My name is Dew

I made the police how up at the church building.

2008-12-20T01:21:00.003-03:00

3 of the 4 missionaries are on either furlow or vacation.
Since the missionaries dont regularly go in on fridays it ws left up to moi to open the church building. Not a problem.
I was due to open the church any time before 9 am. So I woke up at 7 am got ready, hung out and was out the door by 809. I decided to take the bus, which takes 30 minuets. Today it happened to take 40. So I arrive to the church building unlock the door and the alarm starts to beep. Which is normal its just a sound to signal the motion detectors. Once the code is entered a single beep sounds to signify the alarm has been deactivated.
So i enter the code. Wait a moment and nothing........... I enter it again. Wait another moment and nothing.......I enter it one more time and again no beep and a few seconds later the THE LOUD ALARM GOES OFF!!!
I jump up and down as i beg BEG the alarm to stop sounding. PLEASE STOP! PLEASE STOP!! I beg and plead. Then i decided to change the last digit on the code and the alarm ceases to sound.
Then i realized i had been pressing in the ACTIVATION code instead of the DE-ACTIVATION code. The alarm stops and i look our the glass doors to see if police cars swarm the church. Nothing....I listen for the phone to ring as the security alarm people call. Nothing....
I breathe a sigh of relief and head back to the office. Not to long after that Mirta, the secretary, arrives. I told her what happened and we had a hardy little chuckle. Then all of a sudden a police officer walks in. Im stunded. As he removes his sunglasses he asks "Whos in charge here?" I say in the nicest softest voice I can and "I am :)" and he says "You??" I nod my head. He then asks "Are you the one who deactivated the alarm?" "Yes." "Cual es tu numero de cedula?" Whats your ID number? Since i dont have a "cedula." I proceed with giving him my passport number. "13...." and before i can get to the next set of numbers he exclaims "13!?!?!?" Cedula numbers start with only numbers 1-6. So when i said 13. He thought i was crazy or something. I then said "Soy Estado Unidense. Le puedo darle mi numero de pasaporte." I am from the United States and i can give you my passport number." So i give him all 9 numbers. "Como es tu nombre?" "Rocio Esquivel." He writes them down. So as hes waiting for the voice on the other side of the walk-e talk-e to respond he says "Americana. eh?" "Si. Estado Unidense" So about 5 more minuets pass and we both just kinda stand there. He let me know he was waiting for conformation. Then he says " ALRight! Thats it! Thank you and have yourself a good day." "Igualmente" I replied. He turned and walked out the glass doors.
I thought, he must have thought "What a strange occurance. A young girl in charge of a church building from the United States with a name like "Rocio Esquivel."
You dont see that everyday.

Awesome.

The Greek Eye

2008-12-07T22:59:00.002-03:00

So I am pretty sure most of us do not analize every single word we say in our mother tounge.
Its so natural for us to just speak communicate joke defend encourage correct in the language we've grown up without looking at borrowed words, analizing idioms and disconecting conjoined words.

Even when youve grow up with 2 or more languages you often dont see things until people who are learning that language bring it to your attention.
Or when you teach someone a language you often dont know how to respond when you dont know WHY certain words mean certain things and why they are used in that certain way.

So the other day Brittnea and I went to Luque. Luque is known for the silver they sell. There is this one principle street that has like 20 jewlery stores. Beautiful expensive artisental cheap silver with some gold is what you will find. And so I was looking for something small but profoundfully meaningful. So I started looking for the letter "Y" to add as a charm to my necklace.
Y is the initial for "Ysapy" which is my name in Guarani. Which is just one of the many indeginous languages spoken in Paraguay. Its the most prodominant one. Pronounced "UHsapbUH."(from my phonetic understanding) For those of you who don't yet know, Rocio is the spanish word for morning dew.
There are many designs of letters you can find in all the different stores. Everytime I went in a store I would ask "Ustedes tienen el inicia 'y griega'?" "Do yall have the letter 'y'?" I said it so many times that all of a sudden I turned to Brittnea and said/asked in a half rhetorical kind of way "Do you think the 'y griega' is the 'greek i'?"
Of course when you WRITE it, there's no question. But how many of us have written out phonetically and or the actual spelling of each letter of the alphabet? So I started thinking "Well spanish and english, amongst other languages, use Roman letters." Parts of the Bible is written in Greek and Jesus lived in the Roman Emire. So thats basic evidence that Roman and Greek writings/script are related.
Books have been written about these conncections. Im going to go look for one to read. Its just an observation.

BUT so thats an example of how the smallest things, down to the writing and pronounciation of a letter, makes you look into the world of words and why things are written they way they are, why words are used the way they are, why words mean the things they mean. And or why certain words mean one thing but depending on context it can mean something different. And how is it that that particular word can transendend its own original meaning. Does it depend at all WHO the person is thats saying it? Could that word mean different things in different parts of the country? Or different meaning in same language but different country? ie the US of A and England. All this is speaking soley of one language.
What about translation of one word in different languages. Every language can have its own use of that one word. OR same word same meaning but different cultural context.
And you can go into subcultures and "third cultures."
As to keep my brain from exploding I will give another example.

Another example is listening to spanish speakers speak english and when they say something grammatically wrong and what not. If you translate liternally into spanish what they just said, it makes perfect sense and vice versa.

And so I've been playing/learning German and Guarani. For example there is no "Thank you" in Guarani. I've asked a lot of Guarani speakers and they say "Eeeeeeeeehhhmmmmm....." and then I was learning phrases in German and I asked "How do you say 'Nice to meet you?'in German?" And there really isnt a translation or form to say/translate that. And in Japanese there are 2 phrases you say when you meet someone and one of them translates to "Please be nice to me"

Its all SOOO interesting!

Heres a joke.
Im sure many of you have heard this one but I want to share it since were talking about languages.
What do you call someone that speaks 2 languages? Bilingual.
What do you call someone that speaks 3 languages? Trilingual
What do you call someone that speaks 4 or more languages? Polyglot
What do you call someone that speaks 1 language? American.

This is in no offense to those who don't happen to speak more than one language. Learning a language is not the easiest thing in the world. Instead be encouraged in being open to different cultures and ways and walks of life. And be encouraged to support your local missionary!

Thanks for reading!

Traveling and Anniversaries!

2008-09-06T21:47:00.002-04:00

September 7th will be the Iglesia De Cristo en Sacramento's 4th anniversary!There is expected to have an attendance of about 150 people! We have been inviting everyone to our Anniversary Service non stop for about 2 or 3 weeks now! I am extremely excited about all the people who are attending. Among the people attending are old friends, new friends, members from the all 3 Church of Christ congregations, visitors, which are soon to be new friends! I am very bless to be able to participate in a growing church's anniversary service.

Jim Holway is our guest speaker. After several hours of plane riding and spending a day in Santa Cruz, Bolivia because he didnt know he needed a visa to enter Paraguay, Jim arrived to Asuncion this past Thursday. Jim was a missionary in Buenos Aires for 10 years from '83 to '93. He currently works with the spanish speaking congregations in Miami, Florida. Hes a really funny guy! While his stay he plans to have counseling sessions, teach the various weekly bible studies, learn and love alongside fellow Christians and enjoy all the great things the country of Paraguay has to offer!

I have been placed in charge of the food. Its hard to find a cake with out any kind of dulce de leche. Dulce de leche is a Latin American staple. Dulce de leche, which in literal translation means "Candy of milk" or "Milk candy". Its pretty much like caramel. I find myself in a land flowing with dulce de leche and café.

I thank God and all of you for all your support, your prayers have enabled me to stay to witness all the various and wonderful events thrown by the church. Its been great watching all the planning and effort that goes into these events. I feel so privileged in being able to help plan and participate in such important things. Of course we know everyday the things we do in our lives are important, everyday of my internship has been a gift,a privilege and a blast, its just awesome to witness something in continuation having a fresh start, a rejuvenation if you will.

The following day, the 8th, i will be traveling to Uruguay! I will fly in to Buenos Aires and take a ferry across to Colonia de Sacramento, Uruguay. After my plane ride and ferry ride I will take a rather short bus ride and arrive to my final destination in the wonder city of Montevideo. Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay and the home to a population of about 1.5 million. This will be my first time in Uruguay and it will by my 11th country visited!I will meet up with my friends and fellow Serve Abroaders. Amanda Scott and Carol Mendoza are currently working with the church in Itu, Brazil. Mark and Ali Kaiser are the missionaries Amanda and Carol ever so happily intern under, they will also be meeting up with me in Montevideo.I will spend one exciting week in Uruguay. I return to Asuncion on Saturday the 13th.

Life is great :)

Save the Date!

2008-08-26T09:45:00.004-04:00

After much prayer and counsil with supporting congregations, mission team and family, I have to decided to extend my stay.
Originally I was to return the 11 of August but have now changed my date to December 19th.
Why have I decided to stay?
Well, it wasnt too long into my internship that I feel in love with the people and country of Paraguay. A few months before I came to Paraguay, the notion of staying for a year was mentioned and I honestly thought it was a little too crazy for me to consider.
I arrived January 5th and by March, I had taken that once "crazy" thought into considerable consideration.
I felt that 6 months was only enough time to LEARN from the missionaries and the people and so more time would be needed to be put into practice to be able to transform a persons perspective, attitude, and definitions of hope, sacrifice and love (to name a few). And perhaps even then one has not even scratched the surface. I have seen and felt the begining of what I hope my life will become.
It has not been the easiest thing to change when not necessarily wanting to. Change is such a scary thought. Our cultures, learnings, trainings, teachings, even bodies would not openingly bring about something that has a certainty of dificulty, pain and sadness. Nevertheless, we must not be afraid.
II Timothy 1:7 states "For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit power and love and of sound mind."
Fear is probably on the top of the list of things I struggle with. Fear protects vulnerability.
SOOOO
I John 4:18 tells us "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears in not made perfect in love."
SOOOO
We are not allowed to fear.
So back to answer the questions in rather simple "oraciones." I have decided to stay longer not to help the church but for the body of Christ and God teach me how to be a fearless humble servant. That which in turn, makes me for usefull and moldable to be used how God wants me to be used to expand his love and kindgom to everyone.

I as prayers for wisdom. That I may be able to see what God is showing that I make the right choices and remember love is what supersedes everything.

Goodbye Tennessee!

2008-07-23T12:42:00.004-04:00

During the 3rd week of July,a group of 20 Americans from West Dyersberg Church of Christ came to visit the Sacramento congregation. Christopher Fry was a former Youth Minister at this congregation. They held a 3 day VBS with an orphanage that is near the church. Ara Pyahu, which is Guarani for 'A New Begining',is an orphanage that we visit weekly.
The group also handed out flyers at locals near and around the church building.
The theme of day 1 was, Rahab and the Spies, Day 2: 12 Spies of Cannan, Day 3: Walls of Jerico.
There was craft time, snack time, game time, skit time, and story time! They also held a teachers luncheon. All the members of the congregation who have helped or taught bible class were honored with a certificate and a nice lunch.
Several of our Interns returned home. Many of them from Freed-Hardeman.
Tracy Mitchell, Bonny Moore, Jordan Braswell returned to the states in mid July after spending 6 weeks here with us. They taught english and participated in all our events. Clay Smith, who will begin studies at Lipscomb this fall, returned to the states the first week of August after his 2 month stay.
For those who did not know. The Asuncion team here at the Sacramento Congregation is a Freed-Hardeman team out of Hendersonville, TN.

The Bus El Collectivo El Camion

2008-07-14T18:03:00.002-04:00

So this month Brittnea Dye, the single missionary, is on furlow. I have been living with her since the day I arrived. Since she has a car there has been very little need to take a bus.
But now that she is not currently here, I cant/wouldnt drive here, SO the bus (and sometimes the missionaries) are my modes of transportation. Bus fair is currently 2,300 Guaranies, which is about 60 cents. Taking taxis everywhere can burn a hole in your pocket SO I now take the bus to practically everywhere I need to go. Shannon and Alisha , 2 students from ACU, are currently living with my during their summer internship. It has been a HUGE blessing for me in how flexible they are. They do not mind at all taking the bus anywhere. So we have and here are a couple of comments/observations I want to share:
• Sometimes if the bus is extremely full people will grab on to the vertical handles on the bus at the back door and just hold on to the handles with their feet on the last step and just hang off the bus.
• You need to JUMP on and JUMP off because the busses never really come to a complete stop.
•You can pretty much flag down a bus from anywhere. Bus stops exist but hardly acknowledged.
•Because you can flag a bus anywhere, you can push a button or pull a string to let the conductor know you would like to get off and the conductor will just stop at its next available moment.

Today a group from Freed Hardeman University left for the states. They spend 6 weeks with us filling our lives with joy and teaching English. They will be sorely missed by all.

This week a group from Christopher Fry's supporting congregation arrives to spend a week here in Asuncion. Pray for their safe arrival and effectiveness as they minister.

I have been translating a lot lately.

New Friends

2008-07-02T17:53:00.001-04:00

A group from Leanna Church of Christ in Murfreesburough, TN spent this a week with the Sacramento Congregation here in Asunción. They did a small VBS, Vacation Bible School, in 3 different orphanages.
An orphanage in a town called Limpio, which is about a good 45 minuets from the church building. This orphanage currently has about 2o children. Another orphanage near the church building, which takes about a 5 minuet walk. This orphanage currently has about 50 children. And lastly, the largest orphanage visited in a town named Capiatá. This orphanage currently takes care of 200 children and is a little over a hour away from the church building. The orphanage started with 5 children looking for a place to live. They knocked on a door and asked to be taken care of. The lady of the house opened her doors and her heart to the children and did just that. There is currently a chilean, Santiago, and an American, John, who are missionaries who live/work at the orphanage. I find it extremely admirable when young people decide to live and work at an orphanage with 200 children that is out in the countryside. That is one of my dreams to be able to live amongst a "foreign" people out in the "middle of nowhere" and live very "mininally." I think it would give me the opportunity to get back to nature and facilitate my closeness to our Lord in heaven. To me, nature is the closest purest for of God. No person fills the rivers, no person makes the trees grow, no person feeds the wild animals except God.

7 students from the Tennessee and Texas arrived to teach english and help the church in anyway needed. I have been placed in charge of intern affairs. A whole new responsibility that i am looking forward to.Things have been very busy lately. Sorry for lack of communication. Thank you for your understanding and I appreciate you prayers

Welcome to another session of "Ethan & Ashley Perfecting Dance Dance Revolution"

2008-05-26T02:12:00.005-04:00

I am very blessed with being a part of a hilarious mission team!

Theres never a dull moment!

Why didn't we do a lot more of this a lot sooner????

:)!

Missionaries Doing What They Do Best

2008-05-26T01:33:00.006-04:00

A candid moment, we often dont think 'Dance Dance Revolution' when we think "Missionaires", dont be fooled these are the most treasured moments! At least for those of us who enjoy a good laugh!
We are all here to celebrate their little Ellas birthday party. Thanks for the cake!

Heres a clip of Ethan and Ashley mastering the art of DDR

Here are Perry and Ashley entertaining all of us and teaching us a lesson or two on perfecting DDR dance moves!

Thanks you guys for allowing us to laugh WITH you!

;)

Enjoy!

Oh and heres little Ella, shes crazy excited about the cake and presents!

Chau Chau ;)

My friends ROCK!

2008-05-25T17:09:00.005-04:00

A couple of weeks or so ago I recieved a wonderful package from my friends in College Station.

In my package I recieved:
-Reeses Peanut Butter mini cups (which are my favorite and all gone by now)
-A book titled: "What it feels like to......"
*this a book full of interesting stories like 'What it feels like to be struck by lightning' or ' What it feels like to give birth', ' What it feels like to win the Lottery', 'What it feels like to stutter' ect.
- An awesome blues harmonica (which I love to fiddle around with)
-Sparkly Red nail polish (which I happen to be wearing right now)
- Nail Polish Remover (which Im sure I will sure in a few days)
- Taco seasoning!!!!! (like 50 packets of it! Yessssssssssssssss)
- Macaroni and Cheese (in its box, not cooked)
- A refridgerator magnet of tortillas (oh if only they were real)
- 2 letters from my best friends Carol and Teresa. (which made me laugh and cry and cry from laughing and laugh from crying)
- Carols support letter. In which I would like to announce I am promising to donate $1000 Gs.
- Last but not least my favorite, a story photo entitled "Rocio Day." Carol and Teresa went around College Station and took pictures of things that reminded them of me. Theres a picture of a globe, a journal, books and messages from other special friends.

I couldnt ask for better friends!
Thanks for your continual support!

Los extraño y quiero mucho!

A Year of Goodbyes

2008-05-21T17:53:00.009-04:00

This year Asuncion will say its fair share of "Chau" and "Hasta luego"

In March the Asuncion bid farewell to Josh & Vanessa. Vanessa served on this team for 5 years. She married Josh after her third year on the team. They served together until March 8th of this year.
May 18, Micah said "Chaucito" to Asuncion after 4 and half months as an intern. She will be missed.

May 20, Carla and Mercedes head back home after their memorable 2 week visit.

May 28, Mauri Yegros will head to Tennesse to study at Freed Hardeman.

June 15, Helena Yegros will also be heading to Tennesse to study at Freed Hardeman as well.
As yall know the Yegros have been a big part of my internship here in Asuncion. It will sad to see them go.
June 30, Ashley, Ella and Ava Hardin will be returning to Tennessee after their 5 years on the team.
July 11, Ethan Hardin will joing his family in Tennessee. (that date is approximate)

As for me, I was scheduled to leave August 11th but after much prayer and diliberation I have decided to extend my time here in Asuncion. Most likely it will be sometime in December.
Its not official until I change the date on the ticket, which I havent yet, which I should probably do soon.

Heres Micah checking her bags

Chau Micah! Hasta Pronto!

Goodbye Lunch for Carla and Mercedes

Carla, Alba, Eu

Mercedes being her normal wacky hilarious self ;)

Soon it will be the season of "Hola." Its summer time in the states and so throughout the months of June July and August, summer interns and church groups will visit the church here at Sacramento. Our sorrows of departure will be quick to turn to joy!

Prayer Request: I have been under the weather for a few days. It stinks! Please pray for my quick recovery and a stronger immune system. Thanks!!

Hasta la Proxima!

Emulation and Implementation

2008-05-20T09:56:00.004-04:00

Carla was recomended to us by Mercedes. Mercedes is a Paraguayan. She currently lives in Colorado with her husband, Will Smith. She and Carla met in Ft. Worth, Tx where they both worked in the Latin and womens ministry.

Those are the 2 words that I have tied to the experience of Carlas and Merecedes visit.
Carla spoke to 70 women at the Seminar, 30 of which were visiters. Not to long after the seminar had ended a women came to Carla wishing to be study and be baptized.

Carla has touched me personally, as she has to countless other women, and has encouraged me directly in the words she has shared with me and indirectly through the work shes done in these past two weeks. There are not very many times where one can be touched so deeply by the force and sencerity by which God sends His messengers.
I derive much wisdom and strength by watching strong Christian Latin women in the church and on the mission field. I only hope to be able to emulate the many things I've witnessed as I try to be a Strong Christian Latin Women myself.

Carla is very sweet and extremely encouraging with her words. She is able to make you feel so awesome about yourself by telling and showing you how much God truely loves you.
Throughout life and especially on the mission field, for me anyways, we find outselves praying out of fear instead of gratitude, hoping we are fullfiling Gods will. We all know fear is the opposite of love. Without love we do not have God.
My mother often recites this particular verse to me, when Im not sure or doubt is looking like its creeping its way up.
II Timothy 1:7
"For God did not give us a spirit of fear; but of power, and love, and of sound mind"

There is so much more to write but so little time. I am currenly sitting in Carlas and Mercedes hotel room. They love to pamper people. They let Brittnea and I spend a night with them at the Sheraton Hotel, which is like theeeeee hotel. I love hotels. They are all eating breakfast at the moment. I decided to wait here until they return, since im a little under the weather and just thought to rest a little bit longer. Im glad tho, it has given me time to update my blog to share and spread all the wonderfullness I have experienced lately!

Pictures to come soon!

YAAAAY!!!

2008-05-08T11:50:00.006-04:00

Im so excited about the Women's Conference this weekend!
Carla Borja Lowe is our guest speaker for the conference. The theme is going to be "Las Buenas Nuevas" or the Good News. The conference will take place this Saturday and Sunday. I ,like usual, am in charge of the food for Sundays lunch menu.

The reason I'm out of my head excited is because Carla is MEXICAN!!!!!! She was born in Campeche, Mexico. She lived and studied in Mexico City. She was a missionary in Mexico for a number of years and spent 4 1/2 years in Italy. Shes a lot of fun!
There is finally someone around that speaks my language, that is Mexican spanish. Although spanish is spanish is spanish, certain vocabulary, certain idioms, certain tonations of certain words make all the difference in the message and emotion you want to convey.
I have a certain emotional tie with words. For example "Mande", this world is strickly Mexican. This word is used in different ways in different situations but no matter what the circumstance it always means respect. The word itself comes from the verb "mandar" which is send or command. So when some one calls your name your (or my) initial response is to say "mande?" which translates to "command me" or "at your services." So since they dont say that here in Paraguay, its not natural and at times it confuses people. So I have stopped saying that and in turn makes me feel like Ive become just a little less respectful and a presented with hint of identity loss. Which comes with the territory of living abroad. Every now and then it slips out.
SO, yesterday when Carla got here I called her name and she didnt hear me she said "Mande?" I jumped for joy! I told her that I am so happy that I can say "mande"!! Words and expressions like "guapo" "Que Padre!" "platicar" "hablando al widdy widdy." Mexicans pretty much speak in idioms and expressions. It hilarious and I love it! And she said shes going to cook Méxican food! Using things from the states! Which is a lot closer to what I can get using paraguayan ingredients when I cook Mexican food!
I usually do translating from english to spanish and at times vice versa. Im glad I will get to be Carlas translater for Mexican to Paraguayan spanish and vice versa. I will still have to keep my day job since she won't really need me to survive or anything but it certainly brings a comfort from home.
I also get the priveledge of picking and choosing at times the Ethnicity I want to be. Sometimes I'm Mexican sometimes I'm American and at times im both....or im always both.....and never one or the other.....dont know but its fun!!

Update to come: Womens Seminar!!

Adios!

Snapshots

2008-05-04T02:51:00.014-04:00

Here are a couple of things that have been happening recenlty.

Us girls usually get together to do something. This night we chose to go to the movies!! My FAVORITE passtime!! We watched "27 Dresses" I absolutely love the actor James Marsden! It was a real cute and funny chick click. A couple of the guys also got together and watched "Rambo." I have to say that sounds pretty typical, on both guys and girls side. Nevertheless, it was a blast!

Top row: Sarita, Romina, Helena, Alba, Moi, Vickie
Bottom Row: Gina, Brittnea, Ashley and Micah

May 1st is Labor Day in Paraguay. Everyone gets a day off. So we thought to take the youth group out to Ca'acupe, which is about an hour and half from Asuncion. BUT it rainned!!!! It rainned the entire day! So instead a few of us just spent time together. We played games, put a huge puzzle together and then I,like scheduled, cooked for everyone! I made Picadillo, which is just ground meat with potatoes, and mexican rice! So we all watched "Finding Nemo" had some good Mexican food and then had brownies for dessert. Yummo!

Heres Mauri, Ale and Kanchi putting together a pretty big RompeCabezas

VBS time! Micah put together a VBS for kids at an orphanage that is near the church building. The theme was "Jonah and the Big Fish." There were puppet skits, people skits, snack time, crafts, games and a memory verse! I was in charge of snack time. I find joy in preparing food for others! The kids were pretty well behaved.

Chris playing "Simon Dice' or Simon Says with the kids

Enjoying a word find and snacks!

Quince!! We were invited to a "15" birthday party. We got to help decorate some and it was great to spend time in a festive environment with some of our church family.

Moi and little Luana blowing up some balloons

Fun times! Thanks for reading! Its been fun writing!!
Chaucito ;)

Piano Time!!

2008-05-02T18:39:00.003-04:00

The Yegros are such a great family and they have been kind enough to let Micah live with them and let me come over when ever I want. Which I do......often.

Helena and Mauri the youngest of 5 Yegro children and are the piano savy kids of the bunch. When I saw their digital paino placed along the wall in the living room, I instantly had to turn it on. I did play the piano when I was little, along with the trumpet and the viola, in elementry and middle school. Mauri and Helena have been nice and patient enough to begin teaching me how to play the piano.Im learning to read notes and can play only a couple of Coldplay songs. I promised myself that during my internship I would learn to do something. Whether a language, how to sew, read minds, learn an instrument and or anything thats an acquired skill. And so here it is. I am learning to play the piano! It brings an immense joy into into my life!

Luckily I can plug headphones into the piano so everyone doesn't have to hear me painfully hit the wrong keys as I learn to play it correctly. But VOILA! When the headphones are unplugged, I sound like a concert Pianist!!!!

I might be exaggerating but I wanted to share how I spend my moments when I'm not at the church building or at an event :)

Hasta Luego!

Lets Celebrate!

2008-04-29T15:24:00.035-04:00

We had two Baptisms this month. Gustavo and Dustin have become out new brothers in Christ. The both were baptized in the same week. Gustavo and Enoch had been studying for some time. Dustin was new to our church but had congragated at others churches before hand. A few weeks later we had a "New Members" luncheon and we prayed over them and welcomed them into our church and the Body of Christ.

Gustavo is a friend of Enochs Fianceé

Dustin is an english student that studied with Perry.

This year, as interns, Micah and I had the privledge of being a part of the Team Banquet. It was a night full of laugter! It was a time to relfect on the past year. We shared stories and gave each other gag gifts. Micah and I got certificates. I got the "Plummed Out" award. I once had about 15 plums in the span of just a couple of days. And then I got terribly ill. The doctor said it was the water. Everyone else says its from the "30" plums I ate "in one day." So I currently only drink bottled water. My contribution to the night were funny things my english students said. We dressed up and had a very nice dinner.

Vickie , Me, Brittnea Laura (Enochs Fianceé) , Micah , Chris (Vickies Husband) Ashley, Alba (Perry's girlfriend), Perry

Not pictured Ethan* Ashleys husband. He was at home taking care of sick little Ella. Oh and Enoch must have been the one taking the pictures. ;)

Our English course has currently ended and so had a celebration to commemorate their work. These students attended every classes and did well in their english improvement. We called it a graduation. We handed out certificates, we called their names from the pulpit, they came up and we took pictures on stage. After all the certificates were handed out we ate some delicious fingers foods. It was great! Its the one time I get to stand at the pulpit and speak. ;)

Chris addressing and congratulating the students

Brittnea and Demetria Chris and his English student RosaEnjoying some "bocaditos" "Nice to meet you"

Claudia and I

Some of my students have decided to continue with their english classes in which case we will focus more on using the bible studies instead of bible stories.
Please pray that the Holy Spirit guide me in reaching my students.
Thanks for reading and all your support!

Nos vemos muy pronto!

Election Day = Don't Leave Your House

2008-04-17T11:26:00.003-04:00

April 20th, this weekend, is Election Day here in Paraguay. Every one is pretty concerned for the possible riots. We all have been instructed not be out after dark on Saturday, Sunday (especially) and Monday. The Government is pretty corrupt here and everyone knows it.
There is no question if there will be some type of uproar, the questions are, "How bad will it get?" and "Do I live far enough away?"
I cant say I'm politically inclined so I dont really know all the details of all the Party members. What I do know is: Blanca is the candidate for the Colorado party. The Colorado party controls all the Military and Governmental votes. Lino is a Ex-President who was in exile after being accused of helping assassinate his own former Vice President. Theres Lugo, which i don't know much about. Lastly, Fadul, who would ACTUALLY rule justly, but he doesnt have enough money and he simply isnt high enough in power to win over the majority. He's really the only one who has a well sought out plan to better Paraguay. The Colorado Party has been in power the last 60 years so its pretty much a given she is going to win. She has and insane amount of money, her party already controls the government and its just fact really.
Its funny, I think I know more about whats going on with the elections here in Paraguay than I do in my own country. But in the United States I would never have to worry if the Super Market down the street will get looted because someone didnt agree with who won.
We have cancelled our Saturday night activities and plan to go home and stay hom after Church service. Many of the members have made prayer requests on behalf of their country. This is where they live, this is their future, this is the country they will be burried in. Christians have a hard enough time living amongst the world, try living under communism or a dictatorship. At least here we have freedom in religion. Yes we might have to cancel some events or get home early but were ARE here doing missionary work.
So I dont know what it is that I am supposed to do in situations like these. I have never been confronted with the reality of communal political danger.
Dont be too concerned. Its bark is worse than its bite. Im sure by tuesday everyone will go back to their daily lives and not experience til later the changes and effect of the change, or no change, in goverment direction.

Are you Paraguayan? Are you American? Do you speak English? Do you speak Spanish?

2008-04-08T13:57:00.004-04:00

These are questions I am asked very frequently, in which I answer:
"No, yes/no, yes and yes. I am not Paraguayan. I am not strictly American nor am I strictly Mexican. I am Mexican-American. I was born and raised in the United States but my parents are from Mexico. I learned spanish at home growing up with parents who didnt speak english during my early childhood. Since I have lived my whole life in the United States, I speak 'perfect' english."
Most of the reactions are:
If they dont know I am from the States they simply speak to me in spanish and are pleasently surprised and a tad confused when they learn Im from the US.
When they learn im from the States only speak to me in english. When they learn I speak spanish, they are again surprised and begin speaking to me in spanish. Some stick to speaking to me in english.
If people hear me speak both languages without really knowing me they ask "Are you Paraguayan?", my explanation, then "AH yes I see." or in Spanish "Ha bien, ya veo." or "Do you have latin blood?" I answer "Yes, Mexican" then they say "Ah your Spanish is perfect! You speak very well.", in which I answer "Thanks, you too ;)"
There have been rare cases where people dont believe I can speak Spanish, even though they have heard me speak it, so they only speak to me in English and or "try" to speak to me in English.
There are Paraguayans that only speak to me in English. Even if I speak to them in Spanish. Those cases are usually people wanting to practice their English. A couple times when people meet me and learn im from the states, they will ask the missionary(that introduced me) in spanish questions about me. "What is her name?" "When did she get here?" Then I answer and they are very surprised. And vice versa. When people are told that I work for the church, those who can speak english, will ask about me in english while I'm standing right next to them. So I answer and we will all have a great laugh.
I get comments like "You dont look American." "Oh, I thought you were Paraguayan." "Im sorry Im confused. Where are you from?" "But you were born in the United States. THEREFORE you are American." "Oh cool! You're bicultural!"
Im often asked: "So how did you learn english/spanish?" "Can you cook Mexican food?" "Do you visit Mexico often?" "Do you have family in Mexico?" "Do your parents speak english?" "Youre Mexican but you've never lived there?" School/family. I spoke Spanish first and learned English in school. Yes I can cook Mexican food and I'm a GREAT cook." "Yes I visit Mexico once or twice each year." "Most of my family lives in Mexico." "My mother has no problems with english and my father does not speak english."
I really enjoy having that element of surprise! It makes meeting people exciting!

So theres an idea of "what its like" to be Latin American living in Latin America country yet learning and teaching different aspect of that classification.

Thank for reading!!

Interesting Facts

2008-04-01T11:06:00.004-04:00

According to me from my experience so far.

1) Ive fallen in love with American mustard. Yes, I like it at home and I perfer it over mayonaise but here i have bought 4 bottles of it from the "Imported Product Stand." Im hoping it will last the whole time im here. And if it doesnt i think i can just go buy some because there is ike 10 bottles left and I think im the only one in Asuncion that is purchasing them.

2) The "r's" here are pronounced the "r's" like the "American" "r" at the end of words.

3) People here in Paraguay dont really go to the movies. A movie ticket is as much as a meal. 20.000 about almost $5. Which is rather unfortunate since I am a huge movie fan.

4) I learned I dont really like Ice Cream. Dont get me wrong the Ice Cream is amazing here and everyone loves it. A lot of the times people go out for ice cream, so I just enjoy the sight of everyone enjoying their beloved ice cream.

5) Everyone EVERYONE drinks Tereré. Its mate but cold.

6) When it rains, every street floods. There arent very many drainage ditches.

7) You can go to the sallon for people to "comb" your hair. Yes. People can walk in with their hair wet from the shower and you their hair combed. Meaning blow dried and or straightened.

8) The Dollar is going down. I got here and it was 4,600 to a dollar and now its 4,300. The currency is called 'Guarani' and add an 'es' to make it plural.

9) McDonalds Delivers.

10) If you buy American candy in the imported aisle, it costs 3 times as much! For example: a pack of Reese's peanut butter cups (2). It costs about $1.50! But we buy it anyways because we love it!

Thanks for reading!
;)

Hamburgers with Rice?

2008-03-06T11:48:00.005-03:00

Hola!
Hamburgers in an interesting combination to be served as a meal during a retreat.

March 1st and 2nd Churches annual retreat. Everyone traveled to Aregua, a small town about 45 minuets away, to a beutiful camp site. I had the opportunity to be in charge of the food for the retreat. We bought all the food and took it up to the site and different members helped cook. The missionaries led class and service. Micah tought the children. The theme of the retreat was "La Batalla Es De Nuestro Señor", which translates to "The Battle Belongs to the Lord".

We have started an english program. I currently have 11 english students. Everyone who teaches english at the church has varying schedules. Most of my english students speak english very well, although none of them will agree with me. We use material from the book of John.

We had a vacation week. Its called "Semana Santa" which translates to "Holy Week". Its equivilent is Spring Break. Except we cant call it "Spring" here because we are currently in the fall season. We went to Pilar and spent 4 days there. We traveled to see a ruin and we had "asados", which translates to "Barbeque." Pilar is a very small town so there wasnt a lot of activities to do but the most fun and important thing we did was enjoy one anothers company. It was great seeing another part of the country. Pilar is about a 5 hour drive south.
Here is a link to some photos.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2484145&l=5789e&id=8369166

We still have our consistant weekly activities. Visiting orphanages, youth women and english meetings, womens tea are just to name a few.
Thanks for reading :)

A Month in Review

2008-02-20T16:56:00.003-03:00

Saludos!

Well friends it has been a while since my last post. I will asure u this is the only time I will have this long an absence.

Camp in Argentina was fantastic. Groups from Cordoba, Buenos Aires and Asuncion came together and spent a week in a cabin in the moutains. It was a nice break from the hot weather. We had classes, devotionals, trecks throught the mountains and many other spiritual and fun adventures. There were 7 baptisms and number of other spiritual enlightenments. It was a great opportunity to meet the youth of Argentina but equally important and exciting was getting to our youth better. Our bus broke down and so that added 6 hours to a return time. So about 27 hours in return from Cordoba to Asuncion. The weeks that followed included english studies, womens tea, orphanage visits, team retreat, memeber visits, middle school girls sleep over, Doctor visit, university visits, event plannings, class teachings, movie night, yellow fever vaccinations, retreat plannings, womens bible study, many other events and many other miscellaneous tasks.

In the coming weeks, we will start an english program for 7 weeks. I have the great pleasure of being responsible in help forming a university group. I will go out into the universities and personally hand out flyers and get to know the College Students of Paraguay. Our hopes are that their interest in free enlgish classes will bring more people to the church and so bring more Paraguayans into Christ. Here are a few links to Photo Albums of my internship experiences, opportunities and events.
Enjoy!

Summer Camp, Argentina Style!
http://tamu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2457628&l=2478c&id=8369166

Day trip to Cordoba
http://tamu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2457634&l=66a6d&id=8369166

Mission Conference in Canela, Brazil
http://tamu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2450032&l=6f9fe&id=8369166

To the left of the screen there is a link to my co-interns blog. Here name is Micah Bayles. She and I met in the summer of 2005 when we traveled to South America with the Aggies for Christ.

Thank you for reading! Feel free to leave comments, suggestions, encouragements, words of wisdom, constructive criticisms or a simple hello ;)

Chau Chau :)

PS Hindi is cool. I would love to learn this language especially to write it! हिन्दी इस सुपर कूल!इ वौल्ड लव टू लीर्ण आईटी!

A Little Taste, throw in some Argentina

2008-01-21T17:16:00.001-03:00

Hello All!

This week was my first official week as an intern. The Asuncion team really knows how to break in new interns. No, I joke, they are great!
A few of the things I've done and or participated in this week.
Team Devotional
Translate Songs
Visit a memeber in the hospital
Visit with a member at their home
Our house hosted Ladies Tea
Youth Group Devos
Begin preperation for pre-teens class
Attempted to make flyers for English classes
Womens Bible Class
Made cards for the memebers who are ill or in the hospital

Today I will be heading out to Cordoba, Argentina! We were scheduled to leave at 5 pm but in South America time that means about 6.30-7.
It's summer camp time! We will spend a week in the moutians getting to know God and each other better. There will be no internet or cell phone recpetion. Im sure our youth will survive a week with out it, although some suggestest they might not.
I am immensly excited to be able to travel again, all the more excited to be able to return to Argentina! Horray for more passport stamps!

I ask for you prayers in safe travel, campers experience Christ, patience and for the counsolers to be always remember there are learning eyes upon us.
Thanks for your prayers and keeping in touch!

Hasta Pronto!

Conference in Brazil

2008-01-12T20:03:00.001-03:00

Hola! Hola!

We returned "home" back to Paraguay on the 12th.

To recap:
The missionary conference was nothing short of amazing, eye opening and priority readjusting. We had the privledge of listening to the wise words of John Willis , an elder at Highlands Church of Christ in Abilene and a professor at ACU. He taught about how God create and God sustains, among many other topics. The ladies class was taught by Dottie Schulz, a former missionary in the Netherlands. She was an amazing speaker how taught about loss, women in Gods work and re-entry to the states after your time serving abroad. It was a Brasilian missionary conference but other South American mission teams were invited. The team from Asuncion just happened to be the only non-Brazilian team. It was great to meet new people who were missionaries in other parts of Brazil and memebers of the Continent of Great Cities,who place teams in South America. It was also a immense joy so see some old friends!

When we were not in time of praise and gaining knowledge we all fellowshiped with one another. We saw some sights, ate chocolate fondue, learned interesting Brazilian games, ate at a CHURRASCARIA and many more awesome things. A nice surprise was to see Carlos Castilho. I didnt know he was attending but it was really good spending time with him.
For those of you who dont know, my home church in San Antonio helps support Carlos' ministry.

Here are some pictures. Enjoy!

A Recap And a New Start

2008-01-08T22:13:00.001-03:00

OI! OI! OI!

A lot has happened since my last post. I returned home 6 days later from Thailand. The next summer (2007) i returned to South America and traveled to Chile Brasil Argentina Bolivia and Paraguay. This last semeseter I prepared for my semeseter long internship. Through much deliberation and prayer God has lead me and Micah (co-intern) to Asuncion, Paraguay. I arrived January 4th and God willing i will be here until August 11th. So about a little over 7 months.
The last few days have been a little crazy but awesome.
SATURDAY JAN 5th
Here is my schedule for the past 4 days
Micah and I fly out of Houston at 9 pm Friday night we had a lay over in Buenos Aires and then headed to Asuncion after about 5 hours.
A 3 hour plane ride we finally arrived in Asuncion at 5pm (2pm US central time).
2 hours later we had a youth activity. Burgers and fun.
11pm we returned home "unpacked" some and went to med at midnight.
SUNDAY JAN 6th
8.15 get ready for church
9.15-11.30 church
11.30 - 2 lunch
2-3 return home and pack for the trip to brazil the next day
3-4 take Asuncion team to airport and see them off
4-7-30 church in Capiata
8 - 10.30 picked up and spent a night at a friends house (to be taken to the airport the next morn) then sleep
MONDAY JAN 7th
4 am wake up and to the airport
5.15 fly out
9 am arrive in Sao Paulo - 3 pm lay over
3 fly out Porto Alegre
6pm bus ride to Canela
8.30 arrive to the hotel
9-12 dinner room situated saying hello to every one then sleep
TUESDAY
8 breakfast
allll day conference

And we find ourselves at this moment.
I am currently in Canela, Brasil for a Missionary Conference. The missionaries in Brasil plus us the Asuncion team is here for a week long conference with classes devotional and sight seeing.

Im pre-tty tired but am so HAPPY to be in Brasil again!!! I will return to Asuncion the 12th.
I will soak up every moment of familiar faces and brazilian food!

I will keep yall updated!

2006-08-01T12:48:00.000-04:00

Since the internet was not working my recap of the last days in Chiang Mai were erased.
Last Thursday we did some last minute shoping at the Night Bazzar and I took some traditional Thai pictures.
I love going to the night bazzar. Its like walking around at the base of the Tower of Babel. So many different languages being spoken is like music to my ears. I have observed that all the spanish speakers i have met here are from Spain. I have not met some one from any other spanish speak country, Thailand is full of Spaniards. One time I met a young woman whos name is also Rocio. every where I go now I keep an ear our for Spaniards.
Friday night we had a going away party for the american interns who were continuing on their travels and leaving Chiang Mai.
Jennifer was sat in the middle of a balloon filled floor are was encouraged by the church. Then
Jenica, Johanna, Tim and me were encouraged together. There were thai snacks and games.
Saturday all the interns from Payap and Ma Cha gathered for an american breakfast and a missionaries house. We then took grou pictures at a grafitti decorated wall.

2006-07-30T03:55:00.000-04:00

I leave Chiang Mai today for Bangkok. Please pray for Jennifer, Jenica, Tim, Johanna, Dalheen, P'Gade and me as we travel overnight by train.
The internet has not been working with me lately I will have a long entry next time with many pictures.
Kap Kun Maak Ka!

2006-07-23T03:02:00.000-04:00

Our day of Solitude was more than I expected. It was hard at first I slept most of the all morning. After lunch the weather was soo perfect, so beautiful I decided to spend time in prayer outside. I visted the 4 chapels and wrote in my journal. The entire day went with out speaking a word. That night ended at 7:30 so Jenica, a fellow intern, and I enjoyed a coffee and spent time reflecting on our day of solitude. The following morning we all met at Kingdom Books. A Christian oriented book store. We had a huge breakfast with 5 inch thick pancakes. We discussed our solitude day, the things we found hard or easy, things the supreised us and things of that sort. Friday morning we have "experimental equipping", this takes us out of our usualy bible study lessons. We have been to a lake and hospital and other places. This last friday morning didnt go as planned. We went to an orphage home, but were turned away. We then thought to go to a home for the Aged but that didnt work out either. While the drivers drove through town figuring out what to do i just looked out the window of the van admiring Thailand and its many colorful temples. Then I notice we pulled into "School for the Deaf" I let out a sound of glee that scared some people in the van. I was so excited to go inside. I was able to communicate some with the deaf students. I was told they could understand me. Everyone was given a sign name which was a lot of fun. We went to two different classrooms. The second classroom had students that were a little younger than the first. In this classroom. I was able to address the class directly. Our group sang songs while I signed them. I had an incredible time at the deaf school. Yesterday a couple of us went with some Thai friends to a waterfall. We climbed up and down part of the waterfall. At one point while trying to beat the camera timer I slipped on the waterfall but was caught by friends.
Today AFCB (Aggies for Christ in Bangkok) are in Chiang Mai. They will be only be here for a couple of days but have many activites planned. Im looking forward to the next couple of days with the Aggies. Its so great to see some of my AFCO friends again!
Pictures to come :)

2006-07-19T03:33:00.000-04:00

น้ำค้าง

My name in Thai

Pronounced "NamKaang"

2006-07-16T10:55:00.001-04:00

Hello friends
Yesterday I had church services at Payap. It was nice, there were about 20 us compared to 800 person church that I usually attend back home. I knew almost everyone so it was like having church with my friends. Tim, an ACU intern, gave the sermon. After we all ate lunch together, we then went to a blind school. It was a neat experience. They all sang for us, sort of like a talent show. We played a tradtional thai game. A ball is passed around while music is playing and when the music stops who ever is left holding the ball is made to put baby powder and over their face. Kind of like "Hot Potato"
On Friday, A group of us went to Myanmar, a.k.a Burma, for passport renewals. Its about 3 and half hours to the border. It was nice to spend time with the ACU interns and with Russ and Rebecca. Russ and Rebecca they are 2 year aprentices, who have been here a year and a half. We took pictures, got our passport stamped and bought low priced DVDs.
On Friday we went to a hospital as part of our equipping time. I really didnt mind, one would think after the experience I had a few weeks earlier, I would steer clear of hospitals, but i was ok. We were free to go anywhere we wanted to go. We were to make observations and take in whatever we could and to answer some questions about what we saw, felt, heard, smelt. When our time was up we gathered and made one more stop before we headed back. A friend of Eddie , a thai intern, is diagnosed with leukemia. So to lift her spirits we all went to chat with her. There are about 15 of us. When I first walked in the hall, I looked to my left and I saw a young girl laying on her side. Instantly I thought "That must suck, lying there like that." I later realized that had bothered me so much beacuse when I was in the heigh of my pain or when the pain would came back severly i would lay on my side. We then got to her room and all gathered around her. I sat and just looked at her. Smiled when she turned to me. She spoke mostly to Eddie. All of a sudden i found myself unable to continue to be in the same room. All the memories of being scared, alone and in severe pain came back to me. I had to leave the room before i broke into tears. I sat outside and pulled myself together. I had no idea of how my time in the hospital had traumatized me so much.
We go back and had an open forum for anyone who would like to share anything. After a few interns shared about how being at the hospital reminded them of the last time they were there for sugery and what not. I then shared how terrified i was, how alone i felt with the group gone, my closest friends nor family was there and what an INCREDIBLE amount of pain i was in. I then said that I praise God for that experience, how greatful and more faithful becuase of it. How i am able to rejoice in my suffering. If it had not been for that Kidney Stone I would not be here having the best time of my life in Chiang Mai. The Kidney stone made everything fall into place for me to be able to come back and be an intern here. This trip has been very difficult BUT very rewarding. I then shared my very favorite verse of the bible. Romas 5: 3-5

"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

I wasnt able to finish that verse with out crying. I was so happy that God had given me the perfect opportunity to share what I hadnt yet but always wanted to.
That night we had an International Day Party. I,of course, represented Mexico. I made rice and because and I ran out of time I bought refried beans form a can. I made breakfast Tacos that everyone loved. It took me a while to find all the right incredients , we went to 2 different stores. I burned the first batch of rice. Which didnt help time wise. It was the first time I had made rice with out Moms help. :) It came out well. We played games then had a feast. There were many countries represented and everyone brought a little taste of their country. It was a very fun nonstop party. That day had been such a trying day. Nevertheless I really enjoyed it.
Today is our dat off but tonight we are going to have a day of solitude. From evening tonight to early evening tomorrow. I am looking forward to refocusing for my time left here.
Here are a couple of pictures.

Paeng and I. She represented India. Woot and I eating tasty fruit
Russ and Rebecca

Lets help Myanmar

Performance at the blind school

2006-07-11T00:33:00.000-04:00

The past days have been great. Saturday we had sports day. We played ultimate frisbee and kickball. Kickball was a little difficult for the Thais to understand. I felt right at home though, i love baseball, kickball softbal ect.. Sunday I had my first church services at Cheung Doi. It was different but very enjoyable. That night we all gathered, Ma Cha and Payap and went to the walking street and played games at Starbucks. That night I spent a night at Payap to watch the World Cup Final with them. A couple of friends at Payap are soccer/football enthusiasts so i thought watching the game with them would be a little more exciting. The next day was the interns day off. Since the game was over at 4 am, I slept in till about 1 or so. The next evening we all went for dinner and a movie. I really enjoy fellowshiping and hanging out with the interns. There are 3 American and 4 Thais interns at Chueng Doi. Payap has 2 american and 4 thai inters. Today we had equiping lead by one of the interns. A couple of us then went to lunch, shopped for journals and visited a fellow intern as this painting studio. It was really nice. Later we are going to exercise at a gym. I am in charge of putting together the english class on thursday this week so i will be working on that.
Thanks for reading :)

2006-07-07T13:30:00.000-04:00

Hello Friends
I am currently back in Chiang Mai. I started my intership yesterday. The last days of AFCO were just taking in as much of Thailand as much as one could. I felt a little under the weather at the time so i didnt join in with the shopping and movie watching. 2 days after AFCO ended i leaded back to Chiang Mai from Bangkok. The train ride back was very eventful. Something happened with the train so we were told to gather our things and get on a bus, we then rode to another train station and got on our cars and finished our way back. There were a lot more complications and confusion in that story but i am here. We have "equipping" every morning, which is bible studies at the start of everyday. Then we have different activites depending on the day.
Today was a little different we had a free time at our meeting time, then us girls at Cheung Doi, more commonly known as Ma Cha, cleaned the 4th floor and then we had girls night at a missionaries house. I moved into the room with Jennifer and Jenica, fellow interns, and so now im not all alone in a big room.
Tomorrow we have Sports Day, hopefully it will not rain like it has been the past 4 days. We have a couple of activites scheduled for the next 3 weeks. One of which is a trip to Burma, or Myanmar, to do visa renewals. Im looking forward to that. I will keep updates when those events come.
Kap Kun Ka

2006-06-30T23:46:00.000-04:00

We are currently back in Bangkok. Sadly AFCO ended this morning when the group left back to the United States.
My prayers have been answered and will be able to stay in Chiang Mai for the remainer of my summer. Thank you to all of those who prayed for me. Thank you Jennifer.
My days in Chiang Mai while the rest of the group was in Chiang Rai was filled with Karaoke, movies, bible studies, devotionals, and coming down with cold like symptoms. Please pray that i feel better.
It was a lot more uneventful when the Aggies were gone. I was able to get to the know the Thais a little bet better.
I will be in Bangkok for another day or so then head back to Chiang Mai.
Please Pray for the Aggies safe travel back to the United States, my safe travel back to Chiang Mai and Garrett Bradfords safe travel to Guatemala this wednesday.
Kap Kun Ka

2006-06-26T11:36:00.000-04:00

The past few days have been pretty laid back. Sunday we went to a church about 45 minuets from where we are staying. We had a sermon in thai and english, we performed and then had lunch. After lunch we headed back to our churches and had the rest of the afternoon free. Some people went bungee jumping. I stayed at the church building and learned some more thai, wrote im my journal and went to a coffee shop. We then had 3 hours to shop at the Walking Street. I didnt buy anything so i just walked around with my thai friends, that was a lot of fun.
The next day we went to the Umbrella Factory, where i got Manuels bible painted and my journal decorated.
The group traveled on to Chiang Rai yesterday I have decided to stay in Chiang Mai until they return, then head back to Bangkok. I have decided that staying near a hospital is a good idea. Chiang Rai is pretty primitive and most of the trip will be spenton a raft on a river.
Yesterday i spent the whole day at Payap Christian Zone. It was pretty quite and uneventful since it was the interns day off. Nonetheless it was great to just hang out Thais Thai interns ACU interns and Jeremy Hegi. He is leaving back to the states this friday. Please pray for him as he he prepares to return home and to have a safe flight.
There is a possibilty that i will get the privilege and opportunity to stay in Chiang Mai for the second part of the summer. I ask for your continual prayers that this all work out. The Lord has answered my prayers and that opportunity is becoming more and more of a reality.
Its amazing how the kidney stone lead into what has been and will be one of the best times in my life, learning thai, building relationships, learning so much about myself but most importantly builing and having a closer relationship with our Lord.
AFCO ends July 3rd. I have learned so much in these past few weeks and I have had so many incredible experiences that i would have not had if i had not come on this trip to Southeast Asia. I praise the Lord for that.
Thank you
Kap Kun Maak Ka Pra-ong!

PS
Please pray for the Thai that just had a motorcycle accident right outside the internet cafe.

2006-06-24T04:33:00.000-04:00

We just finished a one day english camp at a school up in the mountains. It was such a beautiful sight. It was about 1 & 1/2 hours from Chiang Mai. It was an elementry type school. We played games, sang songs, ate some good cafeteria food. It was a fun day starting at 5 am and ending about midnight. The camp was from 9 am to 5 pm. It was great fellowshiping with the Thais at the church. Its a very small but growing church. My thai is getting better i can hold a conversation in thai. Its mainly introductory phrases and responces. I can say where Im from, what I study, how many brothers and sisters I have, where I study and a lot of things of that sort. I can also ask these questions.
The other day we went to the "Night Bazzar" a night street market. Its a big interesting cheap (at times) place to shop.
Its been great getting to know the thai young people and all the interns at Payap and Ma Cha Christian Zones. I am staying at Ma Cha. Its across from Chiang Mai university and right near the mountians.
Chan raak pra tet thai! I love Thailand!
Kap Kun Ka!

Brazil 4-1 Japan !!!!!!
The US is out of the running for the World Cup after their 2-1 loss against Ghana.

2006-06-22T04:32:00.000-04:00

Sawatdee ka!

I realized that i used the word "weary" incorrectly so lets use "terrified"
Im having the best time in Chiang Mai. I am doing very well with speaking understanding remember and responding to Thai. It incredible! The people here are awesome and they are good teachers. We have done some performances at some universites and just been hanging out with the college students. We have been put into TAG teams which is 3 Aggies a Chrisitan Thai and a non christian Thai. They take us shopping and we get to know the thai people, its awesome. Not to much to report.
Chan raak pra tet thai!!!
Chan chop pood pasa thai!!
Kap Kun Ka!

2006-06-20T01:23:00.000-04:00

I visited the doctor this morning and i have good news and bad news. The good news is its very very small. The bad news is its still there. The doctor said i could pass the stone without even noticing it OR i could have such severe pain that i would need to return to the hospital and only an injection of pain medication would relieve me of such anguish. So lets pray for the first option. I am fine now but am weary every time i used the bathroom.
Im currently in the airport on my way to Chiang Mai. Its great to be back with the group and am very excited to get to Chiang Mai. Ive heard so many good things about that place.
Kap Kun Ka!

2006-06-19T08:40:00.000-04:00

Sawatdee Ka!
Nothing new to report. Today was nice, i got to sleep in til 10 am. Went to Central Festival, which is like a mall. Had lunch, bought stuff, went to the movies and wrote some notes at Starbucks. Taking it easy for the time being. Im ready to join the rest of the group tomorrow. We will fly out of Phuket to Chiang Mai at noon. I will see the doctor tomorrow morning to see how everything is. Please continue to pray for me concerning my current situation.
Kap Kun Ka!
Brasil 2-0 Australia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A friend of mine in Brasil told me about the celebrations that went on when they won, pretty crazy over there hehe
Thought i would post some pics or AFCO '06

2006-06-18T03:40:00.001-04:00

Hello folks!
These past couple days have been rather....unplanned....i guess i could say. Friday morning I woke up as usual had breakfast and was ready to pay my bill for the time I spent at Ban Raya. I then realized i need to return to my room for more baht. On the way back to my room I felt a rather unusual and sharp pain radiate throughout the ride side of my stomach. A friend took me back to my room and called for help. Sara Davidson, which is the wife of Kelly Davidson, which is the leader of our trip, came to my aid. By this time the pain was hitting the right side of my body at full force. There was no way to console it, after vomiting some pain relievers. I asked for a doctor. I went to a clinic at a hotel on the otherside of the island. The nurse said I was showing signs of appendicitis. So we called the hospital to let them know I was coming. I then rode half an hour to land. The pain by then had decreased significantly. I got on an ambulance and arrived at the hopital. Soon after that i got into hopital clothes and got to my room. I had an ultrasound and X-ray to see what was going on. I was on an IV and pain medication. The pain was coming and going but less severely. Turns out my right kidney was swollen and I have a kidney stone. I spent the night in the hopital and was well taken care of. I have to return to the hospital for a check up early tuesday morning before my flight. I am at a hotel, currently the group is on a two day trip and I will join them when they get back to Phuket then were off to Chiang Mai. Right now I am doing very well. Please pray the pain will not return and the passing of the kidney stone wont be too unbearably painful.
Kap Kun Ka!

2006-06-18T03:40:00.000-04:00

2006-06-16T05:42:00.000-04:00

PHUKET, THAILAND!!!
I am currently on an island callen Ban Raya. Im at a place called Paradise. ( suprisingly i have an internet connection) I went suba diving and snorkeling yesterday. Scuba was a little scary at first. My ears couldnt handle the water pressure. I would reach the bottom and a burst of pain would fill my left ear. I would shoot up. I tired 5 different times. On the last try it finally was gone. I have to equalize contantly. I spent all day in a bathing suit. White white sand with the clearest waters! My time in Kuala Lumpur was very very eventful and exhausting but a rememorable experience. We are vacationing here in Ban Raya. We get to have a nice little break to relax and rejuvinate for our weeks to come. Only a little under 3 weeks left. Today i went to 4 beaches and pretty much swam all day. The diving team on the island is from Findland. There are about 7 of them. Ben Yan Yona Alexsi Jesse Tommy and onther gentleman whose name i cant recall at the moment. There is also one Swede, Manganus. Yan speaks spanish, he spent 3 1/2 years in Spain. I only speak to him in spanish. I learned a couple a Finish phrases yesterday. They are all really nice and were pretty patient with me. Tomorrow we leave the island and head into Phuket. This is a much needed vacation for all of us. These pictures are pretty self-explanatory.
Kitos! (thank you in Finish)

FISH!

2006-06-12T14:06:00.000-04:00

The United States lost against the Czech Republic.......

2006-06-12T11:43:00.000-04:00

There are no words to describe the glorious time I had at Camp Shine. We played games, had tea time, lessons, group discussions, skits, learned new songs, made lots o' friends, worshiped, swam, played water polo, ran around, wrote notes and fill pockets of love, stayed up late (or early) and simply had so much fun with one another! I was blown away by what I learned during worship and what all i learned from the kids in my group. Blown-away. Here are some pictures.
We arrived to Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Today we went to TAR college and 4 of us went to to the cafeteria of the university. The four of us were told to seperate and "go fishing." It was very scary to completely go out into a place you've never been to,where most of them do not speak english and make contacts. After a while it wasnt bad at all. A very different experience. Tonight we had "American Night" the Aggies cooked pancakes with eggs and bacon and it was great! We had a good turn out a lot of the people we met, came. Tomorrow i will do about the same thing. Please pray for us. Mission work to the max!
Xie Xie
Mexico 3-1 Iran :)!
Portugal 1-0 Angola :)
Argentina 2-1 Côte d'Ivoire :)
Australia 3-1 Japan :(
La Copa Mundial!! I am currently keeping up to date with the US vs Czech game via internet, but currently the score is 3-0 Czech. COME ON AMERICA!
Brasil plays the 14th (thailand time) I hope there will be a TV around. I will go to lengths far and wide to find a TV I must watch their games. First game is against Croatia. Sorry Croatia and pretty much sorry for anyone who goes agains Brasil. BUT we will just have to wait and see:)
Here are some pictures from camp.

view from my hotel room Making the group posterBrendon is blindfolded!Group 1 girls!
Veronica, Abigail, Cassandra and Sydney
Elizabeth and IAaron, Mr. FunnyManAdrian, Kevin, Ryan and Reagan swim time!Brendon and meSunset

2006-06-11T18:47:00.000-04:00

I am now in Kuala Lumpur.
Camp Shine was thee best time of my life. More details to come later.
I am tired.
Thank you

2006-06-07T11:25:00.000-04:00

Yet more awesome times in Singapore. Sadly, our time is near its end here.
Yesterday we toured the city/country of Singpore. We visted a WWII museum. Learned about the lifes and times of the people of Singapore under the cruel ruling of Japan. I enjoy history so i really enjoyed that stop. Next we headed for lunch. We ate indian food consisting of many spicy things and fish head curry. Some of us also ate the eyeball of the fish head. Fish eye isn't all that bad. Its small so its pratically gone by the time your done chewing it. There is a hard part, which is the cornea, that one simply does not swallow. Ive eaten yet another delicacy. After lunch we went to Chinatown. Small shops up and down an alleyway sort of spot. I ran into ladies from Argentina and California. I heard them speaking spanish so I took the opportunity to chat for a moment. I bought a couple of things. My glasses are now my souvenirs. They are great! Its great to see again! Next, we took cable cars above the city to Sentosa Island. We didnt get off due to time restrictions but it was a nice view and nice photo ops. The cable cars did stop in the middle of the ride. Luckily i was at a stop so I was not dangling in the air. It was only a few minuets or so, nothing to worry about. That was our tour of the city/country as a group. Since we are abundantly blessed, soon after out release our host father took us to Sentosa Island. It was a short bridge ride over. We got up close to see the Merlion. Half fish hald Lion symbol of Singapore. The bottom half is the fish, which represents their status as a port city, and the Lions head is from a founder of Singapore. He states he saw a lion in the mists when he landed on this island. We then enjoyed the musical fountain light show. Too awesome! Had some dinner walked around and then headed home, too tired to even ride the elevator.
Today we spent the day painting Singapore Christain Home for the Aged. We painted a very large room. Not only walls but the ceiling as well. After our task was done we headed to Moulmein CoC to help with the big finalle of VBS. 7 of the Aggies helped the church with VBS these past 3 days. We performed and enjoyed ourselves helping head kids songs. Since it was a fiesta themed VBS we had mexican food after it all ended. Although the authenicity of the mexican food is questionable, i enjoyed fajitas and 7 layer dip. We then headed home and enjoyed some time with our host family.
Tomorrow morning we will head to camp in Port Dickson, Malaysia. Its a 4 day camp that will host about 100 people. This includes the 28 of us Aggies, then Singaporeans and Malaysians.
My time here in Singapore has been nothing less of amazingly incredible. I do wish things werent to westernized and expensive. Nevertheless I love Singapore! More specifically the youth that was to accepting of us and hung out and helped us around the city/country.
Didnt learn but 2 phrases of mandarin. Its not used much by the Singaporean youth.
On to malaysia to learn Melayu! (at least i hope) :)
Xie Xie!

2006-06-05T10:27:00.000-04:00

Yesterdays combined worship was great! Kevin and Kennth lead singing. They are boys from the youth group. They sang with passion and made the rest of us do so. It may have been one of the best worship singing I've ever experienced. After service I got some new glasses since a leg on my other classes broke and were unfixable. Later that day we had, what I like to call, Aggie fun time from 2 to 4. It was basically fun with the Aggies from 2 to 4. (haha) We played several games, sang, learned new songs and had a devotional. We then had no obligations for the rest of the night. Church services here are usually held only Sunday mornings. We all then decided to hang out the the youth and went to the mall and caught a movie.
Today was our "free day" It was amazing! A very fun filled day with the youth. We met and went to the zoo. The zoo was very nice. There was a display of racoons. Which is different for us, but I dont think Singapore would have racoons running around. We watched a Polar Bear feeding and an elephant show. We spent about 5 hours at the zoo going from exibit to exibit. We then headed to dinner. After a while on the buses and MRT, public transportation in form of a train, we got to a "hawkerstahl". Its basically a big outdoor food court. We had dinner right near the beach. We had stingray, and let my just say I LOVE stingray. One wouldnt think it would be good but believe you me, its so good!Its very tender and doesnt have a real strong fishy taste. I recommend it! We then just walked along the beach and had a great time. I just want to thank Kevin, Brendon, Grace, Andris, Joel and Aaron for showing us an awesome time!
These past two days have been a little more layed back. But with that said, I am so tired when i reach my bed.
Tomorrow we will be officially toured around the country of Singapore. Looking forward to seing some of the major sights.
The World Cup starts soon! GO BRASIL!
Xie Xie for reading!

2006-06-04T11:46:00.001-04:00

I am currently in my 7th visited country. Singapore translates to "Lion City". The past couple days have been wonderful. Im am very excited to be in Singapore. This country is very clean very regulated and, rightfully so, very safe. Learning Mandarin is a lot harder than I thought it would be. Its nice to be able to communicate better with the Singaporeans, since they all speak english. Its nice to be able to read all the signs. I have started signing the songs in our performances. Since i lost my song book, I need to do something with my hands. We have been paired up by 2's and placed with host families. Yesterday morning my roommate and I went for a swim in the nice big pool at the apartment complexes. Singaporeans build up not out. There is not much space on this island. There have been some loop holes for the "Thai Diet", if american food is offered you are allowed to eat it. Its impolite to refuse food. It was great to have tuna sandwiches and potato chips after our performance last night. Today was also very eventful. Our host family took us to see some sights around the city. Andris, 16, is a sweet beautiful girl, and her father took us. We are very lucky to stay with her and her family. One of our stops was at the Haw Par Villa, its like an outdoor museum of chinese mythology. We then headed to the church where there was a combined youth gathering. The youth of about 5 churches around Singapore. We played games, had devo, ate dinner and got to know a lot of the youth. A friend told me that pictures make the best souveniers. Singapore is not as expensive as the US but by no means as cheap as Thailand. Tomorrow is combined worship assembly. I am looking forward to another schedule filled day. From 2-4 we will(after church) be having more fun times getting to know the youth via games and fellowship. Im pretty much taking it day by day, but this Monday will be a "free day". We will be able to explore Singapore without a schedule. It seems, though, we are all going to the zoo. Singapore is said to have an exquisite display of animals. Singapore is also home to the worlds first Night Safari. I shoupld perhaps check that out, if there is time. Its great to go to sleep exhausted every night, it tends to make you feel like you got all that you possibly could from that day.
Dont be afraid to leave comments! :)
Xie Xie

2006-06-01T10:43:00.000-04:00

SINGAPORE!!

2006-06-01T00:04:00.000-04:00

"This is the day that the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it" Psalms 118:24 This past couple of days have been so great. Tuesday was a very eventfull and rewarding day. We visited 2 schools. At the first school we were paired up and placed into classrooms. We were to be the teachers for however long they gave us. Our first class was very lively. Picture taking is always an attention grabber. We taught colors, numbers, animals, shapes and other things. I learned how to say that im 19 years old "Sip Caow Pbee" The kids got pretty crazy pretty much at anything we did. It was great! Our second class wasnt as lively. They were still great though. We then left because it was ours and theirs lunch time. The bus started driving away then I hear my name "NamKaang, a little girl told me to give this to you." It's a beautiful beautiful bracelet. Silver bangle with small orange beads. P'Rung gave it to me. She said they refered to me as P'NamKaang. Which is really neat. P' is showing respect for an older person. At the second school we sang and i signed two songs. We taught them several actions songs, then had some new and different fruit. When we cooked dinner for the natives, we cooked spagetti. Although not american, spagetti was something they have never had. They enjoyed it!
The next day we packed up, had breakfast, had a short gift giving ceremony sang, prayed then headed back to Bangkok.
We are now heading to Singapore. Im currently at the airport and will board in about 10 minuets. Singapore will be very very different from Thailand. Kelly said we might experience culture shock. I'm looking forward to visting another country, learning another language and eating some good food.
HORRAY for plane rides!!
Oh one thing I'd like to mention. Its so humid in Bangkok that my glasses fog up as soon as I step out of an air conditioned room.
Kap Kun Ka!

2006-05-28T11:44:00.000-04:00

This past weekend was great. There werent as many campers as i thought there would be but that didnt matter. It was an english camp so we helped the Thai natives practice their english. We had games, worship, sharing time, skits and a talent show. We were right on the beach so some of us went for a swim. I learned some more thai. Eventhough it was english camp it was fun introducing myself by my thai name. Introducing myself as Rocio isnt english anyways. I dont go by the enlgish translation of my name. (its at the top of the screen) We were one with nature, not taking showers and or only taking dip baths. A dip baths is pouring water on you from a bucket filled with water. They can be very refreshing! One night we had tiny BBQs at each table. Actually it was a mat on the ground. We sat around it and cooked pork and squid on each grill. It was so delicious, i didnt know i liked squid, but its good.
On our way back we stopped at a market for lunch. It was quite a sight to see. Many stands with things one couldnt possilbly name. Here in Thailand, especially in Bangkok, all your sences are in used at all times to the max. The smells of random things one passes by, the sights of the palaces and things around in the city, listening to people talking in a lanugauage you cant understand, all the food is delicious half the time ones not sure what they are eating, and touching all the thai fabric so unique and beautiful. Its just wonderful.
Today we visited "Monkey Mountain." The mountain has an old small scale palace at the top. It wasnt very high. A short cable car ride was able to get us to where we needed to go. There were monkeys everywhere! We were instructed to let the monkey have whatever it got a grabed a hold of off you. At one of the towers we were able to over look the city of Petcha Buri. It was a beautiful sight. We then drove about 3 hours back to Bangkok. We had dinner and took much need showers and got some rest. We leave tomorrow morning to Petachboon at 10 am. Its about a 4 hour drive. We will be there for a few days. Horray for bus rides!
Please pray for our safe travel and our health.
Cweun Chu Arrai ka? Whats your name? (for girls)
Lesson in lanugae #1 : since i am a girl, i say "ka" at the end of everything i say.
For boys its "krap"

Kap Kun Ka!

2006-05-25T23:07:00.000-04:00

These past few days have not been as hectic as our first week. We have done some work around the church building painting walls and things of that sort. We had dinner on the river the night beofre last. So beautiful. We have seen a lot of things around Bangkok. Yesterday we visited The Grand Palace. It was an incredible sight to see. Extreamly colorful. Some temples we visited didnt allow shoes nor cameras. We saw the Emerald Budda, we werent even allowed to talk while in that temple. I ran into some Spaniards, it was sooo nice to speak spanish again. We visted several exibits throughout the site and took lots o' photos. I havent figured out yet to post pictures but i will and they will be here. Last night we had a Prayer Walk, we prayed as we walked around the Kings palace. It was nice to just pray about everything and everyone. We then had a devotional. In Thai translated by an A&M student who is Thai but speaks english with no accent. We sang songs in Thai, it was nice. So far i have seen MI:3 and X-Men 3. There is about 30 minuets before the actually movie starts. In honor of his majesty the King right before every movie we stand and the Kings song is sung. Not by us but by the beautiful video montage. X-Men 3 was quite an experience. We had recliner seats that were nice and big, pillows and blankets, popcorn soda and mentos. The seats reclined pretty far back. It was so awesome. I almost fell asleep. This all was about 300 baht. &7.50. These next couple days we are going to Cha-Am, where an english camp will be held. There will be about 400-500 people. All Christians but different ethnicites and ages. Eathing off the street has been great. Good food at a very very low price. I have learned some more Thai.
Please pray for the camp this weekend.
Kap Kun Ka!
Pba Nai Ka? (where are u going) haha

Until next time

2006-05-23T00:12:00.000-04:00

It was great theses past few days. At the schools we visited, we sang and did culture exchanges. This year is the 60th year the king has reigned here in Thailand. In honor of his majesty the king, we have learned the King's Song. Everybody seems to be impressed when we sing it. next month is whn all the celebrations will take place in honor of the King. I am really really looking forward to that. Thai dancing is just about one of thee coolest things I've ever seen. We learned the Hokey Pokey in Thai at one of the schools. Another awesome culture experience was watching a Tacraw game. Its volleyball but with your feet and a pinch of soccer thrown in there. Its amazing to watch! We have been treated like royalty here. Our group got the VIP section at the Tacraw game. We have been taken aroud town and given free meals by government officials.
We drove 10 hours from Loei to Bangkok last night.
I just got my hair done for 100 baht which equals $2.50. It feels so amazing. I feel so clean now. haha Today is a free day so im about to go explore what i can of Bangkok, Thailand. Later we are goin on a river boat ride.
Pictures will be posted soon!
Week 1 down of AFCO, it was amazing!

Take Care
Kap Kun Ka!

2006-05-20T09:33:00.000-04:00

The last 3 days have been extreamly tiring. It is without a doubt theee most physically hardest thing i have ever done in my life. We climbed a moutain in Phuk Ka Daung national park. Climbing the mountain took about 5 hours. We took bike rides to our bungaloo sites. The day following we hiked through forests, visited waterfalls and cliffs. We hiked for 8 hours and about 15 miles. One thing necessary for hiking was leech protectors. They are stokings what went up to your knee. Unfortunetly i didnt have one climbing up the moutain. One got to me and enjoyed its last meal. Its life did end on a full stomach. The day after that we went back down the mountain. Everyone was hurting in some way when we got back to base. All of my toes are swollen not to mention everyonther part of my body being sore. I was exhausted every night. I was in bed by 8 o'clock. Although early, 8 pm seems like a good bed time after hiking 15 miles.
We are now in Loei. We arrived to a school where they received us as very honored guests. They held a assembly for us. The chairman of the school district was there along with their local news channel. We all got a nice dose of Thai culture. We played sports and after getting a full force volleyball to the chin i sat and enjoyed getting to know some of the studnets. I have really enjoyed learning thai. Maybe Thai will be my 5th language learned.
Some of us are on the Thai diet. Which is absolutely no american food until the trip is over. I dont find it to hard considering Thai food is incredible.
We are staying in hotels at the moment. We will be here for another night then drive through the night back to Bangkok.
Kap Kun Ka for reading! :)

Until next time

2006-05-17T07:34:00.000-04:00

Sawasdee ka!!

I arrived to Bangkok May 16 at about 11 am. We all made it but our luggage didnt. An up side to that is we got to sleep in a hotel for our first night in Thailand. After settling in our rooms. We were split up and a Thai church member took us to eat. The food in Thailand is AMAZING! Dinner was about 50 baht. Which is about $1.25.
It is so great learning thai. Luckily my name is translatable. So I introduce myself as Namkaang. Its a lot easier than Rocio. Which is not an easy name anways.
Today we had about 5 hours of singing practice. (not consecutively) Oddly enough we spent more time learning new songs in english than we did in Thai.
Fruit here is very different and very good.
We did get out luggage about 3 today. One thing to remember is I am 12 hours ahead of Texas.
The next two days we will be climbing a mountain in northern Thailand and will have many concerts. Please continue to pray for us . Kap Kun Ka! (thank you (for women))

2006-05-15T20:03:00.000-04:00

Hello everyone

After driving 3 hours to Katy, an hour to the airport, 3 hours flight to LA and 14 hours straight on a plane, I am here in Hong Kong. Not quiet yet to our final destination but oh soo close. There was a slight bump on the road here to Hong Kong. In Houston our flight was delayed twice. Total time about 45 minuets, so our arrival to LA was late SO we had to make a mad dash to the otherside of the airport to catch our international flight. I have probably never run so hard in my life but it was a memorable experience. Plus its not like i havnt experienced that before. I had only a few hours of monday. Not a bad thing, nobody likes mondays anyways. It is strange to think we left the United States on sunday and arrived to Southeast Asia on tuesday. Not too much to say just a lot of sitting really.
Xie Xie (thank you in chinese)
I hope all is well.

2006-03-10T15:14:00.000-03:00

my name is Rocio
dew
Sizuku
EEsul
Orvalho
Lu-shwe
Talia
NamKaag
Nadá
Ruijada
Roseé
Tau
Rosa

enlish
japanese
Korean
Portugese
Chinese
Hebrew
Thai
Arabic
Itralian
French
German
Bosnian
*Sign Language

*pronunciation not availble
13 down many more to go