All Good Things Come to an End
I am just starting to get used to things around here- the way nothing happens on time, getting to know the kids at the school, fresh mangoes and papayas, and my wonderful host family that I have been living with. This is the last week of working at the school because they have all of next week off for 'Semana Santa.' This is a religious week for Easter. I can't wait to see all of the parades and rituals that take place during this. I will be living in Santiago with my parents in a more traditional area of Guatemala.
I came to the school planning on helping teach Romeo and Juliet but realizing that the plan might change. Sure enough, we just barely started introducing Shakespeare and who he is yesterday. I really like that there is no set in stone lesson plan. It gives the students more time to really develop the understanding for that subject. It is OK that we haven't started acting and that I wont be able to bring home a final clip of their acting. I have had the honor of being able to help out in different classes and get to know different areas of the school. I got the taste of working with all different ages and have loved every moment of it.
Only a few more days left, I hope that my fellow juniors have enjoyed their internships as much as me! : )
I came to the school planning on helping teach Romeo and Juliet but realizing that the plan might change. Sure enough, we just barely started introducing Shakespeare and who he is yesterday. I really like that there is no set in stone lesson plan. It gives the students more time to really develop the understanding for that subject. It is OK that we haven't started acting and that I wont be able to bring home a final clip of their acting. I have had the honor of being able to help out in different classes and get to know different areas of the school. I got the taste of working with all different ages and have loved every moment of it.
Only a few more days left, I hope that my fellow juniors have enjoyed their internships as much as me! : )
Antony
Antonty is a student I have been working one on one with for the past couple weeks. He is a seventh grader that is way ahead of his class. I noticed this the first day I was here. My mentor, Nancy and I decided that he should do a set aside, one on one project with him while I am here. For this project, he decided that he wanted to learn more about medieval weaponry. Antony and I decided together that he would have to study at least three weapons in depth and present them to the class on the last Friday that I am here. Along with his presentation, he will make three replicas of the weapons he decided to study. Everything is going really well with him. It is nice to see him really excited and hungry for more information. I don't think that he had really ever done his own research and so this helped him get to know how to find his own sources and have more than one. For most of this week, we have been working on how to make a power point and how to give a good presentation. Tomorrow is when he gives his presentation. I think he is excited and nervous to share his new discoveries and models of medieval weapons with the class.
Tortillas Frescas
I love eating lunch here at the school. Not only because the food is delicious but a family member of each child always comes to eat lunch with their child. It's so nice to observe the children eat with their family. It gives the place such a nice sense of family and community. Not all parents can come but those children are welcomed by other moms and kids to come sit with them. I wish my mom or dad could bring me fresh corn tortillas with a bowl of soup everyday. That would most definitely brighten up my day. :)
Hope
The gringos of Panajachel, Guatemala gathered tonight to hear Julio Cochoy speak about the 'Civil War' in Guatemala. Was this really a war? Is it justified to call it a war when who was fighting back? This was simply genocide.
Julio Chocoy saw his family die right before his eyes when he was just 16. He came before us tonight to share his experience and really point out the fact that there is always hope. Julio has written a book called "Rompiendo el Silencia" and has done many talks at universities about his past. This is one of his ways of healing and forgiving. Sharing these terrible memories and trying to forgive such awful crimes seems so far away from anything I could ever do. At the end of almost anything he would talk about he would always revolve back around to the idea of hope. Not the idea to forget, but to forgive and hope for better.
During his presentation, he barely touched on the fact that the U.S. aided this military action. Maybe because he thought the room full of gringos would be offended? He said that the U.S. government told the people of America that they were ending communism in Guatemala. When he said this, I thought to myself, 'yuck.' This idea that the United States should influence every other country because the government uses to share information. It was also interesting to see how all of the people in the room reacted to this question. we are the "strongest" sickens me. It is not Americas duty to intervene on everything because we are the wealthiest and most powerful country.
After hearing him speak, we had a discussion about the topic. He asked the group how we felt about the American government and how they can shape our ideologies by showing us only certain information. The discussion followed by this question was interesting to hear. A man in the room really expressed how much he disliked and distrusts America as a whole. He said that he doesn't agree with the wars and he doesn't like to identify with America. He likes to be known as an individual not affiliated with the U.S. The speaker then said to the man, "Well sometimes I am ashamed of being Guatemalan, look what we did to each other. But I have to live with what happen and realize there is always hope and good people everywhere." The American man was so defensive and couldn’t even fathom this idea. It is always interesting to see how differently people react to topics such as these.
Julio Chocoy saw his family die right before his eyes when he was just 16. He came before us tonight to share his experience and really point out the fact that there is always hope. Julio has written a book called "Rompiendo el Silencia" and has done many talks at universities about his past. This is one of his ways of healing and forgiving. Sharing these terrible memories and trying to forgive such awful crimes seems so far away from anything I could ever do. At the end of almost anything he would talk about he would always revolve back around to the idea of hope. Not the idea to forget, but to forgive and hope for better.
During his presentation, he barely touched on the fact that the U.S. aided this military action. Maybe because he thought the room full of gringos would be offended? He said that the U.S. government told the people of America that they were ending communism in Guatemala. When he said this, I thought to myself, 'yuck.' This idea that the United States should influence every other country because the government uses to share information. It was also interesting to see how all of the people in the room reacted to this question. we are the "strongest" sickens me. It is not Americas duty to intervene on everything because we are the wealthiest and most powerful country.
After hearing him speak, we had a discussion about the topic. He asked the group how we felt about the American government and how they can shape our ideologies by showing us only certain information. The discussion followed by this question was interesting to hear. A man in the room really expressed how much he disliked and distrusts America as a whole. He said that he doesn't agree with the wars and he doesn't like to identify with America. He likes to be known as an individual not affiliated with the U.S. The speaker then said to the man, "Well sometimes I am ashamed of being Guatemalan, look what we did to each other. But I have to live with what happen and realize there is always hope and good people everywhere." The American man was so defensive and couldn’t even fathom this idea. It is always interesting to see how differently people react to topics such as these.
Things to Ponder
Today I was introduced to the kids I will be working with. One little boys name is 'Mateo.' He has four siblings and one was recently born. He told me and his classmates about how two of his siblings didn't even know his mom was pregnant. Isn't that crazy! Pregnancy is a special time in life and sharing the excitement or disappointment about it, especially with your family is important. The idea of not even knowing that your mom or somebody is pregnant seems so foreign to me. Should pregnancy be something private and kept to ones self? Or should it be shared?
The Day I Decide to Never go to a Zoo Again.
The one day I have alone in Guatemala City, I decide to go to a museum to learn more about where I am and the history behind it. The Mayans were amazing potters and sculptors. It probably took such thought, care and time to design such beautiful work. Sometimes it feels as though this hard work goes unnoticed. People probably don't realize the amount put into this because now a days things can be made within a blink of an eye or any use of mind. There is no recognition or appreciation.
Walking through the museum I like to people bending down to read the caption or take a picture. Looking around, there are huge sculptures of animals and designs. These sculptures were made by Mayan Indians. These exact sculptures lined the walls of the Kings and Queens. It is amazing that we have the tools that we have to recover objects from hundreds of years ago.
After seeing the museum, I knew there was a zoo five minutes away walking distance. My taxi driver had told me to be careful walking anywhere because people will rob you. Once I got the courage to walk to the zoo, I did. I did not feel at ease. It felt as though people were watching me and I was very thankful to arrive at the zoo.
I have never realized how sad the animals look. Their skin is dry, saggy, and dirty. There are no roaring lions or elephants happy elephants spraying themselves with their trunk. Their eyes say it all as they lurk around their 70 by 100 foot cage. That is barely enough room for an ant. How is a tiger supposed to be happy in such a small amount of space? It is hard to see such beautiful beasts such as these all pent up.
I tried to think of the lion in the movie 'Madagascar' because he was very upset when he was set free. The ease of the zoo keepers bringing him his steak and loving the crown of NYC that came to see him in his cage. I hope some of the animals at the Guatemalan zoo feel this way. Although, if they do, it is hard to tell.
I notice how uncomfortable I feel as I leave the zoo looking for a taxi back to the hotel. Why is this? Is it simply because my taxi driver from earlier had warned me to be careful? Or is it because I am used to being just another white girl in Durango? The second option I think fits best. This idea lingers in my mind as I connect it to the pent up animals at the zoo. Maybe they are content because they feel safe as I do in Durango but I'm sure they would much rather be out and exploring the world.
Being comfortable is overrated. It is the opportunities that put you on edge and make you learn that count.
"If you remain in your comfort zone you will not go any further." -Catherine Pulsifer
Tomorrow is my first day at LIFE school. Can't wait!
Walking through the museum I like to people bending down to read the caption or take a picture. Looking around, there are huge sculptures of animals and designs. These sculptures were made by Mayan Indians. These exact sculptures lined the walls of the Kings and Queens. It is amazing that we have the tools that we have to recover objects from hundreds of years ago.
After seeing the museum, I knew there was a zoo five minutes away walking distance. My taxi driver had told me to be careful walking anywhere because people will rob you. Once I got the courage to walk to the zoo, I did. I did not feel at ease. It felt as though people were watching me and I was very thankful to arrive at the zoo.
I have never realized how sad the animals look. Their skin is dry, saggy, and dirty. There are no roaring lions or elephants happy elephants spraying themselves with their trunk. Their eyes say it all as they lurk around their 70 by 100 foot cage. That is barely enough room for an ant. How is a tiger supposed to be happy in such a small amount of space? It is hard to see such beautiful beasts such as these all pent up.
I tried to think of the lion in the movie 'Madagascar' because he was very upset when he was set free. The ease of the zoo keepers bringing him his steak and loving the crown of NYC that came to see him in his cage. I hope some of the animals at the Guatemalan zoo feel this way. Although, if they do, it is hard to tell.
I notice how uncomfortable I feel as I leave the zoo looking for a taxi back to the hotel. Why is this? Is it simply because my taxi driver from earlier had warned me to be careful? Or is it because I am used to being just another white girl in Durango? The second option I think fits best. This idea lingers in my mind as I connect it to the pent up animals at the zoo. Maybe they are content because they feel safe as I do in Durango but I'm sure they would much rather be out and exploring the world.
Being comfortable is overrated. It is the opportunities that put you on edge and make you learn that count.
"If you remain in your comfort zone you will not go any further." -Catherine Pulsifer
Tomorrow is my first day at LIFE school. Can't wait!
Adios Durango, Hola Guatemala!
As I leave on my 11:30 flight out of the Durango airport, I look at the beautiful view of the mountains that I take for granted every day. The white peaks shimmer as the sun shines down on them. During take off, the flight attendant calls this place I call home, ¨vacation land.¨ I am so lucky to live where i do, have the family and friends that I have, and a school that supports my travel bug.
Excitement and butterflies fill my body as I begin my adventure, alone. The comfort of having easy access to anything or everything by phone was left at home as I head to Guatemala! Looking around, everybody is consumed by technology. All passengers besides a few are watching a movie, playing a game, or listening to their ipod on their gadget. I sit and observe knowing that if I had my phone, I would blend in with the others. I appreciate this observation and realize that I am so ready to arrive in Guatemala to observe and learn about a different culture. To get to know a different area of the world.
Fellow Juniors, I hope that all of you are as excited as I am. Remember what Steve Jobs said, ¨Live every day like it is your last.¨ This oppurtunity is a once in a life time deal. Don´t settle for less. Go big friends. I wish you all the best of luck.
¡Muchísimas Gracias a las personas que me ayudaron llegar aquí en Guate!
Ciao para now.
Excitement and butterflies fill my body as I begin my adventure, alone. The comfort of having easy access to anything or everything by phone was left at home as I head to Guatemala! Looking around, everybody is consumed by technology. All passengers besides a few are watching a movie, playing a game, or listening to their ipod on their gadget. I sit and observe knowing that if I had my phone, I would blend in with the others. I appreciate this observation and realize that I am so ready to arrive in Guatemala to observe and learn about a different culture. To get to know a different area of the world.
Fellow Juniors, I hope that all of you are as excited as I am. Remember what Steve Jobs said, ¨Live every day like it is your last.¨ This oppurtunity is a once in a life time deal. Don´t settle for less. Go big friends. I wish you all the best of luck.
¡Muchísimas Gracias a las personas que me ayudaron llegar aquí en Guate!
Ciao para now.