Back in the Savior

I’m back. And where am I? Sitting in my hammock.

Let me tell you, the first day back was unexpectedly jolting. And I was depressed and pathetic and unprepared to enter this life again. I was also exhausted and starving after my 14 hour journey through the night. No more midnight flights for me. This was Friday.

Saturday, I decided to stop being so pathetic and regain my strength with some top ramen and instant coffee. I then ventured over and visited my neighbors. It was actually really comforting. Callita, who I also refer to as abuelita, my 87-year-old neighbor and great grandmother to most of the kids here, was thrilled to see me. She’s my favorite and very lucid for her age. I guess it is reassuring to know someone actually missed me. Anyway, she was beside herself when I delivered her promised flaxseed formula to help with her digestion track. In return I got some fresh eggs. And I was in no place to turn down food. I had just turned my fridge on, and it was empty.

I also visited my adopted family, next door, delivering new tennis shoes to my favorite three year old, Modestito. He was also beside himself and then cried when his mother Sandra told him he had to take them off because he was playing in the mud. As usual, their family was extremely welcoming and has been feeding me non-stop. I’ve accepted only some of their food offers though, for I’m trying to come down from the over-eating stint I was on in the States. Sandra’s cooking is always delicious though.

Saturday afternoon I made it into Santa Rosa in order to refill my fridge with food. Lots of fresh vegetables, eggs, and REAL coffee. Hallelujah. I mean, as much as I love instant, I have finally graduated to the real deal. Thanks to the fam, I received a French press over xmas and am bathing in my new-found luxury.

So, I’ve pretty much been just relaxing. I’ll be doing a little work at the school the next few weeks, preparing with my teachers to begin the new year, but I’m taking it easy. I’m supposed to go in tomorrow for a meeting with the school staff, so we’ll see how that goes. Hopefully my computer workshop with the teachers will go over well. Anyway, once the school year starts (Jan 24), everything should be getting back in motion. I have my classes, the hopeful resurrection of my women’s group, and a couple other ideas in mind. Right now I’m just trying to get back in the swing of things.

Current reading: The Help, by Kathryn Stockett. Current page: 174. It’s really good so far. And, I’m really trying to get back in the habit of reading again. I got sucked into my computer, watching movies on my hard-drive the last few months before I came home, so now I’m trying to kick that habit and educate myself a bit.

Well, that’s all for now. Thought I’d send out an update. New years resolution: get back to blogging.

P.S. Who’s coming to visit this year? I want answers.

P.P.S. My neighbor Jenny told me Coco finally killed a rat while I was gone. It’s a miracle!