I just hung up with my family and it was one of those really difficult moments of my week. It's hard to know that when I say goodbye, the other line goes silent and that's it. I'd like to pick up the phone and call back, but in the end it wouldn't do me any good because I would just have to say goodbye again with an even larger phone bill.
My concept of money and importance has already changed in just the three weeks I've been here. Part of me saves my money even better than before. For example, I splurged today when I bought a 30 cent bottle of pop. However, I'd also spend more than I ever thought possible in order to talk to those that I love. Overall, I think it has been a good change. :)
I am trying to think of what else is new in my life, but for the most part living here has become a routine. I am hoping that means that the culture shock is taking its course and almost over. ;) It's unlikely but it would be nice.
I now crave such foods as papaya and yuca. They were on the top of my gag list when I got here. I also wore jeans all day today. I am afraid that means I have also adjusted to the temperatures considering it was probably 90 at some point today and we don't have air conditioning. I enjoy watching the different creatures that crawl in through the front windows and I even called the large lizard cute today. There are only a few bugs that I won't just squish with my bare hands and walking around barefoot in the dark doesn't worry me anymore. I consider a class that I am in control for 20% of the time a good class and even after a hard day I am more than willing to give my share of hugs to difficult kids. Waking up with a bed net plastered to my face is normal, and I no longer need a wake up call to be up by 5:30. I've really learned to appreciate candles and sometimes I prefer them to the bright lights. I don't know that I look forward to my cold showers, but I can't remember what a warm one felt like. I've now worked up the ability to sit on a solid wood bench for three hours without being in to much pain and sometimes I even get caught up in the sermon. Does that mean I actually understand some of the gibberish?
Either way, I'd have to say that things are looking up. A speed bump here or there is really just a large cockroach and I always have my Bible and your prayers. Thank you so much for all of the support. For anyone that would like to join in, Kayla and I pray at 10 AM and 9 PM together so if you all want to pray at the same time that’s 7 AM and 6 PM Pacific time. We thought it could be kind of fun.
I hope everyone is doing well. Hopefully someday the internet will come back from it's vacation (that's what they call it) and I'll be able to better communicate. But I'd still love to here from you. Any reminder of home still makes my day. God bless.
Ashley - 16 days till my birthday, not that I’m counting or anything ;)
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