sunshine
coffee
choices
colors
green
trees
new car
independence
windows down
wind in my face
friends
true friends
English
courtesy
Southern manners
diversity
I can do whatever I want
old friends
new friends
family time
smiles everywhere
foods i didn't remember missing
sea level
TV (en Ingles!)
shopping
new shoes
heels
new jeans
tops
dancing
laughing
no reggaeton
hiphop
the miracle of the grocery store
debit cards
freedom
going a day without being lied to
i can be me
part of society
i can fit in
i can stand out
she's engaged
he called me
i can call her
even on the other side of the country
we talked for hours
he bought me lunch
coffee with Peter :)
Guess heels
valet parking
bank account in English
no numbers or lines
no one yelling at me
sunshine
un-whitening
or pre-tan
pool
drinks
gym
smiles
cell phone
5 bars
connected
communicating
orienting
i confess
i am
materialistic
for now
yet
grateful
to
be
home
"for good".
Monday, July 11, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
Closing Thoughts
Sometimes we take gambles in life. Ecuador was my gamble, and though it was a hard hit, it's not a complete loss. I've learned a lot of Spanish (or figured out how to use cave-man sign language when I can't); become a better teacher; made a few friends; visited a new continent (hell, a new hemisphere); lived at 10,000 feet for over 10 months; tried new things, pushed myself to change; and gained confidence (don't you DARE try to steal my taxi or charge me too much!). I've learned that this is not the place for me, and that Atlanta is home.
When I get home, there are some things I don't think I will complain about for a long time: proximity to family; being able to leave work at work (most of the time vs. never); real friends; generally open-minded and educated people (who've progressed past the stage of the thinking skin color affects class); general public respect and common courtesy; the ability to say whatever I want to whoever I want; familiar customs; REAL graffiti; insulation in buildings; the independence of my own car; any kind of music 'sides reggaeton; happy diversity and availability of peoples, cultures, lifestyles, and food. Atlanta... I'm COMING HOME.
When I get home, there are some things I don't think I will complain about for a long time: proximity to family; being able to leave work at work (most of the time vs. never); real friends; generally open-minded and educated people (who've progressed past the stage of the thinking skin color affects class); general public respect and common courtesy; the ability to say whatever I want to whoever I want; familiar customs; REAL graffiti; insulation in buildings; the independence of my own car; any kind of music 'sides reggaeton; happy diversity and availability of peoples, cultures, lifestyles, and food. Atlanta... I'm COMING HOME.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Translations
No puedo leer tu mente. Pero... sometimes I have to.
Los estudiantes:
- Mr. Blank face, mouth hanging open - (probably not listening, doesn't know which planet we're on)
- Miss text queen/note queen -(probably gossiping about the latest school crushes)
En la calle:
- Mr. leer-you-out-and-hiss-at-you-while-adjusting-himself - (typical machismo... go home so your mommy can iron your underwear, 40-year-old!)
- Ms. knock-you-out-of-the-way-while-glaring-at-you - (honey, it's a free country - if you're jealous, sorry for ya; if you think you're better, don't stare!)
- Ms. size-2-6-inch-diameter-thighs (honey, just 'cause you're born that way doesn't mean you're better than me. At least I have curves. Your always-tight pants/leggings don't make the camel toe look sexy. And stop calling me "la gordita", my dear "ignoranta.")
En MI terraza:
- "My plan for life is to find and marry a girl like you." (WTF!)
- answer: "I know you say that to all the gringas" (the friend rolling on the ground laughing proved me right).
- "No estoy racista" = (you are!!!)
- "I've had black guys put a gun to my head 8 times" (You think this will impress me; you watch too many movies, and if it ever actually happened, it's only because you were on about 3 different things and high outta your mind!, you think your imagination excuses your prejudice, and this proves how little you've been exposed to people different than you)
This seems to be my life, for 2 more months. Walking with my cell phone in my bra, my money and keys in my boots. Trying to blend in, but having to defend and explain myself every time I open my stuttering mouth. Fighting to find sunshine and stay happy in a city where people rarely smile or show courtesy; exhausted from the ingrained prejudice and ignorance. Sick of momma's boys, and the girls who never question the machismo and let the men walk all over them. Fed up with a culture of men who think that they have to call the gays "maricones" in order to prove that they are "real men." (Really? Straight women don't seem to be threatened by lesbians; we don't think we will be infected by sitting around them, or that being around them incriminates us). Bored with a culture that thinks they are superior to all, yet know little of others cultures (Although, this could be some in the U.S., too).
Yes, there are exceptions. Yes, my students and the sunshine makes me smile. Yes, I find things to laugh at. But I'm ready to go home. 2 months from today!
Los estudiantes:
- Mr. Blank face, mouth hanging open - (probably not listening, doesn't know which planet we're on)
- Miss text queen/note queen -(probably gossiping about the latest school crushes)
En la calle:
- Mr. leer-you-out-and-hiss-at-you-while-adjusting-himself - (typical machismo... go home so your mommy can iron your underwear, 40-year-old!)
- Ms. knock-you-out-of-the-way-while-glaring-at-you - (honey, it's a free country - if you're jealous, sorry for ya; if you think you're better, don't stare!)
- Ms. size-2-6-inch-diameter-thighs (honey, just 'cause you're born that way doesn't mean you're better than me. At least I have curves. Your always-tight pants/leggings don't make the camel toe look sexy. And stop calling me "la gordita", my dear "ignoranta.")
En MI terraza:
- "My plan for life is to find and marry a girl like you." (WTF!)
- answer: "I know you say that to all the gringas" (the friend rolling on the ground laughing proved me right).
- "No estoy racista" = (you are!!!)
- "I've had black guys put a gun to my head 8 times" (You think this will impress me; you watch too many movies, and if it ever actually happened, it's only because you were on about 3 different things and high outta your mind!, you think your imagination excuses your prejudice, and this proves how little you've been exposed to people different than you)
This seems to be my life, for 2 more months. Walking with my cell phone in my bra, my money and keys in my boots. Trying to blend in, but having to defend and explain myself every time I open my stuttering mouth. Fighting to find sunshine and stay happy in a city where people rarely smile or show courtesy; exhausted from the ingrained prejudice and ignorance. Sick of momma's boys, and the girls who never question the machismo and let the men walk all over them. Fed up with a culture of men who think that they have to call the gays "maricones" in order to prove that they are "real men." (Really? Straight women don't seem to be threatened by lesbians; we don't think we will be infected by sitting around them, or that being around them incriminates us). Bored with a culture that thinks they are superior to all, yet know little of others cultures (Although, this could be some in the U.S., too).
Yes, there are exceptions. Yes, my students and the sunshine makes me smile. Yes, I find things to laugh at. But I'm ready to go home. 2 months from today!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Spring
- It appears that in the 'land without seasons', we actually do having spring.
- Spring Break is in a week and my mom is coming... gonna show her the town, pamper her, go to the beach (Manta), pamper her some more...
- moved into my new, improved, cleaner, warmer, closer... etc... apartment
- Meanwhile, today I asked *him* out, and he said yes (or, claro que si) :).
- Job apps are out
Funny how leaving stress behind can make such a big difference.
- Spring Break is in a week and my mom is coming... gonna show her the town, pamper her, go to the beach (Manta), pamper her some more...
- moved into my new, improved, cleaner, warmer, closer... etc... apartment
- Meanwhile, today I asked *him* out, and he said yes (or, claro que si) :).
- Job apps are out
Funny how leaving stress behind can make such a big difference.
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| Lunch with teacher friends at Parque Itchimbia (overlooking Quito) |
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| Downtown Quito during Carnival |
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| Downtown Quito |
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| Churches of Quito |
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| La calle "La Ronda" |
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