Back in the Classroom - Week 7

This time I'm back in the desk, not in front of the class. This past weekend I took a 15 hour ESL Training Course with the Adams County Literacy Council. It was great to be learning something new again. I even got to learn some Russian as a way to remember what it's like to learn a completely foreign language. A double bonus!

I met a lovely young woman who is orginally from Burundi. We exchanged emails. She has been doing a literacy project there while she has been at Penn State getting her bachelors. Most of the people in the class were from Gettysburg College nearby and will be tutors. However, most of them have aspirations for the Peace Corp and other overseas interests.

I learned a lot of great techniques that I hope will come in useful. It's great to have a new set of skills that will make more more competent if the need arises. Now I just have to find a way to put one more thing in my small bag.

I'm reading another great book right now called, Vagabonding by Rolf Potts. www.vagabonding.net/ He has some great insights that I think will prove very helpful to me. It's really helping me continue to let go, simplify and be open to the journey. His philosophy is that it is a "personal act that demands only the realignment of self". He even writes about "quitting" as a positve step in a better direction. It is helping me really soak in these ideas to hopefully be ready to live them. I admit as the time comes when the training wheels will be off and I'll be far away and completely on my own, I'm nervous. So many things could happen and for one who likes to be prepared....I won't be. So, I have to keep talking things through with myself.

I think I will come away with a new notion of time, value, things and hopefully myself. This is a gift I am giving myself, which I hope will bless others. He has 3 basic methods to simplifying life: stop expansion, reining in your routine, reducing clutter. I think I've made a good start at these. I am going to be interested to see what hostel life looks like exactly. How I will eat. When I will sleep, wake etc. Without anything to really push me in one direction or another. It will be curious to see.

To have as few possessions as possible, to live as simply and cheaply as possible (while being safe, Mom). I am excited to meet new people, experience new things and well.....honestly, I don't know what I am doing. I'm not a huge tourist. So, I don't see myself having to do all these crazy things. I feel that life may be slower, less intense and not trying to pack everything in and "do it all". I don't have a list of things to accomplish or things I need to see. Everywhere is beautiful, so I am not seeking the ultimate spot. I don't know what I am seeking really. I think it will find me. I'm also a little worried about transportation. However, I'm sure after a bit it will be much easier. I figure, if I freak out or it's too much for me. I can always find a comfortable place and stay put.

One other great book I'm reading, and it seems the rest of America is too, is Eat, Pray, Love: One woman's search for everthing across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert. http://www.elizabethgilbert.com/eatpraylove.htm. She is a very delightful author who makes it seem like she's sharing stories with her best friend. A great read for anyone. I'm less than half-way through, but it's a great look at how places can help shape and inform your life.

UPDATE ON ME:
1. Waiting to hear back from Paulist on the book.
2. I leave for Mexico on Friday Oct 12. I'll be with my friends in Tijuana (www.montemaria.org)
3. Still no renter for the house.
3. Life is good.