Saturday, June 29, 2013

Day # 157 Counselor training

Saturday 6/29/13

This morning was the second and last training day for Camp GLOW! We talked about some very important subjects. We went over the sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/ AIDS and how you can get them and myths. This was just a refresher for everyone so that we all know the correct information if one of the girls asks a question. We also were given information about clinics in Grenada that we can give to the girls as well. After that we talked about how we are going to have brake downs from the girls due to heavy subject matter and how we can talk to them and calm them down if someone does have a brake dow. We also went over CPR/ First Aid and the medical kit. It was a very helpful meeting. When I got home I took a nap and then started to work some more on my bottles that I am painting. I am taking my time and trying to use the correct under and top coats to make the bottles durable for the humidity here. It is hard though because I have a very limited options of art supplies, not many colors. I can mix colors but the quality of the paint is not very good so I don't get the best consistencies I need to work with the paint. Its coming along though with time. Latter that evening it was time to get ready for the latin dance party. It was a good night out we had a new Dj and the music was so much better to dance to. I had a full day of information art and dancing!!!!!!!!!                

Day # 156 Teachers Sports day

Friday 6/28/13

Today I was didn't work at the school I planed on going to the teachers sports day. All of the teachers come together and play sports with one another. Some people just watch, but its a big event here in Grenada. My plans fell through and I didn't end up going. I did how ever start working on the some of the bottles that I want to paint. That took up most of my day. Latter that evening I got ready to go out and go dancing. It was a good night and we all got some good dancing in.    

Friday, June 28, 2013

Day #155 Papper butter flys

Thursday 6/27/13


Man ohhh man did I sleep like a rock, the hole night threw, it was so nice. I got up and got ready to head out the door. I caught a bus right down near my house and got to school with time to spare. I had so much time I got to make and example of what we where going to do in class that day. I decided that we were going to make and decorate paper butterflies. I had a big class because I combine level 6, 7, and 8 all together. It’s the older kids. When I got home I started working on painting some bottles. Dance class was canceled so I staid in and watched a movie before bedtime.




Day # 154 Letters of your name

Wednesday 6/27/13



Level 2a was first in the morning and we decorated the first letters of their names and then cut them out. They had a lot of fun using the crayons and then painting over it. They turned out nice. For the level 2 the little little ones they only had to students so I got to work one on one with them. For the first girl who had more of an attention span we made a door hanger with he first letter of her name on it. She helped me rip paper so it kind of looks tie die. The other little girl helped me blot paint. I have to be fast with her because she eats everything. It was a long day but when I got home I ate some dinner and headed down to catch the buss for the gym. The buss ride was soooooo long but as we drove through the mountains I watched all of the people and the environment around m. When we left St. Gorges we headed into a more rain forest area and then into a fisherman’s parish with boats and people selling fish along the water. Although the bus ride is like an hour and a half its a beautiful drive and if you pay attention you do get to see many different parts of Grenada. When I got to class we worked on several different line dances and then we did cardio for an hour. Wow did that burn, sweat dripping fun though I must tell you. The abs are the killer though. I am getting much better at doing all of the funny sideways sit ups and such. When I got home it was straight to bed.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Day # 153 Paper Caterpillars

Tuesday 6/26/13



This morning I worked with level 3 and 5 I had them make paper caterpillars. It was so much fun watching the cut, fold and glue everything together. They had a grate time. Some teachers even asked if I could do that with them next week :). I was trying to go back and forth between two classes but it was hard so I changed my classes around so I can work with them separate so each class gets the attention that it needs. When I was done with school I went to the store to get my new mini bbq grill and rice cooker. Thank you mom!!! I am so exited to get cooking. When I got home I made tacos for my friend who had never had them, it was funny because he was not used to ground beef ether. So I guess thats where sharing my culture comes in, it was fun. Im going to make bbq pig tails and chicken soon. Im getting used to the chicken neck and pig tails, still a strange concept to me but they taste good after you stop thinking about what your eating. It was a good day.


Day # 152 Lobster prints

Monday 6/24/13

This morning I worked with level 1. The kids are all grate and also have autism. We did some one on one finger painting because I find that works best with children that are younger or have short attention spans. It was a short class but I got some good ideas for what I can do with them next semester. After level one I went to level 4, that class has children with Down Syndrome. I had them make lobster prints. Thats where you have them put their foot in paint and use the foot print as the body, the toes are the tail. Then they draw eyes and arms. The the use handprints as the claws. That class seamed to do really well so then I had them make paper flowers. The used loops as the petals. I think they really enjoyed that. Next week I know to either plan more than one activity or a harder project. After school I got ready and went to dance class, it was a supper good class, we worked on the line dance and then the Casino (latin circle dance)


Day # 151 Beach Carnival launch

Sunday 6/23/13

Today was a good I got to sleep in and then I started getting ready to go to my host mothers for lunch. I was waiting for a phone call about the cat I am baby sitting to get picked up but the woman never called so I ended up missing dinner with my host mother. After I got everything all settled I met a local friend and we took the bus up to Gran Ance to meet up with some more people. From their we hung out, played with some of the kids and then went up to the beach. Because carnival is coming some of the local beaches have fetts (party's) every sunday before carnival so we went down to the beach. Lots of people had done the painting of one another. That is a local tradition where you throw paint on each other. It was lat enough that we had missed that but people where still people out dancing and having a good time. In a way its like a rock concert people dancing all over the place but I would say much safer and calmer. I reached home nice and early in the evening so I got plenty of sleep for work monday morning.      

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Day # 151 oh so lazy

Saturday 6/22/13

I feel like my peace corps tour is going by so fast, I think that is because it is going so well. Anyways I have reached the and of another incredible week and am home relaxing and cleaning around the house. I never believed the other pcv's that washing my cloths and cleaning my house would be relaxing but I can say that I now agree. Today was a grate relaxing day of movies, naps, cleaning and cooking. I also got to talk to my host mother in St. Lucia and that was very nice, I think I might go and see them over the school break.  

Day # 150 Bocce Boll

Friday 6/21/13

Today was a very simple day when I got to school I decided that I needed to look up some arts and crafts projects with the materials that I have. I don't have that many things because I just started teaching but school is about to end in two weeks so I want to make sure that the kids have some nice things to take home over the break to show their families. I went to the computer lab and went into google. I found some fun things to do with my class with just paper, and pain. I also typed up a list of recyclable things that the kids can collect over the break, (toilet paper rolls, boxes, close pins, straws ).  I think I did a good job of starting to get ready for next session of school. Also because today was sports we decided to play bocce boll with the kids. The instructions where a bit difficult for the kids to understand so we changed the rules a bit, it turned into bowling kind of, but they had fun. When I got home I decided to take the puppy on a walk down to see my host mother, she thought he was so cute.  It was a nice walk, lots of kids ask to pet him and people love his bright blue eyes. Latter that night I had not herd anything yet about dancing so I decided to go and lime (hangout) with some of my other friends. It was really nice it turned into a cook out.      

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Day # 149 Paper collage faces

Thursday 6/20/13

Today was a fun class I had the older kids level 6, 7, 8. It was a small class today because it was a half day for the school. The teachers had a union meeting. Any ways I tried to get the kids to cut up colored paper and make face collages with cool back grounds but it didn't work so well. They didn't understand  the concept. But I know that teaching is going to be a trial and error kind of thing. It was fun though to see how creative the kids got. I found out who can draw as well so that was interesting. Also yesterday I discovered that some of the kids have problems with sight words, so I made up a game page using some sight words. So when the kids had finished their faces they could work on that. The kids at my school are very competitive so if I want them to do something I make it a competition. It works wonders. After school I stopped by the post office to collect my amazing box from my grandmother. It had so many grate sewing things for the kids. Fabric, and a book on quilting. That is perfect for my school because they can sew many things but I don't think they have tried quilting. Thank you so much to all of the people for putting that box together, my kids and teachers are going to love that, and use it. I am sure latter down the road you will see some picks of things they have made. When I got home it was time to cook and clean before I laid down to relax before bed. Good night everyone

miss you and love you        

Day # 148 Finger painting take 2

Wednesday 6/19/13

This morning I had the little little guys agin in level 2 and 2a.  The 2a class is a little bit older than the level 2 so we made shoe fish. They had to trace their feet on paper and the design the outlines like fish. They seemed to like it and it helped them go over designs. Then for the level 2 who are the youngest I tried something different. I worked one on one with the kids and helped them use the finger paint. When I was done the teacher would take them and clean them up so I could work with the next one. It worked out grate and I think I am going to do that with this class from now on. After school I went home for a short bit to get ready for class in Gren Vill. I met up with everyone and we took the bus dow. The class was grate I got to video tape the dance routines so I can practice them when I am home. Then we worked on cardio and a bbs. Its such a grate class. The teacher motivates us the hole time and we all have fun. Its a big class like 30 girls or so. Then it was time for a long buss ride home and bed time.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Day # 147 dream catchers

Tusday 6/18/13


This morning I did not want to get up, but someone small and fuzzy wanted me to play with him. So I got up and played with him for a while before I went to work. As I was walking up from my apartment it started to poor rain. When I opened my umbrella a gust of wind popped it backwards, so I got soaked. That happened several times to I gave up on the umbrella. When I started heading down the cobble stone road my shoe had no traction and I slipped and fell, I scraped my knee and my toe. It was not a good start to my morning. When I got to school I went and sat down in the level 3 room and started working on my lesson plans. I also started doodling for the Peace Corps t-shirt that I was asked to help design. I have a few ideas but I will have to see what the others like. Any ways I thought level 3 and 5 at the same time because their classrooms are conjoined. I had them make dream catchers. Yes I know that is something supper simple but let me tell you it took all class period to get them folded correctly, colored and understood. That class was working on at words (cat, mat, bat, hat) so I had them write those words on the outside and numbers on the inside. It was a grate teaching tool for the teachers.  After teaching my class I felt much better about the day. I headed to the computer lab to look up arts and crafts for kids with disabilities. I found some cool stuff that I can do with the kids that I didn’t think of before. I took the school bus home and took a nap after work. It was really nice. Then I went to the store and did a big mass shopping. You know I really did watch my mom in the stores reading labels and watching ounces on things along with price. It’s kind of fun. Any ways I’m going to watch a movie and  hit the pillow. Night night all  

Monday, June 17, 2013

Day #146 chines food

Monday 6/17/13

 I had a good day today, I thought the kids with autism today. Their is about six of them each one is a different age and had different capabilities. It was a difficult class to teach because their attention span was very short. So today did not really go as planed, it was more of an assessment to see what I thought they could do arts and crafts wise. Its going to be challenging to see what I can come up with, maybe I will ask google to help me find some edible art projects and if their are any good things that I can do with children with autism. As a treat to myself because I never really eat out I had my friend pick up some chines food. I was surprised toto find out that they had that here on the island. Well just as I suspected it was nothing like what I would get in the states, but it was worth a try. It was a good night.                

Day #145 home made toys

Sunday 6/16/13

Today was another supper lazy day, I caught up on some much needed sleep and relaxed. I also decided to make some puppy toys from things I had around the house. I made a cloth rope out of some extra fabric I had, and made a knot toy with a t-shirt that got stained when I first got here. The the cheapest toy was a plastic bottle with some puppy kibble inside. You know you can ask google just about anything and it will help you. Any ways he really likes all of the toys that I made him, we spent the rest of the day watching the ships come in on my veranda and playing with his toys. It was a nice day. I think the best part was the skype I got to have with my mom she had been out of town. It was nice to here about her trip and catch up.    

Day # 144 To the field

Saturday 6/15/16

was a relaxing day for the most part except for my little munchkin decided that he wanted to get up early and play. The night before had been to a latin party and got home late so I really didn't want to get up but I did. I decided to take him for a walk. His first real walk, we went to a football field so he could run around and play. He did really well, he followed me everywhere that I went and I got him nice and tiered. When I got home he crashed like a rock. After that I worked on dinner. Its what they call pelaw I don't think I spelled that right but its like stewed chicken except you cook the rice in the juice, so everything is covered in the juice. It was really good. Then I cleaned and relaxed before bed. Nothing to exiting.      

Friday, June 14, 2013

Day # 143 Just one of those days.

Friday 6/14/13

This morning started off grate. I was sleeping and then I felt this little warm body crawl into bed with me . My puppy it such a cute ball of fuzz he definitely take some stress away with ever squeeze I give him or kiss he gives me. Any ways I was running late to work and then a huge rain cloud decided to open up and poor down on me so I had to wait before I could leave for work. When I got to work my day got much better. Now that I have made good friends with the new pe teacher I have someone at work to talk to and laugh with. Today we went into the computer lab to try and find some work out videos for the kids because of all the rain they could not go outside. I found a dance video to the "I'm a gummy bear" song the teachers thought I was crazy but when the kids saw it and heard it they loved it. So that was a grate feeling all of the teachers being silly, and the kids having fun.  When I got home it was time to wash some cloths, thank goodness I tied tied some line up on my veranda so my cloths wont get wet when it rains. Latter that evening I decided to go into town with my friend and lime (hang out) with some of his friends. We went to a popular restaurant that has a balcony so we could sit and talk. Their was a lot of people there. When we got back he showed me how to make a brown pot for dinner, its stewed chicken with dumplings and everything in the pot is brow. When that was all done we went to the Space Basket with the dance group to go dancing :) it was a good night.

This is the kids working out before the Gummy Bear dance :)


The Gummy Bear Dance link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hn61z3FlMQ     

Day # 142 almost done

Thursday 6/13/13

Today I had level 6, 7, 8 we worked on finishing the color wheel, its coming along grate! I just have to finish one last color. Once all of the kids had cut out their purple, greens and oranges they brought them over to e so that I could help them place them on the color wheel. Then for the kids who finished faster than the rest I had them work on different values of the red, blue and yellows (Primary colors). Once I had some of the pie pieces in place on the color wheel the teachers started to understand what I was doing. When its done I will put up a picture for you all to see so it will make sense to you!   When I got home I had stewed chicken with rice for dinner, Then I went to dance class. Tonight it was just a few of us their but it was a grate class we worked on he Casino circle dance. It was a 3hr class.


Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Day # 141 trouble makkers

Wednesday 6/12/13


First thing this morning I had the level 2a kids. Man oh man where they trouble makers. I had them go out side and collect things such as grass, rocks and leafs so that they could them as stamps. Every time I asked them to so something they gave me trouble, wouldn’t sit down, wouldn’t go to class could not share anything. They got paint all over the place. I had to stop early so they could all clean up. My snack was really good though I had a mango and a yogurt. I needed that brake so bad. My next class was even lower functioning than the 2a class, it’s the level 2. They are between 3-10 years old. I decided that I was going to use chocolate pudding that way if they ate it wouldn’t hurt them. So while I was waiting for the pudding to harden I gave them crayons and paper. As I looked over I saw one of the little ones eating a crayon. I should have guessed that was going to happen, men are they fast. Any ways when I finally got the pudding one of the girls made a hole bunch of hand prints and the little boy I was working with who is like 3 years old just learned how to say chocolate I think. He would dip his fingers in the pudding and lick it off and say mmmmmm chocolate it was so cute. I think I am the least strict teacher, because if they are having fun to me that’s all that matters. Any ways after work I went home and got ready for Gren Vill. Tonight is the gym kick my butt work out class. It was a grate class we went over some of the old dances and started learning some new ones. After the dancing part we worked on abs. I am exited because I am starting to look into carnival (Pretty mass) costumes and I need to work on my abs a little bit. I can get a one piece costume. A lot of the girls from the peace corps are doing pretty mass. Pretty mass is the carnival costumes you see all the woman wearing with all of the feathers and beads. I am so exited. Carnival is a crazy time of year. You think I don’t sleep much now carnival is August 12th and 3th but it starts the Sunday before. Any ways it was a good day and I will be ready to go to bed when I get home.

Day #140

Tusday 6/11/13


Today is the second day that I was teaching. I had the level 3 kids. I did not have any of my art supplies yet so I had them write out their names on paper and then color all of their favorite things on it. It was grate. The kids drew pictures of cars, trees, dogs, and houses. Some of the kids where at lower levels so they did more abstract things. After school I went into town and went shopping with my friend. We are going to a wedding and she needs to find a pair of shoes to go with her dress. It rained so much yesterday it was nice but it was so humid though. Wen I got home i started to cook dinner. I made a variation of split pee sup using curry. I put as many veggies as I had into it. When I was done with dinner the PC above me came down with her sister and they played with the puppy for a bit. It was a nice little get together. Then I went to bed. I had a good day