Did you know that the mattress on my bed is magical? I really don't mean that in a dirty way. Exactly one week ago, I laid down on it for the first time in 10 months and it was like my tired, sick, parasite filled body was infixed in it's fibrous memory as it enveloped my bones into a state of complete comfort and peace.
I'll break down the week. It's one worth breaking down. It all starts at my surprise goodbye party.
Wed 6/1 - After school, I went out to lunch with the profesores. Paolo, who doesn't eat meat, was given a plate with a chicken part and a piece of steak. I looked over at him with a confused face, he smiled and pointed to his girlfriend, Paola. I remember thinking about how much I'd miss the fearless eating style of the Ecuadorian women as I watched her finish her plate and Paolo's meat.
That same evening, my friends threw me a surprise party. I danced my heart out. My high school students were there along with my friends from the Baha'i community. Even Mauro came in all the way from the coast! Near the middle of the night, they paused to present me with a gift... a beautifully hand carven wooden case. After, they all took turns to say something to me. I cried when Valerie started to speak. She looked and me and just said "I don't think there's really any words" and just like that the first tear rolled off my cheek.
Thur 6/2 - My friends left. The biggest heartbreak of my life. We were all in tears... so much sadness and so much love. AH I miss them so much. They went to the coast for a meeting along with Jose Luis, the counselor. I haven't been able to get in touch with them since... The next day I said goodbye to the kids at the school, Geoconda and Bahieh.
Sat 6/4 - My last day in Otavalo. I woke up with a stomach ache... which soon turned into throwing up and a lot of pain. My buddies, the parasites, came back for my despedida. But I had already said my goodbyes to everyone the couple of days before, so I basically was confined to the house. Which sucked... but what can you do. I said goodbye to Kendy and Dagmar and left at 2 am for the airport.
Sun 6/5 - Sitting in the Houston airport after talking to Avianca on the phone about my lost baggage stuck in Colombia, a middle aged man comes over and asks to borrow a pen. It took me a minute to realize he asked me in spanish. He was traveling back to San Salvador. He had been living illegally in Texas for 18 years. He spoke of the turmoil he saw growing up in his country, of the general loss in morality he sees happening now in the world, of the pain from war and the need for action to put the ourselves back together. I wasn't even home and I was already using my spanish to have a conversation of significance, of meaning. How's that for confirmation, Musonda? Yellow birds anyone?
My parents, Layli, Caleb and Jessica met me at the airport with signs and hugs.
I was so tired and exhausted - mainly from traveling for 20 hrs and from the parasites - that the moment I took my shoes off and stepped bare footed on the carpet, my legs turned to jelly.
Mazzie gave me kisses.
I showered feeling gluttonous using so much water.
I accidentally spoke to the receptionist at urgent care in spanish the following day.
I gawked at the prices of soap at Target and played the piano for a good two hours.
So. How do I feel? I have no idea. I'm still processing it. I do know that I miss it. It = Jose Luis's guitar, Edgar's smiles, Mauro's friendship, Valerie's companionship, Julian's jazz, Martin's hugs, Rosita's eyebrows, Alejandro's brother (lol), Geoconda's laughs, Jose Luis A's advise, Freddy's faces, Danny's chokes, Kendy's eyes, Dagmar's attitude...
But it is nice to be home. The Layli Monster has mounted a horse and is now galloping around in ancient middle times as my brother occasionally glances over from his world of smash cuts, voice overs and dialogues to chuckle as she dies for the 5th time.
Showing posts with label Ecuador. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ecuador. Show all posts
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
4 year olds and Billy Joel
I LOVE BILLY JOEL. Thank you Dad for playing his records sunday mornings.
Yes... sometimes I threaten my pre schoolers into behaving well by saying they won't go home if they don't behave well............... I'm not a real teacher ok?
:P
I'm my mother's daughter :)
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Chachimbido
I went to some hot water springs pools in Chachimbido over the weekend with the family and Valerie's sister Cori. I helped teach Dagmar and Kendy how to swim. It was so so fun.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Butterflies
It's so crazy how many butterflies have been fluttering around in my stomach this past weekend. Even Darwin would be impressed.
The Diva butterfly flew around for a bit before I performed (again) songs I barely knew the words too. My favorite piece of the evening was My Favorite Things (hence the Coltran post below). I felt like a Maria on jazz crack.
And THEN parasite butterflies. Yes yes, I got parasites. It was glorious. Grand. My new best friends those pesky parasites. Have I mentioned that I love sarcasm?
And then the love butterflies of being in love with a 4 year old named Kendy. We baked some brownies for Feast last night and he paused his bowl-licking to tell me that he wants a chocolate cake for his 5th birthday. His birthday is in November. I pretended to go to the bathroom so I could cry.
So all these butterflies, heart aches, kicking and screaming, "i don't wanna go don't make me go", sick of teaching attitudes suck... but then I remember when 7 year old Miguel pulled a box cutter out in art class and started swinging it around and how in my broken spanish I somehow managed to pull it out of his hands without getting myself or other children stabbed and suddenly, going home doesn't seem so scary.
There's absolutely no link between this song and this post. I just like the song.
The Diva butterfly flew around for a bit before I performed (again) songs I barely knew the words too. My favorite piece of the evening was My Favorite Things (hence the Coltran post below). I felt like a Maria on jazz crack.
And THEN parasite butterflies. Yes yes, I got parasites. It was glorious. Grand. My new best friends those pesky parasites. Have I mentioned that I love sarcasm?
And then the love butterflies of being in love with a 4 year old named Kendy. We baked some brownies for Feast last night and he paused his bowl-licking to tell me that he wants a chocolate cake for his 5th birthday. His birthday is in November. I pretended to go to the bathroom so I could cry.
So all these butterflies, heart aches, kicking and screaming, "i don't wanna go don't make me go", sick of teaching attitudes suck... but then I remember when 7 year old Miguel pulled a box cutter out in art class and started swinging it around and how in my broken spanish I somehow managed to pull it out of his hands without getting myself or other children stabbed and suddenly, going home doesn't seem so scary.
There's absolutely no link between this song and this post. I just like the song.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Manta/Tosagua/Santa Rosa
This is inspired by Valerie's spanish blog post. You can copy and paste everything I write into google translate, here!
MANTA
MANTA
- Me fui a visitar mi amigito Alejandro en la costa con la Valerie.
- Le conocí a su familia. Su hermano, Omid, es mi otro mejor amigo. Tengo bastante mejor amigos. No diga nada a Ruhi...
- Nos fuimos a la playa. Cada día. Fue incrediiiiible. No estoy acostumbrada a nadar en el mar, entonces fue una experiencia tan chevere. Antes, nunca nadaba mucho en el mar... solo en los piscinas de mi tierra desierto. Ah cactus.
- Había muchos gusanos de arena... no me gustó.
- Comí pizza con Juan y Luchito
- Me fui a conocer los abuelos de Alejo. Sus abuelos son de Iran, entonces solo me hablaron en persa. Y también, me mostraron muchos vídeos de danzas irani... jajajaj fue muy linda y bien divertido.
- Jugué con el Alejo (o Tuti) el juego de los pies y el esfero. Le gané.
- Si hubiera un Tsunami en Manta, la casa de Alejo todavia viviria
- Una vez, estábamos comiendo helado en un heladero y un niño pobre estuvo a la esquina mirando nos y a los helados con ojos tristes y maravillas. Se parecía que no había comido en años. Creo que este niño trabajaba en algo muy duro porque tenia un fundo pesado a su lado. Entonces, Alejandro se acercó y le ofreció un helado. Después, me di las llaves de la casa y se fue con el niño a ayudar con su trabajo, llevando todo mientras que el niño comió su heladito.
- Aprendí a leer y escribir persa!
TOSAGUA/CANOA
- En el bus de Manta a Tosagua, habían dos hombres musicales. Nos presentaron un show de hip-hop. Y en realidad, fue muy buena!! Sus letras hablaban sobre queriendo mejorar el mundo. Entonces les compré su CD. Me siento que mi contribución pequeña va a ayudar el mundo en uno manera o otro.
- Conocí a la familia de Mauro. Viven a lado de un cementerio... que es raros pero no me importa. Quiero vivir allá con su familia. Por siempre.
- Fuimos al río con FABRI y Alejandro. Crucé al otro lado con Alejo aunque el corriente era muy fuerte. Y después, nos siguieron Valerie y Fabri. Mas tarde, subimos un monte pequeño de tierra y me zambullí como un pro :P
- La próxima dia, fuimos a la playa en Canoa. Teníamos a cruzar el parte donde el mar alcanza al rio en un bote y después llegamos a la playa. Jugamos fútbol y volley :) Y comimos pescado. YUM
- Había la reunión a elegir la asemblia espiritual de Tosagua, entonces fuimos y quedemos hasta 11 en la noche, conversando y jugando y riendo con las Baha'is de la comunidad. Tanta alegría, tanto amor, tanta unidad.
- Las calles en Tosagua no tienen cemento. Todo es hecho de lodo... y tambien llovió muchismo. Mis zapatos son demasiados sucios... pero no importa.
SANTA ROSA - La Convención Nacional de Ecuador
- El viaje de Tosagua me cansó mucho. Viajamos por mas que 12 horas en bus. AHH. Finalmente, llegamos al Instituto de Santa Rosa. Era un lugar tan hermosa con tantos flores y jardines con una vista de la cuidad y sus montañas.
- Les encontré a mis amigos de todos los lados del Ecuador. Me pusó super feliz y nos acompañaron a la casa de Emily, mi amiga de Chicago. Yo, Shirin, Valerie y Emily trabajemos hasta 2:30 en la mañana, preparando por la clase de niños y el grupo prejovenil. Compusé mi cancion en este noche... :)
- Las próximas dos días, ayude con la clase de niños. Ruhi estuvo. Creo que jugué con el mas que lo ayudé al clase... pero no importa :P
- Escuche a las charlas del Consejero Almeida y unos consultaciones de los delgados.
- La parte que fue la mas especial fue cuando les despide a mis amigos. Tenía agua en mis ojos. Pero todo bien.
Ok so I'm done with the spanish now. Remember earlier when I was whining about my spanish skills? Now I'm whining about going. Waaaa, whine, waa, whine.
I have so much to learn, so much to share, so much to study, so much to teach. It's overwhelming. But it helps to keep in mind that I'm not alone.
-I've got Jose Luis Perugachi, who calls me brother because he never remembers that hermana actually means sister, who can tutor the shiz out of Book 7 and make you so excited and ready to serve the world, you just want to run around from place to place being a servent.
-I've got Julian, who doesn't believe in a God, but sees the need to better the world and likes the spirit and programs that the Faith has to offer, so he animates a junior youth group and he believes that people should get passionate about things, about real things, things of significance.
-I've got Kendy, my four year old neighbor who whipsers "I love you" in my ears as we watch the Lion King in English together and has memorized two English prayers, constantly sings We Are Drops, and walks into our house everyday asking to help wash the dishes.
On a separate note, I've changed a lot. In ways that I'm not so sure of, ways I can't quite put a finger on yet. But, what I can see is that it's powerful, it's weak, it's grand and it's small. And that's really exciting.
- Jugué con el Alejo (o Tuti) el juego de los pies y el esfero. Le gané.
- Si hubiera un Tsunami en Manta, la casa de Alejo todavia viviria
- Una vez, estábamos comiendo helado en un heladero y un niño pobre estuvo a la esquina mirando nos y a los helados con ojos tristes y maravillas. Se parecía que no había comido en años. Creo que este niño trabajaba en algo muy duro porque tenia un fundo pesado a su lado. Entonces, Alejandro se acercó y le ofreció un helado. Después, me di las llaves de la casa y se fue con el niño a ayudar con su trabajo, llevando todo mientras que el niño comió su heladito.
- Aprendí a leer y escribir persa!
TOSAGUA/CANOA
- En el bus de Manta a Tosagua, habían dos hombres musicales. Nos presentaron un show de hip-hop. Y en realidad, fue muy buena!! Sus letras hablaban sobre queriendo mejorar el mundo. Entonces les compré su CD. Me siento que mi contribución pequeña va a ayudar el mundo en uno manera o otro.
- Conocí a la familia de Mauro. Viven a lado de un cementerio... que es raros pero no me importa. Quiero vivir allá con su familia. Por siempre.
- Fuimos al río con FABRI y Alejandro. Crucé al otro lado con Alejo aunque el corriente era muy fuerte. Y después, nos siguieron Valerie y Fabri. Mas tarde, subimos un monte pequeño de tierra y me zambullí como un pro :P
- La próxima dia, fuimos a la playa en Canoa. Teníamos a cruzar el parte donde el mar alcanza al rio en un bote y después llegamos a la playa. Jugamos fútbol y volley :) Y comimos pescado. YUM
- Había la reunión a elegir la asemblia espiritual de Tosagua, entonces fuimos y quedemos hasta 11 en la noche, conversando y jugando y riendo con las Baha'is de la comunidad. Tanta alegría, tanto amor, tanta unidad.
- Las calles en Tosagua no tienen cemento. Todo es hecho de lodo... y tambien llovió muchismo. Mis zapatos son demasiados sucios... pero no importa.
SANTA ROSA - La Convención Nacional de Ecuador
- El viaje de Tosagua me cansó mucho. Viajamos por mas que 12 horas en bus. AHH. Finalmente, llegamos al Instituto de Santa Rosa. Era un lugar tan hermosa con tantos flores y jardines con una vista de la cuidad y sus montañas.
- Les encontré a mis amigos de todos los lados del Ecuador. Me pusó super feliz y nos acompañaron a la casa de Emily, mi amiga de Chicago. Yo, Shirin, Valerie y Emily trabajemos hasta 2:30 en la mañana, preparando por la clase de niños y el grupo prejovenil. Compusé mi cancion en este noche... :)
- Las próximas dos días, ayude con la clase de niños. Ruhi estuvo. Creo que jugué con el mas que lo ayudé al clase... pero no importa :P
- Escuche a las charlas del Consejero Almeida y unos consultaciones de los delgados.
- La parte que fue la mas especial fue cuando les despide a mis amigos. Tenía agua en mis ojos. Pero todo bien.
Ok so I'm done with the spanish now. Remember earlier when I was whining about my spanish skills? Now I'm whining about going. Waaaa, whine, waa, whine.
I have so much to learn, so much to share, so much to study, so much to teach. It's overwhelming. But it helps to keep in mind that I'm not alone.
-I've got Jose Luis Perugachi, who calls me brother because he never remembers that hermana actually means sister, who can tutor the shiz out of Book 7 and make you so excited and ready to serve the world, you just want to run around from place to place being a servent.
-I've got Julian, who doesn't believe in a God, but sees the need to better the world and likes the spirit and programs that the Faith has to offer, so he animates a junior youth group and he believes that people should get passionate about things, about real things, things of significance.
-I've got Kendy, my four year old neighbor who whipsers "I love you" in my ears as we watch the Lion King in English together and has memorized two English prayers, constantly sings We Are Drops, and walks into our house everyday asking to help wash the dishes.
On a separate note, I've changed a lot. In ways that I'm not so sure of, ways I can't quite put a finger on yet. But, what I can see is that it's powerful, it's weak, it's grand and it's small. And that's really exciting.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Corazones - MY FIRST ORIGINAL SONG!!!
Hi, I'm back and I had a ball. I'll post more about my amazing week later... but right now I can't hold in the excitement and I have to post this video. I WROTE MY FIRST SONG.
Hooooola, ya regresé y me fue tan linda. Voy a escribir mas sobre esta semana pasada mas luego... pero por ahora, no puedo esperar no mas! Tengo que compartir eso video. COMPUSE MI PRIMERA CANCION!!!
The story:
I wrote this song for the children of the national convention in Santa Rosa. I was inspired by thinking of kids frolicking in fields of fairyfluff, singing songs of sweet melodies with bellies full of laughter and love. I'll record it officially this weekend I hope. Wow I am so thankful for that microphone, J. Really, best gift ever.
Escribí esta canción por los niños en la convención nacional en Santa Rosa. La idea de niños corriendo en campos de flores de belleza, cantando canciones de melodías dulces con caras llenas de risas y amor me inspiró. Espero que pueda gravarlo pronto. :)
Translation of the prayer
Hooooola, ya regresé y me fue tan linda. Voy a escribir mas sobre esta semana pasada mas luego... pero por ahora, no puedo esperar no mas! Tengo que compartir eso video. COMPUSE MI PRIMERA CANCION!!!
The story:
I wrote this song for the children of the national convention in Santa Rosa. I was inspired by thinking of kids frolicking in fields of fairyfluff, singing songs of sweet melodies with bellies full of laughter and love. I'll record it officially this weekend I hope. Wow I am so thankful for that microphone, J. Really, best gift ever.
Escribí esta canción por los niños en la convención nacional en Santa Rosa. La idea de niños corriendo en campos de flores de belleza, cantando canciones de melodías dulces con caras llenas de risas y amor me inspiró. Espero que pueda gravarlo pronto. :)
Translation of the prayer
Sunday, April 17, 2011
I'm off!!
Manta, Tosagua, Santa Rosa
Be back 4/25
PEACE
"En breve, que cada uno de vosotros sea como una lámpara brillando con la luz de las virtudes del mundo de la humanidad. Sed dignos de confianza, sinceros, afectuosos y plenos de castidad. Estad iluminados, sed espirituales, sed divinos, sed gloriosos, apresuraos hacia Dios, sed bahá'ís." - 'Abdu'l-Bahá
"En breve, que cada uno de vosotros sea como una lámpara brillando con la luz de las virtudes del mundo de la humanidad. Sed dignos de confianza, sinceros, afectuosos y plenos de castidad. Estad iluminados, sed espirituales, sed divinos, sed gloriosos, apresuraos hacia Dios, sed bahá'ís." - 'Abdu'l-Bahá
Maryam The Diva
Uhhhhh so they liked us so much they asked us to come back and sing AGAIN!
Which is awesome because my videos/recording failed the first night we played.
Awesome things that happened:
1. People from the first night we played came back to see us again! You can hear they call out my name in summertime. EEEEE GROUPIES?????? Lol jk.
2. It's more of a cafe/restaurant than an actual bar... so we ate. And when I went to pay my tab, the lady said "oh no you don't pay! no worries" OMG FREE FOOD
3. The owner asked for my number so he could call me to come play more. WHAT? I'M A LOCAL BAR SINGER????????
Wawaweewaa so fun.
Which is awesome because my videos/recording failed the first night we played.
Awesome things that happened:
1. People from the first night we played came back to see us again! You can hear they call out my name in summertime. EEEEE GROUPIES?????? Lol jk.
2. It's more of a cafe/restaurant than an actual bar... so we ate. And when I went to pay my tab, the lady said "oh no you don't pay! no worries" OMG FREE FOOD
3. The owner asked for my number so he could call me to come play more. WHAT? I'M A LOCAL BAR SINGER????????
Wawaweewaa so fun.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
The Red Pub
So. Last week, Julian asked me to sing with him and his jazz teacher at a bar. I practically jumped up and down at the idea of it. Anyway, last night was the gig and it was super chill, laid back and very jazz. It was cool being the person that I always saw in pubs and bars around the world, sharing their love for music in a fun, who-cares, intimate setting.
I sang:
Summertime, I've Got You Under My Skin, Body and Soul, I Could Write a Book, Shadow of Your Smile, Nature Boy
I played the keys for:
Blue Monk, Footprints, Straight No Chaser
And I wasn't even NERVOUS. Dang I love being a diva. Divalicious. Divaland. Diva.
I sang:
Summertime, I've Got You Under My Skin, Body and Soul, I Could Write a Book, Shadow of Your Smile, Nature Boy
I played the keys for:
Blue Monk, Footprints, Straight No Chaser
And I wasn't even NERVOUS. Dang I love being a diva. Divalicious. Divaland. Diva.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Woes and Ohs
Things here have been crazy. The loops and drops featured in a year-of-service-rollercoaster are arduous. I can't write much about it but I can say that my NGO project unexpectedly and unwillingly halted, despite its thriving rate of potentiality. Needless to say, I'm bummed. Not for the NGO, I never expected it to have such a latent response, but for the reasons it stopped.
I was talking with my friend yesterday, my student Julian actually... but he's more a friend than a student... but anyway, we were talking about many topics but mainly about ma ma ma music.
It's so cliche. Everyone loves music. Everyone is passionate about it which usually makes me want to hate it. But, I can't. Not when it does SO much. So me and emotions don't really work well together. I know when to put aside emotions for the benefit of practicality. Thinking back to the times of my scoliosis brace, I remember feeling the hate for the brace, the self pity, the embarrassment... but those feelings would come in pangs, little twinges, because my determination to deal with it dominated it all.
I like that about myself in ways. It's a confirmation for my medical aspirations. In other ways, it really makes it hard to figure out how I feel about certain things. Especially when it comes to romance. Hopefully I shouldn't have to worry about that because I've got a Persian uncle in Canada hunting down a list of suitors for me. Which, if you think about it, wouldn't make for a bad reality show.
However, with music... especially when I sing classical music, I release. I actually feel. The thrill of performing comes from being vulnerable. When I perform, I'm exposed. I share a glimpse of my soul with complete strangers. The raw-unfiltered-pure emotion gushes through my veins. Oh the drama, oh the passion, oh the heart.
So... yeah I like music.
So... yeah I like music.
***
I think this might be Plan D... ballet. But speaking of ballet, I finally saw Black Swan last night. I was watching it on my computer as all the lights were out in the entire city. Probably not the smartest idea I've had... but it was still a great movie. Favorite blog, I love you.
I think this might be Plan D... ballet. But speaking of ballet, I finally saw Black Swan last night. I was watching it on my computer as all the lights were out in the entire city. Probably not the smartest idea I've had... but it was still a great movie. Favorite blog, I love you.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
I'm starting an NGO
I think.
This is going to be fun.
More about this soon...
"¡Oh amigos! ¡Si tan sólo pudiera caminar por esas regiones, aunque fuese a pie y en condiciones de pobreza total, levantando la llamada de ‘Ya Bahá’u’l-Abhá’ en las ciudades, los pueblos y las montañas, los desiertos y los océanos, promulgando así las divinas Enseñanzas." 'Abdu'l-Bahá
Monday, March 21, 2011
Naw-Ruz
Happy Naw-Ruz! Happy eating! Happy new year! HAPPINESS
I had the best Naw-Ruz of my life. Last night I danced for hours. HOURS. I danced San Juan, the indigenous cultural dance. I danced merengue. I danced salsa. I danced bachata. I danced reggaeton. I danced house music. I DANCED MY BUTT OFF.
But the best, sweetest, most special part of it all was when I danced with Ahmad. Ahmad is 5 years old and is in my kindergarden class. He's been a special friend of mine ever since we played tag for hours at the indigenous wedding I went to earlier this year. Anyway, at the Naw-Ruz party last night, he saw me standing alone. So, he left his mother, came up to me (on his own), grabbed me by the hem of my shirt, pulled me onto the dance floor, held my hands, and started to dance.
I don't think I can remember feeling so much happiness. So much joy. I really really love where I am. And I don't just mean where I am as in Otavalo, Ecuador.
I was honored to perform these two songs with Sr. Consejero Almeida (Counselor Almeida). J - we're recording/performing Queen of Carmel this summer.
I had the best Naw-Ruz of my life. Last night I danced for hours. HOURS. I danced San Juan, the indigenous cultural dance. I danced merengue. I danced salsa. I danced bachata. I danced reggaeton. I danced house music. I DANCED MY BUTT OFF.
But the best, sweetest, most special part of it all was when I danced with Ahmad. Ahmad is 5 years old and is in my kindergarden class. He's been a special friend of mine ever since we played tag for hours at the indigenous wedding I went to earlier this year. Anyway, at the Naw-Ruz party last night, he saw me standing alone. So, he left his mother, came up to me (on his own), grabbed me by the hem of my shirt, pulled me onto the dance floor, held my hands, and started to dance.
I don't think I can remember feeling so much happiness. So much joy. I really really love where I am. And I don't just mean where I am as in Otavalo, Ecuador.
I was honored to perform these two songs with Sr. Consejero Almeida (Counselor Almeida). J - we're recording/performing Queen of Carmel this summer.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Amame Ukulele Cover
Elika is visiting Valerie and she can beat box!! Gangster gangster
I would be alright if I never saw another slug again in my life. They come out of our sink every night and crawl their yucky green slimy selves all around the bathroom. It's really gross. And now there's baby slugs which makes me think about how slugs reproduce... gross.
Monday, March 14, 2011
ASOS & my future
1. I've been on the hunt for an affordable-Maryam-classy dress to wear to Paula and Robbie's wedding in September in Chicago. Finally found it and guess what?? Out of stock in my size. Thank you world, thank you. But, the upside is that I really enjoy the style of this particular European brand. ASOS.
2. I love children. I can't wait to have my own. Actually I can, but you get the point. The point is is that my world explodes every day when I walk into 3rd grade and the entire class practically runs up and bear hugs me. Or when 3 year old Andre (with his eyebrows) stares at me in the kinder/pre-kinder bus only then to ask me (in English) "how are you today" with out a smile or even a tiny twitch of his face. Or in 1st grade, when even after putting Juan David or Miguel or Alec or Joel in time out, they still run up and give me hugs goodbye. Or how Adonis from 6th grade saves a seat for me on the bus ride home. The constant love is so uplifting and I can't help but be so happy around them.
Anyway. My recent obsession with children had left me thinking crazy thoughts... thoughts leaning towards maybe being a kindergarden teacher. Which is kinda crazy but it really makes a lot of sense. So anyway, I told Nabil about it when I was in Cuenca. He asked me why I'm not pursuing that. I told him I want to be a doctor more. So then he told me quite simply "why don't you be a pediatrician" and then bam whoosh click, I felt this 'YES' feeling hit me in my gut. And now it all just... works.
Before now, I couldn't imagine myself as a doctor. Now I can't get the image out of my head.
 |
| Fairy Godmother... bibbidi bobbidi boo? |
2. I love children. I can't wait to have my own. Actually I can, but you get the point. The point is is that my world explodes every day when I walk into 3rd grade and the entire class practically runs up and bear hugs me. Or when 3 year old Andre (with his eyebrows) stares at me in the kinder/pre-kinder bus only then to ask me (in English) "how are you today" with out a smile or even a tiny twitch of his face. Or in 1st grade, when even after putting Juan David or Miguel or Alec or Joel in time out, they still run up and give me hugs goodbye. Or how Adonis from 6th grade saves a seat for me on the bus ride home. The constant love is so uplifting and I can't help but be so happy around them.
Anyway. My recent obsession with children had left me thinking crazy thoughts... thoughts leaning towards maybe being a kindergarden teacher. Which is kinda crazy but it really makes a lot of sense. So anyway, I told Nabil about it when I was in Cuenca. He asked me why I'm not pursuing that. I told him I want to be a doctor more. So then he told me quite simply "why don't you be a pediatrician" and then bam whoosh click, I felt this 'YES' feeling hit me in my gut. And now it all just... works.
Before now, I couldn't imagine myself as a doctor. Now I can't get the image out of my head.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
I vent to Cuenca
Khello! I am back from Cuenca. Four day incredible trip to visit Nabil and his parents in the southern Sierra. Such a wonderful time with such a wonderful family. His madar espeke Farsi so I espoke Farsi wit her and I vas vedy vedy khappy.
Our daily schedule consisted of the following.
1. Waking up and stuffing our faces for the Fast then going back to sleep.
2. Waking up again and helping Nabil's mom cook dinner for expecting guests
3. Read/nap/watch Mr. Bean
4. Welcome guests and break the fast along with lots of laughs and stories and new friendships.
My favorite part was number 3. We watched so much Bean. We even watched how Bean was created. But we also read a lot. I read my book, The Master in Akka, and Nabil read his, Conscious Courtship. We traded books one day and I found the book really really interesting. The first couple of chapters are about self growth and discovery along with understanding the 'shadow self' and personal investigation.
Honestly, I really suck at the whole personal investigation. I have no idea how to read myself let alone express it. But I found this quote that I LOVE and it is perfect for the Fast.
One of the most significant steps in developing self-knowledge happens when we awaken our ability to make choices and to take conscious responsibility for them. This entails coming to terms with wounds of our past and to develop a positive, forward-looking orientation to our future possibilities. Taking responsibility for our ability to choose our actions, to get past blame and resentment, can awaken in us a healthy respect for our place in the universe and to discover our purpose for being here." - Raymond Switzer.
Mmm. Khinteresting.
Right so don't pay attention to the smooching... just look at those BOOTS. Gorgeous. With the cute little leg warmers sticking out. AH, melt.
Our daily schedule consisted of the following.
1. Waking up and stuffing our faces for the Fast then going back to sleep.
2. Waking up again and helping Nabil's mom cook dinner for expecting guests
3. Read/nap/watch Mr. Bean
4. Welcome guests and break the fast along with lots of laughs and stories and new friendships.
My favorite part was number 3. We watched so much Bean. We even watched how Bean was created. But we also read a lot. I read my book, The Master in Akka, and Nabil read his, Conscious Courtship. We traded books one day and I found the book really really interesting. The first couple of chapters are about self growth and discovery along with understanding the 'shadow self' and personal investigation.
Honestly, I really suck at the whole personal investigation. I have no idea how to read myself let alone express it. But I found this quote that I LOVE and it is perfect for the Fast.
One of the most significant steps in developing self-knowledge happens when we awaken our ability to make choices and to take conscious responsibility for them. This entails coming to terms with wounds of our past and to develop a positive, forward-looking orientation to our future possibilities. Taking responsibility for our ability to choose our actions, to get past blame and resentment, can awaken in us a healthy respect for our place in the universe and to discover our purpose for being here." - Raymond Switzer.
Mmm. Khinteresting.
Right so don't pay attention to the smooching... just look at those BOOTS. Gorgeous. With the cute little leg warmers sticking out. AH, melt.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Me in Ecuador
My mom likes to remind me to actually be in the pictures I take. So, thanks to Valerie's iPhoto, I'm only posting pictures of... well... me. But. Who cares. I find them comical. Especially the banana phone.
Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
MY FAVORITE TIME OF THE YEAR
THE FAST!
SO EXCITED, YOU GUYS HAVE NO IDEA
jes!
I like this song too.
Rihanna - Raining Men (feat. Nicki Minaj)
SO EXCITED, YOU GUYS HAVE NO IDEA
jes!
I like this song too.
Rihanna - Raining Men (feat. Nicki Minaj)
Monday, February 28, 2011
Unity is where it's at
Yo. So I've tutored almost every book of the Ruhi Sequence this past week. There's been an intensive going on at the Radio/Institute with 35 youth from Coupa, the Esmeraldas, and Guyaquil. I ran the evening programs (with my broken Spanish... it was, interesting) and tutored whenever I was needed. And I was needed a lot! This is all on top of teaching at the school everyday. YES SERVICE.
Anyway, it was loads of fun and I'm exhausted and maybe just maybe a tiny bit sick.
But.... HAPPY AYYAM-I-HA WORLD!!!! Missing my family, my William Sear's 'Happy Ayyam-i-ha' CD, decorating the house, waiting for the Ayyam-i-ha Bear to come around and hide my presents leaving clues, the love and joy from my parents/siblings, making new pockets, and just the spirit of Ayyam-i-ha!
However, this year is different in such a great, wonderful way. I get to celebrate Ayyam-i-ha with my family here. Tomorrow at school we're having a little program. They asked me to sing... so I'm singing with my student Julian who will pay the guitar and the piano to accompany me. The theme? Love and Unity. Here's the line up.
1. Blackbird - The Beatles. It's about the emancipation of African Americans. About how they would escape through black tunnels into the north to be free from the south. To me, it's an example of the world's yearn to be united. For all people's of the earth to live in harmony with out the superiorities and inferiorities of race, wealth, or knowledge.
2. Fidelity - Regina Spektor. It's a love song. It's about a girl who's taken so long to love, to fall in love. And she finally breaks her heart... not in the way that it's boo hoo probresita me broken, but broken of its protection, of her doubts, of her fears. She's finally opened her heart and has finally loved.
3. Amame - Leonor Dely. This is the Spanish version of the Hidden Word 'O Son of Man! Love Me that I may love thee, if thou lovest Me not, My love can in no wise reach thee, know this o servant" by Baha'u'llah. For my friends out there who have no clue what a Hidden Word is or who Baha'u'llah is... I'm a Baha'i. It's my religion, my faith. And Baha'u'llah taught this religion to the world, to us. The Hidden Words is a book of Baha'u'llah's writings, his advise, his Words. But the main purpose of the Baha'i Faith is to unify the world, to unify all peoples, all countries, all mankind. But this process of unity starts with love, love for every individual, for all peoples. But also, love for God. And that's what this Hidden Word is about. Love for God.
BAM. Let's hope my voice decides to stay despite the fact that I'm maybe just maybe a little sick. Don't freak Mom.
Anyway, it was loads of fun and I'm exhausted and maybe just maybe a tiny bit sick.
But.... HAPPY AYYAM-I-HA WORLD!!!! Missing my family, my William Sear's 'Happy Ayyam-i-ha' CD, decorating the house, waiting for the Ayyam-i-ha Bear to come around and hide my presents leaving clues, the love and joy from my parents/siblings, making new pockets, and just the spirit of Ayyam-i-ha!
However, this year is different in such a great, wonderful way. I get to celebrate Ayyam-i-ha with my family here. Tomorrow at school we're having a little program. They asked me to sing... so I'm singing with my student Julian who will pay the guitar and the piano to accompany me. The theme? Love and Unity. Here's the line up.
1. Blackbird - The Beatles. It's about the emancipation of African Americans. About how they would escape through black tunnels into the north to be free from the south. To me, it's an example of the world's yearn to be united. For all people's of the earth to live in harmony with out the superiorities and inferiorities of race, wealth, or knowledge.
2. Fidelity - Regina Spektor. It's a love song. It's about a girl who's taken so long to love, to fall in love. And she finally breaks her heart... not in the way that it's boo hoo probresita me broken, but broken of its protection, of her doubts, of her fears. She's finally opened her heart and has finally loved.
3. Amame - Leonor Dely. This is the Spanish version of the Hidden Word 'O Son of Man! Love Me that I may love thee, if thou lovest Me not, My love can in no wise reach thee, know this o servant" by Baha'u'llah. For my friends out there who have no clue what a Hidden Word is or who Baha'u'llah is... I'm a Baha'i. It's my religion, my faith. And Baha'u'llah taught this religion to the world, to us. The Hidden Words is a book of Baha'u'llah's writings, his advise, his Words. But the main purpose of the Baha'i Faith is to unify the world, to unify all peoples, all countries, all mankind. But this process of unity starts with love, love for every individual, for all peoples. But also, love for God. And that's what this Hidden Word is about. Love for God.
BAM. Let's hope my voice decides to stay despite the fact that I'm maybe just maybe a little sick. Don't freak Mom.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Coming to Ecuador was the best decision I've ever made
It's kinda depressing when the only emails you get in a day are mass-emails from your university's major advisor. Especially when you're not even technically in university. But that's ok. Because today was the English Spelling Bee and my student won! Represent woo
On a more thoughtful note...
Remember these posts?
Estaba enfermo
Alaska vs Arizona
Yeah, that was me wanting to go home.
And this is me wanting to stay here forever.
I decided I wanted to go to South America during December of 2007. I remember feeling that deep longing in the root of my heart to go, to go, to go. To do it, to do it, to do it! It was so strong that sometimes I couldn't sleep. I'd fantasize about being here. Learning the language, being with new people, serving and doing something active with my beliefs. I don't think I've ever felt anything as strong as the pull, the longing, the wish to come here.
And guess what?
I did it.
On a more thoughtful note...
Remember these posts?
Estaba enfermo
Alaska vs Arizona
Yeah, that was me wanting to go home.
And this is me wanting to stay here forever.
Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer
I decided I wanted to go to South America during December of 2007. I remember feeling that deep longing in the root of my heart to go, to go, to go. To do it, to do it, to do it! It was so strong that sometimes I couldn't sleep. I'd fantasize about being here. Learning the language, being with new people, serving and doing something active with my beliefs. I don't think I've ever felt anything as strong as the pull, the longing, the wish to come here.
And guess what?
I did it.
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