¡Sí, yo puedo!

Posted by: Rachel Stanley :: June 22, 2010

I tried not to hurl as I realized my plate was staring at me.  This is it, I thought, this is what I simply cannot do.  After all I have fought through in this country—the language, the pounding rain, the dust storms, the bugs, the long car rides through the mountains—after all that THIS is what is going to undo me. I briefly contemplated what the consequences would be of simply not eating.  I could deal with an empty stomach; it was offending my host mom that I was concerned about.  She was smiling at me and explaining how the lunch I was being served is a delicacy here in Guatemala.  “From the lake,” she said, “from the lake, not the sea,” as if that made any difference to the fact that there were eyes in my lunch.  Great, I thought, there’s no way I can get out of it. The idea of skipping lunch left my mind as quickly as it had entered.

I watched as my host mother eagerly started in on the fish with eyes and its fin still attached.  As I slowly picked up my fork and knife, she stared at me.  She had noticed my uncertainty and asked me if we had fish in Kansas.  I answered yes, but that they are usually prepared differently.  I know that there are many people back home who eat a fish head and tail still attached, but those people are not my family.  Fish heads have never been seen in my mother’s kitchen, at least not for as long as I can remember.

I made the first cut and once again tried not to puke as I felt the knife slice through the tendons.  The first bite, Ohmygosh I can’t do this. The second bite, Just don’t think about it. The third bite, Pretend like you know exactly where this fish has been and that it is completely healthy. I slowly made my way through the dissection process, maneuvering around parts that shall not be named.  I forced myself to keep eating, and when I finally thought that I had eaten an acceptable amount my host mom asked me if I wasn’t going to eat that last bit.  I made myself cut even closer to the head, I better be taking time off of Purgatory. When my host mom deemed the fish sufficiently consumed, she tried to place another on my plate.  “¡Oh, lo siento, es imposible!  Gracias, pero no puedo más.”

I escaped the table and when I shut my bedroom door I thought, Don’t puke. I had eaten it.  I had conquered my fear of eyes on my plate and managed not to spill my stomach all over the table.  I hadn’t let this defeat me, just like I hadn’t let any of the other trials hold me up.  I made it.  I guess I feel that way about this trip.  I’ve made it.  There have been so many trials that almost stopped me from moving forward, but I pushed through all of them.  As I sighed in relief and triumph, I also smiled and reached for comfort and safety: JIF peanut butter.  Thank you Hyperpaís for quite literally saving my sanity.  I might have truly puked without you.

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As I bailed water out of my bedroom at one in the morning, I couldn’t help but stop and think, “You know, this really isn’t what I signed up for.” Initially attracted to the Newman Guatemala Study and Serve program by thoughts of exotic places and 13 credit hours in seven weeks, I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into. Things like bailing a foot of water out of my bedroom in the middle of the night or avoiding Storm Agatha mudslides weren’t exactly in the plan, but I have learned that this trip is not about “the plan.” Sometimes it is the most unexpected events and adventures that teach us the most, and this journey has certainly been filled with them. I am proud to say with all certainty that Newman University study abroad has more to offer than summer classes and some amazing pictures. The lessons I have learned concerning service, love, patience, and a world view are far more important to me than what I originally wanted from this trip, and I am very thankful for the opportunity to be here. Truly Newman University operates with its core mission statement close at hand.

I decided to make this voyage to Guatemala in December of last year. Although I had plans to go to Michigan, my sister decided to get married in July and those plans had to be cancelled. My parents were somewhat distraught over the fact that I instead asked to go to Guatemala and therefore be back in time for the date, especially when my sister then moved her wedding to November. I know it was all the work of the Holy Spirit, and I know I am supposed to be here.

I spent the spring semester reading and preparing through the Pre-Departure class. The things I began to learn and discover set my critical mind to work, and I began to delve deeper into the history of Guatemala. As the date grew near, I became rather emotional. A combination of excitement, fear, curiosity, and a bit of panic filled me. When the date was actually upon me, I admit it was mostly panic on my mind. Why did I not spend more time reviewing my Spanish?!

Luckily, it turns out I remembered a lot more Spanish than I originally thought. As I stepped off the plane in Guatemala City, everything seemed surreal. For so long I had dreamed of that moment. Knowing I was in a different country was a thrill in itself.

As we progressed through our trip, I began to see more clearly why I was sent here and the true purpose of the program. We began our journey in La Labor, a little pueblo outside of Guatemala City, working and learning from the ASC mission there. The people we met were inspirational, the lessons we learned invaluable. The men and women in La Labor, while maybe not as well off in material goods as ourselves, have hearts so full of love and humility that they are a gift to the world. Working beside them for a week not only taught me how to build a latrine or stove, but the lesson of true gift of self. Truly, the ASC mission in La Labor is something we should all support in prayers and thoughts. The work they do there is so true and so good for the people.

Next we were off to Santiago Atitlan to spend a weekend at the lake and learn about Father Stanley Rother, a martyr from Oklahoma. What we expected to be a relaxing weekend turned into one of natural disasters. First, the volcano we passed on the road (I took a picture because it was my first sighting) erupted about an hour after we passed it. Apparently saying a rosary is now a required part of every bus ride. We were in Santiago Atitlan for only a few hours when the rain hit; Storm Agatha had found us.

Our first reaction to the rain was annoyance. I definitely wanted to spend time by the pool while I had the chance, and the famous marketplaces simply aren’t as much fun in a torrential downpour. However, we soon learned the true seriousness of the storm and took a walk through the areas of town destroyed by mudslides. Hundreds of people lost their homes that weekend, and many lost their lives. God had blessed us yet again, and taught us another lesson. To say that I am filled with gratitude is an understatement; I’m thankful not only for my life and safety, but also for the opportunity to learn from the people in this country.

We made our way to Xela, often times driving on the wrong side of the road due to giant boulders that have fallen off of mountains. There we began our classes, the academic reason for coming to Guatemala. The atmosphere is perfect for learning and even the students who struggle the most have come so far in comprehension and skill. Full cultural immersion certainly the fastest way to learn a language, and Xela is the perfect place for international students. Not only does PLQ teach Spanish, but it also teaches students about the cultural history and struggles of the country. Films, personal interviews, and many conversations have set my mind on fire. I want to know the truth of the United States history of interference, and I want to educate others on what I have learned. I have questioned everything I believed before getting on that plane, and believe I have come a long way in developing skills for my future career in communications.

While I am thankful for the academic education, I know the reason I am here is to learn greater things. Bailing water last night is only one example of how I have come to live and learn from the people of Guatemala. Did I want to be sweeping water out from under my bed at that hour? Absolutely not, yet somehow I had so much fun with my host family that I didn’t even notice the time. We bonded and laughed and worked together to get the job done. Connecting with my family here shows me how many opportunities there are for growth and connection to the world. It also made me realize that I wanted to help as soon as I knew there was a problem; I wanted to do anything I could to ease the difficulty of my family. I suppose I have learned that gift of self is something beautiful, and something very different than what I supposed it to be in Kansas. I hope that my service hours will no longer be just that, but experiences of shared moments with unique individuals. I believe this is the true lesson that the Newman mission statement intended for students to encounter.

Guatemala Study and Serve is not for the weak; if you are not willing to go to the bathroom in places worse than a port-a-potty, you should probably stay home. If you are not willing to be challenged mentally, emotionally, and physically on a daily basis, the trip is not for you. However, if you truly want to experience the Newman mission, if you want to learn that there is love and hope in all parts of the world no matter how dark, take the chance. Take a leap of faith and get on the plane; you won’t regret it. I know I never shall.

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Why not a change in plans?

Posted by: Rachel Stanley :: June 8, 2010

So, as many of you already know, I am writing this from a computer in Guatemala.  I came on the Newman study abroad trip with six other Newman students.  If I were to try and explain everything that I have already learned and experienced it would take hours.  Between the exploding volcano, tropical storm, sink holes, and mudslides, you could say it has been an experience.  Fortunately our group is safely in Xela and in the middle of our second week at PLQ language school.

Guatemala is absolutely beautiful in so many ways.  We have seen rolling hills, jagged mountains, natural waterfalls, and green plants and trees everywhere.  It feels like there is more plant life in this country than in all of the midwest.  I think I’ve taken probably 300 pictures of new flowers alone… ones that we certainly do not have back home.  I absolutely love every one of them.

To briefly summarize the past few weeks, we entered Guatemala City on May 18th.  The city is so alive!  There is constant movement everywhere.  We spent several days there before going to La Labor, a small community just outside the city.  La Labor holds the Guatemalan branch of the ASC mission.  Our sister school is located there and we spent a day teaching English to the kids.

What we found and experienced in La Labor was wonderful and inspirational.  Although there is great poverty, there is also great love and faith.  I met some of the most Godly people I’ve ever had the chance to know.  They lead simple lives, but they give everything they have for the good of the community and the good of others.  They love unconditionally and with their full heart.  We also passed out the PROJECT SONRISA toothbrushes to THANK YOU TO ALL WHO DONATED!

After 8 days in La Labor we traveled to Santiago Atitlan.  This, of course, was when all the interesting natural disasters began to happen.  Not even an hour after we passed a beautiful volcano it errupted.  We found out at dinner that night and it was… shocking.  I’m sorry to anyone back home who was worrying like crazy.

The next morning the rain started…. and never ended.  It downpoured for two and a half days straight, thanks to Storm Agatha.  I had some very interesting experiences in that rain which included having to dump out my rain boots in the middle of the streets because they had completely filled to the top with water… again.

We were stranded in Santiago Atitlan for an extra night due to the mudslides and the damage of the storm.  Before we left we went to go see the communities that had been affected by the mudslides.  What we saw was terrible and very sad.  So many who were already living in poverty lost their homes due to the mud.  The homes were not strong or well built and it didn’t take much for them to be swept away by a river.

We were able to get out of Santiago Atitlan by way of a boat across the lake.  From there we made the long drive to Xela, often having to drive on the wrong side of the road due to giant bolders that had fallen from the mountain sides.

By now we are all situated in Xela and our new host families.  Mine is lovely :)   We go to school for five hours a day with one on one tutoring.  Needless to say I’m learning A LOT of Spanish.  Our afternoons and evenings are kept extremely full with activities through the school.  Some days we climb mountains, other days we watch a movie.  The mission of the school is not only to teach Spanish but to educate its students on the history of Guatemala and the pain of the armed conflict.

I have learned so much through the past three weeks, and more than simply how to speak Spanish.  There are things that are very hard to explain… the culture and the life is so different.  However, there are some things I’m learning that have started to change the way I view the world and life back home.

Below is a journal entry I wrote this afternoon for my Civ and Culture class.  I wrote the entry after watching a movie on the involvement of American Economics in other parts of the world and the negative affects of globalization.  I had also been pondering a movie I had seen on the injustices of the armed conflict and the United States influence in Guatemala.

“There’s something brewing in my brain that is rocking my world and all my dreams for the future.  It is emotionally draining me, as well as my profesora this week.  As I said at Noche Newman, I am being forced to re-evaluate my life over and over again.  I feel overwhelmed due to the movies, books, conversations, and reality checks I’ve been forced to make.  I feel as if all my plans for the future were naive and in a way self centered.  Slowly I feel a new dream developing in my mind.  It’s going to take time to fully develop, but luckily I have that time.

Before I came to Newman my plan was to go into International Business.  Since Newman did not have a very strong program for that, the plan changed from International Business to plan Business to Communication because I don’t like math and I figured I would be getting my MBA before I left anyway.  I’m not exactly sure how I even ended up in the business department.  After high school I was one of the few in my group of friends who had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do.  For a long time my dad had urged me to consider law school because of my rational thinking and ability to win an argument.  However, after working at Kansas Legal Services several summers ago, I knew that’s not what I wanted.

So when I enrolled at Newman I put Business under the chosen major line.  I had no intention of going in as an “undecided” major.  For whatever reason that seemed extremely aimless and a little bit pathetic (for all those undecided majors out there, I now know that it’s not).  I knew I was smart enough to succeed in the business department, even if I didn’t exactly have a passion for it.  What I really had a passion for was music and family, neither of which could support me while I tried to find a husband who could.  I suppose I’m a bit of a traditional girl.  I enjoy learning, but I’ve always dreamed of working only until I had kids if the situation was possible.  I want to be a full time mom.  I suppose my real dream was the picture perfect house with a picture perfect family and a husband who loved me more than life itself.  I still want those things, but somehow they are no longer enough.

I switched to a Communications major because I loved the classes.  I’m willing to admit that I think I’m a fairly decent writer and I enjoy finding the right words to express ideas and concepts.  After my Mass Communications class I fell in love with the idea of journalism.  I had never thought about it before, or if I had I had dismissed the idea due to lack of practicality.  But I loved touring the television stations, magazine production office, and the newspaper press.  I’ve always been a bit of a news freak.  I watch Good Morning America every day and then read the paper in addition to that. Within that class I began to realize that maybe I could do something I actually loved and live off of it.  Mass Communications.

What I’ve realized on this trip is that a “picture perfect American life” is not exactly what I want.  I’m still frustrated that I was never exposed to these foreign affairs as a child.  My parents did a very good job of keeping me informed and letting me read the papers, yet there is so much history that I have never been taught.  Why is foreign policy and affairs not taught in schools?  At least… they weren’t in mine.  Until I enrolled in the Guatemala Pre-Depart class, I am ashamed to say I didn’t even know the United States had ever had a military presence in this country.  Whether it was right or wrong, I didn’t even KNOW about it.  When my dad told me he didn’t want me to take this trip I didn’t understand because I didn’t know the history.  It was after I learned about the armed conflict that I began to realize what made him afraid to let me come here.

The things I have learned have made me re-evaluate my plans for the future.  What exactly was I planning on doing with an MBA and a Spanish minor?  Well, at one time I thought it would be working in the global market.  That doesn’t look so appealing anymore.

I’m still trying to understand why I was kept so blind to the United States interaction in other parts of the world.  I said in Noche Newman that I had briefly considered teaching because I was so frustrated at my own lack of education; unfortunately, I feel like I lack the patience to teach.  I realized, however, that I could teach through my writing.  I could pursue journalism in whatever form I choose and set out to inform USA Americans of the events outside of their realm.  Instead of International Business, why not International Journalism?  I want to spread awareness about the world to those who are ignorant.  Because if I was ignorant, there are a whole lot more people who don’t have a clue.

I’m realistic to know that I won’t be able to start off touring other parts of the world to get a story.  It will be necessary for me to establish a name as a writer and credibility… and part of me still holds on to the love I have for health and fitness articles.  Still, if I can find a real way to change the world, I’ve found a very real dream.  This dream makes everything seem more worthwhile; my school, my work, this trip, and my plans for the future.  Is it possible?  And would I even like journalism?  Or will I be back at square one… without a plan.”

I guess you could say this trip has forced me to do some heavy thinking.  Sonja described it as this:  When we stepped off the plane into Guatemala City, almost everything that we identified ourselves with was taken away from us.  For me it was my family, my close friends, my language, my music, and i admit it: my phone.  What was left was my faith and my desire to learn.  But we all began to go through a deconstruction process of self.

I have adapted to not having my phone, I’m trying to adapt to the language.  But having so much of my identity removed makes me re-evaluate what that identity is.  I guess slowly it’s a reconstruction process without any distractions of back home.  I guess I’m thinking about things I never would have back home.  But I am CERTAINLY seeing things I never would have back home, and therefore, I’m learning. A lot.

If you have ever considered coming on this trip… it is worth every penny.  Thank you Newman University and Sonja Bontrager.

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Almost Time For Finals

Posted by: Louise Sjoberg :: May 4, 2010

For being a time like this, I find it surprising that I do not feel stressed yet. Actually, I feel stressed since I am not stressed, the main reason for this I know is that I have many things to do before I go home. One of them is going to Charlotte, NC, to visit a friend at Queens University of Charlotte that I play golf with at home. I could probably have found a better time than before finals week, but that is the only time that I have time…

Thank God, I am slowly but surely getting over this soar throat and cold that I have! It is so difficult to function when I can’t think :)

I am now off to get some coffee!

Louise

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After a wonderful yet busy day I’ve come back to my room to relax before Tonight’s show,Curtain up. (Which you should totally be coming to check out. 7:30 in our Fine arts building tonight and tomorrow night!)  Checking my Twitter I happened to see an interesting story about the Make-A-Wish foundation making a small boy’s wish come true by making him into a Superhero for a day. This made my already incredible day so much more Awesome! Read it and enjoy! We have great people on this Earth :)

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011740342_electronboy30m.html

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Oh no! I woke up sick!

Posted by: Louise Sjoberg :: April 28, 2010

Hello,

I am one of those people that rarely get sick, but when I do hell breaks loose. When I sneeze, one can hear it form here to Timbuktu. This cold has been weird. A small contradiction from my title, but I actually got the cold yesterday night. I am not sure if that has happened to me before. Usually I can feel that I am getting sick the night before, and then it breaks out in the morning afterward. Not this one. I felt a little bit guilty for going to class, I hope that I did not spread this $**T further. It sucks being sick…

I am off to drink some tea (for a change) with honey.

/Louise

In just three weeks…

Posted by: Rachel Stanley :: April 27, 2010

Three weeks from today I will be on a plan headed to Guatemala.  Am I totally freaking out? Yes. Absolutely.  I’m scared out of my mind (but also really excited)!  I am traveling to Guatemala with several others from the Newman University community.  It is a seven week study and serve program combining service work, class time, and a week of sight-seeing.  I leave May 18th at a ridiculous time in the morning and will be back July 8th (we hope). 

There is so much to do in three weeks!  Our show, Curtain Up!, is finally on stage; yesterday I had an almost twelve hour rehearsal.  Opening night is Thursday, April 29th at 7:30 pm in the Performance Hall.  Students get in for only $5, all other adults $8.  Come support the show!  We have so many talented Chorale and Troubadour members that have been working hard all semester for this weekend.  We also have shows on Friday, April 30th, and Saturday, May 1st.

Until Saturday night, the musical is pretty much my life.  Late nights and long rehearsals, but it will all be worth it on opening night!  Only after I get through this week can I think about studying for finals (two weeks away), moving my dorm room home (where did I get all this stuff?), or packing for Guatemala (ohmygoodness!).  Time is surely in a crunch!

Our golf season is over; we placed third at the Heartland Conference tournament but unfortunately missed regional rankings by just a couple of spots.  Still, several of our team members were recognized as outstanding players within the conference (and as only freshman)!  The program will surely continue to grow and develop, and we can’t wait to be at nationals in the future.

There seems to be so much going on.  I need more time, but regardless of anything else I WILL be on that plane in exactly three weeks (scared out of my mind).  I think I better review my Spanish.  When shall I find time?

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Stressful Week + Sweden + Hockey

Posted by: Louise Sjoberg :: April 14, 2010

Hello,

This week is going to be a though one. Lets see, I already had a couple of essays due, and I have 2 tests left. Wohoo! Should be fun!…

What else? Not much. Lit fest was on last weekend, went and saw some parts of it, and I of course went and supported my roomie Jasmine :) Good job!

Hmm… We have an election coming up this fall in Sweden… I have to start catching up with the politics at home. 7 partys to keep track on. But Iwill have 3 months during the summer to do that. Like I will… Actually I’m pretty good at following politics, so I will. Dont tell anyone, but I’m a nerd! In a good way of course :)

Btw, it is only a month and left until the last final – I look forward to summer break. I have almost forgotten how to speak Swedish by now ;) . Anybody interested in giving me a ride to the airport on thed 16th of May? Ok great, I will see you then, ha!

/Louise

Ps. Swedish Cup Hockey Finals starts soon – exceited!)

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Bagels & Coffee

Posted by: Louise Sjoberg :: April 8, 2010

Hi!

This morning I decided to snooze for about 45 minutes, this made me miss breakfast. Lucky for me, there were bagels in the admissions office! So while I was working (making some folders :) ) I enjoyed an amazing cinnemon bagel from Paneras. Does it get better? I think so, because I am about to go and get a dry cappuccino from Scooter’s. I told you it could get better!

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Hockey again… Coffee again…

Posted by: Louise Sjoberg :: April 7, 2010

I am crazy about hockey, especially when my favorite team is doing well. Djurgarden Hockey (Sweden). We are now in the semi-finals, and we are going to win! Our team has not looked this good in a long time. It would be a great gift if we won the Swedish Championship.

I do care about the NHL as long as the two “Swedish teams” Detroit and Vamcouver wins… But I don’t care as much.

Other than hockey, life goes on like usual. Homework and coffee. I have not had a single one today though (good Louise!)! Talking about coffee, in coffee class tomorrow we are going to talk about caffeine and its effects on the brain. Very interesting. Maybe I will lower my doses after that lecture? Very unlikely.    

Btw, in these times where the weather is good (for once), be outside! Play some basketball, have a picknick, just do something! I highly recommend it.

Lots of love,
Louise

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