This spirit of fortune widened my already absurd smile, and I set out into the night to seek out some tea and note cards. I'm pretty sure that everyone was staring at me, but I just walked faster and kept my eyes straight ahead. After self-consciously ambling around the stores nearer where I am staying, I wandered into a small store located at the fringe of the terrain currently stored in my cognitive gps. I stared at the goods for quite some time, and the store workers stared at me. I finally decided on my purchases and went up to the counter where a father/daughter team (presumably) was working on math homework with the curious 'Speak and Spell' calculator from the register. I smiled and shrugged as he rung up my purchases and the little girl put her head in her hands and smiled up at me after writing imaginary characters with my new brush.
I think I'll go back there.
Check my treasures out! I think I payed less than $2 for the lot (sans citrus fruits).
I wish I could express everything that is going on in my mind and heart at this point, but I suppose it will take time to form a cohesive picture in my mind. One of the other teachers here was talking with me and shared a very useful analogy for what I'm experiencing. He said it is like I have gone from being a fully-functioning adult who is capable of taking care of myself to infant-hood. I am very thankful for that articulation as I am also thankful for today's beautiful blue sky which perhaps mirrored this bit of clarity.
4 comments:
How exciting! Another blog post from our adventurer!
"My cognitive gps"--spoken like a true psychologist!
And I approve of your purchases--the notebook and brush look lovely and your aesthetic enjoyment of them should aid you you in their use. (I assume it's for language learning-related writing.)
I love you Shelley!
I think of you every time I brush my teeth, and I say "Dental hygiene time" a lot.
holla
m glad to see you are eating your citrus fruits. No one wants to see you get scurvy.
I remember that sense of "babyhood" when we were in Ecuador...so dependent on others for communicating and taking care of things. It's a great place to start... Thankfully, growth is faster than real childhood! People are usually very understanding and patient with your efforts to communicate. Shelley, your spirit and intent will shine through the language barrier!
Mom
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