Fiesta

Tonight, I went to a fiesta. In Nicaragua, that would mean a night club with dancing. In Mexico, it means a party. This particular party was a birthday party. For two little boys.

The pastor at Amistad invited me to go with them to the shelter in the park today for a birthday party. There were lots of people from church there. Amistad is the church I attend here - services all in Spanish. I had told the pastor I felt a bit distant from the people at church because I've been attending pretty regularly (minus summers) for three years, and there are lots of people I've never talked to. I might know their names or things about them, but we don't interact. Part of that is my fault, and part of it is theirs. Pastor tried to remedy the situation a bit by bringing me with his family to the party tonight.

Of course there were awkward moments. I spent a lot of time looking around. It reminded me of my first days in Nicaragua, trying to get used to the people, their way of doing things... I don't mind looking quietly and occasionally feeling awkward. I think that's part of building relationships for me.

And don't get me wrong: it was not awkward very much of the time. I did a lot of listening and observing. It was different from birthday parties that I had attended in Mexico. No piñata, for one major thing. The food was potluck - taco stuff, meats, rice, spaghetti - instead of rice with peas, carrots, hot dogs, etc. like at Nicaraguan birthdays. The music was totally different - not the super-loud, kids' songs music of Nicaragua. Also, there was dancing towards the end, something that does not happen among evangelical Christians (at least when other Christians might find out). I kept noting the differences throughout the night.

I missed Nicaragua a lot - for the differences but also for the similarities. People were laughing and smiling a lot. They touched each other frequently, showing much more physical affection than most Americans do in a public setting. I don't just mean couples - I mean relationships on all levels: parents and children, friends, relatives, husbands and wives... It was nice to be in an atmosphere like that again. For some reason, I love the warm, affectionate, unreserved Latin cultures. It was nice to be back in that sort of atmosphere.

So, feliz cumpleaños, chavalitos y gracias por invitarme a tu fiesta

(happy birthday, boys (unique Nicaraguan word), and thanks for inviting me to your party).

Look at the Stars

That's what I should be doing - looking at the stars. At least, that's what my astronomy professor tells us. But really, it is just TOO COLD in Iowa to do that.

I've started school again. After a week and a half, I'm starting to feel like my head is on straight again, or getting there. Most of my stuff is arranged, I'm doing fairly well on keeping up with my homework, I'm making new friends and getting re-acquainted with old ones. Sometimes I feel like a new freshman on campus because I don't know hours or systems any more. Oh well.

Speaking of freshmen, my brother is here as one. Dirk and I went out for coffee together today, and I rather enjoyed it. People ask me if it is strange, but it's not really. It's odd for me to have people identify me as his sister instead of the other way around (him being identified as my brother). I run into the punk almost every day because of schedules, and we banter or talk or whatever. I like it.

I live in the new building at Dordt. My roommates and I are settling in together quite well. 3 of 6 are new, so we are all learning how to live with each other. In many ways, that's easier than being the new one in a group that has been together before. Last night, we bonded while eating M&M cookies at midnight. I needed some extra coffee today, but it was definitely worth it.

I was thinking about Dordt college life. I imagine that it's similar to a lot of college campuses, but I only know Dordt so I can only speak from my experience. It's a pretty unique time. Where else can you live near the majority of your friends? Soon we will all disperse, living far apart, working in different sectors... Students who commute have a different experience from those who live on campus. We all live, eat, and work together. We learn to embrace each other, love each other, put up with each other. Really, where else does this environment happen? I'm very thankful not only for the educational experiences I have, but also for the social ones. College is pretty cool. haha - school is cool! :)