Okay, I'll admit it, I really so suck sometimes at posting regularly, let alone journalling regularly :S Pictures to come on the weekend - here is a taste for the past week (Monday and Tuesday posts are being composed currently)
Thursday, May 13, 2010 Productive!
Today was another Pro-D-Day so there was no school for us. We were able to sleep in till 8am!! At 9 we started our meeting and planning of the Unity Games that begin next week. Basically it’s a sports day at each of the schools that focus on life lessons and themes we want them to remember. Our stations focus on bullying, environment, teamwork, disability awareness, and reflection. We made our posters and planned out all of the games and rules. I typed it all out so that all of us teachers would have a copy. In the afternoon a few of us went to the beach. It has been really windy and periodically down pouring of rain so its kinda unpredictable. Jo and I also started a pickle ball tournament. We are in pairs and we have this grand poster with all of our team names on it. We mark our wins/losses. At the end of the trip, whichever team has the most wins minus loses, Jo will take out for lunch back in Abbotsford for all you can eat sushi. I’m teamed with Jo and we’re called “The Pound” because we both have dogs at home. So far we’re 0-2…pickle ball is not my strong point. It was a great relaxing but productive day.
Friday, May 14, 2010 Evaluation Day
Because I need the credits from this trip to graduate, all my grades need to be in before I return back to Canada. As a result, I had to complete everything way before anyone, like prove I’ve been keeping up with my journal, finish my research paper, and be evaluated while teaching. Today was the day for the later. Won’t lie was a little nervous, but I was confident that I knew what I was doing. The class went really well I thought. I felt I had control and the students were listening. My only major mess up was that I started to teach them the ‘underhand throw’ wrong. Jo corrected me and so I had the kids shake their heads and “erase” the information I had just taught them. The kids thought it was really funny and my Profs thought it was a great way to acknowledge my mistake but at the same time fix it.
Greg (my other prof.) ended up going over my evaluation with me in the car on our way to pick up the other teachers. I’d later find out that he was supposed to wait and talk it over with Jo. It was everything I already knew, I felt the class had gone well other than for my technique mistake. However, he told me his thought process of how he wanted to give me an A+ but couldn’t, but that maybe he should, but actually he was just giving me an A. I was feeling pretty low because I felt I had really screwed up and lost an A+. I’m better now, but at the time I wasn’t feeling to proud, although I should have been, I worked hard and an A is a great mark.
In the evening we hung out and played another game of pickle ball. We lost, again L I left early to start my research for my paper that was due Sunday night. I was able to finish most of the research but was still far away from writing.
Saturday, May 15, 2010 The Great Antiguan Adventure
So today was our sightseeing adventure. Jo and Shelby were our tour guides and they took us all over the island to all of the major sites. The weather has been very temperamental lately so we really don’t know what to think, just go with it. We started off at “Devil’s Bridge”. This is a spot on the island where metamorphic rock hits the Atlantic ocean. The waves crash really hard and fast against the side of the island and have created this treterous area known as “Devil’s Bridge”. The name behind it comes from when slaves from the nearby plantations would escape, they’d come here to commit suicide and give themselves to the devil because they knew they couldn’t go to heaven. It really made me sad to think about all the men and women that died because of how other people were treating them. It was a reminder of how horrific slavery was.
Next we drove to English Harbor and Nelson’s Dockyard. It is a national park and a historic site of where the British first settled. The buildings were super old and so interesting. I took tons of pictures. It felt as if I were walking through a scene in Pirates of the Caribbean. We were able to get in free too because we pulled the “teacher” card. I love getting a deal. While we were having a drink on the docks, there was a sailboat that had just docked. They had come all the way from Spain and through a few of the Caribbean islands already. They were on their way to Marryland, USA. The name of their boat was Shananigans, which I just loved.
After was Half Moon Bay were many of the girls went body surfing. The waves were big, but not as big as the ones in Maui. I was too timid to body surf without a boogie board. I just stayed out far enough to float in the waves and laugh at everyone else. There we meet a stray dog who was kindly nicked named “Sandy”. He was a yellow lab cross and was SOOO skinny. I actually started crying because I felt so bad for him and missed Lily a ton. It breaks my heart to see all these animals with no homes. If only people would spay and neuter their animals, there would not be such a problem with strays. Won’t lie, I want to bring that dog home, but I know it would be so expensive, not to mention that Lily would hate me forever. I just hope someone looks after him.
We drove to Jolly Harbor to drop of Chantelle so she could hang out with her relatives. It’s a very pricy part of the island – we didn’t stay long. Next was Fig Tree Drive which goes through the rainforest. It was so lush and full of colour. I was glad to be at a window seat so I could take picture with my camera. We were supposed to get fresh pineapple juice but the lady had already closed down for the day. We walked up this trail to the old dam. That was super cool, in the middle of the jungle there is the very old dam. It was a scene right out of Indiana Jones.
Once we came home, we cleaned up and went out for dinner at the restruarnt in the hotel. The prices were okay; I order the pineapple burger and was expecting a giant piece of pineapple, not so much. The fries were completely unsatisfying too. The oil was obviously old because the fries tasted as if they been there a while.
Greg stopped by so I pulled him aside to talk about our conversation the day before. I explained how I felt as a result of hearing his thought process and that it was something I didn’t really need to hear. I was proud of myself for speaking my mind and being honest with my feelings. I have never really spoken to something with authority and called them out for their actions. I still can’t believe I spoke to him! He is also one of those people who leans in really close when you talk. I actually had to tell him I needed personal space because he kept stepping closer each time I backed up. Haha
Karaoke was next, what a hoot. Some of those girls love their beer and as a result love to sing. It’s great fun cheering them along and enjoying their actions. I was successful in avoiding singing this time. Maybe I’ll get the guts to go up there next weekend.
Sunday, May 16, 2010 Graduation!!!
Today was the dreaded day. I had to complete my paper by the end of the day in oder to have my grades processed in time to graduate when I come home. I was not looking forward to writing 8-12 pages while I was in paradise. I skipped church with Alex because I needed every moment I could get.
I procrastinated lots, cleaned the kitchen area, bathroom and desk. I also filled all of our water jugs with boiled water. I did however get lots of writing done. A few times I moved rooms just for a change in environment. I finished at 7pm on the dot and I couldn’t have been happier! Everyone else had left by then for the house for a “Grilled Cheese” party. I stayed because I knew there was no way I’d finish with everyone around. I called once I was done and they came and picked me up. I have never felt so elated or full of joy before. It was if a load of bricks had been lifted off my shoulders. I am now free! I can do whatever I please, grades are in. I am excited to read without guilt of finishing a paper or other things to do. So great!
This next week is going to be long. We teach all 5 days and so far we’ve only taught 3 out of the 5. The hard part is over though. Looking forward to enjoying each and every moment. Before I know it, it’ll be over. Half way mark, so far so good!
