Learning how to be a non-academic-student

Soooooo, figuring out what to do with myself outside of work has proved surprisingly perplexing. I have spent much of the past 2 months or so looking for a job, looking for an apartment, getting accustomed to the different ¨jobs¨ I´m doing, getting moved into the apartment that I haven´t had much time for ¨chilling¨if you will. Well, I haven´t allowed myself the time is more like it. I´m used to having my schedule so packed (in typical Obie fashion), that I tried to do the same here. I stressed myself out for absolutely no reason. I have since changed my attitude thanks to a little enlightenment from Alvaro and some soul-searching.

I have decided to chill out more and not rush things that certainly do not need to be rushed. This change of mindset has made this last week of work significantly more bearable. Although I am certainly trying to do my best in my new environment, I am not getting worried when plans change every 5 minutes and my job description streches far beyond what I would have imagined originally. When I´m suddenly asked to teach 3rd grade math when I´m supposed to be teaching 11th grade English, I now can shrug my shoulders, go downstairs and teach away, well, at least try to (step one: find book, step 2: figure out what page they were on, step 3: figure out that I have the only book and they supposedly copy what I put on the board, step 4: explain whole fractions, step 5: sigh in relief when the seem to understand and move on to the next change of plans)

Some of what I have called disorganization comes from what is simply a Peruvian understanding of time clashing with my own American understanding of time. Another part is this particular case of my school. They are quite understaffed and not efficient with time, nor do they (and by they I mean the director) explain to the entire staff what changes happen so we are just as confused as the students. ¨what are we doing now, Miss¨?¨ Many times I just shrug my shoulders and start to teach them something in English for as long as I can until they are called out to do some activity that was apparently planned to happen 3 hours before but never got done.

I´ve learned a lot about how important time is to my life and that I simply have to change that in order to maintain my sanity. (Kirsten, I know you can relate). I am extremely happy right now knowing that even at age 22 when many of my habits are fairly set, I can still change something that I consider quite essential to my sense of self, being obsessively organized and obsessed with time. Although it can be good, it is certainly a vice in this situation.

Back to the chilling part, I have decided to take up some dance classes a few blocks away. I´m really excited to take some time to have some fun and hopefully meet some new people, more posts to come on that front. I also have taken up reading again! Finally! While I used to consider myself a voracious reader, I haven´t allowed myself much time to do so, but have made it a priority to just hang out instead of filling it up with job searching. I have one English and one Spanish book, one just for relaxing pleasure and another for advancement in my Spanish literacy which hopefully improves.

Basically, I feel like I´m definitely still a student, just a slightly different kind, one that doesn´t require tons of books and sitting in classrooms (well, I suppose as a teacher some of it is sitting in classrooms....), but still just as much thinking and sometimes a little bit more relaxing ;)

Bueno, I have more to say, but don´t want to overwhelm the post. Hugs and love to all! I miss you!