I am so tired today, and it's embarrassing. The worker who stays here came over to check on me because I have been sleeping all afternoon. I slept for a full 8 hours last night for the first time since the start of the year I suppose. Monica left this afternoon to go become acquainted with one of the social workers leaving me the house to myself. I had planned to finish organizing, make dinner, and do remaining homework, and instead I skyped with a couple people and have been sleeping since about 6pm. It's insane. Maybe it's a good thing?

Overall today was nice, except I finally have a cold and it is making me generally uncomfortable in every way. However I did go running through the big open field that Monica and I found yesterday. It's just a couple blocks away. Monica and I were out running/exploring yesterday when we came upon it. It's like something out of the sound of music! We laid down in the thick, tall grass and the breeze blew over us. It was great! One of the things that Tijuana is not known for are it's rolling hills and spaciousness. Whereas in Cuernvaca, the city is compact and surrounded by outlying suburbs, Tijuana is different in that there is the downtown area that just expands out into the outlying communities and then the countryside. It's interesting for me to compare the experiences of two different areas of Mexico.

After running, Monica and I met up with our compañero (fellow worker), to go to Palm Sunday mass. Outside the church people were crowded around those who were selling intricately woven palm figures of Christ, the cross, or other gorgeous designs. The church was packed and lively. It is so much fun to be a part of a community that really feels its faith. They wave palms in the air, clap for Jesus in praise and the choir was great also. This is very comforting and nourishing for me as I have felt as though I have been in a bit of a stalemate with my faith recently. At the end, people funnel through the courtyard where community members sell rummage items and food, then funnel through the gate overflowing the small sidewalk into the street, where ice cream vendors lines are packed with children anxious for a rompope (eggnog), limón, or coco (coconut) flavored treat. I have said it before and will again: I love how family and community focused mexican culture is. I love that people and relationships are so important.

After mass, the three of us went to a little store to buy a couple things for the house, the grocery store to buy a few items for the chile relleños I was supposed to have made today, and then meandered home for lunch. Then my compañera (the other volunteer) left and I used skype for the first time...and you know the rest.

It is interesting to be at the posada without a group. I feel the vacancy. And it is interesting to feel myself already missing my compañera when she's been gone for only a few hours! I do not feel homesick, yet I wish I could at least call a couple of people back home and chat. I feel very sick and very tired, though I hate to admit it. I am grateful for this time to rejuvenate myself and my spirit, to learn more about who I am and want to be for the world and especially God's people. I look forward to my first week as an intern here and to meeting all of the incredible staff members. And, of course, I look forward to going to Cuernavaca next week to see Omar and celebrate Easter.

Love,

aly