Miss Wycinsky...The Diver.

This has been an interesting week for sure! We did not have school on Monday because of transportaion strikes, school on Tuesday and then no school on Wednesday because it was "the day of the president" holiday. So, back we went today with heads feeling like Monday, by lunch it felt like Wednesday and after my students professed about forgetting how to write....it felt like Friday! A whole week!

The mood and behavior of students (and teachers) was a little different, somewhere in-between a much interrupted sleep schedule and slowing falling back into vacation mode. With the children forgetting how to do school (really man...it has been two days) and the afternoon rainstorms, school was something else. But the things they were saying were making me laugh pretty hard the last couple days. And now you lucky ducks get to hear all about it!

On Tuesday, the wonderful 1st grade teacher came up to me waving a children's dictionary around. Okay maybe not waving, but it makes it better. She then proceeded to tell me one of her students was quietly reading his dictionary (naturally) and started saying "Miss Wycinsky, Miss Wycinsky!". Who knew I could be so popular! She then asked him if he was calling her Miss Wycinsky? He said no and then continued to tell her that I was in the book! She went over, looked in the book and saw this.....

Of course!

 Look at that form, I should be flattered! 

Next Summer Olympics? I think so! 

But really man? 

A diver? 

Haha good thing he is one of my favorite first graders! 

Then later that day we were in Bible class. We have been talking about truth and why it is important to tell the truth and not lie. It was brought up that teachers and parents ALWAYS know when you are lying. Let's just say I did not over correct that bad boy. So, we were sitting at our desks discussing the story of Adam and Eve when a theological debate started spewing out of my 10 year olds mouths. Some of the questions: "What would it be like if they were not dumb and did not sin?" From the mouths of babes. "Why did God say you will surely die? Why didn't he just tell them they would be naked?" Let the giggles begin. I was trying to answer questions honestly all while trying to get us back on the original track. Some kids were asking if the debating children could just talk about this at recess. Nice. Then out of the blue one of my quite students raises their hand and asks " But what about the DINOSAURS?!" It was gone after that. There was nothing else to do, the train was all the way off track heading towards the stone age. Dinosaurs, Devils, Angles, and Dumb Humans who sinned. Bible did not go as planned. But I guess it was fun to see some of them get SO excited! I am afraid to look at next weeks curriculum. 

Then today (because without kids Wednesday was naturally filled with so much productivity. I mean if you just loose some of those letters it is true -TV!) we were writing when one of my kids looks over and asks me " Miss, how do you spell Chao in English? I responded "Honey just spell it in Spanish, it will make more sense". Apparently that was not good enough. Then another child chimed in, "I think you spell it B-Y something..." With the help of a third friend, " I KNOW! It is B-Y-E". "Yes, that is it!" Really. Bye? That is the word you could not think of haha. Oh well. Teamwork for the win on that one. 

The day was filled with more hilarious one liners. Have we been together too long? It is possible, but you have to love it! 

I am hopeful for next week to be normal, but you just never know! 

I hope you have an abnormally funny day! 

I will remember you all when my diving dreams come true, 

Sara 

Some Back in Bolivia Thoughts

Well friends I made it back safe and sound to La Paz. It was a miraculous journey that had no flaws. Crazy. I still can't believe it. I was blessed.

My break was full of rest, fun memories with people I love and one last time packing for a 6 month journey( Needless to say I will not be sad about saying goodbye to planning holiday crafts and American snacks 5 months in advance). But after a few rough days of transition I am happy to be back at "home".

Home is a strange word. I have especially realized that living overseas. The last time I lived in a place without "vacationing" back home was about 5 years ago. So strange. My boring dream now is to live in a place that is my own. To have dishes that are not my roommates or left by someone else. TO be able to hang things on the wall without thinking I will have to take those down soon enough. To have a closet I can fill up and not have to worry about packing it all up in 6 months. A place where I can leave when I want, but still have the option of staying and being perfectly content. I think I am turing into a boring grownup, but I am okay with that :).

As I turn into a boring grownup I have been realizing a few things. I have been reading a book that talks about the masks we wear as women. The mask of being strong, or perfect. Responsible and having it all together all the time. Let me tell you, I think those suckers are being ripped right off. I am angry but glad all at once. However, the most interesting thing I have read so far (only half way through) is how we so often identify ourselves with the "bad" Bible characters. In the story of Mary and Martha we so often link ourselves with Martha, who is not really bad, she just tries to love people and Jesus in her way. Jesus didn't condemn her like it is so often perceived but he just told her to calm the heck down and rest.I think we all need that. I'v seen a lot of people crash and burn, myself included, because we try so hard to please everyone and be the best. We plan for what our own lives should look like and then it gets thrown in the teacup ride. Life is funny like that, so unexpected and yet always better in the long run.

The other character she talked about what the prodigal son. Not really the son, but the brother who is so pissed because his brother gets all the attention. As the oldest, I get it. Watching other people get the attention you want or feel as if you deserve. Not only does this happen within families, it happens at work, friends, you name a group of people it is probably happening there too. But I think my favorite part of her interpretation is when she says we don't have to be either. We can identify with the father. The one who has unconditional love, the one who doesn't care about the mess of the situation. He gives everything to both sons, just in different ways. We have everything we need and we can either be cranky about it or we can recklessly spend it until we come back broken. It's not easy and I am sure in about 10 minutes I will be frustrated someone else got something I wanted or something I think I deserve. It's just reassuring knowing that's not how it has to be. I don't have to be the "bad" character or really any character at all. I can be me, hot mess Sara, and be reassured that I have everything I need and now I can try to rest and celebrate in it.

I hope you are able to rest and celebrate as well!