Back to South America

Well, the blog shall be resumed... because I am going back to South America.

The anxiety is building back up as I have but a few short weeks to raise some money, get my stuff together, and head south for the summer! The plans are coming together, as they always do... so here are the definites, the maybes, and the prolly nots...

DEFINITES

June, I will be teaching English and Biology in Salasaca, a small Quichua village. In exchange for my mad edu-ma-catin' skills, I will get a place to stay, food to eat, and even some Quichua lessons to beef up on my language skills before I start at Stanford.

I have a good friend in Ecuador... This was previously a maybe, but I am now certain.

I will probably stay in Ecuador until mid-September, that is, about four months... again.

Late September, I will be attending Stanford to get my M.A. in all things cool and Latin American-y. I will be studying politics, economy, anthropology, and the environment, in addition to Quechua (though of the Peruvian variety) and Portuguese. (Yay, polyglots!) I will graduate in the spring, and I will not incur any debt... fellowships equal happiness!

MAYBES

July and August, I could continue teaching in Salasaca. This position maintains me but does not give me oodles of, or in fact any, discretionary income. It's a great opportunity, but I am also quite poor.

July and August, I might be able to continue to teach in July, then participate in a project with a nonprofit in August. They would pay me loads of cash, helping to reimburse me for my expensive plane ticket and giving me access to the fun things in life, like chocolate bars and Coca-cola. Because I am a caffeine addict, and also because money is always a concern, I will accept this position if it is available. But I will not know until May if the nonprofit money will materialize. I hate waiting!

Mark and some other people might come to visit. If you are interested, please let me know! Everyone is invited. The plane ticket will probably be between 600 to 800 dollars, but once you are in Ecuador, 200 dollars for a 10 day trip would be quite a comfortable budget. Consider it! Plus, free translator and guide (aka me)!

PROLLY NOTS

There is a possible Stanford research internship which would give me money for two months, but I might have to go to Peru. The funds for the internship might not come through, I might not be selected, and I might not feel like heading down to Peru. This probably won't happen, but it is on the table for July and August.

I will not be traveling or "going on vacation" unless I have visitors. The money just isn't there, and I have already traveled around. I am now more interested in just living.

I will not be getting a work visa. Too much work and money and then not a lot of job opportunities. That is why I have found other ways to survive.


AND...
that's what's going on with my life. I found explaining this over and over again to various friends and family got repetitive. Thus, let the blog re-commence! Check back for details and please comment so I know you want updates... Thanks! I love my family!!!