Estoy aburrido

August 13, 2009

There is an exercise bike down stairs that was either given to the missionaries or bought by the missionaries. I do not know the story behind that. Anyways, the thing looks from it’s straight out of the 80’s and I can picture some big haired lady with lime green spandex riding it. I got in my short dark blue spandex (because that is better than lime green) and I rode that sucker for a half hour. It’s old, but it works well. There are also a small set up weights. The biggest ones are five pounds each so I had to do many repetitions to feel the burn. I ate Raisin Bran with rice milk. Luckily Horchata is a popular drink around here so there is plenty of rice milk available in the grocery store. I finally got out of the house around 10:00 a.m. and made my way tot e internet café. I knew home would be boring so I went to the school to see what was happening. I finally met Luis Trundle, the school principal, and he had many words of advice about how to deal with the children. He said that some missionaries do not find the happy median between strict and passive while teaching. It is best, Trundle says, to love the children and let them know such, while also keeping the classroom in order by having rules and upholding them. I really hope I am able to do this. Norma, the Pastors wife, also had some encouraging words. She told that she could not go to another country and deal with another culture. It is a gift from God to go somewhere besides your home that is completely different and be fine according to Norma. She also said that the work at the school is hard work. It is difficult to get the children to like and speak English. Some tips she gave me were to act things out or have them act. Basically anything visual or tangible helps. I did find out finally that I am teaching, along with English, math, science, and Bible classes. I will also be given a special Literature and reading class for the second grade since I am a Literature major. I feel so blessed to be needed, I just hope God gives me the skills and the knowledge I need. Norma also told me that I can do anything as long as I have a positive attitude. I hope that is true.
I was trying to cook potatoes for my dinner, but I could not turn on the stove. It is gas powered and the gas tank is right next to it, but I did not know how to turn it on. I called Lodya, the school, and Poul, but no picked up. I glad they did not because I met someone very nice. I got fed up and hungry so I took my keys and went looking for help. I found two women in the street so I asked in my broken Spanish to “Help Please. My stove no work.” One of the women followed me into my house and showed me how to turn on the gas. I had no matches so she went to her work and got some. I showed her around the house and she even used the restroom. I gave her some of la papas (potatoes), but I do not think she liked them. I speak very little Spanish and she speaks even less English. Some how we communicated and I discovered her name is Lorena, she has three children. She lives very far, but her work is very close. I also learned she does not like garlic because she made a face when I cut it up and put it in pan. I prayed and we ate. I showed some pictures of my friends, family, and Joe. She told me hair is very beautiful and thanked me for sharing with her then left. I really appreciated her company and I am happy God sent a friend. Poul was supposed to come over because he is lonely as well since his sister and mom are gone, but Lorena came over instead. It is only 7:00 p.m., but I am already tired. I want to go on a walk, but it is already dark out. Oh well. Perhaps tomorrow I will explore more.