It was strange returning to the States-everyone was speaking english and I was really confused:p. on the plane ride back I Successfully cried for 2 straight hours from cusco to Lima as these two understanding Canadians sat beside me and made me feel less of a loser. Looking back now, and realizing shortly after I gathered my senses, I concluded that the quick and rushed “good byes” I was forced to give while departing my beloved Spanish family was for my best. You see, I was there for roughly three months….. They didn’t tell me that two months previous to my departure that my flight had been switched to an earlier time!!! To make a long story short:
-Martha said, “ I have a funny feeling we need to get their early”
-we convinced the taxi driver to let us fit 8 people PLUS my luggage in one taxi for 5
-we showed up WAY early and no one was there.
-checked in, gave the desk attendants a heart attack as they screamed at me, “YOUR FLIGHT IS READY FOR DEPARTURE RIGHT NOW!”
-so…. My family and I hugged and kissed good bye as tears streamed down each one of our faces as I and the airport workers dragged my stuff to my gate!
-plus side, I have NEVER gone through security that quickly in my life! They just said, “just go just go!!!”
So yes, that was how I said goodbye to my family. It was already hard enough I feel as if the quick and sudden goodbye helped in the long run.
Sorry to back track on you there…. that’s jus the way my brain words :p jeje
Jumping ahead.
OH MY GOSH I ACCOMPLISHED A GOAL OF MINE!!!
You know when you are in a different country or area where people are speaking a different language that you just happen to know and they look at you and speak English? And then when speaking to them in that language they continue to speak English to you?
Ok… this can only mean one of two things:
1- they really want to practice their English
Or
2- your really not that good at the language and its easier to speak to them in (insert native language here). Sorry, that’s just the truth.
WELL my whole life (meaning in reality the last 5 years or so) I have always tried speaking Spanish to people in hopes that they would speak Spanish back. They never did. They just looked at me and some told me jus to speak English b/c it was easier. Bah. :p
This time though, as the flight attendant approached me, I was mid conversation with an elder women from Lima when she went to hand me a “citizen of Peru formy thing” when she had to stop think about it, then ask me If I was American. SCORE! She instinctively switched to English so I did what I always do in those situations, I continued to speak to her in Spanish ;). Sometimes, it takes a couple back and forths, but this time, it was instant. I said but a few words ands she switched right back to Spanish. Win.
When arriving at JFK I was still in Spanish mode, of course, and was speaking in Spanish to all the guards and customs people in Spanish. I don’t know about others, but I feel really pleased when the American security guards ask if I can speak English ;)
My beautiful mother and Mr. Mike Bonn picked me up and I then ventured home for a brief 5 days before heading back to school for my Senior and final year at SUNY Fredonia. (totally denial)
The fall semester was a bitter sweet as I was enrolled in four upper level 400 Spanish classes. Thought it took some getting used to switching between languages so often, I gave up most of the time and just spoke in Spanish since that was the language I am usually thinking in anyways. ;)
I lived with my 6 closest girlfriends and roomed with one of the most treasured people I could have ever prayed into my life.
Ever since I was a little girl, mi abuelito, Ahada, used to call me chatterbox. He always said the reason as to why I sleep talk was because there just simply wasn’t enough hours in the day! (thanks Ahada-da!)
Apparently, according to Heather, I no longer carry on conversations with myself or order strange foods in English….. Thats right…. I now sleep talk in Spanish. Baha! I cant help it!
I have realized now that when I pray or do homework in Spanish before sleep, that obviously gets me thinking in Spanishà dream in Spanishà sleep talk… in Spanish. I think its pretty cool. Its just no one knows what I am saying ;).
This semester (spring 2011) I am only taking 2 Spanish classes, which saddens me greatly, buttttt I talk to my host family just about every other day. Most of the time we msn chat but occasionally we video chat so I can practice and of course see their beautiful faces! My siblings are trying to visit me if not next summer the one after that. Unfortunately, visiting the US is much more expensive than visiting south America :x.
It brings be such joy to know that there are several students interested and going to Peru this summer because of the program that I was able to introduce to Fredonia! One of them is a friend and classmate Andrea who will hopefully be staying with my family! So exciting!
Where do I stand now?
I have concluded a few things after processing for quite some time:
1- like most people have hobbys or passions such as playing the guitar, basketball, knitting, ect…… My passion-is Spanish. Its different you see when your passion is a language. Its all communicative. You can invite your non-athletic friend to come play Frisbee and have a great time but its difficult to truly share language with others when they cant speak or understand it.
This leads to my second part of #1.… we’ll call it 1 ½
1 ½ - its not just Spanish but I am obsessed with ALL LANGUAGES! This explains why I love being in other countries so much so often because lets face it: I love being the only white chick in a group of people. I love mimicking, learning, and experiencing different languages and cultures. I adapt so quickly to them.
2- That God is gracious beyond my understanding. I wish I could trly capture how gracious He is. They best way I can is this:
1- look at the cross and think about what He did, and
2“Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him.” -Isaiah 30:18.
Also- that the sufficiency of Christ is beyond any strength us mere human beings could come up with on our own. How great, how loving, how good, how faithful is my God. (whom, I fall more madly in love with as each day passes by).
I hope to return to Peru to visit my family, but as previously posted, I have no desire to return there again. I am exciting to see where God leads me next and will patiently await His calling. God bless and peace be with you all. Cuidate-abrazos-besitos.
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