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October 28, 2004
Illicit Materials at School
I've had some great first-year-teacher experiences. Like the first day of class when I wrote on the dry erase board with an unlabeled permanent marker.
Rebecca and I are noticing that the kids are really falling apart lately when it comes to knowing what is inappropriate to bring to school. My multimedia class is putting together a composite project that will be a promotional movie poster of the class. It will feature each of them dressed in superhero gear, looking tough. Photoshop it all together, put it on a slick background, add a WordArt title, A+ for everyone. Unless you bring a real gun to school for the photoshoot.
All I could say was, "What the... What is that? Give it to me.
Discipline was easy: his mother worked at the school. Administration informed her that in the States her son would've been expelled.
The Kindergarten Principal recently sent home a note to all parents for a similar problem. Rebecca has been dealing with many Kindergartners bringing makeup to school, hiding it in their bags, and sloppily applying it to each other during recess. Detection of this offense is relatively straightforward.
Posted by Jeff at 03:20 PM | Comments (0)
Technical Support in Education
Most teachers are fairly tech savvy.
I know education doesn't have a reputation for being on the bleeding edge or anything, but most teachers are expected to use technology fairly regularly, and integrate some technology basics in their curriculum.
That being said, I feel that there's a certain rare stupidity that runs just a little deeper and truer; one that can slip through the cracks in education (and other demographics of course, such as chefs, janitorial engineers, and Alaskans).
Evidence is mounting, but perhaps the most telling is an anecdote (or vignette, as we call them in educational research) born just yesterday.
The pre-primary area has a closet lab with two computers. An educator was using both computers simultaneously. When approached about the availability of a computer, the teacher responded, "I need to use both because I need to type something while I use the web to search on the other".
In the tech department, we've decided to downgrade her system to DOS, then install Win3.11 in a month when she's ready for the new "multitasking" capabilities of Windows.
Posted by Jeff at 02:50 PM | Comments (0)
October 25, 2004
Cilmbed a Volcano
We climbed an active volcano this weekend called Pacaya, summit elevation 2,552 m (8367 ft). For reference, Guatemala City and Pacaya base camp are both at about 5000 ft. If you come down to visit and are in decent shape, this is a must-do. The most recent major eruption occured in early 2000, a violent explosion with a tephra-bearing plume reaching 8-km altitude. Three lava flows continuined through March 2000. The climb is safe because the activity is relatively predictable and infrequent. Pacaya is only 18 miles south of Guatemala City.
The approach hike takes about 80 minutes with several vistas.
Right before the main cone, there's a basin where people have moved large volcanic rocks to spell words. You can see a few people in the basin here rearranging letters; not exactly an accepted ecotourism practice.
When you emerge into the clearing and see the main debris-avalanche cone for the first time, it seems like a near impossible hike. The camera doesn't really capture it, but the ascent is actually about 40 degrees (pretty steep for inexperienced hikers). The cone is made of loose skeet, and footing is very difficult. It really is 3 steps forward, slide 1 step back, and takes about 40 minutes.
At the top there is a large crater, about 300 feet across. This is us on the rim.
Imagine panning slightly more right, and you can see one of the two main visible vents, this one in the wall of the crater. Both vents are very audibly "breathing" smoke, and the lava creates the red glow in the sulpheric fog.
Pan further right, looking at the center of the crater, and you see the other vent - a smaller cone within the crater. We spent about 30 minutes up top and actually did see one red-hot rock be expelled from the cone, as well as some ash. Not pictured, there are small ground vents surrounding the crater every 20 feet or so. They are a few inches wide and expell little puffs of warm gas that you can feel with your hand. The ground itself is warm.
We took a video of the inner cone breathing, as well as the best part: sliding down the loose skeet - it feels like walking on the moon, really fun. Link:
Posted by Jeff at 09:55 AM | Comments (0)
October 15, 2004
United $388 Chicago<->Guate Round Trip
United has responded to American's offer, and while not as low as American's $348, now you can get your miles on whichever airline you prefer. Similar terms: Book by October 22, 2004 for travel through February, 28, 2005.
Posted by Jeff at 02:36 PM | Comments (0)
Our Apartment
Mostly for my Mom's edification...
I present our home away from home(s)
p.s Jeff made me include the pictures of the shoes.
The Kitchen - small but mighty
Living Room/Dinning Room - world's most uncomfortable furniture
Guest Room/Junkyard
Master Bedroom
The shared closet. Yes, I have a bit of an addiction. Jeff would like to point out the contrast.
Master Bath
Posted by Rebecca at 10:03 AM | Comments (0)
October 14, 2004
I Have a Maid
This blows my mind: Rebecca and I pay $12 every week to have a trustworthy woman spend 4 hours cleaning up after us. She does all our dishes, cleans the kitchen, and cooks for us. She cleans, folds, and puts away my laundry. She washes the bathrooms, mops the floors, organizes our messes we leave out, and sometimes even redecorates the place. Rebecca and I really get a kick out of this. We have the little Guatemalan maid that is an aspiring interior decorator. We never asked her to trim the fringe off the rug or move the furniture around.
I LOVE THIS!!! - yet it feels somehow wrong that I should have all this for $6. Overall, the arguments for hiring her are much stonger: Doing it oursleves would deny her some business she gladly wants. We recommend her to others. Rebecca's maid last year was $10/weekly visit, so giving our new one $12 is generous. Besides being highly recommended as trustworthy, she once found Q100 ($12 - her entirely weekly fee) in my pocket doing my laundry, and left it out with a note. I love her.
Posted by Jeff at 11:54 AM | Comments (0)
October 13, 2004
CHICAGO <-> GUATEMALA Cheap Airfare!
Found this from American Airlines:
"The Chicago Fare Sale is in full swing. Right now, you'll find reduced rates from Chicago to some of our most popular destinations around the globe. To take advantage of these fares, book now through October 22, 2004, and travel anytime from October 20, 2004, to February 28, 2005."
| From: | To: | Round-trip Fare* |
| Chicago O'Hare, IL (ORD) | Guatemala City, Guatemala (GUA) | $348 |
Right now we are planning on being back in the US from Saturday, December 11th to Thursday, December 30th. The week directly before and after would be excellent times to visit because school is not in session.The direct flight from Chicago is a 4 hour flight. Email me if you'd like to set up a time to visit.
*Terms & Conditions
Fares shown are for round-trip Economy Class
travel purchased on AA.com, and are in U.S. dollars. Fares shown are valid for
travel Monday through Thursday; other travel days are available at additional
cost. Fares are subject to change without notice. International fares are
subject to government approval. Fares do not include (a) a federal excise tax
of $3.10 per U.S. domestic flight segment, defined as one takeoff and landing,
of a passenger's itinerary; (b) up to $18 per round trip in local airport
charges; and (c) September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 per enplanement
originating at a U.S. airport, up to $5 per one way or $10 per round trip.
Fares for destinations in Canada do not include Federal Inspection Fee of $7
USD per round trip or Air Traveller Security charge of up to $24 CAD per
passenger originating at a Canadian airport. For international and Puerto
Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands destinations, government taxes and fees of up to $125,
varying by destination, are not included and may vary slightly depending on
currency exchange rates at the time of purchase.
Tickets must be purchased at least 7 days prior to departure, within 24 hours
of making reservations, or by midnight October 22, 2004 (CT), whichever comes
first. Fares are valid for travel October 20, 2004 through February 28, 2005,
with the following exceptions: For destinations in the U.S. and Canada, travel
is not valid November 27-29, 2004 or December 23 or 26-27, 2004 or January 1-3,
2005. For destinations in Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Caribbean,
travel is not valid to Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Caribbean December
18-19 or 22-24, 2004 and from Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Caribbean
December 31, 2004 through January 2, 2005. For destinations in Mexico, travel
is not valid to Mexico on November 20 or 27-28, 2004 or December 15-24, 2004
and from Mexico November 20 or 27-28, 2004 or January 1-9, 2005. For
destinations in Japan, travel is not valid to Tokyo on December 10-24, 2004 and
from Tokyo December 31, 2004 through January 9, 2005. For destinations in
Central and South America, travel is not valid to Argentina/Uruguay/Peru/Boliva
December 5-23, 2004 and from Argentina/Uruguay/ Peru/Boliva December 30, 2004
through January 19, 2005. Travel is not valid to Belize/Panama/Costa
Rica/Nicaragua/El Salvador/Honduras December 10-26, 2004 and from
Belize/Panama/Costa Rica/Nicaragua/El Salvador/Honduras December 30, 2004
through January 16, 2005. Travel is not valid to Guatemala December 3-24, 2004.
Travel is not valid to Chile December 15-23, 2004 and from Chile January 1-9,
2005 or January 29 through February 5, 2005. Travel is not valid to
Ecuador/Colombia/Brazil/Paraguay December 10-24, 2004 and from
Ecuador/Colombia/Brazil/Paraguay January 1-20, 2005. A Saturday-night minimum
stay may be required, and a 30-day maximum stay is allowed.
Advertised fares are valid only on American Airlines, American Eagle, and
AmericanConnection and do not apply on other codeshare flights. Seats are
limited. Fares may not be available on all flights. Schedules are subject to
change without notice. Fares are nonrefundable and nontransferable. Changes to
your ticket may be made if you meet the restrictions of the new fare and pay up
to a $100 USD fee plus any fare difference. Changes must be made before your
flight departs. When ticketed flights are cancelled prior to departure time,
the ticket will be valid for one year from the date of issue on an unused
ticket or one year from travel origination on a partially used ticket. If you
do not cancel your flight before departure time, the ticket has no value. A
portion or all travel may be operated by American Eagle, American's regional
airline affiliate, or by AmericanConnection (Chautauqua Airlines, Corporate
Airlines, or TransStates Airlines). American Eagle and AmericanConnection are
registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc.
Tickets may also be obtained through an American Airlines Telephone
Reservations Office for an additional $5, or at an American Airlines Travel
Center or Airport Ticket Office for an additional $10.
** AA.com 1,000-Mile Booking Bonus: Earn up to 1,000 AAdvantage bonus miles for
every round-trip ticket booked on AA.com. Bonus offer is valid for round-trip
travel on American Airlines, American Eagle or AmericanConnection. Bonus miles
do not count toward elite-status qualification. Bonus miles will be credited to
the account of the person traveling within 3-4 weeks after flight activity is
posted to the traveler's AAdvantage account. No registration is required.
American reserves the right to change or discontinue bonus offers at any time.
Posted by Jeff at 11:53 AM | Comments (0)
October 12, 2004
For Jeremy and Bobbie
Last week we received a package that should serve as a reminder to all of us.
This is the tragic story of a little boy named Jose Fernando Montegolla. Uncommon for a child of privledge, JoFer loved to fish at the pond. Not every child has a butler so faithful as Mostaza El Fiel. Most days after school JoFer and Mostaza would trek the trail bar to Mount Galleta, their favorite fishing spot. One day a ferocious goldfish named Pescado yanked young JoFer's line so hard that he fell in, gusher'd his head on the rocks, and was devoured by goldfish; which is a terrible, if improbable, way to die.
Mostaza never forgave himself for not watching JoFer more carefully. Every day he returns to the spot where JoFer loved to fish and meditates on the memory of his young friend, who visits as a spirit.
Thank you Jer and Bobbie for your thoughtful note and the care package :)
See The Tragedy (popup window)
Posted by Jeff at 12:40 PM | Comments (0)
October 05, 2004
When is it your fault?
In teaching, when is it your fault? If one student has a horrible day, what could you have done to prevent that? If the entire class has a bad day, is it you or them? What if you thought the material was engaging but they were distracted? What if you KNOW it was engaging because your other section loced it and did really well?
I don't know how I feel on whole. Part of me is personally invested. I'm sick, I had a bad day where I had to assign extra homework for an entire section, and it felt bad. Part of me wants to handle it in the business manner, passionate but easy-going, rarely letting work interfere with heart.
Posted by Jeff at 03:31 PM | Comments (0)
October 01, 2004
International Kimberly Clark Rectangle Toilet Paper Conspiracy
Rebecca's father once asked of my coffee, "Is this for drinking or do you need to clean a crank case?" Which brings me to this morning.
As I sit, I realize that yet another of my employing institutions has replaced the standard TP roll with this stack-of-squares innovation from Kimberly Clark. I noticed this at my client in Washington DC, and now I see it is present even in Guatemala City.
First I'm reminded of the times when the roll was out and I had to reach for the Kleenex. That brings a warm memory because of how soft and... Reality returns: this stuff is as thin as it's cheapest traditional alternative, but pre-divided into 4x8 inch rectangles. What, did you think we'd use just one? Two? Do you really think this is tricking us somehow into using less paper per pilgrimage? It makes me so angry that every time I am forced to use these, I take between 45 and 200 squares before declaring "mission accomplished".
Get up, stand up.. Don't give up the fight. Bankrupt the bathroom budget of any baño that tries to quantize your personal cleanliness. Then forgive my cheeky alliteration.
Posted by Jeff at 10:09 AM | Comments (3)