Thursday, October 20, 2016 (3/76)

It's 12:23 pm, and I've finally finished the most important work. Now, I'm just waiting for the students to decide to schedule an appointment with me. In the meantime, I'll read my Bible and let time pass until the lunch break. I barely managed to read a full verse when I heard someone knocking at the door, but I hadn't received any notification of an appointment being made. Who could it be?

Me: Please, come in.

It's a student. She has brown hair and green eyes, which are quite visible through her glasses.

Lisa: Hello, Sister.

Me: Sister will do. Yes, take a seat.

Lisa: Yes, excuse me, it's just that this is the first time I've actually met a sister. Here in Saber Tres, we are not Christians, but we're glad to see you.

Me: Oh, you're here to see me?

Lisa: Yes... no, I received the email, and it's true that I'm supposed to come after making an appointment, but I really wanted to speak with you today so that my problem could be handled quickly.

Me: You can come whenever you like; it will be a real pleasure to talk with you. What's your name?

Lisa: Thank you, it feels good to hear that and know it. My name is Lisa Gonzalez, a second-year student, class of 2019.

Me: Okay, Lisa, what's your problem?

Lisa: I came to talk to you because I wanted to speak with someone who might understand me. I would like the guards to open the classrooms in the evening to allow us to study before exams, especially me.

Me: Isn't it supposed to be the class representative's job to report this information?

Lisa: I don't see how a beaver who's never built a dam could go talk about huts or dams to anyone.

Me: Excuse me?

Lisa: It's a joke, please forgive me. I meant that our class representative cannot understand my need or that of others because he doesn't live in the dorms.

Me: Okay, I'll see what I can do before your exams start and will inform you by email. Does that work for you, Lisa?

Lisa: Yes, ma'am, that works for me. Thank you, Sister.

Me: You're welcome.

It's time for the break; it's 1:00 pm. I gather my things to keep the office presentable for any professors and students who might drop by in my absence. Fortunately, the school is very well equipped to guide visitors with maps showing the different school buildings at the four corners of the campus. Thanks to these, I find my way to the UDS restaurant, which is just across from the dorms, and upstream, there's a beautiful garden. There are all kinds of flowers: orchids, daisies, lilies, azaleas, dahlias, hydrangeas, yellow lilies, hibiscus, and one whose name escapes me even though it is quite popular.

Dr. Jorge: Those are sunflowers.

Me: Aahhh... sweet Jesus, you startled me.

Dr. Jorge: I'm sorry, that wasn't my intention at all.

Me: No worries, I have to go, see you next time, Doctor.

Dr. Jorge: Wait, Sister, if I'm not mistaken, this is your first time at the UDS restaurant, so let me invite you to join me at my table, please.

Me: That's not necessary, but thank you for the offer, Doctor.

Dr. Jorge: I insist, Sister. After all, we are colleagues, why be so wary of me?

Me: Alright, I'll follow you, Doctor.

Dr. Jorge: Please call me Jorge. I feel like I'm light-years away from you when you call me Doctor.

How do others manage to put up with someone as insistent as this Doctor? He keeps talking until we reach the restaurant. The restaurant is divided into two sections: one for the professors and one for the students. We head to the professors' section, of course, where everyone watches us arrive after serving themselves. There were lasagnas or hamburgers, bananas or apples, apple juice or fruit juice, along with the rest of the tables. There were always two choices. I let the Doctor guide me to a table. Note that all the tables in the UDS restaurant, in the professors' section, are arranged in groups of four chairs per table.

We take our seats. I clasp my hands together and close my eyes to say a short prayer. It's important to thank our Savior for the blessing of having a meal this afternoon, as others might not even be sure they will have dinner tonight.

Dr. Jorge: Amen.

Me: You didn't have to wait for me, Doctor, let's eat now.

Doctor: It was nice, yes, let's eat.

Behind me, I notice the university Director is there with three other people whom I didn't see in his office this morning. Mrs. Marta Olivera and Barbara join us with their trays 10 minutes later.

Barbara: Enjoy your meal.

Me and Dr. Jorge: Thank you, enjoy your meal too.

Barbara: Thank you.

How polite and well-mannered.

Marta: So, you and Jorge have become best friends, huh?

Excuse me, but where is the respect? And coming from a professor, no less, it's unbelievable. I feel like I must have misheard, especially because both the Doctor and Barbara are focused on their meals.

Me: Excuse me?

Marta: So, you and the Doctor have become best friends?

This time, she said it so loudly that not only Jorge and Barbara were surprised, but even the Director turned around to see who our dear Mrs. I-Don't-Know-How-to-Behave-in-Public was talking to.

Dr. Jorge: Marta? Do you realize who you're talking to? You're not going to start another one of your hilarious scenes, are you? She's a sister, a sister. I don't even know her, and we just met today.

Marta: I didn't say anything wrong; she can answer for herself... I'll rephrase my question: have you and Jorge become best friends?

Barbara: Marta, calm down, you're overreacting... your reaction is becoming ridiculous.

Marta: You think I'm ridiculous?

Barbara: No, but you...

Marta: If you can't support me as a friend, then just keep eating and stay out of it.

Dr. Jorge: Marta!!!

This has killed my appetite. It's best for me to leave this table before things escalate further.

Me: Do you want an answer? We are not friends, so why make such a fuss, Mrs. Olivera? I'm only here for three months; I'm not here to create problems. Plus, my one and only true love is the Lord Jesus Christ, who died on the cross for us. With that, I'll leave and return to my office. See you next time, and may the Lord protect you.

As I get up and take my tray, I feel someone else at the table rise after me. I don't want to know who it is, so I continue towards the place where the dishes are to be dropped off and leave the restaurant, heading towards the administrative building to return to my office.

It's almost 5:00 pm, and the end of classes is approaching. I'm in the middle of tidying up my things when the Director walks into my office, a welcoming smile on his face.

Director: So, Sister, how was your first day?

Me: Quite eventful, but good overall.

Director: I thought as much coming from you. You are just as people often describe, and I wanted to apologize on behalf of Mrs. Olivera.

Me: Excuse me, please, Director, I'm having trouble understanding.

Director: Don't worry about it. Go and rest instead. Here are your keys, your room is assigned to number 4 in building F of the residences. You'll be alone, and we chose the room closest to the gardens so that you can have a pleasant time at our school.

Me: Thank you very much, Director. Any room wouldn't have been a problem for me, really.

Director: It's the least we can do for you, Sister.

Me: Thank you, I won't trouble you any further. See you next time, Director, and may the Lord protect you.

Director: Thank you, Sister.

With my new keys in hand, I head to the residence, ready to discover my room and rest after this first day, full of emotions and discoveries.

[1] Grade 2019: Refers to the year the diploma is awarded at the graduation ceremony.

[2] Class representative: A student representing the class.