¿Habla español? Si.

I love translating. I love being able to hear what is said in one language, and change the message around to fit the boundaries of another. I love the fact that most of the time literal translations are impossible, either because they don't exist or I just don't know the words, and I have to work out a puzzle to decide how to express the same thing in different words. And, being the control freak that I am, I love the power that it provides. The way someones health or situation is in my hands, for me to fix. I'm basically a superhero. Who speaks two languages. AKA I'm more powerful than batman.  For me, the fact that I am able to speak two languages, or really 1.75, is some sort of measure as to how much I've accomplished here. I've said before that there are days when I feel like I don't do enough, like I could have done more, run farther, held more hands, spent more time with my host family. But the fact that I can create sentences in another language, can hold theoretical conversations and truly express myself is a mark to the fact that my time here has been worthwhile. I came knowing the basics, and nothing more. I'm leaving knowing another language. Obviously there are words I don't know, things I need help with, but I don't have to stare starry eyed at everyone when they ask me basic questions. I can respond, and make sense. If we are being honest, which I always (kind of) am, I also love the look of surprise that people have when they realize I can communicate in something other than English or forced sign language. It always starts with someone asking questions about me to whoever I'm with, assuming I just don't know. And when I start jumping in and answering for myself, the look of surprise never changes. It makes me feel like I have a secret weapon, again, even better than batman. While all of these treats make knowing Spanish great, my favorite thing about being able to translate is the ability it has given me to learn more, see more and do more. Because ADESJO and the sisters have used me as a translator, I have been able to see and do more than I otherwise would have been able to. I have been able to learn about the bee keeping societies here, and how bee hives are kept. Granted, I didn't understand half of what they were telling me in English, let alone trying to fit it into Spanish, but at the end of the day with a head about to explode, it was still interesting and different. Working with nursing students now, I've been able to learn about the health care system here, see different patients and visit new communities. I've been able to visit the domestic violence center, i center i didn't even know existed before translating, and hear about how this organization is working to combat a crime that is much too prevalent in much too many countries. I've got to meet new friends, see different perspectives and become an asset in ways I didn't think we're possible. Ive been able to meet more people in ocoa that are my age, as they have translated alongside of me. I've even gotten to boss people around in spanish, meaning I've been able to translate the famous attitude that i possess in English into another language. I'm sure they really appreciate that.  The Spanish language has opened doors for me. It's allowed me to learn in ways I couldn't have imagined. It allows me to connect with people on a level that surpasses hi, how are you. Of course, we can make connections with people with the simplest of phrases, with minimal language. But theres something to also be said for being able to dig deeper, to question more and not to settle for a simple answer because that's all you can understand. My fear in returning home is that I will lose all of this that I gained. That I'll come back in a year unable to speak, unable to translate. I think the loss of a super power is a lot more painful than never having one to begin with, which is why I will do my best not to shed this cape. Instead, I will let it keep opening doors for me, talking to others in Spanish and learning more about other cultures at home. I'll wear my Spanish cape out of pride, just because it took so damn long to sew. Wishing you a day whee you feel like a superhero as well, Sabrina