FLU! – a slang espression for surprise

I feel much better than I did when I wrote my last post. I was having a frustrating day, obviously...

It drives me crazy to think about how this country is still colonized. There’s so much imported culture from the US: TV, music, clothes. Unsurprisingly the economy is dependent of foreign dollars. Cingular practically runs the country, except it’s called Orange here. Ideas about gender and race have not changed much. There has never been a racial civil rights movement, nor a women or gender movement. My Haitian friend told me straight up, “They all think they’re white but even if you’re Moreno you’re going to have a hard time finding a job.” I’m not surprised; this is “Latino exceptionalism” in action. And for me, a colonized society is much worse off when your education system doesn’t teach critical analysis of society and history. Yet I understand: how can you teach liberal arts when you have mouths to feed in a 3rd world country? (I hear Du Bois and Washington again…) So my main frustration in this country is this eternal cycle of colonialism… They are stuck. And worse… I don’t know how to change that… It’s so ingrained and static and I can’t do anything about it! I hate feeling powerless.

But let’s remember some positives. I know I will still be upset about certain things even when I leave. I trust though that I will learn from it regardless… But there are great things too.

Let’s start with this: I had a really great weekend. On Friday, we were on former land of Trujillo, the last dictator of the country (1930-61). It was our one-month meeting to talk about our experiences thus far and share advice on how to cope, if needed. I didn't talk much but it was good to hear everyone's experiences. After that a friend and I talked to our resident director about future trips. We’re figuring out how to go to Haití and another country that shall remain nameless because I bet the American government reads blogs (hello US official). When I got home, my host sister and cousins were playing. I am in love with my 3-year old host cousin. Que lindo! Then some other girls and I went to meet Edward, a friend of un “Estudiante de Apoyo” for coffee. I gave in after so many text messages from Edward. I was like ok, I’ll see you Friday, as friends. He had the benefit of the doubt because he was friends with one of my favorite Dominican student. He surprised me though by being opposite of a creep and when I told him I was going to bring friends, he was smart and brought one of his friends (yea, I’m a horrible date… but it’s SO necessary…). We had a really good time just chilling at this café near the university. Then that night, I had a really good conversation with my mom! The crazy thing is, I am convinced (and she thinks so too) that my Vietnamese is improving. I swear it’s because I’m using my brain in a different way to understand, respond, and change to and from English and Spanish. Also, Friday was full of sugar, coffee, whipped cream, American apple pie, chinola (passion fruit) juice, and abichuelas [frijoles] con dulce (a dessert people in this region of the country eat to welcome Lent). Let’s not talk about gaining weight…

Saturday, everyone went to the beach, Punta Rucia/Playa Ensenada. GORGEOUS! I went snorkeling! My only complaint is that climbing back onto the boat is never as graceful as it should be...

And good news! I got an interview for the Rockefeller's! I just wish I didn't feel so unsure about it though...

Well I'll figure it out. Thanks everyone who's been writing to me in some way. I'll slowly start responding. I have a week full of midterm exams. Let's hope no one speaks "asian" to me...