There is no good spanish word or phrase for "pet peeve" so I had a hard time explaining it to my tutor and my students.
I love Mexico. The people are very friendly, the food is cheap and delicious, the culture is wonderfully complex and interesting, and the weather is beautiful.
most days, I even like my job. ;)
Even with all the wonderful things about Mexico, I have one huge pet peeve: the traffic. The only way to avoid the traffic, literally, is to stay in my house. There is traffic everywhere. I regularly spend 2 - 3 hours per day in my car. Some of it is on fast-moving expressways, but a lot of the time I'm literally fighting my way through the streets. The sidewalks are pathetic, so people and dogs and bicycles are in the street. There are no left turn lanes or left turn lights, so entire intersections can be stopped by one small taxi. There are no official bus stops, so the buses will stop anywhere they want - even in the middle lanes.
Mexico City is about 3 to 4 times the size of New York City. Thankfully, most people here don't have cars, bc we can't fit any more here.
Once we move home, I don't think I'll complain about the traffic for a very long time.
In the states, when there is a major accident - which there rarely is - we can expect 3 things:
1. a clearly marked detour
2. police quickly moving cars out of the way
3. announcements on the radio explaining the accident.
In Mexico, motorcyclists without helmets, children riding in the back of pickup trucks, and families running across freeways to catch a bus are very common, and often mean deadly accidents. The police do not care about all of the cars not involved in the accident, there is rarely an alternate road to take (I was stuck on a mountain, for example, where there was literally only 1 road up and out of town), and if there was an announcement on the radio, I couldn't understand it.
*sigh* I won't miss the driving. Or the traffic.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Sandy's plans
We teach a lot of Korean students. Long story, but most of them are disenfranchised with the Korean educational system, but can't get visas for their families to immigrate to the U.S. So they come here to learn English and get an American diploma.
Sandy could speak about 5 English words last year. This past summer, she went to English language institute in Korea and now her English is pretty good. She is currently in the 8th grade. This is her journal from last week.
When I am older, I want to be teacher and I want get big house to live. Also I want marry when I am older. But I don't want a get children because I don't like child. If my brother or my friend get child, it's ok. I'll like them, but me, I don't want child
A little feminist in the making. :)
Sandy could speak about 5 English words last year. This past summer, she went to English language institute in Korea and now her English is pretty good. She is currently in the 8th grade. This is her journal from last week.
When I am older, I want to be teacher and I want get big house to live. Also I want marry when I am older. But I don't want a get children because I don't like child. If my brother or my friend get child, it's ok. I'll like them, but me, I don't want child
A little feminist in the making. :)
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Changing our values
Last week, one of our new teachers shared her testimony in chapel, and I wanted to share it with you.
Rachel is the oldest of 7 children; her dedicated Christian parents started a new church over 10 years ago. At age 20, she became the 'administrative assistant' at the church, doing all secretarial work that needed to be done. Over the next 7 years, the church expanded significantly, until over 3,000 were worshiping there every weekend. Rachel was in charge of a staff of 15, and ran all of the church operations, save for worship services (budget, scheduling, advertising,etc.) During those 7 years, she moved into her own apartment, filled it with things, bought a cat, became very successful, loved her job, made lots of friends, and spent lots of time with her family. But she realized last spring that her full, successful life was not what she had imagined it. She was not doing what she felt God had called her to do.
So, in the midst of a national economic crisis, she applied to go on the mission field. No churches seemed to have money to send missionaries, but she had faith. She gave notice at her job, sold her things, found a new home for her cat, and ended her apartment lease. But she still didn't know what to do.
July 1, 2009 - approx. - a missionary couple from Mexico visited her church to raise support for their mission and report on their progress, and casually mentioned that they were in desperate need for a 5th/6th grade teacher, starting Aug. 15.
Rachel became that teacher.
I tell this story, even though you don't know Rachel, because it's the story of all of us at some time. It's definitely the story of everyone who is in Mexico, like us, right now.
At some point, we need to do something different than we're currently doing. We know God is calling us to move on, to move forward, to move away, to change jobs or homes or relationships, to leave behind debt and pain and sorry and worry. But normally, we're not as brave as Rachel. Normally we fight and scream and plead. We cry and mourn and whine. We question and wonder and worry.
Rachel misses her family terribly. She is struggling with Spanish. She is tired from ADHD students speaking 3 languages. Some days she is not very happy. But she is always joyful. A pure joy to be around, bc she is radiating the confidence and security that comes from following God's ordained plan.
I was nervous and scared and worried and whiney when we moved to Mexico. And I am already nervous and scared and worried and confused about what will happen when we move back. But I'm trying to learn from Rachel's example.
Rachel is the oldest of 7 children; her dedicated Christian parents started a new church over 10 years ago. At age 20, she became the 'administrative assistant' at the church, doing all secretarial work that needed to be done. Over the next 7 years, the church expanded significantly, until over 3,000 were worshiping there every weekend. Rachel was in charge of a staff of 15, and ran all of the church operations, save for worship services (budget, scheduling, advertising,etc.) During those 7 years, she moved into her own apartment, filled it with things, bought a cat, became very successful, loved her job, made lots of friends, and spent lots of time with her family. But she realized last spring that her full, successful life was not what she had imagined it. She was not doing what she felt God had called her to do.
So, in the midst of a national economic crisis, she applied to go on the mission field. No churches seemed to have money to send missionaries, but she had faith. She gave notice at her job, sold her things, found a new home for her cat, and ended her apartment lease. But she still didn't know what to do.
July 1, 2009 - approx. - a missionary couple from Mexico visited her church to raise support for their mission and report on their progress, and casually mentioned that they were in desperate need for a 5th/6th grade teacher, starting Aug. 15.
Rachel became that teacher.
I tell this story, even though you don't know Rachel, because it's the story of all of us at some time. It's definitely the story of everyone who is in Mexico, like us, right now.
At some point, we need to do something different than we're currently doing. We know God is calling us to move on, to move forward, to move away, to change jobs or homes or relationships, to leave behind debt and pain and sorry and worry. But normally, we're not as brave as Rachel. Normally we fight and scream and plead. We cry and mourn and whine. We question and wonder and worry.
Rachel misses her family terribly. She is struggling with Spanish. She is tired from ADHD students speaking 3 languages. Some days she is not very happy. But she is always joyful. A pure joy to be around, bc she is radiating the confidence and security that comes from following God's ordained plan.
I was nervous and scared and worried and whiney when we moved to Mexico. And I am already nervous and scared and worried and confused about what will happen when we move back. But I'm trying to learn from Rachel's example.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Valuing Mexico
I have been interested in Mexico for a long time.
Way back in the first grade, I was friends with a little Mexican-American girl. She was bilingual, and I thought that was really cool. Most of the class thought I was pretty smart bc I was good in math and reading. But I could not speak another language. And neither could the teacher. Despite a high level (maybe 10%?) of hispanic kids in our school, none of the teachers seemed to be able to say basic words or phrases in Spanish. This little friend of mine could speak 2 languages, a talent that not even my brilliant parents had. So I was a little jealous, and very respectful. I figured that if I could ever learn another language, maybe I could do things in 2 languages, like she did, and be even smarter.
In high school, I went on my first mission trip to mexico. Over 6 mission trips and a couple of family excursions, I became more and more interested in life across the border.
One of the reasons I chose my college was because it was one of the few on my list that had a study-abroad option to Mexico (not just Spain). I ended up going to spain, rather than Mexico, which was fun, but still a huge bummer.
When we finally had the option to go to Mexico, I was definitely interested, even if I was scared.
After a year of living here, I can safely say that Mexico - the culture, the land, the people, the language, the personality - is more than an interest of mine.
It is a deeply-held value.
I value the role that Mexico has in the history of the Americas. I value the contributions of the pre-colonial americans and the conquistadores and the revolutionaries. I value the trade partnership and government alliance. But most of all, I value our time here. I value the opportunity to see another large group of God's children "up close and personal" and to see them as the valued children they are to Him.
I hope that I can continue to value mexico's culture and traditions (and the food!) long after we return to the states.
Way back in the first grade, I was friends with a little Mexican-American girl. She was bilingual, and I thought that was really cool. Most of the class thought I was pretty smart bc I was good in math and reading. But I could not speak another language. And neither could the teacher. Despite a high level (maybe 10%?) of hispanic kids in our school, none of the teachers seemed to be able to say basic words or phrases in Spanish. This little friend of mine could speak 2 languages, a talent that not even my brilliant parents had. So I was a little jealous, and very respectful. I figured that if I could ever learn another language, maybe I could do things in 2 languages, like she did, and be even smarter.
In high school, I went on my first mission trip to mexico. Over 6 mission trips and a couple of family excursions, I became more and more interested in life across the border.
One of the reasons I chose my college was because it was one of the few on my list that had a study-abroad option to Mexico (not just Spain). I ended up going to spain, rather than Mexico, which was fun, but still a huge bummer.
When we finally had the option to go to Mexico, I was definitely interested, even if I was scared.
After a year of living here, I can safely say that Mexico - the culture, the land, the people, the language, the personality - is more than an interest of mine.
It is a deeply-held value.
I value the role that Mexico has in the history of the Americas. I value the contributions of the pre-colonial americans and the conquistadores and the revolutionaries. I value the trade partnership and government alliance. But most of all, I value our time here. I value the opportunity to see another large group of God's children "up close and personal" and to see them as the valued children they are to Him.
I hope that I can continue to value mexico's culture and traditions (and the food!) long after we return to the states.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Values vs. Interests
Last week in Government class, our exercise asked the students to distinguish between an interest and a value. This was to help them determine what part of our government is shaped by deeply-held values, and which parts of our government are merely reflections of individual interests. They were having a hard time explaining the difference.
I gave this example: to me, reading is a value. I love reading - anything and everything. I read every day. If I lost my sight or my mental ability to understand the written word or my access to English reading materials, I would be very depressed and have to mourn a deeply-appreciated part of my identity. Since last year, I've been pseudo-obsessed with the Twilight series, which is an interest that I share with the students. They know how much I love the books, and how much I talk about them. But, I pointed out, my life was fine before those books entered it, and my life will be fine when I move onto a new favorite series. But my love of reading will remain.
When I left the U.S. for Mexico, one of my greatest fears was the lack of access to English reading materials. Thankfully, I have been able to find my sources. I suppose that's how addicts find anything - they just keep looking and looking! There are some best-selling novels, national newspapers and magazines for sale at the airport. There is a lot of news online. There are some books in our school library. I carry a lot of books down with me, and even send some library books back with friends.
But in the last year my interest has changed, as I have become much more interested in audiobooks than ever before. I didn't think I would like them too much, bc I like curling up to read a book. But as I can spend up to 3 hours in the car every day, I'm able to "read" so many more books this year than I have had time to do for a long time. Most adults don't get to read a book every week or two, and I do, bc I have time to listen and to read.
That was definitely a secret about our time here that I couldn't predict in advance.
I gave this example: to me, reading is a value. I love reading - anything and everything. I read every day. If I lost my sight or my mental ability to understand the written word or my access to English reading materials, I would be very depressed and have to mourn a deeply-appreciated part of my identity. Since last year, I've been pseudo-obsessed with the Twilight series, which is an interest that I share with the students. They know how much I love the books, and how much I talk about them. But, I pointed out, my life was fine before those books entered it, and my life will be fine when I move onto a new favorite series. But my love of reading will remain.
When I left the U.S. for Mexico, one of my greatest fears was the lack of access to English reading materials. Thankfully, I have been able to find my sources. I suppose that's how addicts find anything - they just keep looking and looking! There are some best-selling novels, national newspapers and magazines for sale at the airport. There is a lot of news online. There are some books in our school library. I carry a lot of books down with me, and even send some library books back with friends.
But in the last year my interest has changed, as I have become much more interested in audiobooks than ever before. I didn't think I would like them too much, bc I like curling up to read a book. But as I can spend up to 3 hours in the car every day, I'm able to "read" so many more books this year than I have had time to do for a long time. Most adults don't get to read a book every week or two, and I do, bc I have time to listen and to read.
That was definitely a secret about our time here that I couldn't predict in advance.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Noche de Bodas
Yesterday in Spanish class, we listened to an old Mexican folksong to practice our verb conjugation. It's called "night of weddings" and goes something like this:
"que cada noche sea noche de bodas, que todas las lunas sea lunas de miel."
that every night is like a night from a wedding, that every moon is like your honeymoon
(I wish) That you don't need makeup to put on your smile, that you don't need supports to keep your wings up, that the calendar never makes you hurry, that the dictionary can hold back bullets, that curtains can block out the dawn, that the war between wants and needs will finally be won, that the end of the world surprises you dancing, that all of your nights are wedding nights, and that all of your moons are honeymoons.
"Que el maquillaje no apague to risa, que el equipaje no lastre tus alas, que el calendario no venga con prisas, que el diccionario detenga las balas, que las persianas corriga la aurora, que gane el quiero la guerra del puedo, que todas las noches sea noches de boda, que todas las lunas sea lunas de miel."
"que cada noche sea noche de bodas, que todas las lunas sea lunas de miel."
that every night is like a night from a wedding, that every moon is like your honeymoon
(I wish) That you don't need makeup to put on your smile, that you don't need supports to keep your wings up, that the calendar never makes you hurry, that the dictionary can hold back bullets, that curtains can block out the dawn, that the war between wants and needs will finally be won, that the end of the world surprises you dancing, that all of your nights are wedding nights, and that all of your moons are honeymoons.
"Que el maquillaje no apague to risa, que el equipaje no lastre tus alas, que el calendario no venga con prisas, que el diccionario detenga las balas, que las persianas corriga la aurora, que gane el quiero la guerra del puedo, que todas las noches sea noches de boda, que todas las lunas sea lunas de miel."
Thursday, October 1, 2009
The Beach!!
Part of our week-long yucatan trip was a few days on the beach. We spent one night in Playa del carmen, the mainland beach just across from the island of Cozumel. Cozumel was actually pretty small and sorta boring. Mainly a docking place for cruise ships, and maybe a few elite resorts. There were resorts, hotels, condominium communities, and spas throughout the 30 or so kilometers between Playa del Carmen and Cancun.
Unfortunately, recent hurricanes devastated this area, and it cost them a lot of money to rebuild it. Since Cancun was discovered 30 years ago as a tourist destination, tourism has become the major economy in the area and most of the local mayan communities have left their traditional economies and subsistence fishing behind to work in the tourism industry. Unfortunately, this means that many young mayans are choosing to speak Spanish and English, rather than Mayan. A few resorts are focusing on "ecotourism" as an opportunity to showcase the natural beauty of the area, and there is a "mayan disney world" type resort where families can experience "realistic" mayan communities - for approximately $65 a person per day.
We really enjoyed relaxing for two days on the beach in Cancun. The sand really is white, the ocean really is blue, and the sun really is warm. It is a paradise - for a few days.
Unfortunately, recent hurricanes devastated this area, and it cost them a lot of money to rebuild it. Since Cancun was discovered 30 years ago as a tourist destination, tourism has become the major economy in the area and most of the local mayan communities have left their traditional economies and subsistence fishing behind to work in the tourism industry. Unfortunately, this means that many young mayans are choosing to speak Spanish and English, rather than Mayan. A few resorts are focusing on "ecotourism" as an opportunity to showcase the natural beauty of the area, and there is a "mayan disney world" type resort where families can experience "realistic" mayan communities - for approximately $65 a person per day.
We really enjoyed relaxing for two days on the beach in Cancun. The sand really is white, the ocean really is blue, and the sun really is warm. It is a paradise - for a few days.
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