Names

So, what's in a name?

Here in Spain, many people have four names, though some only have three, but the structure is different than in the U.S. They have one or two first names, neither of which is quite like our middle name, and then two last names. The first last name is that of their father and the other that of their mother. And, women do not change their last name when they get married, at least no one that I've met so far(though I haven't asked at my church, it might be different there...). When asking my host mom about this she got rather upset and asked why would she want to change her last name to Rokiski? She's not a Rokiski; she's a Belles Fortuno (forgive the lack of accents). "And the children? The father's last name? What about the mother's? That's very very misogynous, isn't it?"

One of many conversations lately that has shown me some of the differences between our cultures... And I think she doesn't think too much of me, at least in reference to any sort of world view or the like... She gets frustrated that I don't know much of anything about politics and the like. We watched La Vita e Bella the other day and afterwards she said, "You know somewhere where lots of people are dying senselessly nowadays? In Iraq. Doesn't anyone in the US say anything about it? Do the churches do anything like protest, or write to the government to change things?" To say the least, the majority of the people over here are really quite upset with American politics. I don't know how to respond. I don't really know anything about politics... I know my president's name, I know that there's war going on... Much more than that and I just shrug my shoulders. I should probably try to read up and expand my knowledge base in that area....but where do I start? And who do I listen to?

Anyway...I also learned that the dating/engagement/marriage process isn't the same here either. So, after explaining how it goes for us, I think I'll be asked a little bit less about when I'm going to get married. As that was getting to be rather frustrating, this change is a good thing.

Christmas plans aren't going as smoothly as originally anticipated, so be praying for wisdom in that area for me if you think about it. But, it looks like Venice will be added to the list of places I'll be going... That sounds fun. :-)

I made bread/cake today! We have a crate full of oranges so I've been searching for orange recipes and foound one for orange honey muffins. Lacking muffin pans it became more like a sweet bread..almost cake. Tasty and it made the house smell nice. Yay for baking!