Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!  I am definitely missing being with family and cooking today.  I wish that I could cook my host family a Thanksgiving dinner but, unfortunately, they do not have a working oven, which means no turkey, no apricot bread or pies, or any of my other favorites that need an oven to prepare.  Also, I have not been able to find sour cream or thick yogurt anywhere (Peruvians eat really runny yogurt) so even though Jello is a Peruvian favorite – I am not able to make Jello mold.  And there are no cranberries.  So, I am planning on making a big Thanksgiving dinner in December when I get home.  In the meantime, I am feeling thankful for the experience I am having here and decided to make a list of things I am thankful for.

-This Peruvian experience, in general

-My family

-That my Mom, Dad, and Matthew were able to come and visit me

-My wonderful host family

-Getting to learn Spanish (so much better than in a classroom!)

-Taking a break from school, but also looking forward to going back in January

-That I still have a month here (but it is going by WAY too fast)

-The support of my family and friends (in so many ways, including all of the wonderful emails I have received and for reading my blog)

And so much more!  I am having a great time continuing to explore Peru and work in my classroom.  I am extremely happy (and thankful) because my teacher has started to use the books that my family brought to my school every day.  After watching me read to the kids during recess for a couple weeks and seeing how much they enjoy the books, she has started reading to the kids one book every morning and then asking them reading comprehension questions.  Yes!!!!  The kids love it.  And, the best part is, the TV has not been turned on for almost three weeks, whereas in the past it was used almost every day.

I´ll write more soon, but in the meantime, happy Thanksgiving!!  I hope everyone has a wonderful day.