bolichas

hammock.
music.
ketchup.
expression.
kichwa.
play.
silence.

if my recent days sang a song, you would hear these things somehow evolve into a rhythm composing it´s own melody syncronized to the beats of the moment.

for example, i tend to spend my mornings lounging in my hammock, reading or sipping tea yelling alli punzha! out the door to passerbyers; depending on who comes to door, the course of the morning creeps by and i´m walking the streets with dude (my dog) to some destination and of course engaging in dialogue in kichwa at some point. the afternoon may have some guitar playing (no ipod to provide musical satiety), ecua-volley and/or clothes washing in the river at which i can take in the beauty within it´s habitat. it´s my current groove...

i´m convinced that our desires and decisions help create the rhythms that flow within our lives. my last 18 months has depicted to me a similar life lesson (although i didn´t recognize at first) which is the presence or lack of will power that determines the outcome of an idea (or beat).

we are drawn to things that interest us & therefore we expend more energy in pursuit.

i heard a wise man once say

¨what you think about is what you care about; and what you care about, you chase [seek].¨


and i´ve been thinking about marbles (or bolichas in spanish slang). most families here have 6 kids and of those under the age of 12, always have a supply of those glass spheres in their pockets; just in case the occasion arises to play. they´re obsessed really.
i´ve also learned that joining the interests of others is more effective interaction, than creating new ones. hence, my new preoccupation with marbles (and the discovery that my thumb-flick/aiming skills are pitiful.)


finding acceptance within women´s circles is equally a challenge and interest for me. this year, we began a women´s group in my community called `Kallarik Warmikuna´ which means `women that move forward´. after many re-scheduled meetings & un-fruitful conversations, we´ve found and area of interest to dedicate our time-artesenia. we are still in the planning process, however the idea is to use local materials to make quality jewelry/baskets/ceramics to sell to a sustainable market; empowering the women to increase their economic income & encourage them to follow their interests.


a high school teacher noticed all the paper that gets thrown away and wants to start a recycling program. brainstorming, we got excited about creating a youth-run recycled paper art program, within the next school year. the high school kids could make a variety of products like party bags, boxes, cards as well as cultivate creative expression.


cristina, the high school teacher on the left


all that to say that ideas WITH MOTIVATION move and so i´m planning a marble tournament with the school in september, petitioning for the women to organize and filling out papers to get materials for a recycled paper art project. i´m not sure if the chase is better than the finish but here i go. let me know if you can help me develop these ideas more!

may you find movement in your journey-
love from ecuador.