It's Been Interesting

Hello Friends!

I am going to Guatemala.  Soon.  September 10th soon.   I will be back in December (I'm not sure exactly when).



The long story (scroll down for the short):

It has been a very good summer - I do not have nightmares about my work at the Visitor Information Centre (at least not usually); my co-workers are the best I could have asked for; I had time to hang out with my wonderful friends and family, and Wanda has so graciously let me live with her!  THANK YOU ALL!

The summer has had its quirks, however, as all summers should (which allow us to appreciate quick holidays and riding horse in the west pasture all the more!).  The quirks this year are related to drastic changes in my fall plans.  My parents will tell you that I do not take change well, and I expect that anyone reading this will know that I become worried and stressed a bit more than the Bible recommends.  So perhaps this good, yet rather uncertain summer, was simply a growing opportunity. That said...

In January, I had decided to accept a scholarship to go on an Augustana exchange program to Mexico - PACSE (Puebla-Alberta Community Service Exchange).  The group, about 10 people, would go to Mexico for 2.5 months, live with a family in a rural town, and volunteer in the community.  The next 2 months would be spent volunteering in Rural Alberta.

PACSE would allow me to complete my Spanish Immersion credits for my modern languages degree, as well as get credits for a Global & Development Studies minor.

Skipping the details, I found out at the end of June that the program was to be cancelled for this year.

Not wanting to base my degree on the possibility that the program might run next year, I began searching for options to work on my degree in a Study Abroad program of my own.  By the beginning of August, I had the consent from the head of humanities at Augustana to talk to my academic advisor about applying to a school called ICA in Xela, Guatemala.  By the middle of August, I was told that I could receive up to 15 Spanish credits for 12 weeks of studies there.  A couple days later, with the help of my parents, I booked a flight and reserved my spot at the school.  We are now at the end of August, and September is fast approaching, which leads me to this blog, which you are already reading (Good Work!).

Wanda thinks that I should document my travels online.  If I become too self-conscious, I may stop.  Look at how much I have talked already without anyone else's input - how rude!  Please tell me your thoughts and plans as well :)


As for the title of the blog, I have never been to Guatemala, and thus have never talked with a Guatemalan mango, and although I am not 100% certain that they do not talk, it does seem unlikely.  But if they did, I would imagine that they would have amazing, lasting stories - heart-wrenching, joy-filled, devastating, beautiful stories - stories that could only be fully understood by someone so invested and absorbed in the richness of the culture and people.

I do not want to set extreme expectations for my time in Guatemala, but I do hope that I will be able to meet Guatemalans, that my perspective will be expanded, and that I can catch even a glimpse of what a tall, quiet, mango tree might see (& feel) in the culture in which it is indeed so deeply rooted.

Perhaps you can pray that I will have the opportunity, the sensitivity, and the continued desire (even when I crave Canadian culture) to gain wisdom and learn from the Guatemalan people in the short time that I will be there.

Thanks!



Short version:
Mexico exchange that I was enrolled in was cancelled
Researched language schools
Talked to Augustana
Decided ICA in Xela, Guatemala
Booked the flight for September 10th
Arrive in Xela on September 12th
Study for 12 weeks
Travel?
Come home
Sleep
Go to Augustana for the winter