Trabajo

3-31-11 & 4-1-11

I just wrote a sentence and then realized that it was in Spanish instead of English…whoops. Imagine how I’d be if I lived in Peru longer! I keep getting really far behind on this blog. Ugh. The reason is that I have lots of other work to do and so I often spend lots of time on my computer writing or researching, instead of doing fun things that I can write about later.

Thursday the 31^th: I was convinced that we got Wednesday and Thursday free from class because the directors wanted a weekend since ours was taken up with adventures in the Amazon. However, they weren’t so much of a break for us because our final paper for the conferences was due on Friday. Therefore my Thursday was not toooo exciting. I spent nearly the whole day in a café trying to write my paper (about the Internal War). I’ve been emailing back and forth with the woman I submitted my cover letter and resume to. There was a miscommunication and despite the fact that I’ve told her I’m in Peru, she asked me to come in for an interview. I suggested skype etc.. but she never really responded. I had a little bit of a breakdown about it today because I feel so frustrated about these miscommunications and I feel as if she much be extremely tired of dealing with me. As of now that is the only internship I’ve applied to because I REALLY wanted it and because her response at first was so positive. Now I’m not so sure and that makes me worried. I suppose I should go back to searching. I really enjoyed the early afternoon because I was feeling super stressed about all these things and assignments and trying to pick classes but I took a break to go to El Molino with Rachel. Sometimes doing something completely different is what I need to get perspective and relax. We bought some USBs (apparently I left mine in the US), some sunglasses (mine broke), and some movies (of course). Rachel made me feel a lot better and I appreciated it.

Friday the 1^st: We had our next to last FSS today and we talked about how to put together our project proposals. I hope that I do this proposal well….SIT has a habit of not really explaining things and assuming that we understand. We completed a sample proposal in small groups (SIT loves wasting times by splitting people into small groups to discuss when we often don’t know what it is we’re supposed to discuss). We turned our papers in and received our grades from the Spanish exam, and then we were free for the rest of the day. After lunch we got a group together and played soccer. I never wear the right shoes! I played in moccasins and had big blisters by the end of the game. The pain was worth it though! We won! My team was composed of Chris, Lucia, Jake, and me. The opposing team was Casey, Justin, Sammie, Rebecca, and Lauren. The smaller team won! I usually think I’m terrible at soccer, but for some reason this game went really well and I had an excellent time. I got home to lunch a littler late because of it and everyone remarked that I was super flushed. I hope that we play again! It felt like a more even match without Donaldo playing, although he always passes the ball instead of scoring all the time, which he most definitely could. I forget if it was Thursday or Friday that they came, but the grandparents are visiting again! Tia Luciana, Tia Lucha (I just figured out that Lucha is the nickname, or apodo, for Luisa. That’s why Luis Castañeda’s posters all say Lucho!) Oh, and I can’t forget Papa Angel (my favorite!). I was afraid I’d never see them again. Yesterday my host mom did the nicest thing; it really warmed my heart. When I came home for lunch I discovered the grandparents sitting at the lunch table and while I greeted them Tia Lucha remarked that I had gained weight. Inevitably it is true, but I don’t think I’m fat! At night I was in my room pretending to work and my host mom knocked on the door. She apologized for her mother and explained that they are old and they don’t understand. I already knew this (my grandma is the same way), but the fact that she went so far out of her way to make sure I was okay and to apologize really meant a lot to me. The simple gesture was just so kind and it made me realize how much I appreciate and love my host family. Sitting at the dinner table tonight I felt truly like a part of the family. I don’t feel uncomfortable around them anymore and I’m just so lucky to have landed in this wonderful family. When we didn’t have class everyday I really started to realize how much I’m going to miss everyone. We have a really great group and I love my host family and though I’m going to Lima with some good friends, I will really miss everyone. After ISP we’re only together for a week presenting our projects, and then the program ends. Who will I never see again once the program ends?

In the afternoon I had a meeting with Donaldo and Sonia to talk about my ISP. They didn’t provide that much help because most of what I need to do now is make contacts and I think my idea is fairly clear. Sonia did, however, give me the email of someone who would be a good tutor. Apparently this woman wrote a book about the media during the internal war and right now she is reporting the elections of a news channel called N. I wrote to Jaime Urrutia a couple of days ago asking him to be my advisor. He hasn’t responded yet, so perhaps this new woman would be better. Also, she lives in Lima (unlike Urrutia) so I would be able to meet with her in person.

That night we had another dinner party at Rebecca’s house. This time we made quesadillas!

xoxo,

Claire