hump week

According to study abroad experts (yes, there is such a thing), the 4th week abroad is referred to as, Hump Week. Hump Week was just last week for us here in Ecuador, and to our surprise and thanksgiving, natural selection favored us! We made it through the treacherous storm without too much angst- learning new survival skills, experiencing the normal growing pains, and becoming so much stronger*. To say the least, Hump Week shall not be looked-over or taken lightly. Thus, a more in-depth explanation is needed.

To begin, a definition from my new found savior- my bright yellow english-to-spanish pocket dictionary:

Hump Week, \Hump Week\ (h[u^]mp wi:k), [espanol: semana de bache], n.
 a period of seven consecutive days with a rounded raised mass or bulge

There are people in this world who study our [exchange students] habits and psychological processes while abroad. They hypothesize, question, test, theorize, and conclude, and then do it all over again... and again. To put it simply and unscientifically, though, these experts have come to the following conclusion:

While away from their mother-land,

study abroad-ers go through a cycle consisting of three main stages:

1. Tourism

2. Anxiety [Hump Week]

3. Normalcy

[This theory is not 100% full-proof, but for the majority (and those here in Ecuador), we believe this to be pretty accurate.]

Stage 1. Everything is fresh. Everything is fun. You have not a care in the world besides seeing and experiencing all there is to see and experience. You are the epitome of a tourist- from the fanny pack cinched around your waist to your camera dangling around your neck. Classes have yet to begin, and when something does go wrong, you let it roll off your back like water off a duck.

Stage 2. Now, it's time to CRASH and BURN... or for the "poop" to hit the fan. You've been on a high for the last couple of weeks. Life is as golden as the streets in Heaven. However, as we learn from the Stock Market, things can't continue to sky rocket. So, when things are SO high, and they begin to decline, it seems even more drastic. This stage begins around week four, Hump Week. Life abroad is certainly not as new, classes are getting harder, and home never sounded so sweet.

During this stage in Cuenca, it seemed like we had a ton of nostalgic talks that comforted us like mom's home cooking always does. These talks ranged from Nickelodeon to picture day in elementary school to "Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls" by TLC to Little House on the Prairie. In addition, one day in class, tensions flared... and blew up. We had to have a little meeting to discuss our 'struggles'. "We get no break. Class for seven hours, every meal with the family, chicken and rice, chicken and rice, chicken and rice..." You get the point. It wasn't pretty, but it was necessary.

For those of you who have not been away from home for a long-ish period of time think about the glorious day, Wednesday. Wednesday, also known as Hump Day, is smack dab in the middle of the week. Once you get past it, everything is a-okay... BUT getting through it is the real challenge. I don't think Hump Week or Wednesday know the meaning of mercy.

Stage 3. Whew! Here, you begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel, and you're feeling a little more settled. You're no longer straddling between being a tourist and being a resident... at least, not as much. You feel good about things becoming more normal and can appreciate the smaller bits and pieces. We're creatures of habit, so the lack of chaos brings your blood pressure back down to earth. Things are looking up, and in fact, they are going up.

At the end of stage three, you return to stage numero uno. Ah-ha! That's probably why the experts call this a "cycle". [Side Note: Mental preparation is a big factor in the height, depth, width, and length of each stage, as well as the amount of time abroad.]

• It's a bummer that as soon as we reach stage three, we are whisked away to go back to where we came from. We mine as well have gone to Busch Gardens, had countless amounts of beer, and ridden all the roller coasters. The feeling, I bet, is very similar. You know you had fun but can't remember exactly why. You were at the disposal of complete strangers [host family], taking twist after turn after up after down [the cycle], going to places you don't even know [touring], and at the end of the ride, you realize it all went by way too quickly... but you wouldn't trade it for the world!
• Tomorrow marks our last day of exams [three to be exact], and I couldn't be more excited! Spanish class looms over my head more than I would care to admit. I'm to the point where learning more is NOT an option, and it's safe to say that I'm on Spanish OVERLOAD. I've become far too acquainted with my yellow pocket dictionary. I'm ready to set it on my bookshelf at home so it can collect dust, become more yellowed, and age like fine white wine.

As for now, it's the bottom of ninth, the bases are loaded and [insert your favorite baseball player here] is up to bat. Our game in Ecuador is coming to a close faster than I can say:

"Adiosss,"-to-bonita-Ecuador-and-never-ending-slash-confusing-Spanish-class,-and-"HELLO,"-to the-rich-American-soil-I know-and-love.

Grand slam? I believe so.

Ecuador's 411 [the spice of life]-

A picture of Cuenca's 2010 Dream Team! I'm positive I couldn't ask for a better line-up.

["Accurate?" you ask. Absolutely!]

*A Tribute to Week F-O-U-R [inspired by Christina Aguilera]:

You make us that much stronger

Make us work a little bit harder
Make us that much wiser
So thanks for making us fighters
Made us learn a little bit faster
Made our skin a little bit thicker
It makes us that much smarter
So thanks for making us FIGHTERS

RFOTD: You ready?! Not just one random fact BUT millions! To learn how to decaffeinate coffee beans, click below:

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/58841

Remember: Mentalfloss.com is your place for useless knowledge. Don't forget to subscribe to their magazine!

QOTW:

"I can speak five languages... Chinese included" - Margaret

"PROVE IT!" - Alex

"I lived there" - Margaret

BIG MONEY: You can bet your bottom-dollar that I'll be kissing the Kingdom of Freedom's ground the second we touch down in Atlanta

Best Purchase of the Week: an Ecuadorian soccer jersey for only $8!

Word of the Week: bear : oso

And, don't forget, "If Ron Burgundy says it, it's the truth!"

[A guy at church was wearing a this jacket. Couldn't resist snapping a pic!]