shouts of joy

It's Friday. This means that we clean our room. Remove everything that touches the ceramic tile floor out the door and into the long, vacant hallway. That way we're able to sweep and mop the floor and still, let it dry before hauling it all back in. I like having a clean room, so it doesn't bother me, especially since the three of us work together. I'm always in charge of sweeping. Maybe it's because I know how to say broom in Spanish, or maybe I don't look like the mopping type, but somehow I always sweep. This is also okay with me. I like sweeping. When I sweep I'm reminded how it's normally a job for two, one for the broom and another for the dust pan. But it only takes one of me, a broom in one hand and a dust pan in the other. I remember the fist time I swept by myself, how accomplished I felt. I wanted people to notice what I was capable of. But as I swept today, I wondered if everyone sweeps by themselves. Have they all learned the technique ...

There are a lot of things I like about Argentina. I'll just mention a few: 1. Siesta - nothing is open from 12:00-4:00. Everyone goes home to eat lunch and drink maté with family. 2. Maté - a green tea, mostly used as a social event. Yes, maté is it's own event. 3. Spanish - it's like being a kid again and having the gift of selective hearing. I'm able to hear what I want, when I want. 4. Off! - the mosquito spray. Without it people would be eaten alive. No kidding. 5. Clouds - the clouds here are incredible. Big and voluptuous. Bet you've never seen a cloud like that. 6. Homework - right, because there is none. 7. Small town - I've been down every street in this town, but somehow I'm always finding something new to explore. 8. Time - it's slow enough to do everything you want, but fast enough you have no time to waste. Who uses a watch? Me, myself and I. Why is it 10 minutes fast? I'm not sure yet. 9. People - They have nothing bet...

I find myself involved in an abundance of physical activity here. The first and biggest reason being I have time; I am not working and have little to no homework. I'm reminded of childhood; football, soccer, softball, running, and the list goes on and on. It's almost as if I haven't changed. Everyday I'm picking up some kind of athletic equipment. As of this week I've had to sit back and take it easy due to my last knee injury last December. I've pushed it everyday since I left the hospital. I remember crutching into the gym one week after surgery to ride the stationary bicycle. The first day I was allowed to run, I ran over a mile and couldn't walk for a week. And now I'm sitting at a desk with my foot elevated on one side of my computer, and stealing ice from the freezer when I can to lessen the swelling. I learned a Spanish word this week that I have over-used because it has so many meanings with four letters - rado - that's how I feel about t...

I believe nowhere is a better place to be  Than not knowing where you're going now I said education was a better state of mind But I'd trade all my books to find a home If I made bets on a better time I'd lose my money every single dime I believe moss on a rolling stone  Is better than the rust that's growing on my house 'Cause it eats at you sometimes - n.g.

This morning I served up my breakfast onto one of the metal-prison-like-trays and carried it to a table in the back of the cafeteria. Most mornings I eat breakfast in the cafe a little later, on my way to class, so I can sit down and start the day with good company. This morning I went early, before anyone I knew would be there. I sat my tray down next to my Bible and perused over the first page in Hebrews, which includes chapters 1 and 2. I stopped when I got here, Since the One who saves and those who are saved have a common origin, Jesus doesn't hesitate to treat them as brothers and sisters, saying,            I'll tell my good friends, my brothers and sisters, all I know about you;            I'll join them in worship and praise to you. Again he puts himself in the same family circle when he says,           Even I live by placing my trust in God. And yet again,    ...

Yesterday I was reminded of the ridiculous, all-time favorite game of truth or dare. The game was a popular choice for girls-only-sleepovers. We dished out dares like: run around the whole house in only your underwear, ask a stranger for their number, lick the floor, spray easy cheese up your nose, hold hands with the boy you like, drink toiletbowl water.   To be dared was fun. It was hard. So embarrassing. It took guts. But in the end, we were so cool. Yesterday afternoon I spent quite a while translating and writing a paper for Eventos Actuales (Current Events) at a table in the library. I sat with my new friends Daniel and Christian. Daniel's in his 3 rd year of Theology at UAP. He was born in Venezuela, grew up in the states and calls Argentina home for now. When he's finished with his degree he wants to be a missionary and teach about Jesus. Christian is an ACA student in his 2 nd year of Business at Andrews University, taking a year off to study Spa...

You never really know someone until you throw them into some good competition :) Fun girls! Gramática Avanzado 1 with Profe Perez Spring wouldn't be spring without lots of rain. From right to left: gym, church, and library

It's like a tree blowing in the wind. Some days I miss the comfort of home. Doing my laundry when I want to, with the detergent I like. Making my own meals, eating what I want, when I want. Running in my own country side. Wearing the clothes I left behind. Driving myself wherever I want, whenever I want. Being alone when I want and being with people when I want. Saying what I want, when I want. Watching the trees change as the days shorten. And climbing into my own bed at night. Somedays, though, I forget that I have a home somewhere else. The wind is always changing. They say there's no place like home , and home is where the heart is . But today as I studied Hebrews, the book of faith, I was reminded where home is, where my heart is. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Sarah ...These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims in this world. For tho...

I'm noticing the clouds right now from my seat at the desk in front of the large window in my room. They are so gray. So dark, that Sabbath seems to be here early. Also, they are low. Very low. So low, I think I might be breathing cloud up here from the second floor. If it's possible, then I've been breathing cloud all week. This vapor smells melancholy and the people walk with a somber expression, like they've missed the sun. Perhaps, they don't know the sun's secret. He only shares with those who seek him. Those who know that to seek is to find. And after they search they find that clouds only dare to come so low, and that the sun, he's consistent, always rising in the East and setting in the West. And so their faith presses through to the early broken morning for that single glimpse of sun, and it's enough.

Today was the first day of classes. I had two, two hour classes - Gramática Avanzada y Folklore - oh, the ever-lasting headache. Allow me to sum it up for you and save us both the pain of translating the 50% that I couldn't translate in class. I like this place, but why would anyone choose a Spanish minor when they do not speak Spanish? And now, I'm unable to speak English or Spanish with eloquence, or ignore the pounding in my head, and I don't want to sit still any longer. Was it worth it all? To wait all those months for these classes, this quarter, this minor, when I could already have a degree and be riding off into the dusk toward success? My parents are reading this and nodding their heads,  Yes. Why? But   I don't think this is a lesson to learn. Sure I'm learning. But don't waste your time trying to translate this mix-up. Maybe it's fate. Definitely planned. Not my plan, but thee plan. So we'll let it go and finish off the ibuprofen. Before ...

These sisters have got talent! I can't get this beat out of my head, it's on repeat all day. It makes me miss my sister.