For now...

Friday was my last day of teaching at TCC. I thought this past week would go by slowly because I knew I was almost done, but now it is Sunday and I am already looking back. That seems to be the theme of my entire trip here. I can't believe it has been eight weeks gone. I have learned so much about myself and my teaching abilities in that time, something I think only the ones here will be able to express with me. The students have been a blast to get to know, and I will miss them. They gave us a great farewell, and made us know that they really appreciated our stay. Teaching there has been a roller coaster of emotions. It has pushed me to every corner of creativity, frustration, joy, disappointment, excitement, etc. I am eager to see what my next eight weeks of teaching is the states will bring me.

Well...our softball team made it to regionals! First time in five years!! I am so glad to have been a part of this for too many reasons. I have never (seriously) coached anything before, and that alone was worth the experience. To think of how far these athletes have come since our first practice is a triumph in itself. Most of my players could barely catch a ball when we began. To get to regionals, we had to beat a neighboring high school in a "zone elimination" best-of-three match. We lost our first game 4-0. After that, I was excited to work on different aspects of our game that needed improvement, but the students had a different idea. Instead, most got upset about the loss and gave up on the whole softball thing. (Side story...practice is much different than in the states. I wanted practice to start at 3:00, but most students would stroll in at 3:30 and some wouldn't even show up. Then they expected to play on game day.) That is what it was like before the first game. After the loss, we didn't even have enough for a team. Jon and I had to fix this quick. So, we booted two students off the team, recruited some more, and put together what we could. It turns out, that was the best decision we could have done. Suddenly, we had a group of guys who clicked so well together, it was like they had been practicing for months. It was really interesting to see this chemistry brewing. Game two was at home, and we crushed them 12-2. One of our guys hit a grand slam to really pull away. The series was tied 1-1, and we had to play again the next day to decide who went to regionals. Thursday we returned to Julian Cho High School, and edged them out 5-4. I was nervous to go onto to regionals because it had rained heavy here Friday, enough to cancel practice. Saturday we boarded a bus at 6:00 in the morning to head to Independence. After a meeting with the coaches, we drew to see who would play who. There was only three teams there, and the team that chose "3" received a bye. I chose 1 so we had to play Stann Creek the first game. (Another side story...the great team we had now put together, only four of them could play. Here, they are very serious about checking to see if the players are really who they say they are, which requires multiple proofs of identification. Everyone had the correct forms, but they required that we have picture i.d's has well. But, only four of our starters had them.) Luckily we had three freshmen come along with us that we would fill the gaps with, but only to make a seven man team. That really hurt the morale of the team, but after a pep talk from Jon and I they were ready to go (well, I would like to think that worked). We played Stann Creek with seven guys against their nine brutes. Really, they were huge. We did what we could, and actually beat them 10-4. It was close as they were coming back, and actually came within one (10-9), but time expired as the winning runners were on base, and when that happens they go back to the score from the last completed inning, which was won by us, 10-4. Everyone was so excited; they couldn't believe it. After that we faced the reigning regional champs and second place national team, Independence High School. These guys were good. Too good. Softball isn't a sport many play in Belize, but this team could have competed with some from the states. That, plus our team, equaled a blowout. They crushed us. But, there wasn't much we could do. Seven guys, three who have never really played at all, versus their nine, well put together, composed, sharp, athletic team. Independence picked "3" so they had the bye the first game. Once we lost, we went to the losers bracket to face Stann Creek again. All was going well during the game. We were down 4-0 in the top of the third, when suddenly one of our players started walking off the field. All I could do was laugh because I had no idea what he was doing. Then I saw that we wasn't happy at all. I asked where we was going, and he told me that, "the players (freshman) don't know how to play, they are not trying, so I am done." And that concluded our trip. The game had to be called, and we took third place on account of quitting. I was embarrassed more than anything because at least we could have finished the game, and who knows what the result could have been. If we would have won, we would have played Independence again, and if we lost, it would have been second place. So all that work Jon and I put into the season ended abruptly. We took third...out of three teams. Nevertheless, it was a feat TCC had overcome, and I was glad to have helped them. Hopefully, this minor success will continue next year.

Now I am officially done with TCC. Today is my little brother's conformation, so I get to meet most of the extended family. We are having a party for him afterwards, with some great food I am sure! Then Monday, Jon, Kristie, and I leave for Guatemala for about a week. We are heading to Puerto Barrios via ferry, and from there heading to Antigua for the first night. Then we will travel to Lago de Atitlan for a few nights where we will meet Andrew, Sam, and Lana, who left today. This place is supposed to be amazing. It is one of the 1,000 places to see before you die. Anyone reading this, google "Lake Atitlan" and just take a look. The city we are staying in is right on the lake and surrounded by volcanoes. It should be a pretty stellar trip. Then, we're heading back they same way and staying in Antigua a little longer. I will be back just in time to go catch Lucia in Belize City for the start of our trip.

Last night I could feel the parting of everyone. Now we are beginning to travel and do our own things, so we won't be seeing each other much after this (if at all) until we all return. Even then, I hope it isn't difficult staying in touch with everyone I have experienced this with. I am so grateful to have gotten to know all of them, and feel like I have acquired some great friends. I couldn't have asked for a better crew to be with, and that made this trip so much fun! I love all you, and wish you the best of luck in the coming years. There is a lot ahead of us, but I feel confident in saying everyone will do great things with their lives. Thank you.

To my family, I miss you all and can't wait to see you. I wish I could bundle everyone up and bring you here. I am going to miss PG, and know I will be back (as I'm sure I have said many times). If anyone gets the chance, get to Belize sometime in your life. It is something I guarantee you will not regret. I am excited to see everyone, and will keep you as updated as I can in the next few weeks. For those of you who don't know, I will be back on the 20th of March, a Friday. There are lots of gifts to pass out, so get ready! Love you all and will see you soon.

Eddie

p.s. as far as pictures, for those of you with Facebook, I finally got some up! Other than that, I will have to get the rest of the pictures from everyone down here on account of my camera breaking. However, Lucia will be bringing a camera, so we can take some sweet pics when she arrives. Peace!