blogging's back, tell a friend!
There is good news and bad news.
The
bad news-My old mac did not experience an Easter miracle (must be on a pagan strike) and the repair store wanted $1,300 to fix it. Thank you but no gracias.
The
good news-I know have a new computer (!) and am back to blogging (some of you might be thinking that should be in the bad news section too but oh well :).
Now that I am in better communication I look forward to keeping in touch with you more. Please feel free to shoot me an email, comment on my blog, talk with me on skype, etc. I love hearing from you guys!
I have missed actually missed writing here quite a bit and keeping in touch. So, I will catch you up on some of the crazy, wonderfulness (and not so wonderfulness) that has been happening since I last updated. The update is a bit lengthy (the result of me not blogging for awhile) but at the end there are photos (and no, I will not be offended if you skip ahead and look at them)!
Volunteering
Volunteering is going super well. I have been working with an orphanage/shelter about 15 minutes away from me. It is an all boys orphanage with about 10 boys ranging from about 7-11 years old. Most of the kids are either orphans or they come from extraordinarily dysfunctional families. ç
I cannot begin to tell you how precious these kids are. They already call me ¨Tia,¨ which means Aunt. They are a handful at times and sometimes get a little unruly (and sometimes a lot of unruly) but I am super thankful I am able to be a small part of their lives.
The other Rotary scholar and I bought them a soccer ball to replace their old, falling apart ball last time we were there.
I have also volunteered a couple Saturdays at the orphanage with a Rotary club here. We have been doing a several construction project. The kids, Rotarians, and I have bonded over painting, spackling, mounting walls, etc. Of course, we have taken breaks to play soccer, the all important activity in Latin America. One of the things I love about working with Rotary down here is being around so many people who are donating incredible amounts of time, talent, and energy to better the community. They are inspirations to me!
Rotary
Speaking of Rotary, since being here, I have attended meetings for 6 different Rotary clubs in our district. All the clubs have been so welcoming. The clubs are very distinct. For example, 3 of the clubs I have visited only permit male members.
We had our district conference this weekend. I enjoyed being around so many Rotarians and hanging out with them and hearing about all their wonderful projects and grand visions.
The Playa Ancha Rotary Club, my host club, continues to be fabulous. I attend their weekly meetings and participate in their events. Last week, I visited a local, free health clinic with them. Not only did they help with launching the clinic but they also secured grants through Rotary to add a dental clinic on to the regular services. I was blown away by what they are doing down here! The clinic is in an extremely poor, drug ravished area where people would have no access to medical services if not for this club. I feel fortunate to be working with people this invested in the wellness of the community.
School
School is going well with ups and downs. To be honest, some days school is a struggle and I feel like I am only understanding 50% of what people are saying. But I am showing up to every class and participating as best I can. I have been through the bureaucratic ringer the last couple weeks trying to collect stamps on all sorts of forms and solicit information from the right groups but I am trying to enjoy learning from life and from classes.
Yesterday, we spent one of my classes discussing U.S. politics and international relations with Latin America. I realized during the class that this was my first time discussing this subject in a room where we were speaking a language other than English and I was the only one from the United States. I don`t think I will ever forget that experience.
Life
Easter was quite different here. I went to a crucifixion on Good Friday night. There were about 3,000 people! I had to think about the irony because although the death of Jesus is suppose to be super sad and serious, people were treating it like a carnival- cotton candy and all. Also, I went to a burning of a 30 foot Judas doll on Easter. It was quite crazy but a traditional event in communities here. My roommates and I had an Easter brunch for about 10 people at our place. Between the ten of us, we had six different countries represented!
The weather is changing and we are getting ready for the fall and winter. It was strange here celebrating Easter while getting ready for winter. What is really strange is getting ready for winter but not getting ready for Christmas. It just feels like I should be thinking about Christmas but then I realize I will have to wait for summer to start down here before I can think about that.
A little while back, we had two earthquakes in the same night a 6.7 and then a 5.1. I was deep in dreamland and thought my bed had turned into a rocking chair for a couple seconds. I guess Chile really is rocking my world. But the roommates and I were fine. We got talked for a bit and then I went back to bed.
...
Phew! I think my overshare is coming to an end for now.
I am off to Argentina tomorrow for a little trip and to renew my visa.
...
Here are a few photos from the last couple weeks.
This photo is in honor of the end of summer. My friend snapped this photo not of me but of the two men off to the right. They literally put on tanning oil and stood behind us for hours. It was hilarious!
I love competition and winning. My friend grabbed a photo of me participating in a tug of war for kids. Basically, the tug of war started and I could not resist getting involved.
I think you can see my level of commitment to the cause.
Crucifixion Time (with a side of cotton candy)...
Judas before he went up in flames...
Judas on Fire!!!
Easter, friends, and deviled eggs
And last but not least, pictures from the orphanage...
Chao!
