Second weekend in Guatemala

I have spent another great weekend exploring the area surrounding GC.  Despite my battle with new gut bacteria this week, I have literally "gutted it out" and only lost one day of important training, team meetings and Onboarding social events.  Our all staff breakfast Friday took place in the CAG gym.  Recognize our mascot?

CAG Hornets! Maroon and Grey

Yesterday, We ventured back to Antigua and San Lucas in search of a furniture craftsman and more textiles.  I ordered a coffee table and credenza for my living room. 

We also visited the sacred overlook above Antigua, a short hike above the colonial city.   

My weekend ended with a gourmet dinner prepared by my friend Karen and her husband Ricardo.

Tomorrow we meet as a new TEAM and plan and prepare for Open House Wednesday afternoon.  Our Kinder rooms have just been updated to include new flexible learning spaces and furniture!  We have a lot of unpacking to do. Students start Thursday morning at 7:25am :-)

Day #5 Whirlwind Arrival

Holà! 

Today is day 5 of my arrival in my new home!  It's been a whirlwind.  I've met so many new people from CAG.  We are 30 teachers Onboarding.  Our hosts have done a wonderful job making us feel welcome.  The arrival logistics and moving in to apartments has been seamless.  We've received  a well balanced diet of new information.

Here is my CAG "Buddy" Karen and her husband Ricardo.  They have been so gracious greeting me upon my arrival, helping me shop and set up my apartment.  They've shown me around town and given my lots of important advice.  Karen made me a wonderful hand painted canvas collage of my mantra.  I've displayed it proudly in my living room.  I was really touched by the gesture.

My mantra from Willy

My lobby

My new building

With an apartment to fill with necessities, CAG staff have chauffeured us to all the necessary retailers.

I was tempted to buy the turquoise living and dining room and dining room set for only $880 for nine pieces, but resisted.  I spruced up my futon couch and dinette furniture with Guatemalan textiles and ordered balcony furniture instead.  As soon as the pieces arrive, I'll post interior photos.  My apartment and its contents are brand new! I even have a dishwasher.  I will be sharing a maid service with other CAG staff and the rates are not to be believed.  I've never had a maid!!!  I have a view of two volcanoes and the city skyline.  Krispy Kreme is just below my building, as well.  Good thing I gave up Gluten...

Saturday we ventured to Antigua the colonial city one hour away. We've had beautiful weather every day.  We toured the Cathedral and its ruins, the city and markets and the Jade museum.  I have never seen lavender jade nor how its carved and polished.

our approach

city outdoor market

Cathedral ruins

Monastery ruins where the Holy Week floats are kept for Easter parade 

Antigua Church

The Arch that allowed Monastery nuns to cross the street overhead without being seen.

View of the Military Palace

The City Parliment

Below you'll find my new classroom and the nearby playground.  The stacks of bags are sand and mulch that will be added.  Its all surrounded by lush greenery and tropical plants.  Lot's of unpacking and exploring to do yet...

My newly remodeled classroom with flexible learning spaces and furniture

One side of the playground.  

I hope to post more inviting pictures soon.  I've had to shoot from the hip, as we are whisked from one activity to another.  Stay tuned. I love you all :-)

Welcome to my online Journal or Blog

Dear Friends and Loved Ones,

Many of you already know my story.  If so, skip the following paragraphs and enjoy the pictures of what's to come.  I intend to use this blog as an online journal of my new adventure in Guatemala beginning later this week. I'm beginning to feel more excited and less anxious as my departure approaches.  I've spent the last 6 weeks preparing, reflecting on life and career and exercising my readiness to "turn it over".  As you know, I like to plan and organize logistics. Last minute loose ends and fear of the unknown have been an unwelcome challenge for me.  With the love and support of my friends and family, I think I'll find my way!  I'll return next June (mid month).  Stay well, good luck with your careers and families.  Keep in touch with me.  What's App, Facebook, Instagram, FaceTime, Gmail.  We have options!  Apparently, snail mail and shipping to my address is not reliable.

I've had this crazy idea for a long time.  My dream evolved when I became an immersion teacher 18 years ago.  I love teaching literacy and in a second language. When the boys were little, I thought it would be an amazing experience for them to see the world, become bilingual and live as a family in France or somewhere in Europe.  

Life got in the way, and we never made it across the pond together.  The boys and I have been on a variety of trips, they have become bilingual and we have experienced other cultures together in France, Vieques, NYC, Boston, Martha's Vineyard, California....  They love to travel as much as I do. My efforts to find a teaching position in France have not materialized.  I have managed to become certified in British Colombia, Canada.  Perhaps I will return to French Immersion in Surrey, BC someday...

A year ago, son William gave me a bracelet to wear for Mother's Day that reads "She believed she could, so she did".  I thought to myself, my friends and family know I have had this dream and now that my sons have all launched, I have no reason to delay.  I'm proud of the men they've become, and I'm truly blessed to have all of you cheering me on.  I believe our relationships are founded on trust, honesty and love. I've always tried to lead by example.  If you work hard and dream big... you can do anything!  Time for me to practice what I preach.  Its about time I try my hand in immersion education in my own language.

My recruiter, ISS, put me in touch with schools in Guatemala City, China and Taiwan.  I did my due diligence and felt that teaching Early Childhood in the latin/mayan culture (dual immersion) would be the best fit for me.  

Mother always raved about the mayan culture and promised me we would travel there someday.  She collected their art and textiles and believed their christian celebrations to be the most lively and festive.  We never made the trip, but the evening I was presented an offer from GC, I felt her presence.  She was smiling down on me :-).  I accepted the teaching position at Collegio Americano Guatemala (CAG).  While signing the documents, I realized my new employer, Bucks County Organization for Cultural Advancement, is located in Princeton, NJ, mother's birthplace.  Needless to say, I was overwhelmed with joy and had goose bumps all over. My new career path was meant to be. Mother gave me the final nudge.

I shall be arriving in GC this Thursday by noon.  I am very impressed by the welcoming community I shall be joining at CAG.  I have already been in touch with my new team, I have a Guatemalan "Buddy" who just spent her summer vacation in Paris and Spain!  Philosophically, we have a lot in common.  CAG has an amazing program with multiple generations of alumni. I'm looking forward to exploring the surrounding areas with the Onboarding Teachers in my group when we arrive.  Orientation will be very informative and eventful.  Our students arrive August 1st.  I shall be teaching Guatemalan Kindergarten children.  They'll spend part of their day with their native Spanish speaking teacher and part of their day with me and a bilingual teaching assistant.  I will only have 20 students!  I will finally experience lower class sizes!  I'm determined to improve my Spanish and become trilingual.

So far, I can show you my new apartment building, the rooftop balcony just above my apartment where you will find me while at home and an arial photo of the CAG campus (PreK-12 + the university).