My apologies; this is
going to be kind of long. Another month
has passed, so I figured I should probably update a little bit.
SCHOOL
School is good. I can almost name all of my students. I am definitely feeling more comfortable in the classroom. I even had one day wehre I taught by myself because Zuleika (my co-teacher) couldn't come. I still haven't completely figured out my role in the classroom. As my official observation period comes to an end (hah!-I started participating like my second week), I will talk with Zuleika and Yulissa (the directora) more specifically about what they see me doing over the next 2 years. I think it will help make my time alittle bit more productive.
School is good. I can almost name all of my students. I am definitely feeling more comfortable in the classroom. I even had one day wehre I taught by myself because Zuleika (my co-teacher) couldn't come. I still haven't completely figured out my role in the classroom. As my official observation period comes to an end (hah!-I started participating like my second week), I will talk with Zuleika and Yulissa (the directora) more specifically about what they see me doing over the next 2 years. I think it will help make my time alittle bit more productive.
HOMESTAY
As of May 8, I moved host families. I genuinely enjoyed (most of) my time with my first family, but they are a little overwhelming and I want to get to know the other side of town too. It was time for a change. On the other hand, change is hard. I was more sad to leave than I thought I would be. I'm sensing a theme... It was hard-my little siblings were crying a little bit while I was packing :(
My new family is good. The mom (Lourdes) works at the school selling snacks, the dad (Fran) works in recycling and isn't home a lot. I have 1 18 y/o brother (Fran Junior)who is a senior in High School in Dolega, and a 10 y/o sister (Astrid) who is a 5th grader in a bilingual school also in Dolega. Fran Sr.'s mother, Saturnina, also lives here. It's more tranquilo here, for sure. But I also kind of got used to my routine in my other house. I feel stuck between a rock and ahard place, but I get my own house in 4-ish weeks!!!!
As of May 8, I moved host families. I genuinely enjoyed (most of) my time with my first family, but they are a little overwhelming and I want to get to know the other side of town too. It was time for a change. On the other hand, change is hard. I was more sad to leave than I thought I would be. I'm sensing a theme... It was hard-my little siblings were crying a little bit while I was packing :(
My new family is good. The mom (Lourdes) works at the school selling snacks, the dad (Fran) works in recycling and isn't home a lot. I have 1 18 y/o brother (Fran Junior)who is a senior in High School in Dolega, and a 10 y/o sister (Astrid) who is a 5th grader in a bilingual school also in Dolega. Fran Sr.'s mother, Saturnina, also lives here. It's more tranquilo here, for sure. But I also kind of got used to my routine in my other house. I feel stuck between a rock and ahard place, but I get my own house in 4-ish weeks!!!!
COMMUNITY
I really like my community. The people are super nice and it's really accessible to anything I could want. Unfortunately, the internet has proven pretty unreliable, but I really can't complain. I have enjoyed getting out and playing tag/hide-and-seek/baseball with some neighbor kids/students, going to mass and running into more students, and meeting actually quite a few Americans including 2 former PCVs who are retired and living in the community. My closest volunteer is Meg. Like I mentioned before, she lives in Rovira/Palma Real which is only like a 10 minute/$.40 bus ride away. She's with the Community Environmental Conservation (CEC) Project. She's super cool. We get together about once a week to hang out and check-in. I said I didn't care how close my next volunteer was, but now that I have one so close, I really like it.
I really like my community. The people are super nice and it's really accessible to anything I could want. Unfortunately, the internet has proven pretty unreliable, but I really can't complain. I have enjoyed getting out and playing tag/hide-and-seek/baseball with some neighbor kids/students, going to mass and running into more students, and meeting actually quite a few Americans including 2 former PCVs who are retired and living in the community. My closest volunteer is Meg. Like I mentioned before, she lives in Rovira/Palma Real which is only like a 10 minute/$.40 bus ride away. She's with the Community Environmental Conservation (CEC) Project. She's super cool. We get together about once a week to hang out and check-in. I said I didn't care how close my next volunteer was, but now that I have one so close, I really like it.
OTHER
Random other news, and please do not be alarmed. On Sunday the 29th my host family was robbed while I was church and they were out. They took my computer and some of my family's cash. Luckily, that's all. The neighbors scared them off. The police came and everything. I called PC Safety and Security and they are pretty sure I wasn't targeted, so please please please don't worry. I feel completely safe, especially because I have moved host families since then. All the paperwork and everything is taken care of. I am pretty sure my computer has been sold for parts by now, but I am surprisingly at peace with it. I think I appropriately prepared myself for the possibility before I brought it.
Random other news, and please do not be alarmed. On Sunday the 29th my host family was robbed while I was church and they were out. They took my computer and some of my family's cash. Luckily, that's all. The neighbors scared them off. The police came and everything. I called PC Safety and Security and they are pretty sure I wasn't targeted, so please please please don't worry. I feel completely safe, especially because I have moved host families since then. All the paperwork and everything is taken care of. I am pretty sure my computer has been sold for parts by now, but I am surprisingly at peace with it. I think I appropriately prepared myself for the possibility before I brought it.
One last piece of
news: I have decided where I am going to
live! I am going today to talk to the
landlady and let her know for sure. Hopefully,
I will be able to get a key and start moving some stuff in so it's not such a
big project when the time comes.
I have been very
fortunate to have no health concerns (physical or mental)- knock on wood. I am actually in good spirits-ready for my
own space, but it’s coming (3 weeks!), so I can hold out. The rains are here, but apparently they will
get more frequent. Luckily, I enjoy them
J I did have to break down and buy and umbrella,
though. Overally, I’m doing really well.
That is all. I still miss you all
soooo much! Please, let me know how
things are going there J
Love, Ally
Jeremiah 29:11
Jeremiah 29:11
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