My first cycle of teaching is over today. I have been here in Quito for 2.25 months, and it has been good. Every day of teaching was a challenge, as students had new questions to ask that I had to answer with more than "it just sounds right" and some days I was exhausted, but if I walked in with a low energy level, the following two hours would have dragged by miserably. Therefore, I've worked a bit on the simple virtue of cheerfulness and it's been quite beneficial.
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On a recent review day we played Jenga (everyone had to answer one of my questions before they got to play). This class built one of the highest Jenga towers I have ever seen. (Side note, inspired by current events: people here in Ecuador do not understand what time is appropriate to make lots of noise. One should not play reggaeton before ten in the morning, and preferably not before ten at night. Living next door to the college gets me two things: free, borrowed internet and slightly obnoxious college ruckus.)
Anyway, I'll press on and ignore the driving rhythm of my next door neighbor's music.
Vacation couldn't have come at a more perfect time. I need to rest much because I'm sick. Quite sick. It might be the flu or strep or a sinus infection. I've been perfectly well since my arrival here, so it's really nothing to complain about. With some Vitamin C, tea, and rest, I'll be right as rain in no time. I need to buy more oranges today, in fact, when I finally leave the house for work. I only left the house once this weekend, to go to Mass yesterday. Otherwise I've been resting, sleeping, reading, writing e-mails and cleaned the kitchen yesterday morning since I somehow awoke with enough energy. I got up at 6:20...because I went to bed at 9. The latest I've gone to bed in the last three days is 9:30 PM. So, I've been waking naturally before the sun, well before the sun. On Friday, I woke up at five! It was magnificent! I heard NOTHING BUT BIRDS! I groggily padded over to the window and peered out to see that the sky was grey and so cloudy I couldn't even make out the volcano I typically see right in my backyard.
Aside from the joy of waking to nothing but nature's delightful melody, I had a laugh at my feverish dreams. Before even enjoying the birds' songs, I realized I had dreamed the most unusual thing: I had married the wrong person! And couldn't even recall who he was. I awoke with so much regret, but I knew I had to make it work. Then it hazily occurred to me that it wasn't real life. Then I prayed to St. Raphael. Then, in a few minutes, I was fully coherent laughed at myself and was relieved I hadn't made so grave a mistake.
Saturday's dream was rather more pleasant, but then reality disappointed me. I thought there was snow outside! Then, awake again at 6 AM, I confirmed to myself that I was indeed in Quito and chances were slim to none I would see the white, fluffy stuff. I can't believe I was disappointed by the lack of snow, but there it is. I am truly missing the seasons I find in my delightful corner of the Midwest. I also dreamed I was back at Hillsdale, maybe for Homecoming, and an old friend of mine absolutely would not talk to me. Whatever that's supposed to mean.
In other news, I've accustomed myself to taking the bus home. While I would infinitely prefer walking, it's just not an option. The road home isn't at all safe. But, I wouldn't feel half as triumphant if I merely walked home. There's something so victorious about boarding the bus, knowing it's the right one (or asking if necessary) and just riding home for a mere 25 cents. There I stand--I don't often find a seat--fighting for balance in the crazily driven vehicle, surrounded by a sea of dark skin and black hair.
Over my break, I plan to become more of a tourist. I've hardly seen much of Quito! In a recent excursion, I went to la Virgen del Panecillo. It's as statue of the Blessed Virgin--and is unique in the fact she has wings, as well as a serpent at her feet. It provides a wonderful view of the city! (See photo of my friend--and second roommate--Luis and me.)
I am really excited to buy Christmas gifts too! I'm going to go crazy at all the markets here, bartering like a pro. I'm so thrilled to be spending a cozy Christmastime in Michigan. The other night, I was lying in bed and half dreaming, half imagining a scene of myself with a group of friends, cuddled up around a roaring fire, sipping warm drinks and chatting...and it made me cry just a bit!
I've teared up at Mass, laughed and cried at sweet proposal stories, spent time looking at photos from college and from home...who am I? So weepy these days.
I am happy here and learning contentment like St. Paul talks about: in hardship and in abundance, etc. But I think I owe this new-found emotionalism to a) nostalgia and loneliness and b) being in touch with my emotions. I'm extremely pleased about reason b. I haven't always expressed the whole array of my emotions, but how am I supposed to live and enjoy a full life if I'm not an entirely cohesive human being? We can't just shut off part of our lives, desires, emotions, or thoughts. It's been good. I have to thank St. Francis de Sales and my brother for a bit of help with that.
Bad
news: Chavez was (dubiously) re-elected in Venezuela today. I recently
found out that he and Correa, Ecuador's president, are quite chummy.
That is unsettling. The other candidate was a promising, 30-year old,
Polish Jew.
And now, a few closing thoughts from Manalive by G.K. Chesterton:
"This
round road I
am treading is an untrodden path. I do believe in breaking out;
I am a revolutionist. But don't you see that all these real leaps
and destructions and escapes are only attempts to get back to Eden--to
something we have had, to something we at least have heard of?
Don't you see one only breaks the fence or shoots the moon in order
to get HOME?'
"`I mean,' he said with increasing vehemence, `that if there be a house
for me in heaven it will either have a green lamp-post and a hedge,
or something quite as positive and personal as a green lamp-post
and a hedge. I mean that God bade me love one spot and serve it,
and do all things however wild in praise of it, so that this one spot
might be a witness against all the infinities and the sophistries,
that Paradise is somewhere and not anywhere, is something and not anything.
And I would not be so very much surprised if the house in heaven had
a real green lamp-post after all.'
...or a fireplace and softly falling snow, and leaves that change color and fall down, and sudden, warm rain showers on a sunny day.
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