December...in and out of site

December...in and out of site...including some vacation time!

Since school is out my schedule has more flexibility between now and February.

I've really enjoyed the tutoring classes I'm giving to some students. The focus is on reading, since they're not yet at their respective grade levels, and I try to make the learning fun for them. I go to 10-yr old David's house, where we're joined by other kids who live in his neighborhood. David's mom has been great about giving us free reign with their limited living space, and we've essentially set up a small classroom in their main room. I used my staple gun to place 29 milk cartons on the wall, each one covered in paper and bearing a large capital letter. (The Spanish alphabet has a few extra letters, e.g. the "ch," the "ñ," the "ll.") The 29 cartons are in three rows, with enough space between the rows to place a large flash card of the matching letters on the tops of the milk boxes. The kids love this set up, and we invent all sorts of ways to play with it!

I had an interview for my Peace Corps extension proposal, but won't know the decision for a while yet. Meanwhile, another group of volunteers finished their service this month, leaving my "G," aka training group, as the "senior" group of volunteers. Our close-of-service conference is next month already, and the actual close of service is in April, 2011. Yes, we're quickly approaching two years here already, unbelievable!

I spent Christmas with my host family. This year we travelled to Asuncion to stay with one of Doña Lilli's cousins. I renewed my Paraguayan driver's license so I could drive the family's vehicle. (As Peace Corps volunteers we are only allowed to drive in country when we are on vacation.) My, did it feel great to be behind the wheel once again!

I'm drawing the year to a close in Santiago, Chile. I'm visiting a friend who moved here this year. I took the bus from Asuncion, a 30+-hour journey, complete with crossing the Andes between Argentina and Chile.

May your 2011 be full of many magical moments, wherever you may have the privilege to be living YOUR NEXT NEW YEAR! Happy new year, full of blessings and good stories!