So today was a pretty easy day. I woke up around 10 and had a wonderful breakfast waiting for me! I had toast with some jam and some oatmeal but only the milky part (strange but really good!). I was able to talk with maria while I ate so that was really nice. Then I took a shower and went for an hour walk just seeing what there was to see. There is one main street that I took and I saw many small shops and was able to say hola to a few people so I call that a success! I went to the supermercado but couldn´t understand the lady at the cash register. After some awkward staring she got the fact that I couldn´t understand and we both kind of laughed it off :)
When I got home I chatted with Augusto and we looked at my phrase book which he thougt was really cool. He explained some key phrases which was really helpful! Then Dani came home and as well as Maria and we ate lunch (lettuce, rice and pork) it was very delicious :) I like how they always have music playing in the house, the atmosphere is very chill. After that we picked up their grandma and did a little shopping. I tried to buy a sweater but I forgot that you need a copy of your passport to use a credit card so that wasn´t so successful :( But I think we will go back tomorrow and try again! Its funny because for some reason I always set off the alarms in the store so Dani says they can detect people from the U S :) There was a lot of laughing today from misunderstandings etc. I enjoy those moments the most :)
After shopping we went to a movie with a few of her frineds from school (We saw the happening ) It was in English with spanish subtitiles so taht was nice. We got popcorn (palomitas) and it was sweet insted of salty! An interesting variation and very tasty. AFter the movie we came to the house where one of the primas (cousins) of maria was and we chatted with her over once (tea time). She is also very nice and we understood eachohter pretty well. Now I am going to hang out and go to bed pretty soon :) I´m excited to be doing my first load of laundry! Yay for clean clothes. thats all for now!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
Tengo un hogar!!
Hey everyone
Where do I even start! I am so excited right now and everything is just amazing. So this morning we woke up pretty early and got on a bus to Curico which is going to be my hometown for a while. When we got there there was no one to pick us up but no worries because they got there eventually :) We then got taken in taxis to the department of education where we got a little bit of an introduction to a few important people and just kind of chatted it up as best we could considering the language here is really fast and kind of hard to understand! I´m starting to get used to it though so hopefullyI´ll catch on sooner or later¨:) My family actually came right then to meet me and that was so nice! There was Maria (mom) Augusto (dad) Daniela (sister, 16 years old) and Javi (other sister, 11years). They were so welcoming and telling all my friends that they must come visit their home and just being really warm so we got off to a great start! They took my bags for me (also amazingly nice) and then they left because we were supposed to have lunch with the staff at the dept of education. So we took a little tour around the city and then went to lunch.
Lunch was muy rico, we had chicken and soup and some sort of mousse for dessert! I was really full but in a good way :) So after that we went back at 3 and all teh families were there waiting for us! It was a little intimidating just because we had to sit in front of everyone like a panel. I tried to answer all their questions and it was actually really fun to just see who everyone would be with.
After the introductions we went with our families. They were so nice and willing to talk slow so I could understand. We took their car back to the house and they pointed out the school I will be teaching in which is where Dani goes to school. We went home and just had some really nice conversations. I have the cutest room and I can´t wait to post pictures for you guys. (That has been a complicated process). The house is really nice and they are just telling me that whatever I need they can get and just to feel right at home.
We went to pick up Maria from her work (at a hardware store) and it was really cute because all of her coworkers wanted to meet me and I was waving to people from across the store like I was something special . I was like, its just me and I´m not that exciting lol but it was fun at the same time. She was just as nice as the rest. We went home and had once which is basically a tea time where we all sit together and chat it up. We had bread tea and some really good lemon pie! After that we went shopping and they surprised me by getting me a phone which was so nice I can´t even say! I mean they are just so sweet and want me to be able to call if I´m in trouble or anything. I feel bad accepting it but they were really excited to give it to me so I just thanked them muchisimo!!!! They also got me some beautful flowers that are now in my room and some chocolate :) After once we went to the mall and got a few groceries (oh ya and before I gave them my gifts and they really loved them so I´m so excited!) . We also went to see Marias mother which was so sweet. They are really taking me in and making me feel part of the family.
Now we are back at home and everyone is just hanging out. None of them speak much English so that will actually make me practise more so this is great! We exchange words and its really a lot of fun for all. Tomorrow I guess there is a vollyball game of some sort and Daniela said her friends want to meet me so we will see how that goes :) She is such a sweetheart and I know we are going to get along really well.
So I´m off to bed soon but just wanted to say I have a home and I´m really excited!!
Where do I even start! I am so excited right now and everything is just amazing. So this morning we woke up pretty early and got on a bus to Curico which is going to be my hometown for a while. When we got there there was no one to pick us up but no worries because they got there eventually :) We then got taken in taxis to the department of education where we got a little bit of an introduction to a few important people and just kind of chatted it up as best we could considering the language here is really fast and kind of hard to understand! I´m starting to get used to it though so hopefullyI´ll catch on sooner or later¨:) My family actually came right then to meet me and that was so nice! There was Maria (mom) Augusto (dad) Daniela (sister, 16 years old) and Javi (other sister, 11years). They were so welcoming and telling all my friends that they must come visit their home and just being really warm so we got off to a great start! They took my bags for me (also amazingly nice) and then they left because we were supposed to have lunch with the staff at the dept of education. So we took a little tour around the city and then went to lunch.
Lunch was muy rico, we had chicken and soup and some sort of mousse for dessert! I was really full but in a good way :) So after that we went back at 3 and all teh families were there waiting for us! It was a little intimidating just because we had to sit in front of everyone like a panel. I tried to answer all their questions and it was actually really fun to just see who everyone would be with.
After the introductions we went with our families. They were so nice and willing to talk slow so I could understand. We took their car back to the house and they pointed out the school I will be teaching in which is where Dani goes to school. We went home and just had some really nice conversations. I have the cutest room and I can´t wait to post pictures for you guys. (That has been a complicated process). The house is really nice and they are just telling me that whatever I need they can get and just to feel right at home.
We went to pick up Maria from her work (at a hardware store) and it was really cute because all of her coworkers wanted to meet me and I was waving to people from across the store like I was something special . I was like, its just me and I´m not that exciting lol but it was fun at the same time. She was just as nice as the rest. We went home and had once which is basically a tea time where we all sit together and chat it up. We had bread tea and some really good lemon pie! After that we went shopping and they surprised me by getting me a phone which was so nice I can´t even say! I mean they are just so sweet and want me to be able to call if I´m in trouble or anything. I feel bad accepting it but they were really excited to give it to me so I just thanked them muchisimo!!!! They also got me some beautful flowers that are now in my room and some chocolate :) After once we went to the mall and got a few groceries (oh ya and before I gave them my gifts and they really loved them so I´m so excited!) . We also went to see Marias mother which was so sweet. They are really taking me in and making me feel part of the family.
Now we are back at home and everyone is just hanging out. None of them speak much English so that will actually make me practise more so this is great! We exchange words and its really a lot of fun for all. Tomorrow I guess there is a vollyball game of some sort and Daniela said her friends want to meet me so we will see how that goes :) She is such a sweetheart and I know we are going to get along really well.
So I´m off to bed soon but just wanted to say I have a home and I´m really excited!!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Me voy a Curico manana!
Hey Hey!
I found out my family information finally!! Woot! So it turns out I will be with a dad named Augusto (like the month :)) and a mother named Maria! I also have a 16 year old sister so I'm so excited to meet everyone! I leave tomorrow at 730am and get to my house around 1030 I think so its really coming up! I feel like I've been waiting to meet them for so long that its crazy that it is finally here, I almost don't believe it :)
It turns out I'm teaching high school so I'm a little nervous about that because I was expecting little kids lol. This will be quite a different experience I'm sure but I'm thinking that maybe these kids will know a little more English since they are a little older! My school I guess is a semi-private school. All I've found out is that there are nuns that work there, and that it has wireless internet! i really hope the internet is really usable because that would make me life so much easier! I was also told that this school has a little bit more money than the others so there might be more resources available so that is really nice!
Today was a very productive day. We finished up classes by presenting a lesson plan. I presented with my friend Stephanie and I think it went pretty well considering neither of us have done anything like this before :) Later that day I did some shopping and got things like a warmer coat, a hair dryer that fits the plugs here, a watch because now I don't have a phone that I'm using to tell time, a small despertador (alarm clock) and a few other fun things I picked up at a local artisan market.
Stephanie and I did a little exploring today which was really fun! We figured out how to use the subway system and got ourselves to a place where you can ride a train like thing up a mountain to a statue of the virgin Mary. From there you can take a cable car further around the city. It was soooooooooooo scary but I'm so excited I did it! Even though I was so scared because heights and I are not best of friends it was still so worth it because the views were amazing and I think I was able to get some descent pictures :) I'm trying to post some right now so hopefully you guys can see them soon!
I think I'm going to try and go to sleep soon since I have to get up muy temprano! I'll write you as soon as I find out all about my family, I can't wait for tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I found out my family information finally!! Woot! So it turns out I will be with a dad named Augusto (like the month :)) and a mother named Maria! I also have a 16 year old sister so I'm so excited to meet everyone! I leave tomorrow at 730am and get to my house around 1030 I think so its really coming up! I feel like I've been waiting to meet them for so long that its crazy that it is finally here, I almost don't believe it :)
It turns out I'm teaching high school so I'm a little nervous about that because I was expecting little kids lol. This will be quite a different experience I'm sure but I'm thinking that maybe these kids will know a little more English since they are a little older! My school I guess is a semi-private school. All I've found out is that there are nuns that work there, and that it has wireless internet! i really hope the internet is really usable because that would make me life so much easier! I was also told that this school has a little bit more money than the others so there might be more resources available so that is really nice!
Today was a very productive day. We finished up classes by presenting a lesson plan. I presented with my friend Stephanie and I think it went pretty well considering neither of us have done anything like this before :) Later that day I did some shopping and got things like a warmer coat, a hair dryer that fits the plugs here, a watch because now I don't have a phone that I'm using to tell time, a small despertador (alarm clock) and a few other fun things I picked up at a local artisan market.
Stephanie and I did a little exploring today which was really fun! We figured out how to use the subway system and got ourselves to a place where you can ride a train like thing up a mountain to a statue of the virgin Mary. From there you can take a cable car further around the city. It was soooooooooooo scary but I'm so excited I did it! Even though I was so scared because heights and I are not best of friends it was still so worth it because the views were amazing and I think I was able to get some descent pictures :) I'm trying to post some right now so hopefully you guys can see them soon!
I think I'm going to try and go to sleep soon since I have to get up muy temprano! I'll write you as soon as I find out all about my family, I can't wait for tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
I found an internet connection!
So I finally figured out how to get internet in our hostel so woohoo! Right now I am waiting for almuerzo (lunch). We have a break from workshops for lunch and a few other breaks in between. The workshops are helpful but it is just a long time to sit still J We are supposed to find out our families today so that is very exciting. Then I can stop guessing and start knowing who they are. Last night was fun, a few of us went out on the town a little and ran into some really nice locals. That is the best way to practice Spanish for sure! Lets see, today is Wednesday so I still have all day tomorrow in
This morning was eventful because my blow dryer totally blew up lol. It happens I suppose! I just made a loud noise and died L I guess it just isn’t compatible enough even with the converters. Oh well, I’m just getting used to air-drying looking a little less fabulous :)
So let me just say it has been quite a roller coaster of emotions this past week! I'm usually pretty good with handling things but I think its just because we are so out of the loop with all this stuff and don't know whats going on much of the time so I've just had a little bit of a hard time. Right now though I feel pretty good! I'm just going to go with the flow and accept whatever comes my way.
I'm off to eat almuerzo and then back to class! I'll let you know when I find out about my family!!
I made it!
I made it in one piece! After a really really long flight my luggage and I made it here together J It has been such a whirlwind that I can hardly keep my day straight but that’s the fun of it. We took a bus to our hostel after our 5:30am arrival and made friends with Luis our driver who told us some interesting stuff about the city. We got to the hostel about 7am this morning and checked in and they handed us our sheets which was a different concept but whatever works! We unloaded but people were already in my room sleeping so I decided to just wander a little. We ate some breakfast and went for a walk/tour of the city. It is actually a really beautiful city minus the smog J I was pleasantly surprised with our surroundings because when I first arrived I wasn’t too impressed but I think it is just because it was early and I wasn’t really awake and paying attention. So on closer investigation and lovely weather I totally approve!! So I became content with whatever placement I would be given because if I was in a rural part of the country than it would be like nothing I had ever done and if it was in the city than I would be able to see the beautiful sights and explore all there is to do here. It turns out I’m in Maule which is a region that I know nothing about as of right now but that’s ok J I heard it is really nice and I know other people going there so its all good. Tonight we had some workshops but I was so tired I’m not sure I got too much out of them. But we have 2 more days of workshops so I’m sure I’ll learn lots once I have some sleep J Right now we are waiting for dinner and just hanging around which is a nice slow part of the day.
6/16
Hey everybody! I’m on the plane right now and I’m pretty sure I just woke up from a nap J I’m been able to dose off a bit so that is good news! We left an hour late so we are a little off schedule for our arrival
I’m going to go back to reading my book now, thanks to all my friends and family who have called and checked in on me in my first days away! Love you!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
First Step, Chicago
So I made it part way! I'm in Chicago for the orientation and so far so good. Mom brought me here on the train early this morning (she is too good to me) and I checked in at 9ish. We did some pretty nice stuff like brainstorm about activities we can do with our class. This was very helpful seeing as how I've never taught before :) We also got some good tips about how to be safe traveling, I'm feeling ready to go! We talked a little about Chilean culture so it will be fun to compare what I've learned with what I actually encounter there. They said people talk fast and they omit 's' 'd' and 'b' so wish me luck!! :) I'm sure it will be fine after a little getting used to.
So right now we are just waiting for dinner in a half hour (which I think is pizza., probably won't have that for awhile). So that is good news! Everyone here is really nice and are all excited to get started. Ages vary from 18 to 31 so its a really fun mixture of people. Well thats all for now! Much love.
So right now we are just waiting for dinner in a half hour (which I think is pizza., probably won't have that for awhile). So that is good news! Everyone here is really nice and are all excited to get started. Ages vary from 18 to 31 so its a really fun mixture of people. Well thats all for now! Much love.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Tomorrow's the big day
I'm almost ready to rumble! I still have a few hours to throw all my random things into a bag and then I will sleep my last night in Geneva for the next 2 months. I'm thinkin that if I can do a 5 month trip away from home that 2 months is a piece of cake :) So really I'm just excited to get this party started! Right now I'm taking a break from the packing and just trying to relax so all the things I've forgotten will magically appear in my head. I still don't know where I'm living in Chile but that makes it all the more exciting! Tomorrow I'm in Chicago and then Sunday I'm on a plane, I'll get there Monday morning if all goes according to plan. I'm off to do more packing... All my love!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
7 Days and Counting
I have one week to go before my Chilean adventure and I am getting very excited! Right now the fam and I are in Colorado celebrating Heathers graduation! We are very proud of her. The weather is amazing and as much as I would love to stay and enjoy these hills I am also ready to hit the mountains of Chile! My friends who are there teaching right now have let me know its pretty chilly so I'm packing many sweaters and warm jackets. Right now its hard to believe that in only 7 days I will be starting my teaching adventure in a brand new country! I will be trying to blog as much as possible (I will for sure do better than I did with my Ecuador blog!) So if you ever want to know what your crazy Jess is up to just check out this blog. I have also put a link (with Brian's expert computer skills) on the right hand side of this page that will take you straight to my Chile picture album. So there you have it. I hope everyone is doing fabulously and please feel free to write me back telling me about the happenings in your lives! I love hearing about it and it helps me when I'm feeling far from home :) All my love!!!!!!
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