Monday, August 13th, 2018
It’s too much to explain everything, but long story short, the lack of communication has made the experience with Sinamune extremely frustrating and stressful. Sinamune is forcing us to come every day this week the whole time, so Cosette and I are not going to be able to have Spanish lessons, because we still teach at the Núcleo. It’s so frustrating because Sinamune is just glorified babysitting, and I try to do what I can but there is only so much knowledge I have of the students and the language and the culture and their needs.
On a brighter note, I am loving teaching at the Núcleo! The classes have settled into a rhythm and the same students return day to day. At first I was disappointed because we didn’t really have enough in either class to form a true choir, but it actually has ended up turning into kind of a group voice class, per the request of the students. I think I’ve mentioned before that most of them have never sung before but really want to learn, so they asked me if we could turn the class into more work on technique and performing. It has been a great learning experience for me and I am really enjoying it.
Tuesday, August 14th, 2018
Today was pretty much the same. Frustration at Sinamune and then a wonderful experience at Núcleo. I was supposed to meet with Diana, my program coordinator in Ecuador, to talk about a solution to Sinamune and Spanish, but unfortunately she had an emergency with a friend and had to reschedule. No matter, I can speak to her tomorrow!
MORE TO COME