Migrant Birds

Spent two hours on a Migrant Farm handing out free children's books (mostly written in Spanish) and trying to understand Spanish as it was spoken today. Had to thank my ex for taking every opportunity to speak Spanish to other Spanish speakers-- I'm actually practiced at trying to understand a full-speed conversation from the few words I can recognize. And the more I listened, the more words I remembered (basic ones like Gracias and La Biblioteca and los libros-- books).

It was hot, dusty, and challenging, and I am TOTALLY EXHAUSTED. I can't imagine what it must be like for the farm workers-- most of whom do not speak any English-- to deal with these conditions-- including the lack of language skills-- every day! We went with a great group of dedicated people who brought free clothes and free food and ice cream for the kids. They offer to help people fill out forms, and they provide domestic violence intervention. The volunteers all speak Spanish, and all they want is to help their fellow people who are new to America to find her many opportunities.

I also realized that I'd been so nervous and scared about doing this because I viewed migrant workers as "those strange beings" who had nothing to do with me or my life. The thing is-- they are just normal people trying to get through their day. The clothes they wear are like ours because they are the clothes we outgrew or stopped liking and donated somewhere. These people we met with took great pride in their appearance, and many looked cleaner, and more slick than I did by a long-shot-- since I was hot, dusty, tired, and I just don't seem to control my hair very well at the best of times.

The teen aged girls had cliques and insider comments to make to each other. The little toddlers just wanted your full attention and as many books as they could hold. The parents and adult workers just wanted a little extra to put aside for hard times, or a special treat for their kids-- and free is a very good price. Just normal people.

And we didn't go to Tumbucktoo to see them, either. We went to the corner of two main streets-- where they meet about a mile from the center of town. It's the outskirts, but definitely not the boonies. There were still fences with lawns and shrubs on both sides of the street. And then we turned in to a gravel drive. There was a guard who had to approve our entry. He did this by glaring at us as we drove past, and then waving an arm at the parking area where we were supposed to set up our stuff.

So I'm glad I went. And I want to go again. But I also feel even more strongly about taking those Conversational Spanish classes as soon as I graduate. I have a lot to learn about my fellow wo/man. I think maybe we all do.

For Peace of Mind

I'm slowly, arduously striving toward a cleaner, simpler, healthier and less cluttered life. As part of my efforts, I started to think about those basic things that could be done to make life easier, less complicated, and more peaceful on a daily basis. Here's what I came up with, in no particular order. I laughed after I wrote the list, but I also think it's a good guide for me to check back with on occasion-- I'd like to be a high achiever in the "peace of mind" category, too.

THINGS TO DO FOR PEACE OF MIND:

• Yearly Credit Check
• Yearly Exam
• Back up the Hard Drive Again
  
• Weekly Self-Exam
• Laugh More (with friends is good)
  
• Get the oil changed and the wiper blades replaced sometimes
• Listen to good music on a good sound system
  
• Walk More, Gossip Less
• Keep your tax packets from past years together in one place
• Use a pop-up reminder program for birthdays
• Own 3 pairs of sunglasses
• Get your pet fixed
• Have comfey dining chairs
• Take a daily multivitamin that tastes good
• Buy Organic Foods
• Wake up 5 minutes earlier
  
• Get to know your neighbors
• Rent a Safety Deposit Box
• Floss
• Keep your favorite children's books handy
• Throw out the skinny jeans, the fat jeans, and the itchy designer sweaters (anything you are keeping out of guilt-- doesn't fit, cost a lot, a recent gift, what if, never wear it but...)
• Own a shredder
• Set up a savings account with auto deposit from your checking each month
• Collect Memories, not stuff
• Schedule Alone Time, Beach Rambles and Tea Breaks, Too
  
• Smile when they want to take your picture, even if you feel like a drowned rat
  
• Don't burn candles on plastic surfaces
• Change your pillow case more often than your sheets
• Switch to Frozen Yogurt
• Plan to sleep in sometimes
  
• Dream.
  

The Good List

1. Getting the internship I really wanted.
2. With the Youth Services Librarian.
   
3. Discovering I can wear jeans and sneekers to my internship.
   
4. not caring if I spell sneakers wrong
5. Fire-colored Sunflowers
6. A big healthy medicinal Aloe plant for $3.95.
7. Lighting a fresh candle.
8. Hiking up and down a small mountain in the rain.
9. Seeing all the places fairies could hide from the rain in the mountain.
10. Having two friends crazy enough to hike with me.
11. Reaching the top alive.
12. Getting complimented on not complaining about the UP part of the hike (this time).
13. Letting the dog pull me up the last few yards.
14. French fries and hot chocolate after a long hike in the rain.
15. Having three different people tell me I give good advice (in the space of three days), and meaning it.
16. Finding a thank you card I can send to men and women in a professional setting, and still look interesting. In a pack of 20.
    
17. Popcorn with butter and yeast.
18. Tea. Hot tea. With Elderberries in it.
    
19. Peanut Sauce.
20. A fluffy warm (DRY) new sweatshirt that was on sale and still looks and feels good.
    
21. Planning to go back tomorrow and by a second one in a different color.
22. A purring cat in my lap, batting at my fingers on the keyboard.
23. Birthdays. Other people's birthdays. And having people to celebrate mine with.
    
24. Finding out that turning 30 isn't nearly as scary as turning 29. Really. Three people have told me so.
    
25. Having lots of people help you move your boxes and stuff from one house to another. Enough people that no one gets too tired, and it only takes one afternoon.
    
26. Waterfalls. Especially on rainy days when there aren't too many other people using the trail you've taken.
    
27. TigerBars.
28. A well-fitted understory.
29. Actually looking forward to what my 29th year will bring.