Fall back, spring forward

Growing up, my mom always told me a good way to remember the change of hour during daylight savings time: "Fall back, spring forward" she would say. That way, I always knew whether to change the clock back one hour or to push it forward. Daylights savings time just recently crept up on us in Chile as well, and I assumed to push the clock forward because everyone in the States just did so. However, upon investigating the "fall back, spring forward" saying, I learned that the same rule applies here. I simply forgot that instead of entering spring, we will soon be entering fall. Needless to say, that means we changed the clocks back, and I am now on the same hour as the United States. Sweeeeeet :)

Things have been moving very quickly here in Santiago, and it feels like there is not enough time in each day. Lately, now that I am settled and working, I have started to feel how far away I actually am from home. The reality of my change is starting to become more noticeable, and therefore has started to take a slight toll on me. I just keep reminding myself that it's all part of the process.

My work schedule has been starting to come together, and I'm quickly realizing how exhausting the life of an English teacher may actually be. Although I am completely content to have a job with as many hours as I can get, it's become evident that the schedule will soon run my life. Because I am teaching business people, they schedule the classes around their set work schedule, which means I am running from 8AM to 9PM with a few hours in-between to pass out on my sofa. English teaching is an interesting profession down here. After getting settled into the schedule more and more each week, I have realized that for the most part I really like my job. It's really fulfilling to see a student surpass their own expectations of their speaking abilities, and in addition to teaching them English, I have found that I am learning quite a bit as well. Each one of my students offers me so many new perspectives about the city, work, and life in general.

The language barrier is quickly crumbling, and I've noticed that my English speaking abilities have been as well. I find that when I'm speaking English, I have to work harder to express myself and find the words that once came so easily to me. In fact, it often takes many attempts to write certain emails, journal entries, and letters. Therefore, I must apologize for any stupid punctuation mistakes, run-on sentences or incoherent thoughts that will soon start to appear in every blog entry. I am currently living in a language limbo that sometimes frustrates me, and sometimes fascinates me.

I wish I could give a more detailed update of how I'm doing, however, my travels have not yet begun, and my English has ceased to flow as it once did. I am enjoying everyday that I am here, though I have not forgotten how much I love the comfort of what I left behind. I wake up some days with a huge desire to step out of the house and breathe deeply the springtime air that chases the cold away from New England, and I miss the mornings when I can hear the birds coming out of hibernation to sing us a new song.

I miss you all and I continue to think about you all the time.

I'll update more when I have some more time, some more stories, and some more ease with explaining what I am trying to say.

Keep the hugs flowing.
Send some to me.
I'll be sending them back.


Much much love.