Winning my heart with a smile and effort...

The bracelet made especially for me :)

On Monday when I went to the Patronato, I found out that there were only around 10 students at the facility because all the rain we had the night before made it hard for some parents to bring their children. In the adult room where I have been working there was only one student. He is the son of the lady that takes me home every Wednesday afternoon. It was fun to be in there with only one student because there were 5 other teachers from other rooms in that room since there is a stove and fridge so they were making a snack of hot dogs with pico de gallo on top. They don't have catsup around that area because it is so expensive so they make pico de gallo which consists of chilis, tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and lemon. It was very refreshing and way more healthy than fatty catsup on top of the hot dog. After we all had something to eat, I got a lot of practicing speaking in and learned some mayan words that I will need to ask about again and write them down so I remember! It was such a great opportunity to get to know everyone much better. Once all the other teachers left, there was only one of the teachers I have been working with and the student. We decided to make crafts so I braided myself an anklet and the student made me a pretty bracelet!! :) It was so sweet of him and he gave me the biggest smile I had seen yet when he was done with it. I thought it was so sweet, and it melted my heart!

I was really glad to get to spend more time with the teacher one-on-one to get to know each other better because she befriended me right away. We talked about our boyfriends and when we think we will both get married as well as how important our families are to us. I felt bad the night before that I couldn't go with her to get Originial Yucatacan food with her because she invited me to go with her and a friend on Sunday night. Hopefully I will get to go with her soon! I am truly seeing how I am there for a reason and how the little things are coming together. God has been orchestrating this place for me the whole time!

Hacienda and Cenote

Ok so I accidentally deleted this at the bottom so it got moved to the top. This picture is just to show you how clear the water is. The dark blue water is where the cenote drops off...kind of scary!!!
The Courtyard of the living quarters. Absolutely beautiful!!

Me in the kitchen of the living quarters secretly wishing I was Julia Childs.... :)

Liz, Myself, and Danielle...it basically explains the relationship we have between the 3 of us... :)

The cenote. You can see how far underground we were and how clear the water is!

On Friday (yesterday) the whole group went on a little field trip to an Hacienda and Cenote about 45 min. from Merida. The Hacienda that we toured is called Yaxcopoil (Yah-x-coe-poe-eel). I did not know what an hacienda was before yesterday. An hacienda is pretty much equivalent to our southern plantations in the past. The hacienda holds the owners living quarters, a chapel area, living quarters for the 1500 laborers, the machine room that takes a plant called Heneken and makes its fibers into rope. The hacienda is no longer running but it still is open for tours. The grounds are kept up very well by workers and the buildings all have a beautiful charm and antique look. I absolutely loved the architecture of the buildings and house. There are pictures above. This hacienda was founded in the 17th Century and Yaxcopoil means "place of green poplars" or otherwise known as heneken.

After we toured the grounds, we moved onto a cenote which is basically an underground sink hole that holds fresh water from rain that flows through the ground and is deposited into underground rivers which are what feed into the cenote. There are beautiful pictures above as well that will maybe help explain what a cenote is. We were able to swim in it which was a lot of fun! The water is so clear that you can see to the very bottom of it which was about 15-18ft. deep (approximately). There was an area where we could stand on rocks and sand and then it dropped off. It was kind of scary for me swimming over the deep part because I was afraid something was going to come and get me. :) I am also very fearful of heights and I felt very high above the bottom of the cenote, so it was a mix of everything! But when we swam over the deep part, there were rocks that we jumped off and tree roots that the guys swung from. I only jumped off the rocks once (the ones closest to the water!!) which was a lot for me! The rest of the time I spent standing on the rocks and sand. The nice thing about the cenote was that it was so clear, cool, and out of the sun! It was great to get a long break from the hot, humid, makes-you-very-sweaty sun!

On the way home we all fell asleep in the van after climbing on rocks and such which made us tired! We are all hoping to make it to another cenote when family is here, but we probably won't make it to that cenote again because we followed an old beaten path for about 10-15min. We all had no clue how our tour guide got us there! I'm just so thankful for not being car sick or motion sick because it was not fun for those that are that way! Dramamine was not doing enough to keep them awake and feeling ok. Thanks for reading! I hope it wasn't too long or boring!! :)

A day full of blessings :)

Yesterday (8th) I had one of my busiest days yet. Tuesdays are my busy days with class in the morning from 8:30-11:50 and then a class at night but during the afternoon I needed to take a short nap which cut into the amount of time I had to work on homework which was probably a bad idea. I was doing homework in the afternoon, but two of my classes require a lot of reading which takes a long time when there is usually a lot of vocabulary words that I don't know, but it will get better in time! I talked to Neal last night on Skype and I don't think I had ever been that stressed out with him. I had a lot of homework to finish up for Thursday (me working ahead) and some other odds and ends like catching myself and everyone else up on whats been going on through my blog and sending emails, etc. I felt bad for him because he didn't really know how to react or what to do, but those moments are a blessing from God because we learn so much about each other even when we are thousands of miles apart. God is so good once again! Neal was such a trooper and said I will just sit here and watch you do stuff :). He said something along the lines of "we don't need to talk a lot, because I know you have a lot to do, but can I still see you when you are doing stuff??" so I thought that was a very kind gesture of him so that we could still spend time together even though we weren't talking.

Today, (9th) I went back to the Patronato and was unsure if I would get there without getting lost again, but it went just fine! I left the house at 9:30 like usual and went to where we normally get on the bus at and the bus pulled right up so I didn't have to wait in the sun. One of my professors (Fernando, the poet) got on the same bus so we sat next to each other on the way to downtown which helped calm my fears a bit. When I got downtown I was speed walking to the other bus stop 4-5 blocks away and knocked on the door as it was pulling away, so I got on just in time! The bus driver probably didn't like that I was practically running as he was taking off, but I did what I had to do to get on! Then, I stayed on the bus all the way until we got into the part of the Colony that I needed to be in to go to the Patronato, and low and behold, the bus drove right in front of the Patronato so I got off! God is soo good! I didn't have to worry about walking or finding my way because I was right there! Then I went to the same classroom and had a great time with the students helping them with physical therapy and then spending time practicing my spanish-speaking by them asking me questions and vice versa. I didn't even get his this time! As the Patronato closes at 1, all the parents come and get their kids and at that moment when everyone was in one area, the director introduced me to everyone so I felt like the center of attention, but it was very special for me! And 5 minutes later my day would get even better.

Usually I would have to ride two different buses back to the house but one of the mom's of a student that I have been working with the past two days was going to be driving three blocks from the Central House so she offered to drive me back and even said she would do it every Wednesday! That is such a blessing. It is even a smaller world because she ran into Val before Val even found the Patronato for me and she was the one that gave Val the information about the place! She is such a sweetheart and is correcting some of my Spanish and is encouraging me to speak as much as possible. God is definitely present here and is providing for my every need and worry.

Where are you at? How did you get lost??

The first day of the internship at the Patronato was on Monday (7th) starting at 10:30AM and finishing at 1-1:30PM. I left the house right after my morning class at 9:30 in order to get to my internship by 10:30. The visiting professor said it was fastest for he and his wife to go an opposite way to catch a bus that goes downtown than what I am used to. I waited at this spot for about 5 mins and began freaking out because I didnt know if this was the same street that we normally use to get on the bus going downtown. So, after 5 minutes, I start walking away from that spot and end up making a big loop to go back to the corner that we normally get on the bus at. So after 15 minutes of walking in the neighborhood just to grab a bus to go downtown, I was sweating like none other and I was only 2-3 blocks from the house! At this point I was very nervous and working myself up because I had just been wandering around aimlessly and feeling very lost and absolutely getting nowhere. And for those of you that know me really well, I hate not knowing where I am at and how to get to where I am going. Once I got on the bus 2-3 blocks away from the house, we drove by the place I was at but became impatient so I became even more mad at myself than I already was. Since this was my first day of going downtown and switching buses on my own, I was a little apprehensive. I looked even more like a tourist when I kept checking a piece of paper that I wrote the corner of what streets the next bus I needed to catch would be on. Oh well. I got on the bus I needed to be on that would take me to the Colony where the Patronato was at. However, I did not know that this colony was split up into 4 different sections. I got off the bus in the part of the colony I thought I was supposed to be in (and mind you, I was very nervous at this point--on the verge of crying) and when I got off the bus, I didnt recognize anything. After walking back and forth a single block a couple times to see if I recognized anything in site, I knew I was completely lost. This was not good for my mind or my emotions because I was literally freaking out at this point. I was about ready to start crying in the middle of nowhere. However, the doctor (my supervisor) gave me her cell phone number and I told her where I was at. She ended up sending her chofer (sp) to come and get me and take me to the Patronato. Thank goodness for the kind hearts of the Mexican people! Her chofer was super nice and he was very gracious to give me a ride and showed me where I would need to get off the bus if I would have kept riding it. Such a blessing!

So, I finally got to my internship site at about 11 since I stood around in the same spot (out in the middle of nowhere, mind you) for about 20-25 min in the hot sun. I bet the doctor's chofer was chuckling when he picked me up because I was drenched. But anyway, when I got to the Patronato about 30 min. late, the doctor felt horrible that I got lost and offered me crackers if I wanted them but I wasn't hungry after being stressed out for a couple hours. She gave me a big hug and told me it would be ok because I think she could obviously tell that I was worked up. God is so good! But after we got through that whole conversation of her feeling awful, she took me to the classroom I will be in for 3 weeks. This classroom works with adults about my age and older that have mental and physical disabilities. Since I was already worked up, I had a harder time focusing on what they were asking and telling me in Spanish, but I got through just fine. But, I couldn't leave without being hit really hard by one of the students.

I had no idea that that day would get worse by me getting hit by a girl a little older than me but much smaller than me. I later found out why she hit me randomly because all I said to her was "Hola, como estas?" (Hello, how are you?) in my sweetest voice and I got a hard hit to my back. So I later found out as the teachers took her out of the room and were making sure that I was ok, was that she has obsession with princesses and especially those that are blonde, have blue eyes, and have lighter skin. I wouldn't consider myself a princess, but I guess I fit the criteria! To calm her down, they started singing a song from Cinderella in Spanish and I told this girl that my favorite Disney princess was Cinderella because she has blonde hair. However, my talking to her didn't calm her down because the teachers asked her if she wanted to hit me again and she said yes. I think there was just a bit of jealousy going on there or something...I haven't quite figured it out yet. Oh well! You never know what you are getting yourself into when you are dealing with severe autism and mental disabilities. Luckily, it didn't hurt, and I didn't want to hurt the girls' feelings, so I just kept talking to her sweetly, but apparently that doesn't work for her! I'm quickly learning that patience is a virtue but is a much needed quality if I'm working with students with disabilities.

Once my day was over at the Patronato, I got on the bus going downtown and got to the other bus I needed to take to get back to the Central House just fine. Let's just say it made for a long morning! Later that night I ended up feeling very shaky, weak, and not hungry and I was afraid I was getting dehydrated like I had been before, but luckily the professor and his wife had drinks with very high electrolytes in them so that kept me from being dehydrated! God is so good in that too!

VIP Theatre and Mexico Soccer Experience

All of us girls in our leather recliners getting ready to watch a sappy, chick-flick

Last Friday (4th) after visiting the Patronato, the girls and I all went to a mall in Merida called the AltaBrisa and shopped a little and ended up going to The Time Traveler's Wife shown at the VIP theatre. I had never heard of a "VIP" Theatre and was curious as to what it was about, so Val told us exactly what we got to experience while at the movie on Friday night. For just under 9 US dollars, we got to watch a movie all to ourselves in recliners, menus, and a waiting staff that would come to us anytime throughout the movie and would get down on one knee when taking an order or bringing us what we ordered. We all felt like princesses! I know that we are all planning on going back to that theatre or another VIP theatre in the city. There is a picture above.

On Saturday (5th) all of us girls together went to Progreso where the closest beach is to Merida like we had done the previous Saturday and spent the late morning/early afternoon in the Gulf and laying out. This time we did not sweat because the water was cooler and there was a great breeze off the water, so of course I forgot to reapply sunscreen. Who would have thought that I would have forgotten that I am 10 degrees from the Equator! But all in all, I did not get burned that bad. I put 70+ SPF once again all over and put my face sunscreen on and brought it with me too, but I forgot to reapply on my face. So all in all, I left the beach with a face that looked like a fried tomato! I talked to Neal that night and he asked me if I had my friend Larry with me. (Bob the tomato and Larry the cucumber off of Veggie Tales). I wasn't offended by him though because I guess I was the one that told him I felt like a fried tomato :).

Later that night three of us girls went for pizza at a little pizzaria 3 blocks from the house and absolutely loved it! It tasted like regular American pizza, so it was definitely our American food fix for the week. But once we got back from eating, we went with Eduardo (a student who was at Central all last year that is from Merida) to a couple house parties that were watching the Mexico vs. Costa Rica soccer game. To experience the culture and love of the game of soccer shown by his friends was phenomenal. The three of us girls actually got in the game (even though I know absolutely nothing about soccer) because all the other mexicans were way into it. When Mexico scored all three of their goals and won the game, it was like experiencing America's Super Bowl all over again but with a different sport. The one thing that stood out to all of us girls is that the girls dressed up to go to these house parties even though there were only 8-10 people at each party. They were wearing skirts, dresses, the whole thing. I felt way under-dressed because I went in shorts and a tanktop after being in the sun all day. Oh well! They still loved meeting us and getting to know us a little bit! Mexico won 3-0 and were onto the World Cup!! Viva Mexico!

Visiting Patronato Peninsular

On Friday, September 4 the visiting professor from Central that is here and I went to visit el Patronato Peninsular where my internship would be. I had an interview with the doctor that is on-site and got a tour of the facility. I was forewarned ahead of time that the doctor talks very, very fast and that was definitely true when I met with her. But, I got the gist of all she said and my interview went really well. I was pleased and I know the professor and the doctor were pleased as well because I shared with her how my major does not follow my passion and gift with children with disabilities. She seemed impressed with my confidence but yet more impressed with my compassion for these students. The Patronato Peninsular is an extensive facility but they work with babies all the way up to 40 year olds. I cannot tell you how much I smiled while I was there because of how cute all of the students are! They were all saying, "Hola, Buenos Dias!" (Hello, Good Morning!) to me and they were so excited to meet me. I was wondering if they had ever really seen a white person before. But, of course they all have hearts of a child and have no presumptions or expectations. I knew this was the place for me when the kids were so full of smiles and joy and the doctor told me, "You are not only here to help us and get more experience, but we are here for you as well. We want you to be able to ask us any questions and create a great relationship over the next three months." She even gave me her cell phone number and told me to call her whenever I had a question about anything! Doctors in the states wouldn't normally do that...but I guess she is more or less my supervisor. I knew God was and is present in that facility because all the teachers and the doctor have hearts of gold. The doctor even walked the professor and I to our bus stop so I would know where to walk to get on a bus that goes to downtown Merida.

I think I have said this in a previous blog, but the bus system in Merida is a new experience for all of us here, but especially me, coming from a little town of less than 4,000 people. But like I said, I have to get on a bus at the Patronato Peninsular that goes downtown which is then followed by a 4-5 block walk to get on a different bus that goes close to the Central House. Once I am off the bus, I have to walk to the Central House for a couple blocks, so I definitely get a lot of walking in! It is the same when I go to the Patronato Peninsular but just in the opposite order. It takes me about an hour from when I step out of the house to when I step into the Patronato. My internship site is by far the farthest away from the house, so I will have to tell you about my experience on Monday, September 7th which was my first day going there.

First week of classes

So I have to apologize... I have been falling way behind on keeping everyone up-to-date on whats been going on. Last Monday, we started classes and had classes all last week but the only nice thing about studying abroad is that my weekend starts at 12PM on Thursday afternoons! As I was going from one class to another, I felt like I was living off the schedule of meals here at Casa Central. I have also felt like a baby in the fact that I sleep, eat, go to class, do homework, and do everything all over again when babies eat, sleep, and poop! :) Classes went well last week and it has been adjustment getting used to all of my classes being in Spanish but it has been a good adjustment! It has been a stretch in my brain but its good to have those once in a while :). The classes I am taking are Advanced Practical Spanish where we go over basic vocabulary that would be useful in everyday life but more concentrated like all different parts of a restaurant or cafe that we would need to know to ask questions or to understand the waiter/waitress. I am also taking Latin American Novel that is taught by a poet, Mexican Civilization that is taught by a professor of pre-law here in Merida, and Art & Architecture by an architect earning her PhD. (That is my only class taught in English and is one night a week, so it is a great break from everything in Spanish). Taking classes in a different country has been a great learning experience because the style of teaching is a little different and the homework load is less but again, everything that I would normally get taught in English are taught in Spanish. Hopefully when I get back my speaking skills will be a lot better than when I left!