It's Payday!!

$35BZE later, and I am feelin’ muy rica! I’m surprised at just how long this money lasts. Keep in mind that it’s only $17.50US, but I stretch it out and make it last. For only a shilling ($0.25BZE = $0.125US), I can get an Ideal (an Otter Pop, only bigger), which really is ideal in the heat and humidity! They’re great after volleyball practice, which, I decided, is the only sport I truly enjoy playing.

I’m one of 2 dedicated coaches who mediate boys volleyball practice everyday at 3:30pm. Man! It’s rough! These guys are so talented, but have very few positive emotions toward each other and don’t know how to take responsibility for their own mistakes. I’m more of the “ethics of volleyball” coach and Sean is more of the skills coach. I never wanted to be, but I think I’ll have to be the volunteer that many of them don’t like. Each of the volunteers, I have noticed, has their own approach to how they relate with students. I think my style is going to tend toward “tough love” with my 2nd form and volleyball boys. I hope that this year they can learn to be more respectful gentlemen.

It’s completely different with my girls, both 1st and 2nd form! I can show more of my personality in class because they know how to focus when it’s time to focus and be silly when it’s time to be silly. Today in my 2nd form class, I think my students and I formed a new level of respect for each other. We were able to be silly and crack jokes while I was teaching, while still remaining on task. I even felt comfortable enough with them to make them the teachers, and it went surprisingly well! They were able to clearly teach their classmates how to add and subtract algebraic expressions- and it was fun- and they learned!

Besides teaching and volleyball, I am also involved in Student Council, organizing the Math Olympiad, tutoring, grading, planning, Handmaidens (a group of girls at the high school who pray together and play together), drama club (I was designated the head of this club without prior knowledge. Don’t know what I’ll do with it yet.), and dance club (which will start after volleyball). This is all on top of daily Mass, prayer, eating, showering (sometimes twice/day), and trying to get a little bit of relaxation in. This really is a mission and not vacation. I think I’ll have to cut some activities in order to give more fully of myself. At this time, I feel like I’m being spread extremely thin and I can only give 50% when I should be giving 100%. Pray for me that I can understand what my personal mission is here in Benque.

I’ve officially been here for three full weeks, and they have been anything but easy. They have been quite tough in just about all aspects. Just so that I can keep you fully filled in, I’ll mention a couple.
1. Over the past 2 years, I have had some knee problems and they seem to be returning. Nothing awful, don’t worry. I think the constant uneven ground and walking is taking its toll. I anticipated this, thankfully, so I have been wearing the knee brace that I brought with me to prevent anything bad from happening. Needless to say, this drew much attention at school from my students. Many of them are genuinely concerned (“Ay, Miss, what happened to your foot?” (even though the brace is clearly on my knee)) and others are (jokingly) convinced that I’m trying to start a new trend. Haha! “Miss, you look so fashionable!” (They constantly refer to the female teachers as “Miss,” which they pronounce “Mees.” It’s one thing that always makes me laugh!)
2. I’m always sweaty!
3. I have to wake up by 7am..sometimes I can sleep in until 7:15 and still make it to school by 7:45!
4. Though it’s gotten better, I am still struggling to find my spot amongst the other volunteers. Everyone just has such different personalities, which is wonderful, but at times difficult to live with. I think it’s kind of a blessing in disguise, though. When I would normally go to my best friend, Mae, or someone else, to talk about something, I have to find somewhere else to turn to. Since I don’t feel comfortable enough to open up with the other volunteers, I have had to turn to Christ in prayer, which is something I normally I suck at. I guess this might be how God is pushing me even further to come to know him. It’s rough, but I know he’ll give me a friend to talk to when I know him enough and he thinks I’m ready.
5. I’m always sweaty!…Did I mention that already?
6. The diet is very restricting here with NO calcium, minimal fruits and vegetables and lots and lots of rice and beans! To remedy this, I brought a multivitamin with me…which I have taken once in three weeks. Oops.

There are also many good things that have been happening here, so to end on a positive note, I’ll mention some of them too.
1. I really enjoy the other teachers at the school! They are so fun and real and welcoming! This past weekend, we were invited to the Dean’s (Mr. Sunil) daughter’s (Sanji) 8th birthday party. It was so fun! There were a couple of other teachers there who I got to talk with a bit more. They are so funny!!
2. We sit by department and I like everyone in my department. Mr. Mai is the head and he and I just joke around all day. Mr. Marcos has a very sarcastic sense of humor, which I enjoy! Lucia, another volunteer is just so sweet and has never said a mean thing about anyone. Jonathan, another volunteer is really really dedicated to his mission here, and is a true gentleman. Mr. Dionicio is quiet, but will throw in a joke every now and then, but if you’re not closely listening, you could easily miss it.
3. Lucia and I have been working together to get donations for the math department and Handmaidens. So far, we are getting about 70 calculators and other school supplies for math and about $300 for t-shirts and activities for the Handmaidens. We are very excited!!
4. I am so happy that my family paid a bit extra for me to bring my guitar. I has been a great personal getaway!
5. This past week on a very hot Sunday, 6 of us volunteers packed into a small sports car and took the 15 minute trip to San Ignacio (Cayo) where we swam at the Resort’s pool. It felt so so so great!

I have my busiest day tomorrow, 5 classes, so I will need all the energy I can muster up. I’m praying for all of you at home. Pray for me, please. I miss you all and love you even more.

A special thanks to Martin for getting on me to write these! I find myself so busy that I just forget about things!…Like today when I completely forgot to go to my 1st spiritual direction with Fr. John…..Oops.