a much better day – un dia mejor

Got up feeling crap and rang my mummy! I think Gelos had thought about things over night as she was quite receptive. I told her I was going to talk to Travis, not as a complaint, but because we both understand about 80% of what each other say, and that 20% is the important stuff. Introduced the first portrait project to the boys, who were really good, both at the work (much quicker than English kids I’ve done the same project with) and how they act with me. Let them try some army and navy sweets this time. I explained everything and Gelos reiterated and expanded. This is what I need. I was their focus and she assisted me. This is what I want, and have had, but what I need to continue in the future.

The chat with Travis went really well, and with his acting as our interpreter, all of the 20% has been explained. Gelos apologised (and Travis said quietly she can be a bit tough). Gelos had thought that I had been briefed about the games and discipline; had thought I’d be able to jump in like the previous 2 volunteers who came here as a team after working in Equador for months; and that she’d be able to trawl the depths of my knowledge for a new art programme she’s putting together. It’s worked out well: Travis was glad I brought things up so early on, Gelos and I still like each other (and I do, she can be a bit grumpy in the mornings but who am I to complain about that?!); and we agreed that today’s session went really well. Hurrah. We’ve agreed I’ll spend Tuesdays writing up lesson plans for Gelos, Thurday afternoons I’ll design stuff and Fridays I’ll help re-paint mural at the casa. Bit regimented, but happy to be busy.

I then waited for ages for Alfredo. We’re designing an email inviation for Juconi’s 20th anniversary, using some on-line email generator thingy that neither of us got to grips with. He’s really nice, and flips back and forth from English to Spanish (as did the email generator site) and has a good sense of humour.

I left there about 6, bought tomatoes and coriander to make salsa (Eva was impressed) and have spent most of the night grappling with Dreamweaver to produce a fancy email invitation.

I am, once again, much happier and thus eating more and smoking less.