Monthly Archives: July 2012

08/07/2012
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independence, training

CUATRO DE JULIO.

the event’s announcement.

i suppose a delayed announcement to my readers would be that a couple of weeks ago, i was nominated and elected president of my training class. don’t worry, it does not entail planning a ten-year training class reunion, but rather organizing activities for the class. for instance the cuatro de julio celebration.

if you know me at all, you know that my all-time favorite holiday is the 4th of july. i was a bit sad that i was going to miss this year in the states, especially the fireworks. last year, mike and i attended four days straight of fireworks…i seriously mean business when it comes to independence day, but do not fret, this year turned out to be plenty of fun.

in the morning hours, the language facilitators at the training center organized a “peace corps olympics.” it was quite fun and included traditional field day games.

the orange team doesn’t mess around (cw: kathleen (our training program director), nico, kyle, tekala, chris, starla, emily, me, mandy y alyson).

nico, starla and emily getting ready for business.

¡READY!

some competition on the black team: jenny (a language facilitator), tyler and mike.

nico and chris showing how it’s done…

watch out. (also best photo bomb shout out to brad)

nico betting on which box the cuy will run into. this is a traditional peruvian betting/party game called “cuy loco.” you try to scare;/yell at the cuy into a box and if it is the box you bet on, you get the prize that was on that box…and some dinero.

kallan and robert showing what happens when water balloon fights go too far…

team orange got the gold. seriously though, should you be surprised?

after the friendly competition, the juntos directivos and i planned a bbq and community vegetarian potluck. there was also a neighborhood soccer tournament, and music aplenty that only included all-american artists. this has been the first day since we have all met in DC that we have had time to just relax and have fun with one another. it proved to be much needed and just a blast. there was also an impromptu dance party. i may be biased, but we are a pretty rockin’ solid group of trainees, soon-to-be volunteers.

our training director, kathleen donated an all-american chocolate cake to the celebration…yum!

soccer practice.

michelle, jessica and starla enjoying their afternoon.

 

08/07/2012
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training, yanacoto

TEACHING PART DOS.

this past week i had another teaching practicum, where i taught another class…on my own…for 45 minutes…might i also mention that i was still sick from the week before and was without a voice. in order to explain to the students why they not only could not understand me because of my poor pronunciation, but also because i, literally did not have a voice, i prepared a story for them to read aloud. it proved to be quite the success and the students loved it.

each papalote has a new part of the story…be impressed by my drawing skills…

for our activities, i had us have a “hammer or nail” ice breaker to recognize both the differences and strengths amongst their classmates, and then followed it with a silhouette self-esteem activity.

beginning the first discussion.

listening to their classmates’ answers.

handing out the materials needed for the silhouette activity.

typically, peruvian students do not have any sort of arts program in their schools. and the peruvian education system does not promote creativity, but rather order and efficiency. needless to say, the students were quite excited that i was giving them a chance to be creative and draw during their class time. they got really into it, and it was difficult to tell them that the time was up, but their drawings were quite impressive, and they were able to fill in their current knowledge, skills and values, and additionally adding their aspirations and dreams at the end.

sharing his silhouette.

the class with their posters.

08/07/2012
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chaclacayo, family, fiesta, happiness

MY FIRST QUIÑCE.

last week i attended my first quiñce celebration. needless to say, it was quite the party. the party was for a friend of my sister, norma. we had a blast, though to be honest, i was far from having my health renewed. the best part was probably having my mom ask me to go dance with my sister, which meant i essentially joined a few dozen 14-year-olds on the dance floor. let’s just say that i showed that middle school dance who’s the boss.

also, it is peruvian quiñce tradition that the birthday girl be presented at midnight…which made this night my latest night out since being in peru…partying late with the sis and mom.

quite the formal setting in a local restaurant.

mi máma y hermana, norma.

the grand entrance.

her first dance…which lasted about 20 minutes and she danced with every male figure in her family. this was followed with additional speeches given by every single male in her extended family.

so much clapping was involved. also, i love that kid on the right’s flock of seagulls hairdo.

mi hermana and sus amigas.

throw your hands up in the air like you just don’t care.

01/07/2012
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hauscaran, home

mi casa es su casa.

the hill i walk up everyday. i walk down it sometimes too.

mi casa.

my room. with verb practice charts. awesome.

the other view in my room. never mind in my inability to draw the human body.

01/07/2012
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ceviche, family, food

ceviche on the beache.

ceviche.

the above is a little peru 19 “inside joke” from staging, but last sunday i did get to indulge in my first helping of ceviche. if you know me, then you know this is a big step forward for me, as i am not a seafood person. the good news is that there was enough raw onion to over power any fish flavor and that i love raw onions…and i didn’t get sick from it.

my family getting ready to dine. clockwise: victor (8), claudia (17), alejandro (my cousin-14), norma (14), virgilio (43), nelly (43). please notice the heaping pile of food nestled next to very full plates of ceviche.

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