good day.  School was interesting; my classes were fine but the tension in the main building is palpable.  I'm just keeping my head down, doing what is asked of me until this comes to a head or blows over.  I hope it's soon.

Allison and I celebrated my birthday a bit belatedly tonight.  First, some beer and bocas at L'esquina de Pepe with Rosa, and then to Terramall for a bit of shopping and a movie.  It was nice and relaxed.

If you haven't seen, or even heard of, "Another Year" (Un Ano Mas in Spanish), check it out.  It won some award at the Cannes film fest, not that that makes or breaks a film.  It's in English, like ENGLISH English.  Funded by the UK arts people, it's a story of, yes, a year.  The story follows one couple for that year, and we see the people come in and out of their lives with their own events mixed in.  It's one of those "arty" films where you're left hanging a bit in the end, but it's an excellent character study.  It made me miss my English family - not that they're dysfunctional in any way.  I have a feeling it was the accents more than anything else; that and the slang.  There really is some good words in the British Lexicon.  Anyhow, if you can find it online or in one of those strange, almost vanished places they call video stores, check it out.  Written and directed by Mike Leigh, it's worth your time (just over two hours worth).

It was a good day.  Here's hoping tomorrow is the same.

G'night, all.

Day Five

Thank goodness there's only one day left in this week.  It's funny how we look forward to the weekend, longing for it.  It's unfortunate that these are considered the "fun days" of the week.  What if you had a job, a career, that let you enjoy every day like a weekend?  If you have one of these, let me know.  I think I'm in search mode again.

There is a lot of change going on in the school where I work.  Some of it is predictable; I've been asked to do the same kind of professional development and paperwork in each of my previous division.  It's a lot of work, and some of my co-workers are up-in-arms, but it's not a big surprise.  It's not particularly welcome, but not surprising.

Some of the change is driven by the school.  We've started using the Habits of Mind, and I think it's a pretty cool way of getting the kids, and us, to really think and evaluate what we do and say.  It's another piece of a pretty big puzzle that's being handed down to us from above, but it's working for some of our classes already.  

Much of the change is being driven by our demographic.  When the school opened its doors, it had a majority of North American native-English speakers, and our programming reflected that.  (So I'm told; I'm not old enough to have worked here then!)  Now our demographic has changed to have a majority of Costa Rican, native-Spanish speakers.  It's a great thing to be enveloped into this culture, but it does come with challenges. I"m not sure our planning and our goals have adapted well.  We still value certain things as an administration, and as the parent council, but our students/clients don't have the same values or beliefs.  Are we begin reactive or proactive?  Where do things change?  Could the school control our demographic?  To a point.  The country of Costa Rica has changed around the school; are we relevant to our clientele, or are we an island apart?

This is what I've been struggling with this week.  I don't have the authority or the place to question the major decisions in my workplace.  I don't know if this is my battle; after all, I need to decide where I am going to be come June 16th, and I need to decide by the end of November.  Do I stay in the upheaval that is sure to come, just ensure I have a position, a paycheque, or do I risk finding yet another place to be, giving up security for something closer to home?

What to do?  I think for now I'll just continue being glad that tomorrow is Friday, and I will enjoy an early bedtime.  Maybe that means I'll be up and ready in the morning.  Maybe.

Day Four

That was a long day.  You know the ones; they start rushed, continue at breakneck speed, and don't end until, well, now.  Everything seems okay, then a crash, then a build-up and success, and finally just a need for sleep.  

What do you do when you have these days?  I find myself vowing to wake up (and GET up) earlier tomorrow morning.  I'm going to get up when my alarm goes off.  I'm going to catch the early bus to school.  I'm going to speak to the students I need to speak to before school starts, rather than trying to catch them in between classes.    The challenge will be to see if I can keep a vow to myself.

Why is it harder to honour yourself more than others?  I can keep a promise to a friend, a family member, even someone I've just met.  Yet when I promise myself something, or promise myself to DO something, I inevitably fail.  I break the promise.  What will it take to honour me?  

 

Day Three

There is a sugar ant crawling on my back.  I can't catch it.  I've rubbed my back on the wall, turned my shirt inside out, pulled a towel along my back hoping to get it off.  The tiny little creature seems to anticipate my every move.   Ha!  On the shoulder, and dead.

A year ago, there is no way I would have been okay with this.  I would have been scratching and itching, and trying to find some way of killing each and every ant I saw.  Today?  I'm not enjoying the co-habitation, but I'm not scared of it.  I'm resigned to the fact that I will have these ants in my apartment.  They don't really do any harm, though Cassie doesn't like them in her food.  They're easy enough to kill when you can see them.  When I say they're tiny, I mean it.  If there is one on your arm, it is easily invisible to the eye, if not the nerve endings.

All in all, it's pretty amazing how things change.  It comes back to being open.  You can't experience what you don't allow to happen, and many, many things happen without a human plan or intention.  I'm not one of those "live-in-the-moment, don't worry, be happy" kinds of people.  I recognize everyone and everything has a past, and needs to be prepared for the future.  That's what makes us human.  However, I think we need to stop, really see what our lives are right here, right now, and appreciate what this life is.  How amazing.

What kind of changes do you really see, if you look hard enough?

Day Two

Facebook really is a wonderful thing.  Here I am, thousands of miles away from home and most of my friends, and I received more birthday wishes than if I was there.  What was life like before we had social networking?  Before cell phones and sms?  I remember when we didn't have a VCR, never mind a DVD or Blu-Ray or Ipod or Ipad...  I taped songs off the radio in order to make mixed tapes.

I know I'm not "old." Everyone I work with who is older than me has spent plenty of time reassuring me of that.   Apparently I have plenty of time to get married, have children, etc.  I'm only 30.  But you know, sometimes it's not about the number.  I still have questions, doubts.  When will these things happen for me?  WILL these things happen?

For now, I'm going to try to instill a creative source into my students.  While they might not have to sit beside a radio, ready to push record the split second after the announcer stops talking, they can still have the imagination to create and share.  Maybe I'll have to pull out the old tapes to show them how it's done.

Maybe.

Day One

Well, here goes.  I turned 30 this morning, supposedly at around 9 am.   I spent the morning cleaning my apartment, and then tutoring a student before meeting Tammi at Terramall at noon.  She and Johnny made me a wonderful birthday lunch, and Spoon Chocolate Cake is a perfect birthday cake.  It was a great day.

Why is any of this important?  It's not, not in the great scheme of things.  But how many little things do we miss when we don't think about them, don't notice them at all?  What won't we remember in the future, if we don't take note?  What, if I'm blessed to be ninety or one hundred, will I remember about my second year in Costa Rica?

I'm setting out a goal for myself:  to blog every day for the next year.  I miss writing.  I want to develop more and better self-discipline.  Hence the blog and the goal. It's probably been done before.  It's not likely to change the world.  But I haven't been thirty before, and I haven't taken notice before.

Let's go.  Vamos!