Little moments of life in Peru

Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful... this is what I've learned about the weather in Peru. It will always be warm during the day, no matter what season, but at night, at least in the winter, it gets freezing. It's just like the desert in the dry season with-you guessed it-no rain. Not only that, but hot days and cold nights. We had a preview of a winter night just this past week so as we were all busy typing away at our lesson plans, we enjoyed a warm room with a fire made by moi. It was my first one I ever made so I was quite excited, even if I had used up a half a box of matches. Look, Dad, I did it! Eventually I'll get down one match, I know it.

On Monday, we had a surprise party for Gloria, the first grade teacher that I work with. I told her I wanted to practice Spanish and I could help her learn English but after I made the plans and then found out her birthday was the same week, it seemed just too simple to turn it into a surprise. Carrie made an unbelievably yummy cake. She is a great cook/baker so it's been fun
learning new recipes with her around all the time.

I took pictures of Gloria taking the bite out of her cake. Even though it's tradition, everyone acts as if it's their first time having to go for this daring move. The pictures are different steps of Gloria's triumphant and clean bite. Luz, who sat next to her, made her nervous and you can tell. She holds her arm, she tries to look brave, she holds her arm and dives in.

Lucre

It's my third week of school and things are much better than my first. Not where I want the kids to be, but definitely better. The sticker deal is good, both the kids and I like it. Some kids are very quick learners and shout out the answers all the time and other kids couldn't tell you the answer even if you just finished going over the word. But then again, that's how any classroom is, right? In the picture to the left, we made pizza in class last Friday.

This past weekend I was hoping to plan out the whole week and get myself all organized but then I came down with a cold. I took Friday night easy but Saturday morning we got up early to go hiking in Lucre, out in the campo with all the mountains and valleys. With my headache and all, we headed out at 7am and met up with youth from the Huacarpay church (Huacarpay is a town name) in the town of Lucre and explored, looking where to buy chicken and choclo (corn that was put in the Honey I Shrunk the Kids machine and grew 75%. The pieces of corn are bigger than the states) and hiked for part of the day, crossing big creeks, collecting berries, taking pictures, and cooking on an open fire. I felt like we were on vacation with my shoes off walking in the grass in the middle of nowhere basking in the sun. We didn't get back until 6pm so by that time, I did not feel like doing any work. The following pictures are all mixed up, but they're all from the hike. If they're in the trees, it's something all Peruvians do, climb trees to collect these things that are like small cherries only they're too strong of a taste for me. One woman is washing her sheep. She had a whole flock that her and a couple other women were washing in the creek. It was really cute to hear the sheep baa-ing like crazy while and after being washed.

Sunday we had church and then a married couple came over to simply ask if they could get something shipped out with my friend when he comes, but this lasted from 2pm until 7pm. Luckily I had the idea to put a movie on so I was able to do some work while we watched Narnia in Spanish. That's how things go in 'warm-climate' cultures that are so 'warm' to others, focusing more on relationships than work. The States is definitely a cold-climate culture. Once when I came home and found my 2 roommates along with our empleada and 4 other Peruvians, I only kissed the Peruvians hello and one of them commented about how she noticed I didn't "say hi" to my roommates even though I said hello. Yes, I guess Americans are pretty rude.

First Day of School- September... no wait, March 3rd

I apologize for not writing in a while. Things have been a bit stressful getting ready for school and actually starting it. We began on Monday and I learned that the first graders remember nothing from last year, so my activities were way over their head, therefore, they didn't want to listen. So, I adjusted my lesson for the next day and it was much better. Except for on Tuesday, second grade stopped listening. So then I became discouraged. I feel like the week's kind of a blur already but I do know one thing, everyday, one of the classes went really well and the other class, not so much. So far I've learned that if I want to teach them a different language, I need to play games almost constantly. The games have worked out most times so I'm encouraged that that's my way to go, but with first grade, I still feel like I'm not sure how to keep them on task and sitting in their seats constantly. I'm thinking I'll be giving out a lot stickers this next week. They absolutely love stickers. Anyone want to donate some? Sorry this entry isn't the most exciting. I'm a bit burnt out at the moment but I figured you guys may be wondering how my first week went. Prayers would completely be appreciated.

I'm really starting to appreciate the temperature here. Random thought, I know, but I saw on my alarm clock/thermometer last night that it was 59 degrees in my room and I'm thinking, wow, I remember in the States when I needed it to be around 73 or something. Yes, my toes are cold at the moment, but if I would just put socks on, I'd be ok. I'm used to the cold now, but from what I hear it gets a lot colder in the winter, so then I'll be writing about how much I appreciate our fireplace. Another thing I now love is the view from the classrooms. We're on the third floor and the view is priceless, just a long line of mountains close by.

On the left, this guy was on the third floor working on putting in windows, not scared at all that there was nothing to keep him from falling 30 ft.

Below, before picture of the second grade room.

Top left, Hannah and Destiny cleaning the school. The rooms were completely filled with all that dust. Top right, after picture of second grade. Left, first grade class.

As a side note, for anyone who is completely generous enough to send me a package, PLEASE do not make it more than 4 pounds or more than $100 worth of stuff. Making it one or both of the above means that I need to go into a special room and I can only get there between 8:30 and 12:30 in the morning/afternoon and I'm not able to do that with school. Plus, if it's over $100, I have to pay tax, half of whatever the box costs. Thanks!