Half Baked

I guess it's about time I get my act together and post something. I can no longer use my computer as an excuse since I now have a functioning space bar.

Winter is definitely here. I know I complain about the cold all the time(at least that's what friends keep telling me...), but it's getting even colder here(low 40's at night..). Wouldn't be so bad if houses had heat, but they don't so it's starting to get a bit interesting..... I'm in good company though. Peruvians aren't huge fans of the cold either. Besides the weather, I've enjoyed being here for the World Cup. I'm just not used to the hard core fans, alteration of class times for a game, and the high level of emotion involved in fútbol (players and fans too...) It's been an interesting cultural experience.

I'm thankful to have had a few sweet days in the U.S. last month. It was nice to thaw out a little bit, but even better was being at home to see my sister get married. It was a great occasion and good to see family and friends after three months of living in Peru. I was able to catch up on my American pop culture, enjoy Dunkin Donuts coffee, and lots of other things too.... It was a fun time, but it's good to be back in Arequipa.

School continues to be a challenge, but is still enjoyable. Plenty more tenses and vocabulary every week. At this point, I'm just excited to have more vocabulary and be able to speak a bit more intelligently. The other day I had a wonderful surprise when I noticed some paperwork that said I'm at the intermediate level now. Yay!!! After studying for 17 weeks, I've made some kind of progress.... I also believe I had my first dream in Spanish. It was quite strange. I guess Spanish has finally invaded my entire life. It's been a good thing, just a bit disturbing. I think my brain's rebelling just a little bit at this point. I'm forgetting words in English and am having a hard time spelling words in English and in Spanish too. It's great!!

So, for now I'm half baked, but Spanish is slowly but surely getting into my brain. I'm looking forward to being finished with school and getting to my end destination, but am encouraged daily as I walk through the process of becoming best friends with Spanish. So far, it's been an interesting ride and I imagine it will continue to be so.

Hasta próximo tiempo!!

Huelgo.....

Dear.kind.readers,
It.seems.my.computer.has.gone.on.strike.this.week.and.will
continue.to.be.on.strike.until.further.notice
(as.you've.probably.figured.out.by.now,I.don't.have.a.
functioning.space.bar.and.am.having.spacing.issues.as.well).
So....Until.my.computer.decides.to.start.behaving.
I.won't.be.posting.anything....

Just.letting.all.know,so.you.don't.think.I've.abandoned
ship.or.gone.on.strike.myself...

Hasta.proximo.tiempo...

Poco a Poco.....

Where does the time go? It’s hard to believe I’ve been in Arequipa for two months now. Yikes!! The weather seems to be getting cooler here. It’s a bit strange to see some of the little kids going to school wearing gloves…it’s probably warmer than 55 degrees outside. Funny!! Since summer is coming for y’all in the U.S. that means winter is coming for me. AAACK!! Two winters this year!! At least it won’t snow here…

School continues to be challenging and fun too (most of the time…). As we push through more complex verb tenses and lots of new rules for grammar I’m reminded of how much I have already learned and also of how much more there is for me to learn as well.

Lots of people down here seem to like the phrase, “poco a poco"(little by little) when talking about language learning. This is probably a good way to look at the process, but I’m more of an instant gratification person… I’m an American. I’d like to have the results now please. For me, this has been a good lesson in patience and reliance on God. As I gradually learn more language I’m encouraged and thankful that God has opened up my old brain to learn Spanish in preparation for my next destination. One day, (I hope sooner rather than later) I’ll be fluent in Spanish. Until then, I’m enjoying the adventures on the way. I’m sure there are plenty more to come.

Other than school, I’ve been enjoying the sun, parks, center of town, and running from dogs. I think it’s rained about twice since I’ve been here. It’s been great!! I guess that’s the advantage of two winters for me. Yay for dry season!! The food continues to be absolutely amazing. I still miss cooking, but the food here is so good… Otherwise, life has been full of lots of Spanish and little bits of confusion.

Hasta próximo tiempo!!

Toros!!

Just thought I'd share a couple of pictures from my latest adventure to a bull fight down here.




Pre show entertainment


















Couy!!
























More Pre show entertainment....






Priming the bull












Three fearless men

















The real deal.....

Que Pasa?

What's new? Lots of Spanish vocabulary, verbs, and grammar. At this point I could name just about every object in your house and tell you what to do in the house with my mad crazy amount of verb knowledge. I've been in school for almost a month now. Yikes!! Classes have been challenging and fun as well. Give me a couple more weeks and I'll be fluent (only in the present tense though). One of these days I'll be stable enough to go on to future and past tense. I'm so excited to be able to talk about what I did last week in past tense.

Life in the city continues to be an adventure. Nothing surprises me anymore. I've managed to stay out of trouble in my travels and am thankful for this. I hope to keep a clean record for my stay here....

Other than studying hard core and playing in the city, there's not much else to report, so I'll keep it short. Fall is here with cooler weather than I'd like, but it's not as cool as the falls in MD. I'm enjoying the time God has given me here and am really looking forward to being fluent in Spanish. Soon enough!!

Hasta próximo tiempo!!

No comprendo!! Repite, por favor

It’s hard to believe, but I’ve now been in Arequipa for about two weeks. The adventure continues to be exciting and full of new things. I’m still trying to get used to laid back Peruvian time, dogs barking all the time, the sun rising at 0500, and all the kissing too. I think I’m now healed of my personal space issues.

I’ve been in school for almost two weeks and am now fluent in Spanish. It’s a miracle!!! Actually, I’m nowhere close to fluent. But…..I’m happy to report that I can now name just about any item in your kitchen or dining room in Spanish(very important stuff…). Over all, classes are going well and there is definitely some learning going on these days.

Outside of school, just about everything is in Spanish as well. The Peruvian family I’m living with speaks mostly Spanish, so I’m being exposed to Spanish pretty much all day. As expected, church is in Spanish as well. A two hour church service can feel pretty long if you don’t understand everything being said…. I can’t wait til the day I’m dreaming in Spanish.

I’ve had a couple of opportunities to explore the city and am thankful that I haven’t gotten lost(for those of you who don’t know….I’m directionally challenged). It’s been interesting learning the ins and outs of getting around the city in buses and taxis. I still have lots to learn, but I’m glad to have a basic understanding of where I am.

Over the past two weeks I’ve been reminded quite often of how dependant on God I really am. For a person who likes to be in control, I’d have to say that God has been stretching me in many ways. It is comforting to know and remember that He is with me every step of the way in this adventure. I’m excited for the amazing things God has planned for my time in Arequipa and in Cusco as well.

Hasta la vez próxima (until next time)