One week until departure.
I've spent months trying to decide how I want to spend my gap year. I've done so much thinking, talking, brainstorming, and researching. And now, as pieces begin to fall into place, it's becoming almost real.
One week and I'll be in Cofradía, Honduras. From what I've heard, Cofradía is a small town of dirt roads and kind-hearted people. I'll be teaching both kindergarten and second grade at Cofradía Bilingual School. At CBS, Honduran teachers teach in Spanish for half the day and international native English-speaking volunteers teach in English for the other half of the day. This means that along with about ten other volunteers, I will be responsible for ensuring that my students learn fluent English.
Mentioning this position to one of my closest friends, she responded by saying, "So now you're a teacher?!" And that's how I feel - incredulous. Plus a little overwhelmed, a lot nervous, and even more excited.
Here's the link for the organization's website, which holds quite a bit of information: http://cofradiaschool.com/ .
One week can mean a lot of time. Or not a lot of time. For me, this week is full and will be a short one. I've got shopping and packing to do, goodbyes to friends, errands to run, and an appointment to get the cast off of my arm, due to a fractured wrist. On top of everything, this is my last week of nannying before my three little boys start school the day after I leave. Everyone is working hard to get me ready - Dad is carefully assembling a medical kit for me, reminiscent of his journalism days in Africa. Mom has taken on the book project, deciding to send me with 50 books for each of the grades I will be teaching. And with all this support from my family and everyone around me, it's hard to imagine that I will soon be off, on my own, and unbelievably independent.
I know that I can't yet begin to imagine what this year has in store. I don't even have many details ironed out yet. But I'm trying my hardest to get my head in the right space for my journey, because once I'm there I'll have to embrace it all at once.
I'm almost ready.
One week until my gap year.
