November 6, 2010

Five weeks of training and 3 more to go…time is going fast. I’ve been keeping a daily journal and at first I was filling up 3 and 4 pages because everything was new and different. Now things are getting to be more and more normal, which is strange considering how short of a time I’ve been here. I took my LPI (language proficiency interview) and tested at the level they want for being able to swear in (which is Intermediate-mid). Less than 2 months ago I knew how to count to 10 in Portuguese. Now I can tease the kids that follow us in the street, and chat with my Mãe when the power is out (which happens whenever the wind blows or there is a slight rain). It’s really crazy to me. And there are some words in Portuguese that just work their way into our English because they’re more convenient.

This last week we got to work in the garden and learn how to grow bio-intensive gardens where you get a whole lot more out of a whole lot less land. Bonus it was all at my house since I live on a giant plantation (by Namaacha standards anyways). It was great to be outside all day and not sitting in classes. This next week is dedicated to planning model school (which is where students come in for fake classes to help us practice teaching in Portuguese and see how our methods work with locals before we actually go and teach at a real school). Then week 7 we have model school, then a 3 day weekend where I plan to go visit the beach with a ton of other volunteers and then another week of model school. Right before our 3 day weekend (on the 18^th) I’m supposed to find out where I’ll be living for the next 2 years. I’m excited to find out and also see who is going to be placed around me. After the second week of model school we have a week of activities before finally swearing in as real volunteers on Dec 3^rd. Then it’s off to our provincial capitals and our new lives (again). It’s coming to an end so fast.

Just wanted to send a shout out to those of you messaging me online. It means a lot and sorry I sometimes can’t respond. If anyone has any questions they want me to address in the blog just let me know. Now that things are starting to get “normal” it’s harder to think of what to write.