On Thursday I checked my mail in Machala for the first time and my mother had sent me another of her amazing packages and Peace Corps had sent me two more manuals and several month old Newsweeks. I raced straight home to try out the things my mother sent me and read my Newsweeks. It was really wonderful and I couldn’t stop smiling. Sometimes I feel so isolated, different, and cut off from everyone. It is so nice to receive news from the United States and little care packages to remind me I am loved. It made my week!
On Friday, there was a meeting for parents (or rather mothers) of the children who receive scholarships in my site. They were very nice people, but it was hard to see the high rate of illiteracy. My heart broke for their children who are at such a disadvantage. How many times did my parents help me with my studies when I was growing up? How many times did they read to me so that I might learn to enjoy books? These children will never have that.
The Municipal had a town meeting on Friday night to discuss the free piano classes that the library is offering. It was scheduled for 8:00 pm (meaning it would start around 9:00) and I was horrified when I learned the time. On a Friday night! Most Friday nights my family hangs out at the nearby university and I really enjoy going because I get to see people my own age who probably don’t have at least 3 kids. I had so been looking forward to going! My counterpart was equally unhappy and we spent some time conspiring about how to get out of going. I decided that I really should go (I received an official invitation and everything), but I could fill her in on what happened. In the end, it wasn’t so bad and I got to meet all the town leaders. Afterwards, I went with one of the mother’s to watch the youth dance class. They are really getting good!
Today is a big day in Ecuador. They are voting on a new Constitution. They say it will pass. Although I have to be careful not to express my political opinion, I have been enjoying listening to other people’s opinions.
Must go now, my counterpart is going to pick me up and we are going to make sugar cookies with the awesome (my mother was offended with the word ridiculous… although it is ridiculous… ridiculously awesome!) cookie mold she sent me. This afternoon we are showing a movie to youth in my site about teen pregnancy and I thought that they should try some fresh baked cookies. Hasta luego!
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