On the one hand, it seems like I’ve been here forever. I’ve stopped locking my door. I’ve started shopping at the supermarket. I know my way around (more or less). I know which sound is the gas company truck, and which is the guy with the bicycle-powered knife sharpening service. Students come and go (and this place offers an AirBNB too so there are frequent new faces at the breakfast table). My progress hasn’t been everything I expected (which is nobody’s fault in particular) – my expectations were simply in excess of reality.
On the other hand, it seems like I just started classes yesterday. The initial days were rough. They’re still rough, to be honest, the difference is the attitude I take with them – stress or equanimity? I’m trying to choose the latter.
I have 6 more days of classes. It’s Monday December 2, 2019 as I write, I leave a week from Wednesday. Tonight, I’ll take inventory of my interests as well as perceived skills and weaknesses. My teachers will do the same. And we’ll concentrate on what I can learn here, that will allow me to continue to improve. “Vamos a ver” – we’ll see.