¿Que Mas?- Is a phrase I have often heard around the house. Literally translated it means, “What more?” But when people say “¿Que Mas?” they usually mean, “What else?” It fits my blog perfectly this week because #1. I keep repeating this phrase as I think of “what else” I did this past week/weekend. #2. My cooperating teacher uses it all the time in the classroom. Teaching is really a giant juggling act, and I’m surprised “multi-tasking” isn’t on the list of qualifications to teach because it is a must. Thus, my teacher and I finish one task in the classroom and are on to the next in a flash. Hmmm…¿Que Mas?
I adventured to Veritas Universidad to meet up with a girl from the states. She was a friend of a friend, so I was excited to meet her and just spend time with an American girl :) This is a picture of the University. It is a school for architecture and design, as you can obviously deduct from the picture. But it also has a Spanish program, which attracts many "gringos" (gringo- is the slang word Spanish people use for foreigners, especially foreigners from the United States).
This is a typical Costa Rican bus. One day my host mom said, "Rachel, you learn bus today." So we adventured out to San Jose and I sort-of-kind-of figured out the bus system. We also visited the National Theater. *I'm not a huge museum fan...I can usually see a building, hear a few facts, and be good, without taking a tour. However, my host mom asked me if I wanted to take a tour when we got to the National Theater. I said, "No, I'm okay." And then realized "no and okay" really shouldn't be in the same situation. Thus, I went on the tour. But I'm really glad I did because I learned a lot more about Costa Rica and a few "did-you-know facts?" Which I'll share with you now:
#1. February 8th, 2010 Laura Chinchilla was elected into office as the first woman President of Costa Rica. (And she is still in office)
*They normally hold the big presidential dinners at the National Theater. And the president has his/her own special box seating on the 2nd floor.
#2. One of my favorite facts of the tour: Minor C. Keith-an American railroad contractor-traveled to Costa Rica in 1871 to build Costa Rica's 1st railroad. Since he needed cargo and passengers for the railroad, he planted bananas alongside the tracks to provide paying fares both inland and back to sea.This eventually lead to the Chiquita banana. Anytime you look at those lovely Chiquita stickers on your bananas you can think of Minor C. Keith.
These are a few extra snapshots of the beauty and elegance of the National Theater.
And that about wraps up my last few days free. I experienced a lot of Costa Rican history and then began my orientation for teaching!
Here are some pictures of my classroom:
Orientation went great! I consumed a LOT of information, met a lot of teachers, and had a great time setting up the classroom with my cooperating teacher. She is a laugh and a half, so I think we are going to get along just fine. I have 19 energetic students, and energetic doesn't even fully capture all the energy they have! Thankfully the school day includes two recesses for them. I can't imagine them being stuck in the classroom for the whole day...I am pretty sure it would resemble something like a tornado stuck in a cardboard box.
This week my class and I have become palaeontologists. I thought I would share with you are classroom mascot.
Every day presents new challenges, but I love working with the students. I met with my supervisor and cooperating teacher and come March I will have full control of the classroom for 3 weeks! Exciting and scary :)
Finally, before I wrap up I want to share my other special experiences. Coming to Costa Rica I knew that Catholicism was the main religion. This past week I experienced a Catholic funeral, a Catholic house blessing, "el rezar" (Which I will explain), and previously I went to Catholic Mass. I still do not understand everything, and I'm looking forward to researching more, so I have a better grasp on what I am experiencing. But here is a quick explanation of"el rezar."
When I first arrived in Costa Rica I was surprised by the plethora of nativity scenes. There was one in the airport, one in the park of our residential area, one in the home (basically one in every home I visited), and light up pictures of nativity scenes all over the city.
This past week the girls told me to get ready to go to a lot of "rezar's." They explained that it is a Latin American Tradition (Catholic), where they invite family, sometimes friends, and recite various prayers before putting away their nativity scene. I couldn't understand it all, but I did catch "Blessed Mary, mother of God..." We hosted one with family last week, and later that week went to the cousins for their "rezar." Rezar=to pray/recite. It was very interesting.
Well, that is about it :) I have been stepping out of my comfort zone more and practicing Spanish. Today we had a coffee date with the neighbors and the son said phrases in English and made me repeat them back to him in Spanish. I did pretty good...little tripped up with conjugating verbs, but I am glad I tried. Practice makes perfect, or as my piano teacher always said, "perfect practices makes perfect." *Oh! And I had my first dream in Spanish :) It was strange but I do remember waking up saying, "lo siento señor." (I shut a gate on some strange man by accident in my dream...oops!)
Well, time to go correct papers and get ready for my last day of school (tomorrow!) for this week.
Thanks again for all your prayers and encouragement! God is at work.
*They normally hold the big presidential dinners at the National Theater. And the president has his/her own special box seating on the 2nd floor.
These are a few extra snapshots of the beauty and elegance of the National Theater.
And that about wraps up my last few days free. I experienced a lot of Costa Rican history and then began my orientation for teaching!
Here are some pictures of my classroom:
Orientation went great! I consumed a LOT of information, met a lot of teachers, and had a great time setting up the classroom with my cooperating teacher. She is a laugh and a half, so I think we are going to get along just fine. I have 19 energetic students, and energetic doesn't even fully capture all the energy they have! Thankfully the school day includes two recesses for them. I can't imagine them being stuck in the classroom for the whole day...I am pretty sure it would resemble something like a tornado stuck in a cardboard box.
This week my class and I have become palaeontologists. I thought I would share with you are classroom mascot.
Every day presents new challenges, but I love working with the students. I met with my supervisor and cooperating teacher and come March I will have full control of the classroom for 3 weeks! Exciting and scary :)
Finally, before I wrap up I want to share my other special experiences. Coming to Costa Rica I knew that Catholicism was the main religion. This past week I experienced a Catholic funeral, a Catholic house blessing, "el rezar" (Which I will explain), and previously I went to Catholic Mass. I still do not understand everything, and I'm looking forward to researching more, so I have a better grasp on what I am experiencing. But here is a quick explanation of"el rezar."
When I first arrived in Costa Rica I was surprised by the plethora of nativity scenes. There was one in the airport, one in the park of our residential area, one in the home (basically one in every home I visited), and light up pictures of nativity scenes all over the city.
This past week the girls told me to get ready to go to a lot of "rezar's." They explained that it is a Latin American Tradition (Catholic), where they invite family, sometimes friends, and recite various prayers before putting away their nativity scene. I couldn't understand it all, but I did catch "Blessed Mary, mother of God..." We hosted one with family last week, and later that week went to the cousins for their "rezar." Rezar=to pray/recite. It was very interesting.
Well, that is about it :) I have been stepping out of my comfort zone more and practicing Spanish. Today we had a coffee date with the neighbors and the son said phrases in English and made me repeat them back to him in Spanish. I did pretty good...little tripped up with conjugating verbs, but I am glad I tried. Practice makes perfect, or as my piano teacher always said, "perfect practices makes perfect." *Oh! And I had my first dream in Spanish :) It was strange but I do remember waking up saying, "lo siento señor." (I shut a gate on some strange man by accident in my dream...oops!)
Well, time to go correct papers and get ready for my last day of school (tomorrow!) for this week.
Thanks again for all your prayers and encouragement! God is at work.
We have two recesses too! And sometimes 3 with all PE classes being outside. Sounds like you're having a great experience :) Can't wait to see more pics!
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