Oh the times they are a'changin

Hello friends,

So I've made a couple changes to my life, specifically involving my work situation. I basically quit my job at the colegio for a variety of reasons. While I'll still be working Tuesdays and Thursdays, I realized for mental, financial and time-constraint reason I could not work there full time anymore. Also, I have the ability to work mornings teaching private classes through the various institutes I work for, which are much more enjoyable (and pay more ;)). I was getting way too stressed out, and for a workaholic to admit defeat in the working-sphere is a lot. I simply could not aguantar a minute more working there all day with so many barriers to working in what I would consider an efficient manner. Also, the pay way terrible (not that I'm teachers ever make quite that much), but given everything I think I made the right decision. Let me explain a bit more.

So, I basically had a "what am I doing here?" moment, and I felt super confused about my purpose here. Why?Why?Why? kept running through my head, but I think I've gotten a little more clarity. Although (to satisfy my desire/need to work) I can't have too much free time, I was not eating most of the day in order to make it to all my classes, and that is simply ridiculous. I simply need time to read, cook, and watch a movie every once and a while, no? So yes, in sum: Lauren quits-Lauren is happier-the end.

Other things going on, hmmm, well, I hung out with some gringos for the first time, really, since I've been here. There is a girl, Elizabeth, who is studying with CIEE (the program that originally brought me to Lima) this semester, and she has been helping me out with 1 of my classes twice a week. Alvaro and I met up with her the other night and passed the night away running along in a fairly large group of gringos. It was funny to speak hours on end in English, and not have to explain my (former...) social reality to anyone. I've been so used to being the outsider, the foreigner that I forgot that the way I am comes from a social reality that many other people share with me. Not that I mind being the foreigner, I just forgot what it was like, even though I haven't been away for that long. Aside from that, it was just fun to go out since it happens once in a blue moon now, although my pocket suffered a bit, it was certainly worth it.

I went to an English Teachers Conference last weekend which was fabulous. I met some great people and got a lot of amazing advice. Funnily enough, it actually helped me to decide to quit. Realizing many other teachers have gone through the same thing, it is never worth it to stick with something that is so dissatisfying, since there are always more opportunities ahead. There were 3 workshops in the morning, 2 lectures, and some free time in between to check out book-fairs put on by various language resource companies (Pearson-Longman, Nutesa, etc.). I picked up a couple books and won a free bag! I was quite excited. The Conference took place La Universidad del Pacifico, a well known University for its Economics program. It had a very well organized set-up and some talented speakers. I learned a lot and am excited to take those tips into the classroom.

Bueno, I need to get back to my grades and evaluations, so this is goodbye for now. Chau friends!