I live in a little apartment with Tricia and Kate, 2 other 1st year teachers at Sojourn Academy. We have a cute little house complete with 2 dead bolt locks and a locked fence topped with barbed wire. We feel very safe. :) We have 2 sets of neighbors- a missionary couple from the Instituto de la Lengua Espanol (ILE) who are amazing and a precious elderly Costa Rican ("tico") family.
Sojourn Academy is right across the street from my apartment and offers a wonderful view of the mountains from inside its gates (when it's clear, that is). I have the privilege of having the largest class in the school- 25 little 1st graders. Yikes!!! Luckily my cooperating teacher Peggy is an incredible teacher and is setting a good example on how to handle them. My supervisor Diana is also a great example to me- I am going to learn a lot from them this semester! Only half of my students are fluent in English which has been a challenge since I am not allowed to speak Spanish in the classroom. The first 2 days of school were slightly chaotic with building construction and schedule issues, but we made it through! It has been so fun speaking Spanish with the Tica teachers and staff...I know I will improve so much!
Today was my first Feria experience! La Feria is the fruit and veggie market that happens on Saturdays. I tried some new things and bought a lot. Us girls even got a basil plant to begin a garden! I am going to be a very healthy eater here (at least once my stash of Reese's from Brittany is gone). I also went to downtown San Jose with Kate, Tricia, Kim (another new teacher), and some of the missionary women. Diane, my neighbor who has been here since April, was our fearless leader. We shopped in El Centro, saw the Teatro Nacional and the Museo, explored a market, and had cafe. So fun!!
God has already blessed me so much with amazing people all around me. Tomorrow I am going to a Spanish speaking church just 2 blocks from my house. I will probably have a headache by the end of the sermon, but I am here to learn, not just to teach.
I will keep you all posted on my adventures! Feel free to leave comments or questions and always, always, always keep me in your prayers!!
PS- Here is a picture of Me, Kate, and Tricia on our 1st day of school (Thursday). Our neighbors Steve and Diane took it for us just like they used to do for their children. :)
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