new adventures

Hi Everybody! I bet ya'll wish you were here where it's warm! very warm!

Wow, one week of the school is finished. I'm so tired, but it has been good. They sure do pack a lot of things into one week. Yesterday (saturday) we had cleaning in the morning and then much of the afternoon I worked on this diary we have to add to every week (I can't remember whether or not I have told you about this). It's rather like a scrapbook,  I suppose. It's a lot of work, but I think it's a good thing to do because it provides us some time of reflection as to what even happened during the crazy week! We also have to read a book by Feb. 9th and do a book report, and we are periodically tested on our notes. Yikes!

Before arriving here, I was under the impression that latinos were a bit more laid back than Americans, ya know, they have siestas every afternoon and they move at a slower pace, etc. Well, boy was I wrong! They might take naps and do everything slowly, but they have no concept of resting! For me, this is difficult because I feel like, wow, I give you all of my attention and energy from 5:30am-10pm every day so can I please have some time to myself on the weekend?? But latinos are so communal. Even on the weekend they are doing stuff together. I feel rude if I just want to spend time alone--or spend time talking to family. Here all of the students are on their phones during the day talking to friends and family all week long. But I cannot do that. So, not really having time to rest and talk with ya'll back home during the weekend is frusterating to me. And often there isn't internet available if I do have some free minutes.

But, I'm learning to talk with God about these things that irritate me. He is blessing me over and over for having a thankful heart and for waiting on Him and His perfect timing for everything. We serve a BIG God and He is in control of everything! So, I'm learning that it's essential that I trust Him with even the little things like whether or not I'll be able to talk to my family this week.

Last night, a group of us walked downtown to an authentic Italian restaurant and had some real Italian pizza! The crust was super thin! I liked it a lot. I enjoy when we take little trips like these, because every time God provides opportunities for me to take risks and get to know people, to converse in Spanish. And everyday I am able to connect a little more. It's quite a task, learning this language. For every English word they have like three or four Spanish words! So, even if I learned one of them, they might not say the word I actually know! So, I have this journal where I write down new words..and let's just say, it's filling up fast!

Oh and last time I wrote I forgot to tell you about the water situation! Oh goodness. Apparently here it's a common thing for the entire city to go without water for 24 hours. I don't know the reason or when this occurs (and neither do the other people). Well, this happened with about 20 minutes warning earlier this week. So we had twenty minutes to fill up big pots and pans full of water to function for 24 hours! And that day was the day of the scavenger hunt where we had to stick our faces in buckets of flour and we were running and sweating ---and then no shower!! I still feel like there's flour caked into my face! BLEH!

Well, times up! Off to my next gathering... :)