Alis volat propriis

The past few weeks have been pretty dramatic. I'm not going to rant or go into details, but I lost someone I thought was a dear friend over something so ridiculous, leaving me with absolutely no women friends here in Guanajuato. For the first time in my life, every single one of my friends is male. This has ups and downs, but I have to say, I reallllllly miss my girls back in Oregon.

Right before coming to Mexico, I participated in a week long conference with Portland State's Center for Women, Politics, and Policy (CWPP). There, I met 20 of the most amazing women I could ever hope to meet. 20 women of all ages lived together, worked together, and partied together for an entire week with absolutely no drama, cliques, or whatever other ridiculous shenanigans women have a bad rap for. It was absolutely incredible to be surrounded by such strong, ambitious women, and it is an experience I will never forget.

Since then, I look at most women that I meet through a completely different lens. Naively I automatically assume that I'll get along with everyone as fantastically as I did with my lovely CWPP ladies, and it is always shocking to me when I meet a woman who doesn't have the type of confidence, self respect, and ambition that these women do.

That is about as much of a rant you're going to get from me. Parting words: I miss my girls.

My CWPP ladies and Barbara Roberts, Oregon's first woman governor, June 2010

Time Flies

I have worked at the kindergarten for almost a month now. Even though it can be the most frustrating thing ever, coming in the door on Mondays and Tuesdays always makes up for it. 15 adorable little children run at me screaming "KAHLSEEEEE! TE QUIERO!" (Kelsey, I love you!) definitely makes your day brighter (even if later you end up covered in juice, clay, tears, and snot).

A few random pictures...

My classroom!

Pretty much the only place I have found cheap dark beer. Sketchy basement bar. Free tacos (when you go with Abram).

This I Believe

My very first paper in college was the hardest that I have ever had to write. The assignment was seemingly simple: write a three page essay on what you believe. No other requirements.

I remember how much I struggled to write that paper. I must have restarted it at least ten times. Right before starting my freshman year, my life had changed so much that I wasn't quite sure what it was I believed in anymore. In the end, that is what I wrote about.

Earlier today I was cleaning some old files off of my computer and I stumbled upon that essay. After reading it, two things struck me. 1) It is amazing how much I have evolved as a writer in three short years (some parts were definitely cringe-worthy) and 2) it is amazing how that essay still rings true for me today.

2 quotes:

"I believe in embracing the changes life throws your way. Though things may look difficult at first, there is something to be learned in every challenge thrown at you, no matter how menial it may originally seem. In every challenge, from a missed bus to a difficult class, a bad day to a family tragedy, there is an opportunity to come out knowing more about yourself and what you believe."

This especially applies to my life today, living in a foreign country and speaking in a second language. Absolutely every part of every day is a challenge. Nothing is easy, and the smallest victories are relished as if they were monumental. And, just as my 17-year-old self claimed, I have come out of each challenge a stronger person.

"I believe that five, ten, and thirty years from now, my core beliefs will have morphed and evolved, and will only vaguely represent those I feel strongly about currently."

Again, my 17-year-old self could not have been more right. When I wrote this essay 3 years ago, I was majoring in Criminal Justice and Political Science. I wanted to go on to change the world, and live in as many different parts of it as I could. And while some of that mentality still remains, it has also been altered. I joined MUN and learned that while politics are interesting, it isn't what I want to do with my life. I worked at a school and discovered a passion for teaching. I moved to Mexico and discovered that I'm absolutely in love with Oregon and would be perfectly happy living there. The list goes on. And all of those changes happened in three short years. I can't even imagine how different things will be five, ten, and thirty years down the line.

Anyways, enough with the self reflection (for now...I have a few more especially reflective posts in mind). It is Saturday night, off to hit the town :)