Television Show

I constantly catch myself thinking about how my life here is such a television show. Maybe a latin television show. Or possible a soap opera.

Example: babies pee on my clothes, people throw up on me, I walk off leaving my car door wide open, I fall down stairs, visiting 4 ATM's before finding one that allows my card to take out cash, etc.

I think you all get it.

My friend, Lindy, emailed me yesterday asking what all was new with me, and as I wrote her a novel about all the changes/exciting/dramatic things that had happened, I realized I needed to write this stuff down and sell it one day. Therefore I wanted to share some news of one, particularly exciting recent even in my life (watch out - lots of adjectives there).

As I wrote about a few months ago, I have officially been here one year! Although in some ways it seems like I have been here forever, I have definitely started to feel the wear and tear of missing home, family, and friends. One of the biggest differences for people living abroad is always culture. You have these stereotypes for latin cultures - always eating rice and beans - and while part of that is true, there are many other IMPORTANT aspects left out.

This culture is very blunt - which I believe I have mentioned before. People say what's on their mind, and while they are not trying to put you down, sometimes things translate that way and feelings get hurt. There is also lots of joking. While at first jokes can be funny, after a year of hearing the same jokes made at your expense, it gets a little old. Actually it gets REALLY old. So lately I have found myself feeling extra tired, testy, and easily annoyed. I have even found myself feeling lonely and sad at times. It's hard to believe anyone could feel lonely in a home where there are 55 energetic boys and (as of recent) lots of puppies to keep one company.

The difference is I am from the United States. Before I sometimes found myself trying to blend in as if I were Honduran, but now I am realizing this isn't anything to be ashamed of. It's where I was born & raised, and I am proud to call it home.

Therefore without further adieu, I reveal my exciting news...

I MOVED! Here is my justification before you all gasp and say, "but isn't Honduras too dangerous to live alone", etc. I really believe the main cause for all of those emotions listed above was the lack of personal space/privacy while living here at JEC. At times I found myself retreating to my room to eat lunch alone just to have a few minutes of quiet to myself. I think this is a very fair decision... something my soul needs. Considering I moved out of my parents' home when I finished high school and didn't move back in until before moving abroad, I have always done well living alone or with a few roommates. I am a big believer of the importance of alone time. Although I am really outgoing, my heart was longing for this privacy and separation from my job here at JEC and my personal life outside of work. God calls us to spend alone time with Him not just because He wants it, but because He knows WE n e e d it.

I moved in yesterday with the help of these good looking guys, and it was the easiest move- in ever. They did it all for me! I didn't even have to pay movers - just bought them all coke, and they were happy to help!

By 10 AM the moving truck was leaving my newly rented 2- story home, and all my belongings were making themselves nice and cozy in their new place... on the floor of the apartment. I am still lacking lots of furniture, considering I only have a armoire for clothes, refrigerator, kitchen table (which I purchased for $25 at the downtown market), and bed.

I've been running around the past two days like crazy trying to buy things I never needed while living at JEC - everything from a shower curtain and toilet paper to trash cans and a pantry (no luck yet). I know it will take time, just like in college when I had to buy all new furniture. Unfortunately here there's no flea market or TJ Maxx to get great things at great prices. Here its like a witch hunt. I will post more pix as things get settled, but know that this place is safe. Its right next door to a co-worker and another friend who is male and teaches at the bilingual school, and everyone who lives around me is family of my coworker. I feel like already everyone is going to watch out for me. This does not mean I am going to walk lightly, because I am always going to be cautious while in a different country.

Please pray for me during this change in my journey here. All the employees both here in Honduras and stateside believe this will be a good change for me. They all agree it is something I need considering I have had to alter so much to fit the culture here. I believe its time to have a little change and do something a little selfish. My worst fear would be to burn out and leave resentful or with a bad taste in my mouth. These boys pictured here are my hope and keep me going each day. I love the precious moments we have (which I will write about soon) each day, and I look forward to seeing their sweet faces every morning.

Cheers to change!

Weekend Recovery

This weekend I’m sure is still happening for all of you back home - being Labor day and all. Not here... we’re back in the swing of things this morning. And some of us (this girl) is still recovering from a weekend jammed packed with fun events.

Friday evening I stayed at JEC instead of heading out to my usual weekend activities. I stayed for two reasons- one being that the majority of the employees (houseparents, director, other staff) had retreated to Choluteca to go fishing. Although I wanted to go, I had a second reason to stay - there was no one to take Nelson to his first school dance. NATURALLY I made myself “disponible” (available) to take him since the idea of Nelson dancing with another little six grade girl made my heart jump.

Luckily I have made friends with the other young, single teachers at the school, and we all decided to meet up at the dance and hang out after. Nelson borrowed a button-down from his older brother, Alex, and was dressed and ready by 4:30. The dance didn’t start until 6. Can you tell he was excited?

It poured all afternoon (see pictures above of that storm rolling in), and we arrived at 6:15 (that was the longest I could make him wait). Hondurans are known to be late anyway, and you never want to arrive to a party exactly on time... right? We ate pizza and watched the 4th-6th grade girls dance their hearts out. There is a certain boy named Andre, who I believe has downs-syndrome, but he completely understands what’s going on around him. Andre and his sister ROCKED that dance floor, and he even walked away with some cash ($5) for winning the dance contest. Nelson refused to dance really... he only jumped up and down to “Party Rock” since its his favorite song. We left the dance and went to bed around 9ish.

Saturday I got up and went into the city to run some errands. I did some therapeutic shopping at Wal-Mart finding clementines and spinach by the bag for only $0.25!!!!!!! So pumped. I spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out with Junior's nephew, Gabriel. He's finally come around to like me, so we spend a lot of time dancing and playing with the doggies together. He jumps and screams and plays rough with the dogs and never cries! He loves his uncle J, too.

Saturday night Junior and I made his family stir fry (again - their new favorite dish) and then went to a party with him and his sister to benefit their local soccer team. We danced the night away as everyone tried to teach me how to dance punta, cumbia, merengue, and all the other latino dances. I was great. It was lots of fun.

Sunday morning I got up early, ate pancakes, and went to church in the city. Then I rushed back to Zamorano to the 8th Annual PanAmerican Party at the Agricultural University there in Zamorano. My teacher friends had gone last year and said it was lots of fun, so we decided to go around lunchtime and check out the food situation. There were TONS of people, vendors, and informative tables for each one of the 21 countries the students represent at the university. The event is sponsored by Jetsero (think Best Buy for Honduras), therefore we had a huge stage where the students performed dances which originated from each country. It was so cool (as in neat), but unfortuantely it was 97 MILLION DEGREES, and in order to see you had to stand directly under the sun. We had lunch and then watched only two countries perform before we couldn’t take the heat anymore. Honduran women don’t seem to sweat, but unfortunately I’m not that lucky.

After dropping the other girls off, I headed back to JEC to finish the day doing laundry, washing my car, and cleaning my room. I even squeezed in a one-hour nap, watched Steel Magnolias, and ate ramen noodles & a quesadilla for dinner. Pictured below is my newest addition to my room here at JEC, a gift from Junior. I think it suits me well, right?

It was indeed one, great weekend, and I am looking forward to another busy week here at JEC. September and October are super busy months for us (and me), therefore I will try to write as much as I can!