Yo estoy sentiendo las tensiones.

PMC was great tonight. Only one patient but I got to do my first historica clinica with him. The doctor said one of the first semesters do the historica clinica, which completely caught me off guard. I was nervous not because I didn't know what to do, but simply because it was my first one. And i did it!! Clinical history; physical examination and all!!!! Now I've got a huge report to write up, but that doesn't even bother me so much at the moment because I'm still on the adrenaline rush from actually completing it. My final for PMC is to complete another historica clinica in the presence of a doctor who will be grading me, and unfortunately then there won't be someone next to help me decipher when they say their name is Hector Antonio Ruiz Garcia and to me it comes out sounding like Hector Anton....R...z....ia. Man I've got to practice more Spanish, you'd think living in Mexico would be enough, but living in Mexico by yourself kind of defeats that.

I am getting better though. However there is one guy in my class from Puerto Rico, Edwin, and I can't for the life of me understand him. He's from the mountains of Puerto Rico so has a specific accent 1)doesn't say his S's (all Puerto Ricans do that though) 2) talks rather quiet 3)has a sort of singsongy voice; in other words slurs everything together. So I've got someone talking quietly slurring everything together without pronouncing every syllable it's like a whole new language. there's Spanish and then there's Edwin's Spanish.

Praying for you all!
Hasta!

Yo estoy aca con una lista de cosas para hacer.

The weather this past weekend was absolutely fabulous! It made me so happy. I was even able to be productive, and not constantly be distracted by it.

Another round of exams started this week. Had biochem today. So now I'm taking the time to do all the things that I've let slide opting to study instead.

I wore long sleeves this morning, it was very exciting. When I go back to campus for lab I will no longer need them, but it was nice this morning. Last night when I was studying I even had to close my window which I haven't had to do yet (it could have just been my body temp dropping telling me to get some sleep but oh well).

Tomorrow's October!!!!

Hasta!

Yo estoy feliz.

Well, I got to campus today and the door to our classroom was locked. It was soon unlocked only to find that there was no electricity. Apparently the whole campus was powerless. So like good med school students we stood around and talked for awhile till news came that classes were canceled until 1...unless power still isn't on by then. So I am home awaiting the appointed time when I can call up to the campus to see if the power is on. I can't decide if I want class or not.

As of yesterday bible study is underway. I did stand up in class and make the announcement and thankfully no one threw tomatoes. We had seven people last night (8 if you include the daughter of one of my classmates who came). Then standing around and talking this morning a few talked to me about coming next week. I have a feeling it'll vary between weeks, but that's okay. It'll be exciting to see where God takes this.

Yo estoy agradecida.

Quick cute story

It was raining after lab today so I ran home. When I approached the gate to my house I saw a boy sitting by it. Still closer and I saw Delta was sitting with him. My first thought was that she either forgot her key this morning or lost it and so was locked out and the guy had offered to wait with her in the rain till I came. Cute! However, when I asked what had happened Delta said nothing that they were fine so I went on in and left them to continue their conversation sitting there in the rain. Awww, even cuter.

Delta and I

Yo estoy riendo.

I succeeded in not studying all weekend. It was great!!!

Walking to Marshall and Jan's once the bus dropped me off in Ixtlan I saw a little boy learning to ride his bike. Unfortunately he was attempting to learn while riding downhill. The hole in the toe of his shoe was being made increasingly larger as he was using it as a break desperately trying to go as slow as possible.

I was told that Sunday morning when everyone was getting to church one of the older young boys (if that makes sense) approached Bro. Regg Beer and the first thing he asked was if I was there that day. When the story was relayed to me it made my day. I take it as a sign that I'm starting to be recognized and accepted in Ixtlan. Smile!!!

Didn't get home till much later than usual due to 1)missing the bus 2) an accident on the road 3) rain, of course. However, my taxi driver made it all worth it. He talked with me almost the whole ride. In addition, I got serenaded!! I was a bit flabbergasted sitting in the back seat thinking is this man really singing for me?!?! He sang a couple things for me including, he said, Frank Sinatra and Glenn Miller orchestra even though I didn't recognize either. Then halfway through the ride he started asking me questions that we had already gone over at the beginning. At that time I could hardly believe my luck... a taxi driver that sings and has memory loss!! I just prayed his cognitive maps weren't affected. They weren't and I got home just fine.

Ready to start another week.

Hasta!!

"We party when we pass the puddle!"

We had a horrible rain this evening. It took me two hours to get home from the hospital!! Two hours! Que horible! Just when I think the rains can't get any worse God surprises me yet again. I know that rain is to be a gift of God, but let me tell you....Guadalajara is absolutely spoilled!!!!

So I guess fall has pretty much started back at home. I forgot about the fact that seasons occur because here in Gdl it still feels the same as the day I got here. I had never thought about missing my favorite time of year. Element of sadness.

One of my classmates had his car stolen. Another had his windows all bashed in. Yea for Mexico huh! Sometimes I wonder why I'm excited about bringing my car down here. Then I make another trip to Ixtlan via taxis and buses and I'm reminded why. Plus my little beat up car couldn't possibly attract bad guys....i pray at least.

I've decided to start a bible study. I'm talking to some of my classmates and there's some interest. We'll start next week. I'm going to make an announcement next week because we can't talk personally to each classmate. i can't help but be nervous. I know there are Muslims and other religions present. And even though I won't mean offense it'll be an inevitable by product. In addition there will probably be those who'll automatically hate me and I'll be given a stereotype. I just have to keep reminding myself what is more important, and as a Christian what am I called to do. I give this meager effort to Jesus, may He use it, and use me, as He sees fit.

Yo estoy aca otra vez.

Oops! I pushed the wrong button on that last entry.

I just got back from Ixtlan. Some news from there. Bro. Matt Gerber was announced to sis. Ruth Cervantes. Very exciting news in Ixtlan. Marshall had hernia surgery a bit ago. He's recovering very nicely.

It was a blessing to be able to spend the extra time in Ixtlan. Yesterday I attended the girls bible study and afterwards we were invited over to the guesthouse for a fiesta. We all wore red, white, and green. Even painted our faces. We broke out the party favors and balloons. I had squeezed some lemonade to bring which was promptly died green to go with the red agua de jamaica and white horchata. Food was plentiful. couldn't quite finish my chili, it was too hot for me. I took comfort when I saw that the majority of people who had taken chilis couldn't finish them. I learned after the fact that half the plate had been hot and the other half not so hot.

Left early from Ixtlan to make it back early.

God Bless,
Hasta!