Final Celebration
Since coming back from my time in Peru, I’ve felt like I’ve been in a whirlwind of reverse culture shock, getting caught up with popular media (music, movies, etc), and getting back into the American style of university. Lots of things kept my attention, like finding a roommate, moving my things back into my apartment, spending time with Jake, buying books for PSU, visiting family and answering their questions (which were very repetitive), and then finding the time and space to relax and reflect. It wasn’t as bad as it sounds, but it certainly wasn’t easy!
Because of all these factors and starting a new term at PSU, it was easy to let the Final Celebration be postponed almost to the last minute. Once I realized I only had a week left I shot off an email to your teacher, Sofia, and got us scheduled between my classes. Thankfully it was fairly easy to find your school, and even easier to find your classroom because four of you were waiting for me at the entrance! It was quite a pleasant surprise to approach the doors and suddenly they were opened and four big smiles greeted me. I got escorted by my entourage, getting a little nervous but I was distracted by the decorations, paintings, and posters in your halls.
Finally seeing all you kids in person was an amazing experience, and you made me feel like a celebrity! You all cheered and I immediately felt welcome. We only had time to munch on treats and sip juice (your teacher and I made a point to get fruit juices common in Peru), and do a easy-going Q&A. I browsed through pictures and brought up some stories that you hadn’t heard through the blog. Everyone had lots of interesting questions, some of you surprised me with your thoughtfulness. Students asked me what was hard about coming back, would I rather be there, how has Spanish affected you? I took the chance to give personal, detailed answers and I could see in your faces that you really were taking it in and intrigued. I really hope my influence will inspire you to travel, especially while in high school and college!
I’ve enjoyed interacting with you guys so much that I plan on being there for your Latin America game day thing. Is there a name for that? Anyway, you’re going to play games on a giant map of South America, and outside there will be alpacas, even baby ones! (I’m especially excited to hold another baby alpaca!)
I really want to thank you for your participation in my blog. It may not seem like much, but your comments and interest has really affected the way I think about international studies. Writing in a way that caters to your young minds has been very helpful in my reflection and memories, and having this online journal of my most exciting experiences and relevant issues that came up will be very valuable when I’m a mom or gramma. Can you imagine a wrinkly gramma showing her kids a blog of the olden times studying abroad in Peru?
Soon I’ll edit in the video I took of some of our time, keep an eye out! :)
2012 in review
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 4,500 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 8 years to get that many views.
Interview with a middle school classroom!
For my final blog post I finally got around to interviewing kids your age. I went to Casuarina’s college, my connection being the husband of my program director, who is a history teacher there. The class was advanced English (out of three levels), with their profesora named Monica Crespo. I ended up being there for their entire hour class period, telling them about the blog, my experience here, and you guys! We had the kids write down their answers to the questions and turn them in to me, and I have compiled as much as I can below. Ms. Segurola is going to be getting Sra. Crespo’s info, so you guys can keep up a connection with this class in the future!
What do you do in your free time?
Most of the kids said they hang out with friends, listen to music, go on the computer (Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, etc), watch TV/movies. José, G. Wong, and Marina like to play sports. Samara likes to read and sleep, and Dominica likes to chat with her friends in Holland!
What classes do you take? What is your favorite?
Obviously they all take advanced English, but besides that they take Spanish, P.E., IT/computers, drama, science/chemistry, history, religion, civics, math, and art. Daniela’s, Bianca’s, Dominica’s, Samara’s, Aranza’s and Bella’s favorite is history, G. Wong’s and Jinju’s is math, Jose’s is drama, and Millena’s is chemistry.
The campus has tennis courts to play tennis or volleyball!
If you could visit the U.S., where would you go?
Answers to this question included Los Angeles (and California in general), NYC, Miami, Hawaii, New Jersey, Las Vegas, New Orleans, and Chicago. Marina has been four times and went to Miami, New York City, and twice to Orlando. Some have family back in the U.S. and want to go visit them.
What is your favorite food? Music? Movie? Color?
Foods: pasta, Peruvian food (lomo saltado, ceviche), sushi, lasagna, and mangoes. Music: rock, pop, R&B, rap, Arctic Monkeys, the Jungle Giants, hardcore, Cher Lloyd, Maroon 5, and Ed Sheeran. Movies: comedies, action, horror, Marley & Me, The Last Song, Inglorious Basterds, the Hunger Games, Where the Wild Things Are, Twilight, and Green Street Hooligans. Colors: blue, white, orange, green, purple, pink, red, and black.
How do you celebrate your birthday?
Most answered that they have parties at house with friends. Bianca has a private family reunion. Romina always has an oreo cake for her birthday. Samara likes to go to the mall with friends.
If you could be an animal, what would you be?
Bianca: a bird so I can fly! Daniela: raccoon! G. Wong: sloth! Millena: dog! Romina: a platypus! Sebastian: a lion or a dragon… Bella: tiger and a bear! Jinju: a koala because I love them! Aranza: I would be a sloth because I look like one. Samara: I would love to be a fox, or any kind of cat! :) because I like to be petted. Dominica: a puma!
How many people are in your family? How many brothers/sisters do you have?
Daniela has two brothers and eight other family members on her mom’s side, and one sister and 5 others on her dad’s. Millena’s family is four, including her and her little sister. Marina has a brother and parents. Sebastian and Aranza are only children with their parents. Bella has one brother, two sisters, and her papa Joe living with her, which makes seven.
Do you have a pet? What is it, and what´s its name?
Samara has two cats in the states (Tigger and Tammy), and one here named Baby. Dominica has three dogs and a bird. Daniela has an American pitbull terrier named Dayra. Millena has a Bichon named Nana. Romina has a Yorkshire terrier named Rex. Sebastian has 4 dogs, a horse, and rabbits. Bella’s dog’s name is Kika. Aranza has a dog named Memo.
What is your favorite holiday? How do you celebrate it?
Just about everyone like Christmas (Samara, Dominica, Bianca, Daniela, Romina, Sebastian, Jinju, Aranza). Daniela goes to Máncora (a beach town) to celebrate it, as well as Aranza. Romina celebrates it with lots of food and presents. Millena likes New Year’s Eve, as well as Marina who celebrates it with friends and family.
What sports/activities/clubs do you participate in?
Bianca likes to go to the gym. Dominica plays volleyball and tennis. Daniela plays volleyball as well (volley is a popular sport for women!) G. Wong and Pablo play basketball. In the summer Marina swims. Romina says nothing because she’s a lazy girl :) Bella does cheerleading. Jinju plays the flute.
Bonus pic!
Reporting Live from Lima, Peru 