The next decade....what's in store?
Musings of a yamfooted traveller still trying to shake off those last 20 pounds as she treks across the Caribbean
The Sunday Observer has a weekly feature where they interview a lady over cocktails and ask a specific set of questions.
Here's a spoof of them interviewing me....
Socialite or homebody?
YF: Workbody
Flats or stilettos?
YF: Sneakers
Jeans or LBD?
YF: Jeans....large ones.
What's your style?
FY: Comfort and functionality.
Who does your hair?
YF: Me
Who does your nails?
YF: Don't have nails
What perfume are you spraying?
YF: Eau de Body Odeur by Yamfoot
What's in your clutch?
YF: Isn't that the thing in a car?
What's your idea of the perfect date?
YF: Cricket match. If we go to dinner, broccoli going to stick in my teet, so no dinner.
What's your idea of the perfect man?
YF: Doesn't exist, so why bother dream?.
What projects are you currently working on?
YF: Body by Yamfoot
What's the best piece of advice you've been given?
YF: Go and do a 6-week typing course at Fitz Henley on Cargill Avenue. Used to leave the Tourist Board and walk there a couple evenings per week....when walking was still safe.
And 10 years from now?
YF: Retired....for the second time.
Those who know me very well, know that if I could do anything in life and not have to worry about money, I would be a Primary School teacher, teaching ages 6 - 11 year olds. Don't get me wrong....I love my job as a Trainer, but there is just something about the little ones that tugs at my heart strings.
At my age, it probably wouldn't be the best decision to ditch all I've built, and change careers at this time. However, I have got the opportunity to teach Tourism to Grade 4 students for 10 weeks. Today was the second lesson. Let me tell you about the experience so far.
There are about 40 students in my class....that's two Grade 4's combined. The first week, we were in a shared space. There was a class next to us, with only a chalkboard separating us, just like how it was when I was at Primary School. (There were, however, 54 girls in my Grade 6 class). My voice was therefore shot to hell after I was done. Plus, it was raining!
I gave the students a Pre-Evaluation Quiz, as dictated by the Ministry. I made up 6 questions based on some guidelines we'd been given. It was shocking to know that some of them were unable to read properly, or to write proper answers to very simple questions. For eg, I asked "How do Tourists get here?". Very interesting answers.
I explained to the students that I was from another country, and that I had been in this country for 13 years. I asked them if that means I am a Tourist. They said "No Miss" (all together now!). I asked why I am not a Tourist, and several of them said "because you are not white."
So I have got my work cut out for me, trying to change their mind set about what a Tourist should look like.
Today, we were looking at the difference between a Domestic, Regional and International Tourist. So I gave them two maps - one of the world and one of the Caribbean. They like maps. Wanted to keep them. Wanted to write on them. Noooooo, we have to use them in another class!
They like answering questions....of course, they sometimes shout all at once. The two teachers sit in, and help me with getting them quiet, by saying "students, hands up in the air." Then the room goes quiet. It's marvellous!
As I moved around the class today, looking to see if the students had identified some countries I had written on the board, I had students tapping my arm and saying "miss, miss, look....I find it." There is one particular boy who taps me all the time. So today, after he had done it a few times, I asked him "why are you tapping me?" He said "miss, i want to show you something." So I turned to Miss and asked her if he taps her too. She said yes....he wants the first, second and last words. Quite a talker. I told him he'd be the Grenadian Prime Minister one day.
And why shouldn't he be? Well, because the school doesn't have all the resources of a wealthy school. Isn't that a shame, that a future Prime Minister should be denied that opportunity just because of money?
Then there is the little girl who is very enthusiastic, but who cannot write a coherent recognizable word in English. Her story is sad. A few years ago, a truck hit her...picked her up in the air. She is lucky to be alive, but suffered some damage which has affected her development. Bless her.
This morning as I drove in, about half hour after school had started, I met a little boy walking in. He said "Miss, you are the Tourism teacher right?" So I said yes. I didnt remember him from the first class. I asked him why he was late for school. He said he woke up late, and he didn't have any breakfast. So I asked him if he stayed back at home to have breakfast. He said no...there was no food available. So I asked him if he carried money to buy a snack. He said no...His mother didn't have any money to give him. *sigh*. So I asked him if he wanted my apple. "Yes miss." Don't know what he had for lunch.
I was telling the Principal and he told me that if the students come to school early, Breakfast is provided for those who need. So after class, I told him to make sure and wake up early so he can get Breakfast at school "Yes Miss" as he crunched on what was now his apple.
It was International something Day, so some students made a card for their teacher. I got a Snow Ice....custard powder, milk, spices and some food colouring to make it pink. Carried that to work and had it with ice. I was told I should have frozen it so I could suck it, the proper way.
I look forward each week to planning the lesson and to interacting with the students. It's the highlight of my week. Bless them!