This may be old news, but I went home for Christmas and New Years. Here is a video I made as a summary of my trip.
USA Vacay
Yes, I spent most of my vacation skiing and playing with my dog. Being home was easy. It was too easy. A vacation to the US is just enough time to remember all the things I'm missing at home, but not enough time to remember all the reasons I love Peru. Unfortunately, it meant that I came back to Peru wishing I could still be at home. Almost a month after getting back to Peru, I'm still finding the transition difficult, getting back my motivation after my "US hangover" has been much harder than I expected. It doesn't help that this time period also coincides with rainy season and the "mid-service crisis".
Little did I know that I had a wonderful surprise waiting for me in my mailbox. Not only did I get a Christmas card from the Galef-Brown family and care packages from the Gray family and my Auntie Mary Lou (thank you thank you thank you), I also had a packet of letters from my World Wise School connection, a teacher in Hopkinton, MA.
I don't think these 7th graders will ever understand how much they helped me today. The idea of World Wise Schools is to connect a teacher in the US with a Peace Corps Volunteer so that they can exchange information and help that teacher's classroom better understand a part of the world. The positive impact that it has on me, however, was an pleasant surprise. As I read these letters, my motivation started to come back. They were filled with curiosity and encouragement that helped me remember that the place I live in is special and that my life is filled with incredible opportunities. This group of students in the US helped me remember why I am here.
So here's to you, Hopkinton MIddle School 7th grade Spanish class. Today, you helped a lonely Peace Corps Volunteer out of her slump. And for that, I am incredibly thankful.
Here's a video I made for my WWS classroom. It is a short tour of Tantará and a little song that my Club de Inglés kids sang.
