Poetry

My new year’s resolution is to read more poetry. I read the corniest article in a library journal about reading poems every day at breakfast, instead of the newspaper, to wake your brain up – and something about that idea stuck. Obviously, I am going to start with Wendell Berry but I am looking for other suggestions. I was an English major but I always avoided poetry at all costs. Who is your favorite poet? Where should I begin?

I have a long blog entry idea floating around in my brain. Hopefully I’ll make some time for writing it tomorrow.

Where to go from here…

Well, folks- just an update on the blog. As I continue to go through reverse culture shock (and the lesser known reverse-tent-living shock) and beyond, I plan on still posting here. About pretty much whatever I feel like. Not sure about Mike, but you can count on me for continued semi-purposeful ramblings about life, if you choose to continue reading.

The amount of posts will be directly in relation to my hearing about a job next week. Unemployment = lots and lots of blog posts. So keep your fingers crossed (for me to get the job, preferably).

Proof that I am not where I was a week ago

One week ago: I used a small, quick-dry, packable towel for showering. Showers involved cold water from an overhead tank or a bucket. If I wanted to clean my towel, I hand washed it, also in a bucket. Castile soap was the only hygiene product present. For washing my hair, clothes, dirty dishes, etc…

Today: Hot water shower. Clean clothes. Actual shampoo, intended for hair, AND conditioner. Lotion, because it is extremely dry. And a huge, fluffy towel, freshly clean because my mom just washed it, unbeknownst to me.

Life is different.

Overstimulated…

Oh man. I am back. It is cold and snowing and I am about to drive to western Mass because I have a job interview tomorrow morning. I am already used to having a cell phone again. There has been some family drama, reminding me immediately that the world did not stop while I was in Mexico. I am somewhat overwhelmed with it all but I am happy to be back. Sad to leave and happy to be back, simultaneously. It’s weird how that is possible.

It’s the final countdown….boo doo dooooooo do

Our time here is quickly coming to an end, unfortunately. Our last two weeks in Mexico are extremely different – we are living on a different farm, in a different tent. The folks we are staying with at BioSana are teaching a permaculture course at a local farm and Mike is taking the course. I am not taking it, but I am helping Shenaqua cook for the course (she is an AMAZING cook). It is my first time cooking for a large group of people and shiiiiiiiit it is hard. I am learning a lot (especially about spices….Shenaqua is a genius) but am exhausted at the end of every day.

Tomorrow, a woman from town is coming in and I will get to learn how to make tortillas and mole sauce from scratch. Oh man. It will definitely be worth it, even if I end up going to bed at seven o’clock.

I will be sad to leave but I won’t mind going back to being a librarian, rather than a sous chef. 🙂