Day 27

Best: God meeting me with his Word here last night and this morning, exactly as I needed it (Psalm 130, Zeph. 3:11, 15, 17); my valentine from JDM, at the Foundation; also the time I spent reading them the story of Isaiah from my favorite children's Bible ever.

Worst: cold hands. Even that makes me happy, though, because I'm in Bogotá. :)
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Today I went to the Foundation (Hogar de Paz), travelled all the way south by myself. God is good and protective!
I spent the morning finishing up the first translated draft of the document for Mr. A, and then when lunchtime came, I got some yummy soup, meat, rice, cucumber salad, and limeade for $2.50 (US) at a restaurant near the Foundation.
When the kids arrived, I loved hearing their sounds in the background--homework, laughter, working out differences, and singing. I worked on preparing a game to play with them. My lovely fantastic mother found it and sent it to me. I had been hoping to do something along the theme of Valentine's day, for some US cultural awareness, and also as an excuse to use English. So, it was a relay game where they ran from one side of the room to another and picked up a paper heart. The heart directed them to "jump", "run", "tiptoe", "crawl", or "walk backwards" back to their line. I had them read out the words in English, and then tell me which mode of moving back towards the line they had to use. They did pretty well, and got very into it.
I also read them the story of Isaiah from my favorite children's Bible ever. It makes very clear the tender love God had for the Israelites even while they were dishonoring and walking away from him. Suitable love for a redeemed Valentine's day lesson. :)

After that, we just played Ninja and "Juguemos en el bosque" and "el reloj de Jerusalen" until the moms started coming to pick them up. Then, I walked to a nearby corner to wait for Mr. A. to come pick me up. He got us snackies of roscones de bocadillo, and we drove the hour home contentedly. His company is fantastic, and his storytelling skills abound. I did my own amount of storytelling as well. It was quite a nice way to end the day.

I am in a wonderful place. My current profile photo on Facebook is so perfectly capturing where I am physically, emotionally, and spiritually at this moment that I'd like to share it here in this forum as well.

Here I am, on top of a mountain on the outskirts of Bogotá this past Saturday. Behind me lies an amazing view of the city, and, in front of me, I'm currently seeing and drinking in the glory of the other side--the mountainous, rural, verdant hermosura (beauty). As I look at His beautiful creation, marveling at it, and at how small I feel in light of it, I am praising Him. And I'm right here at the cross, searching and reaching; content just to be right where I am. Growing. Learning. Bringing myself to God. Never alone.

xox

Day 25

Bests: translating a document for Mr. A. at the Hogar de Paz Foundation, playing brain-stretching games in Spanish class, holding some of my students' coats at recess, holding little JM when his feelings got hurt in class,going to the nursing home ministry with the first graders and seeing them be super stellar sweet kids, lunch date with NG as she and I admired the mountain view, Colombian color schemed Jenga, seeing the view from the church of Guadalupe today with D and his parents, returning to Marv & Judy's for a good night's sleep tonight.

Worsts: cancellation of the weekend trip to Prado, wishing my mom and sisters could come see Bogotá.

Ana, con "E" de "oso": Day 21

Recent Bests: Touring the city with Dad and N, ajiaco, Crepes & Waffles with D, Dad, Marv & Judy last night, "Superbowl" party with 20+ North Americans here in Marv and Judy's living room, and first day at the Hogar de Paz/ the Foundation yesterday, learning to make arepas, guanábana juice, and pollo desmechado with MM and her daughter I (a first grader) today.

Recent Worsts: Confusion after saying goodbye to Dad, bit of a lack of understanding how the 4th grade lunch time works (for all I've known is high maintenance 1st), finishing my dessert at Crepes with a last arequipe-y spoonful.
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What a busy time!

It was lovely having my father here, to show him the part of Bogotá that I know, and the lovely folks God's blessed me with the privilege of meeting. On Friday night he arrived, on Saturday we toured the city with N--we saw the house of Simon Bolivar and its beautiful gardens, the mountaintop church Monserrate and its incredible views, and the old Spanish architecture style neighborhood of La Candelaria. It was a perfect weather day to accomplish all this. In the evening, we joined forces with Mr. and Mrs. A and NG (fellow teacher's aide) to enjoy the juice and food of Mr. A's brother's restaurant--Cafe & Crepes. Fantastico.

Sunday, I took Dad to church at Comunidad Cristiana Puerta Abierta, which I now consider my church home while in Bogotá. :) The service was longer and differently structured than usual, but all the same it was lovely, welcoming, and the sermon was challenging. All in Spanish of course, so I thought I'd take my sermon notes in English so Dad could follow along the jist of things. I was super happy. After the service, I was able to introduce him to various cool folks I know at the church, and then we were whisked away by the C family--D and his mom and dad--to lunch at a delicious typical Colombian food restaurant. MMMMMM. I got ajiaco, Dad got trucha (trout), D got a mixed meats plate, Mr. C got another fish, and Mrs. C got some other tasty thing that escapes me. Oooooh, boy, tasty stuff! And lovely to be the translator for everything--I really have fun doing that. Igual, all the same, the C family has a pretty good grasp on the understanding of English! They started teaching Dad important or useful Spanish words...it was fun. :)
Very full of a tasty lunch, we headed to the car and they took Dad and I to the apartment. I don't live very far from the C's or from church, which is nice. D stayed the afternoon with us at Marv & Judy's, and we watched the Superbowl commercials online and got ready for the whole big group coming to fiesta. It was chill and really nice.
Then came the North Americans, and the dysfunctional wi-fi that didn't allow the watching of the game. Bummer, but I wasn't too put out. It was the fun people time that I liked best!

On Monday, we all went to ECA in the morning, bright and early. Although, actually not that bright, because it was the first day of Bogotá rain Dad got to see. In fact, the only. We had marvelous weather the whole time he was here. Anyway, the day was spent at school, where I worked in 1st and 2nd, and he got tours and chilled in the library (with the gorgeous view). Dad got to meet my first graders! They all told him their names, and then asked if he spoke any Spanish. No, kids, he doesn't! BUT, when he left, he said "Chau!" All of them were in uproarious shouts of "HE DOES SPEAK SPANISH!" :)   When the schoolday was over, we caught a ride with SI (the school nurse) and family towards the Foundation. There, I waited upstairs expectantly for some minutes, while they got the kids in some sort of order.

Then, not having prepared anything in particular, I went down the stairs with a prayer and walked into their main room. I saw eight familiar faces, out of the twenty-something I had met in June 2011. I didn't exactly remember all their names, but I knew I'd seen them before. Also, there were several new faces, which was fun. Anyhow...
I approached the kids, and started trying to arrange us into a circle. I quickly saw--with an instantaneous and truly resounding "HURRAH, THANK YOU GOD" inside--that my two special amiguitos from the last few days of the mission trip, where they were my two buddies to keep track of. As I can clearly recall, the very moment after the two of them hugged and kissed me goodbye on the last day in Bogotá last time, I immediately got a sharp pain in the back of my head. It was as if my own being were protesting this separation.
Now, here we were, in the same country, city, neighborhood, building, and room once again.

And, momentarily, within the same beautiful embrace.

Yes, Cristian remembered me right away. Even with longer hair, different clothes, different context--right away. Then, he started reminding Jesus David of me, and those few 14 days we'd ever spent in the same vicinity in our entire lives. They proceeded to recount all, even the smallest of, details of those tourism days that our team spent with the Foundation kids--what we had for snack, the names of each place we went, where we took the photos of us jumping off of benches and things, when I let the boys take photos on my camera for a while in the bus, the time when we walked up all the steps to the lagoon holding hands together...

My heart was full to the brim with complete and utter joy. One by one, the two other boys and four girls I'd recognized started to remember. Then they all started asking about how were the others--particularly "George" of the jungle and his girlfriend--and why I had come back, and how often I would come see them. Then, we played some riveting games of NINJA till their parents came.
Dad and I rode home with Mr. A, and enjoyed hearing his funny stories and opinions on life. We went to the mall, Dad and I, to meet up at Crepes & Waffles for a farewell dinner. I had crepes rimini (goat cheese, tomato, basil, and salad with balsamic vinaigrette), Dad had shrimp curry crepes. I don't remember all the others. ALL SCRUMPTIOUS. Then for dessert, Judy had coffee toffee ice cream delights, Daddy a waffle with chantilly cream and choco chips, Marv a lovely coffee, and D and I a vanilla ice cream with arequipe, bananas, chantilly cream, and general fantasticness.
Then it was time to prep for Dad's departure. It's strange--last night and today, there wasn't a moment when I wanted to be going back to Chicago along with him. BUT, what I wanted was for my family to come here, to meet Bogotános, to see the sights, to eat good food, and to enjoy this wonderful place with me. I think that was what made the morning today a bit tough. Also the under-six-hours-of-sleep thing.

Either way, today was very nice. I said goodbye to Dad at the portería (front gate), and then got ready for/headed to school. Worked with the first graders, then helped with fourth grade a bit, and then worked with the first graders the rest of the afternoon. After school, I took a teacher van home and met a student's mom at the mall to go wellington boots shopping. This is a super cool mom who is an engineer (she does the work on the transmi stops), and teaches cultural dances to school students, and comes in to run math activities on Fridays. Über cool. So, our boots mission was somewhat successful--we discovered that I am  a pequeña gigante so it's hard to find my size. We'll keep looking.
After the mall, we went to her house for dinner. I MADE AREPAS! I learned so much tonight, and I so loved meeting the family of IM, the student. We made dinner, chatted, and then said goodnight.

I am loving the growing, learning, and fun that is going on here.
Plus the food and the friends, and the upcoming weekend!!! PRADO and ISLA DEL SOL.

Enjoy your snow and frigidity up north! xox

Day 16

Bests: seeing Felo's hometown, touring botanical gardens with D, farewell hugs from the kids for the weekend, DAD'S ARRIVAL!

Worsts: spot of exhaustion/weird health for a moment in first grade yesterday.
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It's lovely to have a day off, sometimes. Just a little refresher right when you need it--especially if you spend it in good company.

I spent my "no car day" (when Bogotá does not permit any cars on the roads, except taxis and special buses) meeting up with Felo and D, and getting to know various areas of the city. In the morning I met Felo, and he gave me a tour of his barrio, neighborhood, called Orquídeas--orchids, the Colombian national flower. I saw his playground, his church, his restaurants, his various houses. It was really just so nice to be able to spend time with him again, because, in reality, seeing any of the Argentine friends I made is an unlikelihood. But God let this bit work out perfectly. :)

After a while of touring and talking, I caught the transmi to meet D down by his university. We then took a bus to a beautiful botanical garden called Salitre. It was wonderfully beautiful, a respite from the exhaust-fumed air, countless taxis, and innumerable people. Plus there is a tropicarium, a foresty part, and a pond and bridge.
When we had finished enjoying the park, we went to D's apartment to meet up with his parents. We arrived just in time to head to the cinema with them, which was really fun. We saw Sherlock Holmes. Fab-u-lous!

Here I'd like to interrupt myself with an observation about the North American culture/people. Meaning us gringos.
WE ARE SO CULTURALLY INTOLERANT. There are countless examples or evidences of this, but my particular example for this moment pertains to the movies. As the US pop culture is basically (and quite lamentably,) the world's pop culture, all movies here have to be either dubbed in Spanish or subtitled in Spanish with English audio. How many US-ians do you know that would stand for that? Or, more appropriately, sit for that, as it's in a movie theater. The cultural, lingual, and in most other respects "ethnocentrism" of the States continues to be a friction point for me. I think it's been helpful to spend more time with Colombians, who, certainly, have their own sets of faults as all humans, but it tends not to be as abrasive as the worldview of United Statesians.

Then Friday, I was exhausted for a last day of my full week of first grade teacher aiding. I had to be the enemy at one point, holding about eight or nine kids back from lunch recess. But kids are fantastic--their grudge memory is just under an hour, I think, because by Language Arts, I was forgiven, and a hot commodity for proofreading their stories again. :) They are beautiful.

After school I headed home in the camioneta for teachers...and hit mega traffic. It was very nice to spend time with L, one of the high school teachers who's totally hilarious. Then I had time to chill, rest a bit, and get stuff ready for the drive out to the airport to pick up my dad.
I met the lovely mother and daughter who volunteered to give us a ride to and from the airport, and the daughter is fantastically fascinated with English, Youtube, Jacob, and some things that reminded me very much of Bella (youngest sister). Then we made it to the airport safely, and I awaited Dad's exit from customs and baggage claim. I bought him a welcome gift of a bottle of water for the altitude. :)

I'm so glad he's here, and that he arrived safely and with all his bags. He brought stuff for ECA, and those bags came through! Gracias a Dios. So we drove home with the mother and daughter, then met my host parents at the apartment. Had some conversations to get to know one another, and then we all slept like rocks. Exhausting long week for all of us!

Today is sunny and bright, with no prediction of rain in the near future--perfect for going up to Monserate to see the whole city at a glance with Dad and N. After that, some yummy Colombian food for lunch, I'm sure, and then an evening with the Afanadors.

May God bless your day with as much felicity as I'm currently discovering here.
xox

Photos!

First graders practicing their spelling words (and also names) in "word work". 

Alex is a good student, kinda quiet, but likes to keep other people in line with making sure teachers are aware of their misdoings. :)

Mateo is completely hilarious and animated--as seen here. I love him and his little curls and missing tooth. :)

Ana is a darling, more quiet and contented than a lot of the other kiddies, and sometimes needs a bit more help in math. Such a sonrisa--smile. :)

David. Utterly wound up, fantastically fun, always one of those have-a-teacher-sit-close types. :)

Tomás is a very expressive, clever, curious, and spritely individual with lots to say. :)

View from the bridge over the autopista, looking towards the far side from my apartment.

Colorful dinero.

Fruit and veg!

Bunny in the Bogotá bag, on the road again. :)

Special Mention

This anecdote gets a special distinguishment of fantasticness.

I was herding children after school--Monday, I believe--and one of the high school seniors, LB, walked by. she had the most gorgeous earrings ever, plus I think she's beautiful herself, so I felt free to compliment her on the earrings part at least. :) So I asked her where she got them, and we started to talk and get to know each other a tiny bit. Enough to know that we want to hang out more. At least for sure from my end! Pretty soon she had to get on the bus, so we parted ways, but it was a lovely encounter.
The next day she posted on my wall that she had a regalito for me--a gift.

When I saw her at school, she handed me a sweet little jewelry bag...wherein I found her very own awesome earrings. They are her favorites, and she freely gave them as a gift.

Blown away by generosity and love here in Bogotá,
Ana Shalom

Day 13

Best of yesterday: a cloudless night in Bogotá--a rarity--during which I saw many stars. Or also the moment I shared with SV, a student who got her watch taken away for being a distraction: she is a good kid, and rarely gets punished, so the situation was accidentally too much for her. She was overcome with sobbing, and the teacher diverted her to me, so that I could speak to her in the more familiar, certainly more comforting, Spanish. I prayed for peace with her, and explained that it wasn't that she had done horribly wrong, just that Teacher is interested in helping her learn without distractions. It was beautiful.

Worst of yesterday: feeling tired.

Best of today: receiving my own special pastel de pollo (yummy croissant type thing with chicken...rather chicken pot pie-ish) from JV after tutoring his daughter again tonight. Feeling the love!

Worst of today: having to hold kids back from recess (new consequence system) for 5 minutes.
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Yesterday was another day of teacher aiding and exhaustion. Both, of the best sort. I was thrilled to hear their sweet prayers in the morning, thrilled to see them learning about the jealousy God has for us (in Bible lesson), thrilled to see the kids playing so well at morning recess, thrilled that some of the girls chose to make me "base" for tag at lunch recess, thrilled to...be with them.

After school, I headed home. Soon after, I went out for coffee with D, whom I met at church this week. Some deliciously scrumptious arequipe cold coffee drink...incredible. Photo included (and contrary to Dad's perception,  it's not a giant coffee, just an artsy angle). :) Then, D and I walked around the Santa fé mall, chatting, looking in bookstores, browsing Falabella and a homegoods store (good man to be up for that!), and then pizza at the mini mall called Mirandela. Well, technically really tasty panzerotti. The closest North American equivalent I can guess is a calzone--but anyway, mine was mexican, therefore picante (spicy) by Colombian standards, and his was chicken and mushroom. Yummmm.


We basically headed back to the park in my apartment complex after that, and that's when we saw the stars. Let me tell you, they're stellar here as well. :)
It gets so very fresquito, cool in evening, and then downright chilly at night. I love it.
Pretty soon I was knackered, and so he made sure I got home safely, and headed home.

Have I mentioned Colombian caballerismo (chivalry), all over the place? It's a grand place to be a chica. Not just D, but also FeLo, and the other Colombian guys I met up with from my Argentina adventure, and also the guys from ECA. Qua-li-ty upbringing. Rock on, Bogotá. ;)

As for today, it began with awaking to the alarm. As we all prepared for school, a glass-dropping incident led us to be a bit tardy in before school prep. What a blessing that just as we kicked into hyperdrive to get out the door to the van, Mrs. A. called and offered us a ride. Shorter walk and more time to get ready? Yeah, sure. Thanks, Señor. :)
On the way to school, we hit a snag--the second teacher van hadn't arrived yet, so I jumped ship to allow a (truly important) teacher to get to school for lesson planning. Ms. W. and I planned out our teacher skit for the kids' chapel this morning while we waited. She is the first grade teacher--I really like, respect, and love to learn from her. Her outlook on life, her carriage of herself, her way with the class, her manner of ruling the school day have all very very much impressed me. So glad to be a part of her lovely first grade class. :)
The school day was a tad rough today, due to the personality of the first grade class. They are known Elementary-wide as behaviorally whacky and out of control--of no one's particular fault. Just the group that they form. Hence the new consequence policy, involving loss of recess minutes for disobedience and disrespect. Staying in line is another tough one. But, they will grow. They are certainly learning.
I spent a lovely lunch with one of the librarians, and a graduate of ECA who comes back to tutor. We will be spending Saturday with him, Dad! He speaks English very well, and loves to play tourguide. Así que, so, when he heard you are coming, he came up with a smashing agenda. Looooove it.
After lunch, we went out to watch the latest in the 11th grade vs. 12th grade fútbol match. It's one intense tourney, let me tell you. :)

Back to class for some of the math activities, and 100th day of school celebrations, and then I had my second Spanish class. WHICH IS AWESOME.
I am now learning, for free, legitimate Spanish grammar--kind of like diagramming sentences type stuff, but on words and their accentry, at the moment. And I have homework. :)

I love Spanish all over again. And still Bogotá. I'm touring more of it tomorrow, as there is a "no-car day", so there are no classes for the kids. Let you know what adventures I find!

Que Dios les guarde y les cuide. Los quiero. May God guard you and care for you. Love y'all. xox