First Day Without Dad

Hi Mom & Dad,

So today was my first day on my own. Dad & I ate at an amazing French restaurant last night, got dessert to go, watched a movie in his hotel room, ate the dessert (rosemary creme brulee...weird but good), and he walked me home. It was a really nice night and I'm really glad he came.

Last day together!

I woke up around 8 and Claudia had breakfast ready for me before 830. I walked a couple of blocks over to get to my Spanish lessons at Maximo by 9 and was there until 11. I'm in a small group of two other girls and my teacher doesn't speak any English haha so when we don't understand we have to get creative to clarify. Not going to lie...I don't see these lessons continuing much longer. We learn out of a book that has us read and discuss topics. I get homework, too. Meh. So I'll finish out my 5 day package but I already understand most of what people say to me and I can communicate back so sitting in a classroom for two hours every morning doesn't seem necessary. Plus since my family only speaks Spanish, at my project I only speak Spanish, and in the stores I only speak Spanish I'm getting A TON of practice. But that's not to say I don't like my teacher. She's adorable. Honestly the cutest woman I've ever seen. She's little and has really short hair and reminds me of a little kid because her laugh, which is constant, reminds me of a baby's haha.

I came home to hang out and Claudia made me lunch at 1230. I caught the bus around 1 arrived at T.E.S.S. at 120-130ish. I'm observing all week and today and today was English first (the kids are taking practice exams now so there isn't much teaching) and then cooking class. Omg is that nuts. I was only supposed to observe but as soon as I stepped into the kitchen the teacher asked if I could help. He introduced me to all the kids and had them say their names to me. Obviously I didn't remember them...I am so Mom's daughter. When he told them I'd be here for about three months they all started clapping and saying "YAAY!" Ha so cute. This was the youngest group, about 8-9 years old so yes...only Spanish. It was really fun and extremely chaotic because the kitchen is tiny (probably the size of your bathroom) and there were 10 kids running around EVERYWHERE. Freaked me out when they'd light matches to light the stove but hey, it's Guatemala.

Yanina & I ate dinner at home together and Francisco came home in the middle of it. Before we went out together for ladies'night (ha) we got ready. Francisco insisted that I wear a short dress and do my hair. HA! I laughed at both of those. As you obviously know, my hair is perpetually messy. No matter what I do to it, it ends up everywhere. So I've stopped trying; however, he wasn't having that. He sat me down and started brushing through my bird's nest. He goes, "Oh my god. Jesus Cristo. This is horrible. What have you done to your hair? I have no words to describe this. I can't do anything with this!" Then he continued scolding me for forgetting my brush at home and blah blah. So I let him have his moment while I rolled my eyes the entire time. He settled for a ponytail and put more product on my head than I own. Hilarious, I know. When he was satisfied with the way I looked, off we went to Monoloco to meet up with some others.

So now I'm back home, exhausted to the point that I can't even shower. It can wait till tomorrow.

Love you,
Rach

PS. Sorry if you tried calling or texting me tonight, Francisco is still out and my phone is in his purse...