Jaden's College Fund

      So Sister MJ has been here for a couple days now and I feel revived. She brought with her the energy, love, and joy I needed. it felt so good to talk to her about everything; all the good and all the sort of bad. Venting people, is a remedy in itself. Sometimes I just need someone to listen, not say anything back, and she did that for a while.  We went to Yvonne and Caesar's for dinner today and had arrepas, fried fish, harbichuelas, and rice, followed by bizcocho and ensalada de fruta con cafe. Mmm Good! I have to admit though that I am now a one glass of wine wonder. It's pretty sad to admit that with one glass of wine i felt, what's that word... buzzed. I guess on the bright side, I can get pretty buzzed for less.
       On a different note, I have spent a couple hours on eBay. If i think about buying something, I always go on ebay to see if they have it. It's pretty ridiculous, but kinda fun to just browse through everything and look at the prices. I had a dream a few weeks ago about me having a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and I have decided that I will purchase one after I'm done with this volunteering program. So, as I was browsing on eBay I noticed that one of the seller's name was "Jaden's College Fund"and then an idea sparked in my head. Maybe after I'm done volunteering, I'm going to sell stuff on eBay and call it the "Cavalier King Charles Fund" and all the money I make will go towards the puppy I want to purchase! I don't know about you, but I think it's a pretty good idea. Specially since I'll just be starting to work and probably wont have the luxury of being able to afford a $500+ dog. And I would have worked really hard to save and purchase the puppy so I'll love it even more! Gosh, I can't wait to buy that puppy. I can already see her (yes, it's going to be a female): a 6 week old, female, blenheim color, that costs around $500-650, does not have campion blood (because those dogs cost too much), and I'm going to have to wait till she is 10 weeks old to have her sent to me. Sigh... I can't wait. Once I have her, I'll probably name her something like Precious, Venus, Baileys, Nassau, or Jadenne (for the person who sparked my idea). it all depends though because I need to wait till I can hold her, feel her, smell her, and look at her. I'm sure she's gonna be gorgeous!

What doesn't kill me makes me stronger,right?

Well, well. Yesterday, I had an hour long conversation with my spiritual companion (a Sister that will be there for me and help guide me through my spiritual experience but often times does much much more than that=)) Sister Eunice. Talking to her or pretty much venting to her was such a relief. I have been in a constant struggle with myself between what I like about being here and what I don't. Before coming to Puerto Rico and beginning my volunteer services I pictured myself adjusting perfectly, getting along with everyone and developing my own little schedule. Now that I've been here for a month it's hard to realize I am far from that. Something so simple as "time", has been one of my biggest challenges. For the past four years my life has revolved around class schedules, work schedules, appointments, meetings, leisure, and nap times. Now that I am here, I don't really have any of that. I begin work around 7:30 am (which here it can mean anytime from 7:20-7:40 a.m.) and get out around 2:30 p.m. but thats about it. Being such a J (Judging based on the Myers-Briggs personality indicator) that I am, I love checking off things from my "To Do" list, and not having one has been hard to get use to.
     I know it's a challenge for me, but I am trying really hard to see it as an opportunity. I forgot what being spontaneous was like. I love knowing what my schedule looks like for the next two weeks or so, and this just seems weird. I am kind of jealous that some people here are so relaxed about time and I can't be that way. But to be quite honest, I don't want to be that way so its hard to adjust and I constantly need to remind my self that this is their culture and their way of living and I shouldn't try to change it. I just need to "adjust". Then my other struggle is that I don't always like it here. I thought I was going to fall in love with this place but I'm really not. And I'm sure that's normal and it doesn't make me a bad person or anything but acknowledging that I would not like to live in this place for more than I need to, is a sad realization for me. It's really hard for me to say that out loud. I don't know why but I feel bad saying that.  Then again, its only been a month, 8 more to go, and lots can happen. Maybe I'll look back to this blog and laugh because I ended up loving this place and its unique culture or maybe I'll look back amazed that I knew since month one that I didn't like it. I just get frustrated at times.
     But talking to Sister Eunice and telling her all of this and hearing myself say this out loud (I usually only think about these things, specially when I'm running) made me feel better. Thanks Sister Eunice, and everyone else who is so supportive and always motivate me. Also, to everyone who reads this blog; thanks for taking the time. So with this said, what doesn't kill me, makes me stronger.

Now Where Talking...

So, for the first two weekends I had been feeling a little bumbed out because I wasn't really "going out". Granted, I do know that I am living in a Monastery and "going out" doesn't mean clubbing or hitting the bars, but simply getting out of the Monastery for a bit. The fact that my curfew is 10 pm (I know, not even in HS..lol) limits the activities I choose to do. Not to mention the weather; it can be hot with a light breeze one minute and the next its pouring rain! The weather has had an affect on the things I do because it is pretty unpredictable. You may think its just a cloudy day but its not, its a rainy day (Megan I think I've had more rain than you in Lacy, WA).

    But this past weekend, it all changed. S Mary Ruth called Yvone and Ceasar (a lovely couple the sisters have known for almost a decade) and asked them if we could hang out with them this weekend. Yvone and Ceasar had already told us (Ash and I) that we can go out with them any time we wished! So we did! They  picked us up at 7:30 pm on Saturday and took us to the casino in El Conquistador in Fajardo. It's a beautiful luxurious hotel that even has its very own small island! Within minutes of being in the casino I quickly made the decision that I don't think I like gambling all that much (it was my first time in a casino). All the machines looked complicated and I didn't get any of them =(. That was till I came across the ol' fashion slot machines! I liked those... Nothing complicated about them.. you get three of the same color, shape, number.. you win.. something. Who much did I win? Well I won $10 (spent $20 on gambling and $7.50 on a drink!, so $17.50 total) not great, but not too bad. Then on Sunday I went to 11 am mass (never again will I go to 11 am mass) and they happened to be having a ceremory again, just like the week before. I don't usualy keep tabs on how long mass is but I do know Catholic mass (at least the ones I've gone to) don't usually go beyond 1 hr and 10 minutes. This mass though, has lasted an hour and a half like everytime I've gone to it. So I think I'm going to start going to 9 am regular mass. Any who, after mass I spent the whole day in Plaza Las Americas. It was nice to just be out and about doing nothing really, going in and out of stores, trying things on, purchasing a few little things and so on. But this weekend was just what I needed to re-energize.
   Monday-Friday I am busy enough with school and all that good stuff, but on weekends it can be pretty boring without a car and in addition, if it's raining. So it was fun. Then I found out that I might be attending a wedding this weekend over on the West side in Mayaguez! Rumor has it that the best beaches are on that side, so I'm super excited! Well, that's all for now, till next time!

As my friend Sara would say, "Toodles". 

We don't explode, we stretch...

   Maybe about 90% of the time I had dinner at Gorecki I would always end my meal by saying, "Ugh. I feel I'm gonna explode" (after eating so much of course). And onetime my dear sweet friend Jackie Murillo corrected me one time and replied, " We don't explode, we stretch." For some reason I thought that was the funniest thing, anyone could have said. But having that shame of being so full that I couldn't move, or eating so much I would get tired and sleepy, made me come to the decision that I should not ever have that feeling again because it wasn't a good one. It was selfish to eat that much food simply because I could. I am proud to say that I have not said, "I feel I'm gonna explode" much since I graduated in May 2010. Of course until today.
   S. Mary Ruth told me yesterday that S. Carmen (aka the Prioress) wanted to take us (the September birthday girls) out for dinner today. She said it was a surprise and had no idea where we were going. We went to Longhorn Steakhouse (S. Carmen's favorite restaurant!) to celebrate our birthdays for the third time! I ordered a Tender Mushroom Filet Chops smothered with onions, mushrooms, and red wine sauce with french fries. This was of course after, a slice of bread with butter, 2 wings, a Caesar Salad and half of my Pina Colada. After the meal, I murmured Jackie's response to my little guilty after meal guilt. I laughed. But it was all so good and tasty and the steak was juicy and well done (sorry I don't like pink meat) just how I like it. S. Carmen asked if we'd like dessert and looking around I could see everyone was full as well. So she suggested we buy Krispy Kreme doughnuts and take them home. I couldn't believe she could still crave something after our dinner when I felt like unbuckling my pants. As we walked into the Krispy Kreme doughnut shop, we were greeted by a lovely gentlemen who gave us all free, fresh, soft, mouth watering and melting glazed doughnuts right off the line! Mmm, did I mention they were free?! So I ate it and unbuckled my pants instead of trying to suck in my stomach. "Sweet Jesus" as Ann Marie would say. it was a perfect treat. The entire evening was a gift on top of a gift. I have really felt at home here (with the exception of last weekend). The Sisters are all truly, Gifts from God.

     The reason I said that I have celebrated my birthday three times is because I have. One: the day of my birthday, two: Yesterday (the Sisters celebrated all the September birthdays), and three: Today. Yesterday we had a blast! Mass, dinner, the singing, dessert, the games,  the blessing, and all the gifts. I haven't had such a wonderful party since my Quinceanera. I received some PJ's, lotion, deodorant, toothpaste, drier sheets, soap (lots of it!), face wash, and most important cards. Each Sister wrote a card in addition to their gift and they expressed how grateful they are that we are here, how much they care for us, and some of the Sisters wrote "blessings from God and the Virgin Mary". I love them! Its been great. 

Can I have some TCL to go plz?

Okay, so it took me two weeks to become "ill". Since I was a little girl, whenever traveling my family was always very careful because I was the one that fell, got injured, got sick, cut herself, pretty much the one that accidents always happened to. So now that I have been in Puerto Rico for two weeks, can someone please tell me how is it possible that my right eye is swollen for no given reason? I had an ingrown pimple (i know its sick) next to my nose and all of a sudden I wake up and my right eye is swollen all around =(. I really just wanted to be home this weekend. Ashley and I shared similar feelings today about that. 
    Its not that any particular event happened that made me feel this way, but I just got really home sick. i just wanted to see my mom and have her nurse me back to health. She would have put some ointment on my face, probably made me a tea to drink and some chicken soup. Gosh, I miss home right now. I will not post a picture of my face because I think its pretty ugly looking right now. I just hope the swelling goes down by tomorrow just in time for school. 
   its getting late so I'm going to go to bed. Miss you Mom, Raulito, and Dad. Miss you Sisters and all the kids. If I would have been home today, we would have gotten off work at 6pm, gotten home like at 7:30 pm, and my Dad would have probably invited people over to out house for a bit. 
   On the bright side, things can only go uphill from here.

Shoe Heaven!

   Well, it turns out that there is a little shoe store on the way to the post office and Ashley and I decided to "take a look"on out way back home. BAD MOVE! They have many heels, wedges, pumps, flats, jewelry and clothes! We didn't take a look at the clothes, but the most expensive pair of shoes was oh, about $12.99. I have to admit I am pretty pretty excited! Now I'd like to show off the Purple Pumps Ashley bought me for my birthday. Enjoy!

One Down, Many To Go!

Wow, is it really Saturday night already? It has been a week since my arrival in Puerto Rico and I already experienced a few cultural differences. One: Toast. Sister Vivian asked me if I would like a "tostada" along with my coffee (Coffee is another delicious difference) and I said, " No, Thanks". Being Mexican-American of course I thought a "tostada" was a fried corn tortilla that is used in many Mexican dishes. I wondered how anyone could eat a fried corn tortilla with their coffee; that just seemed odd. Well little did I know a "tostada" in Puerto Rico is a toasted slice of bread, silly me. Two: Beans. During lunch on Wednesday, Sister Rufina asked if I'd like "arbichuelas" with my rice and I looked at her as if she was offering me poison. I have NEVER hear that word before. I had no idea what that was: a type of meat, bread, topping? But it wasn't any of those, "arbichuleas" in Puerto Rico, is beans, lucky me. Three: Cake. In Chihuahua, Mexico "bizcochos" are these cookies made with lard, covered with sugar and cinnamon and OMG they are so so good! So after dinner one night, Sister Vivian asked if I would like some "bizcochos" for dessert, of course I wasn't about to turn down desssert, so excited that they knew what a bizcocho was in Puerto Rico, I delightfully said, "Yes, Please." And so Sister Vivian takes out this thick, dark chocolate, moist looking cake out of the fridge.  I was a bit surprised when I saw this cake (not that I was disappointed by any means) and not the cookies; once again I assumed it was something different. The cake was delicious like only home made chocolate cake can be, and Sister Vivian explained that bizcocho was a cake, any cake, that was for dessert. Now the best one, Coffee. Instead of pointing out the difference, I am just going to tell you how its done, here. First, you pour your milk (I like anywhere from 1/2-2/3 of a cup) into a cup and heat it up. Then you pour the coffee (the strongest coffee I have tasted yet!) into your cup till the desired color (I like my coffee light brown, almost looks like a white chocolate mocha... MMmmm). Finally, you add sugar. Sounds delicious right? Because it is! If you try pouring your coffee like we do in the States (like I did, about 3/4 of a cup of coffee + 3 creamers + 2 Splenda packets), you will set yourself up for failure. My first cup was pretty bad, but I got the hang of it on my second cup. Sister MariCarmen from Saint Scholastica was right when she said American coffee compared to Puerto Rican coffee is just "black water".

Tulips & ice cream cake

   On a different note, I was suppose to start work on Thursday (the day of my B-Day!) but the computers were down because Mr. De Jesus was working in updating the computer system so he said I could take the day off if I wished, so I did. I had lunch with Sister Rufina (chicken, rice, beans, salad, and Mmm, cake with Butter Pecan Ice Cream). Just us two were home, so we called it a private party! S. Rufina also cut some perfectly bloomed purple tulips from her garden and put them in a vase as a gift for me. What a sweet heart! But later that day during Visperas (evening prayer) all the Sisters sang Happy Birthday in english and 4 different versions in spanish. And to top it all off, they even bought me an Ice Cream cake! I felt so spoiled because I had two cakes and they both included ice cream! I had a good birthday, also special thanks to everyone on Facebook who left me comments and of course my family.


So, yesterday Ashley and I went to the post office because we wanted to buy a book of stamps because we want to start sending people postcards from Puerto Rico. From the little places we've seen around the monastery, we did notice that many buildings are abandoned (this is largely due to the big chain stores that have developed on the outskirts of the town and have caused many local businesses to go bankrupt) so we thought there really wasn't much walking distance from our house. But as we walked, we noticed that there are many shops in the "downtown" part of the town. There are cafes, clothing stores, shoe stores, restaurants, and pharmacies all around the Plaza where the Church is at. Discovering that was pretty exciting because coming to Puerto Rico, I don't think I really had a "Honeymoon" stage. I automatically started at the bottom, not expecting much. But little by little, I can feel myself climbing up that U-chart to an adapting stage, where everything is becoming very familiar very quickly.