Hi friends! I have so many things I want to write about and only a few short minutes so I just wanted to give a quick shout-out on this year's Día Del Colegio (the 18th anniversary of our school, Miguel Pro). Things have been CRAZY around here lately as they always are this time of year, but the most exciting events of late have definitely been the arrival of the new volunteers and my birthday! Which happened to be the same day. It was a little hectic, but a fun birthday present too to meet so many new and wonderful people that I'm going to be sharing the second half of this experience with. They're all so full of energy and curiosity and so ready to dive in and start their lives here. I remember so vividly what it was like stepping off that plane just over a year ago, meeting my community mates and neighbors, students and coworkers for the first time, and thinking to myself, "I am never going to remember all these people's names," and "I have SO much to learn!" But the months flew by, lots of incredible experiences and deep conversations happened, relationships were started, built upon, strengthened, and continue to grow and deepen everyday, and all of a sudden it's November again and I can't imagine being anywhere else. I feel as at home here as I do in my neighborhood in Seattle, and I've met so many incredible people that I won't ever be able to forget (and I thought I wouldn't be able to remember their names!). Teaching is still a challenge for me sometimes...a lot of times...but I really love my students and feel so lucky to be a part of the Miguel Pro community. We had our annual Thanksgiving mass and dinner last week with Fr. Fred and all the teachers and as we went around the circle sharing all the things we wanted to give thanks for, we all got pretty emotional talking about all the blessings in our lives, and how happy we were to be a part of this community. It was a pretty special moment to take part in.
Anyway besides all the reflecting on my first year and marveling at how fast the time has gone by, I've mostly been busy coordinating orientation activities, class observations, host families, and Spanish classes for all the new volunteers. JVC is starting a new community near Cuzco this year, so they sent us the 3 new Tacna JVs plus the 4 new people they're sending to Cuzco so we can help them get oriented a little bit before they head up there. It's been crazy having so many gringos around, but really fun too getting to know them and share my life and experience here with them little by little. They surprised me when they stepped off the plane with a giant happy birthday sign, and then got to share in the party Cara and I had together to celebrate both of our bdays. It was probably a pretty overwhelming first week for them, but also a good opportunity to meet all the people that are going to become their good friends and support people here. Also on my birthday my tutoría kids (kinda like my homeroom students for the year) surprised me at my house with a song and some presents, all of my classes sang to me that day, AND my sneaky community mates coordinated with my friends from Holy Cross to send me letters. I received over a dozen letters that day from friends from home, some from people I haven't talked to at all since I've been here, and that absolutely made my day. It was so special to hear from those people that mean so much to me, and to feel so celebrated from both near and far. So thanks again to all of you who helped make that day so wonderful!
Alright I gotta run to choir practice-we have a big mass tonight we're trying to get the kids ready for. But I'll try to write again soon because so much has happened these past couple months! Be on the lookout for updates on...my trip to Les Peñas, Chile in October, ReO/DisO with JVC staff, haunted house spectacular on Halloween, visit from Jenny, and my new rock band?! yes that's right, i participated in a rock band contest last weekend. and i'm not talking about the video game! Haha love and miss you all and hope all is well. Take care and Happy Thanksgiving!!
Un abrazo muy fuerte,
Mo
Anyway besides all the reflecting on my first year and marveling at how fast the time has gone by, I've mostly been busy coordinating orientation activities, class observations, host families, and Spanish classes for all the new volunteers. JVC is starting a new community near Cuzco this year, so they sent us the 3 new Tacna JVs plus the 4 new people they're sending to Cuzco so we can help them get oriented a little bit before they head up there. It's been crazy having so many gringos around, but really fun too getting to know them and share my life and experience here with them little by little. They surprised me when they stepped off the plane with a giant happy birthday sign, and then got to share in the party Cara and I had together to celebrate both of our bdays. It was probably a pretty overwhelming first week for them, but also a good opportunity to meet all the people that are going to become their good friends and support people here. Also on my birthday my tutoría kids (kinda like my homeroom students for the year) surprised me at my house with a song and some presents, all of my classes sang to me that day, AND my sneaky community mates coordinated with my friends from Holy Cross to send me letters. I received over a dozen letters that day from friends from home, some from people I haven't talked to at all since I've been here, and that absolutely made my day. It was so special to hear from those people that mean so much to me, and to feel so celebrated from both near and far. So thanks again to all of you who helped make that day so wonderful!
Alright I gotta run to choir practice-we have a big mass tonight we're trying to get the kids ready for. But I'll try to write again soon because so much has happened these past couple months! Be on the lookout for updates on...my trip to Les Peñas, Chile in October, ReO/DisO with JVC staff, haunted house spectacular on Halloween, visit from Jenny, and my new rock band?! yes that's right, i participated in a rock band contest last weekend. and i'm not talking about the video game! Haha love and miss you all and hope all is well. Take care and Happy Thanksgiving!!
Un abrazo muy fuerte,
Mo
P.S. The picture is all 12 of us gringos at our first lunch out together the weekend after the newbies arrived. We love Patroncito!
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