The weather and other news
So, Monteverde is about a mile high and we are located on the western slope(just below the crest of the coast mountain range. It is on the rainy side of the range and it seems like some days we get the clouds, rain and wind that blow off the Pacific. And, do I mean blow. This past week we have had several nights of intense wind (the kind that makes limbs fall off trees) and as a result, phone and internet lines have gone down. That has been an interesting experience. I find I now feel weird when I can't just pick up and google something, or reach out to a friend who is in Canada or the US immediately, or work on a project that needs input from locals. How our lives have changed being so connected electronically.
Well, I'm reconnected and am wanting to share some of what I have done over the past week (aside from hanging out with the 20 year old set watching the Super Bowl last night) ...
Firstly, the School. I introduced the water conservation project to the Grade 9-10's this past week. We are starting with a home based water audit. I'll find out on this coming Thursday how successful and doable this idea may be. I took some photos of the kids (and two of the teachers) the day we outlined how to measure water flow and what they are to measure. Next week we calculate their findings. I expect it will be a challenge but that is why they are in school.
This is Kirk, the Collegio (High School) Math teacher and three of the students. Wondering about the guitar. Kirk plays guitar, loves the Grateful Dead and is talking about becoming a Naturopath. He is one of my faves. The girls are Clara, Angie and Ipsy (the last two are in my Gardening Mini-Course) and are all three hard working.
And, while I am showing you around, the two photos below are of the Grade 11 and 12 English/ Social Studies Classroom.
One of the reasons I love working at the school is that it is small. There are only a 125 students from K-Grade 12. That makes it possible to do fun things with the students. That and a willingness to have education be experiential which is where the volunteers like me come in handy.
Other news: My Spanish is slowly improving. I understand more but my speaking ability is marginal. Marisella (my friend and House Mom from last year) and I talk Spanglish with each other which is helpful. The kids all speak English and want to and many of the teachers are English speakers so it is easy to coast along and not have to speak in the language of Costa Rica. I started Spanish classes again with Zinna, my teacher from last year who is appalled (I think) at how little I learned over the last 10 months. Pathetico.....
Oh, and I was the chaperone this past weekend for Annalisse and Pheobe. During school break the girls met these adorable 19 year old Germans who are touring around Costa Rica. This past weekend the boys came to Monteverde and needed a place to stay so I said they could stay with me. Papa wouldn't let the girls stay over but they stayed up late Friday night, giggling and had their first puppy love event. So cute! I forgot to get photos of the four of them but I did get a photo of Marisella on Saturday night at the bonfire and carne cookout we had. Not that anyone can see much except the fire. Fun though and it was a full moon which and the wind wasn't too intense so we had a lovely evening.
All for now. More later now that I have internet again.
Well, I'm reconnected and am wanting to share some of what I have done over the past week (aside from hanging out with the 20 year old set watching the Super Bowl last night) ...
Firstly, the School. I introduced the water conservation project to the Grade 9-10's this past week. We are starting with a home based water audit. I'll find out on this coming Thursday how successful and doable this idea may be. I took some photos of the kids (and two of the teachers) the day we outlined how to measure water flow and what they are to measure. Next week we calculate their findings. I expect it will be a challenge but that is why they are in school.
The photo below is of Heather, the Science Teacher explaining DNA sequencing to some of the students. 
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| The Science Class |
One of the reasons I love working at the school is that it is small. There are only a 125 students from K-Grade 12. That makes it possible to do fun things with the students. That and a willingness to have education be experiential which is where the volunteers like me come in handy.
Other news: My Spanish is slowly improving. I understand more but my speaking ability is marginal. Marisella (my friend and House Mom from last year) and I talk Spanglish with each other which is helpful. The kids all speak English and want to and many of the teachers are English speakers so it is easy to coast along and not have to speak in the language of Costa Rica. I started Spanish classes again with Zinna, my teacher from last year who is appalled (I think) at how little I learned over the last 10 months. Pathetico.....
Oh, and I was the chaperone this past weekend for Annalisse and Pheobe. During school break the girls met these adorable 19 year old Germans who are touring around Costa Rica. This past weekend the boys came to Monteverde and needed a place to stay so I said they could stay with me. Papa wouldn't let the girls stay over but they stayed up late Friday night, giggling and had their first puppy love event. So cute! I forgot to get photos of the four of them but I did get a photo of Marisella on Saturday night at the bonfire and carne cookout we had. Not that anyone can see much except the fire. Fun though and it was a full moon which and the wind wasn't too intense so we had a lovely evening.
All for now. More later now that I have internet again.
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