i can't believe it's been 6 months already.

yesterday marked my 6 months officially working as mika staff (remember when i started? geez). i almost forgot amongst the goings on of the rest of the week, what with being scared of being alone with my thoughts and all. fortunately (or unfortunately) for you, dear reader, i have decided to engage these thoughts of mine for a few moments so i don't miss this important time of reflection.

yesterday was a typical day in the neighborhood. walter and i arrived at heidi's house, who nominated one of her neighbors for the mika christmas store. we walked to her neighbor's house and announced that she had been chosen to shop. she was free to come by this weekend to buy christmas presents for her 4 sons (including oscar) at a price she could afford. her face lit up and she kept saying "gracias, gracias" over and over to us.

then walter took me over to lydia's house. lydia is involved with the local spanish church, who is having a Christmas fiesta this weekend at her house to get to know some of her neighbors. from lydia's house we called erwin, the pastor at the local spanish church, whose wife walked the neighborhood with me last week. erwin told me about the event at lydia's and asked me to be there. "the neighbors know you. they trust you. we would be honored to have you at this gathering, michaela."

walter explained to me that the neighbors have started calling me by my Spanish name.

we left lydia's to pass out flyers for the event. we stopped by vicky's and discussed getting the neighbors together to plan a health fair. her daughter, susan, showed me the dress she made in her sewing class. we saw ilyana, who yells to me every time i see her, "heyyyyy i know you!" we talked to her mother, ana, who was hanging out by the tuesday night taco truck. ana introduced walter and i to lupe, who was also outside.

as we made the rounds, i couldn't help but smile. by no effort of my own, these people know me now. they invite me to their parties. they teach me Spanish. they ask about my friends. they feed me dinner. they call me when they need help. and most importantly, they help each other. i am honored to be a part of their lives.