Educating Arlo (in Mexico)

By Amy Kundinger

When it comes to foreign languages, I often heard things like “kids are sponges” … “they’ll be speaking fluent in a matter of weeks” … and I envisioned it being so.  Arlo had different plans.  After a week of school he promptly announced that he did not like Spanish and would not be speaking it.  Knowing that transitions are hard, especially one that is dramatically different than the previous comfort zone, we were ready for challenges with adapting to a new school and language but it's been a bigger process than anticipated. 

We have Arlo in a wonderful San Pancho school that has erupted with enrollment this year.  It is marketed as a Montessori Method of teaching which was incredibly appealing to us.   Previous Spanish knowledge is not required and enrollment fees are based on terms. For example, we paid a pro-rated amount for the length of our four month stay.  Many of the children come for a portion of the year.  It is a bright and cheery little campus that accommodates about 70 children from 3 to 12.  There is a lot of activity based learning in the Palapa – Arlo’s favorites include “movement class,”  “yoga,” “activity time,” and “recess.”  There is a garden that the children maintain.  Materials and resources are simple.  Seemed perfect for broadening Arlo's experiences in a creative and inviting learning environment.   

However, in a matter of days we learned that it was not Montessori Method and more of his day was "sit and listen" lesson time than in the Palapa.  It is in "lesson time" that Arlo really struggles to sit still while, as he puts it, "I just don't get what they're saying." 

Within three weeks Andy and I were asked to come in for a conference.   We were told this was customary for all new students but we could tell it was more about the teachers wanting to talk to us immediately.  The questions we were asked were so strange.  I thought this was unusual but complied with the questions....

... was this (Arlo) a wanted pregnancy (YES!!!)

... was he born early (no,)

... was he fed formula (no,)

... was he a colic baby (yes, a little,)

... did I use drugs during pregnancy (no - kinda shocked...) 

... are you sure (yes, quite sure,)

...  what about drinking, did you drink (no,)

... are you sure (no...well, maybe I had a little before I knew I was pregnant,)  

(teachers nod at each other)  I feel my face burning up.  What the hell is going on here?  I shoot Andy an evil glare telepathically sending out an SOS to jump into the questioning.  He stays quiet ... so the questioning continues.

... did you do anything strange while you were pregnant (no....I'm not sure what you mean,) 

... We'll we are finding that Arlo is not a good listener...he will not sit still...he's kinda (searching for the word in English) .. a punk.

WELL,  AIN'T THIS GREAT?!?

In that moment I felt completed deflated.  A punk?  Is this the same five year old who willingly goes to school everyday where he doesn't understand anything and gives me great big hugs at the gate when I pick him up?  The same little boy who waves to people and says "hola" as we walk around town?  The same little boy who couldn't wait to meet new friends at his new school.   In the milliseconds that passed during the heavy pause I tried to collect my thoughts.   I didn't want to say anything too emotional ... like "Wow, you're the punk for calling my kid a name!" or "I saw you buy tequila at the corner store, and it was the BIG bottle."   I managed to refrain hoping the entire exchange was "lost in translation." 

So what came out was  "Andy and I will talk to Arlo more about sitting still and listening."  Total wussy. 

Feeling bummed about the whole interaction I remember thinking to myself "are we doing the right thing?"  Looking back on it now I can emphatically say YES!  We did do the right thing.  We sought out a new environment for all of us to be challenged in new ways.  Arlo's school was definitely filling this goal.  And doing a mighty fine job. 

Most everything is different.  School hours of operation vary with little or no notice.  We commonly get emails with information that needs action within hours, actually if there is an email that is a bonus.   While the teaching methods, policies and communication part of the school wasn't what Andy thought it would be, the experience has still been a good one.

Arlo has lowered his iron gate against Spanish.  He frequently asks me what words are in Spanish and uses simple phrases like "Queres mas leche, por favor." (I want more milk, please.)  He sings songs in Spanish when he's playing without even realizing he is doing so.

He has made so many wonderful friends and we've met a ton of cool parents.   Nearly all the parents of boys have mentioned similar teacher conference experiences.

We were introduced to Capoeria by friends that said Arlo would probably love it, they were right.  Capoeria is all about movement, partnership, and traditional tribal music.   It has been great way to adapt to a new language by hearing words while seeing the direct application.  Capoeria is in Portuguese!  But to Arlo this made no difference.  Andy and I talk about "listening with your eyes" to help understand by what body motions are telling you, this concept really landed for Arlo in Capoeria.  He sings complete songs in Portuguese that he's learned in association to the movements.

  

Arlo participated in a Capoeria festival.  The professionals work directly with the kids teaching them new moves.  The kids watch the professional's pull off mind-blowing, "Matrix-like" moves choreographed in perfect synchronicity.

   

Each person participating in the festival had "solo" time to show what they had learned to the teachers and crowd.    Arlo got up surrounded by 200 plus people and did his thing.   It looked more like Elaine's dance moves from Seinfeld than Capoeria.  He was having the time of his life.  At first, I panicked and wondered what was he doing up there?!?!?  But the crowd really started to pick up clapping and signing throwing in hoots, hollers and whistles encouraging Arlo on.  In that moment, I fully realized that life is all about being accepted and encouraged by others to be you, as only you can be, rather than being what is expected of you by others.   Arlo was fully accepted here for who he was.  A bright and energetic little boy who loves to move and be around people.  It was nothing short of spiritual.  Tears of total mommy joy ran down my cheeks to be part of such an amazing encouraging experience.   Arlo literally beamed when his belt was put on.  I did too.

Arlo has found this groove in school's routine.  I will catch a glimpse into his classroom window from time to time and see him busy drawing or under the palapa doing yoga. 

His class did a unit on space that ended in "a night under the stars" on the beach.  It was a magical evening.  The kids wore the very cool jet packs they made in class.  Sang songs.  Saw Jupiter in a powerful microscope.   But the hands-down highlight of the evening was releasing paper lanterns just before sunset.  Arlo was captivated.  The kids all raced down the beach as they floated away trying to keep the lantern's path in sight as it shrunk, disappearing into the horizon. 

The school did a science fair where Arlo's class learned about Albert Einstein.  The children each painted Albert's portrait.  Arlo's Einstein portrait had a big head to "give him lots of room for his ideas."  The children all made scientist spectacles and did simple experiments.

 

The school also made cute models out of clay that were put up on display at a special event for parents to come see.   There is a big emphasis on responsibilities (an example of this is kids do their own dishes after lunch.)

He made a thumb print necklace that I will forever cherish ... even more Arlo's comment, "it's on a string mommy so you can wear it around your neck and I'm always close to your heart." 

Whenever it is my turn to make the class lunch (which happens about once a month) Arlo is so excited that it is mom's turn and doesn't mind sharing the bike ride with huge Tupperware bins.

Parents brought in emptied eggs so the kids could decorate the shells and fill them with candy (no plastic eggs here!)

Andy and I just recently did our parent unit.  I decided to our lesson on the Hungry Caterpillar.  Andy read the book in Spanish to the class.  Arlo got to sit right next to him.  Every couple of pages Andy would read, Arlo would proudly announce to whoever would listen "you know, this is my dad!"  Then, we did two cute activities one making a hungry caterpillar taking a bite out of a leaf and one making butterflies to illustrate symmetry.  Lots of pre-cutting and prepping made for a wonderful display of creativity by the kids.  It was an honor to see the children so excited and proud of their completed projects.  Andy and I got a ton of unexpected hugs and a fantastic, full class participation, hug as we were leaving.

As Arlo wraps up his last days at Esquela Del Mundo and Capoeria lessons, I see the positive effects it has had in his creativity, compassion, and adaptability.  It has been an education for all of us and indeed a gift.

First Impressions, on a Second Glance

First Impressions, on a Second Glance

Author - Amy Kundinger

We had our first visitor last week!  It was her first time to Mexico and I remember clearly the chats we had before she arrived ... just where exactly was San Pancho, were there any resorts in or near town, could she use the water for showers and washing hands,  what would customs be like,  how many pesos would she need and how much were they worth compared to the USD, how would she contact her family in Minnesota, would she get sick, and the biggie - would she be safe? 

Traveling somewhere you have never been before certainly puts your mind into overdrive trying to be prepared for a list of unknowns.  I expected all her questions and concerns, especially the way the entire country of Mexico is portrayed by news in the states.  We talked through everything, but in my Mexico (and international travel) experiences, just like riding a bike, no one can explain it to you in they way you'll directly experience it, you just have to start pedaling  ... learn from pushing your own limits and enjoying the new found freedom you discover on your own. 

As the days approached her arrival I found myself pondering what anyone's first impressions of San Pancho might be.  As you turn off the single lane jungle highway onto the dusty little town's main street you will definitely see the following:

• Poop.  Lots of it.  Horse, dog, chicken, cow, lizard you name it, it's there in ample quantity.
• Dirt, dust, and sand.  Dry season (which it is now) will give you a nice daily dose dust.
• You'll see pick up trucks coming into town with their beds loaded full of young men with bandanna's covering their faces. 
• You'll see machetes in the hands of people walking around town.
• Trash piled high on the curbs, especially if the garbage trucks haven't come in a few days (there is no true schedule.)  Trash does get overturned in the night by stray dogs and cats looking for some tasty scraps.
• Closed up and abandoned buildings, unfinished buildings, and some living conditions far less than you could ever conceive.
• Broken down fencing and wires poking out, and hazards seemingly in every glance (like railing less concrete staircases and random holes in the ground.)

But if you look beyond an initial glance you will see the beauty of San Pancho right in front of you.  I started taking pictures of attributes that make San Pancho so charming to me.  I often take different streets home.  I will take the time to walk places rather than ride my bike just so I can absorb more.  My collection is far from complete:

• You'll see the charm of a cowboy riding his fleet of horses through town or cows meandering along the riverbed. 
• There are at least 3 men (all that remind me of my grandpa) that I see every morning sweeping the debris from the roads and parks with palm tree brooms.  Every morning EVERY SINGLE ONE of these fine gentlemen wave to me and say "buenos dias" as I ride by with Arlo in tow on the way to school.  In fact, I am constantly smiling and waving to people from one end of the town to the other.
• You'll realize that the pick up trucks are taking men eager to work on construction sites along the beachfront at the far end of town.  They come into town at sun up and leave at sun down.  I get waves and smiles from nearly all of these tired and sleepy faces as we both recognize each other in our routine daily exchange.
• You get eye contact with people as they don't have their heads buried into mobile devices.  Strangers almost always greet each other.
• You'll realize no one has a lawnmower or the yard gidgets and gadgets we have in back home.  The machetes are the one stop tool to trim back brush, prune, cut down coconuts, cut sugarcane and harvest crops.  They are carried in simple slings with blades pointed down and away.
• There is indeed more trash as there isn't the infrastructure we are used to in the states.  It is occasionally pulled apart in the night, but it is almost always picked up by the time I am making my trip back from the school.  When the garbage truck doesn't come you'll notice right away and be even more grateful for it's roaring engine rolling through town when it does arrive.  It smells absolutely horrible yet the guys on the truck are smiling and hop on and off the truck as if they don't notice the stench.

• You'll see countless people sweeping their steps and walkway throughout the day. 
• There are gorgeous flowers blooming from every possible corner in rich bursts of pink, purple, yellow, red, orange and fuchsia.  Flowering vines and bushes take over fences.  Pops of color peeking out from rubble.        

• Things like wrought iron are common place here.  While many houses don't have funds for costly windows and even fewer homes have screens, a good portion will have some kind of wrought iron to offer the dual versatility of ventilation and security.  Many houses have cinderblocks with cut outs so there are no windows at all.  But you'd be hard pressed to not see the beauty in the simplicity.  It's a kind of thumbprint.  Mix in color and simple design and there are very few that are exactly the same.  Many are very beautiful and reflect what San Pancho is known for.

• You'll see an abundance of creativity and unique design reflected in the buildings that is truly mind blowing for any town, especially one this tiny.  San Pancho has two paint stores and I always see people hauling out the pails from the store fronts.  Color is embraced here far more than our traditional standard house shades of beige, white and grey.  There are no neon lights or glowing store fronts.  Businesses paint their names and logos on the buildings.  There are stunning murals everywhere.

• Look a little bit closer and you will discover dreamy tucked away nooks that would make one of your pinterest aspiration boards.
• Materials that were discarded or common place have been repurposed thoughtfully to make something beautiful.

• There isn't a way to see the hazards as pretty but I will say this, I am much more present in the moment when I am walking through town and have a much greater sense of awareness to my surroundings.  It has also made my children more focused as well, I love what they point out to me around town.

We all know the saying "You don't get a second chance to make a first impression."  To a degree, I do find truth in the sentiment.  But your first impression is often clouded by your own baggage that you likely don't need to haul around. Imagine what you would be able to pick up if you let a few things go for that second, deeper look.  Most of us are committed to our routines.  They bring us the necessary efficiencies and comfort to get through hectic days with mile long "to do" lists, but we are less able to absorb anything new when plates are so full.  We have an abundance of information at our finger tips.  This gets us speedy and extensive exposure to information, but it is "served up" by algorithms spitting back what they think you want to see or what has proven to drive ratings.  In most cases, this is a fantastic element to living in this day and age but your computer and TV do not have your eyes, heart and mind to experience anything.

It was fun to have witnessed our first visitor transform over the course of her stay.  Her initial concerns faded as her experiences grew.  She saw baby turtles scuttle towards the ocean at sunset, a baby whale playing with his mother in the sea, live music by talented artists, tasted lots of new food, ate up tacos from mindful owners of street restaurants, said "hola" to countless smiling faces, watched kids playing at the community center and tried out yoga for the first time.  She saw people just like you and me that are very proud of their home, town, culture, families and livelihoods.  She also saw why this place is so important to me and my family.  Like me, I don't think it will be her only visit to San Pancho.  This place has a way of getting you to fall in love without really trying.  You just have to give it that second glance.

Checkmate.

Author - Amy Kundinger

February 4th, 2013

It didn't take but a day after our arrival at our rental house to hear our 5 year old, Arlo, proclaim about 1000x that he was bored (envision exasperated little arms with wide open "jazz" hands being thrown up in the air and thrust back down against his hips while giving an eye roll of utter frustration.)  To his defense it was raining, we were very much confined to the house, the yard was filled with dog poop and his selection of activities I had packed were dramatically smaller than the options back home.  With the boredom came tears and time outs....all of which was clearly "unfair" in Arlo's just opinion.    

Andy and I were also struggling to engage both our kids into a new routine.  Seemed the only thing that would keep everyone sane was a movie in our little portable DVD player.  To me, this felt like complete failure.  A huge reason for heading south was to unplug from these black plastic boxes yet here we were huddled around a 9 inch screen ... boys happy to be entertained ... mom and dad happy the boys were no longer taking the wooden planks that kept the window's closed to play "hi-yah" with each other (insert a multitude of other things the boys discovered that were neither safe or "ok" activities to pass the time.)

I couldn't wait for naps.  I couldn't wait for school.  I couldn't wait for bedtime.  I was embarrassed that this these thoughts were primary in my exhausted mommy mind.  There are tons of fabulous moms out there who fill their children's days with creative activity and I couldn't get my boys to color for more than 10 minutes without someone crying how boring it was.  I had packed a ton of fun new activities but nothing did the trick.  What was wrong with me?  With my children?  Seemed my children became experts in testing Andy and me on who would cave in first and pull out one of the 12 DVD's we brought.   Arlo even told us he was getting on a plane for Minneapolis because he shouldn't have to stay here "bored" with mean parents.  Even though I repeatedly told them how fantastic it was going to be, the boys couldn't see the benefits of being here.  Boundaries and routines were blurry at best. 

At home in Minneapolis the boys could play for hours with tractors, the barn and farm animal collection, and trio blocks in their room which was outfitted just for them.  I didn't panic if I didn't have them in direct line of sight.  They had lots of places to go and people they knew.   It took me a couple days in San Pancho to fully realize that their frustrations with all this change were just as real as mine.  Once I started acknowledging to the boys that it was hard to not have your friends, your toys, the places your are familiar with,  the things you like to eat, and comforts of home rather than just assuming I could "entertain" them ... things instantly improved.  Of course this wasn't a light switch where everything turned to "bliss" overnight, but it did move us from treading water to swimming in it.  And it started small with a $1 investment.

When packing our bags for the trip Andy and I had a few differences of opinion on what we should and shouldn't bring ... this item was one of them.  Andy saw that I had two small containers along with a little heap of art supplies that didn't seem to "go" with the other stuff.   I explained it was "cream of tartar" a needed ingredient for playdoh.   Andy was convinced that this item would get us stuck in customs for drug trafficking.  I told him he was crazy and the two little bottles crossed over the boarder with us.   But, I must admit that when we got the "red light" (those that have traveled to Mexico before know the light I am talking about) and custom's did go through our bags, I did say a little prayer they wouldn't raise an eyebrow or need justification on this white powder.  All went well as I am not writing this post from a Mexican prison.

Once I figured out how to use our stove, I whipped up our first batch of pure awesomeness.  Add some playdoh to a few little CATERPILLAR trucks and you have an instant construction site.  There were boulders to pick up, logs to "cut from the forest,"  streets that needed paving, and a ton of dirt to dig.  Plus, I added a kool-aid type packet from Mega (think Target like) to make it bright red which was perfect for making "bricks."  This also came with the added benefit of smelling like Jamaica, a flower drink that is very common (and delicious) here.

We did splurge and buy some trio block sets at Mega as well.  Both the boys love to build ... well, one loves to build and one loves to destroy Godzilla style... and the blocks have provided lots of creative fun.  I am amazed at what Arlo has built from the two sets we purchased.  We have also gotten into the habit of taking a picture before Alden gets his hands on it.

Puzzles from the dollar bin at Target have also paid back dividends.  Arlo would occasionally do a puzzle back home and now requests them almost daily.  He works methodically through the scenes putting his "favorite" parts together first then "gluing" them together with pieces that fill the gaps.  I love puzzle time!  Arlo has taught me a ton with the thoughts he shares while doing the puzzles, like the TRex probably has such little arms because "he's always so angry he'd probably eat his own arms if they were longer." 

Arlo is also a budding writer.  When Alden took a nap one day, Arlo was arranging stickers on a piece of paper and making them "talk" as he positioned them, so Andy grabbed a pencil and started writing down the narrative.  These are hilarious.  Arlo is very proud of his stories and will tell you he is working on a "book."  We'll be in chats with Barnes & Noble when we get back to the states.

We read even more than we did in the states.  We are able to check out books from EntreAmigos.  I only look for books in Spanish or ones that are bi-lingual.  I try to find stories the boys are already familiar with.  The first time through I'll read in English with a couple key words in Spanish and work our way over to reading 100% in Spanish.  This has really helped me become more familiar and comfortable with Spanish and the boys stay interested this way.  I even hear Alden say phrases from the books in Spanish.

Arts and Crafts have also caught on.  This wasn't the case at first ... but as time has gone on I am getting the boys to get engaged in activities like painting and drawing which was more rare back in Minneapolis.  When I tell Alden we can paint, he'll will come peeling around the corner to the bookshelf where I keep art supplies and squeal "it's paint'n time!" like he's signed a contract with Miller Beer.

The concepts of checkers and chess are definitely taking root with Arlo.  I'll be washing dishes and hear Arlo say to Andy... "Daddy, I'd like to move my rook now," "Daddy, you should look out for your Bishop," or - my favorite "Daddy, you know you are in check now, right?"

Even the very simple things are proving to be lots of fun ... like keeping cereal boxes as a garage for cars or a landing pad for a helicopter, or the paper towel tubes as tunnels, or paper airplane flying contests have all been reviewed as "this is cool."

Of course there is the beach, EntreAmigos, Arlo's school, Alden's 3 hour daycare, the basketball/soccer court, and park that we frequent as well.  The beach provides hours of entertainment with endless digging opportunity.  We've also learned that San Pancho has a kite shop where the kites are made right in town.  The owners take the kites down to the beach every Sunday to encourage people to try them out.  It was Arlo's first time flying a kite and he instantly fell in love.  I can tell you that we will be buying one as running up and down the beach has enormous sleeping benefits.  There are also baby turtle releases that happen on the beach at sunset that captivate all of us.  I will write a post about the amazing San Pancho turtle program.  The beach and the parks also get us meeting people.  In San Pancho, the children all play together and it is wonderful.  Language barriers only seem to exist with adults.  Blink your eyes and there will be 15 kids playing tag on the beach.  Bring a soccer ball to the park and instantly you will have a dozen new friends.  Some of these 5 year olds in flip flops would give the famous Pele a run for his money.  The parks are straight out of 1940 or made from recycled/reused goods and they are just as entertaining as the playground mega parks at home.

I've noticed the boys play together better than they did at home.  When Alden is napping Arlo can't wait for him to wake up.  When Arlo comes home from school you'd think a rock star just walked through the front door with the way Alden greets him.  They are sharing even better as we frequent places like EntreAmigos where everything is shared by everyone and all the items we brought with us are intended for both our kids.  I can't say that everyday is perfect (or even close) with two little boys in a small fishing village BUT we have come a very long way from when we first arrived.   With each passing week, the list of "things to DO" here is growing and the things we can't do becomes less in focus.      

Ludoteca

Ludoteca

Author - Amy Kundinger

January 23rd, 2013

To live in San Pancho for four months took two years of active planning, saving, and goal setting.  One of my main goals was to volunteer at EntreAmigos, specially in the Ludoteca (toddler) area that has recently been added to the community center.  What I envisioned, was helping prep activities for Karin to lead.  But as I am learning, that isn't exactly how it's going ... yet ... but it will.

Karin is 16 years old and the mother of 7 month old boy, Nelson.  She is very sweet and kind-hearted.  She works in the Ludoteca from 2 pm until 6 pm Monday thru Friday.  She comes to work on time and does all her tasks, like washing down the toys 3 times a week; she does this very well.  She is also very shy and reserved.  In fact, I didn't notice until I got this picture that Karin sat up on the bench rather than down on the floor with the other mom's and children for the activity time. 

Nicole, the founder and director of EntreAmigos, requested that I work with Karin (who speaks no English and I speak no Spanish) to engage the children that come to the Ludoteca with organized activities.  She asked that I lead a few activities that Karin could watch and then start transitioning the activities for Karin to lead them. GULP.  Me lead?!?  There were no activities planned so I could choose what I wanted to do myself...which was both wonderful and scary.

Those of you that know what I do for Best Buy, know that I absolutely love my work in communications and supportive processes.  My role focuses on communications for the US Web (Dotcom) where I regularly get to present to large audiences, lead trainings, and assist the company's senior leaders with communications out to the massive network of our employees.  I've heard that public speaking is the #1 fear for most people, ahead of even dying!  For me, it ranks #1 for things I really enjoy doing but yesterday, I was sweating like I was in a hot yoga class rather than speaking in front of some toddlers.

Why so nervous? 

For starters, the  activity was to be in Spanish.  I don't speak Spanish.  Nada.  Since arriving in San Pancho, I have taken 3 of my 6 lessons in beginners Spanish where I have started to learn basic phrases and numbers.  But conversationally, I got nothing.  I gave myself one week to plan for the activity.  I wanted it to be simple:  provide an idea to the children, then ask them questions about it and get them engaged in an activity.  It involved reading the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear.  What do you see? And then doing a magnet board activity with colors and animals.  I thought to myself, this book isn't long and I already know it...in English. 

This is where my very involved relationship with Google Translate begins.  We are definitely BFF's!  I wrote out every line in my notebook (I love my notebooks!!) and then entered each sentence into Google translate to hear how the words were pronounced. Then, I rewrote the sentences phonically so I could wrap my brain around how to actually say the words.  Example:  Caballo (horse) is pronounce Ka-bye-yo.  I practiced reading out loud. A lot.  First to myself, then to Andy (who kept correcting my pronunciations in an annoying Alex Trebek voice) then to Arlo, then Alden.  I wrote out questions that corresponded to the story and practiced those.  I learned 20 animals and all my colors.  I tried to anticipate questions the kids would ask me so I could respond with some simple Spanish phrases.  I practiced hand motions for each animal.  I wanted the kids to think I really knew what I was doing and not clumsily getting through each line of the book sounding like Frankenstein.   To my surprise, this took me many hours.

As Tuesday approached, I got more anxious.  So many questions: What if no one showed up?  What if the kids couldn't understand me?  What if I blanked on the questions I had taught myself?  What if they weren't interested?  What if I said something I didn't mean to say, like the time a little boy introduced himself to me as Pedro and when I said it back it sounded like Perro to him....which means dog (still having trouble rolling my r's).  He cried.  His sister told me "He thinks you think he's a dog."  Not one of my finer moments in my three weeks of trying out Spanish.

As I pedaled up to EntreAmigos, I thought of my mom who taught for decades and rounded out her career dedicated to pre-schoolers at Mayflower Nursery school in Green Bay.  When I was in college, I would visit her classroom and marvel at how, seemingly without effort, she engaged twenty 3 years old's in three hours of learning & fun.  I thought about my sister-in-law who runs a delightful in-home daycare where she fills the days with creative and thoughtful art projects.  She moved to the States from the Philippines after marrying my brother.  She tackled English beyond the conversational aspects she knew, the Wisconsin cold, and started her own successful business.  They are very good at what they do because they love it.  Surely I could tackle Brown Bear, Brown Bear.  What do you see? en Espanol.  I began to relax, envisioning the fun of it rather than getting it "right."

And fun it was!!

To my delight, 12 children participated for the first activity time.  I introduced myself and instantly heard back a dozen little voices say "hola."   My heart sang.  I asked if they would help me read a book.   Again, the excited little voices piped out "Si! "

Encouraged, I opened the book and jumped in. 

I read "Oso pardo, oso pardo, que ves ahi?" (Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see?) at a steady pace gaining confidence with each word.  I asked my first question "Se puede hacer un sodindo como un oso?"  And immediately a little boy and little girl stood up with their arms over their head and fingers pointed down like claws and growled at me.  I wanted to do a back flip I was so excited.  I just asked them if they could make a sound like a bear!!!  With each page, I asked a question of the kids and they were eager to participate.  After the book, I moved to the magnet wall and was instantly surrounded by the children!   They all wanted a chance to put an animal on the wall!

From start to finish it was just 20 minutes. 

20 minutes of pure fun.  One little girl even asked me if I was going to come back next week.  I told her "Si" and she did a little excited hop. Flattered, I did a little hop as well.  Karin also seemed excited and we are going to meet once a week to share ideas and begin the process of transitioning the activity time to her.  Activity time will be every Tuesday at 5 pm.

Volunteering has this funny way of giving back more than the giver provides.  It is a natural self-motivator.  Sharing with kids (your own and the millions of other kiddos out there) of your time and focused energy is beyond valuable, yet costs nothing.  It is the positive intent and eye contact that is more meaningful than getting every last detail perfect.  I was struck by the simplicity of a smile and how easily it translates in any language, inviting people to participate and partner. 

But most importantly, I see that if you put yourself out there you are much farther than where you were before.   Que ves ahi?

Amy Kundinger: Why? (Friday, January 18th)

por qué?

When Andy and I started telling people about our plans to move to a little fishing village in Mexico we'd always get this question:  "Why?"

Before we left the comforts of our home in Minneapolis I had answered this question many times with enormous optimism and starry visions of  a simple and dreamy way of life.  It was going to be just perfect. Now that we have been here for two and a half weeks I have new perspective that is far more meaningful and realistic.

Our reasons to "why" before getting to San Pancho were simple and have remained the same.   We wanted to:

• Consciously shift our gears.  
• Live simply with less but experience more together as a family. 
• Get Arlo in a Spanish speaking school and Alden exposed to as much Spanish as possible. 
• Focus on using my time and skills to volunteer at EntreAmigos, San Pancho's amazing community center.  
• Recharge our minds, find creativity and innovation by challenging ourselves with a new way of life.  
• Connect with new people 
• Learn first hand the challenges and joys of living in a small rural town by the ocean.  

I naively thought since Andy and I had visited San Pancho many times before that all the planning I had in spreadsheets and journal entries would magically come together on our arrival.  It has not...yet...but we are getting there. 

Instead the first two weeks have been an amazing adventure in what people here call "the adjustment."

When you vacation you do not experience "the adjustment" but when you live somewhere you do....and boy oh boy did I get an adjustment that I wasn't expecting.

I hadn't planned well enough for the challenges of getting into a new routine and it definitely shook me up.  By the second day I was really rattled.  The kids weren't used to the new house and made me a nervous mess with all the climbing, pulling, durability testing and hiding they were doing in the new space.  Not to mention the amount of breakables in the house (glass coffee table, enormous glass vases....clearly this house was not child ready.)  Alden was sick.  Arlo got a huge bug bite.  It rained continually.  It never rains in January.  We had no car (by design) but we also hadn't gotten bikes yet and it was very challenging to get anywhere with the kids.  I wasn't sure where to get food or how to prepare it.  The stove scared me as I had never used a match to start a burner or oven before.  The washing machine labeled in Spanish was very intimidating.

Plus, there are lots of new noises like coconuts that fall from trees in the dead of night that you would think a bomb went off, beat blasting Mexican music that would permeate even a sound proof room, firecrackers that make loud banging noises that local kids set off in the streets, competitive roosters and chickens that start their "cockadoodledo" sing off at 4am every single morning, trucks that roll through town announcing, in a loud repeated jingle via a mega speaker, what they are delivering (water, gas, furniture, mattresses, fruit, shrimp, fish, etc.)

Then there is "San Pancho Life" that takes getting used to.  Like:

• Bugs, lots of new and very different bugs, lizards, and other various critters, stray dogs and poop seemingly everywhere.  
• Electricity that goes out for no apparent reason and the common practice of 1/2 power where some of the power is cut off in the house and some outlets work at reduced levels.  
• Spotty, if any, wifi coverage in the house or in the town in general.   
• Phone coverage that goes out for the whole town from time to time 
• The only cash machine in town working about 2 days a week and businesses don't take credit cards 
• The huge amount of time spent getting, prepping, and cleaning up food.   
• The boys boycotting things they aren't familiar with, like just about everything I tried to feed them.
• Acclimating to school for Arlo, which was a two week process of eeking up to a full day.  
• Not having any daycare for the first two weeks for Alden and when we did, he cried the entire first hour he was there.  
• Like not being able to volunteer at the community center yet because we hadn't found our routine yet.  
• and a language barrier to boot 

You know, little stuff.   

Needless to say I didn't account for this in my planning.  I spent the first 48 hours wondering what the hell I was thinking bringing our two little boys here for an extended stay.  I even looked up flights to come home thinking it would be better to cut our loses now than go through more misery.  But Andy said each day would be better and he was right. 

Each day is a gift of finding out what we CAN do.  I'm realizing that what you do shapes you.  If you do the same thing you will remain in that same space.  That the only way to grow and experience more is to welcome change and realize you will be humbled, uncomfortable and exposed to your limitations.  But this is also where you will flourish. 

I can feel we are starting this evolution and it feels beyond amazing.

We moved the furniture around so that we all sleep in the same room where we close the door at night and put a fan on so we can sleep through the rooster and chicken sign off.  The kids are healthy and the bug bites come and go.  Days have been cool and dry a perfect way to ease into our new surroundings.  We got bikes and a carrier which has made getting around town so much less difficult (the cobblestone streets still make for a popcorn popping like experience but we are very lucky that our main route to Arlo's school is pretty flat.)  I stop at the fruit and veggie truck every day.  I found the tortilla factory and buy their amazing tortillas, totopas (chips) and salsa nearly daily.  The little pasta restaurant in town will makes me a veggie sauce once a week that I add over noodles,  I found Juanita, a lady in her 70's, who makes amazing tamales, and the little rotisserie chicken stand....all of which my boys absolutely gobble up.  With a little guessing, I figured out the stove and washing machine and have successfully cooked meals and cleaned clothes without injury or disaster.  We are all getting familiar with our new surroundings...when Alden hear's the chickens he almost always says "crazy chickens!"  We have all become accustomed to the phrase "ver la caca" ...."watch for poop" ...when we walk anywhere in town.  We are in the practice of washing our hands and taking off shoes immediately on entering the house.  Arlo had his first full day of school today and Alden is bringing home cute projects from his 3 hours at daycare.  The boys LOVE Mexican music and dance to it almost the instance someone presses "play."  They have also learned the truck jingles and even tell me when the water truck is coming.  We eat only at the kitchen table to reduce mess and critter attractions.  We know what to do when the power goes out and got flashlights for back up.  I will be leading my first toddler activity at the community center on Tuesday.  Things are coming together!

We go to the beach about two times a week and there I always remember why we came to San Pancho in the first place.  The beach is where Andy and I can take in the amazing surroundings and get into great conversations. The boys love playing in the sand for hours making castles and "roads" and to have the waves "tickle their toes."  We see baby turtle releases, watch amazing sunsets and meet the friends we are making here.  We don't have a TV.  We aren't checking our phones.  We use our "manpower" to get everywhere.  We are connected in a much deeper way - to each other.    It is one of the answers to "why" we came.  I am glad we are here.