Hey Everyone!
So I have decided that the best way to keep you all up-to-date on my life in Lima is to start a blog. As many of you know I am not a fan of writing, but I am really going to try and commit to keeping this blog current. I decided to make my first post today, because this is exactly my one month mark :) I can't believe that it has already been a month and that it has only been a month. I hope that makes sense. This month has been one of the longest months of my life and one of the shortest months all at the same time. My days are long, but my weeks are short. Haha. I am just now starting to get a routine which is really comforting. It is helping to make Lima feel more like home.
Lima is definitely bigger than I expected. There are 9 million people living in the city and the city is so huge. It reminds me a lot of New York City or San Francisco. There are buildings packed in right next to each other. The wonderful thing is I am a fifteen minute walk from the ocean. I haven't touch it yet because there is a cliff in the way, but soon I hope to get down there. Public transportation is huge here. I take what is call a Combe to and from work everyday which is basically like a daycare van. It is always interesting on the Combe. They pack people in there like sardines. There are also taxi's everywhere which is an experience all on it's own. When you get in a taxi you barter for your price. It is hilarious when I try because I don't speak Spanish well enough. I am picking up the essentials quickly though.
The first two weeks in country were really chaotic. There was so much I had to do to set up my apartment and my classroom. Most of my time was spend shopping for things like a bedspread, bathroom supplies, dishes, and a dryer. I still have a lot that I need to get, but I am finished with the necessities for now. The rest of the time was spent in school meetings to get acquainted with the school. My co-workers are so wonderful. Honestly every single one of them. God has definitely blessed me with a great group of people that are so supportive as I transition into the country and as I figure out my first year of teaching.
For the past two weeks, I have been actually teaching. I am teaching geometry, algebra II, and two remedial math classes at ICSL. My classes are really small. I have 8 students in my geometry class, 11 in my algebra II class, 4 students in one of my remedial math classes and 3 in the other. So far all of my classes have been going well. I am still trying to find my teaching style, but that'll come with practice. My students are great. They are really motivated to learn. That is a new concept for me coming from Greeley and Denver schools. It's true what they say though. The first year is the hardest. I basically live at the school because there is just so much to do. I am trying to set good boundaries to keep myself healthy and sane.
My main purpose for creating this blog is so that I can set up a prayer support team. I have been really missing my family and my friends over this past month. It has really been hard not having anyone who truly knows me around all of the time. I don't have the support system that I am used to. Pray that I continue to grow closer to the people here and make deep connections. It has also been really cold and wet here for the past month. I have only seen the sun once. Please pray that Lima can get some relief from this weather for a bit and have a sunny day.
I am so thankful for all of you reading this. God has truly blessed me with all of you.
Andrea
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9
