We are officially on our first vacation this school year. As a teacher of Kindergarten students who are always counting things, I can tell with certainty that we have attended school 59 days without a break. Now, the students had a break several weeks ago when we had Parent-Teacher Conferences, but no such luck for the teachers. So, with a full week to celebrate some Panamanian holidays, Team Chowning is geared up and ready to go.
With 59 days under my Kindergarten-Teacher Belt, I have encountered some interesting scenarios and questions. I thought I would make a list of those here. Feel free to help a girl out, if you can.
First, a list of unanswered questions:
1. How many shoes have I tied since the beginning of the year? If you have a kindergarten or 1st grade student, for the sake of their poor teachers, please help them learn to tie their shoes. Untied shoe laces are a great source of worry for my students, especially in the middle of lesson times.
2. How can a child possibly sneeze that many times and STILL have more stuff that can come out? Again, for the sake of your child's teachers, please teach your child how to anticipate a sneeze and get a kleenex prepared for said event. Better yet, teach them how to blow that junk OUT!
3. How can 16 kids possibly make THAT much noise? I'm not sure, but somehow they do.
4. How can one kid talk THAT much? I'm not sure, but I can tell you that I feel like I hear my verbal-processing student talking even in my sleep. I'm not sure if there's ever a time that he isn't talking.
5. Did the inventors of Cheetos know how messy Kindergartners could make that snack? If so, do they have a partnership with hand-wipe companies?
6.What is the absolute fascination with Sharks that Kindergarten boys have? I get that they're cool, but so are some other animals. Let's branch out to other dangerous animals sometime.
7. How can a child sound out c-a-t (each sound correct) and then look up and announce proudly, "DOG!"? Hmmm. I feel like we're missing some pieces here. I've got some work to do.
8. On the other hand, how does a kindergartner already know how to do 2-digit subtraction that requires regrouping (borrowing for those of you who learned subtraction like me)? Looks like I'll be finding extra enrichment assignments for this kid.
And now for some answered questions and things I've learned:
1. Why would anyone teach kindergarten? Yes, this is a question I used to ask myself. Let me tell you. . . I get to see the most wonderful learning moments, hilarious moments, and heart-warming moments. From being asked (almost daily), "How do you say '-----' in English?", to the rest of the class cheering when a student who has been gone for 2-3 days returns, to watching them learn Bible truths, to having them randomly run up and give me hugs, to listening to them explain to their peers in Spanish something I just said in English that some didn't understand, to watching them write in English with their wonderful Spanish phonics, etc. This has been a most rewarding experience.
2. Am I going to like/get along with my teacher assistant? I could not have been blessed with a better helper in my classroom. Tatiana is a God-send. She has been in the K5 classroom for the last 5 years, so she is helping me SO much. She is hilarious, loving, strict, God-honoring, and all around wonderful. She is amazing, and I can't imagine riding this Kindergarten roller coaster without her.
3. Can I make it through until November without a break? Barely, but I did. And a week of vacation never felt so needed.
4. Now that we are in November, exactly how many holidays does Panama have during November? Five holidays. November 3rd: Independence from Colombia. November 4th: Flag day. November 5th: Colon Day (celebrating the province of Colon; this has nothing to do with the human digestive system). November 10th: First Cry of Independence in Los Santos. November 28th: Independence from Spain. Add in the American holiday of Thanksgiving, and we are only in school about 3 weeks during the month of November. You can go back to my post from 11/13/2010, Panama's Independence Day, to see some pictures from some of the parades to celebrate these holidays.
5. What time will I fall asleep each night in order to be able to get up at 5 am every morning and go all day long with teaching Kindergarten? As soon as I get in bed. Gotta be careful that I don't stop moving too early in an evening. Still=Asleep.
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Random Thoughts from My First 2 Weeks Back in Panama
Team Chowning is officially back in Panama. We arrived on June 24th, so we've been back for 2 weeks now. As I sat this morning, with ideas for blogs swirling in my head, I couldn't decide on a particular, singular idea. So, here's the list of random thoughts, realizations, and reminders from the first 2 weeks back in Panama.
1. My ears apparently have forgotten Spanish all together. At best, they listen much more slowly than they used to. I'm hoping this starts to remedy itself. And just as bad is that I can't seem to think how to SAY things in Spanish either. Thankful for Panamanian friends who are patient and gracious as I re-acclimate to Spanish.
2. Panama City is HOT. It's been in the upper 90's with humidity only slightly lower. Therefore, the "feels like" temperature (heat index for those scientific folks) is in the 100's. Even the Panamanians are saying it's hotter than usual.
3. Church in El Valle was just as good, if not better, than I remember it. The people and their passion are contagious. It is an amazing place and God is doing fantastic things there through His people.
4. Traffic in Panama City is just as bad as it ever was. With the newer, nicer car than we had while we were previously here, we think that more people are out to get us. It's either that or we care more about our car now.
5. Although there's much more technology to keep in touch with folks (Viber, WhatzApp, etc), we are still finding it difficult to make a regular phone call back to the states. And since internet is spotty at times, that adds to the difficulty.
6. Our bank's fraud protection department is very diligent. In fact, so diligent that it took 4 tries to get money wired (from US bank to US bank) to the gentleman who sold us the car. And, we had to verify ourselves at least 3 times before they gave us back our online access and allowed us to make purchases in Panama again. And, yes, we had put a travel alert on the account. Like I said, they are VERY diligent. Grateful, through clenched teeth.
7. Speaking of cars, I think we officially set the record of getting a car the quickest upon our arrival here. We had possession of our car within 12 hours of setting foot here. That is unheard of! But we have a God who has provided richly and quickly.
8. Having an apartment door (2nd floor) that automatically locks behind us and a downstairs building door that requires a key to exit the building is a bit troublesome. Our first day here, Aaron got the building key stuck in the building door, it would not unlock, and we had no other way out of the building. The kids and I finally went through a neighbor's apartment and out through the backdoor so we could hang out at friend's house, while Aaron stayed and tried to "unstick" the key. Finally, around 8:00 pm that evening, a different neighbor was able to get the key out and give us a lesson in key turning so this wouldn't happen again.
So, these are some of the random thoughts and experiences we've had here so far. We are glad to be back, and excited as we get started on this next chapter.
1. My ears apparently have forgotten Spanish all together. At best, they listen much more slowly than they used to. I'm hoping this starts to remedy itself. And just as bad is that I can't seem to think how to SAY things in Spanish either. Thankful for Panamanian friends who are patient and gracious as I re-acclimate to Spanish.
2. Panama City is HOT. It's been in the upper 90's with humidity only slightly lower. Therefore, the "feels like" temperature (heat index for those scientific folks) is in the 100's. Even the Panamanians are saying it's hotter than usual.
3. Church in El Valle was just as good, if not better, than I remember it. The people and their passion are contagious. It is an amazing place and God is doing fantastic things there through His people.
4. Traffic in Panama City is just as bad as it ever was. With the newer, nicer car than we had while we were previously here, we think that more people are out to get us. It's either that or we care more about our car now.
5. Although there's much more technology to keep in touch with folks (Viber, WhatzApp, etc), we are still finding it difficult to make a regular phone call back to the states. And since internet is spotty at times, that adds to the difficulty.
6. Our bank's fraud protection department is very diligent. In fact, so diligent that it took 4 tries to get money wired (from US bank to US bank) to the gentleman who sold us the car. And, we had to verify ourselves at least 3 times before they gave us back our online access and allowed us to make purchases in Panama again. And, yes, we had put a travel alert on the account. Like I said, they are VERY diligent. Grateful, through clenched teeth.
7. Speaking of cars, I think we officially set the record of getting a car the quickest upon our arrival here. We had possession of our car within 12 hours of setting foot here. That is unheard of! But we have a God who has provided richly and quickly.
8. Having an apartment door (2nd floor) that automatically locks behind us and a downstairs building door that requires a key to exit the building is a bit troublesome. Our first day here, Aaron got the building key stuck in the building door, it would not unlock, and we had no other way out of the building. The kids and I finally went through a neighbor's apartment and out through the backdoor so we could hang out at friend's house, while Aaron stayed and tried to "unstick" the key. Finally, around 8:00 pm that evening, a different neighbor was able to get the key out and give us a lesson in key turning so this wouldn't happen again.
So, these are some of the random thoughts and experiences we've had here so far. We are glad to be back, and excited as we get started on this next chapter.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Saddle-sore yet?
Hmmm. Considering that this blog is entitled "The Adventures of Lambie and Baby Doll" (see one of the first posts to understand why it was given this name) and that Lambie and Baby Doll never made it back from the first Panama Adventure (Lambie stayed on permanent vacation in Costa Rica and we think wild dogs carried off Baby Doll), I'm wondering if it is better get back in the saddle. . . or maybe go find a new horse. I guess I'll get back in this saddle. I might get a little saddle-sore, but here goes.
I started this blog as we began our first Panama "God-venture." And boy was it ever one. As much as we had hoped to be able to get back to Panama when we first returned to The States, the timing wasn't right. Until now, that is. The doors are open and the lights are green, so it seems.
Team Chowning is headed back to Panama. The God-venture is taking place in a little different location this time. We will be in Panama City. Yeah, I know. We swore we'd never live in Panama City. Never say never. We will be working at Crossroads Christian Academy, a small American-style, Christian school on the outskirts of town that caters to Panamanians (40%) as well as missionary kids, and expats from all over the world. I will be teaching Kindergarten and Aaron will be the Instructional Technology Coordinator (teaching & integrating technology). Aivlyn will be in 2nd grade and Mylen will be in 5th. Watch out CCA; Team Chowning is coming!
We have signed a 2-year teaching contract, enrolled the kids, and started ALL the bundles of paperwork for FBI background check, partnership with RCE (Resourcing Christian Education), etc. We are swimming in papers! Oh, and did I mention that we moved during all this? Yes, we've sold our house (3000 sqft) and moved into a 2-bedroom apartment for <2 5x10="" a="" all="" and="" bear="" couldn="" earthly="" for="" have="" months.="" our="" p="" part="" storage="" t="" to="" treasures="" unit="" we="" with.="">
So, here we are. In a short-term holding pattern. Finishing up jobs and school here. Getting ready to start our next God-venture (not that a God-venture ever really ends). I hope to start blogging again to document the God-venture that is leading us BACK to Panama. I'm pleased that you might be joining me. Jump back in the saddle with me. We might get saddle-sore, but at least we're riding together!
I started this blog as we began our first Panama "God-venture." And boy was it ever one. As much as we had hoped to be able to get back to Panama when we first returned to The States, the timing wasn't right. Until now, that is. The doors are open and the lights are green, so it seems.
Team Chowning is headed back to Panama. The God-venture is taking place in a little different location this time. We will be in Panama City. Yeah, I know. We swore we'd never live in Panama City. Never say never. We will be working at Crossroads Christian Academy, a small American-style, Christian school on the outskirts of town that caters to Panamanians (40%) as well as missionary kids, and expats from all over the world. I will be teaching Kindergarten and Aaron will be the Instructional Technology Coordinator (teaching & integrating technology). Aivlyn will be in 2nd grade and Mylen will be in 5th. Watch out CCA; Team Chowning is coming!
We have signed a 2-year teaching contract, enrolled the kids, and started ALL the bundles of paperwork for FBI background check, partnership with RCE (Resourcing Christian Education), etc. We are swimming in papers! Oh, and did I mention that we moved during all this? Yes, we've sold our house (3000 sqft) and moved into a 2-bedroom apartment for <2 5x10="" a="" all="" and="" bear="" couldn="" earthly="" for="" have="" months.="" our="" p="" part="" storage="" t="" to="" treasures="" unit="" we="" with.="">
So, here we are. In a short-term holding pattern. Finishing up jobs and school here. Getting ready to start our next God-venture (not that a God-venture ever really ends). I hope to start blogging again to document the God-venture that is leading us BACK to Panama. I'm pleased that you might be joining me. Jump back in the saddle with me. We might get saddle-sore, but at least we're riding together!
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