Well, here I am in Puerto Rico. I am still alive, although I am ready to come home again. But, in only a little over a month, I will be making my way back home! This is exciting news for me.
This week was a lot of fun! I took my spring break this week due to the fact that my family came to visit! It was so good to see them all. We had a lot of fun throughout the four days that we were here. We were able to go to the city of Ponce, which is on the southern end of the island. My mom got to swim in the Caribbean ocean when we took an afternoon to find a beach near Ponce. My family quickly learned that Puerto Rico is unique in means of transportation--driving is crazy, and the maps don't always show what you want them to show. We also got to travel around the western side of the island stopping to see beautiful cliffs in Cabo Rojo and another beach and light house in the town of Arecibo.
After our excursion around the western side of the island, we were able to visit El Yunque, one of the rainforests here on the island. My dad and my brothers enjoyed a more rigorous hike, while my mom and I took a guided tour, which was very interesting. We got to see different snails and lizards and other aspects of the forest! After our trip into El Yunque, we were able to find another beach...this time with waves! And finally, before my family left yesterday, I got to show them around Old San Juan, where there is a lot of history of the island.
I really enjoyed having my family here! This coming week I will continue with my internship and the class that I am taking here at la Universidad del Sagrado Corazón. I am hoping to be able to get more interpreting hours this week and to continue meeting new people here. My family's visit has lifted my spirits, and I am looking forward to the month I have left here, and the day when I finally get to come home! In the meantime, I hope to take any chance I get to have to experience Puerto Rico!
Friday, March 11, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Hace un mes que llegué a PR!
I have now been in Puerto Rico for over a month!
I continue to do well here and am enjoying the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of visitors from the states and enjoying getting to know some of the different Deaf people that I have met here. I frequent Starbucks on Wednesday nights to socialize with Deaf people and yesterday I went to a movie for Deaf people. If you have not seen the movie Unstoppable, I would highly recommend seeing it.
I am in the process of writing an essay for my Spanish class--which is due tomorrow. It has been easy to adapt to the scholastic life here since the university that I am attending uses Moodle and Zimbra like Goshen. It has been very helpful since I did not have to learn a completely new email system. We are also finishing our unit on essays and will now be moving on to the poetry part of our class, which should be interesting. I have enjoyed gaining exposure to different Puerto Rican essayists and look forward to reading some local poetry.
Well, looking outside, I see that it is getting dark, which means that I should head back to my house. Enjoy the weekend and the upcoming holiday (President´s Day!).
I continue to do well here and am enjoying the beautiful island of Puerto Rico. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of visitors from the states and enjoying getting to know some of the different Deaf people that I have met here. I frequent Starbucks on Wednesday nights to socialize with Deaf people and yesterday I went to a movie for Deaf people. If you have not seen the movie Unstoppable, I would highly recommend seeing it.
I am in the process of writing an essay for my Spanish class--which is due tomorrow. It has been easy to adapt to the scholastic life here since the university that I am attending uses Moodle and Zimbra like Goshen. It has been very helpful since I did not have to learn a completely new email system. We are also finishing our unit on essays and will now be moving on to the poetry part of our class, which should be interesting. I have enjoyed gaining exposure to different Puerto Rican essayists and look forward to reading some local poetry.
Well, looking outside, I see that it is getting dark, which means that I should head back to my house. Enjoy the weekend and the upcoming holiday (President´s Day!).
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
La vida puertorriqueña
Today has been a rather busy day for me here in Puerto Rico. I went on an interpreting assignment with my mentor today, and, after getting home was able to eat some lunch and do a load of laundry before heading out (a few hours early) to the university where I am taking a literary genres class. After not having work for the past two days, it feels really good to be about and about. Tonight I think I will also head to Starbucks so that I can socialize with various Deaf people who regularly meet at Starbucks on Wednesday nights. Such is a busy day here in Puerto Rico.
It has been awhile since I have updated my blog. Oops. Be assured that it is because I get distracted while I am perusing the internet rather than because harm has befallen me!
Last week on Thursday I had an interpreting assignment scheduled for the entire day. I was supposed to arrive at 9:00 in the morning, however, when taking the buses here in PR, you do not always arrive on time. I did not make it to the assignment until 11:30am due to the various stops the driver made to pick people up, stopping to pass something to another driver on the highway, and finally stopping for something to eat when we were within five minutes of where I needed to be for the day. This was truly an adventure within Puerto Rican culture!
On Monday, I got stuck in a rainstorm on my way to Starbucks...After waiting at least fifteen minutes for the bus, I decided to take the train and walk the rest of the way. However, as soon as I left the train station, rain drops started to fall. I was huddled under a tree until the rain let up and I could make it to the next bus stop where I had to stop again because of the rain. After awhile I did make it to my destination, but I do realize the need to buy an umbrella and carry it with me her, since you never know when it will start to rain.
I continue to enjoy my time here in Puerto Rico...every assignment with the interpreting agency is an adventure! I am also extremely excited to have several visitors here in the next few months, including my entire family who are coming to see me in March!!!
I miss you all and cannot wait to return to the US in April or May! Que les vaya bien.
It has been awhile since I have updated my blog. Oops. Be assured that it is because I get distracted while I am perusing the internet rather than because harm has befallen me!
Last week on Thursday I had an interpreting assignment scheduled for the entire day. I was supposed to arrive at 9:00 in the morning, however, when taking the buses here in PR, you do not always arrive on time. I did not make it to the assignment until 11:30am due to the various stops the driver made to pick people up, stopping to pass something to another driver on the highway, and finally stopping for something to eat when we were within five minutes of where I needed to be for the day. This was truly an adventure within Puerto Rican culture!
On Monday, I got stuck in a rainstorm on my way to Starbucks...After waiting at least fifteen minutes for the bus, I decided to take the train and walk the rest of the way. However, as soon as I left the train station, rain drops started to fall. I was huddled under a tree until the rain let up and I could make it to the next bus stop where I had to stop again because of the rain. After awhile I did make it to my destination, but I do realize the need to buy an umbrella and carry it with me her, since you never know when it will start to rain.
I continue to enjoy my time here in Puerto Rico...every assignment with the interpreting agency is an adventure! I am also extremely excited to have several visitors here in the next few months, including my entire family who are coming to see me in March!!!
I miss you all and cannot wait to return to the US in April or May! Que les vaya bien.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Aqui en Starbucks
Muy buenas tardes a todos!
I hope everyone is doing well today. I am currently in Starbucks...yeah, imagine that, waiting for a meeting to start via skype. So while I am waiting, I thought I would take a minute to update you all.
This week was my second week of internship, and it is going well for the most part. Transportation still remains a tricky issue, but I am learning to get some places by myself. I am, without a doubt, enjoying the weather here--sunny and warm for the most part. My Spanish is slowly getting less rusty as I find more and more places to use it. My Spanish class at the university is helping me improve my Spanish, especially the last class I was in when my professor specifically asked my opinion of what we were discussing in class.
To continue, here is a recap of some interesting things that happened this week:
I took my first and second successful bus trips to the mall! (You have no idea how great a feeling that is in PR!)
On Sunday, after church, I went out to lunch with some visitors from Canada and the US, and subsequently got locked out of my house for the next 5 hours....I didn't think I needed my keys for church!
I had to talk about the US in my Spanish class...which was a struggle at times, but definitely a good use of my Spanish.
I played and colored with the two girls in my host family: they are so cute!
I went to the mall to do something other than sit in the house.
Anyway, I am having a good time here. I love the weather, and it truly is a beautiful island. The culture is different, but I am getting more and more used to it! I am excited to continue my experiences here both as a part of my internship and the Spanish class that I am taking!
I hope you are all doing well! I love calls, texts, etc. from anyone, so don't hesitate to call or text to see what I am up to during the weeks to come!
Que les vaya bien y que pase un buen fin de semana a todos!!!
I hope everyone is doing well today. I am currently in Starbucks...yeah, imagine that, waiting for a meeting to start via skype. So while I am waiting, I thought I would take a minute to update you all.
This week was my second week of internship, and it is going well for the most part. Transportation still remains a tricky issue, but I am learning to get some places by myself. I am, without a doubt, enjoying the weather here--sunny and warm for the most part. My Spanish is slowly getting less rusty as I find more and more places to use it. My Spanish class at the university is helping me improve my Spanish, especially the last class I was in when my professor specifically asked my opinion of what we were discussing in class.
To continue, here is a recap of some interesting things that happened this week:
I took my first and second successful bus trips to the mall! (You have no idea how great a feeling that is in PR!)
On Sunday, after church, I went out to lunch with some visitors from Canada and the US, and subsequently got locked out of my house for the next 5 hours....I didn't think I needed my keys for church!
I had to talk about the US in my Spanish class...which was a struggle at times, but definitely a good use of my Spanish.
I played and colored with the two girls in my host family: they are so cute!
I went to the mall to do something other than sit in the house.
Anyway, I am having a good time here. I love the weather, and it truly is a beautiful island. The culture is different, but I am getting more and more used to it! I am excited to continue my experiences here both as a part of my internship and the Spanish class that I am taking!
I hope you are all doing well! I love calls, texts, etc. from anyone, so don't hesitate to call or text to see what I am up to during the weeks to come!
Que les vaya bien y que pase un buen fin de semana a todos!!!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Week two, here I come!
Well folks, ya empezó la segunda semana de mi tiempo en Puerto Rico.
The second week of my time here in Puerto Rico has started.
Yesterday was the first day of my internship here in Puerto Rico. I got to accompany a trilingual interpreter, my mentor while I am here, to an interpreting job. It was awesome! I enjoyed the day and the new experiences. Today I continued my internship with orientation with the agency in Florida (who is managing my internship here in PR). Tomorrow, I again get to go out on assignment with my mentor, which I am excited about.
I am slowly, slowly learning my way around down here. I prefer to take the city train whenever possible, because honestly, it is a whole lot more simple than trying to figure out the bus system. Plus, the train tells me the name of the stops, which helps when I have limited knowledge as to where I am and where I want to be! Tomorrow will bring a real test when I have to take the buses to get to my assignment...Here's to trusting God that He will work everything out just as He has so far throughout the entire internship experience thus far.
The weather, for those of you who are stuck in snow, is beautiful here! I am enjoying the fact that I can again wear sandals, flip flops, shorts and tank tops! It is sunny almost everyday, and I love it!
Today I also attended the second class of my semester at la Universidad del Sagrado Corazón. I am currently enrolled in one class--a literary genres class in which we will discuss essays, poems, and theatre. I am easily able to understand the professor (Hallelujah), but do sometimes have trouble understanding exactly what the students are saying. Puerto Rican Spanish, is indeed different, but I am confident that, as I gain more exposure to it, I will be able to grasp it more firmly. The classes at the university will definitely help with that.
Puerto Rico is certainly unique, and I am excited to continue learning about the island and all that it has to offer!
That's all I have right now....
Entonces, que Dios les bendiga y que les vaya bien!
steph
The second week of my time here in Puerto Rico has started.
Yesterday was the first day of my internship here in Puerto Rico. I got to accompany a trilingual interpreter, my mentor while I am here, to an interpreting job. It was awesome! I enjoyed the day and the new experiences. Today I continued my internship with orientation with the agency in Florida (who is managing my internship here in PR). Tomorrow, I again get to go out on assignment with my mentor, which I am excited about.
I am slowly, slowly learning my way around down here. I prefer to take the city train whenever possible, because honestly, it is a whole lot more simple than trying to figure out the bus system. Plus, the train tells me the name of the stops, which helps when I have limited knowledge as to where I am and where I want to be! Tomorrow will bring a real test when I have to take the buses to get to my assignment...Here's to trusting God that He will work everything out just as He has so far throughout the entire internship experience thus far.
The weather, for those of you who are stuck in snow, is beautiful here! I am enjoying the fact that I can again wear sandals, flip flops, shorts and tank tops! It is sunny almost everyday, and I love it!
Today I also attended the second class of my semester at la Universidad del Sagrado Corazón. I am currently enrolled in one class--a literary genres class in which we will discuss essays, poems, and theatre. I am easily able to understand the professor (Hallelujah), but do sometimes have trouble understanding exactly what the students are saying. Puerto Rican Spanish, is indeed different, but I am confident that, as I gain more exposure to it, I will be able to grasp it more firmly. The classes at the university will definitely help with that.
Puerto Rico is certainly unique, and I am excited to continue learning about the island and all that it has to offer!
That's all I have right now....
Entonces, que Dios les bendiga y que les vaya bien!
steph
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
The first few days!
Hola a todos!!
Hello to everyone! I am here in Puerto Rico, for those of you who are wondering. I arrived safely on Sunday evening and have been getting into the groove of Puerto Rican for the past few days!
For those of you who are unaware, I am spending my semester in Puerto Rico. I am here to complete my American Sign Language Internship (No, ASL is not universal, but it is used in Puerto Rico), and I am also taking a class at a university!
My adventure started with me getting on a plane in Indianapolis--it was the first time I had flown alone! But I made it just fine. Those of you who know that I was looking for a place to live up until I left, will be happy to know that someone was there to pick me up at the airport, and I have a very nice host family. It is the perfect host family for me as I get to use my ASL, a little bit of Spanish, and some English as well!
On Tuesday I went to sign up for a class at the university. It was an interesting day, that's for sure!! I did a lot of waiting. The waiting started when I got on a bus, missed the university, and had to wait for the bus to finish its route and go back the way we came. (I was told to get on bus #1, but it was confusing for me!) After I arrived at the university, I had to wait for about an hour in each of three different offices! But I am finally enrolled in a class that meets on Wednesdays. I had my first class today, and despite being nervous, it went fairly well! Still working out a few details with the university, but I am pretty much set to go!
I will try to update this blog as much as possible...no promises since I start working at my internship next week. But I promise I will try to keep you all in the loop! :)
I am excited to see you all again even though I haven't been gone long! If you are ever bored, my phone works down here, so feel free to give me a call or a text!
Love from Puerto Rico,
Steph
Hello to everyone! I am here in Puerto Rico, for those of you who are wondering. I arrived safely on Sunday evening and have been getting into the groove of Puerto Rican for the past few days!
For those of you who are unaware, I am spending my semester in Puerto Rico. I am here to complete my American Sign Language Internship (No, ASL is not universal, but it is used in Puerto Rico), and I am also taking a class at a university!
My adventure started with me getting on a plane in Indianapolis--it was the first time I had flown alone! But I made it just fine. Those of you who know that I was looking for a place to live up until I left, will be happy to know that someone was there to pick me up at the airport, and I have a very nice host family. It is the perfect host family for me as I get to use my ASL, a little bit of Spanish, and some English as well!
On Tuesday I went to sign up for a class at the university. It was an interesting day, that's for sure!! I did a lot of waiting. The waiting started when I got on a bus, missed the university, and had to wait for the bus to finish its route and go back the way we came. (I was told to get on bus #1, but it was confusing for me!) After I arrived at the university, I had to wait for about an hour in each of three different offices! But I am finally enrolled in a class that meets on Wednesdays. I had my first class today, and despite being nervous, it went fairly well! Still working out a few details with the university, but I am pretty much set to go!
I will try to update this blog as much as possible...no promises since I start working at my internship next week. But I promise I will try to keep you all in the loop! :)
I am excited to see you all again even though I haven't been gone long! If you are ever bored, my phone works down here, so feel free to give me a call or a text!
Love from Puerto Rico,
Steph
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