First, I just have to say that the one thing I miss the most about Stetson is you all. The thought of returning is kind of depressing, seeing that the workload here is almost zilch, but I can’t wait to meet everyone new and catch up with everyone else back on campus. México has been incredible so far: the excursions, tutoring at the Convent, getting to know my host family, and most of all dancing! My favorite and the most adventurous excursion had to have been the 6 hour horseback ride up a volcano. 3 people got kicked off their horses because their was a hail/rain/lightening storm!
But I’m beginning to think that my journey to find a service opportunity has been my biggest adventure yet. I came with a couple environmental organizations in mind, but soon found out that they were too far out of the city to travel to weekly. Then, within the first week, I happened upon a protest and met “the director” of an environmental organization and he graciously invited me to a meeting that night in a hotel. Luckily I had the wits to ask our advisor about the hotel and organization, and she was quick to tell me not to go because the hotel didn’t have a meeting room, and she had never heard of his “organization.” So, just as a warning, don’t trust anyone you have just met abroad. Even though they may seem like they have a great heart, it may be filled with bad intentions.
So now, I am volunteering at El Convento del Buen Pastor, only 5 minutes from my house and I look forward to it every Monday and Wednesday. At first, I was a little skeptical because I didn’t want to be another temporary person in these little girls’ lives and hurt them even more. But, as I’ve come to learn, these girls look forward to our coming more than I could have imagined, and without us there to encourage them, It’s hard to believe that they would get much of their homework done. Today, I worked with a girl named Julieta, who has the biggest attitude for a 6 year old (More than last year’s Pearson kids combined : )), but when I got ready to go she wouldn’t let go of me. It just goes to show that no matter how they act they appreciate our being there, and it makes me love it even more.
I feel like this theme of living in the present has summarized my trip so far. I am doing things I would have never imagined myself doing, and making the most of the moments I have with the girls at the convent. My friend Felipe introduced me to a poem that has been on my mind ever since and I just thought I would share it with you all. For those of you that don’t know Spanish, it pretty much says to not wait to do anything your heart desires, but to do it in life.
B-LOVE, Heather G.
EN VIDA, HERMANO, EN VIDA
De: Ana María Rabatte
Si quieres hacer feliz,
a alguien que quieres mucho,
dícelo hoy, sé muy bueno ...
en vida, hermano, en vida.
Si deseas dar una flor
no esperes a que se mueran,
mándala hoy con amor ...
en vida, hermano, en vida.
Si deseas decir : ‘Te quiero"
a la gente de tu casa,
al amigo cerca o lejos ...
en vida, hermano , en vida.
Tu serás muy, muy feliz,
si aprendes a hacer felices,
a todos los que conozcas ...
en vida , hermano , en vida.
Nunca visites panteones,
ni llenes de tumbas flores,
llena de amor corazones ...
en vida , hermano, en vida.
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