Yesterday afternoon, after lunch, we were getting ready for coffee with Alfredo. I don't know if I explained, but Alfredo is a guy who teaches in the SEP (public school system) in the afternoons. He has a full time position at a private school, Monday through friday 7-2. He also teaches at the language school on Saturdays. He is also working on his BA.
I met him at the textbook training and he is a friend of Mabel's. We went to a coffee shop, and of course I don't drink coffee. And because of the hour, I decided against frappucino and went with tea. It was an air conditioned place, but I was sweating by the end of the night.
We chatted, mostly in English, which reminded me of being at Batter'd n Fried with Yuri and Samhir speaking only Spanish. This was the most English I've heard Mabel speak.
It was fun, but most importantly short and sweet. When talking about how much I loved Kindergarten and how I hoped to do something with Kindergarten here, Alfredo said he could tell I was a Kindergarten teacher by looking at me. That when I was introduced at the textbook training he could see it in my eyes. Bypassing the eyes part and the potential comments that no doubt PK or Dad will have about this, I'm moving to the Kindergarten part. It's so funny to think I look the part. For the most part, I know my students love me. And love Spanish class. But also for the most part, I run a tight ship. There's not a lot of messing around, and not much gets by me. This occasionally causes me to wonder why they could like it or me. I also have a teensy bit of a sarcastic side. Sarcasm is-and should be- totally and completely lost on small children. I know I'm where I should be, but I often wonder if my sarcasm and such could be put to use in a middle school or high school. Anyhow, Jenny Martin, who was once Miss Alexander at Lockeland, is infamous for being exactly what you picture as a Kindergarten teacher. Well, maybe not all of you. She has really cute clothes, so it's not that kind of Kindergarten teacher. She is sweet, she is loving, and she never raises her voice. She occasionally gets annoyed (though I'm talking once or twice a year), but even then she is the picture of kalm and Kindergarten. She is what I picture when I think about that grade. So to hear that I could be seen as a K teacher before knowing that, was a high compliment to me.
Maybe I have arrived!
Alas, coffee night was over, and apparently it was not a "te invito" because we all split the ticket. Which is fine. And normal. And etc.
When we got back home, Mabel asked me if I wanted to go to the birthday party of her friend's sister or if I wanted to go to bed. I debated. They tell you not to turn down an invitation in the first weeks as that is the make it or break it time. However, we all know what bear comes from within this picture of Kindergarten teacher Laura when she does not get enough sleep. I'm still catching up from the long day of travel, the hustle and bustle as well as the humidity here. It definitely takes a toll.
I opted to stay home. I ate a peanut butter sandwich, washed face, brushed teeth, and chatted a bit before bed.
There's a lapse in communication here. Duh. But what I mean is, there must be some words that mean something here that they don't in Spanish I and II. For example, when Mabel and I were discussing the birthday party, I asked what time we would get back and she said 11. She didn't leave until 11. I don't know if the communication lapse there is purely the late thing, to if I've missed something with the words. Again this afternoon, I asked her when Cosette was coming home and she said right now (ahorita) at 7:30. It was 4. So right now has a different meaning. Little things that I'll no doubt pick up on soon.
Bottom line: I'm glad I didn't go to the party.
This morning, I had my alarm set to be ready at 8, when I thought Carmen (Yuri's aunt...for church) was coming. Ha! Luckily, I pushed myself to snooze a bit because again I had misunderstood. They drive almost an hour to get to church. I thought she said she'd pick me up at 8. She must've said she was leaving at 8. She called Mabel at 7:40, when I was eating my eggs (getting that protein in to fill me up until 2) and pan tostado (pre-"toasted" bread) to let us know she'd be here at 8:40. Shortly after 8:40, she was at the door and off we went. Her husband was driving (can't remember his name, maybe Mariano), and her two girls were in the back with me: Diana and Mariana. Mariano (we'll just say that IS his name) dropped us off at church and left. He's not a Christian and has nothing to do with church except the dropping off and picking up.
Carmen told me that it didn't look like a normal church, but that it was a great church that was growing. We walked into what looked like a mechanic's shop and went upstairs to the second floor. It looked a lot like the 2nd or third floor of the church in Cozumel. It was HOT, but they turned on the air conditioners. We set up chairs, etc, and Carmen told me that they had a leaders' meeting. I was welcome to come in but that I could stay out there if I wanted. I pulled out The Audacity of Hope and was thankful I had brought something to read. Not really sure why I did. I read until some people started trickling in. I met a grandmother who took a great interest in me and why I am here and her granddaughter Melissa who took a great interest in what the States are like. We talked for awhile. Then Carmen et al came out of their meeting.
Church was scheduled to start at 10. Promptly at 10:20 we began. We sang and sang and sang...de pie (standing). For over an hour! Carmen and another woman and two girls were the praise team on stage with the song leader who gives Blake a run for his money in the Backstreet category but not in the vocals category. Diana played the keyboard and little Mariana (9 years old but TINY, maybe smaller than Cosette) played the drums. I enjoyed the worship part. I knew about half of the songs from either Honduras or Cozumel. The ones I didn't know were easy because the song leader would say the verse right before we were to sing it. That was great for my listening skills! When the she-preacher got up to preach, Carmen came and sat with me. I had been all alone in the front row of chairs; the girls went to class. She preached for an hourish. She spoke slowly and clearly which I liked, but her manner or speaking was not my favorite. Anyone who was with me in the church-searching years knows that that turned me from more than one church! I'm just picky. Sorry.
At the end, she was crying. I had stopped listening long before. That's just a long day! And I must say, Chris Smith, you're possibly my all-time fave to listen to, but I think over an hour of preaching after over an hour of singing and praying standing up is just a bit much, even if it's you and Blake Parker. Maybe it's just me. Maybe I would enjoy it. We could try at Christmas. Or not.
So after the preaching it got weird. I feel very judgmental saying that and probably am not, because if it's not for me, it's not for me. If you want details, call me or let's chat sometime, but it was not a happy last 40 minutes or so. It was very uncomfortable. And I think it had to do with a little more than cultural differences. That attributed to some of it since my cultural church has always been for only ONE Sunday, not for plans of ten months' worth, or in Spain, where I met Tracy the first Sunday and she was an American. That helped the comfort zone thing.
After church, Carmen et al took me by Yuri's church which is the largest in the city and has three services. Carmen said she would take me to the 5:00 service (pm) if I wanted sometime. I think yes, please. I would like to get to know Yuri's friends, and comfort zone. I think next week, though, we might go to the beach. Vamos a ver.
Today has been a lazy day since lunch. But that's fine by me because tomorrow brings busyness and first impressions!
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