The following was written on 11/19/2012.
They say that after
the third month, you can see the change, the real improvement. For some, it's
the ability to have a conversation, for others, it's the ability to understand
jokes. For me, I can understand at a normal speaking rate. There are still words
that I don't understand, and times I have to ask someone to say a word a time
or two until it makes sense. However, more often than not, I can understand at
a fluent rate. Don't get me wrong, I know I still make mistakes, and am not
fluent in Spanish, but in reality, this is not my native language, but I'm
working hard each day to learn, to become fluent.
Recently, I asked permission to study other things in school
in the classes I don't understand: Physics, Technical Drawings, Civics--like
history and government, Language, Investigation, Chemistry, and Lab/Physics. I
participate in math, English, and PE. Now, I spend time reviewing parts of
Spanish that I still confuse, and try to help the other exchange student. I
want to buy a children's book that is around 4th or 5th grade level to read and
find complex words.
The other day, I was talking to a priest. He asked many
questions, and gave many examples about the USA. A few things that he said were
true, that we work too much, spend too little time with family, live a life of
work without play. We do it for our children, and they do it for their
children. It's an ongoing pattern that I want to change: Work for myself,
because it's what I want to do, and get better for my children. And he said
something that I liked to hear: religion is a gift that someone finds in
themselves; it cannot be forced on someone.
On Friday, we went to a fashion show to raise money for
Christmas for children. My sister was a model, and she was gorgeous, as usual.
She and my mom really know how to dress. We didn't stay for the after party.
Saturday, I spent time with my first family-the one I left.
It was nice to spend time with them, but I really understand why I changed
families...
Sunday was the day of a virgin in the catholic religion. We
went to Monte Criste to go to a mass. The line was over 5 blocks long to see
the virgin, and there was a mass (that most people had to stand to be present)
every hour for two days. It was a really pretty church, and the sound it
produced when everyone sang... That was the best part for a music nerd.
Thursday is Thanksgiving, and I believe my only plans are to
explain what the holiday is, where it originated from, and what it means to me.
I might even color something in school that says, "Feliz Dia del Accion
Gracias." Friday is my 3 months, and Black Friday. Again, I believe my
only plans are to explain what the holiday is, and color something.
The following was written on 11/20/2012.
I've been in 3 car accidents in my life... Well, I consider
them car accidents... Anyway, the first was with my dad in the states when we
dent the license plate. The second was when my host mom nearly killed a dog,
but she didn't. It just walked away with a limp. It gave me a stomach ache. The
third... Here is the real story... In Ecuador, there is not "lane"
for driving in small cities, just...a lot of people who have little respect for
the rules. My sisters and I were going home from our dad's shop, and we took a
taxi. The taxi driver had his blinker on to go right, and we were in the right
most part of the road. However, apparently there was just enough space for a
POLICE motorcycle to pass. We ended up hitting him, even though he was in the
wrong. He parked, and we were still sitting in the middle of the intersection,
and the taxi driver GOT OUT OF HIS TAXI and then started YELLING at the police
officer. Yes, that's right, in the middle of the intersection yelling at the
police officer. "The blinker was on! Just look at it!" Over and over!
Then, my two sisters started saying, "Here we are, the witnesses that the
blinker was on!" A bunch of people were crowded around us by that time. We
were still in the middle of the intersection. Then, the police officer just got
on his motorcycle with a ticked off look and rode away with shouts from the
crowd of "CORRUPT!" flying after him. I got the chance to look at the
taxi, and it was a little scratch, but nonetheless, I was shocked at this
occurrence! I mean, really, shouting at a police officer, and then him just driving
away...So, there is my long story from last night... Learn something new
everyday, don't we?
After that shocking event, we saw some people hanging lights
on our fake Christmas tree next door, which is where we are making a Christmas
scene for the kids. We went and helped for nearly two hours, then stayed and
talked before heading off to bed.
The following is written on Thanksgiving Day, 2012.
Today is Thanksgiving. What I learned about being here is he
ability to think After explaining the meaning to the country, I was able to
reflect on what it means to me: family, food (of course), happiness, and a
family card game. Now for the thankfulness: I am grateful to be in Ecuador with
my amazing friends and family, the fact that I am alive and living a great
life, that school is canceled tomorrow (hey,I have to think like a teenager
sometimes) so everyone can study for a college entrance test on Saturday, and
so much more. Life is good.
The following was written on 11/27/2012.
I got a package from my mom yesterday! That made me so
excited and happy and felt like life was the bomb! It was just what I needed,
and the funny thing was I was most excited to see her handwriting... Of
everything in the box I wanted, it was her handwriting that made me feel at
home and relaxed. Wow, the things you learn to miss while on another continent
for three months.
The following was written on 11/28/2012.
Stress exists in every language, every culture, every place
in the world. My host sister has been more and more stressed each day since I
moved in. I thought it was something wrong between US, because she would only
ever play on her phone with a really worried and upset face. Yesterday, she was
the only one in the room, and I had to take my nieces baby bag downstairs. I
walked in, a bit nervous, and asked, "Is there anything else that goes in
here?" She said, "No, just that," but she said it NICELY! I
walked to the door and said, "I feel like you're not very stressed
today." "No, its been my homework. I didn't have any today. It's just
so much!" "Oh! I thought there was something wrong between
US!!!" "No! No, no, no!" I nearly broke down crying right there
because of how happy that made me. I have been walking on egg shells trying to
figure out what was wrong for weeks! She is just so stressed! I hope I never
stop talking to people when I get stressed... Gosh, that sure was a scare!
After this partial scare and relief, we went downstairs to
eat and play "Amigos Secretos" which roughly translates to
"Secret Santa." I got someone I have NEVER met before, and lives in
the USA. It's my...wait, should I be telling you this? Oh well, just...keep it
a secret, okay?...sister-in-law's sister. Her name is Josefita. Other than
that, I know ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT HER! What in the world can I get her?!
The limit is $20, and it would be really cool for it to be something Ecuadorian
that isn't in the states. How does a bunch of plantains sound? Or maybe yuca
flour?Hmmm... Jewelry is also pretty cheap here. Well, more so than in the
states. I'm not ure what to get her! GAH! Anyone have any ideas?
My mom, with LOADS of help from my sister, Misty, is sending
my lots of clothing and Victoria's Secret Lip Gloss. I'm going to sell it to go
on the Galapagos trip. I will also gift some of it to my family. Anyway, I have
already told two Rotarians about this, and will tell the rest tonight. This
club has been so great and so interested in my life.
The following was written on 11/29/2012.
In two weeks tonight, I will be headed to the Amazon! I
realized that last night at the Rotary meeting. I can't wait!
That's not all that happened though. In short, Barcelona is
the soccer champion in Ecuador. So, of course, EVERYONE (about 70% of the
country is a Barcelonista) went in the street and did a caravan. We couldn't
get back to the house because they were blocking the way, so we went and waited
with the club president and his family. It was about 10 at night, and there was
this drunk guy. He decided to come after me. After being turned down by my
mother, he waited about fibe minutes and tried to introduce himself to my
father. When turned down, the the Rotary Club President. When turned down once
more, to me...again. He only stopped bugging us when my mom threatened to call
the police. 35ish year old drunk guys should NOT go after 17 year old girls.
It's NOT cool. Thank you very much. However, watching the caravan was pretty
sweet. There had to be at LEAST 50 motorcycles and 100 cars all gamed to their
max holding rate making a ruckus on the streets. It lasted around an hour.
Honk!
The following was written on 6/12/2012.
Last Friday was my uncle’s graduation from college. He
studied for six years to become a lawyer. I went to his graduation and
graduation party. It was pretty cool, but we left at midnight, and got home
just before 3. I was tired after being awake from 6am to 1am (I took an hour
nap in the car).
Yesterday, we had a dinner for my brother’s birthday. He
turned 21. It was just the family, but it was nice. I felt a little bad about
skipping the Rotary meeting, though. Apparently, not even the president showed
up last night, so I guess missing one meeting was okay. They ate pig, and when
it was cooking, I smelled my dad making food on the grill. I heard my mom
telling him to shut the door. It was a calming flashback, because it’s happened
since I was tiny. I ate plantains and salad, afraid of the stomach pain sure to
follow the red meat. Then, we sat around talking, and playing with the one year
old kids. They got so many pictures taken with the Christmas Decorations. I
went upstairs at 11:17pm, and felt the urge to write. Here’s what came out:
Que veo yo?
Por el
norte: land
Por el sur:
land
Este,
oeste: land
No borders, no boundries
Solamente land
O hay
colores, ni diferencias
To distinguish
a group
Solamente
nosotros
Como somos.
Con ojos cerrados
And hearts beating as one,
Cogimos las manos
Men and women
Black and white
Somos mismos
When I open my eyes,
Que veo yo?
Land
Eyes open wide,
Corriendo a su pais
Because the borders still exist
Y solamente
algunos pueden estar
I shut my
eyes again,
Wishing the borders away
Pero eso no es possible
In the future, maybe
Until then
The select
few will go
Y aprender
como ser mismos
Los jovenes,
los adultos
Will be as
one
I feel the two languages fit perfectly, because the poem is
dreaming of understanding oneness. That’s how I feel about being here on
exchange…
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