Live From The Hotel Marlin In Puerto Vallarta

Hello Again Readers!

It has been a long time since I have had the oppertunity to write! I miss that. However, Tioga and George have been doing a fine job of jonny on the spot reporting about us and the kids and our pals. A big thanks to him for that! Weng and I are currently in Puerto Vallarta giving Herman and Ruth a lift to the airport. They are headed to Oaxaca for some time with the locals there.

Now, I want to make a comment. A tempest in a teapot has erupted recently on Georges shout box that I was not aware of until a few minutes ago. (this is the first time I have had to check the blogasphere in a couple of weeks). Apparently there are a lot of opinions regarding our childrens home schooling and how life in Aticama affects their education. I would like to thank all that commented and throw in my two cents as their father.

Lets start with Francis. He has attended schools in Oregon and Aticama his entire school life. He is very bright and has always excelled in his classes. This year (7th grade) his first Oregon report card was straight 4 points in all classes. 100% aced it all. For his entire Mexican educational history he has graduated at the top of his class. In fact the last two years he was number one in the entire state of Nayarit. This year he is a member of the year book staff and his Oregon teachers are very, very supportive of his time in Mexico.

Hard to understand how anyone anywhere could argue that he is not getting a decent education.

Now Thomas John. Tommy is dislexic. Like me reading, grammer and math do not come easy. He does not do well in school in those fields. However he is very bright and intelligent and his strengths lie in other areas. Socially he is a giant and is loved by all. In school in Oregon he is near the bottom of the class academically and feels the pressure of his classmates to do better. My heart cries out for him. I know what he is feeling. When in school in Aticama however he is average in class
as well as being loved by his classmates. I was not that lucky to feel that way when I was a child. Weng, with Ruth and Hermans help, has done a great job of home schooling and his reading has advanced significantly. Hard to beat the assistance of two friends with a lifetime of experience in education and child care, dont you think?

And Kawena May. She is 6 years old and has a life time of interesting experiences. She is bright, happy, clear eyed and loves school, both in Aticama and in Oregon. What more can I say about that?

Now, consider. In Oregon the children lead a rapid life filled with excessive competition and expecation in school. Their schools and teachers are excellent. All designed to make them productive members of a homoginized society that stresses a false sence of individuality but sucks the joy of childhood from their day to day life. In Aticama they walk from our hillside along the ocean to a small school on the beach where they learn to co-operate with the other children. Zero Stress. Childhood is a one time experience. Education is a life long experience.

We make mistakes like all parents. We get angry and short tempered and do often let the stress of everyday life affect our relationship with our children. However we always do the best we can for our children in a loving manner. It is clear that many disagree with our lifestyle. Fine. However it is wrong to judge us with others values, espically when ignorant of the facts and details. I think it would be best to ask our children if they are happy, to ask their teachers if our children are being prepared for a life in a changing and strange world with an uncertain future.

So, here is my opinion of others who are ignorant and self serving when it comes to their comments (and my opinion alone, so dont be offended) - you dont know shit for beans.

More soon.

Salud

Hello Again From Aticama

Dear Readers,

Ahhhhhh...... the land of Manana...... so many fun things to do everyday! Jerry and Caroline have arrived from Canada, set up camp on the lower campsite, rebuilt the road and prepared their homesite - all in two crazy weeks! yikes! no time to leave the hillside much and then it is only for stuff and only small stuff at that... what ever i can carry on the old Tomato.... relaxed and feeling better daily....

we feel lucky to have our own internet reporter, George (Jorege) of Tioga fame.....

something soon.

Salud

The Tower Of Aphrodite

Hello Again Readers,

Seems like a long time since I have posted! Kawena and I are in the big town of San Blas changing money and getting some supplies. It has been a fun and busy time! The first week was a little rough - I had a small lung relapse and slept the first 5 days we were her, but I am please to tell you that now I am fine as frogs hair! The weather has been strange - cloudy and some rain. No one, even the elders, in the village can remember a time when the weather was like this at this time of the year. Hmmm.... The nights have been wonderful - full moon here is really something! Our tower closest the ocean is the Tower of Aphrodite. As the goddess of the moon she looks out over us and has been nothing but good luck. At night the tower glows in the moon light like a million fireflys at night over the bay. Generally I believe that we creat our own luck but, why take a chance?

Well, got to run.... need to do a little work on the solar system today...

The weather now? Perfect.

Salud