Yes, I'm still alive!

I’ve been getting a few complaints regarding the amount of time that’s passed since my previous posting. For this I apologize. The majority of my free time has been spent writing graduate school application essays lately, so sitting down to write up a blog is a little less-than-appealing at the moment. And then there’s the added difficulty of being able to post on the slow computers here; I went into San Pedro last Sunday, as per my weekly routine, only to find that the internet was down. Anyways, here’s an update on what’s been going on the last few weeks here in Honduras:

Life in Cofradίa is a daily battle. I pull myself out of bed at 6:00 am, stumble upstairs to see if by some miracle the water’s working today, throw on some clothes and one of the three pairs of mangled shoes that I’ve gone through since my arrival, and set off on the mile and half trek to the school. The first thing that crosses my mind as I step through the giant metal gates labeled ‘Cofradίa Bilingual School’ is “God, I hope the Spanish teachers are here today”(subbing for an unexpected absent instructor is probably one of my least favorite parts of this job). I cross the dusty, rock-littered soccer field to the faculty lounge, which consists of a one-room building containing four tables pushed together surrounded by orange, padded chairs – not the most luxurious accommodations, but the doors lock providing a fabulous escape from the screaming children. I sit down and prepare math worksheets for the first graders, gather them together, and cross the soccer field once again to the office where the barely-functional copier stands. Making copies is a time-consuming process as the copier can handle no more than 5 sheets of paper at a time. Once finished, I wander to the kitchen for a baleada or pastellito and back to the faculty lounge to prepare my chemistry lesson.

At 9:30 the bell rings for recess, and I make my way to the first grade classroom. As I step through the gate to the small children play area I brace myself as 5 or 6 screaming first graders come flying towards me with arms open wide: “Miss!” I drag my skirt of 6-year-olds across the playground and step into the classroom to set my stuff down. From here the day truly begins. Jeremy and I have finally established a fairly regular routine that’s only altered on Fridays and on the unfortunate days when the copier is not working. From 9:40 to 11:20 I teach math to my remedial class which consists of three main groups of children: those that are practically at the same level as the other class but lack the discipline to apply themselves in the larger classroom, those that are behind but are working hard to catch up, and those that still cannot show me how many fingers 6 is. The span of abilities makes it difficult to teach one lesson, so I’m trying to do three at once. Fortunately, with only 8 children, I’m managing to do so; though it’s a little hectic.

At 11:20 I walk over to the junior high classroom for Chemistry. That class has been going moderately well. We’ve managed to complete three labs, and we’ve covered the first two groups of the period table. Unfortunately, however, maintaining control of the class is significantly more challenging than teaching. Since children tend to begin working as early as 6^th grade in Honduras, these kids seem to think that they’re adults in 7^th-graders’ bodies, which makes forcing them to listen a real challenge. It’s really sad: none of the teachers enjoy teaching this class. In fact, there are a number of periods throughout the day that they go completely teacher-less drifting around the classroom listening to reggaeton, trying to break dance, or playing Uno. For me, it’s not that I dislike teaching junior highers; on the contrary, I love them. But these kids are such a challenge. They have attitudes as though you couldn’t possibly teach them anything new, and you really have nothing to threaten them with to force them to listen. The administrators don’t seem to be at all concerned that their education is going to waste, and poor grades mean nothing to the kids. Last week I finally lost it with some of the boys. I told them that if they didn’t want to listen that was fine; just don’t interrupt the rest of the class. I’m not being paid to be here, and I really have no obligation to force them to learn. The only thing at stake here is their future. I wasn’t saying it to force them to listen but, rather, because that’s how I truly felt. Regardless, it seemed to get their attention… for a day. In the end, the best I can do is the best I can do. What they choose to take in is up to them.

The lunch bell rings at 12:05. I gather my things and wander to the kitchen to find out what unknown substance lies on our lunch plates today. I grab some lunch and a bag of purified water and meet the rest of the teachers in the faculty lounge to escape the kids for 30 minutes. At 12:50 the bell rings once again and I rejoin my first graders for English until 2:10.

At the end of the day I collect Sofia and Roberto, two of the kids in the school who have been coming to the house for Math and English lessons every day. Their grandmother is, for lack of a better term, the janitor of Cofradίa Bilingual School. After she finishes her cleaning duties, she stops by the house and picks them up on her way home. I’m growing incredibly attached to this family. Sofia is the one pictured with me in the posting a few weeks back. Her brother, Roberto, is in second grade and equally adorable. Norma is a tiny Honduran woman with the sweetest disposition and a true interest in the well-being of the volunteers. We’ve been to her house more than once now: a tiny three-bedroom house that holds 11 people – her husband, her daughter, Sofia, Roberto, and their siblings and cousins. Her son lives up the road in a large house and has one of the most polite families I’ve met since my arrival. I truly adore that family.

After Norma picks up Roberto and Sofia, the rest of the afternoon is whatever I make it. Usually it consists of a liquado, the internet café, and sleeping; although, Wednesdays and Fridays Jeremy and I have begun teaching an English course for a boy that lives down the street for a whopping 40 lempiras per hour (approximately $2). He’s a really polite kid with quite a bit of English already, so it’s a breeze to teach him. The goal is to better his conversational skills, so we just sit there and talk to him for an hour or so.

The search continues for a decent dance club in Honduras. I’ve now been dancing at two places in Cofradίa and one discoteca in San Pedro Sula… disappointment everywhere I look! I’m coming to the realization that just because Honduras is a Latin country does not automatically mean that it embraces its culture’s various dance styles as strongly as some of its neighboring countries. But fear not, I’ve not yet given up hope. If there are salsa bars in Boise, there has GOT to be something here. It’s simply a matter of finding it. Fortunately, I now have someone to join me in my search: a week and a half ago we received a new volunteer from Holland… and she’s female, so I now have a female roommate! She too is interested in tracking down some place that plays something besides reggaeton. Wish us luck!

The most significant event of the past few weeks – and perhaps the most exciting event that’s taken place since my arrival – happened a week and a half ago: Honduras versus Mexico World Cup elimination game! It was SO much fun!! It rained the entire game so that by the time we made it home we were soaked to the bone and freezing, but it was worth every raindrop. Some of you are aware of my minor infatuation with the sport of soccer; as such, this experience was sort of a dream come true for me. Honduras won the match 1-0 (yay!) off of an own-goal by Mexico (lame…). But, Honduras dominated the entire match, so they deserved the win in my opinion. It was so amazing to watch such talented players only yards a way from me. I so hope to have the opportunity to watch another game before I leave.

Thanksgiving was a little bit different this year than most, but it was still a really nice holiday. Naturally, I worked during the day (believe it or not, Honduras doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving). In the evening I enjoyed a delicious cena at Iguanas with three of my roommates, Miss Norma, Sofia, and Roberto. Cena is a traditional meal here that consists of refried beans, cheese, eggs, plantains, and tortillas. ¡Que delicioso! After dinner, Diede, Jeremy, and I went back to the house and watched Zoolander while enjoying some make-shift sangria that Diede and I had prepared the night before. It was a pretty exciting evening. My favorite part of the evening, however, was playing ‘Guess That Voice’ with my family back home – a game that consists of all of my family members getting on the telephone and me trying to differentiate who’s speaking. I must say, I was pretty proud of myself. The only ones that threw me for a loop were Derek (I hate it when your little cousins grow up!) and Cathie (which family member is this?) All in all, it was a good holiday, but I certainly missed everyone back home.

Plans are still a little uncertain for Christmas break, but it’s been determined that they will not include my brother. Tickets were just too expensive for him to come down, but it looks like my parents may be coming down in February. So, I’m hoping he’ll be able to join them then. As for me, I think I may make my way up to Guatemala with one of the other volunteers. Or, who knows, maybe I’ll just stay in Cofradίa. Norma has invited me to join them for Christmas, and it would certainly save money. But, we’ll see.

I also found out this week that one of my friends from Costa Rica is coming down January 13^th. I’m soooo excited!!! AND another of my best friends, Jesse, will be coming down to join me in some traveling my last week here (March 1 – 11). Between the upcoming Christmas vacation and visitors, I’m realizing the rest of my time here is going to FLY by! I can’t believe I’ve already been here a month and a half! I almost wish it would slow down a bit. I don’t want to leave yet!

Well, I suppose I’ve wasted enough of my precious wireless internet time writing a blog for one day. I really need to get back to work on my graduate school applications. I hope that all is well for everyone at home, and that you enjoyed your Thanksgivings! I love you all so very much, and miss you tons!