A Busy But Good Couple of Weeks

I've been quite busy the past couple of weeks, but it's been good too. After a week of orientation, we started classes last week. I've so enjoyed getting to know all of the students and spending time with them. I'm the head supervisor for two Learning Centers (rooms where the students have their own "offices," or desks, to do their work): the 6th-7th graders and the 10th-11th graders. I have no doubt that MY students are the best in the whole school :) I have had so much fun with them, and enjoy working in a one-on-one environment, similar to a tutor.

In addition to helping students in Learning Center, I am also teaching a few traditional English classes for the oldest students, the 8th-11th graders. Right now, I'm focusing on conversational English and will soon dive into more serious grammar. The nerd in me is really excited about that, because I always loved grammar :)

This past weekend was Laura's and my weekend off, and we did some traveling. Friday night we went into Cayambe and had some fantastic pizza (no rice the whole weekeend!). Saturday we traveled to Otavalo, the pretty market town, and wandered around there some. I bought a cute butterfly keychain for my room key and...a guitar! It's a beautiful and unique orange wood, with a pretty design around the hole. All of the guitars here have vinyl strings for the top three strings, which I just don't like as much, so I bought some steel strings and restrung it myself. It's so nice to have a guitar again and be able to play. I've been practicing a little bit every night before I go to bed. I've sung to the girls some too. They love to sing, and are always asking me to sing for/with them.

I have a group of visitors coming in a week and a half! (Carrying so many things for people down here, haha) My parents, grandmother, Art Leslie, and Steve and Ann Clark are going to be staying at Camp Bellvue and will be able to see all that is going on here and hopefully travel around some. It will be so good to see them.

Now I'm off to bed for a good night's sleep! I have to get up at 5 am every day. Not fun at all, but I'm getting used to it. A good night to all!