¡Holaaaa friends! Woo, it has been a while – but that´s because life is going very well and I just haven´t taken the time to slow down and write!
My internship is going very well. It is not as independent as I had envisioned, but I don´t mind that. It is hard for me do be doing my own thing while I am working with a psychologist, and I´m not exactly qualified to evaluate children. :o) I am definitely learning a lot, though. Most days after I am done working with Soledad I stay and work in the after school program. Although it makes for along day, I really enjoy just hanging out with the kids and seeing them smile.
After lots of thinking and indecision, I´ve finally decided on a topic for my monografía. I have decided to write about maltreatment/abuse within families, especially within the indigenous culture where physical maltreatment is seen as an acceptable punishment. Example: In the indigenous culture, if a child touches something that he or she is not supposed to, it is custom to burn the child´s hands. Soledad and I are working with a boy who cannot bend his pointer finger because it is so badly burnt. I just can´t even imagine that such treatment is accepted.
Maltreatment generally is not the principal reason that children receive psychological help, but I´ve noticed that many of the kids who come in for different reasons also suffer from difficult family situations – and the impact of the abuse really inhibits their development.
I am pretty overwhelmed with actually writing my monografía. Sometimes I feel like I have way too much material to read, and sometimes I feel like it is nearly impossible to find what I want to see…but that´s how school is, yes?
Weekends! Family time. Willingly though – I´ve already decided that 5 weeks is not nearly enough time with my family. But I´ve also decided that all I can do is take advantage of the time that I have. My sister is only home on the weekends, so we try to find bonding time when one of us is not doing homework. Last weekend we went out with our cousins to “dar vueltas.” Haha. Okay so, the phrase “dar la vuelta” has become one of my favorite Spanish phrases. Its literal meaning is “to turn around,” but really, it has many meanings..Like..turn yourself around, flip the tortilla, flip over a piece of paper, turn the car around…or, my new favorite, to “dar vueltas” around town, to drive around town, all night long, just to pass the time. And this is like…a legit nighttime activity. Obviously gas is a bit less expensive here! ;o)
This weekend one of my friends from CIMAS, Emily, came to visit, and we went out with my sister and cousins, dar-ed some vueltas, and went to the “pipas” (hookah). Emily and I taught them how to play the card game BS. On Sunday, while my sister was buried in books, I went with my cousin and his friend to La Cascada de Peguche, a waterfall which is about a 20 minute walk from my house. It was a beautiful sunny day, and the waterfall was lovely. It was a nice Sunday trek.
And now we´re back to Monday. I am trying to remain motivated to get work done on my monografía, and trying not to pay too much attention to how quickly the time is passing!
Sending love and hugs! :o)
Jessica
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Cumpleaños(se) and Transitions!
Hello loves! :o) Woo…it has been just over a week since I last updated, but I feel like it has been much longer. My last weekend in Quito went very well. I spent lots of time with Mamita Mary and had some time to just relax and prepare to move to Otavalo. I definitely had that uncomfortable lingering feeling that always takes over with the anticipation of change.
Mary threw me a birthday fiesta on Monday night, my last night in Quito. I arrived home to find a beautifully set table and could tell she had been preparing all day. Really, it was picture perfect, and it was super hard to find that words to express my appreciation. She made a cake (from scratch!!) along with jello and strawberries, empanadas, and tea. Almost the entire family came to celebrate, as well as four lovely chicas. It really was wonderful, and I felt like a part of my family, which was great, but also kind of bittersweet as I knew that I was leaving the following morning.
I woke bright and early on Tuesday morning to say goodbye to mi madre quiteño, lugged my suitcase outside, and got into a taxi with Sophie. Aye, how emotional! At the same time, it was very comforting to have amazing friends that were going through the same transition. Anyway, we arrived at CIMAS to say our goodbyes to everyone, and got onto a bus with the 9 other people that are living in the northern region of Ecuador for their internships. I was the second to be dropped off and by the time we had arrived to Otavalo, I was ready.
My first 7 days in Otavalo have succeeded anything I could have expected. First, my family! I have a mom (Marcela) and a papi (Carlos). My mom works at INNFA, the organization that I am working for. My dad works in tourism and also in auto mechanics (I think). He has a 14 person van for transporting tourists. :o) I have an 18 year old sister named Karlita and she is wonderful. She studies in Quito during the week, so she is only home on the weekends. Last but not least, I have a 6 year old brother named Mateo…and he is wonderful! Being around him makes me miss my own little bro at home! We also have two dogs, and I do not know much about them, except that they are very loud and wake me up around 6 every morning.
Our house is…nice, not at all what I expected. It was a bit overwhelming at first because I am living in much better conditions than I had anticipated coming into this. There have been moments when I have thought to myself that maybe I should have pushed my limits further to live with an indigenous family or in a lower socioeconomic status. Instead of having regrets or becoming disappointed in myself, I´ve decided to make this a lesson in humility. It is already clearly apparent to me that “things” do not matter, and what is more important is the wonderful people that I have the opportunity to live with and learn from. I will not take my living situation for granted; instead I am going to learn as much as I can while I am here.
Not only am I lucky with my family, but with my internship as well. I am working with psychologist named Soledad, and I know that I am going to learn a ton from her. My first 3 days of work were mostly observing, but I have completely enjoyed it. I am experiencing something that simply could never happen in the U.S. The organization that I work for, INNFA, is a daycare for at risk children that is all throughout the country. They have programs for children ages 6 and under. Also, school age children come after school to eat lunch and to work on homework. I will be working at the center in Otavalo, and will also travel to communities nearby during the week. The majority of patients that come in come for help with speech therapy or stimulation. Some children do not have developmental problems, but their parents bring them in just for extra stimulation. We also work with children who are having behavior problems, family problems, or problems at school. I am already realizing how challenging a career in psychology will be, but I also know that I am going to learn amazing things while from Soledad and my experience with INNFA.
…I know this is long, but, my REAL birthday! :o) The beginning of the day was tough. There was not much to do in the house, the family was busy, and it did not feel like my birthday. I think it was because I´m not experiencing the beautiful fall weather that I usually see on my birthday. Of course it could also have something to do with being in another country… :o) But, the day became much better. Yes, I am spoiled, and had a second birthday fiesta. Three of my friends that are living nearby came to celebrate with me and we had cake, wine, and LASAGNA. Yes, lasagna! And it was DELICIOUS. At night, we went out dancing with my sister, a couple of cousins, and some friends of my sister…and it was wonderful! It is pretty lovely to have, as Marissa says, “insta-friends.” My cousins and my sisters friends are great! Eeps, I´m definitely looking forward to more good times while I´m here.
As always, I´m thinking of you all, miss and love you, and I´d love to hear from you!
Abrazos,
Jessica
Mary threw me a birthday fiesta on Monday night, my last night in Quito. I arrived home to find a beautifully set table and could tell she had been preparing all day. Really, it was picture perfect, and it was super hard to find that words to express my appreciation. She made a cake (from scratch!!) along with jello and strawberries, empanadas, and tea. Almost the entire family came to celebrate, as well as four lovely chicas. It really was wonderful, and I felt like a part of my family, which was great, but also kind of bittersweet as I knew that I was leaving the following morning.
I woke bright and early on Tuesday morning to say goodbye to mi madre quiteño, lugged my suitcase outside, and got into a taxi with Sophie. Aye, how emotional! At the same time, it was very comforting to have amazing friends that were going through the same transition. Anyway, we arrived at CIMAS to say our goodbyes to everyone, and got onto a bus with the 9 other people that are living in the northern region of Ecuador for their internships. I was the second to be dropped off and by the time we had arrived to Otavalo, I was ready.My first 7 days in Otavalo have succeeded anything I could have expected. First, my family! I have a mom (Marcela) and a papi (Carlos). My mom works at INNFA, the organization that I am working for. My dad works in tourism and also in auto mechanics (I think). He has a 14 person van for transporting tourists. :o) I have an 18 year old sister named Karlita and she is wonderful. She studies in Quito during the week, so she is only home on the weekends. Last but not least, I have a 6 year old brother named Mateo…and he is wonderful! Being around him makes me miss my own little bro at home! We also have two dogs, and I do not know much about them, except that they are very loud and wake me up around 6 every morning.
Our house is…nice, not at all what I expected. It was a bit overwhelming at first because I am living in much better conditions than I had anticipated coming into this. There have been moments when I have thought to myself that maybe I should have pushed my limits further to live with an indigenous family or in a lower socioeconomic status. Instead of having regrets or becoming disappointed in myself, I´ve decided to make this a lesson in humility. It is already clearly apparent to me that “things” do not matter, and what is more important is the wonderful people that I have the opportunity to live with and learn from. I will not take my living situation for granted; instead I am going to learn as much as I can while I am here.
Not only am I lucky with my family, but with my internship as well. I am working with psychologist named Soledad, and I know that I am going to learn a ton from her. My first 3 days of work were mostly observing, but I have completely enjoyed it. I am experiencing something that simply could never happen in the U.S. The organization that I work for, INNFA, is a daycare for at risk children that is all throughout the country. They have programs for children ages 6 and under. Also, school age children come after school to eat lunch and to work on homework. I will be working at the center in Otavalo, and will also travel to communities nearby during the week. The majority of patients that come in come for help with speech therapy or stimulation. Some children do not have developmental problems, but their parents bring them in just for extra stimulation. We also work with children who are having behavior problems, family problems, or problems at school. I am already realizing how challenging a career in psychology will be, but I also know that I am going to learn amazing things while from Soledad and my experience with INNFA.
…I know this is long, but, my REAL birthday! :o) The beginning of the day was tough. There was not much to do in the house, the family was busy, and it did not feel like my birthday. I think it was because I´m not experiencing the beautiful fall weather that I usually see on my birthday. Of course it could also have something to do with being in another country… :o) But, the day became much better. Yes, I am spoiled, and had a second birthday fiesta. Three of my friends that are living nearby came to celebrate with me and we had cake, wine, and LASAGNA. Yes, lasagna! And it was DELICIOUS. At night, we went out dancing with my sister, a couple of cousins, and some friends of my sister…and it was wonderful! It is pretty lovely to have, as Marissa says, “insta-friends.” My cousins and my sisters friends are great! Eeps, I´m definitely looking forward to more good times while I´m here.
As always, I´m thinking of you all, miss and love you, and I´d love to hear from you!
Abrazos,
Jessica
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