So there it is...

     I, Ms. Carly Adams, has officially finished her first semester teaching. For anyone who can kind of relate to surviving their first semester, I am sure we are feeling similar feelings. For me and all my other fellow educators out there, I finished my first semester teaching! The semester ended on Thursday and on Friday we closed it in with probably one of the most extravagant parades I have ever seen or been apart of. I like to pretend it is the Macy's Day Parade for Minerva Bilingual School. Like I am not even joking, all week we spent HOURS on HOURS decorating and preparing for this parade. It reminded me a lot of Homecoming week and Rock Chalk Revue week all in one. The kids had to have tailor made outfits all themed to Christmas, the floats had to be just right, and there HAD to be glitter on everything! So basically when I though I was done with the sorority life, I was wrong. Good thing I had four years of glitter training under my belt. So to end the school year and to celebrate Christmas, all of us teachers and students lined the streets of Gracias and paraded down to the school. After about an hour of walking we ended the parade with a nice and short Christmas show. Many different groups performed including: girl scouts, teachers, theater, black theater, and the band.
     After all the chaos had ended, I basically crawled myself into bed for some rest. Before I turned my brain off for the night, I started reflecting on the past 4 months. The past four months have been breathtakingly challenging, rewarding, beautiful, and so quick! These months have flown by faster than I could have EVER imagined. I remember as if it was just yesterday, I was terrified to teach my first day. However, I did it, I survived. I survived the first week, the first month, and even the first semester! In the past four months, I have learned more about myself than I think I have in the past 22 years of living. I have learned what works and what does not work in a classroom. I have learned how to work with administration. I have learned how to be resourceful when resources are limited. I have learned how to be flexible and boy am I not exaggerating that one! The list can go on and on and truthfully, I am excited to see what else is to be learned in the next six months living here.
     Living here has taught me two things and that is to enjoy the most simple things in life and to be flexible. As a North American, it is instilled in our lives to always have control over situations. However, like I have mentioned before, to live here you must be comfortable with flexibility. Being able to just go with whatever is being thrown at you is the way of life here. Sometimes yes, a little organization is helpful however sometimes you just have to sit back and ride it out because in the end it will all work out.
     So as my last week in Honduras for the year 2013 comes and goes, I am preparing myself for my journey back to the United States for a couple weeks. I started to pack my bags today because I was so excited! I miss my family and friends so much and the just the thought that in ONE WEEK at this exact time I will be in flight to Houston. I am beyond blessed to be able to spend Christmas with my family!

In the mean time, I have tests to give...
See you all in one week.

xoxo
-Carly

THANKSGIVING FROM EL SALVADOR!

So remember that one time, I spent Thanksgiving day on the glorious beach of El Tunco in El Salvador!? Well I do, here is a picture to prove it.

I mean look at it? I must admit, prior to this trip I was a little bummed on the idea of my first Thanksgiving in 21 years that I would have not spent it with my family. So the idea and thought of not watching the Macy's Day Parade and indulging myself in my grandmothers amazing food was a little disheartening. However after 6 hours on a bus and an hour in a cab, we finally made it to our hostel. Threw on our suits and headed for the beach. The weather was awesome and the water was perfect! Never had I spent Thanksgiving away from my family let alone on a beach in El Salvador. Do I regret it? NEVER! Best holiday yet! 

 The weekend was filled with awesome and cheap food, nights out, great people, and awesome memories! This vacation was truly the first vacation I have ever felt was really vacation. We went to bed late, slept in and woke up when we actually wanted to and to only go lay on the beach, where we read and napped. Nothing needed to be done, nothing got in our way, we just enjoyed life's simple beauty.

The weekend was also full lots of educational knowledge on how the earth works. I learned how the waves work and how low and high tide happen. I learned about the green flash (which I did not get to see, so I am still skeptical), and countless other mind blowing acts of life. If you have never watched the sunset over the ocean, stop what you are doing right now and re-prioritize your bucket list. It is a must do! The last night we had to spend on the beach, we sat and watched the sun go down over the water while an amazing and beautiful wedding was happening about 50 feet behind us.

Time and time again, I have to stop and remind myself to thank God. He has blessed me beyond belief and provided me with a lifetime of opportunities. So as Thanksgiving weekend came and went, I am thankful for so many things. I am thankful for my life, my family who supports me on this crazy adventure, for my job, for the kids in my life, and my wonderful friends. The list goes on and on, however most importantly I am thankful for the wonderful earth we live on. It sure is beautiful. 

xoxo,

One very sappy and thankful Carly.

ps. all these photos are stolen from my wonderful and amazing partner in crime Elizabeth Foreman.