Monday, January 28, 2013

It's been two weeks!


Well, as you can see for the picture below, we are in Honduras! Saturday marked two weeks being in Guaimaca and it has just flown by! We have been adapting to the community, house, school, and getting to know each other as well as the sisters. Lets start with the sisters.

            Sister Marta and Jenny, one of my housemates, met us in at the airport in Tegucigalpa. Guaimaca is about 1 ½ away so after we grabbed some lunch at the mall we headed out. Sister Marta took us to our house, where the other sisters were there. I have only known them for two weeks but they are all so great! There is Sister Marta who is our main coordinator of the program. She is funny, organized, and gets things done! Sister Olga is a hoot, she is just great. Sister Maria is so kind and well Sister Theresa is just such a sweet person. We are going to be working with here a lot since she is the coordinator of the school. I want all of you to meet them, I know you would all love them!! Now, about the house.

 It is beautiful! Outside there is a little garden made by the past volunteers (we will be adding to it soon-gardening tips anyone?), a table, a hammock that was just set up and most importantly, a Mango Tree!! (beyond excited) We also have a dog, Negrita, who I will have a love/hate relationship with throughout the year (Don’t worry Benji, you are still my favorite). Inside, the house is lovely as well! My room is right off the living room. Its got the necessities, along with some roommates (ants) Now, I know I’m great company and really, who wouldn’t want to be roommates with me –TORI- but I would appreciate it if they left. We’re working on finding them a new home.

For this program, we will be going to mass, often. While it seems like a lot going most of the week, it will really help me with my Spanish, and getting to know people in the community. Mass here is different from at home.  Here, there is a lot of singing; I can’t wait to get a music book so I can sing along. Both of the priests seem very nice and enthusiastic about being in this community, which is great. Last Friday we went to Tegus. To see the Basilica, which is a cathedral. It was beautiful, and while it was long bus-ride, worth it.

I have learned that my Spanish is a lot better than I anticipated, although I still have a long way to go. I’m sure my students will work with me and I will start improving in new time (Even though they speak real fast)! Speaking of school, I got my class schedule!

I will be teaching Segundo and Tercer Ciclo (8th and 9th grade) Natural Science and Art/ Music history. I am so excited! The music one sounds like it will be so much fun, and maybe I can pull out my piano skills from last semester to try and teach them some piano-LOL! I have started my lesson plans for my science classes and boy have I forgot science, but luckily it’s not too in depth so I should be able to teach them and learn some stuff myself!

I feel like there’s so much more, I just can’t think about it right now. Oh wait! I never talked about Guaimaca! It is a small town, I think technically a municipality, but a town nonetheless. This country has AMAZING fruit and I have been eating beans and rice like nobody’s business, but am not complaining! We have been able to meet people in town through school, church, and Jenny who has been here a few months already. We are planning on having some over soon, so that will be a great way to get to know them and for them to know us!

GUYS IM IN HONDURAS! I wish I had more to report like funny stories, life changing events, me being a teacher, me riding a bicycle, but I think in some way I’m in such a daze I can’t pinpoint any events right now. I start school on the 4th so right now I’m just preparing, preparing, preparing! (and enjoying the nature, weather, our group cooking, the dog, our neighbors, sometimes riding the bike, waiting for mango season,  and just taking it all in!) So many emotions but mostly excitement for all my adventures here.

Well, that’s it for now. Hopefully in two weeks time you’ll see a new post!
Also, Happy Birthday Ashley and Dana! Whooo!!

Wait, I forgot the most important info!....Jenny, LOVES LOTR. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT WE HAVE ALREADY WATCHED ALL THREE OF THEM AND ALICIA HAS STARTED TO LIKE THEM AS WELL. THIS IS FANTASTIC.

3 comments:

  1. Congratulations Helen! I went to Guaimaca on my HOPE trip last year, and I absolutely loved it! You are going to learn so much! Enjoy yourself but please be careful as well. Wishing you all the best!

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  2. Nice post Helen - looking forward to many more :)

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  3. WOW HELEN -- AWESOME!!!! KEEP US POSTED PLEEEEZE
    Michele B

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