Week Two

Hi William,

I hope all is well. Anything on Skypes – you probably haven’t had a chance to look. I understand how tired you are at the end of the day. And I’m sure that adjusting to the temperature doesn’t help. Moving around in a new environment and concentrating on speaking and understanding a new language all day is exhausting. For me it is frustrating, I keep plugging away at Spanish and I don’t seem to be making any progress and then POW! All of a sudden I’ve made a big leap. I know you are doing great, but if you get frustrated – remind yourself how long it took you to learn English.

Sorry to hear that you can not go to the Lake District. Why don’t you take a bus to the coast; go for the day or overnight – it’s only about 60 miles and the bus is cheap. Your internship teaching English sounds great, I couldn’t find a neighborhood named La Pinta, but I did find a comuna called La Pintura. It is directly south, it is a poor district. It should be a great experience where ever you are teaching.

When you have a chance can you send me the cross streets of where the apartment on Gen. Jofré is between. On the map I have General Jofré is about six blocks long – but a little confusing.

Ok, the question for today. How are the other students?

Oh and how did you find Pablo Neruda’s home? Was it interesting? I guess you are winding up your orientation today, and next week you begin your regular schedule. Let us know what your week is like. Do you have classes a couple times a week – is it like at AU. How much time do you spend teaching?

Have you had a chance to go over to Bellevista yet?

Moving on to news at Home!!!!

Vickie’s birthday is this weekend. I believe that she is turning forty – rumor has it that she is in complete denial. She doesn’t want a party, etc. She may even be claiming that she is only 39 (and I think she is serious about it). Rob was a little like that for his birthday. I guess it is pretty common but I haven’t run into many people that are sensitive about their age. Well, wait a minute; Jennifer was sensitive about her age for years. I think we knew her for six or seven years before we had any idea how old she was.

Andrew starts school on Monday – he’s a senior hard to believe. He starts SAT class tomorrow.

Not much else new, Mom came home from work sick yesterday – she went to work today. I think she was just very tired. I think she is going up to Rob and Vickie’s this weekend. I think they plan on going to the State Fair on Sunday.

Not much new with me. I was scheduled to have today off, but I forgot – just as well, Rowan has been out sick for a few days. If I’m lucky I’ll work in a bike ride this weekend.

The weather changed this week. It has been rainy and much cooler, but still humid. I think the forecast calls for warmer and sunnier this weekend.

Everyone seems to be well. On a final note, don’t feel any pressure to write exhaustive replies. Write often, short is fine – I’m sure you have a computer full of emails to answer. For your own sake keep the emails you write – you will want them later.

How about we call you this weekend? Is it alright to call you at the Leyton’s? Let me know a time that will work. It’s cheap to call you on Skypes.

Take care, we love you, miss you and look forward to hearing from you.

Dad