Guamani Game Day!!

Friday we didn't have classes because it was "game day" at Guamani Private School. We weren't quite sure what to expect this day to be. Each grade competes against the other classes in games like: shoe race, sack race, ballon pass,etc. Well Brent's class turned out to be the big champs from the 2nd grade. And my class, on the other hand, didn't win a game!! Mrs. Montes, one of the other 3rd grade teachers, had her class cheat to win all of the games. It was kinda of funny because that is just how she is, but I guess some of the parents and kids weren't too happy about it. Anyways we only had an hour and a half to try to do 10 games, and we only did about 5, so the kids were kind of disappointed. I think they had a good time though! We like it because then we got to go home early. Brent got invited to one of his student's birthday parties, so we went. They are fun, but way too long!!! Last night we had planned a bonfire with all the other american teachers. Ended up that the 4 of us( Brent,me, Kelly, and Courtney)were ready and on time but the rest weren't. Finally we just left and had our own party!! I guess us 4 haven't turned Puerto Rican, in the being late for everything part. Today and tomorrow will be spent getting ready for our visitors on Tuesday. We are so excited for Brent's parents to visit! They will be here for almost 2 weeks! We have that time off for our spring/easter break!! I love the vacation days at this school!! Have a great week!

Me and Lisa, the big game day cheater!!!

The kids had fun after the water ballon games!

Let's go to the pool!!

It was nice to have a 3 day weekend! We stayed in Guayama this week, on Friday we went to a baseball game. The last time we went was in August, and that is when we sat in the visitor section. This time we sat in the right section, so we did get glared at!: ) The guys infront of us brought in 3 bottles of rum, they kept asking us if we wanted some shots. Interesting baseball game I guess!

On Saturday we decided not to go to the beach, but instead, a hotel swimming pool. It was so much fun. We had the entire pool to just the 4 of us. We even brought our snorkeling gear in the pool. Kelly and I have a hard time using the flippers. So we practiced using them in the pool to become the best snorkelers we can be!!The best part of the pool was that we didnt have sand everywhere. It was a good change!!

Last night we went to a movie, which in Puerto Rico, can be interesting. See people here talk during the movie, it is so annoying. Last night Courtney had enough, and during the movie he yelled shut up in Spanish. Everyone was quiet. We were a little nervous leaving the theater with that big group of guys following us. Nothing happened though!! Tonight we had one of our "combo nights" with the neighbors. Brent made parmesan chicken for everyone! The night before Kelly made some tostados for all of us. We enjoy our little "combo nights"!! This week we have 4 days of school, then on Friday it is "game day" which only last an hour and a half. So another short week at GPS!! We are counting down the days for spring break when Brent's parents will be here!! Only a couple of pics this week. My camera battery was dead and I didn't realize it! Have a great week!!

Brent and Courtney sitting in the shade!

Kelly, the pool babe : )

Lots of kisses

Is this weird that both our dogs lay down while eating???

Birthdays!! Birthdays!!

This weekend Brent and I got to experience something new....a Puerto Rican birthday party ( actually not one, but two of them!) We realized that birthdays in PR are much different than what we are used to. When we first got invited to the parties we thought it was strange. The other teachers assured us that it was typical for the children to invite the teachers. On Saturday morning,the mom of one of my students called me to make sure I was going to attend the party.She even offered to come pick me up. We decided to go. We found the house in a very nice area of Guayama. She said the party started at 2:00, so of course, Brent and I were there on time making us the first guests ( we forgot she meant 2:00 Puerto Rico time). After a few hours lots and lots of people came. Down here the birthday parties include all the families invited, not just the kids. It was huge! The kids swam and jumped in a blow up thingy. There was a man grilling pinchos and hot dogs. We had a good time for the entire 4 hours we were there. I told the mom we were leaving and she said the "real happy birthday" hadnt started yet ( that is when all the parents start partying I guess) We left anyways.

Today we had another party to go to in a different town. The parents are so nice and welcoming. We were, again, the first guests there. Pretty much the same things going on at this party. It was nice to talk with some of the parents. So this weekend we didn't really get our "break" from the students, oh well. This week is only four days!! Here are a few pictures I took at the parties. Have a great week!

Welcome to Puerto Rico, Jodi!!

We just took Jodi to the airport this morning at 3:30! We are so tired! Not just from getting up early, but from our busy week with Jodi. We had a blast.

You will notice that we dont have many pictures. There is a reason for that. Arg!! Last night I was going to put Jodi's memory stick in my computer to get the pictures ( we just used her camera). Well I accidentally put the memory stick into the slot above the actual memory stick slot. I felt so bad. We cant get it out. I think we will take it to COMP USA and see if they are able to get it out. I feel horrible!! I really hope we can save those pics.

Jodi got in on Thursday. We took her to a restaurant to try some puerto rican food. I also got her hooked on pina colodas there!! On Friday Jodi came to our school and stayed with me for several hours. The kids loved her!! They even brought her gifts on Monday! After school, Jodi and I went to Ponce to see the boardwalk. We also did a little shopping in the plaza.

On Saturday we got up early and headed to a little island. We had to take a boat to "Caja de Muertos". They drop us off for 8 hours and then take us back to the main island. We hiked, snorkled, and got sun burned! Ouch!!( I used 50 spf all day).

On Sunday we woke up early and went to El Yunque, the rainforest. Jodi and I got in the waterfall. Really, we were like the only two people that actually got in that freezing water. After that, we went to Old San Juan for a little shopping!

Yesterday we went to a beach near our house to look for sand dollars. Not much luck.

We had such a good time. I just feel bad that I dont have the pictures to show.

Here are some pictures that Kelly took of the little island that we visited on Saturday. Hopefully I can get the other pictures and put them up soon!!

Another Week Gone By....

We had a pretty interesting week at school. On Thursday we got to school and found that we didn't have electricity, not a big shock, that happens once in a while. Usually the electricity goes out, and then comes back within an hour. On Thursday, we had to spend 3 hours trying to teach our kids in a room with no lights ( not even windows) and no air conditioning. It was not fun. Everyone was so miserable in the heat. Thankfully the electricity eventually came back on. Friday was Dr. Seuss' birthday. Kelly and I did several activities throughout the week to celebrate it. For some reason, we even decided to make all our students cupcakes with little cookie hats on top. It was actually pretty fun, and the kids loved them! They all made Dr. Seuss hats too! Notice, Kelly and I had to make our own Dr. Seuss hats too!!
After school on Friday, we went to this new restaurant close to our house, to meet up with several teachers. They had great food there. Lots of typical Puerto Rican food ( all fried of course!) We had such a good time. We planned on going for an hour, but stayed for about four hours. The teachers here are a blast to hang out with!! ( I forgot my camera)
On Saturday, Brent and I ventured out to find Jobos Bay. We have tried to find this place several times, but never had any luck. Well we did find it Saturday. It is a bay that is covered with mangroves. It is a good place to go hiking and see manatees!
Today we are doing the usually Sunday things; cleaning, laundry, shopping, and school work. We are going to have a busy week showing Jodi as much of Puerto Rico as we can. It should be a good time. Have a great week!

Kelly and I working hard on the cupcakes
Aren't they cute?

Us posing with our hats we made!!

Hiking



Train that was used to hall sugar cane