This week was a bit stressful. I had midterms, which was wicked intimidating. But I got through it and I feel pretty good about the tests. My music one was easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy. It took me about 10 minutes, then I looked over it twice and was ready to leave 15 minutes into the exam. Unfortunately we had to wait until they closed the testing room a half-hour into it. So I waited around for about 15 minutes. The questions were true-false and matching and we even got to use our notes from class. It was a beautiful day. My other test, not so beautiful. We were told that there would be a poem from each of the 3 poets that we have studied thus far in class. All we had to do was analyze them and include biographical information about the poets in our analysis. Needless to say, I was a bit scared. When I got to the test we only had to choose 2 out of the 3 poems. That was a relief. And the foreign students were able to use dictionaries, what a kind soul our professor is (unless of course you arrive to class late). So I did my best on that exam and thats all that I could do. I hope he realizes that its a foreign student when he grades it and goes easier. Oh yeah, thats another thing to talk about, the whole formal system with tests. So you get checked in to the test room and have to show your ID. Then you sit at an assigned desk. On the test booklet the corner with your name and ID number gets ripped off and collected so that the grading is anonymous. So its pretty strict. During my lit exam one guy had to go to the bathroom and one of the proctors escorted him to and from the bathroom. Intense, right?
Ok, so I've still got to fill you in on swimming with sea lions. What a great experience!! So we all meet up, get on the bus and head to Callao - the main port in Lima. From there we get ferried out to our boat. The boat ride out to the islands was like 45 minutes to an hour. So we get to where the sea lions are and the guides are like "Ok, whoever wants to go swimming come on down here and get a wet suit on!" I had been debating the whole time on whether or not I was going to go in. But I figured, when am I ever going to be able to do this again? So I went for it. Wriggled my way into an already wet wetsuit and put on the special life vest. Our instructions from the guide were as follows: "Just jump in the water. Try to stay together. Don't make too much noise. They will probably touch you but thats ok." That was it. Alright, so into the water I go. Initially it was shockingly cold. Then I started warming up. There were SO MANY SEA LIONS. Like hundreds of hundreds. Apparently they were a ton swimming around below us. And they were loud. And kind of smelly. But it was just so much fun. I would never have imagined that it would be so much fun, but it was!! Then we got out and back onto the boat. It was just as difficult to get the wetsuit off. Then I went to get some clothes on and started to feel a bit light-headed. So I laid down for the rest of the trip and snacked on pretzels and chifles.
Getting ready!!!
Getting back onto the boat! I survived!!
On Sunday I met up with my friend Aleece from my music class at McDonald's to have a little study session. Since our professor hadn't come to class the whole previous week, we really had no idea what to expect on the exam. So we just went through our notes once and filled in each other's gaps. After that we figured that we deserved a treat. So we went and got some ice cream.
I got Mickey and she got Pikachu
Then Sunday evening I went over to Amelia's house to "study" and make cards for our friends at CBU who have been wicked stressed out about their exams. On Tuesday we met up with them for lunch. I think they appreciated the cards. After lunch I hung around campus and did some studying. Then after Amelia was done with her exam I walked down to Plaza San Miguel to the movie theatre with Audrey, Caitlyn and Amelia. We saw Iron Man 2. Tuesdays are half price at the theatres in Lima, so it was only 7.50 soles. Speaking of cheap things, Aleece and I were able to find some cool tie-dye shirts for 2.50 soles each. So we each bought 4. =)
Friday I went to Deporte y Vida for volunteering. We got there and it was oddly quiet and there were no kids. Uh-oh. But one of the teachers Elisabeth was there. So we chatted with her for a little bit and waited for some kids to show up. And some did. So we helped a bit with homework, cut out some letters for a banner and ended up playing some games with the kiddos. It was fun and very relaxing. Friday night I went over to Amelia's with Audrey, Laura and Caitlyn and just hung out and made butterscotch brownies. So yummy.
This morning we had a cultural activity, we learned how to play the cajón. It was really fun.
This is what it looks like
Then Audrey and I grabbed lunch at McDonald's and got some mother's day cards for our host moms. Then tonight I went over to Amelia's house and we hung out with Dyago. We were going to watch a movie, but Amelia was sure to fall asleep, so we just spent some time hanging out and showing each other videos on youtube.
So I started writing this blog on Saturday afternoon and then left to go to Amelia's house and now its 1 am so I should probably wrap it up. But its mother's day, so here's a shout out to my mommy.
I love you Mom. Happy Mother's Day.
Thanks for everything you are. I have learned so much from you.
You have taught me what it looks like to be a godly woman, mother and wife.
I miss you terribly, but don't worry, I'll be home soon.
All my love,
your Abigail
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