Community is no longer a bad word.

What a rollercoaster ride the past few hours, days, weeks, and months have been. I have had some of the most amazing experiences and also some of the toughest. But yesterday I made an important realization, these things are wonderful and great but oh how I wish I could be experiencing them with the people I love the most from Messiah and home. I was talking to one of my good friends Rebecca yesterday (our history class was basically cancelled so we decided to walk to the mall to go bowling-which turned into eating McDonalds/Burger King french fries, drinking juice, talking, and watching The Ugly Truth). It was such a good evening and beautiful weather. We talked about everything, but most importantly we talked about how we miss the community feeling of our own colleges at home- we talked about how we didn't really appreciate the bubbles we lived in until they were gone. Granted my world view is much larger now and I think more globally, I still miss the closeness of my little Grantham, PA-Messiah College bubble. There is just something lost in translation when you try to explain what it is like-how great it is to live on the same floor with other friends, how nice it is to walk to class and not have to rely on transportation, how wonderful it is to smile with others, or how great it is to be able to know your professors and go to their offices to talk or drink coffee together somewhere-friends included. There are just some things here that you can't physically no matter how hard you try share with others. How things taste, smell, sound, look, or feel. There a black hole in the translation-literally. We also talked about the 30 Day Fast. I truly saw how it was not about food or sacrifice, it is about Focus. We talked about how Jesus lived radically and how we could do the same. We added laughter and stories into the mix. It was all together a great time with my new (well not so much new anymore 2 months) friend who is experiencing the same things I feel; studying abroad often leaves one feeling alone-especially out of the community loop-but faith brings us together. It forms a new bond; it forms trust that can't be shaken. It lets us realize we are not alone, we all feel like freshman again straying away from God but soaking up every opportunity we have been given. And I see the community too in the school system here. The students are not separated by age when they are out for recess, they are together. The school moves as one. There is a bond forming. There is also a greater bond, I challenge, among students and teachers in my colegio than permissible in the US. A student is more than a student, they are a child here.Yep, that's what I'm learning here friends, that community is not a bad word...its something we should all treasure... I will truly miss the hugs and kisses from everyday interactions. It makes you feel like you belong. Reflection is meant to help you make connections between what you are experiencing and what you are learning. I'm definitely feeling that connection and bond soldifying. It also reminds you, "who am I to judge, I am not even mine to judge."

The past week summary:

• Friday, I went to my Colegio--still love that place. Then Hillary and I went to Pizza Hut to finish the catastrophe paper (ok not a catastrophe but frustrating experience related to the paper..). The pizza was delicious. It was actual pizza and not Chilean version pizza. We went for the All- American imported kind :P Complete w/ pepperoni, mozeralla, and tomatoe sauce! Then we splurged and ordered...Cinamon Sticks WITH ICING! :) Super exciting. After that I met up with Felipe. We bought cookies and translated a chapter of a book he is working on for a friend. Grupo de Jovenes, wonderful as usual-don't really remember the theme though. Afterwards we went out for Completos and had dogs follow us. And were told not to go on the beach, it was dangerous.
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• Had an asado with friends at the Jardin Botanico. I realized that while it is nice to hang out with other international students, I don't like being in groups of English speaking students in public. It makes me uncomfortable. However, I did like the picnic atmosphere Chileans have. Things are thrown together and work well. There was even a DJ there. It was a good time to be had by all. Choripan and $6 cake and pan w/ pebre=wonderful.
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• Grammar class is boring; dance class is interesting (our teacher is the Chilean dance representative for South America); Literature class is not recommended for anyone's health (...to explain: the professor we have isn't very organized, etc.); History (well its interesting, its taught by the Department chair some Thursdays, the TA others, or no one other days, its kind of interesting, I think...its fun sitting near friends and drawing when things get a little fome); Children's Literature sometimes leaves something to be desired (I feel like I don't always have the amount/level of vocabulary knowledge that I need for it and the Professor treats the class like 3rd graders because well, they act like it).
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• I'm making a big decision right now.
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• I skipped my Jardin Infantil volunteering because well it isn't my favorite thing to do in the world and to be truthful, I just needed a break--Jessica and I ate lunch near the ocean and talked instead. I have a permanent tanline on my chest and a burnt face.
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• Yesterday both of my classes were cancelled. My lit prof was sick (darn...that's ok, Hillary and I fotocopied our next 5 novels to read...it was $40 in total for me and then $40 for Hillary...bitterness) and the History Prof was busy/TA was sick. Blessing: I got my History test, I can start working on it now :) Hillary and I enjoyed the afternoon by walking around Valpo. We fixed my bus ticket and headed to the Artesania's. Scarves are a weakness; however, I did not allow myself to buy any. The lady we bought stuff from was nice though :) Then we headed to ISA and I did work for my Children's Lit class. After that, I had a wonderful ELAP meeting with Paula. It was nice talking to her, she reminded me not to be caught up in the frustrations that I am experiencing in my Jardin Infantil but to remember that God produces fruits from our labors (or something like that). She's wonderful; all of the ISA staff is wonderful. Then I had movie time w/ Rebecca :) Both McDonalds and Burger King fries are the same here. I also had delicious FRESHLY squeezed orange juice :)
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• Today I went to my Colegio. My spirit for teaching was renewed when I got to lead class for a bit with the second graders. I got small gifts from some of the girls too :) They may all get on my nerves some times but they are so wonderful. They barely know me but to them I am like a celebrity.

And I think that's all I want to say. Spring time is exciting :) Its finally warming up and it smells like Spring too. There are flowers, freshly watered/cut grass, hot weather, cool nights, and short sleeved clothing that smells like home because I haven't worn it up until this point.

Looking forward to:
Mendoza with Jessica, Katrina, and Hillary.
Family coming October 12-17.
Soccer game (Chile vs. Ecuador)
Finishing up big projects.
Harlem Gospel Choir concert Tuesday.
Maybe doing more traveling.
Seeing where this 30 day fast will lead me.

Thats all.
Hillsong in November.