One last trip...to the end of the continent

Well, it looks like we somehow are all packed and ready to go for tomorrow. Since the end of school on Wednesday, we've spent the last two days on all-day outings with Gracie's and then Theo's class. It is such a wonderful tradition to go out to a recreational park or campground with some kind of pool; swim, play soccer, and have a huge bbq. It was a nice way to end the year for both kids and a great chance to say goodbye to all their friends.

Now, somewhat short on sleep and in Theo's case a bit sunburned - we're off to just about the end of the continent - southern Patagonia. We fly from Santiago to Punta Arenas tomorrow (a 3 hour flight south!). Then we take another day to travel to Puerto Natales, and finally we'll go into the Torres del Paine National Park on Monday and come out on Thursday. As you can see from these internet photos it looks like a rugged landscape with snow covered peaks and glacier lakes. Lots of folks have said its the most beautiful spot in Chile and one of the best trekking spots in the world.

We look forward to updating you all upon our return. Then its 6 short days to pack up and finish with goodbyes. :-)

Cross your fingers for fair weather,
Laura

End of school!

Today, being the last day of school, was a sad day and a happy day. First when I got to school, almost everyone came dressed up, some as boxers, soccer players, pirates etc. After that, we did what is called a "desayuno compartido'' (shared breakfast) where we walk around and serve ourselves what we want from a buffet-like setting. For example, yogurt, honey, fruit and more.

Then, we started the end-of-school year/costume program. Different groups got up and performed for the rest of the school. For example, first, "prekinder" went on the stage and played instruments and sang. Then, the "taller de clown" came up and acted like bumper cars. After that came the costume parade by grade, in which students went up on the stage and showed their costumes. I'm dressed as a tourist in sunglasses.

Then one of the teachers made a speech about how some students and families will leaving, not only from the school but from this country too. And then he invited Gracie and me up to the stage! He asked us if we had anything to say. Grace said "gracias" and then he asked my mom to come up and say a few more words. I was really nervous.

After that we exchanged some gifts with mom that we had worked really hard to make. I made a basket out of painted woven paper. Mom made chocolate chip cookies and she helped finish my mosaic box and then gave them to me.

Mom took us out to lunch after that to celebrate.

Here's a list of some stuff I learned this year:

1. 1. I learned how to speak, read and write in Spanish.

2. I learned a lot of different ways of how to do multiplication and division.

3. I learned how to dance the "Costillar" folkloric dance.

4. I learned how to deal with all kinds of people and lots of different situations.

5. I learned how to play ping pong and I got a lot better at soccer.

6. I learned how to write in cursive.

7. I learned to sing some Chilean songs.

- Teo or as I'm known in Minnesota - Theo.




p.s. Here's some photos of some of my favorite memories of tercero básico (3rd grade) at Monte Alegre.

Marathon and more...

Our good friends Jenny, Jon, Solana and Frances, who are from Minneapolis and living in Mendoza, Argentina this year, were back for a visit and so Jenny could run her first marathon this weekend. She was inspiring. She finished 3rd place in her age category and in under 4 hours!

It's a beautiful run along the ocean. I joined Jenny for a quick 5 km at km 32 in case she was hitting a wall. Far from it, she was cruising and ran ahead for the last 5km (42 km in all). Check out her exciting finish here in the video!!!

Other weekend highlights included "onces" at David and Cecilia's home where we saw Nury and Mario and kids as well, time at Reñaca beach, where the marathon finished up, and then later at the hotel pool. Jon took the kids to some puppet shows, we caught our friend's live outdoor music concert on the pier, and some of our party visited nearby Pablo Neruda's house, now museum, la Sebastiana.

We won't see the Dicus Breen family again until July 2012, when they return from their year abroad. We're so fortunate that we all ended up "neighbors" (Mendoza is an 8 hour bus ride away). Our families are sharing many similar experiences and its been wonderful to mark our progress and support each other. This was true with our friends from NYC, Keith, Becky, Stefan and Jules, who lived for a year in Valparaiso as well. Its so helpful to find other families that are wanting an immersion experience, not a very common breed of travelers. We've helped each other navigate packing lists, visa requirements, choosing a school for the kids, how to find corn tortillas, etc. And of coures, it's always good to know that you aren't the only one with this crazy idea of living abroad with the kids.

Hope you all had a great weekend too.
Sincerely,
Laura

Three weeks left!

Yikes. Time is flying. Here's some quick updates on the Prince Johansson household.

Theo and Grace finished up with year-end exams with "lenguaje" (grammar and language arts) this Monday and "matemática" this Wednesday. There were 6 or 7 pages of written work for the lenguaje - Gracie's hand hurt afterward and Theo showed me his writing blister. As far as math, they both claim they are part of a small minority that enjoys it. Yay! Really, Dan and I couldn't be prouder of these two - they both worked so hard this year. They've come so far from their first week of school when they could hardly understand anything, to now, when they are doing great in all their classes. Theo even corrects my Spanish from time to time now and they both speak with a Chilean accent.

Theo's soccer team also finished up the year with a great "Championship" game, in which they won. Theo was on fire and had a great game. Grace and Theo have also been caught up the table tennis fever that has swept their school. Sometimes, when the other has an after school class, I'll stay and play ping pong with them for an hour and a half. Theo finally beat me too! Next week, they will finish up school on Wednesday. And Thursday and Friday are all day outings that parents have organized for their respective classrooms.

Dan's work days continue along, although he is bracing himself to give up his 5 step commute to the desk with the ocean view. He also is really enjoying his time with his running group twice a week and the fact that they run along the beach at sunset. I'm not sure it gets more beautiful than that. There's a family fun run Saturday here in town, for which he's hoping to convince the kids and our friends Jenny, Jon, and their girls, to participate.

Jenny, Jon, Solana and Franny, our good friends from Minneapolis, who are living in Mendoza this year, are on their way back for one more visit this weekend. Jenny is running her first marathon, "la maraton costa pacifica 2012". We're all excited to cheer her on and I might even jump in for a very short distance of support running.

I'm wrapping things up with my various projects. I've been at the print shop, spiral-bounding my 60 page organizational analysis to turn in. I've also been making arrangements for our last Chilean trip. We're heading down to Patagonia next Saturday - as far south as we can go, short of Antarctica. We'll be hiking for four days in the Torres del Paine Park. We're thrilled although our hiking plans may include rain, snow, gail force winds and very strong sun (as the hole in the ozone is quite large there). Given that some of us will be in jeans and tennis shoes, we're feeling somewhat ill-equipped, but optimistic nevertheless. We're hoping for more penguin sightings.

Finally, I'm starting to gear up for what's next for me once I arrive back to Minnesota. I am considering going back to graduate school for a mid-career organizational development degree. So, I am spending a lot of time on the internet and on skype, doing research and talking to folks about program options (feel free to send suggestions).

A busy time for us, all with the backdrop that the end of our year is drawing near. We haven't really started to fully process our upcoming transition, but I think we all have a sense of what a wonderful year we've had.

With great appreciation,
Laura

photos: Gracie with her teacher Dorys and friends, the Champion soccer team!, what I think must be a clematis (wow!), some photos Gracie took on a recent walk around our neighborhood.

A Chilean Thanksgiving

On last Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, we had a party to celebrate. We invited all our Chilean friends as kind of a goodbye party/Thanksgiving gathering.

My mom made tons of traditional food and people brought other Chilean food to share. Unfortunately, we didn't have a full turkey- but instead deli slices of turkey. We also didn't have cranberries or pumpkins, but my Mom made squash pie. You couldn't tell the difference from pumpkin pie (I thought it was the real thing).

People also shared their talents, like singing and playing instruments. Some people had to sit outside because so many people showed up and we didn't have enough room for everyone.

It was kind of disappointing not to have some of the traditional foods or be with our family, but it was still fun to celebrate Thanksgiving with our friends here.

Sincerely,
Grace

p.s. Mom says that the reenactment of the first Thanksgiving by us kids was the best part of the evening. See picture of Theo as dead turkey on the floor.

Another "seasonal disorientation"

Just look at these '"damascos" - apricots! (I just have to share that this is about a kilo of apricots, which cost about $1.50!). For goodness sakes - it's strawberry and cherry season here. Surely it can't be Thanksgiving tomorrow. Another seasonal disorientation experience.

No family in sight, no cranberries, no whole turkey, and no pumpkins to be had. No holiday lights to get up or last storm windows to put on. No trip to the North Shore to hike along Cascade Falls. No cold weather or chance of snow. It's in the 70's and gorgeous almost every day now. Really there is no Thanksgiving in Chile - or as its known in Spanish - Día de Acción de Gracias. I guess no marketing money to be made, so Thanksgiving hasn't made the export list.

So we are reconciling our seasonal disorientation and making the best of things. Although Dan has the next two days off, the kids have end of year exams all week. I have a parents' meeting at school tomorrow night (yep, on Thanksgiving). So the kids and I are business as usual tomorrow.

But Friday night, we've invited our Chilean "family" to join us for a night of feasting, giving thanks, music and poetry. I'm currently baking a zapallo (it looks like its in the squash/pumpkin family) with hopes of turning it into something akin to a pumpkin pie and the kids are considering a reenactment of the first Thanksgiving. Should be...fun, hilarious, interesting. We'll keep you posted.

And we really have so much to be thankful for this year. Enjoy your special day tomorrow. We are sending our warm greetings to all.

Love,
Laura

p.s. we'll try to turn skype on in the evening

pps. Yes, those are zucchinis or "zapallo italianos".

You want me to do what?

Surely there was a misunderstanding when I suggested helping with a facilitation workshop (aka; getting signatures, setting up the papers, coordinating the admin, etc.) and Isabel wrote back that I would be co-facilitating a 4 day workshop in Spanish!

I thought I would clear up the misunderstanding and instead I had a great time facilitating.

More than 10 years ago, I trained with folks from the Institute of Cultural Affairs, now they form the Minnesota Technology of Participation or MnTop. I've used the participatory methods over the years in my work and it was a great opportunity to share them as part of a project here with ICA Chile to train disabled folks all over the country.

Isabel de la Maza was my co-facilitator and my mentor for the week. I am so appreciative of the opportunity she gave me and for the wonderful chats each day as we drove about an hour up and then down the coast to the small town of Quintero for the training.

The folks at TAC Cordillera, for whom I recently did the organizational analysis, also had Isabel and me help them with some strategic planning one evening.

It was a long week and probably the most extended time I've been immersed in Spanish this year. It was a pleasure and wonderful for my Spanish skills. The experience also made me realize how much I'm looking forward to working out in the community again.

Cheers,
Laura