As I'm letting sabrinasdad.blogspot.com take up all my bandwidth, loading the video from home for Christmas, blogging in WordPad seems a logical way to pass the time.
As expected, the last 72 hours have been terrible homesickness. It's just hard to dodge all the mental cues of home, the trees and the lights and the carols and the mass and the parties and chocolates wrapped in red, gold, and green foil. It hit me like a brick, though, and a friend of my host sister's birthday party on the 23rd. I was looking at the tree and admiring the ornaments and it all flodded in, little things; like porcelain decorations my grandmother has put in the same spot in her house every year since my infancy, maybe before. Like hanging my stocking, and Christmases when things weren't so easy, and the past couple years when the boys cheer as Allison and I groan at 6:30 in the freaking morning...
I thought about what Christmas tradition really is, how in the movies they always have the same exact schedule, same plan, same routine, every year, but I don't. When I was little we always had Christmas Eve to celebrate my grandfather's birthday and come together with him at his house, but then he got old and eventually passed away and that tradition ended. For many years we went to cut down a tree as a big kickoff, then one year we got a pre-cut, then one year we had an artificial, and soon, it didn't seem right to say we had that tradition. Some years we drank cocoa, some years it was spiced cider. Some years I had the red and white candy canes, but others, around the time I was 11 or 12, I loved the neon tutti frutti ones.
And it's an expression as old as time itself, but it occurred to me that the ONLY thing I remember at every single Christmas, without fail, and never artificial, is family. Even when times were hard, when we were decorating a tree in a duplex, or an apartment, with Big Lots ornaments and a fake tree, it was us, Dad, Mom, Kim, my brothers, Allison, Grandma, Pat and Frank, Shelly and Sissy and all the little girls, and Christian too, whatever pets we had then, whatever girlfriends the boys brought home, and it made it Christmas. There is an image every year in my mind of a small room, or a large room, filled with people either way, and a tree, and the chatter and buzz of Christmastime. There is Christmas mass which, of course, I have never attended alone. I can remember a mass so far back I fell asleep in my mom's arms, while she unfortunately got stuck with me in one hand and a lit candle in the other... sorry Mom...
It always has seemed to me that older people had secrets, like how Christmas is about family, or how nice it is to have money saved, or how knowing what a surprise is makes it no fun at all, those secrets that even when the raisins tell the grapes, the young ones never understand. Some things you just have to learn yourself. You learn to save money once you've got $250 in babysitting cash and the video iPod goes on sale. You learn to let surprises wait when you don't see one coming and it wakes you right up, and you learn that Christmas is about family when you're playing house 3,100 miles away, and you see a picture someone snaps of you handing over a gift-a wallet, to your host dad, wrapped up tight, that makes him say "Ahh, a small present for your miniature dad!" [he stands around 5’5, Dad around 6’2 or 6’3 depending on his mood]- and in the picture he's laughing and you're laughing and the present is there between, symbolic of so much more.
This Christmas was not many things. It was not what I was used to, it was no white, and it was English-subtitle free. It WAS, however, eye-opening, heartwarming, and rejuvenating, seeing how Ecuador really could easily be my home. It has all the proper components: A loving family –TWO loving families, one right up close and one a little farther away –A warm bed –And room to grow, which I’m trying to fill “poco a poco”…
I’m literally praying this video will load further! It loaded to about two minutes and stopped and now every time I try to load more, it stops shorter and shorter, now at about 4 seconds… The ease and speed of the modern age…
Thank you Dad, thank you Kim, thank you Christopher and Father Noone and Sue and anyone who comes later in the video I’ve yet to see. I love you all and miss you very much. Merry Christmas---the merriest!
25 December, 2007
21 December, 2007
Christmas In America
The spirit's up,
We're here tonight,
And that's enough
Simply having a wonderful christmastime
Last night, I finally was hit by the Christmas spirit in full force. It was the secret santa big-gift party for all the girls in my class. In true ecuadorean fashion, I arrived over an hour late and was still the first one there. While I waited with Janne, a fellow exchanger from Hamburg, Germany, we listened to Paul McCartney as he had a wonderful christmastime, compared past christmas stories, and worried about whether or not our secret santas would like our gifts, and if we would like theirs. It was just one of those giving and getting moments, in more ways than one, that Christmas always seemed to be about.
I love my gift. It's a mug that says Guayaquil on it. Even with no snow to love/hate, no carols on the radio, and exotic plants draped in lights, it still felt like pure Christmas.
Upon receiving the mug, the very first thought in my mind was where I would use it... maybe some place like the State University of New York at New Paltz...
...to which I was accepted December 19th, 2007!!!!!I got the news through the true and thoughtful genius of my father's web design, almost as good as opening the envelope, if not better-because I didn't see it coming. The two of them, my dad and Kim, could be Hollywood actors. My dad, on the phone, was 100% business like he was testing a new graphic design. Kim sounded like she was ready to take a nap. Dad says "I'm filling out some forms and I need you to check out this website for me... Go to gardencenternews.com/sabrina and tell me what you think."
I got to the page and thought to myself Is this it? No, it couldn't be. They'd be way more excited. This is just some site... I saw the quote in New Paltz colors all about the beauty and charm of the campus and the programs, the quote from my tour guide, and I still am not putting 2 and 2 together.... And then I opened it. It could have been a movie. The page loaded, I saw my address, then "Dear Sabrina,", and when I got to "Congratulations!" I screamed louder than I think I ever have, exited out of the page, ran outside, and started yelling and jumping.
I could not have been happier, and I don't think the two of them could have been more proud. Eventually, around 11:00 that night, I realized Kim sounded so dreary because she'd been crying. Beyond college and Ecuador and everything else, I think it goes without saying that what makes me so lucky is being blessed with such an amazing family.
It would be hard to explain to people how exciting the prospect of New Paltz is for me;
how the campus felt like it fit just right,
how the giant Wal-Mart, 2.00 theatre, and farmland in the town were so reminiscent of Cobleskill where I spent a huge chunk of my childhood,
how it's the second most competitive SUNY to get into,
how the job I love and miss could help me get the same job there,
how it's close to home-but not too close,
and so on and so forth. I've thought about little else for months.
This includes my recent trip to QUITO!, one of the most important destinations in all of Ecuador. It was an awesome trip, full of firsts. I got to drive in a cloud, straddle the equator, dance to indigenous music, share a hotel room with people I literally met when I walked into it, stand in the crater of a volcano, plant trees, walk in altitudes only goats seem to enjoy, learned a song in German, shopped and shopped and shopped. Within that shopping, again thinking about college, back when I still didn't know, the search went something like this:
"This is a cuuuuuuuute tote! I love the colors. This would be really cool and fun to use... at New Paltz!"
"I've always wanted a hat like this... and it has a matching scarf! Perfect for cold days... at New Paltz!"
"Is this really Alpacha wool? It's so soft and warm. The blankets are perfect for a dorm... at New Paltz!"
Which was usually followed by the panic-stricken "OH GOD, what if I don't get in? How long are they going to make me wait?" and then "This bag would just look dumb at a community college" or "If I go to SCCC, I won't HAVE a dorm!" and then making the purchase on my now-flimsy hope.
So, now I have a tote bag, a hat, a scarf, some clothes, and a mug to use in and out of my New Paltz dorm!
That's about all the blogging I can muster for now. Sorry the posts are so few and far between, we're working on limiting my internet usage to keep me in the moment and help me use spanish, not english... Miss and love you all!
02 December, 2007
A wonderful christmastime
I am one of the luckier exchange students in that my hosts have taken me in as part of their family. My host sister brings me to mass, my host father tells me interesting facts about wherever we go and buys the type of cereal I like, and my host mother, most of all, has taken me as her replacement-youngest while Diego is in Germany. Every day, she reminds me to have fruits and vegetables, checks up on my plans and schedules, asks me about school, and warns me about the dangers of this city.
For the most part, my host mother is a very serious woman. She is the one in the front row of aerobics, sweating to the oldies. She is a dentist and doesn't laugh much. She's practical and focused and often worried, especially about me.
However, this serious, focused, ho-hum image of her has been shattered in my mind. She has gone Christmas nutty, and I, personally, love it.
Our house is much like Mirta. There are some pretty colors, sure, but the floors are a dull white-grey stone, the curtains are white, the paintings are of fruit and religious things. It's mellow. However, she has spent probably 4 straight days decorating for the holidays. We have an artificial tree that she decorated and hung with lights. Every table that's not glass, and even a couple that are, have red tablecloths. The kitchen tablecloth is green with bright red place mats. There are wreaths, mistletoe, figurines, and miles of lights. At night, we turn off all the lamps and track lighting and things like that and plug in the decorative ones, and it's really bright, there's not much difference between the two. Our nativity scene is at least 20-25 figurines and 2 ft. squared.
Of course, this got me thinking about the holidays back home. Thanksgiving passed quietly, we reserved 20 minutes of Spanish class for a thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday and got Thursday free. We made plans to go out thursday to our favorite burger place, El Capi, and I'd forgotten it was thanksgiving until about 8:00 that night. We prayed thanks for the blessings we have and petitioned for help of the massive poor population here.
However, something makes me think maybe Christmas will be harder to miss...
In other news, I sat down a few days ago and did the math: My exchange year is exactly 300 days long! Today is day 105, 35.3% down, 64.7% to go. Spanish classes will be finished in just over a week, and then we have our trip to Quito, the capital in the highlands. It's really cold there! I'm going to have to bring my coat, sneakers, jeans, etc.
Speaking of weather... today we have a high of 84, low of 73. Have some hot cocoa for me!
For the most part, my host mother is a very serious woman. She is the one in the front row of aerobics, sweating to the oldies. She is a dentist and doesn't laugh much. She's practical and focused and often worried, especially about me.
However, this serious, focused, ho-hum image of her has been shattered in my mind. She has gone Christmas nutty, and I, personally, love it.
Our house is much like Mirta. There are some pretty colors, sure, but the floors are a dull white-grey stone, the curtains are white, the paintings are of fruit and religious things. It's mellow. However, she has spent probably 4 straight days decorating for the holidays. We have an artificial tree that she decorated and hung with lights. Every table that's not glass, and even a couple that are, have red tablecloths. The kitchen tablecloth is green with bright red place mats. There are wreaths, mistletoe, figurines, and miles of lights. At night, we turn off all the lamps and track lighting and things like that and plug in the decorative ones, and it's really bright, there's not much difference between the two. Our nativity scene is at least 20-25 figurines and 2 ft. squared.
Of course, this got me thinking about the holidays back home. Thanksgiving passed quietly, we reserved 20 minutes of Spanish class for a thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday and got Thursday free. We made plans to go out thursday to our favorite burger place, El Capi, and I'd forgotten it was thanksgiving until about 8:00 that night. We prayed thanks for the blessings we have and petitioned for help of the massive poor population here.
However, something makes me think maybe Christmas will be harder to miss...
In other news, I sat down a few days ago and did the math: My exchange year is exactly 300 days long! Today is day 105, 35.3% down, 64.7% to go. Spanish classes will be finished in just over a week, and then we have our trip to Quito, the capital in the highlands. It's really cold there! I'm going to have to bring my coat, sneakers, jeans, etc.
Speaking of weather... today we have a high of 84, low of 73. Have some hot cocoa for me!
27 October, 2007
"Be the change you want to see in the world" -Ghandi
The news in Ecuador is full of reports from Barcelona. The word "xenophobe" is prominent in every editorial, and the most talked-about teenager has no displayed face and no name. There are demonstrations at our capital and discussions in our National Reality class over one ignorant man who made a grave error.
On October 7th, Sergi MartÃn, a 21 year old Barcelonian, had a beer at a local bar and left for the train home shortly after. The security videos show him on the train, talking on his cell phone and standing in the aisle, calmly leaning against a pole. However, not long after this shot is one of him yelling at a fellow passenger, a 16 year old ecuadorean girl whose identity is being kept private. Just seconds later, there is clear footage of Sergi kicking the girl in the face. I'm not positive of all the details as of yet, but I believe he continued to attack her after this. She didn't do anything to protect herself.
There has been a speedy hearing. Sergi is not getting any jail time because of a mental illness and some sympathy because he was supposedly inebriated, and across the world, Ecuadoreans, Spaniards, and any sympathetic to the girl are in an uproar.
I personally have been lucky enough to sit in a classroom full of 16 year old ecuadoreans. I cannot imagine being drunk enough and angry enough and confsed enough to kick anyone in the face, much less a young girl I hardly knew. There are of course accusations, because the girl was not Spanish, that the attack had to do with her ethnicity, and as the tape doesn't show them talking about anything in particular before the blow, I can't imagine what she could have done to instigate an argument like that.
I believe that people like that are why I am 3100 miles away from everyone I know, all my creature comforts and my family. I believe that ignorance like that, cold, angry ignorance, is why people need to see how small the world is. During spare time in classes, I have conversations with my classmates here that mimic conversations I've had before in Colonie. In two months of being here, I've met no less than 5 people who have lived in New York in their lifetime and come here. It sounds so simple, but the world is a tiny, tiny thing. Hugs here are as warm and comforting as any hug above the equator, and latitude has no affect on the joy of being nice.
It is unfair that a girl being kicked in the face calls to attention people's ignorance. Every time the "N" word is uttered, there should be demonstrations like this. If every person just sat and thought about it, it would be blatantly clear that we are no different from each other. Honestly, what does a bigot think the people he hates are like? Does Sergi think ecuadoreans wear loincloths and paint our faces? Do they honestly believe that we don't shop in the same stores, eat the same food, drink the same Pepsi, wear the same Nikes, talk on the same Motorola flip phones about the same badly dressed celebrities? Because, news flash, front page, above the fold: We're all exactly equal.
Two years ago, I heard a quote that has stuck with me and become a part of me. Ghandi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." It does not take demonstrations, it does not take flag-waving and picket signs, it doesn't really take much at all; just a conscious decision to give everyone a chance. It starts with us.
On October 7th, Sergi MartÃn, a 21 year old Barcelonian, had a beer at a local bar and left for the train home shortly after. The security videos show him on the train, talking on his cell phone and standing in the aisle, calmly leaning against a pole. However, not long after this shot is one of him yelling at a fellow passenger, a 16 year old ecuadorean girl whose identity is being kept private. Just seconds later, there is clear footage of Sergi kicking the girl in the face. I'm not positive of all the details as of yet, but I believe he continued to attack her after this. She didn't do anything to protect herself.
There has been a speedy hearing. Sergi is not getting any jail time because of a mental illness and some sympathy because he was supposedly inebriated, and across the world, Ecuadoreans, Spaniards, and any sympathetic to the girl are in an uproar.
I personally have been lucky enough to sit in a classroom full of 16 year old ecuadoreans. I cannot imagine being drunk enough and angry enough and confsed enough to kick anyone in the face, much less a young girl I hardly knew. There are of course accusations, because the girl was not Spanish, that the attack had to do with her ethnicity, and as the tape doesn't show them talking about anything in particular before the blow, I can't imagine what she could have done to instigate an argument like that.
I believe that people like that are why I am 3100 miles away from everyone I know, all my creature comforts and my family. I believe that ignorance like that, cold, angry ignorance, is why people need to see how small the world is. During spare time in classes, I have conversations with my classmates here that mimic conversations I've had before in Colonie. In two months of being here, I've met no less than 5 people who have lived in New York in their lifetime and come here. It sounds so simple, but the world is a tiny, tiny thing. Hugs here are as warm and comforting as any hug above the equator, and latitude has no affect on the joy of being nice.
It is unfair that a girl being kicked in the face calls to attention people's ignorance. Every time the "N" word is uttered, there should be demonstrations like this. If every person just sat and thought about it, it would be blatantly clear that we are no different from each other. Honestly, what does a bigot think the people he hates are like? Does Sergi think ecuadoreans wear loincloths and paint our faces? Do they honestly believe that we don't shop in the same stores, eat the same food, drink the same Pepsi, wear the same Nikes, talk on the same Motorola flip phones about the same badly dressed celebrities? Because, news flash, front page, above the fold: We're all exactly equal.
Two years ago, I heard a quote that has stuck with me and become a part of me. Ghandi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." It does not take demonstrations, it does not take flag-waving and picket signs, it doesn't really take much at all; just a conscious decision to give everyone a chance. It starts with us.
12 October, 2007
Taking it day by day
Today si a very important day in Guayaquil, it's the celebration of their independence, and it's a holiday for the city so my whole family is here and home from work. My whole family, that is, except my host father. Marco works about an hour and a half away with a naval base, so he's here for one week and then stays in a city on the coast called Salinas for the following two. Right now, there's a strike in Salinas because they, like us, are in the providence of Guayas. Since the electon on the 30th, there's been an uprising in the city because they want to branch off of Guayas and be their own providence. It's a very sticky situation, the roads are blocked off by the locals with rocks and anyone in a car trying to get in or out gets rocks thrown at their cars. So, my host father's staying there.
Aside from that, things have continued to move along smoothly. Spanish classes have continued to progress well, and from the outside, it amazes me the amount of progress some of my friends have made. My friend Michaela, in particular, came to Ecuador not knowing anything in Spanish except "Hola, como estas?" and can now carry on conversations and speak in the past, present, and future tenses at a basic level. Last night the group, minus Karlijn who's in Quito, had a debate on biotechlonogy, cloning, modifying foods, etc. in Spanish! It went really well, we hardly stuck to the topic, but then, that wasn't really the point. We had a real, full, english-less conversation for at least half an hour, expressing our ideas and showing off our vocabularies. It was really wonderful to be a part of it, I'm so proud of our progress.
One of the hardest days of our exchange time, I've been told, is Thanksgiving, and I had been worried about it as if fast approaches. Luckily, the students from the US and Canada have been given permission to make Thanksgiving dinner for the students from Germany, Belgium, etc. as well as for our Ecuadorean teachers. It should be really fun, and of course, it means mroe pictures! Keep checking back, things are really getting fun and part of why it's so great is being able to share it with all of you.
Aside from that, things have continued to move along smoothly. Spanish classes have continued to progress well, and from the outside, it amazes me the amount of progress some of my friends have made. My friend Michaela, in particular, came to Ecuador not knowing anything in Spanish except "Hola, como estas?" and can now carry on conversations and speak in the past, present, and future tenses at a basic level. Last night the group, minus Karlijn who's in Quito, had a debate on biotechlonogy, cloning, modifying foods, etc. in Spanish! It went really well, we hardly stuck to the topic, but then, that wasn't really the point. We had a real, full, english-less conversation for at least half an hour, expressing our ideas and showing off our vocabularies. It was really wonderful to be a part of it, I'm so proud of our progress.
One of the hardest days of our exchange time, I've been told, is Thanksgiving, and I had been worried about it as if fast approaches. Luckily, the students from the US and Canada have been given permission to make Thanksgiving dinner for the students from Germany, Belgium, etc. as well as for our Ecuadorean teachers. It should be really fun, and of course, it means mroe pictures! Keep checking back, things are really getting fun and part of why it's so great is being able to share it with all of you.
08 October, 2007
It's been a while!
It's been way too long since my last post, I know... But we've been really busy! Spanish classes are rolling right along and all of the exchange students have bonded really wonderfully. This weekend, all of us except 3 traveled to a city called Quevedo in a neighboring providence, about 3 hours away. I was really happy about it because it meant I got to leave the coastal area and see more of the greenery, plus the homes of the people who lived there. It's easier to appreciate them if you can picture looking out your own window and seeing them.
We arrived in Quevedo on Saturday at around 2:30, got some really yummy chinese food, and rigged up our flags for the Quevedo Festival parade. The rotary there asked us to march with them in the parade because this year is their first exchange year and while they had outbounds, they didn't have any inbounds. We had a blast!
After the parade the 6 girls stayed in a vacation house of one of the rotarians while the 2 boys stayed with another rotarian. We were lucky to have a pool and plenty of room and I an two other girls had a slumber party on the balcony. A really fun evening!
The following morning we went to a restaurant for breakfast and watched out the window as the school parade passed outside. Once we were on our way we got the chance to check out a hospital owned and operated by the Quevedo rotary club. It services about 2,000 patients every month, averaging out to 100 patients a day.
One of the nicest things I've found about being in Ecuador is that there's always something lying ahead, a new place to see or new people to meet, something to keep the future bright and exciting. It'd be hard to put in to words how much I appreciate being here and seeing all of this firsthand. THANK YOU to everyone who helped me and everyone who checks this blog, you're all really important to my success here and I'm grateful.
We arrived in Quevedo on Saturday at around 2:30, got some really yummy chinese food, and rigged up our flags for the Quevedo Festival parade. The rotary there asked us to march with them in the parade because this year is their first exchange year and while they had outbounds, they didn't have any inbounds. We had a blast!
After the parade the 6 girls stayed in a vacation house of one of the rotarians while the 2 boys stayed with another rotarian. We were lucky to have a pool and plenty of room and I an two other girls had a slumber party on the balcony. A really fun evening!
The following morning we went to a restaurant for breakfast and watched out the window as the school parade passed outside. Once we were on our way we got the chance to check out a hospital owned and operated by the Quevedo rotary club. It services about 2,000 patients every month, averaging out to 100 patients a day.
One of the nicest things I've found about being in Ecuador is that there's always something lying ahead, a new place to see or new people to meet, something to keep the future bright and exciting. It'd be hard to put in to words how much I appreciate being here and seeing all of this firsthand. THANK YOU to everyone who helped me and everyone who checks this blog, you're all really important to my success here and I'm grateful.
20 September, 2007
Very very very long post time!
Before you begin, make sure you're in comfortable clothes.. maybe even slippers... grab a soda and take the phone off the hook... this is what nearly 2 weeks as an exchange student looks like, all at once:
So, the last time I was here was just after the parillada:
The candidates for Reina de Guayaquil
A few exchangers and Mariuxi, Ayla's host sister
By the river!
This is such a cute picture :]
From left to right: Karlijn from Belgium; Michaela from British Columbia, CA; Rose from Belgium; Thimo from Deutschland; Nils from Deutschland; Yours Truly; and Liz the Aussie. Ayla had already gone home by now.
School this week was pretty plain, nothing out of the ordinary. Sometimes it still shocks me that this foreign place is starting to feel so familiar. Spanish classes are coming along but mostly, like in school, the socializing is the most enjoyable aspect. The other students here this year are just beautiful, all-around wonderful kids.
Then, this past Sunday, we went to the big futbol game: Barcelona, who we support, vs. the rival Emelec. You think the Yankees and the Red Sox have devoted fans... It was electric. Barcelona is yellow, red, and blue and Emelec is blue and white. For miles before the game the traffic was horrendously dense, and literally every car except a few of them had either a passenger wearing yellow or a passenger wearing blue. The game itself was not so wonderful, we lost 1-0, but watching the spectators was very entertaining. There were colored smoke bombs, fireworks, banners, and a sea of colored jerseys. We bought eggnog-flavored popsicles and bottles of water and sat in the [supposedly very dangerous] mixed section. Since it was Barcelona stadium, though, mixed simply meant that there was a ratio of about 10:1 Barcelona to Emelec supporters. An added bonus: Barcelona's goalie lives across the street!
Left to right: Emelec section, another mixed section, Barcelona section.
Again, the contestants for Queen of Guayaquil taking advantage of a sponsored photo-op.
The one in the red is my neighbor!
The seats were metal and the steps were concrete so the rowdier fans startd fires on either ends of the stadium
Today the exchange students got the distinct priviledge of helping out at a field day for blind children. It was truly awe-inspiring to watch these children work around their problem, the same way you find new ways to hold a hairbrush, tie your shoes, open bottles, etc. when you have a bad cut on your hand. You wouldn't say "I have to go barefoot, I have a cut on my hand and can't tie my shoes" but, by the same token, that's what some people expect from disabled children. Sometimes we expect them to say, "I can't play soccer because I can't see the ball." But what about soccer balls with jingle bells inside? What about friendly volunteers who guide the ball back when it goes off the wrong way? It was so amazing. I have never felt a drive to help children with disabilities, they've always made me nervous more than anything else, and I'm amazed at how much fun I had with them today.
Local rotarians and some awesome exchange students, front row from left to right: Michaela from BC, CA; Karlijn from Belgium; Thimo from Germany; Kourtney from Piqua, OH; Yours Truly; Ayla from Germany; Ayla's host sister Mariuxi [from Ecuador...]; and a boy I don't know!
I just think this is a great picture of us :]. Our cheeks were sore so we were tickling each other, hence Karlijn's flamingo stance. Oh, and on the end is Julio, he's our counselor here and usually does our amazing photography.
More soon! Being so busy, it's hard to spend much time in fornt of a computer, but there's more excitement in the works, and more pictures, too! Stay tuned!
So, the last time I was here was just after the parillada:
The candidates for Reina de Guayaquil
A few exchangers and Mariuxi, Ayla's host sister
By the river!
This is such a cute picture :]
From left to right: Karlijn from Belgium; Michaela from British Columbia, CA; Rose from Belgium; Thimo from Deutschland; Nils from Deutschland; Yours Truly; and Liz the Aussie. Ayla had already gone home by now.
School this week was pretty plain, nothing out of the ordinary. Sometimes it still shocks me that this foreign place is starting to feel so familiar. Spanish classes are coming along but mostly, like in school, the socializing is the most enjoyable aspect. The other students here this year are just beautiful, all-around wonderful kids.
Then, this past Sunday, we went to the big futbol game: Barcelona, who we support, vs. the rival Emelec. You think the Yankees and the Red Sox have devoted fans... It was electric. Barcelona is yellow, red, and blue and Emelec is blue and white. For miles before the game the traffic was horrendously dense, and literally every car except a few of them had either a passenger wearing yellow or a passenger wearing blue. The game itself was not so wonderful, we lost 1-0, but watching the spectators was very entertaining. There were colored smoke bombs, fireworks, banners, and a sea of colored jerseys. We bought eggnog-flavored popsicles and bottles of water and sat in the [supposedly very dangerous] mixed section. Since it was Barcelona stadium, though, mixed simply meant that there was a ratio of about 10:1 Barcelona to Emelec supporters. An added bonus: Barcelona's goalie lives across the street!
Left to right: Emelec section, another mixed section, Barcelona section.
Again, the contestants for Queen of Guayaquil taking advantage of a sponsored photo-op.
The one in the red is my neighbor!
The seats were metal and the steps were concrete so the rowdier fans startd fires on either ends of the stadium
Today the exchange students got the distinct priviledge of helping out at a field day for blind children. It was truly awe-inspiring to watch these children work around their problem, the same way you find new ways to hold a hairbrush, tie your shoes, open bottles, etc. when you have a bad cut on your hand. You wouldn't say "I have to go barefoot, I have a cut on my hand and can't tie my shoes" but, by the same token, that's what some people expect from disabled children. Sometimes we expect them to say, "I can't play soccer because I can't see the ball." But what about soccer balls with jingle bells inside? What about friendly volunteers who guide the ball back when it goes off the wrong way? It was so amazing. I have never felt a drive to help children with disabilities, they've always made me nervous more than anything else, and I'm amazed at how much fun I had with them today.
Local rotarians and some awesome exchange students, front row from left to right: Michaela from BC, CA; Karlijn from Belgium; Thimo from Germany; Kourtney from Piqua, OH; Yours Truly; Ayla from Germany; Ayla's host sister Mariuxi [from Ecuador...]; and a boy I don't know!
I just think this is a great picture of us :]. Our cheeks were sore so we were tickling each other, hence Karlijn's flamingo stance. Oh, and on the end is Julio, he's our counselor here and usually does our amazing photography.
More soon! Being so busy, it's hard to spend much time in fornt of a computer, but there's more excitement in the works, and more pictures, too! Stay tuned!
10 September, 2007
Pah-ree-ya-duh?
It's true what they say, the more you occupy your time, the happier you'll be. And I have been highly occupied! School is pretty fun, very very different but in some very good ways. I remain with the same group of studets all day except for English and French classes, where we're divided up by our capabilities. I'm also learning a lot; in my National Reality class [I love the name!], we talked about the classes in Ecuador. 51% of the population is what's known as sub-employed. These are the kids who beg for money on the street, the men with the Squeegies and windex, the women with bags of strawberries that wait at stoplights and pray for someone to roll down their window. There are also some mothers who rent their children out to beg for money, and the person who rents them collects every coin they make, so we are strongly discouraged from giving them anything.
Yesterday was a big Rotary shindig, called a Parillada, which means BBQ. I arrived in the neighborhood of 11:00, and Ayla, Kourtney, and I waited by the front door and gave new arrivals the rundown: where to buy food, what's available for purchase, where the bathrooms are, etc. Around 2, we sat down and ate, and after that we sold raffle tickets to the guests, $1 a piece for a drawing for a gold bracelet. I very proudly sold nearly 30 tickets!
We also had some special guests at the parillada: the cadidates for Queen of Guayaquil! They came up onstage and did their catwalks and then just hung out in the VIP room a lot but it felt like seeing famous people! Later there was live music and all the exchange students were in the middle dancing together when someone decided we should go dance with the little kids onstage. We agreed on one condition: Julio, our counselor, had to come up with us! We nudged each other into shaking, rattling, and rolling our way through a few songs, including Aretha Franklin's "I Will Survive". Lots of pictures, which I'll upload tomorrow, since my camera is charging.
That's pretty much all for now, so I guess I'll close this off with a HUGE congratulations to my oldest brother Justin and the lovely Jamie on their engagement today! Best of luck!
Yesterday was a big Rotary shindig, called a Parillada, which means BBQ. I arrived in the neighborhood of 11:00, and Ayla, Kourtney, and I waited by the front door and gave new arrivals the rundown: where to buy food, what's available for purchase, where the bathrooms are, etc. Around 2, we sat down and ate, and after that we sold raffle tickets to the guests, $1 a piece for a drawing for a gold bracelet. I very proudly sold nearly 30 tickets!
We also had some special guests at the parillada: the cadidates for Queen of Guayaquil! They came up onstage and did their catwalks and then just hung out in the VIP room a lot but it felt like seeing famous people! Later there was live music and all the exchange students were in the middle dancing together when someone decided we should go dance with the little kids onstage. We agreed on one condition: Julio, our counselor, had to come up with us! We nudged each other into shaking, rattling, and rolling our way through a few songs, including Aretha Franklin's "I Will Survive". Lots of pictures, which I'll upload tomorrow, since my camera is charging.
That's pretty much all for now, so I guess I'll close this off with a HUGE congratulations to my oldest brother Justin and the lovely Jamie on their engagement today! Best of luck!
05 September, 2007
back again!
So last night was spanish class #1. What a motley crew we are! Some of us are nearly fluent, some of us can't string together a sentence. Last night we learned some background about Ecuador, made a video of our starting point to show our progress, and got our first lesson in Spanish: the alphabet! Tonight we're going to work on nationalities and numbers. It's pretty tiring but worth it.
And today was the casa abierta! Lots to do and plenty of visitors, including an elderly man all the way from Queens! It's a small world, after all. The highlight, and the end of the day, was the talent show. What diversity! All the songs were in English, of course, but so many groups from every grade performed, PLUS one teacher they called the "Latin American Idol" who sang "New York, New York" by Frank Sinatra. I was so excited to hear it! The entire third year baccalaureate, aka "Seniors", did a musical montage performance as the finale. And, since the set included two different songs from Grease, of course we had an Ecuadorean John Travolta and an Ecuadorean Olivia Newton John. It was wildly entertaining and, while I don't have pictures, I instead have two videos which I will upload to YouTube, one of which is the dance the Seniors did. Stay tuned, as they say!
And today was the casa abierta! Lots to do and plenty of visitors, including an elderly man all the way from Queens! It's a small world, after all. The highlight, and the end of the day, was the talent show. What diversity! All the songs were in English, of course, but so many groups from every grade performed, PLUS one teacher they called the "Latin American Idol" who sang "New York, New York" by Frank Sinatra. I was so excited to hear it! The entire third year baccalaureate, aka "Seniors", did a musical montage performance as the finale. And, since the set included two different songs from Grease, of course we had an Ecuadorean John Travolta and an Ecuadorean Olivia Newton John. It was wildly entertaining and, while I don't have pictures, I instead have two videos which I will upload to YouTube, one of which is the dance the Seniors did. Stay tuned, as they say!
04 September, 2007
busy busy busy!
So, school started yesterday. I can honestly say that I love it! Everyone is really really nice and welcoming. Everyone wants to know, what's my name? where am I from? New York, like the city? do I speak Spanish? do I have an account on MSN messenger? do I have a cell phone? do I think the boys here are cute? do I like Ecuador? do I like the school? do I like the teachers? And on and on and on! It's so sweet, they're so intrigued. School is really easy, there's a lot of down time and a lot of stuff I've already studied. My Spanish is continuing to improve, and tonight is our first Spanish class; tuesday-thursday from 7-9 every week until around mid-December. Should be an ENORMOUS help.
Tomorrow is an open house at my school, and the theme is... English! Debates in english, dances to American hip-hop, a spelling bee, games, food, and english, english, english. I'm not allowed to speak spanish all day... what a shame. I'll bring my camera tomorow for sure and take plenty of pictures, but for now, Ciao!
Tomorrow is an open house at my school, and the theme is... English! Debates in english, dances to American hip-hop, a spelling bee, games, food, and english, english, english. I'm not allowed to speak spanish all day... what a shame. I'll bring my camera tomorow for sure and take plenty of pictures, but for now, Ciao!
30 August, 2007
We wear uniforms?
Yesterday, I went with my host mother, Mirta, and bought my school uniform. School uniforms! I can hardly believe it. I look so hilarious in it, like a duck. If I can will myself the strength I may post pictures of it. It's so strange!
I've decided that, since everyone wants to know basically the same questions, I'm going to compile a FAQ. Hope it helps!
1. Why Ecuador?
I chose Ecuador because it best fit what I wanted in my exchange experience. It at first was not my top choice, but the more I've gotten acquainted with it, the more I think it should have been. It's a great combination of industry and nature, old and new. Although I live in a city with taxi cabs and shopping malls and streetlights, all it takes is about a 5 minute drive to sprawling fields, primitive-esque houses, and a short trip out to the Galapagos Islands and the Amazon rainforest.
2. What are the people like?
They're very friendly. They, in general, talk fast and move slowly. In the time I've been here, I have seen very little of the hustle and tension that's common in America, always having something to do and somewhere to be and always hurrying to get thigns done. Family is very important and of course, so is Futbol.
3. What surprised you the most upon arriving?
Traffic! Back home, I had a hard time driving because I was scared to death of fender-benders. Here, people are generally more offensive drivers, as opposed to defensive. Two-lane roads don't necessarily mean two cars, a third car easily, and often, squeezes in and just like that, you've got a three-lane road.
Also, McDonald's. Not only are they here, and in large numbers, but they have McCafes here, which are more or less starbucks, but run by McDonald's. I've read that this tactic of making McDonald's more upscale in appearance is being put into place in Europe, too-maybe we'll be next! Look out for McCafes popping up near you!
4. What do you miss the most?
I miss my friends and family, of course, but as far as "creature comforts", I miss my bed, and I miss Stewart's food, and I miss TV in English! It's tough adjusting to new beds, new food, new TV. I enjoy it, absolutely, but that's what I miss.
Whew! I think that's enough for now. Check back soon for more about those lovely uniforms, and more FAQ
I've decided that, since everyone wants to know basically the same questions, I'm going to compile a FAQ. Hope it helps!
1. Why Ecuador?
I chose Ecuador because it best fit what I wanted in my exchange experience. It at first was not my top choice, but the more I've gotten acquainted with it, the more I think it should have been. It's a great combination of industry and nature, old and new. Although I live in a city with taxi cabs and shopping malls and streetlights, all it takes is about a 5 minute drive to sprawling fields, primitive-esque houses, and a short trip out to the Galapagos Islands and the Amazon rainforest.
2. What are the people like?
They're very friendly. They, in general, talk fast and move slowly. In the time I've been here, I have seen very little of the hustle and tension that's common in America, always having something to do and somewhere to be and always hurrying to get thigns done. Family is very important and of course, so is Futbol.
3. What surprised you the most upon arriving?
Traffic! Back home, I had a hard time driving because I was scared to death of fender-benders. Here, people are generally more offensive drivers, as opposed to defensive. Two-lane roads don't necessarily mean two cars, a third car easily, and often, squeezes in and just like that, you've got a three-lane road.
Also, McDonald's. Not only are they here, and in large numbers, but they have McCafes here, which are more or less starbucks, but run by McDonald's. I've read that this tactic of making McDonald's more upscale in appearance is being put into place in Europe, too-maybe we'll be next! Look out for McCafes popping up near you!
4. What do you miss the most?
I miss my friends and family, of course, but as far as "creature comforts", I miss my bed, and I miss Stewart's food, and I miss TV in English! It's tough adjusting to new beds, new food, new TV. I enjoy it, absolutely, but that's what I miss.
Whew! I think that's enough for now. Check back soon for more about those lovely uniforms, and more FAQ
27 August, 2007
More to see, more to do...
It's hard to update fully on what's been going on because not very much has happened. I'm starting to settle in with the family more, I'm more comfortable joining in on their activities than I was a week or so ago. The other night we watched an Ecuadorian, Jefferson Perez, win the world racewalk championship in Osaka by a good 12 seconds, then collapse on the other side of the finish line. We've spent a lot of time at the Malecon 2000, which I think I mentioned before. It's not as beautiful in the daytime, but in many respects it's better because you can see what's aroudn you, the Guayas river and the handsome government buildings and all the Ecuadorians, too.
And, because no city is free from American culture, we had lunch at McDonald's two days ago!
My spanish is making leaps and bounds of progress. It's not so much that I'm learning new vocabulary, or even necessarily improving my speech, but I have a lot easier time comprehending what others say to me. I still hit some snags, though: On Thursday, my host mother Mirta came home from the store and told me something in spanish, but I didn't understand her, so I said "Que?" ["What?"] and she said "I need... help... you." And I told her I was fine, and she shook her head and said "I need helping you" So I said again, more clearly, that I was alright. Then she tried again, and said "I need you help"... and the lightbulb went on! She wanted help bringing in the groceries. I am so grateful for their patience and willingness to speak slowly, try english, use simpler vocabulary, enunciate. It is an enormous help for me.
Saturday, we were supposed to have a meeting of all the Guayaquil inbound exchange students, but it was postponed until this coming weekend because there was no place to have it. No Rotarians were able to offer their homes, and the restaurant where Rotary meetings usually are was already booked.
Diego is getting ready for his big departure to Deutschland on the 4th, buying gifts for his families and pins for his blazer. I don't ask him if he's nervous, excited, scared, because I know how it is. I was just in his position 3 weeks ago!
So, I've got a lot of Ecuador now under my belt, lots of cultural learning and making myself at home, but also tons more to see and do. More soon; ciao!
And, because no city is free from American culture, we had lunch at McDonald's two days ago!
My spanish is making leaps and bounds of progress. It's not so much that I'm learning new vocabulary, or even necessarily improving my speech, but I have a lot easier time comprehending what others say to me. I still hit some snags, though: On Thursday, my host mother Mirta came home from the store and told me something in spanish, but I didn't understand her, so I said "Que?" ["What?"] and she said "I need... help... you." And I told her I was fine, and she shook her head and said "I need helping you" So I said again, more clearly, that I was alright. Then she tried again, and said "I need you help"... and the lightbulb went on! She wanted help bringing in the groceries. I am so grateful for their patience and willingness to speak slowly, try english, use simpler vocabulary, enunciate. It is an enormous help for me.
Saturday, we were supposed to have a meeting of all the Guayaquil inbound exchange students, but it was postponed until this coming weekend because there was no place to have it. No Rotarians were able to offer their homes, and the restaurant where Rotary meetings usually are was already booked.
Diego is getting ready for his big departure to Deutschland on the 4th, buying gifts for his families and pins for his blazer. I don't ask him if he's nervous, excited, scared, because I know how it is. I was just in his position 3 weeks ago!
So, I've got a lot of Ecuador now under my belt, lots of cultural learning and making myself at home, but also tons more to see and do. More soon; ciao!
22 August, 2007
closing in on one full week...
It's been a hectic couple of days! The last time I wrote was friday, so I guess I'll start from there. Friday night was Diego's friend Mauricio's going away party. Mauricio is also doing "intercambio", exchange, and he's moving to Pennsylvania. Diego told his sister he thinks Mauricio might turn into a vampire, to which she replied, "No, that's Trannsylvania."
All of their friends are very nice. I'm still timid to start conversations, which is so unlike how I've been most of my life, because now I'm afraid I'll open up a can of worms and not understand a single word spoken to me. But everyone speaks slowly, asks basic questions, and tosses in what they know of English. I come home around 1:30 and crash, because even though most people stay out much later here, I'm wiped by then.
Saturday, we go to Salinas, which they call "Little Miami", and it is, more or less. The skies are cloudy and the water is cold but nevertheless, Estefania and I go for a walk down the shore, and on our way home, we take a different route and check out some of the local vendors.
Sunday morning, we get up and have breakfast and do some sightseeing. Marco, my host father, tells me we're going to La Chocolatera, which I'm thrilled about, because who doesn't love chocolate? But when we get there, it's not Willy Wonka's; It's the westernmost point of South America. The ground is rocky and the water crashes against the walls in big gusts and splashes. It's absolutely beautiful. We drive up on a hill and get out and you can see for what feels like miles.
From there, we go to a naval antique shop and I get some history lessons. There's also a chest that says "Liberty New York" on the side! I point it out and everyone nods. I guess it takes a true New Yorker to appreciate it.
We head home after that, and Sunday Night we go to church. I catch bits and pieces but it's nice to go through familiar motions.
Monday is spent at home, and that evening Marco, Diego, and I run some errands. We take his blazer to the seamstress and he gets a haircut, and then we visit the Malecon, the Guayaquil government attempt to beautify a bad neighborhood. And it does! The Malecon is mroe or less a boardwalk along the river, but it's about 2 or 3 kilometers long, all laid with bricks. There's a fountain, a performing center, discotecas, shops, and at night the whole thing is lit up. It's really beautiful.
Tuesday we visit Julio, my Ecuador Bob Mohr, and bring him my emergency fund, passport, and visa. Later on, Diego and I go to the Rotary meeting, where a boy from Germany gives his presentation. Everyone is friendly, of course, and very patient. We hve patacones with dinner, which have quickly become one of my favorite foods. They're made with verde, meaning green, which are in the same family as bananas, but they're much harder and their peel is hard and green, like the difference between a peach and an apple. You cut the peel off the verde, cut the inside into horizontal slices, fry it, flatten it, and top it with salt. They're a lot like french fries, or tater tots.
That brings us up to today, Wednesday. Tomorrow is thursday, and it will offically be one weeks ince my arrival. Ciao!
All of their friends are very nice. I'm still timid to start conversations, which is so unlike how I've been most of my life, because now I'm afraid I'll open up a can of worms and not understand a single word spoken to me. But everyone speaks slowly, asks basic questions, and tosses in what they know of English. I come home around 1:30 and crash, because even though most people stay out much later here, I'm wiped by then.
Saturday, we go to Salinas, which they call "Little Miami", and it is, more or less. The skies are cloudy and the water is cold but nevertheless, Estefania and I go for a walk down the shore, and on our way home, we take a different route and check out some of the local vendors.
Sunday morning, we get up and have breakfast and do some sightseeing. Marco, my host father, tells me we're going to La Chocolatera, which I'm thrilled about, because who doesn't love chocolate? But when we get there, it's not Willy Wonka's; It's the westernmost point of South America. The ground is rocky and the water crashes against the walls in big gusts and splashes. It's absolutely beautiful. We drive up on a hill and get out and you can see for what feels like miles.
From there, we go to a naval antique shop and I get some history lessons. There's also a chest that says "Liberty New York" on the side! I point it out and everyone nods. I guess it takes a true New Yorker to appreciate it.
We head home after that, and Sunday Night we go to church. I catch bits and pieces but it's nice to go through familiar motions.
Monday is spent at home, and that evening Marco, Diego, and I run some errands. We take his blazer to the seamstress and he gets a haircut, and then we visit the Malecon, the Guayaquil government attempt to beautify a bad neighborhood. And it does! The Malecon is mroe or less a boardwalk along the river, but it's about 2 or 3 kilometers long, all laid with bricks. There's a fountain, a performing center, discotecas, shops, and at night the whole thing is lit up. It's really beautiful.
Tuesday we visit Julio, my Ecuador Bob Mohr, and bring him my emergency fund, passport, and visa. Later on, Diego and I go to the Rotary meeting, where a boy from Germany gives his presentation. Everyone is friendly, of course, and very patient. We hve patacones with dinner, which have quickly become one of my favorite foods. They're made with verde, meaning green, which are in the same family as bananas, but they're much harder and their peel is hard and green, like the difference between a peach and an apple. You cut the peel off the verde, cut the inside into horizontal slices, fry it, flatten it, and top it with salt. They're a lot like french fries, or tater tots.
That brings us up to today, Wednesday. Tomorrow is thursday, and it will offically be one weeks ince my arrival. Ciao!
17 August, 2007
Aqui estoy!
WOWOWOWOWOWOW.
So, I'm sure you've aready come to the conclusion that I'm in Ecuador. And I am! Finally! Of course it's not much like I expected, but in many ways it's so much better. The food thrils me to no end. The family is so dear and the view out my window... I can see this hill in the distance with all these houses on it, it looks identical to a picture I found of Guayaquil when this was all just beginning.
I'm so physically exhausted, and time passes so strangely. I woke up this morning and checked my clock on my iPod, which I think is the cause of the confusion. The clock said it was around noon. I was embarassed about sleeping the whole morning, but when I got downstairs, I checked the TV and the clock and it wasn't even 9:00 yet. I changed the time zone on the iPod, trying to synchronize it with the actual time, but when i took a nap later, it said 3:00, I think, and it was only 1. Or something like that. Either way, I'm entirely discombobulated!
I can't believe how lax the laws are here. Leaving the airport, a group of no less than 10 or 12 people squeezed in the back of a pickup truck next to Nia's car. I told her that that's illegal in America, and she said it's legal to ride around like that as long as it's short trips within a city. There aren't any apparent speed limits and customs didn't even check my bag, which was a relief, seeing as how I "snuck" Swedsh Fish over the border. :)
I'm concurrently keeping two journals-one in english and one in spanish. I'm hoping to utilize the two to practice my spanish, but still be able to hash complicated things out if my vocabulary is too limited. The family is so patient with me, and they use what they know of English, short phrases or words, to fill in any blanks. I nod a lot, and say "Que?" ("What?") all the time. I know the language barrier is temporary, but it's intimidating nonetheless.
Last night we ate Shawarma, which is a lot like most of the tex-mex I've had over the years. Still delicious though. They have a big chicken rotisserie, from which they scrape pieces of meat and wrap it in a tortilla with fresh onion and tomatoes. Breakfast was a hard-boiled egg and instant coffee, and lunch was soup, fish filet, fried banana with cheese, and vegetables. We have a housekeeper who cooked for us and did the dishes, aside from her other duties, and she doesn't sit with us at the table. Instead, she sits at the counter, and when Diego runs out of cheese for his banana, she gets up from her lunch to bring it to him. My guilty conscience at this is what the Exchange Student Survival Guide calls a red flag-it stimulates a response in me, of alarm or disapproval, but it's a clear indicator of a cultural dfference. In america, first of all, I doubt there are many like Marilu, but I'm sure I would invite her to eat with us. It's hard to remember that that doesn't mean the Leivas are wrong. It just means that we have different values. I can learn from it.
That's all for now. Ciao!
So, I'm sure you've aready come to the conclusion that I'm in Ecuador. And I am! Finally! Of course it's not much like I expected, but in many ways it's so much better. The food thrils me to no end. The family is so dear and the view out my window... I can see this hill in the distance with all these houses on it, it looks identical to a picture I found of Guayaquil when this was all just beginning.
I'm so physically exhausted, and time passes so strangely. I woke up this morning and checked my clock on my iPod, which I think is the cause of the confusion. The clock said it was around noon. I was embarassed about sleeping the whole morning, but when I got downstairs, I checked the TV and the clock and it wasn't even 9:00 yet. I changed the time zone on the iPod, trying to synchronize it with the actual time, but when i took a nap later, it said 3:00, I think, and it was only 1. Or something like that. Either way, I'm entirely discombobulated!
I can't believe how lax the laws are here. Leaving the airport, a group of no less than 10 or 12 people squeezed in the back of a pickup truck next to Nia's car. I told her that that's illegal in America, and she said it's legal to ride around like that as long as it's short trips within a city. There aren't any apparent speed limits and customs didn't even check my bag, which was a relief, seeing as how I "snuck" Swedsh Fish over the border. :)
I'm concurrently keeping two journals-one in english and one in spanish. I'm hoping to utilize the two to practice my spanish, but still be able to hash complicated things out if my vocabulary is too limited. The family is so patient with me, and they use what they know of English, short phrases or words, to fill in any blanks. I nod a lot, and say "Que?" ("What?") all the time. I know the language barrier is temporary, but it's intimidating nonetheless.
Last night we ate Shawarma, which is a lot like most of the tex-mex I've had over the years. Still delicious though. They have a big chicken rotisserie, from which they scrape pieces of meat and wrap it in a tortilla with fresh onion and tomatoes. Breakfast was a hard-boiled egg and instant coffee, and lunch was soup, fish filet, fried banana with cheese, and vegetables. We have a housekeeper who cooked for us and did the dishes, aside from her other duties, and she doesn't sit with us at the table. Instead, she sits at the counter, and when Diego runs out of cheese for his banana, she gets up from her lunch to bring it to him. My guilty conscience at this is what the Exchange Student Survival Guide calls a red flag-it stimulates a response in me, of alarm or disapproval, but it's a clear indicator of a cultural dfference. In america, first of all, I doubt there are many like Marilu, but I'm sure I would invite her to eat with us. It's hard to remember that that doesn't mean the Leivas are wrong. It just means that we have different values. I can learn from it.
That's all for now. Ciao!
13 August, 2007
We are now in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, and Thursday is the big D-day: Departure! This week is already completely booked. Today, my friends and I made the drive to a theme park, and then I had my LAST shift at Stewart's before 10 months of leave. Then, tomorrow is College Application day and dinner with my extended family at night. Wednesday, I plan on sleeping in! I'll need it, haha. Then a final Rotary lunch,
Thursday will be completely consumed by traveling, unfortunately. I depart from
My schedule has been PACKED for weeks now! I've been working an average of 30-40 hours a week, getting out around 11 and staying up until 1 AM or so when I can finally run out of steam. I sleep for more of the morning than I should, and occasionally I'll ride a bike or take a bus to shop or get lunch. Yesterday, in fact, I took my bike to go buy my official Rotary Blue Blazer. Then I work a shift, come home, and start the cycle all over again.
I've been taking tons of pictures! My flickr account is pretty empty at the moment, but I'll upload my photos before I leave and post a link for my devoted fans! Hahaha
I've had a fair amount of contact with my host family in
I am sitting home right now with my sister, Allison. I am coming to grips with how soon I will be leaving my family, and I must say, I will miss her very very very very much, along with the rest of my family.
Anyway... It's nearing 12:30, and I need to catch up on sleep for the busy week ahead of me. Hasta luego!
26 June, 2007
Summertime!
Today it was SO hot in Albany, something like 96 degrees I think. Something to get used to, I guess, since it's only going to get hotter!
The past few weeks have been VERY busy, with the end of school, starting my job at Stewart's, my grandfather's visit, and working on my visa paperwork. Tomorrow, I'm going to finish it, hopefully, for the deadline this weekend. If it goes through on time without any snags, I'll be leaving this summer for Ecuador!
The past few weeks have been VERY busy, with the end of school, starting my job at Stewart's, my grandfather's visit, and working on my visa paperwork. Tomorrow, I'm going to finish it, hopefully, for the deadline this weekend. If it goes through on time without any snags, I'll be leaving this summer for Ecuador!
06 June, 2007
Camera
Today I got a digital camera and LOTS of memory. My dad explained that I have more memory in my camera than I do in my computer with all of it combined! Wow!
School is almost over, 3 days of classes and finals or state tests and then summer!
Dad thought I should have some pictures off my new camera, so here's two, resized so it's not so big:
More posts will be coming. Check back soon!
School is almost over, 3 days of classes and finals or state tests and then summer!
Dad thought I should have some pictures off my new camera, so here's two, resized so it's not so big:
More posts will be coming. Check back soon!
09 May, 2007
What a busy week!
The last week has been so exciting and busy!
Last week I went to my first ever meeting with Rotary International at the Colonie-Guilderland club. Lunch was wonderful, as were the individuals I sat with, and while I'm not wonderful with names, I do remember discussing the life and times of a chirporactor with Amy and learning about Ray's grandchildren. We got to watch two presentations, one from Marie on France and one from Ciro on Bolivia. I also got to meet and take pictures with Wayne, the president elect for 2007-2008.
The following Friday, I left school around noon and made my way over to the Italian American Community Center to meet up with the rest of the students and Rotarians commuting to the Turning Stone resort in Verona, New York for the tri-district conference. What a weekend! After a busy ride up with my friend Wayne, we had a flag ceremony and two amazing dinners and a talent show and a dance party, and by far one of the most amazing weekends of my life. I met so many different people from truly all walks of life, a boy from the Czech Republic introduced himself as Zbynek Zajic- talk about a culture shock! It seems that everyone I've met has told me the same thing-that they are, for the most part, much too busy to really be homesick. What a relief!
The ride home was quiet, Doug Hinkle, our trusty Rotarian, drove us all in sleepy silence for the most part. When the activities run until 1:00 in the morning, with breakfast the next day begginning at 7:30, it's nice to have some down time to recouperate!
Last week I went to my first ever meeting with Rotary International at the Colonie-Guilderland club. Lunch was wonderful, as were the individuals I sat with, and while I'm not wonderful with names, I do remember discussing the life and times of a chirporactor with Amy and learning about Ray's grandchildren. We got to watch two presentations, one from Marie on France and one from Ciro on Bolivia. I also got to meet and take pictures with Wayne, the president elect for 2007-2008.
The following Friday, I left school around noon and made my way over to the Italian American Community Center to meet up with the rest of the students and Rotarians commuting to the Turning Stone resort in Verona, New York for the tri-district conference. What a weekend! After a busy ride up with my friend Wayne, we had a flag ceremony and two amazing dinners and a talent show and a dance party, and by far one of the most amazing weekends of my life. I met so many different people from truly all walks of life, a boy from the Czech Republic introduced himself as Zbynek Zajic- talk about a culture shock! It seems that everyone I've met has told me the same thing-that they are, for the most part, much too busy to really be homesick. What a relief!
The ride home was quiet, Doug Hinkle, our trusty Rotarian, drove us all in sleepy silence for the most part. When the activities run until 1:00 in the morning, with breakfast the next day begginning at 7:30, it's nice to have some down time to recouperate!
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