más

School has been out for a week, but we’ve certainly been busy here! 

Our last day of school was last Monday, but the wonderful work team from Pennsylvania was here for the rest of the week.  On Tuesday, they went to Orocovis (a secluded mountain town in the middle of the island) to work in the home of deaf family with whom we have been building relationships.  I did not go with them, but from what I have heard, they were all truly impacted by the experience and were able to get some good work done (replacing a door, cleaning, hanging curtains, organizing bags and piles of clothes, and more cleaning).

On Wednesday, Judy, Betsy, Jen, and I went to the annual Newcomer’s Club lunch where they give checks to their charities—that would be us.  Jen recognized the interesting juxtaposition of the events of Tuesday and Wednesday.  We were eating an expensive meal at a fancy hotel in San Juan just one day after doing home repairs in one of the poorest and neglected regions of the island.  But we need to keep our faces in the one scene to support the other.  The ladies of the Newcomer’s Club are very good to us, and we had a nice time catching up with them.

On Thursday, we hiked and trudged through rocks and mud to go to Charco Frío.  This is a cold (frío) pool (charco) of water in a river not far from us.  It is a well-known spot for locals to cool off on a hot day.  We made our way up the river to the fun spot.  There are big rocks to jump off of and a rope to swing into the water.  The last (and only other) time I had been there, I (unknowingly) had walking pneumonia, so it was not a very pleasant experience.  This time, I was feeling much better and even swung off the rope into the very cold water.  It was an exciting adventure, and I believe there are pictures on Facebook!

As I’m writing this, I can’t remember what we did on Friday, so maybe it wasn’t too exciting.

On Saturday, we took the group to the airport.  Then Jen and I rode a little further to Bayamón to pick up our race packets for the Relay for Life 5K that we would do on Sunday.

So on Sunday, we did the 5K.  Here’s the funny part (if you read my other recent 5K blog).  Jen registered for this race online last week.  I’m not sure why we haven’t learned our lesson about checking race times, but we did not look at the start time.  So I checked the page on Friday or something when I was getting directions to the park, and I saw that the race started at 7am!—and the park is at least an hour from home.  We debated about doing it, but since the race was for a good cause (raising money for cancer) we decided to do it and make a day of it.  So we got up bright (actually it was not so bright when we got up) and early and did the race.  We found out that we’re not so good at morning races!  The sun got stronger and hotter as we ran and walked the empty streets of Bayamón.  We finished the race, got our medals, bottles of water, and apples.  We practically bathed in the sinks of the bathroom, put on dresses, and went to Old San Juan.  Jen has been borrowing her fiancé’s fancy camera for a while, so we finally took it out and put it to good use.  We took hundreds of pictures of the beautiful doors and buildings, the fort and the ocean.  Then we went home, showered, rested, and went to church that evening.

On Monday, we went to Jen’s bridal shower in Humacao with ladies from her church here.  We had a nice time and laughed a lot.  That evening, we started our end-of-year staff retreat/debrief.  A missionary friend from San Juan came and led us (and one other missionary from Ponce) in a lovely two-day meeting.  We enjoyed the conversation and fellowship—and also laughed a lot—especially when the accordion came out!

So that brings me to now—I have recently taken Nyquil, so I hope this entry is still coherent.  Good night!

el fin

School is out for summer!  Woohoo!  I'm thankful that we got everything done in my class before the end.  I had my doubts for a while. 

So here’s what’s been going on…

We have a group here from Pennsylvania (from Betsy’s home church) for two weeks.  They've been working hard outside and inside. 

Here’s my favorite part…they brought classroom technology—and lots of it: 5 computers, an LCD projector, 4 or 5 webcams, a laptop, and---drum roll please---an ipad 2!  I think it goes without saying which piece I get in my classroom next year.  I am excited to learn all the cool things I can do with the ipad this summer. 

We had a nice end of year ceremony (no one graduated, so it was small).  I am so thankful that all of the students had at least one representative from their family who attended (the older kids often do not). 

Our biggest concern and prayer request for the summer is protection for the kids while they’re at home.  We also pray for clear lines of communication in the families and that our students will make wise decisions while they’re away. 

For a lot of our kids, summer means spending 2 months away from friends and anyone with whom they can communicate well.  This summer, we’re trying something new to help that situation. 

In June, a group is coming to put on a week-long summer camp for the kids.  Hopefully, some of the families that live far away will have the opportunity to stay in the dorms for the week so that their children can attend. 

In addition to that experience, we’ll have weekly activities for the kids—such as trips to a water park, children’s museum, and the zoo!

This is going to be an exciting summer for sure!

la carrera perdida

Now that Jen and I seem to be back in the racing swing of things, we planned to continue our succession with a 5K this past Sunday in Old San Juan.  Since this is our favorite place on the island (or at least mine), we were very excited. 

Much to our dismay, we tried to register for the run late last week and found that the registration was closed.  Rather than miss our opportunity, we decided to be rebels and run the race bandit style (without registering)!  We thought of various ways to avoid getting caught, and we psyched ourselves up for our chance to be outlaws!

We got to the park at 4:30 on the rainy Sunday afternoon and found a place to park.  We figured the race started at 5:00 like usual, but we walked around and didn’t see anything.  We figured we were just too early—this is Puerto Rico of course. 

We killed some time looking for a florist Jen thought she might use for her wedding and came back to the park a little before 5:00.  At this point we figured there should be signs of life—runners, tables, tents, something—but we didn’t see a trace of an event.  We concluded that even if the race started at 5:30 (which is really the latest it could start), there would be something set up by 5:00. 

Was it cancelled because of rain and we weren’t informed because we weren’t registered?  Did the online registration close so early because the race was cancelled due to low enrollment?

We left the park puzzled.  We drove into the city, parked, and walked up and down the Paseo Princesa.  At the end of the evening, we figured we walked at least a 4K.

So we got home later and checked the race website.  On the page, clear as day, it said: Start Time: 8:00am

OOPS!  So much for being rebels!

el acontecimiento principal

For months, the residents of Classroom #2 have been training for a 5K, and today we finally did it!   

The goal of all our blood, sweat, and tears (maybe not blood) was the 5K at Colegio San Gabriel, the school for the deaf in San Juan.  It was the perfect setting for Kevin and Kristian’s first race.  Along with having the race experience, they were able to see some friends and acquaintances afterwards. 

To make it even more exciting, volunteers Brendan, Rebekah, and Joella joined us for the fun—and Jen came too!

As you can see, before the race began we were all smiling.  Kevin and Kristian were filled with nervous excitement. 

Brendan was kind enough to be our bag man and babysitter.  

Thanks Brendan! 

Then the gun went off, and so did we!

Kevin took off way ahead of everyone, and finished in 25 minutes (not too shabby!)

Kristian, Jen, and I stayed together.  Krisitan wore himself out in the beginning as he let his excitement get the best of him.  He ran a good part of the first kilometer, and then we caught up with him.  This race was a lot longer of a distance than we have practiced in gym class, but Jen and I did our best to encourage Kristian and distract him.  And then finally, we made it to the finish line!

The best thing about races in Puerto Rico is that we’re all winners!

And we were all still smiling by the end of it!

voluntarios maravillosos

I don’t think I’ve mentioned before the latest and greatest addition to ESD…our new volunteers Brendan, Rebekah, and their baby Joella.  For the past few months, they have been coming a few days a week to work in the classrooms and on the grounds.  Brendan comes to my class in the morning for vocabulary and reading classes.  Rebekah is a nurse, and she teaches health class to my boys.  They are so hard-working and willing to do whatever we ask of them.  They are learning sign language…fast.  In fact, Rebekah recently taught health (about the circulatory system) without an interpreter!  Joella is five-months old and is adorable.  And my favorite part…she gets to hang out in my classroom while her mom and dad work around the school.  On Friday, Kristian had math class with Joella on his lap!

Okay, now that you have the background…on to the blog…

It seems that I often write about Friday story time.  I guess that just shows how much I love it.  This week, we had a treat.  On Wednesday, I asked Brendan if he would work with Kristian to plan story time.  He willingly agreed and ran with the idea.  Watch the video for yourself…(if you listen carefully, you can hear me interpreting it---also, Brendan is wet because he was attacked by water balloons shortly before)

Then, Brendan and Rebekah further topped all previous story times by bringing in homemade cupcakes and icing for the kids to decorate.  They had so much fun!