Fan, Bananas, and a Rollercoaster

Tuesday morning a smaller Tafuna bus came by -not quite the Polly Pocket bus, yet still not one of the regular sized ones. We’ve been lucking out lately saving us some time in the morning. I’m also highly appreciative of rides all the way in the morning in any shape or form as it is getting hotter and more humid down here. Rainy season is here. It’s weird to think that “Spring” is beginning here, whereas back home it is starting to cool off for Fall. Changing hemispheres will do that to a person. Haha. Broke down and brought one of my little fans to school. Hadn't plugged one in yet, but I do get tired of having sweat above my lip at school, so any moment I'm sitting at my desk I get an extra breeze now. Many students said, "nice fan," today. ha

Went over an intro lesson to mixtures and solutions in Earth and Space Science. I had them answer the question describe what makes chocolate milk different from water to get their minds thinking about the topic without even knowing it. Then, we did a note taking session which included questions as we went before going over some examples. I presented a chocolate chip cookie and a peanut butter cookie. For a chocolate chip cookie, you can physically see the different ingredients and can point them out, right? That makes it a heterogeneous mixture (a.k.a. mixture). Whereas, a peanut butter cookie looks the same all the way through making it a homogenous mixture (a.k.a. solution). I then gave a list of items, asking the students to individually place them in the category they believed they belonged. Some did a really good job, a few only missed a few of the tricky ones.

I felt the lesson went well. My VP that covers science thought so, as well. She came in during 2^nd period for an observation. These happen semi-frequently it seems. I never know she’s coming. She quietly walks in, sits in the back, observes for a  while, then simply leaves. She makes comments to me every now and then in the office about my lessons.

Mighty fine day at school before the bell rang earlier than anticipated for a Professional Development faculty workshop. We had a guest from the American Samoa Community College presenting on utilizing game shows in the classroom. Went to Zumba right after the meeting, and then I found myself jogging down the Tafuna road. Hannah asked if I was okay when I told her I did that. Haha. I’ve said before how running really isn’t my thing, but it was already 5:20 when Zumba finished, didn’t have a ride home from there, wasn’t looking too attractive or welcoming (all sweaty, rosy cheeked, and all. Haha), and figured I’d give it a try. I had originally thought this is what I would be doing after Zumba in order to catch a bus home in time, and it wasn’t too bad. Was dripping some sweat when I climbed onto a bus. Definitely looked like a crazy pulagi today jogging down the road with a backpack on. Made it home and was getting ready for my fale workout (double workout Tuesdays and Thursdays). Then, I was told there might be some Insanity going on up the hill. Woot! Hadn’t done that one in over a week, so jogged right on up that hill for it. Might say I did 2.5 workouts today. Remember the whole jogging up the Tafuna road thing :-)

Wednesday morning started out in quite a “fun” moreso gross way. I found bugs climbing around the trash, so I grabbed it to take it out to find maggots. Ugh. Some fell to the ground, so I picked them up with my hands. Then, I dumped the whole trash box out before spraying it down and putting a new bag in. That reminds me, I don’t know if I’ve really mentioned the cockroaches much. Have killed a few cockroaches (in the bathroom mainly), and they are big cockroaches, but more keep coming back. Andrea has killed some, too. I’m sort of getting used to them being around, quite honestly. It’s a bit gross, but I haven’t quite figured out where they’re coming in yet. I was also stung by a yellow wasp the other day. A few of them live on our porch or the neighbors porch. That was fun (sarcastic fun haha)… only stung for a little while. There’s also a little gecko that has been living in my bedroom lately. He doesn’t really bother me, just sits up there on the wall and scurries about a bit. Anyways, that’s life in the rainforest – little creatures in the house. I remember throwing out bugs on a daily basis from our cabin room in the Amazon Rainforest three years ago, as my roommate was rather afraid of all of them. If they start crawling on my face in the middle of the night, then we might have a problem. Haha Let’s hope that day doesn’t come, but the maggots this morning were rather gross. We’ll be more careful of keeping the trash closed from now on to say the least.

Got a ride to school with the ladies in the blue truck. I honestly didn't feel like doing a lecture or activity type lesson today, so I decided it would be a good day to see how my Junior students take notes on their own. Shortened periods Monday-Thursday for pep rally practice, so seemed like a good time. I gave them a little writing prompt non-science related to get them going before assigning 4 pages out of the text book to look through and take notes on. As I had already anticipated, many students aren't quite sure where to start with taking notes. Some were on the right track and started by writing down vocabulary and definitions, but a majority of students just copied some full sentences from the textbook. Gonna have to work on that one. 

Watched some students being escorted to the office and then off campus by the police as it looked like there had been another big fight. Seems like almost an every day thing here. Those rumors were definitely true. Ended up with some fresh avocado from one of the counselors. One day when she had given me ar ide home from Zumba she mentioned her avocado trees, and I said I loved avocados.

Went to the store after school with Hannah before getting a bus ride home, where I did my buns and legs workout before showering and deciding to do my laundry. So a few days ago I got a call from one of the friends in town saying I had a package. Package? I wasn't expecting any package. Who could have sent one. Well, I come home from the laundromat to find that someone had been to town and brought back the mail. Here's my surprise package. The sender? One of my best friends - Karena, who is currently living in Lincoln.

I'm beyond excited to open it up, since I had no idea what was inside. In addition to emails and Skyping, Karena and I have been writing some letters back and forth. Having pen pals is fun, but apackage... I open it up to find all sorts of monkey and banana things. I start smiling, find a little handmade card that says "I'm going bananas without you." Super cute. I read her letter, and I smile even more. Her idea was a success. I loved it, and it made me smile. Made my day actually. She's so creative, and I told her I loved the package almost as much as I love her. Have I mentioned how blessed I am to have made the best friends I did while in college - my 2nd family. Thanks, Karena!

Thursday morning got a ride with Wes, who works for the Department of Wildlife, to the Tafuna intersection. He was really talkative, and we had some good chats about the politics and campaigning here on island. Then, we walked down the Tafuna road. Felt good to walk, albeit it made me sweat a bit. haha

Rollercoaster day - that's what I'm calling this Thursday. 3rd period went fantastically, my students all paid attention as we discussed their notes from yesterday and went over an intro to acids and bases. I had my prep period and pep rally practice time to do a little grading and sweep my floor. 6th period comes in and talks WAY too much. Ugh. I always feel bad for those who continue to work quietly when the others are disrespectful and interrupt our class. I also had a few bad attitudes complaining they were too tired. Too tired, you say? How do you have so much energy to talk when all I am asking you to do is take some notes that I am helping with today? Finally got some of them to pay attention again. Lunch was up next before 4th period. Oh lovely 4th period. My seemingly chaotic period thanks to it being one of the lunch shifts, plus some of my seniors think they can just do whatever they want. A few of my students were followed in by security as they were both late. "What on earth were you doing?" I ask. "I don't appreciate security following you in here." From what I gathered, I don't really think the two boys were doing anything major, but I shut my door after that, had a nice chat with all of them, and then they all sat down, became rather quiet, and got to work. Miss Boschen was getting a bit tired at this point. At the time it was rather frustrating, but then my day got better. I continue to say, "every day is a good day," no matter what bad moments may occur.

2nd period did a rather fine job today, I may have mentioned that I had done enough yelling today. Followed by a decent 1st period, before the final bell rang. Worked on some grading before heading to Zumba class. I was SO ready for Zumba, let me tell you. Zumba'ed it up, enjoyed myself, and burned off some calories. Got a ride with one of my fellow teachers (also the sister to one of my students), who gave me a ride one other time. This time was just a ride to the main road as she and her husband were on their way to visit a family member at the hospital. Waiting at the bus stop around 5:30, patiently waiting, when I'm offered a ride by this guy Junior who lives in Pava'ia'i. Nice guy, and I was thankful for the ride. Did my buns and legs workout (yep, double workout Tuesdays and Thursdays as already mentioned), and then finished up by working on my blog before I relax for a while. I'm sure you may see the little bit of a rollercoaster I had the... uh... pleasure... of riding today. haha. May have been going bananas myself at times today. :P 

Here's to it being Friday tomorrow, where we shall have an interesting pep rally ahead of us. Remember, they've been practicing every day this week. Have a feeling we won't have 6th and 7th period to allow for the (at least) 1.5 hour long pep rally. Hope you all have a great weekend! Saturday is adventure day for me. Currently thinking brunch at Mom's Place in Tafuna before heading to Fagasa Bay on the Northside to hang out and visit a few of the volunteers out there.