GUINEA PIG.

Today, September 8th, I had my first bite of guinea pig (and my last)! Guinea Pig is considered a delicacy in Peru and I knew this day was coming for a long time. Eating guinea pig to most Americans is disgusting because we have guinea pigs at pets and don't get me wrong, I feel the same way! But this is an adventure! How lame would it be to come home from such a great adventure not eating my country's most prized food?! So I ate it...and it was horrible! Hahaha :] The texture was so chewy that it barely broke apart in my mouth. The flavor was indescribable. Never again will I eat guinea pig, but I am so glad I at least tried it!

Teaching 30 kindergarteners when you are not in an enthusiastic mood is incredibly challenging! I wasn't in a bad mood or anything...they all just came in full force, hungry, crabby and with tons of energy. Trying to teach them fruits, colors and parts of the body seemed impossible so I sent them outside to run laps around the playground ahaha :] and it worked! They came back in my classroom huffing and puffing and ready to learn! As Lizzy said when I told her about my hectic day, "that's the oldest babysitting trick in the book." After teaching children of all ages, I have to give so much credit to full-time teachers. I have never looked at school from the perspective of a teacher but I now know why it is annoying when students won't stop talking, when a student uses a cell phone during class, when students giggle and I think I have chalk marks on my butt and when a student is being disruptive. It really is difficult! As hard as it may be, it is the most rewarding thing I have ever done. Seeing Benji understand the difference between some and any, watching Esperanzaita write full sentences and hearing Myumi speak coherent English makes every challenge worth it.

On a more serious note (hahaha it's always awkward making serious transitions in a light hearted post), sometimes you believe deep down in your heart that you are meant to be doing something...but until you actually try it, you can never be 100% sure. I really love what I am currently doing...but I just feel like I could be doing more. I didn't come all the way to Peru to teach 3 classes and then send children home hungry, unhappy or unloved. It's a difficult problem to approach because I understand I can't be volunteering 29 hours a day, but that's what I want to be doing. I want to be doing more for the Peruvian children. I want to make a bigger impact. I know, to most that sounds crazy. People think I am already doing enough by just being here...but I have never settled for second best. I want to give 110% each and every day and know that not only is this my adventure but the start of my life of serving others.

I've been listening to my heart a lot lately and I think that the changes I make in the next few weeks will make a difference in the uneasiness I am feeling. If you don't agree with my decision...that's cool! I've heard so many negative comments and opinions about my decision to come here anyways. And look who stopped me?! Hahaha :] I'm not afraid. I am not afraid to change my plans, to go against the norm, to listen to my heart and look at the big picture. And now more than ever, I am not afraid to say that this may not be the perfect fit.

I am going to give it until the end of September, but if my heart still beats the same...I will be changing organizations to one that is closer to Lima. This new place will allow me to give of my heart 14-15 hours a day, rather than the 6-7 I am doing now. I will be working with orphaned, abandoned and children with families that have disabilities, broken limbs, cancer, cleft palates and other medical issues. I will be living with the children and helping them every step of the way until my journey ends in May. I will still be able to teach (I wouldn't give up teaching the children of Peru for anything), but volunteering more hours and nurturing the children through every challenge and triumph is more of my calling. Life is all about trial and error and if I hadn't started at my current organization, I would have missed out on a lot. This decision isn't final...I am still giving it more time, but my heart beats fast for this new plan.

I want to thank everyone that reads my posts, comments on my pictures or has sent a prayer my way. I really couldn't have gotten this far without all of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! :]
Ps. I will be posting pictures of my classes on here soon....so keep looking (and reading!)

to love and not being afraid of the unknown :]
-teaner