August 31

Today was the second day of school and I am pleased to say that things did get a little bit better. Not with the teachers. At all. But the students talked to Jane and I a little bit more. That was good. I learned two new names. Nico and Adrianno. Well, I think that is how you spell it. Not really sure.

Anyways, the teachers basically ignored me again today. I started trying to take notes in a class and the teacher said to me “you don’t need to do that because you don’t understand.” And I told him that I understand a little bit. And he said that I can write down what I do understand. And that’s very little but it’s not like he slowed down to help me or anything else. He just kept teaching regularly. And then he said that jane and I would have a homework assignment, but he never got to because we got called out of class to go talk to Sr. Montalvo, the director of rotary and the school that we’re at. So, he was telling us how it’s our responsibility to learn the language the best we can whether it’s taking tutoring classes or whatever we need to do. And then he said that we need to have good communication and discuss if we have any problems. Then he asked us what problems we have.

At that moment, the principal of the school walked in and said she was just getting something from her desk. But then Sr. Montalvo invited her to stay and be a part of the conversation. So, I had the owner of the school and the principal at the table and they wanted me to talk about my problems. Yeah, I have a problem. I HATE YOUR SCHOOL! Your teachers ignore me! The students don’t talk to me! You didn’t even introduce me! I don’t learn anything in class! I don’t even learn any Spanish at this school because no one even tries to help me! That’s what I really wanted to tell them, but of course I can’t because I don’t want to offend them.

They gave me the phone number of my “counselor,” but my language skills are not good enough that I could have a phone conversation with her. And she doesn’t have email. So, I don’t know what to do. I feel like I can’t talk to anyone about it. I mean, I talk to my host parents about it. It’s just that they can’t really do anything. Oh well. I don’t really know what I’m going to do. I guess just wait at least a week before I ask to have anything done.

So, after school I went and had a bite to eat and something to drink with Ben Winterberger, who is the other exchange student from our area in PA. so, that was nice that I got to visit with him besides for school. I did feel bad though because when I got home, my mom was like “I was so worried.” I guess I was an hour later than normal and I don’t have anyway to communicate with her. Like, I don’t have a cell phone or a calling card or anything. I think that my parents were talking about getting me a cell phone at dinner. I don’t really know because they talk so fast when they aren’t talking to me directly.

I asked Cony today if she talks really slow for me and she said that she does. Lol it’s really nice that my family is so helpful. I mean, I learn so much from them. I wish I could just stay with Cony all day.
Well, I had a nice nap today and that’s basically all that happened. Oh! And I had cookies that had jelly in the middle in the shape of a smiley face. Happy cookies.