It's embarrassing. Nearly 7 months here, and it's just now that Jace and I are taking our classes to get certified for scuba diving. I'm not really sure how it happened, because I'd planned to learn to dive here, knowing that it's reported to be one of the best places in the world for diving, particularly wreck diving. But it got put off in our first few months here as we were adjusting to everything new, then put off because the instructor was being replaced, put off because my family would be here at Christmas, put off because........
Well, enough of the reasons it's been put off. The important thing is that we're doing it now, and will have time for some amazing dives before coming home.
Plus, it's a good way to get off campus. It's hard to describe how stifling this place can get.
Perhaps more stories later about the joys of seeing wrecks, colorful fish, stinging myself on nasty ocean plants (which leave itchy rashes which are the height of delight), filling my mask with water on purpose, and nearly knocking Jace's regulator out of his mouth. (Those videos where they show you clumsy divers meant to impress upon you the importance of knowing how to get your regulator back are based on people like...me.)
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Explaining
"Teacher, what's an urchin?"
"Teacher, why are you sweating?"
"Teacher, what are those spots on your face?"
"Teacher, are you rich?"
"Teacher, why are you sweating?"
"Teacher, what are those spots on your face?"
"Teacher, are you rich?"
Friday, February 18, 2011
Pinkie Promise
Never before did I realize the power of a pinkie promise.
"Tpherson, I really really need to you to focus in class. You need to stop leaving your desk and do what I've asked you to do. Can you do that for me please?"
It's a speech I've made multiple times. I held little hope that it will be any more effective than it was the other times I gave it.
"Ok teacher, I'll do better. Can we pinkie promise so that I'll do better this afternoon?"
"Sure."
Our pinkies locked in agreement, and we headed back inside. That afternoon saw a not perfect but fairly diligent note copier who only left his desk a few times.
"Hey teacher, can we pinkie promise again before I leave so that I can do good again tomorrow?"
"That sounds wonderful! Let's do that!"
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Where did this student who does his work come from? Each time he got distracted it just took my pinkies locked in the air waved meaningfully in his direction to elicit an "oh yeah!" as he headed back to his work.
Maybe it won't last until the end of the year. But I'll be holding on to pinkie promises for as long as I can.
"Tpherson, I really really need to you to focus in class. You need to stop leaving your desk and do what I've asked you to do. Can you do that for me please?"
It's a speech I've made multiple times. I held little hope that it will be any more effective than it was the other times I gave it.
"Ok teacher, I'll do better. Can we pinkie promise so that I'll do better this afternoon?"
"Sure."
Our pinkies locked in agreement, and we headed back inside. That afternoon saw a not perfect but fairly diligent note copier who only left his desk a few times.
"Hey teacher, can we pinkie promise again before I leave so that I can do good again tomorrow?"
"That sounds wonderful! Let's do that!"
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Where did this student who does his work come from? Each time he got distracted it just took my pinkies locked in the air waved meaningfully in his direction to elicit an "oh yeah!" as he headed back to his work.
Maybe it won't last until the end of the year. But I'll be holding on to pinkie promises for as long as I can.
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