Good Touch, Bad Touch

About two weeks ago the teacher at San Ignacio Pre-School requested I do a 'Good touch, bad touch' presentation to her kids for their wellness week.


It was very interesting.

Erin (another CS volunteer) and I went over them and started the presentation.

First, we went over what a good touch is; a touch that makes you feel good or not uncomfortable. Like a hug or shaking hands. I asked the kids if they could give me an example of a good touch. One little girl raises her hand and says "if you touch your glasses, thats a good touch". She was were sunglasses at the time. Another little boy said "a good touch is to touch your hair"... I said that i suppose that's okay but we were really look for when you touch another person. Another girl raised her hand and said "a good touch is when you pet your cat"

When we finally moved on to a bad touch I described it as something that makes you feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, or upset. Like someone pushing you or touching your privet parts. I asked if someone could give me an example of a bad touch. The conversation went like this:

girl: "miss! a bad touch is if you're touched by a ghost!"
boy: "or a monster!"
girl: "miss! I dreamed about a ghost and it touched me!"
boy: "miss! I dreamed about race cars!"

In conclusion pre school is too young for the good touch bad touch conversation.

Caye Caulker

I know, I'm really late on writing this one but here it goes...

Last weekend, my friend and volunteer with Cornerstone, Nadia, was leaving Belize as the end of her month here was over. She decided for her last hurrah she wanted to go to Caye Caulker. I was pretty strapped for cash but, what the hell, I went anyways. We had an AMAZING time.

I loved Caye Caulker. It's so laid back and calm.

The weather was supposed be bad but by pure luck the sun came out and stayed out all weekend.

We were plaining on heading over there at 6:00 but of course we slept late. She thought I set my alarm clock, I though she set hers. We made it on the bus at about 9am. We arrived at the Caye at about noon. Quickly got a room at Tina's Backpackers, changed into our suits, and hit the beach.

We spent all day working on our tan.


Once the sun went down we started wondering around town in search of grub. We had an AMAZING salad at some restaurant that I can't remember the name of but it started with A.

After dinner we started walking around an noticed a sign that said "happy hour 8-11" That is our kind of happy hour. AND! They had guacamole which I have seriously been craving badly. Outside they had this circle of swings set up with some rasta guys playing music. They were really cool so we ended up just swinging and listening to music all night.

Sunday Nadia wanted to go snorkeling but like i said i was strapped for cash so I just laid in the sun all day. Elizabeth showed up around noon (yay!) and we just hung out till Nadia got back.

We met her out at the split.



Then we went to an amazing restaurant. Outside of the seating area there is this table of lobster and fish that had been caught that day. You pick which one you want and then they grill it for you. I picked a red snapper. I was kicking myself for not getting the lobster though.




After eating we went back to the swings where we learned that nobody goes out on Sundays in Caye Caulker. We then went to bed pretty early.


Monday Liz and Nadia got up early to ride bikes while I slept in a bit more. We then got on the water taxi, said our goodbyes to Nadia at the airport, and headed home.

Jam Rolls

opps! posted these backwards...

Big Rock Falls

Yesterday Elizabeth decided we should all go to Pine Ridge to Big Rock Falls to go swimming for the day. Also with Me and Nadia came Elizabeth's brother Al, her daughter, Erika, and their friend, Morris.

It was a very bumpy drive out to the park. Once we got they we had to hike to the falls which was very steep and rocky. I'm pleased that I only feel once.

Once we got there it was beautiful! Well worth the hike.

We spent all day swimming and relaxing around the waterfall. It was an amazing day!

A Cornerstone Christmas

This year Cornerstone through big Christmas party for all the poorer children in the community and their families. It was wonderful. Everyone ate a big plate or Chicken, rice and beans, Potatoe Salad, and a delicious cupcake.




Then each of the kids received a present. It was so much fun watching them all open their gifts.

Then the had a dance.



Days like these make me really like Cornerstone.

fin de semana de luna nueva

This past weekend was the perfect weekend.

Friday:
There was a health fair at the Belmopan market that Kashay and I went to. When it ended at noon we headed over to wing stop to get my fav chicken wings....mmmmm...spicy mango.... We then started the 6 hour journey to Holly's house in Corozal. It was a very very long bus ride and I was grouchy with a numb butt by the time we got there.

The good mood quickly returned and we went to a restaurant by the sea.

Afterward we walked back to Holly's amazing apartment, watched some trashy tv, and went to sleep!

On the way we saw the most decked out house ever. If only there was snow.

Saturday:

The most amazing host ever, Holly, made us a breakfast of Pancakes. mmmmmm. After a bit we headed to the bus station to catch the bus to Chetumal. About an hour later we were through customs and in Mexico.

We then went to a really nice cafe.

I don't care for coffee but Kashay and Holly enjoyed theirs. The waiter seemed really happy to see us because he is learning English so he got some practice.

After the coffee we headed to the mall. THE MALL!

An actually mall. It was amazing. In it was a real movie theater!




We got our tickets and popcorn (none of us knew how to say popcorn but eventually figured it out).


New Moon was amazing. soooo much better then Twilight. Holly and Kashay weren't really into seeing it but I'm confident that I converted them to the Twilight Saga. Kashay is clearly team Jacob, while Holly and myself are obviously team Edward.

After the movie we had.... wait for it..... Mcdonalds!...


I was so excited.... It's pathetic I know.. I learned the the meals in Mexico are call McTrios.... I had a McTrio de BigMac con una coca...



I've also noticed that speaking to people in Spanish in Mexico is a lot easier then in Belize or Guatemala.... In Mexico they speak much more clear and also seem more patient with me trying to speak with them... amused even... everywhere would just get impatient....

We then did a little shopping in Mexico's version of Walmart..

I bought a bunch of cheap stuff for my house (pots, pans, skillets, silverware).. We also each bought a bottle of wine, bread, and goat cheese which we had later that night.


Back in Corozal, the restaurant we went to the night before said that they were having a big party with a balloon drop. (balloons in a net attached to the ceiling that drop and midnight and have prizes in it).. well the big party turned into us and five other people... I did enjoy popping the balloons though... Kashay even won a Belikin.

Sunday:

Sunday we slept in and went to a "resort" down the street from Holly's house. We laid out in the sun for a bit and ate some delicious nachos.

Kashay and I then took the very very long bus ride back home and crashed.