Getting to know Marisol - Week Two

Yesterday, Marisol and I met for our second tutoring session, and it was far from what I expected. She and I talked for 45 minutes just about things going on in our lives. She is not happy with the guy she is dated right now because he is too controlling over what she wears, what she does with her free time and who she talks to. I suppose he feels threatened that he will lose her to another man. She realizes this and finds his behavior to be unacceptable and intolerable. I broke up with a guy I dated for a long time, and one of the reasons I did this was because he would get jealous easily and try to control and manipulate me. Marisol is much stronger than me, and has no reservations about telling her boyfriend how she should be treated.

At only age twenty-six, Marisol has encountered so many challenges. She has four children whom she provides for by working at TCU in the housekeeping department and working for other families in the area by cleaning their houses. She is very confident in herself and her abilities. She says that she tells herself that she is beautiful and successful, and does not need a man to make her happy or provide for her. She knows that is capable and can take care of herself. I envy her confidence and tenacity. Despite abusive relationships, desperately trying to support her family, and being so far from her family in Mexico, Marisol manages to remain confident and sure of herself to accomplish her goals without comprising herself. Marisol has been such an inspiration to me. I hope to feel confident about myself like Marisol does.

I felt guilty yesterday because Marisol and I did not get to practice writing or vocabulary for very long. I told this to her, and she said that she enjoys talking and that talking helps too. Getting to know her has been such a pleasure. I see her at the gym some mornings because she comes early to work out before she goes to work at seven. She and I wave and talk, and I am so glad I've had this opportunity to know her.