Unemployed Volunteer

Spanish school started. I spend 4 hours a day listening and speaking in Spanish in a one on one setting with Gladys. This takes a lot of concentration and my brain really wants to be on a holiday instead. I now talk to myself in Spanish and I'm sure I will start dreaming in it as well.

On my first day, I listened as Gladys told me all about her family history and that of her boyfriend's. I thought I had problems, but Gladys and her boyfriend have me beat. I would go into the details, but I don't want to depress myself again. Their stories involve young single mothers, prison, incest, affairs, never seeing their children again; just a regular soap opera. Only death is missing and I heard about him from Sophia, the woman at the airport. Apparently, she only returned to Guatemala to attend her nephew's funeral. He died in the Arizona desert after crossing the border. I didn't want to know how. I should have an interesting vocabulary after my time ends here.

On to lighter topics, the Red Cross rejected me. I offered myself up as a volunteer but they had no use for me. I have an interview with a clinic tomorrow that provides health education in rural communities. Who knew free labor is so hard to give? If the interview doesn't go well tomorrow, I may have to return to paid labor.

As for the weather, winter has officially begun with the downpour of rain last night. Rain came down so hard that it penetrated the roof above my bed. I fell asleep to the pitter patter of raindrops into the big yellow bucket next to my head. I spent much of the night staring at teddy bears.

The strangest aspect of my room is the stuffed animals hanging on the wall. I'm staying in Esmeralda's daughter's old room since her daughter now stays with her husband. I feel 12 years old again, but at least I know that Mickey and Minnie will protect me at night. Btw, I added the top photo as something cheery to this entry.