If I have learned anything in the past two weeks, two months, even two years....it's that the biggest things are actually really small. The small things can be the biggest. Well, indeed, they ARE the biggest.
I've always known that the small things count the most, but knowing and living that philosophy are two very different things. In the past, having a loved one show up to an important volleyball tournament was way more important to me than any congratulatory gift was. When my boyfriend helps with the dishes even though it's his least favorite household chore, it shows me he cares more than any elaborate act can. When my best friend is there for me after a tough day, even when she had a tough one too, even when we are miles apart, her listening ear says more than any grand act of kindness does.
Yes, it's always been about the small things, but things that are even smaller than that can be come important when you miss them. It's true that you often don't miss something until it's gone.
But THEN, when you get it back, you feel like each small token is a million bucks! Like me, after you get used to "roughing it" in the jungle, just being able to paint your toenails (and not having them chip the same day because you're flip-flop walking on gravel roads everywhere), you feel like a D-I-V-A. My toenails are currently shiny purple and they have been that way for A WHOLE WEEK and I'm convinced this is what movie stars feel like.
I've always loved the hot, humid, beachy weather. Essentially, I decided to quit winter when I moved here. Don't get me wrong, I totally dig a good soak in the sun, surfing sick waves, wearing tank tops to work, and never having to wear closed toed shoes. BUT. It sure is nice to not have my hair constantly plastered to my forehead with sweat. I can wear it down for a whole day here without breaking a sweat - I even have to wear pants and long sleeves at night! - and my hair stays clean and dry for more than one millisecond. Sleeping under, well, ANYTHING, is nice after even sheets were unbearable, and I've never been so content snuggling in a fuzzy blanket (except maybe when it included Twinkie Time -shout out Al! haha).
I HAVE INTERNET (5Megs, what up) IN MY HOUSE in case you missed that, and let's be real, in this day in age, that's not such a small thing anymore. But there are small things that come with internet, like listening to music while you cook dinner and watching Netflix with no pants on. Let's just pause. How many of you do that on a daily or weekly basis? Show of hands....Yeah, that's what I thought. So next time you're hanging out in your underpants and oversized hoodie watching the latest episode of Game of Thrones, take a second to reflect on how lucky you are. In so many ways.
As it relates to Netflix, I'm not sure how to handle myself with 112 channels of real-life T.V. I can get yogurt and real portobello mushrooms (as well as most other things actually) here for literally less than half the price of what they were in Guiones. Mostly, having a weekend farmers market less than a block from my house has me counting down the days until Saturday. Not because I don't want to go to work, but because I love market day that much.
(Pause for big small thing #139: There is a power outlet close enough to charge my computer and sit on my porch at the same time. Unpause.)
Speaking of work, the small things couldn't be more black and white after the miserable experience at my previous school. The school here has been nothing but welcoming and helpful in this transition, and that is something I have never had in any transition maybe like ever in my adult life. After putting me up in a (nice) hotel until my apartment was available, they helped me move in! The day before move in, I met with the HR lady. I asked her the directions to my new place so I could find it the next afternoon as I moved my stuff. She looked at me funny and declared, "Oh girl, I'm not that mean!" After a pause and me looking very confused (me: "mean?? uh oh...?? Help, I don't know what's happening..."), she clarified by telling me the school already had a driver set up that would pick me up from school, go get my large inventory of luggage from the hotel, drive me to my new place, and help me move my things. Well then! I was so used to being left to my own devices that I never even considered the possibility that they'd assist me in any of the transition processes. I was wrong again today when I emailed HR concerning my lack of hot water. Listen, I'm so used to not having hot water, that when the previous teacher mentioned the apartment didn't have it, I wasn't worried. I've had no use for it in my past few locations. BUT OH I'm freezing here. It's probably 70 degrees and I'm under a fuzzy blanket with long sleeves on. A shower without hot water ended up being an acrobatic event as I tried to only get my hair wet enough to wash it without it dripping down my back. Think standing-half-back-bend-with-arms-flailing-for-balance-and-squeals-of-surprise-caused-by-ice-water-drops-being-splattered-on-my-back. By 9am this morning, they had the handy man at my house, and upon sticking my hand under the showerhead promptly at 3:30 when I got home, I indeed do have hot water! Whooooo!
My class of ONLY 4th graders already makes fun of me for my marker obsession. They sigh and giggle when I decorate our lesson posters. We have THREE boxes of markers. And no, not the 8 packs like I had ONE of at my old school (that maybe didn't even work). NO, each box has like 50 markers, organized into sections for each of 15 different colors!!! We have more colors of markers here than I had markers period at my old school, even if you count the ones that didn't work. Probably excessive, but for now, it's definitely like Christmas.
OH and I have a microwave to heat up my leftovers for lunch. Try eating a cold, leftover lunch every day (because cold, it was still better than the school lunch), and then we can talk about the special kind of crazy that it makes you.
Among all these small things, of course, there are bigger things that really make a difference. I have a support staff. Previously, my teaching positions required me to wear approximately 14 different hats - teacher (of 3+ grades and 3 core subjects plus multiple specials like art, computer, library, and music), curriculum developer, ESL support, LD coach (learning disabilities), and school counselor all without much planning time or team collaboration mind you. (Then again, when your team is made of 5 in the whole school....well.....let's just say I work with more than that on a daily basis here). But guess what. I wear about 1 hat here. Just 4th grade teacher. Yeah I teach multiple subjects, but I have support staff, and the kids actually go to other teachers for their "specials" classes.
Overall, it's been a good couple weeks here in Escazu. I'm learning more and more that castles cannot be built without each small brick. Dollars cannot be made without pennies. Your glass cannot be full without each droplet of water (or wine, ya know, whichever you prefer).
I've got more and more bricks, pennies, and droplets each day.
Thursday, April 16, 2015
Monday, April 6, 2015
Guess Who's Back?!
Well, folks. My magic "Three Week Career Move" habit continues - somehow, no matter how much or when or where I apply for jobs, I get the offer almost exactly three weeks in advance. Think about it - Corcovado School in Jimenez, deciding to go back to Jimenez after break (with no job), Woolman in California, Academy del Sol.....ALL 4 big moves away from home have been made with three weeks (or less) notice.
And now, I have just made another move with less than three weeks notice.
Let's start at the beginning. First of all, I've noticed a pattern - for those of you who have always read my blog will notice the same pattern - I do not blog when I am unhappy. I suppose I don't like to complain or air my dirty laundry publicly. Therefore, you may have noticed a decline in my blogging frequency because yes, I have been VERY unhappy in my most recent job.
Upon accepting the position to teach kindergarten and 1st-3nd grade (which ended up being 1st-2nd -just one more misconception) at Academy del Sol, I was excited to be in a school that seemed to be more established than my last school, and I was hoping the town would be one step up from Jimenez. After jumping around so much, I was also hoping to find a place to stay for a while and gain some really solid teaching experience. I was promised the structure of a provided curriculum and freedom to teach the things that were important to me, and part of my contract included getting my work visa that would allow me to work legally and avoid costly and time-consuming border runs.
Turns out things were not as they seemed. The work visa (that they were going to pay half for) was totally bailed on without an offer to help financially or offer days off for border runs. There indeed was a curriculum - one that was many years outdated and no longer aligned to the Common Core standards I was expected to follow. It was also boring and an awful curriculum anyway, aligned with No Child Left Behind (which isn't any better). The freedom I was promised was not given without a really tough couple of fights and breakdowns. Organization was absolute chaos - one policy would be implemented one week, I'd do all the work to reconfigure my plans and procedures, only for it to be tossed out and replaced with another new policy two weeks (or less!!) later....I didn't need that on top of the INSANE workload I already had. Trying to teach a mixed-age/grade, mixed (but not all) content area classroom without support from my administration or specialists was thoroughly draining. If you closed the doors and left me with my kids and my own lessons, I was able to see the light. But overall, I was not happy. There were more days that I was miserable than I was happy, most Sundays were spent dreading a new work week (so much so that I couldn't enjoy my life), and towards the end, I questioned whether I even wanted to be a teacher!!! No job should make you question a passion. On top of all of this, the town was a small, EXPENSIVE mini-America without the Tico qualities I love about this country. AND enrollment was plummeting faster than a speeding meteorite burning in the atmosphere (nerd alert). The families were so seasonal that I was predicted to have less than 4 students by the summer, which could have led to "secretary" work to fill my extra time. NOPE. Not worth it.
Bottom line is that I do not take these big risks in life to be miserable. If I was okay with being unhappy, I would stay safe in my little bubble. But I know what I want, and I am going to pursue it with fervor until I get it.
So, I quit. Just like that. Two strikes were already down after the fights/breakdowns, and I gave myself a deadline. I got to that deadline, was still unhappy, so I quit. What a relief that was....!!!
Luckily enough, upon emailing my old principal from student teaching (remember the first time I stepped foot in Costa Rica for that experience?!?!), I found out that Country Day School needed a maternity substitute. It just so happened that the job started the exact Monday I was free!!! The school was even going to help with my housing, and pay me more. It's expensive to live here in Escazu, but I won't have a quad payment, rent will be 1/3 of what it was in Guiones, and food will be fresh from the ferias (farmers markets). I don't have surfing or the beach (but that's ok, I snapped my surfboard last week so.....), but I have the mountains, cool weather, no dust, and a nearby airport that runs specials on cheap domestic flights for whenever I need some saltwater healing.
After spending a wonderful Semana Santa (spring break) with Paco back in the Osa, I came back to Escazu with a full emotional gas tank. Happy, refreshed, and ready for my first day. Which went surprisingly smooth. Almost too smooth. Haha! I realized that simply knowing my way around the school reduced my stress levels tenfold, and the previous teacher had really prepared for her departure by planning the next units in all subjects for me! Those two things alone will ease my transition for sure! On top of that, I was given nothing short of a warm welcome - each member of my administration came to my classroom to welcome me personally and offer assistance if I ever need it, big or small. That really said a lot for me that each one cared enough about a little ole sub to come greet me and make sure I had everything I needed before, during, and after my first day!! Many teachers remember me (obviously the ones I was friends with did too), and the secretary remembered me by name! Staff that I barely knew even recognized me... I went to get my school ID picture taken and the lady in the business office asked "Didn't I already make you one of these?" Haha! Yes, but three years ago! My next door neighbor teacher even told me how thankful they all were that the school found me - in the past, subs like me haven't been real teachers, just someone they found in a pinch! I felt so welcomed and appreciated even from the start!
As far as my kids go...I'm teaching 4th grade. Yes, JUST FOURTH GRADE. This is the first time since I was at CDS the first time that I've had just one grade level! That sure did make today easy! Plus, they're a little older and already independent, which is great. I'm not sure of the exact breakdown, but all are bilingual and from cool places. If you remember, I had a student last time that had an Auburn alum parent - my Auburn culture lesson really hit home with him....I have his little sister in my class. She walked right in, remembered me, and even told me of their trip to visit Auburn for the first time last year!! Small world!
I have my very own classroom that I did not have to share or move between, and one box of EACH COLOR crayons and markers, not just one box of old crayons and markers mixed!! I even have a school teacher computer and classroom iPads!!! WHAT. I have 14 students total, and they were really well behaved today. So much so that I'm nervous that it's the quiet before the storm. I'm not sure if I'm just used to being thrown into the middle of chaos or if they're really this sweet, but I've been assured they really are a good class. My principal says that 4th grade may even be the envy of the elementary school because our kids are so great. I sure hope it stays this way!! Haha!
Another thing that blew my mind was having fellow teachers and support! At both previous schools, there have been about 4 teachers and 3 staff TOTAL. Here, I have 4 teachers and about 3 staff members I collaborate with IN MY GRADE ALONE. One teacher even pulls kids out once a week and also helps me in the classroom twice a week. I HAVE SUPPORT STAFF?! Wow, what a revolutionary idea!! I'm feeling overly thankful for these things I've yearned for for so long! I didn't realize just how many hats I've been forced to wear these past few years, and I'm excited to be wearing maybe just 1 or 2 here! Ahhhh... :)
Hopefully today was an indicator for the rest of the year. I am already so much happier than I was in Guiones, and I can't wait to make new friends and take advantage of living in a city with a vibrant culture!
Ah, it feels good to be back! Pura Vida!
And now, I have just made another move with less than three weeks notice.
Let's start at the beginning. First of all, I've noticed a pattern - for those of you who have always read my blog will notice the same pattern - I do not blog when I am unhappy. I suppose I don't like to complain or air my dirty laundry publicly. Therefore, you may have noticed a decline in my blogging frequency because yes, I have been VERY unhappy in my most recent job.
Upon accepting the position to teach kindergarten and 1st-3nd grade (which ended up being 1st-2nd -just one more misconception) at Academy del Sol, I was excited to be in a school that seemed to be more established than my last school, and I was hoping the town would be one step up from Jimenez. After jumping around so much, I was also hoping to find a place to stay for a while and gain some really solid teaching experience. I was promised the structure of a provided curriculum and freedom to teach the things that were important to me, and part of my contract included getting my work visa that would allow me to work legally and avoid costly and time-consuming border runs.
Turns out things were not as they seemed. The work visa (that they were going to pay half for) was totally bailed on without an offer to help financially or offer days off for border runs. There indeed was a curriculum - one that was many years outdated and no longer aligned to the Common Core standards I was expected to follow. It was also boring and an awful curriculum anyway, aligned with No Child Left Behind (which isn't any better). The freedom I was promised was not given without a really tough couple of fights and breakdowns. Organization was absolute chaos - one policy would be implemented one week, I'd do all the work to reconfigure my plans and procedures, only for it to be tossed out and replaced with another new policy two weeks (or less!!) later....I didn't need that on top of the INSANE workload I already had. Trying to teach a mixed-age/grade, mixed (but not all) content area classroom without support from my administration or specialists was thoroughly draining. If you closed the doors and left me with my kids and my own lessons, I was able to see the light. But overall, I was not happy. There were more days that I was miserable than I was happy, most Sundays were spent dreading a new work week (so much so that I couldn't enjoy my life), and towards the end, I questioned whether I even wanted to be a teacher!!! No job should make you question a passion. On top of all of this, the town was a small, EXPENSIVE mini-America without the Tico qualities I love about this country. AND enrollment was plummeting faster than a speeding meteorite burning in the atmosphere (nerd alert). The families were so seasonal that I was predicted to have less than 4 students by the summer, which could have led to "secretary" work to fill my extra time. NOPE. Not worth it.
Bottom line is that I do not take these big risks in life to be miserable. If I was okay with being unhappy, I would stay safe in my little bubble. But I know what I want, and I am going to pursue it with fervor until I get it.
So, I quit. Just like that. Two strikes were already down after the fights/breakdowns, and I gave myself a deadline. I got to that deadline, was still unhappy, so I quit. What a relief that was....!!!
Luckily enough, upon emailing my old principal from student teaching (remember the first time I stepped foot in Costa Rica for that experience?!?!), I found out that Country Day School needed a maternity substitute. It just so happened that the job started the exact Monday I was free!!! The school was even going to help with my housing, and pay me more. It's expensive to live here in Escazu, but I won't have a quad payment, rent will be 1/3 of what it was in Guiones, and food will be fresh from the ferias (farmers markets). I don't have surfing or the beach (but that's ok, I snapped my surfboard last week so.....), but I have the mountains, cool weather, no dust, and a nearby airport that runs specials on cheap domestic flights for whenever I need some saltwater healing.
After spending a wonderful Semana Santa (spring break) with Paco back in the Osa, I came back to Escazu with a full emotional gas tank. Happy, refreshed, and ready for my first day. Which went surprisingly smooth. Almost too smooth. Haha! I realized that simply knowing my way around the school reduced my stress levels tenfold, and the previous teacher had really prepared for her departure by planning the next units in all subjects for me! Those two things alone will ease my transition for sure! On top of that, I was given nothing short of a warm welcome - each member of my administration came to my classroom to welcome me personally and offer assistance if I ever need it, big or small. That really said a lot for me that each one cared enough about a little ole sub to come greet me and make sure I had everything I needed before, during, and after my first day!! Many teachers remember me (obviously the ones I was friends with did too), and the secretary remembered me by name! Staff that I barely knew even recognized me... I went to get my school ID picture taken and the lady in the business office asked "Didn't I already make you one of these?" Haha! Yes, but three years ago! My next door neighbor teacher even told me how thankful they all were that the school found me - in the past, subs like me haven't been real teachers, just someone they found in a pinch! I felt so welcomed and appreciated even from the start!
As far as my kids go...I'm teaching 4th grade. Yes, JUST FOURTH GRADE. This is the first time since I was at CDS the first time that I've had just one grade level! That sure did make today easy! Plus, they're a little older and already independent, which is great. I'm not sure of the exact breakdown, but all are bilingual and from cool places. If you remember, I had a student last time that had an Auburn alum parent - my Auburn culture lesson really hit home with him....I have his little sister in my class. She walked right in, remembered me, and even told me of their trip to visit Auburn for the first time last year!! Small world!
I have my very own classroom that I did not have to share or move between, and one box of EACH COLOR crayons and markers, not just one box of old crayons and markers mixed!! I even have a school teacher computer and classroom iPads!!! WHAT. I have 14 students total, and they were really well behaved today. So much so that I'm nervous that it's the quiet before the storm. I'm not sure if I'm just used to being thrown into the middle of chaos or if they're really this sweet, but I've been assured they really are a good class. My principal says that 4th grade may even be the envy of the elementary school because our kids are so great. I sure hope it stays this way!! Haha!
Another thing that blew my mind was having fellow teachers and support! At both previous schools, there have been about 4 teachers and 3 staff TOTAL. Here, I have 4 teachers and about 3 staff members I collaborate with IN MY GRADE ALONE. One teacher even pulls kids out once a week and also helps me in the classroom twice a week. I HAVE SUPPORT STAFF?! Wow, what a revolutionary idea!! I'm feeling overly thankful for these things I've yearned for for so long! I didn't realize just how many hats I've been forced to wear these past few years, and I'm excited to be wearing maybe just 1 or 2 here! Ahhhh... :)
Hopefully today was an indicator for the rest of the year. I am already so much happier than I was in Guiones, and I can't wait to make new friends and take advantage of living in a city with a vibrant culture!
Ah, it feels good to be back! Pura Vida!
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