12 years later
It's been quite awhile since I've posted and a lot has happened since I've last written. A few short general updates:
--Pei left, back to Canada. She was generally not very happy here and had decided she was ready to go. A situation at work (not enough students, too many teachers) presented itself as a perfect out for her to leave early without screwing over Colombo, so she took it. I pretty much had 2 days notice that she was leaving, which was extremely difficult. If you know me I'm not at all good at good-byes and having virtually no time to mentally prep for this one did not work out so great. My entire time here, I think I went maybe 4 days without seeing her, so it was a very drastic change that she is suddenly gone. She sounds happy back in Canada, but we miss her here!! I am trying to look at her departure as a way for me to get closer to people here and try out different things. I think sometimes I let her desires limit what I wanted to do; I usually wouldn't do something if we didn't do it together. Now I'm spending time with a lot of different people and talking in Spanish way more!!
--Since there is such low enrollment this month (universities just started vacation so many students don't take classes at Colombo during this time either) there are no conversation classes. This means I'm (unfortunately) teaching two grammar classes, which means lots more work. I have to teach myself the grammar lessons before I teach them to the class, write quizzes, correct quizzes, and make sure we finish all the material before the final exams. Those are next Monday and Tuesday, and then I start my last month of classes! I'm hoping I'll get conversation classes again not only because it's easier but it's more fun for me too!
--On Saturdays I have Conversation III, and they're actually a great group. Usually it is quite apparent that Saturday students DO NOT want to be there, but most of these kids are actually engaged. It makes for some good discussions and a more pleasant eaaaaarly Saturday morning to come to work for (and one of my students is really cute--sorry I'm a creeper.)
--I've been giving a man in my neighborhood private lessons 3 mornings a week. He used to study with my neighbor (don't know if I ever mentioned the strange Texan who rented a room next door) before he went back to the US. I took over and am actually really enjoying it. One on one lessons are so much more personalized and allow me to actually make sure he is understanding, instead of just talking at a room full of 15 students. I can also use Spanish with him, which makes things a hell of a lot easier. It also allows me to practice my Spanish, since we frequently get off on tangents about Colombian vs. US culture.
--CARLY CAME TO VISIT!!!! We had an absolutely AMAZING time and it was so great to see someone who knows me perhaps better than anyone. We've been friends literally my entire life and haven't gone this long apart ever, so let's just say Palo Negro Airport in Bucaramanga saw a few tears when she arrived. I had a blast showing her around town, eating at my favorite places, educating her in the best Colombian beers, taking her paragliding, getting fabulous $6 mani/pedis, and visiting my friend's finca up in the mountains for a night. She also came to work with me every day (not horribly exciting) to see me teach. This is ironic, because she actually studies education and I know nothing about it and had absolutely no qualifications for the job I was hired for. It also meant a lot to me to be able to show someone closest to me how Colombia really is, that there are not drug dealers nor FARC soldiers lurking on every street corner, waiting to get you.
--Now that Carly's gone, my despedida seems a whoooole lot closer. I can't believe it's June already!!! Only a month and a week left of work and time in Bucaramanga! Then I hope to attend the AIESEC Colombia National Conference in Medellin, visit a friend in Venezuela, travel a few other places, and then return to Bogota to spend a bit of time with Liz before heading back to the US on July 31. It feels like the first 2 months here was full of wishing July would just get here already, but now that it's June I suddenly have a fear I will have to leave here before I'm ready to. My Spanish has gotten a ton better, but it's still not totally where I want it. I also feel like there are lots of people here I want to get to know better before I leave.
--My lovely parents got me a new camera for my birthday (yes that was nearly 3 months ago) and sent it with Carly, so I can again commence excessive documentation of my life. Pictures from Carly's visit to come soon!!
--Pei left, back to Canada. She was generally not very happy here and had decided she was ready to go. A situation at work (not enough students, too many teachers) presented itself as a perfect out for her to leave early without screwing over Colombo, so she took it. I pretty much had 2 days notice that she was leaving, which was extremely difficult. If you know me I'm not at all good at good-byes and having virtually no time to mentally prep for this one did not work out so great. My entire time here, I think I went maybe 4 days without seeing her, so it was a very drastic change that she is suddenly gone. She sounds happy back in Canada, but we miss her here!! I am trying to look at her departure as a way for me to get closer to people here and try out different things. I think sometimes I let her desires limit what I wanted to do; I usually wouldn't do something if we didn't do it together. Now I'm spending time with a lot of different people and talking in Spanish way more!!
--Since there is such low enrollment this month (universities just started vacation so many students don't take classes at Colombo during this time either) there are no conversation classes. This means I'm (unfortunately) teaching two grammar classes, which means lots more work. I have to teach myself the grammar lessons before I teach them to the class, write quizzes, correct quizzes, and make sure we finish all the material before the final exams. Those are next Monday and Tuesday, and then I start my last month of classes! I'm hoping I'll get conversation classes again not only because it's easier but it's more fun for me too!
--On Saturdays I have Conversation III, and they're actually a great group. Usually it is quite apparent that Saturday students DO NOT want to be there, but most of these kids are actually engaged. It makes for some good discussions and a more pleasant eaaaaarly Saturday morning to come to work for (and one of my students is really cute--sorry I'm a creeper.)
--I've been giving a man in my neighborhood private lessons 3 mornings a week. He used to study with my neighbor (don't know if I ever mentioned the strange Texan who rented a room next door) before he went back to the US. I took over and am actually really enjoying it. One on one lessons are so much more personalized and allow me to actually make sure he is understanding, instead of just talking at a room full of 15 students. I can also use Spanish with him, which makes things a hell of a lot easier. It also allows me to practice my Spanish, since we frequently get off on tangents about Colombian vs. US culture.
--CARLY CAME TO VISIT!!!! We had an absolutely AMAZING time and it was so great to see someone who knows me perhaps better than anyone. We've been friends literally my entire life and haven't gone this long apart ever, so let's just say Palo Negro Airport in Bucaramanga saw a few tears when she arrived. I had a blast showing her around town, eating at my favorite places, educating her in the best Colombian beers, taking her paragliding, getting fabulous $6 mani/pedis, and visiting my friend's finca up in the mountains for a night. She also came to work with me every day (not horribly exciting) to see me teach. This is ironic, because she actually studies education and I know nothing about it and had absolutely no qualifications for the job I was hired for. It also meant a lot to me to be able to show someone closest to me how Colombia really is, that there are not drug dealers nor FARC soldiers lurking on every street corner, waiting to get you.
--Now that Carly's gone, my despedida seems a whoooole lot closer. I can't believe it's June already!!! Only a month and a week left of work and time in Bucaramanga! Then I hope to attend the AIESEC Colombia National Conference in Medellin, visit a friend in Venezuela, travel a few other places, and then return to Bogota to spend a bit of time with Liz before heading back to the US on July 31. It feels like the first 2 months here was full of wishing July would just get here already, but now that it's June I suddenly have a fear I will have to leave here before I'm ready to. My Spanish has gotten a ton better, but it's still not totally where I want it. I also feel like there are lots of people here I want to get to know better before I leave.
--My lovely parents got me a new camera for my birthday (yes that was nearly 3 months ago) and sent it with Carly, so I can again commence excessive documentation of my life. Pictures from Carly's visit to come soon!!
posted by Teresa @ 2:33 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home