Ahhh....I have had the past four days off and it has been wonderful! The sun is shining. It is warm outside. The birds are singing, the trees are budding, and the flowers are beginning to bloom! Ahh....spring!
So, my new found enjoyment? ha ha...I have been enjoying throwing the bones out the back door for the cats! It is fun to watch them a dart and, yes, there is a little hissing too. ha ha... After the bones from today (there were quite a few), I found them all lying on the table in the sun, as though to say they were completely satisfied.
I went for a little walk to the little market just a block or two away from out house. When I came back, there was a drunk lying to the side of our front door. At first, I thought, I hope this isn't a person that was walking by and had a heart problem...but, within seconds I put two and two together and realize he had just been drinking all afternoon. Right now, I hear him talking to himself, so he must be awake. This is the first time I have come home to a drunk on the sidewalk and something tells me, with warm weather coming, this won't be the last. Aye de mi!
At the store, I bought myself a little ice cream treat, as I was craving a little something. I had the choice of some fruity sherbert sort of ice cream treat and a raisin and rum ice cream treat which looked like a drumstick. I quickly associated this with being a drumstick, something with a little chocolate to feed my chocolate addiction, but on the side it said it was prohibited to sell it to minors for the rum content evidently. I thought, wow, interesting, however I couldn't imagine it was anything to worry about. The ice cream really wasn't anything to brag about...the cone was mushy, the ice cream/rum/raisin combo was a bit rare, and it had a cherry in the middle of it. Next time I will opt for the sherbert treat. The good part was, there was chocolate at the bottom of the cone.
I have been smelling something odd off and on today. I have been smelling myself to make sure it isn't me, but I am wearing fresh clothes and took a shower today, so it can't be. I looked at the bottom of my shoes and I don't have dog poop on them. So, now, I am beginning to wonder if the cat shit under my bed again. We had two cats in the house last night. Yesterday, another cat snuck in through my window. The cats are harmless, I just don't want them shitting in my room!
I am very excited to be entering the final week of my substitute teaching job! YES! I have been thinking about other things I would like to do after this, but nothing is set in stone, nothing I care to talk about yet. :)
Ok...happy 20 September!
jami
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
This is was my favorite statue, I am going to make a poster sized copy of this shot and put it on the wall behind my desk someday...ha ha...
This is the house I live in (below). Right on the corner. Someone decided to put this propaganda on the side of the house. It is funny, one day I was walking home and thought, huh, this is new, but was there something else there before? I don't remember.
Across the street from us is the "Club Social" (translation: Social Club). It is usually full of drunk old men that come stumbling out and sometimes decide to take a leak along the curb....they must not have bathrooms inside. :)
Day Off!
Ahhh.....I just love waking up early in the morning on a day off!
Yesterday, at school we had the first two hours of class, then activities for Independence Day, Las Fiestas Patrias. We were supposed to return to classes in the afternoon and have classes today, but we received a surprise announcement during the assembly that we didn't have to come back in the afternoon and that today we wouldn't have classes! Yahoo! I am so happy! It is days like this that I realize the stress of my job is what weighs on me the most right now and the fact that I am working all the time. It was so nice to wake up early this morning to enjoy coffee and conversation. I am still in my pj's right now. I love it! Normally, I only have one day to sit around in my pj's and that is Sunday.
I was just watching the cats outside, thinking about all the cartoons where you see the pictures of the cats with fishbones. I only had that association through comics, but now, as I look at the ground outside and see all the very well cleaned fish bones, I have to laugh to myself. I have a real life experience. Then, I have to laugh at the pig leg that has been nawed on next to it....mmm....pork. It is interesting how at home we have the comfort of being far removed from the processes of our packaged meats, unless of course you are a farmer, a butcher, a hunter, then you are very aware....but, the rest of us aren't buying pig legs, pig heads, stomachs, tongues, etc from the meat counter...at least I don't. I still don't. I haven't bought meat in ages because I still don't know how to select good meat from bad..and sometimes my stomach just turns when I walk into the butcher shop or walk by the meat counter at the super market....there is a smell I am still not accustomed to. Someday I am going to go with Tania to the store and have a lesson on selecting meat.
Well, because I have the day off today, I have decided to tackle a few Visa things. I recently received a letter from the ministry of the interior, department of foreign and immigration affairs, stating that my application was incomplete. So, it is back to the civil registry for an original copy of a document stating that I have still not committed any crimes in this country (I sent a copy of the now expired document before instead of the original). Then, I need to send a notorized photocopy of my work contract, as I only sent a copy before. Then, I need to send some sort of proof of work over the past year, showing income. I am hoping a bank statement will be sufficient. Then, I have to stop at the bank to pay the fee for my Visa, which is about $100US.
Then, after I finish this, I still have yet to travel to Santiago to get my ever-so-fucking-annoying (excuse my french) legalized transcript and teaching license validated by the US embassy, at which time, I learned, they will give me a 5 year period to take an exam to prove I know and understand the English language and have the instruction to teach it. THEN, I think I am done. Gosh, it might have been easier just to get married to a Chilean.
So, I am off to do that today. I have the urge to take some photos today, as I have been slacking terribly on photo documentation. But, I will make it my goal on my day off to post some photos to share. :)
With that being said, I think I will change my clothes and get moving....hasta luego!
jami
Yesterday, at school we had the first two hours of class, then activities for Independence Day, Las Fiestas Patrias. We were supposed to return to classes in the afternoon and have classes today, but we received a surprise announcement during the assembly that we didn't have to come back in the afternoon and that today we wouldn't have classes! Yahoo! I am so happy! It is days like this that I realize the stress of my job is what weighs on me the most right now and the fact that I am working all the time. It was so nice to wake up early this morning to enjoy coffee and conversation. I am still in my pj's right now. I love it! Normally, I only have one day to sit around in my pj's and that is Sunday.
I was just watching the cats outside, thinking about all the cartoons where you see the pictures of the cats with fishbones. I only had that association through comics, but now, as I look at the ground outside and see all the very well cleaned fish bones, I have to laugh to myself. I have a real life experience. Then, I have to laugh at the pig leg that has been nawed on next to it....mmm....pork. It is interesting how at home we have the comfort of being far removed from the processes of our packaged meats, unless of course you are a farmer, a butcher, a hunter, then you are very aware....but, the rest of us aren't buying pig legs, pig heads, stomachs, tongues, etc from the meat counter...at least I don't. I still don't. I haven't bought meat in ages because I still don't know how to select good meat from bad..and sometimes my stomach just turns when I walk into the butcher shop or walk by the meat counter at the super market....there is a smell I am still not accustomed to. Someday I am going to go with Tania to the store and have a lesson on selecting meat.
Well, because I have the day off today, I have decided to tackle a few Visa things. I recently received a letter from the ministry of the interior, department of foreign and immigration affairs, stating that my application was incomplete. So, it is back to the civil registry for an original copy of a document stating that I have still not committed any crimes in this country (I sent a copy of the now expired document before instead of the original). Then, I need to send a notorized photocopy of my work contract, as I only sent a copy before. Then, I need to send some sort of proof of work over the past year, showing income. I am hoping a bank statement will be sufficient. Then, I have to stop at the bank to pay the fee for my Visa, which is about $100US.
Then, after I finish this, I still have yet to travel to Santiago to get my ever-so-fucking-annoying (excuse my french) legalized transcript and teaching license validated by the US embassy, at which time, I learned, they will give me a 5 year period to take an exam to prove I know and understand the English language and have the instruction to teach it. THEN, I think I am done. Gosh, it might have been easier just to get married to a Chilean.
So, I am off to do that today. I have the urge to take some photos today, as I have been slacking terribly on photo documentation. But, I will make it my goal on my day off to post some photos to share. :)
With that being said, I think I will change my clothes and get moving....hasta luego!
jami
Friday, September 11, 2009
Head Cheese and Ice Cream
I scared myself yesterday when I went to the little market down the street and voluntarily bought a chunk of head cheese. Some of these foods are growing on me...ha ha.
Then, today, I was at the supermarket and happened to pass through the ice cream aisle. The ice cream here is unique, some unique flavors, some unique combinations and colors, so every once in a while I will buy one to try, because it is usually pretty darn good.
I came home with a ice cream pie sort of something. I chose it because it sounded good, but also because it came with a free slicer/spatula. Tania has been joking around that she was on a good diet until the gringa came to live with her. So,when I came home today with this ice cream, I told her I bought this great spatula and the ice cream just happened to come with it. That I thought we could use a spatula and, well, if you buy the spatula you need take the ice cream too! She laughed.
I went to put it in the freezer and I seriously thought we were going to have to eat it all in the moment...holy cow! No pun intended but I think we had a whole cow in the freezer! Where would I put the ice cream?? I was able to cram it in there barely. 18 September is coming up fast, so i am sure the supermarkets are advertising some good deals on meat. 18 September is Independence Day. Cueca Mania and lots of food! Uff da!
buenas....
Then, today, I was at the supermarket and happened to pass through the ice cream aisle. The ice cream here is unique, some unique flavors, some unique combinations and colors, so every once in a while I will buy one to try, because it is usually pretty darn good.
I came home with a ice cream pie sort of something. I chose it because it sounded good, but also because it came with a free slicer/spatula. Tania has been joking around that she was on a good diet until the gringa came to live with her. So,when I came home today with this ice cream, I told her I bought this great spatula and the ice cream just happened to come with it. That I thought we could use a spatula and, well, if you buy the spatula you need take the ice cream too! She laughed.
I went to put it in the freezer and I seriously thought we were going to have to eat it all in the moment...holy cow! No pun intended but I think we had a whole cow in the freezer! Where would I put the ice cream?? I was able to cram it in there barely. 18 September is coming up fast, so i am sure the supermarkets are advertising some good deals on meat. 18 September is Independence Day. Cueca Mania and lots of food! Uff da!
buenas....
Lady...
I don't know why, but I am listening to Kenny Rogers "Lady" right now on You Tube. A month or so ago, I went to Santiago to see a friend, another person from the USA, and she wanted to copy my music from Ipod onto her computer because she remembered I had some country music and a little bit of everything else. WELL, I told her I tried to copy music from and Ipod once and I ended up erasing it completely. She assured me that she knew what she was doing and in that same moment she was assuring me, she erased it. So, now, to get my music kick by listening to music on Youtube. I start with one song and then I see another song on the recommended list and pretty soon I am listening to Kenny Rogers! haha!
"You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille..."
Anyway, I have finally finished my trimester grades! Yahoo! I learned the teacher I am replacing is coming back on September 28th, which means I only have to hold on for another two weeks! It is kind of bittersweet, the emotions of finishing this job. Part of me is going to miss these kids and part of me is so incredibly thankful I am almost done! I honestly don't thinkＩcan keep my patience with them, especially after all the excuses and endless arguing about papers and grades. They are so lazy all trimester and it is like pulling teeth to get them to finish anything...then they all want to argue with you in the same moment and question why their marks are low! Aye de mi! This is what has been happening class after class this past week Finally, with one of my classes, I packed up my stuff and left. I figured I would get more done in an hour sitting by myself in the teacher lounge than arguing with students for an hour and not accomplishing anything. Oh Lordy!
I have a new perspective of the Chilean culture. I love the colors, the music, the food, the wine, the scenery...and I love the people I know and who I can trust, like the family I live with right now and the friends I have maintained over time. BUT, sadly, over the past six months, I have gained a new perspective on Chilean culture, one that has tainted the beautiful picture I had painted before. The best analogy I can come up with is this...you are enjoying life, loving every moment, eyes wide open...and suddenly, someone pokes you in the eye...it is the surprise that hurts and suddenly, as much as you want to run around enjoying everything with your eyes wide open again, you can't because you are aware of the eye pokers.
I keep trying to put my head around this culture, to understand it, but I just can't. I was talking to someone the other day about the cultural norms I have picked up on here, saying how I couldn't understand where they come from...he just looks at me and says, Jami, it is best to try not to understand it, because you never will. Living in Chile is like learning to walk again for the first time. You fall, you get back up again, you fall, you get back up again...pretty soon, you learn how to walk and maintain yourself here. You keep everyone at a comfortable distance and you live in your own little bubble. Wow, I thought. I don't know if I can live in a bubble all my life.
So, what are the cultural norms I have picked up on?
Gossip: Chileans love to talk. What is said to one person in private, will never be private. So, if you don't want anyone to know, it is best to just not say it. Example: I heard something about someone the other day, something that only a doctor would know. Where did they here it from? This person's doctor. The doctor was sharing very private information with this woman. Whoa!
Lying, stealing, and cheating: I have seen it and experienced it at many levels here. I don't know if I am just too trusting, or it is really a problem here. Seeing how I have never had so many people in my life lie to me, I am going with the latter, it really is a problem here. Oh my, the lies, the excuses, the blaming...SIN FIN (without end). Yes, I am aware this happens all over the world, but I feel a higher concentration of all this here...the same person I was talking to about understanding the culture informed me...Chile was for Spain what Australia was for England, a place to send criminals. This culture together with the Mapuche tribes, who were warriors, could be the reason for the aggressive nature of this race. Also, maybe, if we take into account the government of communist Allende and the abrupt transition to Pinochet, the militant leader, whose military style affected the older generation and is now clashing with the younger generation (so it seems to me)...along with the class distinctions...large poor population and maybe 20% upper class...well, ok...I am losing my train of thought, maybe because I get that far and I can't get my head around the rest, can't complete the thought.
But, in the end, people are still very much on survival mode and take whatever they can get their hands on. I have been robbed (not physically harmed or mugged, just robbed...i am safe and live in a safe place, so don't let that comment run away in your head) and I have had people try to over charge me because I am a "gringa". I am constantly watching my things because I have a feeling the moment I turn my back it will be gone and someone will be selling it at the street market with other stolen goods. Again, I know this happens at home, in the US, but it seems more frequent here...more common. You walk around here and everyone has rod iron gates. Doors are locked with a key, always. It is funny because the first thing people notice in the Movies from the US are the open yards, no gates.
One of my students was telling me about a raid his friend watched while stuck in a traffic jam near a place called La Victoria. A group of men raided the truck in front of him (a transport, transporting something..food maybe) with knives. After they raided the truck they went around to cars looking in the windows for things of value. I would have shit my pants had I been watching this, I think. Someone else whose Dad had a store right outside this La Victoria, at the entranced, remembered seeing a guy running around with a fork in his head because there had been a dispute. These people are like animals. I will never forget the name of La Victoria.
On the cheating note, there is this underground law of secrecy that is accepted. As you travel along the road by bus, you will see many motels. I didn't think much of it until someone explained them to me. These motels are to have sex with your secret lover. The parking spaces have curtains to hide the cars. These motels are all over the place! People are miserable in their pairs, their marriages, but the woman stays in this relationship because it is the cross she has to carry for her husband to make him happy and raise his kids, and then he has another woman for fun. Yes, women are more liberated now and there are men that respect this (like the men I have known here), but I have been to houses where the woman looks absolutely depressed and never leaves the house because her husband won't allow her. But, they are all so worried about maintaining this image of the perfect family...and they put on these happy faces for the public...but they live in misery. Why?? But, as I watch some of the shows on t.v, the telenovelas (soap operas, t.v series) and you see the male dominance (and seriously I have to change the channel sometimes because I cannot watch) you understand the culture more. As you look around and see all the women who are without a husband but raising kids alone...or they are with their husband and living in misery, you just can't help but wonder why? Why is it so difficult for these people to be faithful?
Gimme, gimme, gimme more: The other day, because we had planned to do something special in class and I had to go talk to some people at the provincial, where the ed department is here, to discuss my papers AGAIN. I told them I would bring them back a treat. Well, of course, I went to Provincial and the people I needed to talk to weren't available and I thought I will bring some candies since the students are working (no, I don't know why I thought they would actually be working). Well, only a handful of students were actually working on their assignments, so most lost that opportunity, but I brought the candies another day for the same reward idea. Well, I go to hand out candies and, first, it was like walking into Deertown in Park Rapids with the little ice cream cone of corn...the deer have their noses in your cone before you even step into the park and you just can't fight them off. It was the same thing only with students (9th graders) and lollipops! They kept trying to get seconds and then they wanted to swap flavors. And, how many thank you's do you think I heard? I can't remember any, in English or Spanish! Then, in between classes, they tried to get more! My goodness! They always want more! Forget about being thankful for what you got! Just give me more!
Ahh....I don't know...BUT, the thing to remember, there are good people here, many good people...they are just hard to find and I have become more cautious because of what I now know. I am learning. I fell but I am walking again.
It is interesting...culture. It is funny how people think people from the US are so cold. But, as I am learning, we are more transparent, more direct, more real....but not more cold. Yes, we have back stabbers, liars, cheaters, and thieves, but...we are just as caring...we just don't fake it...at least I don't. I feel like I am in high school again sometimes here...
Yah...I am sure I will be back to talking about how much I love Chile again tomorrow, but some things have just started to really come to surface, some realizations that I have been thinking about today.
Ok...now, I am going to go to bed....buenas noches...
"You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille..."
Anyway, I have finally finished my trimester grades! Yahoo! I learned the teacher I am replacing is coming back on September 28th, which means I only have to hold on for another two weeks! It is kind of bittersweet, the emotions of finishing this job. Part of me is going to miss these kids and part of me is so incredibly thankful I am almost done! I honestly don't thinkＩcan keep my patience with them, especially after all the excuses and endless arguing about papers and grades. They are so lazy all trimester and it is like pulling teeth to get them to finish anything...then they all want to argue with you in the same moment and question why their marks are low! Aye de mi! This is what has been happening class after class this past week Finally, with one of my classes, I packed up my stuff and left. I figured I would get more done in an hour sitting by myself in the teacher lounge than arguing with students for an hour and not accomplishing anything. Oh Lordy!
I have a new perspective of the Chilean culture. I love the colors, the music, the food, the wine, the scenery...and I love the people I know and who I can trust, like the family I live with right now and the friends I have maintained over time. BUT, sadly, over the past six months, I have gained a new perspective on Chilean culture, one that has tainted the beautiful picture I had painted before. The best analogy I can come up with is this...you are enjoying life, loving every moment, eyes wide open...and suddenly, someone pokes you in the eye...it is the surprise that hurts and suddenly, as much as you want to run around enjoying everything with your eyes wide open again, you can't because you are aware of the eye pokers.
I keep trying to put my head around this culture, to understand it, but I just can't. I was talking to someone the other day about the cultural norms I have picked up on here, saying how I couldn't understand where they come from...he just looks at me and says, Jami, it is best to try not to understand it, because you never will. Living in Chile is like learning to walk again for the first time. You fall, you get back up again, you fall, you get back up again...pretty soon, you learn how to walk and maintain yourself here. You keep everyone at a comfortable distance and you live in your own little bubble. Wow, I thought. I don't know if I can live in a bubble all my life.
So, what are the cultural norms I have picked up on?
Gossip: Chileans love to talk. What is said to one person in private, will never be private. So, if you don't want anyone to know, it is best to just not say it. Example: I heard something about someone the other day, something that only a doctor would know. Where did they here it from? This person's doctor. The doctor was sharing very private information with this woman. Whoa!
Lying, stealing, and cheating: I have seen it and experienced it at many levels here. I don't know if I am just too trusting, or it is really a problem here. Seeing how I have never had so many people in my life lie to me, I am going with the latter, it really is a problem here. Oh my, the lies, the excuses, the blaming...SIN FIN (without end). Yes, I am aware this happens all over the world, but I feel a higher concentration of all this here...the same person I was talking to about understanding the culture informed me...Chile was for Spain what Australia was for England, a place to send criminals. This culture together with the Mapuche tribes, who were warriors, could be the reason for the aggressive nature of this race. Also, maybe, if we take into account the government of communist Allende and the abrupt transition to Pinochet, the militant leader, whose military style affected the older generation and is now clashing with the younger generation (so it seems to me)...along with the class distinctions...large poor population and maybe 20% upper class...well, ok...I am losing my train of thought, maybe because I get that far and I can't get my head around the rest, can't complete the thought.
But, in the end, people are still very much on survival mode and take whatever they can get their hands on. I have been robbed (not physically harmed or mugged, just robbed...i am safe and live in a safe place, so don't let that comment run away in your head) and I have had people try to over charge me because I am a "gringa". I am constantly watching my things because I have a feeling the moment I turn my back it will be gone and someone will be selling it at the street market with other stolen goods. Again, I know this happens at home, in the US, but it seems more frequent here...more common. You walk around here and everyone has rod iron gates. Doors are locked with a key, always. It is funny because the first thing people notice in the Movies from the US are the open yards, no gates.
One of my students was telling me about a raid his friend watched while stuck in a traffic jam near a place called La Victoria. A group of men raided the truck in front of him (a transport, transporting something..food maybe) with knives. After they raided the truck they went around to cars looking in the windows for things of value. I would have shit my pants had I been watching this, I think. Someone else whose Dad had a store right outside this La Victoria, at the entranced, remembered seeing a guy running around with a fork in his head because there had been a dispute. These people are like animals. I will never forget the name of La Victoria.
On the cheating note, there is this underground law of secrecy that is accepted. As you travel along the road by bus, you will see many motels. I didn't think much of it until someone explained them to me. These motels are to have sex with your secret lover. The parking spaces have curtains to hide the cars. These motels are all over the place! People are miserable in their pairs, their marriages, but the woman stays in this relationship because it is the cross she has to carry for her husband to make him happy and raise his kids, and then he has another woman for fun. Yes, women are more liberated now and there are men that respect this (like the men I have known here), but I have been to houses where the woman looks absolutely depressed and never leaves the house because her husband won't allow her. But, they are all so worried about maintaining this image of the perfect family...and they put on these happy faces for the public...but they live in misery. Why?? But, as I watch some of the shows on t.v, the telenovelas (soap operas, t.v series) and you see the male dominance (and seriously I have to change the channel sometimes because I cannot watch) you understand the culture more. As you look around and see all the women who are without a husband but raising kids alone...or they are with their husband and living in misery, you just can't help but wonder why? Why is it so difficult for these people to be faithful?
Gimme, gimme, gimme more: The other day, because we had planned to do something special in class and I had to go talk to some people at the provincial, where the ed department is here, to discuss my papers AGAIN. I told them I would bring them back a treat. Well, of course, I went to Provincial and the people I needed to talk to weren't available and I thought I will bring some candies since the students are working (no, I don't know why I thought they would actually be working). Well, only a handful of students were actually working on their assignments, so most lost that opportunity, but I brought the candies another day for the same reward idea. Well, I go to hand out candies and, first, it was like walking into Deertown in Park Rapids with the little ice cream cone of corn...the deer have their noses in your cone before you even step into the park and you just can't fight them off. It was the same thing only with students (9th graders) and lollipops! They kept trying to get seconds and then they wanted to swap flavors. And, how many thank you's do you think I heard? I can't remember any, in English or Spanish! Then, in between classes, they tried to get more! My goodness! They always want more! Forget about being thankful for what you got! Just give me more!
Ahh....I don't know...BUT, the thing to remember, there are good people here, many good people...they are just hard to find and I have become more cautious because of what I now know. I am learning. I fell but I am walking again.
It is interesting...culture. It is funny how people think people from the US are so cold. But, as I am learning, we are more transparent, more direct, more real....but not more cold. Yes, we have back stabbers, liars, cheaters, and thieves, but...we are just as caring...we just don't fake it...at least I don't. I feel like I am in high school again sometimes here...
Yah...I am sure I will be back to talking about how much I love Chile again tomorrow, but some things have just started to really come to surface, some realizations that I have been thinking about today.
Ok...now, I am going to go to bed....buenas noches...
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
100th Post
I just noticed I am making my 100th post and thought it was worth mentioning.
Well, well, here I am again, trying to get back on my blogging kick, however time doesn't always allow. Here is Chile, and I am sure we could say the same for all of South America, you work to survive, not to live. I didn't realize what this statement meant until just recently. I was talking with a friend of mine and saying, wow, I feel like I am working all the time. She says, welcome to Chile Jami, here we work to survive, not to live, like you are accustomed too. It was at that moment that I realized where my frustrations have been. I am a gringa living in a traditional, underdeveloped world.
The last few weeks, month or so, I have been struggling with work. I was getting up early to make last minute plans, making classes 8-5:30, coming home, grading, planning...all I could think was, "wow! I don't even have kids!"...how do people do this? I have 11 different classes in a week. Some classes I see once a week, others twice a week, and others three times a week. In all situations, I find myself wondering...what the hell are these kids learning? They are completely lazy. They don't listen. And, they are full of excuses. Seriously, I can go to a class excited and ready to go, because I think I have finally planned the winning ticket! Then, in a matter of moments, I am crushed by lack of interest, disrespect, and insubordination. I can hardly believe it some days. I have tried lesson after lesson, approach after approach, and I still I struggle to know what it is these students bite on. It kills me some days. Luckily, though, I have a a few classes that just bring sunshine to my day and that keeps me going.
So, I feel as though I have had an up and down ride lately. I win somedays and I hit rock bottom other days. Luckily, the woman I work with has been a HUGE help in keeping me sane...ha ha. But, she continually reassures me that it isn't just me and that other teachers have the same problem. Then, she assures me that I will make it. I know she is right, but I still have to kick and scream a little bit because it is my job and I want to do it well and I want to see the progress in my assessments. I want to see the instant satisfaction. But, as it goes, sometimes the satisfaction of being a teacher really isn't seen until years have passed. BUT, then again, in between classes when students (my basico students), like today, are asking me for a bear hug, I have to say it is worth the pain and struggles.
I have one class that is my sunshine almost always when I have them. They are my 4th basico class, 4th graders. They are so eager to learn and full of a manageable level o f energy. Normally, we start our day singing the Beatles: hello good bye. You may know the song..you say goodbye and I say hello. Then, one day I taught them the ever-so-wedding-famous chicken dance one day, which they completely demand at the beginning of every class now, along with the Hokey Pokey. I LOVE them! I love their level of curiosity. I love that they all ask me in a matter of minutes if they can go to the bathroom in English just because they think if they can say it in English I will let them all go. I love that they will come and tell me this big long story in spanish and I have no idea what they said, ok...maybe I understand a few words, but, I have no idea. I think they forget I Spanish isn't my first language. ha ha..which reminds me...
I asked the students to organize their things one day and they all started laughing, then they corrected me to say, tia, ordenar our cosas. (to organize our things). I said, ya, that is what I said. They say...no, you said..(and honestly I don't remember how I say what I normally say but what is buckles down to is that I am asking them to pee on their things.). So, now, they love to ask me if I want them to pee on their things. I like to tell them, I don't think that is a good idea, but maybe it would be better to organize their things. ha ha..I love them!
I started a baseball unit with one class, 6th grade, with the expectation that we would play baseball at the end of the unit. I wasn't sure where I was going to buy a bat, or how I was going to make one, but before I had to worry about it, one student tells me, Miss, I am going to make us a baseball bat. I say, really? He says, yes, my Dad is going to help me. what does the bat need to look like? I draw him a picture and he nods...two weeks later, Monday this week, he brings in a baseball bat.
We went over the general rules and headed down to the gymnasium area, which I never knew existed, but shortly later learned, it was the patio area. I assigned on student to make a baseball out of newspapers and scotch tape, something that is very common for students to do except only they are usually making a soccer ball. We had extra paper for the bases. I had to laugh because first one student walks by and picks up the newspaper base and starts reading it as he is walking away, until students yelled at him to say it was second base! Then, a janitor came by and started trying to pick up our bases. ha ha. Finally, after some quick instructions in Spanish accompanied by alot of body movements (right when I think I am doing well in Spanish, I find a hole I cannot communicate yet)...we started our first game of baseball. It was a bit unorganized, but it went well.
When we finished, the students asked if we would play every Monday. I asked them when we would learn English if we were always play baseball. They didn't seem too worried, naturally. Later in the day, I saw the same class and they were dripping with sweat. They said...tia, tia, we just played some more baseball! Where? In what class? I asked...they say, in PE! Tio Pepe played with us! You guys are sure loving baseball! They say, yes, can we play again on Monday? ha ha...
Later, my 4th medio (aka 12th graders) asked if we were going to play baseball in their class too. They had been watching intensely earlier.
With a couple of my other classes, I broke out the radio to teach a line dance. Students watched in excitement and, as students usually are, they were very nervous about joining in and the level of participation was little. But, little by little they started warming up, however, in one class I had only one student willing to give it a go. I was walking to school the other day and a student comes up to me...tia, tia, can we dance again today? I said, dance? again? Only one of you danced while I was teaching you, why would we dance again? Well, tia, she says, because the person that was dancing with you taught me and now I am ready to dance in class. ....ahh...ha ha...
Students in Chile often call males, Tio, and Females, Tia. If you know spanish, you know tio is uncle and tia is aunt. Here though, to call someone who is clearly not your aunt or uncle, tia or tio, is a term of respect, something like Dear maybe. It is very common here instead of miss. It is wierd for me to use it somedays, but I am starting to get used to it. When I first came to Chile I thought...my god, these people are all related. But, it isn't the case. Thankfully because was starting to sound like a major case of incest.
Speaking of incest...we have a colony of cats at this house i live at. None of the cats live inside, thank God, because that would stink. Occassionally, one will sneak its way inside and we have to chase it out. And, sometimes the cat will get to stay inside for a little bit. However, after one decided to shit under my bed on top of a pile of student projects, I chase the cats outside right away. If it is shitting under my bed, it is pissing under my bed...the other day I had washed a sweater, so it was freshly cleaned, so I thought....I had it on and I thought..oh my what the hell is this smell. I am convinced it is cat urine.
Anyway, I came home and, this is the month of the cats, and sure enough, two cats were going at it outside my window in the little patio area of our house. I was telling Tania there would be come kittens on the way soon. She exclaims, no Jami, you need to break that up! I said, my goodness! i didn't know what to do! You are going to have more cats! That was when she taught me the word rape in spanish. While we were discussing this term during our dinner of chicken liver, we heard a terrible cat fight. Tania and her nephew, who was eating with us, say and that is a cat orgy gone bad. ha ha...I told them, my goodness, you Chilean people are tainting my innocent and pure ears
with these words you are teaching me, rape and orgy...what will my family say when I write home?? Then, I went on to tell Tania the chicken liver was fucking bueno! She replies, muchas fucking gracias. OOOOOOoooohhhh LOL!
Aye de mi! I need to get going. I came home thinking...I need to grade papers and prepare myself for tomorrow.........OR, write a blog! ha ha! Ah, I think I am better off going to bed right now and getting up early tomorrow. Tomorrow is Wednesday. Wednesdays are good days for me...more relaxing. I have two hours free in the morning, so I usually walk the street market that is going on every Wednesday. Lately, I have become addicted to earrings, so I usually buy myself a pair when I walk the market because they are a cheap reward and they are fun. I had one student comment on my earrings one day...tia, I like your earrings. thank you, I say, I bought them at the market. He gasped and said, tia, I sure hope you cleaned them good before you wore them. No, I didn't. Oh, tia, you better clean those, you are going to get an infection. I went home and cleaned all my earrings that day. I am good to go.
alright...buenas noches..que descanses....(good night..sleep/rest well..)...abrazo...(hugs)...
jami
Well, well, here I am again, trying to get back on my blogging kick, however time doesn't always allow. Here is Chile, and I am sure we could say the same for all of South America, you work to survive, not to live. I didn't realize what this statement meant until just recently. I was talking with a friend of mine and saying, wow, I feel like I am working all the time. She says, welcome to Chile Jami, here we work to survive, not to live, like you are accustomed too. It was at that moment that I realized where my frustrations have been. I am a gringa living in a traditional, underdeveloped world.
The last few weeks, month or so, I have been struggling with work. I was getting up early to make last minute plans, making classes 8-5:30, coming home, grading, planning...all I could think was, "wow! I don't even have kids!"...how do people do this? I have 11 different classes in a week. Some classes I see once a week, others twice a week, and others three times a week. In all situations, I find myself wondering...what the hell are these kids learning? They are completely lazy. They don't listen. And, they are full of excuses. Seriously, I can go to a class excited and ready to go, because I think I have finally planned the winning ticket! Then, in a matter of moments, I am crushed by lack of interest, disrespect, and insubordination. I can hardly believe it some days. I have tried lesson after lesson, approach after approach, and I still I struggle to know what it is these students bite on. It kills me some days. Luckily, though, I have a a few classes that just bring sunshine to my day and that keeps me going.
So, I feel as though I have had an up and down ride lately. I win somedays and I hit rock bottom other days. Luckily, the woman I work with has been a HUGE help in keeping me sane...ha ha. But, she continually reassures me that it isn't just me and that other teachers have the same problem. Then, she assures me that I will make it. I know she is right, but I still have to kick and scream a little bit because it is my job and I want to do it well and I want to see the progress in my assessments. I want to see the instant satisfaction. But, as it goes, sometimes the satisfaction of being a teacher really isn't seen until years have passed. BUT, then again, in between classes when students (my basico students), like today, are asking me for a bear hug, I have to say it is worth the pain and struggles.
I have one class that is my sunshine almost always when I have them. They are my 4th basico class, 4th graders. They are so eager to learn and full of a manageable level o f energy. Normally, we start our day singing the Beatles: hello good bye. You may know the song..you say goodbye and I say hello. Then, one day I taught them the ever-so-wedding-famous chicken dance one day, which they completely demand at the beginning of every class now, along with the Hokey Pokey. I LOVE them! I love their level of curiosity. I love that they all ask me in a matter of minutes if they can go to the bathroom in English just because they think if they can say it in English I will let them all go. I love that they will come and tell me this big long story in spanish and I have no idea what they said, ok...maybe I understand a few words, but, I have no idea. I think they forget I Spanish isn't my first language. ha ha..which reminds me...
I asked the students to organize their things one day and they all started laughing, then they corrected me to say, tia, ordenar our cosas. (to organize our things). I said, ya, that is what I said. They say...no, you said..(and honestly I don't remember how I say what I normally say but what is buckles down to is that I am asking them to pee on their things.). So, now, they love to ask me if I want them to pee on their things. I like to tell them, I don't think that is a good idea, but maybe it would be better to organize their things. ha ha..I love them!
I started a baseball unit with one class, 6th grade, with the expectation that we would play baseball at the end of the unit. I wasn't sure where I was going to buy a bat, or how I was going to make one, but before I had to worry about it, one student tells me, Miss, I am going to make us a baseball bat. I say, really? He says, yes, my Dad is going to help me. what does the bat need to look like? I draw him a picture and he nods...two weeks later, Monday this week, he brings in a baseball bat.
We went over the general rules and headed down to the gymnasium area, which I never knew existed, but shortly later learned, it was the patio area. I assigned on student to make a baseball out of newspapers and scotch tape, something that is very common for students to do except only they are usually making a soccer ball. We had extra paper for the bases. I had to laugh because first one student walks by and picks up the newspaper base and starts reading it as he is walking away, until students yelled at him to say it was second base! Then, a janitor came by and started trying to pick up our bases. ha ha. Finally, after some quick instructions in Spanish accompanied by alot of body movements (right when I think I am doing well in Spanish, I find a hole I cannot communicate yet)...we started our first game of baseball. It was a bit unorganized, but it went well.
When we finished, the students asked if we would play every Monday. I asked them when we would learn English if we were always play baseball. They didn't seem too worried, naturally. Later in the day, I saw the same class and they were dripping with sweat. They said...tia, tia, we just played some more baseball! Where? In what class? I asked...they say, in PE! Tio Pepe played with us! You guys are sure loving baseball! They say, yes, can we play again on Monday? ha ha...
Later, my 4th medio (aka 12th graders) asked if we were going to play baseball in their class too. They had been watching intensely earlier.
With a couple of my other classes, I broke out the radio to teach a line dance. Students watched in excitement and, as students usually are, they were very nervous about joining in and the level of participation was little. But, little by little they started warming up, however, in one class I had only one student willing to give it a go. I was walking to school the other day and a student comes up to me...tia, tia, can we dance again today? I said, dance? again? Only one of you danced while I was teaching you, why would we dance again? Well, tia, she says, because the person that was dancing with you taught me and now I am ready to dance in class. ....ahh...ha ha...
Students in Chile often call males, Tio, and Females, Tia. If you know spanish, you know tio is uncle and tia is aunt. Here though, to call someone who is clearly not your aunt or uncle, tia or tio, is a term of respect, something like Dear maybe. It is very common here instead of miss. It is wierd for me to use it somedays, but I am starting to get used to it. When I first came to Chile I thought...my god, these people are all related. But, it isn't the case. Thankfully because was starting to sound like a major case of incest.
Speaking of incest...we have a colony of cats at this house i live at. None of the cats live inside, thank God, because that would stink. Occassionally, one will sneak its way inside and we have to chase it out. And, sometimes the cat will get to stay inside for a little bit. However, after one decided to shit under my bed on top of a pile of student projects, I chase the cats outside right away. If it is shitting under my bed, it is pissing under my bed...the other day I had washed a sweater, so it was freshly cleaned, so I thought....I had it on and I thought..oh my what the hell is this smell. I am convinced it is cat urine.
Anyway, I came home and, this is the month of the cats, and sure enough, two cats were going at it outside my window in the little patio area of our house. I was telling Tania there would be come kittens on the way soon. She exclaims, no Jami, you need to break that up! I said, my goodness! i didn't know what to do! You are going to have more cats! That was when she taught me the word rape in spanish. While we were discussing this term during our dinner of chicken liver, we heard a terrible cat fight. Tania and her nephew, who was eating with us, say and that is a cat orgy gone bad. ha ha...I told them, my goodness, you Chilean people are tainting my innocent and pure ears
with these words you are teaching me, rape and orgy...what will my family say when I write home?? Then, I went on to tell Tania the chicken liver was fucking bueno! She replies, muchas fucking gracias. OOOOOOoooohhhh LOL!
Aye de mi! I need to get going. I came home thinking...I need to grade papers and prepare myself for tomorrow.........OR, write a blog! ha ha! Ah, I think I am better off going to bed right now and getting up early tomorrow. Tomorrow is Wednesday. Wednesdays are good days for me...more relaxing. I have two hours free in the morning, so I usually walk the street market that is going on every Wednesday. Lately, I have become addicted to earrings, so I usually buy myself a pair when I walk the market because they are a cheap reward and they are fun. I had one student comment on my earrings one day...tia, I like your earrings. thank you, I say, I bought them at the market. He gasped and said, tia, I sure hope you cleaned them good before you wore them. No, I didn't. Oh, tia, you better clean those, you are going to get an infection. I went home and cleaned all my earrings that day. I am good to go.
alright...buenas noches..que descanses....(good night..sleep/rest well..)...abrazo...(hugs)...
jami
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