26 Reasons Why We Love BYU (in no specific order)

1. Andrew George
2. Dennis Pitta
3. Max Hall
4. It's not the University of Utah
5. We have class
6. Urban Myer has NEVER coached here
7. Steve Young
8. We have a National Championship
9. Comments like: "When you're doing things right, on and off the field, magic happens." - Austin Collie :) ha...ha...
10. The pre-game show
11. Most of our fans are sober, although a few have been seen smoking out back during half time just to make things colorful.
12. Rushing the field
13. The stadium: the most spiritual place on campus :)
14. Stacy Stink & Tara go here
15. Student wards
16. DTRs
17. John Beck
18. Johnny Harlene
19. Lavell Edwards
20. Cosmo's sweet moves (obviously he is not white)
21. BYU fans live across the nation and are still loyal
22. Our proud parents graduated from this beautiful institution
23. The tree of life
24. Rape hill
25. Spring twitterpation - the couples come out of the wood work!
26. Getting caught by the national anthem trying to flee in time from campus

Our Pumpkin Carving Escapade!

Matt surprised me with a pumpkin he bought for us at the store the other day. I was elated! However, we didn't get around to pumpkin carving until the day of halloween. We made a lil' monster on our pumpkin! Matt cut the top and I pulled out the guts - my favorite and Matt's least favorite part! Our jack-o-lantern turned out super cute:)

Halloweeners, Haunts, and Spooks!

In celebration of our undying love for halloween, Matt and I had a little party. On all Hallows eve, our guests arrived dressed for the occasion. Matt and I were the dynamic duo, Batman and Robin. After a day of cooking, we served "Death's Delight." We had pig intestines (noodles) with bile (Alfredo sauce) and coagulated blood (spaghetti sauce), Mummies (basically stuffed calzones wrapped like mummies),Human flesh (BBQ'd ribs), Witches' brew, etc. Everyone had a silly curse which added to the dining experience, such as yelling a pizza topping whenever someone stood up or always rolling your R's. We played mysterious games and watched a scary movie. It was so fun to dress up, decorate the house, and relish in halloween! Unfortunately, we did not get ANY trick-or-treaters, MUCH to my dismay. We had anxiously bought a cauldron and filled it with treats. However, we ended up eating the candy ourselves. It was such a fun night and we are so lucky to have great friends to share it with! Viva Halloween!
Special Thanks to Mrs. Cate for the lovely photos!

ONE week till the wedding!

Wow! The wedding is only ONE week away. I've been working on our "Maturing Matt and Mykel" wedding video. It is coming along slowly but surely! I should be able to finish today. As an added bonus...I am off to pick up our bridals and groomals CD!

THE APPLICATIONS ARE IN!!!

Matt finished his dental applications TODAY! We celebrated with Fruity French Toast and whooped cream for breakfast! We are SO exited and ready for interviews! WAY TO GO DR. MATTHEW to be!

Just Another Day in Andian Paradise

Wow…my last Sunday in Ecuador.
Showering this morning was an adventure. The shower is more of a trickle… and it is either all hot or all cold. I opted for the first option – it was a sauna, and took skill to avoid getting burned.
We only have one plug in the bathroom and one mirror. So, I tried using my webcam to do my hair – worked for a little while, but was really hard to see the details. We ate breakfast at the hotel and had wonderful bacon, eggs, breads, and juices.
Church was great. And – I hope this isn’t disrespectful- but they had the best sacrament bread I have ever tasted. We pretty much doubled their congregation. The ward is smaller here in Otovalo then it was in Guayaquil. The cutest little boy, Josue, was seated in front of me. He was super man in secret his dad told me. Josue was unbuttoned his white button-up shirt to reveal a dark blue superman shirt underneath. He was very proud of it. His dad really impressed me. He was so welcoming, spoke in sacrament, taught Sunday school, and brought his kids to church on his own. I met a girl named Diana in the bathroom – I was having some contact issues and my eye hurt. She was very friendly. She told me she was 13 years old. I asked her if I could go to young women’s with her only to find out that she was the only young woman there today and her mother, the instructor was unable to come. So, we had young women’s together. She was very patient with me and my Spanish. I said the opening prayer, we sang The Spirit of God, and then we read from the manual and our scriptures and discussed our testimonies. She really strengthened my testimony of diezmo or tithing. She told me she always pays her tithing. Yet, she only had one pair of pants, and no dress to wear to church. She is a modern day widow’s mite. She gives all she has. I loved talking with her and getting to know her. She lives like the daughter of God she is.
We returned back to the hotel and I became the “llama whisperer.” We had wanted to get some pictures with the llamas. I think llamas are quite wonderful! So my roommates weren’t quite as enthused and were a little nervous to get close. I brought the llama over and we were able to get the pictures we wanted. It was completely fine and no one got spit on by the llama.
It was certainly a day of rest. It is so serene up here! We took some pictures jumping on the dock. I actually jammed my toe in a moment of clumsiness and stupidity.
I spent a lot of the day trying to get an internet connection for Skype. The internet here is very temperamental. After testing a variety of locations in the lobby, I found one that worked a little better.
We went to dinner at a Mexican restaurant in the city. My entire GI tract has been screaming at me ever since. The food was different and delicious, but it sure is wreaking havoc on me now.
I got to talk to Matt on Skype a bit amidst the chirping crickets and bellowing bull frogs. Everyone seemed to be trying to reach a loved one. Katy and I were taking turns with the outlet power since we both borrowed crappy nursing computers for the trip. However, after Tricia’s got stolen, I am glad I did. Anyways, it was a conversation held in episodes to say the least.
Well, hope all is well. I love you all so much and look forward to seeing you at the end of the week – now that sounds weird, doesn’t it?
Peace Out!

To Otovalo and Beyond....

This morning came much faster than I had anticipated. We woke up at 5:30, stuffed the last of our things in our bags, and headed out the door.
The suitcase weight thing did turn out to be a little bit of an issue. I guess I just don’t understand the concept of “packing light.” I was fine paying the $10.00 fee, but I was 1kg over and the darn woman was going to charge me $20.00. After 3 weeks of dollar food, I was not about to pay $20.00 for shipping. I have become cheap, or maybe thifty, to put it more delicately. I went to another line, and the kind soul only charged me $10.00. However, the airline has this crazy system in which you have to wait in another line to actually exchange your money for the fee. To make a long story short, we waited in line for over an hour and a half, then ran through the airport, and caught our plane with only minutes to spare. It was a workout.
We arrived in Quito. The view was breath-taking. It is SO green and so quaint. However, we didn’t receive quite the welcome we had expected. Upon entering our bus, a man tried to help me put up my bags. He kept putting one on the front seat. I became frustrated and took it, saying “no, here” (pointing above my head. He tired to put my backpack up too, but I wanted to get something out of it. I was lucky. He turned out to be a thief. He took another girl’s bag, containing her computer, camera, credit cards, journal, scriptures, and ipod. Sick! They have this scheme. They pose as tour personnel. Unsuspecting, naïve tourists come onto to the bus and are happy to have someone help them take their luggage. False sense of security. Then, people on the outside would tap on the windows and ask us if we had loaded all luggage in the back, by the time you turned around, they were gone, and with your belongings. It was a very sad situation. She was able to cancel her credit cards and we were able to pitch in and replace her cash, but all the things that really matter – her pictures, her files, her journal, were lost. I felt sick. And it almost happened to me too. Yuck.
We rode the bus across the country side to Otovalo. Seriously…this is God’s country. People walked around on the small cobble stone streets with llamas and cows grazed on the side of the road. I love the Andes! A lot of the people here still wear the traditional dress. The men all have long hair, braided back and these cool hats. The women wear long dark skirts, a sash, and these beautiful white tops with lace and embroidery. They also wear these gold necklaces and their babies in a wrap around their bodies. The culture is so rich up here. Our hotel is absolutely beautiful. We are basically on the lake. The mountains/volcanoes are a deep green. The mist envelopes the lake in the mornings. Llamas hang out in the front of the hotel. To top it off, our rooms are cute little cottages. They also serve the most fabulous hot chocolate in the mornings. It’s a little nippy up here…quite on contrast to the “Sweatland” of Guayaquil. Anyways…it is absolutely picturesque!
We went to the Mercado/Market. The people weren’t pesty like in Guayaquil. They were proud of their hand crafts and willing to barter, but they didn’t chase you down the road if you didn’t purchase their product. They just seem really industrious, yet really relaxed. I loved shopping and bought some surprises for ya’ll at home. The jewelry was really cool. The make a lot of things out of taugwa. It’s actually as seed that they peel and then burn. It looks really cool. It was interesting to watching them take town shop. They are all small – most of them smaller than me, and that’s saying something – yet they carry enormous bundles on their backs – just like ants! It is amazing and I don’t know how they do it. I met a girl who was a member of the church in the market – I have only begun to realize how vast the church is! It really is extending to all nations of the world.
We ate dinner at a traditional restaurant. It was super good. They had these chicken crepes that were divine. They also had steamed vegetables – oh praise the Lord!
We came home to our quaint cottages. This place really is absolutely romantic. It is its own kind of paradise. I would love to come back any day!
We had a ladies’ night and watched she’s the man on my lap-top. There were like 12 girls all snuggled up on our beds, which we pushed together. It was great to kick back, relax, and laugh. I also found that the beds are very bouncy and make for great jumping beds .

Mission Impossible

May 22, 2009
Today was our exit meeting with Hogar de Cristo and a sick day for me. It is weird hitting the end. I am sad to be leaving, but also feel okay with it. I guess I am just excited to come home and see you all.
We finished up our data totals and presented our project. We successfully screened 1,000 kids in 5 schools for anemia, vision & hearing deficits, and malnutrition. We also provided them with antiparasitics and vitamins. It was really rewarding. However, my stomach was doing summer-salts, and I was very excited to get back home and rest for 20 min.
However, of course today was the day the Junta was taking us out to a nice lunch on the Malicon. We went to a beautiful restaurant under a bridge on the water. Surprisingly I was actually able to eat, and it tasted great! It has been fun to try new foods and flavors, but nothing sounds better than a Costa Vida Salad, or anything with vegetables. The Junta had hired a photographer to follow us around after and take pictures on the Malicon.
I hit the sack with a Pepto when we got home. After a 3 hour sleep, I woke to screaming, sirens, and yelling. There was a big fight going on below our room, right on the street. People were crowding around. The men had blood all over their shirts. The cops took them away and the crowd slowly dispersed. It was quite the random upheaval. Oh the things to see from the window!
I went out for my final batido. We told love-life fortunes with cards and had silly girlie fun. It’s nice to know that my love-life fortune is already decided, by more than just lucky cards. However, I do think I am the luckiest girl in the world!
We came home, and instead of packing decided to play in the elevators (Katie, Allie, and I). You see, the elevators here aren’t your average elevators. They are magical platforms with doors. I remember the night we first arrived at the hotel. We didn’t realize that we had to physically open the doors, so we rode the elevator up the entire hotel and back down. Sometimes in the elevator, when I am all by myself, I raise my arms and pretend I am a rock star arriving on –stage at my concert. I am pretty sure Tim and Faith use one. Eddie Van Halen would have killed for one Matt. Anyways, we decided to play mission impossible/spider man and make silly videos of us climbing the walls of the. Give me a little sugar, late night adrenaline, and multiple girls, and we’ll come up with some of the best ideas yet! And do them I might add… Anyway… check out the video…I’ll post it.
So it was past packing time, so I figured I should begin. It was nuts trying to fit into the 50lb limit after we had been allowed to bring 100lbs. We’ll see how it goes at the air port. I have been weighing myself on the scale and then weighing myself again with my bag. This is getting crazy and it is getting super late.

Last Clinical Day!

May 21, 2009
So today was my last clinical day! I have mixed emotions…I feel l have been able to accomplish and experience what I set out too, but it was just hard realizing that things were winding down. Although I am tired and it has been a busy three weeks, I have loved it.
I was in Maternity at Sotomayor for my last day. I labored with two women and coached them through birth. I have become a professional breather and “counter pressure.” I want to try it someday and see how much it really helps. I love having the opportunity to bond with other women at such a critical point. I really feel needed and helpful. I spent some time in postparto, teaching women about breast feeding. I actually got to coach one first time mom on how to breast feed. It was pretty exciting when the little squash finally got a good latch. It’s amazing what you can do when you are put on the spot. I taught about antibody transmission in breast milk in Spanish. Although I was terrified and pushed out of my comfort zone, heavenly father helped me be brave and conquer the task. It was fun to hear about the mom’s pregnancies, births, and lives in general.
Something interesting… They pierce the babies’ ears at the hospital to help avoid infection. Otherwise, the moms would just use a hot needle or something.
Additionally, I spent some time in the transition nursery bathing and feeding babies! They were just little snugglies. It becomes kind of frustrating because the moms don’t get their babies for 4-6hours after delivery. They miss out on ideal bonding and breast feeding time. However, it was fun to get to hold the babies and be their pseudo-mamma while they waited.
Following clinical, we grabbed a sandwich at the yummy turkey shop. I finally caved and bought candy from one of the little beggars. They are very hard to resist. They look so malnourished and destitute. Yet I can’t support their way of life. They should be in school, not used to support their parent’s interests. We were a little hurried trying to get to the University to Guayaquil. We took a tour of their nursing college and met with the students. Let’s just say, it was an interesting experience… I felt on parade again. We even had to stand up on the stage. I felt like Brett, I just wanted to hide and say “you tell.” Looking back though, it was fun to get to talk to the students. They actually do their pediatric practice on some of the prisoner’s kids – cool way to get the kids care.
My scrubs had been lost in the laundry service. Oh course they were the cute ones! I was sorely disappointed, but happy to report that although once lost, they have been found! They were mixed in Allie’s laundry – she had unknowingly misplaced her bag, and Katie recovered it! Yipee!
I was feeling pretty queezey…so I went home and took a little nap. However, we were singing at a stake fireside. So it was not a full fledged nap, just a little rest. One of the missionaries gave a short talk, then we sang our favorite, Joseph Smith’s First Prayer to Come Thou Fount, and I Need Thee Every Hour. We sound pretty dang good if I do say so myself! Parts and all! The missionaries then sang a few songs. It was pretty funny because a lot of them were off-key, but they sang anyway. I really admire their courage! Far braver than I!

May 20, 2009
Today was pretty much amazing! I felt like hermana Balle, a sister missionary – except I was teaching nutrition instead of the gospel (certainly a significant difference).
Ryan and I spent the day in the community in the homes of the people. It was nothing less than amazing, and left me craving a mission. We’d knock on the tin gates, if they had them, and try to get in! Sometimes we did, and sometimes we got rejected. After a bumpy ride over potholes and ditches in our Ambulance/SUV, we arrived at Maria Alegria, the school I originally assessed. It was so fun to return to the kids! They remembered me, and consequently I received a very warm welcome. We had the kids write down what and how much they ate for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Almost everyone was hungry, but I didn’t realize how little they had to eat until I went into their homes. One of the girls led us on hike to her house – literally, we were bush-wacking. It blows my mind how these people live. There were 13 people living in a bamboo house the size of my brother’s bedroom. The father worked construction and was currently out of work. The father completed up to the 6th grade, and the mother had completed up to the 2nd grade. The bathroom was a hole dug behind the house. I felt like they were always camping. Everyone in the house had a little bit of coffee for breakfast, maybe some lunch, and rice and beans for dinner. When they were lucky, they got a little bit of chicken or beef. I began to taste real life in Ecuador. It was truly humbling. It was interesting to see into their home life. They were so welcoming and so kind! They LOVED the toothbrushes and tooth paste we gave them after the interview!
By the way Matt… most of them have cavities – obvious to the naked eye. You won’t need your little mirror to see them! We may have to come back when you finish dental school and see what we can do about that. It’s hard though – because just filling the cavity doesn’t fix the problem, they need dental hygiene promotion, encouragement, and the means to keep their teeth healthy. Just a project for us to start thinking about.
By the way, my watch broke today… cheap thing…good thing I wasn’t super attached to it!
It was interesting to compare the first household with other household we visited. Even among the poor, there is great diversity –both in lifestyle and knowledge. It costs too much to get married here (They have to have a civil and religious ceremony), so basically everyone co-habitats. They don’t see the actual “marriage” as a priority. However, most couples had stayed together 20, or 30 years, which I thought was really awesome! Another challenge is the prevalence of affairs. Most men in the community have a “mistress.” Even if they’ve been together for 20-30 years, the men have also been “together” with other women. The reality of affairs was magnified when I was in Sotomayor. A LOT of the women I worked with were unmarried and did not live with the father of their child.
Another family was very welcoming! The mom let us interview her while she was breastfeeding – it’s not a private matter by any means down here. People do it during church, on the streets, basically anywhere. I got to play with the kids who were darling. It was SO beasty hot. They offered us some juice which was MOST appreciated. We talked to them for a while, actually quite a while – the ambulance was late to pick us up – everyone runs on Latin standard down here. The mom had attended some collage! She knew about vitamins and vaccines which was very impressive!
I know the Lord blessed me with the Spanish I needed in these interviews. Somehow, I understood and was able to be the scribe and translate with Ryan’s help during the interviews. God strengthens us always, but especially when we need him the most.
We went to the temple for the last time tonight. I LOVE the temple here! There were 2 women doing baptisms for the dead with me who couldn’t have been younger than 80yrs. I never cease to be amazed by their faith. Another group of young men tried getting my number and email again…but not to worry Matt, I explained that I was very old (21) and getting married in 4 weeks. They were fun to talk to though.
Oh WONDERFUL day!

Ode to French Toast!

Today was fabulous because I got French Toast this morning. I’ve love having eggs everyday, but I am a little egg-ed out if you know what I mean . I’ve been trying to wake up in time to have French Toast the past few days, but to no avail. However, today I did it! It was delicious. I thought to myself – Today will be most excellent just because I had French Toast for breakfast!
I spent the day at Sotomayor doing labor support, coaching, etc. I had two more births and now cannot keep count of all “my” children! What an amazing thing to have been able to experience such life-changing, magical moments. However, I have found labor support to be quite tiring. I love it, but my arms turn to jelly after a while. I spent a couple hours in the nursery, feeding, holding, bathing, and changing babies. Oh…It made me baby hungry! They are such small little peanuts and so snuggley! However, my instructor reminded us that they do grow up you, just like puppies, and I’m not ready for dogs...
It got to listen to the baby’s heart beat with a fetoscope – like device – we don’t really use them too often in the U.S. – they’re pretty “old school.” It was really hard to hear, and I decided I’d stick with the monitors. My instructor couldn’t hear it either, so I didn’t feel too badly. It was a cool experience anyway!
We came home and went to get a batido and sandwich. I was fortunate enough to get real turkey! A luxury down here – they don’t eat too much turkey.

FINAL COUNT-DOWN!

We're getting hitched 1 month from Today!!!

Another Ecuador Episode!

May 17, 2009
We sang in church today! It was a wonderful experience and Spirit was so strong. We sang “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer” to the tune of “Come Thou Fount” in Spanish. It was really cool to know that the congregation was actually understanding every word I sang!  I read a couple of scriptures in Sunday School. I went to young women’s which was really fun and brought back memories! I loved it.
It was a very nice relaxing day! We ate “linner” at the hotel. Once again, the food was great – especially the vegetables. I think I could be a vegetarian when I get home! I miss veggies so!
We went out for ice-cream tonight which was a fun little treat. I don’t know how the ice cream parlor, Fragoli’s, will stay in business once the BYU students leave. I had a mint cream dipped in milk chocolate! It was lovely! I ordered a small, but it was still rather tall!
It was a great Sunday! I’ve sufficiently recuperated and am ready for another week!
May 18, 2009
Compassion is a part of us – a part of us that we share with others. We yield our emotions, our time, and our love to another. We cry together. We rejoice together. Compassion unites us and binds relationships. Because compassion comes from our hearts, it can foster great joy, but it also provides a potential for heartache. Today my heart broke.
My mom was only 18 years old. This was her first baby, and it was girl. I stayed with her for four hour hours. During this time she progressed from 3cm to 9cm. We breathed slowly and deeply. I tried my best to help her relax. I pressed on her knees, providing counter pressure to help ease her pain until my own back ached. I held and kissed her face. She would squeeze my hand till it was pale white and I feared it would fall off. But I stayed with her, so she wouldn’t labor alone. I smuggled her in some water. The doctor told me that if she didn’t bring her own cup, she couldn’t have a drink. Ridiculous. I found her a water bottle to help quench her thirst as she cried out. Between sobs I tried to soothe her and wipe her forehead with a moist towel. It was very hard for me to watch her suffer in such agony. I kept telling her that I knew she could do it, that she was strong, that she was brave. However, when my emotions were tested, I found I wasn’t as strong or as brave.
After practically dragging the doctor to her multiple times for cervical checks, she had reached 9cm. Birth was close, and transitioning is usually the hardest point. The Junta, the organization that runs the hospital had come to pick us up. We were only allowed to stay our allotted time. I wanted to take a taxi home on my own, but was told I couldn’t stay by myself. I had to leave. I had to leave her when she needed me most. It was terrible. I never want this to happen ever again. She screamed for me to stay. She told me I was her friend, and she needed me. I broke down. I couldn’t be strong or brave anymore. I had to pry my hand away and run. My heart was broken and I was crushed. The worst part was that I had to leave her alone, and there is nothing I hate more than being alone. I left her with no one to take my place, with no one to help her. I felt horrible.
I came home, cried, prayed for her, and went to sleep.
Part II
Looking back, I should probably write about the rest of my day… there were good parts too. Earlier that morning I had been able to labor with a woman, providing support and coaching her through birth. It was another priceless experience. I guess the day was just a roller coaster of emotions and on top of it all I was a bit PMS-y. I held a woman who had just been informed her fetus had died at 26 weeks and she was about to have a D & C. She sobbed and wanted her husband. It was her fourth child, and a little boy. I cried with her. I couldn’t express how sorry I was, I can’t imagine what she was going through.
Additionally, I made friends with one of the doctors in the NICU – she spoke lovely English which was refreshing! She answered a lot of my questions. Apparently pre-natal vitamins and iron are free for pregnant women, but there is little education and women do not realize they need them. Additionally, they live far from the cities are barred from care by pure location. Sad story.
After clinical and my recuperation nap, I went out to eat with some girls from my group. We actually got steak, rice, and beans for a dollar! I know! A little different than Wendy’s dollar menu. We also went to the Mercado. I haven’t bought a lot, so I got some cute dresses! The Mercado was this huge building filled with little shops. It seemed like a maze as they all started looking the same over time.

La Playa

May 16, 2009
Today I started peeling….SO yucky. I think the sun down here just as it in for me. I didn’t know tans could peel. Anyways – anything is possible here.
We went for a boat ride to find some dolphins. It was so relaxing and just nice to hang out on a little motor boat and cruise through the mangroves to the open ocean. The sun felt great and I was glad I was in a bathing suit instead of my usual scrubs. The wind felt pristine and forest was dense. When we reached the ocean we actually saw dolphins! I was pleasantly surprised. There were six of them – including a cute little baby one. They would come right up to the boat! The flipped and twisted through the water. If people really did get reincarnated –I think I would like to be a dolphin. Although they came close, it was extremely difficult to catch them on film. I was either zoomed in too close or zoomed out too far. Never the less, it was funny. Our boat was filled with squeals and laughter.
We passed a lot of fishing boats which were COVERED in birds – literally. They lined the mast and the sails! They stunk, but were a neat sight.
Upon returning to shore, we went to a hotel for lunch. I was pretty hungry! The food was great and even tasted better because the Hunta paid for it! “If it’s free, it’s for me!” I had the usual…pollo a la plancha or grilled chicken. Another perk was that the lemonade was actually sweet, not bitter. Oh, it was heaven!
We hit the waves which were a blast! I love diving beneath them and feeling them roll over my back. The water was warm and inviting. I laid out and soaked up some rays. I just love the feeling when your skin is hot and becomes tight! I brought my ipod and listened to my running play-list. I am excited to get home and start running again. I feel asleep – yet, I managed to escape a burn. I think laying on the beach is one of those relaxation “happy places.” You can feel the sand between your downs, the wind over the top of you, the sun’s warmth, and the waves hitting the shore. I was in paradise.
I had my first Magnum bar! I had thought Haagen Dazs was good – this was amazing. Mom – if I could bring one back to you I would – you would love it. I had an almond one with vanilla ice cream on the inside and coated with chocolate and almonds on the outside. Yum. It probably contained my entire day’s worth of calories. Really good, but really bad for me.
We got home pretty late. I showered the sand off. It is amazing where you can find sand on yourself…it really comes out of places you never knew you had :). I got to talk to Matt on Skype. My roommates were watching Taken, but I had promised to watch it with Matt, so I worked out that I got to talk to him sandwiched between the bidet and the toilet in the bathroom. Good times. I just have to say how absolutely thankful I am for Skype and my “cyber fiancé.” What a blessing!

"PARTO!!!"

Today I went to SotoMayor, the “baby factory.” It was amazing and I loved it! All the women labor in one room (unless they are “high risk”). Their families are not allowed to come in. The woman labors alone, yet is surrounded by dozens of other women. They labor and then when fully dilated or basically crowning, the doctors scream, “Parto!” (Birth) and rush the expectant mom into the delivery room. The delivery room looks like a dental office. It is just a line of “delivery beds” – which look more like dental chairs with stirrups. Everyone gets a routine episiotomy – a huge medial lateral. That made me ticked and sickened! VERY few people actually benefit from them.
The babies stole my heart. There were dozens of them! They line the walls of the nursery in little cubby-like crates. I love their dark haired heads! I guess latino babies get hair all over the rest of their bodies – even if they aren’t pre-mature! They reminded me of little monkeys. I felt SO much more useful! I did some newborn assessments and just snuggled a few babies.
However, the majority of my time was spent providing labor support. Like I said, these women labor alone. I was in the high risk room. One of my moms, Gabriella, was only 16 years old. She was terrified. I helped with counter pressure and helped couch her through birth. I had to bite my tongue – the doctor kept telling her that crying hurt the baby and that she really wasn’t in that much pain. “Yeah, right!” I thought to myself. She clung to me and I just held her and we breathed together through her pain. She would scream that she couldn’t do it anymore and I got very good at saying “si su puedo” and respirar profundo.” I thought her fingernails would break my skin. However, she delivered a beautiful baby boy! Of course, they wisked the baby away dangling from its ankles. I went into the nursery and took a picture of the baby for Gabriella. She kissed me and cried. It was one of the most fabulous moments I have experienced. I felt like I had really been there for her when she needed me most. She was so strong and taught me courage, perseverance, and gratitude. I don’t know what will happen to Gabriella or her baby, but for that time during birth, we experienced something wonderful.
I went into surgery with Raquele. It was her first baby – a wonderful baby boy! Her excitement was contagious. She was having a cesarean because she said her pelvis was too small. The surgery was mostly the same as in the states – except I felt like I played dad and held her, flopped over me during her epidural. I just sat with her and talked a little bit during the surgery. It was another great experience.
Wendi was my last mom. I wasn’t able to be there during birth, but helped her during the process. Her baby was posterior so the counter pressure was really helpful. I finally found a cool towel for her forehead. They do very few epidurals down here and the doctors usually only give them to quiet the patients. It’s either an epidural, or a pad shoved in their mouths…
It was yet another interesting clinical, yet a great experience.
We did another health fair which was super fun. I did blood pressures and blood glucose levels. It was perfect for me because I still can’t hold more than a 2min conversation. So I could small talk a bit and move on to the next person in line. It’s funny – there were only 15 people there at first and with-in the first hour, our turn out tripled. I don’t know how many were there by the end, but it was packed. Arriving fashionably late is very fashionable down here . They fed us in appreciation. It was actually really good this time.
The party really started when we went to the Institute dance! Woohoo! Their hips don’t lie! It is amazing – EVERYONE dances down here and they’re ALL really good. Dance is part of their way of life. I LOVE it! I loved learning Latin dances. Really – I am jealous – I wish our dances were as fun as theirs! So, in the states, we group together in big circles and groove. They form lines across from each other and dance! Oh, and yes mom – they ALL “shimmie” down here on the equator – even at church dances!
When we first arrived it was a little awkward – a bunch of gringas, not really knowing anyone, who danced really weird. But, by the end, perceptions changed. Gradually things became less different and we all just danced together! Although I was once again covered in sweat, I had a riot!

ODE to Ecuador!

Where you buy pharmaceuticals over the counter

Where there are no traffic lanes or signals,

Where you pee out your pores,

Where everyone has a reason to be happy,

Where people actually greet you on the streets,

Where raw chicken and beef hang in the markets over the produce,

Where they have rock’n banana French fries,

Where I have NO allergies or eczema,

Where you bring your own toilet paper to restrooms,

Where the Dump is the middle of the streets,

Where they are willing to share all the food they have with you,

Where seat belt laws to not exist and the streets are roller coaster tracks,

Where I am either constipated or having the hosh,

Where CTR means DO the Just,

Where I learn to be humble and to really pray to God,

Where EVERYONE knows how to play soccer and to dance,

Where I am a Gringa,

Where cat calls and whistling follow us everywhere we go,

Where toddlers are beggars,

Where everyone in the community has some type of parasite,

Where women do wash outside in their undergarments,

Where Iguanas are pests,

Where everyone knows everything about everybody,

Where I am lov’n life!!!