Hmmmmm.......
I never really know how to start these blogs. I always say hey or hi, nothing interesting! Any suggestions on how i can have a interesting greeting? Well i am doing the entry early because tomorrow im going to Asuncion.. again! I swear we go there every other week! I dont know why we dont just live there. I'm kidding, i dont like Asuncion too much, well compared to Encarnacion. Asuncion is the capital and its like any other big city, CRAZY! I remember last time we were there, we were on the bus and i swear i never feared more for my life! The drivers are crazy!
It's finally here!! My vacation!! I get the whole week off next week! I get to sleep in, explore, travel, play soccer/volleyball, and have some time to myself. I need time to think about what im going to do with my life when i leave here. I know im going to school but idk where. I wanna go to New york but idk if i wanna leave atlanta. Its hard! Im going to miss my activities but i do need a break! Im really excited though because i get to go to Cuidad del Este next week and visit some Baha'i friends for a few days! I can't wait for that. Cuidad del Este from what i hear is the place to go shopping! They have all the bootlegs and stuff there, so i am really excited for that too.
Service, the way i had imagined it, was this thing that shined in the light and this constant feeling of happiness and just all rainbows and sunshines. Well it has been far from that for me. I find myself struggling with myself a lot. To be a better person and to practice what i preach to others. Im trying to be positive and detach myself from myself (if that makes any sense) and not let my opinions or how i feel get in the way of the reason why i'm here. Me and Martin are deaf. acting more like brothers. Its funny because when i first met him, we were really cool. We got along great and we had no problems. That lasted for a week and then we got to know each other and or habits and everything, and there was period where we never talked. It was pretty bad. Vero and Amin even noticed and talk to us and it got better from there. We share the same frustrations and we both realize were in this together, for a whole year. were both on a spiritual journey just trying to find out who we are. We act jsut like brothers cause we argue, have disagreements, and flat out just want to kill each other at times, but for some odd reason i see it as a sign of progress.
This week went really well. We had a Pre-youth group in the high school on tuesday and friday and once again were making great progress. Im starting to like the 9th graders alot more because they are a little easier to work with. We did a debate in that classs about unity and if the world is truly unified or not. we made it up right on the spot and the youth did really good because in the end i think they all felt a little inspired and realize they have the power to make a change. It was really sad because we had some free time and we asked if they could change one thing in the world what would it be. One girl said that she would make sure all hospital had the right equipment and materials because her brother died because the hospital here only had one of something ( I didnt understand what she said it was) and they couldn't find it. I have a very soft heart so that was rough for me to hear. Tuesday was also the 500 anniversary of the foundation of Encarnacion! I got to see some traditional Paraguayan dances and hear the history of Encarnacion. It was pretty cool! The funny thing is there nothing here thats that old, nothing at all. Idk why but i find that pretty odd.
I told you guys how everyone here thinks im Brazilian. well now its getting worst and no matter where i go, people harass me. Not in a bad way of course (most of the time). Im always getting stopped in the streets and (no lie) whenever i go on the bus or somewhere with alot of people, people stare at me. Its the most awkward feeling in the world! Little kids are worst cause they'll stare at me in the face on the bus for a good 10 minutes before blinking. I feel like a celebrity. :-)
Hasta la Proxima!