Random Moments in My Life

I've been at a loss for words the last few days. Most obviously because I don't speak Spanish near well enough to say anything profound. Then secondly, because when I do speak in English, I am busy trying to figure out how I can translate it into Spanish. Between both of these problems, I’ve managed to become a really good listener. In fact, I really like it when people repeat every thought three or four times. :-) Anyways, I apologize if this entry is poorly put together and contains many grammatical errors, because it's likely, but my life is just that way right now. But anyhow, some random moments in my week:

1. I know that I’ve been here too long when I step on a rather large cockroach while teaching, and my train of thought is – "Would it be distracting to move it outside?" and then I decide to continue to teach around it because so far the students haven’t noticed its hissing and flying stunts.


2. I know that I am hungry when I get excited about a sandwich for dinner. Now you need to understand that this sandwich was made of bread and mayonnaise. We added the mayo for some extra needed calories.


3. I got to sleep in this morning! A whole extra hour and some. 6:40 AM.


4. I started taking cello lessons this week. I always thought a string instrument would be pretty challenging, so I’m not quite sure what I was thinking when I signed up with my Spanish speaking teacher. At least now I can debate which is worse: my cello playing or my Spanish pronunciation.


5. The internet really is temperamental here. So far it doesn't work if: it's cloudy (90% of the time), if it's in the afternoon (apparently it takes a siesta too), if it has rained much in the last few days, or if the electricity is being difficult (at least 25% of the time). It makes it hard to predict when it will actually work, but the safest guess is that it won't. The last time I tried, my first page loaded at 30 minutes. I am really working on the whole patience thing.


6. I've started studying out of a Spanish textbook. If I read it for two hours a day, I should finish two years of Spanish by Christmas. They are convinced I'll be fluent by then. I sure hope so. I really don't enjoy my new form of sign language – a smile for when I don’t understand, and a laugh for when I zoned out after the long word.


7. I successfully finished my second week of school and I have more unbelievable stories about my students than I expected in a whole year. Most of the time it takes me awhile to take it all in because I am just standing there thinking, is this really happening? For example – I accidentally kicked a boy hiding under my desk this week. Oops. The boy that I thought was getting his paper out, was actually sleeping with his head in his backpack. I have another boy that pretends to die every day hoping I will send him home sick. Then there is always the group of students that finds it funny to switch seats so that it is nearly impossible to learn their names. Apparently fist fights are common occurrences during the middle of class, and the Spanish vocab I am learning is very classroom specific. "Sit down, listen to me, no more, look here, quiet." All very important words.

I never appreciated my washing machine enough before. My wrists are still sore from trying to wring out my jeans after hand washing them. The soap alone does wonderful things to my hands, but it's the scrubbing and drying that's really exciting. For some reason, watching the missionaries do their laundry is pretty entertaining here. It might have something to do with the fact that we end up pretty soaked and laughing at everything. There must be less oxygen during such activities.

That pretty much sums up my week. Long, adventurous, and full of surprises. I am more than ready for the weekend. I've been reading my Bible lots trying to stay sane and I really loved Psalms 139:7-10.

"Where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast."

I'd love to hear how everyone is doing. I miss you all and waking up with a bed net stuck to my face is a constant reminder that I’m not at home. Keep me in your prayers. Feliz Semana – Happy Week.

Teacher Ashley