"Oh, the places I'll go!": it's been soo long!

Hello all!
I can't believe how long it's been since I updated! This week was my first full week of teaching and MAN was it overwhelming. My to-do list is unending, the life of a teacher I suppose. The flower festival was amazing, I would write more about it but I added all the pictures to my facebook so if you're interested in what it's all about please feel free to look there. All I want to say is it was amazing, and I am so glad I was lucky enough to be able to see it in real life. The week at school flew by and then for our first three day weekend a group of Columbus teachers went to a finca, which is basically a cottage home/farm for families here in Colombia. It is technically a hostal that is located between Medellin and Santa Fe, just up the mountain from a small town called San Jeronimo. It was an amazing weekend just to relax, drink some wine, lounge by the pool (when it wasn't sporadically downpouring) and get to know my wonderful coworkers. A few of us went for hikes and we may have gotten a smidge lost, but whatever, we came full circle eventually. I am definitely getting quite the workout in here with all the mountains and altitude...it's tough. I will however start looking to join a yoga studio, maybe try pilates, or even crossfit while I'm down here. After talking to the other teachers who have been down here for a year or more now, there is just so much to do! There is traveling around Medellin, around Colombia, around South America, nevermind trying to do all this while teaching full-time! I will never be bored here that's for sure. Hopefully next weekend a few of us want to go up the cable car thingy which helped Medellin achieve the most innovative city in the world.

This next week at school should be pretty quick, we had today (Mon.) off for a holiday, we have 12:30 dismissals both Tues and Wed, I have training for a program called Number Corner Thurs afternoon, so my only full day with my students this week will be Friday...I'm sure it's going to be a productive week :) My time here has been so amazing, I know it's only going to get more stressful as the school year progresses. In addition to all this, the school offers their teachers a masters program where they can take three courses a year and earn their masters in just three years time...I have been weighing this decision heavily and I have decided to enroll in the program, it is a master's program for Interdisciplinary Studies of Education. The price is right, the opportunity is amazing, and even if I still want to leave after two years, I can finish the program online (Mom stop panicking ;) ). So! This is going to be the toughest, most amazing year of my life for sure. I cannot wait for my first visitor a beautiful Miss Alice Guns to arrive in December. I know it's quite the commitment and investment, but if you've ever wanted to visit South America...you have a friend in Medellin. This country is amazing and I've heard amazing things about the surrounding countries as well. I'm considering a trip to Peru right after school lets out this year, a couple of ladies mentioned they were going and would be up for another travel buddy. The opportunities are endless down here.

That being said, I do miss all of my family and friends dearly. Please keep texting, emailing, and skyping me. I really appreciate all your love and support more than you know. I'll attach a couple pictures for those of you who don't use facebook, but that was just the easiest way to post a whole bucket of pics.

much love :)
aimee

ps. I've had a few requests for my address...it's a bit weird down here, and I'm not entirely sure how long it takes, we're currently conducting trial 1 with a package from mom and dad. Hopefully that comes swimmingly sin problemas...but I haven't heard the best reports about snail mailing packages. The best idea is just stick to letters (I love getting mail, have yet to receive any mail here :(, I'd love to see that change)

Cra. 44 #17-C-Sur-40
UR Poblado Verde Apt 1807
Medellin, Colombia