Culture Overload

Sitting in meetings presented entirely in another language with little translation makes you think about interesting things.  Well, maybe not you, but me.  And because I don’t want you to miss out on my thought patterns, here’s an example: I’m glad I’m not having the bug problems that others are having…la cucaracha, la cucaracha—cockroaches are gross!...This two hour presentation could have been done in 15 minutes tops… What does entonces mean again?... 

Coming from a culture that values time, I’m finding it difficult adjusting to a culture that values relationships.  It’s not that I do not value relationships—one of my primary love languages is quality time—it’s that I’m feeling like I’m not being efficient enough.  If I give up a little bit of time in one place, I have to give up that time somewhere else.  Yet in this culture, time doesn’t reign supreme.  Yes, I need to be to work on time and retain that professional quality (unless the school provided bus is late…), but if my meeting runs long at the end of the day, I’m not going to miss my bus because 2:45pm could mean 3:05pm or later.  If the meeting is supposed to last one hour it probably will go over, but whatever I have to do will be there later.  Procrastination is the name of the game here in Mexico, but not necessarily in a bad way—it’s just the way it is.  Now whether my punctuality results from time oriented parents, working at a school, or is just some wacked out trait I picked up on my own, the consequences are the same: time oriented person + people oriented culture ≠ a happy ending.  One of the two elements has to change; any guesses as to which one it will be?

At this point in time, I think I’ve reached culture overload.  Not only culture as in a different country, but ever sense of the word.  New school.  New boss.  New standards.  New curriculum.  New apartment.  New people.  New language.  New stores.  New food.  Those of you who know me even a little know that I DO NOT deal well with change.   And as much as I’d like to convince you (and me) that I had no preconceived notions of what this move and job were going to be like, the overwhelming truth shows otherwise.  Disappointment is the key indicator.  I’m disappointed in my job, how I’m interacting with others (or lack-there-of in some instances), and how slowly I’m adapting and picking up the language.  While I realize that culture shock is part of every move I’ve ever made, I guess I thought it would get easier.  Some of you may be saying to yourselves, “How could you expect moving to another country would be easier?”  Great question!  The world of denial causes many types of people, especially Kisers, to do untold of, crazy and stupid things.  Personally, I blame my parents for a defective reasoning gene, but that’s a whole other blog entirely… :)

Have no fear!  This diatribe of disappointment is not an indicator of quitting.  As long as I’m not in any physical/emotional danger, I’m not leaving—I signed a one year contract and I’m going to see it through.  Plus I know that this is only the beginning.  Eight days is not enough to determine the outcome of an entire school year, especially since I have yet to meet my students.  But while I may be a stubborn person, it’s going to take much more than that to make this year a success.  I deeply request and covet your prayers, especially for these next few weeks.  Specifically for the following:

·         Boldness and confidence in and outside the classroom

·         Becoming more relationship oriented

·         Interactions with my peers that still allow me to be a shining star and follow Philippians 2:12-18—this is difficult because my interests are vastly different than those of the majority of my international colleagues.

·         Time with God and finding a church

Oh, and notes of encouragement are always good too!