So this is what they meant when they said it was hard....

Ah Saturday.....unfortunately I am not recovering from a night of salsa dancing and reggaton....i got a good night's sleep after watching Black Swan with the other volunteers because we had parent-teacher conferences this morning. It went well and I feel a little more confident with my spanish day by day, but when I hear my students speak english, I imagine it is something similar to what I sound like in spanish! Luckily I have a meeting with Rita this afternoon to keep me on track, but I need to spend more time with it.

This week was my first "hard week." My student, Roberto, who asked me several VERY VERY inappropriate questions on Monday, stole not only my kitchen timer for the class, but also the flash drive of the special ed coordinator. Okay, let me break this down, because it kind of took me on an emotional rollercoaster. Monday, he asked me questions and persisted on grazing my boobs and touching my leg and those sorts of things when I was trying to work with him. I had David, one of the volunteers, talk to him (though I had told him a million times why this was inappropriate) about it. It did nothing. I then had to go to Marco Polo, head of colegio, and explain this to him. I was almost in tears as I tried explaining this sensative situation in Spanish. Cultural differences are frustrating sometimes and even when my explanation was coming out of my mouth, I felt silly, but also didnt want to be mildly sexually harassed by a 13yr old for the rest of the year. So Tuesday Marco talked to him. Meanwhile, that night after he talked to Marco Polo, he came to visit me at baths and persisted in just touching my shoulder or knee when I was busy working just to pester me. So clearly this kid has no fear. Wednesday in class, he and the other kid I help, Alex, were complete nightmares. We made them copy the  "regalas" y "compromismos" 5 times instead of letting them go to recess. The next day, Ligia, whose flash drive was later stolen and is head of the program, yelled at them and made them apologize. Again, nothing. They worked a bit better that day, but still, its a struggle to get them to do their work. Friday, Roberto stole the kitchen timer Kristen and I use to keep time for the "Read Naturally Program" we had to pull teeth to implement. We asked the boys where it was and they both denied having it. A minute later, Alex gave up Roberto. Kristen and I had to take him to Madre Cindy (the disciplinary). She told him he couldnt come back to school until she talked to his parents. Meanwhile his parents were there that week before this happened to talk about his general attitude. Such a pisspot. I'm not sure where the problem stands now, but I'll keep you posted.

So Tuesday, after I talked to Marco Polo, I had religion class. Admittedly, I was pretty hot from the situation and kind of took it out on the girls. Karma proves a bitch though, and on my way down the stairs after class with 8 bibles in my hands, I fell down 4 stairs. Some of the boys I see at baths helped me up and didn't even laugh at me. They must have seen I was having a day. I wear my heart on my sleeve (or face) what can I say...

After that, I had adult ed. Sometimes I feel like Mike (the retired philosophy professor who helps us) expects me to run the show of 26 adults even though my spanish is the worst of the 4 other volunteers who help run the class. So I was trying to explain to this woman who came in late that she needed to talk to the Madres regarding her lateness for the 4th day in the row. She couldn't understand a word I was saying because shes catcheuan (spelling completely wrong!), so she doesnt speak spanish, let alone my spanish. She gave me this blank stare and I just burst in tears. I got a hold of myself a few minutes later, but for anyone who knows me, I'm not an emotional person and it takes a lot to make me cry. I think the last time I cried was when I left DC for real. Before that, when my uncle died. So it was embarassing for me. Mike was so nice about it. He told me that if I didn't get upset now and then about the work I'm doing with the people I'm doing it for, something was wrong with me. He then laughed and turn my tears into a broken smile. The show must go on.

So that was my week, more or less. I've been drinking freshly squeezed oj, honey, and a bit of cinnamon (hot) every night for salud (health), and it seems to be working. I'm always a bit sniffily anyway, but considering there were like 6 volunteers down this week with flu and I, queen of getting sick, did not, it must be working. It's also delicious and you should try it!

In general, I think this was the first week I really started to understand what I was doing, what I was giving up (missing my friends and family and cozy life!), how frustrating language barriers and cultural barriers are, how to work with people without preaching at them or putting myself above them, and how sometimes, no matter what you do, you can only change people who want to be changed. Lessons are just starting to seep in, but starting nonetheless.

I feel like this was a debbie downer blog, but I'm feeling good again. Much to do today-need to come up with some ideas for the play my religion class is doing (it's going to be about Papa Noel at the Beach regarding the 6th beatitude)--Their ideas, minus the beatitude, but it should be interesting. I'm going to record it, so I will definitely post it on the blog or on my facebook.

Also, a thousand apologies if this is not well organized or thought out: I downloaded the new Jake Owen CD (took me like 4 hours lol) and I'm listening to a little country lovin.

Missing everyone back home. I also sent out about 40 cards home to be mailed in the states, so if I had your address  I probably mailed you one. here's my address for any surprise snail mail (i'd love it!!)

Centro del Muchacho Trabajador
Julia Sellers
Apartado 17-01-3112
Quito, Ecuador
South America

much love, jams