Long Overdue...

It’s Friday the 23rd of september and I’ve officially been here over a month. Is this real life?

No.

Absolutely not.

But I’m loving it.

Actually, I take that back…sorta. My students are more real than anything I know in the comfort of the United States and more of an economic representation of most kids in the world than the spoiled kids I went to school with in Catholic school for 20 years, but my time here is just a glimpse of that understanding and I know that…so for the next 11 months, I will do my best to continually grapple with the economy, poverty, child labor, and the incredible strength of these people to live, work, play, and grow the way they do everyday.

I digress.

I was inspired to write a post because one of my best friends in the entire world, Katlin Hess, and her hysterical little sister started a blog. Granted, there are two of them so blogging is divided in half, but I still felt the pressure to write and that I had been slacking off. Thanks guys!

While I am writing this I am in my “nivelacion religion” class. The girls had an exam yesterday (I haven’t corrected it yet to see the damage), but today we connected creation, talents, and their future. I’m either a master bullshit artist or actually have a grip of the religion thing by now because day after day, I surprise myself with the material I come up with for class. This same effort also drains most of my energy and time, but it’s getting easier every week. Two new girls joined the class on Wednesday (day before exam) which really stressed me out thinking that I would have to catch them up on 3 weeks of material, but I think I will get them there slowly. They are both really quiet and have no idea what I am saying like the other girls did in the first week or so, but im sure they will get used to my poor Ecuadorian accent. Also note that I am not usually just giving my class work and playing around on my computer. This is what’s happening: we read together the parable in Matthew 25: 14-28 about how 2 of the three men who were given talents by god went out and multiplied them, but the third one dug a hole and buried his. So we talked about the creation story, which we read in the first week of school, how God created all of us in his “image and likeness” and how all things that God created are good. I asked them what their talents were and how they could use their talents now or in their future job or to achieve a certain goal, and they had to draw this.

So naturally, any opportunity to subliminally corrupt these kids when we are not reading the Bible together is to play a little music. They all reggaton which I’m getting into a bit, but Cindy, this one girl who I should probably be annoyed by but I secretly like her a lot, insisted that we listen to Michael Jackson. Luckily, I have the classics and was happy to appease her as the girls drew.

We put the pictures up on the wall around a poster I made that says, “Yo soy inteligente. Yo soy importante. Yo puedo llegar a ser cualquier cosa yo quiero porque Dios me creo,” which translates “I am intelligent. I am important. I can be anything I want to be because God created me.” This was adapted from the book and movie, The Help, from I believe the African American nanny in the story. I haven’t read it, but a lot of the colegio (middleschool-early highschool) volunteers have used this phrase (minus the god part) for their classes. The most important thing for these girls beyond their education with us and is to understand and truly believe that they can have something better if they work hard enough for it. Julie (other volunteer) and I did this in our English class before doing occupation vocabulary and the girls came up with some interesting things: a few clothing designers, clothing store owners, news anchor, breakdancer, movie star, vet, doctor, the people at car dealerships who help you with paperwork, astronomer, bank teller, etc. One of the girls in my religion class told me she wanted to be an “enfermera” or nurse, and I proudly told her of all my awesome friends who are nurses and how great, rewarding, and economically advantageous the field is.

Anyway, things are really good. I’m waiting for my immune system to crash with a cold once again as I can feel my ears and back of my throat a little sore, but I went to bed early last nite and I think I am staying in tonite because I have to be up at 7am to get my Census (I will be counted as part of quitos population!). I’m not looking forward to tomorrow morning because others who have went said it takes a few hours to get through the line….but I want to play futbol! Bah!!!

I’ve been running a few times this week for about 30 minutes and let me tell you, IT IS HARD. Not only because I’m running up hills the entire time which I hate and avoid like the plague at home, but also because of the level of oxygen! THERE IS NONE!!! I’ve been told it takes about 3 months to fully adjust. I’m gona stick with it because I know what an advantage it is for people who like to run to run at elevations, but its hard to fit in everyday. If I get to it 4 times  a week, I will be happy.

Ah, in other news, my “special ed” classes. I probably mentioned I am working with a few boys—alex, alex, and Roberto. They are 13-15ish and started school late so they’ve been put into “special ed” because they can’t keep up in a regular class, except all three of the boys are very capable (when they want to be!) So the boys are fine, but the two women who are in the classroom are completely aweful. First, I’m not entirely sure of their level of education(Maggie and Ligia).  The one claims to be a doctor, but as Madres have told us, if you can pay the money, any idiot can be a doctor. I’m not also sure how whatever degree Ligia has (shes the “head” of this operation) translates to the states, but I’d imagine maybe a masters degree. So these two clowns have insisted for the past few weeks that these three boys are on the same level for reading and math. (falso) They’ve insisted that they’ve tested them accurately (falso). They were tested in JUNE, and their “test” consisted of a series of bull shit questions that I really cant understand what they would show because when I saw them “test” the boys, they basically fed them the answers after they told me not to. They’ve told us that the volunteers are responsible for creating lesson plans for them with a list of 4 objectives. FALSE.  Everyone has told us that we are there to work with them with the plans from them. So these poor 13-15 year old boys are in the same room sitting at kindergarten tables and chairs next to kids that are 7-9. How are they supposed to get out of a classroom and be taught in a setting fit for their age when they are surrounded by little kids in a room with zero organization? Luckily, we’ve all been fighting this hard, but the only people to listen to us are Corry and John, the two retired special ed teachers from WNY who then relay the information to Marco Polo (the man) and the Madres. But there’s a disconnect and the Madres seem to think that we don’t know what we are talking about. TRUE. For the most part, I don’t have the first clue where they need to be or how to get them there. All I know is that something is wrong in the situation I am in, these boys are being held back, and on the path they are on, they are going to be in the kindergarten room for the next 2 years. NOT IF I CAN HELP IT. Oh. Here’s a fun fact. Alex and Roberto weren’t doing their work, so they were blaming one another for the reason they weren’t working, Roberto got pissed, said something nasty to Alex which I didn’t catch, and Alex responded that he was going to “screw” his sister. Mind you, his sister is about 4. AWESOME.

I digress. Things are starting to turn up. Corry and John had a meeting with the powers that be and apparently, William (who has a severe hearing problem and just got hearing aids last year who is 15 and hearing words correctly for the first time…such a good kid), one of the Alex’s, and this other kid (who had a swastika around his neck today….I ALMOST RIPPED IT OFF HIS NECK), are being moved to another program which is specially for boys in their situation. Why they weren’t there to begin with is beyond me, but since they work and have carpentry and whatnot, maybe the morning was the only time they could to it….i’m not sure, but I know this is for the best. We are also going to be starting a program called “Read Naturally” and I’ll be trained on how to do that this weekend so the boys can get their levels up.

So now im left with Roberto, who is obsessed with my love life (err, lack thereof lol), tries to tackle me, has outwardly touched my boobs when im not paying attention, and today was kicking me. He’s a good kid, but obviously a tad hormonal and likes to mess around instead of doing his work. I try to remember that when I want to ring his neck, but this is the same kid I wacked with a notebook. TOUGH LOVE. J

So there’s a bit to chew on for now. I will have to write about my adult ed classes because they are really a trip. I saw Madre Miguel take a picture of me trying to explain what we were doing in class that day, so if I can get my hand on it, I will post it because Im pretty sure she caught me in an action shot.

Stay cool and enjoy the fall weather if its there!! So JEALOUS!!!

Jams jams jams jams 

31 Augusto 2010

I feel like this is one of those, ¨holy crap, what have I gotten myself into,¨kind of moments. Already I have failed keeping a regular log of my thoughts via the internet and with my handy pen, but that is really not the point of this post. we are now a week and a half in and after a week of torment, i recieve my schedule on monday...well kind of. this entire week has been meeting with directors, teachers, heads of programs, etc. i feel i am left with so many unanswered questions as all of my classes are directed by different people and all want things a slightly different way...who came up with this? my only relief is the very real fact that i am not alone in this confusion. i have 15 other people for that. I´m so lost in some respects that I cant even ask the right questions! ah!


Here are some of the things I know: from 8-12 everyday I will be working with special ed students in Cotacollao.The meeting we had with the directors was pretty challenging. They are some of the few people i really have no idea what they are saying, and they were further confusing me by confusing me with the 2 other julies in the program. After digesting the mouthfuls of spanish i tried to chew down, I found out that for the first month or so, i am responsible for very little, as the teachers and directors are sorting out who needs additional help and all those things. Later on, I will work with them to design activities for the students who need extra help...hopefully my espanol is better by then! So, while I was assured in this meeting that I´d have little to do for the first 4 hours of my day, i feel like this is bound to change. just gota go with the flow!

Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, ive been assigned to the bakery and or learning center. I have to talk to the Madres about this, but I feel if I am allowed time in the bakery, i will definitely introduce Barb Brills pie recipe!!

Wednesdays and Thursdays i will be teaching colegio level three girls. There seems to be just utter chaos in the English dept: which workbook goes with which grade, whether we go off previos lesson plans or by the book, who has what book, why colegio girls and the girls program are doing the same stuff, etc. I worked pretty much all day yesterday on a lesson plan and script for my first day. I thought I had gotten through the hour class when Julie, the girl who is teaching the other half of the level mentioned that the class is an hour and 25 minutes.....ah crap. i resolved this discrepancy this morning and now feel okay for the first day.

4-5pm seems to be my rough spot. why? well after a brief 20 minute meeting with Saul, director of the religion classes who lives in my building, i may or may not have to design an entire cirriculum. he gave little suggestions and ideas other than some workbooks, a silly bible game(kid you not), movies galore, and a bunch of rosaries and religios chotchkies to give away to those who have a ¨buen examen.¨Just looking at the material, i am bored out of my mind and need some serious creativity! My religious ed experience outside of 20 years of religion classes revolves around plays, skits, retreats, songs, etc about moral dilememas... these kids are too young for the heavy stuff. they are just learning about sacraments, moses, the jesuits, and basic jesus stuff! While i have a slight distain for the formalities, traditions, and religious rigamarole of the catholic faith, I refuse to let that get in the way of teaching these kids some values, morals, and lets not forget, have a little fun! ah well, it will be interesting. Saul said he´d give me a ¨planificacion¨ today. when translated, this means ¨family planning¨according to the dictionary i was given by sra. countney in 1999 for most improved student. but in all seriousness, i think hes giving me some more direction today. hes learning english and im scraping by en espanol.

As overloaded as i feel right now, i kind of want this challenge. Its what I came for. Challenge and the ability to adapt and push my limits is what I love and live for. Its why I love travelling and experiencing new things and places even if they make me uncomfortable (see bullfight in madrid). Its why i left a solid job in DC. Its why I had no problem picking up my stuff and travelling far from my creature comforts of home with only my broken spanish to talk me out of a dark alley or a drug raid to come here for a year. Its why I cant wait to overcome these beginning challenges and leave awesome lesson plans for future volunteers.

Last night I read a small treatise called, ¨Contemplation in Action: the Jesuit Way¨to get a better understanding of Jesuit spirituality. It ran through some of the history, why jesuits are or were critisized, how they find a balance between prayer and action, education and¨helping souls,¨poverty and sustainance, tradition and progression. I could literally hear my dad´s voice through all of it as he has more than obsessively praised the work of Jesuit education in his life, my brothers life, and anyone who has had the blessing´¨ to recieve it. I heard his words in my head as I paged through the treatise and felt a deeper appreication for not only why he obsessed over the statue of Peter Canisius and the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception,  but also for the work the Center does and how I play a part in that...at least for this year! Admittedly, had I given more consideration to Jesuit education, I may not be so bitter against the catholic church after CUA as I would rather express my faith through action, not the pope´s dictation. One quote I took with me from the treatise was, ¨Pray as if everything depended on you. Work as if everything depended on God.¨ While I think my religious beliefs stretch beyond the Catholic faith, I think this Ignatian quote is a good place to start....or consider.

anyway, time to get back. keep you updated as things progress.