Thanks to God

This blog title comes from a commonly repeated phrase by the lovely, Miss Erendira. She is the one at school who takes care of our house problems (aka when we had cockroaches-talk to Miss Eren, when our door wouldn't lock-talk to Miss Eren, when we didn't have butterknives-talk to Miss Eren) and also our health problems: if you get sick and need to take advantage of that free health care we are paying taxes into-talk to Miss Eren. Like most everyone at Colegio Ingles, she is a very kind, loving lady. Her office is in the Jardin de Ninos section of the school so I get to see her a lot. Anyway, the reason this comes up is because, unfortunately, one of my housemates had to experience the undertaking that is Social Security in Mexico. Tuesday beings the story of Jenna and the sickness. :) She got sick during school that day and then slept most of the pm, waking with bad stomach aches and the shivers, and some unprofessional (yet helpful!) medical support supplied by the roomies. So Wednesday, Emily and I woke up at 5am because we figured we should get things taken care of. I called Eren, and we went to the school in search of the SS card that we were warned never to lose, Jenna thought she had left it by her desk. As it turns out, none of our efforts were actually needed. Miss Eren didn't arrive at school any sooner than normal, and the card was only found later; after jennas sad attempt to get to the school in her condition to look for herself which ended when we had crossed the street and Jenna realized that it was probably back at home in her purse, which it was. By 730am, when I arrived at school for the day, I had already had a nap!

Thanks to God #1, Jenna's SS card is afternoon. I guess to 'ease' the process they make some people only able to come in the am and some in the pm. I dont really know that this makes much sense but, thats how they do. So Jenna's name was put on a list in the morning to secure a place for the afternoon. she got there around 1...and left around 5:30! Thanks to God was declared for both the second and fourth time when the all elusive parking spot was found. Eren had left Jenna there alone for quite sometime, which caused some distress on Jenna's part with the things they were telling her to do and her spanish abilities in the almost incoherent state she was in. [related aside: tuesday night Emily and I were asking her things to tell the sub to do and in her confusion she asked if this was for 8th grade.. she teaches 3 and 4] Thanks to God number 3 came when by mistake she was listed as the 4th on the list of people without an appointment but they only allow 3 each day... thanks to god person number three never showed! And again, coming in as #5, Miss Eren rejoined Jenna with perfect timing as her name was called. The final was uttered twofold when both Jenna and Erendira's names were called sooner than planned (meaning Eren had wanted to use the free services that day as well).

So all in all it was a crazy experience and ended with a plethora of pills; so many in fact, Malita had to make Jenna a schedule to remember them by. The only really positive thing, besides of course the fact that she is now being treated and will be well in no time, is that it was all free! (when you forget the fact they take SS out of our paycheck) The doctor also gave Jenna 'incapacidad' for the rest the week, which means she doesn't have to work but will be excused therefore still getting paid.

Now that it is Friday (whoooohoooo!!!), Jenna hasn't worked these last few days in order to properly recover for our trip this evening! She says she feels better, and I hope it is true. Rumor has it the bus to Mazatlan is very ... vomit-inducing?!?! Dramamine necessary. Twelve hours through the mountains, on curvy roads. We leave tonight at 830, so I suppose I should get some stuff together. We paid the extra $3USD/night for an oceanview room, at a little hotel satisfactorily called, La Siesta. :) Hopefully the tropical storm weather doesn't effect our vaca too much. Torreon is crazy right now, the returning teachers said that last year it rained approximately 2 times, this year it has rained SOOO much already. and when it rains, it pours! and they dont have sewers/drainage because, hello, we're in the desert! So the streets are flooded until they have time to dry out. It is very unusual. But maybe the rain will hold off for a few days of beach fun for us....