The past month...

Sorry that I haven't posted anything for.. more than a month! I guess its about time for another post. It has been a GREAT month! Normally I find January and February to be difficult months for me likely because of the cold and short days but here in Honduras I am feeling so much better probably due to the sunlight and heat. That has been a blessing!

A quick recap of the past month.

No vacations.. all work! But this month has been great with my students. I really feel like I have connected with my students and that there has been a mutual respect that has developed. I also feel like I am starting to get the hang of teaching; I have found an effective way to manage my classroom, and lesson planning and grading have become less daunting tasks. I love my job so much and look forward to seeing my students every day!

Here are some pictures of my students doing "Literacy Centers"

I also ran my first birthday party in my class this month. I didn't know this.. but Hondurans like to celebrate full out birthday parties IN CLASS. This includes presents, music, pizza, pop, cake, party hats, goody bags. I was in the middle of independent reading when the parents of the birthday girl came in with all this STUFF. Needless to say that was the end of silent reading. It was fun although I was slightly overwhelmed. I have never run a birthday party for a kid before.. and then I have to run this party with 25 + kids!

Birthday girl- Andrea

I also went to an orphanage outside of the city one Saturday this month. Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera so I don't have any pictures. But it was a wonderful time- I spent most of my time with little girls about 4-6. I painted all of their nails and played tag for an hour or so. It was rather tiring especially because I was "it" the entire time. It was so much fun though and I hope to be back again soon!

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to spend time with another Honduran teacher at our schoool, Aurora Varela, and her family. We went to a town called Valle up in the mountains. It is a quaint little town that is safe to walk around in. It has shops with authentic Honduran goods. We enjoyed a lunch together and walking around the town.

Aurora and her 2 boys- Josue (the baby) and Daniel

Christmas with my roomates

I meant to post these pictures of my roomates and I around Christmas time. Nichole Unger, is my red-headed roomate from Saskatchewaan, Canada. I am so fortunate to live with another Canadian considering there are only 3 of us total out of all the staff at our school. The blonde curly haired girl is Kaitlyn Kornelly. She is from Arizona. Both Kaitlyn and Nichole are returning teachers and I am so happy to be living with them. They have taught me A LOT about how to survive in Honduras. I made a lot of mistakes my first month or so in Honduras, but with their help I feel like I am a lot more fit for living Honduras now! They are a blast to live with- couldn't ask for better roomates.

Kaitlyn, Nichole, and me

Kaitlyn, me, and Nichole

Back in Honduras

Its hard to believe just a week ago I was wearing my fur coat in Canada and now I am back in Honduras trying to keep cool! Although I definitely prefer the warmer temperatures of Honduras, it was so great to be back with my family and friends in Canada. Sometimes it feels like I live 2 separate lives. When I think about it, its amazing that I'm able to adapt to both "lives" so easily.

In Honduras I am trying to keep cool in the day and keep warm in the night and in Canada I am trying to keep warm during the day and am comfortable at night in my heated home.

In Honduras I see Latin American people and hear Spanish wherever I go; in Canada I keep seeing white people and thinking I should know all of them because they speak the same language as me.

In Honduras I am either running to the nearest "pulperia" (little street store) or boiling water to meet my water needs; in Canada I just turn on the tap and there it is- just like that!

In Honduras I am constantly on the lookout for a taxi to take me to where I need to go; in Canada I step outside and there is a car ready for me right on my driveway.

In Honduras I am praying during most of my taxi trips for safety;  in Canada I can drive in peace, and still feel safe even if my attention is somewhat divided.

In Honduras it's not very safe to walk anywhere without a friend by my side; in Canada  its an added bonus to be walking alongside a friend.

In Honduras I am always early; in Canada I am often late.

In Honduras my friends of 5 months have become my family; in Canada I am surrounded with people who have loved me my entire life.

Anyway.... I could go on and on.. but its crazy to reflect on how different my life is in both countries and how God has given me the capacity to adapt so well in both countries. I feel like my time in Honduras has really changed my perspective on a lot of things. I feel as if I am a lot more flexible and open-minded about things than I ever was in the past. Things are not always so black and white, and I think there is a lot that both the Latin American and North American cultures could learn from one another.

I am so thankful to God for all my new experiences here in Honduras and also for all the dear people back at home in Canada who love me and support me. I feel so blessed!