I learned something new about Honduran culture the other day. I had always figured that most people around the world who celebrate Christmas do the same kinds of things my family does.... a big supper, Christmas Eve service at church, presents, and sleeping in or napping!
I had the opportunity to call my Honduran family and Honduran best friends on Christmas Day. I called mid-morning to be sure I didn't interrupt Christmas dinner or anything. All three families had just woken up for the day when I called! That was about 10:30! And for two of those families, 8am would be a good sleeping in day. It turns out that they were all up on Christmas Eve night until the wee hours of the morning - Luisa and Karla said they were at their cousins' house playing games 'till 2:30, my family I think was there for a while too, then watched movies until 5 - YES, 5am!!, and Omar was doing something or other for Christmas until really late too. They all asked me how my Christmas had gone. This was before we had even had people over for our Christmas dinner, so I was surprised to learn that Hondurans celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, and apparently just kind of loaf on Christmas Day. So I guess that is kind of like what my family does, now that I think about it..... Well, next year I'll really see for myself a Honduran Christmas - I hope to go stay with the Delgados or Fonsecas for Christmas instead of going home.
Anyhow, I was super happy to talk with everyone (Luisa, Karla; Omar; Fran, Suyapa, Iván, and Delmer...... phone card expired before I could talk with Ronald.... sad!) They seem to be doing well. Other then the phone calls, I had an uneventful Christmas, but I really needed that. The past 2 weeks at work were ridicoulously busy. It was nice to not have anything to do for 2 days!!
Things are coming slowly but surely for my support raising adventure, a little more slowly than surely sometimes. But I have somewhat of a plan and I'm stickin' to it.
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Sunday, December 19, 2004
Rinconcito de Mexico
Today, I really wanted to be in Querétaro...... or Honduras, or El Salvador.....
Last night, I went to the Great Harvest Christmas party - it was really rather interesting, we went to Lefty's Pizzaria, a pizza place-meets-somewhat-family-oriented-night-spot. There was a really off-the-wall Russian rock band playing last night - SUPER funny to see a bunch of 40-60 year olds dancing (or attempting to dance) there. It wasn't people from my work, just people who were also at Lefty's. Anyhow, in a conversation with a few of my co-woorkers, Sally and I got into a conversation about not really wanting to live in the States anymore. She used to live in Poland when she was younger, and has been in Kosovo most recently. Well, I was talking about how I don't feel like I have a culture - I don't really fit with United States culture, but I'm too gringa to fit in with Latino cultures. The other girls in this conversation I think were kind of weirded out. But Sally could sympathyze.
So today, we (sets of parents #s 1 and 4) were trying to decide where to go for dinner after church. I said Muchas Gracias - a nearby Mexican restaurant that is fast-foodish, but actually one of the more authentic restaurants in town. It's NOTHING like Taco Bell!! That idea was nixed, so I jokingly said we should go to Grullense, an AWESOME mexican restaurant on the other side of town. "Other side of town" = more hispanic people than white people - I like it! Somehow, I talked everyone to actually going there, so we went into the crowded Grullense, and we were the only white people in the place (there were at least 100 others I'd say). It was great! I got to eat tacos al pastor, and order everything in spanish, and the waitress was surprised that I could speak so well! The only place I've had better tacos al pastor is in Querétaro. Too bad they didn' have "gringas" there today - those are tacos al pastor with really good cheese too!
So I'm ready to just move to Mexico now. Even though the stares I we got for being white and different in the restaurant will CERTAINLY be there in Querétaro too - somthing that will be hard for me to deal with. I felt way more conspicuous and out-of-place the few days I was in Querétaro a year ago than I ever have in Honduras. But, like I say, and like no one here understands - Mexico is a whole different culture and society than my neighborhood and friends in Honduras (or in El Salvador for that matter). A lot different attitudes toward gringos, or I guess now I should say "hueros." Pero ¡quiero mudarme allá este mero minuto! :-)
Last night, I went to the Great Harvest Christmas party - it was really rather interesting, we went to Lefty's Pizzaria, a pizza place-meets-somewhat-family-oriented-night-spot. There was a really off-the-wall Russian rock band playing last night - SUPER funny to see a bunch of 40-60 year olds dancing (or attempting to dance) there. It wasn't people from my work, just people who were also at Lefty's. Anyhow, in a conversation with a few of my co-woorkers, Sally and I got into a conversation about not really wanting to live in the States anymore. She used to live in Poland when she was younger, and has been in Kosovo most recently. Well, I was talking about how I don't feel like I have a culture - I don't really fit with United States culture, but I'm too gringa to fit in with Latino cultures. The other girls in this conversation I think were kind of weirded out. But Sally could sympathyze.
So today, we (sets of parents #s 1 and 4) were trying to decide where to go for dinner after church. I said Muchas Gracias - a nearby Mexican restaurant that is fast-foodish, but actually one of the more authentic restaurants in town. It's NOTHING like Taco Bell!! That idea was nixed, so I jokingly said we should go to Grullense, an AWESOME mexican restaurant on the other side of town. "Other side of town" = more hispanic people than white people - I like it! Somehow, I talked everyone to actually going there, so we went into the crowded Grullense, and we were the only white people in the place (there were at least 100 others I'd say). It was great! I got to eat tacos al pastor, and order everything in spanish, and the waitress was surprised that I could speak so well! The only place I've had better tacos al pastor is in Querétaro. Too bad they didn' have "gringas" there today - those are tacos al pastor with really good cheese too!
So I'm ready to just move to Mexico now. Even though the stares I we got for being white and different in the restaurant will CERTAINLY be there in Querétaro too - somthing that will be hard for me to deal with. I felt way more conspicuous and out-of-place the few days I was in Querétaro a year ago than I ever have in Honduras. But, like I say, and like no one here understands - Mexico is a whole different culture and society than my neighborhood and friends in Honduras (or in El Salvador for that matter). A lot different attitudes toward gringos, or I guess now I should say "hueros." Pero ¡quiero mudarme allá este mero minuto! :-)
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
In Querétaro
Jessica
I couldn't get a picture to go in my profile on this thing, so I just put it in as part of the blog. This was January 2004 when I went to visit the Querétaro ministry.
Sunday, December 05, 2004
Poco a poco
Ok, so God DOES know what He's doing. I was felling a bit down in the dumps yesterday - mainly about my lack of moving to moving to Mexico, and all that goes along with that. Well, I was pretty encouraged by many different people at church today. Nothing really in particular, but people were nice and encouraging! I needed that!!
I have a busy week ahead of me with work, two evening meetings, and a Christmas party. Those evning things are getting more difficult for me these days as I have set my bed time at 8:30pm (yeah, yeah, I'll TOTALLY have to readjust to staying up late when I move to Mexico!), beucase I get up at 4:30 for work. But I got so much sleep this weekend that I think I'll be fine. Its all fun stuff too.
So that is me in a nutshell today.
I have a busy week ahead of me with work, two evening meetings, and a Christmas party. Those evning things are getting more difficult for me these days as I have set my bed time at 8:30pm (yeah, yeah, I'll TOTALLY have to readjust to staying up late when I move to Mexico!), beucase I get up at 4:30 for work. But I got so much sleep this weekend that I think I'll be fine. Its all fun stuff too.
So that is me in a nutshell today.
You'll Shoot Your Eye Out Kid
Well, this has been an interesting week. Acutally, not really. Sometimes I feel like I work all the time, even though I'm generally off by noon. Although going to bed at 8:30 really takes a chunk out of the day.
I am kind of frustrated today.... I am at a dead end in my support raising, and all I really want to do is finally move to Mexico. Now. But I can't. I it looks like I can't go to Costa Rica either becuase I don't have enough funds in my account. So that is really discouraging for me. It is hard for me to think that God has a reason for me being in Oregon still. I sure can't see that reason right off, I can only speculate - maybe so I'll be less sad to leave here because I'm sick of living here. I don't know, but deep down, I know there is a reason, and it's a good reason becuase God doesn't have dumb reasons.
But, I found a friend to hang out with here, so that was a huge plus. I recently got in contact with Jen, a girl who used to go to Simpson. So we went to go see National Treasure tonight. I highly recommend it. I try to find the positive in me being here now. Hanging out with Jen is positive - this entry for today isn't so much. Ok, so, I have a job.....that I acutually rather enjoy. I have a good home, and my parents and I are actually getting along. I am (someday) moving to Mexico. I have a bajillion friends all over the country and world, so there are few places that I'll ever need to stay in a hotel! I've come to appreciate the fact that there are lots of people all over who I really enjoy, even if they don't live where I do.... it's cool that I know them all still, and thank God for email! So there are a few positive things to think about. Hmmm, I think I'm in a better mood already! :-)
20 more days 'til go time - 24 hours of "A Christmas Story!" yay!
I am kind of frustrated today.... I am at a dead end in my support raising, and all I really want to do is finally move to Mexico. Now. But I can't. I it looks like I can't go to Costa Rica either becuase I don't have enough funds in my account. So that is really discouraging for me. It is hard for me to think that God has a reason for me being in Oregon still. I sure can't see that reason right off, I can only speculate - maybe so I'll be less sad to leave here because I'm sick of living here. I don't know, but deep down, I know there is a reason, and it's a good reason becuase God doesn't have dumb reasons.
But, I found a friend to hang out with here, so that was a huge plus. I recently got in contact with Jen, a girl who used to go to Simpson. So we went to go see National Treasure tonight. I highly recommend it. I try to find the positive in me being here now. Hanging out with Jen is positive - this entry for today isn't so much. Ok, so, I have a job.....that I acutually rather enjoy. I have a good home, and my parents and I are actually getting along. I am (someday) moving to Mexico. I have a bajillion friends all over the country and world, so there are few places that I'll ever need to stay in a hotel! I've come to appreciate the fact that there are lots of people all over who I really enjoy, even if they don't live where I do.... it's cool that I know them all still, and thank God for email! So there are a few positive things to think about. Hmmm, I think I'm in a better mood already! :-)
20 more days 'til go time - 24 hours of "A Christmas Story!" yay!
Friday, November 26, 2004
Ray-DEE-coo-lahs
I recently had my Honduran friend, Emil, tell me how great it is that we celebrate Thanksgiving in the United States. He had heard that many Christians have a big dinner together with their families, they go around and tell what they're thankful for, and they play table games or football together afterwards. Sounds pretty neat, huh? Thanksgiving IS a great holiday, I have to say it's one of my favorites, and I certainly plan on celebrating it together with my Mexican family (whoever they may be) next year.
In telling my catracho friend about our Thanksgiving traditions, I included what happens today - the day AFTER Thanksgiving. We spend a day doing family stuff and being thankful, then, the next day, we get up at 4:30 in the morning to go to Fred Meyer to buy SOCKS at 50% off. (Yes, if you're not from the NorthWest, I realize you have NO clue what I'm talking about and must think we're psycho). We plan out how long we can spend there and still get to Mervyn's in time to get the freebie that their giving out. We usually send one person to Penny's to get their freebie too. And this shopping day isn't just people wanting to be frugal and get discounts on their Christmas shopping, it's brutal! I've seen full on fights at Fred Meyer - men yelling at each other over a shopping cart full of socks, women hitting each other with their purses.... I didn't see any of that today, but there was a mad rush when the doors opened at 5am. It reminds me of people racing for their favorite rides at Disneyland. Except this is all of cheap socks.
I was talking to Emil via instant messenger, so I unfortunately couldn't see his face after I told him all that goes on the day AFTER our "wonderful day of thankfulness". But I think he was a bit disgusted. And, thinking about our tradicions now, I'M pretty disgusted too. I've been thinking recently about what things Christians in other countries see that United States Christians do that truely are sinful, but we don't think of them as sinful - just cultural. I imagine our materialistic attitudes is one of those things. I know it's a lot easier for me to see things in other cultures that they pass off as "cultural" that truely are sins. It's harder to see those things in my own culture! So, today I find myself apalled at the utter thanklessness that goes on the day AFTER Thanksgiving. I grew up knowing that this day is the day that we go buy as much as possible for the lowest prices possible, and nothing better stop us! I think it's time to change my "cultural" tradition of the day after Thanksgiving, and start seeing it the way the rest of the world sees it - as pure greed.
Well, next year, I won't have the opportunity to go to Fred Meyer on this day, but I WILL have the opportunity to take the GOOD parts of our Thanksgiving holiday to another culture, and share with them our tradicions of giving thanks for what we do have and being with family!!
In telling my catracho friend about our Thanksgiving traditions, I included what happens today - the day AFTER Thanksgiving. We spend a day doing family stuff and being thankful, then, the next day, we get up at 4:30 in the morning to go to Fred Meyer to buy SOCKS at 50% off. (Yes, if you're not from the NorthWest, I realize you have NO clue what I'm talking about and must think we're psycho). We plan out how long we can spend there and still get to Mervyn's in time to get the freebie that their giving out. We usually send one person to Penny's to get their freebie too. And this shopping day isn't just people wanting to be frugal and get discounts on their Christmas shopping, it's brutal! I've seen full on fights at Fred Meyer - men yelling at each other over a shopping cart full of socks, women hitting each other with their purses.... I didn't see any of that today, but there was a mad rush when the doors opened at 5am. It reminds me of people racing for their favorite rides at Disneyland. Except this is all of cheap socks.
I was talking to Emil via instant messenger, so I unfortunately couldn't see his face after I told him all that goes on the day AFTER our "wonderful day of thankfulness". But I think he was a bit disgusted. And, thinking about our tradicions now, I'M pretty disgusted too. I've been thinking recently about what things Christians in other countries see that United States Christians do that truely are sinful, but we don't think of them as sinful - just cultural. I imagine our materialistic attitudes is one of those things. I know it's a lot easier for me to see things in other cultures that they pass off as "cultural" that truely are sins. It's harder to see those things in my own culture! So, today I find myself apalled at the utter thanklessness that goes on the day AFTER Thanksgiving. I grew up knowing that this day is the day that we go buy as much as possible for the lowest prices possible, and nothing better stop us! I think it's time to change my "cultural" tradition of the day after Thanksgiving, and start seeing it the way the rest of the world sees it - as pure greed.
Well, next year, I won't have the opportunity to go to Fred Meyer on this day, but I WILL have the opportunity to take the GOOD parts of our Thanksgiving holiday to another culture, and share with them our tradicions of giving thanks for what we do have and being with family!!
Sunday, November 21, 2004
Civil War Victory...
I just have to start out by saying that Oregon State finally won the Oregon/OregonState football civil war. Yes, I am rather thrilled about that! A bowl game in in the future for the Beavers, and oh, how sad, the Ducks are left to rot in Eugene for the rest of the season.
Ok, there's way more to life than football!
This week has been one huge blur.... I was in Redding for the beginning of the week visiting with my school friends. That was a total blessing and encouragement - I really needed that! Then back to work on Wednesday. Yes, Thanksgiving time at one of two specialty bakeries in the city is rather busy. Although the next three days will be crazy, I'm hoping that my attitude stays somewhat civil, and my brain somewhat sane. Tomorrow is my day off - I'll be sleeping a lot. Actually, tomorow is the day that we do the Operation Christmas Child boxes - something that I'd done before at school. However, I've now actually met people who have received those gift boxes at Christmas time because they were victims of either a huge hurricane or earthquakes. That motivates me more to participate as I've heard some of my Central American friends fondly remember receiving actual Christmas presents after experiencing natural disasters.
Whelp, that's all for now, I'm out.
Ok, there's way more to life than football!
This week has been one huge blur.... I was in Redding for the beginning of the week visiting with my school friends. That was a total blessing and encouragement - I really needed that! Then back to work on Wednesday. Yes, Thanksgiving time at one of two specialty bakeries in the city is rather busy. Although the next three days will be crazy, I'm hoping that my attitude stays somewhat civil, and my brain somewhat sane. Tomorrow is my day off - I'll be sleeping a lot. Actually, tomorow is the day that we do the Operation Christmas Child boxes - something that I'd done before at school. However, I've now actually met people who have received those gift boxes at Christmas time because they were victims of either a huge hurricane or earthquakes. That motivates me more to participate as I've heard some of my Central American friends fondly remember receiving actual Christmas presents after experiencing natural disasters.
Whelp, that's all for now, I'm out.
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