hay que hacerlo

It has been sometime since I have last written...after having returned to Chile and spending a month without the home or contract I was promised-- I, atlast, have unpacked my suitcases and signed on the dotted line!
Starting work was interesting..after being given a work phone (my first touch screen, wow!) and a huge desk with rollie chair (in my bedroom for the time being)...
I was given the task of learning our English program like the back of my hand, developing more activities and games, recording songs, and developing a training workshop for the professors to learn to implement our program into their classrooms. I soon began introduing myself as Kendall, from North America, working for the Chilean-Australian Institute with the english program Condorito! I have had to really push myself to become more "charming" in Spanish in order to sell the program and be trusted by the many professors that seek my guidance in a successful school year. Soon we will be heading to the North of Chile again to visit the schools, deliver their text books and do the "training workshop" in 4 manicupalities. I will be doing this workshop entirely in Spanish encouraging the english professors to utilize their resources and teach them how to use our materials.

I had been living in Ian's family's mansion all of February...enjoying meals cooked by the Nanny, rides everywhere I needed to be, lunch as a "family" everyday and morning coffee discussing breaking news from El Mercurio. Visited Santiago quite a bit where I dipped in rooftop pools and ate phenomenal ethnic food. Spent afternoons in vina at the beach soaking up the sun and evenings going for jogs. Even had the chance to check out the rollercoaster theme park and go paintballing a couple of times. You can surely imagine how much I enjoyed my summer vacation (december-february) not only visiting the U.S. celebrating christmas and new years but returning to chile to wrap up the hottest days of vacation!!

But none the less it feels great to be working again. To be making money and focusing on professional development. In the past two weeks I have already learned the importance of being self-directed, responsible, and confident! As well as assertive, strong, and understanding. Although things have started differently than I had imagined I am up for the challenge and excited to be doing something I really enjoy: educating. Everything I do involves educating...be it teaching the teachers or developing a stronger program for the kids, or explaining the program to prospects. I must also educated myself in our program and how to make it better and how to convince people its worth it!!

This feels very much like real life now. Working and living. It feels good to have my own social network and have my "favorite" places to go. Each day I am reminded that the "system" here is so much different from the U.S. but honestly, theres nothing "foreign" about this place anymore..it has become a part of me and I, a part of it.