I've just arrived at the Institute this morning to write a few quick emails and postcards before heading off to the library to study. My Tico family lives approximately a ten-minute walk away from the school in the neighborhood of San Francisco, and while it's cooler here than it is in Houston, I broke a sweat during my walk this morning.
I feel like a bit of a little kid again, living with my Tico family. While my Tico parents are approximately my age (Adriana is just a few months my elder), they do a tremendous amount to take care of me, including cooking meals, washing clothes, making sure I don't get lost, etc. It feels a bit unusual when I'm used to fending for myself, but I am appreciating it. Just this morning, Adriana sent me off to school with a slice of pineapple in hand to munch on during my walk, haha.
Classes are in the afternoon. I tested into a mid-beginner/beginning intermediate grammar class and an intermediate conversation class (thank you to all my friends who speak Spanish to me back at home!), so a lot of the concepts we're learning are a bit of a review. After a special chapel service, I usually sit outside to study/have some quiet time before eating lunch and going to class. When classes end at four, I make the trek home. I'm a little wary of taking my North Face backpack with me wherever I go; while I don't have valuables minus a bit of money in my pockets, the backpack makes me an easy target, I want to take a bit of precaution. Just yesterday a missionary friend told me about a friend of hers who was robbed at gunpoint not too far from here.
Despite all the walking, I'm not losing any weight! Adriana feeds me huge portions that I can't refuse. Just last night I had a plate of arroz con frijoles negra (rice with black beans), a small omelet, chayote (which is a root vegetable like a potato), and fresh veggies. And not too long before dinner, I had cafecito, which is a little like the Chilean once with coffee, fruit, and bread and cheese or bread and butter.
In the evenings I play with my Tico brother and sister before I work on homework. Fabian is 9 years old and loves to play soccer with me, and Jimena is just over 1 (we like to dance to reggaeton together). Fabian is still in school, so he usually works on homework or studying when I am. A bit of TV (I allow myself to watch since I think it helps me to learn), a bit of reading, and then I'm usually off to bed by 10:30 at the latest. No, seriously.
My time is up here, so I'll be back to update soon...
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7 comments:
Yay for going to bed at 10:30, and pineapple snacks on the way to school. Sounds like an awesome experience, pray you will continue to enjoy it and learn and see all that God has for you there!
yay for blog action!
i most certainly didn't lose weight in spain either, despite all the walking i did. those host mothers know how to stuff food into their americanas!
sounds like you've got a lovely daily schedule worked out. i wish i could be there with you!
Wow, you must get as much sleep in 2 nights there as you did in a whole week back here in H-town! Hopefully you're adding on years to your life with all the extra rest. :)
Oh, I love it! All of it!!
What people don't realize is what time you get up. Tell them. It's early. Regardless you are getting more sleep, and we thank God for it. What's up next year for you?
:) good times!!
vamos!
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