Updates updates updates

Crazy how much can happen in a week.... The last couple of weeks have definitely been quite challenging. I think I expected all of the stuff I had previously learned learned in Spanish class to magically come back and that the new information would be added to my vocab quite easily. I've learned and been continuing to learn in my Spanish immersion, fairly advanced grammar. Because of this, I have been experiencing somewhat of a sensory overload and have been struggling more than ever when speaking. There are so many rules and possible ways to conjugate verbs, i find myself forgetting the most basic Spanish and unable to ask someone how their day was w/o thinking about it for 5 min. Like most things, some days are better than others. I am confident that while i may not understand everything now, i will continue to improve over the next couple of months.
This past monday i began my volunteer work. It has turned out that Gretchen and the Nicaraguan teacher will be teaching the 8 4-5year olds and i am kind of in charge of a daycare for about 7 2-3 year olds in the mornings monday-friday. Monday and wednesday afternoons gretch and i return to the school to entertain/teach english to a group of kids between the ages of 7-15. Tuesdays and thursdays we return for gretch to meet with a womens group she put together while i watch after their children. Definitely been an eye opening experience. The only toys they posess are some blocks and 3 stuffed animals. Paper, pencils, colored pencils, paint and glue were provided by the volunteer before us but have already been almost completely used up. I went out with my host sister to a secondhand store the other day and bought a couple books, 2 soccerballs, and some toys to try and have something for the little kids. Ive had to get extra creative with activities considering the fact that 2 and 3 year olds are easily distracted and like to run away. Balloons, fruit loop necklaces, and bubbles have been a HUGE hit! Gretch and I are hoping to go out this weekend and buy some art supplies for more activities. So much filled into a week, but i think that these are the major changes.
Sometime this weekend i am hopefully heading off with my new friend Tina to climb Volcan Mombacho which is a famous volcano in Granada. Fun fun fuN!
Hope everyone is enjoying their summer!! Love to all!

Address

A few people were asking, so i thought i would post my mailing address up:

Aleyna Roche
Avenicaraguita
Calle El Arsenal del Convento de San Francisco 2 1/2 cuadras al este
Granada, Nicaragua

Finally with my family!

It has been awhile since my last blog, and certainly a lot has happened. My 21st birthday was wednesday and it was a pretty relaxing day. The lady who ran the dorms bought me a cake and sang me happy birthday at dinner. Then Gretchen, our new friend Femke from Holland, and i had a few drinks and went out dancing. It was a very good night! Thursday afternoon i FINALLY moved in with my family and I am in love with all of them! There is Lupita, my host mother who is very kind and is going to teach me how to cook traditional nicaraguan food. There is my host brother Richard who is 24, kind of kooky has a lot of energy and took me out to see some more of Granada's sites. My host sister Naygeri is 26 and crazy fun!! All day everyday she is laughing and giving out high fives. Although there is a language barrier, she and i have had some really nice, long conversations. My other host sister Mildre is 28 and a lot of fun as well. She and i watch a lot of talk shows and soaps on top of the nightly 8pm novela that everyone watches called Sin senos no hay paraiso. :D Yesterday Mildre, Naygeri and i went to a market 40 minutes out and saw some beautiful hand made crafts. We continued to a little town called Catarina which has the most AMAZING view of granada and the lake. After that we went to a town called Masaya where we spent hours browsing little shops and eating tons of fruit! Of course, i dont understand 60% of what is being said, but definitely know enough to have little converstions with them, and definitely enough to joke around with them! I dont know how i got so lucky to be placed with them! Not starting my volunteer work for another week, when i will be done with immersion. Dont have much internet access, but i will keep trying to keep everyone updated!

In granada!

Made it to Granada! Yes, gretch and i were in honduras when the earthquake hit, and definitely felt it! But, we are safe and sound and loving every second of Nicaragua! Granada is beautiful! My family isnt quite ready for me to move in, so hopefully later this week i will finally get settled. I was however, able to meet them, and they are amazing! Lots of energy, very patient, love to laugh, and love hugs! I am very fortunate to have been placed with them. For now, i am in the dorms with gretch and another girl from holland. The woman running it lives in an attached section of the house with her husband and 2 children. Everyone is very kind and helpful. Today was my first day of immersion and it went pretty well. Basically talked one on one with another 20 year old teacher for 4 hours. Learned all about her husband and son, the history of her family and of the nicaraguan culture. Found out also that gretch and i will be working together in the mornings at a preschool starting next week. We were warned that the conditions are a bit bleak, but we shall see. Dont have hardly any internet access, but hopefully i will be able to write soon. Sending my love to all!