1 Year and 15 Days Later...

My oh my how the time flies! Did I really go a whole academic semester without updating this blog? Unacceptable! But whatevs, you all can keep up with my life on Facebook anyways, right? Well, there are a few details you might have missed out on...

My first of two semesters with Instituto Chileno Norteamericano was very successful, and if I wanted to, I really could make a career out of it, but I'd say one more semester is enough! I gotta get back to the fam!!! Anyways, I taught a nice variety of classes, ranging in age level, class size, and location. On top of that, I spearheaded an end-of-semester event for the Children's Program at one of the branches, and that in itself was an enormous success. Such events weren't even fathomed before, but after all of the positive parent feedback, I think it could become a standard event throughout the entire institute.

I am now between semesters, waiting out the dry period. The teacher's union, which I decided to join, is currently in the middle of contract negotiations with the institute, and it's also winter break, so there are only a few classes available right now. I'm getting over a nasty little cold, so it's probably better I don't have a heavy workload at the moment. Things should start pickin' up again within the next few weeks, and in the meantime, I can play my charango and guitar (and the other instruments I've accumulated), read a book or two, and perhaps do a few private lessons on the side here 'n there.

Melissa and Trish are now long gone. *Tear* Melissa departed in May, and Trish and I managed to throw one more rager before she caught her July 11 flight back to Jersey (picture 60 people in a 2 bedroom flat). So now I'm holdin' it down solo for a few weeks before a new roommate, Dejavier Spellier from Indiana, helps continue the legacy. We'll both stay in the infamous 6-C until January, at which point I'll have to make the decision if I'm gonna stay here until March, or make my way home. Norte offers a vacation bonus for working an entire year with them, which is incentive to stick around til March, but on the other hand, I'm not sure how much work will be available during the Summer months. It could go either way, so I'll just have to wait and see. If I stayed through March, I'd probably end up couch surfing for a few months to save some dough, but again, everything's pending! That's the way we roll down here in Chile!

Sending all my love to everyone! I think about home a lot these days. I've definitely made Santiago my dwelling, but my heart has begun yearning for it's true home, especially considering the fact that my family has grown so much since I've been gone! If anyone wants a postcard, hit me up with your address and I'll hook it up.

Besos!

Ben