I think very soon I will be actually taking a real siesta because I'm quite tired today. I don't know why but I wasn't speaking very well today or at least something where I kept speaking to my teacher in English without realizing that I was speaking in English and speaking pretty fast too. Today was pretty good otherwise. I went to the bank/ Credit Union and created an account which was good so I'll have money the rest of this trip. I also got some food for lunch that was pretty good although I need to go find some snack foods pretty soon. I'm just tired and I kinda wish that the food would just appear in my Fridgerator instead of having to go out and buy stuff whenever I need it. I'm also having dinner at Franks house tonight with Val and Margret so that will be fun actually. I need to go visit the american volunteers at the Centro De Arte someday its been like 4 days since I've seen them cause they usually just work and then go home in the evenings and I'm in school. Its weird to know I have friends that are like a block away in school but I don't usually go see them after cause I'm tired or they are off work by the time I'm off school.
I can't quite figure it out yet... It might have been just today but lately it feels like my spanish is kinda plateuing and my teacher can't understand some of my questions or phrases. Well she couldn't understand everything I said before either but it feels like it should happen less now but it feels like its happening more than I want it too. I'll try to study my vocab words later so I can remember them more often. I can't figure out which way would be a better way to practice spanish... write in my journal or study my vocab words or just to go out and talk? I think my conversation is okay just I need to know more words so I can understand ppl when they talk to me fast and with words I don't know.
The rest of today I'm gonna go play soccer and maybe get some food for snacks on the way to somewhere but I think right now I might nap a little.
-Secrest afuera!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Siesta Synapse
Today has been a good day so far. It started off kinda scary when I woke up at 8 and then fell back a sleep. That wasn't the scary part though. Then I had a dream that I missed meeting and I was mad at myself for missing it then my alarm went off at 1030 and I got up and went to meeting haha so crisis averted.
Yesterday ended up really fun as well and I learned quite a few cultural things or at least formed questions that can be answered. We won our soccer game and I played really well. I scored a goal and had good passing, touches etc. I think they were pretty impressed and the coach is a teacher at pajarao flor who I hung out with later that night and he was saying that I was welcome to play with his team anytime. So that was another big plus. I also really liked the jersey they gave me to wear so after the game I asked if before I leave for the states could I buy a jersey off them and they said I could so thats also good. See my day is just full of good things. Well I'll try to balance it out I guess. During the game I bruised my shin pretty bad on some guys leg and so going down hills and stairs fast is pretty painful. If only they made something in soccer to protect your shins.... quizas voy a inventar alguno para esto. (sarcasm just in case you were wondering). After 90 mins the game ended at 5-2 it was a pretty big blowout but they really stepped it up in the last half so it was a good game. I had an awesome time playing and once again I made a good showing for American soccer and for my parents genetics is suppose)
My teacher forgot to come to the game and as I was walking home her door was open so I sat and watched part of a movie and told her she missed out (which she did). Anyways then I went 4 doors down to my place and we had dinner and I hung out and talked with friends and family on skype and facebook for a bit. Later that night I went to the Disco where I thought there wasn't gonna be anyone I knew but it turned out that william and some guys from the japanese team were there so I started hanging out and speaking spanish with them it was pretty fun. My teacher estefani was also there and dancing most of the night. It was quite different than what I expected and I can't quite explain the culture of it cause I don't really know but this I think was one of the first dances where there were probly 2 to 1 guys to girls and yet it was all partner dancing. Most of the guys ( like me) just hung out and talked and listened to music and danced every now and then so it worked out. The whole partner dancing is also quite different cause even when they were playing electronic music or rap ppl still danced like salsa or something with their partner which I can't explain. Pretty much this dance was a whole new world for me cause there weren't many groups of ppl, just partners. And everyone of different ages were dancing with each other like it didn't mean anything. But overall i would say that I had an amazing night and on top of that I met some new friends and became better friends with others for example William. I think after this week I will really start to have a reputation around here so that will be nice. It kinda sucks not knowing ppl very well cause you don't have anyone that you can just hang with and watch a movie or walk around town with it always has to be something fun like the disco.
To sum up my day today I finished with Laundry and after dinner I'll do my homework for tomorrow morning. Laundry... lets just say that I really have a new found appreciation for washing machines and soap after doing my laundry. Its sooo much work to wash everything by hand especially socks. They always get really dirty on the bottom and you have to scurb them quite a lot to get them clean. two pairs of my socks are hopless cause I played soccer in them before I bought soccer socks so they are quite brown but I'll just use them when I go play soccer again or for work projects.
It was nice to talk to Barbara C today on skype! I enjoyed her question of what is my favorite thing about being here and my least favorite thing and I think my least favorite thing is missing my friends but most of all not having old friends that I can hang out with. I enjoy meeting new ppl but its a lot of work to be constantly building relationships instead of having that friend who you just call up and say hey lets hang out and hanging out means doing pretty much nothing and just playing computer or watching a movie and laughing with each other. Also its tough to not have a phone so I'm seriously considering getting one and having one just to call up ppl and be like what are you doing...? One of the best things about being here is that I'm constantly learning and experiencing new things that I wouldn't do in the states. I've tried new things, met new ppl and my most important favorite thing about being here is the fact that I get to have this oppertunity to practice my spanish and get better and by the time I go back I know that I'll be able to speak a ton better and pretty close to fluent I think.
Well its time to go start dinner which will be grilled egg sandwhiches with vegetables like avocado and tomatoes. Adios!
Oh and word of the day is "a cerca de" = about and also ambos= both
Secrest afuera!
Yesterday ended up really fun as well and I learned quite a few cultural things or at least formed questions that can be answered. We won our soccer game and I played really well. I scored a goal and had good passing, touches etc. I think they were pretty impressed and the coach is a teacher at pajarao flor who I hung out with later that night and he was saying that I was welcome to play with his team anytime. So that was another big plus. I also really liked the jersey they gave me to wear so after the game I asked if before I leave for the states could I buy a jersey off them and they said I could so thats also good. See my day is just full of good things. Well I'll try to balance it out I guess. During the game I bruised my shin pretty bad on some guys leg and so going down hills and stairs fast is pretty painful. If only they made something in soccer to protect your shins.... quizas voy a inventar alguno para esto. (sarcasm just in case you were wondering). After 90 mins the game ended at 5-2 it was a pretty big blowout but they really stepped it up in the last half so it was a good game. I had an awesome time playing and once again I made a good showing for American soccer and for my parents genetics is suppose)
My teacher forgot to come to the game and as I was walking home her door was open so I sat and watched part of a movie and told her she missed out (which she did). Anyways then I went 4 doors down to my place and we had dinner and I hung out and talked with friends and family on skype and facebook for a bit. Later that night I went to the Disco where I thought there wasn't gonna be anyone I knew but it turned out that william and some guys from the japanese team were there so I started hanging out and speaking spanish with them it was pretty fun. My teacher estefani was also there and dancing most of the night. It was quite different than what I expected and I can't quite explain the culture of it cause I don't really know but this I think was one of the first dances where there were probly 2 to 1 guys to girls and yet it was all partner dancing. Most of the guys ( like me) just hung out and talked and listened to music and danced every now and then so it worked out. The whole partner dancing is also quite different cause even when they were playing electronic music or rap ppl still danced like salsa or something with their partner which I can't explain. Pretty much this dance was a whole new world for me cause there weren't many groups of ppl, just partners. And everyone of different ages were dancing with each other like it didn't mean anything. But overall i would say that I had an amazing night and on top of that I met some new friends and became better friends with others for example William. I think after this week I will really start to have a reputation around here so that will be nice. It kinda sucks not knowing ppl very well cause you don't have anyone that you can just hang with and watch a movie or walk around town with it always has to be something fun like the disco.
To sum up my day today I finished with Laundry and after dinner I'll do my homework for tomorrow morning. Laundry... lets just say that I really have a new found appreciation for washing machines and soap after doing my laundry. Its sooo much work to wash everything by hand especially socks. They always get really dirty on the bottom and you have to scurb them quite a lot to get them clean. two pairs of my socks are hopless cause I played soccer in them before I bought soccer socks so they are quite brown but I'll just use them when I go play soccer again or for work projects.
It was nice to talk to Barbara C today on skype! I enjoyed her question of what is my favorite thing about being here and my least favorite thing and I think my least favorite thing is missing my friends but most of all not having old friends that I can hang out with. I enjoy meeting new ppl but its a lot of work to be constantly building relationships instead of having that friend who you just call up and say hey lets hang out and hanging out means doing pretty much nothing and just playing computer or watching a movie and laughing with each other. Also its tough to not have a phone so I'm seriously considering getting one and having one just to call up ppl and be like what are you doing...? One of the best things about being here is that I'm constantly learning and experiencing new things that I wouldn't do in the states. I've tried new things, met new ppl and my most important favorite thing about being here is the fact that I get to have this oppertunity to practice my spanish and get better and by the time I go back I know that I'll be able to speak a ton better and pretty close to fluent I think.
Well its time to go start dinner which will be grilled egg sandwhiches with vegetables like avocado and tomatoes. Adios!
Oh and word of the day is "a cerca de" = about and also ambos= both
Secrest afuera!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Siesta Synapse
Okay well I've recently learn a whole bunch of crazy stuff about El Spanish culture, El Salvador and in general that I will try to share with you. The funniest is that I call this post a Siesta Synapse which apparently a Siesta means nap not just resting in the afternoon. Apparently you have to be sleeping according to my teacher ( which she doesn't know ANYthing haha) sorry for the sarcasm I'm a young adult I can't help it its too much fun.
They other thing I learned was that they have this really awesome fruit/ nut thing that they call a maranion which they described to me and said it has a big samilla (seed) on top and they take off the seed and eat the fruit etc but I had honestly never seen anything like it before in my life and the taste is crazy cause its extremely juicy but the aftertaste makes your throat feel a bit dry which is weird cause its mostly juice. Anyways I googled it (googlear its gonna be a verb soon its on the commertials haha) and found out that in english we call it a Cashew fruit? WTF? I had no Idea cashews were attached to an apple looking thing before they were harvested. It blew my mind....
The other thing I tried yesterday was a snow cone but they don't call it a snow cone they call it something else that I can't remember at the moment. Anyways the point is that my teachers favorite flavor is chile and lime which is the exact opposite of why I eat snow cones. I eat them to be refreshed and have something sweet when its hot but apparently everyone here really likes sour things so thats the norm. Well I still have been using their ingredients to make my own dishes like I make a sweet grilled cheese (also known as a egg cheese sandy by someone not very cool ;) ) but I found out that I was making it with melting cheese that is only used for papusas. but I like it. It kinda tastes like monteray jack but sharper? idk how to describe it really. I also have a papaya in the fridge which I think i'll have some for lunch which will be exciting. I've been learning a lot of words this week but I really want to step up my game and do some studying of my words so they will stick better.
Soon I think I'll start watching tele novelas and other stuff. Next week I have mostly morning classes I think which will be nice cause it won't be so tiring and then I can go take a nap after haha.
OH and I tried a donut here and it was one of the most delecious donuts of my life. it had chocolate and nuts on it (possibly the cashew fruit who knows!)
My new goal is to ask many questions about culture to figure it out. I'm to the point where i can understand if ppl go slow and can use multiple words if I get stuck on one. I've been teaching Estefani some of the culture in the states cause her mom lives there. Culture is kinda a funny thing though cause you don't really realize its there until you are in a different one and ppl wonder what the hell you are doing. Like plugging in your ipod and walking to school..... UNHEARD of! haha that stupid american (me) well anyways I try to say good morning to most ppl but as most of you know I'm def not a morning person. If I could grunt my way through the first half of the day I would haha.
Well lets see today I have a soccer game with the spanish school team that I picked up with and the japanese spanish students. I'm playing with the Salvadorans. I really hope the Japanese students are good but I have a pretty bad feeling about the game... it might be a blowout. Other than that.... I'm doing okay I seem to have my ups and downs like last night I was missing home more than usaul and feeling down which was probly cause I was sooooo exhausted from the day but overall I'd say it was a good day. I think what frustrates me the most about my spanish is that somedays I have it and I'm doing well and then an hour later or later that afternoon I can't think of anything to say or remember my words. And the worst is when it happens to you all you can say is I don't remember or I forgot (olvide' remember that kids (ninos) ) so I feel like they just think you don't know but in reality you are just having a lapse in any brain function at all. I'm amazed at those times I can still walk straight sometimes. Its wierd cause sometimes your brain just shuts off and then sometimes you can get it to come back on but its hard.
I'm excited to try to teach science and math in the schools cause from asking questions to Estefani about science and math she doesn't really know much about biology (then again thats my strong suit and she can speak english really well.) Btw I think there is an exception to the joke rule of : English majors are kinda useless) they aren't that useless in foriegn countries but still I like to joke with Estefani cause she couldn't find Ireland when I told her it was close to Englatera. But yeah I think thats enough for now I'm excited to try teaching some I think I'll be a good teacher. Dominguez or Dave or Kelly if you are reading this and want to post or send some teaching materials/advice in spanish to me? that would be awesome. you can also send it in english too if you want
-Secrest Afuera!
They other thing I learned was that they have this really awesome fruit/ nut thing that they call a maranion which they described to me and said it has a big samilla (seed) on top and they take off the seed and eat the fruit etc but I had honestly never seen anything like it before in my life and the taste is crazy cause its extremely juicy but the aftertaste makes your throat feel a bit dry which is weird cause its mostly juice. Anyways I googled it (googlear its gonna be a verb soon its on the commertials haha) and found out that in english we call it a Cashew fruit? WTF? I had no Idea cashews were attached to an apple looking thing before they were harvested. It blew my mind....
The other thing I tried yesterday was a snow cone but they don't call it a snow cone they call it something else that I can't remember at the moment. Anyways the point is that my teachers favorite flavor is chile and lime which is the exact opposite of why I eat snow cones. I eat them to be refreshed and have something sweet when its hot but apparently everyone here really likes sour things so thats the norm. Well I still have been using their ingredients to make my own dishes like I make a sweet grilled cheese (also known as a egg cheese sandy by someone not very cool ;) ) but I found out that I was making it with melting cheese that is only used for papusas. but I like it. It kinda tastes like monteray jack but sharper? idk how to describe it really. I also have a papaya in the fridge which I think i'll have some for lunch which will be exciting. I've been learning a lot of words this week but I really want to step up my game and do some studying of my words so they will stick better.
Soon I think I'll start watching tele novelas and other stuff. Next week I have mostly morning classes I think which will be nice cause it won't be so tiring and then I can go take a nap after haha.
OH and I tried a donut here and it was one of the most delecious donuts of my life. it had chocolate and nuts on it (possibly the cashew fruit who knows!)
My new goal is to ask many questions about culture to figure it out. I'm to the point where i can understand if ppl go slow and can use multiple words if I get stuck on one. I've been teaching Estefani some of the culture in the states cause her mom lives there. Culture is kinda a funny thing though cause you don't really realize its there until you are in a different one and ppl wonder what the hell you are doing. Like plugging in your ipod and walking to school..... UNHEARD of! haha that stupid american (me) well anyways I try to say good morning to most ppl but as most of you know I'm def not a morning person. If I could grunt my way through the first half of the day I would haha.
Well lets see today I have a soccer game with the spanish school team that I picked up with and the japanese spanish students. I'm playing with the Salvadorans. I really hope the Japanese students are good but I have a pretty bad feeling about the game... it might be a blowout. Other than that.... I'm doing okay I seem to have my ups and downs like last night I was missing home more than usaul and feeling down which was probly cause I was sooooo exhausted from the day but overall I'd say it was a good day. I think what frustrates me the most about my spanish is that somedays I have it and I'm doing well and then an hour later or later that afternoon I can't think of anything to say or remember my words. And the worst is when it happens to you all you can say is I don't remember or I forgot (olvide' remember that kids (ninos) ) so I feel like they just think you don't know but in reality you are just having a lapse in any brain function at all. I'm amazed at those times I can still walk straight sometimes. Its wierd cause sometimes your brain just shuts off and then sometimes you can get it to come back on but its hard.
I'm excited to try to teach science and math in the schools cause from asking questions to Estefani about science and math she doesn't really know much about biology (then again thats my strong suit and she can speak english really well.) Btw I think there is an exception to the joke rule of : English majors are kinda useless) they aren't that useless in foriegn countries but still I like to joke with Estefani cause she couldn't find Ireland when I told her it was close to Englatera. But yeah I think thats enough for now I'm excited to try teaching some I think I'll be a good teacher. Dominguez or Dave or Kelly if you are reading this and want to post or send some teaching materials/advice in spanish to me? that would be awesome. you can also send it in english too if you want
-Secrest Afuera!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Siesta Synapse
Today was one of the first times I was actually cold in El Salvador. I debated putting on my jacket for about 30 seconds but then I dried off from being wet from the shower so I was warm enough. Today has been crazy though there is a TON of wind and its been blowing all morning. These last two days have been weird weather. Yesterday it rained which was nice but odd cause its the dry season. And today its been windy nonstop. Its kinda funny cause I'm running out of things to write about cause I'm keeping two journals now because of school. I write two pages a day in Spanish and a little extra assignment too usually and then I come write here and complain about it (haha not really). Oh btw today I did a rant in my other journal but I have no clue as to what the word would be like in spanish. Today is friday but it doesn't really feel like friday. I've really lost track of reality at this point. I takes me a while to remember what day of the month it is or what time it is. I'm getting really hungry too but I ran out of food so I'll have to get up early tomorrow morning and go shopping. I think if I try and go shopping now there won't be a whole lot of stores open but we'll see. My rant today was about how I'm mad at myself for not getting up early enough... but that kinda is because of me staying up late to talk to my friends on the West Coast which I don't want to stop doing... Any suggestions? cause if I get up and talk to ppl in the morning they are all at school or its way too early for them.
Well for now there are soo many little things I have to do I can't wait for the weekend. I don't really want to lock myself up in my room and do them but I kinda have to do a few things I've been saying I need to do and then I can give myself a break in the afternoon and go burn off some steam playing soccer.
I really wish there was a pizza place close by to the school so I could just grab a slice on the way to school but I don't think there is... I haven't gotten any comments about things I should write about so I think for now I'm almost done. Yesterday was fun and I had a good time going on a field trip with the school to a rural house where he had all kinds of fruit trees. They had this really odd fruit that looked kinda like an apple with a big seed on top and when you ate it it was mostly for the juice. It was sweet and good but then there was an aftertaste that made the back of your mouth dry which was the wierdest thing cause its juice! I didn't understand it. Then they asked me what its name was in English and I was like I have no clue at all.
Well for now there are soo many little things I have to do I can't wait for the weekend. I don't really want to lock myself up in my room and do them but I kinda have to do a few things I've been saying I need to do and then I can give myself a break in the afternoon and go burn off some steam playing soccer.
I really wish there was a pizza place close by to the school so I could just grab a slice on the way to school but I don't think there is... I haven't gotten any comments about things I should write about so I think for now I'm almost done. Yesterday was fun and I had a good time going on a field trip with the school to a rural house where he had all kinds of fruit trees. They had this really odd fruit that looked kinda like an apple with a big seed on top and when you ate it it was mostly for the juice. It was sweet and good but then there was an aftertaste that made the back of your mouth dry which was the wierdest thing cause its juice! I didn't understand it. Then they asked me what its name was in English and I was like I have no clue at all.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Siesta Synapse
Its been only a week since I got here? I really can't comprehend that. It feels like every day is three days almost. I kinda slept through my first day of today ( if that makes sense haha). I wake up around 8 but its sooo nice to sleep in and have a nice dream. Especially when you've been as busy as I have the last few days. Its like by the end of the day my brain is fried and then I end up hanging with ppl at night that speak good english but horrible spanish so I end up translating for the group haha. I met the Danes last night.... they were pretty cool. They are all leaving in like a week to go to different places and do home stays with different families. Some of them are really worried like this girl sonya who just started learning spanish 3 weeks ago. I told her how I was so nervous before I came too but once I got here it just kinda happened like its amazing how adaptable humans are to tough situations. I was having this conversation with ppl here about how we are so widespread and we can survive in temps like negative degrees with a wind chill. I feel bad for my east Coasters and people who live really far north cause Jeff told me about how his nostrils freeze together on the third breath outside.... at least its not a tounge on a pole.
I have decided that there are wayyyyyy too many ppl to meet in this glorious world. I've only been here a week and I have had to start saying no to invitations cause I have something else planned. I will talk to sister peggy maybe but I kinda want to teach a frisbee and sports class once a week maybe or do a drum class. There is a guy here who plays Guitar so maybe I could hang out and jam with him. I'm also gonna learn how to make some Salvadoran food from my teacher Estefani which should be fun.
There are some things I really haven't figured out about here yet though like there is a truck that drives by sometimes late at night and blasts new popular music... I think ppl are annoyed by it more than its actually useful. There is also this wierd announcement they have recorded and play while going through the streets and its a woman that I'm pretty sure doesn't say any real words that I can make out. And you can hear it all the way across town so you hear it like 15 times before it gets out of range.
I also had this brilliant Idea (well I thought it was at 1 am at least haha.) but I was gonna start adding a spanish word of the day or a few words so if ppl are planning on coming to to trip in June they will know some important words.
Todays words.... burro=donkey (its not butter I tried it!) and algunos or alguno means some or something. Its helpful when you use it with cosas (which means things) like ex. algunos cosas son dificil entender para mi especialmente despues 3 horas de escuela.
Wow side note but I was sitting here typing and I just saw this daddy long legs spider catch this fly or flea thing it was pretty fucking amazing (excuse my french) but thats how cool it was.
Secrest Afuera!
I have decided that there are wayyyyyy too many ppl to meet in this glorious world. I've only been here a week and I have had to start saying no to invitations cause I have something else planned. I will talk to sister peggy maybe but I kinda want to teach a frisbee and sports class once a week maybe or do a drum class. There is a guy here who plays Guitar so maybe I could hang out and jam with him. I'm also gonna learn how to make some Salvadoran food from my teacher Estefani which should be fun.
There are some things I really haven't figured out about here yet though like there is a truck that drives by sometimes late at night and blasts new popular music... I think ppl are annoyed by it more than its actually useful. There is also this wierd announcement they have recorded and play while going through the streets and its a woman that I'm pretty sure doesn't say any real words that I can make out. And you can hear it all the way across town so you hear it like 15 times before it gets out of range.
I also had this brilliant Idea (well I thought it was at 1 am at least haha.) but I was gonna start adding a spanish word of the day or a few words so if ppl are planning on coming to to trip in June they will know some important words.
Todays words.... burro=donkey (its not butter I tried it!) and algunos or alguno means some or something. Its helpful when you use it with cosas (which means things) like ex. algunos cosas son dificil entender para mi especialmente despues 3 horas de escuela.
Wow side note but I was sitting here typing and I just saw this daddy long legs spider catch this fly or flea thing it was pretty fucking amazing (excuse my french) but thats how cool it was.
Secrest Afuera!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Siesta Synapse
Well I don't have a whole lot to say today cause I wrote my last one kinda late in the day... I was correct though when I said I would be sore from Soccer practice. Its really not as bad as I thought it would be though. Last night was fun and we all took a group picture which was really nice. I'm glad my teacher came out too cause she got to meet all my american friends and they are going to set up a time to get together so she can practice her English since thats what she is studying at University. Alex and Val and Margret left today but I got to say goodbye to them which was nice. Today I think is going to be a very nice day but kinda on the hot side. There is a breeze though so it should cool off nicely.
Last night I met some backpackers who are here for two nights. One from Florida and one from Australia. Both are really cool and the Australian his hilarious. I made the most hilarious mistake last night that became the running joke of the whole night. I had thought that the word for butter was burro... (thats what it is in Italian) and so I brought up two packs of popcorn with extra butter to pop in Roberts microwave. when I brought the first bag out I said this is my favorite snack and and I was explaining it to my teacher in Spanish and I said "Este es (they helped me out with the word for popcorn) y este es la mejoria porque tiene mucho mucho Burro!" haha and everyone was like what? and then I felt really stupid but I was able to laugh at myself for it which was good.
So thats my story of the day which I will probly never live down but whats life without funny and cool stories to tell your kids.... I can't wait to tell my kids how I their mother ( jijiji) I also talked on facebook in spanish for a while with my teacher and others which was fun and I love that instead of using h they use j cause in my head I use a hard j sound when I read it like hehe is jiji!
Also in these last few days my spanish has improved dramatically
-Secrest Afuera!
Last night I met some backpackers who are here for two nights. One from Florida and one from Australia. Both are really cool and the Australian his hilarious. I made the most hilarious mistake last night that became the running joke of the whole night. I had thought that the word for butter was burro... (thats what it is in Italian) and so I brought up two packs of popcorn with extra butter to pop in Roberts microwave. when I brought the first bag out I said this is my favorite snack and and I was explaining it to my teacher in Spanish and I said "Este es (they helped me out with the word for popcorn) y este es la mejoria porque tiene mucho mucho Burro!" haha and everyone was like what? and then I felt really stupid but I was able to laugh at myself for it which was good.
So thats my story of the day which I will probly never live down but whats life without funny and cool stories to tell your kids.... I can't wait to tell my kids how I their mother ( jijiji) I also talked on facebook in spanish for a while with my teacher and others which was fun and I love that instead of using h they use j cause in my head I use a hard j sound when I read it like hehe is jiji!
Also in these last few days my spanish has improved dramatically
-Secrest Afuera!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Siesta Synapse
Well I didn't get much of a siesta today and on top of that I did my homework ( like the good student that I am) at midnight last night and finished at 1 haha. Then I got up today at 730 for class and bought a muffin on the way to classes for breakfast. My four hours was much easier than yesterday. After my first day I think my head was on the verge of exploding. I have a nice teacher who's name is Estefani. Maybe one day I'll bring my laptop and take pictures of the school. last time I took classes they were inside but this time I'm taking classes outside and it has a magnificent view ( and I don't use that word often) Anyways today went much better and I can even see my improvement in the two days of classes that I've taken my spanish is much better and I'm better about trying out my spanish which is the important part anyways. Tonight is Alex York's last night here ( my friend I met from Oberlin) so we are going to all go out and PARTY ( sorry mom I have to have some fun here haha).
In the two days of class I've tried to explain very difficult things to estefani like puns and a mushroom and Quakers. Quakers was the hardest but I made my dad proud today when we were doing toungetwisters and I wrote Through three cheese trees three free fleas flew. (thats your favorite right?)
Anyways after classes... the fun continued. My homework tonight is to write two pages in my journal in spanish so I'll have to get to that soon. But after classes I came back and started to rest but I only got an hour and I had to make lunch and unpack my stuff and get ready for soccer practice which I thought was at 230 but actually the team that I had played with before practiced at 4. I was lucky though cause any american with soccer skills and cleates the like want you to play with them so I joined up with the other team and practiced with them. They were fun but they had less experienced players and more skill players that tried to take ppl on one on one and didn't play much of a team game so it was difficult to integrate. Then I ended up playing more with my original team and after about an hour I was absolutely exhausted so I left about 530. Also the first team I practiced with instead of streching just ran like 7 or 8 laps probly around a mile and a half to start off practice. So yeah I guess you could say I'm tired haha. I'm skipping chior tonight cause I'm just too tired to go and I we are gonna have dinner at like 645.
I'm surprised cause these last two days with school its been extremely busy and I really haven't had much time to watch many movies or other stuff like that. I prefer morning classes cause it gets me up and forces me to get out there and start the day and then after I can still go to the market and get something to eat or something for lunch which is good.
It is still one of the weirdest feelings in the world to get out of the shower (the shower is on my porch) and see the rainforest and tops of houses infront of me. I can't get over it. I'm used to stepping out of the shower and seeing a white wall ( great choice on colors mom... cough cough not...cough cough...... who said that? who me? couldn't be.... and don't start singing the cookie jar song mom).
What else do you guy want to hear about? Some things I don't mention cause I'm used to them by now so let me know what parts of suchi you want to know about. Maybe some history of El Salvador? I don't know a whole lot but I can give you a summary. Comment Below!
-Secrest Afuera !
In the two days of class I've tried to explain very difficult things to estefani like puns and a mushroom and Quakers. Quakers was the hardest but I made my dad proud today when we were doing toungetwisters and I wrote Through three cheese trees three free fleas flew. (thats your favorite right?)
Anyways after classes... the fun continued. My homework tonight is to write two pages in my journal in spanish so I'll have to get to that soon. But after classes I came back and started to rest but I only got an hour and I had to make lunch and unpack my stuff and get ready for soccer practice which I thought was at 230 but actually the team that I had played with before practiced at 4. I was lucky though cause any american with soccer skills and cleates the like want you to play with them so I joined up with the other team and practiced with them. They were fun but they had less experienced players and more skill players that tried to take ppl on one on one and didn't play much of a team game so it was difficult to integrate. Then I ended up playing more with my original team and after about an hour I was absolutely exhausted so I left about 530. Also the first team I practiced with instead of streching just ran like 7 or 8 laps probly around a mile and a half to start off practice. So yeah I guess you could say I'm tired haha. I'm skipping chior tonight cause I'm just too tired to go and I we are gonna have dinner at like 645.
I'm surprised cause these last two days with school its been extremely busy and I really haven't had much time to watch many movies or other stuff like that. I prefer morning classes cause it gets me up and forces me to get out there and start the day and then after I can still go to the market and get something to eat or something for lunch which is good.
It is still one of the weirdest feelings in the world to get out of the shower (the shower is on my porch) and see the rainforest and tops of houses infront of me. I can't get over it. I'm used to stepping out of the shower and seeing a white wall ( great choice on colors mom... cough cough not...cough cough...... who said that? who me? couldn't be.... and don't start singing the cookie jar song mom).
What else do you guy want to hear about? Some things I don't mention cause I'm used to them by now so let me know what parts of suchi you want to know about. Maybe some history of El Salvador? I don't know a whole lot but I can give you a summary. Comment Below!
-Secrest Afuera !
Monday, January 24, 2011
Siesta Synapse
Well today is my first day of spanish classes so this synapse is gonna be kinda short this time. I've been not doing a whole lot recently. I've made dinner for the four of us staying here the last two nights so I wonder if they'll make me cook again. I have classes from 2 to 6 so that probly won't be the case but we'll see. I really should be practicing more spanish but today has been one of those days where I let myself watch movies in english instead of practicing spanish or going out and practicing first hand. I've been watching Iron man the last day or so and a few other movies. So far they have all been pretty good. I'm feeding myself well with my cheese, tomato and avocado sandwiches. On Wed Alex, Margret and Val all take off for a three day workshop they are doing so I'll be cooking for myself which will be kinda nice cause I can eat when I'm hungry. I found out yesterday that the tree outside my porch is a mango tree! its too bad I won't be here when there are mangos but maybe I'll be back in Suchi by then. I'm sure Mangos will be easy to find where ever I am.
Not much else has been happening honestly. I successfully did my laundry and had a good siesta yesterday. I need to get some email things done that I've been avoiding about colleges so I'll hopefully be motivated to do that after school tonight maybe. I can't tell if its just been cooler recently or if I've adjusted to the weather but I'm not as overheated anymore these last few days which has helped me sleep.
Until next time. Secrest OUT!
ps the green hornet is a pretty funny movie so far...
Not much else has been happening honestly. I successfully did my laundry and had a good siesta yesterday. I need to get some email things done that I've been avoiding about colleges so I'll hopefully be motivated to do that after school tonight maybe. I can't tell if its just been cooler recently or if I've adjusted to the weather but I'm not as overheated anymore these last few days which has helped me sleep.
Until next time. Secrest OUT!
ps the green hornet is a pretty funny movie so far...
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Pictures!
Siesta Synapses
So its been brought to my attention that my I should be using the word synopsis rather than synapse but I feel kinda attached to my biology word. Anyways thats not really all that important but it was worth mentioning.
As I sit here in my Hammock outside my room with the fan blowing on me I can't help but think the US should really try to develop siesta time. It allows for all people to get time for themselves so they don't worry about doing all that upkeep early in the morning when its nice can cool and you could be working.
Today I'd like to share about my food and my room and what its like. If you've already been here you kinda already know but this is mostly for the people who haven't traveled here and want a mental image. So to start off the differences... its hot now. Its hot pretty much all year round but not as hot in some parts of the year. As of now its about 85 and rather humid. This is what they call the dry season because it hardly ever rains. In about May it starts to rain more and in the middle of the rainy season the rain is almost like clockwork. It seems to rain most days around 5. Its not your normal rain either it usually pours but at the same time its been soo hot that it feels amazing. And since its warm pretty much all year round getting wet is a blessing.
Okay so back to food. Today is a good place to start because I went to the Market after worship with Val (one of the quaker ladies who lives at the house I'm staying) Now there isn't a safeway or anything but the market reminds me of high school hallways except instead of lockers there are tables with fruit stands vegetable stands and pretty much everything you need from shampoo or soap to food (both ingredients to cook and things you can eat right there that are hot) Its also very crowded like a high school hallway. One of the things I learned today thats so different about our cultures is that americans tend to buy in bulk while Salvadorans buy what they need fresh ussually. Since there are so many stands and there isn't like a big chain stand that saves money by buying in bulk all the items you need are the same price if you buy a lot or a just enough. It also goes the well with their culture because they generally don't have great refrigerators or any refrigeration at all. There are about a bazillion kinds of bananas and tons of new tropical fruits that I have yet to try but hear great things as well. I think they also don't have pesto or basil to make pesto so I'm out of luck for that with my pasta.... :(
Now onto my house. its a rather nice house as houses go. Suchi is a nicer part of el salvador. I rented a room with a desk, dresser and bed. The bathrooms are outside. Its a great experience to wake up and walk out of my room and see a gigantic tree in the middle of the "living room" or patio or something. most houses are one story. Most mornings I check my shoes for scorpions before I put them on. On my first trip there was a scorpion in Cyrus's shoe that I saw before he put them on so thats why. Laundry is done by hand (which I have yet to do but plan on doing some later today) You do laudry in whats called a pila which is a big basin of tub of water that you fill up and keep "clean" then you take buckets of water and use the sinks on either side to wash your clothes. I say clean cause it doesn't always stay clean but thats the purpose at least to have a clean source of water that you can use to bathe yourself among other things. When you get out to the home stays not everyone has flushed toilets. In El gigante and el bario many homes just have outhouses with a concrete seat with a hole in it. Another difference is that when you use the bathroom you don't flush the paper down with it. It goes in a waste basket beside the toilet. Back to the room I don't remember if I mentioned anything about mosquitoes and fans. Fans are great to use for two reasons. #1 they cool you off #2 they provide a bit of noise so that mosquitos buzzing around you won't be heard. Also helpful are mosquito nets because they keep the mosquitoes from flying up and buzzing right next to your ear which is one of the most annoying things. I will post pictures later this afternoon when I get up from this hammock. Its almost 4 so its close to time to get up I guess...
Well thats it for this synapse
Secrest Out!
As I sit here in my Hammock outside my room with the fan blowing on me I can't help but think the US should really try to develop siesta time. It allows for all people to get time for themselves so they don't worry about doing all that upkeep early in the morning when its nice can cool and you could be working.
Today I'd like to share about my food and my room and what its like. If you've already been here you kinda already know but this is mostly for the people who haven't traveled here and want a mental image. So to start off the differences... its hot now. Its hot pretty much all year round but not as hot in some parts of the year. As of now its about 85 and rather humid. This is what they call the dry season because it hardly ever rains. In about May it starts to rain more and in the middle of the rainy season the rain is almost like clockwork. It seems to rain most days around 5. Its not your normal rain either it usually pours but at the same time its been soo hot that it feels amazing. And since its warm pretty much all year round getting wet is a blessing.
Okay so back to food. Today is a good place to start because I went to the Market after worship with Val (one of the quaker ladies who lives at the house I'm staying) Now there isn't a safeway or anything but the market reminds me of high school hallways except instead of lockers there are tables with fruit stands vegetable stands and pretty much everything you need from shampoo or soap to food (both ingredients to cook and things you can eat right there that are hot) Its also very crowded like a high school hallway. One of the things I learned today thats so different about our cultures is that americans tend to buy in bulk while Salvadorans buy what they need fresh ussually. Since there are so many stands and there isn't like a big chain stand that saves money by buying in bulk all the items you need are the same price if you buy a lot or a just enough. It also goes the well with their culture because they generally don't have great refrigerators or any refrigeration at all. There are about a bazillion kinds of bananas and tons of new tropical fruits that I have yet to try but hear great things as well. I think they also don't have pesto or basil to make pesto so I'm out of luck for that with my pasta.... :(
Now onto my house. its a rather nice house as houses go. Suchi is a nicer part of el salvador. I rented a room with a desk, dresser and bed. The bathrooms are outside. Its a great experience to wake up and walk out of my room and see a gigantic tree in the middle of the "living room" or patio or something. most houses are one story. Most mornings I check my shoes for scorpions before I put them on. On my first trip there was a scorpion in Cyrus's shoe that I saw before he put them on so thats why. Laundry is done by hand (which I have yet to do but plan on doing some later today) You do laudry in whats called a pila which is a big basin of tub of water that you fill up and keep "clean" then you take buckets of water and use the sinks on either side to wash your clothes. I say clean cause it doesn't always stay clean but thats the purpose at least to have a clean source of water that you can use to bathe yourself among other things. When you get out to the home stays not everyone has flushed toilets. In El gigante and el bario many homes just have outhouses with a concrete seat with a hole in it. Another difference is that when you use the bathroom you don't flush the paper down with it. It goes in a waste basket beside the toilet. Back to the room I don't remember if I mentioned anything about mosquitoes and fans. Fans are great to use for two reasons. #1 they cool you off #2 they provide a bit of noise so that mosquitos buzzing around you won't be heard. Also helpful are mosquito nets because they keep the mosquitoes from flying up and buzzing right next to your ear which is one of the most annoying things. I will post pictures later this afternoon when I get up from this hammock. Its almost 4 so its close to time to get up I guess...
Well thats it for this synapse
Secrest Out!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Nate's Siesta Synapse
So I figure since most days my free time is between 11 and 2pm here so I figured I would start up a tradition called Nates Siesta Synapse ( if you have a better suggestion for what it should be called I'd like to hear it)
Basically its just a synapse of what I've been up to and what I will be doing but its fun to say... And then you can ask your friends "did you see the sinful sinical synapse today?" or "did ya see the supercalifragilistic spectacular sustainable (cause its not using paper) synapse recently? See I'm creating conversation topics for you all from Central america... well that is if you have friends (mom) . Its okay she knows I love her. But still I can't help but think maybe the heat is starting to get to me...
Okay so what I've been doing besides writing those jokes up above has been quite fun. Last afternoon I was recruited to one of the local pick up teams and we had a game which lasted quite a long time esspecially in the heat. I got a good reputation though because I played through and scored a goal. My team won 6 to 3 so it was a pretty dominant performance. I didn't get a nick name yet but I'm hoping for Messi o Donovan maybe. I went and took a nice cold shower and then later that evening met up with Alex and Margret when we all went to the bar cause Alex was playing his guitar as live music because he wanted to impress the oberlin students who were on their Jan term semester here in El Salvador. It was quite interesting and one girl Alice is really good friends with Ian mcardle and many know Baron as well so it was pretty cool to get to know so many oberlin students for such random reasons.
This morning I went to the meeting with all the leaders of the El Salvador projects. I don't remember all their names but we had at least one delegate from each community there ( El gigante, Morezan Joque ytice?, El Bario, Apulo, y Suchitoto) They had lots of business and I tried to listen as much as I could take without my head exploding but after about the second hour I lost track and never really got back onto the conversation. I found it difficult cause usually I could zone out for a few minutes and jump right back into a conversation and not have to pay attention the whole time in order to get what was going on but I made it through the 4 hour meeting and understood the parts I needed to. We talked some about what I might be doing on my 6 months here and every delegate wanted me to stay with them some so that was a good sign and I felt useful. I will probly visit everywhere before I choose where I will spend the majority of my time.
Hope you enjoyed Nates Siesta Synapse! ARRRRRRRRIBA! Hasta Luego
Oh and the Oberlin group plays ultimate Frisbee so I'm gonna hopefully at least go throw it around with them later today
Basically its just a synapse of what I've been up to and what I will be doing but its fun to say... And then you can ask your friends "did you see the sinful sinical synapse today?" or "did ya see the supercalifragilistic spectacular sustainable (cause its not using paper) synapse recently? See I'm creating conversation topics for you all from Central america... well that is if you have friends (mom) . Its okay she knows I love her. But still I can't help but think maybe the heat is starting to get to me...
Okay so what I've been doing besides writing those jokes up above has been quite fun. Last afternoon I was recruited to one of the local pick up teams and we had a game which lasted quite a long time esspecially in the heat. I got a good reputation though because I played through and scored a goal. My team won 6 to 3 so it was a pretty dominant performance. I didn't get a nick name yet but I'm hoping for Messi o Donovan maybe. I went and took a nice cold shower and then later that evening met up with Alex and Margret when we all went to the bar cause Alex was playing his guitar as live music because he wanted to impress the oberlin students who were on their Jan term semester here in El Salvador. It was quite interesting and one girl Alice is really good friends with Ian mcardle and many know Baron as well so it was pretty cool to get to know so many oberlin students for such random reasons.
This morning I went to the meeting with all the leaders of the El Salvador projects. I don't remember all their names but we had at least one delegate from each community there ( El gigante, Morezan Joque ytice?, El Bario, Apulo, y Suchitoto) They had lots of business and I tried to listen as much as I could take without my head exploding but after about the second hour I lost track and never really got back onto the conversation. I found it difficult cause usually I could zone out for a few minutes and jump right back into a conversation and not have to pay attention the whole time in order to get what was going on but I made it through the 4 hour meeting and understood the parts I needed to. We talked some about what I might be doing on my 6 months here and every delegate wanted me to stay with them some so that was a good sign and I felt useful. I will probly visit everywhere before I choose where I will spend the majority of my time.
Hope you enjoyed Nates Siesta Synapse! ARRRRRRRRIBA! Hasta Luego
Oh and the Oberlin group plays ultimate Frisbee so I'm gonna hopefully at least go throw it around with them later today
Friday, January 21, 2011
Skype
I'm free to talk with anyone on skype back in the states just let me know two times that are good for you and probably one of those times will work. I'm mostly free in the morings from about 8 am till 11 cause its siesta time here. Late at night is hard just because I'm two hours ahead of California time but depending on the night I don't know how busy I'll be. you an comment here or on facebook about a time.
Day Two plans
Well today happens to be much busier than yesterday even though quite a lot happened yesterday that I wasn't expecting to at first. First off, I need to go and buy a mosquito net and get a big jug of crystal water for the nights when I get really thristy and don't want to get bit by mosquitos (every night). I'm also going to be on a quest to get a fan in my room. It gets quite hot here some nights and the fan also helps keep the mosquitos away. Its been good to hear from robert that there haven't been many if any cases of malaria in Suchi and that hospital announces whenever there seems to be an outbreak.
After those survival items I'm going to have a lot of fun today! I'm going to play in a soccer game with a local team ( I've already been recruited) and after I think I'll go visit the new people I met who work at the Art center here. If you've been on previous trips you probly remember it being a run down place but its been turned around amazingly and has great art sculptures and even a skate park (well like one or two ramps but still)!
I also should be taking pictures soon and posting them of my place that I'm staying its quite nice. Not to fancy but good. You guys will also be happy to know that I'm going to meeting this Sunday. There are 6 quakers in suchi at the moment for at least the next month I think so thats cool I wasn't expecting to have any quakers here except Robert.
After those survival items I'm going to have a lot of fun today! I'm going to play in a soccer game with a local team ( I've already been recruited) and after I think I'll go visit the new people I met who work at the Art center here. If you've been on previous trips you probly remember it being a run down place but its been turned around amazingly and has great art sculptures and even a skate park (well like one or two ramps but still)!
I also should be taking pictures soon and posting them of my place that I'm staying its quite nice. Not to fancy but good. You guys will also be happy to know that I'm going to meeting this Sunday. There are 6 quakers in suchi at the moment for at least the next month I think so thats cool I wasn't expecting to have any quakers here except Robert.
Day one
I think I probly won't be posting this much later in my travels but at the moment its really hot and its siesta time. I got to my new place I'll post pictures in a bit but basically its quite nice. I feel like I'm in the jungle. People who will be coming on the trip will be lucky cause it will be still really warm but the rainy season by then so it will cool off and not be 90 degrees and humid. I met some nice people today and I'm sure that will continue esspecially once I start to take spanish classes. For those who are looking to learn a new language prepare to be tired most of the day because its exhausting to be constantly thinking of words and how to say them rather than it just being easy for you. I'm going to go try out my international language of soccer later this evening if Marvin ( I hope I got the name right I'm bad with names) will show me to the fields. Otherwise I might bring my frisbee and go toss it around with some people and teach them.
I forgot to post this before I left but most of this happend which is good. I also met some cool americans at chior practice (yes mother I know I went to chior practice it was a miracle)
I forgot to post this before I left but most of this happend which is good. I also met some cool americans at chior practice (yes mother I know I went to chior practice it was a miracle)
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Its only a day away....
yes my mother would be proud I guess that I'm already quoting song lyrics but still. Its weird to have the feeling that I'm leaving tomorrow. I really can't quite grasp it. Its also weird to think that is going to be constantly warm there and the dry season. I guess I lucked out that I'm leaving winter here and going to summer there. Well thats all for now.... time for some How I met your mother!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Hey All,
So This is my first official Post just so you know it the right blog I guess. I'm leaving for El Salvador on Jan 19th and as of now my plan is to at first take the first month in Suchitoto to go to Language school for a month before traveling to the different communities. I'm excited for my trip but I want to see as many people as I can before I take off!
-Nate
So This is my first official Post just so you know it the right blog I guess. I'm leaving for El Salvador on Jan 19th and as of now my plan is to at first take the first month in Suchitoto to go to Language school for a month before traveling to the different communities. I'm excited for my trip but I want to see as many people as I can before I take off!
-Nate
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