Training thus far 4.16.10

I should have known better! It’s been about 2 weeks since I’ve written an entry and soo much has happened since then. I was sick last weekend and had to begin and finish a lesson plan during that weekend so I didn’t have much time for myself.

I can’t believe only 3 more weeks until I am back in Zarrabanda. I called Lourdes last night to catch up; she is excited to have me home again. : ) Who wouldn’t?! jk

*Side note*
“Excited” reminds me of a Spanish mishap I had the first day I was here in Honduras. - I was talking to Javier, this really nice bi-lingual trainer at our site, about how happy I was to meet my family and start this new adventure in my life- but in Spanish (you know trying to show off my Spanish speaking skills, haha) I told him “Si, estoy muy umm muy EXITADA para conocer my familia!” after an awkard pause and stare from Javier I asked… “Is that the right word?” He just looked at me, laughed, and replied, “no no no you shouldn’t say that, I know you are trying to translate “excited” in Spanish but it’s emocionada… “exitada” is a different type of excitement!” We both just laughed it off.

Darn tricky Spanish words!

Anywho

These past couple weeks I have been busy working on some independent projects. At first the “independent projects” were a little ambiguous but after about a week I was well aware of some needs in the community.

I am working with la Escuela and Coloegio de Ojojona and Colegio de Santa Ana (the next town by us). The initial contact with the principals was a little intimidating as all the information I was told was who to talk to and that they were expecting a Cuerpo de Paz trainee. My first week trying to meet with them was actually very interesting and made me realize the differences in American vs. Honduran culture. One of the differences being that working hours aren’t exactly 8am – 4pm Monday thru Friday… especially schools. Things are more laid back here; when I was able to talk to the principals and professors the meetings were not solely about work, most of the conversation was about life in Honduras, politics, “los un-I-staes”… anything but work, and they lasted for about an hour, not once looking at their watch; they are all very interesting, nice, welcoming people to talk to. Well anywho, after a week of tracking people down and looking for work to do, I finally was able to get an idea of how my next few weeks would progress.

***
This past week I finished working with girls ages 14 – 17 attending trade school (taller de Hogar). These girls are learning how to knit and sew so that in the future they are able to sell the articles of clothing they have made and in a sense have them start thinking about methods to begin their own micro- business in whatever skills they possess. As Profesora Lesbia and I were looking over the syllabus for the class, one of their assignments in the next couple weeks was to have the students begin their own micro- empresa with the product being the things they have made in class. Seeing as my background is in business we figured that this was a great opportunity for me to teach about the basics of starting their own micro- empresa. I taught 2 classes last week and I truly feel they learned a little something… even if it was the definition of a couple terms or the first couple things to think about when starting a micro- empresa… I had a great sense of fulfillment after teaching and not to mention I have earned the title “profe” from students! : ) Next week I will be working with la Escuela de Ojojona and revising the inventory system they are using for their school supply store, I have a feeling this will be a little more challenging.

As for our technical classes, they have also kept me pretty busy, but very interesting. The week before my charla with las chicas, I as well as the other trainees were assigned to shadow a local businesses in the community. I was assigned to a local pulperia (the Honduran equivalent of a convenient store) to shadow their business and develop a business plan. I really liked this activity as I learned a lot about local businesses and I feel more confident in my writing business plan abilities. : )

As far as my host family goes… it’s been going pretty well. It’s Berta and I now, and she has definitely warmed up to me, she’s more talkative now. In my prior entries I may have made it seem as if I really disliked my family and was just terribly unhappy with them but that’s not the case. It’s just taken some getting used to, they are really nice people. Berta takes care of me really well too; last weekend when I was really sick, her mom senses kicked in and she tried her best to make me feel better. Also, last week I kinda gave a little hint that I was missing fried plantains with my dinner/ beans because I had that in Zarabanda, well a couple days later I found them on my plate along with my beans and they were delicious. Yes, fried plantains for dinner! They are actually quite delectable, I thought it was a little weird and too sweet at first but it’s not bad at all.

Also, Berta has been a little more adventurous now and leaves the house to go the market alone. Actually she kinda peeved me off last time she went, because she said she couldn’t find anything to make for lunch so we had leftovers. Now, don’t get me wrong I don’t mind the leftovers; I ate them at home and wouldn’t mind them now, what I do mind is that she doesn’t buy good healthy food. I know, you may be thinking: but Vanessa they are poor, you have to understand if that’s all they have to eat that is all they have! Well I’m here to tell you, that the host families get reimbursed pretty well for having us in their house, actually they may be making a nice little profit off me since I don’t think I eat that much…. Yes folks, I have been cutting down on the food intake. : P

Anyhow, life is great. I’m glad to be here. Some days are a little more challenging then others but that’s what I was looking for… a challenge. I find out in about 2 weeks where I will be placed for the next 2 years of my life!! Aaahhh

Hope everyone is doing well. Keep on showing me love please! besos

P.S. Amor y Frijoles takes place in Ojojona! It´s a must see vid... just cause you get to see where I live. jk. it´s not such a bad movie...