Mi vida nueva

I met my new family on Sunday and was immediately thrilled with my decision when I was shown to my new room on the roof of a three story building with an rooftop patio and a 180 degree view of the city. I also now have a shower with tile. Not that I am complaining about my previous accomodations, but tile is nice.

My new family consists of a mother, father and three children ages 11, 7, and 2. One boy, two girls - in that order - and a canary. Last night after dinner, Lukie, my new mother, asked me if I would like to help her with Andrea´s (the 7-year-old) homework, she had to make a clock out of poster-board for a lesson the following day. I gladly accepted and we all helped to make the clock. Afterward, I showed Andrea how to make a paper doll chain and she loved it. They were a big hit. It felt so good to be involved after my experience last week.

The new school is great as well. My new teacher is a social worker and is also a great teacher and has me doing at least an hour or more of homework as well as an hour each day presenting a topic of my choice to her in Spanish. Not that this is fun by any means (although I do like learning new words for things I have tried to say before and haven´t known how!), but it is great for my language development. Even the students here seem more serious about learning and each time we have gone out we have only spoke in Spanish. English, besides in written form, is beginning to sound strange. I really feel that I am improving, but I am constantly reminded as to how far I still have to go.

I am looking forward to having three weeks in one place, but am already planning my move to Antigua for the week of April 10 - 14 or more for stragetic reasons. Samana Santa (or Holy Week) is suppossed to by huge in Angitua and it is difficult to find a hotel unless you booked accomodation months in advance. I am hoping to circumvent this problem by booking a school for the week (or two) so that I can be there to enjoy the festivities and still continue to study. After a week, I will need to decide whether to stay in Antigua or to head to a school at the lake for a while. I am already getting itchy feet!

This weekend, I am planning to join a local adventure tour group to hike Tajumuclo, the highest volcano in Central America. I am looking forward to getting out into the great outdoors!