The Calm Before the (Much Anticipated) Storm

This weekend hasn't been too exciting as I relax for the last remaining days before my Teacher Work Sample and before lesson planning begins.  For those of you who don't know, the Teacher Work Sample (TWS) is an assignment given during student teaching to document our learning goals, assessment plans, instructional design, student learning, and reflection.  It's a lot of work, but is a great way to document what I learned during Student Teaching.

On Friday night, Laura and I went out with one of the teachers at ANS and her friend visiting for the week.  We went to a middle eastern restaurant that served hummus, eggplant, pitas, etc.  There was also an option to order a hookah flavor, but we did not order any.  The area that this restaurant was located in was very unique.  Every new location we visit here in Managua is so unlike the last.  On our way back from dinner, the taxi driver ran out of gas, which was both comical and a bit scary since it is frowned upon for foreigners to walk at night.  We ended up getting a second taxi to make it back to campus.  

Saturday consisted of a bit of soaking up the sun and swimming in the pool.  I have been told on multiple occasions that this is "cold" weather (88 degrees) and that the classrooms will get up to 100 degrees once we get closer to May.  I am glad that I won't be here during the "wet" season, which begins in May, since this results in moldy everything (so I am told).  Today I went to church with our neighbors and Laura.  The service was in English, which was nice.  I enjoyed the service, but will also be asking around to find out if I can attend a Catholic mass with someone.  Tomorrow I will finally be meeting my cooperating teacher!  Tuesday I will meet the students and get the ball rolling!  I am looking forward to this since transportation is limited as is the safety factor here, so most days I have been hanging around at the apartment on campus.  I have not gained my adventurous spirit yet here so I'm still a little timid about going out without knowing much Spanish and not knowing the area very well.

Below are a few pictures of my living quarters: