Niskayuna Rotary Rises

 

Fresh Eyes

I always have a hard time adjusting after a vacation. I live in a kind of numb routine until I go away. When I come back the numb is gone, and I question all of the routines.

Now that I am back, I wonder how I could let $20 bills spill out of my pocket so easily for pizza, coffee, movie seats, haircuts or a baseball hat. $20 in Ecuador has an impact.

I wonder about my constant connectiveness. I am plugged into the news, my blackberry, IM's, and e-mails for every waking moment of my day. Nobody I know has swung in a hammock for a long time.

I think about the need to be doing. With all I have, and all that is given to me why do I still have an urgent list of things that preceed happiness? What if I just stop where I am and be grateful for the blessings of my great family.

I love my family. I am sorry that I don't spend more time "connected" to them. I wish we had a row of hammocks to swing in and really talk. Life without a TV, an alarm clock and a shopping list was prerry jarring to my system. I am glad I got a fresh perspective.

The older I get, the more I have to learn.

Back from a different time

I have been home from Ecuador for less than 12 hours, but felt really moved to post.

I don't intend to recount my trip on this post, that would be too tedious for anyone to read. I do want to say how moved my spirit was with the people of Ecuador.

I just left a store where the 20 year old cashier snatched the cash out of my hand before I reached out to him. I thought "How un-Ecuadorian of you." I just came to respect a slower, more cooperative, less aggressive pace for the 9 days I was gone.

My highlights came when we went to the homes of Sabrina's family and friends. It was delightful to see how ordinary people live and interact. I felt like they were my family too.

I am glad to be home. I am grateful for the big things we have here. At the same time, I will miss the million small courtesies, and peaceful souls.

Touching the pole`

Running was a great time of mental gymnastics for me. If I could run 400 meters in 2 minutes, how long would it take to run 3.5 miles... But what if the 400 meters was uphill, and the half way time was 25 minutes. What was the time to beat...


Some truths prove themselves. Going "out" always is much longer than "coming back." A Distance will also seem shorter the more often you repeat it. Familiarity is a runners friend.

Now Sabrina has been gone for 150 days, and has 150 to go. To non-runners you would think this is half way. I propose that Sabrina has endured all of the hardest parts (except leaving) and not has 150 days of dessert in front of her.

Never again will Sabrina be a non-Spanish speaker. Never again will Sabrina be without a friend in Ecuador. Now Sabrina knows her school, and knows how fast 150 days goes by.


I booked our flight to go visit her. We will be landing in Guayaquil at 5PM on her 18th Birthday.


BTW: I am have passed the half way mark too. I am really looking forward to having my Beenie within hugging distance.

Estefania's Video

Sabrinas first contact in Ecuador came from Estefania (Nia). Nia is Sabrina's host sister and she was also a previous exchange student who spent a school year in Minnesota.

For me this has been a real comfort. First of all Nia speaks perfect English, so when I call the Lieva family and she answers she is always great at reassuring me that Sabrina is well. Nia has also shown how compassionate she is to Sabrina's distance from home.

The latest really thoughful gesture came when she made this video on New Years Eve. It was great to open my email and have it waiting.

Life is Good today!