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