Was it Love or Fear of the Cold that led Us through the Night?

I've realized that I should probably proof-read my blogposts and make sure they make sense before I post them... the emphasis here is on "should," but I probably will not. Thank you all for excepting as I am. The weather is finally changing and it is freezing. Well, freezing at least in my office and every other building in Santiago because the Chileans do not believe in insulation. It is weird to know we were transitioning into Winter and it is going to be June. I never thought I would have to wear a scarf, coat, hat, and long-johns at the ending of May. Usually, I am complaining about the heat and humidity in Chicago or how I am fortunate that I have never spent the summer in the Deep South. I am at my school and it is incredibly difficult to concentrate because it is so cold. Fortunately, today is Tuesday which means there is class until l:00pm, but unfortunately it means there are meetings after 2:30pm until 5:30pm.

I would personally thank Meghan Tobin for introducing Mumford & Sons into my life in back in September. "Sigh No More" has become Album of the Month. Not really a light-hearted album, but I think it is the perfect album for the changing seasons. Why is that certain artists like Mumford & Sons seem more appropriate to listen to during a certain season? For example: Bon Iver and Fleet Foxes are ideal for the cold weather. Maybe it is the acoustic guitars and their hauntingly vocals. Who knows, but long story short, I am in love with Mumford & Sons. Thank you once again Meghan Tobin! I send peace and love to you and Heather in Managua.

Work has been good. I am participating more in the classes and taking more of an active teaching role in the English classes. I have found out what my kryptonite is: 4th grade. Those kids are terrible and when I say "terrible" it is an understatement. Give me high schoolers any day of the week, just not middle-school. Maybe this is my penance for being such a hell-raiser and giving some of my teachers a hard time. The most difficult thing for me is not losing my cool. I try to keep my composure, but I find myself yelling and having to stop class because the kids will no settle down. My throat hurts at the end of the day because shouting, yelling, and talking so much. The English classes with the immigrant women on the weekends are swell as well. There is more structure and organization now. I think I kind of know what I am doing with them now. It only took a little over 3 months, but I am finally getting a hold of my service work. Teaching English to the women is different from teaching Kids English. I think it is because the women are choosing to learn the language while the kids are obligated. When there is freedom, people are willing to learn.

Last night, my community had our first session of spiritual direction and it was amazing. It was relaxed and in an informal setting. There was no pressure in having to share and it felt good to talk about some of the obstacles and challenges I have been faced with with a third party. It felt good to share and not feel like I was being judged. It felt good to share and not worry if someone's feelings were going to be hurt by the things I shared. It was good share how the past six months have been going so far (for me, at least). I can't believe I have been here for almost six months. The 8th of June will be six months. Wow! The time is just flying by and it is crazy to think that I am a quarter of the way done with my time here. It is crazy to think too that the new volunteers who are coming December will be attending BIG-O in a little over a month. The time is going by so quickly. Some days go by so quickly that I do not realize how fast they go until the day is over.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T Find out what it means to Me

It's been a long while since my last blog post. Let's see what has happened since the last time I posted: I went to Lollapalooza, the US dollar is incredibly weak against the Chilean peso, a tornado ripped through Northern Alabama, Prince William and Kate Middleton were married, civil disobedience still going on in the Middle East, Blackhawks lost, Bulls are doing well, Gas prices are insane right now in the United States, Obama released his Birth Certificate, Donald Trump is running for President as a Republican, Osama bin Laden has found and killed sending Obama's approval ratings sky high. That is what has been going on since the last time I written the world. Also, My community recently learned the names of the new volunteers that will be joining our community is December (Snaps)!

Work-wise, I have been working with the immigrants off and on since March (I have more volunteers from the States... yay!) and things at my school are kind of crazy right now. Both good and bad. I went on my first school retreat with 1˚ Medio and it went well. When we were at retreat, a majority of 2˚ Medio skipped school, and currently 3˚ Medio is in trouble because something that happened with one of the kids (which involved his book-bag being stolen and later being thrown on top of the roof of the school).

Lately, I have become frustrated with some of my work. Some of the work that I have been doing feels like "dirty work" or work that no one else wants to do. I get it, but I don't want that to be my only work and that I don't want that to be routine. Also, Chileans like to "assume" things. Don't assume, because then you make an ass out of you and me (really, you and yourself). But sometimes, I feel like decisions are made without my knowledge and then people assume that I know what is going on. I don't know what is going on and I am only one person. I cannot do the work of an entire office.

 Another thing that has been going on at work is my relationship with one of the teachers. Let's just say that there is no relationship. I have gone out of my way to avoid this person. I don't acknowledge them. Don't even say "hello," "good-bye," and I don't even ask how they are doing. This person likes to talk behind my back. They makes fun of me for being an American. They talk about the way I ate, the way I speak, the way I sniffle (Recently, I was sick with cold) and they all these things behind my back. They think I don't hear it, but I do. It's ridiculous. This person is old enough to be either my parent or grandparent (and I am going with the latter... my parents are kind of young).

Sometimes, I want to go up to this person and say "WTF?!" but it would only add fuel to the fire. This person is a respected teacher, but I am going to start asking questions to see if this is their personality or if they are just targeting me, because if it is just me, excuse my language here, but I take shit from no one.
I know I am not Chilean (I never said I was and I don't try to be), I know my Spanish is kind of rough (I never said I spoke it perfectly), but I came to this country to work. I don't have to be liked, but I do demand respect. Sigh. I feel better now after ranting. Other than that person, I love the people I work with. I look forward going to work. I love the kids I interact with on a daily basis. Looking at this experience, I am thinking about going into the education field. I think I could probably make as a high school teacher. Elementary and Middle School, not so much, but high school, yes.

Community is good and I am enjoying my time with Catherine and Jake. We do have our differences, but I love them. It is great to come back to my community after a long day of work. I love being American. I love knowing that I am not alone out here. I love getting to share this experience with them and being on this journey with them. I am excited for the new JVs. Although, I am experiencing this rough patch with a colleague and some of my work, I wouldn't change this experience, these next two years for anything else. I trust in God and know with them, I will be okay.

LIVE THE FOURTH!