Amo Chile!

As my last week of "vacation" wraps up I am given time to reflect on the obstacles I have already overcome and truely appreciate all that I've experienced thus far. I absolutely adore my new home. My roomates have created a family unit here in the heart of Recreo (the border between Vina del Mar and Valparaiso). I look foward to coming home to them, greeting eachother with kisses on the cheek (a chilean custom whenever entering or exiting a social gathering) and cooking meals together.
I am both excited and nervous for what is to come. I atlast have received my class schedule for the first semester and am thrilled. I will have 4 classes of Basic I students and 1 class of Intermediate 1 students. I am excited to know what level their English is at and I pray that we will be able to connect on a personal level which will allow me to cater lessons to their interests and motivations for learning. All of my classes will be meeting twice a week...meaning I'll be teaching 10 classes a week each being 1.5 hours, exactly 15 hours. I am hoping to pick up an extra class which would occupy more time as well as a bonus 100 bucks added on my paycheck!

I am excited to have a routine here but am nervous for the responsibility which comes with it. I'll have to find sufficient time to plan my lessons as well as share in responsibilities in my home (we have a cleaning and cooking schedule). By the way if anyone has some great simple recipes to share with me to cook a meal for 6...that doesn't use an oven (ours is broken) I could use some tips. I need to be more creative in my cooking skills because many ingredients are not available here: brown sugar, syrup, chilli powder, pre-made doughs, etc and without an oven it eliminates casseroles, cakes, breads, etc. It is pretty essential their is meat in the meal (Chileans feel if meat is not presented the meal is incomplete).

I spend the day at the beach yesterday and got fried after falling asleep. Today I am going to participate in a spanish class that my university is offering us English teachers. Tonight is a birthday party in Valpo of some friends of Menfis that shes invited me to. Sunday I'm going to check out a church here in Vina with my roommates. And Monday is the big day!! I'll keep you updated...