I'm swamped, but not yet drowning. I've got so much to do in just a few amount of days! So, pray for me all...I need it. I really want to be a good teacher, so at least I've got that going for me. I've been narrowing it down, figuring out what I'm wanting to teach and books, but...gurgle gurgle...yikes!
Panama is rainy. Again. It pretty much rained all day today. We went for a walk on the causeway, which connects a few islands. The road/bridge was actually made with the mountain and rubble from the digging out of the canal. Pretty interesting tidbit (hahah Shanna) from our new friend Abby. Walk was nice and refreshing, but very wet. Soaked all the way through.
More exploring of our grocery stores. You can get absolutely anything, but anything normal from the US is significantly more expensive. Rebecca and I are aiming for as cheap as possible, but we still have much to learn.
Panamanians are restless creatures. They are in a hurry, especially when driving. If you can think of the worst traffic jam in L.A...it's no where near that. So bad! Also, lots of honkies. And we're slowly, but surely learning the language of the honks. There's the impatient 'move' honk. There's the double tap 'I see you' honk; also, taxis will use this one to let you know they don't mind picking you up. There's also a double tap 'thank you' honk. There's a constant beeping that can be translated 'Heyyy!' [eyebrow wiggle]. There's many more.
Please pray for me, especially these next few days coming up. I'm overloaded and feeling a bit stressed, but God is good and not allowing me to feel the full impact. I am incredibly thankful for that as well as the wonderful WONDERFUL people down here who care so much.
Love you guys!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Rain & Panamanians
Panamanians really want to learn English. However, they are not the type of people to try very hard to accomplish that goal. They will not slow down for you or attempt to use a different word to make it easier. There is no working with them it seems. Also, I am feeling like a small giant here in comparison to the people here in Panama, not horribly small, but definitely smaller then me. I'm not sure what is in the water that seems to have stunted their growth. I will investigate this predicament.
Today we had quite the full day. Had to travel back to the mall to take a photo for our missionary Visas. Went through materials in my classroom, which made me want to curl up in a ball and rock back and forth. There is just so much stuff! And, it seems, most is not used! I'm taking it bit by bit. Today I went through the books and narrowed down the ones we will read in class; tomorrow I'll figure something else out. Later we got to go grocery shopping! It was overwhelming, as seems to be the case with everything. I should definitely learn the word for overwhelming in Spanish. Things are expensive but I also haven't gotten paid yet so I'm hoping once that happens I'll feel a bit better spending money on nourishment for my body. Hahah!
Very tired today and it's only going to get worse. Tomorrow after school we're headed to get a cheapy phone.
Love you all!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Wait!!!!...
P.S. We didn't take this picture, I found it online.
Lots of things and the Albrook Mall
I'm still trying to figure out how to post the pictures from our adventure of the Panama Canal...but I'm so scattered with everything that is at the very bottom of my list. I have a lot of things I should be doing now, but wanted to give an update on what's been happening so far. Even though it has only been three days (I think) since I've been here, it seems like it's been A LOT longer.
So, yesterday we had our orientation and then were frustrated a bit as we were having to sit around and wait for a ride back to our apartment, which is only two miles away. So, we decided to find our for ourselves and walked it...not a bad walk, but it would be if it were raining. We cut through our old base village and were able to figure out our surroundings better. My good sense of direction came in handy. We found a 50 meter lap pool, which we were both really excited about, so after making our way back to the house we put on our swimsuits and headed there. We had to wear swim caps, but it was very nice and much needed in a familiar way.
Today we got to meet all of the teachers at the school and afterwards made our way to the packed Albrook Mall. We rode the bus from the bus stop across the street from our school for .25 cents.Very overwhelming, but I did get postcards so you guys should be getting something soonish as soon as I find a post office...and then I'm not sure how long it'll take to get to where you all are. Rebecca and I were very tired by the end. We had to get a taxi home from the mall as know one seems to know how to come back via the bus system...was only $5.50, which was higher then normal because it was starting to rain and rush hour. They do not have a counter here, you pay a flat rate based on the distance and zones you are to be traveling. Very very frustrating trying to talk to our driver when we're not good at the language. We made it back though and are more eager to get Espanol in the bag as quick as possible. Rebecca is much better then I at communicating. I can listen. We're a pretty good team.
We got to talk with the athletic head today (Rebecca wanted to help with track) and he said we're on the list. I will help with soccer and it seems some other sports, possibly. I also get a little stipend! So, that's exciting. Also, they have quarterly after school classes where parents/students can opt to take classes provided by willing teachers (cooking, board games, etc.) and they'll be paid a bit as well. I happened to mention in passing if there was a dance and it seems I may have looped myself into teaching a dance class later on if enough people sign up. I was told to think about. It should be fun, but I said I definitely wouldn't be doing it this first semester.
Things are good and getting better as Rebecca and I figure all this out. We are a lot alike in many great ways, but different in vital areas so it seems we are an excellent match to be roomies. Her favorite color is yellow as well!
Haven't learned anything new except for that I really need to get my Spanish on.
Love you all!
So, yesterday we had our orientation and then were frustrated a bit as we were having to sit around and wait for a ride back to our apartment, which is only two miles away. So, we decided to find our for ourselves and walked it...not a bad walk, but it would be if it were raining. We cut through our old base village and were able to figure out our surroundings better. My good sense of direction came in handy. We found a 50 meter lap pool, which we were both really excited about, so after making our way back to the house we put on our swimsuits and headed there. We had to wear swim caps, but it was very nice and much needed in a familiar way.
Today we got to meet all of the teachers at the school and afterwards made our way to the packed Albrook Mall. We rode the bus from the bus stop across the street from our school for .25 cents.Very overwhelming, but I did get postcards so you guys should be getting something soonish as soon as I find a post office...and then I'm not sure how long it'll take to get to where you all are. Rebecca and I were very tired by the end. We had to get a taxi home from the mall as know one seems to know how to come back via the bus system...was only $5.50, which was higher then normal because it was starting to rain and rush hour. They do not have a counter here, you pay a flat rate based on the distance and zones you are to be traveling. Very very frustrating trying to talk to our driver when we're not good at the language. We made it back though and are more eager to get Espanol in the bag as quick as possible. Rebecca is much better then I at communicating. I can listen. We're a pretty good team.
We got to talk with the athletic head today (Rebecca wanted to help with track) and he said we're on the list. I will help with soccer and it seems some other sports, possibly. I also get a little stipend! So, that's exciting. Also, they have quarterly after school classes where parents/students can opt to take classes provided by willing teachers (cooking, board games, etc.) and they'll be paid a bit as well. I happened to mention in passing if there was a dance and it seems I may have looped myself into teaching a dance class later on if enough people sign up. I was told to think about. It should be fun, but I said I definitely wouldn't be doing it this first semester.
Things are good and getting better as Rebecca and I figure all this out. We are a lot alike in many great ways, but different in vital areas so it seems we are an excellent match to be roomies. Her favorite color is yellow as well!
Haven't learned anything new except for that I really need to get my Spanish on.
Love you all!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Second day in Panama
I'll be attempting a blog...we'll see if I'm able to maintain it.
As you know, first day was a bit overwhelming. Today we were thrown a lot of information in a small amount of time at orientation, but it wasn't too bad. I was able to go on a trolley tour of Panama Canal area today. I have taken a few pictures, which I'll attempt to post up on here, but later because it's past my bed time. It was great getting to see so many things, especially the Panama Canal part. My roomy, Rebecca, and I were pretty tuckered out by the end. We were suppose to go to a fellow teacher's house for dinner afterwards, but our tour lasted too long so we'll have to do that another day.
Things I've learned so far:
*Traffic here is just the worst! If you are not bumper to bumper while you drive and when you are stopped you are to honk your horn. I'm definitely a nervous backseat rider.
*Apparently my shorts that I packed may not be suitable...I still plan to wear them as much as possible. Not because they are too short, but Panamanians do NOT wear shorts and they are not accepted as looking nice, which is very necessary when being in public.
*Speaking with Panamanians you are to speak as clearly as possible, trying not to say "What?" as much as possible.
And lastly...
*In order to have a hot shower, you must turn on the hot water heater outside.
Alright, today was much better. Still overwhelmed, but manageable with more sleep. Rebecca is observant of my food intake, so I'm eating (whisper: some).
Keep praying for me and I'll keep trying to write on here.
Love you all!!!
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