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

Semana Santa: April 4-7

The view from the pyramids of Tzintzuntzan. It was so beautiful and peaceful there. A nice contrast to the constant traffic and crowded streets of Cuernavaca.

Mmm...our view of the center of Quiroga eating carnitas. While a barracho recovered on a bench, families milled about, the kids making huge bubbles that seemed to float magically through the air.

Some of the orchids from the orquidea! How delightful!

The street outside the birthplace of Morelos. As usual here in Mexico, it is interesting to be at such a historically important space on one side of the street, and to look out across the street at modern Mexican stores and restaurants. How times have changed...

Aly at a fountain in a plaza in Morelia.

Por Fin! Semana Santa 2009. Long had I waited for this week to arrive. I was not only completely ready to get out of Cuernavaca and head to the highlands of Morelia for some green open space and a view of a lake, but I desperately needed some time to just relax and maybe even have some fun. Omar and I left for Morelia (where we would spend two days) on Sunday morning.

After a long, hot ride through the countryside, sluggish traffic through the packed pilgrimage hotspot of Chalma, a few wrong turns, and of course a couple of potty breaks for antsy/carsick/overhydrated Alysson, we finally made it to Morelia. Our hotel was simple but situated well in the city so we could walk to the historic center or the more modern downtown. And we did both. Our first night we just dawdled around and found dinner, then went to mass in the Cathedral, which was beautiful (and packed..we stood on the border for the Palm Sunday mass).

The next day, we went sight-seeing in Morelia. Among other things, Omar and I visited an artisan market (and decided how we would decorate our future home), the birthplace of Morelos (a leader of the Mexican Revolution), the market of dulces, and also the orquidea. Unfortunately the modern art museum was closed and so was the planetarium. Also, one of the palaces was closed. But, we had enough for one day anyway. Excursions in the morning, descansa in the afternoon, more excursions, change for dinner, eat a lot, and drink some fabulous wine on the streetfront looking out at the glowing Cathedral in the center. A little lightheaded, we made it back to our hotel.

As fate would have it, our waiter at that restaurant gave us a detailed itinerary for our transitional journey from Morelia to Patzcuaro, which took us through three pueblos before we reached our final destination. We started off on the route the next morning, sampling fruit at admiring the pottery in Colima, eating the famous (rightfully so!) carnitas and sampling the marketplace in Quiroga, and observing the tranquility and the gorgeous view from ancient ruins in Tzintzuntzan. It was a long day of travelling, but we enjoyed every minute of it! And we arrived at our hotel without any problems. Upon arriving, we sensed that the next couple of days would be wonderful. We rested a bit, and went out for a light dinner and a sunset walk.

To be continued.

UNAM in Cuernavaca: 30 March- 3 April

UNAM students teach us the school cheer. If you could see this live at a Puma (their soccer team) game in the stadium, you'd understand why it was exciting. They have great school spirit!

All of us: so happy together!

Me and the powerpoint presentation. An addition to the 10-page research paper I wrote in one day :) Gotta love college and study abroad.

Well, it's been awhile. My apologies. These three weeks have been pretty much ridiculous. I've decided to catch up by making a different entry for each week. You will see that each week has been completely different and completely packed.

After returning from Texcoco, I came home to two big projects for my policy class, which consumed the first 48 hours of the immersion week. The UNAM students came from Mexico City to live with us this week. We shared classes to compare some SOCW policies (I presented Housing and Development's Strategic Plan), and to share experiences of SOCW in our countries. It was quite a change of pace and environment for us, going from our urban homestays to overflowing shared spaces. I felt badly that I couldn't spend more free time with them, but I did manage to tan by the pool with them for an hour one day!

During the week we had several interesting speakers visit us to talk about various issues: racism and the third root of Mexican heritage, the politics and perspectives of indigenous women, etc. We also had large group discussions of these issues, as well as other challenges and rewards of the SOCW field. All in all, it was a interesting experience. I think all students benefited from one another and from the sharing of ideas, time, and space. After all, we, as social workers, have the common goal of working to increase social justice in our communities, our countries, and our world. We all readily addressed the stereotypes we had brought with us to our convivio, and were pleased to find most of them false or overgeneralized. This week was a great way for us to make more connections to social work/social workers in Mexico. Undoubtedly we expanded our resources as professionals and students by augmenting our understanding and connections to the country and our coworkers across the border.

While all this was going on, I was thinking about going on Spring Break finally. I also missed my host family dreadfully, so fled our busy house for a good home-cooked meal and short visit with my Mom on Wednesday. In my other life in the States, I received notice of upcoming job applications with due dates over the break/our stay in DF, so I had to complete those before I left Friday. It's really hard to even try to think about summer jobs or summer plans. I had a lot of options, and everything was way out of my reach. I didn't (and wouldn't) have enough information to make a sound decision. And I was considering extending my stay another week. And did I mention that I also received notice that I was accepted to work my practicum at the VA in Seattle this week also!? The thing with making all of these decisions is that, unlike the organized flow of falling dominoes (where one decision depends on the result of another), these are more like the untangling of a big ugly knot (where slowly and with difficulty to pull out one piece at a time until finally it comes apart and you can move on). Everything depended on the results of another decision, or another office at SU, or another person, on a job decision, and on my own personal choices in regards to what will be most advantageous to this summer and my last year of undergrad when I return to Seattle. That means that I needed to be reflective, and our schedule doesn't allow a lot of time for personal evaluation lately...Therefore, the cold persisted, the stomach ulcer increased, and the stress zits continued into the Easter weekend.

weekending

So, last weekend, after the draining day on Friday, I totally checked out of everything school related. Novio and I went to his hometown north of DF to visit a cousin and go to the feria (fair). I was so excited: horses, cowboys, and good times! We bussed through DF, which was fine until you're in the metro terminal, which was crazy! People were pushing and shoving to get onto the trains, which were filled to maximum capacity. There wasn't even breathing room. Luckily we didn't have a long trip there. We managed to make it to the other bus station and drove out to Texcoco. I was really relieved to see open space outside the city, to see horses milling about in a field, and cows being herded up. It was interesting to imagine this space covered in lakes hundreds of years ago before the Spaniards arrived.

When we made it to Texcoco, I discovered that barbacoa (barbeque) is the town specialty! yep, this is gonna be a good weekend. We met his cousin, and his wife at their store and shortly the four of us went to dinner...for barbeque of course. But it was by this little pond with carpe and geese and ducks. it was refreshing. Omar and I went out later for ice cream and a meandering through the town square that night, feeling too tired to go to the fair and be abused by barrachos (drunks). We slept in Sunday, went for coffee, and then went to the fair. I enjoyed it immensely! And I got a sunburn. not unusual.

We had to leave because as novio had promised, we were going to mass at the Basilica de la Virgen de Guadalupe. That was one thing I wanted to do when I came to Mexico, and I don't think it would've been possible without novio. So we bussed, metroed, and walked, and made it to the basilica. I was so enthused and touched in my heart. The place has such incredible historical, political, and social significance for Mexico, besides being one of the spiritual capitals. People were walking on their knees to the steps of the church (common way of proceeding and praying), and we were there just in time for mass. It was a beautiful service, I liked especially that Nahuat still influenced the service (bilingual, incense, song, procession). It was just a beautiful and very authentic experience for me. And, we were able to come within feet of San Juan Diego's cloak as it hangs in front of the church. I was weak in the knees. We wandered the grounds afterword, and eventually taxied back across town to the bus station.

It was a long weekend, and it was beautiful. I came home to discover that I had a policy research paper and powerpoint due Tuesday morning. oops. And, 17 UNAM (Autonomous University of Mexico) were coming to stay with us for the week. But I had needed the break, and I had needed that visit to the Virgin.

Last Friday I moved out of my homestay. My mom made me chamoron (I think) it is chocolate flavored and spiced atole for breakfast. It is my favorite. We sat for our last breakfast conversation and she gave me a really pretty, pale purple blouse (which I told her I would wear for Easter). I reluctantly packed up a few more things, and she called a cab for me one last time. We hauled my stuff out when it finally showed up. Before I left, she gave me a huge hug and told me “te quiero mucho” (I love you a lot), which she had never done before. We both had tears in our eyes and I told her we would see each other soon. As soon as I got in the cab I started sobbing.

I threw my stuff in my new room and started getting ready for the day trip to a rural community that is very very poor. I was not in the mood. I was crying hanging up my dresses in the closet. I was extremely upset, and trying to smoother the feelings so I could be present to this intense and powerful day.

The day was pretty tough. The people live in extreme poverty in some cases. The water is polluted with arsenic and lead, and usually they have to hike up a huge stone hill to carry it back. We participated in this activity, taking turns carrying the garrifon (pictures soon). Then we met with a family in their home. In a dark, smoky room we crouched as sun broke through a hole in the plastic and stalk-covered roof. It’s fine for now, but when the rainy season comes, the mother of 5 will be cooking in a mud puddle. We made and ate tortillas over the woodburning fire. Then we moved to the room to make small, woven-palm baskets. This is their only income generating project, and it dates back to their indigenous heritage. They live isolated on a hill where natural resources are scarce and farming is difficult. But, many are so poor that they eat tortillas and salt. Water is so scarce right now that they live with dehydration. As we wove baskets, we could sometimes notice the effects of the toxic water in our mom’s delayed responses or slow thought processes. To make worse the situation, the dyes used on the plants (because plain palms won’t fetch a price [but even the colored are sold at dirt-cheap prices]) contains lead and other harmful chemicals that hurts all exposed. She has never left the village. Many haven’t. They fled the conquerors and the town’s name means “people who fear.” This is the root of many social problems here. They live in fear and isolation. Now, domestic abuse is quite high also as men who travel the state to sell the baskets often bring back alcohol addictions (if they come back).

We went with an organization founded and located in Cuernavaca that has slowly been developing programs for education, empowerment, and improved living conditions for the people. More than anything, they hope to free the people from the darkness of fear and suspicion that has been ingrained for 500 years.

It was kind of too much for one day. Even though hearing the children laugh and talk at the school was beautiful and consoling, all I could feel was grief and sadness. More, I feel confused and pray to God that I will know what my calling is in this life, in this world with such dire need of service, attention, goodwill, and love. I had a breakdown in the van on the way home...a laughing fit of delirium with tears running down my face. It as not a pleasant day, to be honest. I was exhausted and slept without moving that night.

Pray for them. Pray for us. Pray for justice. Live for Love.

Oh, and I forgot to mention one other consolation. Yesterday, I had a date with novio. He took me to Jardin Borda. It was beautiful! How I miss lush foliage and just to see the color green made me first giddy, then I filled with tranquility. He rowed me around the little lagoon for about an hour as we talked and watched the ducks and chased after turtles.

It's like a dream. I don't want to wake up. How I fear the sunrise in May.

Sorry, I forgot the extension to upload pictures from my camera. I'll add them soon. Lo siento.

I suppose I could tell you a little bit about my life lately. And trust me, I do want to. I am just very, very busy. Everyday we have class, everyday I walk up a huge set of stairs to get to class (see picture). Everyday I try to learn more from my family, especially this week as I am preparing to move back into our house with the other students at school. As usual, life has consolations and desolations. My consolations with my family have been numerous. My desolation is that I have to leave them. I am not fond of good-byes. I feel that I have learned so much about life here from living with a family, and I have been immeasurably enriched by the homestay experience. I have been blessed to belong to another wonderful family.

I have been talking about my mom (the wonderful chef) teaching me how to make tamales since I arrived at their house. Really, I love tamales. Seeing as it was my last weekend, I hung around with the family as much as possible at the house (though two huge projects kept me in my school hermitage for most of the day Saturday). I had told my parents that my novio had a surprise for me. He likes giving me surprises. So far, I like them too J And my family promptly advised me to invite him over for a surprise (our tamales)! So Sunday morning, we packed into my brother’s taxi with our treated maiz to go to the mill (molina). The owner thought I was my mom’s daughter-in-law. Sometimes, I wish. Then we went to mass (sent the masa home with the son). That morning my family teased me for thinking about my novio because I was really clumsy: breaking a glass, spilling water. I think I was just thrilled in general. Tamales are a lot of work, but generally pretty easy. We worked the masa with mazteca (see picture) and hurried to stuff them so they could steam cook before novio arrived.

He did arrive, and he brought my surprise: my favorite flower (an orchid) in my favorite color (red). I just mentioned that I liked orchids one day along time ago and apparently he remembered. I didn’t even know red orchids existed, but they do (see picture)! I laughed to myself as I sat on the couch and oogled over the flower and meanwhile my dad and novio are talking about business. *sigh* somethings are universal, no? Eventually, we all sat to eat together. And the tamales were graciously received. My family told me that now, ‘eres mexicana (you’re Mexican)’ and ‘puedes casarte porque sabes como se hacen los tamales (you can get married because you know how to make tamales).’ Great! I guess I’m ready! In reality, don’t worry, there are no plans for marriage in the near future. Later, novio and I went for ice cream and a stroll in the afternoon sun. It was a very nice day. Good thing too, because this week has been kind of hellish.

Monday we visited the public facilities of La Lagunilla (the colonia where I’ve been living). We saw the health center, schools, market and a roaming dentist office! Then we had a lecture about health care systems in Mexico. Classes have been kind of dull this week, and we’re all tired from trying to spend time with our families and complete a major paper assignment. Nonetheless, I went to salsa classes as usual last night. I started going to two in a row, which I like, and sometimes it helps to be the foreigner because no one volunteers to dance with me. Why is this good? Because the teacher likes me, and I get to dance with him! I’m going to invest in private lessons once Semana Santa has passed. I literally have no free weekends except for the one immediately before I leave to the U.S., which I have reserved for my finals....and my final farewell to life, family, friends, and perhaps novio. These are things which are making my stomach hurt today, much to the concern of my mom, because I can’t eat when I’m stressed and she really likes me to eat. I love Mexico.

I am working on a powerpoint and my next paper before this weekend because novio and I are going to el Estado de Mexico to visit his cousins and see a rodeo/carnaval there. I’m pretty excited. I love horses; I love cowboys; I love spending time with novio; I love getting out of Cuernavaca. Next week, the social work students from UNAM are coming to stay with us here too. Then it’s Semana Santa.

I just received my schedule for next week, week 10. How can nine weeks have already past? I am not ready to accept that I will have to go home and do something with all of these experiences, all of these thoughts, and emotions. Tomorrow, my brother the taxi driver is moving me out of my house at 8 o’clock in the morning. Our class will be going to a rural village in Guerrero to see the effects of poverty, colonization, and globalization in a community of palm-weavers. And then I’m going to salsa dance. It’s like going through culture shock within one culture on a daily basis. Eso es la vida loca. And it is sometimes baffling for me to consider what I could/should/will/have to do with what I know, what I’ve seen, what I’ve felt.

Godspeed.
aly

This is a delayed entry of what went down last week:

I feel like I have two very separate and both equally wonderful and fulfilling lives going on right now: one in Mexico and one in the U.S. I'm not quite sure what to make of it, to be honest. Nor am I sure how it will influence my future when I return. What will I do with this? Is it just going to be a chapter in life's past? Or will it change my future path for my career, life-goals, etc...? I don't know and I can't predict it. Therefore, I pray about it and place those anxieties in God's hands...except for the occassional attack of scruples.

I love living with a host family. I find it incredibly enriching, consoling, and am learning a lot about living in Mexico and my Spanish is improving. My dad gave me a lesson at our house in the puebla of Miacatlan two days ago and that was fun. It is also fun to be surrounded (literally: upstairs, downstairs, next door, down the street) by family. family family family...kids kids kids...so much life and I love it! It makes me wonder how I ever lived alone and how I could ever live alone again.

School is also going well. I don't really like my groups and families SOCW class because it is boring and I am not really learning anything. I knew that would happen if I chose this degree, but I am trying to think about the end result, and that some classes are just a means to an end (grad school, the VA, policy, a livelihood, my own family, etc). However, I like our Mexico history class, and this week, we also took a field trip to visit the Guadalupan nuns! Yay! It was incredibly interesting to go visit a convent here (beautiful grounds and something in common with the Italian convent: beautiful roses! my favorite!). More interesting was learning about he significance and prevalence of the Virgin of Guadalupe in Mexican culture, especially amongst the marginalized (poor, sick, and indigenous). It was fascinating to hear the controversy over how the appearances actually played out (whether the Church manipulated the indigenous or whether the indigenous manipulated the Church), the significance of the actual appearance of Mary to the indigenous, and how powerful/prominent she remains through all ranks of society today in Mexico. Since I have a great spiritual-emotional investment in and a particularly influential relationship with Mary, this is something I find very interesting here.

What else...oh, salsa classes! Yes, fabulous! This week though was pretty amazing...and more proof that I have some amazing angels with me here in Mexico. Why is God so good to me? Anyway, I went to class alone (my dance buddies were busy), but it worked out great! I was paired with the other instuctor, which is good because I can learn more. The only bad thing, was that the strap on my shoe broke when I was dancing, but luckily I always have a hair tie with me...so, I wrapped it around my foot and shoe, and it actually worked quite well! :D hahaha! As I was standing outside calling a cab after the lesson, my teacher walked by and asked if I wanted a ride to the center. Ok! So in the car he was telling me I should go to the store and return my shoes, that he would go with me this week, and also invited me to a salsa event in D.F. for the past Saturday, and to his birthday party in April! Better yet, he was driving to another site to teach another class, so invited me to attend. No one else showed up, so I got a free drink and a private lesson for free! It is just fun to have the opportunity to meet and develop relationships (however temporary they might be) with interesting and genuine people here! I was ecstatic when I finally went home on Thursday night. One of those: "are you serious? did that just happen?" moments! I love my life in Mexico...except for the occassional and apparently unpreventable attack of illness which soon followed.

I became violently and suddenly ill on Friday. I don't really know what happened either. In the morning during classes I just became more and more weak, faint and feverish. Then I started throwing up too. I thought if I slept I might have felt better, but I didn't. Luckily, there's a taxi-driver in my family who took me to the doctor, waited with me, helped me cross the street because I was so weak and in pain, and took me to the pharmacy and home again. My family was really wonderful about it too. They watched me and tried to feed me (even though what I could eat didn't stay down!) and my mom prayed over me and gave me natural therapy. They reassured me "I know it's hard to be sick and away from home..that you just want your mom and that it's scary...But we are your family now and if you need anything, tell us." I have never slept so much in a 24-hour period in my life. Saturday I was ok enough (as in I had stopped puking and could actually walk for more than a minute) to go to Miacatlan, but still couldn't eat much and slept a lot!

Sunday was better. My friend invited me to go with him and a cousin to a soccer game and to a Radiohead concert earlier in the week. He came to Miacatlan to pick me up Sunday morning. I am not 100% better, but I am least functional. We had so much fun in Mexico City too! It was a very authentic Mexico experience going to a futbol game, eating at a little family restaurant, and then concerting with the rowdies at night! We weren't partying, and knew I was sick so my friend was being really careful of me which was actually quite endearing! Like I said...I have some pretty incredible angels working for me. Fine, I will just confess that really, he is my novio, um we're dating. Which, to be honest, I have struggled with immensely. We met through one of my friends and one of his cousins. I am incredibly suspicious of anyone who appears interested in me, and even more so here. But, weeks past, I spent some time with him, and we just get along really well and enjoy being with one another. I am impressed with how well he treats me, his sincerity, integrity, and diligence. I fought and fought, not wanting to be involved with anyone (in general, but especially here), but it was kind of unavoidable. And we've talked about it a lot to: how precarious the future is and how it is really hard for me to even consider being a good friend with anyone here because I know I am going to leave in 2 months. But, I figure that we, as human beings, are gifts to one another. And as such, we are meant to love each other as part of God's plan for us. I guess as long as this is life-giving for both of us, it can't be a bad thing. I just have qualms because it kind of gives me crazy thoughts about the future (and all the plans I have/thought I had?) and also, I have scruples over spending time with "some guy" rather than volunteering or something like that. I guess things happen for a reason, and as novio told me, "just be patient and you will see: good things will come."

This too, adds to the difficulty of having two lives at one time. I really don't think it will be possible for him and I to keep up when I come home, so does that make it pointless to be together now? Somehow, I think not. As you know though, I am hesitant about ANY sort of dating relationship though. At the very least, I feel I have found a very kind and wonderful friend here. He has been a great gift to my life and experiences in the past couple weeks. On Wednesday, he planned a surprise and took me to a park to go play on the tree-swings! How could he have guessed that I would love that? Swings are my favorite! This week we met to walk (because we both enjoy this) and sporadically ended up at an ice cream shop. Who would of thought that there would be cheese ice-cream. And really, it is cheesy. It didn't taste bad, I just prefer cheese as cheese and ice-cream as ice-cream.

I am overly-busy in a different manner than I am used to: I don't feel stretched-thin, I feel like my self, my heart, my life is overflowing. For once, it is kind of full of good things, which also freaks me out because I'm not really used to feeling this happy! Like I said though, with that over-stuffed feeling comes a different sort of sadness, as I know that I can't keep up with two lives, that I am short-changing my life at home right now by being so far away and so busy here.

Also, it makes me wonder if I will ever just see my path clearly, see myself living one life instead of a series of different lives through the medium of one body. Does that make sense? I guess what I'm trying to express is that I feel like my life thus far has been a series of different phases or "lives" where huge, incredible, sometimes good and sometimes incredibly sad and challenging life experiences have just followed one after another. Which is why I feel like I'm 30 years old sometimes. I don't forsake any of it, but I do kind of find it exhausting. Is it just life thus far? part of being ages 0-20 yrs, or will it continue forever?

Part of me longs for something steady and secure, not necessarily predictable, but a state of being that I can actually live out for more than a few months or a year at a time. I don't always want to be going through phases of metamorphosis, or at least not at the degree that I have been thus far. I don't really want to be shedding a skin to pick up and "try-on" a new one. I want to just have one that is genuine, comfortable, and perfectly inhabitable for me to keep forever. My faith is my continuity, and that will always remain. I think someday I will be able to make some sense of all of this, but right now, I can either despise the ambiguity, or embrace it. I choose to embrace it. That, by the way, is a feature of Mexican culture I have learned: accepting and living in ambiguity and amongst contradiction. hmm...

I hope you are enjoying this strange, magnificent, and sometimes downright excruciating stories. Sometimes I don't enjoy living them out, but then I remember that everything happens for a reason, that God is with me through it all, teaching me, encouraging me, showing me how to love and live authentically. And somehow, I continue to wake up, breathe in, and keep on keepin' on. Really, it's quite miraculous, if you can just appreciate life for what it IS.

Peace, aly

Yeah, sorry. I've missed a week. And I don't have time right now to tell you about it either. Class starts in ten minutes, and I wanted to give a brief description of how I've been feeling the past 24 hours, in a word: conflicted.

Yesterday as I was walking the streets with novio, I realized that it was exactly the midpoint of my stay here in Mexico. Somehow, it struck me: I am not going to be here forever. Sure, I knew that. But something about the midpoint made me feel like it is all downhill from here. Yet things are only looking up for me. Things are going great. And that is what is so devastating about reaching the midpoint, because the second half always passes faster. You'll read about my good times in the next blog entry, when I have more than 10 (now 7) minutes to write.

I had insomnia last night....I just can't come to terms with the fact that I only have one more week with my host family. I love them dearly for all they've done for me, all they've taught me, for healing my heart, body, and feeding my soul with generosity and kindess. I don't really look forward to living with 20 students in a house again. I am much happier and feel much more authentic and present to the culture/experience while I am with my family.

I got up early because my stomach was hurting so bad- straight through to my back. It's kind of like having rocks scattered in your guts, but the pain in my back is like something petrified around my spine at the bottom of my ribcage and won't move. It's nice. My mom prayed over me again, beseeching the Virgin and Christ to heal me as she massaged my stomach. Sounds weird, but it works.

The one good thing about this morning is that my hair was great! And we are studying poverty and homelessness today in class. Two of my favorites.

This is a weird entry, but I figure that's part of the experience that I could share with you. Sometimes, it's very difficult to live two lives, or to make sense of two lives that are happening simultaneously but are practically completely unrelated. I've felt spread thin before in my life. Right now I feel equally overwhelmed by a life that is so full and so rich. What do I do with it now? In the future?

Love.

picture 1: My host mom and her grandson. She taught me how to make Chile Rellenos!
picture 2: At Cortes Palace

picture 3: Me and my buddy. Girls just want to have fun! I went over to her house to borrow some clothes on a moment's notice, as I was asked for a "sita" (date) downtown. I couldn't show up in (what I call) my park ranger clothes!

picture 4: My own room in my home! exciting!

Here I am again, trying to catch up on my blog. Forgive me for not being too reflective lately. In some ways I have been reflective, I just haven’t been writing about it. I feel like that is part of living in the present: loss of reflection time. I could argue for both living presently and for being reflective...I guess balance is good. Thing is, right now, I don’t want to be very reflective. I am enjoying life to much to think about it too deeply. Weird? Kind of. But if I think about how wonderful life is here right now, it makes me want to stay forever and it makes me resent that I have to come home. It makes me confused about what I should/could/will do in the future if or when I ever make sense of this beautiful mess I’ve made.

So, let me tell you what I’ve been up to...A whole lot of livin’ going on! Classes are truckin’ along. It is incredibly difficult to sit down and study for any period of time, especially in my house where family is always flowing in and out and (of course) I will prioritize playing with kids over reading about policy. But, I am doing homework. This week we visited an orphanage that cares for children that are abandoned, abused, or maltreated. It was beautiful inside and out. The campus was wonderful with donated outdoor jungle gyms, brightly colored dorm rooms. The people were beautiful too. The workers who are so dedicated to giving the children a fair chance at success, a chance of dignity and accomplishment. The children so friendly and vibrant despite their circumstances. They have been nourished by the labor of love of the workers who have diligently developed this state-funded home. We also visited a elderly care facility which again was equally as impressive. It is so interesting to compare these facilities and services with what we have in America. It is difficult to describe the feeling of these campuses. They are not cold and barren like so often I have found in the U.S. Rather, they feel warm and engaging, even though the people are struggling with the same difficulties as our social welfare. I see this beautiful light, this beautiful genuine love of humanity radiate from the workers and in the eyes of those they serve.

On Tuesday, we went to Il Centro to visit the Cortes Palace and see the murals by Diego. It was actually a pretty powerful experience: thinking of the legacy of conquest in Mexico, how radically the Spaniards (with the support of the Church) imposed themselves on the indigenous culture, and how the system of beliefs and values, the social structure was divided by race, gender, class, economic stance. It is incredible to think of the will of the people here, who still have such warmth and generosity, who still believe in the value of life though for centuries they have been told they are practically (and sometimes entirely) worthless in comparison to the ruling elite.

Wednesday after class, HW, and the gym, I went with my dance partner to salsa class. It was fun...and we realized how much we suck, and how much we need to learn! But, the instructor (who is gorgeous, I will not lie!) invited me to his dance event "Ritmos que se mueven el mundo" (Rhythms that move the world) that Friday, so I found someone to go with me and called him to reserve tickets! I love salsa!

Me and my classmate Julie facilitated lab group on Friday, and after the serious stuff, shared brownies, cookies, and milk while we talked about little things we miss and little comforts we have found here. After classes, gym, and HW, I went to the dance event. The dancers were amazing, but the site was not. Some man actually approached us and asked to take our picture "because Americans don't come here that often." We declined. I refused to speak in English to him and told him we were not animals in a zoo. There were also just rude barrachos (drunks) and the place was overpriced. Oh well. Lesson learned. I made up for it on Saturday at my favorite salsa club. Coincidentally, my maestro (as I call my dance teacher), was there and asked me to dance. Though maybe I was a little flattered, I was more embarrassed than anything! Whatever...it was still a great night/morning! ;)

Sunday...I tried to actually do something serious. Of course, mass is wonderful...and yes, I still hope to help out with the paroquia (grade school tutoring) here. I am just too busy with my host family right now amidst everything else. When I move back to San Anton in a few weeks, maybe then I can finally do something. Oh, and I forced myself to study. I hide here in the library in the basement because the distractions are at least diminished.

That's a brief glimpse of what I do, think, and feel. I could never adequately describe the depths of my experiences and my emotions here.

LOVE,

aly

This is a long entry, and I apologize, but I am playing catch up, so please join in the game!

I am so elated right now in Mexico! I have been received into a wonderful home where I live with a woman, her husband, and her grandson (two years!). We are getting along splendidly so far, and they are adamant about me practicing and learning lots of Spanish. The first few days of full-immersion into Spanish-speaking life were a little tiring, but the results will be astounding after a whole month. I told them that I feel I have all of the knowledge of the language in my head, and I just need to use it and develop it some more...and I will! I am delighted that though my immediate family is small, much of my family lives nearby, sharing different parts of the house, and the house next door.

After mass and jumping (literally) into a parade that was celebrating the founding of our neighborhood, I had the extreme pleasure yesterday to go to Miacatlan (a small, VERY HOT, mostly agricultural town) where my host mom grew up. After cleaning house a bit, we ate a delicious lunch of nopales (grilled catcus) with sea salt and lime, guacamole with chichachron (fried pig skin which is way better than bacon!), cervezas, and of course frijoles y tortillas as we watched caballeros on horseback or with oxen, families, kids on bikes, cars pumping loud music, or the occasional tour bus drive by the house. My mom is a wonderful cook, and we bought raw masa yesterday so I am looking forward to making tortillas y gorditas al mano with her on Wednesday. We visited several family members (with their own families) who still live and work there. Having learned of my love for Mexico and the culture and people, combined with the fact that I am single, my host-family has been soliciting for a novio on my behalf to everyone we meet! The warmth and generosity of my new family is incredible. As I rode out and back in the back of the little camioneta soaking up sun in the afternoon,and taking a nap on the way home last night, I thought: These are the memories that will live on forever. This is the life that I haven't been able to live in Seattle where I am slammed by books, work, trying to keep up commitments and with my own perfectionism. How will I be able to leave all this behind and return to Seattle? I don't think about that to much right now, but I already forecast a strenuous challenge when I return. I finally feel like I fit in in a culture, in a way of life, even though so much of this is new, and so much is different from what I have known in the United States. I feel alive in a way I never have before.

We are now in full swing in our social work classes and I am SOOOOO busy still! Intensive Spanish ended last week, and now I am commuting (though it is short) back and forth, on top of keeping up appearances at the gym every day and trying to squeeze in salsa classes also. Oh, and my mom here is Catholic too, involved in base group communities, natural health remedies, and solidarity with the liberation movements of Chiapas. I know we will have much to talk about once my skills improve a bit more. My life is full and rich right now, and I am strangely not homesick at all, although I do feel badly for missing my mom's 50th birthday party this weekend. Not that I do not love my life in the U.S., not that I do not love school and life in Seattle, but I also love my life here in Mexico. I know that I am truly blessed to be here, truly blessed to have this opportunity to embrace another culture and to become one with another way of life, another extension of a united human family.

I'm sorry if it may be a bit impersonal, but time is limited, and this is part of the summary I wrote for the social work blog that our school has. It is a short summary of some of the life that went on here last week. What was not mentioned for the class blog, was the fact that I, Alysson, actually stayed out salsa-dancing until almost three o'clock in the morning Friday night-Saturday with some lovely young local men that we have befriended! But, when in Mexico: Viva la Vida!

What a whirlwind week! Day-to-day life, as usual for college students, was full to the brim. After the beautiful experience in Amatlan on Sunday, students came back to enjoy the last week together in Casa Verde. And what a week it was.

Students this week buckled down for the last week of Spanish classes at Universal. It was lots of studying, lots of talking, and lots of review. But our class also made a special trip out to Bons Café for a celebratory lunch with our professor! After it was all said and done, the exams, the presentations, the papers, Universal hosted a pool-side barbeque party for the students and staff on Friday afternoon. It was a nice way to wrap up the time spent in the classroom, and surely students will be back for some fun in the sun at the Universal pool. More than anything, students felt a little more prepared to engage in their field placements, family homestays, and the Cuernavaca community.

On Tuesday there was a orientation/class session to prepare for the transition into the four-week urban homestays. The homestay coordinator described some of the history of the area where 12 of the 19 social work students would be living. The students who are not living near us having been placed in areas close to their fieldwork placements, and still are not far from reach. However, the social work students who are living in the Lagunilla community were delighted to hear that they would be living near one another, and would be able to share the bus-rides and cab-drives to and from school or other outings. During the discussion we divided into groups, each which focused on a different topic (i.e. roles in the family) to be addressed to aid the transition. Then one student from each of the four groups represented the topics as a member of the “Panel of Experts” where the information was dispersed and questions were fielded. The picture above shows some of the students on break, about to present in the panel.

Lab group this week provided time to learn about the history of immigration policy in the United States of America. More importantly, each student shared their own immigration story of their family coming to the United States of America by writing a small summary and placing it appropriately on a timeline of important dates in American immigration history. This history was also shared in a group session and later, there was a small group exercise to help stimulate reflection and discussion about different obstacles to and themes of immigration to the U.S.A., both historically and presently. Besides learning more about one another and U.S. policy trends, the students were more aware of the urgency in addressing fair legislation and immigration policy reform. Furthermore, brought to the forefront was the fact that America as a whole is a country of immigrants, and each of us has a family history of immigration.

Besides focusing on our Spanish finals, and trying to enjoy our time together as a large group living under one roof in Casa Verde, we were also trying to prepare for our homestays. The transition is not only back into family life, but also into even more immediate contact with Mexican culture. On Saturday, we joined in the morning to meet our new host-families. We sat and shared a bit of ourselves with one another over breakfast, sharing the basics of our background and expectations and hopes for the experience. Packed into the dining room of Casa Cemal were 19 new families, and yet all together one large family of social workers in Cuernavaca! While nerves may have been heightened as we embarked on a new part of this journey, hopes and enthusiasm were even higher! Each student was warmly received by their new family, who expressed their desire for us to be comfortable, happy, and to learn and EAT a lot.

More than anything, I feel this week has truly been about living in the present, and living life to the fullest. Our history is important; it bears onto reality of today and the decisions for a better tomorrow. However, life is happening presently, and being in Mexico is a wonderful environment for us, as students, to practice the delicate balance that is the dance of life. We are challenged to be present to our studies, to our families at home, to each other as a cohort, to our new families in Mexico, and to the greater culture here. While sometimes it can feel as though we are spread thin, in taking account of the many opportunities and experiences we have as individuals and as a group, I conclude that we are truly blessed to have such rich and full lives.

Peace and Blessing to You All

Sunday:
Sunday was a powerful day. After mass I hopped into a van with the other students and we went to a small village/town called Amatlan. On the way I was speaking with our driver about the pilgrimage right now going on that passes through Cuernavaca to Chalma. It is an ancient ritual which again exhibits the overlay of Catholic faith onto indigenous traditions. Chalma has been known for being a place of healing, most recently associated with the works of either a specific saint or Mary Magdalene (sorry I can't remember). Anyway, campesinos travel for days across the state of Morelos to go. They go on foot with backpacks, and sometimes accompanied by a large farm truck which carries some of the children or cooking supplies. More often than not, they are welcomed in the homes of the towns through which they pass: given shelter and buying food from readied vendors. I am planning to go with a friend of mine from class sometime during Lent! yay!
Anyway, in Amatlan we were talking to an indigenous man who has received an education and now works for the municipal (equivalent of the county) offices. He gave us a great account of the history of conquest in Mexico, leading up to the most recent land rights disputes and difficulties. Afterward, our class was welcomed into his sister-in-law's home who cooked us AMAZING sopapillas! SO GOOD! They have corn whose seed is thousands of years old and I just can't describe how wonderful the flavor is...
Then, we hiked back to a place where two large rocks formed a cave. It is a sacred place as the north (the far side of the cave) is the place of the dead, and the good spirits would only be allowed to flow back toward the city. We participated in part of an ancient ceremony of his people, and it was, to say the very least beautiful. Their cosmovision is remarkable and so peaceful. It emphasizes unity, balance, equilibrium and the fundamental value of life. I wish I had time and proper words to describe this more thoroughly, but right now I do not. What I can say is that I believe these cultures, these practices should never be lost. If our earth, our livelihood is to survive, I truly believe that humans will have to reconsider what they value, what they feel is important and essential to our being. I finally found a place where my own values, so simple yet so rarely expressed in pop culture, abounded in this beautiful space.

weekending

So, it's Monday morning, but I had such a long weekend that I feel that I should at least try to give some highlights of what happened.

Friday was such a relief! I still had a fever but felt decent. My Spanish test was alright and class was interesting. I am looking forward to this week because we will be focusing on conversation more than new material. yay! After class I went to the pharmacy for my antibiotics and then came home and slept for an hour. Then woke up and called Katie O. It was nice to talk to her for an hour; usually I can't have long phone conversations because there are other people waiting in line. After dinner we were celebrating one of our classmate's birthday's with a pinata! Little did we know there was a terra cotta pot underneath all of that paper when we began. It took some effort to break that thing, but we succeeded!(picture 3) After some fun and (drinking) games, which I was not interested in, mi amiga de baile y yo left for Samana. We just wanted to dance! We reached Samana, but thought the cover charge was more than the rest of our group (to join us later) would have liked. So, we went to Guantanamera. Overall, it was a fun night of dancing and chatting with Cuernavacans.

Saturday: I woke up and checked my e-mails, excited to start working on my practicum placement materials for next year. I didn't get very far, but my roommate told me she might join me in Patzcuaro for part of our spring break, which would be nice. Rachel and I went to the gym to lift weights and as we were walking out, she dropped her watch down the stairwell. It landed behind the water tank, so I crawled over the rail and stretched over the tank to reach an arm down and grab it. I was filthy literally from head to toe (picture 2). I felt even more noticeable than usual walking home from the gym with her that day! A tall blonde in gym clothes...covered in dirt. nice. I showered and did some homework. Mi amiga met and has known a few young fellows here for several weeks. I met them also the second week we were here. She asked me if I wanted to go with her and the boys to Samana because we all had wanted to go dancing together sometime. I wasn't going to miss that offer! I headed to Il Centro but had no luck finding a dress. I did however, manage to be caught in a bit of a windstorm on the walk home. I liked the wind, but I wasn't fond of the dirt flying off the sidewalk into my face. It was disgusting. By the time I reached home it had started to rain and I couldn't have been happier! I twirled and twirled in our little courtyard at home! beautiful! I napped and then woke up and visited with the group and got ready to go (picture 1). The boys picked us up and we drove to Samana. It was a lot of fun. We just visited and danced and visited and danced. It is really incredible to be sitting there speaking in Spanish and to actually be able to hold a conversation! I am seeing progress and that makes life here more interesting and more manageable, not to mention, more authentic. We drove home and the boys (all three are cousins who have grown up together) were rocking out to Mexican love songs! Mi amiga whispered to me in English "I think I just realized that I am in Mexico." yes. we are in Mexico. The greatest dance of the night was when we got home. The driver left the car doors open and turned up the Banda (which is kind of the equivalent of Mexican polka or Mexican hillbilly music) and we danced in the street! Luckily not many of the students had returned from their evening adventures yet. It was pretty hilarious. We had had background checks on the boys (from a few of our local staff who seem to have this sort of information for us) so weren't just winging it when we decided to go out with them. Mi amiga is pretty fluent in Spanish too, so we don't have problems speaking our mind. Not like we had to though. They are very interesting young men and also have very good manners. By the time mi amiga and I had debriefed over some chocolate ice cream, it was 3 o'clock in the morning. I tried to sleep before waking up for mass and 7:30.