Histories of Those Around Me
Trip Start
Jul 04, 2010
1
10
31
Trip End
Aug 15, 2010
León, Guanajuato, Mexico
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Today I got up at 8:45, as I am becoming more and more accustomed to doing. I got ready for my day and had breakfast alone since everyone had already eaten and since Holly was gone at the gym. I had mango, toast with peanut butter, and milk. After eating, I talked to my mom on Skype for a bit. She's at my Aunt Judy’s house with my Grandma. It was especially nice to see my grandma and aunt since I haven’t seen them in a while. Another blessing is the fact that we have such amazing technology that I can see my family from thousands of miles away. I’m so thankful for that. After talking to my mom a bit, I read my homework for my business class. That class is pretty easy, and I’m so thankful! The music class, on the other hand, is starting to scare me more and more. I mean, it’s fun, but we have to know SO many things. Anyway, we’ll see how the test goes on Friday and I’ll let you know after that.
Holly and I walked through the tunnel to get to class today. It is kind of eerie down there because it is dark and there is water dripping from the ceiling in some areas. However, it is really nice because it is cool down there! We walk so much in the sun, that a little in the tunnel felt wonderful. We talked about Julieta Venegas in class today. I kind of like her music, but her music videos are just absolutely strange! On the way back home after class, Holly and I took the tunnel again. Now I’m at home and plan to do some homework before our music class tonight.
We ate our lunch with just Bugui today. Magda wasn’t home yet when we started eating, so it was a good chance to get to know her. She was telling us about her thesis and how much trouble she’s having getting everything right. She’s really struggling and I feel badly for her. I’d whip out my Writing Center skills and help her with it, but it’s in SPANISH! Anyway, she’s having the most trouble with the presentation part. We talked about how she likes school, too. At one point, she told us that she doesn’t feel like she fits at the history school. One time, a student asked her why she talks without thinking beforehand. She said that she went home and cried about it afterward. We felt quite bad for her at that point. Overall, lunch was good. We had a soup made up of potatoes, corn on the cob, carrots, and meat broth. It was really good. We also had tortillas, rice, and seasoned pulled pork.
After lunch, I tried to do homework, but I couldn’t concentrate very well. I decided to take a walk by myself to get away a little. I just walked about 5 minutes from the house up this hill. There’s this absolutely beautiful little sitting area that is kind of like a park there. It overlooks the city and has the most beautiful view. I just sat there and sang some praise music for a little while. It was absolutely wonderful. I tried to meditate for a bit on the beautiful earth God has created. My little walk was really good. I want to do that more often! When I got back to the house, I worked on homework a bit and then left for class with Holly.
We’ve finally been studying the note cards about the artists on our way to school. I’m starting to learn some about each one, so that is good. Our business class always rocks, and today was no different. We learned about "personalism," the belief that each person should be appreciated for who they are as an individual. We always do all sorts of fun activities in that class. It is so much fun.
I have a couple of things to note about the class, though. Our school is right by a church that is always ringing its bells. At 6 or 6:30 each day, the bells ring away. They are so loud and distracting! I asked Bugui why they ring and she explained that it is a daily cannon of the church that started years ago. They ring the bells because people didn’t use to have watches so they rang them when the sun was going down to remind people of the time. Also, 6 p.m., according to Bugui, is the time that the Angel Gabriel told Mary that she was going to have baby Jesus. This is why they ring the bells. I think it is an awesome tradition, but it is distracting during our class, for sure!
Today, our professor also told us a little about her history in business. She told us that she used to work in the higher up positions of large businesses, but that she got cut in a downsize. She ended up working for a small company with little salary and a boss who wasn’t so nice. Then, she got an offer to work for a home appliance company and took it. Throughout the story, she mentioned that she believes in a higher power and that she thinks if something bad happens, that it will lead to something good. I really believe that too. After all, Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” I really believe that is true.
After class, Holly decided that she doesn’t want to take the dance classes because she doesn’t have enough time with school work, volunteering, and going to the gym. I totally understand that. I’d feel overwhelmed, too, if I was trying to do all that she’s doing. Traci and I went to the dance class together, instead. We learned Salsa and Bachatta today. It was AMAZING, I have to say. It’s super fun. Bachatta is especially interesting. It’s such a sexy dance! Haha. I like salsa a lot, too.
We rotate partners and get to dance with a bunch of people, and there’s a TON of guys that take the classes! It’s such a change from having double the women to men. Oh, and by the way, the dance teachers are super cute and young. Haha. J How fun. Anyway, I’m a little worried about dancing so much because I am afraid I’ll get bad habits doing the other dances that will translate into West Coast Swing. However, I’m hoping to keep them separate in my mind, and also that Annmarie and Jason will fix me when I get home. Haha. I’m sort of counting on that one. :) I’m also worried that I’ll fall in love with the dance and the people here, and miss them terribly when I have to leave. I know that getting involved with a place is great, but then having to leave it so soon is certainly going to hurt. I think dance will be really good, overall, though, because it reminds me so much of home and it helps pass the time. I think the rest of my time here is going to fly by with me dancing so often.
After the dance class, Traci and I walked downtown and I got a taxi. When I got home, I was starving! I got a banana out of the dining room and had a cold glass of milk. By the time I get home on dance nights, it is likely that the hot water will be turned off. This means that I’ll have cold showers again, but I guess it is worth it. As you probably guessed, I had a cold shower tonight. It wasn’t terrible, though. After that, I did a little bit of homework for my music class and ended up talking to Holly. She told me a lot about her parents’ history and how they both grew up. It was interesting to hear her family background and I felt like we really connected at that point.
I ended up going to bed at midnight so I could get a good rest.
