School Days

March has turned into May, temporarily I hope !  Humidity is high and the sun is summer strong ! Ocean is flat and calm, except for a short wind snap yesterday afternoon, blowing a few things over upstairs !  I don't know what the ocean temp. is, since I haven't even got my feet wet for over a month, but everyday people are splashing around in there .... except I have heard of some nasty jellyfish hanging around.  They can spoil the fun pretty quick.
20 degrees at  8 am ... a few scattered clouds, but I don't think they'll last long ...
lets see what today will bring ...

I have worn out two pairs of shoes walking to school .... they just need a trip to the shoemaker, who lives in PV, so that may take some engineering.  On to the reliable, but none too stylish Keens, that I found abandoned on the trail a while back.  They are perfect, in all ways, but one ! I'm enjoying the exercise. My legs feel in Olympic shape, ha ha, but my arms and shoulders could use some rehab. Too bad books have to be so heavy !! 
Watching the kids walk home with their giant backpacks loaded up, makes me cringe a little, and you see it everywhere, not just here.  Did I really have that many books when I was going to school ?  I honestly can't remember having a backpack !? We carried our books in our arms, and if you couldn't manage, which was rare, hopefully the boy you had a crush on that week, carried the rest for you.  I suppose that still happens, but the boys have it tougher now. To carry her books and his, he may need a wheelbarrow, or horse with a cart !

I have a long list of Homonyms, Synonyms, and Antonyms, I just have to memorize which what is which !  D&E compiled a list that was ready for me when I arrived in Vancouver, and I've added what I have to make just under 200 words, so far.  I'm having the English speaking students write sentences using the different meanings.  It's not going to keep them occupied for long, because they are eager to practice, and show me what they know.
The biggest thrill is having the kids approach me in the village and on the path, and say
 " Hi, my name is Pedro,"  and I ask " How are you today," and he says "I'm fine good ! "
Still working on that one, but most of them get it ... good, very good, or great !
Fine seems to be a bit of a tongue twister for many of them.
I can't say enough what a great job the Teachers do with such few resources, in an
environment that presents numerous challenges !  The Grade one Teacher has accepted the Director position, (  He is longest serving there, this being his 2nd year ) and that's great news.  It is impossible to express the impact the New School Library has had on the
Develpoment and Education of the Primary Students. It is changing lives right before our eyes !  Muchos Gracias A&B !

High season still in full swing.  People coming and going.  Many houses booked right through till May, including Delfin. The Yacht Club hasn't been operating for sometime now,
and it is missed by many.  Hopefully it will be it's Iconic Self next year, and continue to provide a Total Yelapa Experience for us all ...
The Beach Restaurants are going strong; I can tell through the binoculars !! I will have to drop by and check it out for myself someday soon, before the Easter rush !

Any chance of rain has passed, and it's clear skies ahead.  Get your garden hoses lined up !
The hillside is still more green than brown from my view, thanks to those late Dec. rains, but it won't be long till all the green we see are the tops of the palm trees.  In the blink of an eye, it will be May, and if El Nino or El Nina or Global Warming don't interfere too much, rain will not be far behind.  Many of my transplants from last summer are growing strong, and my task, is to keep them alive. 

Strange to think of those who are experiencing extreme rain and snow !  I feel so close to everyone through Skype and email but we are in different orbits ! We can reach out anywhere in the world, almost, and connect to someone, be aware and involved.  Of course
there are many many drawbacks, it's changed everything, but nothing we can do but move forward ... and do the best we can to take care of ourselves.

It seems many of my friends and loved ones are on the path to healing, and it does seems to involve a lot of walking.  With time comes new growth, scars become less raw and tender.
Keep on hanging on .... Spring will come again .

Health and Happiness  ... Peace & Love
xo
k