I Don't Believe In Luck, But I'm Still Very Lucky

Today was an incredible lesson in luck. Which, I guess I need to clarify how I view ‘luck’ before I explain. I’m not sure if the idea of luck truly exists in the mind of an optimist because why would one be so surprised when things work out for the best? I guess what I’m saying is, to me, incidents of luck are simply reminders that the world is NOT out to get you.
So, with that small philosophy lesson under our belts, today I was very lucky. Today, I was moved down a level in Spanish. Am I still swimming in the enormous oceana de espanol? Yes, and I will be for the next three months. However, I am no longer drowning and my brain is no longer spontaneously combusting at 9:05 every morning Monday- Friday (yes, I know, I’m dramatic). This is a miracle.
Now, over the last three days all I have done is eat, sleep and breathe Spanish vocabulary and grammar. However, just as my peripheral vision began to degrade, I was reminded that tomorrow will be my first day at VAMOS, a public school and my future service-learning site. Then, I attended our first class on current events here in Mexico. It was so interesting, and at the end of it all I had a thought: “Learning the language here is just part of a bigger picture.” And it was at this moment I discovered a hidden reservoir of motivation.

The Day My Brain Broke

Today, my brain broke. Truly, I think there is still gooey pieces in the classroom at Cemanahuac. Learning a language is a wonderful challenge, being in a different country is an exhilarating experience, being in a Spanish class about 3 years more advanced then yourself…hard as hell. So, let’s just say the morning was rough.
However, around 4:00 pm, the clouds broke and a shimmer of hope came gleaming down in the form of a man named Tim, aka Teapot. Tim is guy who graduated from the U of M about 3 years ago and came to Cemanhuac to at first feel the exact way I did: completely lost, scared of failure and sun burnt. However, back to the “hope” part, Tim made it. NO, he didn’t just make it, he now returns every year to work with the program VAMOS (the program I’ll start working with on Thursday). Basically, he not only got me, he reassured me, and he decided to break the rules and speak English to me. Bless his soul.
For tomorrow, esta chica tiene tres diccionarios para ayudar:)

Diving In

Today was orientation at Cemanahuac Learning Community in Cuernavaca. The motto here is: “nadar en Espanol” or “swim in Spanish”. Well, if that is the case, I have a feeling I will be drowning on dry land for a bit. Many times I hear something to the tune of: “Alkdjfsoai sometimes alkdjfalj.” Or “When adifudo you dafoisiuhen done.” Let’s just say I have perfected the smile and nod as a key survival technique to get through conversation.
However, whining aside, this is going be exactly what I need to finally learn Spanish. No, correction, learn and use Spanish. You truly are immersed here, but luckily there is a lot of support from the people around you. It is the perfect learning environment.
Actually, it’s the perfect environment all together. Cuernavaca is beautiful. La clima es perfecto! It truly looks and feels like the City of Eternal Spring. Today I walked to the city square downtown in a skirt and t-shirt without sunscreen, and came back unburnt and mildly sweaty. It was strange writing the date at my orientation. To write the word ‘January’ next to a palm tree seems contrasting.