At last...

We have arrived safe and sound in Belize! I think today was one of the best travel days I have had in a long time, despite the early flight. I got up this morning at 4am and took a flight from RDU to Miami, in first class! My mom and step-dad gave me my flights for graduation, and first class was all that was available. :) I’m not complaining. I also didn’t get chosen for a security checkpoint a single time today, which with my record is a miracle. Then I had a three hour layover in Miami until I left for Belize City, another first class flight. I had forgotten that I had been to the small Belize City airport before, but I quickly recognized the Caribbean palm trees, old airplanes and single runway. As soon as I stepped off the plane I felt the refreshing warmth of the 82 degree air, which quickly started making me sweat. From the time that I landed in Belize City to the time I landed in San Pedro, Belize it was less than thirty minutes! I enjoyed it when I went through customs and the gate agent asked why I was in the country, I got to say that I was student teaching in Belize J Once I got my bags and went through security I bought a ticket on a flight with Tropic Air. The little island hopper was fun, because I got to see the reef along the way, including some manatees. We also went through some clouds on the flight and it made me think of my Earth Science class in the states, because of the condensation that formed on the windows. Once I arrived, I carried all of my bags up the three flights of stairs at Pedro’s Inn and started unpacking! It is nice to be able to say, after so much preparation, that I am FINALLY here!

 The Belize City Airport

Mine and Michelle's Room 

My bed is the one on the right and there is a bathroom next to it as 

well as a window and sink on the other side.

Until next time, 

AAA

Bitter Sweet

Today was my last day teaching at Topsail High School. I am very excited for the uncertainty, opportunity, and excitement that next six weeks will hold. However, I am sad that I will be leaving the staff, and students at Topsail. Over the past six months I have developed friendships with the staff and a strong comfort level with my content area and in my classes.

Today we talked about the devastating effects of the earthquake that hit Japan and how tsunami waves formed and worked. The timing of this event in geologic history is almost surreal, since we began our unit on Earthquakes yesterday. After we talked about Science, I had my students create an ‘about me’ bracelet and write a letter about themselves to the students that I will teach in Belize.

Normally, many of these students would not care about geography or learning about other cultures. However, many of them began asking questions about the location, language and culture in a country that they know little to nothing about. Perhaps the fact that they know someone that is going to this country, or the fact that the letters they wrote will be delivered to students that are their age sparked a large interest in the country of Belize.

Today is very bitter sweet for me for as sad as I am to be leaving Topsail, I am very excited for what the next two months have in store! Time for me to start packing!

Until next time,
AAA

This is the front of THS. My window is just out of the picture on the top right.

Preparations in Progress

I can't believe that I will be in Belize in less than two weeks! I am currently scrambling trying to finish all of my UNCW work, teach my classes, see everyone that I will miss while I am gone, and pack! I am incredibly excited for the trip, but trying to figure out what you pack to teach in a foreign high school that has no AC for 4.5 weeks is rather difficult :)

Yesterday, I taught a lesson to my Earth Science class at Topsail High School that I will get to teach in Belize. Basically, the students designed experiments to change how fast sugar dissolved and a film crew from UNCW came to film them. I have to do an inquiry project as part of my graduation requirements for my masters program, so I decided to compare how students in the USA differ from students in Belize while they conduct labs in which they have to do more critical thinking. The lab itself wasn't that exciting, but I was super excited because I know that the next time I do that lab I'll be in BELIZE!

Going to Belize is very exciting for me because it will be the longest period of time I have been out of the country without family or friends! It's definitely a trip that will push me out of my comfort zone and something that I probably would not have pursued a couple of years ago because so much of the trip is uncertain. Fortunately, I'm at the right place in my life to go on a trip like this one, and I can't wait to push myself and get to know so many new people.

I should probably get back to my homework now...


Until next time,
AAA