Take It, But Take It Easy

There are some things in this world that make me very happy. Bawls, chicks, shredding anything, farting, pooping, making jokes about farting, making jokes about pooping.
I'm a simple man.
But, more than that, there are very few things in this world that fulfill me. I've been teetering on this fine line for a year now, searching for something more while resting in a place of happiness. It is hard for me to explain: it all felt right, but something was not right. There was still some step above, some place over my head that I just couldn't see, not for lack of trying.
But then I come here. And I find myself staring into the face of a six-year old's smile, the salt-drenched tears of a old abuelita, or the inquisitive eyes of every 14-year Peruvian girl at every college I go to (Matt, no. Stop. No. No. Troy, okay. Keep going.) Kai, if you want to concentrate in getting chicks, I'll be it 14-year old ones, this is the place for you.
And I feel so happy, I feel very whole. And I feel fulfilled.
Not by the chicks part, although that rocks, because, hey, dudes, we get chicks.
But everything else. Over the past week, it has just been a continual process of realizing my faith, of growing into this journey I have set myself on, feeling uncomfortable, but moving through to grow. To reach the place I've always wanted.
It started Sunday. We went to our parent's Chackra (farm) up North an hour, and chilled out. And when I say chilled out, I'm talking chillzone to the max, my friend. Goats, dogs, chickens, land, a river, a big rock mountain cascading over us, a porch, couches, joking, grilling, cold Coca-Colas, children running around, football in the front yard, teaching baseball to my new cousins, loving life.
You dig? It felt so very good, to be there with my new family, being there with the land. We climbed a mountain, the children together, and were panting and smiling the whole time. Just over huge rocks, up to an Incan house on the hillside, 500 meters up. It was a hike, but it was so fun. We were kids again, seeing beautiful sites that appeared so new and glorious to us, looking through their eyes. Of course, or two leaders, my 11-year old boys Mariando and Niko, were experts and had mapped out a trail 100 times. But it is was even new for them, having someone who could actual beat them up the moutain, while making fart noises the entire way up (you can't teach what they know about parts of the body to make pttthhhhs, it's crazy).
And my uncle is taking me to shreddzone next weekend, now, too. 2 KM long waves in Truquillo, the spot where Endless Summer boys went to. I'm geeking out. FREAK YEAH! (Get it, Brad?)
Monday. Coming from paradise, I returned to where I'd been all week. To Villa San Salvador, with Gustavo, Cheri, and mis amores at the school. We played, we joked around, we learned, and it was beautiful all over again. Just being there, I have to pinch myself, becasue I feel like this is where I should be, that this has happened somehow.
I love taking it easy, but this was an opportunity I had to take. Take it. Make it. Break it. Shake it. Snake it. Bake it. And Shake it. And don't forget to Bake it.
And Take it.
Then Tuesday came the test. It was my first day going 8-6 (it turned into 7am-8pm), and it was hard. I was working the entire day with my new boss, Humberto, a 28-year old kid at heart, joking consistently, running everywhere, running to some place I don't know, having a vision, being a control-freak, but also being so lively and a great friend. He rode with me, along with Fabolita, the other psychologist to and from work, Weds. and Tues. (I worked in the same school then). We talked about his doubts on G-d, the Peruvian political state, chicks, his life, la jerga (with the help of Fabolita, she's 22), or slang for Popo (tombo), money (un taco), and chicks (flacccaass!!). Bien chevere (Sick).
And it was hard. Because it was such a long day, and they really pushed my Spanish and my body and my mind and my confidence. Because in the afternoon of Tuesday and Wednesday, I had to be talking to these parents, in Spanish, about what to do about their kids, how to help them.
This is the second part of my internship, now beiginning, step one working with the kids and step two working with the parents to help them continue their kid's growth and focus them on school.
It feels like I can really have an effect, and this makes me nervous and scared. I have this responsibility, but I thought I wasn't ready for it. But once the workshop with the parents being, I found it. My stride, my smile, what I can do. I got them energized, as we split up into 4 teams of parents to teach them games they can play with their kids, to help with their confidence, to teach them to be patient, to help them grow, and just give them advice.
I am here, I am so excited for your kids, and I hope you can do the same, and remember this. Remember this, that is my message to them.
I am here doing small things, for only a short time, but I want them to know I'm here. I'm here to help them, someone cares, and don't forget it.
Remember it.
But everything passed as it should. I went through the crucible, I was uncomfortable, but I grew.
Now, I'm off to paradise number two, Caja Marca, in the mountains, with my family. More to come on 4th of July, Peru style, and the trip to Caja on Monday. Love,
Walt