We have survived our first week of school in the ¨factory.¨  That´s what it feels like, so it´s been quite an adjustment for us.  Sarah already mentioned the bureaucracy of the school and it is really something.  I put in my requests for copies first thing Monday morning and 15 minutes before school started on Tuesday I was yet to receive my copies for the first day nor did I have my ¨Play like a Champion Today¨ sign from the BLP (Bureau of Laminating and Posters).  Luckily I was able to hunt them down at the last minute.  There are 5 sections of each grade level and the kids did not know which section.  So it was mass chaos of parents and students checking the the rosters on the windows (instead of assembling in the quad like they were supposed to). 

I have 24 new 5th Grade Rockets (there, the new class name unveiled for those who were eagerly anticipating).  12 boys, 12 girls.  Mostly Guatemalans, but a few moved from the states.  I also have 3 Asians. 

It´s probably hard to adjust to any new school as a teacher, but those challenges are magnified a few times in this case.  I really miss my Falcons from last year.  It´s hard to start over in building a connection with a new group of students.  But I know I felt the same way last year, so I know it will come.  However, with the factory setup of this school, not teaching Religion, the language differences, etc. etc, I have my doubts that I will connect as deeply with the students this time... we´ll see. 

On Friday, the ¨buddy family¨ of my 2 roommates took us to PriceSmart (like Costco or Sam´s club).  Turns out the husband went to ND.  The wife explained that she never wanted to marry someone who would be watching that strange american football every Sunday.  Instead, it´s Saturdays!  She thought he was nuts.. until she visited campus and went to a game.  Despite not understanding the game, she coudn´t get over ¨that feeling¨she got on campus....   I assured her I understood. 

I was able to load up on a lot of American products and we bought a TV.  We got our cable hooked up which came with wonderful news.  Channel 50 is none other than the Notre Dame network we like to call NBC.  I was never so happy to see that blessed, heaven-sent peacock. 

On Saturday morning, our host family took Sarah and me to the daughter´s equestrian competition, which was a first for both of us.  She won second place while her mom literally shook with worry and nerves.  Afterwards we went to a nice market and started our souvenir collection.  They took us to a great Mexican restaurant for lunch and gave us the number because they deliver.  Yes!  (Turns out everybody delivers... including Subway, Quiznos, McD´s, and the grocery store.)  They are a wonderful family and have really helped us out in feeling more comfortable in the city.

This morning we set out on finding the only English speaking Mass in the country.  The last 2 Sundays were not too enjoyable (especially the circus of a kids Mass at the Church near our apartment building)  We took a taxi to another church that was supposed to have an english mass at 11.  We arrived and a Mass was just ending.  I asked somebody and they said the next mass was also in spanish at 12.  So we just went to communion and sat down after it ended.  For some reason a woman (maybe a nun) came up to us and said something about the american school.  Apparently we looked out of place.  Go figure.  We asked her about a Mass in english and she quickly escorted us to the back parish hall where a small gathering of people were having mass in english.    We were lucky to find it!  Afterwards the Deacon and his family took us out to lunch at the Waffleria.  Another great find!

You are all in our prayers as we start another week and count down the days... hours and minutes to kickoff for the Irish.