Once again, I have failed at my attempt to keep my blog up to date. As an overview, let’s just say, life has been super relaxed as it is summer vacation but there are a lot of changes & exiting news that I have to share.
First thing is first; I have recently been offered a yearlong contract here in Santiago. After reviewing the paperwork and speaking with some trusted friends, I decided to take it. I will be making enough money to live, pay my student loans back in the US, have a social life and even save a little so I can travel! AND, not to mention, the greatest part of it all… I get to stay in Chile for another year!
So starting February 28th, I will be an English professor at San Ignacio, an all boy’s private Jesuit school here in Santiago. I will be teaching 1st and 2nd graders English through stories, games, songs and other fun activities (if anyone has any material/ideas shoot me an email)!
Besides news on the job front, the month of January was very slow. I participated in two weeks of English Summer Camps working for the Chilean Ministry of Education. The first week I spent in Ovalle a TINY town in the middle of no where but also had the opportunity to visit La Serena and Coquimbo both beautiful cities right on the Pacific. The second week I was here in Santiago working in a university right in downtown Santiago. Each morning I had to wake up and ride the metro during peek hours, which was good preparation because the school I will be working at, is located in the heart of Santiago’s hustle and bustle!
Here is a link for an article written about the English Camps that I participated in.
In addition to the camps, I also give “clases particulares,” which are basically private English classes. I have three students now and teach about 8 classes a week. It is a lot of metro riding but the pay is good (and I am struggling on the money front) so there is NO complaining here!
As far as my everyday life, I have finally learned how to be content with being alone. I really enjoy going to the market and getting fresh produce and cooking for myself. Weirdly, I almost never eat meat anymore. I cannot bring myself to touch or yet alone look at the rawness of it, so it’s been a lot of vegetables, eggs, and rice.
I have been going out a lot also…learning the different areas of Santiago and meeting a lot of new people. My Spanish is slowly improving but there are definitely days that I cannot speak in either language. I would say that 90% of my time here is spent speaking Spanish so when I have to switch over to English it can be very difficult and vice versa.
February will be a great month for me. The city, is dead. But, I, on the other hand, have named it “Cultural February.” I started my first book “The Art of Love” by Erich Fromm. Philosophical views on the different types of love that we encounter in our lives, so far…it’s very interesting. I will keep you posted. I also bought myself a plant, his name is Neil. I spent two hours at the “Home Depot” of Chile as a first time plant buyer. After a million questions and a lot of “good luck with your new son” comments…I took the feller home and he sits right next to my bed. He is the perfect companion for these slow days. Most importantly, however, I bought a guitar a few weeks ago! I spend about 45 minutes a day practicing. I am hoping by June I can go on tour.
In this very moment, I just got done drinking a cup of espresso with my French roommate, Mikael, who arrived back to Santiago yesterday after his holiday in France. After having to kick out another roommate for a few weird “incidents,” that are not to be mentioned…it is only Mikael (the French boy), Carlos (the Chilean architect) and me. We are a very happy family here, at Salvador 1315 Dpt. 1 Providencia, Santiago, Chile. (That is my address incase anyone wants to send me something. I really love receiving anything via mail…even if it is just a short hand-written note, it makes being so far a little more bearable!)
Well that’s about all the news I have. I will attach some photos from the English Camps and some fun social activities! I hope everyone is well!
......and I stayed!!!
Love the update. Your such a spirited writer! Im hyped that you are practicing guitar! Youll have to play for me when I get over there. Bueno...see ya on skype soon
ReplyDeleteI want a pet plant! And I want to learn how to play the guitar! You are so inspiring! Maybe some day down the road we can sit in a circle and sing songs to Neil and Xavier (I just decided thats what Im naming mine)
ReplyDeleteLoved hearing all the updates, keep them up :)
Miss you!
No meat? You must be kidding. Welp, looks like I'll definitely have to send some Perky Jerky to Salvador 1315 Dpt. 1 Providencia, Santiago, Chile. Miss you so much!
ReplyDelete