Week Three: Underway

Well Friends,

I would first of all like to take a moment to congratulate my alma matter, (i think just using that word makes you sound old...) Lafayette on yet another EXCELLENT victory at State Finals. Special congrats to my cuz Clay who felt victory with the band in his last season...I won't lie...that, I am jealous of.

Anywho,
I have officially been in Guatemala (or the Guat as some of you prefer to call it) for 2 weeks, 1 day, 6 hours and 44 minutes and I think it's safe to say I've kind of gotten the hang of the routine around these parts. Just in case you were wondering (which you weren't...because what I'm about to tell you is going to be exceedingly boring) here it is. What you've all been waiting for. A DAY IN THE LIFE OF CLAIRE L. KINNEY, STUDENT TEACHER AT THE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY OF GUATEMALA.
6:30 - Wake Up
7:40 - Leave for School
7:43 - Arrive at School (if you'll note...school is very close to where I'm staying)
8:00 - School Starts (I would write more about my school day...but it varies so frequently, that it's just a lot of typing that...let's be honest...most of you would skip anyway)
10:00 - First Recess
12:00 - Lunch
12:20 - Second Recess (yeah...they have TWO recesses...it's pretty sweet)
3:00 - School Ends
3:20 - Go Home
3:23 - Arrive back...play on the computer...write lesson plans...that kind of thing.
6:00 - Dinner (typically)
7:00 - Finish Lesson Plans and stuff

However, I do go to a Bible Study on Monday nights and Thursday nights, one of the mom's at the school has all the single women teachers over for dinner and to watch Survivor (which...you know i love).

Weekends are up for grabs...This weekend I mostly relaxed, but I did get the opportunity to go to The Oasis, where my host family works and see their facility and play with some of the girls that stay there. Which was really fun...except It took me like 25 years to realize that "empuje" meant they wanted me to push them on the swing. They were probably really frustated with my lack of Spanish..but I like to think I made up for it in my intensly good pushing abilities. They kept saying, "Mas" which is like the one word I know (it means "more" for those of you who lack the kind of natural Spanish ability that I have). I'd like to thank my Mom and Grandmommy for always pushing me on the swing as a child and teaching me the proper technique.

I've been picking up more and more at school. This week I teach Math, Bible, Spelling and Phonics and Writing and Grammar. I like having more teaching to do...it makes life much less boring.

I think the kids are starting to warm up to me a little bit more and I think they even admitted to liking one of my lessons today. They are a rowdy group, that much is true, but they're precious when they want to be.

Overall, things are going well! I miss home and I miss all of you, but I know this is where I'm supposed to be right now and I'm just trying to live it up!

Peace, Love and My Typical Day,
Claire

Shout Outs:

1. As always to Miss Melissa Coffey: I miss you a lot. I really miss being super funny with you. I feel like I'm losing some of my funniness because I'm not with you.

2. Haley: You wanted a shout out and here it is! I just want you to know that sometimes when I want a laugh...I think about all your ridiculous experiences at the corner of Main and Jefferson with the gangsters.

3. Allison Brown: I really wish I could hear your Obama voice. I hope you're treating your first lady Michelle nicely. Also. You're great. Let's hang out when I get back.

4. Mamaw and Papaw: I am writing this on here so that hopefully my parents are responsible enough to print this out and bring it to you! I love and miss you all! Can't wait to see you all when I get back!

5. Grandmommy and Granddaddy: This is also a reminder to my parents to show you all this! I hope sometime when she's at your house I will be able to skype with you! Love and miss you both!