OK, so here is what has been happening since last time. I have started waking up in the mornings (before 8!) and helping Santiago cut alfalfa for the cows everyday. It is a lot of fun and takes about an hour and a half between the both of us (He is much faster than I am!). Then, we have also started teaching at the local middle school in the town over (about a twenty minute walk that seems like forever in the height of the day when we go and come back because we teach from 12-2). Then we come back to El Gusano, and I have started a soccer team-type thing with the boys. We had practice and a few games between the kids there and some kids in the town over. We gave them jerseys that we found in the community center, and they LOVED THEM! They se emocionaron (got really excited, but the verb is so much better in Spanish). I explained to them that this is their jersey, and their responsibility to take care of it, their responsibility to wash it, etc. It is so funny-cute-interesting-encouraging to see them wearing these jerseys EVERYDAY!!! It gets dark around 9:15ish, so around 8-8:30 we go to the community center to watch a movie.
In the schools, we are teaching English, math, and motivation. The motivation class is with middle schoolers, and we ask them questions about where they see themselves in five years and how they are going to get there. It is really awkward when they stare back at you and you force them to answer, but it is totally worth it when you can see their minds working and them really contemplating their futures! Math is fun because I am not some old woman, and I tell them that the purpose of math is to apply it, so their assignment for this week was to find a real life example of how to use circumference (animals tied to a tree, fence around a mountain, curtains on a table, etc!) I am pumped to see what they come up with next week!
Few lessons/things I have to say:
-communication is really important! When there are certain expectations for 9 American college students to come and work with a Mexican foundation for six weeks. There has to be complete communication. We cannot know exactly their vision for what they want us to do, when they do not give us the exacts. We also cannot sit down and plan what we are doing all summer in 30 minutes. We thought they were going to have more planned for us to do, they thought we were going to come down with our own plans -- communication gap. Also, communication is just different in Mexico. Instead of calling someone right then when you have a question, it is OK to put it off until the next destination or until you see them the next time. It is also, OK to change your plans last minute and not give people a heads up. It is just really different and really outside of my schedule-loving, planned American framework.
-undocumented migration: I cannot stand IGNORANT Americans in general, but especially when it comes to undocumented migration. America has been using Mexican migration since the mid-1800s for OUR benefit. We have created the system and institution of migration. I was talking with Santiago, whose brothers and sisters and who he himself all have traveled to the States multiple times sin papeles (without papers), told me that in Mexico he can earn $1000 pesos a week ($80ish), and in the States he can make $700 per week and send back $500. We cannot complain that people are coming to our country and "burdening it" when they are only trying to make money, (and not to mention the fact that Mexican migrant workers are in the States keeps our prices LOW!) Our $45,000 GDP compared to that of Mexico being $12,500ish, is really fortunate on our end, but the fact is our development and industrialization happened at the right time, in the right place, and by taking advantage of the right marginalized people, so where do we ever get off thinking that this is OUR doing? Where do we get off thinking that it is OK to spend $11 billion on bottled water per year when $20 billion would provide all of Africa with clean, drinking water? America: it is time to wake up and realize that our good fortunes and vast wealth is not meant to be used to invest in ourselves, but to invest in the freeing of the captives from poverty, hunger, forced migration, workplace injustice, thirst, AIDS, and food sovereignty. One person cannot change the tide of this war, but some 300 million educated, fortunate, compassionate people can (and we happen to be that people). After traveling a lot of places around the world, I have come to realize that Americans are some of the most passionate, generous, kind, and loving people, but we are also some of the most ignorant and mal-informed. Let us break the bubble where we find our security, let us encounter these "stranger aliens" with the same generosity and kindness we would someone who is white, speaks English, and is Protestant. We have the most information in the world at our fingertips (Raleigh is the #1 wired city in America), so let us read, let us inform ourselves, let us be open to the idea that we are wrong, let us be open to the idea that we are right, let us be open to the idea that we can change the world, let us be open to the idea that changing the world is not going to be easy but that it is worth it. Talk to a Mexican migrant today about why they are here, how they came, what they have in their home country, the education and nutrition of their children, the well-being of their aging parents who have been farmers all their lives and now have no system of Mexican social security. Migration has happened since the beginning of human history, and it in the end ALWAYS benefits the host-country. IT IS AN INVESTMENT, but a worth-while one.
Shine On,
Jacob
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
SHINE ON!
Ok, so the theme for the summer is SHINE, not shrink. This is based off a medley of things:
-Matthew 5: 14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
-"Shine On" by Needtobreathe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqPGbGUlcjY
-Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne
-quote by Marianne Williamson:
I was a bit uncomfortable in El Gusano for a few days because I felt ambiguous, nebulous, and hazy (the opposite of light, which illuminates and provides clarity). I am really trying to break into the group of muchachos (or boys my age) here and become friends with them. They are very solemn and proud to desconocidos (people they do not know). But this is where I am weakest, how can I be expressive, on-fire Jacob without being able to have easy conversation? Then I remembered, fire does not choose where it goes ... it blazes through wherever without asking questions or second-guessing itself. Light does not wait to feel completely comfortable to invade the darkness, it simply does at the fastest speed we can fathom!
Shine On!
Jacob
-Matthew 5: 14"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
-"Shine On" by Needtobreathe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqPGbGUlcjY
-Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne
-quote by Marianne Williamson:
Now is the time to shine! What if we really embraced the fact that we are created to shine, what then would be our excuse for not?! Exactly, there is none. Instead of shrinking in to familiarity, complacency, and comfort let us blaze through our families, friends, communities, and even nations to catch others on fire as well. As bugs are attracted to a simple lightbulb, we are attracted my more to the Ultimate Source of Light and the One Who Shines the Brightest. In Revelation 21 or 22, it John receives a revolutionary vision that we will no longer have the need for lights other than God because He will shine brightly enough (not just enough, but more than we could ever need or desire). Also, Jesus teaches us how to pray by saying "on earth as it is in heaven" ... so connect the dots! We can be that by letting our lights shine! How are you changing your city or people you come into contact with? This is not rhetorical: I want to know! When I come back from Mexico, what if I came back to a North Carolina, a Chapel Hill, a Raleigh different than I ever had known?“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.
I was a bit uncomfortable in El Gusano for a few days because I felt ambiguous, nebulous, and hazy (the opposite of light, which illuminates and provides clarity). I am really trying to break into the group of muchachos (or boys my age) here and become friends with them. They are very solemn and proud to desconocidos (people they do not know). But this is where I am weakest, how can I be expressive, on-fire Jacob without being able to have easy conversation? Then I remembered, fire does not choose where it goes ... it blazes through wherever without asking questions or second-guessing itself. Light does not wait to feel completely comfortable to invade the darkness, it simply does at the fastest speed we can fathom!
Shine On!
Jacob
Saturday, May 22, 2010
We are now in El Gusano! But I am actually in Dolores Hidalgo for the day to buy some stuff for the center. Dolores Hidalgo is the city of Mexican Independence from Spain. The priest, Miguel Hildalgo, shouted from the cathedral VIVA MEXICO! (long live Mexico) and called his laity to fight for independence.
Since the last time we talked much fun stuff has happened!
-played soccer at Ibero University with Kike! so much fun, but I was definitely not used to the altitude, so it was really hard to keep running without subs
-went to a concert in opposition to the Arizona law ... lots of funny roqueros (rocker kids). I had no idea that the law was getting international responses.
-it is day 3 in the communities, last night we got invited to Doña Cata s house for a catholic ceremony. they rocked a baby doll in a blanket, who was supposed to represent baby Jesus. It was to remind us why the Jesus came and the story of his coming. It was really cool experiencing the ceremony and Christianity in a different manner. Im hoping this will open the doors to talk about spiritual things with them. We at tomales (corn, meat, milk all ground up and then cooked in corn ears. we also had atole (ground up corn, sugar, chocolate, and cinnamon). This just reminded me of how important corn is to the rural Mexican communities, so it got me frustrated again that the US inadvertantly destroyed the corn market in Mexico by subsidizing American corn.
-Im staying with Don Jesus Garcia and Doña Matilde Alvarez. They have 11 children, some of whom have their own grandchildren). 11 is sort of large, but not outrageous for a number of kids. They have their own plot of land that they share with a few sons who live on the land with their families. I am staying in the house of one of their sons that is in the United States, Javier. Don Jesus loves to talk! Whenever I am on my way out of their plot of land with all their houses, he always asks me to stop and platicar (chat). Sometimes I do, and I love it. We talk about life and how he likes to live. He has been to the State of Mexico (yes, there is also a state in Mexico called Mexico) and he has been to Tamaulipas (where I used to go with Grace and where God developed my heart for Mexico and its issues and novelties). He said that he did not like living there and much preferred to live with his whole family where "podemos compartir todo entre nosotros" (we can share everything among eachother). I really want to live like this ... with family in friends all in the same place where the collective matters more than the individual. It reminded me a lot of days out in Knightdale where we could run up to Grandma and Papas really easily. And a lot of people in the town are related, so as Lupe (an amazing woman) told us, you never have to worry when you step outside because everyone is either you "hermano, primo, tio, sobrino, nuero, o quien sea" (brother, cousin, uncle, nephew, son-in-law, or whoever). I am going to have to write later specifically about Lupe ... so get ready!
-yesterday: complete 180
I wanted to come home because I had no idea what we were doing here and I didnt feel like I am in any place to offer assistance to the residents of El Gusano, but then I realized that they are offering me so much as well. I have to remember to SHINE, not shrink! I am going to learn about their lives here, about tending to animals (hopefully), about rural Mexican living (maybe a possible magazine title like "Southern Living"), practice my Spanish, and basically be part of their community. In return I am bringing some capital into the community in the form of paying to stay with my awesome hosts and also by teaching them some computer skills and doing some handicrafts with the younger students. For computer skills, which they already have computers, we are going to show them how to use excel, word, and powerpoint, so that one day when they get internet, theyll be able to go to highschool and even university online!!! how awesome is that! To the younger kids, they already have fun, so we are just going to try and do fun activities with them: arts and crafts, movie nights, Kaylee and I are going to try and do some mini-gymnastics classes because self-confidence really develops in ALL kids when they learn how to do something new! We are going to paint some of the grey walls to add some color to the town and also clear out this ditch that would allow for better water flow instead of in clogging up! I just have to remind myself that it is Day 3 of 40-something, so we have lots of time to get to know everyone and accomplish our tasks.
theme for the summer: SHINE, not shrink! I am going to write a separate blog about this one too!
love
Since the last time we talked much fun stuff has happened!
-played soccer at Ibero University with Kike! so much fun, but I was definitely not used to the altitude, so it was really hard to keep running without subs
-went to a concert in opposition to the Arizona law ... lots of funny roqueros (rocker kids). I had no idea that the law was getting international responses.
-it is day 3 in the communities, last night we got invited to Doña Cata s house for a catholic ceremony. they rocked a baby doll in a blanket, who was supposed to represent baby Jesus. It was to remind us why the Jesus came and the story of his coming. It was really cool experiencing the ceremony and Christianity in a different manner. Im hoping this will open the doors to talk about spiritual things with them. We at tomales (corn, meat, milk all ground up and then cooked in corn ears. we also had atole (ground up corn, sugar, chocolate, and cinnamon). This just reminded me of how important corn is to the rural Mexican communities, so it got me frustrated again that the US inadvertantly destroyed the corn market in Mexico by subsidizing American corn.
-Im staying with Don Jesus Garcia and Doña Matilde Alvarez. They have 11 children, some of whom have their own grandchildren). 11 is sort of large, but not outrageous for a number of kids. They have their own plot of land that they share with a few sons who live on the land with their families. I am staying in the house of one of their sons that is in the United States, Javier. Don Jesus loves to talk! Whenever I am on my way out of their plot of land with all their houses, he always asks me to stop and platicar (chat). Sometimes I do, and I love it. We talk about life and how he likes to live. He has been to the State of Mexico (yes, there is also a state in Mexico called Mexico) and he has been to Tamaulipas (where I used to go with Grace and where God developed my heart for Mexico and its issues and novelties). He said that he did not like living there and much preferred to live with his whole family where "podemos compartir todo entre nosotros" (we can share everything among eachother). I really want to live like this ... with family in friends all in the same place where the collective matters more than the individual. It reminded me a lot of days out in Knightdale where we could run up to Grandma and Papas really easily. And a lot of people in the town are related, so as Lupe (an amazing woman) told us, you never have to worry when you step outside because everyone is either you "hermano, primo, tio, sobrino, nuero, o quien sea" (brother, cousin, uncle, nephew, son-in-law, or whoever). I am going to have to write later specifically about Lupe ... so get ready!
-yesterday: complete 180
I wanted to come home because I had no idea what we were doing here and I didnt feel like I am in any place to offer assistance to the residents of El Gusano, but then I realized that they are offering me so much as well. I have to remember to SHINE, not shrink! I am going to learn about their lives here, about tending to animals (hopefully), about rural Mexican living (maybe a possible magazine title like "Southern Living"), practice my Spanish, and basically be part of their community. In return I am bringing some capital into the community in the form of paying to stay with my awesome hosts and also by teaching them some computer skills and doing some handicrafts with the younger students. For computer skills, which they already have computers, we are going to show them how to use excel, word, and powerpoint, so that one day when they get internet, theyll be able to go to highschool and even university online!!! how awesome is that! To the younger kids, they already have fun, so we are just going to try and do fun activities with them: arts and crafts, movie nights, Kaylee and I are going to try and do some mini-gymnastics classes because self-confidence really develops in ALL kids when they learn how to do something new! We are going to paint some of the grey walls to add some color to the town and also clear out this ditch that would allow for better water flow instead of in clogging up! I just have to remind myself that it is Day 3 of 40-something, so we have lots of time to get to know everyone and accomplish our tasks.
theme for the summer: SHINE, not shrink! I am going to write a separate blog about this one too!
love
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Mexico thus far!
Hello everyone! This is the first of hopefully many blogs for the summer :) We arrived safely in Mexico City and went straight to Puebla (a city about an hour away from D.F.) and we went to eat dinner at a tacos arabes (arab tacos). They are like normal tacos except you put strained cheese, a bacon type of meat, and onions. SOO Good! We are eating a lot of good food here. Then we went out to a cantina and a mariachi band came by ... it was so much fun. Our hostal isnt anything to write home about, so ill skip it.
The next day we wake up, and I went for a run around the city. I only went for about 15 minutes, but it was still fun to go. Then we went on a tour of the city of Puebla on a touristy bus ... that was OK, but I just listened to my iPod and looked over the side (because it was a double decker). Then we went and ate chilaquiles verdes at a nice restaurant, which is like fried tortilla, salsa verde (green sauce), shreaded chicken and cheese ... my favorite Mexican dish! We went to go for pasitas which are like gourmet shots that you sip slowly. I got a lime flavored one and it was really suave (smoothe). Then we saw IRON MAN DOS! It was a great movie and we also got Krispy Kreme donas (doughnuts). I asked Colleen (newest member of Project Guanajuato) if she forgot that she was in Mexico and she said yes! haha I did too.
Yesterday, we checked out of the hostal and headed for Cholula, a small town outside of Puebla, where one of Miguels friends lives. We visited some churches and visited the huge pyramid that is the base of the whole town. Once the Spanish came, they built a cathedral on the top of the pyramid and the rest of the town started to develop on top of the pyramid. Last night we went to a house party with some other Americans from Boston, French, Mexicans, and others. We had a lot of fun because there were so many languages all over the place!
Now we are up to date! We just woke up today and chilled at a friends house and now we are heading to Mexico City to meet up with the rest of our crew!
The next day we wake up, and I went for a run around the city. I only went for about 15 minutes, but it was still fun to go. Then we went on a tour of the city of Puebla on a touristy bus ... that was OK, but I just listened to my iPod and looked over the side (because it was a double decker). Then we went and ate chilaquiles verdes at a nice restaurant, which is like fried tortilla, salsa verde (green sauce), shreaded chicken and cheese ... my favorite Mexican dish! We went to go for pasitas which are like gourmet shots that you sip slowly. I got a lime flavored one and it was really suave (smoothe). Then we saw IRON MAN DOS! It was a great movie and we also got Krispy Kreme donas (doughnuts). I asked Colleen (newest member of Project Guanajuato) if she forgot that she was in Mexico and she said yes! haha I did too.
Yesterday, we checked out of the hostal and headed for Cholula, a small town outside of Puebla, where one of Miguels friends lives. We visited some churches and visited the huge pyramid that is the base of the whole town. Once the Spanish came, they built a cathedral on the top of the pyramid and the rest of the town started to develop on top of the pyramid. Last night we went to a house party with some other Americans from Boston, French, Mexicans, and others. We had a lot of fun because there were so many languages all over the place!
Now we are up to date! We just woke up today and chilled at a friends house and now we are heading to Mexico City to meet up with the rest of our crew!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Hallo! I'm back and gonna try and update what's going on in life/Guanajuato! I have around 3 weeks until Mexico, but before then, I have to write like 50 pages :( I cannot wait for the summer!
The first week we're going to Mexico City and Puebla. We're gonna go to the Mexico City vs. Chile soccer game and just go out in the big city with some friends who stayed with me in March (Miguel, Karina, y Kike!)
hasta luego
The first week we're going to Mexico City and Puebla. We're gonna go to the Mexico City vs. Chile soccer game and just go out in the big city with some friends who stayed with me in March (Miguel, Karina, y Kike!)
hasta luego
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
the gym
The gym is where many people try to cover up their insecurities, but by doing so they emphasize them even more! We I got into the gym, I become a much calmer person, I don't like to really talk with anyone, and I just want to workout and leave. Everyone is so quiet and serious like their muscles are the most important issue in their lives. It's funny that people are less serious when it comes to classes and academia than in the gym. I think it is hilarious when you see really timid guys who obviously don't work out very much, so they aren't as directed and don't know what to do or even what they want to do (sometimes that's me), but good for them going at it. Then there are the guys whose whole sense of worth comes from how much they can lift ... they are the guys you see everyday in the gym that check themselves out, where cut-off shirts, and bring their protein powder to the gym because, let's face it, it is too much of a hassle to drink it before or after your workout! duh! Then once a week or so, I run into that guy who wants everyone to know that he is a doctor, so without fail he wears his scrubs. It's not the same guy every time, but it's the same role - almost the same identity. It is really interesting to see who wins the right of way and who yields. The bigger guys are used to the rest of us to ceding the way to them, but sometimes I am not paying attention or I just don't want to yield the way, and it throws a wrench in their whole workout caste system ... shakes them up a bit.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
august!
So August:
Got back to the States and I haven't had any culture shock! At least when I went to Mexico, I would come back with some sort of transitioning time, but I was so prepared to be home, so I haven't had any weird emotional swings or anything from being gone! I really have just been catching up with friends and family since I have been back. We had our family birthday parties and then I've just been chilling at home and around Raleigh. We had cheerleading camp this past week and it was awesome being back! It was so tough because my skills have digressed a lot, so I just have to bust my tail over the next few weeks to get back to where I was. On the second day of camp though, I could tell that I got better than the first day of camp, so that's a plus! I have had the best time over the past few weeks catching up with all my friends at home (Jordan, Jordan, Kristy, Brandy, Matt, Matt, Joel, Anna, Amy, Ben, and Funder)! I'm not trying to name drop ... I just want to remember later in life :) I've been working out really hard this past week since camp and today was the worst! I went running with my friend Justice and I had to really push myself to keep up with him.
What is on my mind is that I am growing up (ish). I am officially moved into my HOUSE! I went grocery shopping tonight and I can decide everything I am doing ... when did this happen? Kristy Herrmann said that, "You know you're grown up when you have to pay for your own toilet paper." And that is the truth! I have my car here, I have a kitchen and living room! ahh it's so oddd being grown up, but it's so fun. All of my friends are getting legit places to stay instead of dorms like Matt and Kristy (theirs are the only I have seen), but it's so much fun going to someone's house instead of going to someone's dorm! I am going to try and keep this blog going during the year, so whoever wants to read about my life can!
Got back to the States and I haven't had any culture shock! At least when I went to Mexico, I would come back with some sort of transitioning time, but I was so prepared to be home, so I haven't had any weird emotional swings or anything from being gone! I really have just been catching up with friends and family since I have been back. We had our family birthday parties and then I've just been chilling at home and around Raleigh. We had cheerleading camp this past week and it was awesome being back! It was so tough because my skills have digressed a lot, so I just have to bust my tail over the next few weeks to get back to where I was. On the second day of camp though, I could tell that I got better than the first day of camp, so that's a plus! I have had the best time over the past few weeks catching up with all my friends at home (Jordan, Jordan, Kristy, Brandy, Matt, Matt, Joel, Anna, Amy, Ben, and Funder)! I'm not trying to name drop ... I just want to remember later in life :) I've been working out really hard this past week since camp and today was the worst! I went running with my friend Justice and I had to really push myself to keep up with him.
What is on my mind is that I am growing up (ish). I am officially moved into my HOUSE! I went grocery shopping tonight and I can decide everything I am doing ... when did this happen? Kristy Herrmann said that, "You know you're grown up when you have to pay for your own toilet paper." And that is the truth! I have my car here, I have a kitchen and living room! ahh it's so oddd being grown up, but it's so fun. All of my friends are getting legit places to stay instead of dorms like Matt and Kristy (theirs are the only I have seen), but it's so much fun going to someone's house instead of going to someone's dorm! I am going to try and keep this blog going during the year, so whoever wants to read about my life can!
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