For my LIT170 class at the local college we had to do an introduction video of ourselves and put it onYouTube. I figured I could put it up on here as well considering many of the pictures were taken in Spain.
Where to next?
-mb
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Bored on a Saturday Afternoon
The following are pictures were taken on a typical Saturday in May. Little did I know a bit of boredom and creativity would lead to some of the prettiest pictures I've ever taken in my life. These pictures are of downtown Alicante, about two miles from my bungalow. The weather was average, neither too hot or too cold.
In less than two hours I saw a live television broadcast, five wedding couples, three of which were in a photo shoot, two or three non-related photo shoots, a group of tourists needing English to Spanish translation help, old fashioned cars, and the everyday normal things, such as Spaniards reading books by the dock, leaving from work, and more. The pictures were taken around 5-7PM and turned out to show the real beauty of Alicante. It's hard to believe such a small country has so much diversity.
Click on the pictures for a slideshow view.
Does anyone know a gadget to put on a blogger post? Loading all the pictures takes forever...
Again, one of the prettiest dresses I have ever seen.
A few more pictures...
In less than two hours I saw a live television broadcast, five wedding couples, three of which were in a photo shoot, two or three non-related photo shoots, a group of tourists needing English to Spanish translation help, old fashioned cars, and the everyday normal things, such as Spaniards reading books by the dock, leaving from work, and more. The pictures were taken around 5-7PM and turned out to show the real beauty of Alicante. It's hard to believe such a small country has so much diversity.
Click on the pictures for a slideshow view.
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| Downtown Plaza- notice the castle between the two buildings. |
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| Live TV Broadcast |
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| Wedding downtown. I think that's the prettiest dress I've seen in my life.. |
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| Town Hall Building (location of wedding) |
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| Typical Street in Spain. |
Explanada de España (below)
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| Palm trees on the Explanada de España |
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| Street Artist's Office |
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| Family by the dock |
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| La Marina Alicantina |
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| Photoshop wasn't used in any way for these.. |
Does anyone know a gadget to put on a blogger post? Loading all the pictures takes forever...
 |
| Santa Barbara Castle on the top right. |
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| My house behind the big square building in the center. |
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| Notice the girls' dresses, they are "damas" ('beauties') and are the Alicante representative...there are a lot of them. ...I love the photographer's dedication. |
So now, you have officially had a tour of Alicante, and have a sense of the culture on a Saturday afternoon. Alicante is a beautiful city, and I found that just a walk in the park can really show what the community is all about.
Happy New Year Everyone,
May 2012 bring you good health, new experiences, and opportunities.
-mb
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
AFS - Spain
"You won't realize the distance you've walked
until you take a look around and realize how far you've been." -unknown
Distance is only a number, the party hasn't stopped yet.
-mb
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Life
During school last year I would frequently write in my notebook, in order to ¨save¨ those moments that I would forget by the time I got home. The other day I was going through my notebooks, looking for chemistry notes. You may not laugh (or cry) like I did after re-reading this, but I thought I should share it. Titled ¨Life¨, here is a glance at what happened on an average day. (Note my English...)
(Written Feb. 4th, 2011)
Life
Welcome to the world of being foreign. Today started out with math class, and the substitute teacher asked me if I needed something. Me, sitting in the back of the room still without a mathbook, continued by explaining how I´m an exchange student. She looked at me with that stupid look she gives me, and continued to try and explain something that was on the board. I looked at her again and said once again how I don´t have a book, and that math in Madrid was very different, that was from previous years. The next class was history, and our teacher didn´t come, so we all went to the library. I was pretty surprised how ¨good¨ everyone was considering that there was no teacher. It was there in the library that the other American asked me if I had a calculator for the economy test the next hour. Economy test? I had no idea there was going to be an economy test. We get to class and the teacher handed out the test to everyone. Including me. Let´s back up and refresh ourselves on the fact that this is my 5th day at this school, and my 4th day in this class. My 4th economy class in my entire life. She is fully aware of the fact I have never taken economy before, but continued to hand me the test anyways. She handed me the test in such a manner there it was obvious that I was ¨invisible¨ and wanted to advoid talking to me at all costs. I wrote my name, and continued to read the test. Staring at it in confusion, with all of the economy abbreviations and concepts, I was unable to answer a single question. I raised my hand, and continued to be ignored. The teacher helped everyone around me, minus myself. My hand continued to be raised. I waited. Finally, she couldn´t ignore me any longer when she took roll call. She came over and I asked her what she wanted me to do. She was irritated with me as I couldn´t finish the test. She continued to tell me that she doesn´t understand why I am in economy halfway through the year. She was also speaking to me in a very broken English. This can be rather insulting sometimes, when your level of language is higher than their level of yours. The teacher still confused and angry, took my test and told me to read a book. I guess I didn´t make it clear enough the first two times that I didn´t have one. So I wrote this blog post. Cool.
-mb
(Written Feb. 4th, 2011)
Life
Welcome to the world of being foreign. Today started out with math class, and the substitute teacher asked me if I needed something. Me, sitting in the back of the room still without a mathbook, continued by explaining how I´m an exchange student. She looked at me with that stupid look she gives me, and continued to try and explain something that was on the board. I looked at her again and said once again how I don´t have a book, and that math in Madrid was very different, that was from previous years. The next class was history, and our teacher didn´t come, so we all went to the library. I was pretty surprised how ¨good¨ everyone was considering that there was no teacher. It was there in the library that the other American asked me if I had a calculator for the economy test the next hour. Economy test? I had no idea there was going to be an economy test. We get to class and the teacher handed out the test to everyone. Including me. Let´s back up and refresh ourselves on the fact that this is my 5th day at this school, and my 4th day in this class. My 4th economy class in my entire life. She is fully aware of the fact I have never taken economy before, but continued to hand me the test anyways. She handed me the test in such a manner there it was obvious that I was ¨invisible¨ and wanted to advoid talking to me at all costs. I wrote my name, and continued to read the test. Staring at it in confusion, with all of the economy abbreviations and concepts, I was unable to answer a single question. I raised my hand, and continued to be ignored. The teacher helped everyone around me, minus myself. My hand continued to be raised. I waited. Finally, she couldn´t ignore me any longer when she took roll call. She came over and I asked her what she wanted me to do. She was irritated with me as I couldn´t finish the test. She continued to tell me that she doesn´t understand why I am in economy halfway through the year. She was also speaking to me in a very broken English. This can be rather insulting sometimes, when your level of language is higher than their level of yours. The teacher still confused and angry, took my test and told me to read a book. I guess I didn´t make it clear enough the first two times that I didn´t have one. So I wrote this blog post. Cool.
-mb
Monday, December 12, 2011
la realidad...24 weeks later.
That long Barajas post must have put a dent into me feeling a need to write anything more. The problem I face now is finding something 1- interesting to talk about that 2 - I can sum up in one post.
It's December ninth and I've been home for...24? weeks. And of course, every day for 24 weeks something about last year has crossed my mind. I wonder what the statistics are on that. How many times a day I think about it, use a reference from there, etc. My best guess is that I think about last year 10 minutes out of every 60 minutes in an hour. Whether it's a memory, dream, speaking the language, thinking I see someone I know, last year can not seem to leave my mind.
It's not a bad thing, like an obsession. It's just starting to fit together piece by piece as time goes on. Some things make more sense. Some don't. But lately I feel different than I did just even a few weeks ago.
One of the ultimate wonders from last year started before I left. How will things be different when I'm back home? What will it feel like to be bilingual? How will I have changed? What things will I see differently? And how will they be different?
For one thing, that feeling of "it wasn't even real" is starting to set in. That was one of my fears before leaving Spain. The fear of forgetting how it all felt, to later convince yourself it was all just a dream, a vision, a thought in your mind.
I think time does this to any situation. Any memory fades with time. Pictures, videos, journals, many things bring it back to life but... it's never quite the same.
Maybe if I revisit the places I've been they'd seem more real. But until then I'm stuck where I'm at.
It's hard to explain, how you feel. Especially now. After looking at some pictures from the beginning of last year, I see someone different. I don't see the Mary Beth in the beginning of her exchange. I see myself as a younger "kid" who experienced a lot. Some good, some bad. But it's like a different person. That life is over, and the "side" of me doesn't come out as much as it does now.
Of course, right? It only makes sense to go back to your home habits.
The other day I ran across some of my school notebooks. Before I left I ripped out any "uninteresting" pages in hope to make them lighter in weight (let me remind everyone of my success story of 1 having an underweight suitcase and 2 not sending a box home.)
However, I kept all the stories I wrote down and journal notes I kept during class. Little things I wouldn't even remember by the time I got home.
I just find it all so funny. All of it. My exact words, thoughts, everything.
I changed a lot, but it makes me wonder if those changes will ever be brought back- unless I'm in the same situation, I feel as if thsoe changes were for the "other" life. I won't feel them until it "go back" to that lifestyle.
What still gets me is school. School is what makes me feel like last year never happened. How is it that I go from a school with nothing, to one that has multiple $200 beakers just laying around ONE of our many classrooms?
How is it that we complain about our paper towels? Or our sinks? And why on Earth do we need all the lights we have?
A few days ago I was studying in the high school library. I am a PSEO student (as explained before) and usually go there and study before going to my college class. While students in school can't bring their backpacks in, PSEO students can, because, well obviously they are studying and are coming/going and have their stuff with them.
So this day a non-PSEO student brings a backpack in. They tell him he can't bring it in the library. The librarians handle the situation.
A student aide (someone who helps the group of [noisy] students who have little motivation...not the handicap students) turns to me and rudely announces:
"You know you really shouldn't have your backpack here either."
I looked up in shock. This is the same assistant who makes friends with students wasting their time searching google pictures. Nonetheless she doesn't make her group of students do anything.
"But I'm PSEO" I replied. "We can have our backpacks in the library."
She turned away and almost yelled: "Well why can SHEE have her backpack in here while other kids can't? Shouldn't you take her backpack and keep it behind her desk like all the other ones?!"
...ok GENIUS, so if they take my backpack, how will I study? You want me to empty my books here and give them an empty bag? What is the point? Fool.
Now I didn't actually say that of course. I figured I wouldn't make too many friends that way. I simply told her the librarians FROM DAY ONE (I have been sitting in the same spot with my backpack almost everyday for an entire semester) told me I could have me backpack.
She started complaining like a child to the librarians. I went into shock. I could not believe what was happening. An immature adult trying to tell a librarian what their rule should be.
I stood up and said, "Ok, I'll just be on my way to the college library."
And walked out.
Upon entering the college library, there were metal detectors. I had been there before, I just never thought about them. It wasn't until I left that I realized that they were there for a reason. That there might, one day, actually be a problem. It never even crossed my mind that something bad might go wrong.
The library incident doesn't really mean much. The only thing I got from it was this:
Unreasonable-ness causes problems. Why do people act like they do?
What in the world went wrong with someone having an obsessive problem of me having a backpack in the library?! How do these messages get sent into one's head?
Just a matter of time ago I was sitting down in a library filled with other kids. Every single one of us had a backpack. No one cared. No one thought anything of it.
No one felt like they were in danger.
-mb
PS- Lockers were considered more dangerous than backpacks in my school. I was told they "wouldn't work" because of safety issues.
Ironic, eh?
It's December ninth and I've been home for...24? weeks. And of course, every day for 24 weeks something about last year has crossed my mind. I wonder what the statistics are on that. How many times a day I think about it, use a reference from there, etc. My best guess is that I think about last year 10 minutes out of every 60 minutes in an hour. Whether it's a memory, dream, speaking the language, thinking I see someone I know, last year can not seem to leave my mind.
It's not a bad thing, like an obsession. It's just starting to fit together piece by piece as time goes on. Some things make more sense. Some don't. But lately I feel different than I did just even a few weeks ago.
One of the ultimate wonders from last year started before I left. How will things be different when I'm back home? What will it feel like to be bilingual? How will I have changed? What things will I see differently? And how will they be different?
For one thing, that feeling of "it wasn't even real" is starting to set in. That was one of my fears before leaving Spain. The fear of forgetting how it all felt, to later convince yourself it was all just a dream, a vision, a thought in your mind.
I think time does this to any situation. Any memory fades with time. Pictures, videos, journals, many things bring it back to life but... it's never quite the same.
Maybe if I revisit the places I've been they'd seem more real. But until then I'm stuck where I'm at.
It's hard to explain, how you feel. Especially now. After looking at some pictures from the beginning of last year, I see someone different. I don't see the Mary Beth in the beginning of her exchange. I see myself as a younger "kid" who experienced a lot. Some good, some bad. But it's like a different person. That life is over, and the "side" of me doesn't come out as much as it does now.
Of course, right? It only makes sense to go back to your home habits.
The other day I ran across some of my school notebooks. Before I left I ripped out any "uninteresting" pages in hope to make them lighter in weight (let me remind everyone of my success story of 1 having an underweight suitcase and 2 not sending a box home.)
However, I kept all the stories I wrote down and journal notes I kept during class. Little things I wouldn't even remember by the time I got home.
I just find it all so funny. All of it. My exact words, thoughts, everything.
I changed a lot, but it makes me wonder if those changes will ever be brought back- unless I'm in the same situation, I feel as if thsoe changes were for the "other" life. I won't feel them until it "go back" to that lifestyle.
What still gets me is school. School is what makes me feel like last year never happened. How is it that I go from a school with nothing, to one that has multiple $200 beakers just laying around ONE of our many classrooms?
How is it that we complain about our paper towels? Or our sinks? And why on Earth do we need all the lights we have?
A few days ago I was studying in the high school library. I am a PSEO student (as explained before) and usually go there and study before going to my college class. While students in school can't bring their backpacks in, PSEO students can, because, well obviously they are studying and are coming/going and have their stuff with them.
So this day a non-PSEO student brings a backpack in. They tell him he can't bring it in the library. The librarians handle the situation.
A student aide (someone who helps the group of [noisy] students who have little motivation...not the handicap students) turns to me and rudely announces:
"You know you really shouldn't have your backpack here either."
I looked up in shock. This is the same assistant who makes friends with students wasting their time searching google pictures. Nonetheless she doesn't make her group of students do anything.
"But I'm PSEO" I replied. "We can have our backpacks in the library."
She turned away and almost yelled: "Well why can SHEE have her backpack in here while other kids can't? Shouldn't you take her backpack and keep it behind her desk like all the other ones?!"
...ok GENIUS, so if they take my backpack, how will I study? You want me to empty my books here and give them an empty bag? What is the point? Fool.
Now I didn't actually say that of course. I figured I wouldn't make too many friends that way. I simply told her the librarians FROM DAY ONE (I have been sitting in the same spot with my backpack almost everyday for an entire semester) told me I could have me backpack.
She started complaining like a child to the librarians. I went into shock. I could not believe what was happening. An immature adult trying to tell a librarian what their rule should be.
I stood up and said, "Ok, I'll just be on my way to the college library."
And walked out.
Upon entering the college library, there were metal detectors. I had been there before, I just never thought about them. It wasn't until I left that I realized that they were there for a reason. That there might, one day, actually be a problem. It never even crossed my mind that something bad might go wrong.
The library incident doesn't really mean much. The only thing I got from it was this:
Unreasonable-ness causes problems. Why do people act like they do?
What in the world went wrong with someone having an obsessive problem of me having a backpack in the library?! How do these messages get sent into one's head?
Just a matter of time ago I was sitting down in a library filled with other kids. Every single one of us had a backpack. No one cared. No one thought anything of it.
No one felt like they were in danger.
-mb
PS- Lockers were considered more dangerous than backpacks in my school. I was told they "wouldn't work" because of safety issues.
Ironic, eh?
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Aquí! Sí, aquí estoy.
Here! Yes, here I am. I probably lead most readers to the conclusion that I have stopped writing my blog, which is quite far from what I plan to do. I thought I should get atleast one post before November comes to an end.
And with November ending, do you know what that means?¿! YES! You´re right. second semester will almost be finished. And then I can finally publish the 1,000,000,000,000 blog drafts that I need to put finishing touches on before I post them. With my current class schedule I´ve had like zero...ZERO time do do anything besides get lost in sines cosines, trig functions, and titration sodium reactions. So once I wind down things will pick up. Second semester shouldn´t be half as bad as this one.
Looking for a university is a full time job. If anyone is aware of writing/blog scholarships please let me know, it´d be greatly appreciated.
Off topic, I know.
I would like to extend a thank you for all your comments, I am working on replying to everyone, as I hope no one thinks I fell off the side of the Earth. I´m here, yes, just...burried somewhere under my homework.
December break I plan to edit a bunch of videos, so hopefully that will turn out nice. Bonus ones include commentary of myself and Jake while walking around Madrid. You don´t want to miss ém.
Me, myself, and I. I miss speaking Spanish and am trying to find someone to practice with soon before I go nuts. And I have backwards translation problems, as I can´t think of a word in English, as the Spanish word does not translate correctly. This doesn´t happen often, just once in a while.
It´s cold here. Like today, really. Or maybe yesterday. Which brought me to the next topic...
NOVEMBER. If I had any regrets, it was probably just one. That is, that I did not write a single entry in my journal last November. Somehow I put it in my closet and must have forgotten about it until I found it again while searching for my science book, or something. I don´t quite remember.
But I have enough pictures to make up for it. That and videos. So I can remember what went on more or less.
One last note before I head off to study yet again.
Yesterday I was walking from my car into the school. The type of cold brought back a memory. I couldn´t pin point what it was at first. But it was the first time in a long time that I felt that way.
I still don´t know what triggered the memory. Maybe it was the color of the sky and the temperature of the blowing wind. But it reminded me of walking to the local metro stop by my house, or standing outside waiting for a bus.
But it wasn´t the happiest feeling. No. This was rather depressing, chilling, and just...being by myself. Lonely. I walked from my car across campus and felt the same feeling for the first time, in a long time.
Two days ago I wasn´t depressed, definitely not. And I don´t think I was that depressed while being gone. But I just felt a sense of loneliness, being by myself in the cold. Madrid got colder than I expected.
So what is my point of writing? I don´t know. It was a weird realization that reminded me of many of the phases I went through in Madrid. Walking to the metro by myself so many times got a bit lonely. Last year was the first time I had come to terms with what ¨being alone¨ feels like. Even if it is a few minute walk to the metro, it could feel like walking through a world stuck in time.
November was a good month, yes. There were a lot of unknowns last November. Harry Potter, the hike, the American Store, roaming the streets, chillin with friends, that was all great. I really started to connect with the other exchangers. Now school? That´s a tough one. I still had a lot of things I didn´t understand about the school. But I guess some of those still haven´t been answered, so it´s ok.
Have a happy early "day of thanks" as it's called, in Spanish: "día de gracias."
The "thanks" in "thanksgiving" had a whole new level last year. So a short note to those who shared this time with me last year.
THANK YOUU!(:
You know who you are.
-mb
And with November ending, do you know what that means?¿! YES! You´re right. second semester will almost be finished. And then I can finally publish the 1,000,000,000,000 blog drafts that I need to put finishing touches on before I post them. With my current class schedule I´ve had like zero...ZERO time do do anything besides get lost in sines cosines, trig functions, and titration sodium reactions. So once I wind down things will pick up. Second semester shouldn´t be half as bad as this one.
Looking for a university is a full time job. If anyone is aware of writing/blog scholarships please let me know, it´d be greatly appreciated.
Off topic, I know.
I would like to extend a thank you for all your comments, I am working on replying to everyone, as I hope no one thinks I fell off the side of the Earth. I´m here, yes, just...burried somewhere under my homework.
December break I plan to edit a bunch of videos, so hopefully that will turn out nice. Bonus ones include commentary of myself and Jake while walking around Madrid. You don´t want to miss ém.
Me, myself, and I. I miss speaking Spanish and am trying to find someone to practice with soon before I go nuts. And I have backwards translation problems, as I can´t think of a word in English, as the Spanish word does not translate correctly. This doesn´t happen often, just once in a while.
It´s cold here. Like today, really. Or maybe yesterday. Which brought me to the next topic...
NOVEMBER. If I had any regrets, it was probably just one. That is, that I did not write a single entry in my journal last November. Somehow I put it in my closet and must have forgotten about it until I found it again while searching for my science book, or something. I don´t quite remember.
But I have enough pictures to make up for it. That and videos. So I can remember what went on more or less.
One last note before I head off to study yet again.
Yesterday I was walking from my car into the school. The type of cold brought back a memory. I couldn´t pin point what it was at first. But it was the first time in a long time that I felt that way.
I still don´t know what triggered the memory. Maybe it was the color of the sky and the temperature of the blowing wind. But it reminded me of walking to the local metro stop by my house, or standing outside waiting for a bus.
But it wasn´t the happiest feeling. No. This was rather depressing, chilling, and just...being by myself. Lonely. I walked from my car across campus and felt the same feeling for the first time, in a long time.
Two days ago I wasn´t depressed, definitely not. And I don´t think I was that depressed while being gone. But I just felt a sense of loneliness, being by myself in the cold. Madrid got colder than I expected.
So what is my point of writing? I don´t know. It was a weird realization that reminded me of many of the phases I went through in Madrid. Walking to the metro by myself so many times got a bit lonely. Last year was the first time I had come to terms with what ¨being alone¨ feels like. Even if it is a few minute walk to the metro, it could feel like walking through a world stuck in time.
November was a good month, yes. There were a lot of unknowns last November. Harry Potter, the hike, the American Store, roaming the streets, chillin with friends, that was all great. I really started to connect with the other exchangers. Now school? That´s a tough one. I still had a lot of things I didn´t understand about the school. But I guess some of those still haven´t been answered, so it´s ok.
Have a happy early "day of thanks" as it's called, in Spanish: "día de gracias."
THANK YOUU!(:
You know who you are.
-mb
Thursday, October 27, 2011
dieciocho
Eighteen. Even though it doesn't mean much in the United States, it is a milestone.
In Spain, eighteen is a big deal. Scratch that. In Europe, eighteen is a big deal. Just one of the differences of coming back home.
I remember sitting and writing the post "Seventeen". I sat there and wondered what life was going to be like exactly one year from them. I wondered about all the things I would be doing differently the next year, hitting the "18" number.
That's now.
And I still can't believe it's been a year. Things, obviously, are very different from this day last year. Infact, last year's birthday was not what I pictured it to be. Before I left on exchange, I never pictured myself sitting in my room with nothing to do, wondering if my host family had a clue it was my birthday. I remember chatting to someone on facebook, saying, "I don't think they have a clue it's my birthday."
That experienced changed me. One year later I still do not know why, but somehow, it changed me.
But I mean yes, things did work out. From what I picked up my tutor reminded them that day, or the day before, and minutes before we ate dinner they ran up to "El Corte Ingles" to get a few things for myself.
Straight up, I want to say the truth. I received a white towel, two hangers (yes, for like pants or jackets), a lanyard, bumble bee slippers, and a storage box for my birthday. I wasn't expecting anything big, nor did I know what to expect. It taught me a great lesson about gifts, because this time it was real. You can read about it in books or stories all you want, but it doesn't actually teach you anything until it becomes real. My host family, striving to provide for themselves, sacrificed to give me what they could for my birthday.
Even though I was completely aware of the situation at the time, one year ago I look at that completely different. I wonder what their thoughts were, or any cues I overlooked.
I will never forget the excitement they had when I opened the gifts. How proud they were. And that, is something I will take with me for the rest of my life.
When you live something, only then does it hit you. After all your life you finally get to experience something first hand. Let people talk up anything they want. Mission trips are great. That's experiencing something first hand. But what about living it? Every day life for five months? That will change you.
One year ago I was a bit stressed to say the least. Things did not "turn out as expected"- a phrase that I would like to call stereotypical. No orientation could have prepared me for last year. But think of it as a math test. If you are given all the answers, would you learn anything? No.
The memories of being at a Chinese restaurant, sneaking an ice cream cake into a theme park, having a day filled of being with friends, is something I'll never forget. The "triple birthday" celebration of last year was awesome.
And a thank you to all my friends who helped me so much last year. I don't think I'll ever to be able to repay you.
Anddd a happy early birthday to Jake and Pinja! Hope your day is filled with squirrely things.
-mb
Oct. 25th, 2011
In Spain, eighteen is a big deal. Scratch that. In Europe, eighteen is a big deal. Just one of the differences of coming back home.
I remember sitting and writing the post "Seventeen". I sat there and wondered what life was going to be like exactly one year from them. I wondered about all the things I would be doing differently the next year, hitting the "18" number.
That's now.
And I still can't believe it's been a year. Things, obviously, are very different from this day last year. Infact, last year's birthday was not what I pictured it to be. Before I left on exchange, I never pictured myself sitting in my room with nothing to do, wondering if my host family had a clue it was my birthday. I remember chatting to someone on facebook, saying, "I don't think they have a clue it's my birthday."
That experienced changed me. One year later I still do not know why, but somehow, it changed me.
But I mean yes, things did work out. From what I picked up my tutor reminded them that day, or the day before, and minutes before we ate dinner they ran up to "El Corte Ingles" to get a few things for myself.
Straight up, I want to say the truth. I received a white towel, two hangers (yes, for like pants or jackets), a lanyard, bumble bee slippers, and a storage box for my birthday. I wasn't expecting anything big, nor did I know what to expect. It taught me a great lesson about gifts, because this time it was real. You can read about it in books or stories all you want, but it doesn't actually teach you anything until it becomes real. My host family, striving to provide for themselves, sacrificed to give me what they could for my birthday.
Even though I was completely aware of the situation at the time, one year ago I look at that completely different. I wonder what their thoughts were, or any cues I overlooked.
I will never forget the excitement they had when I opened the gifts. How proud they were. And that, is something I will take with me for the rest of my life.
When you live something, only then does it hit you. After all your life you finally get to experience something first hand. Let people talk up anything they want. Mission trips are great. That's experiencing something first hand. But what about living it? Every day life for five months? That will change you.
One year ago I was a bit stressed to say the least. Things did not "turn out as expected"- a phrase that I would like to call stereotypical. No orientation could have prepared me for last year. But think of it as a math test. If you are given all the answers, would you learn anything? No.
The memories of being at a Chinese restaurant, sneaking an ice cream cake into a theme park, having a day filled of being with friends, is something I'll never forget. The "triple birthday" celebration of last year was awesome.
And a thank you to all my friends who helped me so much last year. I don't think I'll ever to be able to repay you.
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| Read "Seventeen." The significance of this cake is unbelievable. |
Anddd a happy early birthday to Jake and Pinja! Hope your day is filled with squirrely things.
-mb
Oct. 25th, 2011
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