Shuffle Your Feet

Sooo...

I haven't updated in a while and I can really just give a summary of things.
Work and Play.

It has been fun so far. I think I am falling into my family life more. Since they only speak Spanish I was having some issues in the beginning, but for the most part everyone tries to talk to me and in turn I try to listen to what they are saying to me. Ah, it makes me feel better.

Well, we are still working at the same school. Today (Monday June 9th, 2008) most of the girls went to another school to work while I stayed behind working. There are some issues with networking that we have to work out. Israel was wondering and all about connection speed. He was asking what can you do if you have 5 computers online, and one downloads a video. Here, that one download will take forever and limit the connection of all the others. See. The internet in Mexico is completely government controlled. Connection speed in the schools are 1 mbps...no matter what. Websites, everything is controlled. Even the TVs. Even though the government is usually not there to help out. There will be caged TVs and no key. Why? Government doesn't trust the people. So yea. Claire and I are going to look into what they have set up for a connection, router, switch, etc, and see what we can do. Also, the power situation in the room has been fixed and we have 24 computers in the room. It was cool. I talked to Martin and Israel a lot. I shouldn't judge as quickly as I do. I was looking at Martin's computer, the teacher, and I noticed he had a kid for the background. He said it was his daughter Maria Jose. She is 1 year and 4 months old. He has no ring on his finger and I thought that he just left the mom and could see her on a limited basis. In reality, I think the mom died, he didn't say, and he is a single father. I really admire him. He is a very kind guy and I kind of wise I knew more Spanish so I could talk to him, befriend him more and get to know him.

Now for play!
This past Sunday (June 8th, 2008) we went to Casa Hogar! If you do not remember, that is the orphanage that I visited last year. It was awesome. Some of the kids pointed at me and said the remembered me. Once again we were feed a wonderful meal and had our asses kicked, though we won, by the kids. I love them. They are truly amazing. I had one friend, Elie, from last year. At first I did not see her in the group because her hair in longer, but when she came up to me I remembered. There was one player, Danille, that was nice. He spoke some English and was on our team for futbol. Ah. I love them. Last year I didn't cry, but this time...I broke. I cried. Yes, I did. Not much, but enough for Elie to be upset. I am sure they have people crying all the time. But that doesn't mean those people love them enough to adopt them. I would adopt Elie. I would. I would have to teach her English...but I would. But then I don't think I could come back to play with the kids...because they would ALL want to come home with me. I think I cried though because I knew I may not be able to come back. I hope I can. I really do. I want to make her something. Some gift. A bracelet. Something. Ah I miss her...

Oh, and Claire y yo broke the rules and went to a club! Yea. Club Moo. It is supposedly a bad place now. Drug deals and all. It seemed okay when we went. You can tell that there is more security then when I went last. So yea. Drank and danced. Oh, was I buzzed. And apparently I can dance well. Though I think Dulce was humoring me. Oh well.

So now I am in my room. Listening to BRMC and wanting to go to San Francisco.

Another Night Where Things Seem to Turn out Right

June 6^th, 2008.

The day thus far has been interesting. We had a lot of work to be done at the school. I have to say, if there was a large bag that I could pull a huge I told you so out to Francisco and Israel I would because you know what...I TOLD THEM SO. See. The room we worked in at first wanted 28 computers. We did that and made a few more just in case they had some issues. Well. There are only 5 outlets. The rule is basically four per. I told Francisco, but he said that since we were not sure we should take the risk and put 30 in. Well...once we got everything plugged in. There breakers flipped. And well. I told you so. So it was annoying. We didn't know at first, it was only when we noticed one half of the room shut off that it hit us. So yea. Apparently this is the deal. The room can hold 30 computers but when a computer starts up it needs more amps than when running. Turning them all on, over kill. So yea. There were 6 plugs, but one was sparking at us and it was a 2 prong with no grounder. So yea. We were told that by 4 in the afternoon there would be an electrician to come by and make sure that they split the lines in the room so they are not running into the same board and won't over power like it did. Small steps. See, some girls were really frustrated. The deal is with El Fondo, the schools we go into our supposed to be ready to go. Desks should be in there, cleaned, and no issues with the power. At this school, there were no desks in the room, we had to move them...and it was clearly seen that the power situation was not worked out all the way. So yes. The president Marisol was pissed that the school didn't keep their end of the bargain. We did the work, but I'm sure she had some choice words for the peps. It was fun though. I like working. Even though I do feel weak because I do not have coffee...oh, I need coffee badly...just badly...

So after lunch, we went to another dance class...where yet again I broke another shoe. That is two shoes! I see it as a sign that I am not supposed to be dancing. Anyways. Afterwards we went to El Fondo and we talked to Marisol. She is really cool. Marisol is the head of El Fondo, president and all. We got to ask her questions in Spanish and she always looked at me when she talked. I was touched, and I understood most of what she was saying and that made me feel better. So yes. Apparently she is the elite of Mexico. Meaning, she is on the top of the social scene of Cordoba. John was also talking about how she was always at all the ribbon cuttings for El Fondo as well. So yea. She is awesome.

Altogether I have had a good night. I went out with my sister today. I thought we were supposed to go to a movie, but Claire and I ended up in the same sports bar I frequented many times last year. It was fun. There was a guy named Luise and another one named Cansulo. They were awesome. Anyways.

I have to say there is something about Mexico. Just me and Dulce wandering the streets. No words spoke, no stars in the sky, but the street lights and the homes. The silence and the smell. The air. Sometimes, when I am with a friend or feel I connected with someone on another level, I feel and think. Yea, I could stay here...

Oh the wonderful ability to let go.

And it continues with work

Thursday:

So Today, thus far, I went to work mostly. It was fun. We are actually putting the computers up in the room. We had an idea of every other computer be on the floor, but sometimes the floors do get wet when it rains. The have no AC so they always leave the windows open. If it rains, they can't teach. So yeah. As of now there are 30 computers in the room. I freaked a bit because there are only 6 outlets and I think you can only have four computer per out...I think, that or it was four for each plug. I am not sure. I was just worried and I think I annoyed the piss out of Franciso and Israel. I am pretty sure I did...oh well. As of now I am in the house. Hanging. Not much to do. No one is here but Angelina and yea..

So the day continues. I actually had this typed up somewhere but it didn't save...oh well. Anyways. The cultural activity was to go to the restaurant in El Centro and we made a corn cake. IT is like cornbread...but sweet. Afterwards we walked around El Centro. It is really big. I mean, big. The streets are crowded, a lot of people. Just big. I like it and all, but I don't know. I really am a person who likes to just merge into an area when I get there. I don't like feeling like an outsider when I come in and here it is difficult. Mexico is amazing, don't get me wrong. I love the people, the culture, everything. I just wish I understood the language better so I could REALLY know the people. Ah oh well.

The Return to Mexico: Regresar

It started with a man in my bed.

I'll get to that later...

So. This is my third day gone and I am just updating. If you do not know, it is Wednesday here in Cordoba and I am sitting in my room watching my sister Dulce walk about and talk on the phone...in Spanish. So I guess I will give a run down of the days events.

Monday:
So we set off to the airport Monday at 3 pm to check in and go through security. Not a big problem. It is always annoying the strip downs and all. The trip from Baton Rouge to Houston is 46 minutes and in that time I talk to a girl named Kellie Colar a bit more to get to know her. Landing in Houston we spend 2 hours there eating and such, then another 2 flying out to Veracruz. Once we get there I knew. Just KNEW that my bag was going to be searched. And the fates did not let me down. I surly was. So yes. We drive another hour from the airport in Veracruz to actual Cordoba. We got in around 1 am and Claire and I are assigned to the room 305. Well, a nice man helps us up and when we get in...there was a man in my bed. Half clothed at that. He groans and we leave. Turns out it was occupied, but 405 was all in the clear. Afterwards, Claire and I share some skittles, then it is once again off to sleep. I passed out. Didn't sleep under the sheets or anything...

So now to Tuesday:

The day is eventful. We have breakfast with our families, considering we had no clue who we would be with. Virginia and Madeline found out last night on the bus that they would be staying at the Mayor's house and not with the people they thought they would. As Francisco said, we have to talk about the internet. How awesome the internet is and just...talk. So yea, the people we would be staying with would be a little different compared to those we previously stayed with. Most of the families the last go around, well all of them, were from Dickens School. This time we had nothing to do with them. Fabiola is still there, but I do not think, or do not know, who is in her group. The morning of Tuesday, Claire and I also found out that we would not be staying with each other. Apparently there were more families than there were students, so 4 of us were separated. They thought I would be okay because well, I am am older and can take Spanish. Yea I guess.

So yes. Meet the family and here is a run down. My dad's name is Mello. He is one of the members with El Fondo and what his job is, I couldn't really tell you. My mom's name it Rita and she is a dance instructor. Actually. She works in a funeral home in the morning and dance classes at night. Yea, kinda cool. Then I have an older brother named Carols. He is 18 and I think a student at the university in engineering. He doesn't talk much. I should take that back. He doesn't talk to ME much. Ah, I will rant about it later. Then I have a sister named Dulce, yes meaning sweet. She is 16 and is in the equivalence of sophomore year in Mexico. I like her. She takes point ballet classes as well and that is just kick ass.

After breakfast my family took me and basically we went to the house and hanged for a bit. I watched a recital video and talked to the mom some. It was nice. Carlos kind of just sat there and talked. Didn't really say much to me. Oh, and they told me the toilet is broken and now, Wednesday, I have witnessed and I will not use that thing for anything now...back to the day! So yea. Carlos. I like him, then I don't. He won't talk to me! It makes me so mad. It is kind of like I am not there. The whole family speaks Spanish, of course, and not much english. I think the mom and dad know more Spanish than some of the kids. Carlos apparently knows some, and I witnessed it at the end of Tuesday night when I made a comment about a game and he responded in ENGLISH...So back to the day. Then I meet Dulce for the first time and ate lunch with the family. I decided to go to Dulce's school and help her with her project. I mostly stood there because...well the girls were talking very fast and I caught one or two words. So yea. Afterwards I go with Dulce to her ballet class, which I want to say. She kicks ass. And then mom came and got me so I could bath because we were having a formal dinner. So yes. Ate in el Centro and it was fun. I talked to Claire's parents and all. So yea...

Wednesday:

So today, was a decent day. It was really the first day of work and the time period with the folks and all. I woke up early, had breakfast, in silence I might add, and then went off to work with the others for el fondo. ** Note to the reader if some Spanish ends up in here I am sorry. I find myself thinking it** So yes. It was fun. I felt kind of down the day before and really needed to get my mind off of some things. Working does that for me. I feel like I have a purpose. Something worth doing that I might have not done before. Anyways. IT was fun. The cleaning was a bit monotonous and until I actually got to fix computers did I feel useful. There was one that Claire and I have a personal vendetta against though. It worked for one moment, then like all other things in technology it starts messing up. Well. Afterwards we went back home and I finally took a 10 minute nap. I was amazed how much better I felt. For some reason I do not want anyone in the house seeing me sleep...yes I know...odd. Afterwards we had lunch and I felt very awkward. The family thinks I understand more Spanish than I let on. And it amuses me, sometimes. Afterwards I went upstairs and kind of stayed by myself until mom said we needed to go for the cultural activity.

Well. The activity is dancing. Not just any dances but the ones from Veracruz and the indeginous people of Veracruz. It was fun. I was the only one in a falta and I was able to borrow shoes...but when I was doing kicks they broke...I felt so bad. But hey, it happens. Afterwards the group went to el Fondo were practice some Spanish. It is supposed to be a class we have every day during the week, to practice and such.

So I come home and it is raining. I wait at the door and get no reply. Wait some more. Carlos finally comes in and we go in. We both go respectably to our own rooms. Then 10 minutes later, full power outage in the house. I don't really say anything, and neither does Carlos. We just...sit. So yea. The whole time I want to talk to him. I will repeat that Carlos does not talk to me. Doesn't really say anything much...so yea. I was feeling a bit depressed and all...so if you are reading this Momo...I called him. Really, I felt so much better. I don't care if the phone call will cost me $26, I felt much better after laughing. I needed it. So yea. I sat for a bit then worked up the courage to talk to Carlos. Well, we actually had a conversation. In Spanglish, but one. I was so happy. I didn't care that the lights were out, my brother was talking to me! So then Dulce comes home and the moment kind of leaves, but I am happy none the less. So she finds some matches and we are no longer in the dark. The dad comes home and he says something, so I just say, yes and all...He then tells me to pack my bags and at first I kind of just sit there, then I realize, 'hey we are going somewhere' and pack a t-shirt. Apparently he said we were going to the pool hall and that I could take a shower there...so I made it work. Oh, but one think though. Carlos...actually translated something for me! I was so happy! I couldn't stop smiling! I thought yes! He does maybe like me and doesn't think I am some stupid person from the United States. Of course we didn't talk after that...but I was very pleased.

So we get home and I am happy because I talked to Dulce more and she said she wanted to go to a movie and club this weekend...heck yea! And we ate at the house. Still didn't talk to much, but oh well. Had an issue with the dog humping my leg, but besides that it was a calm night. I watched the futbol game with me familia and the whole time I knew Argentina would win against Mexico...but I didn't say anything.