Beware the Backlash

It is 8:00 on Tuesday morning.

1st quarter report cards went out the end of the day yesterday.

I've already had to tell two sets of parents why I gave their children low marks and what they can do to improve only to have them tell me that I'm not letting them know how they can get higher marks. The first student doesn't practice his reading at home and the second lacks to motivation to do anything (he's the 'I'm not doin nuffin for nobody' kid)...how can these parents expect perfect scores if they aren't helping their childen develop an intiative to learn.

I had several parents giving me eyes from the door, like "we'll talk later" eyes. And I only teach grade one. I can't imagine what Jordon's going through.

Awesome Card.

Ok, so last week I was sick, on thursday and friday with a wicked flu and my 5th graders, being awesome and talented kids, made me a really sweet card. I mean, this thing is amazing.

Anyway, you open the card, and inside is a customized post-it note from each of my students...


The card was super cute. The students worked so hard on it, and even though english is their second language, they did a fanstastic job of communicating their feelings.

This girl had just given me some food earlier in the day, called kimbab.

"Mr. Q's thank Me is give food be delicious ~Alice~"

The Teddy with the XX eyes was a little concerning.. maybe they were fearing the worst.

This next one is my favorite...

"Hello Mr. Q! I am Wendy. I hpe you will be fine and I miss you~! So I hope really you will come happy face! See you soon! I love you! We love you! Come happy face like me!
To: Mr. Quattlebaum

From: Wendy"

Such sweet kids.

Jordon

12 years of orthodontia down the drain

A couple nights ago after I brushed my teeth and got all ready for bed I remembered I needed to put my retainer in. As many of you know I have been very good about wearing my retainer every single night for the past 7 years.

Anyway, when I lifted the protective tissue off of my retainer cup (with listerine in it) low and behold there was a cockroach in there fighting for life. The cockroach appeared to have been decomposing and there was junk all over my retainer.


I immediately dumped out the cup and put the cockroach out of its misery. Then came decision time. Of course the only way to get the gross off was to boil the retainer.
So I put some water and my retainers in a cup and stuck it in the microwave. I made it about five feet before I came to my senses...you can't put retainers in the microwave. So I boiled the water and then sloshed the retainer around in it. And proceeded to brush the retainers off with toothpaste several times.

I was exceedingly pleased with myself for my problem solving ability.

And then I tried to put them in...they were warped...and so my teeth shall soon be without them...

For you, Eric.

A look into our world...

Check out our sweet ride...we'll probably take some action shots when it's not pouring. Maybe you can't see that it's raining in this picture...but it definitely is...a lot.

We sign in every day using this finger scanner. It talks to us... the only words it knows so far are 'please try again' and 'thank you.'
Jordon's new classroom. He was pretty embarrassed that I took this picture because his classroom looks so boring right now. They moved last week. It has been a pretty big headache...hopefully in the end it's worth the trouble.I'll have to move to a new room in December...or sometime around then.
This is the bathroom in Jordon's classroom. Yeah...that's right...it's fancy.
A couple of Jordon's kids ready to start the day. They wait outside the class and take attendance for themselves.
The covered playground...a neccessity during the rainy season...it keeps most the rain out (except for the sideways rain.)
And then beyond the playground is the soccer field...beyond that jungle...and then mountains...quite a view.
Beginning a weather lesson...these kids are crazy about weather. Specifically catastrophic weather...they love hurricanes, tornados, flash floods and lightning. Johnny Boy says its because that's 'sexy' weather...which makes me laugh.

On a side note...my little ones seem to be constantly complaining of various ailments...I always send them to the clinic 'just in case' and they almost alway come back with an ice pack to put on the troubled area...this occurs at least 4 times a day...every day.

One of my adorable students (whose name sounds remarkably like UNO...the game we got him for his birthday) and me about on our way to a much needed break.

Planning during block 3 in my room...it's nice to have the same planning period. Most specials last an entire block so we have that time to work every day...anywhere from an hour to an hour and 20 minutes. It is very handy. We are able to get all our work done during our contracted time...we don't ever need to stay late or come in early...unless we procrastinate...

Below are pictures of the lower school library...it's pretty sweet and handy.
As you can see the school is pretty heavily guarded. We have around 6 guards who walk around day and night. They are all really nice guys...but I wouldn't wear a ski mask around campus at night...
A few of Jordon's kids cutting loose at the end of the day while they are on their way to clubs. Each student is required to be in at least one school club. And each teacher is required to lead a club. Jordon helps out with Mini-backs soccer and the play. I help with paper crafts and yearbook.
As always...

Affectionately yours,

The Quattlebaums

Surf the Channel

Just thought you'd like to know that we will not be missing out on American television at all. We have been introduced to surfthechannel.com and it's rocking our world. We were exceedingly concerned about several shows...and now have no worries at all in that regard. We will be able to watch them a couple days after you all though...so please no spoiling...thank you.

It kind of makes us feel like this...

Lovingly yours,

Jordon and Melissa

Independence is ours!

We didn't plan on buying a car when we decided to teach abroad. Unfortunately, we live in an area where driving is necessary to get out of our housing development. We had been relying on our coworkers for rides...so if we ever needed anything we were forced to wait until someone was going shopping and thought to offer us a ride. Up until this point it hasn't been too big of a deal. (Except for when I was sick and really wanted/needed juice...all we had in the house was water, box milk and San Miguel.)

One of our coworker's husband owns a used car dealership and approached us to see if we wanted a car. She's a really nice lady who goes to church with us. We decided to give it a whirl after our last car hunting fiasco...and the car was really quite nice...so we took out a loan from the school and bought it.

It looks a lot like this...only imagine trees in the background as opposed to skyscrapers.

And is it just me or does the fellow driving look remarkably like Jordon?

Our Psychological Examination Results...

In order to get our work visas we underwent complete examinations. I think Jordon wrote about that earlier. Anyway, we got our results and one of us was exceptionally disappointed by the results. We decided that we'd let you guess who is A and B.

A) Based on the personality test result, ________, needs a peaceful environment. Wants release from stress, and freedom from conflicts or disagreement. Takes pains to control the situation and its problems by proceeding cautiously. Has sensitivity of feeling and a fine eye for detail.
Much more, _______ is imaginative and sensitive; seeking an outlet for these qualities especially in the company of someone equally sensitive. Interest and enthusiasm are readily aroused by the unusual or the adventurous.
Our Personality Assessments

B) Based on the personality test result, _______, wants to make a favorable impression and be recognized. Needs to feel appreciated and admired. Sensitive and easily hurt if no notice is taken or is not given adequate acknowledgement.
Much more, ________, feels that further progress requires more than __________ is willing or able to give. Would prefer reasonable comfort and security rather than the rewards of a greater ambition

P.S. This exam was just a person holding out several color cards and us putting them in order of our preference. I think the problem was that one of us selected black early on...

I love these little ones.

So, yesterday I was feeling really cruddy...and I was definitely blaming my little ones.

On Monday I asked my kids to raise their hands if they were sick...and 6 raised their hands. That's 6 out of 12 because one was home sick. HALF!!! Why are they at school?!?! My friend Josh says its because they value dedication and education more than health...he could be right.

I was so tired by the end of the day that I barely even noticed when one of my students sneezed right in my face....

Anyway, today I love these kids. I don't care that they sneeze in my face and say things like, "I'm not doin nuffin for nobody" (my british kid so you can picture that with a truly snobby accent.)

They just took a math test and now they're at their math centers. They are becoming more self-sufficient every day!

PS My kids love Jenga...they say it really fast in excited little asian kid voices "JengaJengaJenga!"

Sick, and Sick of Credit Card trouble.

So Melissa is home sick. She's got what appears to be a sinus infection right now, except she's really tired and her muscles are sore. The nurse gave her some meds, and she's feeling a little better, but not up to the task of teaching 13 little bodies.

On a totally different note, we got our replacement visa check cards from fedex yesterday. I activated the card on the bank website, and it said everything was peachy, that we could use it right away. Well, the darn thing STILL isn't working...I've emailed the bank and visa.. I'm hoping this doesn't mean we have to do another 3 way call at 10pm. That wasn't cool.

Pray for us, for healing and PATIENCE. We need to access our money :)

-Jordon