The World According To FLARP!
The other night I was giving going away gifts to my family before I left for Antigua and my flight.
I gave them various things but for Javiercito I gave him a collection of American toys that my sister had sent me back in February.
Included in this collection was FLARP!
If you are not familiar with FLARP! it is basically a type of putty that has the consistency between silly putty and a more durable slime. And within it’s container you basically get air in the jar and when you push the putty into it, it makes fart sounds.
Now I realize that this isn’t the most sophisticated of gifts. But hey I still think flatulence is funny. I can remember late one night in my house on a new year’s eve when my friends and I were sitting in the living room passing around the FLARP!, we couldn’t stop laughing.
Anyway. The whole family loved it. We were sitting around after dinner cracking up. Even Grandma Flori was getting into the act. I hope that they are entertained for weeks.
Usually you can get this in the toy aisle of your local Walgreens for about $3.
The Things I’ll Remember
This was my final homework at the school. I was supposed to write a composition on my total experience here. But when it came to writing it I could only write random thoughts and memories that stick in my head while I have been here in Xela.
Estas son las cosas que yo voy a recordar de mi viaje en Xela: Estando de pie en la calle con mis bolsas mi primera noche esperando para mis padres, caminando a la escuela mi primera vez, conociendo Kristina durante orientación, montando en el bus de pollo, sentando en el patio en la Finca Alianza, los borrachos durmiendo en los calles, el día que yo estuve muy enfermo, la primera vez yo comí pan con frijoles, los ojos locos de Víctor que el bato español en mi cabeza con amor, poniendo en la playa de Champerico, jugando ping pong en la escuela, visitando San Simón en Zunil, sintiendo me que mi español estuvo creciendo, mi primera vez al Lago Atitlan, estando en el techo del hotel en Panahachel con amigos, constantamente levantando mi dedo pequeno en mi mano para Jaime y Luis, las fiestas de navidad y año nuevo con mi familia, caminando en la ciudad buscando nueva cosas, bebiendo el café en la escuela, tomando un barca a Santiago, oyendo la risa de Anabella, sentando en mi favorito lugar Café Baviera, bailando en la escuela y la parranda, viendo la cultura indígena cada día, gritando “Helados” a mi familia todo el tiempo con Davis, el visto de la ciudad en el vía a Los Vajos, cenando con Olga y Magda, subiendo la carreterra a La Pedrera con Craig, hablando con mi amor en el jardín, viendo las caras de los niños cuando ellos comprended algo nuevo, saber que cada semana es una oportunidad conocer alguien nuevo, jugando fútbol con mi familia, dando besos para hola y adios, viendo los chuchos en las calles, caminando en las calles en la noches, haciendo tiempo especial con Gyuhee, Carol, and Natalie, teniendo amistad y amor en una cultura diferente que normal.
 |
 |
 |
 |
These are the things that I will remember of my trip in Xela: Standing in the street with my luggage my first night waiting for my parents, walking to the school for the first time, meeting Kristin during orientation, riding in chicken buses, sitting on the patio at Finca Alianza, the drunks sleeping in the street, the day that I was very sick, the first time I ate bread with refried beans on it, the crazy eyes of Víctor as he beat spanish into my head with love, laying on the beach in Champerico, playing ping pong in the school, visiting San Simón in Zunil, feeling that my spanish was increasing, my first time at Lake Atitlan, being on the roof at my hotel in Panahachel with my friends, constantly raising my pinky finger for Jaime and Luis, parties at Christmas and New Year´s with my family, walking in the city finding new things, drinking coffee in the school, taking a boat to Santiago, listening to Anabella laugh, sitting in my favorite place Café Baviera, dancing in the school and at La Parranda, seeing the indigenous culture everyday, yelling “Helados” to my family all the time with Davis, the view of the city on the way to Los Vajos, dinner with Olga and Magdalena, climbing the road to La Pedrera with Craig, talking with my love Erlinda in the garden, seeing the faces of the kids when they learn something new, to know that every week is an opportunity to meet someone new, playing soccer with my family, giving kisses hello and goodbye, seeing the dogs in the street, walking in the streets at night, investing my time with Gyuhee, Carol, and Natalie, having friendship and love in a culture different than normal.
 |
 |
 |
 |
My Goodbye Speech
This was my goodbye speech on Thursday of my last day of class. This is what students do when they are leaving the school.
Here is the English translation:
Today is a sad day for me because I have been here for three months. When I came here I had a very basic level of Spanish. Now, I feel that I have much more confidence in my knowledge and ability to speak.
I would like to thank all of my teachers:
Lili, because she taught me to have latin rhythm for a white man.
General Don Victor, Salute!, because he taught me the word “seminude”.
Anabella, “OH MY BROTHER”, because with her I believed that my humor worked in Spanish also.
Luis, because he is a nerd like me.
Erika, because of her interesting stories.
And Claudia because of her profound conversations.
Thanks to all the people in the office. Especially Teresa because she permits me to work with the kids at La Pedrera. And, of course, my love, Erlinda, because she works very hard every day and has a lot of wisdom.
My time here has been very good. I have met many great people both Guatemalans and students also. And I have built a small community here in Xela, my home away from home. Thank you.