I'm doing 36 things
I am writing from a computer lab in my school, Hipolito, in Chitre, Panama. I have been here for almost 3 weeks and have one month of classes left. It has been a challenging, broadening, delightful, infuriating, and incredibly fun experience. The school is disorganized to say the least, and the English teachers here barely know English. I am enamored with my host family, Ramiro and Ana Serrano with daughters Dayana and Kristley (and a son attending the University in Panama). There are 12 other volunteers in the Azuero province and two others in Chitre. I teach from 7:30 to 12:30, roughly, each day. And starting today I have adult classes Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 2. Living in Panama is hot but wonderful. Teaching elementary English… I´m grateful for the experience but would not choose to do this again.
grovers's Life List
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1. Do a snowboard trick
1 person -
2. walk a labyrinth
73 people -
3. ride in a hot air balloon
1,976 people -
4. See the Northern Lights
1 cheer16,869 people -
5. Learn to play the mandolin
1 cheer252 people -
6. study abroad
2,357 people -
7. bike across the USA
24 people -
8. start a book club
156 people -
9. Climb a mountain
1 cheer1,749 people -
10. Start a revolution
1 cheer1,034 people -
11. bungee jump
1 cheer3,423 people -
12. Be able to do a pull-up
12 people -
13. Get my college degree
1 cheer42 people -
14. Learn a third language
2 cheers196 people -
15. milk a cow
1 cheer523 people -
16. See the pyramids in Egypt
2 cheers240 people -
17. Learn pole dancing
1 cheer114 people -
18. Be a maid of honor
19 people -
19. trust someone completely
221 people -
20. Swim with killer whales
19 people -
21. Meditate
2,745 people -
22. Be completely honest with someone
3 people -
23. Write the book
16 people -
24. Ride a camel
415 people -
25. Swim in the dead sea
160 people -
26. fall in love again
1,729 people -
27. Jump into a pool filled with jell-o
1 person -
28. Be in a Movie
1,518 people -
29. sleep in an igloo
63 people -
30. go ice fishing
65 people -
31. see the grand canyon
871 people -
32. save someone's life
986 people -
33. tour alcatraz
2 people -
34. go bridge jumping
4 people -
35. go mudding
7 people -
36. fly in a helicopter
1 cheer204 people
How I did it: I have been trying to force myself to drink more water for two years now (ever since reading an article about the importance and benefits of hydration). Straight-up willpower was an utter failure... I tried enforcing a routine of a glass of water in the morning, before bed, and with every meal, but I failed at this miserably. I tried carrying water with me everywhere--same results. I just don't like drinking lots of water!But THEN, two… Read how I did it…
Spring Semester, Freshman Year at Belmont 2008
It had been a fine day, if I recall, but true to its unpredictable nature our Nashville weather mixed it up a bit. Not remotely interested in homework, Nicole, Anna and myself decided to go puddle hopping and singing/dancing in the rain. Recently broken-up Ian came with (a little frightened by our enthusiasm but cheered up nonetheless). We sang Do Re Mi, I Feel Like A Woman, Only Hope (and some other mandy moore), Ain’t No Mountain High (of course) among many others. Then while yelling up to Trey’s window we got him to come out with us followed by a whole herd of Maddox boys out to the field for some mud sliding. You sprint, dive and penguin slide through the mud 10 yds or more before coming to a slow sometimes painful stop in the mud and grass.
We were responsible for the muddy/grassy toilet seats on the 5th floor, our undergarments turned brown, and a hot shower has never felt so good or burned so badly.
Mudsliding = a definite must!
