First Official Post

So I’ve finally made my own blog. Not sure what all I’m supposed to put in here. As on facebook, my life is now an open book and everyone and their mother (including mine) can read it. Whoopie…..

The week started off okay. As usual, it took some time adjusting to the whole immersion thing. Aside from the computer, I’ve had three conversations in English since leaving the states Sunday morning. There were a few students at school and of course my mother via skype. It’s a nice feeling, though, as I’m settling in with the family and am progressing in school. My teacher this week was pretty intense, but she also gave me a lot of new vocabulary, which is what I review after class when I’m not playing cards with the kids.

Certainly the most interesting part of this week has been spending so much time with the kids (two are seven, the other is ten). This year, I understand them much better, fortunately, and am able to communicate with them better, as well. I’m hardly good with kids – especially younger ones, but I think I’m doing okay. It makes me think about wanting to be a parent and all those other deep things one is supposed to think about on vacation. I think I’ll settle for getting a dog for the moment.

It was especially tough last night. While I’ve mastered the commands such as “don’t do that!” and “listen to me!” they don’t do much good when kids aren’t listening. Even though I’ve known them two years, I never know how much I’m supposed to yell at them. To make matters worse, after one started taking off his clothes to be funny (strange as I was as a child, I don’t remember doing this), he wouldn’t listen to me when I told him to stop. After speaking to my friend, his grandmother, I came to find out he generally only listens to his father and that that’s what his father wants….ugh. Those crazy parents….I tell you.

This weekend I plan on relaxing, but studying more, as well. Two more weeks here in Antigua at Proyecto Lingüistco Francisco Maroquin, then off to San José, Petén. After that, on to México. Actually, I just wanted to use the fancy letters now that I’ve remembered how to do that.

Tonight I had quite a dinner. Veggies and beans, as usual, but then finished with atol de plátano. Plantains are boiled to give this thick soupy gamish. Put in a little oil and a lot of sugar and you get atol. You can do the same thing with corn and they’re VERY tasty, although they certainly don’t look like it. I don’t have any pictures – I’ve actually only taken one all week, so I’ll try to get better about that.

Hasta luego…