back in cuernavaca and casa cemal

"Cualquier esfuerzo para bien produce frutos admirables/Whatever effort for the good produces admirable fruits." Sabiduría 3

Saying goodbye to Esperanza and Tijuana was no easy task. Leaving behind friends that feel more to me like family was heartbreaking. And yet somehow I am propelled to believe that everything is going to be alright, and that I am where I need to be right now.

My first day in Cuerna went well yesterday. Omar picked me up at the airport and brought me home to Casa Verde, where I lived last year as a student here. Driving through DF and to Cuernavaca was utterly bizarre. What I thought would feel familiar to me felt strange and rich! All of the infrastructure so much more developed than that of Tijuana. It doesn't even feel like "Mexico" to me here now. But it is, and that is evident of the diversity of Mexico. Being in Casa Verde was nothing short of surreal. I return so changed, so much older in some ways, and yet aware of my ignorance and youth in others. Despite the hundreds of times I've walked these streets, they feel different to me. But I think I am truly that which is different. I can't exactly name how I have changed though...and it is all a process, isn't it? After some much needed rest after essentially getting no sleep for 2 days, Omar and I went to dinner and ate great seafood! and then went to the balet folklorica (a melangerie of different danzas tipicas-customary dances from different areas of Mexico). It was fantastic, and it brightened my mood a bit.

Today I met with my supervisor and we went for breakfast. It was so lovely to eat a good Mexican breakfast-something I've missed for so long! We talked about CGE, policies, expectations, hours, schedules, etc. and then came back to the school. I went around and made a couple dates with fellow coworkers to have a couple meetings this week and then did some research on the computer. I went downtown for a spell just to get some fresh air and see what there is to see. Cuernavaca doesn't seem to have changed much in a year...

Here I am at home. I was able to chat with mi compañera who is still in Tijuana which was consoling. I'm waiting for another Tijuana friend to come online to chat. I love skype! I also raided our library here at the school and now have a hefty booklist to start cranking through. It is just hard for me to sit still and be alone like this. I like to be active doing things with people. But, I suppose it is kind of like a little retreat this week since I am only working half time and the students haven't showed up yet.

Well, that is pretty much all that I know. I hope you are well.

Peace,

aly