Young Professionalism

I have my own desk, a phone extension and an order form for business cards. Sometimes I have to remind myself to use big words and not giggle with excitement when I use the copy machine or print on letter head. I actually thought about stealing some letter head for my scrapbook today! haha. I am so in over my head.

I love my job. All three days of it have been wonderful. I share an office with a woman from Sudan who came to the U.S. during the civil war. The people across the hall speak spanish 50% of the time and this morning when I walked in there was a prayer meeting in the conference room. :) I love it. I love working with disadvantaged youth and a variety of world cultures. It's so me:) I had no idea that God would bring me somewhere so new and different to bring me to life.

How to become what I am

It's been an awkward transition into adulthood. I don't like it at all actually. I thought I would love the freedom and be able to do all these things I never had time to do before: read books, take art classes, work out, cook, hang out, disciple, learn. Which all of that happens to some degree but really just doesnt mean as much when it's ALL you do.

Today I listened to the Mars Hill podcast from Sunday's service. Kent Dobson spoke about Jesus and the children. He said that children are such special creations because they haven't yet begun to understand SUCCESS. They haven't reached success nor are they striving for success, they are simply happy living in the moment. He said the only thing we can learn from success is that we won. We made it. Wahoo how great. Learning and growing comes from pain, failure and trial. I resonate with that. I feel like a failure so often as I'm job searching. I usually think it sounds just like me and then over time start to think of all the reasons why I'm not good enough.

But this trial, this failure, it's growing me.

Se extrano

I'm a horrible blogger. I've been home for about 2 weeks now and it's been almost a month since my last post. The end of my trip was amazing. Chris and I traveled to the coast and stayed a night in Manta at an overpriced hostel, eating turkey-ham from the SuperMaxi for dinner, while Chris recovered from his attack of Altitude sickness. We then made it over to Puerto Lopez where we stayed in a nice hostel and drank fruit juice on the beach all night. It was a small town, no bigger than a few blocks, mostly filled with tourists. Boats lined the water's coast at night after a long day out fishing or touring the Island. There was quite a few good restaurants in the area because of the large amount of tourists. The first night we ate at the Whale Cafe- owned by a few older Americans, most likely in their retirement. After a night of

gross SuperMaxi lunch meat, the $6.00 plate of loaded stir fry was a delicacy! I even made Chris splurge for the brownie dessert:)

Our second day in P. Lopez we went on the day tour to Isla de la Plata. We saw an overwhelming amount of whales on our way out. Some were jumping right at the nose of our boat while others swam underneath and then surfaced so close we thought we might tip!! It was incredible- breathtaking really to be so close to such a rare and beautiful creature. We saw a ton of birds on our hike through the island- lots and lots of blue footed boobies ( Which really entertained me!). We snorkled on our way back and then ended the trip with a breathtaking, picturesque sunset.

Did I mention that I got interviewed by Univision, the spanish channel in the states, about my whale watching experience? Yeah, I did great- talked in spanish and everything!!! lol. Funniest thing ever!



We then spent a few days in Montanita- a small surfer town about an hour south on the Ruta Del Sol. The ATM being our main reason for travel, but probly one of my favorite parts of the trip. The town was like no other place I've ever been. The music didn't stop til 5 in the morning and the streets were lined with Gypsies and Hippies selling homemade jewelery and clothing. The restaurants again were some of the best. Empenadas and corn on the cob from the street venders were my favorite. The hostel was gorgeous- modern yet elegantly rustic- South American style! We went out dancing and spent very little time on the beach since it was quite overcast in the day.

We ended our trip with another stop in P. Lopez to revisit our favorite natural private beach- Los Frailles. Just beautiful. Very few people, clear water for what looked like eternity, and perfectly white sand. It was surprisingly sunny at this beach while it wasnt 15 min down the road in town.

After returning to Quito we took a day trip to Papallacta to swim in the Natural Hot Springs. Long bus ride- but worth it.

And then took the Maya family out to dinner at the Boca Del Lobo. A really modern restaurant in the Mariscal- the party district. It was an emotional goodbye- but refreshing to arrive home to family the next night and be back on American soil.

Today I had a moment while I was driving and listening to Mami Susy's Spn Christian CD where I just felt completely filled with Joy. I'm so blessed to be here with my family yet hold the memories of all my adventures in my heart. Just listening to those spn songs brought back so many memories of what Ecuador was to me. The Maya family and all the other students. The mountains, the ocean, the rain forest. It seems almost like a movie that I just woke up from. I think I've recovered from my culture shock back to America- and I realize just how much I really loved every painful, joyful, tough and confused moment that I had there. I am so blessed to carry that with me now and forever.

El fin

WOW life is busy and crazy and exciting for everybody huh??

Well, I officially just finished my two classes here at USFQ-- Well actually I am waiting on Chris is finish writing my 8 page paper on Revolutionary Wealth- He has 1/2 a page left and then we can turn it in and run WILD and FREEEEEE from this prison called a University!!!!!! YES- that means that I am done with school. I might have to go back though cause I'm pretty sure that I just failed that econ test with flying colors. But, PLEASE PRAY that there's still enough points and GRACE in this world for me to GRADUATE!! .. I had no idea how hard it would be to be "graduated" but not "graduated".

Thank God for Chris and his paper writing abilities. He is SO good to me. Yeah sure I'll fly to Ecuador and spend a day and a half writing your paper for you. What a man.

Anyways, I've been a wreck all morning nervous as all hell that I wont graduate- but at least now i am done for now and if I do have to take more classes I can rejoice because they will be in ENGLISH. I love that language.

Chris and I went on a fun trip with the exchange students group this past weekend and spent some time with the Maya family, They get the biggest kick out of him.

Mami susy: Gringito hasn't said very much today.
Daughter Susy: Uh it's because he's not able to!!!!
Me: hahahah it's true!
Chris: What?

hahahahhaha. I love my little spanish family. I will miss them a lot but we are not going to talk about that cause I have severe crying tendencies.

We're going to go to my favorite place to eat tonight and do the teleferico in the mountains then tomorrow we peace out to Isla de la plata and other random adventurous travels. Pray for safety and health and then we will see you all on July 23 when we arrive at teh GR airport at 8 at night. Try not to be 30 min late like I was when I picked Chris up from the Quito Airport. oops! ( and he still wrote my paperr....what a guy!)

Love you all! ( and yes some of you may have already gotten this post in e-mail form)

Chiva Bus

Well today is one of my favorite days in Quito. At least it will be come 9 o´clock when Christopher arrives :) It´s really fun because everyone here is excited to meet him and everytime I turn around another person is like Su novio hoy!!!! loca.

One of my classes got canceled for tomorrow so I offically only have 1 more class here in Quito!!!! ..an 8 page paper and 2 exams. So, it´s getting closer every second. Come Monday at 1- if alll my prayers are answered-- I WILL BE OFFICIALLY GRADUATED!

Tomorrow we are taking a trip to Guayaquil and Riobamba- doing some touring by train. It's supposed to be really scenic- and it´s out of Quito with a little fresh air !!! Then next Tuesday it is off to the beaches and an amazing trip to Isla De la Plata ( the poor man´s Galapagos).

Yesterday our large group of exchange students went on a night tour of Quito in a Chiva Bus. Basically, it´s a bus with a bunch of benches in the back and then a big deck over top with a Live Band and a bunch of crazy tourists!! It was rediculously fun! They gave us little plastic whistles and we pretty much caused a scene all over the town. At one point we passed the President´s caravan entering into Old Quito. Yesterday was kind of a big day for him- apparently he took over the two largest t.v. stations in the country and there are some upset people ( i dont really understand cause i thought he broke up a monopoly and it was like a great thing! lol. ..language barrier...) Anyways, we all yelled and someone said he even waved at us out his window. I´m not sure- I was too busy yelling ¨One more term!!!¨¨ haha. Again, one of those things I think has all the humor in the world- especially since they are famous for kicking their President´s out of office here. But really other people just are like ¨ really? Who brought her?¨¨

We stopped in old Quito to change seating arrangements and played a ¨¨King and Queen of the Chiva¨¨ game in the courtyard of a big museum. My msu friend Ashley won the Queen- it was her 21st birthday:) Not quite as exciting in Ecuador seeing as they start drinking out of the womb here- but she loved it. Before the Chiva we went to our favorite place Crepes & Waffles and got some of the best ice cream ever!!! Have I mentioned the ice cream here? They have flavors you have never even thought of--- and lots of them!! My favorite is the frozen yogurt with fruta del bosque ( its like real blackberries and raspberries and you will die after one bite!)

The bus was funny cause we had random pedestrians try to jump on with us, cars were driving by and taking pictures of us and the police actually were our biggest fans honking everytime we passed!

I got all my sparty friends to sing the Fight song with me along with the beat of the random band...lol.! We got it on video tape:) Maybe it´s just me but I think it´s so cool to sing the fight song in random places around the world.We also took a big msu group pic in front of the museum with a few MSU shirts in there so we can try to get on the website!! GO GREEN!

Afterwards the bus dropped us off at the Mariscal-which is the party district and the main gathering for white people. They call it ¨gringo-landia¨ casually. We got in some good dancing at one of the clubs called Tequila. It´s always a challenge for me to figure out as many ways as possible that I can avoid the creeper trying to teach me how to salsa. I tried the oh no thanks I´m dancing with my friends right now and when that didn´t work I would try to pawn them off on my friends claiming they were much better dancers than I. Then I got stuck because I was the shortest.....and the short little Ecuadorian man really needed a short partner. ugh. So, I tried to salsa it up as long as I could. He asked where I was from and If I had ever heard of Battle Creek. lol. Then he asked if I spoke spanish and the nice man even offered to help me practice. Long story short, that´s when I ran.

Feliz dia de libertad

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

I wish I was home for fireworks and cookouts :) It's always one of my favorite parts of summer.

Nothing exciting is going on here today- just another day. It is my host sister's 19th birthday!

She had some friends come over and break out the vodka with her earlier this afternoon- I think she invited me to go to a concert tonight but I'm not sure. Language barriers suck. Cause how do you clarify that... " Oh you want me to come?" and then she's like ohhh thats totally not what I said but now I have to invite her! lol. It sucks a little.

So, wednesday was a big day- Liga ( Ecuador's big soccer team) was in the Copa finals against Brazil. This was the biggest game in like 21-23 years! Everyone was sporting a Liga jersey that day! We all had big plans to head out to a sports bar to watch the game together.
Then, on my way home from school I was like my stomach feels a little weird. I take 3 busses to get home and by the time I got to the second one I was sweating profusely- something was seriously wrong. I almost ducked it off the bus a few times sure I was gonna lose it- but seeing as how I had no idea where I was I used all my will power to make it home. The second I got off the bus I lost all of my lunch right there on the street corner. I thought people would think I was making a bit of scene since I threw up a good 4 times there on the corner- but everyone just passed on by like it was an ordinary event. Then I remembered I was in a country where men can freely pee on the side of the road!

Long story short, I didnt make it out to watch the game. Instead I stayed in and puked a few more times. I got out of bed to watch the end- it went into PK's and Liga won!! They showed all the streets on T.V. and they were just filled edge to edge with people!! It was crazy how excited everyone got.

Today I'm just trying to regain some energy and get some homework taken care of. We only have one week of classes done and then finals!!! I want to finish everything this weekend so that I will have nothing but studying for next week. And Chris gets here on Wednesday so I'm trying to open my schedule! I couldn't be more excited or ready for him to come.

Tiputini Biodiversity Station

USFQ has it´s very own research station out in the middle of the Amazon Rain Forest. It´s really easy to get to- all you do is take a plane to the city Coca, then get on a bus through the town to the boat dock, dodge around the monkeys that will sit on the arms and head of any person that is nearby, get on a boat for 2 hours to the oil station, then go through security and load a trolly bus through the Amazon for 2 hours until you get to the little shack that reads ¨ Tienda la Rosita¨ just before the rickity bridge. There, you will load on a long wooden canoe with all of the workers and supplies and head down the tributary for another 2 hours or so until you reach the small cabana on the riverbend. That´s Tiputini. Offically in the middle of nowhere!

We were all given big black rubber boots and bunked up in some small wooden shacks. I roomed with 3 girls from North Carolina whom I love a lot! We had no hot water, biodegradable soap and electricity only from the hours of 11a-1 and 6-930 at night.

> The first night we went on a night hike to look for the nocturnal animals. We saw a snake up close and personal just sleeping right along the trail on a large leaf. There were a ton of crazy looking spiders which I did not like much and even a real walking stick or two!!

> The next day we were up and the crack of dawn for breakfast and then a 3 hour hike through the Rain Forest, up to our knees in mud!! We saw a ton of monkeys!! They were all just playing in the trees above us throwing things and making mischief. Our guide had some binocs so we could take a closer look! We also saw some tracks of a big Pig the size of a small cow. Tapier- I think the name is. ( I actually think I´m wrong cause I can´t find it on Wikipedia!) oh well. I saw a picture later and they are some real ugly things. Our Guide Jose has been living in the Rain Forest his whole life as part of an indigenous tribe. When he was 10 he was lost in the forest for 2 days with only a machete and a stun gun. He´s a tough one. He knew all kinds of things about the trees and plants. We learned a ton! There is even this one type of tree that when you crack open the branch a whole village of ants lives inside- and the ants taste like lemon!!! Yes, we tried them! I just licked one for the taste but my crazy friend Karrin ate up the whole thing!!! Sick huh!?
We did a lot of little hikes. Our second trip was to a watch tower where I saw some Toucans through the binocs and a monkey came right up close to us in the tree next to the tower! He was just chillin and eating and scratching like you seem them do on t.v. and at the zoo!!! It was nuts! We also took a little canoe in the lagoon to look at some crazy parrot species. Again, the name escapes me. But they were very colorful with big spiky feathers on their heads. That was pretty cool.

The second day was my favorite. We sat around in the morning waiting for the rain to pass ( it rains a lot in the rain forest! ) We saw a Boa curled up in the station hiding from the rain. Then we went out to anohter tower and didnt see much. THEN, in the afternoon we went PIRANHA FISHING!!! We only caught like 2 or 3- and the guide got a catfish! We fished with little wooden sticks and chunks of red meat. Comforting that they eat red meat huh? I almost had one but I couldn´t get him hooked with my little stick and he got away once he reached the surface. Also, there were sardines up the wazooo in the water and those little pesks would just nibble away at the bait!! I hated them so much. Later that night for dinner they cooked up everybody´s piranhas and we all shared. It´s actually a pretty good fish. If you can get over the fact that the teeth were still in tact on the platter!

We all jumped in the water with life jackets and floated down the river on the way back to the station from fishing. We were warned not to pee though b.c there are these little animals that climb in your urethra when you pee and expand out little barbs. You have to get them out- and the barbs dont go in!!!! yikes!! I don´t think anyone got one though! whew!!

One night we watched a slide show of all the animals in the forest. National Geographic sponsers a study with hidden- motion and heat sensored cameras which catch all the wildlife in action. they´ve been able to get a picture of almost every species in the forest. We saw some pretty cool leopards and monkeys and even some huge anteaters the size of a big dog!

The last night was my favorite! We got to go out in the boat at night and spot alligators. They´re called Caymans here and are a little bit smaller than alligators. We saw a bunch and were able to get pretty close in our boat. We saw about half a dozen- one was even albino! Then our guide, Santiago, who is like Survivorman meats Chuck Norris- just reached over the boat and grabbed one!!! It was a baby Cayman but baby or not he put that thing right in our boat!!!!!!!! Talk about a man with some balls! GEEZ LOUISE!!! So of course everyone flipped a lid and started taking photos right and left. One disturbed passenger who couldn´t see tried to yell at me to move and I jsut turned and told her if she kept it up I was gonna throw her off the boat! lol. I felt bad so I attempted to talk with her in a mature manner about the matter afterwards but she ran away from me while I was talking! haha. oops! To make matters worse she is the ¨ socially awkward¨ girl that I keep telling everyone Jesus loves too! I guess I just let the gator excitement get the best of me- but it was kinda funny!!! I think she forgives me.



On one of the many long stops on the way home we were at a hotel with a ton of animals just wandering about. These tiny monkeys would just eat everybody´s food and jump on everyone´s head. They are funny little guys! They also had an anteater, sloths, a turtle or two and a peacock just walking about! It was great!!!!

OH and!!! Turns out one of the guys from UNC had some friends who had some friends from Michigan and he was a HUGE Nertz fan!! ( its a card game we always play at state!) I thought my friends like made it up- turns out no! So, we had a nertz tournament everyday!!!! IT WAS GREAT!!!! :)

Now, it´s back to school. Only 7 days of classes left- I think there´s a small chance I can make it out of this alive.

estoy aqui, estoy contigo

Psalm 59:16 And me? I'm singing your prowess, For you've been a safe place for me, a good place to hide. Strong God, I'm watching you do it, I can always count on you— God, my dependable love. [ A David Psalm, When He Fought Against ]


God. My Dependable Love.

One of my favorite things about Ecuador is the family I live with. Susy always says, ¨ I don´t have a large house, but I have a large heart¨ ( In spanish of course). It´s so true. She radiates love and joy from the God who has transformed her life, given her hope and strengthened her to survive proudly within the midst of many trials. Life isnt easy at the Maya house, but it is always joyful! There is always respect and care for one another. Voices are only raised in the midst of excitement and hands only raised to help.

My favorite part of life here is my drives to and from the University with Mami Susy. We usually talk about God and how we see Him and the challenges he has presented us with recently. She loves her christian music and I´ve begun to learn some of the words so I can sing along ( see post title...I have a ways to go. lol). They are times that bring me great peace here in Ecuador and much understanding.

I love this verse Psalm 59:16- God. My dependable love. Dios. mi amor fiable.

I´ve had a lot of pain in my heart this last week. Not because of school or language or because I´m homesick or any of those things. But, because I´ve been lost in translation with God.
How can I tell what is TRUTH and what is LIE. I´ve always struggled in determining that. I´m so easily swayed by the opinions of those I love. But, what do I do when those opinions contradict the ONE VOICE OF TRUTH I live for? I go in circles whether it´s God´s voice that is leading me, my voice or the voice of those I love. But Psalm 59 answers that all so clearly. GOD IS DEPENDABLE. He is TRUTH! He will not leave us nor forsake us. All we have to do is draw near to Him, desire Him and strive to follow Him and He will NOT lead us astray.

Have Faith I say. He IS the GOD He says He is! He can do the things He says He can! We are who He says we are!

It still hurts to feel betrayed, to feel like your dreams aren´t good enough for the world that criticizes them. But in all that pain and loneliness I DEPEND ON GOD.

He´s the only one here in Ecuador that knows my soul. He knew all the days of my life before I was one day old! That I can trust. He is the ONLY ONE in all the world who holds and teaches the TRUTH of success for ME. To that I hold onto.

I am comforted - The road I take through life may be criticized, unsupported, hard and lonely at times. But wasn´t that the very road Jesus took? I stand alone in the eyes of the world and many whom I love, but I stand on my Dependence on God.

Sometimes I thank God for all my answered prayers

So, my life is changing faster than I can think.

Chris just bought a ticket to Ecuador 10 min ago!
We´ve been talking about him coming to travel with me my last week here for some time, but I never thought it would actually happen. But with months of praying and lots of wise counsel- He´s coming July 9.
I feel sick to my stomach I´m so overwhelmed. He will be here to join the group for our field trip through the Sierra the 10-12th. Then after my 2 finals we will head over to Isla de la Plata which is the ¨ Poor Man´s Galapagos¨. They have all the same stuff except the large turtles and Darwin plaques. lol.

Also, on the same crazy note about my life- I´m entering the application stage for a position with YL Church partnership in Grand Rapids. It´s crazy how God throws things in your lap and says HERE! I´M PROVIDING AND PAVING A WAY JUST FOR YOU!

WOW. I feel like I´m floating! hahah.

I have a ton more to say about my fun weekend at the Indigenous Market and the other crazy things I´m learning but I have to hitch a ride home with Susi!

Pray for my exam and quiz on wednesday!!!! I´m so nervous!

So far I have gotten C´s on my spn quizzes and this will be my first econ test!!!
I have to pass. There is too much in front of me to not make it through!

SI SE PUEDE!

GOOOOAAALLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vamos Ecuatorianos
Esta Tarde
Tenemos que ganar!

Ecuador v Columbia was yesterday! They tied 0-0. We got to the game early- like 2:30 because the seats were all general admission and there were super long lines. The main streets aroun the stadium closed down and people were everywhere in Yellow, Red and Blue drinking Pilsener which is their local beer they are very in love with! lol. It was kinda like tailgating before an Msu game only everyone was a lot closer together and Latina!

I went to the game with a group of other international students and our Director, Pancho, who works at the university. He said that they love to interview foreigners and show that they are rooting for Ecuador and sure enough they ran right up to us ( mainly to me!). I was a little overwhelmed to talk spanish so i just repeated what they said- which was obviously not correct! lol. But it was fun and exciting none the less. I was also distracted by a little boy who kept calling me amiga and asking if he could shine my shoes. I was wearing brand new yellow flats ( in the spirit of Ecuador) that obviously didn´t need to be shined. lol ( remember the shoes- they will come in later)

We ended up having really great seats in the first 10 rows behind the goal. We got our faces painted for a quarter, had some snacks and enjoyed the sunshine. Then about 45 minutes into our extravaganza it started to rain. Nobody had any rain gear cause it was a really hot and sunny day up until then. The panchos went fast and it cost me $1.50 just to get a trashbag!! Some of my friends were left with nothing and are now at home sick. It rained ( cold rain) from 3:30- the second half which was about 6:30! The best part was that they had handed out huge bags of blue confetti that everyone was throwing around. Of course the blue dye from the confetti ran in the rain and stained everything from my hair to my nailpolish- INCLUDING MY BRAND NEW SHOES! Shannon is NOT a happy camper.

So despite the horrible weather, we all stuck it out and enjoyed the game. There was a lot of people faking hurt which got old after a while. It was an ok game. Ecuador did well on offense in the second half but kept heading it over the goal. It was fairly action-less. However, I did learn all the Ecuador cheers and it was a super good time to just be in the crazy atmosphere.

After the game, we decided to skip the food and just head for home- we were soaked. It took forever to flag a taxi cause the entire City was outside looking for one! However, Pancho was with us and did most of the dirty work. After a good 20 min or so he flagged me a taxi and told him abouts where to go. This was really helpful cause then we got the regular price, had we been alone we would have been charged nearly double for being gringo and it being a busy night. So, I´m riding a long in the taxi about to my house and he stops in front of the airport. I tell him its up farther and apologize cause Pancho must have said the airport without me knowing. Apparently, you are not allowed to stop where it´s yellow in front of the airport because the Policia came running and started pounding on his car. He Sped away quickly, keeping his eyes in the rearview mirror and saying ¨La Policia!¨ over and over again! I started to get nervous but wasn´t sure what to do. Then he started swerving through traffic demanding me to pay quickly ¨ Pagáme Rápido!¨ So I throw him my five dollar bill and politely ask for change. He looks at it disgustingly and scrounges for some dollar coins as he is swerving! He chucks them at me ( ok hands them quickly- but chucks sounds better) and then is yelling for directions. I tell him where to go and he swerves into the BUS LANE and turns left through un-coming traffic!!! He is now speeding at like 50mph down my tiny little street as I yell AQUI AQUI to get him to turn on my street. He doesnt use the break and quickly turns right dodging two pedestrians, a parked car and a speed bump! I then yell ¨Aqui es bien!¨ to let him know he can let me out- when he turns another corner to hide from the cops that are apparently chasing us, and he yells for me to get out as fast as possible! ¨ Sale rapído, sale rapído!!!!¨ I get out and he speeds away down the street. I laugh. My taxi driver just broke the law. hahaha. I then enter my house still wearing a trash bag and my ruined shoes only to try to explain the story to my host family! lol. They laughed so hard and said I have lots of stories to tell when I get home!!

Things just happen to me- I don´t know why- but they do! lol

This weekend I am going on a hike to 4 different lakes and then going to the Indigenous Market on Saturday. tonight the girls are going to see Sex and The City and out to dinner. I just got assigned a 250 page book to read with a 18 page paper by the 4th- so Sunday will be alll homework! oh joy!

Love you guys lots!

Me gustarlo

hola chicos! Today is the day of the Ecuador v Columbia game and I am goinG!!! It´s a huge deal- it´s a qualifying game for the 2010 WorldCup in South Africa and Ecuador and Columbia don´t like eachother much..the stadium is already filling up and the game isn´t until 430!! I´m wearing yellow shoes and I´m going to get a jersey outside the stadium- the streets fill with ppl selling jerseys on these days.

Yesterday we went to scalp tickets cause the line was rediculously long and not moving and then we went tothe mall and ate at Crepes y Waffles- my new favorite place. However, there is a curse on me here and whenever we go out to eat everyone gets their food but me. This has happened like 4 times now. It´s a running joke now that Murphy´s Law is just true.

Mami Susy paints her nails- French Manicure- every sunday and last night she painted mine! She is really good at it and even paints designs!! I love it. She was like, next week we do again and paint more designs!! ( she didnt really say it like that but it´s how I hear spanish in my head!lol). Having the older sister home has been good- she works in the day and has class at night. But she is very friendly and gave me all kinds of tips today on how not to get pick pocketed at the futbol game!

School is getting better- I´m feeling on top of things and understanding a little better. God definitely has given me peace about my classes and freedom from the heavy burden I was feeling.

I´m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel and it´s helping me to enjoy the time I have here, cause I know it´s going quickly. I think before I was really overwhelmed with the culture shock and the language barrier. I felt like I was going to be here forever!! But, with prayer I´m really starting to be comfortable and joyful and appreciative of all I have here. My family is such a blessing and the friends I´m making are awesome! I think I´m finally healthy and prepared to do this. To enjoy it and learn from it. I wish you guys could be here- it´s really something.

I´ve attached a nice photo of what I look like today- Just in case you have forgotten. :)

No it´s not mosquito bites, I just have Acne- thank you!

Hola chicos! So here I am at school again after a wonderful weekend at the Coast. It was beautiful! We stayed in a nice private resort, had three course meals for lunch and dinner everyday and took a boat to a private beach, La Playa Escondida. We saw blue footed boobies from the boat alll over one of the cliffs in the water!! I tried to get a picture - It reminded me of when Kyle did a report on them in fourth grade and I was embarrased cause I thought he was perverted! lol. But they are real, and they live all over the cliff in the middle of the Pacific! We were supposed to see whales too but it was too rough and we would have had to go out too far. So we explored at the beach and discovered small caves all along the water. We collected shells and stones and swam in the waves. The lunch was wonderful!! My favorite food is called platanos- which is a fried banana ( a green one that´s a little different than what you´re used to)that tastes like a big potato chip! mmm.

We got to go banana boating also!! That was my favorite we had soo much fun and the driver even took our foto with his camera phone cause we were such a sight to see!!! We got free surf lessons but I passed them up to play beach Futbol. The word on the street was the water was too rough and the boards too small for beginners anyways.

One of the funniest parts of the trip was that one of the chaperones who only spoke spanish ( he was like early 40´s..married..ya know..) Insisted that I had gotten bit my mosquitos overnight. I said no, I thought I was pretty clear of bug bites- and then he insisted on pointing them all out on my face!!!! When in actuality, it was just my acne breakout- because I didn´t bring enough of my acne medicine!! ( I have been very upset about this all week!). So, due to the language barrier I was unable to explain and he wouldnt take my NO for an answer and insisted that he had anti'itch cream I could use to clear up all my bites!!! hahaha. Oh boy.

The first night, Emily found a lizard in her bed!! When they tried to kill it the tail fell off but kept moving!! hahahh! Sickk.

I got back to Quito around 630 last night to find out that the older daughter Susana has moved back home. She doesnt really have a room so she just sleeps in the Queen size bed with her mom. We all laughed a lot at my stories from the weekend so I think it will be ok having her there, but we will see how it goes. - Random thing: this morning for breakfast we had instant hot chocolate and Mami Susy put her mozzarella cheese in it!!! She laughed and said Paula, the previous exchange student wouldnt do it and said it was gross- But I tried it and really it wasnt that bad!!!! Then I had a cheeseburger and fries for lunch and it was just like being in America!! I loved every bite!!

God totally blessed this weekend. I was able to dive into a lot of relationships and see God not only use me in the lives and hearts of others but I saw him set my heart on fire in the process. I love being a Young Life leader. I love living life in a way that always seeks to know others, to love them and to share with them the love and joy of Christ! I´ve been so blessed to see my prayers be answered and know that it´s because God is faithful and He is listening. I am more excited than ever to get home and move forward with life. God is putting visions of marriage and ministry and work and a future in my heart and in my mind. My passions are becoming real to me and they move me and they push me, and as I respond God continues to teach and guide. He conntinues day in and day out to remind me He is there and He is the reason I am here. He continues to blow my mind and move me forward. It´s incredible.

That´s me trying to pick a coconut! lol. It was like being on Survivor!! I seriously think they should have a season there. If I was on it- I would not win due to being vertically challenged and unable to eat coconuts! lol.

The other weird thing I found out this weekend, which apparently I was supposed to know but nobody told me, you can´t throw your TP in the toilet. You have to throw it all in the trash!!! sick!!

I´m not sure I can do that. AND awkward turtle! I don´t know if I amsupposed to do that at my house cause I havent been...and It´s a really weird thing to have to ask. Well, I donno, we will see...I haven´t clogged anything yet! lol

la economia

Hey there everybody!

This week has been so hard. Many of you know from my countless emails about how much I do not want to be in classes here. I'm extremely overwhelmed and giving my all just to pass, which usually is not the case for me. I'm fighting to find joy in all of these hard parts and to cling to the moments of peace that usually come and go quite quickly. I'm looking forward to the trip to the coast tomorrow, but I first have to get excused from an exam my teacher scheduled for a day we don't have classes!! ughhh. aye aye aye ( they say here).

Yesterday we saw the President's motorcade heading to the airport as we were on our way to school. Definitely different than if that were to happen in the U.S. The President is kinda more of a common man over here I think. A lot less security.

Today Poonkie the dog ( in the pic) ran away and we had to chase him down and bring him home before we left. He had puppies last semester and they all died but one little brown and white one that kinda looks like annie. But, last week the perrito got out and hasn't been back since :( I think the " All dogs go to heaven" truck got him. There are stray dogs EVERYWHERE....
Poonkie got a hair cut and a new sweater this weekend!

Here are some pics of my room- it's just little. But I am here a lot watching my english movies with spanish subtitles and doing hwk. It's been a hard week with school. I really just want to complain all the time because I really wasnt expecting so much of this trip to revolve around school. I thought I'd go to class and then explore the country. But It's not really like that. The exploring part has to be fought for and earned.
In my book on the 23rd Psalm it says: " there are men and women who, because they may have done well in business or in their careers or their homes, feel that they are flourished and have 'arrived'. They may have a sense of well-being and self-affluence, which in itself is dangerous. Often when we are the most sure of ourselves we are the most prone to fall flat.Material success is no measure of spiritual health...... God may well impose on us some 'discipline' which we may find a bit rough and unpalatable at first. But again, we need to reassure ourselves that it is for our own good, because He is fond of us, and for His own reputation as the Good Shepherd."

With that I have hope. I understand there is much to be learned and even though it may not all be sparkly and fun, it will be done.

Good Luck to the Williamston Soccer girls tonight! I wish more than anything that I could be there cheering you all on!!! I love you! GO GREEN!

Un viaje en el bosque

GRACIAS DIOS! With lots of water and lots of sleep I was able to overcome my altitude sickness for the weekend! I´m still feeling a little of the headache today, now that I´m back in Quito- but I am much better than I was!

I took a trip this weekend to Mindo with 6 other girls from MSU. It was a 2.5 hour bus ride further north ( and down the mountain!)which cost $2.50. We arrived in this tiny little town with dirt roads and a handful of stores. Like Williamston, in the Rain forest! lol. We were greeted right away by an english speaking woman, Claudia, who took us to her Hostel in the middle of the forest. She gave us the entire top floor of the bungalow and charged us each $7 per night with breakfast. She hooked us up with all the tickets for the activities and free rides and such.

We went right to the ZIP LINE through the canopy.It was a series of 13 different lines which took an hour and a half or so to do. We did a few tricks the superman ( where you fly on your stomach- head first) and the mariposa ( butterfly- where you go upside down- feet in the air!). It was crazy but the coolest experience ever! I´ve never seen the Rain Forest from the sky like that!I have some better pictures of myself I will get tomorrow from my friends.This is Karin-->

We had dinner on a little porch restaurant run by an older American woman who had moved there with her family. She made the best brownies!!! They even called in their local friends to give us salsa dancing lessons that evening!! We were all horrible- except my Puerta Rican friend Aubrey who started teaching too!

The next morning we got up and hitched a ride in the back of a pick up with the workers and went to the top of the mountain to las cascadas (waterfalls).We crammed in a little box type crate and rode across a cable to the other side of the valley!! yikes I know!We all about had a heart attack.

We hiked to 5 different waterfalls and got to swim in the last one!

It was so awesome! The air was fresh and clean and I was able to use my body and not feel faint and tired like in Quito. I love hiking. It was just us and the nature. No cars, no people. It was safe to walk through town at night. It was such a different adventure than we have had in the city. We took a long nap Saturday afternoon on our deck,in the hammocks during a rain storm. It was peaceful; tranquil. I think it was exactally what we all expected South America to be like, what we all had been longing to see and be a part of.

At night we had to walk down this dirt road to our hostel in the pitch black. We all kinda crammed together and held our breath with no flashlight! We had been told it was safe but coming from Quito where nothing is safe, we pictured the worst. I sang hymns and other people told stories and some just rambled about how scared they were. We made it safe.

Saturday, I read this passage from a book I have on Psalm 23 by W. Phillip Keller:
" We live a most uncertain life. Any hour can bring disaster, danger, and distress from unknown quarters. Life is full of hazards. No one can tell what a day will produce in new trouble. We live either in a sense of anxiety, fear, and foreboding, or in a sense of quiet rest. Which is it? Generally it is the "unknown", the "unexpected", that produces the greatest panic. It is in the grip`of fear that most of us are unable to cope with the cruel circumstances and harsh complexities of life.Often our first impulse is simply to get up and run from them. Then in the midst of our misfortunes there suddenly comes the awareness that He, the Christ, the Good Shepherd, is there. It makes all the difference. His presence in the picture throws a different light on the whole scene. Suddenly things are not half so black nor nearly so terrifying. The outlook changes and there is hope. I find myself delivered from fear.Rest returns and I can relax."

Sorry, that was long. But, it´s so true for me. I was afraid to go to Mindo because I had to go somewhere unknown, again! But once I went, I received all the blessings of South America I had been desiring to have.God was there, he protected me. And just like that small trip down that dark road, the scene looked totally different once I saw that Christ was there, walking with me in Mindo,Ecuador.

I slept all day yesterday and attempted to get in some solid reading of the spanish economics book. Today has been wonderful.I feel healthy and encouraged and loved. It´s my mom´s birthday and I get to talk to her for the first time tonight!!
I see God showing me so many things and growing me in so many ways. I have no idea what I am gonna do what I get back or for the rest of my life, but in so many ways I see God confirming in my heart who I am supposed to do all of it with.

It continues to be hard and I still suffer from confusion every day, but the one thing I have not to be confused about is that God has a lot to teach me and I am open to learning it! Thank you for reminding me everyday how loved I am.

viviendo en las montanas

There are a number of times in the Bible where Jesus just goes off by himself into the wilderness to pray and listen for God´s voice. I thought of this yesterday. I took a little trolly thing up the mountain and looked down over this town that sits in the valley of the Andes. I think I pictured a Down town East Lansing with dirt roads and wooden shacks, but instead I got a Washington D.C in the mountains!Literally, it is a town surrounded my massive mountians. Like, right there in the middle of the wilderness, live people.
Even though I´m living in this ¨city in the wilderness¨, I am still alone, unknown, ununderstood and striving to hear the voice the one who knows me the best, my creator. I think God´s purpose for me here is all the same as it was for Jesus those many times in the Bible. He´s saying, ¨ Come away with me, away from all you know and let me show you who you are. I created you to be an individual and away from all your world makes you, I will show you the beauty of My creation! So, do not fear, do not hold back ; come. ¨

El mitad del Mundo y mi corazon

This is the view of the mountains right outside my house. As you can tell the streets are small and the houses are like all smooshed together. I arrived here at night but when I stepped outside the next day I think I litterally lost my breath at the mountains. I´m amazed by them every day. I like LIVE IN THE MOUNTAINS! haha. I´m going to try to get a picture of them at night because the buildings in the city go for years.... so you just see lights all up and down the mountains - it´s my favorite part of Quito I think! We went to a Crepe and Waffle place in the mall last night ( mmm!) And it was higher up with all glass windows so you could see all the lights at night. It reminded me of L.A. and this restaurant in the Mountains ( the Mining company or something) that we used to go to when I was little. I tried to tell my family ..I dont think they got it! lol. " My abuelos vivieron in california cuando estuve una nina......."  I had a fever on Friday so I ended up not going out dancing thursday or to Banos for the weekend. Instead I slept for 12 straight hours ( except when the baby was screaming) and toughed it out to do a little sight seeing in Quito. 

This is a view of the mountains at the Middle of the World= the equator. Ecuador is actually the spanish word for equator. They call it the Mitad del Mundo ( the middle of the world). It was a fun place to go and say you had been to- But it´s kinda like all there is there! lol. And of course we missed out bus stop on the way home. We ended up just outside the south of Quito. ( The mitad del mundo is very north). The south of Quito is the one place they said you jsut never need to be there, for anything, ever. It´s like the ghetto of Quito. Needless to say, the movie continues and American girl and her American friends stand on a street corner having heart attacks as they scramble to find a bus out of there in the dark.

This is a picture in Old Quito. Out of the top of the Basilica. It pretty much just looks like that for miles and miles... houses and houses and more houses on top of each other.

It´s been a hard weekend. Yesterday I think I understood probably .2% of what my family said. My head just kinda quit working. It´s so hard for me cause I can sit and read my econ text book in spanish and get a good 80% of what´s happening. But when the people around me share their lives.... all I get is a word here or there. I hate that. I hate that the most of anything here. I am so passionate about the hearts of people, and I can get everything but that! I can read their eyes, their actions, I see their tears, I even ask them to explain further and still I´m left with so much less than I ask for. It´s weird that listening to spanish is a totally different ability and task than reading it, speaking it and writing it. I would much rather listen than read.

My heart broke a lot this weekend. The mother daughter relationships in my family are so wonderful. They laugh and love and hug and share life everyday together. I found myself so jealous of that. I really miss my mom. Mom´s give life. It´s what they do. There are things they give that no one else can. They are things I need the most right now.

My second heart break has a been as a young life leader watching the unloved, unreached youth of this country walk the streets begging. At 2 in the morning after the discoteca, 6-7 year old kids, in the pouring rain were approaching us to buy chiclets!!!! gum!!! Nobody talks to them. I dont know why but I think you´re not supposed to. I don´t understand. I don´t like it. Why can´t they just be kids and go to sleep.

Anyways, I have class- more on all this later. LOVE AND MISS YOU!!!

Cumbaya My Lord

Hi!!!!
Sorry, it's been a while. I have had so many thoughts and not enough consecutive time on a computer to give them all to you. So much has happened this week! First of all, The University is AMAZING! We have a sushi bar outside, Made to order Crepes, A coffee shop for 1.00- yup a latte for a 1.00! And there are awesome homemade, authentic restaurants right around here where you get a huge plate of food, sides, a big bowl of soup- the whole shabang for only 2.00! the prices are cheap for some foods and the transportation and stuff, but as far as the mall and regular American items it's all the same and in some places more expensive because they assume us gringos are rico! I mean... we do go to the rich schooL! I haven't really made any ecuadorian friends at the school or anything. It's kinda like a movie actually:
DAY 1- American girl gets asked by two little kids at a picnic to tell a joke. American girl feels confident in her favorite childhood joke : "What is black and white and red all over?" and she confidently shares it in spanish. Silence. Un Periodico! ( a newspaper!) American Girl realizes the same pun doesn't exist in another language. silence.

DAY 2- A. American girl comes in 30 minutes late to her "new" class and the teacher and every student stop what they are doing and stare. There are no more seats so she has to sit awkwardly in front in the teacher's chair. She is the ONLY foreigner in the class.
B. American girl hops on the bus with her large backpack on the front ( to guard from thieves of course!) The bus is partly full so she has to stand in the isle. the road is down a large mountain and as it turns American girls but keeps hitting the Ecuadorian man next to her. American girl gets to bus station and has no idea what to do so she follows her other American friend. American girl takes the wrong bus and finds herself far away from home, with no cell phone,in the pouring rain, upon nightfall. American girl goes with American friend and has friend's mother call American girl's host Mom to come pick her up. American girl cries. American girl goes to bible study with her host mom, understands very little and tries to laugh at times when she feels it's appropriate, even when she is not sure if it is about her or not.
DAY 3 (today)- GRAND FINALE- American girl gets new class and upon leaving falls down a flight of stairs while all the Ecuadorian students stand on the stairs talking and stare. American girl says two quick spanish words " esta bien" and runs away in pain.

So, yeah. That's the gist of it. :) I definitely experienced some culture shock this week even though I was in denial of it. This not having a cell phone thing is probably the hardest part! no joke! I still walk into class or church and have some anxiety that my phone isnt on silent and i'm going to be "that girl". I'm always "that girl". I guess I still found a way to fill that role without the phone! lol. But I never know what time it is and can't even find anyone. They drive CRRAZYY! Like, you don't even know. Red lights- you don't really have to stop if you don't want to. You don't have to stay all the way in either lane if you don't want to. Stop signs rarely exist- you just have to know. I don't think there's a law about peeing in public, the men do that a lot on the side of the road! ugh! And..poverty. There is so much. The jobless find any way they can to make money. There are usually kids in the streets doing tricks like handstands of juggling to get random change from drivers. They sell fruit, baseball cards, popcorn all in the street. Literally, IN the street. You will often see little children working right alongside their parents. 5 year old kids will be in the back of the local store putting the bread pans in the oven or riding the bus with their dad trying to attract riders. They have to reach a certain # of riders per day so they are always yelling trying to get you on the bus. There are a number of indigenous people walking around in long skirts and different bright colored shawls and such. They sometimes make and sell food out of like a single pot on the street. All the stores are lined up next to each other, and are just like small garages really, they all have garage doors that cover them and lock at night. It's dirty. City life.
BUT! Cumbaya ( isn't it cool that's the name! I just want to sing! lol), that's where the school is. It's by Mount Pinchichi ( I don't if that's spelled right.) But it's beautiful. Usually more sunny and warm than the city, but it actually has been pretty cold and rainy since tuesday. Monday was super hot and we all got burned. Cumbaya is more of an American town, with different shops. Yesterday I had ice cream made with real fruit! Manzana
(apples). they love fruit here. Every morning I have homemade juice from a different fruit. Fresh mozzarella and bread. Lunch is usally a big meal, and then dinner is like at 8 or 9 and can some days be just bread and other days rice and something. But always rice.
You can get 25 roses for $1. Just throwing that out there!

The president of Ecuador, Rafael Carrera, used to be a professor at USFQ. But apparently he is is left and the university isnt or something like that so there is all kinds of opinions. Since they became a democracy in the 90's they just overthrow their president whenever they want to. This has happened about 8 times in the last 10 years I think! They just all go out in the street and make him leave!! You should look up pictures and stuff if you get a chance- it's really quite funny. They kinda elect very random, awkward people and then kick them out. At least this is what the prof said.

I watched the Ecuador v Mexico soccer game the other night with mi mami, Angelica and Josue (the bebe). They were so into it- it was funny. They made a big thing of popcorn and we all sat on the mom's bed and everytime someone came near the goal box they would scream! It was kinda cool.
Tonight we are going out to the discoteco! There's a place where all the Americans go and they call it "gringo-landia!". I've heard good and bad things- so we will see how it goes. Then this weekend a group is going to Los banos- which is a city like 3 hours away with lots of extreme sport kinda things- like rafting, bungi jumping, biking and hot springs! SO, I'm not sure if I can get in with the tour guide group but If I can I'm gonna go! And then next weekend we go to TIPUTINI in the amazon! :)

Everywhere I go I see Mountains. It's so crazy!

I love getting all you e-mails, but I still cry when I read them. Nevertheless, keep them coming!

also, if you have any info on the Recession in the u.s- send it over. I have to write a 20 page paper, single space on it before the end of the semester! Oh joy! :)

estoy el gringita

HEY GUYS!!!
Im here in quito! It has been a long but wonderful trip so far. Us american girls are their gringitas! their gringo daughters.
Everything that I was nervous for ended up to have God´s fingerprints all over it! He provided for me in every moment that I was fearful, scared, unsure and maybe even regretful. From the second I left my loved ones in the airport and wanted to cry a river all over the waiting area- God gave me hispanic friends who eased some of my speaking worries. I laughed with all the way till boarding. Then, on the way to Chicago, someone had drawn a huge penis in one of the fields! like the entire size of the field- so only planes could see! hahah! I laughed. I think I had a sign on my head that said make friends with me because I met an american man working in quito who told me all the little details of the city- all the old ladies next to me loved me. AND I even saw Julia >Stiles in the airport! I attempted to balls up and tell her i loved all her movies. But, as i walked up to her she looked pissed so i sheepishly said hi and pretended to be looking for something i lost! haha.
The best part is I was the most worried about getting to the airport, finding me mama and not being able to understand a word! But again- thanks be to God- the previous exchange student , Paula- leaves today and was there to translate and comfort and ease all my worries and answer a lot of questions. What a blessing! I spoke spanish all day with mi mama and even thought it was hard and a lot was left in those blank expressions of what!! It worked. I realize my spanglish is a lot better than my spanish! haha- so, we laugh about that a lot.

ok, i have to go- paula is waiting on me. but thank you for all of your prayers- God is hearing them! looe you all!

biblia espanol

....Dios considero que esto era bueno.

Hablan espanol en Ecuador. Voy a ir Ecuador en dos semanas y mi padre no piensa que puedo hablar espanol con los Ecuadorians. Pero tengo esperanza que ayudaria.

I'm sure that small paragraph is full of mistakes- but it gets the point across. That's what I'm hoping for in Ecuador. I'm hoping that 8 years of confusing spanish classes will all come together and get the point across. My Dad thinks I should be more fluent but I'm not. And i'm totally ok with that. Learning spanish has been such a humbling experience for me. It seems like I should be better at it than I am, but for me it's a challenge that I enjoy fighting for. I think it's a romantic and inspiring language; someday I'll get it. If I just keep trying, someday it will click.

My parents gave me a spanish bible today as a graduation present. I read Genesis 1 because I knew I could understand it. " Dios considero que esto era bueno". God considered that it was good. I think that's how he looks down on my rediculous journey with foreign language. It doesn't really make much sense, but He sees that there's potential. He sees that it is good.

My prayer is that someday this will no longer be a challenge for me but a gift that God blesses and uses to break cultural barriers, delivering hope.

American Idol

i watched american idol tonight with my family- twice actually. i haven't watched it since high school. my whole family is like obsessed and they discuss every performance in detail.

i have a dream of being able to sing. letting your soul fly free in front of a room of people. it seems like a great way to inspire and challenge people to be more, to want more and to live in the emotion of life. i sometimes get angry when people take the power of music for granted. for example, mariah carey's new song " touch my body". if there was a way that i could talk to her about how horribly atrocious that song and video are i would have just soo many things to say. like so many things.

i hate that our society chooses to focus on things that don't have any merit. there is so much pain, hunger, loneliness and need in this world. why would you choose to worship yourself when you could use all that talent and power to bring forth life in others- to inspire revolution and change? why. it's like chris' quote from james granger: " christ wants to give you life- why would you not take it?"

Why would you not take it?

again, maybe i should just let loose a little and enjoy the fricken show. it's like im cursed to see the deeper longing of the human race.