Courtney Jo's Guestbook

Paradise
I'm having a really hard time not jumping on a plane to meet you! Your storytelling is so vivid, I almost feel like I'm there with you. Imagine the fun we'd have! If only Kelsey was 18!! So glad you got some yummy fruit, food and company for dinner! Can't wait to read more about your adventure! Love and miss you!

Ahhh the Simple Life!!
Sounds like you are getting the best of the "local" experience! Simpler the better. I am going to have to look in to the window engineering, a very cost-effective solution!! I am enjoying your updates. Keep 'em coming! Take Care, Rachel

Loving your posts!
I just love how well you write, and feel like i'm almost there with you, keep em coming, what a great experience!!!

Teaching resources
Hi Courtney, I am Mark Jackson's mom, Lauren's boyfriend's mom. :) I've been teaching for 18 years. I understand you are looking for things to do with the kids. I admire you for taking on the challenge. I have a couple of questions: 1. What is the time frame that you are working with the kids? 2. Is the goal purely social, or are they attempting to teach them about letters, sounds, etc. through games? 3. What kind of resources do they have? Do they have a CD player? or tape player? 4. What exactly do they want you to do? In the meantime, you might play: * "Duck, Duck, Goose" for gross motor play and socialization * "Simon Says" to teach body parts and develop oral language skills * "Where is Thumpkin?" for oral language development and to develop attention span by following your actions with your fingers * "ABC Jumping Jacks" Call a letter each time you do a jumping jack like i.e. jump out and say "A", jump in and say 'B * "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes" * Make a "Feely Box" Any box will do. Put familiar objects (to them) in. When they reach in, they have to guess what it is without looking. * Monkey see, Monkey Do (i.e. You clap 3 x's, they clap 3 x's, you stomp your feet once, they stomp theirs once, etc. * Draw a simple shape (i.e.circle) in the dirt, they do the same, do square, an x, rectangle, etc I'd be happy to send you some more ideas if you give me your address. Good luck! Karen

Fiji - Wow
It looks like you're having a wonderful experience. Thanks again for including me in your travel blog. It's so wonderful to hear about your adventures. It's so cute how the kids call you Teacher Courtney! I look forward to your future postings. Have fun and stay safe. Love, Jen

Happy Single Awareness Day!
Great blog! Love that you're the "very important teacher who brought stickers". :) Brilliant! Have fun this weekend! News from home: I donated 8.5 inches of my hair to Locks of Love. :) Now my hair is just above my shoulders. :) Also, I'm now doing fundraising and charity events (part-time) for Win's favorite bar.. ABY! :)

Hysterical Reading!
I am so enjoying your experience so far...you are too funny...I can just see you screaming and jumping up and down after the bathroom episode..and the buses without windows? thanks...looking forward to your next entry. Miss you!! Bev

Master of the Photo Uploads
CJ, Great photos!!! Every place looks like a tropical bed and breakfast, homes, church, school, orphanage... Looks like paradise to me, despite the heat. We are taking bets stateside for how long it takes you to hop on and off the moving bus street side, without hurting yourself. I got faith in you, I say 2 weeks!!!! Hope to hear from you again soon, Rach

Good Night Moon
If you still remember it, you could recite Good Night Moon to the kids! Lol I thought of some games you could maybe play with them. Heads Up 7Up, Duck Duck Goose, and Red Light Green Light. Hope this helps : ) Have fun!

Arachnaphobia
Ha ha ha... I can totally picture you freaking out over the spider! Hope you meet some cool volunteers!

Stickers!
When I used to substitute teach the kids loved stickers. Funny how some things are so universal. Very cute that the kids went home and talked about you with their parents. They're just as fascinated by you as you are of them. Oh, and very cool idea for the family present.

Nooooo!
I officially hate pumpkin curry if you don't come home. You say "funny" in ref to no shoes on a bus... I say gross! Speaking of buses - miss u on the express. Stay cool! Mamie

Really Great!!!
Hey CJ, Sounds like another great adventure!!! I'm so glad you are sharing it with us. It really sounds like you are going to have to condition yourself towards spicy food. :) Too bad you can't kill the spicy with dairy! Since I am going thru the kid thing right now I have a song contirbution to teach body parts: Head, Shoulders, Knees, & Toes, Knees & Toes Head, Shoulders, Knees, & Toes, Knees & Toes Eyes and Ears and Mouth and Nose Head, Shoulders, Knees, & Toes, Knees & Toes!!! Really fun to sing fast touching each body part as it is mentioned. I can't wait to see your pictures. Thanks for the great account. Keep sending the posts and have a fabulous time!!! Happy & Safe Travels, Rach