Ambergris Caye

Ambergris Caye
The Island of Ambergris Caye where I will be staying for 5 weeks

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

T-minus 12 hours until I depart for Belize!

I can't Belize (no, I won't ever get tired of those jokes) - I'm actually leaving tomorrow! So many things have been happening the past few days. The "senior ball" has definitely started rolling and there is no stopping it.

Friday was my last day of student teaching. It was quite an emotional day. It started off just like every other day had and it didn't feel very different. The kids took their spelling test and then got to go watch the 5th graders shoot off the rockets they had been making at "Star Base" all week. After specials the kids threw a "party" for me. My teacher bought me a personalized cookie cake and a few of the kids made me personalized cards as well. The most shocking gift was when they gave me a card with a $100.00 Visa Gift Card. The students had brought in the money over the past few weeks along with donations from my teacher, teacher assistant and foster grandparent. It is for me to use in Belize because I can only bring a limited amount of luggage down there, so with the gift card I could buy essentials I need that might not fit. I was speechless and almost brought to tears. One at a time I got to hug all of my students, it was precious. After lunch and recess we had our A.R. (accelerated reader) party. As a class we were watching the movie "The Secret of NIMH" based off of the book "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" that Mrs. Willis and I read aloud to them. The students who made their points and 85% accuracy or above were allowed to have popcorn and caprisun during the movie. Towards the end of the day, Mrs. Willis started getting ready for Monday, doing all the duties that I would normally do. I guess this was my "phase out" period but it felt so weird and I couldn't help but to feel very sad that the class was no longer "mine". I would not have had such a successful internship if it was not for my incredible partnership teacher, Laura Willis. I learned more than I ever thought I could and she gave me confidence that when I one day have my own classroom that I will be an amazing teacher as well. I aspire to be like her and I will never forget my first "children".

So thats it - I am officially signed off and licensed as a teacher! Over the weekend I spent several stressful hours completing assignments for the WSE and finishing up stuff in the RHA office preparing for my departure. Everyone had left for spring break so there were not many distractions but I was able to see some very close friends of mine before I left; Ryan, Veronica, Mark, Brittney, Alex, John, Ra'Nelle, Rachel and Sarah. Even though I am only leaving for 5 weeks and its "not that long" I will still miss those people so much!! Monday finally came and I attended my last oh-so-helpful Belize meeting and hurried back to my apartment as soon as it was done to pack and clean. Yes, I waited until the last minute to pack, can you imagine?! That doesn't sound like me at all ... Then I went to the Career Center Job Fair for Education Majors, handed out a few resumes and PICKED UP MY CAP AND GOWN!! "Is this real life"?

Now I am home and spent the day with Mommy attending appointments, getting last minute things for Belize, getting a pedicure, packing, errands with the siblings and a lovely family dinner! I am proud to say that both of me suitcases are less than 50 pounds and I should safely make it through security no problem. Brody kept trying to get in my suitcase while I was packing and I kept having to take him out :( One day was not enough to spend with my handsome little man, wish I could bring him with me.

I am excited but nervous too, only because I have NO idea what to expect. I know that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and that I will have the time of my life, so no worries right? Ha, if only I was a girl who never worried. This trip is a blessing and it is also a service. I plan to treat it as just that. I want to change those students' lives just as I know they will change mine ... I know that I have so many people out there who are thinking of me and praying for me and I thank you now for everyone of those prayers, it means more than you know!

My next blog will be in BELIZE :D AHHHHH!!!

2 comments:

  1. hey hey - is it very creepy that I've only talked to you probably about once in my life but I'm leaving a comment on your blog? I saw your link on fb and I loveloveLOVE travel blogs, so I had to add you to my follow list. Don't forget to take lots of photographs! Even more importantly, write down all of your thoughts and impressions - even if they never make it to this blog! I can't think of anything more valuable than all the writing I've done on various trips. Okay - creepster post over and out. Good luck and God bless! :)
    -giedre k.
    www.walkingdotphotography.com

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  2. Angels fly with you and keep you safe. Looking forward to your Belize Blog. xoxo MJ

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