July what?

It's been so long since I wrote!

Guess you might like an update. I am still in Tijuana. We've had some interesting groups coming every week and that has kept me very, very busy. We go to work at about 830 every morning, leaving the posada to go to whichever worksite we are working at. Lately we've been working in La Morita and El Mariano. If we don't go directly to the site, we start at the Esperanza clinic, or have group meetings for the border talk with Eduardo or to disperse information. Then we work a full day (until 3-5p) and usually have an afternoon activity: visiting the orphanage, Casa Migrante, etc. Then it is time for dinner and me to make an attempt at jogging, then sleep. Repeat. Except some mornings I wake up early to go to mass with the nuns at the convent up the street. I absolutely love praying at their church and have said rosary with them also. It's been a great help to me right now since I feel uneasy about so many things in life. looooooooong days...

It is finally HOT in Tijuana. Working in direct sunlight with no breeze is rough. I have really enjoyed talking with the families though. We had a piñata last weekend, a somewhat regular custom for a group's final day, and a bunch of neighborhood kids came over to join. haha! it was so much fun. I've been nosing into the kitchens more and more as the families and I get to know one another better it isn't strange. Usually we just end up talk-talk-talking about whatever is on our minds...and whatever we are cooking. I am a very fortunate person to have this honor of entering people's lives in such a special way. I have been asking families too about their homes and what they are going to do: what color they want to paint, will they have their own rooms, etc. It is so satisfying to me to see them light up with enthusiasm. That is when I feel the importance of our labor, knowing that dreams are being realized for these families.

In other news, I have been recording a song that a friend of mine wrote for his final project. He is studying architecture at the Ibero (the Jesuit University of Mexico) in Playas and his class has been developing plans for a rural school made of sustainable resources. It is a fascinating project and the song will accompany the presentation of the plans. It is a beautiful song that describes the sentiment of the community where the school is being built and emphasizes the unity of humanity and of la tierra (earth). Of course, I have enjoyed organizing the song with him and recording. His little niece and nephew sang part of the chorus with us also which was fantastic! So far, it has received great reviews from his classmates and the organizations which are supporting and authorizing the project :)

I am deciding an end-date for my work here at Esperanza with the director tomorrow. I am pleased that I have had these extra couple of weeks here though. I have been able to clear my head somewhat and refocus on what I am about and where I hope to go. Another lesson in humility...they never stop. I will be going back to Cuernavaca which is absolutely thrilling to me! I will be working part time doing program administration in the office of CEMAL (spanish acronym for Center for Global Edu. where I studied last year), and half-time as an intern at Coordinación Grupos Indígenas y Populares, a non-profit that works for community organization, social change, and empowerment with indigenous communities in the state of Morelos. I will be travelling, or so I hear, around the state to various communities to participate and even facilitate workshops. There is a particular emphasize on working with women, which I think will be fantastic. I will also be an intern with other local mexicano students which is so exciting to me! I would really like to make some friends, especially since I am proposing to be in Cuerna for 6-7 mos. and will not have my own cohort this time. I will be living in the little apartment above the dorm rooms which is a real dream come true! Wish me the best because I'm taking another leap of faith!

I hope I can write to you more from a more personal level, but I at least wanted to share some recent developments.

Peace,

aly