a hand, a heart beat and an unusual feeling

A hand a heart beat and a very unusual feeling were all jumbled in the adventures of today. During Spanish lessons at Los Pipitos today I met a young man by the name of Alfonzo and though I don´t know a lot about him, I do know he likes to touch people and he likes heart beats and apparently he liked my heart beat.

Alfonzo does not talk a lot. In fact I had no idea of his presence in the room until I felt a hand out of no where land on my chest. INVASION of personal space is what first popped into my head. A little HELLO your in my personal bubble, please step away. I had no idea who this kid was and WHY on earth he was touching me. After a broken translation I discovered Alfonzo was soothed by the feeling of a heart beat- WEIRD. I still don´t really understand it, however it is good to have a warning that he will be back rather than a shocking surprise.

I never realized how different a preconception can very from person to person. Personally I like my individual space and I especially like that people know their boundaries at least at home. In Nicaragua things are different. I don´t believe the term ´personal bubble´ has ever been coined and if it has, it sure is not very strict. I don´t know what it is, but it´s different here and no one seems to mind. People seem to prefer a closeness between them which is something to get used to. It isn´t bad mind you, just different Maybe it´s time I hung up my own individual bubble suit for a while and embraced the lifestyle before me.

Peace

BUGS

BUGS!! When looking back and preparing for this trip I thought of many things. Of the lack of running water, of getting sick, of not enough food.. etc.. you name it, I THOUGHT i thought about it. But apparently I was WRONG-O. My second night in Esteli proved to be more challenging than the first. It had rained all day, no meeting with the other Intercordians and to my dismay bugs. Now i´m not talking about a few buys.. that even I can handle. No No No NO! I have never seen so many bugs in my entire life.. combined! .. and lucky for me they all decided to have a little meet and greet in my room.. on my door. There were SO many they covered then entire face of the door.Needless to say.. I had my very first Beyond borders FREAK OUT, and it was huge complete with tears and all.

Later, I found out that with the first rain came loads of bugs. Apparently they don´t bite but it doesn´t make them any less creeeeepy... at least through my anti bug eyes. My host family all shared a nice laugh about it and kept saying NO PROBLEMO.. however it was a grade problemo at least for me! They moved me into a new room further into the house, and to my delight BUG FREE. I was very thankful that they realized it was important for me, even though it was normal for them.

Today has been a very good day although I still look ahead and think three months away.. can I do it? Do i even want to do it? and mostly what the heck am i thinking!?

This morning bright and early we went to Los Pipitos for our language training and after we toured the place. After only four short hours I can not communicate in Spanish with my family! Mind you it´s pretty broken, but it´s a start. I will never take this form of communication for granted ever again! Los Pipitos is a beautiful place! Its amazing in the same kind of way I found the Working Centre was like Oz! Each building is splashed with bright colors and photos of the children. Immediately I had a bunch of new friends once we met some of the kids and it didn´t matter if we couldn't speak to them because smiles and hugs are the same in every language and that's all they wanted.I think I am going to really like working here, how can anyone not with all of this positive energy floating through the rooms?

The obstacles this week have all taught me something. As Joanne says FRUSTRATION leads to LEARNING and once again she´s right.. I just hope that not every week has so many obstacles in store!

Peace

Greetings from Nicaragua!

WOW! What a roller coaster of emotions this past week has brought. When Mary Bee, Joanne and Lisa said to embrace the unknown they were not kidding! Nothing can really prepare you for jumping into a different culture complete with a new language, climate and ways of approaching life. When the five of us met in Toronto all keen and ready to jump into the unexpected I hadn´t the slightest clue what was ahead of me.. and to be honest i still dont!

The first day we were introduced to the way Nicaraguans approach time. Tamara- one of our leaders promised we would meet again the following day at 2 in the afternoon to begin our Spanish classes, our much needed Spanish classes i might add! 2 quickly became 3 turning into 5 that eventually ended up happening the next day. AHH i was so frustrated already! The only thing that got me through the first night was knowing I would soon be reunited with my fellow beyond bordians. Though my host family did their best at including me in their conversations I felt very alone and isolated. - which many of you know, is my biggest fear. If anything this feeling of isolation has been a huge motivator to not only immerse myself into the culture but to learn as much of the language as possible. Those terrible feelings of isolation will return, i am sure but right this second I have found some kind of momentary comfort that I will enjoy for the time being!

Peace

Last night at Home

Tonight is my last night at home, and tomorrow the much awaited adventure begins. If I told you I was excited it would be a lie. Emotions are flowing like no tomorrow and I'm basically feeling nerves galore. I know once I say goodbye to my parents and congregate with the other Students who are headed to Nicaragua things will be better, but until then I am nervous, scared, teary and anxious to say the least. My stomach feels like it's hit the floor, and though it could be the malaria pills, I feel like ti's nerves getting the best of me.

The hardest part about leaving for the summer is not being able to see my family. They are the greatest support system anyone could ask for, however with them in another country things don't feel as warm and cuddly. I have received some wonderful face book messages, e-mails, phone calls and letters from the people that believe in me, and they have meant the world to me. I am planning on printing them off and reading them in those dark moments when home is the number one thought on my brain. I just want to thank everyone for their support and It just a few weeks I will be back with many stories to tell. The next time I will be writing is when I will be settled into my temporary home in Central America, hopefully with a few stories to share as well.

Peace

Off We Go!

This past year has flown by, and the things I have learned with our two required classes, from Scott, Joanna and all the other BBers and our volunteer hours have been priceless. I think these classes as well as our time at The Working Centre have prepared us as much as possible. I remember this time last year applying for the program and thinking I bombed the interview. I had no idea that I would be accepted and even if I did get accepted I wasn't entirely sure I would go through with the program.. and here it is! Two classes down, 18 hrs accomplished and countless chats that have been about our excitements, fears, hopes etc. It has been a whirl wind but one that has taught me so much about myself and about having faith and trust in others. Though I'll still be teary, and probably slightly afraid when I get on the airplane I know that I am as prepared as I'm ever going to be so now it's time to jump off the diving board and into what we've been talking about for so long!

I believe that International Service learning is not only important, but crucial to the development of human beings. It teaches people about themselves, about whats going on in the world and about how important the role of a single person can be. I hope to come back and really be able to reflect on the importance of international service learning and what it has meant to me. I can't wait to jump in and really see what it is all about, and what I have been talking about for so long! All for now,

Peace

Bittersweet

Last night as we stood in a circle passiong around a ball of yarn I have to admit I got a little teary. It was our last official get together as the BB crew before the summer begins. It was such a great night to be together, to talk and share a meal. We all met at Joannes house, her family and the BB's were all under the same roof. I especially appreciated the warm fuzzies and the time spent giving personal wishes.The friendships I have develolped throughout the Beyond Borders class have been amazing. Without this class I would have never crossed paths with many of this individuals or with Joanne. The people attracted to an International service prgram may come from various backgrounds but everyone of them seem to have a big heart and all are concerned with making the world a better place. To be surrounded by a group of people that have such strong beliefs in making differences and challenging the status quo is truly inspirational. This is such a bittersweet moment in the BB process. I have created these amazing friendships with such proactive people that leaving is the end of something that has been a blessing. As soon as I come back from Nicaragua this is going to be a group of people I will be extremly anxious to see. I think each one of the Beyond Bordians will do great things abroad and even greater when they get back.

Peace

As things come to an end..

Yesterday, just like any other Tuesday; i made my way to The Woring Centre just a little bit after 12,ordered the usual and sat by the window. I got some serious people watching in, a little homework and some small talk with one man who also comes in every Tuesday. Finally as things have become routine and comfortable they're supposed to change again. I know the volunteers in the caf and some of the people that come in on a regular basis, I know where things are supposed to go in the art space and what projects are on the go..basically -I finally feel at home at TWC .. which is great.. but as the semester wraps up so does our time at TWC.

Since yesterday was supposed to be my last day, I brought my sheet to be signed by my supervisor and was prepared to say a little goodbye to the new friends I have made in the last few months. When I think about it today, I think I as well as both Mischa and Leeanne knew that just because my hours were finished didn't mean i'd be gone. So when it neared four o'clock I packed up for the bus and promised to be back the following week to finish a rug on the loom... and probably each week until I leave for the summer. It was really nice to know that they wanted me to continue voluntering and that they appreciated my company just as I appreciate theirs. There are so many things still to learn at TWC i thought, why stop now?