Expect the Unexpected

In Costa Rica, one of the most said "dichos" (sayings) is "Si Dios quiere." Literally, this phrase, means "if God wants it" and is spoken hundreds of times a day and almost as automatically as we say "fine-thanks-and-you?" It often follows an "hasta luego" or "I have to do tal y tal cosa," (such and such a thing) or really anything that implies "i have planned - however so loosely - to do something in the near, not so near, or far away future." Yes, it's vague and multi-functional. However, in my year as a volunteer here in Costa Rica, I have learned that there really is something to it. Whether or not you or I or whoever uses the words "Si Dios quiere" believes that God is behind every event, accident, coincidence, or plan, there is a lot of truth and wisdom in the letting-go of control.
I cannot even begin to count how many times this year I've left school one afternoon only to find out later, and often not until it's too late, that my students wouldn't be coming the next day, that a coworker had gotten sick/injured and would be out for weeks, that there was a last minute event planned or canceled, or that - in the most recent case - a sinkhole on a highway has caused all classes to be canceled. (More on that in a moment). Plans have been made, changed, and canceled so many times and in so many ways that it's hard to keep track of the whys and hows of logistics. It's easier, almost, and oddly comforting, to tack on the "Si Dios quiere" as a way of saying "don't plan your life around this!"

I like to think that a lot of things do have to do with God's will for us, but I also recognize a huge cultural difference in the acceptance of responsibility and control. As a born and raised gringa, who has so far thrived in an overly organized, highly planned, responsibility based society, it's been challenging to adapt to the take-it-as-it-comes attitude that many people, including professionals, adopt in Latin America. Efficiency and responsibility are certainly present in theory, but what I've seen in practice has been a bit different.  I'm not saying they're wrong. I'm not saying I'm wrong. I'm saying these are two really different worlds, with life philosophies that are complex, multifaceted, and influenced by all sorts of historic, religious, and social factors. Each has many pros and many cons, and in a perfect world, we'd find a happy medium. I also happen to think a perfect world wouldn't be all that interesting, so I'm content to keep exploring our current one.

Now, back to that whole sinkhole thing. Today was to be my last day of work on campus at Centeno Guell.  Mid-year vacation begins on Monday, so even though I'll be in Costa Rica for two more weeks, I won't have school. I left my classroom yesterday in a bit of a hurry, intent on getting home to get a head start on writing my thank-you notes, making little gifts for my students, and rehearsing what I wanted to say to the many many co-workers I had planned on despediring today. (That's Spanglish for "saying goodbye to"). I hadn't planned on being on campus tomorrow because my group is planning on having a 'Goodbye Caro/Happy Vacation' party at one of the students homes. Now, even if I did go tomorrow I wouldn't find any of my co-workers because the Ministry of Education canceled all classes for schools in the areas in and around San Jose where traffic may be affected by the sinkhole. Sinkhole, you ask? Yes. After a very strong storm the other night, a piece of the highway between San Jose and Alajuela (where the airport is) caved in. The hole is about 4 meters deep and is causing a ton of traffic issues.  So, naturally, there's no school today. Naturally.

Trust me, despite my sarcasm, I am sensitive enough to the situation to recognize that this is dangerous, people's lives are in jeopardy, and patience will certainly be tested on this highway while it's being repaired. But the other part of me - the part of me that says there are no excuses to be made when it comes to education and supporting student success - is disappointed. And yet another part of me - the selfish part that wanted to say goodbye and thank the many people at Centeno who have made this year what it was - is a little sad and a little bitter. ("Like, really? Today of all days?")
But, oh, Carolyn, don't you know? That's where the lesson lies! Don't put off til tomorrow what you could do today. Expect the unexpected. Let Go and Let God. Go with the flow. Cherish every moment as if it's the last. If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. Okay, okay, I get it. Meanwhile, I'm going to keep working on those thank-you notes and hope that I get to see my students and their parents tomorrow for one last goodbye, si Dios quiere...