Curacao--Day 5

Today we had to get up very early--not a good thing when on vacation--because we were heading to an island on a boat.  We had to be there by 6:45.   Eduardo had planned all of it for us.    So all of us were ready to go and actually got there on time--amazing!  

We headed out on a fairly large boat.   Kerri, Cam and I were  sitting on the top deck.  The majority of people on the boat spoke Dutch so I am assuming they were from the Netherlands.  The wind was blowing and we were going against the waves--an amusement park couldn't have provided a better ride (and theirs are over in 60 seconds or less)!  I had to hold on with both hands to keep from getting bumped from side to side!!   Several people on top with us were starting to get sea sick--not a pretty sight.

We got to Klein Island in about an hour and a half.  They had breakfast for us which was a ham and cheese sandwich (one piece of ham and one piece of cheese on a long bun), a raisin bread roll, banana and juice.  We got our chairs under a shade and the water again was beautiful.  I fell asleep for some time and fortunately didn't get sunburned. 

I wanted to snorkel again and it is such fun.   Every time I tried to go out into the ocean, the waves kept knocking me back!!  It was funny. Either Eduardo or Patrick had to come and help me.   The waves are much stronger there and the beach wasn't quite as well kept as it is a deserted island.  But I think I have found something I want to do again.

There is an old lighthouse and a shipwreck that we walked to see.  It was really beautiful. They also provided a good lunch.  As I said, I didn't think I was a picky eater, but I am not a fan of different food.  They had ribs, chicken, beef, rice, potato salad, etc.  I had the ribs and chicken and they were great.

Leaving was quite the "ceremony" and it took us about an hour to get on the boat and packed up.  The ride back was very smooth, considering the ride there.   

It was a most enjoyable day and I thank Eduardo for setting this up for all of us!!!!

   

Twenty-Seven Days--First Annual 50th

Another great story from the Patterson days.......    My friend and fellow teacher, Mary Larson, was having a birthday coming up in October.  Can't remember which year as it was so LONG ago.  Anyway, I think she was going to be 41 or 42 years old that birthday.   I jokingly said that I was going to have her 50th birthday party for her.   Several  people actually believed it and Mary was none too happy with me!!!

So was born a series of parties to celebrate Mary's 50th birthday.  That year was the first annual 50th birthday party.   We had seven or eight more (2nd annual, 3rd annual)....  It became quite a tradition.  There was even one year when Mary didn't come to one of her birthday parties, but we held it anyway.

The best part was when she actually turned 50, I was now the principal at Gilbert El so I didn't have to do anything that year.  Behind her back, David and I planned a big get together at my house after her actual birthday.   Judy and Tom Moriarity even came from California and I believe one of her kids lived out of town and was there.   She had NO idea and was very surprised.   It was great to have the REAL 50th birthday party and to surprise her like that!

Oh, to be only 50 again!!!!!!!

Curacao - Day 4

Today was a day to relax and not have anything to do.  That will change tomorrow.  We went shopping in downtown and there are so many tourist shops.   There was also a cruise ship that was docked, so there were tons of people.

After shopping, we came back to the villa and decided to go to another beach.  We actually went to two beaches--one was an all inclusive and there were a lot of people there and also a charge.  We had taken in a cooler and they didn't want this.  So we left.

We went to Caracus Beach which was pretty much deserted but very beautiful.  I am getting much more acclimated to the water, even though it is a bit cold.  Today's water was warmer and it was equally as beautiful.

Kerri bought some goggles and we were able to use them to see the fish and it was cool.   We ended up the day at the restaurant on the beach which was truly authentic cuisine.   I don't think I am a picky eater, but I am in terms of trying local food.  I had ribs, rice and plantain.  It was okay and I ate enough to get full.  Even though the food wasn't that great, the atmosphere was and that is what is important to me at this time.  

 Tomorrow we have a boat trip and i think it will be great.  Looking forward to it even though we have to be there at 6:45.

Curacao is absolutely beautiful and it is not a typical tourist attraction from what I can tell,  So it has been a great experience.

Day Four--Curacao

Days--Twenty-Eight--"The Witch"

I have a couple of funny stories to share in the next couple of posts that had to do with those Patterson days.   I mentioned in a previous post about the one and only time I paddled some students.  It was my first year teaching and it was a DISASTER!  I knew then that I would never do it again.

Those days were very different and paddling was acceptable.   Leona, our wonderful principal, very rarely paddled but every now and then she did to get a point across.   I remember one Halloween I was dressed up as a witch.  (Those of you who know me know how much I don't like things like this).   Anyway, I had the whole costume thing going and I went to the office for some reason.   As I was walking through the office, Leona came out of her office and asked me to step in.  She was going to paddle a student and needed a witness.  So here I am--the witch--witnessing the paddling of a student!  I am not sure who was more traumatized--me or the student (as my previous experience with paddling had been so awful).   Anyway, I never had to witness another paddling and I never dressed up as a witch (or anyone else) for Halloween at school!!

Curacao--Day 3

Today we got up early and headed to the beach.   We headed to Knip Bay as we read that it is one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean.   And it was...  I have been a bit hesitant to get in the water as it is colder than I like, but I did and once I got in, it was great.  I am a good swimmer so I swam out to the platform and jumped off twice.  The weather warmed up considerably so it made it that much easier.  

We had heard that we should be there early because it fills up fast.  When we got there, not very many people were there.  However, it did fill up fast!!  

After a couple of hours we decided to go get something to eat and headed out.  Stopped at a local place.  I am not great about trying "new" kinds of foods.  I am not a typical "picky" eater, but there are limits.  I had pumpkin soup and it wasn't very good!!!  

We decided to stop at a "full service" beach--Playa Abao.  It was great!  They had all of the amenities that we didn't have at the other beach--like food, drink, etc.  Patrick rented a couple of snorkeling masks and I snorkeled for the first time in my life!  IT WAS AMAZING!!!  And I am looking forward to being able to do more later this week.  Cameron loved it, too, and it was great to have him enjoy something like this!!!

Count Down to Twenty-Nine Days--Resource East

As I talked about in early posts, I was originally a special education teacher.   After I became a regular classroom teacher, I usually had a lot of special education students in my classroom because of this previous experience.   I always appreciated this opportunity to work with diverse groups of children.  I loved having kids of all abilities and all children have special abilities in different areas.

One year, I had 11 special ed students in my class of 30 (I think).    Our special ed teacher, Lennie Grobstein, dubbed my classroom "resource east."   It was great working with Lennie and her staff during those years.   We also had a wonderful reading specialist, Jean Webster, who was great to work with, too.   Jean used to come to my classroom with her accordion and play "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling."  I lovingly called her, Jeanie Weinie!!    About six years ago, I got a call on St. Patrick's Day at my house in Gilbert and it was Jean singing "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling."   Jean had been retired many years by then, and it was so great to hear her beautiful voice!

I worked with wonderful children of many great abilities during those years and I am still in contact with many of them, which means the world to me!