Thanksgiving in Roatan

Half of this week was spent on the beautiful island of Roatan. Heidi, Katie, Kyle, Melodee and I flew to Roatan to get away from it all. Wednesday ended up being a cold day for our school so we didn't even have to go to for the half day that was scheduled, which was a great start to our relaxation. The hurricanes have been hitting Roatan something fierce, so we weren't sure what to expect, some of their docks were taken out, like the one to the right, but we ended up having awesome weather! Wednesday night we ate out at a beach restaurant, which Heidi and I had been looking forward to -- fresh seafood (yah...I do like it!). After that we went to one of the many docks and watched the stars, I got to do that every night we were there, it was amazing!

Thursday Kyle went across the Island to get his diving certification - he had the hardest time getting across the island. He had to pay $10 for a water taxi that should've cost $2, he ended up being late for his dive because another guy didn't take him over right away, he walked 50 minutes to get back...I guess he gained a lot of patience. Heidi, Melodee and I were supposed to go for a fun dive, but we ended up waiting until Friday so we could go with Betsy and Elisa. Heidi had a bad back, I was afraid for my ears and Melodee was just afraid...so we had to gear ourselves up for it. Instead, on Thursday we just relaxed at the beach, did absolutely nothing and enjoyed every minute of it. Well...we also went on a little cruise on a glass-bottom boat. The keel was large enough for us to sit in with windows on either side, so we could sit in relative comfort while viewing fish swim by. The picture to the right is our view! The picture below is us inside the keel!
Thursday night we went out to eat at an Argentinian place, this was our 'thanksgiving' meal ... of fish and shrimp (Heidi and Kyle had steak too - I didn't know they could eat so much!). After that we went out to another restaurant, one for dessert. At this place we had the most impressive, original pick-up line from a group of guys at another table. I would've thought that having Kyle with us would deter this sort of behavior but...apparently he can't help 6 girls at once! They sent over a matchbox with a well-drawn map of the world on it asking where each of us was from. Then they asked us written questions based on our answers. Mine was: Can you explain a two-line pass? I guess at least one of them was a hockey fan. We ended up asking them questions as well, ending it off with "Do you love Jesus?". They pretty much maneouvered around that one! We then thanked them for the entertainment and left. The funny thing was that a couple of them dove with Kyle the next day and saw him with a completely new group of girls -- I really wonder what they thought at that point!

Friday Heidi, Betsy, Melodee and I went for a two-tank dive. I was worried about my ears but I didn't have too much of a problem, even getting to 80 feet - though I lost the group for a while when we went through a cavern...that was a freaky feeling! Heidi had no problems with her back at all (though she did need a good massage afterwards) but she did forget to bring the underwater camera under...which was too bad. Melodee partnered up with Betsy who has her advanced certification, so it calmed Melodee down so she could enjoy herself - though she was a little too buoyant for her own good - she kept floating upwards. Her back was sore afterwards as well (come to think of it, so was mine)...it was a small price to pay for excellent diving. Now I have one plugged ear and no pain, so I think that maybe I can continue this diving thing! ;) Elisa, Katie and Betsy also took to the ocean in kayaks at around sunset - which made for a very picturesque view! In the picture you can just see them!

Saturday Heidi and Melodee went snorkeling at a great place that sort of reminded us of the TV show Lost. That's when Heidi figured out that her underwater camera was broken - it flooded and we're not sure if the pictures will turn out. Kyle and I went to the canopy tours. We went only to see the monkeys but ended up going through the whole tour. It was fun to slide down the cables but I had expected more. The monkeys were really cute, I wasn't sure I'd want to hold one but they won me over. Kyle really enjoyed them, I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to get one as a pet for the apartments (note: he already tried, but asking Mr. Priest only got Heidi a more positive response on her puppy...guess that's a veto!).

After a safe flight back home (where there was an odd fascination in seeing the wheels go up and down) we're back to business as usual, gearing up for another work week at Pinares!

Photo of the Day: Katie, Elisa and Betsy conquering the Ocean!


In Him,
-Amy-

Paintball!

What a brisk day! We are definitely hitting the colder side of the season...with a vengeance! Anyhow...so this past weekend I went paintballing! One of my ninth grade students (Rachel) had a birthday party and invited a few teachers. We went way out of town, down the worst road I've seen yet to a shack with the words "X-Treme Hut" painted on it. There were camouflaged hunting clothes piled on the side for us to wear. They smelt an awful lot like wet dog and Heidi's pants had weird bugs falling out of them when she put them on!

We went to an open field where random objects were placed everywhere for us to hide behind. We decided to play Canadians vs. Americans. There were 3 of us to 4 of them. But Rachel had a cast on her arm and Lindsey (her friend) had just had her wisdom teeth taken out. Heidi took them both out in one round! Rachel got wacked in the head by a random shot and Lindsey took a ball straight to the mouth!!! (her mask protected her mostly) We called a time out and watched as she spat pink paint from her face...putting her mask back on without comment and ready to get back to it! Such a trooper! Though...honestly, if you're a hardcore paintballer...we really didn't go too crazy, in fact we had time outs all the time and to hear Kara scream every time a paintball whizzed by her you'd think she was dying! I did get her right on the hand once (that was a really long scream). Heidi got hit in the head but it was her back that's hurting her now...she fell into a pit while we were playing. I got hit on my left shoulder...right on my scar! So the bruising wasn't so bad. Chris came out with the worst bruise on her back, it was a rainbow!

We went car shopping last night. We took a Honda Accord out for a test drive...it seemed to be a nice ride, but we're still checking our options. Mark Zacapa drove us around, it was so nice of him. We ended up coming back just in time for the American Thanksgiving dinner at the school. Great food, good fellowship - who could ask for more! And yet there is! We get a vacation on top of that! Tomorrow a group of us will be heading to Roatan...a honeymooner's paradise or something like that! ;) Hopefully we'll be able to go diving and enjoy the beach - though with the weather like it is here, we may want to bring some cards or popcorn for movies.

Photo of the day: Our paintballing group

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In Him,
-Amy-

Trees and Bleachers!

We have officially started the Christmas season! Melodee was very excited to have our Christmas tree up. So on Saturday we watched The Count of Monte Cristo on our wall using a projector and made popcorn strings. After that we decorated our tree (it's 3D this year, that's a step up!). Heidi was given the great honour of putting the star on the top! And Melodee used hair spray on the popcorn...which may cause flammable problems later!

Now all we need are the stockings to be hung...in equality, with similar widths, heights and weights...because we're ALL important... ;) Seriously, don't even ask. On to the main event...

I am always looking for a great star gazing night...which I lovingly refer to as a 'bleacher night' since the only place to see stars at Pinares is on the bleachers by the soccer field. We've been in hurricane season for a while so I haven't been able to have a decent one. I don't really know how it happened but one night Melodee, Kyle and I were discussing 'bleacher night' and they decided that only super friends would go out and gaze at stars with me (which was just another excuse for a competition...sigh). ;)

Anyhow! Tonight was a great bleacher night! So Heidi, Kyle, Melodee and I went down there and gazed at the stars...for a while. Such great memories are made from times like this! Then we decided to try star spinning, a game that I tribute to Mark Jeffrey (that was the bestest New Year's ever!). Star spinning is when you look at the stars while spinning around for 30 seconds, then try to jump over a stick. Sounds rather simple but is hilarious to watch! All of us did it (Yay Melodee!) but Kyle kind of 'over' did it. He spun three times and then wasn't able to move for a while...something about dizziness not sitting well with him. I must admit, he was the fastest star spinner I'd seen in a while. But he felt better after watching some football. Good times, good times!

Photo of the day: Melodee, me, Heidi and Kyle enjoying our bleacher night (Note the starbursts! We tried to take off the wrapper with our tongue...Heidi took gold!)















In Him,
-Amy-

Some of the Goings on...

The afteraffects of the play have been a bit of a trial...this week I've been drained of all energy and the students have been having a hard time of it as well. The library has 'kind of' been put back together...Jennifer (the librarian) had to keep strict order over some of the grade 10 group since they were fooling around instead of working (I have to say 'some' since there were dedicated workers there as well). Mr. Priest wanted to thank the teachers who worked with the play, so he invited Heidi, Chris, Kara, Betsy and I over for a lovely dinner. After eating we relaxed by the fireplace, it was beautiful!

As always there's a million things going on at once here! On Wednesday the prejuvenil and juvenil basketball teams left for San Pedro, leaving the school a bit emptier for a few days and a lot busier (we have to sub for the teachers who left). Katie Kulp is getting the Christmas program up and running, she asked me to accompany the choir of teachers. I haven't played piano in a while so I don't know how well I'll do, but I did enjoy just getting in some practice time, it was a great destressor! Melodee spoke at devotions today, she did well...no worries at all, right Melodee? Trina got some bad news about a friend back home, so she's needing some prayer right now. Heidi is feeling a bit sick so she's making herself a eucalyptus steam bath. Kyle is having an overnighter with his infantil basketball team on Friday night...yes, that would be grade 7 and 8 boys...for a whole night...talk about braveness. And somehow (the progression gets a little fuzzy) we've agreed to help make breakfast for them on Saturday.

There are a few of the things going on in our lives right now.

Photo of the Day: Kara, Betsy and I after the first performance of Snow White...see the relief on our faces?















In Him,
-Amy-

Snow White

We did it!! The Grade 10 class put together a wonderful performance of Snow White two nights in a row. Kara and I had our hair falling out from the stress of it all, but without cause...the kids did excellent, even to the point of professionally handling sets falling down and lines missed. What troopers!! They definitely hit their goal...we had full house for both nights - sold out and standing room only! Apparently the play was being talked about all over the city! Here are a few pictures of what the play looked like.

Here's the full cast dressed for scene 1:














Snow White (Alejandra) being threatened by the Huntsman (Aquiles):














Doc (Grace) and Happy (Valerie) sleeping:














The Dwarves finding Snow White:















The Evil Queen (Andria) getting ready for her debut:



















The teachers involved in making this production come alive. Heidi helped Chris make sets and props. Betsy, myself and Kara were co-directors.














This is just a sample of the pictures I have. I'll have to send out a photo album to show more. The stress is slowly being relieved. I'll be back to normal again in no time (as soon as we put the library back in order...). Well...maybe it'll take longer, we have parent-teacher conferences next week! ;)

In Him,
-Amy-