Back To School

I have to apologize for not updating this sooner. The new school year has started up and I am a high school senior, yet again. I was admittedly anxious to go back to class after the long, hot summer vacation and be able to see all my friends again. There are two new girls in my class, but two of my old classmates switched schools so we remain our small group of only 15. We are so few, in fact, that we got moved into the art classroom that is about the size of my bedroom and is complete with a chalkboard. My classmates did not respond well to the move, taking at as an insult that in their last year someone would dare to rain on their parade. However despite all the huff and puff they make, the administration really has nowhere else to put us and it seems as if were are gonna have to suck it up and make it through the year as is. More than anything else, I find the situation humorous because even when we did have a regular sized classroom last year, they didn´t use a third of it, choosing instead to move all their desks as close together as possible. It does shine a light on the inflated ¨we are seniors and therefore rule¨mentality. I suppose it exists in all countries.

In relation to academics, this year I am taking it upon myself to do all the work in (and what little work there is assigned out of) class. Starting from the beginning of all the units makes it a lot easier to follow what they´re doing. Plus, now that my Spanish has significantly improved, I can keep up with the taking the notes dictated to us all day. You´d be surprised how much easier note taking is when you understand what it is you´re hearing.

Yesterday was Kate´s birthday and I helped her host family throw her a surprise birthday party. Her family really went all out in the set-up. There was everything from an enormous Paraguayan flag to her name spelled out in small candies. Although I have a feeling she knew something was being planned, Kate seemed to really enjoy herself (and even played along with the surprise).