The sun is not yellow, it's chicken!
Some stuff I forgot to mention last time...
- One night the first week, Gloria on co. asked me about bad words in English. I was like... um... Then the daughter said something like "gluck" and I was like... no... not gluck... f**k... Gloria liked this and kept repeating it. Then she asked for another one... and I taught them bitch. So the whole family started saying f**k bitch... Then someone called Gloria on the telephone and she repeated it into the phone. It was a weird experience.
- I have a lot of bites... it makes me sad on the inside and itchy on the outside
- Facebook isn't working for me... this makes me sadder than I can say because I have messages and wall posts that I can't get to.
So last weekend was spent wandering around the city. I get bored at home and my parents usually have things to do on or are out I want to avoid brother-dearest as much as possible... so last weekend, I went out 3-4 times a day to wander the city. On Saturday, I also went out with my little 10 year old brother to buy my mom a present for mother's day. We settled on a rose. I also wrapped a book that I brought from Canada. It was a photo book of Toronto. She really liked it and yeah... happiness. On Sunday, her husband took her to the coast for the day. I went out at one point to meet Niall for a bit. I called him in the morning to do something because my day was free. He had just woke up so I told him to call back around 2:00pm after I ran some errands. He called at 5 minutes after I left the house. Apparently, his family was taking him to Ibarra (another city in Ecuador) to visit. When I got home, I didn't get the message cause Luis didn't give it to me. I only found out later at lunch (2 hours later) when Johanna, the sister, asked about my boyfriend. I got annoyed. Later that night, I ended up seeing Niall a bit though. It was fun to get out of the house and actually meet someone. But Niall was a bit sick... I still had fun.
The whole week, I thought English. I had made a lot of supplies and teaching aids over the weekend. I made all my kids name-tags that said their names in English and Spanish. I also made colour cards so they can learn the colours. Lastly, I made sheets of excercises that they could fill out and got that photocopied enough times for every one of them. It cost me a dollar something. I bought they all pencils as well and had to sharpen them all by hand. I haven't given it to them yet... I'm waiting for the right time.
I tought grades 5 and 6 on Monday in the morning and then grade 7 in the afternoon. On Tuesday, I tought grade 4 in the morning and grade 3 in the afternoon. Wednesday was the same as Monday and Thursday was the same as Tuesday, except when it came to the afternoon, I didn't teach because I was tired and burnt out and the grade 3's are the most trying.
All the kids are rather slow learners. I thought that they would pick up quicker than they are doing. I blame the fact that they are shy when I ask them to talk and are afraid to make mistakes. So they never practice the pronounciation. Also, they just repeat after me without considering what the hell they are saying. So yeah... Somewhat frustrating. There are kids who pick up faster... and I feel bad for them because they have sit through it while the others figure it out.
On Thursday, I pretty much lose it and sternly lectured my grade 4s. I told them that I am here every Tuesday and Thursday mornings working with their class and if they didn't want to learn, they should just stay home. Also, we are doing ten colours (which they can't seem to remember). I told them that there are more than 10 words in the English language and if they can't even remember ten, they won't be able to learn English. I realized that was a bit harsh so I added that I speak English and know the colours in Spanish. Why can I do it and they can't? Am I smarter? No! I go home and I practice and memorize. They can do it too if they try harder! Yeah, so I'm the mean teacher. It's not my fault. There's this other girl who comes and teaches environmental studies. She's from France and she speaks perfect Spanish. She is super nice but her classes are funner! They learn how to make recycled paper and they plant trees. I teach how to say "red" and "light blue" (which they all pronounce liche blue or lich blue or yellow when they're confused).
I started feeding the dogs at the school too. They are super cutie and super skinny so I started buying bread for them and also taking the breakfast that I couldn't finish to them. They love me! Though I should be careful because there is a good chance that they all have fleas. But soooo cute!
On Friday, I didn't go to school. Actually I only work at the school Monday - Thursday. But yeah, Friday, I went on a field trip which I'll write about later.
Tara, a girl who goes to Waterloo, works at Gloria's school. Her group and our group (and another group from Windsor) had orientation together. She's a bit much. Gloria invited her to stay over on Thursday and she only left Sunday. She's a nice person.... but yeah, a bit much. She thinks everyone's in love with her firstly. She was telling me how my host brother (the young cocky one) was inviting her out and was hitting on her. And I was like, no he wasn't. Firstly, you don't understand Spanish and that's not what he said. Secondly, he has a girlfriend... or a "friend with benefits" as he calls her (cocky bastard). She also claims that the bisexual girl on the trip is/was in love with her... and also, in reality, not so much.........
Anywho, on Saturday, Gloria and her family took Tara and I swimming. It was fun! We walked about 4km to get to the pool. Then we swam... there was a hot tub area and at one point... everyone in the hot tub (which consisted of about 10 men and boys) were staring at Tara and I. It was slightly awkward. My flip flops broke on the walk over and I thought I was screwed but my father found this random piece of wire on the road and fixed it for me... he's very resourceful. That afternoon, we went out to the internet place and met Niall. Later, I saw Stef online and we all met up at the park. It was lovely... but I had a curfew of 5:30... me, who's never had rules ever had a curfew!!! Actually, this came about from the last time I was out at the internet. I typed that long-ass post and when I got home 3 hours later (I also went to the bank, got lost for a bit and got bread) it was 8:15. Only the 10 year old was home because apparently at 8:00 Gloria got into a cab and was wandering around Cayambe looking for me. Before that, she had called Stef frantically asking if I had a cellphone. So now I have curfews. And a cellphone. Gloria ended up giving me one of hers to use for my time here. She has two and lent me one of them... I just have to pay the monthly... which is fair. It's so much better than me buying a cellphone myself for only 3 months. Also... when I ask for permission to go use the internet... I get only one hour. It takes me about 20 minutes to walk to the internet place. I might have to talk to her a bit about this. And maybe get the organization to talk to her as well if me alone doesn't work.
Anyways, back to Saturday... it was approaching curfew and we had just met up with Stef so I said that maybe we could all go back to my place. This way, Gloria knows that I'm at home and everything would be cool. So we get to my place and I walk in to ask if my friends could come up for a bit and she says no... she says that they could only come when she gives permission and she didn't give permission!!! This time they could because they were already here, but otherwise no... I was so shocked. Other parents are begging their kids to bring over the other Canadians and my mom's like "no". Granted, I should have asked... but I feel that if I had asked, she would have said no. And it's weird. I can't go out, I can't have people over. All I have is a 21 year old chasing after me, while I lock myself in my room with "Boys like her".
That night, Gloria cools a bit... the lady's high strung but cools off easily. After dinner, Luis (the 21 year old) and Johanna (who's home for the weekends) were going out and Gloria asks Tara and I if we want to go. Although I was OK with staying home, Tara says she wants to go so we do. We end up at a Kareoke place! That's right!!! The first time I've ever sang Kareoke was in Cayambe, Ecuador. It was lovely and weird and terrifying. There was a really whine woman who I didn't enjoy. But otherwise, fun times! We get home at 10:15... because our curfew on a Saturday night is 10:30!!!!!!!!! I'm not bitter! Gloria's still up so I go talk to her. On Thursday, I had asked her about going to Cotacachi on Sunday. She had said yes then but I don't know if she remembered since she invited Tara to stay over another night. She said yes I could go. Tara wanted to come too and I couldn't say no... but Gloria came in handy and said that Tara couldn't go for me. It was lovely. Tara could have asked her parents I guess... but she decided not to and to go home since she was away for 3 days. She is actually getting a credit for her stay here and she is supposed to experience "poverty" and not travel. I find that a weird program because what do they mean "poverty"? Who's idea of poverty? Anyway, I digress.... she's not coming with us to Cotacachi!!!!! YAY!
On Sunday, Niall, Stef and I meet and get on a bus to Otavalo to transfer to Cotacachi. It takes 2 hours to get there and costs only 1 dollar! We chat the whole way there and I really like these people on the trip with me. Niall's still a cocky little thing but I like him well enough. And he is my "boyfriend"! We arrive in Cotacachi and we're supposed to see the other Canadians. When we first walk into the park, there is no group of white people. I'm worried that it's not the right place and also we are 20 minutes late so I hope they waited. Finally, I see this white girl with blonde hair! It's Ali and we all do the hug thing and she says that she has no idea where the people are. We all go to the phone place and start calling people. We reach two people who said they'd come later. I call Greg who is at a festival and in traditional gear and can't make it and Niall randomly bumps into Andreanne in the internet cafe next door. So Niall, Stef, Ali, Andreanne and I chill in the park for a bit and Andreanne leaves to lunch with her family while the rest of us head off to eat. We arrive at a tourist restaurant and have Western tasting food and appropriate portions! It was good. Later, we head back to the park and Heidi is there (p.s. sorry for mentioning all these names of people that most of you don't know). We talk and after that, Aingarin shows up. We call Andreanne again who tells us that she's going to a bull fight thing and can't come.
The 6 of us chat a bit more and there are some crazy stories. We head over to a dessert place and all have banana splits (which does't taste like the ones you find in Canada... the ice cream is more cream and has a cheesy feel to it... it's odd)... except for Niall who can't eat anything and is also kinda sicky. After that, we go visit Jane who lives close to the centre of town and is home sick. We walk to her house and it is literally a palace. It looks like a house you'd find in California. It's all white and has ginormous windows. Stef is bitter... she doesn't have a light in her bathroom and showers from a bucket. Although with regards to Stef, she doesn't speak Spanish very well and asked her family one Sunday for the internet cafe. The following Tuesday, her family had bought her a computer and printer and speakers. I guess she said something wrong and had asked for a computer instead of an internet cafe. The worst part is that the computer doesn't have internet and is pretty much useless for her. She still pretends to use it though to make the family feel better.
After seeing Jane, it is about 3pm and I need to be home by 5:00 so we leave. We catch the bus and Niall and I argue/discuss like we always do and we get home an hour and a bit later. The trip back takes less time. I arrive home at 4:30 and everyone is happy!
On Monday, I go to work as per usual but get a splitting headache on the bus... not good news. I get to the school and feel worse and am freezing. I yell at my grade 7s cause they didn't memorize anything although they had 5 days! At 9:30 Delphin (the French girl who does environmental stuff) arrives on a "camionetta" (a pick-up truck). She is there with trees to plant. I ask if the truck is going back into town and if it could take me. The driver is happy to and I am happy to leave. I'm sick again. I go back into town and wanted to visit the internet cafe and don't because I am so sick. I get back home and think that Gloria would be home because she wasn't feeling well the day before and stayed in bed all day. And this morning, she was in bed when I left. Unfortunately, the lady bounced back and went to work. No one is home and I am getting sicker by the second. I go to the office because it's close and at least I could sit down. I called Gloria but she didn't pick up before. She calls me back at 10:30 and says something about coming in 30 minutes. Yeah, that didn't happen and I still had my head on the desk at the office at 12:00. Not happy. I walk back home at noon because the office closes for lunch and luckily someone was home. The oldest son Luis and he looked happy to see me which made me kinda angry. I was sick so no one was supposed to be happy and also, he makes me uncomfortable which makes me mad. I head directly to my room and sleep. I pretty much sleep the whole day... waking up only a few minutes every few hours to extremely painful headaches. At 8pm, Gloria comes in and talks to me a bit. She calls me valient and says I have a strong character. I thank her but also secretly want her to go away so I can sleep. She talks some more then she takes an egg and rubs it all over my head and chest. I'm confused but let her because the friction feels good on my head. I'm happy that she knows what she's doing and the egg doesn't break all over me. She says that I am sick and may have some sort of illness that sounds like Malaria... but I don't think she said Malaria. She calls the doctor and asks if he can come. He says he can't... which I'm happy about because I don't want to wait up for a doctor. He does tell her about medication that she can get for me and she does. I take them and go to bed.
This morning... I wake up at 7:00 (sleep-in day). We already agreed that I wouldn't go to work today. Gloria is heading to Quito today, I don't know why. But before she left, I asked if I could go to the bank and walk around a bit. She said yes and gave me her keys. So I have freedom today!!! FREEDOM! I already went to the bankc and saw Niall's host sister! She changed my 100dollar bill into smaller bills because people here barely take 20's. Now I've been at the internet for an hour and don't have to worry about getting back! YAY!
- One night the first week, Gloria on co. asked me about bad words in English. I was like... um... Then the daughter said something like "gluck" and I was like... no... not gluck... f**k... Gloria liked this and kept repeating it. Then she asked for another one... and I taught them bitch. So the whole family started saying f**k bitch... Then someone called Gloria on the telephone and she repeated it into the phone. It was a weird experience.
- I have a lot of bites... it makes me sad on the inside and itchy on the outside
- Facebook isn't working for me... this makes me sadder than I can say because I have messages and wall posts that I can't get to.
So last weekend was spent wandering around the city. I get bored at home and my parents usually have things to do on or are out I want to avoid brother-dearest as much as possible... so last weekend, I went out 3-4 times a day to wander the city. On Saturday, I also went out with my little 10 year old brother to buy my mom a present for mother's day. We settled on a rose. I also wrapped a book that I brought from Canada. It was a photo book of Toronto. She really liked it and yeah... happiness. On Sunday, her husband took her to the coast for the day. I went out at one point to meet Niall for a bit. I called him in the morning to do something because my day was free. He had just woke up so I told him to call back around 2:00pm after I ran some errands. He called at 5 minutes after I left the house. Apparently, his family was taking him to Ibarra (another city in Ecuador) to visit. When I got home, I didn't get the message cause Luis didn't give it to me. I only found out later at lunch (2 hours later) when Johanna, the sister, asked about my boyfriend. I got annoyed. Later that night, I ended up seeing Niall a bit though. It was fun to get out of the house and actually meet someone. But Niall was a bit sick... I still had fun.
The whole week, I thought English. I had made a lot of supplies and teaching aids over the weekend. I made all my kids name-tags that said their names in English and Spanish. I also made colour cards so they can learn the colours. Lastly, I made sheets of excercises that they could fill out and got that photocopied enough times for every one of them. It cost me a dollar something. I bought they all pencils as well and had to sharpen them all by hand. I haven't given it to them yet... I'm waiting for the right time.
I tought grades 5 and 6 on Monday in the morning and then grade 7 in the afternoon. On Tuesday, I tought grade 4 in the morning and grade 3 in the afternoon. Wednesday was the same as Monday and Thursday was the same as Tuesday, except when it came to the afternoon, I didn't teach because I was tired and burnt out and the grade 3's are the most trying.
All the kids are rather slow learners. I thought that they would pick up quicker than they are doing. I blame the fact that they are shy when I ask them to talk and are afraid to make mistakes. So they never practice the pronounciation. Also, they just repeat after me without considering what the hell they are saying. So yeah... Somewhat frustrating. There are kids who pick up faster... and I feel bad for them because they have sit through it while the others figure it out.
On Thursday, I pretty much lose it and sternly lectured my grade 4s. I told them that I am here every Tuesday and Thursday mornings working with their class and if they didn't want to learn, they should just stay home. Also, we are doing ten colours (which they can't seem to remember). I told them that there are more than 10 words in the English language and if they can't even remember ten, they won't be able to learn English. I realized that was a bit harsh so I added that I speak English and know the colours in Spanish. Why can I do it and they can't? Am I smarter? No! I go home and I practice and memorize. They can do it too if they try harder! Yeah, so I'm the mean teacher. It's not my fault. There's this other girl who comes and teaches environmental studies. She's from France and she speaks perfect Spanish. She is super nice but her classes are funner! They learn how to make recycled paper and they plant trees. I teach how to say "red" and "light blue" (which they all pronounce liche blue or lich blue or yellow when they're confused).
I started feeding the dogs at the school too. They are super cutie and super skinny so I started buying bread for them and also taking the breakfast that I couldn't finish to them. They love me! Though I should be careful because there is a good chance that they all have fleas. But soooo cute!
On Friday, I didn't go to school. Actually I only work at the school Monday - Thursday. But yeah, Friday, I went on a field trip which I'll write about later.
Tara, a girl who goes to Waterloo, works at Gloria's school. Her group and our group (and another group from Windsor) had orientation together. She's a bit much. Gloria invited her to stay over on Thursday and she only left Sunday. She's a nice person.... but yeah, a bit much. She thinks everyone's in love with her firstly. She was telling me how my host brother (the young cocky one) was inviting her out and was hitting on her. And I was like, no he wasn't. Firstly, you don't understand Spanish and that's not what he said. Secondly, he has a girlfriend... or a "friend with benefits" as he calls her (cocky bastard). She also claims that the bisexual girl on the trip is/was in love with her... and also, in reality, not so much.........
Anywho, on Saturday, Gloria and her family took Tara and I swimming. It was fun! We walked about 4km to get to the pool. Then we swam... there was a hot tub area and at one point... everyone in the hot tub (which consisted of about 10 men and boys) were staring at Tara and I. It was slightly awkward. My flip flops broke on the walk over and I thought I was screwed but my father found this random piece of wire on the road and fixed it for me... he's very resourceful. That afternoon, we went out to the internet place and met Niall. Later, I saw Stef online and we all met up at the park. It was lovely... but I had a curfew of 5:30... me, who's never had rules ever had a curfew!!! Actually, this came about from the last time I was out at the internet. I typed that long-ass post and when I got home 3 hours later (I also went to the bank, got lost for a bit and got bread) it was 8:15. Only the 10 year old was home because apparently at 8:00 Gloria got into a cab and was wandering around Cayambe looking for me. Before that, she had called Stef frantically asking if I had a cellphone. So now I have curfews. And a cellphone. Gloria ended up giving me one of hers to use for my time here. She has two and lent me one of them... I just have to pay the monthly... which is fair. It's so much better than me buying a cellphone myself for only 3 months. Also... when I ask for permission to go use the internet... I get only one hour. It takes me about 20 minutes to walk to the internet place. I might have to talk to her a bit about this. And maybe get the organization to talk to her as well if me alone doesn't work.
Anyways, back to Saturday... it was approaching curfew and we had just met up with Stef so I said that maybe we could all go back to my place. This way, Gloria knows that I'm at home and everything would be cool. So we get to my place and I walk in to ask if my friends could come up for a bit and she says no... she says that they could only come when she gives permission and she didn't give permission!!! This time they could because they were already here, but otherwise no... I was so shocked. Other parents are begging their kids to bring over the other Canadians and my mom's like "no". Granted, I should have asked... but I feel that if I had asked, she would have said no. And it's weird. I can't go out, I can't have people over. All I have is a 21 year old chasing after me, while I lock myself in my room with "Boys like her".
That night, Gloria cools a bit... the lady's high strung but cools off easily. After dinner, Luis (the 21 year old) and Johanna (who's home for the weekends) were going out and Gloria asks Tara and I if we want to go. Although I was OK with staying home, Tara says she wants to go so we do. We end up at a Kareoke place! That's right!!! The first time I've ever sang Kareoke was in Cayambe, Ecuador. It was lovely and weird and terrifying. There was a really whine woman who I didn't enjoy. But otherwise, fun times! We get home at 10:15... because our curfew on a Saturday night is 10:30!!!!!!!!! I'm not bitter! Gloria's still up so I go talk to her. On Thursday, I had asked her about going to Cotacachi on Sunday. She had said yes then but I don't know if she remembered since she invited Tara to stay over another night. She said yes I could go. Tara wanted to come too and I couldn't say no... but Gloria came in handy and said that Tara couldn't go for me. It was lovely. Tara could have asked her parents I guess... but she decided not to and to go home since she was away for 3 days. She is actually getting a credit for her stay here and she is supposed to experience "poverty" and not travel. I find that a weird program because what do they mean "poverty"? Who's idea of poverty? Anyway, I digress.... she's not coming with us to Cotacachi!!!!! YAY!
On Sunday, Niall, Stef and I meet and get on a bus to Otavalo to transfer to Cotacachi. It takes 2 hours to get there and costs only 1 dollar! We chat the whole way there and I really like these people on the trip with me. Niall's still a cocky little thing but I like him well enough. And he is my "boyfriend"! We arrive in Cotacachi and we're supposed to see the other Canadians. When we first walk into the park, there is no group of white people. I'm worried that it's not the right place and also we are 20 minutes late so I hope they waited. Finally, I see this white girl with blonde hair! It's Ali and we all do the hug thing and she says that she has no idea where the people are. We all go to the phone place and start calling people. We reach two people who said they'd come later. I call Greg who is at a festival and in traditional gear and can't make it and Niall randomly bumps into Andreanne in the internet cafe next door. So Niall, Stef, Ali, Andreanne and I chill in the park for a bit and Andreanne leaves to lunch with her family while the rest of us head off to eat. We arrive at a tourist restaurant and have Western tasting food and appropriate portions! It was good. Later, we head back to the park and Heidi is there (p.s. sorry for mentioning all these names of people that most of you don't know). We talk and after that, Aingarin shows up. We call Andreanne again who tells us that she's going to a bull fight thing and can't come.
The 6 of us chat a bit more and there are some crazy stories. We head over to a dessert place and all have banana splits (which does't taste like the ones you find in Canada... the ice cream is more cream and has a cheesy feel to it... it's odd)... except for Niall who can't eat anything and is also kinda sicky. After that, we go visit Jane who lives close to the centre of town and is home sick. We walk to her house and it is literally a palace. It looks like a house you'd find in California. It's all white and has ginormous windows. Stef is bitter... she doesn't have a light in her bathroom and showers from a bucket. Although with regards to Stef, she doesn't speak Spanish very well and asked her family one Sunday for the internet cafe. The following Tuesday, her family had bought her a computer and printer and speakers. I guess she said something wrong and had asked for a computer instead of an internet cafe. The worst part is that the computer doesn't have internet and is pretty much useless for her. She still pretends to use it though to make the family feel better.
After seeing Jane, it is about 3pm and I need to be home by 5:00 so we leave. We catch the bus and Niall and I argue/discuss like we always do and we get home an hour and a bit later. The trip back takes less time. I arrive home at 4:30 and everyone is happy!
On Monday, I go to work as per usual but get a splitting headache on the bus... not good news. I get to the school and feel worse and am freezing. I yell at my grade 7s cause they didn't memorize anything although they had 5 days! At 9:30 Delphin (the French girl who does environmental stuff) arrives on a "camionetta" (a pick-up truck). She is there with trees to plant. I ask if the truck is going back into town and if it could take me. The driver is happy to and I am happy to leave. I'm sick again. I go back into town and wanted to visit the internet cafe and don't because I am so sick. I get back home and think that Gloria would be home because she wasn't feeling well the day before and stayed in bed all day. And this morning, she was in bed when I left. Unfortunately, the lady bounced back and went to work. No one is home and I am getting sicker by the second. I go to the office because it's close and at least I could sit down. I called Gloria but she didn't pick up before. She calls me back at 10:30 and says something about coming in 30 minutes. Yeah, that didn't happen and I still had my head on the desk at the office at 12:00. Not happy. I walk back home at noon because the office closes for lunch and luckily someone was home. The oldest son Luis and he looked happy to see me which made me kinda angry. I was sick so no one was supposed to be happy and also, he makes me uncomfortable which makes me mad. I head directly to my room and sleep. I pretty much sleep the whole day... waking up only a few minutes every few hours to extremely painful headaches. At 8pm, Gloria comes in and talks to me a bit. She calls me valient and says I have a strong character. I thank her but also secretly want her to go away so I can sleep. She talks some more then she takes an egg and rubs it all over my head and chest. I'm confused but let her because the friction feels good on my head. I'm happy that she knows what she's doing and the egg doesn't break all over me. She says that I am sick and may have some sort of illness that sounds like Malaria... but I don't think she said Malaria. She calls the doctor and asks if he can come. He says he can't... which I'm happy about because I don't want to wait up for a doctor. He does tell her about medication that she can get for me and she does. I take them and go to bed.
This morning... I wake up at 7:00 (sleep-in day). We already agreed that I wouldn't go to work today. Gloria is heading to Quito today, I don't know why. But before she left, I asked if I could go to the bank and walk around a bit. She said yes and gave me her keys. So I have freedom today!!! FREEDOM! I already went to the bankc and saw Niall's host sister! She changed my 100dollar bill into smaller bills because people here barely take 20's. Now I've been at the internet for an hour and don't have to worry about getting back! YAY!