Otro mes
It is now December--one third of this adventure complete!
I finished up at the Villa yesterday. At the beginning of the week I was sad to go, because Monday and Tuesday were fun, interesting days and it was hard to tell people that Thursday was my "ultimo dia." Especially when they ask why I am leaving, and I don't have any other reason than that I committed for a month and now the month is over and I have other things I want to do. And that I've paid for the experience thus far and I don't want to pay more (but I didn't tell them that). I briefly thought about asking if I could stay on without paying, but then I decided that the reality is that I do have other things I want to do and the idea of committing a lot more time doesn't excite me that much. Even though I finally know everyone, and it sucks to leave just when I've reached that level of familiarity. This familiarity was highlighted for me because a new volunteer started this week--a girl from Austria who will be at the Villa every day, all day for 2 months. At first I was totally jealous of her because she will have so much more time than me, both in days and hours. It was weird to think about how much better she will know the girls after 2 months, while during this week I knew so much more than she did. But then I realized that 1) no matter how much time you spend doing this type of work, you always wish you could stay longer because of course the girls aren't going anywhere and 2) school is going to be out soon which will remove what little structure the days currently have, which just sounds even more frustrating and tiring. So by the end of yesterday I was quite comfortable with my decision to leave, especially since Wednesday and Thursday were not particularly fulfilling days--more coloring, playing outside in the hot sun, and some frustrating "conversations." However, I am very excited that I am going back next Thursday because they are having a big baptism and First Communion service. I'm glad that my daily commitment is over but since I'm not leaving the country, I can go back for important events. And I'm bringing Taylor, which I know they all will love.
So what exactly am I doing for the next 2 months? I just signed up for an online teaching English certification, which I'm taking more for my personal interest in learning about English grammar and the process of teaching the language, not because I really want to get a job teaching English in the near future. But someday I might, and I think this will be a good intro, and if the opportunity does arise I'll have this training in my back pocket. I also might take some more Spanish classes, this time one-on-one so that I can practice my skills in conversing about adult topics. I will also travel, both with family and on my own. This weekend Geert and I are going to La Serena, a town about 7 hours north of here that is the jumping off point for some interesting excursions. Unfortunately the election here will almost certainly be going to a second round, which means Taylor won't have extra time to travel in January. But, we still plan to squeeze in some more day trips. And finally, I will be preparing for my time in Peru...stay tuned.
I finished up at the Villa yesterday. At the beginning of the week I was sad to go, because Monday and Tuesday were fun, interesting days and it was hard to tell people that Thursday was my "ultimo dia." Especially when they ask why I am leaving, and I don't have any other reason than that I committed for a month and now the month is over and I have other things I want to do. And that I've paid for the experience thus far and I don't want to pay more (but I didn't tell them that). I briefly thought about asking if I could stay on without paying, but then I decided that the reality is that I do have other things I want to do and the idea of committing a lot more time doesn't excite me that much. Even though I finally know everyone, and it sucks to leave just when I've reached that level of familiarity. This familiarity was highlighted for me because a new volunteer started this week--a girl from Austria who will be at the Villa every day, all day for 2 months. At first I was totally jealous of her because she will have so much more time than me, both in days and hours. It was weird to think about how much better she will know the girls after 2 months, while during this week I knew so much more than she did. But then I realized that 1) no matter how much time you spend doing this type of work, you always wish you could stay longer because of course the girls aren't going anywhere and 2) school is going to be out soon which will remove what little structure the days currently have, which just sounds even more frustrating and tiring. So by the end of yesterday I was quite comfortable with my decision to leave, especially since Wednesday and Thursday were not particularly fulfilling days--more coloring, playing outside in the hot sun, and some frustrating "conversations." However, I am very excited that I am going back next Thursday because they are having a big baptism and First Communion service. I'm glad that my daily commitment is over but since I'm not leaving the country, I can go back for important events. And I'm bringing Taylor, which I know they all will love.
So what exactly am I doing for the next 2 months? I just signed up for an online teaching English certification, which I'm taking more for my personal interest in learning about English grammar and the process of teaching the language, not because I really want to get a job teaching English in the near future. But someday I might, and I think this will be a good intro, and if the opportunity does arise I'll have this training in my back pocket. I also might take some more Spanish classes, this time one-on-one so that I can practice my skills in conversing about adult topics. I will also travel, both with family and on my own. This weekend Geert and I are going to La Serena, a town about 7 hours north of here that is the jumping off point for some interesting excursions. Unfortunately the election here will almost certainly be going to a second round, which means Taylor won't have extra time to travel in January. But, we still plan to squeeze in some more day trips. And finally, I will be preparing for my time in Peru...stay tuned.
posted by HelenO at
5:21 AM
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