Saint L

Today I ventured to one of my schools in a nearby aldea, hoping to get there on time (7:30) when class started. So I get to the bus stop and all these buses keep passing but I dont flag them down because they dont have the proper heading, lets say. Finally I just get on one that passes because I was tired of waiting there for 20 mins, get dropped off at the other stop, only to wait for about 45 mins for the darm minivan to pass by. I was ready to walk back to my town but for some reason I didnt. Finally got on the micro and ended up in my school. I hung out, observing the students in 1B (equivalent of 6th or 7th grade in the states). Highlights of the day were eating some super spongy cake that the Home Ec teacher made (Three Stooges kind of spongy cake), talking to the librarian about possibly getting more books for the library and getting these kids to read more (they only go in there if they have some research assignment assigned to them), the Idioma/Lectura teacher(Literature) made the kids stand up in front of the class and read passages from the Bible and analized how well they were reading (volume, tone, pause for punctuations, etc.) and then told them that they should read every day (her direct words were...do you eat everyday? well if you eat everyday then you should read everyday, it is just as important. Dr. Fitzsimmons immediately came into my mind and I wanted to yell, READ, READ, READ). Oh, they will be reading by the time I am done with them, if my name isnt Seño Anna. Mmm...other highlights, outside of school, I had a pizza burger for lunch, I found the postoffice and I think I know where the bus stop is which means I can make it home without having to share a cab with one of my students drunk fathers. Yipee! All and all, good day. Los quiero mucho. Shout out to the Jr Sr Scholars for twenty amazing years. I love and miss you guys. PS, our program director gave us Harry Wongs The First Days and I am rereading it as we speak. Coincidence...?

When a GarBear disowns a Bird (sung in When a Man Loves a Woman style)

I’ve listened to these two “banda” songs for at least 5 times each in the last few minutes. The first is called “Tal Vez” by the Primos de Durango and the second is called “Mi Amor por Ti” by Los Horoscopos de Durango. What has happened? This music used to make me cringe. This is all the neighbors would play next door at all the wrong hours. Everyone would make fun of it, including my Mexican friends. But alas, I cannot resist something so catchy. I remember when we lived in the white house on Avon, the neighbors would play their music and Dad would get pissed. He’d blast the Beethoven or Bach to retaliate. It didn’t work though. Once he even took what he deemed the most annoying music he could find in the house. Yes, my Hanson Middle of Nowhere CD. Countering catchy with catchy. Needless to say, Hanson didn’t deter our neighbors. This music makes me want to get off this bed and start doing the quebradita, even if it probably isn’t the right dance and I have no partner. When I get back to the states, I will be a die-hard banda music fan. The weird mix between hip-hop, reggaeton and freestyle is not so much my thing. Especially not the Costa Rican that calls himself Nigga. I can do without.

Antigua and Way-way

This is all you get for now because I am at a incredibly slow internet right now.

Top picture is my host parents (Don Rodrigo and Doña Eva) at our swearing-in ceremony last, last Friday.

Next picture is me (obviously) with my host aunt and uncle (Doña Dora and Don Cesar). Don Cesar owned me so bad by giving me some tea in a cup that had a cockroach inside it (built-in ceramic cockroach).

Third picture is me and oh! is that Phillip in the back? Why yes it is! Phillip and I in the background in the tent when we went camping in Corpus Christi. Miss my boo.

Last picture is Carmen and I in Antigua by the arches where all the touristy stuff is and all the pretty stores that make me want to spend all my little bit of money.

Update

I've been rather good about updating this thing, no? Someone give me my props. So we have about a week left in our training communities and are about to depart for our new homes for the next two years. We are all pretty much over training, with all its sessions, not being to go out past a certain hour, and having to eat everything that is put in front of us (even if we are dead tired of eggs and beans, with a side of tortillas). But I am completely going to miss my town and even my family or especially my family rather. They have gotten on my case so much, but I'm telling myself that it is all in good fun. Plus, now I am starting to not let it get me down that they try to make me feel guilty for being out past 8 (even though they told me I could be out til 9...damn that indirect communication style!) It's all good though. Tonight I am inviting my two buddies over for dinner and I plan on making empanadas for them and my fam. Hopefully I will not fail miserably...that masa is so testy. I will try to evoke O-town's empanada-making skills. I know my arms will be sore tomorrow. I will put up pictures soon of this great adventure. For now, these are some old pics that you get. If you guys have questions about anything (culture, food, language, my personal life--but not too personal), please ask away. I am here.

Dear Pinguino

So today I found out that you are leaving for Afghanistan tomorrow. I don't want you to go. For some reason when Dad told me this, I thought of when we lived in the old gray house and it was your birthday. You had gotten a burro pinata and were riding it because you were still really small. I have a lot going through my mind right now, mainly you, but I just want you to know that I will constantly be praying for you and whenever I meet an Evangelical (there are many here in Guatemala), I will ask them to pray for you too. Please take care of yourself. I will have many sweet music compilations when you return. I will be waiting for you.

Love you,

me