Today was another early day at CADEC and I don't think that either Nicole or I were prepared for it. After breakfast Nicole and I were taken into separate rooms and given about 12 students each. At first, Aderlandia (very hard to pronounce and is pretty embarrassing when you can't even say your co-workers name) was with me, but then she just left! I was stuck in a room with 12 8-year olds with special needs and attitude problems (most of these children have a bad home life or they are getting in too much trouble at the regular school)! It is hard enough to manage a roomful of children when you speak their same language, just imagine if you can't even communicate! Also, remember that even the children here drink coffee with tons of sugar every morning- they are wired! This probably the longest 4 hours of my life. Every time I would turn around they would be doing something to each other, playing with the light switches, dancing, trying to escape, hiding under tables, hitting each other, and always yelling. Also, I had a TV in my room was probably turned off and on about 200 times in 4 hours. Additionally, Nicole had a child that was making too much trouble in her room, so she gives him to me! This just compounded the problem. Eventually I figured out that these children are like me and just need something to do in order to stay out of trouble. I got some play-dough out and we made animals,etc. This was a great idea and a horrible idea. It kept them busy but in about 3 minutes the play dough was everywhere. I mean everywhere: floor, table, their noses, inside the TV, out the window, and even smeared on the ceiling (still not sure how they managed this). The other part of my plan was to teach them the English name of the animal, and this way I could learn the Portuguese version as well. This was a pretty good idea, but it got so loud! They would not sit down and for the next hour I had kids saying "aqui" or "here" to me. They all wanted to teach me and learn English. No matter how many times I said sit down, they would just climb all over me (the weight of about 3 of these kids on you shoulders feel about the same as the weight of a small car). Finally, Aderlondia came back and we prayed before lunch. I was so relieved. According to the staff I had done a very good job controlling my room. I would hate to see a bad job! (*I may be dramatizing this account slightly, but it is not far from the truth)
This experience was so mentally and physically tiring. After Carnaval the actual school starts and I will be more of a teacher aide and English teacher. I'm pretty sure that neither Nicole or I could repeat what we did today for very long. Aunt Marianne, I don't know how you do it!
I had a reflection today on the events at the school... I used to be one of these kids. In grade school and junior high, I was the kid that made the teacher cry and want to give up teaching. Is this retribution for my sins? If so, I hope the sentence is quick and painless! My dad always told me to wait till I had a kid of my own so that I would know what it would be like to have a son like me. Well dad, I guess I know now!
Don't let the picture fool you. These kids are not as innocent as they look. They are essentially hardened criminals that take pleasure in tearing down my confidence. Just kidding, I kinda miss them already. They are so starved for attention and make me feel really good when they call me "Tio Calebe" or "Uncle Caleb," which leads me to my next point- I'm an Uncle today!!!!!!
Josh(bro) and Heather(sis in law) had their first child today. Little Adeline Elizabeth King was born today and was 8lbs. 9oz and 19inches long ( I feel like I am bragging and describing a monster trophy fish). I can't wait to meet here, but I guess I will have to wait till May (unless my bro finally figures out Skype). I really can't wait to teach her and spoil her! You know, do the typical uncle stuff like get them wired on candy and Coke and them send them home. However, the best part about being an uncle is that I'm not the baby of the family anymore!!!!
After volunteering, I finished up my Order of Augusta App and then left for UFES at 2:45. After 2 hours of riding the bus, Nicole and I finally reached our class (about 30 minutes late!). The sad part is that this is probably the fastest route and we will just have to leave earlier.
The class was pretty good, but I am lost in the intensive class (just me, Nicole, and Glauciane) and I am bored in the Basic class. All the people in the Basic class speak some English but are from around the world. Garry is my favorite. He is from London and has type of rock star British accent. He is here with his Brazilian girlfriend to teach English.
The bus ride home is much more direct and only took us about 40 minutes to go from Vitoria to Vila Velha. I always walk Nicole home and then go back to my house (5 big blocks away). I stopped at a supermercado and picked up a few beers and drank them on the way home. I love the no open container law, but it takes away from the fun of drinking in public in Morgantown. By the way, I really miss going to parties with all my friends. Guess we'll just have to make up for it when I get back!
After dinner Nicole, Amanda, and I went to a beach restaurant/ beach bar. These "quiosque" are every 20 feet up and down the beach and are all about the same. The are usually busy all the time. Here's a picture of my family at one last weekend. Amanda and Gabi were mad that there were no pictures of them on my blog.
We talked til about 2 and then I walked Amanda home, then walked Nicole home, then walked back to my house. Late night, but I had to celebrate the birth of little Adeline correctly!
No comments:
Post a Comment