Nunco voy a olvidar

Today is my last day. As I rip apart my apartment trying to figure what I want to bring I cannot help lose focus reflecting on my year.

This country has completed changed my life. It has made me realize what I had and didn't have in my life. I have met so many AMAZING and beautiful people that I will never forget. I love you, Ecuador. I love everything you have given me and forever you will always be a part of me.

I've been bad

Yes, it is true. I haven't been good about updating my blog. My head has been elsewhere. I just wanted to complain about some things. Like, why is it so difficult to do things in a sensible way? Or why don't my EPN students show up to class? That's right, their university forces them to take English for free, so why would they?

However, I have to also add that these past couple months have completely changed my experience here in Ecuador. I have met amazing students who have really displayed generosity and a genuine care for each other--including myself. I realized that going to the clubs that many of my (great) friends go to here is just not my thing. I mean, I can experience that in the States. But, going to a local Ecua bar in La Ronda, for example, is where you can really experience Ecuadorian culture via jarras of vino hervido [boiled wine], while dancing to musica nacional... How awesome is that?

A night of Indian classical dance at SAE

Indian classical dance workshop

I love dancing. Thus, saying no to a request from an SAE [South American Explorer’s Club] member to host an event about it seemed not an option. For my lovely readers who do not know of SAE, it is a club here in Ecuador that offers membership to those [usually foreigners] interested in their events. Events include trips to various parts of Ecuador, the beach, or even the jungle. Usually there are monthly club events as well and I hosted July's.

I spent quite some time preparing for it and even attempted making a braid—major fail by the way since the hair I bought was so cheap. The $2 synthetic material I bought at the African beauty store in Somerville was better than the $6.00 wig I found here. But, I decided, eh why use it?

So I dolled myself up accordingly and headed over to SAE. About 1 hr into the night there were 7 people total. And yes, that included the director who had no choice, but to be there.

Dancing is always a delight for me, but last night I’m pretty sure I couldn’t feel my toes. The floor was sooooo cold, unusually cold actually. But, my highlight was the support that I got from the 7 people who came and participated in the “workshop.” By the end of the night, I had a couple students, the director, my friends and a member complete a Namaskar and an adavu.

At least I can sleep now.

Everyday life begins...

So I was talking to Bobby last night and he suggested that I write more about my everyday life here in wonderful Ecuaworld.

Well, let's see. My Saturday morning really sucked because even though I absolutely love my new apt and it's location, there is one downfall. Right outside my window is a construction site. Hence, tons of awful noise, even at 6:30am on a Saturday morning. I mean, really? 6:30? Couldn't they just wait like another 2 hrs before ruining any possibility of waking up refreshed?

Oh well. Since I really couldn't sleep, I decided that breakfast and the gym would be a good idea. (Although, I haven't paid for the month of July yet!) Ooops!

So, I get to the gym after being on a very crowded Ecovia [one of Quito's bus lines] and do my thing. My goal, get it over with. And, after doing so, I promptly left for my favorite almuerzo[ traditional lunch meal] location, which is home to great Corvina [boatland fish], soup, lemonade, and rice all for $2.00! Kind of fabulous if you think about it. I was definitely a happy and very full girl. A nap was definitely needed at this point.

Let's dance! Or laugh?

My students presented their oral exams. As much as I love listening to my students' repetitive answers, I decided that this oral exam will be a little different. The assignment is actually an altered version of my colleague's daily activity. Students were asked to teach an English [language] song to the class. Provide background and an activity for the entire class. I had projects ranging from a dramatized version of Eminem's "Stan" to Michael Jackson's "Thriller". Basically, a very entertaining way to grade students!

Reflections of a brown girl

It´s almost the end of June. After a short visit back home, I realized just how much I missed everyone. How much I missed my Mom cooking way too much food whenever I came home. How much I missed being with my best friend, Angie or meeting my girls for some amazing flan in Somerville. And, of course missing my other half, Bobby. Usually, I would feel that discussing such a personal thing on a blog would be inappropriate. However, I realized that it´s because of these personal relationships and experiences that I´m here today.

As I got on my flight in Boston, I felt confident for the first time about leaving. I thought, I know I can do this. But, I honestly did not realize just how difficult it would be all over again. By the time I reached Miami, it sunk in. I realized I would not be back in the U.S till next year. Furthermore, the thought of not seeing my boyfriend for so long really made me wonder why I was doing all of this.

When I first came to Ecuador, I received a lot of criticism for ¨leaving¨ Bobby. So much so, that I wondered whether any of my decisions were right. But, my decision to come here was not to run away from anyone, but rather find new perspective. I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone—and well, I did.

There were days where I cried myself to sleep because I just wasn´t ready to be here. Physically , my body was a wreck, trying to adjust to hormones after thyroid cancer. My levels were not okay and quite often I felt exhausted. While the physical effects were there, not many people really grasped the emotional roller coaster one goes through after cancer treatment. I went from believing I was a perfectly healthy female to being diagnosed with a very treatable form of thyroid cancer. Treatment which includes getting your hormone levels up takes several months. By the time I got to Ecuador, a little over a month had passed. Knowing that I wasn´t completely well only contributed to my stress. Still, I questioned why I was here.

It was only after teaching that I started to feel alive again. I began to develop friendships with people I worked with and finally began to experience what Ecuador had to offer. I stopped questioning why I was here but it was only yesterday as I lost myself as I stood over-looking the city of Quito that I realized where my focus had been. I was focusing too much of my energy on what I thought I lost. I began to see what I was gaining; the experience to grow and nurture my body and mind. No longer did it feel it was foreign. No longer did I feel alone. No longer did I question.

June changes..

Just an update about what I'm doing. I moved out of the place I was staying. It was just too far away from civilization and now I'm in the middle of everything. Since I've always had plants wherever I've lived, I decided to go plant shopping with my friend Kris.

I absolutely love the new location and have an awesome roommate too! Enjoy the pics...