My time in San Félix: Cambios

Well as Teddy "Baby Huey" Kline reminded me, I haven't posted anything on here for a little while so here goes. Things have been great here. Better than the first three months I'd say. Why would I say that, you ask? Because I've relaxed and not forced myself to have a schedule and routine, I would respond. One way of looking at that is that I've gotten lazy. I've slept in some mornings, I've watched the entire Matrix trilogy in a weekend (one per day, perfect), I've spent an afternoon (actually a whole day, more than once) watching movies with the Brito family. While walking past the court I've gotten asked to play handball with some kids, and said yes. Two hours later I continue on to my destination. Just tonight I went to Greiicy's house to help her with her English homework, got asked to stay for dinner and stayed for an hour after talking with her and her parents, with no worries about how long I stayed. Through talking to friends who are at school now, my time home in December, and most especially reflecting on my day to day life in the U.S., I have realized how truly insane and rat-race like my life has been. I've said that before, and I believe I did mean it and understand it, but before now I've never really done anything about it. Even in my first three months here, I brought my American mindset with me. I didn't have to, but I mentally made myself a schedule. I forced myself out of bed every day, showered the sleep out of my eyes, and went to that day's activity. I came home from the Casa Hogar, ate, rested, yes, rested, arrived at the church at 2pm on the dot and had class. Yes, I did have downtime then as I do now, but the difference is in the mindset. The down time I had last year was spent fairly anxiously, preparing and anticipating the next thing. I've consciously changed how I spend my down time. There is nothing wrong with watching some tv, reading a book, or just doing nothing. Naps are underrated. I think I've been enjoying myself more because of the lack of schedule and the willingness to go with the flow. Because of this, I've been bouncing around all over the place. One morning I'll be at Casa Hogar with the muchachos, and the next taking the bus to Andreina and Yusemaris' university to run errands with them. Speaking of which.

I've gone over there three times now and it's been interesting to see how it works. It's situated in two buildings, each three or four stories tall. The classrooms are packed full of janky-looking desks, very small and they all look like they are about to collapse. There is one white board at the front of the classroom, and that is it. No LCD projection screen, no podium, no computer, no overhead projector. All students travel to class each day from home. The act of going to university isn't a huge, life-changing, dramatic thing. Life goes on, but now you go to class most days of the week, maybe you have a job in the afternoons to help with money. It's a different mindset about going to college than what is common in the U.S.

These pictures have nothing to do with any of that. I gave the camera to David for a couple days so these are just various pictures that were taken in those days.

Also, this is getting posted a day late. I'm not sure why that even matters but I'll let you know that anyway. I had it almost finished last night but am just getting it posted today. Alllrighty.