no puedo creer que ya he estado aquí en los EEUU por nueve semanas. La transición a mi vida aquí ha side tanto más dificil que esperaba. bueno, tal vez es exactamente como imaginaba. Casi siempre estoy pensando en Mexico, en Omar, en como todo era y todo será. Es dificil darme cuenta que mi vida, mi tiempo, mis amores, y lo que tenía y quería ya se acabó. Que feo me parece todo. Pero así mismo, me he enfrentado ya muchos retos aquí en preparación por el año siguiendo. Y estoy tan emocionada seguir adelante con mi vida, buscando y conseguiendo lo que he estado trabajando tanto para tener por mi mismo. Siento como necesito más que una vida para hacer o aprender todo que deseo. Además, es como ya me canso de tener dos vidas, pero estoy tan agredecido y quiero quedarme en los dos...solo creo que ya no puedo como el pasado. Extraño mucho a Mexico, las adventuras, la vida, el pueblo y más. Pero estoy viviendo la vida que me dió Díos y hay limites de que puedo cambiar y de que puedo hacer con solamente una vida y una corazon. Tengo que seguir la llamada de Díos. A ver que pasa en el futuro con todo eso. Es tan complicado y a lo mismo tan sencillo. Me imagino que siempre así será mi vida.
Con mucho cariño,

aly

This morning the Mexican federal Secretary of Health announced that therehave been no more deaths of H1N1 (what was being called "swine flu") here inMexico since April 29. Moreover, most of the deaths that were reported lastweek have now been determined to have been results of other causes, not thisflu. It looks like the flu is being contained, and the Secretary of Healthstated that there will most likely be a return to normal business as of May6. (May 5 is a holiday anyway.) We will stay tuned for further newsregarding the reopening of schools, etc.As of this morning, the WHO continues to maintain its position of NOTrecommending travel restrictions relatied to this influenza virus. It has avery helpful list of "Frequently asked questions" on its web page. The linkishttp://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/frequently_asked_questions/en/index.htmlNonetheless, the CDC continues to post its Travel Health Warning thatrecommends avoiding nonessential travel to Mexico.

I don't know. I just don't know.

The airport lost my friend's ticket (somehow in cyberspace), so she was delayed until 5am the next morning. Her dad passed away overnight.

My other friend just left for the airport.

All day on Friday and all day on Saturday I could only think about my dad. I sort of escaped the gringo-house (where there are now 20 American students growing more and more angsty about going home) yesterday to work at Omar's. I had to ask for an extension for the length of my final paper on Social Work Cultural Competence and what I've learned as part of competence with Mexicano populations from my experiences. I hope I can finish it today. My director told me that, based on my previous work, she hopes that I can have this article published for the NASW or at least for material for our SOCW program at SU or here at CGE. That would be neat.

Anyway, I got cranky with Omar yesterday night because I just wanted to call my Dad. I had been waiting all day to go back to school where I could call him, and Omar wasn't intentionally delaying me, and I wasn't intentionally upset with him. I actually didn't know why I felt so anxious at the time. Then I realized on the drive over to school with Omar: "oh...I just need to call my dad." Sorry Pa, but sometimes I wait to call you because it makes me miss you more when I talk to you. It's because I love you so much, and it's hard to feel so distant. I do the same thing to most of my family and friends (avoid/deny the fact that I miss them like crazy by delaying calling them). I did finally talk to Papa, and that was good. But, I was sorry to say that my great aunt Corrine is not doing well. Also, I was startled when Dad told me that Friday May 1 was the 32nd anniversary of his own dad's (my grandpa's) passing away. He told me how every May 1 something happens (a noise, a start, a something) in the morning, just like the dad his father died and the morning prayer came over the hospital intercom. For Dad, it symbolizes that his dad is still present here with him, with me, with our family.

No wonder I was preoccupied on Friday. I knew something had happened. I sensed distress in my family. I sensed pain with my dad. Things like this happen a lot: I'll be calling my friend when she's calling me; I'll be thinking of someone and then cross paths with them or get an e-mail from them. Though completely mysterious, it is also quite consoling. For I believe this is the Spirit moving amongst us. And if a person is paying attention, they can hear God calling to their heart. Calling them to love and care for one another: "Listen. They need you. Go to them. Do my work on Earth. Love one another. I am with you always."

I'll never forget walking with my sister in Portland one day (ok, maybe I forget when it was last year..summer?) and the wind picked up and she flung her arms open and said: "Do you ever feel God in the wind?" Again, I was accosted by the fact that someone else recognized that as well. Since I was a child I have beleived that God is in the wind. That these often ignored or seemingly meaningless natural wonders are God's gifts, God's presence, God's words seeking us, consoling us. Yes, I do feel God in the wind. And I hope you feel the presence of God's love enveloping you as well.

I am going to mass. I am writing a paper, doing a powerpoint presentation, doing policy research, running, then having a party on the roof with the group. Maybe I can spend an hour with 20 gringos if we're partying on a roof in Mexico. Then, I think I'll go see Omar; he wants to teach me how to make mojitos. And I want more pictures with him.

Peace with all of you. And peace on Earth.

aly

p.s. I'm still not sick with swine flu.

news: 01/05/09

This morning Mexico's top medical officer stated that new cases and the death rate continue to be leveling off throughout the country. Health authorities said they have confirmed 300 swine flu cases and 12 deaths due to the virus. "The fact that we have a stabilization in the daily numbers, even a drop, makes us optimistic," Mexican Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova said. "Because what we'd expect is geometric or exponential growth. And that hasn't been the situation."
Here is the link to today's updated information from the CDC (Center for Disease Control): http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentSwineFluMexico.aspx

The link to the WHO (World Health Organization page is: http://www.who.int/en/

Please note that the top of today's WHO web page says the following: "No rationale for travel restrictions. 1 May 2009 -- WHO is not recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the Influenza A(H1N1) virus. Limiting travel and imposing travel restrictions would have very little effect on stopping the virus from spreading, but would be highly disruptive to the global community." For the full story, see http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/guidance/public_health/travel_advice/en/index.html
As was ocurring in other airports, the Mexico City airport has also implemented health measures, including testing passengers before boarding planes. All passengers must also complete a very simple survey that requires their name, age, gender, address, telephone numbers, origin of flight, and desitnation. In addition, passengers have to check YES or NO as to whether or not they have had any of the following symptoms in the past 2 days:
Fever higher than 39 degrees C
cough
Headache
Limb pain
Joint pain
Eye redness
Nasal flux

Dark Days in Paradise

Here's to you, my friend.

This week was just tiring. And, no, it is not over. And no, it's probably not going to get a lot better.

I decided not to go out with Omar last night because I wanted to get up early and do homework all day. Just kill it today so we can go to Taxco tomorrow or Sunday. So, my roommate (my best friend here), and I decided to drink wine, eat some crackers and cheese, some dark chocolate, and watch a chick-flick, than go to bed early and do all our homework together today. Last night was great, I couldn't have wished for more. And with today's events, I am so grateful that she and I did that.

I did wake up early and was excited to write my thesis on my paper. Finally a start. But, at 8:30 I went back to my room and found my roommate packing. Her dad has been battling cancer for a while now, and she has considered going home early before. Her stepmom called for her this morning, which means that her dad is going through the final stages of his life. Since then, I have been helping to organize her trip, pack, print off influenza-screening forms, etc to get her home today. I'm glad she will be with her dad. I just feel so much for her situation. Not only is she returning to her dying father, but she has left unfinished plans for a mural, her novio, two weeks of the program, and much homework. It is so difficult to be torn from something, and with such a reason, even more tragic.



Additionally, my other close friend was asked to return home by her school. So she will be leaving on Sunday. I hear today that there is an upheaval in DF about whether or not this really is an epidemic, or whether it is a legitimate epidemic. Personally, I am appalled by the U.S. and media response which has blown this way out of proprotion with there over-protective measures. I don't mean to minimize the situation, but can we please be realistic? Can we please consider someone other than ourselves for once? consider those are losing precious wages, customers, travel plans, education, etc. because of this...Please do not fall prey to further stereotyping Hispanic or Mexicans because of a flu virus. The people are not responsible and it is no reflection of their character. They are your sisters and brothers. They are dignified beings just like you. Treat them, in your thoughts and in your actions, as such.



Did I mention that my host-mom also left for Texas today? I couldn't go see her yesterday because her son-in-law was sick, and I think in general she was preoccupied with news of the flu and getting ready to leave. I do not know when I will see her again. I have lost the immediate presence and support of 3 of my dear friends this weekend.



I have not accomplished much homework today. I will not be going to see Omar, nor will I be going to Taxco tomorrow. Tomorrow I will spend another day at my computer, hoping to accomplish that which I could not accomplish today.



While outside the sunshine may be, my heart is heavy as a raincloud, and it is raining here. I am full of sorrow for my friend and her loss, her situation. I feel remorse for myself because my two closest confidants and play-pals are leaving this weekend and I have two weeks of this program to survive. Instead of late-night pillow talks and laughter, I will sleep next to an empty bed, alone for the first time in months. No more salsa dancing with "my girls" because my girls will be gone. No more opera singing, no more running late to class because we 'had' to have coffee, no more sporadic debates or movie dates.



Besides revelling in how precious and limited our lives and our time together is, I also realize how quickly I too will be called home, back to the U.S., back to a life which I so willing left behind. Seeing as I am sobbing now just thinking about that day, I know that I will not be ready when it comes. How could I be?



I suppose these are some of the challenges of study abroad, of these brief instances in another time and place, in another culture, another way of being. I cherish these memories and these feelings. I am learning more and more what it means to be human. I am learning more and more how much I need God, how much God loves us, and I am trying to call upon the wisdom of Christ and the Spirit for strength.



Esperame, te regreso.Guardanos en tus oracciones. Con mucho amor.

Wait for me, I return to you. Keep us in your prayers. With much love.



aly

In light of the current influenza outbreak (and relevant hype in the media), I wanted to write and let you all know that I am completely fine and healthy. We have been informed (numerous times) how to prevent our own contamination, and I am taking those precautions. Though the picture above shows me in the mask, I am not wearing it around school (as I live with a bunch of gringas and no one is travelling to or from DF right now). I will wear it to the center, if I am going there, but I pretty much am avoiding it.

I don't have time now to write more. As you have noticed, I've been ridiculously busy. After spring break, we came home to our assignments for the rest of the semester. I wouldn't say they are academically challenging, but they are ridiculously monotonous, repetitive, and time consuming. Moreso, I am disappointed in the lack of commitment, enthusiasm, and academic performance of my peers here (that is not new, but is escalating). I am missing in some ways the pressure of academic excellence at SU, though trying to maintain my personal commitment to do my best. However, that is challenging when your school is asking you to write 20 pgs a week (or 10 pages and a project) and go to class for 12hrs two days a week. It's like they waited until the last weeks when our attention spans are shortest, when we are all really tired, and when we are all trying to make the most of our remaining weeks while preparing to go home to give us a semester's worth of work. We are all frusterated. My face is a mess. And I am trying to make time to go see my mom here because she leaves for Texas in two days (if they are still letting flights out). Ademas, I would like to see Omar at some point. Right now, we have been restricted to one two hour date during the week and mass and part of Sunday afternoon. Not a lot of time together. And that time is running out.

Pray for us, pray for peace.

love
sorry the picture didn't load...love the unreliable internet here. welcome to my frusterated life.

Semana Santa: April 8-12

Our days in Patzcuaro were nothing short of blissful. We spent one day exploring, and ended up by fresh berries in the market (which was quite extensive). One thing led to another, and soon we were buying ingredients for a picnic lunch! We took our things back to the hotel and then continued scouting the town, stopping in to observe about 5 churches. Both Omar and I were impressed at how polite and friendly people were in Michoacan. Cuernavaca is more pushy, cars won’t stop to let you cross the street, and few people say hello. In contrast, Patzcuaro’s people were engaging and more positive. I suppose in a word, it was charming. We also stopped in to an old Jesuit College (now used as a church/community center) and an old convent which now houses an artisan market. Then we went back to enjoy our delicious feast. I loved that the hotel had a full-size kitchen for us to use. My how I am starting to miss cooking for myself in my own kitchen! We ate, relaxed, and went out to buy a bottle of wine to enjoy by the fireside later that night. This is the life!

The next day we headed for the island of Janitzio. It was really fun to be on the water for the first time in months. Even though it was obviously polluted water (from overuse, misuse, and run-off from nearby farms), still, it was fun to have the wind blow through my hair and to see the islands growing closer. We reached the dock and were helped off the boat by some little boys who make quite a business of loading and unloading the boats all day long. As soon as we hit the shore, the small street packed with vendors and some good-looking lunch spots start calling for us to stop and find all that we need. It is quite an interesting experience, and can sometimes be overwhelming or just plain annoying. So, we hiked up this huge hill to the statue (which was kind of painful because my cough had developed overnight and I had trouble breathing). We tried these little fried fish at the of the island, and though the flavor was good, I told Omar I just didn’t like having eyes looking back at me from my food! Then we started up the inside of the statue, reading the history of Morelos as it was muraled around the body of the statue. We stood in line, probably for an hour, and finally made it to the outside to stand on a little ledge and stick our head out over the edge to catch a glimpse of Lake Patzcuaro, the other islands, and the fisherman at work with their butterfly nets below. It was pretty spectacular. We climbed down, I bought earrings outside, we took some photos, and then we continued on to find lunch down by the dock. We stuffed our self with fish and gorditas of wonderfully flavorful masa. I watched a Purepachan abuela work up tortillas, her daughters sitting nearby helping with the restaurant, and later her granddaughter jumping up in front of her to take over. She couldn’t have been more than 3 years old. It was just beautiful. I told Omar, these are the memories I will keep with me forever: good food with my good friend, sitting at a family restaurant overlooking the water and listening to those little boys advertise their service to incoming/outgoing tourists. *sigh* We headed back to Patzcuaro, fat and happy. We rested awhile, then made our Michoacan hot chocolate and ate strawberries...by the fireside. All in all, a beautiful day.

Good Friday arrived and after breakfast, we went back to Tzintzuntzan for the Viacrusis. The puebla was packed with people: artisans, vendors, and the courtyard of the church with people ready for the pilgrimage. We stood crammed in the crowd, trying to avoid the hot sun, watching the play of Judas. It was really incredible to watch these men, and he who play Jesus especially, sacrifice their body in representation of Christ's Passion. It made me cringe, and cry. Penitents, believing in the guilt, walked through the crowd with a white cloth over their head, barefoot, and chains on their hands and ankles. And the crowd was all ages too: babies, kids, adults, older people. To them, it seemed like just another Good Friday, but I was hit pretty hard in the heart. Later, we made a path around the courtyard carrying the heavy Jesus statues and praying the stations of the cross over a loud speaker. I walked next to a horse as well. Omar was offered to help carry Jesus on the cross into the church and accepted. I feel that in Mexico, Easter is much more about the death of Jesus then the resurrection, which is a great contrast to the American celebration. I think there may be many explanations as to why, most for cultural historic reasons, and empathy for the Passion of Christ. I missed the joy of our celebrations back home. Jesus did rise from the dead, and he will come again, but that was hardly even mentioned on Easter Sunday.

Anyway, I think we pretty much peaced-out for the rest of the day because we were in Tzintzuntzan most of the afternoon. We went for dinner and packed a bit...and had another fire after some star-gazing. Saturday we packed up early, had a really great breakfast at a Cafe de los Angeles in Patzcuaro and started out for Taxco: our spur of the moment idea! Unfortunately, our road trip home was full of traffic and we were hungry and exhausted (and I was becoming more sick and cranky) by 6pm when we finally reached Cuernavaca. Neither Omar nor I wanted me to stay in our school-house alone in my state so as I withered in a fever, Omar came in to check on me every few hours through the night, bring me water, and offer to do anything and everything he possible could so that I could be well. At 5 in the morning on Easter Sunday, I woke up from the cold and gazed out the window. I realized how incredibly lucky I was to have met Omar, to have this new friend and companion who not only can I enjoy fun activities and adventures with, but who feels grateful to care for me like this. I can't imagine how different my experience of Mexico would have been if I hadn't met Omar and finally decided to give him a chance. I would have missed so many fabulous cultural experiences and exchanges here. We realize our great fortune in meeting one another. And we realize our great challenge that we face in our future. But nothing is impossible before God.

On Easter Sunday, we decided it was best that we stay in Cuernavaca and rest. We woke, I met his mom briefly because she was heading to Il Centro to work, and then Omar and I went to the Church for the mass. Since we were early, we walked to the grocery store for a jump rope to take to DF so I could do some form of cardio activity at our seminary where we would stay for a week. I hate being cooped up without exercise. Then we went to mass, which was really crowded, hot, and the speakers weren't very good so I really couldn't understand a lot from our spot in the very back. It was a bit of a disappointment because I am used to great celebrations in Seattle now with lively music and big smiles etc. And here, it seemed kind of mundane.

So, that's pretty much a summary of my Semana Santa. Sorry it took two weeks to recollect for you all. Enjoy the pictures...I have more to show you. Soon I'll try write about the stay in UNAM, but right now I'm pinned down with a weighty amount of homework. I guess our teachers decided to save it all for the end. greeeeat.

Love,

aly