Puerto Rico Chronicles: Take Chill Pill, You'll Be Here A While!

In a country with speedy drivers, everyone does a LOT of waiting around.

If I have learned anything it has been patience.  I shall never ask for that again!  Thank you for the opportunity  I understand now! :)

I wait in traffic! Bayamon is nicknamed the "Parking Lot" and for a good reason! Places just take a little longer to get to! Good thing I was trained to be a little bit early! Now I can almost make it on time! :)

I waited for Food Stamps.  I know, I hate it just as much as you do but I'm a poor student so they say its my privilege to have. Adam waited in line at 5:00, to make an  appointment at 11:00 when he was able to enter the building and they made him an appointment which was 2 months down the road. The day finally came, and we waited for 3-4 hours to get the appointment. THE COMPUTERS WERE DOWN!! I run into this a lot too. So, we waited several weeks for the card to come in the mail, and a couple weeks more for a bit of money to enter and in two days we will receive our 1st full month of food!! It's only been 3 months but we can eat while were here!

I wait 3-4 hours for appointments needing to be made. WIC, Doctors appointment. Just sit down and wait!

I wait in lines! In places like the water cpmpany, DMV, and city offices. You wait in a line to inquire a ticket to be made. Then you wait in the cashier line to pay any bill made, and then you return to the first line to prove that you've paid, in order to receive the thing you were their to get. For example, when we finally got our car! Yes,  I waited 5 1/2 weeks for it to get shipped to me! I waited in 6 different lines.  It took my family of 5, eight hours of waiting in order to get the car released to us. Which we had to pick up the next day since the car place was closed by the time we were done. Most of the waiting came from the fact that once again.. THE COMPUTERS WERE DOWN! In a place with 10 computers, only one was working for all the people trying to get their import taxes printed.  I waited there for 3 hours. Then I went down stairs and waited for 2 1/2 hours in line to PAY my outrageous import tax. Then I returned to the 1st office to get my paper work stamped and signed 8 times.  WOW! I was glad when that day ended! And to have a car that worked, and was ours! <3

I wait for people on computers. I know technology was suppose to help make things speedy. However, most of the places I've been the computers seem to be down! I think its just my luck..lol and then the worker types with 2 fingers. I just want to jump across the desk and take over! But I don't I just wait it out! There is nothing else I'd rather be doing! Although, things take a while.. they've got to get done.. and I'm grateful to be doing them!

I wait for electricity.  It happens at least once a week. I get to use those 72 hour kit skills I learned so much about! Also, my kids get to learn how much runs on electricity  They go from the TV, to the Computer, to the "almost dead" phone.. and after they realize there are no other options, they resort to reading books and playing with their toys. I think I'm creating monsters!  J, actually ran to the circuit breaker and asked me to flip the switch!

I wait for water to heat up, because get this..... you only turn your water heater on when you want to use it!  Who  Knew??, Right!  This spoiled American left the water heater alone and for 3 weeks I was basking in water, yes even HOT water for my  dishes, bath times  washing my grimy hands, and wonderful wonderful showers. Then we got out $600 electric bill and learned you are suppose to turn the breaker off during the night and day until dinner time, then you will have hot water for the evening. Well, since that bill we opened we just un plugged it like out A/C units and go without. Except on Mothers Day I got a warm shower for a gift! I was thankful for about 30 seconds and then slowly changed the water to cool!!  To not have a freeze shock was wonderful but unfortunately this last week has been miserable trying to readjust. I guess I'm waiting for that too!

I wait for water!  For 6 hours last week we were without water. When was the last time you were without water?? You suddenly become very thirsty, you have to use the toilet every 10 minutes, and you notice how many times you wash your hands.. Especially while trying to prepare dinner. It was an annoying and dry experience. No worries, I had some stored away!  Those 72 hour tips really do come handy!

I wait for people to realize I don't speak Spanish and for people to understand what I'm trying to say.. and I have no idea what you've been saying for the last 5 minutes. I have to admit, the past 3 days I've decided to speak English out loud for everyone to hear. At first I wanted to blend in.. but it's not going to happen that easily. I'm happier when I'm talking. And either they will roll their eyes because I'm speaking English.. or they will speak English to me. I have realized so many people know way more English than I do Spanish. I'm still going to work on my Spanish, but I think I will make it easier for everyone if we can all learn I understand things better in English! :)

I wait for school to start.. or getting income! I'm just gonna leave that one alone! But I am waiting for it!! :) 12 MORE WEEK TIL SCHOOL STARTS! (for A!)  I can't wait for our routine to get back in place! (but I will!) Then I will be waiting for it to be over!

I know there are TONS of more things I waited for.. and I'd love to complain about them.. however.. I waited, and they arrived and now they are over. That's the strangest things about waiting, and patience. Time really does pass, it finally does resolve itself, and you move on to the next thing. "This too Shall Pass!"-  I hated hearing it but I'll admit it's gonna be alright!

Aren't we always waiting for something?!