Mexican Mananda

The Last Entry

2007-08-16T14:00:00.000-07:00

Well I am back in Canada now, which is seeming a little strange so far. I have moments where it hits me that I have in fact already been to Mexico, lived there for 10 months and have returned, as it seems like I never really left. I am learning how to speak to people in English again, as I have had moments where I had to catch myself as I started in Spanish.

I cooked up some real tacos and real salsa too for the family here. My Mexican family taught me well. Other than that, I've attended a friends wedding done a number of different appointments, unpacked and am now trying to sort my life back into order.

Thanks everyone who kept up on my adventure along with me. Maybe one day soon I'll have another blog for another place for me to go....

8 More Sleeps

2007-07-27T17:05:00.000-07:00

Well ladies and gentlement, after 10 months I am now in my final days of living in Mexico City. Now, looking back, it feels like the time has just flown by. Everyday is full of the last of something for me here and I have found it sad, but at the same time rewarding that I did allow myself to build into the lives of the people here. Tommorow is my official good-bye party joined with the birthday party of my host sister Lupita. Sunday is my last time with the cell church, then Monday I leave to go to the Mexico Field Forum for all missionaries who work with the Alliance. That is where I will spend my final days, returning back to the city on Friday afternoon, hopefully in time to get to see Lupita recieve her diploma for graduation from and Engineering degree in Mechanics, with a major in electronic communications. Then Friday night is family night. I plan on packing and cleaning on Saturday morning before heading the airport at 1 to be on my plane that leaves at 4. I will land in Edmonton pretty much at midnight, and seeing as how that's actually Leduc, I will probably be home home around 2. Wow, I can't believe this journey is almost over. Thank you for sticking it through with me. I hope to post when I get home. Take care and God Bless until then.

A little Taste of Heaven

2007-07-20T18:36:00.000-07:00

The past two Fridays I've had opportunities to accompany Rob and Mei yit Dobbs who have begun a ministry with homeless who live in my area of the city. The first time I went I was quite nervous, not knowing what to expect or how to I would be recieved. They recieved us very warmly and my concerns were easily put to rest. Mei yit and Rob have developed a good reputation with them and they now look towards there visits it seems. The people, about twenty live in a community together in a cemented area that is surrounded by busy roads of the metro system. They wash car windows to make money and cook together. They have some dogs who live within the community as well, one of them named Adrian is the biggest rottweiler I have ever seen. A man named George called it over and told it to say hi to me so it lifted up its paw for me to take... which I did... gingerly. Its paw was almost the same size of my hand.

The first time I went Meiyit gave out bibles to some, and we read a passage from Luke. Some of them have never learned to read, with one of them having actually been born into this community of homeless. It was fun to hear them interact with the scriptures and sad at the same time to hear them say that they felt it was too late for them. When we prayed for some of them it was clear to see they were moved. On my second time going there, they asked Meiyit and my host sister Lupita to sing some praise songs for them. It was like being in heaven the way the two sang and watching two of the younger men crying and holding onto each other as they listened to the words. Once again I am moved by how sometimes we set out to minister to others and they in turn end up ministering to us.

Some Days are just NOT your Days

2007-07-14T11:04:00.000-07:00

As of today I only have three more weeks here in Mexico. I do find this quite sad. Up to this point I had had many points where I said to myself "its time for me to just go home" and now... now that its coming soon, well its hard to explain all that goes on in my head and heart, but I am doing my best to soak up every last moment I have here in Mexico.

The title for this update comes from a few blond moments I have had recently that my family and I have had good laughs over since then. On Tuesday night during the English group we host, I did make quite a fool of myself (and I just taught them the word fool too!). We started a little late that night becasue my family's cousin was staying and he is a priest in the Angelican church so he was involved in a discusion on the issues that denomination is faced with at present with my brother Enrique and friend Miguel. Once everyone had arrived we brought in the television as its usually in my mother's room, but obviously we won't all crowd in there with her to watch the Jesus film. Along with the televison comes the DVD player and two remotes, one for the TV and one for the DVD. So I'm sitting next to my host brother and getting everything ready to go, but can't find the DVD remote... now I have the TV one in my hand so I turn to Enrique and say "where is the other one?" well holding up the TV remote to show him what I am asking about. He looks at me with a blank look and so with my right hand wave the remote a little more to try and get him to focus on the question. He asks me "the other one what?" Flustered and annoyed I reply "the other CONTROL" while leaving out the DUH that I wanted to add in there (now you all know what I'm like when I feel I am being misunderstood). Enrique replied only by looking down at my left hand. So I too followed his gaze and sure enough there it was. The DVD remote firmly grasped in my left hand. It sure is a good thing I can laugh at myself as the whole group quite enjoyed that one for awhile. Oops. I taught them the meaning of "blond moments" afterwards.

Now I know I made reference to a "few" blond moments, but now for the life of me I can't remember what exactly else occured, only that indeed there were other moments. Maybe I blocked them out... :)

I have added another six photos to my flickr account. These ones are from my host sister, Erika's wedding. I was a "dama" or a bride's maid this is why I have a red dress too like the other ladies. You can see these by clicking on this link:
www.flickr.com/mexicanmanada

Less than 4 weeks and counting

2007-07-09T12:04:00.000-07:00

Hi Team,
Well it FELT like I had just recently updated this site, but I guess not. Sorry about that. Well as the title says the countdown to my return to Canada is on. Its a strange feeling to begin to prepare yourself to return to your own culture. These last few weeks here will be filled with preparing to leave everything well as well as return to Canada well. I am having some really fun last experiences along the way.

Two weeks ago today Heather Hahn and I headed out to watch the anniversary show of the orphanage we've worked alongside of in Cuernavaca. It was so much fun to watch the children preform all their different talents and show the audience what it is they are taught in the home. Three young children spoke memorized poems on different topics, such as how to say no to someone who wants to hurt you etc. A number of kids demonsrtated the karate that they learn from the director's son who is a black belt. Others performed a skit on happiness. Finally about eight of the elementry schoolers put on a violen concert as the director got government funding to pay for music lessons (something almost unheard of here). After being awed by the talented children we got a chance to speak to the movers and shakers of Christian ministries in the area. They were rather encouraging as they pointed continually to prayer and service as the way to reach children and the whole world too.

After the anniversary service Heather and I headed out to a town called Taxco which is built on the side of the mountain and has long been the headquaters of the silver mining in Mexico. It is beautiful up there, with steep cobblestone streets (slippery) and all white with red roofs buildings. We stayed the one night in a christian hotel right near the center. In the morning we enjoyed a guided tour of the old catholic church. I had never had a guided tour before, but was thankful this time as he was able to answer a lot of our questions about catholicsm in Mexico as well as provide infromation into the town's beginnings. There were many little shops all around the center and we picked up a few keepsakes, but mainly just enjoyed the shopping. After lunch we left the town, but on the way back into the city stopped off to see the "grutas". The grutas are natural caves that were created when a river ran right through a mountain. I have never seen such a large cave in my life. Its very long too, about 2 kilometers if I remember correctly, but you can't go all the way in because the air pressure is too much by the end. There are many different formations within it that they take you through and give their versions of what they are. All along it is a concrete, lighted path that you follow. Heather and I left the tour group early to make it back to the city on time, but it was a little creepier to walk with just the two of us back towards the enterance even WITH the lighted path.

We returned to Pantitlan in time for the English group that Tuesday night. It was really good for me to see more of this beautiful country during my time here.

Summer Heat Wave

2007-06-07T13:08:00.001-07:00

www.flickr.com/photos/mexicanmananda

First an explination of the photos. Most of them are from when there was a short term team here from Nipawin, Saskatchewan. The Lucha Libre is something that resembles WWF wrestling from the U.S., but all the wrestlers wear masks and it had started out as a way to make political statements during the days when to do so publicly was a health risk. The church I work with El Encuentro, had a baptism service during the time Nipawin was here. If I remember correctly about 10 members of the church were baptised along with one member of the short term team. It was so fun to see my friends taking that commiment. The last picture is of Heather Paty while she was still here... taking a nap with our chihuahua. Really he had just endured a photo shoot so that Heather could have some memories of him.

Now I will go on to talk about the true title of this entry. It is VERY warm here. Okay now I know I can't complain, many of you would probably want to be enjoying constant heat, and the days are beautiful... until you step into either my bedroom or the metro. I love my room, like while as much as maybe someone can love a room anyways. BUT it has a slanted metal cieling... which means its pretty much deadly in there during the afternoons. However its the nicest place to be in the whole house at nights as it coolest off the fastest as well. As for the metro its always hot, its just more noticable now. Soon the rain will come... soon.

With the heat wave comes flies or "moscas". As we leave all windows and doors open during the day (the hallway of our house is like a courtyard so all room doors are actually to the outside) flies come in. I came down for supper the other night and decided to practice my fly swatting skills. After I missed the first um probably five times my brother Enrique informed me that his record for a day was 43. Being the competitor that I am, I decided it was time to become skilled in swatting flies. I got up to 13 before I got bored. Enrique then informed me that the 43 recorde was from when he worked a paper store and was bored all day everyday.

During this same night an interesting event occured in my life. I saw my first rat. I know I know I have lived in Mexico City for eight months now and I have only just seen one rat. One would think with the size of the city and amount of people there would be many rats, and I think that quite possibly there are, but so far it seems God has provided my easily squirmish self safety from them. I guess New York City actually has the biggest rat problem in the world. Anyways, so I'm sitting at the kitchen table facing the door. Enrique and Lupita are sitting facing me. Suddenly I see this shadow out of the corner of my eye, it was at the top of a wall that is next to our house, but not really IN the house. So I think to myself "oh it was just one of the neighborhood cats". BUT THEN it came back... and it was not a cat. I pointed, speachless unable to tell my siblings what I had just seen. They looked at me like I was crazy cause it was gone already and they didn't see it. So trying to remember the word for rat I stumbled "rata, ratan, raton, rato..." they figured it out anways. My sister looked at me and with a glimmer in her eye said "and this is why you should make sure your bedroom door is fully closed at night", Enrique added "otherwise you will make yourself a new friend". Yes apparently there are not many rats or mice either in the neighborhood because we have really nice cats hanging out, but from now on everytime I leave my room once its dark that door is COMPLETELY closed behind me as before I did leave it unlatched at times to let it cool off more.

Well I only have two more months left here and much more to experience. Enrique informs me that the family has plans to make sure I leave well. One of the things on the list is to improve my stature :) as I apparently slump my shoulders. I am excited for this time as I finally feel content in all that I do here and even in speaking Spanish. Speaking of speaking spanish I just took another placement exam today as I will be joining another classroom setting, and found out that I will be put in the Advanced class. That pretty much made my day... and makes me want to speak spanish more and more and more.

More Pictures!!

2007-05-30T10:44:00.000-07:00

www.flickr.com/photos/mexicanmananda

How many days has been and there's already another post? Okay so a break down of these photos for you. The first four are Kid's club photos from our first meeting which took place February 14th. That day we made sugar cookies to celebrate the day of love and friendship as it is called here. It was a good opportunity to first connect with the kids, make them feel welcome as well to see how much interest there was for the kids group to continue. The next photo is of me and my host mother, Aurora. The photo was actually taken around the time we thought there we wouldn't have too much longer with her. Aurora has proved that despite what earthyly doctors say, her doctor is the LORD and she will live as long and as well according to HIS diagnosises. The final photo is of Heather Paty, my host brother Enrique and myself. Near the end of Heather's time with us we tried to get as much in as possible for her to experience all she could of Mexico as well as soak up time with the family and friends. The picture was taken on the top of a building in downtown Mexico City, unfortunantly you cannot see the lights that stretch on and on and on and on in the background of the photo.

Well in other updates about myself, I had a cold again, second time this month :( That cold hit on Monday, my day off :( However I seem to have recovered quite well with just the always annoying side effects of colds lingering. Last night was English group. Two guys who came as contacts through Marcos, an attender of the cell church came on time... everyone else was late, but that's normal. Anyways, so I got to talking to these guys and they're both engineers for medical equipment. Pretty impressive indeed. They want to learn english because it would help them immensily in their careers as all medical equipment at this point in time is made in English-speaking countries. So I kind of wondered to myself why it is they don't take actual classes somewhere instead of relying on me using the Jesus video to teach them English (although of course the more important and still present lessons are about the gospel, not the language spoken in it) but it turns out that even though they are engineers... they have no money to take english classes. So needless to say that renewed my want to keep up the Tuesday ministry, for the pratical help it is the community of providing a way of furthering language skills and also for what a great way it is for people to become introduced to the gospel message of Jesus Christ. It amazes me still even how much I learn as Christ reveals more of himself to all of us through the video.

Word of the Day

2007-05-25T15:36:00.000-07:00

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mexicanmananda

I was able to put up photos from my boarder trip. These ones are of Real de Catorce, the town Lisa Clark and I stopped in on the way up to Texas. That trip was so much fun now looking back on it. Especially the shopping at outlet stores on the Texas side of the boarder :) What a challenge it was for me to be okay with renewing my visa!

I hope to put up some new photos soon too of other occurances in the past um two months since I last wrote a true blog. But for now I will leave you with this little challenge...

Please tell me how to pronounce the following word: Xiocanuatl. That is the name of a street I saw today, the closest person to the correct pronounciation wins a prize. I think that is something though I came into this year with false expectations on, the fact that ALL words would be Spanish, I didn't realize how many Aztec words or Aztec influenced word there really are.

I'm enjoying my time here still and am in good health actually for a longer stretch than I think I've ever had here. Praise God! You'll hear again from me soon.

Happy One Year MexicanMananda

2007-04-19T15:43:00.000-07:00

Well everyone, April was the month I began this blog. It looked rather different back then, being mainly about my new relationship (now also a year old) and finishing up school. I looked back at those April blogs and was a little envious of my nieve self. The self that had no idea what awaited her in Mexico. Those were some fun months leading up to me being here, I saw God's hand of providence in ways I had never known before and really felt the call to Mexico solidify. And now? Well now I can speak Spanish! That fact still amazes me.

Okay now its time to back track a bit again to fill you in on my life for the times I haven't written. This first blog is entitled...

"Just a Little Sicky"
Its probably really good that I'm writing this now, after being out of the sick phase for about a month. Now I can look back on it a little more easily. Oh how I wish I could share with you all the gory details, but that goes against my morals so here's the summary. I was sick to my stomach so went to the doctor, got some drugs, became sick in other ways, was extremely faint and feverish. I got better in the days to come, but suffered instead from some annoying side affects of drugs. From there everything reversed itself quite nicely just to go back again in a few days. So I got some different drugs. I am thinking Pharmacuetical (spelling?) companies should probably start sponsoring missionaries as they rely on them so much.

Anyways after those weeks of back and forth sickness I am doing good again. A little tired, but I hear that that is still normal while living in other cultures.

"McAllen is a Strange Name for a City in Mexico"
After I said that, Lisa Clarke kindly pointed out the boarder on the map and informed me that McAllen was actually in Texas. Maps and I don't neccessarily get a long. Anyways, this quote is from my boarder trip that I took mid-March to renew my tourist visa so I could remain in Mexico. I will fill you in on more details the next time I write, along with (I hope) a few little photos. Unfortunantly photos have still not been working for me or just take too long for me to be able to upload, and this is where those of you with technical know-how offer me advice... PLEASE!! I even tried uploading two today, and as you can see they are not here.

Birthday Week - February 21st to 24th

2007-03-28T19:14:00.000-07:00

My birthday falls every year on February 22nd. One day, and on it I turn a year older. However this year my birthday took place over four days. The 21st was a Wednesday, the day we host a children's group to teach the Bible and some English. As the freshman from my college were here that week they were gladly helping out with playing and teaching the children. Near the end, Heather Hahn announced a celebration for those with birthdays as a Mother and son who come had both had their birthdays in previous days. We had a piñata - a wonderful tradition!! As well as a cake. In Mexico after people have sung happy birthday to whoever it is that is having the birthday the cheer for you to bite the cake. Now that may sound like fun to some of you, but there's a trick to it, you have to watch the hands of all those around you as the tradition continues as they put your head into the cake. This of course happened to me and it was fun as all the kids cheered. Thursday, the actual day of my birthday, Heather Paty and I went to Coyoacan where another group of freshmen were to help with our Narnia book club. I recieved a package from home and from my supporting floor at the college while I was there as the group had brought them for me. Once again there was also a cake. Being a little smarter this time, I held the free hand of my friend Meiyit who was holding my cake for me, however she is very clever (she is a doctor) and used the hand that was holding the cake to push it up into my face. I was happy to demonstrate another Mexican tradition to a short term team :)

It feels like I should stop this blog there, but wait there is more! On Friday we took both groups of the college freshment to Xochimilco, the area of the city that is like the old canals. As I enjoy Xochimilico that was good enough for me, but then in the evening a surprise party was thrown for me by the Pantitlan short term team and my Mexican friends... of course all orchestrated by Heather Hahn, an amazing woman. At this party I stopped short of tears as a friend handed me a present when I knew her family could hardly afford to eat and pay rent. The hospitality and love of Mexicans is a huge blessing!

On Saturady I had the opportunity to celebrate my birthday with the missionary community as well, and it was a double celebration as one of the missionaries here, Susan Hiebert shares the same birthday as me. While there, I was given another package that had been passed along through the short term team, this one being from my boyfriend. That night as me and Heather Paty took the metro home, my arms full of gifts from my missionary friends and the packages from my boyfriend, I had an experience I will never forget. A little girl who couldn't be more then 10 came onto the metro, clearly being someone who lives in poverty and went up and down the metro car singing so that people would give her money or food so that she could eat. I had seen children similar to her before in my time here, but this time was different as I looked down at all I had in my hands, and knew how much more I had at home. God broke my heart that night one more time for the needs that this world has.

I spent time reflecting on the things I learned that week and although maybe its strange to end a blog about celebrating birthays with a "God lesson", I think its good so here goes: God is good whether we have lots or little, God is good whether we celebrate our birthday one day or four days, God is good in Canada and Mexico too. God is unchanging and He is always good, and our world, our whole entire world, it needs God. We need God whether we have lots or nothing. We need God whether our passport says Canada, Mexico or any other country. God truly is our only hope.

Hiatus

2007-03-28T19:07:00.000-07:00

I took a hiatus from writing blogs for a little while. I apologize to those who've been checking frequently to recieve an update. It has blessed me to find out that so many of you faithfully check this site; more than I thought did. What an encouragement it is to know in times when it is a temptation to think that you are all alone in what you are experiencing, that there are people who want to hear about it. This blog is for you, my supporters in finance, prayer and encouragement. I hope I can once again write in a way that does jutice to the world I live in now so that you might all have accurate perceptions of my new home in Mexico. Maybe in some small way you all can fall for this land and people as I have!

I HATE TOPES

2007-02-12T12:02:00.000-07:00

Topes (toe-pays, more or less) are speedbumps. They are the main form of speed control here in Mexico City, right along with potholes. Last night I was a bit sick to my stomach (don't worry it has recently passed) and was driving around trying to find a home. We wanted to personally deliver invitations to two boys for our kids club that starts on Wednesday. HOWEVER their street was really hard to find. AND their area loves the topes. Everytime we went up on one, my stomach went into my throat, and everytime we went down, down my stomach would go causing a swirling effect in body and made me rather green. One road even had three topes on it!

When Heather Paty and I were trying to fall asleep later that night we were chatting about concerns. We were both feeling not so great and were exhausted. To show you the conversations you can have when you are in that state I'll let you know we started on the subject of having peace about marriage one day and ended up with disscussing how long Franklin Piles has been the president of the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada. There were many other random topics in there so it was rather difficult to trace how we had gotten from one to the other.

Spy Tours, Bosses and Boats

2007-02-08T15:58:00.000-07:00

During this past week a couple and a single man from Calgary have been here checking out Mexico as a possibility of doing missions work here. We are all excited about people being interested in Mexico as we desperately need new and more workers here. Currently there are only six on the Mexico City team, all of them multi-tasking in their roles and fully aware of how much there is still do in a city of 28 million.

Yesterday Ric and Ruthanne Gilbertson the regional developers for Latin America and the new VP of missions (of the C&MA:Canada) Jim Foster were here. Them, the "spy tourers" and the whole Mexico City team went to Xochimilco. (So-chee-meel-co) (more or less) Its an area south of the city were you get on these very mexican looking boats and go on canals. Mariachi bands also have boats and you can pay them to sing to you. Or there are boats with food on them as well and they come around, just make sure the person serving the food is not the same one steering the boat as the water is polluted.

Polluted water aside, Xochimilco is a lot of fun and a great bonding time as you chat with those on your boat. Jim Foster shared about his family and his career as a missionary in the arab world. He reminded me of the bigger picture through his stories which came at a great time as I've been feeling quite dry to all of this lately. I also enjoyed speaking to Ric and Ruthanne as they are always great at encouraging and asking great quetions so you know they remember your needs, wants etc.

Last night after getting home from a long day with everyone, Heather Paty and I were blessed to find out our room's electricity had been returned due to our amazing Brother and Sister. Our room is somewhat seperate from the rest of the house and as it rained pretty hard here the past few nights the wires to our room were damaged. Therefore no light and no heater (and its VERY cold when it rains). BUT my sister is one semester away from being a mechanical engineer and my brother is seriously a jack of all trades as he has had 15 jobs and he is only 21. So together they fixed it. Have a mentioned I love my family?

'Tis Been Awhile

2007-01-23T16:11:00.000-07:00

Apparently I've been busy. On January 9th another intern named Heather arrived. She will be here for three months and hails from a town of 100 in southern Ontario named Eagle. She attends Emanuel Bible College and graduates in April with a missions degree. Afterwards she will move on over to the great city of Calgary to attend Canadian Theological Seminary therefore becoming my neigbor as they share one of AUC's floors.

We share a room. Its going well. We climbed the Sun and Moon pyramids together yesterday. That was bonding! Its a tough climb up those.

As most of you know, I went to Cuernavaca for six days in there. I worked with four people from the Vermillion Alliance Church, painting the school and dining room of a "Casa Hogar". A Casa Hogar is a home for orphans, but also for abused and neglected children. I went there in November for a day with my cell church as well. The kids are amazing and it blew me away what joy they had despite all they have had to overcome in their short lives. The workers there are all volunteers, commenting that they do it simply because they are Christians and that even without an income, God has never let them go hungry. They do many things to make money for the home as well as depending on other's support as there is no government funding in Mexico even if it is the government who has given them most of the kids. I definantly cried upon leaving. God has put on my heart a few of those children to keep praying for.

Well I am sure I will be a bit more regular in writing now...maybe :)

My Day So Far

2007-01-08T12:49:00.000-07:00

Alright so my alarm goes off at 6:50, I decide its okay for me to sleep some more so I set it again for 7:15. At 7 my cell phone starts telling me its time to wake up over on my desk as I had set it the night before to make sure I actually got out of bed. I get up, shut it off, crawl back under my warm covers and wait for the 7:15 alarm. By that time I had to go to the bathroom anyway so I got up, grabbed my towels and headed down the metal staircase to the back of the house where the bathroom I use is. After a few minutes I decided it was too cold to shower, that I didn't smell yet and would wait until after I got back home. Went back upstairs, carefully, so as to not awake the sleeping Chihuahua, who can be very loud. Got ready for the day and decided to see what I could grab quickly for breakfast. I went into the kitchen and found the sweet bread my sister had boughten the night before from the man that rides his bike around calling out "eelllll paaaan!" (the bread). I found a doughnut, my favorite of course and ate quickly before heading out the door.

Out on the street I did my usual prayer for safety during travel then headed towards the park to cut through it to the street on the other side. I caught the micro at the corner and paid my fair. I even found a nice seat next to a friendly looking older woman and sat down for the quick journey to the metro station. As the road that goes near the metro is extremely slow in the morning due to the amount of traffic, the micro driver couldn't pull over to the curb where they normally do to let out passangers to the brown line. So I went ahead and asked for him to let me step off (in other words please be aware I'm getting off and don't step on the gas). Walking towards the station I was proud of myself for asking as awhile ago I probably would have just waited until the driver stopped even if it meant a longer walk after. So I take the metro to Centro Medico, transfer to the puke green line (seriously its the color of bile) and went to Etiopia. I went up the stairs to the surfice and started looking for the restuarant VIPS as that was were I was to meet my mentore, however there was no VIPS, but a CALIFORNIA so I went there and texted my tutor about the change. Its important to note I didn't learn how to text until I came here. My tutor phoned back to say she thought it was to be 10:30, not 9:30 that we were going to meet. So I waited for an hour, luckily I had brought a book with me.

My tutored showed, apologized profusely and then went on with our lesson. At 10 to 12 we stopped to discuss tomorrow and then walked to the metro together. We parted ways there and I got onto one of the all women cars at that station as the train was quite full. Got off at Centro Medico to transfer back to the brown line. I managed to get a seat on the train, next to a kind looking older gentlemen. As I sat staring at the spot on the floor where the first floor board was missing and wondered how many more layers there were to go before seeing the tracks below when the power went out. Thankful that it was at a station and not in a tunnel, I then noticed the graffiti on the walls and wondered how people manage to do it without others seeing them. The power came back on and off we went. The same thing happened at the next station and then the next. At the fourth station an announcement was made, which I didn't understand, but it reminded me to look up the word for awake as there have been times when I have wanted to use it. On we went, but at the next station everyone started to get off, the man next to me must have noticed the confused look on my face so he motioned for me to get off too and said everyone had too. Obviously the train was having issues. So we all got off and waited for the next train which was about thirty seconds behind. I managed to get a seat again, thanks to the skills Heather Hahn taught me about getting to safe places on a train when its crowed.

Upon getting to Pantitlan I walked towards the corner where I catch my micro to my house, a bus that was painted with a canadian flag drove by and I wondered why the owner choose canada in particular. I got on the micro, paid my fare and asked the driver to let me off the street by the park. I cut through the park where there were a lot of children who had obviously just gotten out of school and went home, passing by our community's big guadalupe statue. Opened the door to my house where Cobi greeted me and demanded to be picked up. Got into the shower and was just about to rinse when the water ran out because this area is short on water as it is and my sister had already thrown in a load in the washing machine. She came running back to apologize and switched the switch to the reserve tank that sits on the roof for times like these.

So it hit me today... I live in Mexico City and it's become my life.

The Adventures of the Chihuahua

2007-01-04T13:19:00.000-07:00

You can't live in Mexico and not have a chihuahua as a pet. Well you can actually. Many people do in fact. But I personally have the privelage of a Chihuahua in the house and therefore believe its the only way to live. His name is Cobi... or Kobi... I'm not sure how they spell it. He is what I believe my brother would describe as "special needs". Not in mental capacity, although that is quesitoned from time to time, but more in the emotional relm. He really enjoys absolutely everyone who is a room paying attention to him, or feeding him. If you don't notice him, he will come and claw at your hand until you pet him and then move onto the next person or claw again if he's set his sites on you.

I caught him eating lipstick in the back room one day. He had red all over his mouth.

I found him eating a spool of thread yesterday.

He took a hair tie out of my sister's hair cause he wanted to play with it.

He burrows under the blankets on the bed because he gets cold easily. If you happen to be under that blanket too, watch your toes because if they move too much and disturb him, he'll let you know.

One night he decided I shouldn't sit on my sister's bed. He defended it really well.

He wears baby t-shirts from Acapulco. He has two to choose from, a red one and a white one.

If you offend him, usually by laughing at him, he stares you down until you say "perdon" (sorry). Seriously.

Once I was making him jump to get a treat and he smashed his head into the table. Later that night well playing fetch he jumped at me and slammed my head into the wall. Coincidence? I think not.

Yep its quite the experience living with a Chihuahua. Its bonding time for me and my new family as we laugh over his antics or wonder about his sanity. I think Dogs truly are man's best friend, but also a gift from God to put a little joy in peoples lives.

We have a bird too by the way. It sings in the mornings.

What Does it Take?

2006-12-29T13:16:00.000-07:00

Today I was going to write about my past trip to Acapulco and my experiences of Christmas in a foreign country. However a few things have occured that have left me in a pondering mood and I feel like sharing that instead with whoever is reading this. Especially as I am about to send out my december update and you will hear all those stories then.

Here is my question of pondering: What does it take to live the life of faith?

I think there are multiple answers to this question, depending what talents you have, what culture you are from and specifically the paths that God lays out before you. I have decided that I believe at every major turning road in a persons life there are at least two paths that you can choose from that would be under the will of God, with one that runs in the opposite direction. Which do you take? Depends what you're willing to give up.

Not to be prideful, but to be on the path that I am, I gave up my boyfriend who I love very much. I walked away from him at a bus depot about three months ago and said... see you next August. He gave up a lot too. My parents gave me up. My friends who gathered around me the night before I left crying and praying, they also gave me up.

I remember one night when I was asking God if I could maybe just stay in Canada instead of going to Mexico, He said that He could physically force me to get onto the plane, but I knew which decision was the one He desired for me. So I got on the plane. I had a window seat and got to see a bit more of this great world... a blessing. Then I came here to Mexico City and was overwhelmed by the dirty streets, the constant idols of guadalupe and the mexican people in general.

Over the past three months there have been countless days where I have had to bite my tongue to not ask to fly back to Canada, because I missed Owen too much, or Spanish was too hard or I couldn't stand the way men look at me on the Metro anymore just because I am a young white girl. Had I left I would never have moved into my new home with my Mexican family. They have shown me in only a week, what it truly means to perservere life with JOY. They have shown me love and exceptance and inclusion into a family unit. They have shown me Christ.

I cannot go into detail for their sake, but my Mexican family leads a life of simplicity. They have pasts full of hardships and trials and yet their eyes are fixed on Christ and they live lives of faith, asking hard questions and seeing which path it is that Christ would desire most for them.

To lead a life of faith, there is probably something that is going to have to be given up. There will be trials. I will still continue to have days where I want to get on a plane and go home. Missing Owen doesn't stop. Wishing I had some of my old comforts is still common, but on this path of life called faith I am blessed. I am blessed by these humble people who teach me so much about what it actually means to be called a Christian.

Ask yourself the question... especially during this season of celebrating the incarnation of Christ.

Moving to Pantitlan

2006-12-27T12:46:00.000-07:00

I know, I know its been awhile and a lot has happened. I will attempt over the next few days to back track a bit and write entries about everything that has happened. So first of all on the 16th I officially became a resident of Pantitlan... after maybe four hours of sleep due to the Friday night English Book Club. Due to this is was a rather emotional day, but I was immediately welcomed into my new family. My room is quite big and is on the second floor of the home. I now have three siblings and another mother. Oh and I am also an official aunt of a Chihuahua named Cobi (spelling?) who I am sure I will fill you all in later about his antics. I only stayed in my new home two nights before heading off to Acapulco for three nights with Heather. But now that I am back I am enjoying it immensly. I feel as if I have learnt more Spanish in the past week then I did the two months of my "intensive spanish course", which might be an exaggeration, but at least some things are finally clicking in my head. Of course this is giving me new hope for being able to fully learn the language.

Next to my new house is the community park, where many many children hang out :) Its the best place that someone who came to work with children could live as even if I am in my room I can hear them clearly as they play outside. Also inbetween our home and the park is a big shrine to Guadalupe. It was sad for me during this season to see how much she was celebrated despite how the true meaning of Christmas is the incarnation of Jesus Christ into our world. However walking past that often reminds me where this country is at spiritually and how much they NEED Jesus.

Stay tuned for more...

Those with Weak Stomachs Should NOT Read this Entry

2006-12-15T13:23:00.000-07:00

So at about 4:30am on Monday night I awoke from deep sleep by saying out loud to myself "I really don't feel good". I then proceeded to hope that by rolling over this feeling would go away. It didn't. So I got out of bed in a groggy state and went to the bathroom. Happy to find out it was just another case of diarrhea (yes this is happy as it happens often in Mexico) I went back to bed. About two minutes after lying down, I then ran back to the bathroom to throw up. Drinking water inbetween sessions of either diarrhea and vomiting in some hope of staying hyrdrated, the next four hours were full of this. Fun eh? I eventually started being able to fall asleep for an hour inbetween. Heather came by at noon with Pedialyte and Jello. I threw those up too at first. Anyways by six Tuesday evening it was done and then I slept through the night. Wednesday I rested, Thrusday I was bit active and today I actually feel alive again. In some small way I feel as if I just made it through a "right of passage" as people here are always telling the great sickness stories and now I have one! I am hoping its my only one.

Random Stories

2006-12-11T13:54:00.000-07:00

The Town's Virgin Hangs Out With Santa.
In the middle of the main "square" of my colonia (called Copilco which is like a community in Canada) is a very nice shrine to the virgin of guadalupe. To her left is a statue of Jesus on the cross, and to her right is a statue of the man she appeared to in the hills of Mexico. But of course it is very important that she is in the center of this shows strongly how religion is practiced for the most part here in Mexico. It humors me that with every holiday something else shows up around the virgin too. During the day of the dead, a shrine to the dead was there too and now with Christmas, there are three light up santa clauses in the trees around her. There are also some light up reindeer. It amazes me how the consumerism that has become Christmas can even be incorporated into Mexico's strict love for the virgin. On that note, in the Wal-Marts here there is seriously at least one person in every isle trying to sell you a specific product from that isle. I have never seen such attempts at advertising before. I just looked out the window of the internet cafe I am sitting in, at a house they are adding a floor onto across the "calle" (street). They put this fake chimney up and there are legs of a santa sicking out of it.

Do You Know Tiffany From Canada?
Last night Heather and I went to a Christmas concert that the choir of Capital City Baptist Church puts on here in Mexico City. It is an English speaking church... the president of General Motors attends this church, and I am now on a mission to meet him. The concert was really well done and Heather introduced me to the people that she knew from there. There were a number of missionaries there, all enjoying the english Christmas tradition. I met a guy who is in high school, but has helped out with some translation times with past Fusion groups as he is an amazing english speaker. His family vacations all the time in the U.S. Anyways, so he's asking me where I'm from in Canada and I say the province of Alberta. He then asks, "so do you know Tiffany?" I felt like I was in a beer commerical... you know that one where someone asks you if you know Joe from Canada. Anyways he starts discribing her and telling me why she came and suddenly it hits me... I do know her. She was one of my juniors when I worked as a senior counselor at Camp Nakamun. Small world! This guy however literally knows someone in every region of north america and then a number of countries around the world. If networking is a gift, he's got it. I also met the widow of a man who wrote a lot of stories about missions in Mexico... one that I've read.

Transitions... Again

2006-12-05T11:14:00.000-07:00

This morning was my oral exam for Spanish. I think I did alright, but know I messed up a few of the masculine/feminine differentials as well as grammar a few times. I feel better about it than last time though so I think that that is a good sign. Tomorrow is our written exam. Afterwards our whole class is going out for a beer. This field trip was organized by the other Canadian in the class.

On the fifteenth I will move to Pantitlan to live with my Mexican family. I am looking forward to this as the mom already calls me her "daw-taw-er". I will have two older sisters and one older brother. The brother, Enrique is pretty excited to have a younger sibling as he has always been the youngest one no matter what. He is eleven months older than me.

I will be tutured in Spanish which will be good because then I will continue to learn and in a one on one situation. I will also be doing a lot of turist things in the next month as during Christmas vacations most people are off of work and leave the city. I get to go to Acapulco with Heather, Jonathan and Rosio from the 18th to the 20th. I will work on my tan... maybe I won't be so obviously white by the time I get back!

Two MONTHS in MEXICO!

2006-12-03T12:53:00.000-07:00

Today I celebrate my two month anniversary of being here in Mexico City. I remember the first few days I got here wondering if I would ever make it through the following months and well so far I have! I have uploaded six pictures that give a slight over view of my time here so far to flickr (yay it finally worked!) you can check them out at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mexicanmananda

Hopefully the link will work. I also sent out my november update, once again if you did not recieve it and would like to let me know and I'll get one on the way. I found out afterwards that the computer I was sending it from most likely had a virus, so if you are affected by this I apologize.

Have I ever mentioned that it was always a secret little hope of mine to be in a country while it was experiencing political unrest? No? Probably because I know its a very strange hope, but now I have seen it through. The new Mexican president took power on the first of December despite the man who lost having declared himself present only about ten days earlier. There is much protest over whether or not the election was corrupt and who the true president is, is apparently still up in the air even after a recount. The chamber of congress actually were punching each other during the switch of presidents. I stayed at home that day.

Now I must go and practice singing in spanish for the church service tonight, as we are celebrating Christmas with all of the cell churches together.

The Orphanage

2006-11-28T10:30:00.000-07:00

On Sunday I went with people associated with my cell group to an orphanage in the city of Cuernavca. Its a nice little city of 2 million people! The orphanage is one that Heather Hahn has had an opportunity to visit in the past. It is Christian and is run completely by faith, meaning they have no constant source of income, but go month to month. There were about 100 children living there of all ages. We put on a clown show for them about the salvation message and then played games with them afterwards. It was bit of a gongshow as we had limited time to practice and work through what we were doing, but I think the kids enjoyed themselves. I did my lines in Spanish as best as I could and I think they understood me. When everyone was playing games at first I was really discouraged because I had no idea what was happening or how to speak to the kids so I went and sat down behind the little kids. In the middle of me asking God what exactly it was I was to do if I couldn't talk to those I came here to serve, a little hand found its way into mine. I looked up and there was this little girl, probably about two looking at me shyly. She couldn't or wouldn't speak Spanish so I was on her level. All she wanted was attention and I was glad to give it. Unfortunantly later on she got scared off when Carlos, one of the guys with our team tried to take a picture of us and she wouldn't come back to me afterwards. A few other girls spoke to me as they wanted to know how to say certain things in English, but half the time I wasn't sure what it was they wanted translated. There were a few other cultural miscommunications through out the day and by the time I came home I was exhausted and emotionally drained. It seems every moment here is a challenge to get through or if I find myself really enjoying myself the next day I will have really discouraging things happen. Such is the life of learning to live in another culture. Spanish is still discouraging too, it seems every time I think I've made a step forward, I get told by someone just how much farther I have to go in one way or another. Mixed amongst the great things are some trials.

Death to Pictures

2006-11-23T12:26:00.000-07:00

I was really hoping to be able to put up some pictures today online so people can actually see some of what I've been up too/where I live HOWEVER I have encountered problems at each step of the way of trying to do this. I am not exactly technologically savy and so these problems are truly annoying to me. So if you all want to pray that technology would stop standing in my way/ I would suddenly be struck with the wisdom of the best way to get pictures to people that would be fantastic.

Last night I witnessed to a guy on the metro (subway). In my head all I could think was "I would never have done this in Canada... I can't believe I'm doing it in Mexico City". But it was kind of an opportunity thrown into my lap as all of a sudden he started talking to me in English as he noticed I was reading an english book. Pretty interesting, although to be honest when he first started talking to me I was a good Canadian woman and looked immediately for my exits as a strange man had just invaded my space by actually speaking to me in a public place (CRAZY!).

Yesterday was Owen's birthday and I was not there for it. Its hard to think we still have eight more months of being apart as it feels like its already been unbarably long. There's an Amy Grant song that in the chorus goes like this "missing you is just a part of living, and missing you just feels like a way of life. I'm living out the life I've been given... missing you all the while." I was listening to it the other day and had to turn it off cause it pretty much sums up how I feel right now. However I know I must make every day I have here count and therefore I will not get caught up in feeling sorry for myself. Hopefully.

It's been a few days.

2006-11-17T11:39:00.000-07:00

Life has been busy so the following is a "reader's digest" version of my past week. Last Friday I attended the new English Book Club that has begun meeting. The personalities at it are completely different and it will make for lively Friday nights in my future. We are still doing "the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" for the book, just like the Thursday night group. Afterwards I stayed at Heather's place as we woke up at 6am to leave on a road trip to a town called Quetatero (I hope I spelt that right). I say town, but really its a city of 1 million people, it just feels small coming out of Mexico City. Heather mentors a pastors wife there, and while she was doing that I got my first experience driving in Mexico! I personally LOVE the amount of potholes and speadbumps that make Mexican roads so unique.

On the way back into Mexico City we stoped at little town called Tequeisqueapan (I hope I selpt that right as well). This town was actually a town and is really cute with lots of little central stores that were fun to brose through. Then on Sunday at church I read scripture verses as Heather led worship and also read out the song names and page numbers. It is nice to be able to contribute in some way to the service as I am still so limited. After church I drove down to Coyocan (the whole way with the gas light on). If you think you drive defensively in Canada... think again! Anyways we made it the gas station and then a Fusion meeting afterwards.

Monday and Tuesday at school was my midterm. I didn't do so well and bot quite discouraged and frustrated about my abilities to learn another language. Heather and Lisa were both quite encouraging in that though, and reminded me that its about the attitude. Jonathan Mike's wife Rosio has made a deal with me as she is learning english, that from now on we will do our best to only speak the language we are learning to each other. We will also be spending Friday afternoons together to "practice". I am really excited for this as I need the practice, in a safe setting.

About eight Canadian youth pastors arrived on Monday for a five day long exploration trip as they are bringing down youth groups in the summer, or are committed to the vision of Fusion. On Tuesday afternoon I went on the Turibus with them. Wednesday I had supper with them and then yesterday I led two on a prayer walk through the area of Pantitlan. It was good to be around them, especially as one was Grant Weber, my former youth pastor when I was in high school. However it has been a stretching week for me as I have had very little time to stay in contact with others and have realized more about just how much I really miss Owen... and everyone else from Canada too.

This weekend is going to be pretty busy too as we are having a leader's retreat and I am going to be helping with the children's ministry at it. I thankfully have Monday completely off though. That will be a glorious day of rest!

Spanish / Español

2006-11-09T12:37:00.000-07:00

So I was going to write today about how after a semi-breakdown yesterday over my frustration at how slow language learning is, that today was much better. Then the owner of the internet cafe I frequent asked me the most basic of questions ¿de Donde eres?... "where are you from?" and I couldn't get it. He finally dropped into English, as a lot of people have memorized a few basic questions in english. Yes that was probably the most dissapointing moments of my time here in Mexico so far. I have been encouraged though that it will slowly get easier as time goes on, my stuggle will just be hearing the language I guess.

Tonight I am leading our English Book Club. That is a little scary, but at the same time exciting. I enjoy my time at the club because I feel useful as I don't have to know that much Spanish and really its just all about building relationships... something I would like to believe I'm good at! Also tomorrow night will be my first time to attend our new Friday night English Book Club. I am excited to meet all the new people who are planning on attending that one.

Did I ever mention how the key to my house never worked? No? Well that's probably because I didn't want to worry anyone that there were times of coming home in the dark when I could not get into my house for a little while as my hand strained just to be able to turn the key in the lock. Well on Thursday of last week I finally showed my landlady just how hard it is for me... and our lock has now been changed!! Yay! The first time I used it and it worked so easily I actually wanted to jump up and down shouting, but I held myself in as their was neighbor out on the street at the time.

Mentally and emotionally I'm doing well, or so I've been told. I really miss Owen... and downtown Calgary actually (something I didn't really think I would miss), but yes I am learning to take joy in the unfamiliar that surrounds me. Hope all of you are also taking joy in your lives!

Stories

2006-11-06T12:04:00.000-07:00

I haven't written in a little while as Wednesday to Saturday of last week I was attending a conference put on by Exodus Latinoamerica and then yesterday I was at a "celebration" sunday for my church where all the cell groups get together for a full church service. The conference was intense as it started at 10am and went to 9pm every night that it was on. I usually went a little late and left a bit early to make travel by metro a little safer and easier. The topic was about sexuality and sexual healing. I learned a lot about the culture I now live in and how they deal with sensitive issues, but I also learned a lot about healing in general. It was a very well done conference.

I've been meaning to share a few stories the past little while so I will share them now. The first one I would like to entitle "always check your socks for beattles". Yes you're right the plot of this story revolves around a beattle being in my sock. You see, here in Mexico we hang out clothes out to dry on the roofs of our houses. I had left my dark load up on the roof for about three days due to some heavy rains soaking it a few times just when they were almost dry. So then fastforward to last tuesday and I'm getting ready for the day. I put on a normal pair of socks and my boots as it was still a little rainy. It was a rather busy day with me going pretty much straight from School to Pantitlan for afternoon ministry. Near the end of the day the top part of my left foot was really starting to hurt. I thought maybe that my boots were giving me a blister. Luckily Heather gave me a ride home so I was thankful that I did not have to walk at all with a blister forming on my foot. I got home, flopped on my bed and proceeded to take off my boots. I rubbed my foot where it had been hurting and there was a lump there so I thought maybe somehow I had picked up a rock. So I took my sock off and something black fell to the ground. I looked first at my foot and there was an imprint of what looked like a beattle against my skin... so I picked up the black object and sure enough it was a dead beattle. I choose to beleive that it had been dead from the time I put the sock on (brought there by the rain) and not that it had once been alive and crawling around on my foot.

My other story shall be entitled "death to my stomach". I won't go into gory details on this one, as I know I few "weak stomached" readers. At the conference though we went to a nice chain of restaurants as we didn't know of any "clean" food vendors near by. I shall never eat at that chain of restaurants again, or at least never order what I had. My stomach hurt so bad on Friday night I couldn't stand up straight. Its been getting better as the days go on, but I still have the lingering effects. Praise God for bowel medications!

Well that's all for now. Take care y'all.

Fruta Fiesta Explained

2006-11-01T11:54:00.000-07:00

Okay so a "futa fiesta" is a fruit party. It was dreamed up a few days ago as Maria from Spain was convinced that she did not enjoy papayas until Sara, from the U.S. bought her a good one and prepared it with lime juic and chili powder (a VERY mexican thing to do). Maria decided that there should be a celebration of her new found love of fruit so the four of us housemates set out on Monday evening in search of good fruit. We even managed to find mangos, as they are going out of season right now. Mangos are my favorite. On the way back home we picked up some "street tacos" as Maria decided I must be convinced of their greatness. I was convinced... even if my stomach wasn't so much later on. :) It was good for us housemates to be able to hang out together as it will be the last time. Maria announced on the weekend that she is moving to a new home, the circumstances surrounding this decision aren't the greatest so if you remember please pray for my changing living environment.

I don't have school today or tomorrow or the next day because of the "day of the dead" celebrations. Its where they set up alters to dead relatives or loved ones in rememberance or them. It is quite interesting to observe, as even the catholic church supports this tradition (but strongly discourages the celebration of halloween). I learn more and more about this culture everyday!

Famous Canadian Model

2006-10-30T11:56:00.000-07:00

Yes that's right ladies and gentlemen, I am now officially a famous Canadaian model. I am currently in Mexico to put on a charity show to help out the poor children of the city. Okay so maybe I'm not THAT famous... okay maybe I'm not even a model, but on Thursday night I was for about fifteen minutes! The people that attend our Narnia book club are in an English class together and are doing a project that they video-tape... so I played the role of famous Canadian model for the "fashion segment".

Friday I went for a picnic with a family from the cell church. It was raining though so we spread out blankets on the floor and ate there. That was a lot of fun.

Saturday I went on a "thrift store" hunt with two of my housemates Sara and Maria. We walked arond downtown for a while, which made me feel almost as if I was back home in Calgary. I felt much less like I was in a new country. We headed towards the main square called the "zocalo", watched some tradional aztec dancers, and some modern street dancers. Then we headed into a market that takes up about ten square blocks to one side of the zocalo and it felt like I was constantly moving through a zoo of people in there. It felt like something out of a movie about a major city... then it hit me "I am in a major city"... its still sinking in somedays. After an unsuccessful attempt at finding the thrift store (we never even found the street its supposed to be on and had looked it up on a map before leaving) we went and had tacos. Then we went to another market one metro station away. I liked that one a lot as it was very artisan Mexican things that were sold there. However I didn't get a chance to purchase anything yet so I will probably make a trip back there soon.

Sunday was cell church. I led the prayer for communion. Heather translated what I wrote out into Spanish for me. Then as we had three children we were able to do a children's class which was great for my heart. From there Heather and I hung out with two of the kids for a few hours as their mom was busy. Then Heather and I caught the end of a mass so that I could see what most of the people we minister to, hold as either their original faith or current faith.

Today is a "fruta fiesta" with my house mates. I'll fill you in on that someday soon. I was sent pictures of the snow in Canada, and I just want everyone to know it is 18 degrees out today, bright and sunny. Have fun with your snow!

October Update

2006-10-26T11:43:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends:
I have just sent out my October Update and if you did not get one, but want one, send me your email address and I will send one to you soon.
Thanks, Amanda

Perfectionism

2006-10-23T13:42:00.000-07:00

I realized something today while carrying my groceries back from my trusty local Wal-Mart supercenter here in Mexico City: Canadians are perfectionists. Yes this came to me as I mentally tore apart whoever build the sidewalks here. They are different shapes in different places... different levels constantly and in different states of disrepair or newness. But really, they get you where you need to go, without getting hit by a car. I was thankful for that, and then there in my path, parked on the sidewalk was a car! I have many thoughts like these every day, constantly comparing Canada and Mexico, trying desperatly to remember the phrasing "different" and not strange or wierd or crazy.

I went on a spider-killing rampage in my room the other day. I got three of them. I am suspicious that there are more, but have decided to allow the next few I find to live. As last night there was a fly buzzing around the room and I found myself praying for a spider's web to catch it so I didn't have to go trying to kill it. I could just imagine what my house mates would think that the Canadian is up to as they hear me standing on things and smacking the walls over and over again.

Yesterday I went to the Pantitlan cell church by myself. I think I posted about how the last time I went there I got lost. So this time I had someone from the host family meet me. They took me back too. Mexicans are very hospitable. The host family have a dog named Cobe and he is an overbearing chiuaua who likes me and I like him. However I was warned that once he starts liking people he might "lover" them. Yes, I too am scared to find out what that truly means. So Cobe is going to be keeping his distance for awhile.

I met a guy in my class today who is from Calgary. That brought back memories. We discussed the c-train and then laughed at how Mexicans believe we have finally hit winter because its 10 degrees outside!!!

Keep in touch.

Spanish Classes

2006-10-20T12:16:00.000-07:00

My Spanish Classes started yesterday and it was good. I had to hold back tears at some parts becuase the main instruction is in Spanish and as I still understand close to nothing about Spanish I usually have no idea what she is saying unless there are hand motions involved. Luckily there are a few people in the class who understand better and can show me what we are actually doing. Sometimes though the professor gets upset in we use english as we are supposed to only speak in Spanish in the class. So we just wait till she walks away to explain things to each other.

At the school, I love hearing everyone's accents as I have met a Scotish girl, an Irish guy, a German girl, a girl from Denmark and a guy from Lebanon whose mother was Mexican. Also there are many Asians here learning Spanish who I feel more sorry for as its an extremely new alaphabet to learn besides just putting it all together.

So my conversations with my landlady continue to amuse me and make me really happy to be living where I am right now. Yesterday she seemed quite concerned when I was eating my lunch in the kitchen. At first I thought she was upset with me about something having to do with the door, but then it turned out that she couldn't figure out why I was the kitchen table and not the diningroom table. So in order to make herself feel better she at least went and got me a placemat and napkins. Then last night when I came back from the English Book Club she was baking something and we talked about it. This morning when I woke up there were cookies with my name next to them waiting for me at the table. Yes she is becoming more and more like my grandmother everyday.

My Days

2006-10-18T12:31:00.000-07:00

Sometimes people ask me what I do on an average day so let me tell you. It changes everyday. Although tomorrow I start my Spanish classes so that will lead to a more scheduled life, as that will be 9-12 every morning Monday to Friday. Also once my mentor gets back from vacation, which she deserves greatly, I will be going to do evangelism training/work with her in Pantitlan (the region she works out of) ever Tuedsay afternoon. Also during that time will be my mentoring. Thursday evenings I help out with an English Book Club that is in this region (Coyocan) which is how I will describe as either the white ave. or 17th ave for all of you Edmonton and Calgary people. The book club is studying 'the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' and is in essence an outreach, as well as a service for people wanting to learn Spanish. Then on Sundays I am back in Pantitlan to attend the cell church there. In my spare time I have been and will be doing a lot of reading, cutlural books mainly to try and help me understand the culture I know live in. As well, I try and visit internet cafes daily to keep in contact with everyone from back home.

The language barrier is seeming less danting lately as me and my landlady Conchita (who is taking English lessons at eighty-two years of age) have a few conversations back and forth in the languages. Just this morning we discussed how I had a good sleep, how my classes start tomorrow and that the maid is coming tomorrow morning to clean my room. Two days ago we had a discussion about how when I go up to the roof to hang up my laundry I should take keys with me as you never know when Conchita will take off and look all the doors behind her.

Culture Shock

2006-10-16T08:05:00.000-07:00

Yes it was a term that I never really considered before. The phrase culture shock was something for textbooks, mainly cultural anthropolgy classes. It was even the theme of a mentorship talk a few days ago. I have a whole book on it in relation to Mexico that was lent to me. Through all of this though I never truly understood what it meant.

Now I do.

New Home

2006-10-14T10:48:00.000-07:00

I have now officially moved into the home Ill be living in for the next two months while attending Spanish classes at UNAM. It is a large bedroom and my own bathroom, and then I share the kitchen with everyone else who lives there. The language barrier has been really noticable lately though as I haven´t been able to connect with my landlady or the housemates either, but I know that that will come in time. Im still busy, but also have quite a bit of alone time now, which does actually lead to the feelings of lonelineess and some culture shock too. Everyone has to go through it though, so I am just trying to stay as positive as I can.

Last night I attended a cell church in an area called Cuajimalpa... can you pronouce that? The host family is very lovely and I feel so welcomed by them even if we cannot really speak to each other. They have a four year old grand-daughter who lives with them named Yoshi. As children dont speak very good spanish either I feel more drawn to them than ever before. She taught me the spanish words for Chicken, table, and put me in my place when I used the wrong word for her sweater. We then played an interesting version of peek-a-bo with her putting her place mat in front of her face and waiting until I lifted it up and said hola yoshi!! Then she would burst into laughter and do it again. Yes its a good thing I came here to work with the children as they are sooo accepting of my poor language.

I know people see me here as a white girl... theres no way I can really blend in. Thats different because in Canada there are so many different colors that you can pretty much blend in no matter what race youre from. Here though its Mexican and a sprinkling of white people. Although yesterday I saw a black couple on the metro and practically lept for joy. I suppose I can´t really blend in if Im leaping out my seat everytime I see someone that is a different color.

Ill upload some pictures the next time I get the chance. I took a fun one yesterday of a lizard taht was crawling inbetween the window and the blinds in the dining room of my house. I wanted to name him, but I´m not allowed to have pets :)

Mexico City eh?

2006-10-11T16:54:00.000-07:00

(A picture from the top of the valley of the largest lake in Mexico... taken on an old dirt mountain road on the way to Guadalajara where I went last weekend to work with missionary kids there)

Well, I have been here in the beautiful and large city of Ciudad de Mexico (that's Spanish) for eight days now. They have been busy, challenging and exciting days for me. I thank God for the strength He gives me each day as I believe I am doing well for the first time ever being out Canada. I mean, for someone who has the gift of crying I've only done it like three times so far!!

I have a strong desire to throw myself into the language learning which will begin this coming week as then I would feel I could communicate with these very friendly people around me. Just yesterday three different people offered to me that their house was my house whenever I was in the area. That is something that boggles my mind as a Canadian. I know there are hospitable Canadians, but Mexicans are so giving and open with all that they have, even if its not much.

Probably one of the biggest surprises to me since coming here is just the extreme difference there is between the rich and the poor in the city, even though they may only be seperated by a few blocks (or very high walls). To begin my time here I'll be living near the UNAM... the world's largest University where 300,000 people attend. I will be taking language there and even two cultural classes. Then in January I will move to an area called Pantitlan, which is a poor area, definantly by Canadian standards. Most people there live day to day, not really knowing where the money for tomorrow will come. My mentor Heather is invovled in Church planting there. The family I will possibly live with, are right next to a park where many of the neighborhoods children go to play. I am excited at the future and what God has for me in that area of town. I know I will be out of my comfort zone a lot, but really that is what I came here to do. I also realize how much I have to learn about the world, myself and my faith too.

Thank you all for reading this blog... let others know about it as the more people I have interested in what I'm doing here, the more likely I'll have the strength to make it through the next ten months.

I´m here

2006-10-03T17:12:00.000-07:00

Well I´ve arrived safely to Mexico City. My trip was rather uneventful, which in my case was definantly prayed for as it was my first time traveling internationally let alone... alone. So yes, I even made it through Mexican customs without any major checking (something I was worried about as I do have a lot with me for the next year).

I met with three of the Fusion missionaries today and am actually staying at one of their places tonight. They are great and welcoming which is fantastic as I´m wide-eyed at the world around me. Its kind of crazy just how Americanized it is here, but I can definantly still tell I´m in a brand new country. Tommorow I meet with the CMA regional developers for Latin America, then do more orientation and then from there I will get settled at my place near the university.

Well although I will not have jet-lag with this one hour time difference I am exhausted as I woke up at 3am today so I think I might go have some Jesus time and then crash. Please keep praying for me as this adjustment time is going to be challenging. Thanks.

p.s. you have to throw toilet paper in the garbage, not in the toilet here... just so you know!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

2006-10-02T20:37:00.000-07:00

Well this week of final preparations has flown by. Now it is time for me to fly bye-bye. :)

I'm going to do my very last minute chores and then take a nap before getting up at 2:45 a.m. in order to make it to the airport on time to catch my 6:45 a.m. plane to Pheonix. I have a 30 minute layover at Pheonix (hopefully enough time to make it to the next plane) and then I'll be on to Mexico City. After a full year of preparing first to go somewhere internationally and then specifically Mexico, I can hardly believe that tomorrow is actually the day. I think I'm ready, but I'm sure I'll find if that's true once I'm there. I am excited though to get this adventure started... even if it is sad to leave this life behind for the next 10 1/2 months.

Here I come Mexico City!

Edmonton Again

2006-09-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

Well here I am in Edmonton again. Only seven days until I'll be in Mexico City. I'm not sure exactly how much time I'll have to post over the next few weeks, but I will do my best to keep people up to date about where I am and what I'm doing. Leaving Owen at the bus depot in Calgary was EXTREMELY difficult. Reality is sinking in. I'm glad I have someone in my life who is so willing to let me go for such an extended time. I feel like God is telling me it actually won't be that long, so we'll see if time flies over this coming year.

My last night in Calgary was spent crying... a lot. The weird thing was though, that I was only crying out of my right eye!! It was sooo annoying. To had to keep wiping just one eye. I was pretty happy when the day I left tears came out of my left eye too.

Calgary time winding down... and down...

2006-09-21T21:49:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone,

Sorry for the lack of updates recently, but as I am currently in Calgary staying with friends I only have access to the internet during random times. I have been in contact with the people I'll be working with in Mexico City (Fusion) lately and I am getting rather excited. I have ALL of my money for the next year covered as of this past Sunday when I recieved an annoymous envelope with the remaining funds in it. Crazy eh? Its been interesting to see how God has provided. Also, I have recieved news that I will be the only student doing what I will be doing when before I had thought there would be another. That was a little discouraging as I know it will lend to some lonely days being the only Canadian my age there most of the time. However I must admit I am excited to see how that forces me to learn the language faster and get involved in the mexican people around me.

Besides these things, I have found more about my schedule and I am really excited about the things I will be doing well there. I will be however returning eight days earlier than planned next August due to it being better for everyone's schedule. I was happy about this change in plans as it will give me another week to readjust to the culture and see family and friends in Edmonton before once again returning to Calgary to attend school.

Well in non-Mexico subjects of my life things are going well. My time here in Calgary has been a huge blessing in my life. Specifically for my relationship with Owen, but also being able to be surrounded by this community once again. It is so good to just sit and talk with friends about life... and to pray with and be prayed for by them too. I will miss this place, but I am ready to be done with this transition time too. I feel my heart has been going through a huge time of preparation, with God speaking words of strength into my life and I now believe I'm as ready as I'll ever be for my adventure.

Hope all is well, Amanda

I Shake My Head

2006-08-31T20:47:00.000-07:00

Okay so I had one of the older boys at the Center asking me today for a prize. Prize meaning candy. I figured he should really earn this, so I told him if he could name three countries in North America for me I would definantly give him a prize. He thought about it for a minute and said...

"Oh! That's easy!!! Alberta, Saskatchewan and B.C."

Yep, that's right I laughed at him, and laughed harder when he was confused as to why I told him he was wrong. I am really going to miss working there. Tomorrow is my last day. On Tuesday I leave for Calgary to spend three weeks there before Mexico City. Life moves on again...

The Update of all Updates

2006-08-22T20:26:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, you've all been waiting so patiently for me to write something again so you can know what is going on in my life. Well here is your chance finally! I was thinking I'd go day by day and let you know what's gone on this past month. I'll skip the boring days.

August 3: I died my hair. It was called Light Golden Brown. I forgot to take a picture of it and now its faded because its not permanent. I would call it Lighter Orange-shaded Brown now.

August 4: Slept over with Candace. We talked about boys, what she wants to do with her floor this coming year, and watched memoirs of a geisha (interesting, but shouldn't be rated pg). We also had tea in the sun and discussed life in general.

August 5: Owen came to visit. He came baring fourteen pink roses that lived for a full week! They were great... and so is the boy that brought them.

August 6: Owen and I went and visit Camp Nakamun. We only got to be there for three hours so it was short and sweet. It was good to go back to that place as it reminded me just really how far I have come in the past year. I spent my time there last summer on the bathroom floor crying... or dissapearing into the woods to pray as I was a completely broken person; and now I'm happy, have joy and know way more about who I am.

August 7: Owen went home :(

August 15: I went to Wild Waters with the Center. The little guy I was supposed to have with me the whole time threw a temper tantrum at the top of the slides... he sat out for the rest of the time well I rode every slide at least five times. It was fun.

August 16: The first day of camp. We took the kids to the Strathcona Wilderness Center where there is a very nice, very large cabin that we all stayed in. They only tried to kill each other twice the first night. Yay for working with our world's future!

August 17: Day two of camp. I walked around a path in the woods about twenty times setting up a game I planned, supervising the game and taking it down. Then the parents came out for a bar-b-que. I was asked where the desert was by a grandfather about three times before I remembered why it is I never take jobs where there is interaction with adults. I love kids.

August 18: Day three of camp and the return home. High light of the day is when a five year old held my hand (with interlocking fingers). Owen wants to meet this boy now.

August 19: Woke up at six am, drove to Grande Prairie, went to Pita Pit with Owen and then out to Ian and Jana's wedding. We hung out with Josh and his girlfriend Erika well there which was fun. I like them which is good because I figure I won't have much of a choice of them being involved in our lives in the future seeing as how Owen and Josh are like kindred spirits or something of the like.

August 20: Lazy day. Owen and I had stayed up late the night before discussing a few issues which were worked out, which I must say makes you appreciate the relationship so much more. So anyways we slept through church and awoke to Uncle Bob, Auntie Jake, Cousins Brianna and Rebecca (yay I'm learning names!!) joining us all for a big breakfast. Owen and I then looked through the toy section of the Wish Book. He's lusting over a RC hovercraft. It is pretty cool looking I'd say. We did other lazy things too.

August 21: Another semi-lazy day. I drove home. I find driving fun, but I must admit by hour four I'm like "I WANT TO BE HOME NOW!!"

August 22: I updated my blog. Also I am officially 20 1/2 today. YAY!! Oh and Owen is officially 20 and 3/4.

By the way... Mexico prep is going well again and I'm only $3,000 away from having all the money I'll need! However I need addresses to send prayer cards too. If you're interested let me know!

An Update

2006-07-31T18:50:00.000-07:00

Well I have now officially met every member of Owen's family. That may be just a very slight exaggeration. I met a lot of people and heard a lot of family history. It was good. I feel like I got to know Owen more in the process. Meeting his parents and little brother was good too as it'll now be a year until I see them again. I cried while leaving after saying good bye. It was kind of an overwhelming weekend.

I took my camera in an attempt to liven up this blog with pictures, but then did not end up taking any photos. Sorry.

We visited Joshua too. That was good. Apparently we made his day.

It was easier to leave because Owen is coming up this Saturday. Sunday we plan on visiting Nakamun which will be an adventure of its own.

Candace and I made plans for a sleepover Friday night. That is exciting. I haven't had a girly night in quite a while and I am realizing just how much I need it.

Mexico is frustrating me again. Having to tell all of Owen's family about it this weekend really hit it home that I am going soon and its for quite a while. So I'm going to go pray now. I need some Jesus time.

Crazy Weather

2006-07-25T20:13:00.000-07:00

Well today we took the kids to Hawerlak Park even though it was saying we had 60% chances of rain. There's a big picnic shelter right by the playground so we figured "hey why not?" So we're there for like half an hour and the kids are loving it when it starts to spit rain. The staff all congregate to discuss the weather and the children and decide to just let them keep playing until they complained. All of a sudden my boss goes "look at the field over there... its pouring!" We all looked and within three seconds me and some of my co-workers suddenly realized that we were watching pretty much what seemed to be a solid wall of rain coming towards us at an alarming rate. No sooner did we yell for all our kids to run for the shelter than we were surrounded by screaming children...

In other news I won't be able to make it to Owen's grandfather's funeral, but thankfully I can still go up this weekend and at least meet his parents who flew in from Kauai. I say at least, but really its quite the deal as we all thought I wouldn't be able to meet them until I got back from Mexico in about a year. So I am excited about the chance to meet them this early. Especially seeing as how I've already met a number of his other family members. I head up Thursday after work. It will be good, but hard too as I know that this is a really difficult time for the Scott family.

Hope everyone who reads this is doing well. Did my fundraising stuff work for anyone? I got some emails saying it turned itself into computer language and not a word document. Which is frustrating seeing as how that is the second one I've tried for emailing. Let me know. Take care!

Working with Children is... rewarding?

2006-07-18T18:45:00.000-07:00

I had a post from Tuesday entitled what it is above and it was in the editing phase of putting it up, but I felt like erasing it and putting up another post. For clarification sake it is now Sunday July 23rd that I finished this post on.

The past week of my life has been rather crazy. A week ago today I was in Dawson Creek meeting Owen's Grandpa and Grandma and seeing all the major landmarks of Owen's childhood. This morning his Grandfather passed away. I only met the man once, but I cried and not just because I feel for Owen and his family as they go through these next few days of greeving, but because His Grandfather made an inpact on me in the very short time I met him. He had very kind eyes and he welcomed me warmly. I will be trying my best to attend the funeral later this week at some time.

Inbetween those Sundays was a week of hell at work. For the most part anyways. That's why my post was titled what it was. I was sworn at, had a tongue stuck out at me, completely ignored (by a child who was under my care in the middle of West Edmonton Mall), told everything I plan is boring, threatend to be made handicapped and well many other fun things. Needless to say I reconsidered my main passion being Children or even having my own children. Despite all of this though I am still passionate about kids, maybe even more so as I watch all of the ones I work with show me just how desperately they need God in their lives. That was my biggest frustration this week, not being able to minister to the kids and my coworkers as incident after incident occured. I look forward to returning tomorrow though.

Besides that, there have been many serious conversations going on in my life. Its like I'm standing on some turning point in my life or something. Crazy. I like the way I'm headed though, but have to keep reminding myself to not get too attached to my plans as its all in God's hands and I can't see the bigger picture with quite the same certianity as He can. God is good though, as He has turned some of my frustration about the future (mainly my long distance with Owen) into glimpses of His complete faithfulness. So that is how I am doing right now.

The Pictures (that wouldn't load)

2006-07-14T19:52:00.000-07:00

Owen driving
The picnic he set up for me.
I waited with my eyes closed as he set it up.
Me in the car. I helped find the places we were going

(inbetween my naps).

Why I Hate Technology

2006-07-11T20:50:00.000-07:00

Okay so I've tried to create a post about ten times the past two weeks and then was anti-blog for a few days. Owen was here on the July long weekend and I kept trying to put up pictures of when he was here, but then when I tried to publish the post (everytime without fail) suddendly the internet would be "not responding". A little message box would pop up letting me know this fact, I would then sigh heavily and click the nice little "end now" button. As this scene continued the sighs got louder... and a little more violent. Needless to say the days away from the blog were good for me.

So, Owen was here. The pictures proved how good looking we are. Too bad for you that you cannot see them. I met his sister and brother-in-law. I wasn't nervous which was surprising, because usually I get pretty self-concious, but it was all good; I liked them a lot. They had just gotten a "puppy" a few weeks before we came. That puppy's name was Tonka and there was a whole 72lbs. of Tonka that greeted us when we arrived.

We also celebrated our 3 months, as cheesy as we know it is to celebrate monthly anniversaries (but we'll only ever have a possibility of two together). First we went to dinner at the Olive Garden. Then Owen made me close my eyes as he drove in circles to hide the fact that he was taking me to a park by my house for a surprise romantic picnic that he had planned for me. Yes, he is a keeper and I am a very lucky woman to be with him.

Besides these fun things, we also read through parts of Isaiah together... by the edge of a pond in the park. Chapters 41-60 were recommended to Owen to try and answer some questions he has about visions that were given to him. So of course I read it too because I am a very curious person. You should read it, its a very interesting passage.

Then he went home. I didn't cry this time, mainly because I knew I would get to see him two weeks later when I went up to Grand Prairie. Which is now... (drum role please) THREE sleeps away! Woot! Woot!

Other than that, I plan on maybe writing about work someday soon as there are few little stories I would love to share, as well as frustrations. Mexico stuff is going well though. Fundraising is showing me how much God is going to provide for me and I am blessed by it. So that's enough for now... this better load to the site or I'll cry.

My Trip To Calgary

2006-06-25T13:03:00.000-07:00

First of all, things with Mexico are going quite well again. I've started fundraising and as of right now am doing better than I thought I would be, but still have quite a ways to go. Also, I am being tutored in Spanish now by a man in my church who grew up in Bolvia. God is showing me that I will be fine, and that I will actually enjoy myself in Mexico City... even if I miss people back here a whole lot.

So back to my trip to Calgary. My friend Andrew was going down anyways so I decided to catch a ride with him and go stay with Jessy my old room mate and great friend. Its her birthday on Tuesday so we kind of got to celebrate together for the first time since I've known her. Her room mate Carolyn won this thing for a girls night out on Saturday night. We got a limo ride to a bar downtown, one free drink each and then Carolyn got a bunch of stuff too. That was pretty sweet... mainly the limo ride though I've got to say. It was fun to hang out with so many girls again and relax and have a fun time away from everyday life. Before going out Jessy was working so I got to spend some quality time alone and with God. It was nice. Andrew and I drove up again this morning. I have to say though that being in downtown Calgary again, right in the area I've lived for the past two years really made me miss it. It was sad to think I won't be living there again next year. Oh well, I know I'll return again someday... after all I do have a degree to complete!

I have many things to look forward to coming up. This week is busy with programing having to be completed for the summer at work, seeing as how we start getting the kids full time starting this Friday. Then on Friday night Owen is coming to visit. We get to see each other for TWO whole days are very excited. So yes, right now I am content, happy and moving forward with all of this. Thanks for your concern everyone... and your prayers!

Why I never post about Mexico

2006-06-07T21:20:00.000-07:00

This blog is supposed to be about my eventual trip to Mexico City. Funny how that's usually just a side note in random posts. I've been struggling a lot lately with even wanting to go or being okay with the fact that I am actually going. There's a lot of reasons that have contributed to these feelings. I won't bother whoever is reading this with those reasons. Everytime I pray about how I feel the answer always comes back "you have to choose to go, but you know you should" or something like that anyways. So I'm going. Some days I am actually exicted about what waits there for me, but its the average day that I just get extremely frustrated with it all.

There you have it that is why I never post about Mexico.

How the Weekend Went

2006-05-31T20:01:00.000-07:00

Well apparently Tjos needs to know how the weekend went, and I would love to talk about it so that is the topic of this specific blog. After I wrote the last post, Owen and I stayed up till 1am just talking. It was pretty great to not have to rely on a phone or email in order to have a conversation with him. It was also great to be in his arms again. When my dog Charlie met Owen he kind of just sat in front of him and stared at him. I must admit it was kind of creepy and I've never seen him do it to anyone ever before. I think that Charlie may have thought he was our chaperone for the evening.

On Sunday we went to church. At church a couple from the congregation spoke about their recent trip to Niger to work with (guess who?!!?) Tim Tjosvold for a few weeks. I basically started crying right there, cause they spoke about how hard they found it to go a place unfamiliar to them and also full of spiritual oppresion. Now you would think that it was the fact that I'm heading to Mexico City in five months that would bring on these tears and in a way it was, but it was also because when they were showing us pictures of their trip I remembered once again how much I wanted to go to Africa. So I was crying because I'm going to Mexico City, because one day I want to go to Africa still and also because I'm thinking all of this and Owen is sitting next to me and there's absolutely nothing in me at this point that wants to leave him for long periods of time. Anyways I gave myself a headache through all that crying.

Later Owen and I went to see X-Men 3 which I would recommend if you're into fun action movies. To kill some time we went into Future shop to look around. That was a bad move as we are both still poor. We showed good restraint through and only left with one cd each... and one movie for me too. Anyways after the movie we went out for supper and it was fun to be on an actual date with my boyfriend again. I like him. He is great.

Anyways then we went for a walk and after that we stayed up and watched Ocean's Twelve, the movie I had just boughten (only $9!!). After that we stayed up talking again. Some interesting spiritual stuff happened during that time of talking. Its kind of a long story so I won't tell it all here, but it was really cool to see how God used the both of us in unique ways to work through what was happening. I think both of us just felt peace after it all and had some good promises from God given to us.

On Monday Owen and I went shopping because he needed new shoes. That was kind of fun because I've never gone shopping with him before and it was quite an experience. Anyways after heading to the second mall, the first store we went into he found what he wanted. After coming home we went for another walk and then had supper with my parents... and then he left. I cried. I miss him again. I knew that this would be hard, but now the reality is sinking in.

EXCITING news

2006-05-27T21:31:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys, I'm currently waiting for Owen to arrive. I'm so excited to see him. We've now spent just as many weeks apart as together, so we deserve some face to face time as far as I'm concerned. He's staying till Monday evening because that's the way it worked out with our working situations, but even that was a complete answer to prayer.

Speaking of prayer. I now have my official prayer cards for onSite. Yay! I'm now officially a missionary I think... and I didn't even freak out like I thought I would. Apparently I'm handling the issue of Mexico well at the moment; it waits to be seen if that'll continue.

Also related to Mexico, I sent out my fundraising/prayer letters this past week. That sure bombed. Sorry guys, apparently I need to re-take emailing and formatting 101. I will get out actual copies to everyone in ways that they can open/actually have included in the email sometime on Tuesday I hope.

Other than all this excitement I've been working almost everyday. Its really good. I enjoy my job greatly as there are a number of challenges that I've never faced before in all my years of working with children. This past week was a gong-show though as recess was canceled a few times so the kids were super hyper and easily angered. At least because I'm still new I didn't have to deal closely with the more major events. The people I work with are pretty great too. I hung out with two of them on Thursday night as one lives in HUB at the U of A and invited us to watch the Oilers game on the big screen. It was sweet, except for the fact that they lost that game. Oh well, now we're western conference champions and that is amazing.

That's all for now because Owen is here and I now must go and greet him :)

Starting Work

2006-05-17T20:11:00.000-07:00

I completed my second day of work today. I started on Monday though. I was pretty nervous that the kids may not like me, or that the staff would hate me, but it seems like those feelings were unfounded. As soon as the kids started to come in I was surrounded by four girls asking me countless questions. An example:

"who are you?"

"amanda"

"do you work here now?"

"yes"

"do you know what my name is?"

"no i don't"

(they proceed to tell me their name) "do you know what my full name is?"

"no i don't"

(they proceed to tell me their full name)

"that's a very pretty full name"

"do you know that I like a boy?"

Anyways you get the picture. It was pretty funny. I haven't worked with elementary aged children in about a year and I had forgotten how much I enjoy them. Especially the young boys... I just love that look they get in their eyes when they're outright lying to you and think they're being clever about it. I have also realised that should I ever have sons, I may be suckered into believing things I shouldn't just because all I can do is laugh at them.

Other than starting work all I've been up to is actually starting to write my fundraising/gather prayer support letter for onSite... don't tell Emma. I probably should have finished it in like March, but I'm still doing procrastination recovery in May. I should get back to it... until next time, may the bird of blessing poo on your head!

Scraping Plaster

2006-05-11T15:16:00.000-07:00

This is the ceiling I helped scrape the plaster off of for my Dad in the bathroom he's remodeling. That is just one adventure I've done since being home.

In other news I have gotten a summer job. I'll be working for Thorncliffe After School Care which I found out about for sure today. I was pretty excited for a few reasons. The first of which being I am BORED now with just mooching around my house all day everyday. I mean I have been able to get a lot of wanted reading done, do some onSite tasks that have become backed up and oh wait, how else could I watch my dog make a bed out of this hand towel! Second of all, the new job means money which means less stress about affording to go to Mexico, as well as trips to visit people that I plan on taking before leaving for Mexico.

My life seems to be picking up now as in other exciting news Owen is back in Canada. He's going to call me tonight and after two weeks of just emailing I'm pretty freakin' excited about that.

Well, let me tell you I have watched approximately seven episodes of Star Trek in the past week so I can now beat any of you in Star Trek trivia... oh wait I could do that before too, but now I just feel pathetic about it. Have a great day!

Picture Time - Left Over From School

2006-05-04T08:31:00.000-07:00

These are a few pictures from the past semester at school.

The first here to the left is of Tayla my R.A. who love's to be called Tay-Tay as well as put into suitcases... and sent to boy's floors. It was exam time so we had to destress somehow.

The classic cookie stuck between a doorframe and the wall. Owen and Tay-Tay did that one night with a random cookie piece that was in the stairwell. They were throwing it at each other and then bam! there it was in the crack. Crazy cookie.

Here is Natalie taking out some pent-up aggression on Jessy. They're my room mates, and just to note... Jessy did deserve this, a moment before Natalie snapped Jessy had thrown a boot at me and it hurt! I forget what she did to Natalie though...

Of course I have to throw in a picture of Owen. Mainly because he puts pictures of me in his blog. I don't know who took this one, but its my favorite.
Then the next one is of Owen and I too. I was hiding. Obviously!
The next one is my absolute favorite. Its of Leah and Julie-Anne two of my closest friends from this past year who lived across the hall from me. They were studying one night when they realized that their room mate Nicole was no where to be found... what else where they to do, but put on Moose hats, princess crowns and go and find her? I love them dearly and miss them tons.

Well there you have it! I'll post soon about Tay-tay's wedding and all that entailed and anything else that is fun that might happen anyday now.

I'm officialy done!!

2006-04-27T11:09:00.000-07:00

That's right ladies and gentleman as of two days ago my winter semester 2006 was officially completed. Over the past two weeks my procrastination techniques that continue to amaze many around me, came back to haunt me. I slept on average five hours every night and yet still had to turn in one or two things here and there a few days late. Fun times! Just to kind of give you all a look into the life of Amanda I'll show you what my desk looked like during these busy times and how each item contributed in some way to me putting off homework.

Hopefully you can see what each letter is pointing too as that is how I will go through and list how I procrastinated with each item.

a) hand lotion: you cannot possibly write a paper with dry hands. You must stop to moisturise them every once and awhile and once that is done you cannot type for a little while as you don't want the keyboard getting icky.

b) a glass of water: constant hydration is a medical concern that needs to be taken care of religiously. This fact leads to frequent trips to the kitchen to make sure the glass is full as well as frequent bathroom breaks.

c) the Bible: your relationship with God is to be the number one priority in your life. Make sure that despite the pressures of lots of homework to do for school you spend time with Him!

d) the Discman: good music selection in the end helps with the paper writing process. It can distract you from the fact that there are very cool people out in your living room who you would rather talk too. It can also take awhile to find the perfect cd however... and you'll have to go out to the living room to do so.

e) Chocolate: it has been said that if there is chocolate in the room, I will sniff it out I happen to disagree with this. But if you are female, you know that in order to keep everything in check, chocolate is needed "to take the edge off" therefore trips to get chocolate bars, and time to eat it is in order.

f) the computer: not only is it a tool for paper writing, but also a great way to spend those many moments when you're not quite sure what to write. A quick game or three of minesweeper really helps clear the thought processes and by that time your long lost pal has signed onto msn and you just cannot pass up that opportunity to speak to them. Eventually you can return to the paper.

g) the writing on the desk: this was a one time occurance, unlike the others. Its parts of scripture verses and I needed to have them in front of me... reminding me of God's truth.

h) Billy the stress Elephant: Billy helps my hands when they get sore from typing. He also has a really funny sense of humor and likes to build houses out of things. Its not my fault I have to help him do it... he doesn't have thumbs!

i) the battery charger: this is what charges the batteries for my camera and my discman. One day funny things were happening in my apartment so I graciously put aside the homework I was doing and filmed it with my camera. I am very giving that way.

j) Tim Horton's coffee: this particular cup of coffee is not so much a procrastination device of mine as it is a shout out to Owen. A bunch of people were going out for coffee, I needed to get my work done so Owen wouldn't let me go. He brought me back a cup without me mentioning it at all. Pretty great guy eh?!?!

k) A pad of paper with email addresses on it: Tayla had to send out an email to all the girls from our floor so they could all know each other's email addresses. Its not like I was doing any homework at that particular time anyways, of course I would do it for her!

There you have it the procrastination of Amanda. My room mates love me for it... or harrass me about it all the time. In the end though I complete everything and I do it pretty well; it just takes me longer than most to get there.

If you think the world never changes... Just wait a few days.

2006-04-17T19:53:00.000-07:00

So, its official, I am turning down a dream job, great room mates and a summer filled with independence to return home to Edmonton. God spoke. I listened. I cried about it a little bit, but not nearly as much as I thought I might. Maybe the tears will come later on. I do have the spiritual gift of crying after all!

The others found a basement suite, or actually it was handed to them. God is taking care of us.

There are lots of people in my living room right now, and normally I would want to go and hang out with them, but lately I've actually wanted to be productive. Too bad it came so late in the year. I told Chris Boelcke (the Residence Director here) yesterday that the best thing that living in res. has taught me is procrastination. I will miss this place. I guess I'm kind of in a melancholy mood. Hopefully something funny will happen soon and I'll be able to post about that.

Don't get me wrong, I am happy. Home will be a good place for me this summer for a number of reasons. Such as actually getting to see my family before leaving for Mexico, as well as being a good three and half hours closer to Owen! It should be interesting to say the least.

I should go do homework again...

Crazy Days

2006-04-13T22:01:00.000-07:00

So I'm supposed to be doing homework, but in reality I'm killing time to wait for Owen to phone so we can hang out tonight. Quite a bit has been going on even from my first post. Its crunch time right now which means lots to do, and a continual battle with anxious thoughts. Owen has been a blessing during these days with his positive attitude and support. Basically our apartment that the four of us girls (Jessy, Julie-anne, Carolyn and myself) were supposed to live in fell through. There were issues with the lease. We found out on Tuesday and immediately started looking for another place seeing as how Calgary is a crazy hard city to find a place to live in and we only have three weeks to do it in. We are going to look at two basement suites located near downtown tomorrow. There is one in particular we are praying to get. Pray along with us!!

In Mexico related news, I talked on the phone yesterday with two of the program supervisors. It was a bit intimidating, but at the same time extremely encouraging as they reasured me of the support I will recieve while I am there. They sent me the finalized budget and its approximately 5,000 dollars more than what I thought it would be, but I refuse to doubt that I won't be able to fundraise, or work for every penny of it!

As for more updates on Owen and I as promised, here is a picture of Owen and I... and Owen's room mate. Ben is basically a part of our relationship anyways. He gets great joy out of sitting between us or on Owen for that matter. We love him dearly though.

My Life Right Now

2006-04-07T14:58:00.000-07:00

My very first post of my very own blog! It's kind of intimidating trying to decide what to say, especially after spending the last eight months reading Ryan Monson's blog(www.egyptianmonson.blogspot.com) whch is amazingly done. I guess maybe I should introduce myself and why it is I have a blog. My name is Amanda Falk. I am twenty years old at present, and am finishing up my second year of a Bachelor of Ministry: Children's Ministries degree at Alliance University College.

Currently though my life is going through some major changes. The first of which occured last Saturday when I started dating the wonderful Owen Scott. Over the past year I had gotten really used to/loved my singleness and then out of no where I start dating again. However there is a sense of peace of that has surrounded it from the beginning. I'm sure I'll tell you guys more about him and I as time goes on. Also, when it comes to changes is the fact that the school year is almost over which means summer!! I LOVE summer, but usually that love was due to the fact that I would return to Camp Nakamun for another summer of ministry which has been the thing to do for the past four summers. Not this summer however, as I have just recently taken a job at First Alliance Church here in Calgary, as their summer intern. This fact means that I will be staying in Calgary, living with three other young ladies in a one bedroom (yes that's right, four of us in a one bedroom) apartment downtown. It will be the first time I have lived away from home and not been at Camp or at the Residence. I am looking forward to all the challenges and fun it will bring.

Finally and most related to the reason why I am starting this blog, the next major change in my life will occur this coming October. I will get on a plane, and I will fly to Mexico City to begin my international internship with the Fusion program that the C&MA started there. Basically that means I will leave behind everything and everyone I have ever gotten to know in order to follow God into the unknown for eleven months. At the moment I am excited, but over that excitment sits nervous anticipation and anxious thoughts about what exactly it is I will discover about life, about myself and about the relationships that I find myself in or will develop. This blog will be the way you guys get to hear what is going on in regards to all of this, and a way for me to feel slightly less seperated from my Canadian home.