Stalactites in the Bat Cave in Villa de Leyva
Halloween Costumes. I'm being an 'extremely injured athlete.'
Investigating a cave in Villa de Leyva. We had bats flying right past our heads pretty regularly. We followed the cave for about 40 minutes before turning back.

Here I am at the conference in Bogota with some teachers from the Columbus school in Medallin (where my friend Jackie works).
Bonnie's house in Villa de Leyva where I stayed on the weekend after the conference.
Storytelling with my students: "The soldier and death"

HI .... It's Halloween!!!!

Well I've had a fun Halloween day at school today.... but for some reason I'm still at school getting work done at 7:30pm. Too bad for me.

But where did I leave off....

I went to a great education conference in Bogota a few weeks ago. It was a great conference and has totally reenergized my teaching and gave me a ton of good ideas and directions to go. It's always good to step away and reflect. I also got to see a bunch of friends from university that are now teaching all over Colombia. They seem so out of context here. It's strange. I went to stay at Bonnie's place in Villa de Leyva for the weekend after the conference and spent some great time in the country. Scott and I hiked to a bunch of waterfalls and went spelunking (caving) in some fantastic bat caves! Bonnie's place is beautiful and quirky. Hopefully I can make it back there to visit again.

Other than that I've made it through the first bout of reports and parent conferences, I've made it through being sick with a random fever, sore throat, and cold that all of my students (and many other teachers had) and I'm keeping busy and REALLY looking forward to the NBA season starting. I've been keeping up with the Toronto Raptors and their 'new look' team. I really do miss watching basketball..... I went to a great pro game recently though. Normall games are pretty empty but it was the finals and the building was PACKED. I almost didn't get in and ended up sitting on the edge of the court next to this team of 12 year old girls that were watching. Who know that there were so many people in Cali that loved basketball.

Well, that's all for now. I'll try to be betting the posting...... If I can somehow find the time.

Be well,

-Matt

Some pelicans flying by the boat during the whale watching adventure.

Above, a boat in the harbour of Beaunaventura
Michael, Bonnie and Matt supervising a student council bake sale fundraiser during 'sports day'.

Hi all,

I'm listening to Rex Murphy on cross country checkup right now. Oh how the internet has changed the life of the international teacher. I can listen to Lisa Lackow and Gerald Graham every morning to my hearts content. Or at least when I can get rid of the students.

It has been a long time since I've posted. Is anyone still checking? Well, if you are, thanks for your diligence. This one's for you.

I'm already getting geared up for Christmas. I know that it's a long way off but I'm doing a little dreaming of snow and cold and NWO.

I saw the best thing yesterday. Two people with their large full-grown german sheppard on a motor bike. The dog was sitting across the person on the back and hanging way off either side. It was actually more surprising than seeing the whole family on the bike.

I went whale watching last weekend (humpback whales) and got to go swimming on a black sand beach on the pacific. The pacific is a little sketchy and there was garbage around on the beach and in the water here and there but swimming in the warm ocean was so nice.

It's sunday and I'm here pounding things out at work. Well, actually, I'm ignoring work to write on my blog but close enough. I'd rather be reading my new book though. I'm pouring through John Tanner's The Falcon. It's his account of his life written in the early 19th century about how he was abducted, then sold to and Ojibwa family and his ensuing life. Pretty amazing stuff and lots of mentions of Grand Portage so right in our area.

Sounds like Mom and Dad have been able to move my stuff ok. Good thing my parents love me so much:)