The Beginning of Work...DUN DUN DUN...!

So, these past two days have been the first two days of class! It's held at Hotel Anturium where our orientations are at and it's a bit further than Becari, so Erica(housemate) and I must walk a bit more. The classes have been okay. We've been having lectures with Dr. Tenorio and he's so awesome! The lectures are like a lot of self-help stuff since it's about emotional intelligence and things like that. I feel like the lectures, though a bit long, have been helping me deal with my homesickness more. Basically, it's helping us to learn how to develop empathy for others and just listening and understanding others. It's very philosophical kind of, but not too hard to understand. I really like Dr. Tenorio. I feel like I could learn a lot from him since he IS teaching this stuff. Hopefully, I can shadow him for my last rotation or something.

Dr. Yvette Flores also lectured today about migration and mental health. It was really interesting because we learned about the psychology behind migrating, or immigration, and a lot about ethnic and racial topics. We also learned that just being a woman is a risk factor for many things such as violence, persecution, etc. Domestic violence was something we hit on today too and the whole "machismo" mentality in the Latino community. One thing I found very interesting from the reader is that many women often express their psychological problems through physical symptoms such as backpain, headaches, etc. However, when doctors run test, they find nothing wrong. Very interesting...I'm definitely going to learn alot from the culture here in Oaxaca..sometimes sad things, but nevertheless, things I'll probably never get to see in the US.

So, I was really homesick these past couple of days...like EXTREMELY, but through prayer and just talking with family, and through the lectures, I am a LOT LOT better today!! :)

Today was Skye's birthday too! We all went out to celebrate at La Olla after. It was a bit pricey, and my food sucked, but overall, I had a great time! Oh yeah, my housemate and I made a deal in order to improve our Spanish. We ONLY speak Spanish to each other and whoever speaks English gets a tally. On mondays and tuesdays, whoever speaks the most English has to buy bread after class so we don't STARVE before La Comida which is served around 3pm..LOL. During the rest of the days, we still keep track, but we can buy like snacks, or ice cream, or cheap dinners for each other! It's been pretty funny and just fun!

Anyways, here are some pictures as usual!

creepy doll from our homestay. we named her Sally..

"quiero jugar contigo..."

giant black moth that would NOT leave our bathroom!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SKYE!!

the bar is SO pretty! I love all the decor on the walls and stuff!!

Hotel Reforma needs to be reformed for sure.

ALRIGHTEY! CLINIC is tomorrow! I feel SUPER legit in my white coat! MUAHAHA!!! Medical world here I come!