Well, familia, I'm sorry for the silence of the last few weeks... I thought I'd better send a quick update and some pictures or before I knew it, I'd already be home! So off we go...
Essentially, we're having a great time, keeping busy, and doing and seeing a great deal. The sixteen students are absolutely wonderful in every way. I could not have asked for a better group: they're smart, kind, thoughtful, open, empathetic, and have a wonderfully positive attitude. They've also really reached out to Isabel and have shown her so much love and kindness. What's even better is that because they've all made a pledge to speak only Spanish at all times (and they're really keeping it!), Isabel is forced to speak Spanish and she's doing a great job! I love hearing them all converse in Spanish on the bus or at my house.
Essentially, we're having a great time, keeping busy, and doing and seeing a great deal. The sixteen students are absolutely wonderful in every way. I could not have asked for a better group: they're smart, kind, thoughtful, open, empathetic, and have a wonderfully positive attitude. They've also really reached out to Isabel and have shown her so much love and kindness. What's even better is that because they've all made a pledge to speak only Spanish at all times (and they're really keeping it!), Isabel is forced to speak Spanish and she's doing a great job! I love hearing them all converse in Spanish on the bus or at my house.
In our second week, classes began and we all attended a couple get togethers with the Mexican university students, both on and off campus. On the students' first Friday (Aug. 23) we attended a soccer game, Gallos (Querétaro's team) v. the Chivas (from Guadalajara, and a national favorite). While we were waiting to go in, a couple TV stations (including Fox Sports international) interviewed us and, as we were informed later, we were all on TV. There was even a little interview with me. A couple days later, much to my surprise, the cab driver who picked me up told me he recognized me from the interview and said he saw us on a couple different stations. So I guess I'm a local celebrity now!!
At the end of the students' first week (our second), we took a day-trip and traveled to the Peña de Bernal, the world's third largest monolith, for a hike up the mountain and an enjoyable meal of gorditas in town. Thankfully it was a cloudy and cool day, so the trek up didn't kill me, though I will admit my hips are hurting! I've included quite a few pictures below so you can get a feel for the place. There's also more on the WIM webpage as well.
During the students' second week of school I met with several of them individually at the house, usually for about 2-3 hours each, to learn more about them, about their families back home, and how they were doing here in Mexico. It has been a real blessing getting to know them and to hear their stories. They continue to bless me daily.
During the students' second week of school I met with several of them individually at the house, usually for about 2-3 hours each, to learn more about them, about their families back home, and how they were doing here in Mexico. It has been a real blessing getting to know them and to hear their stories. They continue to bless me daily.
We were also invited to one of the students' home for comida (the main meal of the day, served around 3:00 p.m.). I love these invitations because we always get great food and I don't have to cook or wash dishes, though in truth, Caitlin takes care of the bulk of this responsibility in our house!
At home Isabel has impressed me with her scholarly activities. In an effort to convince me to home-school her, she has dutifully already finished her history text (from the states) and her biology book—taking notes, writing essays, and organizing it all in lovely notebooks. To supplement the textbook, she's gone on-line and added numerous topics with explanations and pictures for biology. I didn't think she was actually learning the material, so she told me to test her. I asked her to explain the difference between DNA and RNA and much to my surprise, she did a beautiful job! Like her dad and brother, she seems to have a photographic memory. When she's not working, we play cards (don't ever take a bet from Caitlin!) and laugh a lot.
At home Isabel has impressed me with her scholarly activities. In an effort to convince me to home-school her, she has dutifully already finished her history text (from the states) and her biology book—taking notes, writing essays, and organizing it all in lovely notebooks. To supplement the textbook, she's gone on-line and added numerous topics with explanations and pictures for biology. I didn't think she was actually learning the material, so she told me to test her. I asked her to explain the difference between DNA and RNA and much to my surprise, she did a beautiful job! Like her dad and brother, she seems to have a photographic memory. When she's not working, we play cards (don't ever take a bet from Caitlin!) and laugh a lot.
All in all, we've had a wonderful August in Querétaro. I hope you enjoy the pictures from our first few weeks here. Just move the cursor over the photo to play the slideshow...