sunday, emily, kim, julia, and i went to the movie theater in cuernavaca. we didnt know what we were going to see, but knew we wanted to go see a movie - it only costs 40 pesos, which is less than $3. (: after looking at the list of movies that were playing, we blindly chose one with a long name, and hoped for the best. it was unbroken, directed by angelina jolie. it was fascinating. so good. it really put things into perspective for me.
if you dont know the story line, an olympic runner from the 40s got in a plane crash during ww2, and was stranded in the middle of the ocean for 47 days. he experienced so much - witnessed so much death, and nearly died himself, before being taken as a POW in japan for years. it was absolutely emotional, and angelina did a wonderful job. i highly recommend everyone go see it - its worth the high US price. promise (:
i figued that if louis zamperini could survive all that and still be positive day after day - never giving up, i can definitely survive ANYTHING. and i also have no reason to complain about anything. i didnt almost get eaten by a shark today, i didnt get sunburnt by having exposed skin on a raft in the middle of the ocean for 16+ hours, and i have more than enough safe water to drink.
last night, i got a little emotional. i was so unsure of what id be doing today when starting our rotations, and ive been missing home. (i really didnt think thatd happen so quickly since ive been wanting to come back here for soooo long!) but im missing american food, and understanding whats going on in a conversation. i have enough spanish to get by, but not for long. already made 80 notecards of verbs with emily today - goal is 500 by the end of the week (:
i knew coming into this that it would be a job, a very fun one, but it wouldnt be easy. i feel like i have higher emotions due to so many uncertainties right now. my spanish needs improvement. i havent done laundry in almost 2 weeks. i dont think i like beans anymore - im doomed. we are doing rotations of sections right now to decide which section of kids we will take care of for the year.
i had the section of 9-11 year old boys today, and it was so fun. i got to their section at 5:55 to be there for the (what i thought was a) 6am wakeup, but when i walked up, i could hear so much commotion from the boys in the shower. i was in awe of how much energy they had at 6 am, but they go to bed at like 7:30-8, so i understand. wish i could go to bed that early ):
getting them dressed and ready for school was so intriguing to watch. i knew i liked to dawdle when getting dressed, but these boys take it to a new level. some were doing some of their chores at the same time (washing their floor), but it still managed to take nearly an hour and a half to get ~35 boys showered, dressed, finished with chores, and out the door for breakfast. i guess i cant be too surprised - just a change from the very quick lifestyle im used to.
while they were in school, we went to our first junta, or staff meeting. i was so excited because i got to finally don the nph polo and be a part of the team ive wanted to be with for years. it went a little long, i was a little lost since everyone was speaking in pretty quick spanish. and the room was cold, so paired with my early morning wakeup call, staying awake was a bit of a challenge.
after lunch with my section again, we just hung out in the section room. i was kind of confused, like, do we just sit here? one of the ladies who also works in the section said 'yup! just hang out and play with them until their next activity'. yet again, a challenge im willing to accept, i just know its going to take a while to get used to it. i even got my new polo full of hair gel. thats what i get for working with little mexican boys, who could bounce stuff off their gelled hair.
after the kids went to bed, i was walking back to volunteer housing, and saw the library was open (womanned by another volunteer), so i stopped in to grab some easy reads in spanish (i got a magic treehouse book!!! so pumped!!) as i was in there, i saw a kid ive known for a few years who is the godson of one of my good friends. he pulled out a book in english and asked me to read it to him.
as i was sitting there reading it, and kind of feeling foolish because i was getting into reading and mildly acting things out, i got a little sad. this boy is probably 13 years old, and i dont know how often he'd been read to like this. like he just picked a book and read it to him. if i can be that same light to more kids this year, ill feel like ive done something. the kids may not remember, but i know i wont forget sitting with kids in my lap reading books.
im so constantly reminded how simple life is here. i mean, ive known it, but to just stop and read a book, or go on a walk, hit around a volleyball? priceless and irreplaceable. one of my friends reminded me that everytime he saw me in the states, i was glued to my phone and the internet. guilty. my facebook and pinterest are individually proof enough, and collectively, embarrassingly high (i should be famous for my pinterest..)
well, i should hit the hay now. almost 11 and i get to be up before 6 again tomorrow (: thanks for reading, and thanks for the constant prayers and support! i am missing everyone from home, so please send me a photo of whats going on in your life! (: anna.hanson26@gmail.com
buenas noches a todos!
Hey Anna,
ReplyDeleteSo cool what you are doing! So proud of you. By the way, the movie Unbroken,I'm told is incomplete. I read the book and have heard Louie's story. I'm told the movie leaves out the redemption aspect of the rest of his life. Through a Billy Graham Crusade, Louis found Jesus. Was cured of his alcoholism and spent the rest of his life serving the Lord. The book was so graphic that I don't think I can watch the movie. You might consider reading the book or a true version of his life so you can see the hero he really was after the war. You're my hero for what you are doing!!!
Hugs...