Just because I like to confuse all of you and make things more difficult, I'm moving my blog over to wordpress. Just more interesting.
Here is the link:
http://andreainhaiti.wordpress.com/
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Si ou pa konprann...mande m'.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
What a Thursday!
After a few days of waking up at 6am to run, I slept in late. Woke up to no one in the house. No big deal. Liz had gone to school early to collect sponsorship information and then decided to just stay until class.
Valentin came back and we were heading over there a few hours early. I drove. It was about half way to Fond Parisien that we watched a red car swerve off the road and slam into a tree and a relatively high speed. I pulled over and we all got out and ran over. The driver and rear passengers appeared fine, but Valentin and Dessalines extricated the woman in the passenger's seat and carried her to a "somewhat" flat dirt ditch. I tried to summon up the information I had learned in EMT class. I held the woman's hand, asked her where it hurt. She said her back, her neck, and her head hurt. I pressed on the quadrants of her belly. She didn't scream, but the upper left quadrant did seem a little harder than it should have been. Valentin called an ambulance and we waited...about 20 minutes. I basically held her hand and yelled at anyone that tried to move her (including her.) I held C-Spine as the ambulance arrived and prepared to load her onto a gurney. When the doctor did the same belly test, she screamed at the upper left quadrant which might indicate some sort of internal bleeding. The gurney loading was definitely not the way I would have recommended. I offered a suggestion to the doctor, but he just said that he wanted to pick her up, trying keep her neck and spine in line, and lift her onto the gurney. About 10 hands grabbed various parts of her body and pulled her up. I really think it would have been best to log roll her onto the gurney. I held one end of the gurney (which was very heavy and difficult getting up a small slope) and we loaded her into the ambulance. I had Valentin drive the rest of the way to school. In the car, Valentin asked me if I was scared. And I was glad to say I wasn't...I was calm. I was dirty from kneeling in the dirt and I couldn't feel my toes, but I was calm. But it has been a while since EMT class and I wish I could have remembered and done more. Asked more questions...something...I don't know. I sat there thinking how different that situation would be in the U.S. But there really is no point in that...you have to work with the situation you are handed, no matter what it is or where you are. I hope she is okay.
It was a good day at school though. We have an exam on Monday, so we have spent the last few days reviewing. I think (and really hope) they will do better on this one. A new student came up to me after class and said, "I am grateful for what you are doing. I do not have words to thank you." That is always good to hear as I am in a constant struggle with how I am doing as a teacher. Later I heard from Jon's practical class (the room across the hall) the question: "If I marry a woman and she doesn't want to have babies, what can I do?" I started laughing...realizing it was one of my students. Jon just told him it wasn't the time or place to answer that question. The student said: "You said we could ask anything!" Haha.
Jon and I are going in today for tutoring. I have a feeling it's going to be packed.
Valentin came back and we were heading over there a few hours early. I drove. It was about half way to Fond Parisien that we watched a red car swerve off the road and slam into a tree and a relatively high speed. I pulled over and we all got out and ran over. The driver and rear passengers appeared fine, but Valentin and Dessalines extricated the woman in the passenger's seat and carried her to a "somewhat" flat dirt ditch. I tried to summon up the information I had learned in EMT class. I held the woman's hand, asked her where it hurt. She said her back, her neck, and her head hurt. I pressed on the quadrants of her belly. She didn't scream, but the upper left quadrant did seem a little harder than it should have been. Valentin called an ambulance and we waited...about 20 minutes. I basically held her hand and yelled at anyone that tried to move her (including her.) I held C-Spine as the ambulance arrived and prepared to load her onto a gurney. When the doctor did the same belly test, she screamed at the upper left quadrant which might indicate some sort of internal bleeding. The gurney loading was definitely not the way I would have recommended. I offered a suggestion to the doctor, but he just said that he wanted to pick her up, trying keep her neck and spine in line, and lift her onto the gurney. About 10 hands grabbed various parts of her body and pulled her up. I really think it would have been best to log roll her onto the gurney. I held one end of the gurney (which was very heavy and difficult getting up a small slope) and we loaded her into the ambulance. I had Valentin drive the rest of the way to school. In the car, Valentin asked me if I was scared. And I was glad to say I wasn't...I was calm. I was dirty from kneeling in the dirt and I couldn't feel my toes, but I was calm. But it has been a while since EMT class and I wish I could have remembered and done more. Asked more questions...something...I don't know. I sat there thinking how different that situation would be in the U.S. But there really is no point in that...you have to work with the situation you are handed, no matter what it is or where you are. I hope she is okay.
It was a good day at school though. We have an exam on Monday, so we have spent the last few days reviewing. I think (and really hope) they will do better on this one. A new student came up to me after class and said, "I am grateful for what you are doing. I do not have words to thank you." That is always good to hear as I am in a constant struggle with how I am doing as a teacher. Later I heard from Jon's practical class (the room across the hall) the question: "If I marry a woman and she doesn't want to have babies, what can I do?" I started laughing...realizing it was one of my students. Jon just told him it wasn't the time or place to answer that question. The student said: "You said we could ask anything!" Haha.
Jon and I are going in today for tutoring. I have a feeling it's going to be packed.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
M' leve bone (left accent on the e)...Yikes!
Finally...a little exercise. Unfortunately, it requires a 6am wake up.
The last couple of days, Luke and I have done a little morning run with some push-ups and sit-ups on the roof. It's really pretty up there when the sun is rising. My abs and arms are sore, but I love that feeling! I think we are the morning entertainment for the Haitians living in the area...crazy white people running by...one breathing like an 80 year old with emphysema.
Groups start coming down in a couple of weeks, adding to the stress of it all. It is difficult figuring out how we can have enough staff for the groups and still continue with the language school. I think we have figured most of it out, but time will tell. Liz is going home for 4 weeks for her sister's wedding, so that makes it more complicated.
We've decided to add an extra day on to the week at school. Instead of having Friday off, we'll go in for a couple hours for an optional "tutoring" session where students can ask questions they have on the material. We're starting this Friday, because we are having an exam on Monday. I think it will be good.
Ok...mwen fatigue. Mwen pa kapab ekri plis. Se two (accent on o) bone (accent on e) pou mwen. (I need to figure out how to put accents on this thing.)
The last couple of days, Luke and I have done a little morning run with some push-ups and sit-ups on the roof. It's really pretty up there when the sun is rising. My abs and arms are sore, but I love that feeling! I think we are the morning entertainment for the Haitians living in the area...crazy white people running by...one breathing like an 80 year old with emphysema.
Groups start coming down in a couple of weeks, adding to the stress of it all. It is difficult figuring out how we can have enough staff for the groups and still continue with the language school. I think we have figured most of it out, but time will tell. Liz is going home for 4 weeks for her sister's wedding, so that makes it more complicated.
We've decided to add an extra day on to the week at school. Instead of having Friday off, we'll go in for a couple hours for an optional "tutoring" session where students can ask questions they have on the material. We're starting this Friday, because we are having an exam on Monday. I think it will be good.
Ok...mwen fatigue. Mwen pa kapab ekri plis. Se two (accent on o) bone (accent on e) pou mwen. (I need to figure out how to put accents on this thing.)
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Too Many White People!
Bonswa tout moun!
So we've been home, for the most part, since Tuesday night. We didn't go to school on Wednesday because they were supposed to announce the candidates for the runoff election...which they didn't. Then we stayed home Thursday just to play it safe. But, thankfully, there were no demonstrations on the streets and everything remained calm. Hopefully things stay calm when the runoff election is held at the end of March. Cross your fingers!
We've just been doing puzzles, reading, and getting a little too obsessed and too intense with Farkle (a dice game) to pass the time.
Friday was Nadege's birthday. Liz, Luke, Jon, and I got up early to make her breakfast in bed. Liz did coffee cake, Jon did eggs, Luke did bacon, and I made crepes. Everything turned out well...although we learned that the concept of laying in bed while eating breakfast was foreign here. I hit an all time low that day when I ate coffee cake wrapped in a crepe. That does not make one feel very good about herself.
This morning we went to English speaking church where there were just too many white people. It was weird. I felt uncomfortable. Liz and I got to play on the playground before the service, though. We realized how to tell if you are too old for the swings: if you're out of breath and have motion sickness while swinging. But they had this awesome bouncy thing.
Now I'm listening to Stellecy screaming her lungs out and doing my best to keep my sanity. Oye!
So we've been home, for the most part, since Tuesday night. We didn't go to school on Wednesday because they were supposed to announce the candidates for the runoff election...which they didn't. Then we stayed home Thursday just to play it safe. But, thankfully, there were no demonstrations on the streets and everything remained calm. Hopefully things stay calm when the runoff election is held at the end of March. Cross your fingers!
We've just been doing puzzles, reading, and getting a little too obsessed and too intense with Farkle (a dice game) to pass the time.
Friday was Nadege's birthday. Liz, Luke, Jon, and I got up early to make her breakfast in bed. Liz did coffee cake, Jon did eggs, Luke did bacon, and I made crepes. Everything turned out well...although we learned that the concept of laying in bed while eating breakfast was foreign here. I hit an all time low that day when I ate coffee cake wrapped in a crepe. That does not make one feel very good about herself.
This morning we went to English speaking church where there were just too many white people. It was weird. I felt uncomfortable. Liz and I got to play on the playground before the service, though. We realized how to tell if you are too old for the swings: if you're out of breath and have motion sickness while swinging. But they had this awesome bouncy thing.
Now I'm listening to Stellecy screaming her lungs out and doing my best to keep my sanity. Oye!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Happy Groundhog Day!
It's been a while since I last wrote. This internet stick is a pain and it's really hard to get this blog up and rolling. Once we get the inverter batteries installed in the house, we should be able to get satellite internet.
Let's see...I don't believe anything spectacular has happened since I last wrote. Class has gone on as usual. If there were any funny anecdotes I wanted to tell you, I have already forgotten.
I have now driven a few times. It takes me longer to get to our destination because I am a little more cautious. Rules here are different....or non-existant.
Oh, Valentin got a washing machine. It's the kind where it does half the work and you do the other half, but having a wash cycle cuts down laundry time by a good amount.
Today they are announcing who will be going into the runoff election, so we are staying home to avoid any potential street demonstrations and road blocks. Hopefully we don't see a repeat of what happened after the elections.
I smashed my toe into a bucket and now can't wear shoes...so, needless to say, the mosquitoes are loving the access to my feet. Exciting news, I know!
Oh, and Liz and I received a virus from Valentin's computer that infected her external hard drive and my thumb drive. We still haven't really figured out what our plan of action will be.
That's about all the news I have for now. Take care all!
Let's see...I don't believe anything spectacular has happened since I last wrote. Class has gone on as usual. If there were any funny anecdotes I wanted to tell you, I have already forgotten.
I have now driven a few times. It takes me longer to get to our destination because I am a little more cautious. Rules here are different....or non-existant.
Oh, Valentin got a washing machine. It's the kind where it does half the work and you do the other half, but having a wash cycle cuts down laundry time by a good amount.
Today they are announcing who will be going into the runoff election, so we are staying home to avoid any potential street demonstrations and road blocks. Hopefully we don't see a repeat of what happened after the elections.
I smashed my toe into a bucket and now can't wear shoes...so, needless to say, the mosquitoes are loving the access to my feet. Exciting news, I know!
Oh, and Liz and I received a virus from Valentin's computer that infected her external hard drive and my thumb drive. We still haven't really figured out what our plan of action will be.
That's about all the news I have for now. Take care all!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Ki sa mwen sonje?
What do I remember about what has happened since I last posted? Hmmmm....
A new intern, Jon, arrived. He is very nice. He'll be with us until July.
We had class as usual this week. I think I have a stalker in one of my classes. I forced one student to read like a girl and his nickname is now "Mrs. Green." Another student's nickname became "Very Good," because he repeats it every time I say it. I learned other nicknames my students have: Tilala, T-Wes, S.O.N, Noky....great stuff.
We have played countless games of board Scrabble and Speed Scrabble...Luke is addicted.
Friday, Liz and I had a great idea to have a puzzle war where we each try to finish a 500 piece puzzle first. We both got so stressed out that we agreed the whole purpose of relaxing with the puzzle was being defeated and we gave up. We still haven't finished them. But that night we did make a cake! Oh how the KitchenAid would have been so nice. The stirring of butter and sugar took (literally) 1.5 hours in the metal bowl with a wooden spoon. We rotated stirrers...though I, myself, only had the strength to last about 30 seconds. It was delicious, though, and all the labor made it taste that much better.
Today was a really great day. We went to the BEACH! We had a rocky start with Nadege calling Valentin so he could try to convince us not to go and then the car not starting, but it all worked out. It was a gorgeous hour drive to Kaliko Beach and it was perfect beach weather. We swam in the blue water and lounged on the beach...we had a buffet lunch...and hung out at the pool. It was a really great time and just absolutely beautiful. It was so different than the Haiti we experience every day and it was just nice to have a day away from the house.
Tomorrow we'll go to church, I grade quizzes, and hopefully I can get some laundry done.
That's about it for my exciting Haitian adventures for today! <3
A new intern, Jon, arrived. He is very nice. He'll be with us until July.
We had class as usual this week. I think I have a stalker in one of my classes. I forced one student to read like a girl and his nickname is now "Mrs. Green." Another student's nickname became "Very Good," because he repeats it every time I say it. I learned other nicknames my students have: Tilala, T-Wes, S.O.N, Noky....great stuff.
We have played countless games of board Scrabble and Speed Scrabble...Luke is addicted.
Friday, Liz and I had a great idea to have a puzzle war where we each try to finish a 500 piece puzzle first. We both got so stressed out that we agreed the whole purpose of relaxing with the puzzle was being defeated and we gave up. We still haven't finished them. But that night we did make a cake! Oh how the KitchenAid would have been so nice. The stirring of butter and sugar took (literally) 1.5 hours in the metal bowl with a wooden spoon. We rotated stirrers...though I, myself, only had the strength to last about 30 seconds. It was delicious, though, and all the labor made it taste that much better.
Today was a really great day. We went to the BEACH! We had a rocky start with Nadege calling Valentin so he could try to convince us not to go and then the car not starting, but it all worked out. It was a gorgeous hour drive to Kaliko Beach and it was perfect beach weather. We swam in the blue water and lounged on the beach...we had a buffet lunch...and hung out at the pool. It was a really great time and just absolutely beautiful. It was so different than the Haiti we experience every day and it was just nice to have a day away from the house.
Tomorrow we'll go to church, I grade quizzes, and hopefully I can get some laundry done.
That's about it for my exciting Haitian adventures for today! <3
Thursday, January 13, 2011
January 12: Nou sonje!
Ok...let's see what I can remember from the last couple days. If I don't write immediately after things happen, I tend to forget.
Tuesday, we had an argument in class about whether men can be nurses. I wrote on the board: "Is he a nurse?" and they were supposed to make it plural. Straly said: "Andrea, why do you write 'he' and not 'she.'" I said: "Men can be nurses too." He disagreed and he and Nocky (I just learned this nickname) continued to quietly argue about this after I had moved on to something else. Sorry dad, apparently you are not allowed to be a nurse according to Straly. I'm struggling with having them write their first name (prenon) first and their last name (non fanmi) last. When I wrote my name on the board, they told me my first name was Nissley. I went around and asked every student what their first and last names were, so I'm hoping we will make progress. Then, in my last class, I taught them dates. I asked everyone their birthday. When I came to one student (an older man) I asked: "What is your birthday?" He said: "Flanguins" (his name.) The whole class started cracking up and, terribly, I was trying not to laugh too. He figured it out after some prompting.
Wednesday we took off school because it was the one year anniversary of the earthquake. Camp Hope was having a 6am-6pm memorial church service. I spent the morning reading Toni Morrison's (or as Liz calls her "Toni Boringson") book, A Mercy. Around 4, Liz, Henery, and I headed to Fond Parisien. There were a ton of people in the Camp Hope church tent with a band up front. Everyone was singing and dancing. I saw Thomas and Straly and we stood together. Yes, mom, Thomas asked about you, you cougar! : ) When the same time came when the earthquake hit one year ago, we all had to squat/kneel down. I had a cute, but very dirty, child on my lap and my surgeried knee could barely handle the stress. But, when I thought about how my few moments of discomfort were nothing compared to what these people had suffered, the mind can do crazy things and it wasn't quite as painful. I also got to see my little buddy, Tito, who cried when I left in September. He was looking quite snazzy in his church clothes and wore a giant smile. We stayed about an hour and a half and then headed back home.
A pita! <3
Tuesday, we had an argument in class about whether men can be nurses. I wrote on the board: "Is he a nurse?" and they were supposed to make it plural. Straly said: "Andrea, why do you write 'he' and not 'she.'" I said: "Men can be nurses too." He disagreed and he and Nocky (I just learned this nickname) continued to quietly argue about this after I had moved on to something else. Sorry dad, apparently you are not allowed to be a nurse according to Straly. I'm struggling with having them write their first name (prenon) first and their last name (non fanmi) last. When I wrote my name on the board, they told me my first name was Nissley. I went around and asked every student what their first and last names were, so I'm hoping we will make progress. Then, in my last class, I taught them dates. I asked everyone their birthday. When I came to one student (an older man) I asked: "What is your birthday?" He said: "Flanguins" (his name.) The whole class started cracking up and, terribly, I was trying not to laugh too. He figured it out after some prompting.
Wednesday we took off school because it was the one year anniversary of the earthquake. Camp Hope was having a 6am-6pm memorial church service. I spent the morning reading Toni Morrison's (or as Liz calls her "Toni Boringson") book, A Mercy. Around 4, Liz, Henery, and I headed to Fond Parisien. There were a ton of people in the Camp Hope church tent with a band up front. Everyone was singing and dancing. I saw Thomas and Straly and we stood together. Yes, mom, Thomas asked about you, you cougar! : ) When the same time came when the earthquake hit one year ago, we all had to squat/kneel down. I had a cute, but very dirty, child on my lap and my surgeried knee could barely handle the stress. But, when I thought about how my few moments of discomfort were nothing compared to what these people had suffered, the mind can do crazy things and it wasn't quite as painful. I also got to see my little buddy, Tito, who cried when I left in September. He was looking quite snazzy in his church clothes and wore a giant smile. We stayed about an hour and a half and then headed back home.
A pita! <3
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