Yes, I still hang out on here once in a while. We haven't been doing anything exciting lately or anything that I have felt has been interesting enough to post.
We skipped the Carnival completely this year, instead we watched the parade live on the local TV channel. Fewer people and much more comfortable. I think we are both past going to the parade route early enough to get a spot where I can see over people and then waiting for hours for it to begin along with watching it for over an hour or more. We could see the fireworks from our patio and watched them there in the comfort of our chairs. We could also hear the bands playing on the malecon at a sufficient volume for us.
Other than that it has just been the same old stuff around here for us.
One day last week a lady that we met through our landlords asked me if I would consider going to a Special Ed. type class at one of the secondary schools and doing some type of art class with the students, (I think she works for DIF here). She assured me that my fractured Spanish would not be an issue and so I agreed. The next day she came over with the teacher of the class and we chatted and decided on a time and a day for me to go, what she needed to get for supplies, etc..
Well, today was the day. The teacher called this morning and asked if I needed a ride or anything, which I assured her I didn't.
I did leave home a bit early to make sure that I found the school on time. I arrived on time, asked for the teacher at the office and someone was taking me to her room when she walked out to meet us. She showed me the room where she had set things up and asked if it would be OK or not. I assured her it was just fine, big windows, lots of light, perfect.
She went to round up the kids and I got some materials out that I had prepared for a short lecture with visual aids in the form of drawings, etc..
The eight students were very still and quiet as I talked and didn't ask very many questions, very shy. Then I told them the boring part was over and it was time to start drawing. The teacher handed out sheets of sketch paper and pencils and we discussed how to begin. They were all scared to put the first mark on the paper, they looked scared to make a mistake until I told them that as far as I was concerned there are no mistakes, that it comes from your heart and if you are happy with it, that is all that is needed. I do know the feeling of staring at that blank piece of paper, I always feel the same way.
They were trying so hard to get their drawings perfect and so I told them they had another 5 minutes and then it was time to use some colour. They looked terrified at that notion, their faces were priceless.
With lots of urging they began and started to loosen up and have fun. They also started asking questions about how to do things.
They seemed to enjoy it, I know I sure did. It was fun to see the "lightbulbs" go off when they tried something that I demonstrated and it gave their drawings some shape and form. Several asked where to buy supplies and how to do things better, etc., which was nice.
I took some photos, (with the teachers permission), and I also blurred the childrens faces a bit so they are not easily recognizable hopefully. The teacher was also taking photos throughout the class.
After 2 hours some of the students were getting to the point of being finished and some had other classes to go to, so I thanked them for having me and came home.
The room, I would call it the library.
The teacher taking photos.
Everyone working hard.
