in with the new.

3 weeks. Hard to believe!



After an easy "jalon" (hitchhike) to a coffee shop down the street yesterday afternoon, as our new friend Mr. Sherman (who runs the local iguana farm, of course) bought us all granitas, the Honduran frozen coffee sensation we love, and jelly rolls... Courtney and I looked at each other and said, "I could get used to this."

Time and again, I am overcome with the welcoming nature of the people on this island. It never ceases to amaze me. Strangers become new friends every day. Generosity and graciousness abound.


It's an exchange, this lifestyle. No air conditioning means super-sweaty nearly always. Daily cold (yet grateful) showers... After all, who even wants a warm shower when it's blazing hot out? But, daily? If you've ever lived with me, you'd know that daily isn't likely. But its true, I promise. August and September are the hottest months, so we hear. If we can survive these temps., we can push through. After a fearful first extermination of our apartment the first week, I now find myself totally okay watching a roach cross before me while I finish using the restroom. Priorities. Accidentally crunched a roach on my bedroom floor last week... with my bare foot. Chequepues. (kind of like Costa Rica's "pura vida" here, meaning no worries, okay, it's all good, or thanks) Though I did almost vomit and cry a little. This morning, a roach that no doubt had 3 inch long legs crawled out from under my bed, stood up, slapped me in the face and walked in the living room... Where I proceeded to track him down, and well, you know.

As expected, there have been some bumps in the road:
(as Helen would say, life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all...)

- food poisoning from clearance yogurt (lesson: splurge a bit next time...)
- first snorkeling experience, collision with fire coral. Ouch.
- from above, pooped on by a gecko (who knew?)
- tropical storm Harvey granting us a visit
- a little thing called staph infection

On the final note, I'll add that my Honduran doctor was the jam. Better service than I've ever had in the States. No health insurance? No problem. A mere $150 for the visit, antibiotic shots (3 visits) and a bajillion other meds. that have treated me real nice. Only 3 days later, I'm almost a new woman. In a few days, I'll be completely good to go.

No matter the obstacles, I love my life here. If you're keeping up with Facebook photos, you probably think we play most of the time. It's certainly a priority, but photo opps are less frequent when lesson planning or otherwise more productive things are going on. And duh, most are just curious about the beaches anyway. Get real.

As far as casa dulce casa goes, Courtney and I are roommates again, sharing food, phone and responsibilities - alternating making meals, doing dishes, waking one another up when oversleeping happens (let's be honest, it's mostly me sleeping in...).




Fears are conquered daily. Showering with moths, which I recognize as a highly irrational fear. Nevertheless, still not a fan. Snorkeling among the 2nd best reefs on earth (Bay Islands rank 2nd after the Great Barrier Reef), pushing past the minor panic attacks of being in the vast blue, among FISH - which also kind of freak me out. Jumping in trucks with strangers. Practicing my Spanish. And more importantly, maintaining my fake-it-til-I-make it mentality as I learn to be a 5th grade teacher.

A few photos:

First of many beach outings - Turquoise Bay with part of our teacher family.



Alexandria, myself, Laura, Tricia, David, Courtney.



Uphill and downhill resort wanderings, leading us to encounter a guard wielding machete and rifle kindly sharing that particular beach was closed "due to construction"... No importa, because it eventually lead us here, to Parrot Tree, at sunset. Lovely.







Like to stay here, no?



Afternoon after school spent at the private beach of a family from school, essentially across the street from us, complete with hungry sand fleas. Not so ideal for basking in the sun.

West End. Nikki, Laura, David, myself, Courtney, Jhon, Alexandria, Tricia.



Saturday sunbathing at Half Moon Bay.



Sunday afternoons after church are spent enjoying West Bay, one of the World's Top 10 Beaches.




Snorkeling in the great Blue.















That's Courtney, not

me. Don't worry, family. ;)



Part of orientation, spent painting the school.


My classroom... Before.


After.



Mucho mejor.

My classroom, all decorated in it's academically-stimulating decor.










Our evenings outside of school are mainly spent on our glorious front porch. Playing Bananagrams (thanks Aunt Staci! Such a hit.), UNO, rummy, Apples to Apples, what have you. Enjoying our local entertainment, Jhon - aka Mime of Love - delighting us with his musical talent



Aside from the rain misting my bedroom completely, amongst lightning and thunder crashes throughout both nights (windows only close so much), Tropical Storm Harvey wasn't too big of a deal. He came by night, in two seperate sweeps. During the eye of the storm, we unknowingly ventured to the beach. Enjoyed several hours of swimming, photoshooting, and sunset viewing.

What hurricane?



Myself, David, Courtney, Laura, Jhon, Brittany, Tricia.




Our way fun crew. Myself, David, Luisa, Courtney, Laura, Jhon, Tricia.

Ignore the underwear substitute for swim trunks, por fa.

This past week was our first official week students! and believe it or not - we survived! So proud of each of us, and the educators we're becoming.

My class is made up of an adorable and hilarious group of 5th graders, 7 boys and 2 girls. They are chatty Cathys and can't stay in a line to save their life, but they're working on it. I love them so much already, no matter how many times I have to tell them "English in English class, Spanish in Spanish class" or remind them that the holes go on the left side of their paper. It's a daunting task, this trying to figuring out what they already know and how to get them where they need to go. Some know English better than others, which also throws a whole new spin on things.

This post only touches on our experiences. I hope to find a better rhythm in posting, catching more of the day to day goodness and reflections for you.


Thank you for your love and your prayers! They're much-needed and much-felt. Pray for my students, for me, for the impact that I know is happening through me and everything that is transforming me. I love you!




You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith.
-Mary Manin Morrissey

Location:Roatan, Honduras