Each day gets better and better!

I'm in an interesting place right now...about 4-5 months away from home, but adjusting de nuevo to a new place, community, and two new jobs. I'm feeling more positive about being here in Cuernavaca, now that the initial shock is over. Things are picking up at CEMAL as we prepare for groups and I started at my other job (well, volunteer/internship placement) yesterday. As we know, I like to be busy, and when I'm not I feel a little depressed. So, yay for me! My week of relax is over and it's time to turn up the energy engines again and start building a life here.

I could mention that my days have been a little better since I rescued a kitten last weekend. It had been under a van outside for more than 8 hours, crying, crying, and it was a day of non-stop rain. The car was in front of the house, and I tried to lure her out when I came home at noon with no success. I left, reminding myself that we are not to have pets here and thinking someone else would drag her out. I went outside around 830 that night and she was still crying from the engine of the car! I lured her out with food and took her inside to feed her and let her rest. So now I have a beautiful orange mermelade kitten and I absolutely adore her! She is quite playful and talkative which is really fun...until she chews on my shoes and tries to climb the window screens! Her name is Nena, which is a term of endearment for a girl; it is something like dear or sweety. One of the families in Tijuana had a sweet old cat, I wrote about her previously, named Nena and I decided to name my next kitty equally. I haven't had a pet for so long that it is both an adventure, a challenge, and a pleasure to care for the little furball :) tee hee!

Ok, in other news, I started working at CGIPC (Coordinación de Grupos Indígenas y Populares) yesterday which was fun. I had met with the director on Monday and he seems like both a laid-back and yet active, enthusiastic type of person. Great! Because that's how I roll. Anyway, yesterday I went with a compañera who has been working with them this summer to help at one of the cursos de verano (summer course) in a small pueblo named Barranca Honda. We hopped on a bus to Yuatepec and were soon asleep. Then we took a combi out into the BEAUTIFUL countryside to Barranca Honda. In a small outdoor courtyard we held class for about 30 young kids. I especially enjoyed the location, being as it was a small church dedicated to the Virgen de Guadalupe. The focus of the course is environment, recycling, and art. YAY! Three things I love! I am learning along side of them how to make fun little toys and decorations of recycled materials. Later in the morning, two caballeros (cowboys) with the same age as me rode up to the small tortilleria next to where we were teaching. I mentioned to a coworker that I wanted "to meet the ponies" and she said that if I told them that they would take me for a ride too! A minute later a local señora walked by and asked if I wanted to go up on the horse. As soon as I replied, she whistled them over and they offered me and my compañera a ride. I would have liked to go with them to see there pasture where they keep the cows they were going to milk, but alas I was working. Still, these are all reasons I love working in rural communities and in Latin American countries. There is a different perspective on life, relationships, time, and so much less materialism. I enjoy escaping the Mexico that (in my opinion) has been contaminated by American culture and consumerism in Cuerna and going back to the granja (the farm) where Mexican tradition and the idigenous identity is still so vibrant. I don't know how much I'll be working with the kids, or if I will be doing other projects at CGIPC, but I think that it was a good choice for a placement for me and I look forward to being with them for the next 5 months.

More good news! My best friend Katie is coming in August! I can not wait to see her and share with her some of my beloved Cuernavaca and Mexico. I also helped Fr.Cobb, advisor to the Sullivan Scholars, find a Spanish school here and he will be here for two weeks in September! Yaaaay! Now if only I could convince a blood-family member (since Katie and Cobb I consider to be extended family) to come visit I would be peachy-keen...hint hint!

Well, I have taken up my breakfast time writing to you and should head up to the office.

Peace,

aly