I couldn't do it. I didn't eat any gluten.
I went to the doctor to try to schedule an endoscopy and she's making me wait until Friday, which makes me mad because I don't care what my blood results are, I want the endoscopy anyway. She also keeps telling me to stop eating gluten, which goes against everything I've been reading and told by people who have Celiac.
Basically, today I ate oatmeal and apple sauce for breakfast, had lunch at 5pm (a cup of chicken broth), then 1/2 an orange and some beets. Finally I ate some cornmeal cookies to try to get some calories into me.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Honey Ginger Pudding
Day one of Gluten Poisoning has begun! Basically, I think i have developed an intolerance to gluten, but in order to be properly tested, I have to have an endoscopy. However, for the endoscopy to have conclusive results, I have to be consuming gluten. I didn't eat anything with gluten Friday or Saturday, and I felt great.
Today I woke up and had oatmeal which didn't bother me. Then I made this Honey Ginger Pudding that I found on the BBC website. I'm going to guess it's some weird British thing. Basically I mixed sugar, eggs, flour and margarine then added honey, ginger and cinnamon to the batter. The entire thing went into a cereal bowl which I had greased with margarine and I microwaved it for 4.5 minutes. And.....voila! The result is below:
I was left with a cake-like substance that slid right out of my bowl. It tasted pretty good, but left me feeling pretty sick. There's some left for the rest of the week, so I'll be eating it again.
Today I woke up and had oatmeal which didn't bother me. Then I made this Honey Ginger Pudding that I found on the BBC website. I'm going to guess it's some weird British thing. Basically I mixed sugar, eggs, flour and margarine then added honey, ginger and cinnamon to the batter. The entire thing went into a cereal bowl which I had greased with margarine and I microwaved it for 4.5 minutes. And.....voila! The result is below:
I was left with a cake-like substance that slid right out of my bowl. It tasted pretty good, but left me feeling pretty sick. There's some left for the rest of the week, so I'll be eating it again.
Friday, February 06, 2009
Blood work
So, I had to get more blood work done this morning. I went yesterday to get the results from last week (all normal) and the doctor ordered a gluten anti-bodies test. When I tried to get an appointment for this morning, I was told I would have to wait until Monday, but could show up on Friday and beg. Blood work is only done between eight and nine in the morning, so I fasted and woke up at 7:30 to walk to the Health Center in the DARK.
When I got there a few minutes before 8am, there were approximately 20 people clustered outside the door. It was pretty chilly and most of the people were in their 70s or older. At 8:05, when the bozos behind the counter finally came and opened the door for us, everyone rushed in and immediately started grabbing deli-numbers to make appointments to see doctors. Another sector of the crowd rushed the nurses station (I was in this group). Every got as close as possible to the door. Inside a woman handed out pre-marked cups with tube in them, which people then took to the blood room where four stations were set up. Most people had appointments, which I found out are given by the minute. The Spanish like to think they're organized, so people were trying to line up by time. For a while all I heard was, "I have 8:08." "Well I have 8:09, so I'll go behind you." "I'm going to stand here because I have 8:31." "Who has 8:16 because I have 8:17." "I have 8:03," (looks at watch, it's already 8:11). "They passed my time," (shoves people out of the way), "I'm first."
I, of course, was told I would have to wait until all the people with assigned times had gotten their cups. At about 8:40 I was able to get to the door and explain to the woman why I was there and that the people at the deli-counter appointment desk told me to come. She was NOT happy. She told me that they were only supposed to do 60 blood tests per day and I was an additional person....blah blah blah. I explained that for my test, I had to be eating gluten and if I had to go the entire weekend eating gluten, I was going to be miserable. As a Spanish state employee, she didn't give a shit. She gave me a cup with a tube and a set of barcodes identifying the blood as mine and told me to go get in the other line for the blood to be drawn. Another man didn't have an appointment and he got the same speech.
I was out of there by 8:52 and at school on time. Lourdes, whom I love and who worries about everything, told me to go home and rest. Having blood drawn is taxing on your body and rest is necessary. I just laughed and told her I would eat instead. I'm a blood-work pro: I went prepared with rice cakes, a banana and orange juice, which I don't usually drink, but I find that getting sugar into my body after blood work keeps me from getting dizzy.
When I got there a few minutes before 8am, there were approximately 20 people clustered outside the door. It was pretty chilly and most of the people were in their 70s or older. At 8:05, when the bozos behind the counter finally came and opened the door for us, everyone rushed in and immediately started grabbing deli-numbers to make appointments to see doctors. Another sector of the crowd rushed the nurses station (I was in this group). Every got as close as possible to the door. Inside a woman handed out pre-marked cups with tube in them, which people then took to the blood room where four stations were set up. Most people had appointments, which I found out are given by the minute. The Spanish like to think they're organized, so people were trying to line up by time. For a while all I heard was, "I have 8:08." "Well I have 8:09, so I'll go behind you." "I'm going to stand here because I have 8:31." "Who has 8:16 because I have 8:17." "I have 8:03," (looks at watch, it's already 8:11). "They passed my time," (shoves people out of the way), "I'm first."
I, of course, was told I would have to wait until all the people with assigned times had gotten their cups. At about 8:40 I was able to get to the door and explain to the woman why I was there and that the people at the deli-counter appointment desk told me to come. She was NOT happy. She told me that they were only supposed to do 60 blood tests per day and I was an additional person....blah blah blah. I explained that for my test, I had to be eating gluten and if I had to go the entire weekend eating gluten, I was going to be miserable. As a Spanish state employee, she didn't give a shit. She gave me a cup with a tube and a set of barcodes identifying the blood as mine and told me to go get in the other line for the blood to be drawn. Another man didn't have an appointment and he got the same speech.
I was out of there by 8:52 and at school on time. Lourdes, whom I love and who worries about everything, told me to go home and rest. Having blood drawn is taxing on your body and rest is necessary. I just laughed and told her I would eat instead. I'm a blood-work pro: I went prepared with rice cakes, a banana and orange juice, which I don't usually drink, but I find that getting sugar into my body after blood work keeps me from getting dizzy.
Valentine's Day
Because the kids are between chapters (we just had the 5th grade test), David and I figured we'd do some Valentine's Day stuff a week early. I printed out a little reading about what kids in the US do on Valentine's Day (I ALWAYS try to make fun things educational). I also printed little animal cards, where the animals were made entirely from hearts, and sheets of hearts with sayings, like conversation hearts. I even bought strawberry gummy candies called besitos (little kisses) to give to them. I was really trying to give them a true Valentine's Day experience.
In 5A, we did the story and the cards. I gave them candy, which they loved. I even let them have seconds (I bought six bags). They really liked the cards and were interested in what the messages meant. We told them we'd do the hearts on Wednesday because we ran out of time.
In 5B, we got through the story, but it took some time. I gave them cards, but didn't explain them because the kids weren't interested at all. David actually told them that I gave 5A candy and would not be giving 5B anything. I was surprised he said this because it made me look like a big bitch and it put me in an awkward position. Yes, the kids are poorly behaved, but I still don't think he should taunt them like this.
For next week, I'm planning more activities for my three-year-olds (they'll be tracing and coloring hearts), first and second graders, who will do something with cards.
In 5A, we did the story and the cards. I gave them candy, which they loved. I even let them have seconds (I bought six bags). They really liked the cards and were interested in what the messages meant. We told them we'd do the hearts on Wednesday because we ran out of time.
In 5B, we got through the story, but it took some time. I gave them cards, but didn't explain them because the kids weren't interested at all. David actually told them that I gave 5A candy and would not be giving 5B anything. I was surprised he said this because it made me look like a big bitch and it put me in an awkward position. Yes, the kids are poorly behaved, but I still don't think he should taunt them like this.
For next week, I'm planning more activities for my three-year-olds (they'll be tracing and coloring hearts), first and second graders, who will do something with cards.
Cheater, cheater
On Wednesday, the 5th grade had a test. Normally I don't go when they have a test, but David asked me to come to class. No biggie....I mean, I do get PAID for this, so I went.
I was there to help, as another pair of eyes. The kids were absolutely awful. Awful. Awful (yes that is a reference to Eloise's use of words in threes). In 5B (the worse of the two classes), I took a seat in the back of the room while David handed out tests and explained the different sections to the kids.
The "it girls" were chatting instead of listening (so typical). As David finished attempting to explain the instructions, a boy seated eight feet away from where I stood proceeded to take out his workbook from his desk and put it on his lap. As he did this, he looked straight at me with the biggest shit-eating grin on his face. And, when I say straight at me, I mean he looked me in the eye as he did this. I was shocked. I walked straight over to him and asked for the book. At this point David realized what was going on and told the kid to get up and go into the hallway. He wouldn't be taking the test, instead he would be receiving a zero.
During the exam, one of the "it girls" was allowed to use her workbook. I'm not sure why. I think David is going to automatically mark her down for it. He said she could do this. Her friend tried to give her a notebook to use also, which I confiscated while David was answering questions.
The children never stopped talking during the test. They would announce which part they were working on and also which parts they liked and which were hard. It was this constant brag-fest, and I was really surprised that David allowed this. I don't think he's a very effective teacher; I've been in the classroom with other teachers who are much more commanding. The students don't respect David at all.
I was there to help, as another pair of eyes. The kids were absolutely awful. Awful. Awful (yes that is a reference to Eloise's use of words in threes). In 5B (the worse of the two classes), I took a seat in the back of the room while David handed out tests and explained the different sections to the kids.
The "it girls" were chatting instead of listening (so typical). As David finished attempting to explain the instructions, a boy seated eight feet away from where I stood proceeded to take out his workbook from his desk and put it on his lap. As he did this, he looked straight at me with the biggest shit-eating grin on his face. And, when I say straight at me, I mean he looked me in the eye as he did this. I was shocked. I walked straight over to him and asked for the book. At this point David realized what was going on and told the kid to get up and go into the hallway. He wouldn't be taking the test, instead he would be receiving a zero.
During the exam, one of the "it girls" was allowed to use her workbook. I'm not sure why. I think David is going to automatically mark her down for it. He said she could do this. Her friend tried to give her a notebook to use also, which I confiscated while David was answering questions.
The children never stopped talking during the test. They would announce which part they were working on and also which parts they liked and which were hard. It was this constant brag-fest, and I was really surprised that David allowed this. I don't think he's a very effective teacher; I've been in the classroom with other teachers who are much more commanding. The students don't respect David at all.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Fiesta de la Candelaría
Monday (Feb 2) is the Festival of the Candelaria, which was started as a religious festival, but no one can seem to explain it....(I haven't really been able to figure it out online either). Last time I celebrated it was in Bolivia in 2007. People got really drunk and had a parade through the streets. It was a ton of fun and there was live music all night long.
Here in Spain, they make a big bonfire. On Friday night we went to a (slightly early) celebration at Erika's school. They built a huge bonfire and people stood around eating round wreaths of bread with salted cod and drinking. Children ran around the fire throwing empty cans into the flames, which us Americans thought was unsafe and probably bad for the environment, but the Spanish parents didn't seem to mind.
Apparently, Cecilia's school will be celebrating on February 2nd and they will be burning toys. They might be burning "dangerous toys," but she's not really sure. Anyway, so we went to the bonfire and stood around for a little while. It was actually a really nice night, as compared to the lousy weather we've been having.
While at the school we saw tons of teachers from our schools and, in typical Priego fashion, everyone seemed to know everyone else. Sole, the 1st and 2nd grade science teacher at my school, knew Vicente, our landlord and the 5th grade homeroom teacher at Cecilia's school. Evan and Christine's landlord is Erika's principal....and so on and so on....
It was nice to be outside, but then it started to get really windy, so we wandered back home just before the rain began. Saturday it was nice out, then it was dark and hailed, then it rained for a while, then it was sunny and beautiful again.
Here in Spain, they make a big bonfire. On Friday night we went to a (slightly early) celebration at Erika's school. They built a huge bonfire and people stood around eating round wreaths of bread with salted cod and drinking. Children ran around the fire throwing empty cans into the flames, which us Americans thought was unsafe and probably bad for the environment, but the Spanish parents didn't seem to mind.
Apparently, Cecilia's school will be celebrating on February 2nd and they will be burning toys. They might be burning "dangerous toys," but she's not really sure. Anyway, so we went to the bonfire and stood around for a little while. It was actually a really nice night, as compared to the lousy weather we've been having.
While at the school we saw tons of teachers from our schools and, in typical Priego fashion, everyone seemed to know everyone else. Sole, the 1st and 2nd grade science teacher at my school, knew Vicente, our landlord and the 5th grade homeroom teacher at Cecilia's school. Evan and Christine's landlord is Erika's principal....and so on and so on....
It was nice to be outside, but then it started to get really windy, so we wandered back home just before the rain began. Saturday it was nice out, then it was dark and hailed, then it rained for a while, then it was sunny and beautiful again.
World Peace Day
Friday was International Peace Day. I'm not quite sure if this is something celebrated all over the world or just in Europe or just in Spain. I just tried looking it up on google and apparently there are several dates for this "holiday..." The UN recognizes September 21st as the International Day of Peace, www.peaceday.org says it's November 17th and according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, it's on January 1st.
Nevertheless, in the southern part of the province of Córdoba, El Día Internacional de la Paz was Friday. At almost all the schools, students gathered and sung "Imagine" by John Lennon. Seriously, I talked to other English teachers in Priego, and a girl who teaches 25 miles away in Lucena, and it was the song of choice for all our schools.
At Virgen de la Cabeza, the sixth-graders, accompanied by Lourdes on guitar, sung to the younger classes. Rather than have a full-out assembly, students gathered in the hallway to hear the song. They made posters to help explain the song to the younger students who didn't understand the English lyrics.
It was really a sweet moment when the kids performed. They did a good job especially considering that they're A) 12-years-old and B) don't speak English very well.
-I will attempt to upload some video I recorded....at the moment neither blogger nor youtube seem to be cooperating
Nevertheless, in the southern part of the province of Córdoba, El Día Internacional de la Paz was Friday. At almost all the schools, students gathered and sung "Imagine" by John Lennon. Seriously, I talked to other English teachers in Priego, and a girl who teaches 25 miles away in Lucena, and it was the song of choice for all our schools.
At Virgen de la Cabeza, the sixth-graders, accompanied by Lourdes on guitar, sung to the younger classes. Rather than have a full-out assembly, students gathered in the hallway to hear the song. They made posters to help explain the song to the younger students who didn't understand the English lyrics.
It was really a sweet moment when the kids performed. They did a good job especially considering that they're A) 12-years-old and B) don't speak English very well.
-I will attempt to upload some video I recorded....at the moment neither blogger nor youtube seem to be cooperating
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