Taking Away the Moments That Make Up A Dull Day

Hey there...

I'm currently listening to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, writing this offline on my phone in the complete dark (sans my emergency light), and sweating (no fans or ac).

Don't believe me:

When I got home from school the power was low (dim lights) and my water didn't work. Well, now we have zero power and water. As my friend Morris text me moments ago, "Welcome to Venezuela."

My day was much better than that though. Somehow last night between the pizza place and my apartment I lost my wallet and I didn't realize it until this morning. 

Yep. I am Jack's total absenteeism.

I have literally no idea where it went. I retraced my steps (car to elevator to apt), tore my house up, checked my friend's car- nothing.

I was told to call the pizza place, but I had to remind the texted (name will be held to protect the innocent, cough mom). But I had to remind her that this is Venezuela and people are not likely to turn it back in with money and cards in it.

No big deal though it just had my credit card, debit card, VZ bank card (which I waited 3 hours at the bank to receive yesterday!), school ID, emergency contact card, drivers license, and 200BsF. 

Rather that than my passport, but it's less than a satisfactory situation. I just hope I can figure something out before I fly home for the holidays in case something goes wrong and I need to buy a ticket, pay for food, get a hotel, etc. 

But I digress.

Yesterday, we had our first intramural pick up game. It was a riot. Four teachers played (and actually tried) along with eighteen middle school kids. It was a good time, I decided to show the kids (and staff) that I had some game by glove flipping a grounder up the middle to 2nd to start a double play. Hey you gotta ball out to get respect right?

Other than that not much new. School has really been going (not first day stuff), students have been making fun of my terrible pronunciation of spanish names, and the apparently there is Venezuelan's version of a boy band that people are going to this weekend, but I may look for other entertainment. 

Trying some sushi tomorrow night so cross your fingers for me. It's a popular, safe restaurant, but this city/country is unpredictable, so you just gotta go with it.

Here's a picture at the complex across the street. You can see the stores to the left have generators, but not the apartment complexes. We are in total darkness!

Well I hope you are enjoying running water (I worked out and thought I'd be able to shower when I got home, nope), lights, having your wallet/purse (don't worry that ones my fault), and are cool if it's hot and hot if it's cool.

I would also like to take the opportunity to thank all of you that read this. I really enjoy writing, especially when I know I can provide pictures and narratives about this country and experiences that you may not be able to yourself. The website says that in good days 200 people read a post! 200! I couldn't tell you what that would look like in a room, but thank you so much. 

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. 

In the next few weeks/months before break I'll be going to baseball games, soccer matches, bull fighting and a blues club to just name a few. Those stories will be a little more fun than the usual.

I'm going to find a cool place in my apartment to try and sleep.  As Aston as I get electricity I'll post this baby.

Happy Friday, have a great week, and stay safe!

Wish you the best,

KRS

**editors note: the power came back on last night and that, coupled with the water of the toilets filling up, woke me up.  But hey, at least I could shower for school.

A Teaching Duality

Happy Tuesday!

Big day over here for this guy today.  I got a bank account (boom!).  AND it came with a debit card.  I know, I know, I can't believe it either.  Don't act like you're not impressed.  It only took about two hours, seven signatures and seven thumb prints.  Yeah, it's that real here.  But hey, I have an account now, it has literally zero dollars bolivars, but it is a bank account.  So I got that going for me.

Gabes you need to start drinking this and fighting like...

Day two was puppies and rainbows.  There is no way this can continue.  I'm on edge like a thirty zebra at an African water pool frantically scanning the savanna for a pair of eyes that scream lioness.  I will not be caught flat footed! However, if it stays like this I will not complain...ever.

I had two classes today, two preps, our student break, lunch, and an assembly to nominate student council officers.  With my English teacher may that put me about 142mins of teaching, 242 minutes of planning, lunch, and the elections.  Don't worry kids I have three 82 minute classes tomorrow and only 102 minutes of planning time.

Having time to actually plan, prepare, and create is awesome.  I have a series of websites (if you want to see them teacher friends message me- they were really easy to create) for my classes, developed some really cool stuff, and have some material that I think the kids will love.  Time to create/think openly, is the greatest gift anyone can receive, especially as a teacher.  I think I will get a lot better this year.

This my classroom, aka the "House of Learned Doctors".

More about the elections: the principal had an assembly in the comedor (cafeteria, you just learned a Spanish word, well done!)  that allowed grades 6-12 to nominate, second, and third a person to run for the various offices.  If a candidate was nominated he/she could accept or decline.  I thought this was going to be an epic train wreck, but it wasn't.  The kids had fun with it, but they were respectful.  Prior to the voting our Drama teacher explained to the students that we are putting on "Beauty and the Beast" and the place erupted like a Bieber concert (never been, just assuming).  The kids cheered and clapped before listening to directions, during which they were quiet.  I've never seen anything like this.

Students leaving school walking past the comedor on the left.  

Noticeable Differences

I promised to talk about the international school here in Valencia.  These are not judgements, rather how I see things through my unique lens, and I hope this gives you a better feel for what CIC is all about.  

1) Meetings at here are focused and open.  There is no timetable where you have to be in a meeting for "x" time.  We get through the agenda, take care of business, adjourn, and then go back to work.  Also, if you have a sport, activity, or club during the meeting time you are told to go to that responsibility and read the minutes of the meeting when you get them.

2) "Teach evaluations are to help you and I am not a master teacher that knows everything.  There is no such thing as a perfect lesson"- my principal.  Our admin team will use surveys and observations to give you tips and ideas to incorporate into your teaching.  "Our evaluations are us sharing notes, it's non-judgmental, and we are just an extra set of eyes." He said he will present it as: this is what I saw, not this is what you should do.  We also only have to complete a folder that shows that we have touched on the desired aspects of the evaluation tool- no portfolio or long document.

3) The admin is very open and straightforward regarding deadlines (emergency sub plans, website completion dates, etc), tasks (supervision dates, roles, etc) and expectations.  They are very clear with how things should be, but allow you to freedom to do what you need to do while holding you accountable.

4) The curriculum is moving towards the Common Core, but we are given full control what what we feel the students should use (texts/materials) to learn.  Creativity is a must, and innovation is expected.  They view us as content masters and that we should pass that knowledge through texts and methods that we see fit to our students.

5) We have a dress code.  Girls: jeans or dresses/skirts past the knee. Guys: jeans or khakis.  No holes, tears, print, etc on the pants and each school (elementary, middle, and high school) has a particular color polo they have to wear with our school logo.

6) We encourage technology.  Every student can bring their own device after filling out the proper paperwork.  We also have started a iPad initiative at our school.  Each teacher has an iPad 3, Apple TV, and a given amount of credits to purchase and use educational apps.

7)  Credit/Tardy recover.  If you are struggling in a course, you are moved to take it online.  If you are late to class you have an hour reflection time to complete work/reflection on your attendance issue.  If you missed your final exam for whatever reason, you have to pay to take.

8) Late policy here is one day late: 75% possible credit, two days late: 5% possible credit.

9) We have a shared folder with all the needed documents, schedules, forms, and even email templates to request everything from copies to computer issues. We also have a specific form for taking minutes at a meeting.  A lot of things are already designed, you just have to fill them in.

10) All agendas and times are followed, never exceeding the time.

11) Sports are M W F, with an hour of intramural (we are encouraged to play)  and "All-Stars" after that (think varsity) for an hour.  We host a big tournament with VANAS schools (local INTL schools) as our competition date.

12) T TH are teacher developed activities.  For example, environmental club, study help, ping pong, soccer, art, movie club, and many more.

13) No buses.  Nearly every student has a ride, very few walk.

14) Classes can be held outside.

15) No food, gum, drinks, or cell phones in class ever. Not even:

It's healthier than "diet" soda right?

That's all I had from my notes.  I think you can definitely see some differences from schools you've gone to or teach/taught in.  I am not saying one or the other is better, rather, I'm stating what was said in our large staff meetings, trainings, and things taken from our staff book.

Well there you have it.  A little more insight to my little corner of the world.  Tomorrow should be more of a challenge with juniors, seniors, and newspaper class.  Oh well it's:

HUMP DAY!

Tomorrow is also our first intramural pick up game.  These kids have no idea what they are getting themselves into.  I'm going to go Jody Davis (ex-Cubs catcher circa 1987) on them.

That does it for this episode.  Hope you enjoyed it!  Best of luck on the remainder of your week.  I'll check back in soon with a new story/update and some photos.

Take care of each other,

KRS

1/180

Happy Monday. [Sorry no pictures today]

Today marked the first day of the new school year for all of us here at CIC and many of you were back listening to your local state of the union address from your headmaster/superintendent.

Hope you're all jacked up after the rah-rah speech and ready to go.

Today was a different type of schedule for us.  We run an A/B block with four classes per day, and Tuesday holds our "advisory" period (think homeroom).  Today was pretty cool, it was nice to not see 30+ students per class, but seeing 8 in my Newspaper class was kind of weird.

The day started off with a speech by our principal which explained changes in policy, new teachers, and new facilities/additions to the school.  I thought about breaking out my Miss America wave when my name was called, but went for a wave and a salute instead (street cred in tact).

I did notice how well behaved the students were during the speech.  The cheered the points Mr. Chicas was making, the other speakers, and especially the new facilities.  The new cafeteria (with AC).  The kids roared.  

At this point, I thought I may have had hallucinogens in my coffee.

After we broke out of the assembly we shuttled the students to our respective advisory rooms to get them schedules, planners, and materials.  We talked shop, the kids asked about me, I neglected their request, and got the itinerary accomplished much to their chagrin.  I told them next advisory I'd clue them in on me, and the metropolis known as Clinton.

I did show the students an aerial picture of Clinton and one thought it was Detroit.  I said yeah, I know Eminem.  He looked puzzled.  I broke the news to him that the body of water was the Mississippi and the town was Clinton.  He laughed.  

The classes flowed in and out.  I presented my procedures, expectations, syllabi, and philosophy the kids all listened, or at least weren't looking too spacey.  If the kids think the first day is boring, try being the teacher.  It's like a continual Ground Hog Day. I asked how many students had completed the summer assignment that is due Thursday (about 85% had).

Yeah, a summer assignment.  I know, I know- it's almost too much.

The juniors were chatty, the sophs were excited, and the seniors were in senior mode.  Overall, it was a solid day.  I think the kids are excited to hear more about me tomorrow and know more about this tie-wearing gringo.

The twenty-five minutes went quick, but the results of the litmus test were good.  Obviously the first day is like a new toy and it always seems great right away.  I was worried about how I'd feel in the the classroom around these bilingual students, but it was like riding a bike.

They have to speak English in school and specifically in class to help their skills, but sometimes they switch to spanish when they are unsure or casually talking to a friend.  I told them that it was unfair and that if I couldn't be a part of the conversation, even if it was making fun of me, than we shouldn't have it.  The laughed and thought it was fair.  We'll see.

I just got home from the gym and got beat up during the TRX class.

I'll have a better write up tomorrow analyzing some cultural differences in the school.

Until then, take care.


KRS

1 down and 179 to go (haha).

Preparation Fades to Performance

Hello from a rainy mountain day in VZ!

I think it's been my first gray day since I got here (reminds me of Iowa).  Great day to watch movies and mentally prep for tomorrow.  

Lazy day with no football.

I know many of you teachers are heading in for meetings and such this week.  I hope those go as painless as possible.  Notice I didn't say back to work, as many districts have multiple weeks of summer work, training, and extra-curricular activities (aka work) that really erode the thought of "summers off" as many think.  

Here's to your upcoming state of the union (district) depicting data and firing up the ole motivation machine!

Not for an update...

Staff Development Day

This past Friday we took part in a CIC tradition of heading to the beach with our whole staff (anyone teachers/associates can attend, but some stay and work).  We met at the school at 5:45 and hit the road by 6am sharp.  The ride there was a little over and hour due to some traffic issues and a few cars that had accidents.

Naturally, after about ten minutes of getting the coolers and people off the bus, the skies opened up and the rains came.  It didn't last long, but the worries of an overcast, rainy beach day were seeping into conversations.

The waiting (for the beach) is the hardest part.

From there we took a 15min boat ride out to the a series of keys that held the beach that was our destination.  The ride out was eventful.  The scenery was beautiful, like something from a travel pamphlet.  There was heavy boat traffic out to the beach, so the waters were rough (which added a sort of white water aspect to it).  We bounced around the waves that concealed the various shades of blue bellow.

Finally, the horizon rose and the clouds opened up and revealed the beach.  That site alone made the early wake up call worth it.

Palm trees and white beaches are cool, but clouds are not.  

I know what your thinking, "Kellen, that beach doesn't look that nice.  In fact, the "Riv" crew back home would claim Coney Island to be cooler."  To each there own, but I'll take this:

This is a real picture that I took.  

Yep.  I will say that the beach "attire" was much different than I have seen in the states, and that goes for both genders.  Some things that I thought should be used for jazzercise classes (ladies) or swimmers (gents) littered the beach front.  A few times, I had to hide my raised eyebrow.  To each their own I suppose.  

We hung out the beach, threw a football, had some beverages, ate some great traditional and local food, while enjoying the company of our staff, principals, and their families.  

Morris, David, and I embracing the umbrellas from the rum drinks. 

After a few hours it is tradition that all of the new hires (both foreign and local) go to this section of water in the center of several islands (about 15mins away) that is shallow enough to stand up in.  I'm told it goes back many years and our crew was no different. 

This is what we floated up on.  I don't even know how you describe it. A mini floating festival?

We spent about a half hour there taking in the scene, capture a few photos, exchanged pleasantries with some vendors, and then had another fun boat ride back to the beach.  If we would have brought some Bs we could have purchased some food, drink, or goods, but no one remembered so we just hung out in awe.  To think a year ago this week I was about 6K miles away on a football field for camp, and now I'm in Latin America.  Crazy. 

The boat with the flower sells fruity cocktails.  You'd never would have guessed would you?

Here is where the magic happens.

Hungry? Try some lobster..fresh with lime. 

Another lobster vendor. 

Notice the back left where the color darkens and the waves break. 

Yours truly with bunny ears (and white tank), Christie, and David.  He carried her all the way out to the island.  The dude can swim. 

After getting made fun of the umbrella, Frank joined us for some street cred.  Here we are doing the opposite of the duck/deuces combo that the young people do these days.  

After we returned to the main beach, we did more of the same.  I didn't apply sunscreen once...rather three times (I bet my mom got nervous) and still got a little red.  Hot, hot, hot.  They call the place the best kept secret in Latin America (it's a state park which eliminates hotels and too many tourists) and it was a very calming and restful place to spend a day after eight days of training, meetings, iPad 3 initiation (every teacher got one to use in his or her classroom with an app allowance), and planning.  

Around mid-afternoon we rounded up the troops, reloaded the boats, and journeyed back to the mainland.  We then funneled to our buses and hit the dusty trail.  

People were making plans to meet for dinner and hangout, but by the time everyone got home and showered that was it.  I watched a movie and fell asleep.  The sun took it out of me, but it was worth it.  

I can say with all honesty that this has been a great few weeks.  I have never felt more apart of a teaching family and a school community then here.  Now don't get me wrong, I felt a part of a school community at my last school, but this school is smaller and international, so it has a natural advantage and wants to insure our success (and stay all year, as we are an investment).  Again, I am constantly reminded about how outgoing and nice teachers, staff, and administration are here.  They have made this "country" (not in the Jason Aldean sense of the word, rather location) boy feel at home in a new city, in a foreign country, and on a different continent.  

I am definitely nervous for tomorrow, and the unknowns that lurk in my first day of my international education experience.  I'll just be me and try to do my best, all I can do right?

I'm going to try and rock the shirt and tie (nearly) every day [props to Halac].  I just hope I don't get caught in a downpour like we had today, because being soaking wet on the first day would not be cool.

We don't start our sports season until next week, but I'll talk more about that tomorrow when I try to give you a better insight to the school and differences in the states/international school settings.  However, I hope all of you starting your respective seasons have been blessed with healthy athletes, good weather, and the motivation the preseason brings (everyone is undefeated!).

If you have some comments about anything I've written, things you want to hear about, or just want to say hello, use kellencobain@yahoo.com and I'll try to do my best to respond quickly.  I should have more time (weird huh?) with school starting, so I hope to increase the quantity of the postings.

That's all from down here in VZ.  Hope your Sunday was restful, I'll see you on down the trail.

Thanks,

KRS

Keep on a Chooglin'

Day 2

After the excitement of the previous day, I was expecting Wednesday to be a day with a little less pace.  

Turns out I was right, or 66% right.

The morning of the second day was filled with breakfast with the office staff so we could all introduce each other and put names to faces.  It is a different kind of conversation when you have been in email contact with a secretary or employee throughout the summer and have never seen or met them.  To finally shake their hand or give them a hug and thank them for their diligent work was the least we could do.

If you have no frame of reference the process of working for an international school takes weeks upon weeks, nearly fifty documents, notarization, appostille-ing (google it), and lots of patience.  Factor in the passport and work visa, and it is nearly a six month process.  These people know there stuff and if it wasn't for them, many of us would not be able to work here [lifts a fake glass in the air to cheers those who do the paperwork].

After the morning meetings and another traditional Venezuelan lunch, we had three more hours to work in our room.  The amount of time we have been provided to work in our room is astronomical (more on school specific details in another post).  

After work we gathered at the rental van, met security, and headed of to Epa (think Home Depot) to pick up some housewares.  

The shopping was pretty tame, and the lines were the same as Kromi- few open registers and snails pace clerking.  The store also replicated Kromi with its odd lack of specific items.  Many of the aisles in both stores have the looks of a store preparing to restock its shelves, however they typically leave some goods in that form.  Long spurts empty shelves are found sporadically throughout the stores.  One day toilet paper and sugar (with a restriction of number of purchase) a day or two later, nothing.  

After we were done checking out, we made our way to the van with our security guard parked adjacent to us, but he was standing outside.  While we waited for the others to finish shopping Dave noticed a mall security guard and been inching closer and closer to us with walkie-talkie in hand.  A few minutes later the security guards boss came over to the guard and prompted him to say something to us.

"You guys are congregating around a car that has purchased goods in it and you are speaking English" (horrid translation from yours truly).  

To that our security guard replied, "If anyone tries to give this people trouble I'll take care of them.  I'm packing"

The face on the young security guard seemed to loose up and droop as his eyes widened.  He then told us that three grocery stores were robbed this afternoon.  Our security guard told him not to worry, he has it under control.  The younger guard slithered back behind a few cars several stalls away and said nothing.

Friday

Friday was another day of am meetings and three hours of work time.  Very good day to get some things done as we all started to feel more at home.

At the conclusion of the work day the school took us to a traditional Venezuelan restaurant for a family style meal.  We enjoyed some fried appetizers and salad, before our meal of beef, sausage, and chicken cooked on a small grill nearby turned from mouth watering gas to grilled goodness in front of us.  The salad is basically sliced veggies: onion, lettuce, tomato, avocado, carrots, beets, and quail eggs (hard boiled)- it was really tasty.

We shared good conversation and were welcomed again by the headmaster and the administrative team.  The meal concluded a week of mixed emotions, unknowns, and uncertainties, but the CIC team did a great job of making us feel not only at home, but as accepted members of their family.

After the meal the new hires and our coordinator, Andrea, left to meet up at a local pizza place to meet some of the staff and teachers out having pizza and beverages.  We were introduced to a group of employees with a variety of years of experience at CIC, but all were really cool, open, and accepting.  We stayed for several beverages, before heading out to get caught up on sleep.

I thought, in the famous words of Ice Cube, "Today was a good day,"

Saturday

I woke up in a stiff sweat, and not the kind created from a nightmare.  The power was out. No fans, no ac, and to add to it, no water.  Nice little Saturday.  I tried to add a few more minutes of sleep until my phone rang- it was David wondering if I wanted to join a group of people going on a hike.

Why not? No power, no water, and nothing to do.

We decided to go hike a nearby mountain/foothill (I forget the name) in the morning.  It by no means is the size of the Rocky Mountains, but it was a challenging climb.  The trail was packed.  People of all shapes and sizes, wearing everything from jeans to workout clothes and fanny packs drove up the mountain.

It was hot, but the breeze was beautiful. The entire up and down took just over an hour.  The rock looked like petrified wood, with wavy ridges moving north and south on the mountain face.  As we climbed a little boy called me a gringo, but David told me in VZ culture it a nickname, like many others, and means no harm.  We letter encountered a man climbing with his sons and he welcomed us to VZ and thanked us for coming.

I'm still in awe of the kindness I've seen so far.

Maybe there is a chance we can turn this whole thing around.

It definitely elevated the heart rate, but the view was magnificent.  After we made it back down we enjoyed freshly squeezed OJ from a local vendor.  By fresh I mean they take each half orange, place it on a strainer press and squeeze the juice out.  Over and over again to just make on large glass.  It was glorious and the perfect end to a good hike.

It's not the Sacto/Austin urban sprawl, but it's cool looking isn't it?

Can you see the second mountain behind the furthest buildings?

David and I putting the city to scale.  He's buff.

Told you he's jacked.  He carried his wife up the whole way.

Valencia, my current home. 

You can take the boy out of Iowa, but you can't make him stop sweating in South America.

David directing traffic (or pushing a mountain down) and explaining how he once ran up it in 14 minutes.  

Valencia at night from David and Christie's apartment this building in the lower right corner is Kromi.  

After I got home the power/water was back on, so I promptly took a shower and then a nap. 

Later that night David and Christie had me over for tostadas -they were awesome.  David then hooked up his tv to his computer and we streamed the NFL preseason game.  The first few tries were dicey, but he got it going.  We made it three quarters before I threw in the towel.  The long week had beaten me and I needed some REM.  

He gave me a ride home (no car for this guy) and I barely remember taking my contacts out before I was counting sheep. 

The first week had come to an end, and I wasn't too homesick or suffering culture shock yet.  Maybe I'll be able to pull those off...we'll see won't we.

Well that has gotten everything brought up to speed, now I can drive the blog machine on a more relevant path.

Not my best piece today, but I'm gassed- I'll get better though.  I told Mrs. Adkins I would write daily and I have, just not in the blog form.  But have no fear, It'll get better.

Stay safe, have fun, and don't drink eat too much cereal (I want to eat a popcorn bowl full of it when I get back.  I won't drink the milk here, and the cereal selection is worse here than it ever was for my sister growing up in a house of three boys).

Fin.

KRS

It's a New Dawn, it's a New Day

Catwoman: You could have gone anywhere, but you came back. 

Batman: So did you.

Catwoman: Well then I guess we're both suckers. 

Batman: The Dark Knight Rises

Campus Day 1

After shaking off the cobwebs of a very distracted night of sleeping, I struggle through the process of preparing to go to work.  Finally, throwing my passport and wallet in my backpack I whisked through my doors, the elevator, out the gate throwing an "Hola" to the doorman and into the car.  

Luckily, Andrea had the air on (wearing jeans in Venezuela is going to take some getting used to) so my back sweat could be tamed as we rounded the corner to pick up Kelley.  The other new hires were coming in David's car with a rendezvous point at the school's auditorium.  

Just outside the main office building.

The warm humid air and alleged, lingering rainstorm greeted us as we exited the car and walked towards school.  Breaching the main doorway I was summoned by a wonderful smell.  Arepas.  This corn based circles of goodness seemed to grin at me as I approached.  After being instructed on proper construction and consumption, I devoured them.  Delicious.  They are cut in half like a English muffin, but are more closely related to a pancake (I suppose).  I stuffed mine with local cheese and ham.  Seriously, you come to Latin American you better try one of these.

Sorry it's not 4D.

After breakfast, I walked towards the computer lab fighting off the food coma that was trying to descend on me.  I won, but it wasn't easy.  The rest of the morning we were trained in a variety of aspects of school policy, procedures, technology, and revisited the contract/benefits.

Lunch was traditional breaded chicken (fried of course, because why not?), mashed/whipped potatoes, and some veggies.  It was unbelievable.  Seriously, I'm going to get fat if I continue to eat like this.  It was amazing.  Our school doesn't have a cafeteria/cooks, everything is catered in.  We can also get food catered in, but I feel that may be a slow (but tasty) death wish.  

After lunch we received our keys and got to check out our classrooms.  Now, I've heard the word campus thrown around high schools in the states, but it doesn't really jive with their set up.  Colleges and universities? Yes. High schools? No.  CIC, however, is a campus.  Based on the bottom of a mountain we move up the mountain as the grades get higher (cute I know).  Secondary is the furthest from the parking lot, about a 7% grade up, and my room is the last one on the right (most distant).  

The walk up was awesome for the visuals.  Our natural trail is on the left, just past the elementary building for any class to use during the school day.  While Kelley and I (the only new secondary teachers) ventured up several iguanas shot around the grass seeking shelter as we approached.  We passed the secondary library (yep, we have two) and then split into our rooms.  This is what my room looks like from the outside (my video won't load so I'll shoot and post that tomorrow).

This door is what separates the house of learned doctors from the uneducated.

It is obviously barren, but hopefully I can fill it with posters just like my last classroom.  

We have been given three hours a day in our classrooms, with at least the same about this coming week, to prepare for the start of school.  [Puts hands up to deflect the evil eye stares of his fellow teachers in the states.]

My schedule is pretty solid.  It's an "A"/"B" block with me teaching for classes, English 10, English 11, English 12, and Newspaper.  The biggest class I have is 16 (Eng 10) with the smallest being 6 (Newspaper).  It breaks down to one day of 90 min prep and one of 180, which I will need as the standards and expectations are sky high.  [Ducks as my teachers throw things at me.]  The rules and expectations are unreal for me coming from a public school.  It seems the international schools are a much different animal than public schools.  

The view outside of my room from the balcony is pretty tough to beat, as is the walk back down to the central building.  

The first thing you see outside my classroom.  

The hallway towards the social studies classes. Notice the lockers on the left- they remind me of a morgue.

Looking down the road from the secondary building. 

Another view from the secondary building. That building is the secondary cafeteria (there's mountains too). 

After our afternoon work time, we got to head off to the grocery store Kromi a Hyvee/Fareway type story.  We were driven by a company that rents out vans and drivers to take people to a variety of places like the store, the airport and such.  Think of it as somewhere between a moving company and a taxi that the school uses frequently.  We were also accompanied by security (Note: we did not need it and at no time have I felt threatened in my short four days, but the school uses it with new hires the first week).

The goal was to use your given Bs (Bolivars, the national currency), navigate the store, overcome the language barrier and buy needed food and such for your house.  This wasn't as challenging to do as you may think, but it was frustrating.

The store is packed, people are everywhere- think Walmart on Sunday afternoon on a non-Nascar weekend. The store was actually well stocked this time, compared to usual (I was told this), but there are many things you cannot get.  No peanut butter anywhere, but lots of Nutella.  However, they did have butter- I knew this was important when kids were running with two packages on their shoulders to tell their mother.  They had sugar which were told that isn't typical, so I grabbed two (no idea why- I don't remember the last time I used some). Toilet paper was limited to one package per person, no shortage, but no overindulgence.  Yep, so that's awesome.

The serving sizes and packaging are much smaller and they leave their eggs sitting out.  At first I was shocked by this, but then I thought, "Well that is how the enter the world..." Regardless, I bought some and refrigerated them.  Meat and cheese is fairly cheap here, but veggies are limited, plus you have to wash/soak them with vinegar water, so I may not do many veggies that don't come in can form.  Also, Venezuelans love soda, dozens of varieties of colas and fruit based pop.

After hunting down some basics and cans of tuna, I headed for the checkout.  I may have been trying to merge on or of a ramp during rush hour.  We were in line for 45mins.  Venezuelans are social, love to talk, and are in no rush.  The cashier will talk, text, and move at glacial speed to check out your items.  The bagger follows suit and you tip him/her.  Crazy.

At the check out you have to provide your cedula (think id number) or passport.  I, naturally, overshot the money I brought and had to bum some off of a colleague which I told them I would repay them when we get back in the van.  But that's when the fun starts...

David and Christie had already checked out and then came back in to see if they could leave with the van to their house then come back to save room, it was not advised.  I checked out moments later, tipped the bagger, showed the exit guard my receipt, got a stamp, and rolled outside to talk to Dave.  Yep, all of those steps are needed to get groceries.

Outside business was picking up.  The van was gone.  Our money, my American wallet, our backpacks with laptops (5), cell phones, and everything else in our Venezuelan lives were in there.  Gone.  They main driver/owner sent his man on another job to pick people up and forgot that we had our stuff in the back.  Andrea quickly seized the situation and told the owner to get his man back here.

"Ahora," he told her.  Yep, now.  And by now he meant in about two hours from now.

We waited for a spell at the grocery store and then retreated back to the school where we waited as the sun slowly coasted behind the mountains.  Finally, as the greens and blues turned different hues the other drive showed up.  We feverishly checked our bags for all valuables, deemed them there, grabbed our groceries and headed out to our respective homesteads.

That was tense.

While loading his car David asked me if I wanted to travel with him to his Aunt's house in Tinaquillo (google it).

It was 7:00 and pitch dark when we departed to extract his dog, Pepe.  The roads are lit dimly with little worry.  Street signs are as timid and as the traffic is excited.  People like to run the gauntlet.  We were cruising early on until we hit an absurd amount of traffic.  Police carries lit up the highway like fireflies in late August.  Military were stationed proportionally along the opposite side of the highway leading to Valencia.  We had no idea what was going on.

We needed gas, and unlike the states, Venezuelan gas station want to see how badly you need gas by playing a fuzzy game of hide and seek.  What I mean is, they don't have signs that light up and tell you about Red Bull 2/$5 or "Hot Pizza"rather they barricade themselves behind a curb, a ditch, and highly congested frontage road.

After failing to tag the hiders, we stumbled upon a gas station just barely missing the turn.  David slowed up, talked to some soldiers, found the next exit, and guided his car into the gas station.  Full service is the way of the world here.  We had nine gallons pumped for the American equivalent of maybe $.60 or as I like to think of it, less than a candy bar in the States.

Crazy.

We tipped the attendant, and headed down the dark highway.  The rest of the journey was spent dodging pot holes, slowing for the jack-in-box-like speed bumps, and eluding "ghost cars."
Speed bumps on the highway? Yep.  They use them to control speed in urban areas and before heading into towns.  Think if highway 30 had those bad boys.  Yikes.

"Ghost Cars" is a term David uses to describe the number of cars that do not use lights (by choice or otherwise), signal, or mind road rules.  They just want to drive.  And they are all over.

We finally reached Tinaquillo.  David was hungry so we stopped for a burger.  Not just any burger, but a Venezuelan street vendor burger.  Wow.

By burger they mean bun, littered with a variety of sauces/condiments (Venezuelans love condiments), followed by a beef patty, shredded chicken, slice of ham, tomato, lettuce, more sauce, and the top bun.  Holy sh..., sorry family orientated- I almost slipped.  SOOOOOO GOOOD.  Best burger I've had in the world (Sorry Hembry, Griz, and my Dad), ever.  We washed it down with an Apple soda from Pepsi- find that in the states.

We continued to his Aunts.

David called for his Aunt and she met us at the door.  Full of hugs and well wishes, she treated us to a glass of water and hospitality.  A wonderful woman, with a beautiful house decorated with religious artifacts, pictures, and comfortable furniture.  Upon our arrival she asked us if we had seen the President.

We didn't understand.

It turns out that the President Maduro was passing through Valencia, hence the strong police/military presence.  We had no idea, but it made sense.  The traffic and number of civil service vehicles were insane.  We laughed in amazement and then David turned his attention to his Aunt.

David had brought her a new phone as payment for watching his dog and when he went to the car to get it I had my first semi-Spanish conversation.  His Aunt forgave my shortcomings and mixed in some English to assist me.  I felt civilized, until my words ran out.  I switched to non-verbals and graciousness.

David gave her a tutorial on his phone while I played with Pepe.  After he concluded, we were surprised by his other aunt that lived next door.  David introduced me and we hugged.  Hugs are good when you don't have any family within in 5000 miles and your friend's family accepts you.  We chatted for a while, then gave another round of hugs before hitting the dusty trail.

The ride back was uneventful, but full of conversation.  We talked sports, school, philosophy, and Venezuela.  It made the ride back very short.

He dropped me off and I hurriedly got ready for bed and nearly as soon as I hit the pillow I was out.

One Thing I Learned:

Venezuela driving is so crazy.  While traffic lights mean something, stop signs mean nothing, horns are encouragement, turn signals are a suggestion, but hand signals actually work.  You put you hand out to wave or show your intention and the traffic begins to open like the Red Sea.  It's the strangest thing.

I'll try to summarize a few of the not really distinct days tomorrow.  I took at TRX class tonight that beat me up, so I'm dozing off as I'm writing this.  Don't worry I've taken notes throughout my time here as to keep you informed even when I may get a few days behind.

The power and water were out yesterday for several hours or this would have been posted then (Sunday).  Hope all is well wherever you are.

Keep on L-I-V-I-N,

KRS

For the Record:

After conferring with one of my attorney's (Michael Halac),  I've decided to post these whenever I get a story to tell (or am able post one, whatever comes first).  Which I think is a very punk rock, anti-conformist way of doing it.  ["Walter, this isn't a first amendment thing man."  The Dude]

Returning for the First Time

Hello everyone.  I'm dusting off the old blog machine and giving it another go at being a writer.

Miss me?

Probably didn't even notice I was gone!  But in case you are looking for some good Cornflake reading on Sunday morning then you've come to the right place.

Where to begin, where to begin... I'll start with this, I had no idea what to expect or how to approach the move down here, so I just let it be and let the universe take over.

I had never been out of the country, let alone move away from everything I've know to teach in a place I knew nothing about besides what was painted on my TV.  So far I haven't been disappointed.

Let's recap.

Monday

Like flying? I don't, well didn't.  Day -1 (negative one because technically wasn't starting the teaching part) of my Teaching Abroad experience, consisted of me saying goodbye to the family at the airport.  Drove down with the 'rents and shared pleasantries to pass the time and put off the awkwardness that lie ahead.

Once we got there we fiddled around for about 10 mins and then came goodbye time.  I swear I'm becoming a baby in my older age.  I broke- cue the water works.  What a sally.  I fought it hard and only my mom teared up. Hugs were exchanged and it was onto security.  It was a tough, but cool moment to wave good by to the whole family.

DJ keeping it light and photobombing. Yep, that is a Jon Cena shirt.  "You can't see..." never mind.

**Cough, cough.** Enough mushy stuff.

Monday consisted of 1,262 miles of flying over two flights.  Moline to Hotlanta (as the fraternity brothers say) to Miami (I'm not taking my talents there).  Piece of cake and thanks to my good friend Ian Hembry's advice I did not miss my connecting flight as I did on my way to Austin last year.

Rather uneventful day until I got my baggage in Miami and literally ran out into oncoming traffic to flag down my shuttle to the hotel.  The shuttle drive was either in awe of my courage or of my stupidity, but hey, you gotta do what you gotta do.

Got to the hotel called my mom (nothing wrong, happy mom), and then met up with Rachel, a Minnesota native, David, and his wife Christie.  We had a beer and let David, burly college football player with a $100 smile, and Christie, a petite Idaho-ian, tell us about teaching abroad- they had been in Venezuela (different school) and Korea before that.  It helped cool the nerves.  We parted ways and prepared to get up at 4am to catch the am shuttle. Yep 4:00 am, that's cut my eyes out with a dull spoon early.

Hit the bed, took a breath, alarm went off, and I went down to shuttle.

Tuesday

Day 0 (staying on par with the numbering system- no school, but school event).

Got to the airport fourteen years early, but had to be safe with customs.  Smooth transition to the terminal where we waited for two hours.  Miami Airport is huge, but it does have "Stairway to Heaven" lyrics written in the floor..so that's a plus.

We boarded Copa Airlines and headed to Panama City, Panama.  I'd never flown international or over bodies of water (larger than a river or lake), so that was a first.  We had "free" breakfast on the plan, and by free I mean included within the fee like the candy bar is free within the wrapper.  I was hoping to sleep (ain't gonna happen jack), but I listened to some Pink Floyd and dozed off at 39K feet (sleep deprived).

A few back of the class-student-falling-asleep-head-snaps later, we were approaching.  I usually enjoy landing as it means it's over.  Not so much this one.  Someone switched the Panama City airport with a weathered concrete basketball court with a few lines and pylons.  Couple that with the fact that I think the pilots had a bet to see if they could land it like a Tony Hawk skate trick sprinkled with a hair-wet tardiness.  We started the descent and David said man this guy is coming in fast.  I thought he was messing with me.  But what David meant was coming in hot.  Hot and flights are not good.  This cat drops her down early, tips the nose up and got after it.  We lunged at the runway and promptly landed the patented right wheel first double axle. Then he slapped the other rear wheel down and slammed the breaks.  I swear the left side of the plan was 45 degrees higher than my seat.  Anyway, all was good and we got off the plane (Hail Marys in tow).

We supposedly had about 35mins, so I sent a few Van Halen - Panama texts to my family, but the called us and then we were off again.

Flight to Valencia was smooth until dropping in behind the mountains.  I wanted to have a cocktail on the flight as they were free and the last landing left me with a bad taste in my mouth, but I refrained knowing the headmaster and principals would meet us at the airport.

A little bumpy on the insertion, and a huge rain cloud guided the jet into the airport. This airport seriously could have been some one's driveway in a suburb.  Again, the Copa pilot brought it in hot and dropped her down like a kid drops a rock into mud (side note: I've determined that when pilots have lackluster landings they don't leave the cockpit to see you off, own up to it man!).

President style

We walked off the plane, downstairs (like the president), across the tarmac, and into the terminal.  Customs here= no goodo for me.  Luckily Dave speaks fluent Spanish (as he was born in VZ and raised in Canada) so I got through easy.  Kelley, another first year, had trouble with the visa, but with David speaking to the soldier and helping out, she shortly joined us waiting for luggage.  After getting the coveted visa stamp we gathered our luggage and the smooth sailing we had had turned into rough seas.

Christie, David, and Kelley heading to the terminal.

While on the flight we had to fill out paperwork to allow is into the country, and seeing as I have never been into another country, filled out the paper, or knew my address, I was bound to have fun.  Naturally, when I provided the form that allowed my luggage to accompany me to Valencia the red flag went off.  Three of us were shuffled to a side of the airport and led to a small room where our luggage was inspected.  Apparently, in the area that made you list what "new" items you are bringing into the country, I wrote down everything I brought and the dollar amount.  This means they thought I was smuggling things into the country to sell on the black market.  This means I was a dumb gringo (what the call us whiter-toned folks) and had to have my stuff searched.

Luckily the older woman was nice and after a short 45mins we got to take our luggage the ten feet outside the doors and onto Venezuela ground.

The headmaster (superintendent), both principals (secondary and elementary), and our HR secretary met us with hugs and handshakes.  I had made it.  This second part of the journey was a measly 3,796 miles bringing the total to...drum roll please... 5,058 miles in under thirty hours.  Not bad, not bad at all.

The drive to the school for a short our was about an hour to go a distance that would take 10 minutes in the states.  The Valencia airport is within the industrial district, and many of the walls and buildings are littered with political graffiti.  The streets filled with foreign and local cars with motorcycles shooting the gaps between them.  There are really no lanes, or for that matter, street markers/signs/stop lights.  There are a few lights that count down the time for each color, but people just force their way.  The driving here is comparable to ants leaving and returning to their hill (best analogy I could come up with).  People just pull in front or out when there is a small gap, roads are worse then Clinton, and there are no signs for directions on the streets (only highways).  It's a trip.  Our welcoming party provided us with Coca-Cola and water for the "short" ride.  Once we arrived we had pasta, received our packets of info, and our food allowance.  The whole party was gassed and we quickly said "chao" and packed into cars.

My first photo of school: This is the field right in front of the Central Office. It's used for PE (Never mind the trashcan).  

I was to be the first dropped off, but no one put my door key on my key ring, so we had to take Kelley to her place.  Upon arrival at Kelley, Andrea (our welcome coordinator) made some calls to track down  a school employee to get me in.  About forty-five minutes later we had a key and I could go "home".

This was my first taste of "ahora" (see below).

We buzzed in, walked past the doorman, took the elevator, and finally got in.  She showed me the apartment basics, but I was missing something- a plastic tub to store water (more on that later).  A note was made, I let her out (need keys to get into the elevator and outside), and I returned.

The door shut and my bags greeted me at the door.  No sounds, no people, nothing on the walls, it felt like solitary (or what I imagine it to be like).  Then it hit me.  My first bout of culture shock (google it).

"What had I done?" I thought.  I'm on a continent, in a country where I don't speak the language, have no family, no tv/video games, a no friends.

A good friend of mine told me when I was going thinking of teaching abroad that it takes twenty seconds of

"Great call." I murmured.  Then the emotion bagged me.  I had a week full of no sleep (ragbrai and flying), just completely altered my life (by choice), and was in an apartment full of strange shadows and sounds.

I did the only thing I could.  I fell on my bed, put my hands over my face, and got it out.  Then I coached myself up, put on some music, set up my internet and talked to my family.

Longest night ever, but to my surprise the morning sun crept through my window.  I showered, grabbed my bag, and left to catch my ride.

No choice but survive, and survive I shall.

Things I learned in my first two days:

1) Nothing in Venezuela is on time except people at CIC (my school).  My Uncle Jeff Lueders said that Colorado people think they are the only people on the planet.  That means Venezuelan's are the only people in the Universe (it's their culture and harmless, just frustrating).

2) Traffic is aw(ful)esom.  It's like Frogger, Gran Tarismo, and Road Rash combined without rules or regulations. Traffic during rush hour is worse than LA, Chicago, and New York.  I've been in them.  *Kids if you are playing along at home and don't know those games youtube them quick, watch 10 seconds, mix them and gasp.

3) "Ahora" means now, but it really means anytime beyond the moment.  The measuring tool varies person to person and instance to instance.  Tomorrow, I'll let you in one the first scare and "Ahora" moment that got me.

4) Copa Pilots want to keep it interesting.  I mean flying a plane with hundreds of people in it isn't a big enough rush right?

5) Venezuela is so colorful and the people are so nice.  Seriously, every one I've met or attempted to talk to (cashier, doorman, and CIC native staff) are nice and put up with my horrible attempts at Spanish.

6) The "day" is much different here.  For instance, sunrise this time of year is about 5:30am and the sun settles in behind the mountains at 6:30pm. I'm about 30 minutes ahead of the central (don't ask, VZ has it's own time zone), so if you would like to contact me, synchronize your watch and iMessage or FaceTime me.  I'll get skype, but right now those are how I roll.  

Non-Venezuelan Thought of the Day

Shoot out to the 563 and the CHS River King baseball players that made the semi-finals.  I was following from down here!  Well done, but where do you go from here?  Be humble, work hard, compete in everything and get better.

That concludes my first two days, but don't worry, I'm going to post this and continue on with the next several days.  Some interesting stuff happens.

I'll be posting at least once a week from now on.  It just took a while for things to slow down and for me to get settled.

Keep you eyes peeled.

Buenas.