Learning Spanish

Hi-Lo 7: Period y Pyjamada

January 9, 2019January 9, 2019 First Person ForeignAbuelita

I woke up at… err… 9:45am with the ganas to use the bathroom and before you know it I thought I was gonna keel over and die. OK I can be pretty dramatic (God Bless[…]

You Think You Know a Place..

December 15, 2018December 16, 2018 First Person ForeignGuatemala

Vegas Blue at the Evangelical Church Coming up on my second year anniversary in site, I walked with the school group to church. Let me explain, October is Clausura Season (Graduation). October is the US’s[…]

The Double Graduation Day

December 9, 2018December 10, 2018 First Person ForeignHard Thing

I write this post to recount an especially long day. Some days do feel very long in Peace Corps, and as boring as it feels sometimes to be in the pueblo, a lot can happen[…]

Hi-Lo 3: Holding Hands and Africa

October 26, 2018October 26, 2018 First Person ForeignCompany

The weekend was ending. I was excited to get back to Santa Clara, to my bed, to my home. We bid Ryan goodbye, Sabrina and I, and got on a bus. The first of many.[…]

My Weekend with Brócoli

October 17, 2018October 17, 2018 First Person ForeignBlank Slate

On this quiet Sunday afternoon, I was sandwiched squarely between an older, sleeping man and a younger woman in bright coral and pink traje with plastic beading shouting across the neckline. I don’t love this[…]

The Armpit of Service: July & August

September 29, 2018September 30, 2018 First Person ForeignCultural Difference

So I made it through July and August, the absolute armpit of this year, and maybe my service. Close to something important (like Close of Service), but not there yet. The desert of work. The[…]

Maestra de Inglés

September 15, 2018September 15, 2018 First Person ForeignBeauty

Maestra de Inglés, English teacher. I’ve always wondered if the word Maestra and Master are related. Either way, I’ve never had such a title. When I gave a diplomado in early 2018, I wanted to[…]

Somewhere Between Lights Are Out and Light At The End of the Tunnel

August 17, 2018 First Person ForeignCultural Difference

Once I reached May, the feeling of momentum changed. It felt like the end of my second trimester because I had a lot to do (CAMP in June: always capitalized as it is one of[…]

Three ‘As: Pilas, Aguas y Ganas | Foreigner Alphabet

June 14, 2018June 14, 2018 First Person ForeignForeigner Alphabet

These are three terms that are purely Chapín/Guatemalan phrases. These are just my observations on a language that isn’t mine. That must be considered as I opine on these words! Learning a new language in[…]

De Tal Palo, De Tal Astilla 3 | My Parents’ Visit

June 10, 2018June 10, 2018 First Person ForeignBeauty

Be sure to read 1 and 2 first! DAY SEVEN: Panajachel is the biggest tourist hub on Lake Atitlán. Lake Atitlán is a popular Guatemalan destination, it’s stunningly beautiful, and it’s got “lake towns” scattered[…]