Top 7 Reasons I am Happy Right Now

1. Personal space. Today is my first day since arriving in Chile almost a month ago that I am alone.  This morning I played Chris Pureka while I made myself oatmeal, and I can come and go without letting anyone know my whereabouts.  The people I work with (and have been living with) are great, but I was ready for this space.  It is delicious.

2. This just happened. I made myself a wonderful lunch, another first here in Chile!  White beans cooked with onions and topped with cheese; sauteed beet greens; and a salad of red cabbage, carrots, and chive.  When I bought the beans, the woman reminded me to soak them overnight before cooking them– so sweet, though given my family, I learned that around the same time I learned to walk.  The beet greens also have a story: we get lots of vegetables from a woman who goes door to door selling, and when we were at her house it came up that I eat beet greens (which no one here seems to have conceived of), so yesterday she told me, “And I left the leaves on the beets, the way you like.”

3. I got a package from home. The mail works!  Well, it arrives and leaves once a week, but now that I know when (Tuesday night), I know when to send mail (Monday) and when to pick it up (Wednesday).  What a treat to see a box waiting for me!  Spices, tea, vitamins, tofu, popcorn, chocolate, vanilla…  My parents are really great.  I lucked out.  And in case you’re wondering, my address is below.  That’s right, no street address.

Margaret Woodman-Russell

X Región Los Lagos

Palena

Chile

4. I have a job.  After so much anticipation, I have now met most of the teachers I will be working with and begun planning.  School starts on Thursday (though school starts the following Monday in Puerto Montt, the regional capital, so that might change), but already with meetings and planning, free time is suddenly precious, as opposed to the default setting of the past few weeks.

5. I might be making friends.  At school, I’ve been sitting with the Spanish teacher, history teacher, and 3rd grade teacher (all new, young, and female).  I was invited to a photo reception at the library, and it turned out to be a small group of friends plus me, sharing drinks and snacks.  When the conversation turned to politics and history, I couldn’t believe my luck to have landed in this situation.  The school English teacher is also new, young, and enthusiastic, full of ideas about teaching as well as socializing.  And I just went to a parade in honor of Palena’s 82nd birthday with another two teachers, who were good friends with the Foundation teacher last year.  It is a joy to run into people I know, to be able to greet people by name; but even beyond that, I’m becoming cautiously optimistic that I will make genuine friends.  Delicious.

6. I still have friends at home. I’ve never appreciated the internet as much as I do now.  I feel so sustained and supported by the emails, blog comments, chatting, and skype conversations.  When I’ve felt disconnected here, what a relief to know I really am known somewhere.  I have that foundation to build on.

7. I kind of know what’s happening the next few days.  I doubt I’ll ever more than kind of know here, since things change and plans are never set in stone.  But I have to say, I love to at least have an idea of the future.  I know there’s a concert tonight, some different options for tomorrow, and then a day of helping out in a farm (same woman who sold me beet greens) on Sunday, before returning to planning on Monday.

Alright, now I’m off to finish draft of 1st and 2nd grade English curriculum, before meeting with my co-teacher to go over our ideas.  I’d say that justifies categorizing this post in “being a grown-up.”