(nice) knife encounters...

what happens when knives are in an elementary school in Ecuador (don't be alarmed, these are spendid silly incidents)

the first time: I saw la directora (principal) putting a large butcher/cake knife into her purse as she was leaving the office...strange.

Today, the 1st grade teacher left me with the knife/sharpener. All the kids were asking me to sharper their colored pencils, and at first I wasn't sure if I was doing it the best, but then....it was so much fun! SO I started sharpening everyone's colored pencils, until...it broke! :( The good thing about teaching in another language is when a word comes out that you wouldn't necessarily desire, especially for kids, they have no idea! fewwh. And when I apologized to the teacher about the knife, she was so sweet, "no pasa nada, esta bien?" (I still hope to buy her a new one!)

next time I saw a knife...today in the office when we were having cake to celebrate "el día del trabajo" as well as my farewell. La directora wished me luck and success and said I was a good person and she was happy for my time here. It was so sweet, and I understood everything, whew.

Then, one teacher, decided to cut and share the white chocolate decoration that was taken off the cake while cutting the pieces, the knife slipped and stabbed the cardboard and table. Luckily the glass table top wasn't damaged (and she almost let out a mala palabra as well hah...but in this case, we knew).

Okay my last encounter of these darn knives today, when the teacher was massaging her hand with a huge cake knife...again, strange.

So there you have it, today was nice and safe, full of knife encounters.

Wish me luck as I read a 15 page cuento of rich spanish literature. Si se puede....3 días más.

El día del trabajo

Happy workers day!! The only knowledge of this day I have known before is the worker protests, especially for latino workers rights. Well here, it's a much bigger deal. We actually get to celebrate all of our hard work, by getting a day off!

Happy May Day!! Something we don't have here-obviously-and something I miss. Remember picking flowers and making the paper holder for them? And then ringing your neighbor's doorbell (if you were brave enough) to deliver them flowers and wish them a happy may day?

Well it's great to have a break after only having one day this week, and getting ready for 3 more hard and last days. That's right!! This is my last week here in Cuenca. This is my last week of spanish literature classes (wahooo) and my last day of teaching my students English (booooo). This also means getting ready to say goodbye to my wonderful host family, friends, and beautiful culture, and a gorgeous city! I'm so sad to go. Yesterday my mom was saying "no te vayas" (don't go) and I said that I don't want to and I'm sad to be leaving. This is so true. So much of me wishes I could stay here for the summer and just teach English and live. But there is a HUGE part of me that can hardly wait to get back to the states. That's right I said it. I love the United States, this is for real. There are so many things I can barely wait for. Of course most of it has to do with the people, my friends and family, but to be back somewhere I know and were everything is second nature for me, wwheewww. I can only image how much I will miss Ecuador once I am back...I hope I'm ready for reverse culture shock (this is real, double D).

Today I started my day with a great run...okay maybe I should rephrase that. I think sometimes I forget that we are not at sea level...8,000 feet. It felt so good at first, and then the next 15 minutes....were hard. I do love running here, even though the altitude difference it hard, it feels so good, and I'm excited to see the difference at sea level.

Later, I got to skype with my wonderful friend Thirza!! It was so fun to talk with her and catch up. I also have a whole new appreciation of her English (she is from Switzerland), and we had fun talking about languages and all that good stuff. Then, I went to lunch with an friend, Laura, who is also studying abroad here. She leaves tomorrow so it was a goodbye see ya later lunch! We then bought some DVDs (shhh...) and I walked home, eating with zumir pink ice cream...when in Cuenca...

I am now on my way to Kari and Kendra's to worship together with their group! Wow, I'm so excited for this, I hope it's awesome :) And hopefully I will get some homework done later today, as the next 3 days will be insane! Thank you everyone who may be following my travels and praying. I can't believe it's so close to ending. Besos!!!

p.s. I will load some more pictures of my school and students soon, oh how I wish you could meet them all!!...but then you all might become English teachers, and we need you to keep doing what you do!

Some favorite teaching memories from the past weeks...

(previous week) 

...2 girls gave me rings to wear! 

...my first graders who were being very rambunctious (always the polite way to describe what you all know what I really mean) later all apologized to me during class later that day, with hugs.

...(while I was helping a teacher with her class) watching an anime version of snow white, dubbed over in spanish, as the students all moved their chairs  to the back of the classroom where I was sitting. We were all snuggled up, it was such a precious moment.

...dancing for 40 minutes with the students and taking the last 5 minutes to teach dancing and body words in spanish (I love finding out what the teacher has planned...)

...having a surprise birthday, where the class president cried as she walked in to her mom and all of us singing with balloons and streamers. Possibly their best part was their rendition of "habby bird-dea" in English. They were all looking at me excited, and I was singing too, and then I messed up, because they sang it differently!

(this past week)
...teaching my students "head, shoulders, knees, toes" whoever made up that song is genius...it perfectly shows the beauty in simplicity. I don't think I have ever seen so many kids so joyful and laughing so hard about something they are learning. The best was when some of them where falling over and there were piles of kids dying from laughter. Fire code much?...but we're in Ecuador!

...the moment where it was silent (for once) as I was writing something on the board and one boy awkwardly starts humming and singing nonsense words to the melody of "head, shoulders..." I could not contain that laugher...ya know sometimes you just got to let it out, can't pretend to think these moments aren't hilarious just because they are kids and we are adults.

...the many moments when my students repeat a side joke of mine or a question I'm asking them, and especially when they imitate me, I love learning to laugh at (not with, at) myself.

...the one girl who peaks in the office every day during our meeting/pancito&cafecito break and smiles shyly at me, while the other teachers just look.

...the moments where the students stand outside with me, not letting me get to the meeting, because they have so many questions to ask, and so many hugs to share.

...when the fourth grade teacher heard what I said about one more week, and repeated everything I had said again to the class because she was realizing that I really will be leaving. :(

...when a fellow teacher was talking to me and asking me if I have cuencano friends, one of my students who was standing near by goes, "Somos"(as he looked a little shy with a comforting smile). He was saying we are friends :) they really are my friends, I love my students so much!! (just because they whine about learning more letters in the alphabet, doesn't mean they don't like you!!)

...and everyday this week, walking away hearing the students yell "bye teacher" and "chao señorita," I wish it could be just chao and not adios.

With my second "B" graders :) 

(the one with his bad to the camera in white is the one who said they're my friends)

Saturday fun!

Before we get to Saturday....Friday: my host dad and I were driving and he goes "mira, las americanas." And since I know all americanas, I clearly knew them. I texted my friend kendra (a cool connection through Ryan and we go to the same church), sure enough it was her and Kari! So anywho,  Ryan and I ended up going out to dinner with them and their whole group. We had a fun night!

Now to Saturday :) Their group was going to baños and they were so nice to invite us too. Kendra, Kari and I ended up going to the nicer part that has spa treatments and mud baths, as well as the regular hot spring pools. We had an awesome time (except for maybe not so much on the ice baths) going through the spa treatments, exfoliating our skin, and covering ourselves in mud. We spend 5 hours there! And I think the minerals got to us... Then hung out at Kendra's and watched the changeling (good movie). Then we had a great dinner with the backstreet boys and her wonderful host family. It sure was a good day. Here are some pictures from baños:

Piedra de agua: spa day :)

After the steam room, as if we had already been swimming.

First "treatment, good for your bones"

Letting the mud dry, in the sun :)

And then we were black! 

The steam boxes, hah!

More hot and cold pools.

Finishing off with the warm pool..."or you can repeat the whole process over..." what!

I'm really thankful for this time and how the Lord made this all work out. Kendra and Kari are both from the Chicagoland area, and they live just a few blocks away from me, here in Cuenca! Remember when I asked for Christian friends? Thank you :) Of course we had to come to Cuenca to meet, rather than in our own city ;)

Photos with my families :D

Walking through Mall del Rio with my family! That's my niece Camila and my host dad.

Out to dinner with my friend Ryan (other student who stayed for an internship, from NPU too).

Showing my parents my school and some of my students!

In Turi looking over Cuenca :D

Family and host dad!

the not isuzu trooper. 

Hiking through Cajas with the families :)

Seeessterrrr :D

Duna (sister) Cami (niece) and Dad! 

Sarah was so excited! They ran after the cotton candy man!!

Host sister, niece, and dad!

Eating Chancho! With Florencia (mom) Mateo (nephew) David (nephew) and Hugo!

Saying goodbyes (host mom and brother-in-law)

With my parents, host parents, and sister. 

Travel, stress, and family fun!!

Well it has been awhile, quite a busy while I must say. But I am alive and well (PTL). The past two weeks were awesome...mixed in with the feeling of being overwhelmed; hence my absence.

I went to the Galapagos! Yes this is real. Thinking back, remember in October when I suddenly had a desire to go to the galapagos? I know I whined to a few people about this desire...thinking it was too out of reach, yet secretly hoping this dream would come true. And it did! I can't even express how thankful I am for my parents and the time we got to spend together, especially in those islands way out in the pacific. And my sister, she's amazing, we all had a wonderful time. Of course we missed "my two boys."
I think it may be overwhelming (not a feeling I want anyone to have to feel right now) to tell you aaalllll the details about the galapagos. But feel free to ask!! I will make a photo album on facebook with many of the photos :D. and maybe post one just as a tease.

The beach on Isabela Island where we swam one afternoon :)

After our quick 4 days out in the middle of nowhere, we came back to the beloved Cuenca!!! Oh how exciting that was; for my family to meet my ecuadorian family. We had a beautiful night, followed by a marvelous week. School on the other hand, was close to torture that week: not a happy camper studier. But we got through it! Annnnddd I got to spend a whole day with my families (see what I did there ;) ) in the beautiful national park of Cajas!!! Then we went to a restaurant where I had quite an experience with a fish. And then onto the Cuenca soccer game that night!!!

The next day, just as fun, was full of a market with roasted pigs where we ate chancho, then another town with some jewelry browsing, and then onto extended family!! And we had a ball (literally) playing soccer! Too many years had passed me by without that game, and it was a perfect return. The family, the sport, the pain; everything was so good. On the car ride back home, we sang rolling in the deep by adele, I wish everyone could hear my host nephew david sing this song. Pure joy, what a kid. We returned home, and had smoked salmon (thanks dad) with cream cheese and ritz crackers, OMG amazing.

I gave my host dad a mariner's hat, he was so happy, and he's been wearing it since :) we also shared girl scout cookies together :) Not to mention the pop rocks, which were a hit. I brought homemade cookies to my staff meeting, and the other teachers asked for the recipe. I gave homemade brownies to my professor and his family. I love sharing a bit of my home and the US american culture. There is something so special about homemade baked goods, thanks family :)

Sunday afternoon I said goodbye to my family, after a wonderful day at church and baños: natural hot springs. I cried, the first time I have ever cried on a goodbye. I love them so much. I walked back to the car with my host brother-in-law and he hugged me and walked with me as I cried. I tried to swallow it but the tears came without my approval. Juan said, "chocolate para la pena" handing me a mani chocolate bar. Thankfully he talked on the way back, cause it was hard for me. But I think that is a sign of a wonderful week, and a fantastic family :)

Break for my students, and somewhat for me too :D

My students this week have a week of break after finishing their exams and the trimester last week. Buuuttt since I am in an internship and need to count my hours, I am going to a different school to observe today and tomorrow...then the rest of the week will be off for me :)

Random observation that I found sad: when teaching my students colors, they first called the light pink-piel-meaning skin. That color is NOT skin color...since when is skin that color for everyone. No one in the school but myself has that color, yet they call that skin color. Oh us gringos...it's sad.

So anywho today was nice, so much different than my school. This school is private, dual-lingually taught. From everything I have heard, it is a very good school.

Main differences:
-They are used to seeing extranjeros so I was no novelty...I think most kids didn't even notice me.
-Many of the classes are actually taught in English.
-Behavior...I missed my well-behaved kids-this dynamic is interesting...
-I spent 45 minutes in a buseta-taxi-van as they dropped us all off...and I was falling asleep.
-The classrooms were nicely painted and decorated-with lots of English.
-The students had wonderful English books and materials...this is something I crave for my students.
-The social class difference was very noticeable.

Such a pretty science classroom.

The kids messing around until the teacher arrived...

I hope tomorrow goes well also :D and I get to observe a french class which I'm excited about!!


p.s. on THURSDAY I will be leaving early in the morning for Guayaquil to meet my parents and Sarah. Just two full days until we reunite. I am TAN EMOCIONADA!!

The fun of a host family!!

This weekend has been quite uneventful.
Although today, my host nephews and I had a lot of fun...pretty much spend all my writing essay time dancing and taking crazy photos and videos. Here are just a few to let you in on the fun!!

Mateo and gatito :)

and then it got crazy...

angry sad puss in boots

My head, his body!

He got a new watch...and he's so excited!!

hold your breath!

Aahhhh!

David joined in!

and then we traveled to the moon...

what...wooaahh

weeiirrdd faces :D

David pulling his face hahahahaha

Dancing!

David going off!

And of course Cami with her corn.... 

Your faith has healed you...

Remember when you read the bible and heard all these stories about people being healed, and then when you were sick, where did you go? Where do I usually? Where do you go first?

"Paul looked directly at him, saw that HE HAD FAITH to be HEALED and called out, 'Stand up on your feet!' At that, the man jumped up and began to walk." Acts 14:9-10

Yesterday I could barely walk. I could hardly function. I was delirious. I was lost; in deep pain. The only thing I could think of is how our Lord gives us strength, He's even the source of our strength. I have been reading through the old testament and I couldn't help but think about how many people were healed, and every time, it is because the person had faith! It take this seriously.

I fully believe that I was healed of my sickness only by the power of God through the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ. I really didn't understand my sickness yesterday or why everyone was so worried, but now after looking at the symptoms of what is called Dengue fever (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dengue_fever), I fully believe I was healed.

While I was in Peru and on the coast I was bitten several times by mosquitos and have been very irritated by these bites, more than mosquitos bites have ever bothered me. Tuesday marked 14 days since I was in Peru and Guayaquil. And the symptoms, especially with the SUDDEN high fever, headache, body aching and joint pains...just what I was experiencing. And then how, but by the healing powers of God, was a suddenly all better? I feel great. and even yesterday, I felt so much better and was functioning just fine last night. Even if what I had somehow was something different, it was probably the sickest I have ever felt-because it was sick in all types of sickness at once. And God completely healed me.

I am so thankful for the family and friends who were all praying, and for those who were truly believing and expecting healing. It worked. Do you really believe this? No, seriously, do you wholly, completely, believe that the One who created you and everything we know, healed me, and is healing people every minute? I hope so. I still struggle with fully believing, but after experiencing this healing, a healing of my spine, and many more other types of healing, I know the God we follow, placed the Holy Spirit in us for a reason; a beautiful reason!!


"But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe." Galatians 3:22

A prisoner to sin...I fully believe that sickness is one, not self inflicted, but not of God's desire. We are fighting a war, even though it is true that it is completely invisible (but not if we're really paying attention). I've been experiencing a high level of spiritual warfare here, and it is amazing to see the way our King fights for us. I am praising the Lord for his amazing powers. And the coolest thing ever, the He really gave us the Spirit to live in us every single day! woah. I hope that you truly believe in healing, it is amazing. God loves us so much. Thank you again for all prayers!!!!! God is forever listening :)

I don't like being sick!

No thank you sickness! I'm not sure how it has always seemed to find me, now that I am in Ecuador. I very suddenly became sick last night. Started with neck pain, bad headache, then I started getting really cold and then it just hit me and I felt awful. I woke up a little off and on during the night, once having a dream about being at my house (at home) and it was heated extremely high and we were all wearing winter coats...let's just say: fever chills...fluctuating hot and cold. When I woke up this morning, I could hardly move, and I just kept praying that God would give me the strength to get up and go to my internship. It is very important for me to not miss teaching, not only for the students, but also for the amount of hours I need. Therefore, I tried my hardest to be there.

After teaching my first class for less than the full class period, I called my host mom and went back home. I went back to sleep, and she and Dunia (wonderful coordinator at CEDEI) scheduled an appointment for me at 1pm. I was way out of it. After the appointment, I went to go a urine test and my blood drawn for a blood test. I passed out, and just felt awful. I came back, had hot chocolate to boost my blood sugar and get me back, and then sleep for about 3 more hours. I am definitely feeling better right now, but still out of it. I think my fever is much down, but not gone yet. I am hoping I will be back to full health tomorrow to go to my internship and classes. Please pray for my health!

Also, my parents and sister are coming in one week from tomorrow! I can hardly wait to see them and spend a weekend in the Galapagos and then the week with them in Cuenca!! It's funny how being sick makes me miss the ones closest to me even more. I am so thankful for my family, and also my host family here, who have really been caring for me well. Thank you Lord!!

MY WEEK!!! new and beautiful.

It has no been one week since the rest of our group returned to the states. Overall, this past week was good. I can't say amazing, although at times it definitely was, and thankfully it was never bad. I'm noticing the vacio now that our other friends are gone, but it is fun to be a little more independent. 

I successfully (I hope) taught 8 classes of English, 2 times each, throughout the week. Being thrown into my first full teaching experience was great. and why not while we're speaking another language! 

My new classes are mas o menos, difficult. Very interesting, but at a high level of Hispanic Literature.

Talking with friends from home and my boyfriend has been wonderful, but sometimes it makes me miss my home and home culture all the more. I wish I could even begin to express my gratitude for what I know as home.

Walking alone for 1-2 hours daily...I am enjoying it, although sometimes it does feel lonely. What would I do without my God's presence? He is what's keeping me going, my traveling companion :)

It's also been a lot different hanging out with my cuencano friends, just me and cuencanos: but it's been so fun!! This weekend there were two birthdays! Friday night we went out to a discoteca to celebrate, and I met more friends through Darwin. I shared experiences with someone whose father is an English teacher and speaks french as well, but only taught his kids spanish...I guess we're not the only ones....Mom!! Then last night we went out again to celebrate Darwin's brother's birthday. I also learned a spanish/ecuadorian card game! As well as taught/showed off my basque sheep herder's call!! MOM ;D

The weather has been beautiful. It's hot; and I love it. The sun is strong and close...hmmmm more park time :)

Yesterday I spent part of my afternoon at the park (1 min from my house) reading through Galatians, Ephesians, and Philippians...while the sun/son poured out it's/his love for me :) 

--->reading through the new testament has also been going wonderfully-Lent with my man!!

I was also able to watch a live stream of North Park's Justice Submit and reload (conference) on Friday and Saturday night...amazing speakers and goooood words from the Lord. Live stream: worshiping with the NPU worship team=INCREÍBLE. 

Also thought I'd tune into a little news from that states as I should probably have at least an idea of what's going on. The news about Trayvon Martin has also made it to Ecuador, I heard it on the radio with my host dad this week. 

What else has been going on? I'm sure there is a lot more I could tell you about and all in much more detail...but I know it's different not being here, and I don't want to bore you. 

But...I went to church this morning and it was wonderful!! praise the Lord. nice 15 walk in the sunshine.

-a woman came up to me and told me that I reminded her of her daughter, and she started crying and telling me about her daughter and how happy she was I was there. She now has my number and she wants to invite me for cafecito! 

-also the man in front of me told me I have a beautiful voice...it was very sweet. 

I miss SO MUCH being surrounded by believers and having my friends who are christians to talk about everything with, please pray Jesus brings me Christian friends, or that I would talk more about my faith!!! 

Have a beautiful day. I'm going to go to the park and read about "new spain," YAY!!!!! or maybe I'll just read the forgotten god :) (read it!)

Here's a picture from last night...excited, overwhelmed, maybe nervous, having the time of my life...all these emotions and more. Do some justice. 

First day of my internship.

Starting this week, I am in an internship during the morning and have afternoon class. I am interning at a school in Turi (outlying area of Cuenca, but close to my host home). Today I literally had no idea what to expect. My host dad drove me this morning which was nice, although he didn't know where it was so thankfully I somewhat remembered from when I went a few weeks ago and we found it fine.

I walked in and saw all the kids in the school lined up in sweat uniforms outside, with the director talking to them. It seemed to be a good sign...and many or most of the kids were staring at me. Once they were finished I talked to the director and she took me to my first classroom. She introduced me to the teacher, (they were grade 2) and I asked if I would just observe today. I didn't understand everything but at first I thought I would be more or less just introducing myself and then observing. Well, then the teacher stayed seated at her desk and gave me the nod, so I started teaching. For the most part, these students haven't had any English. I went over my name, where I am from, and taught them those in English and then they learned the alphabet song! And they even repeated the "now I know my ABC's...." The kids were very well behaved and even though I didn't have a plan or anything, it worked out well.

After about 45min, I went to another classroom (1st grade) and kind of taught the same thing, although we also did fruits. This classroom was more of a challenge but it still went well. Then it took awhile for me to leave because they all came crowded around me hugging and squeezing my hands all the way out the door. They are so sweet!

The next classroom was 3rd grade, and they did well with the alphabet and knew their numbers 0-9 in English already. Also, they were excited that I study in Chicago. When I first said that I'm from Seattle and then that I go to school in Chicago, one of the boys shouts out Chicago!!! They were a lot of fun, and again well behaved.

By this time it was just after 10am, and the school has a 40min break for the students and teachers. I sat in the directors office with the teachers (7 teachers, 7 grades) and we had tea and bread. They asked a little about me, and we just all sat there, often times in silence, or side conversations.

Overall, I think everything went smoothly. I definitely was just relying on the Holy Spirit and whatever I saw in the room to teach. I hope to plan stuff for the other grades tomorrow and the rest of the week. They don't have any English books or really any English resources, but it should all work out. I already love the kids and I am excited to get to know them.  I'd love your prayers!!

Back home in Cuenca :)

WOW. We went to Machu Picchu.
We conquered Waynapicchu.
Every single bus had a problem.
We missed buses, buses didn't leave, there were road blocks, buses were more than 6 hours late...
We were on buses for over 120 hours.
We experienced a black out that circumferenced cities two hours apart.
We had the freaking time of our life.
Peru is amazing.
Machu Picchu is incredible.
I saw the most beautiful sight I have ever seen in my life.
Woooww can't even take it all in or even begin to express it all.

I am now back home safely in Cuenca and I have only our Lord to praise for that!! I will post pictures soon, and I think I will post an album of a ton of pictures from the week on facebook.

Gracias amigos, ustedes extraño mucho! Que tengan un buen día, alabanza a Jesucristo!

Praise our Lord Jesus Christ!!!!

This is amazing, we are all filled with so much pure joy and I can not praise or thank anyone except for our good King!!! Last night we had an absolutely splendid time in Lima, this part of the city is wonderful. Everyone has been unbelievably nice to us and so helpful. This morning, we bought the last 5 tickets on the bus to Cusco!!! We are going to Cusco. That was a miracle in itself, the last 5 and they are all next to each other! We were so excited. Then, we called the woman who works at the hostal in Cusco and has been helping us a lot. We found out that she reserved a private car for us so that we will be able to make it in time to not only experience Machu Picchu, but also climb Huana Picchu. This is amazing news. We were completely surprised. We had previously accepted that the least we would get to do is Machu Picchu, so this surprise of transportation and hope of getting to still climb the mountain is wonderful! And that transportation is planned 9 hours after our expected arrival time, so hopefully we will be good this time. And, on the off chance that our bus is extremely late, there are tickets in the morning to take the train and still get to go to Machu Picchu! WOW. Thank you so much for all of your prayers, Jesus heard them and is sooo happy and loves us so much. We can't even express how excited and thankful we are!! Jesus is really knocking us down with his overwhelming love for all of us!!

Also, yesterday when we had a wonderful night, we met some people and I got to talk with someone about science and religion for awhile, he was so excited to hear that I am a christian, he told me he thought there was no religion in EEUU (USA) or Europe. I also wrote down the everything is spiritual by Rob Bell and I believe that God is going to do something powerful through his viewing of that video, let's pray for a translated version, or that God will give him the knowledge to understand the video and truly believe. I am amazed with God's faithfulness in our journey right now. This is probably the best and most exciting adventure I have every been on. I love Peru!!!!! The people have been so wonderful to us. And right now, we are at a Starbucks, this is just fun! I'm praying for more experiences to proclaim the beautiful gospel! Thank you for all your support and prayers, I am thanking Jesus for you and anyone who reads and is interested in my travels. Praise our good God!!!

Ephesians 6:19-20~Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. (*Traveling in Peru!) Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

We're in Peru! But not exactly the way we planned...

Spring break 2012!! The plan was/is to go to Machu Picchu, via bus...100+ hours through Ecuador and mostly Peru, on the bus. We started off this adventure by almost missing our first bus...good times...Then Lauren and I almost missed the same bus, AGAIN! (should that even be possible? well it is for us...) We were waiting for our change and the bus attendant lady kept telling us we needed to go and then they just left!! we ran after the bus and they stopped to let us on...whheeww. 

Now, some unknown way, our 25 hr bus ride was 31+ hours. (We seriously have NO IDEA why we were 6 hours late!) Therefore, we missed the Lima-Cusco bus. This is bad news :( 

Honestly we do not know if we are going to make it to Machu Picchu as of now, hopefully we'll make it for the next day, but we are definitely going to have to miss aguas calientes and Huana Picchu :(

On the other hand, Lima is awesome!!!! We checked out the options for taking a bus tomorrow (not until 2pm :(...puts us pretty behind schedule :(-please pray we'll get to see the amazing machu picchu) and then we got a taxi to go to a hostal we have already been in contact with. Buuuttt, our cab driver was so nice, and he stopped on the way and asked at a hostal for us, our hostal is awesome!!! We then walked down to a very nice center of the city-we are in a very nice safe part of Lima, and these people are incredibly nice!! We are having a great time, even though the plans and everything isn't working out how we hoped. We need prayers!! Thank you :D

P.S.-we get to go to a starbucks tomorrow!!! We're all looking forward to that! :D

I advise all of you to go to Cuenca and this part of Lima-the best places I've seen so far in South America!! Love the towns and the people :D 

Please pray!! The reasons I am in pain...

I don't mean to be a complainer, but today was quite an eventful day. I really need your prayers!


...my foot is swollen from being stepped on by a stiletto (tacos) on Saturday night.

...I have an awful cold and possibly fever: my head, face, eyes, and nose are in pain.

...after finishing everything for our Visas, we found out that they just changed the whole process and rules and we now need a different visa, which costs $230.

...I was in a car accident, in a taxi, on the way to the government place to figure out issues for the visa. My jaw was slammed into the driver's seat and my right side of my jaw is in much pain-please pray for healing! But thankfully we were all ok, in both cars.

...to top it off, I only got 2 hours of sleep last night, causing me to feel all of this a little extra.

CHEERS TO FINALS WEEK! (I'd love prayers for that too!)

(please note that after typing this blog post out, I accidentally deleted the whole thing, this is not a good day for me)

Tuve un cumpleaños maravilloso :D

(I had a wonderful birthday) I experienced my birthday in another continent, for the first time this year! And thankfully, it was amazing :) Although I did miss my family and everyone a little extra on Sunday, God definitely showed me the family that I have here in Ecuador.

My birthday weekend started with Saturday, skyping my family and close friends from home. Then I went out for lunch with my host sister and then my host family took me out to Pizza for my birthday. Yuuummm :) Later that night, I went out with my sister to her friend's birthday party. I met lots of her friends and had a good time talking and dancing. It was extra special because my sister told everyone that my sister was the next day, so everyone was kind of counting down. When it turned midnight they were hugging me and wishing me happy birthday. Then about every 15 minutes one of the girls would come up and be like birthday girl, wanting me to dance or have a drink. It was so much fun to bring in my birthday that way, and meet more amigos cuencanos!

The next morning I woke up early for an excursion and, after 3 short hours of sleep, was ready for a trip through Gualaceo. Gualaceo is a smaller town about an hour away (most of my extended family lives there, it is the town that I went to the first sunday here in Cuenca). We went and saw different artisans, which was so interesting, and went to the market. I will add some pictures.

After our excursion, I came home and did homework and took a short nap. Then we had an early dinner (6pm) with my family and they had a birthday cake for me! Little did I know, that the tradition here is for the cumpleañero to just take a bit of the cake, before cutting and serving it. So my family is telling me to take a bite, and I thought maybe they were kidding at first, but no they really wanted me to put my face into the cake and take a bite. So eventually I did and had frosting all over my face and it was a fun time.

Later, I met up with my friends from NPU in the center. We planned to dress up and go out for a late dinner. Well, it was Sunday. So of course it and pretty much every other restaurant was closed. However, we did find a restaurant and had a nice light dinner/dessert. Then, my friends wanted to stop by cafe austria so we could say hi to our friends (the waiters) and they could wish me a happy birthday. On the way, mass was getting out so we stopped and got cotton candy!

When we walked into the cafe, our friends Darwin and Pablo had decorated a corner of the restaurant for me!! I was completely surprised. So we all sat down and they made us snacks and hung out. Then they brought out a big chocolate cake that said happy birthday abby on it. Darwin had made the cake, and it is the kind they serve by piece at the cafe. So ultra vez, they sang "cumpleaños feliz" (they don't sing it "cumpleaños a ti" here). This time I knew what to do and took a big bite and of course got my face smashed into the cake. Good times. We had a wonderful time just hanging out and it really felt like my birthday :) Later, I also got to make coffee on the expresso machine at the cafe and they asked me to help out when they are busy, hah!

The next day, I had my third birthday cake when everyone from our group, our professor, and the directors at CEDEI (our school) had a little birthday celebration for me after class, with chocolate cake (que rico!!) and ice cream. I also received a birthday card from my family this day :) thanks my loves!

I had a wonderful birthday and really felt like it was a special day!! 2 decades down :D

Sarah and I :)

All dressed up :D

Part of the group at the first restaurant.

Cotton Candy outside of the cathedral :)

The our friends who surprised me :)

La playa para el Carnaval!

Carnival is a huge deal here. Many people go to the coast or somewhere warmer for the weekend. We went to a small coastal town Montañita, which is very popular during carnival. It is a very hippie and crazy party beach. (It was way too loco for our group, but we still loved the experience and playing at the beach.) We left on Saturday morning (6am) and returned Tuesday evening; Monday and Tuesday were off of school for Carnival. 

Pictures from Montañita:

On our way, driving through Guayaquil, definitely not as pretty as Cuenca.  

Right outside of our hostel. We think they finally turned off the music 

from 6am-10am, the only time the town slept.

The beautiful sunsets, every night. Look at the cute family!!

He was really excited to get in this picture.

Such a beautiful beach! :D

The waves and so many people! 

Thumbs up for parasailing!! 

Strapped up, ready!!!

There went Becky!!

Video of my take off :)

Carnival: get ready to be foamed and hit with water!

Espuma! 

Toes at the beach. we need to go get those $3 pedicures.

Hangin' in the hammocks on the porch of our hostel :)

Porch, looking to more hostels and all the crazy people partying at Montañita.

Las chicas :)

Oh crowded playa.

Allison and I :)

Becky and I being marveled at God's beauty for us!!

Video of la playa.

We saw this man pain this mural, start to finish.

Sunset, praise the Lord for this beauty :)