...I'll make sure I do a better job of labeling the boxes.
Last May when I was packing my house up for someone else to move in, I was more concerned with getting things out of the way than with my ability to easily find what I had packed up. I figured that it was in storage until I returned in June 2012, coupled with my move out date being pushed up a week...well, I packed things up so they would be safe in the boxes, put them in my storage room, and got out. Which means when I decided a couple months ago that when I was home I should go track down some DVDs to bring back with me, it seemed like an easy proposition. I would just have to go back to my house, find the right box, and I'd be set. Easy in theory, a little more labor intensive in practice. I first went over last week, and I spent about 20 minutes moving boxes and looking through boxes until I found the one that held what I thought were all my DVDs. In going through them, I realized I had more DVDs than I had remembered, and there was no way that all of them were going to make it down with me. I have a few different "travel cases" for DVDs, and once they're filled, I'm done...individual cases take up too much room.
So after the initial search, I figured I was done. As I started filling the cases today, however, I realized that I was missing seasons of some of the TV shows I have on DVD. So I hadn't found everything. And then I remembered that when I was packing up, the first dozen or so boxes were packed with some sort of logic behind them...here are the DVD's, here are books from this shelf, that shelf, the other shelves (I realized somewhere along the line that I own a LOT of books...unsurprising to those who know me, but still...). As I was nearing the end of packing, things got a little more haphazard. I would set the box to fill on my couch, and whatever fit in it that wouldn't get broken was placed there. Which means if the DVDs weren't on the shelf where they belonged when I packed them the first time, they got put in another box of random things. And I never bothered to label which boxes were random things.
I went back to my house this afternoon to see if I could track down any of those seasons that I was missing (a couple from The Office and NCIS). There were also a few movies I know I'm missing. After an hour of searching I had found the seasons of The Office in a box filled mostly with books. I still hadn't found the rest of it, and I think I had been through every box. I'm sure they're sitting somewhere in that storage room, but I couldn't find them. So I'm going to be borrowing my mother's copies of those seasons (a sacrifice on her part...she "watches" them when she grades...they make great background noise). Though now that I've introduced her to House, maybe she'll have something else to watch. I think she made some comment about picking a few seasons of that up.
But my lesson for the week...next time I move out, make sure I clearly label the boxes!
My time back here has been good. I've had the opportunity to share with people one-on-one or in groups what I'm doing. I've seen a lot of people that I've wanted to see, and haven't been able to see others, which is kind of expected. In many ways it has seemed normal to be here, and then it seems strange when I realize that it's been 5 months since I've done things like drive...and it will be at least another 5+ months until I do so again. Often times when I sit down and talk with people, it's like no time has passed, things are "normal", just chatting about everyday life. We pick up where we left off...and somewhere along the line it hits me that my "normal" and their "normal" are currently very different. I can still very much relate to their normal, it's really easy to fall back into my old patterns...but in my time in Honduras, I've changed some. They're good changes, and I don't know how much will stick in the long run. I'm sure it will be interesting next year to see what sticks and what doesn't. It will also be interesting to see how much culture shock I experience going back to Honduras on Saturday. In many ways I feel like I've been back longer than 2 weeks...it's been a very full 2 weeks! And while I've definitely enjoyed my time here, and I'll miss people here when I go back, I am ready to go back, and looking forward to seeing people there again.
I do still have one more day in the States. Tomorrow my uncle, aunt and cousins are coming up for the day, and tomorrow evening is our family Christmas...so I'll see a lot of family right before I leave. It should be a good day! :-)
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Culture Shock...
I think my mother summarized it best this morning. I was eating breakfast, and probably looking a little out of it. She asked how I was doing. I said I didn't really know. And she said it probably felt like I never left, and like I wasn't really here at the same time. And she's right. Part of me doesn't really believe I'm here, while another part of me has already fallen back into the pattern of living at my parents' house.
Traveling here went really smoothly. While we were waiting at the airport to leave, an influx of people came to our gate, all speaking English and I saw a few of them wearing "mission trip" shirts. So I started asking them about their trip, what they had been doing there, where they were heading, etc. In the hour we were sitting there, I probably talked with 20+ people. I ended up sitting next to one of the girls on the flight to Atlanta, and we talked for a good portion of the flight. I didn't even pick up the book I had downloaded on my iPad the day before (which for me on a flight is very rare). We made it to Atlanta a little late, but I had plenty of time to clear customs. Customs was a slightly different experience, because technically my residency is now Honduras. So there were a few other questions being asked of me, like how long had I been in Honduras, what was I doing there, how long would I be in the States and what was my purpose here. It felt weird being surrounded by English everywhere (it still does to some extent). I left Melody at terminal D and continued on to my gate where I had about two and a half hours to kill before boarding. Over half of that was probably spent on the phone with people from the States. It's a luxury to have great signal everywhere, and not have to worry about how many minutes I have left before I need to load more.
I got off the phone about half an hour before boarding the flight, and struck up a conversation with the couple sitting next to me. I found out they had been in Nicaragua for the past eight days on a missions trip about 30 miles northeast of Managua. We had a good time talking until they called for boarding, and once on the plane, I found myself across the aisle from a couple who had been with them on their trip, so we spent about half the flight talking about our respective experiences. They showed me pictures and told me stories about what they had been doing. Again, I didn't pick up the book I had on my iPad. [I had read a few pages in the terminal before striking up conversation with the first couple.] The guy sitting next to me was in the Air Force, had been in Florida for training, and was continuing on to California this morning. We chatted a little bit, but mostly he listened in to the conversation I was having with the couple across the row, asking some questions, mostly of me, about what it was like teaching in another country. I don't know where he stands with God, but maybe he heard enough to make him think. I don't know, I just know I was more outgoing yesterday than I've probably ever been before. On one hand I think it's a good thing, on the other, I don't really recognize myself anymore. So combine that with the culture shock...and it took me a while to get to sleep last night.
I was in church this morning at the 8:00 and 10:45 services, Sunday school in between, and then there was a luncheon afterwards. I had three large cups of coffee today, which helped with the maybe 4 hours of sleep I got. It was great to see people, and after being away for so long, it's natural to go up and hug people. So not too much different than Honduras in that...though the cheek kisses didn't happen. But definitely a lot of hugging going on...again a change from who I was five months ago.
It's weird to be here...good, but weird. And while I'm here, I'm thinking of Honduras as home in some ways...as in I'm going "home" in two weeks. I'm not counting down the days to that (at least not yet) but I was thinking this morning of what I'd be doing there, and what my friends there are doing now (probably on the way back to the Ranch from church...or finishing up shopping in the city). It's definitely strange feeling like I'm belonging in two different places. And it's enough to keep my mind spinning. Hopefully tonight I'll be tired enough to where I'll fall asleep without too much of a problem regardless of how active my mind is.
This week is pretty booked. I'm going into school on Tuesday. That will probably be the next large culture shock...because as I found this morning, I automatically fall into old patterns (kind of like muscle memory) while my mind is telling my how strange this is. And it is bringing to light some of the ways I've changed in the past five months...most of them good.
Traveling here went really smoothly. While we were waiting at the airport to leave, an influx of people came to our gate, all speaking English and I saw a few of them wearing "mission trip" shirts. So I started asking them about their trip, what they had been doing there, where they were heading, etc. In the hour we were sitting there, I probably talked with 20+ people. I ended up sitting next to one of the girls on the flight to Atlanta, and we talked for a good portion of the flight. I didn't even pick up the book I had downloaded on my iPad the day before (which for me on a flight is very rare). We made it to Atlanta a little late, but I had plenty of time to clear customs. Customs was a slightly different experience, because technically my residency is now Honduras. So there were a few other questions being asked of me, like how long had I been in Honduras, what was I doing there, how long would I be in the States and what was my purpose here. It felt weird being surrounded by English everywhere (it still does to some extent). I left Melody at terminal D and continued on to my gate where I had about two and a half hours to kill before boarding. Over half of that was probably spent on the phone with people from the States. It's a luxury to have great signal everywhere, and not have to worry about how many minutes I have left before I need to load more.
I got off the phone about half an hour before boarding the flight, and struck up a conversation with the couple sitting next to me. I found out they had been in Nicaragua for the past eight days on a missions trip about 30 miles northeast of Managua. We had a good time talking until they called for boarding, and once on the plane, I found myself across the aisle from a couple who had been with them on their trip, so we spent about half the flight talking about our respective experiences. They showed me pictures and told me stories about what they had been doing. Again, I didn't pick up the book I had on my iPad. [I had read a few pages in the terminal before striking up conversation with the first couple.] The guy sitting next to me was in the Air Force, had been in Florida for training, and was continuing on to California this morning. We chatted a little bit, but mostly he listened in to the conversation I was having with the couple across the row, asking some questions, mostly of me, about what it was like teaching in another country. I don't know where he stands with God, but maybe he heard enough to make him think. I don't know, I just know I was more outgoing yesterday than I've probably ever been before. On one hand I think it's a good thing, on the other, I don't really recognize myself anymore. So combine that with the culture shock...and it took me a while to get to sleep last night.
I was in church this morning at the 8:00 and 10:45 services, Sunday school in between, and then there was a luncheon afterwards. I had three large cups of coffee today, which helped with the maybe 4 hours of sleep I got. It was great to see people, and after being away for so long, it's natural to go up and hug people. So not too much different than Honduras in that...though the cheek kisses didn't happen. But definitely a lot of hugging going on...again a change from who I was five months ago.
It's weird to be here...good, but weird. And while I'm here, I'm thinking of Honduras as home in some ways...as in I'm going "home" in two weeks. I'm not counting down the days to that (at least not yet) but I was thinking this morning of what I'd be doing there, and what my friends there are doing now (probably on the way back to the Ranch from church...or finishing up shopping in the city). It's definitely strange feeling like I'm belonging in two different places. And it's enough to keep my mind spinning. Hopefully tonight I'll be tired enough to where I'll fall asleep without too much of a problem regardless of how active my mind is.
This week is pretty booked. I'm going into school on Tuesday. That will probably be the next large culture shock...because as I found this morning, I automatically fall into old patterns (kind of like muscle memory) while my mind is telling my how strange this is. And it is bringing to light some of the ways I've changed in the past five months...most of them good.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Still Hasn't Clicked...
In 24 hours (provided things go as planned) I'll be on a plane beginning my descent into O'Hare. While I know the statement is true, it doesn't seem real. This is how I felt the night before coming here, too. Until I'm on that plane, it won't sink in.
Part of the issue is this is my world now, and it has been for the last five months (wow, I've been here 5 months already...I remember when the count was at 5 weeks and THAT seemed like a long time). It's my home...in a way. It's weird to talk about home now, because am I talking about my home here (the Ranch), my parents' house in the States (my "home" for the next two weeks), or the residence that I actually own (well, have a mortgage on...). In some ways, I'm looking forward to the next two weeks. I really miss my friends and family, and I'm excited to see you all again. In other ways, I'm kind of dreading the trip. I know reverse culture shock is going to be brutal. I've experienced it before when I've been gone for a week or two. Thinking through this...I haven't driven a car in 5 months, I haven't purchased things in dollars in that long either (well, not counting purchases made via Amazon or iTunes), my shopping and interactions out and about have been completed in Spanish, church has been in Spanish, and everywhere I look there are mountains. Yes, there will be culture shock. So my apologies ahead of time when I start to shut down on you all. It will happen, I know this already. My two weeks at home are already mostly booked. I am excited to see you all, I promise [and I've had the countdown going on facebook to prove it].
Today was fun. I went into the city with one of my students and her family. She was in a Christmas production at her church and invited me to go along. We went in a little early, had dinner, and then went to the church. It was a good time to practice my Spanish, and they enjoyed practicing their English (or at least that's what they told me). The production was all in Spanish, and I understood it all, which was encouraging (it does help when they're quoting familiar scripture, but I understood the rest of it as well). It was a little disconcerting to hear familiar carols being done in Spanish. But other than giving me another great opportunity to practice my Spanish, now it does feel a little more like Christmas is coming. Understand, I don't have TV access here, so I've missed out on all the commercials, sales, and other hype that normally surrounds me back in the States. We've been out of school now for 4 weeks (though I have been busy with school related stuff, just not necessarily classroom teaching). So the fact that Christms is in a week and a day hasn't really hit me [or a week, a day and an hour in this time zone...].
I should probably get off the internet and finish packing. I am doing a final load of laundry...not that most of it is going with me...not the right season for it...but it is always nice to come home to clean clothes and a clean room. So that's my project before going to bed...
Part of the issue is this is my world now, and it has been for the last five months (wow, I've been here 5 months already...I remember when the count was at 5 weeks and THAT seemed like a long time). It's my home...in a way. It's weird to talk about home now, because am I talking about my home here (the Ranch), my parents' house in the States (my "home" for the next two weeks), or the residence that I actually own (well, have a mortgage on...). In some ways, I'm looking forward to the next two weeks. I really miss my friends and family, and I'm excited to see you all again. In other ways, I'm kind of dreading the trip. I know reverse culture shock is going to be brutal. I've experienced it before when I've been gone for a week or two. Thinking through this...I haven't driven a car in 5 months, I haven't purchased things in dollars in that long either (well, not counting purchases made via Amazon or iTunes), my shopping and interactions out and about have been completed in Spanish, church has been in Spanish, and everywhere I look there are mountains. Yes, there will be culture shock. So my apologies ahead of time when I start to shut down on you all. It will happen, I know this already. My two weeks at home are already mostly booked. I am excited to see you all, I promise [and I've had the countdown going on facebook to prove it].
Today was fun. I went into the city with one of my students and her family. She was in a Christmas production at her church and invited me to go along. We went in a little early, had dinner, and then went to the church. It was a good time to practice my Spanish, and they enjoyed practicing their English (or at least that's what they told me). The production was all in Spanish, and I understood it all, which was encouraging (it does help when they're quoting familiar scripture, but I understood the rest of it as well). It was a little disconcerting to hear familiar carols being done in Spanish. But other than giving me another great opportunity to practice my Spanish, now it does feel a little more like Christmas is coming. Understand, I don't have TV access here, so I've missed out on all the commercials, sales, and other hype that normally surrounds me back in the States. We've been out of school now for 4 weeks (though I have been busy with school related stuff, just not necessarily classroom teaching). So the fact that Christms is in a week and a day hasn't really hit me [or a week, a day and an hour in this time zone...].
I should probably get off the internet and finish packing. I am doing a final load of laundry...not that most of it is going with me...not the right season for it...but it is always nice to come home to clean clothes and a clean room. So that's my project before going to bed...
Saturday, December 10, 2011
The Countdown is On...
In one week, I'll be a plane heading back to the States to spend Christmas with my family. That seems so surreal right now. Mentally, I know it's December, and that Christmas is coming, but it doesn't "feel" like winter. I didn't realize until now how much I depend on external clues to tell me that time has passed. Other than the fact that I've seen the moras (blackberries) grow up and ripen...well, not too much has changed. I've been here for almost five months. It seems very strange to say that. When I think about everything that has happened in that time, yes, I guess I can see how it's been that long. When I realize that I'm almost halfway through my time here...it seems way too short.
But regardless of my feelings on the matter, time is moving, and indeed, I will be heading to the States in a week. My schedule is already filling up, and I'm probably going to find myself posting on Facebook where I'm going to be for the day so people can find me. Facebook is a wonderful tool...it's made it really easy to keep in contact with people. Most of the days I'm back are already filled. Four and a half of those days are going to be a trip to Minnesota (Friday through Tuesday afternoon). It will be great to see everyone up there, since the last time I saw them all was last June. I'm going to be going into school on the first Tuesday I'm back, because they're still in session. I will be bringing cookies (so a couple of hours on Monday will be me making cookies to bring in...and thoroughly enjoying the luxury of baking with a convection oven, multiple airbake pans, and a KitchenAid mixer again...and not being overly concerned with the possibility of breaking open rotten eggs...). So Tuesday will be spent in LZ, and I'll probably be hitting up Starbucks there at some time (maybe Tuesday or maybe another day). Monday I get to see my cat again...I miss Loiosh at the strangest times. We'll see if she still recognizes me. Wednesday is currently open. [I feel like it's dangerous putting that on here, because I'm sure it means it will fill up.] It may turn into a day for me to go shopping and stock up on what I need to bring back down here...shampoo, beef jerky, toiletries, that sort of thing. Yes, beef jerky is on the list...because it's an easy source of protein, and I've had enough blood sugar problems where I need to make sure I'm getting enough protein. Plus, it's just good, and I haven't seen it sold down here. Thursday is more cookie making during the day (the "official" Christmas cookies with my mom and Val). It will probably feel like Christmas at that point.
So, in the next week I need to get organized and figure out what I have to bring home. The rest of my schedule being home will probably fill up. I’ll also need to finalize the list of things to bring back here, because I’m sure I won’t remember them all when I’m home…and then when I return, I’ll be kicking myself. Cleaning my room and classroom would also be good things to do, because it’s never fun to return to a mess. I’m pretty sure I cleaned “my” room back home before I left…that would be one of the guest bedrooms in my parents’ house where I was staying for the two months before I came down here…I’ll be staying there over Christmas, and also for a bit when I return, until my renter moves out. We haven’t set a date for that yet, because I still don’t know what day I’m returning.
In some ways I’m looking forward to being home. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing friends and family again. I’ve missed people down here. I’m looking forward to driving again, as dumb as that may sound (and driving on smooth roads…though maybe not driving in snow so much…). I haven’t driven at all while down here, and that’s probably a good thing, because I won’t try to transfer Honduran driving skills up to Illinois. At the same time, I’m sure it’s going to feel strange being there, and I’ll probably be ready to come back here at the end of the two weeks. It’s difficult feeling like you belong in two different places…and don’t totally belong in either one. Oh well, I’m looking forward to seeing you all back in the States. I’m sure this week will fly by (for me at least).
But regardless of my feelings on the matter, time is moving, and indeed, I will be heading to the States in a week. My schedule is already filling up, and I'm probably going to find myself posting on Facebook where I'm going to be for the day so people can find me. Facebook is a wonderful tool...it's made it really easy to keep in contact with people. Most of the days I'm back are already filled. Four and a half of those days are going to be a trip to Minnesota (Friday through Tuesday afternoon). It will be great to see everyone up there, since the last time I saw them all was last June. I'm going to be going into school on the first Tuesday I'm back, because they're still in session. I will be bringing cookies (so a couple of hours on Monday will be me making cookies to bring in...and thoroughly enjoying the luxury of baking with a convection oven, multiple airbake pans, and a KitchenAid mixer again...and not being overly concerned with the possibility of breaking open rotten eggs...). So Tuesday will be spent in LZ, and I'll probably be hitting up Starbucks there at some time (maybe Tuesday or maybe another day). Monday I get to see my cat again...I miss Loiosh at the strangest times. We'll see if she still recognizes me. Wednesday is currently open. [I feel like it's dangerous putting that on here, because I'm sure it means it will fill up.] It may turn into a day for me to go shopping and stock up on what I need to bring back down here...shampoo, beef jerky, toiletries, that sort of thing. Yes, beef jerky is on the list...because it's an easy source of protein, and I've had enough blood sugar problems where I need to make sure I'm getting enough protein. Plus, it's just good, and I haven't seen it sold down here. Thursday is more cookie making during the day (the "official" Christmas cookies with my mom and Val). It will probably feel like Christmas at that point.
So, in the next week I need to get organized and figure out what I have to bring home. The rest of my schedule being home will probably fill up. I’ll also need to finalize the list of things to bring back here, because I’m sure I won’t remember them all when I’m home…and then when I return, I’ll be kicking myself. Cleaning my room and classroom would also be good things to do, because it’s never fun to return to a mess. I’m pretty sure I cleaned “my” room back home before I left…that would be one of the guest bedrooms in my parents’ house where I was staying for the two months before I came down here…I’ll be staying there over Christmas, and also for a bit when I return, until my renter moves out. We haven’t set a date for that yet, because I still don’t know what day I’m returning.
In some ways I’m looking forward to being home. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing friends and family again. I’ve missed people down here. I’m looking forward to driving again, as dumb as that may sound (and driving on smooth roads…though maybe not driving in snow so much…). I haven’t driven at all while down here, and that’s probably a good thing, because I won’t try to transfer Honduran driving skills up to Illinois. At the same time, I’m sure it’s going to feel strange being there, and I’ll probably be ready to come back here at the end of the two weeks. It’s difficult feeling like you belong in two different places…and don’t totally belong in either one. Oh well, I’m looking forward to seeing you all back in the States. I’m sure this week will fly by (for me at least).
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving (a few days late…)
It really doesn’t feel like Thanksgiving has come and gone. Thanksgiving isn’t a holiday celebrated in Honduras, so for all the Hondurans it was just another work day. Some of the things I associate with Thanksgiving (besides the food – liver dumpling soup, bread dumplings with sweet and sour cabbage, cranberry drink and of course, turkey and stuffing) are waking up early to freeze while watching the guys in my church play flag football, time with family, searching the ads after the meal (but usually before dessert) and deciding yet again it’s not worth waking up super early on Black Friday. It’s still not cold here (not that I'm complaining, mind you), my family is in another country (though fortunately just a phone call away), and Black Friday probably would sound evil to most people down here (though we did see a poster advertising Black Friday sales...in English...wonder who their target audience was...).
This Thanksgiving was a little different. I slept in, first of all. Then I went into the city to an English-speaking church to celebrate. This church is comprised of a lot of missionaries from the States, as well as Hondurans, and people of other countries too. Think church potluck Thanksgiving, and you probably won’t be too far off. There were the traditional dishes (though sadly no liver dumpling soup), and then there was fried rice, some sort of pureed fruit casserole, and a few other dishes I would never think to see at Thanksgiving (though they were good).
After lunch, because I was in the city (read as “great cell phone coverage”) I called home, and talked with family there for about an hour. It still didn’t feel like Thanksgiving, necessarily, but it was nice to talk with people, and I know I get to see them all soon (in three weeks I’ll be in the States).
Things I’m thankful for…well, I’m definitely thankful that I got a chance to call home and talk with people. I’m thankful for technology, which has made living in a different country so much easier, because I can still stay connected with people back home. I’m thankful for the friends I’ve made here, the people I interact with. I’m thankful that God guided me here, and made it very obvious that I’m supposed to be here. Strange as it seems, it’s only been a year (and four days) since my first phone interview for coming down here. I’m thankful for my school back home – that they gave me a year off and guaranteed me a job when I return. I’m thankful for all the details that God worked out to get me here. I’m thankful for the friends I have back home who make an effort to keep in touch. I know how difficult that is, because out of sight really is out of mind sometimes. I’m thankful that I get to go home in a few weeks and see people there. I’m thankful that Spanish is starting to come a little more easily.
On that note…this past Wednesday night I went to a prayer meeting at my pastor’s house. My pastor speaks very little English, so it was run in Spanish. I actually understood most of what he said without translation, and was able to join in the conversation by the end of the night. This morning I didn’t have a translator for the service either, and I probably caught 80-90% of what he was saying (there were a few times my brain shut down, but I was usually able to pick up the train of thought shortly afterward). And I had a short conversation with the cashier when I purchased more “minutes” on my phone. [His comment, after explaining that he had to do separate transactions, was that I was spending a lot more than most people do. I explained that most of my phone calls are to the States, at which point he nodded and said it was a good reason. Calling home is cheaper using Tigo (the phone provider I have here) than it would be using my phone from home, but still an hour phone call goes through slightly more than L120 ($6.50)…so the L500 credit I got today gives me about an hour of phone time a week for a month. Comparatively speaking, an hour phone call using Verizon would be more than $100…probably close to $150, so I’ll take the $6.50.]
And now the question is whether I should write curriculum or write in my novel. I’m getting close to being done, which is good, because I need to be done by Dec. 1 (according to Nanowrimo rules). I’m over the word count I need, now I just need to finish the story.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Sunburn in November?
I think I managed to avoid it, actually, but it was close.
This past week has been an interesting one where school is concerned. Instead of finishing up with finals, like I'm accustomed to, we finish the year with celebrations...and cleaning. My last "normal" day of school was Tuesday. Wednesday we had the first class, and then activities, culminating in a soccer game with the visiting brigade (last one of the year). Then today, I was responsible for supervising a few of the students with cleaning three of the classrooms (and other teachers were responsible for other students and classrooms). After that, we had a Christmas party (and watched Elf). After lunch we headed up to the campo (soccer field) for games. I figured I was going to sit on the sidelines, read more of my Spanish homework, and watch occasionally. I ended up participating, initially against my wishes. And while the morning had been overcast and rainy, the sun came out shortly before we got up to the campo...and while I brought bug spray, I didn't think to put sunscreen in my bag. The bug spray was used and appreciated by multiple people. I think I did manage to avoid actually getting burned...but my face and arms definitely have more color than they did this morning. And there were a few bugs that managed to get past the spray...but only a few.
This afternoon I spent the time playing catch up with my Spanish homework - reading a book in Spanish (or part of a book) and writing in my journal in Spanish. Evidently I did well, because my teacher told me that she's only going to speak with me in Spanish from now on. My initial response to her (in Spanish) was if there are other people around who don't speak Spanish, it would be rude...and I'll need to make sure I'm always around those who don't speak Spanish (I have a few people to choose from there). After class I told her that if she wants to talk with me in Spanish, that's fine, it probably will help me a lot. But just the thought of only operating in Spanish is a little intimidating. I want to get to that point...but at the same time I want to have the safety net to fall back on. My personality type...I can be something of an intellectual diletante...and once I get good enough at something where I know I could gain proficiency, it's no longer as important and I move on. This would get me past the "good enough" point. I want to get past that point...so while my first impulse was to object, I know I should encourage it.
Tomorrow is graduation, and then...freedom...well, after a fashion. I will have more flexibility in my schedule, but next week starts probably four weeks of curriculum development, not to mention tutoring. I'm sure I'll have other things going on as well. I leave for home exactly one month from today (or 4 weeks from Saturday). That will be a whirlwind by itself, I'm sure. I'm trying to come up with a schedule for what I'm doing each day...which will probably be the only way that I get to see everyone ("everyone" is a fairly loose term there). I'll be at LGCC the first Sunday (Dec. 18th), probably go into school and then spend the rest of the day at Starbucks in LZ sometime that week (Tuesday maybe?)...we're going up to Minnesota for Christmas, and I don't know what else yet. But for now I have 4 weeks in which I will probably do a good job of keeping myself busy...and I have 12 more days to finish my novel. Which I may work on tonight before going to bed...or I may forget it, go to bed, and work on it tomorrow after graduation.
This past week has been an interesting one where school is concerned. Instead of finishing up with finals, like I'm accustomed to, we finish the year with celebrations...and cleaning. My last "normal" day of school was Tuesday. Wednesday we had the first class, and then activities, culminating in a soccer game with the visiting brigade (last one of the year). Then today, I was responsible for supervising a few of the students with cleaning three of the classrooms (and other teachers were responsible for other students and classrooms). After that, we had a Christmas party (and watched Elf). After lunch we headed up to the campo (soccer field) for games. I figured I was going to sit on the sidelines, read more of my Spanish homework, and watch occasionally. I ended up participating, initially against my wishes. And while the morning had been overcast and rainy, the sun came out shortly before we got up to the campo...and while I brought bug spray, I didn't think to put sunscreen in my bag. The bug spray was used and appreciated by multiple people. I think I did manage to avoid actually getting burned...but my face and arms definitely have more color than they did this morning. And there were a few bugs that managed to get past the spray...but only a few.
This afternoon I spent the time playing catch up with my Spanish homework - reading a book in Spanish (or part of a book) and writing in my journal in Spanish. Evidently I did well, because my teacher told me that she's only going to speak with me in Spanish from now on. My initial response to her (in Spanish) was if there are other people around who don't speak Spanish, it would be rude...and I'll need to make sure I'm always around those who don't speak Spanish (I have a few people to choose from there). After class I told her that if she wants to talk with me in Spanish, that's fine, it probably will help me a lot. But just the thought of only operating in Spanish is a little intimidating. I want to get to that point...but at the same time I want to have the safety net to fall back on. My personality type...I can be something of an intellectual diletante...and once I get good enough at something where I know I could gain proficiency, it's no longer as important and I move on. This would get me past the "good enough" point. I want to get past that point...so while my first impulse was to object, I know I should encourage it.
Tomorrow is graduation, and then...freedom...well, after a fashion. I will have more flexibility in my schedule, but next week starts probably four weeks of curriculum development, not to mention tutoring. I'm sure I'll have other things going on as well. I leave for home exactly one month from today (or 4 weeks from Saturday). That will be a whirlwind by itself, I'm sure. I'm trying to come up with a schedule for what I'm doing each day...which will probably be the only way that I get to see everyone ("everyone" is a fairly loose term there). I'll be at LGCC the first Sunday (Dec. 18th), probably go into school and then spend the rest of the day at Starbucks in LZ sometime that week (Tuesday maybe?)...we're going up to Minnesota for Christmas, and I don't know what else yet. But for now I have 4 weeks in which I will probably do a good job of keeping myself busy...and I have 12 more days to finish my novel. Which I may work on tonight before going to bed...or I may forget it, go to bed, and work on it tomorrow after graduation.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Mi Clase de Español
I promised a few people I wouldn't write these blogs in Spanish, so I won't, don't worry.
One of the things I really wanted coming down here was to become fluent, or at least proficient, in Spanish. Considering how much I've traveled to Spanish-speaking countries, I figured it's a good skill to have, not to mention the fact that I'm going to be here for a year in total.
At this point I'm three and a half months into my time here, and I've progressed a little bit in Spanish (mostly on being able to understand other people when they speak, which, granted, is a huge first step). But I still haven't spoken much Spanish...I'm not forced to, because nearly everyone on the Ranch speaks English, and those that don't I can normally get by with the limited Spanish I have, and if I'm desperate, get one of the students to translate. Going to church forces me to at least listen in Spanish (unless I feel like being lazy and totally rely on the translator). I got together with one of my students a handful of times and she helped me a bit, but life got busy and we stopped that.
A few weeks ago (or maybe a month ago, I don't remember), a new Honduran teacher moved to the Ranch. She is bilingual (not all the Honduran teachers are - they teach the students in Spanish), and somewhere along the line she was willing to start a Spanish conversation "class"...basically a group of us get together and spend the time conversing, mostly in Spanish, so we can practice. Last night was my first night going to the class (I just found out about it a week ago, I don't know how long it's been going). I was nervous walking into it. I know I can read well in Spanish, but I don't have much confidence at all in my conversational skills [in Spanish or in English!].
I didn't really have anything to be nervous about...the class went really well. We spent two and a half hours talking, mostly in Spanish, with some English thrown in. At one point my teacher looked at me and the girl sitting next to me on the couch and asked us why we don't normally speak in Spanish, because we definitely know enough to converse at this point. For me, it's one part uncertainty and one part fear.
I'm accustomed to knowing what I'm doing, and having a pretty good idea of what I'm talking about. And hopefully there will come a time when that translates into Spanish as well as English, but for now, I don't trust myself speaking in Spanish. When I'm talking with people who only understand Spanish, the need to communicate can override the uncertainty...I'll take a stab at speaking because the other option is to sit in silence, but when I'm talking with someone (like my students) who understand both, and who know English much better than I know Spanish, I usually revert to English. Hopefully I can force myself to stop that. I'm getting to know one of my girls better, we've spent some time together, and with her I may be comfortable enough to try speaking in Spanish.
It was encouraging for my teacher to ask me why I don't speak in Spanish, because it implied that I could. Now I just need to get over myself and be willing to make mistakes and look like a fool in front of people...which for me is very difficult...but it's necessary if I want to get past where I'm at right now. I'm not going to improve if I'm not willing to take some risks here.
One of the things I really wanted coming down here was to become fluent, or at least proficient, in Spanish. Considering how much I've traveled to Spanish-speaking countries, I figured it's a good skill to have, not to mention the fact that I'm going to be here for a year in total.
At this point I'm three and a half months into my time here, and I've progressed a little bit in Spanish (mostly on being able to understand other people when they speak, which, granted, is a huge first step). But I still haven't spoken much Spanish...I'm not forced to, because nearly everyone on the Ranch speaks English, and those that don't I can normally get by with the limited Spanish I have, and if I'm desperate, get one of the students to translate. Going to church forces me to at least listen in Spanish (unless I feel like being lazy and totally rely on the translator). I got together with one of my students a handful of times and she helped me a bit, but life got busy and we stopped that.
A few weeks ago (or maybe a month ago, I don't remember), a new Honduran teacher moved to the Ranch. She is bilingual (not all the Honduran teachers are - they teach the students in Spanish), and somewhere along the line she was willing to start a Spanish conversation "class"...basically a group of us get together and spend the time conversing, mostly in Spanish, so we can practice. Last night was my first night going to the class (I just found out about it a week ago, I don't know how long it's been going). I was nervous walking into it. I know I can read well in Spanish, but I don't have much confidence at all in my conversational skills [in Spanish or in English!].
I didn't really have anything to be nervous about...the class went really well. We spent two and a half hours talking, mostly in Spanish, with some English thrown in. At one point my teacher looked at me and the girl sitting next to me on the couch and asked us why we don't normally speak in Spanish, because we definitely know enough to converse at this point. For me, it's one part uncertainty and one part fear.
I'm accustomed to knowing what I'm doing, and having a pretty good idea of what I'm talking about. And hopefully there will come a time when that translates into Spanish as well as English, but for now, I don't trust myself speaking in Spanish. When I'm talking with people who only understand Spanish, the need to communicate can override the uncertainty...I'll take a stab at speaking because the other option is to sit in silence, but when I'm talking with someone (like my students) who understand both, and who know English much better than I know Spanish, I usually revert to English. Hopefully I can force myself to stop that. I'm getting to know one of my girls better, we've spent some time together, and with her I may be comfortable enough to try speaking in Spanish.
It was encouraging for my teacher to ask me why I don't speak in Spanish, because it implied that I could. Now I just need to get over myself and be willing to make mistakes and look like a fool in front of people...which for me is very difficult...but it's necessary if I want to get past where I'm at right now. I'm not going to improve if I'm not willing to take some risks here.
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