Chileans @ McAuley - 2nd week

"Our McAuley Chilenas" with the McAuley Lion

The second week at McAuley the Chilean girls became more comfortable in their classes and spending time with their new friends. Many are taking art and making clay sculptures. Others have asked to change from computer class in order to join and help in Spanish or English classes. Señora Dubreuil's Advanced Spanish classes spend the last segment of classes in conversation, en español, with the Chileans ... as a whole class and in smaller groups. It gives the Chileans a break from working constantly in English, and offers the McAuley girls a chance to actually use their Spanish in authentic conversations.

One day Señora Mendoza's class celebrated a "Quince" ... the hispanic tradition of "Sweet 15", when a young girl enters adulthood. The Chileans came and enjoyed the festivities and cultural experience. It was based on the Mexican Quince Fiesta, but the Chileans also shared their information about the chilean experience of being a "Quinciñera".

¡Feliz Cumpleaños!

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Ski day at Sugarloaf was planned for Friday but was cancelled due to a snowstorm (as was school cancelled). We're hoping to reschedule the ski day.

This coming week is full of activities: field trips to Haven's Candy store; a tour of downtown Portland, the Old Port, and the Observatory; hopefully the ski day at Sugarloaf; and a Lobster Fest at the Agren's on Saturday night followed by Galactic Bowling. A very busy week to come!

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First impressions (by Maura):

Cata was so so so cute when we came home, we were watching a movie and she fell asleep on the beanbag in front of the fireplace. Pita told me that Cata always falls asleep during movies. Every song that came on Cata hums to it, she especially loves "Mr. Lonely" by Akon! Hahaha

The best thing so far is our inside joke -- I always ask her if she is hungry or tired. She tells me that I eat a lot. :) She is just so comfortable with my friends, and she laughs with all of them!

Cata & Maura

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