It's been a while

Hey loyal readers! I appologize for not writing recently. Life here has been pretty uneventful. I was sick, as I said, the end of last week and am *finally* feeling not as snuffly. The enferma (sickness) persists stil a bitl, just not through pain in my throat, so that's nice. I did want to share about the fun of going to Carlos' adorable little dance at his school to celebrate Father's Day, though it was last Friday.

I had been hearing about this little dance recital (and little is not quite a strong enough word, as Carlos' part in it lasted MAYBE a minute) for quite some time, so when I understood that it was coming up, I asked if I could come. My host parents (of course) said sure, so I tagged along. It was really hilarious, and continued my whole feeling of things being really similar more than different. Though it was held in what to me seemed a warehouse (though it was not--it was a building that you can rent to hold events such as this) that left something asthetic to be desired and was incredibly hot, it was the same teachers-making-children-look-silly-for-their-parents as in the US. The younger kids' dances were simple and quick with fun upbeat music. The older kids (third grade, fourth and fifth) had more intricate dances, though some of the girls were so obviously much more comfortable in their bodies while the others awkwardly tried to immitate the moves. I posted some of the pictures on my album that's on facebook, but available to be viewed by all, even if you don't have an account (I'll put a link to your right at the top of this page). After the dancing, we all ate. Good times. Then the kids ran outside and had a foam fight. That was pretty exciting to witness. Whoever decided to give kids cans of sprayable foam...I don't know why they thought that was a good idea. But the kids were having fun, so I guess it's all good. No real permanant damage.

Yesterday I went to breakfast at the doctor's parents and then dinner at Amparo's parents. Since it was Father's Day, AND I had Skype in my room, I called my dad. Breakfast and dinner were really nice. I really especially love Amparo's family. For some reason, I can understand them better. I mean that in a literal way--I understand more of what they're saying, whereas the doctor's family is still difficult to understand.

While both families are really nice and welcoming, I do feel a little bit...out of place. I'm never really sure if I should spend time with the adults or the "kids" (some of them are my age). I usually end up with the adults. Is that anything new? No, not really. But I talked pretty extensivly with one of Amparo's sister-in-laws and it was really interesting--we talked about family, and especially what it means to me and what I want from my life in relation to family...how important it is to me. We discussed the differences between the United States' familial culture and the historical family culture here. As I've said, here, family is everything. People depend on each other because they have to. In the US, we try not to rely on each other, we try to be independent. But we fail, because no man is an island. There is a freedom in recognizing that we DO need each other, because there is something relieving about it. We talked about the materialism of American culture and how money becomes more important than family, or really, support. It was interesting and powerful.

When I got home, there was a lovely thunderstorm that I happily watched and listened to along with some music.

Today was quite a lot less interesting. I discovered one wall of my bathroom is infested with tiny little ants. And I mean INFESTED. I attempted (and somewhat succeded) to take a shower, though the extremely low water pressure nearly stopped me. It is usually pretty low, basically no more than a dribble, but this morning seemed even more extreme. Whatever. I managed, so I guess I can't complain too much. This summer and last, I really realized that I am pretty resourceful, a skill I was not all that convinced I had. I watched the New Hampshire Presidential debates--the Democratic one and then as much of the Republican one as I could stand, which wasn't much. I read some of my book, "Bait and Switch," which is by Barbara Ehrenreich, who wrote "Nickel and Dimed." It's my third book of the adventures and I am thoroughly enjoying being able to read freely. In the room I'm in, there are also a bunch of classic books (like Moby Dick, the Divine Comedy, The Thousand and One Nights, Count of Monte Cristo) in Spanish. So I need to get on that...maybe.