Well I have only 4 more days here in Guatemala, and this will probably be the last blog I do here. I have really had an amazing experience, and I am so thankful to the Lord when I think about how everything has worked out here. My teacher, my homestay, the friends I've made, when I look at all of these things I really know that they were all ordained by God.
Not to mention the beauty of this country and the people, and how completely guarded and safe I have been these last 2 months.
I am looking forward to seeing everyone, and I miss my friends and family terribly, but I feel sad leaving the life I've established here. I can't wait to return, and bring others with me. I know that anyone who comes here will fall in love with Antigua, the way I have.
I will see you all soon, and I can't wait to share all the pictures and stories I have for you!!!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
February 18, 2009
Again, another long stint of not writing. That should be some indication of how busy/tired I’ve been the last two weeks.
This weekend there was a team of 22 people from Kentucky at the Greene’s, because they host groups from the States and other places and they do mission trips and such. I realized I could never be that type of missionary…Too many people, and I would feel very much like I was invading a poor village or destitute orphanage with a bunch of well-meaning but unaware and ill-educated tourists.
Beside from that, we went to Panajachel on Saturday, the main town on the famous Lake Atitlan. It was really beautiful and it sucked to only be there for one day. (again the fault of the 22 extra people). We did however, do this zip-line thing over a beautiful valley. I couldn’t get pictures cuz I was flying through the air at 35 mph, but it was really neat – an awesome view of the lake and the volcanoes around it. Then we walked around the market, which was pretty boring. I’m not really into shopping and bargaining at the market, and plus I’m running low on money haha so I can’t really afford to buy anything unnecessary. It was nice however, that there were two guys on the team that spoke Spanish, so I could practice with them. Usually when I go to the Greenes I don’t get to practice my Spanish at all.
Sunday we went to church in a pueblo (village) called Magdalena. It was very funny because the music was terrible, but everyone was so enthusiastic. I enjoyed it. At the end, all the kids from Sunday school came up and sang a couple songs. My God they were so cute! And there were so many of them!!!! I have video and pictures on facebook.
Then we went to an ‘orphanage’ where there are currently 4 baby boys being taken care of. I put it in quotes because it was a home-style orphanage, which is a really nice home, and its not depressing at all. I guess it’s a good thing that it’s not depressing. I wouldn’t like to be an orphan living in a depressing orphanage.
Monday I just relaxed and did nothing. I woke up that morning with a really bad earache, and a sore throat. I haven’t had an earache for years and years, so I was very surprised. But I took a bunch of pills and put some drops in my ear and although it is still a little bit plugged-feeling, it does not hurt, and my sore throat went away. I have no idea what happened to me. It was weird.
Tuesday I had my salsa class. That was good and fun, but I definitely get frustrated with myself because I have so much trouble with certain moves, and especially when I’m supposed to improvise on my own, or do some sort of body roll, my stuffy ballerina self can’t seem to do it right! I need to practice that stuff. Also, the Guatemalan guys sure know how to make you feel inferior to blonde women. They really like blondes. And I’m squishy so that also makes me feel bad. I really need to get in shape. But that’s only a tiny part of salsa, 95% of the time I’m loving it!
After salsa I went to a place called Sky Café, which has a wonderful view of the city and of the streets of Antigua. I saw my roommates there with another guy. One of my roommates is from South Africa, and the other two are from Australia. They are all 3 very nice and funny so we had a beer and laughed a lot. It was a great way to relax after a semi-stressful salsa class.
I didn’t go out last night, I was too tired and I didn’t want to drink anymore. But today I think I am going to go to these ruins called Cappuchinos. I’m bringing a book and my camera, maybe picking up a little snack to take and some chocolate and I’m going to enjoy the outdoors .
This weekend there was a team of 22 people from Kentucky at the Greene’s, because they host groups from the States and other places and they do mission trips and such. I realized I could never be that type of missionary…Too many people, and I would feel very much like I was invading a poor village or destitute orphanage with a bunch of well-meaning but unaware and ill-educated tourists.
Beside from that, we went to Panajachel on Saturday, the main town on the famous Lake Atitlan. It was really beautiful and it sucked to only be there for one day. (again the fault of the 22 extra people). We did however, do this zip-line thing over a beautiful valley. I couldn’t get pictures cuz I was flying through the air at 35 mph, but it was really neat – an awesome view of the lake and the volcanoes around it. Then we walked around the market, which was pretty boring. I’m not really into shopping and bargaining at the market, and plus I’m running low on money haha so I can’t really afford to buy anything unnecessary. It was nice however, that there were two guys on the team that spoke Spanish, so I could practice with them. Usually when I go to the Greenes I don’t get to practice my Spanish at all.
Sunday we went to church in a pueblo (village) called Magdalena. It was very funny because the music was terrible, but everyone was so enthusiastic. I enjoyed it. At the end, all the kids from Sunday school came up and sang a couple songs. My God they were so cute! And there were so many of them!!!! I have video and pictures on facebook.
Then we went to an ‘orphanage’ where there are currently 4 baby boys being taken care of. I put it in quotes because it was a home-style orphanage, which is a really nice home, and its not depressing at all. I guess it’s a good thing that it’s not depressing. I wouldn’t like to be an orphan living in a depressing orphanage.
Monday I just relaxed and did nothing. I woke up that morning with a really bad earache, and a sore throat. I haven’t had an earache for years and years, so I was very surprised. But I took a bunch of pills and put some drops in my ear and although it is still a little bit plugged-feeling, it does not hurt, and my sore throat went away. I have no idea what happened to me. It was weird.
Tuesday I had my salsa class. That was good and fun, but I definitely get frustrated with myself because I have so much trouble with certain moves, and especially when I’m supposed to improvise on my own, or do some sort of body roll, my stuffy ballerina self can’t seem to do it right! I need to practice that stuff. Also, the Guatemalan guys sure know how to make you feel inferior to blonde women. They really like blondes. And I’m squishy so that also makes me feel bad. I really need to get in shape. But that’s only a tiny part of salsa, 95% of the time I’m loving it!
After salsa I went to a place called Sky Café, which has a wonderful view of the city and of the streets of Antigua. I saw my roommates there with another guy. One of my roommates is from South Africa, and the other two are from Australia. They are all 3 very nice and funny so we had a beer and laughed a lot. It was a great way to relax after a semi-stressful salsa class.
I didn’t go out last night, I was too tired and I didn’t want to drink anymore. But today I think I am going to go to these ruins called Cappuchinos. I’m bringing a book and my camera, maybe picking up a little snack to take and some chocolate and I’m going to enjoy the outdoors .
Saturday, February 14, 2009
February 14, 2009
Well, here it is Valentines Day, and I hope everyone had a good one. I had a very fun one :) Guatemaltecos absolutely love Valentines Day and everyone goes all out for it. Not necessarily in decorations, but in giving gifts and stuff. Its pretty funny actually.
Sorry it has been ten days since I last blogged, I usually keep up and post them all at the end of the week, but this week has been so packed and I have been sooo tired. It's only 8:00pm now and I am utterly exhausted. I'll just start with what I did each day this past week.
Friday I went to a awesome Hotel/Restauraunt/Museum/Ruins called Santo Domingo. I went into crypts and saw a cool candle shop and found where I want to get married jaja. Of course last weekend I went to the Greene's, which was fun and crazy as always. I always rest really well there. Monday I went on a walking tour of Antigua through 3 churches: San Francisco, La Merced, and the Central Park church, I don't know what it's called. Anyway they were all really beautiful.
Tuesday I had my two hour salsa class, which was awesome. I just love it. I also went out that night because I wanted to practice my salsa. It was ok, very crowded. I got to dance a little but it wasn't awesome. But I was exhausted the next day. I couldn't sleep all that night. I'm not sure why. However....
I had promised myself that this week I would climb Pacaya, an active volcano that is a major destination for travelers. I had to do it, but I had been putting it off. Anyway, I did it dead tired. I took a horse halfway up, but you can only go so far on a horse then you have to walk. it kicked my butt. but it was definitely worth it. The pictures and videos I have don't do it justice. There was lava too! We roasted marshmellows on some hot rocks up there, it was soooo cool :) Check the pics. their great.
Thursday I did an extra salsa class and went out again, but this time it was much better and much more fun because me and my housemate from Finland, Johanna, went out with our salsa teachers, Carmen, Manolo, and Mike. (mike is my teacher, and he's guatemalan and his name is miguel but everyone calls him mike) Mike is great. Yeah. It was better to go out this time because we didn't have to dance with strangers and stuff.
Friday I was really tired too, but went to school and all, the Greenes picked me up early, at 10:30, because they had to pick up a team of 22 people from kentucky at the airport at 1. I helped them get the house ready, and have been helping them make meals and stuff. Its fun.
Today we went to Lago Atitlan, in the town of Panajachel. It was ok. I would have liked to stay the whole weekend, even though you can't get in the lake cuz its too dirty, and I would rather have been at another smaller town. but that's the nature of going with a group of 25 people. But we did do this thing called zip-lining, which is like a cable that you just hook yourself up to and kind of zip across ravines and lakes and stuff. it was really fun and very beautiful. i didn't get any pictures, because your flying through the air, and you can't really take pictures...unfortunately.
So now i'm sitting here, very tired. going to post all this stuff on facebook. i can't wait to see you all! only 2 and 1/2 more weeks!!! I can't believe it. I've been thinking it's going to be hard to readjust when i come back...I don't really want to settle into the same old routine again.
Well more on my feelings later....haha. At least you know what I did this week, and I did a lot!
Love you
Noelle
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
February 4, 2009
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I have not been here 1 month, although it feels as if it's been forever. I don't know what I'm going to do these next 4 weeks. I counted. I have exactly 31 days left, not including today. But I suppose I'll make it. The pic above is the fountain in the central square. Kind of vulgar, no? haha oh well. Its art, right?
Anyway yesterday I went to salsa class again...I don't know how I went so long without dancing. I love it, but I'm beginning to get frustrated because I'm not as good as I think I should be. I suppose that's why I'm learning, but I wish it would come to me faster. I wanted to go out and go salsa dancing last night, but I fell asleep at 8!!! I tried to take a nap earlier, but everyone in my house was so loud. I wanted to go out because i knew that my salsa teachers would be there and I wanted to practice. But I didn't get the chance, but hopefully next week I will force myself to do it.
I also put off another trip to Pacaya, the volcano. I know I have to go. Its so important, but I've been hearing stories...First about how difficult it is to climb, then how close you are to the lava and how potentially dangerous it is! So I'm a scaredy-cat.
The weather here has been windy and chilly. I wish it would warm up already!!! Ah well, such is life.
Oh! You know that song, 'Que Sera, sera! Whatever will be, will be..."
Well, I learned the tense that it is using, so now I understand it! Cool. Ok. I saw that Leo and Kate movie, too, Revolutionary Road. Very interesting. I guess I liked it ok. Ella, you and I will definitely have to talk about it. Lukas, I think you'll like it. DeAnna, you'll hate it. Don't go see it.
Hmmm...what else...nada mas, no pienso...hmmmm...I'm learning a lot of Spanish :) so that's fun.
Love to all!
Noelle
February 2, 2009
Happy Groundhog Day!!!
Hola, all! Today is the beginning of my 4th week here, but I still have another 4 weeks to go after this one. This last week went by pretty fast though, so I think the rest will also go fast.
This weekend was…interesting. Friday afternoon I threw up my lunch…I ate too much, but only because my house mom makes me feel guilty if I don’t eat everything! Anyway, I threw up twice and felt really bad and didn’t eat the whole rest of the day, and didn’t eat anything all Saturday either. But by Sunday I felt completely better.
Saturday I went with the Greenes to a play at their school, Beauty and the Beast. It was ok. Well produced, but the girl that played Belle wasn’t very good…so that was too bad. But I had fun nonetheless.
Sunday we went to a Spanish speaking church because it was the Superbowl and they cancelled the evening English service haha. It was pretty neat…they sang “Ancient of Days,” and that other one that goes…I’ll stand, with arms high and heart abandoned….It was interesting the translations, because I knew that some of the words were not the same. It was all worshipping God, but they were definitely not saying the same things as the English versions. Which doesn’t really matter, but it was interesting. I understood about 1/16th of the service probably, which was disappointing, but I tried hard…
Then we went to this fast food restaurant called Pollo Campero, which is really popular I guess. It started in Guatemala, but there are some chains in the States too I heard. It wasn’t that good, but it was an experience I suppose.
I was excited for the first time in my life for the Superbowl! Only because I was in a foreign country, and its an American thing to do, and because my dad is from Pittsburgh and I had a reason to cheer for a team. But it ended up being the same old boring Superbowl it is back home, so I was a bit disappointed. It was worse because we don’t get the same commercials here, which is more than half the fun. Oh well, my team won but I was already asleep by that time haha.
I don’t really have any activities planned this week, except my salsa dancing class and a possibility of going to the Volcano Pacaya. Its only that I’ve heard stories of how of scary it can be, because you are so close to lava and you come back down in the dark and it’s a little dangerous. I’ve been putting off going, although it’s a real landmark; it would be really pathetic if I didn’t see it. I haven’t decided yet. I guess this week is as good as any for me to go. There’s not really a lot of activity opportunities this week.
We did get two new people in my house though. Marina, the Swiss girl that was here when I first came, left this weekend, we got Johanna here last Thursday, and then two people from the states came yesterday, named Mark and Lexi. They are boyfriend/girlfriend from Washington DC, although she grew up in the tri-cities, and he is from California. They seem very nice and I look forward to spending more time with them.
I don’t know what I’m going to do now…So many options. Go up on the roof, take a nap, go to the central square, read my Bible… Continue my quest for free, reliable internet…No sé.
Oh well…
I love and miss you much,
Noelle
Thursday, January 29, 2009
January 29, 2009
Today I haven´t done much...I went to class, had lunch, took a nap, and ran over to the market really fast with my house mom, Sylvia to buy some dancing shoes. They only cost me like 13$. geez. Now I´m writing this.
Last night we got a new girl in the house, her name is Yohanna and she is from Finland. Speaks perfect english but almost no spanish. Very nice. My other housemate, Marina, is leaving this weekend. I am going back to the Greenes again. I have lots of free time there so if you want to set up a skype appt. let me know.
Last night I went with this guy named Travis (from Mass) to a spanish speaking bible study. It was ok, it was good. But afterwards Travis had bags of sandwiches and juice and bananas and cookies, and we went and gave them to the homeless people on the streets of Antigua. I don´t know how I have been a Christian for so long and never done something like this before. We found a homeless shelter...well, more like a building that homeless people are allowed to stay in...and gave it all out there. I am still processing what happened. Travis sat right down with a man that he had given stuff to on the streets before, named Gustavo, whose face was deformed from some sort of burn. They struck up a conversation like old friends. He took his bible out and they began talking about God - Travis in broken spanish and Gustavo in his mumbling speech. I finished handing out all the food and kind of stood there awkwardly, admiring the way Travis was so comfortable and accepting. I really felt so exposed. Like, how can I say that I want to love people and can hardly look at a homeless man in the face? You know why I can´t look at him? Because I am ashamed of being better off and not doing anything to help him. I am ashamed because I feel somewhat repulsed by him, and I know that that is wrong, and that Jesus does not feel repulsed by him. I just need to ask for the Lord´s heart for people. I have been comfortable and satisfied and selfish in my own little warm world, and have become callous to suffering people around me.
Anyway, that´s how I feel. And its even worse because I thought this Travis was pretty cute and he was a Christian and oooh lucky me! But I felt so embarrassed for ever thinking that when we went out and saw that he was so...giving. My thoughts were all focused on me and how I wanted to feel, while he was solely thinking of those suffering and how he could show God´s love to them! Ugh!!! I think God used him to really shake me up and show me where I have been so self-focused. I am always learning.
Oh but actually, today walking to the school from the market I saw the same Gustavo that I met last night! He had his little hymnal out, and we greeted eachother, and I didn´t really understand what he was saying, but I tried to talk a moment with him. But I am being careful too, I mean I don´t know him, obviously, and so I kept the convo short and went on my way. But yeah...
Anyway that has been the most significant thing that has happened this trip so far... :) But i´m sure there will be more stories.
Last night we got a new girl in the house, her name is Yohanna and she is from Finland. Speaks perfect english but almost no spanish. Very nice. My other housemate, Marina, is leaving this weekend. I am going back to the Greenes again. I have lots of free time there so if you want to set up a skype appt. let me know.
Last night I went with this guy named Travis (from Mass) to a spanish speaking bible study. It was ok, it was good. But afterwards Travis had bags of sandwiches and juice and bananas and cookies, and we went and gave them to the homeless people on the streets of Antigua. I don´t know how I have been a Christian for so long and never done something like this before. We found a homeless shelter...well, more like a building that homeless people are allowed to stay in...and gave it all out there. I am still processing what happened. Travis sat right down with a man that he had given stuff to on the streets before, named Gustavo, whose face was deformed from some sort of burn. They struck up a conversation like old friends. He took his bible out and they began talking about God - Travis in broken spanish and Gustavo in his mumbling speech. I finished handing out all the food and kind of stood there awkwardly, admiring the way Travis was so comfortable and accepting. I really felt so exposed. Like, how can I say that I want to love people and can hardly look at a homeless man in the face? You know why I can´t look at him? Because I am ashamed of being better off and not doing anything to help him. I am ashamed because I feel somewhat repulsed by him, and I know that that is wrong, and that Jesus does not feel repulsed by him. I just need to ask for the Lord´s heart for people. I have been comfortable and satisfied and selfish in my own little warm world, and have become callous to suffering people around me.
Anyway, that´s how I feel. And its even worse because I thought this Travis was pretty cute and he was a Christian and oooh lucky me! But I felt so embarrassed for ever thinking that when we went out and saw that he was so...giving. My thoughts were all focused on me and how I wanted to feel, while he was solely thinking of those suffering and how he could show God´s love to them! Ugh!!! I think God used him to really shake me up and show me where I have been so self-focused. I am always learning.
Oh but actually, today walking to the school from the market I saw the same Gustavo that I met last night! He had his little hymnal out, and we greeted eachother, and I didn´t really understand what he was saying, but I tried to talk a moment with him. But I am being careful too, I mean I don´t know him, obviously, and so I kept the convo short and went on my way. But yeah...
Anyway that has been the most significant thing that has happened this trip so far... :) But i´m sure there will be more stories.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
January 27, 2009
Oh my GOSH!!!! I love dancing...
I just got back from my salsa class, and have signed up for 4 more. It's soooo cheap, I am practically stealing from these people. 100$ for 10 hours! Private! OMG i can't even believe it.
Como se ya, (anyway)... I can't even describe what its like to dance...its been so long, and dancing with someone in a class where i am learning to be better and get corrections, and just...I don't know, I just feel so comfortable in the studio. Ugh its wonderful! In spanish I say: 'me hace falta bailar' - it means i miss dancing, or i lack dancing, like i have lack of it - so true. I lack it. It is so a part of me. When I get back to Spokane, I am definitely going back to salsa dancing. I would do ballet, but it would kind of just make me depressed. I can do salsa and ballroom because its so social and more commonly done just for fun. I'm excited. I have no idea if i'm good, haha, I do my best but my instructor speaks spanish, and you know, teachers have to say good job all the time no matter what you do. Haha como se ya, Estoy Feliz. I will probably go dancing tonight, and I don't really want to, but I have to practice, and I will go with a better idea of what to expect, and not be embarrassed or insecure.
Ugh, but I am so weak! my ankles are super weak, I was falling all over...plus i have bad shoes for it. but they will build up resistance and strength if i keep practicing. :)
We get another girl in the house today - don't know where she's from, but I like having this frequent change of housemates. Its exciting.
Well, I found an internet cafe mas cerca de mi casa (close by) and so that is good. I really need to practice my spanish. I am good with my teacher, but i'm nervous for tests and stuff like that.
Alright I'm heading home now, I love you all!
Noelle
I just got back from my salsa class, and have signed up for 4 more. It's soooo cheap, I am practically stealing from these people. 100$ for 10 hours! Private! OMG i can't even believe it.
Como se ya, (anyway)... I can't even describe what its like to dance...its been so long, and dancing with someone in a class where i am learning to be better and get corrections, and just...I don't know, I just feel so comfortable in the studio. Ugh its wonderful! In spanish I say: 'me hace falta bailar' - it means i miss dancing, or i lack dancing, like i have lack of it - so true. I lack it. It is so a part of me. When I get back to Spokane, I am definitely going back to salsa dancing. I would do ballet, but it would kind of just make me depressed. I can do salsa and ballroom because its so social and more commonly done just for fun. I'm excited. I have no idea if i'm good, haha, I do my best but my instructor speaks spanish, and you know, teachers have to say good job all the time no matter what you do. Haha como se ya, Estoy Feliz. I will probably go dancing tonight, and I don't really want to, but I have to practice, and I will go with a better idea of what to expect, and not be embarrassed or insecure.
Ugh, but I am so weak! my ankles are super weak, I was falling all over...plus i have bad shoes for it. but they will build up resistance and strength if i keep practicing. :)
We get another girl in the house today - don't know where she's from, but I like having this frequent change of housemates. Its exciting.
Well, I found an internet cafe mas cerca de mi casa (close by) and so that is good. I really need to practice my spanish. I am good with my teacher, but i'm nervous for tests and stuff like that.
Alright I'm heading home now, I love you all!
Noelle
January 26, 2009
Don't ask why, i just like it.
Well, this is my third week, and I’m still going strong. I have tons of things left to do, like go to the Volcano Pacaya, visit Lake Atitlan, and See all the sights in Antigua. I just got back from another of those free salsa classes, and as much fun as they actually are, I just am not satisfied with only an hour of really easy dancing. So, I signed up for a private class tomorrow for two hours! I am sooooo excited! I can’t wait, and I would like to do that every week for as long as I’m here – its only about 25 dollars for 2 hours…so good.
Time isn’t really going fast…I feel like I’ve been here forever, but that 5 more weeks isn’t that much time…I don’t know.
Well I took communion last night – It was so wonderful…It was truly one of the most personal, deeply-felt communions I’d ever had. The church is just like any other church, nothing out of the ordinary, but I think it’s a combination of me reading the word more, and relying on God more. My faith has grown only a little, but I’m believing God that it will grow more and as I read His word, that the Holy Spirit will open it up to me even more…
My walk with God has been so much like the story of the men on the road to Emmaus. They heard the truth, and believed it, but the revelation of the reality of the word did not come till later. This has been my Christian life. I have always heard the truth. I have never stopped believing in the Lord, and I’ve always taken the truth of His word to heart. But only recently have I had so much revelation and understanding and connection with the word – only recently have my ears and spirit been opened to the Scriptures, and it has been more wonderful than words can describe. My whole life I have hungered for the things of God, for the truth, and for His presence. Now it is only beginning to become truly real to me.
“Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was [opening] the scriptures to us?”
- Luke 24:32
I pray also that your hearts may burn as mine is, and that we all may have the scriptures opened to us by the Holy Spirit.
Well, this is my third week, and I’m still going strong. I have tons of things left to do, like go to the Volcano Pacaya, visit Lake Atitlan, and See all the sights in Antigua. I just got back from another of those free salsa classes, and as much fun as they actually are, I just am not satisfied with only an hour of really easy dancing. So, I signed up for a private class tomorrow for two hours! I am sooooo excited! I can’t wait, and I would like to do that every week for as long as I’m here – its only about 25 dollars for 2 hours…so good.
Time isn’t really going fast…I feel like I’ve been here forever, but that 5 more weeks isn’t that much time…I don’t know.
Well I took communion last night – It was so wonderful…It was truly one of the most personal, deeply-felt communions I’d ever had. The church is just like any other church, nothing out of the ordinary, but I think it’s a combination of me reading the word more, and relying on God more. My faith has grown only a little, but I’m believing God that it will grow more and as I read His word, that the Holy Spirit will open it up to me even more…
My walk with God has been so much like the story of the men on the road to Emmaus. They heard the truth, and believed it, but the revelation of the reality of the word did not come till later. This has been my Christian life. I have always heard the truth. I have never stopped believing in the Lord, and I’ve always taken the truth of His word to heart. But only recently have I had so much revelation and understanding and connection with the word – only recently have my ears and spirit been opened to the Scriptures, and it has been more wonderful than words can describe. My whole life I have hungered for the things of God, for the truth, and for His presence. Now it is only beginning to become truly real to me.
“Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was [opening] the scriptures to us?”
- Luke 24:32
I pray also that your hearts may burn as mine is, and that we all may have the scriptures opened to us by the Holy Spirit.
Friday, January 23, 2009
January 23, 2009
Just got back from a movie - Valkyrie...really boring and not very good. and i even like those slow-type movies.
I am staying at the Greenes this weekend again, so that is nice. i have my own room, with like, 6 bunkbeds in it haha. they house lots of teams coming from the states so that's why there's so many beds.
I'm posting more fotos on facebook...
Don't really have any updates for today, other that i'm here with the Greenes, and i just heard about 15 shots of gunfire somewhere outside - probably about a mile away...freaky.
But i love you guys, and dont' worry, its normal and i'm perfectly safe :)
I'll write tomorrow...
Noelle
I am staying at the Greenes this weekend again, so that is nice. i have my own room, with like, 6 bunkbeds in it haha. they house lots of teams coming from the states so that's why there's so many beds.
I'm posting more fotos on facebook...
Don't really have any updates for today, other that i'm here with the Greenes, and i just heard about 15 shots of gunfire somewhere outside - probably about a mile away...freaky.
But i love you guys, and dont' worry, its normal and i'm perfectly safe :)
I'll write tomorrow...
Noelle
January 22, 2009
Tuesday night I went salsa dancing. Some of us took a class and then went later that night. The class was really fun, I love dancing, ya know, but the actual going out part was not that fun. I don’t want to meet guys, I just want to dance, but meeting people is kind of unavoidable if you want to dance. Ugh. So we ended up meeting these guys and they were very nice, but of course, I wasn’t interested. Only one of them was a good dancer, but he would only dance with me once because I think he was trying to get me to dance with his friend…anyway it ended up not being very fun, and I don’t know what I expected…I really want to take just private lessons, I think that would be best, because it would allow me to dance without the pressure/discomfort of going to a club. (hint hint wink wink, parents haha j/k.)
On another note, yesterday I tried to find an internet café closer to my house that is open past 5, but when I finally found one (its not very close), it started getting dark so I had to go home almost right away. Tomorrow though I’ll be able to be online for a while, so that’ll be good. I went with a girl from LA to the inauguration, and although we are super different, we kind of hit it off…I might have already written about her in the last blog, I don’t remember. Any she is leaving this weekend, but I really like her. Her name is Becky Wahlstrom I think…Anyway she’s an actress and has done a bunch of TV. I was just thinking one of the reasons I think I liked having her around was because she doesn’t really speak much Spanish, so I was always translating for her, and helping her understand. I think that made me feel needed, or feel important…always so selfish I know, but it made me feel good to have her rely on me a little. I wasn’t like, her savior, but I helped her some…
I was also thinking about the kind of people that are here, and what they are like and what they all have in common. Most people are a bit older than me, between 29 and 60. Although they are all ‘open-minded’ and apparently willing to help the world around them (a lot are here to volunteer) there is this air of…pride, I guess, that is around everyone, kind of stuffy, ya know, and like they only live life for themselves. I guess that is how we all are to a certain extent, but its different here. People just come, and travel, and explore, seemingly without a care in the world…I don’t know, its weird the way I feel in relation to the people I meet here. I feel very different and disconnected, like I can’t related to anyone or their experiences or personalities or anything…Only with my teacher, and I think its because she’s a Christian.
For example, today we went to these Mayan ruins that were pretty neat, although I wasn’t really moved or super-excited like I usually am for those sorts of things. (you know me, I love that stuff!) it was weird. Anyway, we ended up seeing some people doing some sort of cleansing ritual at an ancient site. It was interesting, and one of the ladies next to me was holding her hands up like she was worshipping or participating in some way…odd. Anywho, on the way back, a girl asked me what my missionary friends would think about these old religions. I’m not sure what they would think, I told her, but I know what I think, and I think that missionaries have often been wrong in the way they handle non-Christian beliefs. However, I told them all exactly what I believe about Jesus being the only way that we have access to God and that he is still alive and what being ‘born again’ meant. I also said I felt Christianity and Jesus and God could be relevant to all cultures, and many missionaries in the past have come beating people over the heads telling them their entire way of life was sinful. It was a quite uncomfortable because I am sure everyone in the van disagreed with me, but they asked, so was as honest and simple as I could be.
I guess that’s what I mean about feeling different and not being able to relate. I live my life for a totally different reason than most people I have met here. I live to be with the Lord, and they don’t.
But I can’t even begin to describe the things that I am learning from actually reading my Bible. Its really awesome. I strongly urge you to read the Bible, from the Gospels through the New Testament. Its so enlightening and invigorating. You can really know what you believe, and see it in the word for yourself. For so long I’ve gone on believing things only because someone preached it to me. Now, when I read it in the Bible that I know to be truth, it strengthens my faith so much and makes it so much more personal. It’s great. For example, I always knew that God answers prayer, but when I read the book of John, Jesus says over and over in chapter 14 and other places, that if you ask anything in His name, God will do it! It’s just really cool to affirm my faith.
Well, I’m going to read some more and watch a movie or something…The Greenes brought me a bunch of pirated DVD’s haha .
Love you all,
Noelle
On another note, yesterday I tried to find an internet café closer to my house that is open past 5, but when I finally found one (its not very close), it started getting dark so I had to go home almost right away. Tomorrow though I’ll be able to be online for a while, so that’ll be good. I went with a girl from LA to the inauguration, and although we are super different, we kind of hit it off…I might have already written about her in the last blog, I don’t remember. Any she is leaving this weekend, but I really like her. Her name is Becky Wahlstrom I think…Anyway she’s an actress and has done a bunch of TV. I was just thinking one of the reasons I think I liked having her around was because she doesn’t really speak much Spanish, so I was always translating for her, and helping her understand. I think that made me feel needed, or feel important…always so selfish I know, but it made me feel good to have her rely on me a little. I wasn’t like, her savior, but I helped her some…
I was also thinking about the kind of people that are here, and what they are like and what they all have in common. Most people are a bit older than me, between 29 and 60. Although they are all ‘open-minded’ and apparently willing to help the world around them (a lot are here to volunteer) there is this air of…pride, I guess, that is around everyone, kind of stuffy, ya know, and like they only live life for themselves. I guess that is how we all are to a certain extent, but its different here. People just come, and travel, and explore, seemingly without a care in the world…I don’t know, its weird the way I feel in relation to the people I meet here. I feel very different and disconnected, like I can’t related to anyone or their experiences or personalities or anything…Only with my teacher, and I think its because she’s a Christian.
For example, today we went to these Mayan ruins that were pretty neat, although I wasn’t really moved or super-excited like I usually am for those sorts of things. (you know me, I love that stuff!) it was weird. Anyway, we ended up seeing some people doing some sort of cleansing ritual at an ancient site. It was interesting, and one of the ladies next to me was holding her hands up like she was worshipping or participating in some way…odd. Anywho, on the way back, a girl asked me what my missionary friends would think about these old religions. I’m not sure what they would think, I told her, but I know what I think, and I think that missionaries have often been wrong in the way they handle non-Christian beliefs. However, I told them all exactly what I believe about Jesus being the only way that we have access to God and that he is still alive and what being ‘born again’ meant. I also said I felt Christianity and Jesus and God could be relevant to all cultures, and many missionaries in the past have come beating people over the heads telling them their entire way of life was sinful. It was a quite uncomfortable because I am sure everyone in the van disagreed with me, but they asked, so was as honest and simple as I could be.
I guess that’s what I mean about feeling different and not being able to relate. I live my life for a totally different reason than most people I have met here. I live to be with the Lord, and they don’t.
But I can’t even begin to describe the things that I am learning from actually reading my Bible. Its really awesome. I strongly urge you to read the Bible, from the Gospels through the New Testament. Its so enlightening and invigorating. You can really know what you believe, and see it in the word for yourself. For so long I’ve gone on believing things only because someone preached it to me. Now, when I read it in the Bible that I know to be truth, it strengthens my faith so much and makes it so much more personal. It’s great. For example, I always knew that God answers prayer, but when I read the book of John, Jesus says over and over in chapter 14 and other places, that if you ask anything in His name, God will do it! It’s just really cool to affirm my faith.
Well, I’m going to read some more and watch a movie or something…The Greenes brought me a bunch of pirated DVD’s haha .
Love you all,
Noelle
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
January 20, 2009
Wow what a day (so far!). After school i went to the inauguration at this restaurant that's pretty touristy. it was really an experience though, because there were all these people there listening and crying and clapping and cheering. I voted for McCain because of the abortion issue, but I am excited about this time in our history. I liked most of the prayer that that guy from California did, and the poem was beautiful, not to mention the acceptance speech.
I can't explain very well the feeling you have when you are in a foreign country and something brings all of the Estadounidences (united states-ers) together... it felt patriotic and personal. when we all covered our hearts for the national anthem and laughed together as Obama stumbled through his oath, there was a feeling of unity, even though we were all so far from home. I can't really explain it...but some of you might know what i mean.
Anyway, this girl that came in last night is from LA, and she is an actress. i found out she was actually the best friend of the title character in that show 'joan of arcadia...' i never watched it but i love joan of arc so i was excited. haha. I do really like her though, she is so different from my other housemates, in that she is quicker to laugh and will tell you how she feels and what she wants right away rather than letting you offend her by being forced to guess her meaning and guessing the wrong thing. (that's what my roommate from switzerland is like... its refreshing.
later i am going to a salsa class so i am excited about that :) i don't know what i'll do after, maybe go out and dance at a place or maybe not...this becky girl might like to party hardy, so we wouldn't come home till late if i went with her probably...but we'll see. and don't worry! i'll be very safe :)
love you lots, feel free to comment!
Noelle
I can't explain very well the feeling you have when you are in a foreign country and something brings all of the Estadounidences (united states-ers) together... it felt patriotic and personal. when we all covered our hearts for the national anthem and laughed together as Obama stumbled through his oath, there was a feeling of unity, even though we were all so far from home. I can't really explain it...but some of you might know what i mean.
Anyway, this girl that came in last night is from LA, and she is an actress. i found out she was actually the best friend of the title character in that show 'joan of arcadia...' i never watched it but i love joan of arc so i was excited. haha. I do really like her though, she is so different from my other housemates, in that she is quicker to laugh and will tell you how she feels and what she wants right away rather than letting you offend her by being forced to guess her meaning and guessing the wrong thing. (that's what my roommate from switzerland is like... its refreshing.
later i am going to a salsa class so i am excited about that :) i don't know what i'll do after, maybe go out and dance at a place or maybe not...this becky girl might like to party hardy, so we wouldn't come home till late if i went with her probably...but we'll see. and don't worry! i'll be very safe :)
love you lots, feel free to comment!
Noelle
January 19, 2009
January 19, 2009
Today was good. I start my classes at 8 o’clock now, so that allows for time to go and do activities in the afternoon. Plus it’s not as cold.
I decided not to move after all. I feel the Lord prompting me to stay, and I really like my family, so I want to stay.
This weekend I stayed a la casa de los Greene’s (the missionaries). I had a great time. It was really wonderful to be welcomed into their home like that. We went to an English speaking church last night, and it was so wonderful. I didn’t even know any of the worship songs, but worshipping God with music was like water in a desert…I almost cried so many times! Next week they are having communion…I am sooo excited for that! The preaching was good too. It was actually a video from a series from somebody in the United States. But it was uplifting. About the will of God.
I find myself sucking up every ounce of anything that has to do with the Lord. My teacher is a Christian, (a non-catholic Christian,) and her and I talk about the Lord when we can. Its really a God thing that I have her, because she is one of 24 teachers, and is the only Christian. I know that God set that up…With me in mind!!! It is so relieving to think that He thinks about me. When I get really scared of feel really lonely or don’t know what to do, I try to focus on the fact that Jesus sees me. He is aware of me and what I’m doing, and God is watching me. I don’t know what He’s going to do, but I know that He sees me and I trust Him, so that is enough for me, and it is so comforting.
We got a new girl in the house today. She’s from the US. I really like her – her name is Rebekah (sp?). We are going to watch the inauguration tomorrow at some bar…I don’t know where. It should be cool; many Americans coming together and getting excited about something. It doesn’t matter if you voted for him or not, its exciting!
Well, I also went to a coffee farm today! You can’t imagine what that was like for me! (maybe you can…) It was so cool to see the machines and the cherries and the trees and the farm. It was nítido (neat). The tour was in Spanish so I didn’t get everything, but I got the gist of how the whole process goes. I knew some of it already, so I explained a lot to our group. It was fun though. After that we went a fairtrade macadamia nut farm, which was so beautiful (as was our tour guide, Ricardo, haha). Después (after), we went to a small town called San Antonio, where we went into this warehouse type building where some indigenous ladies showed us the customary clothes and wedding traditions of the Guatemalan people. It was really fun because she used the audience for an example! (see pictures on facebook…) After we came home we had a good dinner and laughed a lot at the pictures I took of the day.
I think I need another picture-option, because some of ya’ll don’t have facebook. I will do a flickr or something. I’ll let you know.
Continue to pray for me, that the Holy Spirit will open up the Word to me as I read more and more…
Love you all,
Noelle
Today was good. I start my classes at 8 o’clock now, so that allows for time to go and do activities in the afternoon. Plus it’s not as cold.
I decided not to move after all. I feel the Lord prompting me to stay, and I really like my family, so I want to stay.
This weekend I stayed a la casa de los Greene’s (the missionaries). I had a great time. It was really wonderful to be welcomed into their home like that. We went to an English speaking church last night, and it was so wonderful. I didn’t even know any of the worship songs, but worshipping God with music was like water in a desert…I almost cried so many times! Next week they are having communion…I am sooo excited for that! The preaching was good too. It was actually a video from a series from somebody in the United States. But it was uplifting. About the will of God.
I find myself sucking up every ounce of anything that has to do with the Lord. My teacher is a Christian, (a non-catholic Christian,) and her and I talk about the Lord when we can. Its really a God thing that I have her, because she is one of 24 teachers, and is the only Christian. I know that God set that up…With me in mind!!! It is so relieving to think that He thinks about me. When I get really scared of feel really lonely or don’t know what to do, I try to focus on the fact that Jesus sees me. He is aware of me and what I’m doing, and God is watching me. I don’t know what He’s going to do, but I know that He sees me and I trust Him, so that is enough for me, and it is so comforting.
We got a new girl in the house today. She’s from the US. I really like her – her name is Rebekah (sp?). We are going to watch the inauguration tomorrow at some bar…I don’t know where. It should be cool; many Americans coming together and getting excited about something. It doesn’t matter if you voted for him or not, its exciting!
Well, I also went to a coffee farm today! You can’t imagine what that was like for me! (maybe you can…) It was so cool to see the machines and the cherries and the trees and the farm. It was nítido (neat). The tour was in Spanish so I didn’t get everything, but I got the gist of how the whole process goes. I knew some of it already, so I explained a lot to our group. It was fun though. After that we went a fairtrade macadamia nut farm, which was so beautiful (as was our tour guide, Ricardo, haha). Después (after), we went to a small town called San Antonio, where we went into this warehouse type building where some indigenous ladies showed us the customary clothes and wedding traditions of the Guatemalan people. It was really fun because she used the audience for an example! (see pictures on facebook…) After we came home we had a good dinner and laughed a lot at the pictures I took of the day.
I think I need another picture-option, because some of ya’ll don’t have facebook. I will do a flickr or something. I’ll let you know.
Continue to pray for me, that the Holy Spirit will open up the Word to me as I read more and more…
Love you all,
Noelle
Saturday, January 17, 2009
January 17, 2009
THIS IS WHERE I SLEEP...
So yesterday I was walking home from school, and I saw this guy, and he was getting into a truck… he was sort of tall, a little overweight, but looked strong. He had long dark hair pulled into a ponytail that just touched the base of neck. He was handsome, I suppose. Dressed well, with a cool scarf wrapped around his neck, and the ends were tucked into the scarf. He had this really serious look on his face, and I thought he looked like a terrorist. he was a little scary, but he reminded me of the really rich, sleazy bad guys that are high-end cocaine or arms dealers in movies. It was weird that I thought that… ha-ha, but I wasn’t scared.
So i am sitting in a restaurant that i walked all over town to find because i needed wifi.... it is hard to find because you never know what you are going to find once you walk in a door, the doors are so small but behind them are these huge, open courtyards... its wierd, like an adventure.
Yeah today is saturday, and i am going to have dinner with the Greenes (the missionaries) and their gruop, then we are off to there house till tomorrow night. i'm really excited... i don't know what we're going to do but it will be great.
I wen to a huge cathedral today, its bright yellow with white trim, really pretty, i'll have pics tomorrow. When i went in though, and was looking at the displays they had in various alcoves, one thing i noticed really wierd. There was a display, like a wax figure, of jesus carrying his cross...I didn't take a pic cuz i thought it would be innapropriate so i will try to describe it to you:
Jesus was fully dressed in red and gold robes, with a giant gold star-type headpeice. all around him was red and gold fabrics and like...plastic jewels and things....oh yeah the gold was all really cheap looking - it was super corny, and not realistic at all. i suppose its supposed to show how glorious he is, but it really just looked stuffy and religious. i didn't like it. but i love jesus :).
speaking of that, i just finished reading acts in like, 2 hours, because it was soooo thrilling! i love the holy spirit and all the things that god was doing in the church! wow...i can't even explain how different the church today is from the church then. almost every thing about it is different.
Alright i want you to see pictures, but i can't post them all here...go to my facebook at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=513847501&ref=profile#/album.php?aid=82739&id=513847501&ref=mf
yeah i hope that works...
So yesterday I was walking home from school, and I saw this guy, and he was getting into a truck… he was sort of tall, a little overweight, but looked strong. He had long dark hair pulled into a ponytail that just touched the base of neck. He was handsome, I suppose. Dressed well, with a cool scarf wrapped around his neck, and the ends were tucked into the scarf. He had this really serious look on his face, and I thought he looked like a terrorist. he was a little scary, but he reminded me of the really rich, sleazy bad guys that are high-end cocaine or arms dealers in movies. It was weird that I thought that… ha-ha, but I wasn’t scared.
So i am sitting in a restaurant that i walked all over town to find because i needed wifi.... it is hard to find because you never know what you are going to find once you walk in a door, the doors are so small but behind them are these huge, open courtyards... its wierd, like an adventure.
Yeah today is saturday, and i am going to have dinner with the Greenes (the missionaries) and their gruop, then we are off to there house till tomorrow night. i'm really excited... i don't know what we're going to do but it will be great.
I wen to a huge cathedral today, its bright yellow with white trim, really pretty, i'll have pics tomorrow. When i went in though, and was looking at the displays they had in various alcoves, one thing i noticed really wierd. There was a display, like a wax figure, of jesus carrying his cross...I didn't take a pic cuz i thought it would be innapropriate so i will try to describe it to you:
Jesus was fully dressed in red and gold robes, with a giant gold star-type headpeice. all around him was red and gold fabrics and like...plastic jewels and things....oh yeah the gold was all really cheap looking - it was super corny, and not realistic at all. i suppose its supposed to show how glorious he is, but it really just looked stuffy and religious. i didn't like it. but i love jesus :).
speaking of that, i just finished reading acts in like, 2 hours, because it was soooo thrilling! i love the holy spirit and all the things that god was doing in the church! wow...i can't even explain how different the church today is from the church then. almost every thing about it is different.
Alright i want you to see pictures, but i can't post them all here...go to my facebook at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=513847501&ref=profile#/album.php?aid=82739&id=513847501&ref=mf
yeah i hope that works...
Friday, January 16, 2009
Guate....
January 16, 2009
Well ya’ll here I am in Guate…. Its really beautiful! The weather is ok…75 is better than 7 I guess, but its really chilly in the morning and at night. The other night I asked my host mom, Sylvia, for another blanket (otro poncho), and she was so reluctant to give it to me! It was weird…she just kept saying she only used one blanket and I already had three! (even though they are a sheet and two skinny blankets…) Anyway, finally she gave me another and I’ve been happy since then. Oh except the showers are cold too…haha. But I’m not complaining, its pretty much what I expected. I will have to post some pictures of my room and the house, but I haven’t downloaded the pictures yet.
To tell the truth, I was very uncomfortable when I first got here, and wanted to come home right away. It was just a spirit of fear, plus a strange, lonely, unknown place, and on top of that I started my period the day I got here so emotions were running high. I couldn’t even eat the first few days. Now, I have prayed over my room and myself, and resisted the fear that’s trying to cripple me, and am doing much better. I still get a little scared when it’s dark, even though I’m safe in the house…its just nerves though.
The third day I was here, I had a chance to explore El Parco Central, which is, as you’ve probably guessed, the Central Park. Lots of shops and cafés and restaurants are here, and I really like this area. People from all over the world are here too! So, I found this particular café called &café, (pronounced ee café) and I actually saw this on baristaexchange.com, so I went in and tried it, and it is sooooooooo good! I am drinking some right now, it is like comfort food to me J. And I just learned from the barista dude that someone from &café is the holder of the Guatemalan barista championship! And, the guy who serves me everyday, Rolando, is going to compete this year. Very interesting and awesome. As I continue to learn more Spanish I’ll be able ask him more about how he trains and stuff like that.
Well, last night I went out with some ladies I met, they are much older than me so they are ladies. Anyway, it was ok, its hard for me to drink at all because I’m not really in a comfortable environment, so I just had iced tea and it was gross. BUT…… at the end of the night, we all payed, but the waiter handed the receipt in the little leather folder to me, and said “para tí,” which means for you… so I opened it, and it was a little napkin rose that one of the waiters had made for me! Haha so flattering J. Ugh, but earlier that night at a BBQ the school put on, there was this guy, one of the friends of some random employee or student or something, and I’m not sure, but I think he was saying something bad to me, and trying to tell me “malas palabras” which is bad words. Anyway I felt really grossed out so I said, No quiero saber malas palabras…or…I don’t want to know bad words and I walked away. I really dusted myself off after that.
Ok so the ladies walked me home, because there hotel was relatively close to my house. They strongly insisted that I get another house because it is so far out of the center of town, and its dimly lit, and there are not really any people around, and they were convinced it wasn’t safe. So I’m going to talk to my parents and see what they think about changing homes… I feel bad leaving the family I’m at, but I kind of agree that it is far away, and I can’t take a cab home every night for 7 weeks. I almost have one week down though! I can’t believe it!
Ok, so BEST NEWS OF THE WHOLE TRIP! My parents knew some people back in Spokane named Fontaine and Paula Greene. (Fontaine, yes, he’s from the south haha.) So somehow they knew that the Greenes were in Guate, as missionaries, but they didn’t know where. So they contacted Angel Curtis, a mutual friend, and she used facebook to get their info, sent it to my mom, and within one hour, Paula Greene called me and I am so relieved now!
All that tension, and unrest and fear is so much more at ease now, because I know there are people here who love me and will do anything to help me if I need it! This weekend I am staying at their house, 20 minutes outside of Antigua, and I can help with their missionary projects and everything! I am soooooo happy! They have been here 3 years, so they know doctors, dentists, grocery stores, everything I might need! I am so pleased and happy and relieved. They have 2 daughters, Ali, 19, and Katy, 17. They live in a huge house that rooms about 23 people because they have guests from the states and Europe sometimes.
As for school, it is a little difficult because there are lots of words and verbs I have to learn…about 30 a day I guess, so its hard. But its what I expected, and my teacher is wonderful. Her name is Helen, and she is only 24 but has been teaching 6 years. She is a Christian too! So we have talked about how we became Christians, and her story is very cool. She says it’s hard, but she knows what she believes. Its funny because I think she goes to a Baptist church or something like that…IDK exactly. She was raised Catholic, but a Jehovah’s Witness first introduced her to the idea of Protestantism. And a Mennonite encouraged her to read the Bible and gave her a Spanish/English Bible, and they talked about the Lord.
Haha two little kids just tried to sell me these cute little bracelets but I didn’t want them. The prices went from 50 to 40 to 30 to 20 really fast haha….
Ok…other details:
My email is nconnolly86@hotmail.com
My number here is 4395-3991 but I don’t know the country code, sorry you’ll have to look it up. But I have limited minutes so if its not emergency, just email me.
Love you all! See you soon.
Noelle
ps i have skype too... just search my name: noelle connollyThursday, January 15, 2009
¡Bienvenido a Guatemala!
Alright people, this is the start of something new!
A blog!
This is going to be about Guatemala...all the stories, the people, and the feelings! so stay tuned :)
i love you all,
Noelle
A blog!
This is going to be about Guatemala...all the stories, the people, and the feelings! so stay tuned :)
i love you all,
Noelle
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