Back in the PNW

"You are going to wake up and think to yourself, 'I'm in Mexico'--but you won't be anymore."

-Miguel, director of Hogar de los Angeles, on returning home after volunteering

I've been back in Federal Way since Sunday.. Wow. My last week in Mexico seriously whipped on by. I think somewhere in the back of my mind I have this delusional thought that tomorrow I will magically wake up in San Miguel, walk north two blocks down 28 de abril norte, duck through the entrance of the daycare in the early-morning cold and see the smiling faces of the teachers, moms and children. But there is a time for everything, and the time for me to be in Seattle is now.

I think I'm getting better at saying goodbyes. I mean, it's certainly sad because I wish I could have stayed longer. I wish I could have had more time with my favorite kids, playing and laughing at their antics, chatting and reading them stories. I wish I could have had more afternoons talking with Marisol while the kids slept, sprawled out with their shoes tossed hither tither around the perimeter of the mattresses. I wish I could have gone to worship service this Sunday instead of getting airsick in a jet. But the best thing is that God is going to continue doing marvelous things in San Miguel--the only bummer is that I won't be there to witness them. :) He's got Hogar de los Angeles, Gente con Proposito, all the people that I met down there--in his hands. So it wasn't that bad receiving my last hugs from Beto and Yoselin, and saying bye to Marisol.

My favorite goodbye was our last full day in San Miguel, which was Saturday. I asked my parents if we could go to the orphanage to see Fernando, Angel and Erik. It was so nice to see them! Fernando was still in isolation, but he came out to see me and we sung a few songs.. Got to push Erik around on a tricycle and he adorably pointed out and introduced to me all his older friends. Angel, as usual, went #2 in his pants and had to go get changed, but as soon as he was clean again was smiley as ever, spinning on the merry-go-round with the other boys.

As we were walking away down the dirt road I heard Ángel’s little voice cry out, “¡Abril!” I turned around and through the chain link fence I could see him on the playground, standing on the big toy, waving at me. “¡Adios!” he cried, waving to me. “Adios, Ángel,” I replied, smiling. “¡Abril!” he yelled again. “¡Adios!” It was such a happy goodbye and the image of him waving and smiling will stay in my memory forever.

What a special time, being in Mexico for 10 weeks. What more can I say? It was awesome.

Where to next?? :)

Pictures from Graduation

This past Wednesday was the big graduation for the kids going to kindergarten! That meant saying goodbye to Erik & Angel--I started crying when they walked in wearing their suits.

Handsome Erik!

Angel with chocolate cake in hand

The dance for "El Chavo del Ocho," a Mexican sitcom
L to R: Maestra Mari, Kevin, Maestra Marisol, Emilio Miguel, Jair & Diana

The teachers doing their Western/Rodeo Dance
L to R: Ana, Mari, Adriana, Marisol

Graduates doing their dance

In lieu of dancing, Angel was given a basket of flowers, which he gleefully chucked at the other kids

Kay receiving volunteer of the year award for all her fundraising efforts

Juan Pablo with his mom, Vero

Christine & I posing with Yoselin, dressed as Chilindrina

Sweet boys that I will miss--already unwrapping their graduation gifts

Visitors!

Oh, and one more thing.. My parents are here!

Con agradecimiento

Gearin' Up for Graduation!

This week was full of practice, practice, practice for the big graduation on Wednesday. After a disappointing full rehearsal on Tuesday, we opted out of the usual Friday trip to the park in order to get in a couple more run-throughs of speechs, songs and dances. Donna said, "You know, they tell me that they practice a lot, but when the day finally comes it always seems like they could have practiced more."

A lot of practice means a lot of time out on the patio--a lot of downtime. Earlier this week Yoselin, Diana and Jimena decided to peinarme--do my hair. After awhile, peinarme just meant tugging at my hair--three pairs of hands tugging in three different directions. Ya no, por favor, I had to ask.

Marisol with Jair, Beto & the mother of Lupita

The kids were as rambuncious as ever this week. They couldn't even pay attention to the TV anymore--not even Cars or Mulan could keep them still. Nap time was extremely trying as Fernando and Yoselin ran around the room from one casita to the next while Angel shouted out ¡Cállate!--shut up!--before commencing in sucking on his right pointer finger, as is his custom. My favorite part of this week was sitting next to Erik, trying to get him to sleep, while he's chatting away and wriggling about. Only three more days with that precious little one!

Unexpected Goodbye

Fernando meticulously "writing" Marisol's dictation of the day's weather

Friday morning as the kids were settling into their seats to get ready for breakfast, Marisol began counting heads, noting that we had ten instead of the usual eleven. ¿Quién falta? "Who's missing?" Ah.. Fernando.. Erik's voice piped in, Se fue al doctor "He went to the doctor." Soon we had in hand the doctor's note, typewritten, communicating that Fernando had hepatitis. Doctor's orders: bedrest for eight days. Bedrest for eight days=no Fernando at the graduation. Bedrest for eight days=Fernando is never coming back to Hogar de los Angeles (he's moving onto kindergarten!). I was kind of crushed and sad at this sudden news! I didn't get to say goodbye. :( Prayers for him healing quickly and a good beginning in kínder.

Fun Stuff

Curry Night with Christine and Sammy (from CA)

Had a wonderful time cooking with a couple of the volunteers on Tuedsay. Christine's mom sent her Vermont curry blocks in a care package. Mmm. It was too watery, but we didn't care. By the way, the beer is Christine's, not mine. Afterwards we watched Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley because Sammy was dying for anything in English--anything she could understand. We'll both be leaving on the same day; she's been great company. :)

Took a big ol' hike up to the Botanical Gardens El Charco del Ingenio today. Got lost a couple of times yet was blessed by charitable people who pointed me in the right direction. I felt my energy being restored as the sounds of the city faded away. The nature reserve is huge, with many trails and many protected species of cacti. Best of all, it was nearly deserted. The entire time I was there I only crossed paths with two other people. What a gift for an introverted, nature-addicted girl like me.

Today I was just praying and thinking about how absolutely incredible it is that I am here, that I have been able to meet so many different people and have so many new experiences. I mean, yesterday I had youth from the church over to the house--we were talking in pure Spanish. We ate popcorn and crepes with ice cream and watched 17 Again. To me that's just cool--to really feel part of the community here. To know the Mexican people here has been so awesome! I feel blessed to know each one.