Cada Elegante

Watched a movie last night with Spanish subtitles, I couldn't stop laughing/giggling to myself about the "cada elegante"...it was awesome. I hope to use it in everyday conversations, but am not sure when this can occur.

Been a very frazzled past couple of weeks, not much time to breath, so therefore I am sick-ish (yet again). This weird cough that comes from deep down (in my soul), very unusual. Hasn't knocked me out yet, so I can continue forth in my frazzleness. It's not good though, in the morning I can hardly speak.

This next week we are celebrating Panama/it's Spirit week. Monday and Tuesday we have school, the rest of the week was suppose to be vacation, but no. Wednesday we have off, completely off, which will be weird. Thursday we have stuffs for two hours and then have a Family Fun Fair until 12pm,  where I was forced to have a game booth. (I am miffed <---new favorite word) My very rowdy, loud, frustrating 7th graders and I (plus sweet Shelley who willingly offered to help with this group) decided on a water balloon take of Angry Birds, we're calling it Angry Balloons. Here are the problems:
*Many pieces have to be present, which I'm not sure they will.
*Who knows how successfully active/athletic these kids will be
*Who knows how many people will show as this is somewhat last minute, on a supposed-to-be holiday, and also on a day where a parade will be blocking traffic.
*Lastly, I have 7th graders
Not only am I not looking forward to the added pressure of having to do this booth, but apparently there will be a pie throwing at a teacher booth, which I am thinking one will be marked for me. : / Why would it be me you ask? Well, good question; I have accidently (on purpose) thrown someone on the ground, and jumped on them to try and get my stolen cookies back (at Crossfire--not school), I have laughed extremely hard and almost wet my pants at someone who ran into a desk with glee, rolled over and hit his head on the underside of a desk, then was tripped after I'd given him a nickel-sized piece of candy. I've red-inked all over papers where it did look like my pen had broken. However, through all that, this pie would probably be more out of love (which I'm ok with).

On that note, I have noticed an alarming difference in my compassion and outward expressing of feelings. Before when these fool kids would give me hugs I'd give pats on the shoulder. In the past few weeks I've noticed a shift in their desire to make me laugh, a want to hug and be near and an unusual expression of love (the little notes they leave me I post on my wall). My feelings, as most of you know, have always been very maintained and inwards, I was not one to give hugs, and definitely not one to touch you...really ever. I have been praying that God give me the want to be able to do that because through these things I am involved in and teaching, I felt that needed to be present. So here it is and I am amazed. The love is overwhelming, even if that love is shown by killing me off in their writings. hahahah!

I went on a woman's retreat last weekend, it was held at a beautiful resort in Gamboa. I sat hanging in our hammock and couldn't believe where I was:

 It was great. I felt so fancy.

Mami and I's after school dance class seems to be going very well, we have seven or eight girls (range from 5th grade to 7th) and they are very eager. It was interesting how quickly that dance team mentality came back to me. When they would stop or goof off, like normal young girls, I found myself being, 'let's get back to work.' That strict structure returned, and I didn't even realize I had it! It is a lot of fun, but I am finding myself telling myself to 'just relax, it's for fun.' Oh, dance team days...you are so far away :D Mami and I really do enjoy it though, it's a lot of fun making up the dance, then teaching it to those willing girls and them wanting more, it's great.

I should probably do something productive now, I have over 30 short stories I should be reading. 'Should' being the key word here.

Thanks for reading. I'll see many of you very soon, holidays are less then two months away. I am eager to come back for the break, but I also need a recharge...please don't try and hug me though :D Hahah! Just kidding, I may just hug you back! Then you really wouldn't know who I am.

Love you guys.
-C

Look Lena they have Australian, Little Penguin wine here, too.

This and This

Hello Trolley People,

I'm closing out a week and as Mom searches for my plane ticket back I get more and more eager to return. We went to Pricesmart today and Christmas is in town-at least there-I have mixed feeling because on one hand I'm eager to dance around the store; on the other I feel blue because I realize how early they are and it's not time yet.

Deceptive Pricesmart! You are cruel to foreigners!

The weeks go by pretty quickly. Not this past one though, we had a conference inside an ice cube. I luckily brought with me papers to grade. I also stole many pens and candy so at least I had a semi-sugar/ink high. It back-fired a bit though because then I was all fidgety in my seat and my attention wavered. We had plans for Friday to go to an artisan market, but last minute after the conference we were told we were going to immigration. We are semi-legit. We have a temporary picture card, however there is still paperwork that needs to be done in order to leave for the holidays :/ Not there yet. I think everyone's in agreement that we all want to punch someone over immigration issues.

Lots of work to do this weekend...you'd think having three days off from school for conference would allot some time for work, but...no. I'm actually eager for this week with the 7th graders! Believe me, I'm as surprised to hear and write that as many of you are! We're working on Folk/Fairy tales and I just love reading all the crazy grim Grimm stories (I had to add that other grim in...their name is so befitting). Priceless. Today I got to take a break and we had a Fall party. I think there was maybe 10 different soups? I tried them all...I am full. Great night, lots of laughs. As always.

It has been a while since I've posted, so I'll include a few pictures as to what's been happening. Enjoy! Love you guys!

I'm pretty happy with this one...it came out super nice. I feel like it depicts my life right now quite nicely. This is the canal taken while driving over the Centennial Bridge (don't worry I wasn't driving)

 

 

 

 

 

Proof that I'm actually in Panama

Conference art work