Busy, Busy, Busy
I can't believe it's been almost two weeks since my last posts. I just haven't had the energy to write! Here is what I've been up to:
Last week was a short week : due to the holiday called Farroupilha (The Farroupilha Revolution took place from 1835-1845 in which the southern state I live in, Rio Grande do Sul, began an uprising against the government because of unfair taxes. Although they eventually lost the war, the guachos (people from this state) are proud and know that it brought about some change.
- We had an assembly at school where all the elementary classes put on performances. The students were dressed in traditional clothing! They were so adorable!
My 3 day weekend had arrived! Due to the rain we didn't go camping and due to the bus being sold out we couldn't go to Uruguay. So we booked a bus ticket to Florianopolis. Last minute decision, but it was totally worth it! The bus left at 1:30 am on Friday and arrived around 9 am....many Brazilians travel by bus. The seats are larger and recline to help you relax and sleep. Floripa is a small island north of Porto Alegre in the state of Santa Catarina. Although the weather was still a bit rainy, it was so relaxing to wake up to the sound and view of the ocean! I can't wait to go back again when the weather is warmer and sunnier! I felt so refreshed after getting away for the weekend! Although I love Porto Alegre, I was beginning to feel a little claustrophobic and needed to get out and see the coast!
This past week flew by quickly...just like every other week so far!
Monday: After school I just chilled since we didn't get home until after 1 am due to excessive traffic. It took 10 hours to return from Floripa and we had to stop around 10 pm for everyone to have dinner at a bus stop on the highway (So Brazilian: We are already running very late, but hey, let's stop and take a 40 minute break to eat a huge meal at 10pm!)
Tuesday: Long day - Teaching; after school meeting from 3:30-4:30; then straight to Portuguese class until 7:30. I really need to force myself to study and start trying to communicate in Portuguese!
Wednesday: Little moment but felt like a big accomplishment: I discovered I was 10 cents short for the bus. Since I didn't want to walk or try to see if they could break my $50 for a $2.80 bus ride, I asked my Porteiro (guard) in my apartment complex. I used a complete sentence in Portuguese AND he actually understood me and gave me the money! (I paid him back in the afternoon of course) That night I went with a friend to an Irish Pub where they had English Trivia Night. We had such an unfair advantage against those Brazilians!
Thursday: Teaching; after school meeting that overwhelmed me - but I learned that my goal for this year needs to be to give up some control and allow my students to make more choices and goal setting during language arts. It's hard for me to do that because I want to make every second of the day count, getting right to the point and being productive, but I think it is important for the students to feel like they have a choice. (This is going to be one hard thing to do!)
Friday: I did the Massa Critica bike ride (Criticial Mass) where they ride through of a city as a "political protest by cyclists to reclaim the streets." I've never heard of it before, but I learned it originated in San Francisco and takes place in cities around the world...It was quite the night.. I'll explain further in another post!
Last week was a short week : due to the holiday called Farroupilha (The Farroupilha Revolution took place from 1835-1845 in which the southern state I live in, Rio Grande do Sul, began an uprising against the government because of unfair taxes. Although they eventually lost the war, the guachos (people from this state) are proud and know that it brought about some change.
- We had an assembly at school where all the elementary classes put on performances. The students were dressed in traditional clothing! They were so adorable!
My 3 day weekend had arrived! Due to the rain we didn't go camping and due to the bus being sold out we couldn't go to Uruguay. So we booked a bus ticket to Florianopolis. Last minute decision, but it was totally worth it! The bus left at 1:30 am on Friday and arrived around 9 am....many Brazilians travel by bus. The seats are larger and recline to help you relax and sleep. Floripa is a small island north of Porto Alegre in the state of Santa Catarina. Although the weather was still a bit rainy, it was so relaxing to wake up to the sound and view of the ocean! I can't wait to go back again when the weather is warmer and sunnier! I felt so refreshed after getting away for the weekend! Although I love Porto Alegre, I was beginning to feel a little claustrophobic and needed to get out and see the coast!
This past week flew by quickly...just like every other week so far!
Monday: After school I just chilled since we didn't get home until after 1 am due to excessive traffic. It took 10 hours to return from Floripa and we had to stop around 10 pm for everyone to have dinner at a bus stop on the highway (So Brazilian: We are already running very late, but hey, let's stop and take a 40 minute break to eat a huge meal at 10pm!)
Tuesday: Long day - Teaching; after school meeting from 3:30-4:30; then straight to Portuguese class until 7:30. I really need to force myself to study and start trying to communicate in Portuguese!
Wednesday: Little moment but felt like a big accomplishment: I discovered I was 10 cents short for the bus. Since I didn't want to walk or try to see if they could break my $50 for a $2.80 bus ride, I asked my Porteiro (guard) in my apartment complex. I used a complete sentence in Portuguese AND he actually understood me and gave me the money! (I paid him back in the afternoon of course) That night I went with a friend to an Irish Pub where they had English Trivia Night. We had such an unfair advantage against those Brazilians!
Thursday: Teaching; after school meeting that overwhelmed me - but I learned that my goal for this year needs to be to give up some control and allow my students to make more choices and goal setting during language arts. It's hard for me to do that because I want to make every second of the day count, getting right to the point and being productive, but I think it is important for the students to feel like they have a choice. (This is going to be one hard thing to do!)
Friday: I did the Massa Critica bike ride (Criticial Mass) where they ride through of a city as a "political protest by cyclists to reclaim the streets." I've never heard of it before, but I learned it originated in San Francisco and takes place in cities around the world...It was quite the night.. I'll explain further in another post!
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