What a jerk!

First, a lesson from the ever-so-dependable Wikipedia:

In physics, jerk, also known as jolt, surge, or lurch, is the rate of change of acceleration; that is, the derivative of acceleration with respect to time, the second derivative of velocity, or the third derivative of position.

Furthermore,

Physics (from Ancient Greek: φύσις physis "nature") is a part of natural philosophy and a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through space and time, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.

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In the last two weeks, I have experienced a jerk in my life in the Dominican Republic, specifically in the acceleration of acostumbramiento and socializing. A few great moments illustrate this.

We hadn't been riding in the concho for two minutes when it pulled over to the side of the road to let someone else in, who would be the fourth in the back seat. As she opened the door and got in next to Erica, the wind blew in and I turned away, my hand coming up to tame my hair. I looked at her as we pulled off, and my breath caught- I knew her! A young morenita, partially raised by my host family's grandma, we had hung out together at the funeral for an hour or two. She asked if I remembered her. "¡Si, claro!" My overwhelming emotion made the words rush and stumble out. Her eyes danced. We talked about what she was doing in the city and what we've been up to until Erica and I got out at the corner after Bon. 

Conchos, public transportation at it's finest, and Bon, icecream, which is always finest.

We walked into the farmacia to pick up the last of my prescription that had just come in. "Hola, I'm the girl that has been-" "¡Hola! What's up today?" The three behind the counter interrupted my introduction with smiles and handshakes. I was so happy that they remembered me. On the five minute walk home, we passed by two neighbors, one of which merely said, "Hola, pretty girls!" (it was okay, as piropos here are common, and he is old) and the other stopped to chat for a bit.

That afternoon was the most delight-filling one yet. I felt welcomed and accepted, known, a faint comfort of home. 

So I've been experiencing a jerk, a change in the acceleration, as an increase in the rate of my familiarization, which was an already speeding force, energy. And I think the word applies, as I am a part of nature, and how life works is part of how the universe behaves. I am entirely grateful and filled with wonder that nature is behaving so. 

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