Run Ratty, Run

Time to tie up some loose ends from earlier this week. First up, I do in fact now have a front door that both locks AND unlocks. It’s also really shiny and looks very out of place on our dingy old wooden door. Secondly, the teachers have had “the talk” regarding our problem students. They are getting one last chance to prove they are going to turn themselves around.

Each kid has to give an individual presentation to Maki, telling her why they should be allowed to stay at the school. They also have to show a marked improvement in their classes (as reported by ALL their teachers), and cannot fail as many, or more classes than they did last quarter. If they don’t change, then Maki has the transfer forms to the other schools in the city. Lucky for us, the Honduran school year starts in about three weeks (running from February through October), so now is an opportune moment to make our trouble-makers someone else’s problem. It seems a little harsh, but at least this way they are still getting a chance at furthering their education, and they might even fair better at an all-Spanish speaking school.

The first week back after Christmas was surprisingly good actually. The kids were surprisingly sedate, and we actually managed to get work done! Several of the problem kids are actually making an effort, which is probably the best belated Christmas present I could have asked for. Friday even managed to end on a high note, with a record number of kids shoeing up for art club, and all of them actually PARTICIPATING!

So now it’s Saturday. The sun is shining, it is a blissful 82 degrees outside, with low humidity, and the air is relatively dust free (thank goodness for all the rain over Christmas break.)

But just so as you don’t think I’m becoming complacent, check out this little misadventure I had one unsuspecting night before Christmas. Lacey got a call around 10pm from a hysterical Brigit, insisting that Jeff and I came over at once. Watch the video to find out why…

Oh, and yes, I am dual-wielding a short sword and a machete.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyCNPxC6zkY