Since I haven't written on her in forever, I decided I would post this little note that I just wrote to my fellow Casamates (the other students from the U.S. I studied with last semester). A little preface - each Thursday night throughout my semester in El Salvador we had Community Night, which meant gathering for a few hours to talk about how we were doing, playing games, and sharing life stories. Well, tonight is Thursday night, and some of my Casamates have sent out an email sharing what they've been up to recently, like we used to, gathered around some lit candles back in El Salvador. Sorry that there is a lot missing between my last post and now; maybe some of the details will trickle in in further posts. For now, I'll simply share my note...
~~~~
I was about to go to bed when I checked my email and, reading all of your lovely messages, I thought I would write a little too.
Today was awesome. First, I went for a run around Quincy's canal..the air was brisk, the birds were swooping down, almost skimming the water. I thought of running with those of you who were running buddies, even if we only went running once or twice together.
After breakfast and a shower, I decided to wear my one-and-only Pueblo de Dios en Camino shirt with the embroidered flowers and the pink coconut earrings and headed over to my high school, where I got to visit five of my old teachers. I sat in on Mr. Heikes' bio class and learned about photosynthesis, including a hands-on demonstration of how light is transformed into energy which involved a blow-up clownfish that represented a photon. Awesome. I also showed Kimmel, my old soccer coach, the sweet Salvadoran jersey with Gatita written across the back and explained how my old soccer nickname (Kat) was lovingly renewed in El Salvador.
In the afternoon, I cooked! Not an amazing feat for most of you, but for me cooking is something I really don't know much about and seeing you guys whip together delicious weekend meals has helped inspire me to delve into this new realm of potential delight. This year Mother's Day coincided with my Dad's birthday, and since I didn't get to celebrate with them then, I decided to make dinner for them tonight and wrap up their little gifts I brought from El Salvador (in the comic section of the newspaper instead of wrapping paper...kind of a reflection of how much more I am noticing ways I can be less wasteful) to celebrate today, together. I ended up making lemon-rosemary shrimp, rice and a spinach salad sprinkled with bright mandarin orange sections and sugared almond slices. It didn't turn out too bad.
 |
| spinach salad, rice and shrimp |
I have also just started taking Zumba classes. If you are in need of some fun, energizing activity that incorporates easy-to-learn steps and lively Latin music and can be some structure for the excess of free time that has overwhelmingly been imposed upon you by lack of Casa (like it has for me), then I recommend you try Zumba. : )
It's nice to get your emails and hear how you are.
Mucho amor, Gatita
 |
| card for Mom..tarjeta para mi mamá |
 |
| card for Dad..tarjeta para mi papi |
 |
| con mi padre |
