a scrabbler--and proud of it!

I just came back from an evening of playing games with Cordella--wow, what a lot of fun! It's something that I definitely don't do enough of. Of course, my competitive nature does tend to rise up occasionally (Dutch Blitz, anyone?...Karis? ;))but I think I kept myself in check today.

And it was nice to be able to find someone (outside my family) who actually appreciates the game of Scrabble! Actually, on New Years I met someone who is a Scrabble fanatic--whose passion quite surpasses my like for the game. He owns something like 7 scrabble games (although, I might add, he doesn't own the lazy Susan turntable one that my family does ;b). He even knew his best word score ever(something like 230 points!). Ok, so my love doesn't go quite that far but it IS a vonderful gut game (to steal a line).

Anyways, thanks for the support over my grade 7 class scenario--I'm all done (phew!) and it did end up going better by the end (the teacher took out the troublemakers). Some of the kids were actually kind of sweet...in a lippy sort of way!



Tuve una noche muy chevere con mi amiga, Cordella. Solamente jugemos juegos (yo se que no debo decirlo asi, pero no me acuerdo como decirlo differente!) Bueno, aveces es los tiempos muy sencillo que son los mas especiales. Es algo que necesito hacer mas (y necesito ver MENOS television!)

Y ya estoy terminado, dando presentaciones a los classes en el 7 grado. Al fin, fue mejor (el maestro tomo algunas estudiantes afuera de la classe) y de verdad, hay algunas ninos muy cheveres alla.

Why I'm not a Grade 7 teacher

So, for my work, I sometimes do classroom presentations on topics such as career exploration, resumes, etc.
Well, on Thursday I started a series of presentations in one of the grade 7 classes. Oh my. Were we ever like that? There were 15 kids to start off with--by the middle of the class, half of them had gotten kicked out (well, some left on their own). And I ended up being left with a bunch of little boys very interested in the topic of bodily functions.
They probably were largely just testing me (thankfully, the teacher was still in the room--substitute teachers, I have a tremendous amount of respect for you!)so hopefully it'll go better next week--cause I have 5 more classes with them!
I've had experience teaching older students and adults but this was my first stint teaching adolescents. Definitely a learning experience for me. Hopefully I can get something together for Monday that will suit this class (games, games, and more games).


Por mi trabajo, aveces voy a los classes para hacer lecturas sobre careras, encontrand trabajo, etc.
Bueno, el jueves fui a una classe en el 7 grado. Wow--era asi cuando tenia sus edades? Hubo 15 estudiantes al principio--y al fin, solo hubo 8 porque los otros estuvieron muy malo. Y al fin, solo hubo ninos, hablando de los funciones del cuerpo.
Probablemente estuvieron asi porque estoy nuevo (gracias a Dios, el maestro se quedo en las classe--tengo mucho respecto por los substitutos!). Espero que se van mejor en la proxima semana--porque tengo 5 classes mas con este classe!
He tenido experiencia enseniendo personnes sobre la edad de 15 pero nunca de este edad. Definitivamente, voy a apprender mucho. Ojala puedo prepara una clase por lunes que es interesante y divertido por ellos (juegos, juegos, y juegos!)

I'm tagged, too

Well, Cordella tagged me and, since this seems to be the thing to do, here goes...

7 Things I would like to do before I die (cosas que quiero hacer en mi vida):
1. go back to South America (regresa a Sud America)
2. have fun with my grandchildren (divertirme con mis nietos)
3. travel across Canada (viajar en todos los partes de Canada)
4. get my Masters (in TESOL)(recibir mis...no se la palabra en espanol:)
5. keep my room clean for over a week (tener un cuarto muy limpia por mas de una semana)
6. be on a worship team (estar en un equipo de alabanza)
7. decorate my own house (decorar mi propia casa)

7 things I can’t do (yet) (cosas que no puedo hacer todavia):
1. drive standard (manejar los carros que no son automaticos)
2. fillet fish (prepara pescado)
3. salsa (bailar salsa)
4. watch horror films (I'm with you on that, Cordella--and I won't ever be able to do that) (ver las peliculas de horror)
5. wear high heels (Stacey and Clinton, what are you thinking?!)(no se como decirlo)
6. tread water (well, not for long, anyways)(nadar por mucho tiempo)
7. eat the outer parts of an animal (feet, head, etc.)or organs (comer los partes del animales que son afueras--pies, cabezas, etc)

7 things that attract me to blogging (porque tengo este pagina):
1. reconnecting with people (connectarme otra vez con mis amigos a distancia)
2. staying in contact with friends who are far away (estar en contacto con mis amigos lejos)
3. learning through other's experiences (apprender de las experiencias de los otros)
4. it's something to do (es algo que hacer)
5. sharing my pictures and experiences (compartir mis fotos y experiencias)
6. randomely looking at people's blogs who I don't know (mira a los blos de los peronnes que no conozco)
7. express myself (expresar yo mismo)

7 things I say most often (cosas que siempre digo):
1. "Place name here" (in a very motherly tone and look)
2. No problem.
3. I know, eh?
4. I don't know! (when asked about future plans)
5. Aja.... (said to show you understand someone)
6. Chevere! ("cool")
7. Oh my word!!

7 books I love (libros que me gusta):
1. The Last Sin Eater
2. The City of Joy
3. The Poisonwood Bible
4. Blue Castle
5. The Zion Covenant series
6. The Mark of the Lion series
7. Bruchko (and other missionary auto/biographies)

7 movies I watch over and over (peliculas que me gusta):
1. Pride and Prejudice
2. You've Got Mail
3. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants
4. Runaway Bride
5. The Terminal
6. Zorro movies
7. Life is Beautiful

7 people I want to join in too (you been tagged!)
Well, I don't know that many bloggers, so there's some repeats here...oh, well
1. Christi
2. Karis
3. Naomi
4. Rachel
5. Andrea
6. Tam
7. Janelle H.

goodbyes...

Well, yesterday I had to say goodbye to my last friend from Heartland English School where I taught in the summer. I've had a number of friends leave in the past month :( I love you guys a lot! Thanks so much for all the good times--I really treasure your friendships and the times we could spend together.

Ayer, tuve que despedir mi ultima amiga de Heartland English School, donde ensene en el verano. Algunas de mis amigas de alla han salido en el mes pasado :(. Les quiero mucho, amigas! Gracias por los tiempos buenos--sus amistades y los tiempos que compartimos son por mi un tesoro.


Anna Carolina and I at the Nutcracker Ballet a couple of days before she went back to Mexico. Oye, amiga te quiero mucho--esparame en Mexico!


Hilda and I at her going away party before she headed back to Mexico. Te quiero tambien--no te olvides nuestro viaje a Machu Pichu!

Mandy, my friend from Taiwan, and I. You're a sweetheart and I'll miss you!

One of my classes and I, trying our hand at the good ol' game of mini golf