eileen's past week

last week was my busiest week here so far.  it was crazy.  i even had to take out my planner to write in stuff, which i havent done since i arrived.  one of the main things that kept me busy was tutoring some of my students, becuase last week was EXAM week.  at the schools in CR, there are exam weeks where all grades, even kindergarten, have exams all week long.  it's a big deal because exams are heavily weighted on their grades and if they fail the final exam, they get held back.  also, the teacher's evaluations (so ive heard) are also weighed heavily on student's test performance.  

I was able to see this in action when i observed my class taking a science exam, given by another teacher.  i was going to leave the classroom, since there was another teacher in the room, but i had to see this.  during the test, the teacher would read a question, and then walk around to each student and say whether their choice was right or wrong.  i couldnt believe what i was seeing!  i mean, what is the point of a test if you are going to tell the students if they are right or wrong during the test?  i asked another american teacher if this practice was "normal" and she said yes and referred back to the evaluations based on the student's performance.  wow.  

how did my tests go?  well, let's just say my students will learn a lesson in paying attention....or will pay the consequences next year.  oh, but i forgot to tell you that if they fail the last test, they get a second chance to pass.  

oh yeah! how could i forget the 2 teacher meetings i attended as well?  oh man, was that hard to understand.  i understood a word here and there, but it was good for me to be there and to show that i cared, even though i didnt understand.  it is hard when they were talking so fast in a big room.  i do better one on one :)

i also spent some time with some friends :)  i took some time to spend with vanessa and vanessa.  one vanessa is jimmy's wife (jimmy works in the center with jared) and the other vanessa is richard's wife (a gringo who moved here about a year ago and lives on cocal).  it was fun talking to them.  it is cool being able to understand the gist of the conversation and learn about someone who doesent speak your language.  i think i learn more.  i am also thankful to God that they are patient with me and want to be friends with me as well, that is a blessing.  

THIS week, will be nice because i dont have school! yeah!  today, i filled my time with studying spanish, preparing for school stuff, and talking with jimmy's vanessa and laura.  it is nice to think you are going to leave the house for 20 minutes and end up out talking for about 3 hours.  the tico culture is good in that way.  

thank you for your prayers and please continue to pray for us.  the guys are still looking for a house to move into.  they have found a few options, please keep that in your prayers.  thank you.