Time to catch-up!

Shake and shake the ketchup bottle

 None'll come, and then a lot'll

-- Richard Armour

It has been far too long since I have done anything with my blog.  So now, it will all come splurting out like ketchup! (get it?  I am "catch-ing up"  J  haha!)

The rest of my adventure in Chile was AMAZING!!!  

I got to live with some of the most amazing and kind people I have ever known!  

¡¡¡Amo a mi familia Chilena!!!!

I was placed in a  4th grade class at a all-boys private school, which just by itself was definitely an adventure!

These boys had a gift for mischief, and I found myself in a situation where I had to really step up and implement some of my own classroom management techniques. The teacher that I worked with was GREAT, and really let me try some of my ideas, which I quickly found out that some were better than others.

But as the weeks went on, I quickly realized how much I was going to miss these crazy boys!  I can honestly say that I learned more about who I am as a teacher during this time more that anywhere else I have ever been.  I got to work along side some amazing teachers, and I learned a lot from each of them.  

Chile is such a beautiful country!  My only regret is that I got to spend so little time there.

While I was there, I got to try my hand at surfing (didn't go well J ), watch a rugby game, eat some amazing food (Pastel de Choclo and Pineapple Juice) and see some amazing sites!!

At the end of our trip, we decided to go down to Pucon (the lake district).  While there, I made some great friends, did some zip-lining through the treetops, horseback riding to a Mapuche villiage, 

and other amazing-ness.  

Since I opted for the cheapest flights, I ended up getting some amazing lay-over time!  On the trip home, we flew to Rio de Janeiro,  and waited for 6 hours for our flight to New York City, where we then had a 12 hour lay-over.  We decided to make the best of it, and enjoy our time in the Big Apple.

We rode the subway around, saw the Statue of Liberty (from a distance), strolled around in Central Park, and walked through Times Square, where I tasted true New York Pizza! We even saw a movie being shot close to Central Park!!! Then we had to race back to the airport to make our flight home, which we were an hour early for :)  Time well spent, I must say!!

My experience in Chile was one that I know that I will never forget.  I met some truly amazing people that made such a huge impact on me.  I felt my first "real" 6.5 earthquake.  I rode the Metro.  I rode up a REALLY steep hill in a ascensor.  All-in-all, I feel that this experience has been one of the most influential that I have had in my life.  

The day after I got home was graduation day.

Even though I had a serious case of jetlag, it was a wonderful day, and I got to spend it with many people that mean so much to me!  Plus, I loved how campus looked a little like Hogwarts ;)

On August 6, 2012, I got a call from a school where I had interviewed 3 days prior.....

I am now a real teacher!!!

I got the job just a few short weeks before school started, and so I have felt like I have been in a continuous WHIRLWIND.  Luckily, I am not the only one--there are two other first year teachers in the first grade, one in second, one in 3rd, and one in 4th. But, I still feel like I have been scrambling trying to get things all ready for my little first graders.  Every minute is a learning minute, and I am clearly seeing where I need to improve. 

Here we go!!!!

I have already been in Chile for 5 days, and I can't believe how much I love it! The people here are so kind, and very chill happy people.

The flight here was great, but really long. We left Monday at 9:45 and got to Santiago 1pm on Tuesday. But part of that is we lost 4hours in the time change.

For the most part, the trip here went without a hitch. The only thing that caused this poor girl some stress was that my checked luggage somehow got forgotten in Mexico City. But luckily, I had a change of clothes in my carry-on.

My first few days here have been great! I met my AMAZING Chilean family- my mom Gilda, and my two sisters Caro and Javi. Not to mention my new pets, Balto, Poli, Europea and Diego :) Pictures soon to follow!

I am living in Viña del Mar, which is right next to Valparaiso, which both are right next to the beach. We got to go around to the different schools where we will be teaching, and on the way, we did a little sightseeing.

The beautiful coast!

Me, Erin, Abbie, Kate, Lauren, Tom

Sand-dunes! They surf them :)

On Friday afternoon, we went to Valparaiso, and took the trolley around the city, and then walked around a bit. Then we took an Ascensor up a super steep hill to Concepción. It was so picturesque up there!

This was the trolley ride through Valparaiso, and some of the amazing buildings :)

The Ascensor....so fun! :)

Pictures from Concepción #1

Pictures from Concepción #2

Pictures #3

Pictures #4

As you can tell, I took a LOT of pictures....but I couldn't really help myself. The word that kept going through my mind over and over was "WOW!" I seriously couldn't believe how beautiful everything was up there. There was street art, everywhere, and I wish I could have taken more pictures..... :)

Well, tomorrow I will be beginning my teacher-iness.......I am super excited, but also kinda nervous, because who knows what it will bring!

A New Chapter

Well, I am finallystarting my actual blog, instead of just what I did in my Educational Technologies class :) I think that this blog will be all about my journeys in becoming a teacher, so here we go!

Right now, I am doing my student teaching in a fourth grade classroom. I love the kids and the teacher that I work with.....I've got to say, that I have been completely spoiled in that department! Everyday, I feel that I get just a little better, and I learn so much more! The kids in my class are really so great, and I am so lucky to get the opportunity to be around them.

And now I am getting ready to start another adventure......student teaching in Chile!! I know, crazy right? I really am so blessed! I get to do the second block of my student teaching in the beautiful city of Valparaiso in the wonderful country of Chile. I think that the best way to describe my emotions is NERVOUSLY excited!!!

So I will continue to post as I keep moving forward in this amazing adventure that I have found myself in the middle of.....