And now she's walking.....
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
What a Weekend!
Like I said on our sidebar, there's never a dull moment in our lives here. And this weekend was no exception.
On Saturday morning, Laurie and I ventured off to the amazing market of Nueva Feria. Now this place is HUGE and the only reason why we didn't get swallowed up into the maze of people and products, is because Laurie knows Spanish pretty well to get us out!
We left around 8:30 on the micro and landed right in the middle of this market. I need to explain what this place is like. It's similar to a huge hockey arena that has been converted into many little crafter's stations. Have you ever been to a crafters fair? It's sort of like that. The whole place is divided into aisles and each 4 foot store front is piled high about 8 feet up with stuff. There's just enough room in the middle for a person to stand between it all and make change for you. And it's not just one hockey arena with stuff, it's like FOUR! plus all the vendors that are on the outside, selling their stuff at the perimeter of the building out of garage doors. And that's just one building because there are THREE MORE like that.
It's pretty overwhelming and it's a wonder that we found what we were looking for. Well, sort of. It was fun to squeeze through the crowds, trying to reach up for stuff, trying to get out your money without dropping it, or having it stolen (hence the lack of pictures, because it is definitely a place you don't take your camera). We found things like wrapping paper, a blender, towels, an iron, some shampoo, we looked at fridges just for fun, we bought a ball, gazed at the miles and miles of clothes, I tried to buy just 4 glasses (no, I don't want 12!)....we bought until we ran out of money and room in our bags. Then we went outside into the plastics area...environmentalists beware! It was crazy the amount of plastics there were.
We asked a security guard how to find a 22 micro, but he didn't know. So we walked out to the street, which looked exactly and nothing like the one we had gotten off on when we came, and hoped to find a bus home. We asked another vendor, who was selling on the side of the street, and she wasn't sure which one we should take. But we found one that said the street where we wanted to go, and so we hopped on. The micro driver asked us where we were going, Laurie told him and he just looked at us....he knew that we were headed out towards the outskirts and two gringo ladies probably don't want to be heading there. We rode for a bit on the crowded micro before we realized that we were going the wrong way. So we yelled, Pare! got off and tried to figure out where we were.
It was kind of fun being lost together, because at least you're together. Laurie said that we would tell Juana and Nati about getting lost and they would have a good laugh at us! An old shopkeeper told us which bus to take, we crossed the road, and hopped on another micro heading into the downtown area. Yeah! We made it home in good time before lunch. What a fun adventure!
Later that evening, we went to Lynn and Laurie's for supper, and it was a great time for visiting and eating. We had the tastiest ground nut stew and we stayed to visit and play until the kids got tired.
On Sunday, we had gotten an invitation from Carmen, the receptionist here at the office, to come to her church and then spend the day with her and her family. Her husband, Pablo, two sons, and her came to pick us up for church. We enjoyed the service in the little Baptist church. I especially appreciated the power point which made it easier to follow the sermon. Kezia happily went into the crowded Sunday School class, but Joel decided just to stay with us. Asha went into the nursery, until they ran out of crackers for her, and then she wanted out! After the service, they served chicha de arroz, which is a cold sweet drink, and Joel loved it so much he had 3 glasses. It was cute hearing him walk around trying to say, Quiero Mas Por Favor to all the generous ladies.
For lunch, we met up with Carmen's extended family, a bunch of brothers and sisters, their spouses, her dad, and all her nieces and nephews at a food court with a play structure. I was surprised how good the food was, and thrilled that the kids had a place to play. After we ate, a number of us ladies went downstairs to the grocery store and looked around. I asked questions about certain products, which were better than others, if you could buy some at our local store. I didn't realize until I was there how beneficial it was for me to walk around in a store with local ladies. Carl and I have been feeling disappointed that a home stay with a family (where you live with a local family for 2 months) wasn't arranged for us, and realized we don't have anyone local to show us around. So this time in the grocery store with Carmen and her sisters was invaluable.
After lunch, we headed to Carmen and Pablo's house and the kids played in the kiddie pool. They had a blast! Asha had no intentions of going to bed with a pool around. So we sat outside, visited, dozed in our chairs, and watched the kids, it was great. Towards the end of the afternoon, Carl parked himself in front of the television with a few of the men and watched Santa Cruz's soccer team, Blooming play. He was so happy to have the opportunity to watch t.v., and a soccer game to boot! I accompanied some of the ladies with all the kids to the park across the street. I sat with Carmen's sister and managed to have a bit of a conversation about work, family, children, language. I think it one of my first conversations in Spanish (now what I mean, where she was doing most of the talking!) where it was about more than just day to day happenings and it was refreshing.
The best part of the visit for me was making homemade empanadas. Carmen, her two sisters, her two aunties, three nieces, Kezia, and I made about 50 empanadas con queso. Kezia was thrilled to be able to use the little roller to flatten out the dough. I attempted to twist and pinch the edges to look as nice as Pilar's, but mine turned out pretty ugly. The ladies laughed and told me that I could present it to my husband as a love offering. Ha Ha!
We all, about 20 of us, sat around in the living room, on chairs, on ledges, or stood and had empanadas and sweet coffee for dinner. It was very good. But it was getting close to 7 o'clock and it was time for us to go home. As we left, we made our rounds kissing everyone (Kezia LOVES this part of meeting people) and thanking everyone for their hospitality. Pablo and Carmen drove us back home and we thanked them profusely for the visit. It meant so much to be invited to someone's home and to experience a day with family.
On Saturday morning, Laurie and I ventured off to the amazing market of Nueva Feria. Now this place is HUGE and the only reason why we didn't get swallowed up into the maze of people and products, is because Laurie knows Spanish pretty well to get us out!
We left around 8:30 on the micro and landed right in the middle of this market. I need to explain what this place is like. It's similar to a huge hockey arena that has been converted into many little crafter's stations. Have you ever been to a crafters fair? It's sort of like that. The whole place is divided into aisles and each 4 foot store front is piled high about 8 feet up with stuff. There's just enough room in the middle for a person to stand between it all and make change for you. And it's not just one hockey arena with stuff, it's like FOUR! plus all the vendors that are on the outside, selling their stuff at the perimeter of the building out of garage doors. And that's just one building because there are THREE MORE like that.
It's pretty overwhelming and it's a wonder that we found what we were looking for. Well, sort of. It was fun to squeeze through the crowds, trying to reach up for stuff, trying to get out your money without dropping it, or having it stolen (hence the lack of pictures, because it is definitely a place you don't take your camera). We found things like wrapping paper, a blender, towels, an iron, some shampoo, we looked at fridges just for fun, we bought a ball, gazed at the miles and miles of clothes, I tried to buy just 4 glasses (no, I don't want 12!)....we bought until we ran out of money and room in our bags. Then we went outside into the plastics area...environmentalists beware! It was crazy the amount of plastics there were.
We asked a security guard how to find a 22 micro, but he didn't know. So we walked out to the street, which looked exactly and nothing like the one we had gotten off on when we came, and hoped to find a bus home. We asked another vendor, who was selling on the side of the street, and she wasn't sure which one we should take. But we found one that said the street where we wanted to go, and so we hopped on. The micro driver asked us where we were going, Laurie told him and he just looked at us....he knew that we were headed out towards the outskirts and two gringo ladies probably don't want to be heading there. We rode for a bit on the crowded micro before we realized that we were going the wrong way. So we yelled, Pare! got off and tried to figure out where we were.
It was kind of fun being lost together, because at least you're together. Laurie said that we would tell Juana and Nati about getting lost and they would have a good laugh at us! An old shopkeeper told us which bus to take, we crossed the road, and hopped on another micro heading into the downtown area. Yeah! We made it home in good time before lunch. What a fun adventure!
Later that evening, we went to Lynn and Laurie's for supper, and it was a great time for visiting and eating. We had the tastiest ground nut stew and we stayed to visit and play until the kids got tired.
On Sunday, we had gotten an invitation from Carmen, the receptionist here at the office, to come to her church and then spend the day with her and her family. Her husband, Pablo, two sons, and her came to pick us up for church. We enjoyed the service in the little Baptist church. I especially appreciated the power point which made it easier to follow the sermon. Kezia happily went into the crowded Sunday School class, but Joel decided just to stay with us. Asha went into the nursery, until they ran out of crackers for her, and then she wanted out! After the service, they served chicha de arroz, which is a cold sweet drink, and Joel loved it so much he had 3 glasses. It was cute hearing him walk around trying to say, Quiero Mas Por Favor to all the generous ladies.
For lunch, we met up with Carmen's extended family, a bunch of brothers and sisters, their spouses, her dad, and all her nieces and nephews at a food court with a play structure. I was surprised how good the food was, and thrilled that the kids had a place to play. After we ate, a number of us ladies went downstairs to the grocery store and looked around. I asked questions about certain products, which were better than others, if you could buy some at our local store. I didn't realize until I was there how beneficial it was for me to walk around in a store with local ladies. Carl and I have been feeling disappointed that a home stay with a family (where you live with a local family for 2 months) wasn't arranged for us, and realized we don't have anyone local to show us around. So this time in the grocery store with Carmen and her sisters was invaluable.
After lunch, we headed to Carmen and Pablo's house and the kids played in the kiddie pool. They had a blast! Asha had no intentions of going to bed with a pool around. So we sat outside, visited, dozed in our chairs, and watched the kids, it was great. Towards the end of the afternoon, Carl parked himself in front of the television with a few of the men and watched Santa Cruz's soccer team, Blooming play. He was so happy to have the opportunity to watch t.v., and a soccer game to boot! I accompanied some of the ladies with all the kids to the park across the street. I sat with Carmen's sister and managed to have a bit of a conversation about work, family, children, language. I think it one of my first conversations in Spanish (now what I mean, where she was doing most of the talking!) where it was about more than just day to day happenings and it was refreshing.
The best part of the visit for me was making homemade empanadas. Carmen, her two sisters, her two aunties, three nieces, Kezia, and I made about 50 empanadas con queso. Kezia was thrilled to be able to use the little roller to flatten out the dough. I attempted to twist and pinch the edges to look as nice as Pilar's, but mine turned out pretty ugly. The ladies laughed and told me that I could present it to my husband as a love offering. Ha Ha!
We all, about 20 of us, sat around in the living room, on chairs, on ledges, or stood and had empanadas and sweet coffee for dinner. It was very good. But it was getting close to 7 o'clock and it was time for us to go home. As we left, we made our rounds kissing everyone (Kezia LOVES this part of meeting people) and thanking everyone for their hospitality. Pablo and Carmen drove us back home and we thanked them profusely for the visit. It meant so much to be invited to someone's home and to experience a day with family.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
CCM Retiro
We had our annual MCC Bolivia retreat last week for three days. It was a good time to spend with all the people from the office, from the campo, from MCC projects, even one gal (Kelsey) from Paraguay.
The location was here in the city, but out towards the airport at a Catholic retreat centre. We left on Wednesday morning and returned back to the office on Friday afternoon. The weather was gorgeous, so everyone was thrilled that the retreat centre had a pool.
The rooms were great, though for a family of five, a little cozy....but we all slept pretty well. I was so excited about the break from washing dishes and Carl was thrilled with the break from making meals. The food was great, although there wasn't a pitcher of water in sight. We brought water from the office (because inside the 4th ring, the water in Santa Cruz is safe and the BEST right from the tap, but outside the 4th ring, it's better to boil) but that didn't last long with 60 people. So our meal beverage was church-type juice and our refrigerio beverage was pop. You can't imagine the underlying distress I had because all I wanted was a glass of water!!
During sessions, our kids (plus 12+ more) were looked after by two great ladies (although, their names slip my memory now). Of course, if the kids were hungry, they got treats, and so they were always hungry. And if the kids were thirsty, they got pop, and so they were always thirsty. Here we northamerican moms are trying to limit the pop to 3 bottles a day at the retreat, without being insulting or bossy (or for me, just plain clear in espanol!). So Asha didn't spend much time with me during the retreat. She knew who was going to give her fanta, and which mean, cranky, nasty, depriving person would not!
All the sessions, discussions, group work etc. were in Spanish, so my head started to hurt after a while. During the first session, I started to zone out after about 45 minutes, until my friend nudged me and whispered, "I think they want us all to share about ourselves based on what is on the board." I froze and panicked all at the same time. Me? Share? In front of all these people? En espanol? I don't even know what logros means? What am I going to do?
So before I could panic any further and throw up, I immediately started to introduce myself, talk about my family, my logros (which is accomplishments...I think), where I'm from. It was pretty pathetic, but I guess I managed because afterward people came up and asked me questions about being a teacher, so I guess I communicated something.
After that I was feeling frustrated at being out of the loop. It's hard when you don't know what is going on, especially with such complicated language. I wished there was an interpreter or someone that could at least whisper the main gist of things to me. Then at least I could get instant confirmation on whether I was understanding on my own or not. Carl wasn't always sitting with me or in the same group. And so I sat in sessions, catching a word here and there, and then being completely exhausted from trying to translate, having nothing left to talk to people outside of sessions. I wondered if people thought I was snobby standing there, saying nothing, smiling and smiling and smiling and then walking back to my room for advil. Oh, I'm sure they are used to it, not everyone at the retreat knew what was going on. There were 8 or so of us that would have been in need of a translator. And the national workers are used to northamericans coming who know zero Spanish. They are more gracious than I think in my moments of inadequacy.
There were some fun things that we did, like singing around a huge campfire and roasting marshmallows. And we had a talent night where our discussion groups put together something absolutely ridiculous. It was quite hilarious. Carl video taped our little contribution, and if I have the nerve, I might post it, because it's a gut splitter (although a little embarrassing).
In all, it was a good retreat. I heard from people that this retreat was a large improvement from last years, so that's always good to hear. Our kids, even though they were in a constant sugared state, had a wonderful time with all the people. Though I struggled to figure out what was going on, I still managed to gain something from the sessions, and a decent amount from the group work. When we got home, I was tired, glad that we had a retreat to build relationships, and am looking forward to next year.
The location was here in the city, but out towards the airport at a Catholic retreat centre. We left on Wednesday morning and returned back to the office on Friday afternoon. The weather was gorgeous, so everyone was thrilled that the retreat centre had a pool.
The rooms were great, though for a family of five, a little cozy....but we all slept pretty well. I was so excited about the break from washing dishes and Carl was thrilled with the break from making meals. The food was great, although there wasn't a pitcher of water in sight. We brought water from the office (because inside the 4th ring, the water in Santa Cruz is safe and the BEST right from the tap, but outside the 4th ring, it's better to boil) but that didn't last long with 60 people. So our meal beverage was church-type juice and our refrigerio beverage was pop. You can't imagine the underlying distress I had because all I wanted was a glass of water!!
During sessions, our kids (plus 12+ more) were looked after by two great ladies (although, their names slip my memory now). Of course, if the kids were hungry, they got treats, and so they were always hungry. And if the kids were thirsty, they got pop, and so they were always thirsty. Here we northamerican moms are trying to limit the pop to 3 bottles a day at the retreat, without being insulting or bossy (or for me, just plain clear in espanol!). So Asha didn't spend much time with me during the retreat. She knew who was going to give her fanta, and which mean, cranky, nasty, depriving person would not!
All the sessions, discussions, group work etc. were in Spanish, so my head started to hurt after a while. During the first session, I started to zone out after about 45 minutes, until my friend nudged me and whispered, "I think they want us all to share about ourselves based on what is on the board." I froze and panicked all at the same time. Me? Share? In front of all these people? En espanol? I don't even know what logros means? What am I going to do?
So before I could panic any further and throw up, I immediately started to introduce myself, talk about my family, my logros (which is accomplishments...I think), where I'm from. It was pretty pathetic, but I guess I managed because afterward people came up and asked me questions about being a teacher, so I guess I communicated something.
After that I was feeling frustrated at being out of the loop. It's hard when you don't know what is going on, especially with such complicated language. I wished there was an interpreter or someone that could at least whisper the main gist of things to me. Then at least I could get instant confirmation on whether I was understanding on my own or not. Carl wasn't always sitting with me or in the same group. And so I sat in sessions, catching a word here and there, and then being completely exhausted from trying to translate, having nothing left to talk to people outside of sessions. I wondered if people thought I was snobby standing there, saying nothing, smiling and smiling and smiling and then walking back to my room for advil. Oh, I'm sure they are used to it, not everyone at the retreat knew what was going on. There were 8 or so of us that would have been in need of a translator. And the national workers are used to northamericans coming who know zero Spanish. They are more gracious than I think in my moments of inadequacy.
There were some fun things that we did, like singing around a huge campfire and roasting marshmallows. And we had a talent night where our discussion groups put together something absolutely ridiculous. It was quite hilarious. Carl video taped our little contribution, and if I have the nerve, I might post it, because it's a gut splitter (although a little embarrassing).
In all, it was a good retreat. I heard from people that this retreat was a large improvement from last years, so that's always good to hear. Our kids, even though they were in a constant sugared state, had a wonderful time with all the people. Though I struggled to figure out what was going on, I still managed to gain something from the sessions, and a decent amount from the group work. When we got home, I was tired, glad that we had a retreat to build relationships, and am looking forward to next year.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Independence...For all of us!
This is Asha's newest skill that she's mastered. It's quite wonderful when she can feed herself, because then we parents can focus on trying to cut up the other children's food, blow on the hot soup, pour more water, wipe up the spill, all while attempting to fed ourselves before our food walks away with the ants. And with Asha feeding herself, we can postpone the cleanup until after the meal, and pick most of it up off the floor.
Hmm....this isn't exactly an easier or cleaner stage, but it's exciting that she's growing up and learning new things!
Hmm....this isn't exactly an easier or cleaner stage, but it's exciting that she's growing up and learning new things!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Let's head to the Colony
This past week, a number of us MCCer's had a trip to a nearby colony as part of our country orientation. Hans and Elma, who work with Centro Menno, took Ramont and Liz, Lynn and Laurie, and Carl and I. It was a pretty good day.
After coordinating who was going to pick up the four kids at school, where they were going to be, and what they were having for lunch, we were ready to go. I got everything together....except the camera. So thanks Liz for letting me have some of your pictures. Much appreciated!
We drove out at 8 in the morning to colonies Rivas Palasios and Swift Current. They are about an hour drive south of Santa Cruz on dirt roads. It had rained the night before and so the roads were pretty rough. I was glad I took my gravol!
Once we got to the colony, we went to visit a family in one of the villages. The family was quite wealthy and had an amazing machine shop. He makes his own augers and hammer mills. His production was quite impressive. We ladies didn't stay long in the shop, and moved to the house instead. We were given a tour of the house, met her 7 girls at home, her daughter in law across the property and new grandson.
What I noticed right away was how clean the house was. How does one do that in dusty Bolivia? Hmmmm....you have seven daughters clean non-stop I guess. That day, the girls were busy in the kitchen making cringle for an engagement party the next day. I found myself trying to capture the conversation, picking out a few familiar words in German. I wish I knew more, so that I could have spoken too (Liz and Elma speak German)....after Spanish classes maybe I'll have to work on my low German!
We stayed for most of the morning, seeing how they lived and visiting with them. It was interesting because the man of the family was born in Winkler and was thrilled that some of us were Canadians. Hans and Elma told them that I had lived among Mennonites up in Northern Alberta, and he could hardly believe it. Right then I wish I would have been able to say something in German; he probably would have just fallen right over!
By lunch time we decided to pack up and head to the store, that had everything from cookies, canned tomatoes, a pasta maker, and socks. I was excited because I had asked if they sold cloth diapers, and sure enough, there were tons at the store. So for 96 B's I bought 2 doz diapers.
While we were at the store, we also picked up some food for lunch and had a picnic lunch outside the store. There isn't a restaurant or anything in town (I'm thinking that next time we have to make arrangements to stay at someone's house for lunch....mmmmm...weranicki). A few people road up on the buggies and stared at us having our lunch at the side of the store. Elma and I were asked what we were doing, and why we weren't going into the store. We told them we were having lunch. I was wondering what they were thinking of us with our vehicle, rubber tires, and the dark lady eating weiners out of a can at the local store.
By 1 p.m. we packed up and started on the way home. It was interesting conversation, all about Mennonite migration all over the world, our connection to Mennonites, my experience living in La Crete, faith, poverty, MCC....there was lots to talk about. I was really glad that we had the chance to go, it was a fun gang to go on a trip with. Next time, I hope that we can visit a family that is a bit more middle class, or maybe visit a church.
It was definitely a view into a very different Bolivia than the one that's on our back step.
After coordinating who was going to pick up the four kids at school, where they were going to be, and what they were having for lunch, we were ready to go. I got everything together....except the camera. So thanks Liz for letting me have some of your pictures. Much appreciated!
We drove out at 8 in the morning to colonies Rivas Palasios and Swift Current. They are about an hour drive south of Santa Cruz on dirt roads. It had rained the night before and so the roads were pretty rough. I was glad I took my gravol!
Once we got to the colony, we went to visit a family in one of the villages. The family was quite wealthy and had an amazing machine shop. He makes his own augers and hammer mills. His production was quite impressive. We ladies didn't stay long in the shop, and moved to the house instead. We were given a tour of the house, met her 7 girls at home, her daughter in law across the property and new grandson.
What I noticed right away was how clean the house was. How does one do that in dusty Bolivia? Hmmmm....you have seven daughters clean non-stop I guess. That day, the girls were busy in the kitchen making cringle for an engagement party the next day. I found myself trying to capture the conversation, picking out a few familiar words in German. I wish I knew more, so that I could have spoken too (Liz and Elma speak German)....after Spanish classes maybe I'll have to work on my low German!
We stayed for most of the morning, seeing how they lived and visiting with them. It was interesting because the man of the family was born in Winkler and was thrilled that some of us were Canadians. Hans and Elma told them that I had lived among Mennonites up in Northern Alberta, and he could hardly believe it. Right then I wish I would have been able to say something in German; he probably would have just fallen right over!
By lunch time we decided to pack up and head to the store, that had everything from cookies, canned tomatoes, a pasta maker, and socks. I was excited because I had asked if they sold cloth diapers, and sure enough, there were tons at the store. So for 96 B's I bought 2 doz diapers.
While we were at the store, we also picked up some food for lunch and had a picnic lunch outside the store. There isn't a restaurant or anything in town (I'm thinking that next time we have to make arrangements to stay at someone's house for lunch....mmmmm...weranicki). A few people road up on the buggies and stared at us having our lunch at the side of the store. Elma and I were asked what we were doing, and why we weren't going into the store. We told them we were having lunch. I was wondering what they were thinking of us with our vehicle, rubber tires, and the dark lady eating weiners out of a can at the local store.
By 1 p.m. we packed up and started on the way home. It was interesting conversation, all about Mennonite migration all over the world, our connection to Mennonites, my experience living in La Crete, faith, poverty, MCC....there was lots to talk about. I was really glad that we had the chance to go, it was a fun gang to go on a trip with. Next time, I hope that we can visit a family that is a bit more middle class, or maybe visit a church.
It was definitely a view into a very different Bolivia than the one that's on our back step.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Verbos Y Muchas Mas
This week, Carl and I completed our first of 8 weeks of Spanish language class. Our teacher, Shirley is fabulous because she is so thorough. Normally language classes would take place at the office, but we get to go to her house. And it works out marvelously because she lives just a few blocks from where the kids go to school.
7:50, Carl and the kids take the micro to school.
7:55 Carl walks to Shirley's house
8:00 Carl starts his Spanish class
9:50 Kathy walks to Shirley's house
10:00 Carl ends and Kathy begins
10:05 Carl walks back to the office
12:00 Kathy finishes and walks to the school
12:20 Kathy and the kids take the micro home
And that's what we've done this week. I tell you, my head hurts after our class. We both are learning so much. Poor Carl though, he has to unlearn his Portuguese and his butchered Spanish and re-learn the language. I, on the other hand, had very little Spanish, so I'm a clean slate. We have learned a lot about verbs, but also the different situations where you'd use los verbos ser y estar. Then I learned instead of saying I sing, I can say, Yo estoy cantando. And then there's all the vocabulary. Objects in a classroom, food, days of the week, time, body parts, directions, numbers (oh, I just can't get setenta and seistenta and seiscientos straight!!).
I also have had the privilege of having a tutor as well, who meets with me a few times a week in the afternoon for two hours. Delicia and I work on my Spanish homework and she converses with me in Spanish. On Thursday I had two hours with Shirley, lunch, then two hours talking non-stop in Spanish with Delicia. My head ached and so did my mouth at the end of that!
Some days it's exciting, other days mas o menos, but a few times I have felt really discouraged because the thought of learning another language is so daunting. So I try and remind myself that it's a process, where you will feel like you are making progress, then plateau for a while, then surge ahead on a new plane. The other thing is, I keep in mind the people who have been here for 12-18 months and in that time went from cero espanol to being able to have full conversations. They are my inspiration.
The exciting thing about it is that when I learn more Spanish, I will be able to get to know all the people I work with and all the people at church on a whole new level. How exciting to be able to really know someone beyond chit chat about family and the rain! Instead of concentrating on the daunting task of verbs, I should focus on that.
7:50, Carl and the kids take the micro to school.
7:55 Carl walks to Shirley's house
8:00 Carl starts his Spanish class
9:50 Kathy walks to Shirley's house
10:00 Carl ends and Kathy begins
10:05 Carl walks back to the office
12:00 Kathy finishes and walks to the school
12:20 Kathy and the kids take the micro home
And that's what we've done this week. I tell you, my head hurts after our class. We both are learning so much. Poor Carl though, he has to unlearn his Portuguese and his butchered Spanish and re-learn the language. I, on the other hand, had very little Spanish, so I'm a clean slate. We have learned a lot about verbs, but also the different situations where you'd use los verbos ser y estar. Then I learned instead of saying I sing, I can say, Yo estoy cantando. And then there's all the vocabulary. Objects in a classroom, food, days of the week, time, body parts, directions, numbers (oh, I just can't get setenta and seistenta and seiscientos straight!!).
I also have had the privilege of having a tutor as well, who meets with me a few times a week in the afternoon for two hours. Delicia and I work on my Spanish homework and she converses with me in Spanish. On Thursday I had two hours with Shirley, lunch, then two hours talking non-stop in Spanish with Delicia. My head ached and so did my mouth at the end of that!
Some days it's exciting, other days mas o menos, but a few times I have felt really discouraged because the thought of learning another language is so daunting. So I try and remind myself that it's a process, where you will feel like you are making progress, then plateau for a while, then surge ahead on a new plane. The other thing is, I keep in mind the people who have been here for 12-18 months and in that time went from cero espanol to being able to have full conversations. They are my inspiration.
The exciting thing about it is that when I learn more Spanish, I will be able to get to know all the people I work with and all the people at church on a whole new level. How exciting to be able to really know someone beyond chit chat about family and the rain! Instead of concentrating on the daunting task of verbs, I should focus on that.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Now it's Joel's Turn
On Monday, while Kezia was at school, Joel was still recuperating from his surgery. That afternoon, he went to the doctor and had a check-up. Everything looked fine, even though the hernia was bigger than the doctor expected, he said it would be fine for Joel to go to school the next day.
Joel wasn't keen on the idea of going, even when he went with Carl to pick Kezia up. Then they found out the next day the kinder and pre-kinder classes were going to the zoo, "Well, okay, maybe I'll come, but just for tomorrow".
The next morning, he was a bit apprehensive, but got ready despite it. Once Carl got him to school, he was very quiet, not sad, but he didn't say anything for a good part of the morning, his teacher said. Sigh.
I think Joel has a hard time with change and in the last few weeks he's experienced more than most people do in a year, so it's understandable his reaction. Even though he had fun at the zoo, he said he wanted to stay home the next day. He's also old enough to realize that he doesn't speak the language at school and therefore feels left out of what's going on. Joel, a typical first born, won't try anything unless he can get it right, and that would include language for sure. Although today he was asking for his lunch in Spanish, and we gave him lots of praise for trying. He was pretty pleased with himself.
So there's such a contrast in the morning with one child up at 6:45, impatiently waiting at the door, and the other one that buries himself in the covers and refuses to get his shoes on. In a short while though, Joel will be excited about school. He just needs some time to get used to the whole thing.
He did however say that he enjoyed the play structure at school, so maybe he'll go back there again tomorrow....
Joel wasn't keen on the idea of going, even when he went with Carl to pick Kezia up. Then they found out the next day the kinder and pre-kinder classes were going to the zoo, "Well, okay, maybe I'll come, but just for tomorrow".
The next morning, he was a bit apprehensive, but got ready despite it. Once Carl got him to school, he was very quiet, not sad, but he didn't say anything for a good part of the morning, his teacher said. Sigh.
I think Joel has a hard time with change and in the last few weeks he's experienced more than most people do in a year, so it's understandable his reaction. Even though he had fun at the zoo, he said he wanted to stay home the next day. He's also old enough to realize that he doesn't speak the language at school and therefore feels left out of what's going on. Joel, a typical first born, won't try anything unless he can get it right, and that would include language for sure. Although today he was asking for his lunch in Spanish, and we gave him lots of praise for trying. He was pretty pleased with himself.
So there's such a contrast in the morning with one child up at 6:45, impatiently waiting at the door, and the other one that buries himself in the covers and refuses to get his shoes on. In a short while though, Joel will be excited about school. He just needs some time to get used to the whole thing.
He did however say that he enjoyed the play structure at school, so maybe he'll go back there again tomorrow....
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