¡que bueno!

5/16/10
20:30

Today was very good. I woke up late, went to the internet cafe, played house with Daysi, Alexandria, y la nina Amelia on the rooftop. Nolan, if you're reading this, I taught the girls that magic card trick that you taught me with great success (and Jason I finally have it right ;-)! They love it, but sometimes don't get it right because they don't understand that the order of the cards is imperative.

This evening Maria cooked dinner for eight Americans who came and toured the house. It was hilarious and flattering that they looked to me to translate for the girls (me the expert?) who tried showing them the card trick, but alas I think some cards got shuffled by mistake. I helped Maria and the girls serve dinner, and Maria kept thanking me every other sentence. Mealtimes are interesting around here. While Maria will give me things to do if I ask her (as opposed to in France), she is very verbally thankful and I think somewhat embarrassed (at least at first) that I am helping her. I hadn't eaten a meal with her until this evening when we ate in the kitchen after everyone had left. It's usually Nixon (el padre) and I...and sometimes one of the girls, usually at dasayuno (breakfast).

I 'helped' Alexandria with her math tonight, but I think she just wanted me there for company or moral support. She is working on geometry and graphing.

Tomorrow I start language class!!! I'm so excited. It's within walking distance from the house, so Maria is going to show me the way tomorrow morning. I think class starts at 8:00.

PS

I realized today with embarrassment that I told you a lie. Ecuador is within the same time zone as Asheville, there's just no need of silly daylight savings because Ecuador is just that: the equator! Thus the 'time difference'...which will align again when Asheville falls back in the fall. It's interesting to think about. That means every spring we are not on time so to speak.

5/17/10

14:05

My mind is reeling with new vocabulary and verb conjugation. It was so nice to get out on my own today. Oy, I am so shy though.