Joy to the World

I have made it officially to Christmas break. It's hard to believe only a semester ago I was graduating, thinking to myself, "am I really willing to leave?" My life back home feels light years away, and I rather feel like I pressed pause on life and jumped into a dream. That's why over the past few months my internet usage has been scarce-- it's at times easier for me just not to think about people back home. I feel a collision of emotions... I feel deep satisfaction living and working in Tela, and rarely do I get those feelings of homesickness. I do though miss sharing in the lives of my friends and family. 

 It's been interesting spending the Christmas season in another country. December 1st marked the beginning of the Holiday festivities, and Tela made merry by having a special tree lighting street fair. A huge tree-shaped wire contraption was lit as well as lights all over town. There was live music and plenty of food and drink.   In our neighborhood, the popular way to celebrate the holidays is to shoot off firecrackers which sound like gunshots. I guess right outside the gate of my apartment is the coolest place to shoot them off, too.   At school, we all tried to decorate our classrooms, (I haven't mastered that aspect of teaching yet), and then each teacher was responsible to lead their class in some kind of Christmas performance. Some performed the Nativity scene, others choreographed dances or sang songs. I decided to keep it simple and found a gospel choir version of "Joy to the World". I tried to get them to all step in rhythm (Left--Right--Left--Right) and sing the correct lyrics on the correct pitch. I fortunately also found the perfect opportunity to incorporate "jazz hands".  Now generally I don't get all that enthusiastic when I have to teach my kids something that they will have to perform for a celebration (we have had many), but for some reason this time was different. I had a great song picked, and the second my kids heard it they were in love with it. I even got choked up the first time we sang it together! 


 Last night night was the big performance, and thanks to some very dedicated parents, my kids were decked out in sparkling fedoras and gold bow-ties.  They may not have gotten all the lyrics down, and the left-right-left-right may have been off, but I did accomplish my main goal, and that was for my kids to not only show joy, but to feel it. Joy has yet to be one of our weekly vocabulary words, but I think they know the meaning of that word better than most of the others I have taught. I could tell they felt proud of themselves, and I felt like a pleased parent with a giant grin on my face.

Quick Trivia: White-tailed Deer are a part of which animal group?

I'm proud of my students and proud of myself, too. The majority of them have improved immensely in their English, and it is such a blessing for me that I can see the progress I am making with them.  A few weeks back I decided to write an integrated science unit based off a reader's theater in their science book called "Forest Friends".  The skit was about the different animal groups and their traits, and all my kids were in a different animal group.  We even made masks in class and performed the act in the library in front of a very receptive audience of five. It was a lot of fun for them and for me, and I think it was then that I really started to realize how much I truly love my kids.  As much as I daydream about having a job where I could just hang up my hat at the end of the work day and not have to plan, I have lately felt quite strongly that God has not led me astray, and that I have been blessed to have found a job that both challenges me and fulfills me.  I've found joy.


Some highlights from the past few months:

Pulhapanzak: If not for the fact that I was holding hands
with two people as we walked below this cascade, I would
not have survived.

• Going to Tocoa for a weekend and staying with a neighbor's family. A little boring at times, a little uncomfortable, too, but a very interesting learning experience.
• Exploring more of Tela. We aren't as timid to leave the house now, and we have stumbled onto some great places and people; (Joe, Andy, Ian, Kyla, Sarah, Danielle, and a German couple who sell the BEST garlic bread EVERRRR!)
• Getting to know some of the families of my students. I feel very respected and appreciated by them, and I have come to enjoy bumping into them around town. I was even invited to a birthday party last week, which ended up being fun.
• Spending time with my fellow gringas Anne and Becky. We made Christmas wreathes last week out of tree branches outside of Anne's apartment. These two seriously have helped me keep my sanity. 
• I've been to a few neighborhood soccer games and have found myself really enjoying the atmosphere. I just wish my Morelia gang were here to fly the crazy gringo flags. I can't do it alone!
• Receiving mail: Thanks Val and Grandma! Those were two very special days for me!
• THANKSGIVING WEEKEND: it was just plain epic. Thinh was here visiting, Anne cooked an INCREDIBLE dinner, and then we re-visited Lago de Yojoa where we hiked behind/under a waterfall and later sang songs around a campfire.

I've enjoyed writing this post, and I am so glad I finally had time to sit and think. I have been running on adrenaline lately and with Christmas break in sight, I haven't allowed myself to slow down.  With a homecoming so near, I'm excited yet a little anxious, too.  I have many people I want to see, places I want to visit, and chores that I can't avoid.  In such a short time, I know I will have to leave before I am ready.  The idea of coming home and leaving again feels a little like picking open an old scab.  I'm praying that God calms these feelings of restlessness so that I am able to enjoy, be blessed, and return to Tela rejuvenated rather than distraught.  

At this time of year many people become nostalgic, and despite the firecrackers, I have not been able to fully embrace the Christmas spirit. So, let it snow PLEASE and if you are lucky enough to see me when I am home I hope you are willing to put up with an overwhelming amount of silly Christmas funtimes! Feliz Navidad, y que el paz de Dios sea con ustedes.