A day in the life of homestay: part II

Now where were we?

8:21AM

Right, you were walking to school









8:55 - Arrive at the mission
Kiss your English good bye for the day. Throw your stuff in your classroom, say Hola to everyone (and pretend kiss on the right-hand cheek while one arm bracing - this only occurs between females, or between females and males. Never males and males), including the other 3 students, the 4 Spanish teachers, the cook, the director, and the admin assistant. Yes, your lips get sore.
9:00 - CISA daily devotional
Sing at least one song, one student reads from the bible (you hope it isn't you), and a group prayer.
9:15 - Spanish class
Do all sorts of things to keep it interesting.






But, in all honesty, you'll be frustrated a lot of the time. Thank goodness your proff and spouse are both patient and fun. You must keep in the back of your mind that language is a linchpin to a lot of the service you do here. Learning is a great opportunity to build relationships, many people are willing to talk to you because your not intimidating - because you talk like a child - but you realize that you need to improve to be more effective in the long run. And be respectable, at the least.

Frustrating? Check.
Essential? Check.

So... Vamos.

10:50 - Recess
Enjoy beautiful coffee and some sort of sweet (baked or fresh from the fruit tree) snack.

11:00 - Back to class...
If it's Tuesday or Thursday, you have a conversation class for an hour. H*, a well read man, will challenge you with two "controdictary" versus from the bible. Your challenged to state your opinion to the group and build off of each others points. This is very difficult to undertake in another language. Very.

If it is Wednesday, you have Escuchando (listening) time. H* does an hour sermon and requests feedback/your opinion. The difference between this and a Tues or Thurs is that it is more listening, and easier listening. I love this hour.

If it is Friday, you have an hour of presentations. Each class, which means each of the other students then Tom and Candice, does a presentation for the others on cultural aspects of Costa Rica or their home country.

Things can get interesting.



But it is a nice way to end the school week.

12:00 - Lunch Outside
Because you are still in homestay, you get your lunch cooked for you at the school. G*, a fabulous woman, and even better cook, has whipped you up some wonderful Costa Rican cuisine while singing and dancing in the kitchen. She loves making you smile, calls you "Her love" when catching you doing the dishes, and puts up with your pigeon Spanish. She can also be found dancing with the broom outside your classroom window. Unfortunately, she often stays home for the day because of her bad shoulder.
12:20 Do the dishes
While G* isn't looking.