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'.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
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.
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, 2011
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, 2011
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.
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, 2011
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.
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, 2011
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.
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)