Well, we were off to school today. It's not far from the house, but you still need to go by public bus, which is very inexpensive, comfortable and dependable. (Yes, I am in Latin America and I still think those adjectives I just used are appropriate.)
If you're thinking that Costa Rica is just southern Mexico, think again. I do know Mexico very well and Mexico, it is not. The locals (ticos) have their own culture and history. Honestly, I was very surprised at the vast majority in San Jose that look very European. And the Spanish is easily understood. It just fascinates me how the language develops so differently in the various Latin nations. But that is a topic for some other days and a easily a doctoral dissertation. (I've already made a contact in the Instituto Linguistico at the UCR. He's an assistant aiding a profe with a Creole/Spanish/English dictionary. Creole is a language spoken around Limon on the Carribean coast. I was promised a sneak preview.)
The general orientation today was useful. Lots of do's and don'ts. I have had the good fortune to travel extensively, so I was familiar with most of the general info, but for many of the participants this is their first out of country experience. A few minor schedule adjustments were presented and they actually were a step up so to speak.
The food at home is wonderful. I ate out today at lunch and the food was again wonderful. Remember what things taste like when they aren't frozen or out of a can? You can multiply that by 10 and then you can imagine the fruits and veggies here. And always a choice of great fresh juices in lieu of the usual Coke. Kind of no choice but healthy here.
Meet some of the others on the program too. Everyone seems to be faring well. One guy brought his own B'ball and a few of those who can still move quickly @ 4M ft. ASL (cuatro mil pies sobre el nivel del mar) went off to the university gym to play. I'll have to find out how that went!
Manana es otro dia con nuevas experiencias. Le doy la bienvenida.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Arrival in San Jose
The trip was uneventful, once I recoved from the overweight baggage charges that Continental insisted on. At least the arrival was on time. The plane was about 75% young people (under 25). We arrived to a cloudy afternoon with showers ensuing shortly thereafter. The rain is so nice. It has been over 100 degrees F in Houston all week and there hasn't been any rain for over 30 days.
Cool and moist never felt so good.
Met my family as scheduled and much to my surprise their house has WiFi. What more could I ask for? The oldest son was visiting and he owns his own tech support biz, so he put me on-line pronto.
It's a typical Sunday here. Family day. All of the couple's 5 kids are visiting, extended family and neighbors are stopping by and of course, food galore. Que rico! The topic of coversation is the family's Pomeranian's new haircut. The jokes are flying and the coversation is lively. Yes, aqui no se habla ingles. Just the way I like it.
Pues, es todo esta noche, amigos. Buenas noches.
Cool and moist never felt so good.
Met my family as scheduled and much to my surprise their house has WiFi. What more could I ask for? The oldest son was visiting and he owns his own tech support biz, so he put me on-line pronto.
It's a typical Sunday here. Family day. All of the couple's 5 kids are visiting, extended family and neighbors are stopping by and of course, food galore. Que rico! The topic of coversation is the family's Pomeranian's new haircut. The jokes are flying and the coversation is lively. Yes, aqui no se habla ingles. Just the way I like it.
Pues, es todo esta noche, amigos. Buenas noches.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Getting ready to go...
I am going to Costa Rica on a scholarship to do graduate studies in Spanish, which I teach in a suburban Houston high school. I am a member of the AATSP, which sponsors the National Spanish Examination that I have administered to my students for several years. I won my scholarship through the generosity of the National Spanish Exam Board and MLSA, a company that organizes study abroad programs. Muchas gracias!
My students success in the test has been an inspiration to them and their families and actually heightened school-wide interest in doing well in Spanish and subsequently being acknowledged for their success at the year end awards ceremony.
My teaching assignment this August will be at a very large, new high school in the same district. The administrators interviewing me knew of the success and interest the National Spanish Exam had generated where I was teaching and they asked that I be responsible for organizing their school to participate. Yes, it is sooo nice when you do not have to provide all the motivation in the classroom and among administrators!
I'm in the throes of trying to get loose ends together for 6-weeks out of the country, amid my excitement and anticipation. Once in Costa Rica, I'll post to let you know my day-to-day experiences and observations, both educational and personal.
Hasta entonces!
My students success in the test has been an inspiration to them and their families and actually heightened school-wide interest in doing well in Spanish and subsequently being acknowledged for their success at the year end awards ceremony.
My teaching assignment this August will be at a very large, new high school in the same district. The administrators interviewing me knew of the success and interest the National Spanish Exam had generated where I was teaching and they asked that I be responsible for organizing their school to participate. Yes, it is sooo nice when you do not have to provide all the motivation in the classroom and among administrators!
I'm in the throes of trying to get loose ends together for 6-weeks out of the country, amid my excitement and anticipation. Once in Costa Rica, I'll post to let you know my day-to-day experiences and observations, both educational and personal.
Hasta entonces!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)