¡Mi cumpleaños!

Ahora yo tengo veinticuatro años. (Now, I’m 24 years old). I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday away from home. The sisters really showed me that I’m a part of their family today, and I am so grateful for all of the wonderful things that they did to make my birthday special. It started out with a bacon and egg breakfast, followed by a pedicure, my first ever (thank you Mary!), a trip to Barnes & Noble and lunch in Uptown, and to top it all off we had pizza for dinner and cake and ice cream for dessert!

My year as a 24-year-old is going to be filled with many new experiences and challenges. As always, please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. A huge thank you to everyone that made this birthday wonderful and for all of the messages, phone calls and wall posts wishing me a happy birthday. It meant a lot.

Love,

Hil

Getting our pedicures.

Birthday decorations and chocolate.

Getting ready for a classic Hiliary birthday meal.

Blowing out the candles. Got all 24 in one breath!

Sr. Antoinette, Sr. Marilu and Sr. Christina.

My cake!

Gifts from the sisters. Muchas gracias!

One of my birthday presents from Matt via Skype--After a year and a half, I finally got to see him in his glasses!

Home for the Holidays

My break from training got off to a very unwanted but eventful 5 hour delay. With snow flurries in Albuquerque, you might think that was the reason for my delay. Instead, it was because someone on our plane decided to say the “b-word” or “bomb.” I was actually reading a magazine and not really paying attention as our plane backed away from the terminal, so you can imagine my surprise when I saw several policemen board our plane and escort a high school student off.  I’m not sure how he said it, but I’m guessing it must have been more than a mere mention of the word. Eventually the rest of us had to get off the plane with our carry-on luggage, have our bags sniffed by a bomb dog, and spend about an hour or more inside the terminal while we waited for the FBI to arrive to check our plane. I wish I could have taken some photos, but it didn’t really seem appropriate after our pilot said that if he saw any electronic devices out we would be arrested. Definitely not as funny as the Ben Stiller bomb moment in Meet the Parents, but good to know they take those things seriously.

Despite the delay, I had an absolutely wonderful trip in Missouri with family and friends. Before Christmas, I took the train to St. Louis for a visit with friends from college. It was filled with St. Louisy things including the Anheuser-Busch Brewery tour, Imo’s pizza, Ted Drewes Frozen Custard, Gus’ Pretzels and a night out in Soulard. Obviously not the most healthy trip, but the fun we had was definitely worth the calories! 

The rest of my break was filled with family time split between Concordia and Kansas City. It was so nice to see my parents, sisters, brother, brother-in-law, future sister-in-law, grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles and nephew one last time before I leave. Knowing I won’t see most of them for almost a year, definitely made for some teary goodbyes. I love you all so much, and thank you everyone for the amazing gifts and for the time you spent with me. Both are much appreciated!!

 

The fam after Christmas Eve Mass.

Family bowling night!

 Skipping the bar scene this year, Matt and I started the night with a visit to Grandma and Grandpa Parks’ house, then a party with my best friends complete with a champagne toast at midnight, and we ended the night with my cousins at the Rellihan’s house.  Thank you to everyone who helped me start 2012 off right.

Matt and I on NYE

The girls

Now that I’m back in Albuquerque, it’s serious formation time. Caitlin (she finally arrives on Thursday!!!) and I will be departing for Paraguay between February 12 and 15, so the next 6 weeks will be filled with focusing on learning more Spanish, preparing things to help with kindergarten, exploring New Mexico on the weekends, buying our plane tickets, getting vaccinated (which is unfortunately going to cost me a pretty penny), applying for our visas, getting items and supplies for the students in Paraguay, finalizing arrangements for things back in the States while I’m gone, and packing and repacking so that I actually bring the things I’ll need. 

My toiletries for the next year! Thank you very much for my Christmas presents everyone!

Hasta Luego Albuquerque & Feliz Navidad!

My time in Albuquerque has flown by. It definitely does not feel like it’s been six weeks. Although there have been some struggles, homesickness and growing moments, I’ve had a truly amazing time here and have met some wonderful new friends. But, I am definitely excited to be going home for Christmas for two weeks and to ring in the New Year with my family. I think this is the most excited I have ever been to go back to Missouri.

Since I’ve been slacking on the blog posts this month, I’ll try to give a quick update of what’s been going on.

An “Emergency” at the VOICA House

Sr. Angela saved a bird. Although I’m sure some people won’t find this story interesting, I thought it was absolutely hilarious, and it shows you how amazingly kind this woman is. I was downstairs studying Spanish when I heard Sr. Angela yell down to me, “Hiliary come upstairs. We have an emergency!”After telling her that yes, I do like animals but I have no idea what to do to save this bird, Sr. Angela took action. She got a towel to keep it warm, water for it to drink, we watched over it from the window and she even  suggested that I go outside to keep it company because it was lonely. She also asked what I thought a veterinarian would do. So, I thought about my father and the other veterinarians that I have met. My answer, " absolutely nothing. " Luckly, after about 10 minutes of shock the bird was off and ready to go. Thank goodness, because I definitely wasn't ready to put together a funeral.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

On December 12, Catholics celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe, when Mary appeared to Saint Juan Diego near present day Mexico City, Mexico in 1531. Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patroness of the Americas and highly revered and celebrated in Mexico. Here’s a very short version of the story if you’re not familiar with it. According to the Archdiocese of Mexico, more than 8 million people make the pilgrimage to the Basilica of Guadalupe each year during the months leading up to the feast day and on the feast day itself. Because there is an incredibly large Hispanic population in the Southwest, there is a huge celebration here in New Mexico. Below are some images of the native dancers at the Mass at San Jose on the Sunday before the feast of our Lady of Guadalupe.

The dancers performing outside the church before Mass.

The mini dancer!

Inside the church performing at the end of Mass.

Sr. Marisa: Hero of the Week (Héroe de la Semana)

Each week the local Univision television station (Spanish) in Albuquerque chooses a Hero of the Week. Sister Marisa (or Hermana Marisa in Spanish) was nominated by the Catechism director at San José and was featured as last week’s Hero of the Week. She truly deserves it! And, I made the background footage!

Las Posadas

Las Posadas is a nine day celebration commemorating Mary and Joseph’s search to find a room in Bethlehem. Here in New Mexico and in other large Hispanic communities, Mexico, parts of Central America, Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador it is tradition to hold Posadas beginning December 16 and ending December 24. Typically, different families in a neighborhood will take turns scheduling a night for the Posada to be held at their home, starting on the 16th of December and finishing on the 24th. Every home has a nativity scene, and the family hosting the Posada acts as the innkeepers. The neighborhood children and adults go from house to house, holding candles and singing a traditional song about Mary and Joseph searching for lodging. At one house after the other, they are turned away (also in song), until the weary travelers reach the designated site for the party, where Mary and Joseph are finally recognized and allowed to enter. In our young adult group at San José we reenacted the Posadas on Wednesday and ended with a piñata and fiesta full of delicious foods and new candy!

My candle for the Posadas.

During our Posadas for the Young Adult Group at San Jose.

The piñata. It was definitely a lot more difficult than I remember for birthday parties as a child. There were guys on the roof holding the piñata and moving it around while people tried to hit it.

Inside my goody bag.

Tamarind flavored candy. I wouldn't say it  compares to Starburst or M&M's, but it was pretty good!

Christmas Plays
Nearly every night this week there was a some sort of Christmas play and/or party. I'm definitely not complaining about it. I had a blast. Below are some pictures from the plays at San José along with a few from the Christmas pageant for Saint Mary’s, the school where Sister Kay works.

The cast of the play put on by the older members of the youth group at San Jose.

Play put on by the Catechism teachers at San Jose. I absolutely loved the clouds!

Sr. Marisa talking to the Catechism students at San Jose.

The adorable cakes someone in our Kindergarten class brought in for the Christmas party.

Christina with our kindergarten students.

The pageant at St. Mary's School.

Christmas Pageant at St. Mary's School.

Breakfast with Santa

Mary's back in town for the weekend. Thank goodness! I needed to have some "20 somethings" conversations. Being around people my own age is definitely one of the things I miss the most about formation, and I'm guessing it's also one of the reasons that VOICA likes to send at least two volunteers into the mission. Luckily, Caitlin will be here in one month!

Mary, Sr. Angela and me posing in the backyard with the first snow of winter.

 
This morning we went to "Breakfast with Santa," a fundraiser for Casa Angelica. It was a wonderful event filled with delicious food, friendly people and fun activities for the "kids." Too bad I didn't actually take a picture of Santa. That probably would have been a nice touch.

Kids making Christmas cards. The boys was so cute--it was this long note to Jesus about how he hoped he had a great birthday.

Orbit, the Isotopes (minor league baseball team in Albuquerque) mascot.

Sr. Angela and Sr. Kay enjoying breakfast.

Mary making her card.

Saint Francis Xavier

Today, the Catholic Church honors St. Francis Xavier. He along with St. Thérèse of Lisieux are patron saints of missionaries! It sounds weird to call myself that, a missionary, but when you get down to it I guess that's what I really am. Here's a link to an article if you want to learn more about St. Francis Xavier and his life.

Thanksgiving!

On Monday, Matt (my boyfriend) stopped to see me on his drive back to Missouri to spend Thanksgiving with his family, and part of me definitely wanted to stow away in his car. But, even though I missed my family, Thanksgiving in Albuquerque was still great! 

Because of the holiday, there weren’t any catechism classes at San Jose last week, but on Wednesday we celebrated Padre Gabriel’s (San Jose Parish’s priest) birthday. It was a great feast and wonderful live music. I tried some new foods and definitely realized my tongue is not quite up to the hotness of New Mexican food, where red or green chiles are a way of life. 

Father Gabriel and the cake.

Live music around the fire. It was freezing!

To kick off Thanksgiving Day, I made the first batch of fudge for the holiday season in keeping with the Smith tradition. It was a huge hit with the sisters even though they were shocked by how much sugar it contains. In the morning, we went to Thanksgiving Mass, and then Sr. Angela and I joined the sisters in the other house for a delicious breakfast. After we ate, the sisters had a special commitment/welcoming prayer for me. I made a personal commitment prayer and they all said a prayer for me for my formation and mission journey. It definitely made me feel great and thankful to have them supporting me. After a few hour break filled with Spanish vocabulary, we all went to the Provincial house for Thanksgiving dinner. The meal was delicious, but I almost had a heart attack when I didn’t see any bread or rolls. I thought it was going to be my Thanksgiving nightmare come true! Thankfully after about five minutes they brought some out.

Breakfast with the sisters.

The Chapel decorations at Cristo Rey Spirituality Center.

On Friday, we went to Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge since the sisters had the day off. It’s about an hour and a half drive from Albuquerque, but well worth it. 

The Snow Geese.

Sr. Angela & me.Yes, I look like a giant compared to her.

On Saturday and Sunday, Matt stopped in Albuquerque again. After getting to watch me sing in Spanish at afternoon Mass at San Jose, I took him to Old Town Albuquerque and suckered us into an overpriced tour that we question the accuracy of. But, since the pictures turned out great, I’m writing it off as a success!

On our tour!

In Old Town Albuquerque. I think this used to be a brothel.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Chapel in Old Town Albuquerque.

Inside the chapel.

Kindred Spirits

Last weekend was just what I needed. Mary, a past VOICA volunteer that served in Indonesia, came to visit me and packed my weekend with tips, new ideas, travel talk, reality checks and Albuquerque knowledge. And, I got to feel a little bit more my age when we went downtown to play pool and get a few drinks with her brother and his girlfriend who live in Albuquerque and who, like Mary and me, love to travel!

From the minute she walked through the door, Mary boosted my level of excitement by like a hundred. She told me stories about what her training was like in Rome, which was nice to hear since I’m here by myself and sometimes don’t have a clear idea of what I can be doing.  More importantly, she shared what it was like serving in Indonesia. She lived in a small village on the Indonesian part (west) of the Island of Timor teaching English to people of all ages and helping out in a health clinic for almost one year. Although a very different culture than Paraguay, it was great to learn about what she did, the challenges she faced and what it was like living in a hot, humid climate. Her stories about her mission are the best preparation I’ve received so far! Hearing about how she perfected taking showers down to only using two scoops of cold water and actually getting clean was just the reality check I needed. She told me about the wonderful friends she made, the beautiful things she saw, the inspiration and confusion she got from a different way of life, the things she witnessed and heard stories about that made her realize how much we take our freedoms, safety and health care for granted, the struggles she had with learning a new language and not being fluent when thrown into a world where English isn’t common, the foods she ate, how she dealt with missing friends and family back home, the things she wished she would have brought,  and that it’s OK to want to look somewhat presentable and not frumpy all the time.

In addition to sharing about her experience, Mary really took it upon herself to help me with my mission and will be back multiple times before I leave. She brought me a Spanish book and is giving me homework, helped me get books about South America and Paraguay and even helped me go through my clothes and downsize yet again.

The Bad News of Talking with Mary: I’m pretty sure I will get sick. Mary got Dengue Fever and the other volunteer living with her got malaria, and from what she told me about other VOICA volunteers, sickness and disease seem to be a common experience. Yikes! According to the CDC, malaria isn’t in the area of Paraguay I’m serving in, but none of the symptoms associated with any of the diseases volunteers have experienced sound good, so I’m definitely splurging on the best mosquito repellant I can get before leaving!

Some pictures from our weekend...

Disbursing of Thanksgiving meals at Annunciation Parish (the church we go to). The parish collected supplies and money for meals to feed 200 families and more than 1,000 mouths. 

One of the 3 U-Haul trucks filled with Thanksgiving dinner supplies. Most of the meals didn't even go to members of Annunciation parish. 

Pick up site for families from St. Vincent de Paul parish.

San Felipe de Neri Church in Old Town Albuquerque.

San Felipe de Neri Church in Old Town Albuquerque.