Rocking that *International* Paradise

When I think of life in a foreign culture, there are a variety of new experiences that I assume I will have.  Living in Guatemala conjures up images of me being privy to Semana Santa celebrations for the first time, or glimpsing Maya culture in the clothes locals wear, or salsa dancing on a Friday night.  But of course, real life goes on in other countries too, and this spring, I had several experiences which were surprising only in the fact that I lived them for the first time in Guatemala. I never would have guessed, for example, that I would first taste escargot not in France or a fancy restaurant, but in...Guatemala.  In my own home.  But that’s where it happened.  When a friend first told me his dad was preparing escargot and asked if I wanted to try some, I told him I gladly would, but he’d have to teach me how to eat them.  (I pictured a snail flying across my dining room Pretty Woman style).  Turns out they are not only easy to eat, but ...

This post is long overdue.  First life was stressful and busy and overwhelming.  And then I was traveling with my students.  And then life was still stressful and busy and overwhelming, but for different reasons.  This week, finally, I feel I have the time to take to myself to write.  So let’s talk about that student travel bit that I mentioned. Once again this year, I took a team of students to compete at Destination Imagination Global Finals in Knoxville, Tennessee.  (You can take a stroll down memory lane and remind yourself about my first experience there by clicking  here ).  This year, I had a new team of students.  There were 5 girls and 1 sixth grade boy in contrast to 4 seventh boys from last year.  “Unruly” was the term I used to describe last year’s team, and this year my group was anything but.  These kids are responsible, creative, and full of life.  They were all Globals veterans who knew what to expe...