Tomorrow 2013 begins! Thus, it’s that time of year when we all join gyms and buy all natural food, hoping that this year is going to be the year you finally make those changes you have been saying you will for years now. And while I don’t have gyms to join, I still made up a couple of resolutions that I am hoping I continue for longer than just the month of January.
1) 52 books in 52 weeks. I am aiming for a book a week, although if I end up skipping a week and then reading 2 later on down the road, I am okay with that. If you have any recommendations for me, let me know! I don’t have a kindle and am thus limited to what is floating around the Peace Corps library, but suggestions are always welcome! And you can check out my Book List to see how the progress is going!
2) Learn to enjoy running. Okay, I know probably 5 of you literally laughed out loud reading this. This is ME we are talking about! But, what better time to actually give this goal a go than in the Peace Corps. I am going to wait to start until March or April once temps cool down a bit, but this is something I am really hoping I can achieve. I am not looking to run marathons or anything, just to be able to go for a 30-60 minute run without wanting to jump in front of a passing moto…
3) Meet more families in my community. Over the course of the past 8+ months in site, I have grown very comfortable. I have my friends and my families I visit, and that’s about it. And while I am happy, I know I should meet (or at least attempt) all the families in my community. I know most of the kids through the school and the library, but not the parents. So I am going to aim to visit 2 new families a month.
What are you all aiming to achieve this year?
If I remember to, I will try to post again around June to give you all an update. Although if I failing miserably at them, don’t expect to hear from me… Hope you all have a fabulous and safe NYE! I am ringing in the new year in Buenos Aires with some friends. Should be great!
Monday, December 31, 2012
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Hot hot hot!
While summer officially starts in a couple of days, the heat has already arrived in full force! It is HOT here, and I am definitely missing the cold Chicago weather. But just because the heat came, doesn’t mean that things have slowed down. The past month has been crazy busy with various activities, so here is a quick update as to what I have been up to.
First up: Thanksgiving!
On the actual day, I did laundry, worked at my library, and ate a dinner of Mac n’ Cheese. No joke. Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday, so I was definitely bummed to be missing the McWilliams celebration! Thankfully though, I had an awesome weekend with volunteers to make up for it! Some PCVs organized a huge pool party at a hotel in Encarnacion for the Friday and Saturday after, and it was SO much fun! There was a cooking committee, so I was able to get my fix of turkey, stuffing, and other delicious treats on Friday night. Then it was hanging out by the pool, listening to music, and hanging out with friends the rest of the weekend. It definitely made up for my lame Thursday evening!
Next: GAGA
For those who know me, I like Lady Gaga, but definitely not a fanatic. But when tickets are on sale for the equivalent of $40, how can I say no?! Her concert was the Monday after thanksgiving, so I went straight from Encarnacion to Asuncion with a bunch of other volunteers who were going. Not gotta lie, it was AWESOME. So much fun! We got dressed up all crazy, covered in glitter, danced like fools, and it felt like I was back in America for a bit.
Boring part…: Training
During the first week of December, my G reunited for a weeklong training. It was in 3 parts: Project Design and Management, HIV/AIDS workshop, and an in-service training. The first two parts were meant to be with a contact, but because of how long the training was, I couldn’t find anyone to come with me. It was a bummer since so much of it was working with our community contacts, but at least I was not alone in not being able to bring one. The last part was just for us volunteers, and much more enjoyable. We had chats with current volunteers who have successful projects, and I definitely left with new ideas and feeling motivated. The best part of that week though was definitely just hanging out with G38. We all get along so great, and I feel very lucky to be a part of such an awesome crew!
To End: Adios
One of my best friends here, Andrea, was my neighbor out in the campo. We immediately got along and probably got together at least once a week for lunch/dinner/American time. Sadly, her group of volunteers swore out last week, so she is now back in the good old US of A. She will definitely be missed, but thankfully she got a follow-up in her site, so I now have a new friend to hang with! Also, the last couple months with her were spent with lots of conversations about the future, so it will be nice to get back to living in the present. But if you’re reading this, Andrea, you were the best! Good luck in ‘bama, have fun with Indy, and please don’t start talking with a drawl! Miss you already!
Today, I’m off to Uruguay to spend Hanukkah/Christmas on the beach with 8 friends, and then will be taking a ferry to Buenos Aires to ring in the New Year! Happy Holidays everyone!
First up: Thanksgiving!
On the actual day, I did laundry, worked at my library, and ate a dinner of Mac n’ Cheese. No joke. Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday, so I was definitely bummed to be missing the McWilliams celebration! Thankfully though, I had an awesome weekend with volunteers to make up for it! Some PCVs organized a huge pool party at a hotel in Encarnacion for the Friday and Saturday after, and it was SO much fun! There was a cooking committee, so I was able to get my fix of turkey, stuffing, and other delicious treats on Friday night. Then it was hanging out by the pool, listening to music, and hanging out with friends the rest of the weekend. It definitely made up for my lame Thursday evening!
Next: GAGA
For those who know me, I like Lady Gaga, but definitely not a fanatic. But when tickets are on sale for the equivalent of $40, how can I say no?! Her concert was the Monday after thanksgiving, so I went straight from Encarnacion to Asuncion with a bunch of other volunteers who were going. Not gotta lie, it was AWESOME. So much fun! We got dressed up all crazy, covered in glitter, danced like fools, and it felt like I was back in America for a bit.
Boring part…: Training
During the first week of December, my G reunited for a weeklong training. It was in 3 parts: Project Design and Management, HIV/AIDS workshop, and an in-service training. The first two parts were meant to be with a contact, but because of how long the training was, I couldn’t find anyone to come with me. It was a bummer since so much of it was working with our community contacts, but at least I was not alone in not being able to bring one. The last part was just for us volunteers, and much more enjoyable. We had chats with current volunteers who have successful projects, and I definitely left with new ideas and feeling motivated. The best part of that week though was definitely just hanging out with G38. We all get along so great, and I feel very lucky to be a part of such an awesome crew!
To End: Adios
One of my best friends here, Andrea, was my neighbor out in the campo. We immediately got along and probably got together at least once a week for lunch/dinner/American time. Sadly, her group of volunteers swore out last week, so she is now back in the good old US of A. She will definitely be missed, but thankfully she got a follow-up in her site, so I now have a new friend to hang with! Also, the last couple months with her were spent with lots of conversations about the future, so it will be nice to get back to living in the present. But if you’re reading this, Andrea, you were the best! Good luck in ‘bama, have fun with Indy, and please don’t start talking with a drawl! Miss you already!
Today, I’m off to Uruguay to spend Hanukkah/Christmas on the beach with 8 friends, and then will be taking a ferry to Buenos Aires to ring in the New Year! Happy Holidays everyone!
Monday, November 19, 2012
PERU!
I have been pretty fortunate in my life to have taken some pretty incredible trips, and now I can add Peru to that list. It was everything I expected and so much more! The landscape is breathtaking, the history is rich, the crafts are beautiful, and the people are kind. Here is a summary of the trip I took there with my parents!
Sacred Valley: After landing in Cusco, we immediately headed down to the Sacred Valley to help adjust to the altitude and dig right in to their culture. We stopped at the main market in Pisac that was HUGE (and not even one of their big market days). After making several purchases (which then turned to be a major theme for the week), we got settled into our cozy hotel in Ollantaytambo to get a good night’s sleep before the next days activities. On our first full day in Ollaynta, we got a guide to take us through the Inca ruins right in the town. How they moved those HUGE rocks and carved them down to be so perfect I still don’t understand, but it was beautiful and impressive. The next day was one of my favorite activities of the trip. We visited the small mountain town of Patacancha, famous for their weavings. There were six of us tourists with a guide, and we sat down and learned about the weaving process while Andean women wove, caught up, and played with their children around us. And naturally, at the end, we came home with some amazing woven goods. I’ve learned that I love to get into the small towns to see how the real locals live, and get a real feel for their lifestyle.
Machu Picchu: Obviously, the highlight of the trip. We took the Inca Rail train deep into the valley until we arrived at Aguas Calientes (the town) around noon. After a quick stop in our hotel, we took the bus up the mountain to meet our guide, Kucho. A friend of my father’s had recommended him to us, and he didn’t disappoint! Machu Picchu was clearly a sacred place for him, and his love for it certainly rubbed off on us. As we hiked up the ruins, Kucho stopped us just before we reached the top. He had us hold hands, close our eyes, and he led us to the lookout point. Cheesy as it may be, it really made taking in the whole view pretty unbelievable. Taking it all in was pretty incredible. After all the classic photos, we continued our way through the ruins while Kucho described their significance. My personal favorite parts were their water system, sundial, and the rock sculpture formed to the shape of the condor.
The next day, we woke up super early to catch the first bus back up to the ruins. We had an 8:00 ticket to hike Huayanpicchu, and didn’t want to be late. As soon as the hike began, we knew it was going to be a long one. No matter how many insanity videos I did, nothing prepared me for the steep and narrow climb up the mountain. I will say though, that the views from the top made it totally worth it! Absolutely spectacular. After we climbed back down, Kucho led us to a more private part of the ruins to relax. Once my legs stopped shaking (ha), I was really able to take in the views. Machu Picchu is a truly beautiful place. Definitely a great 2 days spent there!
Cusco and Lima: Our stays in both these cities were brief, but good. In Cusco, we did more market shopping (shocker), visited the sun temple, and ate some delicious food! And in Lima, we relaxed along the waterfront watching the surfers, and of course sipped on some pisco sours. And don’t fret, I got plenty of starbucks in!
So what am I thankful for on this Thanksgiving week, you ask? For that amazing vacation, travelling the world, meeting new people, living in Paraguay, and my hammock. Hope you all have a fabulous holiday! I will be spending it poolside in Encarnacion with some fabulous volunteers!
Sacred Valley: After landing in Cusco, we immediately headed down to the Sacred Valley to help adjust to the altitude and dig right in to their culture. We stopped at the main market in Pisac that was HUGE (and not even one of their big market days). After making several purchases (which then turned to be a major theme for the week), we got settled into our cozy hotel in Ollantaytambo to get a good night’s sleep before the next days activities. On our first full day in Ollaynta, we got a guide to take us through the Inca ruins right in the town. How they moved those HUGE rocks and carved them down to be so perfect I still don’t understand, but it was beautiful and impressive. The next day was one of my favorite activities of the trip. We visited the small mountain town of Patacancha, famous for their weavings. There were six of us tourists with a guide, and we sat down and learned about the weaving process while Andean women wove, caught up, and played with their children around us. And naturally, at the end, we came home with some amazing woven goods. I’ve learned that I love to get into the small towns to see how the real locals live, and get a real feel for their lifestyle.
Machu Picchu: Obviously, the highlight of the trip. We took the Inca Rail train deep into the valley until we arrived at Aguas Calientes (the town) around noon. After a quick stop in our hotel, we took the bus up the mountain to meet our guide, Kucho. A friend of my father’s had recommended him to us, and he didn’t disappoint! Machu Picchu was clearly a sacred place for him, and his love for it certainly rubbed off on us. As we hiked up the ruins, Kucho stopped us just before we reached the top. He had us hold hands, close our eyes, and he led us to the lookout point. Cheesy as it may be, it really made taking in the whole view pretty unbelievable. Taking it all in was pretty incredible. After all the classic photos, we continued our way through the ruins while Kucho described their significance. My personal favorite parts were their water system, sundial, and the rock sculpture formed to the shape of the condor.
The next day, we woke up super early to catch the first bus back up to the ruins. We had an 8:00 ticket to hike Huayanpicchu, and didn’t want to be late. As soon as the hike began, we knew it was going to be a long one. No matter how many insanity videos I did, nothing prepared me for the steep and narrow climb up the mountain. I will say though, that the views from the top made it totally worth it! Absolutely spectacular. After we climbed back down, Kucho led us to a more private part of the ruins to relax. Once my legs stopped shaking (ha), I was really able to take in the views. Machu Picchu is a truly beautiful place. Definitely a great 2 days spent there!
Cusco and Lima: Our stays in both these cities were brief, but good. In Cusco, we did more market shopping (shocker), visited the sun temple, and ate some delicious food! And in Lima, we relaxed along the waterfront watching the surfers, and of course sipped on some pisco sours. And don’t fret, I got plenty of starbucks in!
So what am I thankful for on this Thanksgiving week, you ask? For that amazing vacation, travelling the world, meeting new people, living in Paraguay, and my hammock. Hope you all have a fabulous holiday! I will be spending it poolside in Encarnacion with some fabulous volunteers!
Monday, November 12, 2012
Parents in Paraguay
Hello! I was planning on just posting one blog when I got back from the whole trip, but it has been pretty darn busy and the Peru one is a long one, so I thought I would break it up.
My parents came to visit!!! They got into Paraguay Halloween night around midnight (spooky, eh?) and thankfully had no problem with any of the flights. I’ll give a brief rundown of the highlights of their trip visiting me in the campo.
Lunch at Lido Bar – After hitting up the local market for some craft items; we met up with a bunch of my volunteer friends at a local Paraguayan restaurant in Asuncion. It was great for my parents to meet some of the people I talk about on the phone all the time! (And I know all the poor volunteers greatly appreciated them footing the bill) :)
Hanging at Sixta’s – They were the first family we met in my site, and we ended up going back to hang again when they offered us mbeju for dinner! The kids LOVED all the toys my parents brought (Frisbee, glowsticks), and my parents could easily see why I love this family so much. Easy conversation (even with the language barrier), and overall a great couple of hours spent with them.
Chipa and Sopa – On our first full day in site, we got things started off right! We headed to an old host fam’s house, Albina’s, to make the local breads with them. While there was some initial hesitation when looking at all the ingredients that went into it, my mom jumped right in to making the chipa while my dad played Frisbee with the boys. Once it was all ready, we all enjoyed the grub! My parents were easily most impressed with the tatakua, the wood-burning oven used to cook the food.
Volunteer Neighbors lunch – Saturday was a jam-packed day full of Paraguayan activities, so I decided to make Sunday a little more relaxing for them. We headed over to my neighbor Andrea’s site where we met up with my other neighbor, Emily. We spoke plenty of English, drank terere, enjoyed beer and a yummy lunch, and just relaxed. The only downside was that it was a scorcher outside, so the walk home was rough! But hey, they wanted to see how I live, so now they can feel my pain next time I tell them about my long walks in the heat.
Chickens – The day I went to pick up my parents at the airport, was the day my chicken commission received their chickens from the government! 20 chickens each to all of the 12 women in the group. I was certainly excited about it, and was glad my parents could see one of my projects succeeding!
In addition to the highlights, we visited more families, they watched me teach an English class, visited the library, and just enjoyed campo life. My parents definitely enjoyed passing time by watching all the cows/horses/chickens pass by my house, and really appreciated how friendly all the families were. I think the visit absolutely gave them a better idea as to what my life is life, and made them more comfortable knowing I have so many families who care about me around.
That’s all for now! Have a great week and thanks to all those vets out there!
My parents came to visit!!! They got into Paraguay Halloween night around midnight (spooky, eh?) and thankfully had no problem with any of the flights. I’ll give a brief rundown of the highlights of their trip visiting me in the campo.
Lunch at Lido Bar – After hitting up the local market for some craft items; we met up with a bunch of my volunteer friends at a local Paraguayan restaurant in Asuncion. It was great for my parents to meet some of the people I talk about on the phone all the time! (And I know all the poor volunteers greatly appreciated them footing the bill) :)
Hanging at Sixta’s – They were the first family we met in my site, and we ended up going back to hang again when they offered us mbeju for dinner! The kids LOVED all the toys my parents brought (Frisbee, glowsticks), and my parents could easily see why I love this family so much. Easy conversation (even with the language barrier), and overall a great couple of hours spent with them.
Chipa and Sopa – On our first full day in site, we got things started off right! We headed to an old host fam’s house, Albina’s, to make the local breads with them. While there was some initial hesitation when looking at all the ingredients that went into it, my mom jumped right in to making the chipa while my dad played Frisbee with the boys. Once it was all ready, we all enjoyed the grub! My parents were easily most impressed with the tatakua, the wood-burning oven used to cook the food.
Volunteer Neighbors lunch – Saturday was a jam-packed day full of Paraguayan activities, so I decided to make Sunday a little more relaxing for them. We headed over to my neighbor Andrea’s site where we met up with my other neighbor, Emily. We spoke plenty of English, drank terere, enjoyed beer and a yummy lunch, and just relaxed. The only downside was that it was a scorcher outside, so the walk home was rough! But hey, they wanted to see how I live, so now they can feel my pain next time I tell them about my long walks in the heat.
Chickens – The day I went to pick up my parents at the airport, was the day my chicken commission received their chickens from the government! 20 chickens each to all of the 12 women in the group. I was certainly excited about it, and was glad my parents could see one of my projects succeeding!
In addition to the highlights, we visited more families, they watched me teach an English class, visited the library, and just enjoyed campo life. My parents definitely enjoyed passing time by watching all the cows/horses/chickens pass by my house, and really appreciated how friendly all the families were. I think the visit absolutely gave them a better idea as to what my life is life, and made them more comfortable knowing I have so many families who care about me around.
That’s all for now! Have a great week and thanks to all those vets out there!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
October
Happy Halloween, everyone!
It has been an interesting past month or so in the campo. To summarize briefly: My dog died, the heat came, I spent wayyyyy too much money I didn’t have, I hung with friends, I made new friends, I isolated myself, some projects failed, others flourished, the rain came, the power and water went, and in the end… It was a great month. It was the perfect example of the rollercoaster ride the Peace Corps is. For every good day, there was a frustrating one. I’m happy to say, however, I am passing the ¼ mark of my service on a high note.
Time to give brief descriptions of my 2 successful projects this month!
HIV/AIDS taller: Oct 13-14, an HIV/AIDS workshop was held in a nearby pueblo and was organized by two of my volunteer friends. I went to help out with a couple of short lectures. One was myths/facts regarding HIV/AIDS (and sex in general), and the other was a condom demonstration. There were about 10 volunteers in attendance, 20+ high school students, a nurse, and a man came from Asuncion who is HIV positive. I think all the high school kids had a great time, and hopefully they learned a little too! I am hoping to do something similar in my town with the high school next school year.
Chicken Commission: I think I may have mentioned once before, but I have been working with a group of 12 women on acquiring chickens. We asked the government for 25 chickens for each woman, as well as the food that will help them live healthy lives. I really lucked out with this commission, in that they organized themselves, and were very hardworking even without me pushing them (every volunteer’s dream!). This month ended with them receiving their chickens (although only 20 each), and I am so happy for them! I didn’t think we would get them so soon, so it was a pleasant surprise. We have decided that we are going to continue to meet every 15 days or so, and I will talk about nutrition and/or cook with them to try out healthier versions of their foods.
Also, last Friday my neighbor Andrea had an awesome Halloween party in her site that she and her girls youth group organized. I went to help put on the thing, and it was a blast! The kids thought bobbing for apples was the greatest thing ever, and the face painting station was a hit!
My parents are arriving in Asuncion around midnight tonight, and I am super excited! The first week is going to be spent here in Paraguay. A couple days of the city life in Asuncion, where they will get to meet some of my volunteer friends and see the sights. Afterwards, we’re off to my site where we will visit with neighbors, drink tereré, and they will get to see what my life these days is all about. After that, we will spend a week cruising Peru and visiting Machu Picchu. Having spent almost 9 months in country, I am definitely ready for this break and a bit of home to come to Paraguay.
Until next time!
It has been an interesting past month or so in the campo. To summarize briefly: My dog died, the heat came, I spent wayyyyy too much money I didn’t have, I hung with friends, I made new friends, I isolated myself, some projects failed, others flourished, the rain came, the power and water went, and in the end… It was a great month. It was the perfect example of the rollercoaster ride the Peace Corps is. For every good day, there was a frustrating one. I’m happy to say, however, I am passing the ¼ mark of my service on a high note.
Time to give brief descriptions of my 2 successful projects this month!
HIV/AIDS taller: Oct 13-14, an HIV/AIDS workshop was held in a nearby pueblo and was organized by two of my volunteer friends. I went to help out with a couple of short lectures. One was myths/facts regarding HIV/AIDS (and sex in general), and the other was a condom demonstration. There were about 10 volunteers in attendance, 20+ high school students, a nurse, and a man came from Asuncion who is HIV positive. I think all the high school kids had a great time, and hopefully they learned a little too! I am hoping to do something similar in my town with the high school next school year.
Gotta love Peace Corps ice breakers :)
All the youth who attended with their certificates
The volunteers who put it on!
Chicken Commission: I think I may have mentioned once before, but I have been working with a group of 12 women on acquiring chickens. We asked the government for 25 chickens for each woman, as well as the food that will help them live healthy lives. I really lucked out with this commission, in that they organized themselves, and were very hardworking even without me pushing them (every volunteer’s dream!). This month ended with them receiving their chickens (although only 20 each), and I am so happy for them! I didn’t think we would get them so soon, so it was a pleasant surprise. We have decided that we are going to continue to meet every 15 days or so, and I will talk about nutrition and/or cook with them to try out healthier versions of their foods.
Also, last Friday my neighbor Andrea had an awesome Halloween party in her site that she and her girls youth group organized. I went to help put on the thing, and it was a blast! The kids thought bobbing for apples was the greatest thing ever, and the face painting station was a hit!
Halloween costume fail
My parents are arriving in Asuncion around midnight tonight, and I am super excited! The first week is going to be spent here in Paraguay. A couple days of the city life in Asuncion, where they will get to meet some of my volunteer friends and see the sights. Afterwards, we’re off to my site where we will visit with neighbors, drink tereré, and they will get to see what my life these days is all about. After that, we will spend a week cruising Peru and visiting Machu Picchu. Having spent almost 9 months in country, I am definitely ready for this break and a bit of home to come to Paraguay.
Until next time!
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
The 8 Stages of Rain
We have had a lot of huge thunderstorms recently, and as I sat in my house without power and water, I had a lot of time to think. Thus, I came up with the emotional lifecycle of rain here in Paraguay. Enjoy.
1. Excitement: It has been hot for days, and as those clouds roll in you can’t help but get excited! Cool winds, refreshing temperatures, and a chance to just chill in your house without any obligation to be productive. Plus, you are getting really in to a new book and are looking forward to having a whole day to just relax and read. Bring it on!
2. Panic: After an hour or so of intense rain, the streets look more like rivers and the floor in your house is soaked from all the leaks in the roof. Then, you get hungry. Of course, you aren’t stocked up of fruits, veggies, rice, or pasta; so you resort to popcorn for every meal of the day. I hope this doesn’t go on for too long…
3. Boredom: You have been in your house for the past 4 hours and the power went out about an hour ago. Thankfully you charged your phone and computer, but you know that will only last for a couple of hours. You have a momentary freak out when you think you don’t have candles left, only to find a couple of stubs left behind from the last power outage. Awesome, this should last me a good... 45 minutes? Crap.
4. Depression: The power is out, the water is no longer running out of the faucet, everything in your house is wet, you haven’t gone outside in hours, no movies to watch, too dark to continue reading your book. Why was I so excited for this again?
5. Acceptance: Well, I suppose this will be a good opportunity to do some thinking, relax in my bed, and get an early night’s sleep.
6. Happiness: You wake up and find that the rain has stopped! You immediately shower, compose yourself, and head out to get some groceries and to chat with the neighbors about how bad that storm was. Can you believe we didn’t have power or water for 24 hours? I heard parts of people’s roofs came off with that wind! Feels great to get out and be social again.
7. Humiliation: Alright, this is not a universal stage, but is almost always one for me. I run outside to go get food or whatever, lose my guard for one moment, and find myself on all fours covered in mud. Kids are laughing, dispensa lady cracks a joke, and we all laugh it off. There goes the norte making a fool of herself again…
8. Desire: Another hot week has passed. I’m sweating profusely every minute where not even a cool shower helps. I have been busy every day and I have hardly had any time to relax. Can it rain again, please?
1. Excitement: It has been hot for days, and as those clouds roll in you can’t help but get excited! Cool winds, refreshing temperatures, and a chance to just chill in your house without any obligation to be productive. Plus, you are getting really in to a new book and are looking forward to having a whole day to just relax and read. Bring it on!
2. Panic: After an hour or so of intense rain, the streets look more like rivers and the floor in your house is soaked from all the leaks in the roof. Then, you get hungry. Of course, you aren’t stocked up of fruits, veggies, rice, or pasta; so you resort to popcorn for every meal of the day. I hope this doesn’t go on for too long…
4. Depression: The power is out, the water is no longer running out of the faucet, everything in your house is wet, you haven’t gone outside in hours, no movies to watch, too dark to continue reading your book. Why was I so excited for this again?
5. Acceptance: Well, I suppose this will be a good opportunity to do some thinking, relax in my bed, and get an early night’s sleep.
6. Happiness: You wake up and find that the rain has stopped! You immediately shower, compose yourself, and head out to get some groceries and to chat with the neighbors about how bad that storm was. Can you believe we didn’t have power or water for 24 hours? I heard parts of people’s roofs came off with that wind! Feels great to get out and be social again.
7. Humiliation: Alright, this is not a universal stage, but is almost always one for me. I run outside to go get food or whatever, lose my guard for one moment, and find myself on all fours covered in mud. Kids are laughing, dispensa lady cracks a joke, and we all laugh it off. There goes the norte making a fool of herself again…
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Photobooth Fun!
No matter how old or how technologically savvy you are, photobooth is a blast! My 6th grade library girls have recently discovered this as well.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Saying goodbye to a dream... for now.
Alright folks. I said I wasn’t going to do it, but time for another depressing blog post.
Manza II passed away on Saturday. How I got 2 puppies that were/got sick when some Paraguayans treat their dogs like crap and they survive I will never understand. But, it happened. I dropped her off at the vet Thursday morning after her being sick most of the night, and it just got worse over time. The doctors said she ingested something very toxic that she just couldn’t recover from.
As you may imagine, I am pretty damn bummed. While I know that their deaths weren’t my fault, I feel like I failed in a sense. For most people, the Peace Corps can be an extremely stressful experience and a dog is what helps get you through the tough times. For me, I have made it through my first 8 months in country stress free, minus all the dog issues… Just doesn’t seem right!!
While having a dog during my service was a dream, I just am not willing to risk getting another dog here with the chance that the same thing may happen. Thus, my dream of owning the greatest dog to ever walk the planet has been put on hold. I’m going to wait til I’m back in the states, where there are puppy products easily accessible and where I can get to a vet without it taking hours and paying an arm and a leg…
Here’s to you, Manza II (who had just gotten big enough to climb on my chair). A fabulous puppy! And have a blast with my first pup up in puppy heaven! You both loved belly rubs, so maybe you guys can take turns giving them :)
P.S. On a lighter note… On Friday, I went to Andrea’s community to help her plant trees! We planted 200 (although I only helped the second day) with her senior high school class, and it was a blast! Now let’s just hope the cows don’t eat them all… (sorry sox fans about the hat)
Manza II passed away on Saturday. How I got 2 puppies that were/got sick when some Paraguayans treat their dogs like crap and they survive I will never understand. But, it happened. I dropped her off at the vet Thursday morning after her being sick most of the night, and it just got worse over time. The doctors said she ingested something very toxic that she just couldn’t recover from.
As you may imagine, I am pretty damn bummed. While I know that their deaths weren’t my fault, I feel like I failed in a sense. For most people, the Peace Corps can be an extremely stressful experience and a dog is what helps get you through the tough times. For me, I have made it through my first 8 months in country stress free, minus all the dog issues… Just doesn’t seem right!!
While having a dog during my service was a dream, I just am not willing to risk getting another dog here with the chance that the same thing may happen. Thus, my dream of owning the greatest dog to ever walk the planet has been put on hold. I’m going to wait til I’m back in the states, where there are puppy products easily accessible and where I can get to a vet without it taking hours and paying an arm and a leg…
Here’s to you, Manza II (who had just gotten big enough to climb on my chair). A fabulous puppy! And have a blast with my first pup up in puppy heaven! You both loved belly rubs, so maybe you guys can take turns giving them :)
P.S. On a lighter note… On Friday, I went to Andrea’s community to help her plant trees! We planted 200 (although I only helped the second day) with her senior high school class, and it was a blast! Now let’s just hope the cows don’t eat them all… (sorry sox fans about the hat)
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
I Work Hardddddd For The Money
Well, to be honest, that statement is hardly true. I make a measly $10 a day and the amount of work I do on a daily basis is pathetic according to American standards… But - sometimes coming up with blog titles is tiring…
Anywho! I just passed the 5-month mark in site! It’s crazy how fast time is flying. And since on Friday I have to have a meeting with my boss and explain to him what I have been up to, I figured I would do the same with you all. So – here is a breakdown of my projects.
Library: Every Tuesday/Thursday I go and work in the library for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Usually it’s the same group of 6th grade girls who are just looking to write “Noelia ama Braihan por siempre” on paint, but occasionally they do pick up a book, play learning games on the computer, and explore all it has to offer. Either way, the kids love having this extra-curricular, so I am happy to provide it for them!
English Classes: Right now I am teaching 2 English classes – to that same group of 6th grade girls, and to a couple of high school students. With the girls, the class moves slower because there are about 10 of them and they are all friends, but they seem to enjoy it! We have covered basic greetings and questions, and this week learned our first verb – to be. With the high school kids, I just started this week. I can tell already they are quick learners and I will be able to get more complex with them, which should be fun. I never anticipated teaching English, but am finding that it is one of the things I do here that I enjoy the most!
Dental Charlas: Every Wednesday (when there is school…) I go to the school in the morning and afternoon to give a quick dental charla to the students, and then I have them brush their teeth and rinse their mouth out with fluoride. They really enjoy it! The only downside is… I did it the first 2 weeks, and then since then there hasn’t been school on Wednesdays. Right now the school system is on strike, and so whether or not there is class is always an issue… Hopefully next week I will be picking it up again!
Chicken Commission: Many volunteers work closely with commissions during their service, and looks like I am going to be one of them as well. Right now I am working with a group of about 10 women who are looking to receive 25 chickens each from the government. It has been an interesting process… The previous volunteer essentially did all the work for them, and I let them know right away that isn’t how I work. How is it going to be sustainable if they don’t know how to do it? So after I said that, I think they got the wrong message, and stopped inviting me to meetings… woops! But, now we are all on the same page and I am back to helping them. Yesterday I went to the municipality building with the president and treasurer to see if we would get our pedido (what we are asking for) approved, and we did! So now, we just wait until the funds are in, and then we can get ourselves some chickens! Oh- and as to why they want chickens… It will provide a healthy source of protein for the families between their meat and eggs. They will be able to raise more, sell when they need money, a nd cook delicious and healthy meals for their families!
So… SEE MOM AND DAD! I do have work! It’s just very little…. Haha
I will leave you with this pic of my sleeping beauty. Looks like an angel, but that is the FIFTH make shift tie-out I have set up… She has broken through all the others…. For all you people raising a pup in the states. YOU ARE SO LUCKY. With no access to quality leashes, kennels, collars, toys, obedience school… Raising a pup is quite the challenge!
Anywho! I just passed the 5-month mark in site! It’s crazy how fast time is flying. And since on Friday I have to have a meeting with my boss and explain to him what I have been up to, I figured I would do the same with you all. So – here is a breakdown of my projects.
Library: Every Tuesday/Thursday I go and work in the library for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Usually it’s the same group of 6th grade girls who are just looking to write “Noelia ama Braihan por siempre” on paint, but occasionally they do pick up a book, play learning games on the computer, and explore all it has to offer. Either way, the kids love having this extra-curricular, so I am happy to provide it for them!
English Classes: Right now I am teaching 2 English classes – to that same group of 6th grade girls, and to a couple of high school students. With the girls, the class moves slower because there are about 10 of them and they are all friends, but they seem to enjoy it! We have covered basic greetings and questions, and this week learned our first verb – to be. With the high school kids, I just started this week. I can tell already they are quick learners and I will be able to get more complex with them, which should be fun. I never anticipated teaching English, but am finding that it is one of the things I do here that I enjoy the most!
Dental Charlas: Every Wednesday (when there is school…) I go to the school in the morning and afternoon to give a quick dental charla to the students, and then I have them brush their teeth and rinse their mouth out with fluoride. They really enjoy it! The only downside is… I did it the first 2 weeks, and then since then there hasn’t been school on Wednesdays. Right now the school system is on strike, and so whether or not there is class is always an issue… Hopefully next week I will be picking it up again!
Chicken Commission: Many volunteers work closely with commissions during their service, and looks like I am going to be one of them as well. Right now I am working with a group of about 10 women who are looking to receive 25 chickens each from the government. It has been an interesting process… The previous volunteer essentially did all the work for them, and I let them know right away that isn’t how I work. How is it going to be sustainable if they don’t know how to do it? So after I said that, I think they got the wrong message, and stopped inviting me to meetings… woops! But, now we are all on the same page and I am back to helping them. Yesterday I went to the municipality building with the president and treasurer to see if we would get our pedido (what we are asking for) approved, and we did! So now, we just wait until the funds are in, and then we can get ourselves some chickens! Oh- and as to why they want chickens… It will provide a healthy source of protein for the families between their meat and eggs. They will be able to raise more, sell when they need money, a nd cook delicious and healthy meals for their families!
So… SEE MOM AND DAD! I do have work! It’s just very little…. Haha
I will leave you with this pic of my sleeping beauty. Looks like an angel, but that is the FIFTH make shift tie-out I have set up… She has broken through all the others…. For all you people raising a pup in the states. YOU ARE SO LUCKY. With no access to quality leashes, kennels, collars, toys, obedience school… Raising a pup is quite the challenge!
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Manza II
Happy days, people -- just got myself a new pup! I brought her home a week ago and she is settling in very nicely. I am calling her Manza again for a couple reasons, but mostly because there was already a dog tag in the mail from my parents at the time Manza passed away… haha. Plus, it’s a great name!
So anywho, got this one from the vet! She is 3 months old, which is great. Eating dog food already, now I just have to train her. She’s already a campo dog (meaning she runs free and I just hope that she will show back up at my house eventually)… but definitely still needs some potty training work!
The vet I got her from says that she wont get too big, but then my neighbor had a vet come over and he said she would be a medium-big sized dog, so we shall see. Hopefully she doesn’t get too big; there are flight restrictions for bringing her home to the states at the end of my service!
Oh and more exciting news – My plans for Christmas/New Years are official – some friends and I just put the deposit down for a house on the beach in Uruguay, and then we will be hitting up Buenos Aires for NYE. YAHOOOOOO!!! So that means only 43 days until my parents come to Paraguay and then we head to Peru, and 94 days until the beach!
Hope you all have a fabulous week!
K
So anywho, got this one from the vet! She is 3 months old, which is great. Eating dog food already, now I just have to train her. She’s already a campo dog (meaning she runs free and I just hope that she will show back up at my house eventually)… but definitely still needs some potty training work!
The vet I got her from says that she wont get too big, but then my neighbor had a vet come over and he said she would be a medium-big sized dog, so we shall see. Hopefully she doesn’t get too big; there are flight restrictions for bringing her home to the states at the end of my service!
Oh and more exciting news – My plans for Christmas/New Years are official – some friends and I just put the deposit down for a house on the beach in Uruguay, and then we will be hitting up Buenos Aires for NYE. YAHOOOOOO!!! So that means only 43 days until my parents come to Paraguay and then we head to Peru, and 94 days until the beach!
Hope you all have a fabulous week!
First day at home :)
Trying to break free (she already made it happen with 2 other make-shift leashes)
Kickin it in the hammock
Monday, September 10, 2012
Core Expectation #3
“Serve where the Peace Corps asks you to go, under conditions of hardship, if necessary, and with the flexibility needed for effective service”
This was one of the core expectations I thought most about after accepting my position here in Paraguay. I would fall asleep at night to thoughts of mud houses, bucket bathing, pooping in a latrine for two years… fully confident that I could excel at whatever hardship the Peace Corps threw at me.
Then the other day, as I was sitting in my hammock drinking tereré, I literally laughed out loud. Hardship? I have a modern bathroom. I have a hot shower. I have a kitchen sink. I have a brick house with tile floors. I have a community that speaks Spanish in addition to Guarani…. The only real “hardships” I have here is that I live 7km from the ruta (with a bus out only 3 days a week) and limited cell phone service. I got to comparing my life to those volunteers I know in Africa or in poorer regions of Latin America and began to question whether or not I am a “legit” volunteer. Then it dawned on me - Is pooping in a hole in the ground for 2 years what makes you a great volunteer? Nahaniri! (No!) While those friends will most likely have some pretty hilarious and ridiculous stories to share that I won’t be able to relate to, it doesn’t make my purpose of being here any less important.
That same day as I was working in the library, I heard a third grader reading out loud a book. She was struggling with the words, but made her way through it. And it’s moments like those that remind me why I am here. To meet people. To share culture. And to hopefully slightly improve the lives of a few. So – time to stop comparing myself to those people with their crazy roughing it stories! I still have my fair share, and in the end it isn’t really what matters. Myself in Paraguay and the people I know in Africa didn’t join the Peace Corps to bucket bathe; we did it for an adventure and attempt to make a tiny difference in the world!
Pues, jajotopata de mi chuchi casa!
(So, see you later from my fancy house!)
This was one of the core expectations I thought most about after accepting my position here in Paraguay. I would fall asleep at night to thoughts of mud houses, bucket bathing, pooping in a latrine for two years… fully confident that I could excel at whatever hardship the Peace Corps threw at me.
Then the other day, as I was sitting in my hammock drinking tereré, I literally laughed out loud. Hardship? I have a modern bathroom. I have a hot shower. I have a kitchen sink. I have a brick house with tile floors. I have a community that speaks Spanish in addition to Guarani…. The only real “hardships” I have here is that I live 7km from the ruta (with a bus out only 3 days a week) and limited cell phone service. I got to comparing my life to those volunteers I know in Africa or in poorer regions of Latin America and began to question whether or not I am a “legit” volunteer. Then it dawned on me - Is pooping in a hole in the ground for 2 years what makes you a great volunteer? Nahaniri! (No!) While those friends will most likely have some pretty hilarious and ridiculous stories to share that I won’t be able to relate to, it doesn’t make my purpose of being here any less important.
That same day as I was working in the library, I heard a third grader reading out loud a book. She was struggling with the words, but made her way through it. And it’s moments like those that remind me why I am here. To meet people. To share culture. And to hopefully slightly improve the lives of a few. So – time to stop comparing myself to those people with their crazy roughing it stories! I still have my fair share, and in the end it isn’t really what matters. Myself in Paraguay and the people I know in Africa didn’t join the Peace Corps to bucket bathe; we did it for an adventure and attempt to make a tiny difference in the world!
Pues, jajotopata de mi chuchi casa!
(So, see you later from my fancy house!)
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Spoke too soon...
Hey guys. I’m about to give you my first (and hopefully only) super depressing blog post from Paraguay.
Manza died yesterday morning. Even though I only had her for a week and a half, I loved her very much and am very sad about it. So what happened?
Most dogs are born with worms in their stomachs. In the States they come to you all clean and worm free, but here it doesn’t work that way. Last Saturday I noticed that Manza was pretty lethargic, and by Sunday it seemed like she was in pain. A vet came and gave her the medicine to kill the worms, and so I was relieved. As the night went on, she passed 2 or 3 worms like normal. But starting at 3 in the morning, it got way worse. She puked one, and then passed 6-7 at once. After that, she could hardly move, it pained her to breathe, and she couldn’t stop crying. I didn’t sleep all night because I was literally watching her breathe. Then Monday morning I took her to the vet. Of course getting there was a complete disaster, and it was the first time in Paraguay I a) broke down crying and b) wished I wasn’t in the country. Eventually though we made it and I got her to the vet. The vet let me know that when the worms die, they release toxins in the body. Because Manza had SO many worms (the vet was shocked when I showed him a picture of the big group that came out), the toxins were what were making her so sick. She survived the night, but Tuesday morning passed away.
One thing I learned from this is that I am very lucky to have my Peace Corps friends and Paraguayans. Between Sunday-Tuesday they went out of their way to do what they could to help, and I am so grateful for that – so THANK YOU.
Still up in the air as to whether I want to get a new dog or not. I’m leaning towards yes if I can find one in the next month or so, but we will see.
I will leave you with the best photo I have of her! I posted it on the last blog, but such a fabulous picture deserves to be posted twice. Here’s to you, Manza. "A brilliant little pup" (as Andrea said) that I loved very much!
Manza died yesterday morning. Even though I only had her for a week and a half, I loved her very much and am very sad about it. So what happened?
Most dogs are born with worms in their stomachs. In the States they come to you all clean and worm free, but here it doesn’t work that way. Last Saturday I noticed that Manza was pretty lethargic, and by Sunday it seemed like she was in pain. A vet came and gave her the medicine to kill the worms, and so I was relieved. As the night went on, she passed 2 or 3 worms like normal. But starting at 3 in the morning, it got way worse. She puked one, and then passed 6-7 at once. After that, she could hardly move, it pained her to breathe, and she couldn’t stop crying. I didn’t sleep all night because I was literally watching her breathe. Then Monday morning I took her to the vet. Of course getting there was a complete disaster, and it was the first time in Paraguay I a) broke down crying and b) wished I wasn’t in the country. Eventually though we made it and I got her to the vet. The vet let me know that when the worms die, they release toxins in the body. Because Manza had SO many worms (the vet was shocked when I showed him a picture of the big group that came out), the toxins were what were making her so sick. She survived the night, but Tuesday morning passed away.
One thing I learned from this is that I am very lucky to have my Peace Corps friends and Paraguayans. Between Sunday-Tuesday they went out of their way to do what they could to help, and I am so grateful for that – so THANK YOU.
Still up in the air as to whether I want to get a new dog or not. I’m leaning towards yes if I can find one in the next month or so, but we will see.
I will leave you with the best photo I have of her! I posted it on the last blog, but such a fabulous picture deserves to be posted twice. Here’s to you, Manza. "A brilliant little pup" (as Andrea said) that I loved very much!
Monday, August 27, 2012
My new furry friend!
Exciting news, folks! I finally got my puppy!
Since before even coming to Paraguay, I was thinking about getting a dog during my service. Then in the beginning of June I went to visit a friend of mine who just got her puppy, and I knew that there was nothing more to debate. Once I got home, I only had to ask one family if there were any pregnant dogs hanging around, and BOOM! I found one! The only bummer was that the pup was just in its first month of pregnancy, so I had to wait a bit. It’s a little tough now that I have a fuller schedule and a needy pup, but thankfully all of the neighbors loooooove taking care of her when I’m busy.
So without further ado, I would like you all to meet my new best friend, Manza! Her name (pronounced mahn-zah) comes from the Spanish word manzanilla, meaning chamomile in English. Chamomile is a very common addition (and my favorite) to maté, the hot tea that is served here. I wanted her to be named something Paraguayan, while at the same time something that Americans can pronounce.
Here are some pictures so you all can fall in love with her like I have :)
P.S. Special shout out to Dana and Eric! Congrats on getting married! Wish I could have been there and love you both!
P.P.S. I wrote this a week ago, and since then Manza has gotten very sick and is currently in the vet. He thinks she will be okay, but please keep her in your thoughts!
Since before even coming to Paraguay, I was thinking about getting a dog during my service. Then in the beginning of June I went to visit a friend of mine who just got her puppy, and I knew that there was nothing more to debate. Once I got home, I only had to ask one family if there were any pregnant dogs hanging around, and BOOM! I found one! The only bummer was that the pup was just in its first month of pregnancy, so I had to wait a bit. It’s a little tough now that I have a fuller schedule and a needy pup, but thankfully all of the neighbors loooooove taking care of her when I’m busy.
So without further ado, I would like you all to meet my new best friend, Manza! Her name (pronounced mahn-zah) comes from the Spanish word manzanilla, meaning chamomile in English. Chamomile is a very common addition (and my favorite) to maté, the hot tea that is served here. I wanted her to be named something Paraguayan, while at the same time something that Americans can pronounce.
Here are some pictures so you all can fall in love with her like I have :)
P.S. Special shout out to Dana and Eric! Congrats on getting married! Wish I could have been there and love you both!
P.P.S. I wrote this a week ago, and since then Manza has gotten very sick and is currently in the vet. He thinks she will be okay, but please keep her in your thoughts!
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Paraguay Appreciation List
Thursday marked 6 months here in Paraguay! I don’t know how it happened, but time here has passed faster than I ever imagined possible. This is officially the longest I have ever been away from home (Denver in second with 5.5 months), and so I figured I would write an appreciation list! The top 6 things I love about Paraguay (in no particular order):
1. Tereré and Maté. What’s not to like about an iced or hot tea break everyday?!
2. Saying ‘Buen Día’ or ‘Adios’ as you walk past your neighbors. A moment that passes as quickly as it comes and never fails to make you feel good.
3. The people. The men, women, and children who I have met here are some of the most giving and kind people I know. Before even knowing my name they welcomed me into their homes and went out of their way to make me feel comfortable. It is a type of generosity that I will never forget.
4. Sitting outside. Why is it in the States we feel this obligation to have gatherings inside if the temperature isn’t exactly how you like it out? Grab an iced cold drink, or some gloves, and get out in the elements!
5. Guarani. To have a language that is unique to a country and its people is pretty darn awesome. Now if only I could speak it…
6. The kids. Even if I am just walking to the local store to pick up some tomatoes, the kids always shout my name to say hello or run to catch up with me while I’m walking. They always put a smile on my face :)
I will leave you will a couple of photos of my 6th grade friends! On Wednesday they came over and we baked oatmeal raisin cookies!
Here’s to 21 more fabulous months! (And a big shout out to G39! Congrats on Swearing In yesterday!!)
1. Tereré and Maté. What’s not to like about an iced or hot tea break everyday?!
2. Saying ‘Buen Día’ or ‘Adios’ as you walk past your neighbors. A moment that passes as quickly as it comes and never fails to make you feel good.
3. The people. The men, women, and children who I have met here are some of the most giving and kind people I know. Before even knowing my name they welcomed me into their homes and went out of their way to make me feel comfortable. It is a type of generosity that I will never forget.
4. Sitting outside. Why is it in the States we feel this obligation to have gatherings inside if the temperature isn’t exactly how you like it out? Grab an iced cold drink, or some gloves, and get out in the elements!
5. Guarani. To have a language that is unique to a country and its people is pretty darn awesome. Now if only I could speak it…
6. The kids. Even if I am just walking to the local store to pick up some tomatoes, the kids always shout my name to say hello or run to catch up with me while I’m walking. They always put a smile on my face :)
I will leave you will a couple of photos of my 6th grade friends! On Wednesday they came over and we baked oatmeal raisin cookies!
Here’s to 21 more fabulous months! (And a big shout out to G39! Congrats on Swearing In yesterday!!)
Friday, July 27, 2012
Wait, so this isn’t just a vacation?
So. Tuesday marked 3 full months in site, and also led to a minor freak out on my part. Throughout all of training, they encourage you to take the first 3 months in site as a ‘transition’ period. You are supposed to integrate, visit with families, and not really get into your work. In Paraguay, you need to build relationships with people before working with them, not just jump into it. When I heard this, I took it to heart! I have been working at the library twice a week (given it doesn’t rain), but otherwise, I have just been trying to get comfortable here in site. I read, visit with families, and visit my neighboring volunteers. Essentially, I have been on a 3-month vacation with a little work thrown in there. I’m pretty sure even last week I used the “3 month” card when talking with a friend about potential projects.
Well... THREE MONTHS IS HERE! Aka, ITS TIME TO DO MY JOB! Man, rough. Looks like less time spent in my hammock reading, and more time putting in the effort. I mean, that’s what I came to do here, and I have the full intention of following through with it, but it just happened so fast! I do have some things lined up to start after reconnect (a week long training I have next week), so that will definitely help. English classes, charlas (lessons) with the preschool class, and continuing my work with the library are on the schedule. My weeks will get busier, but it also means time to figure out bigger projects I can get going with.
So, while I will continue to live la vida tranquilopa, I will also become a little more guapa (hardworking) here in site.
And I will leave you all with my favorite photo from July. Jessica (4) and Auxi (10) came over to color, eat popcorn, drink terere, and swing on my hammock. It was a great afternoon :)
Well... THREE MONTHS IS HERE! Aka, ITS TIME TO DO MY JOB! Man, rough. Looks like less time spent in my hammock reading, and more time putting in the effort. I mean, that’s what I came to do here, and I have the full intention of following through with it, but it just happened so fast! I do have some things lined up to start after reconnect (a week long training I have next week), so that will definitely help. English classes, charlas (lessons) with the preschool class, and continuing my work with the library are on the schedule. My weeks will get busier, but it also means time to figure out bigger projects I can get going with.
So, while I will continue to live la vida tranquilopa, I will also become a little more guapa (hardworking) here in site.
And I will leave you all with my favorite photo from July. Jessica (4) and Auxi (10) came over to color, eat popcorn, drink terere, and swing on my hammock. It was a great afternoon :)
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Birthday Shenanigans
For the past month, there have been lots of birthdays in my group of volunteers. The first weekend was at the end of May, when we marked our one-month mark in site. We were celebrating Kelley and David’s birthday. A bunch of us headed to Asuncion for some much needed R&R and celebrations! It was great to see everyone again, and live the city life for a bit!
The second was at the beginning of June, when I went to my friend Alex’s site to celebrate Karen’s 25th birthday. It was 10 hours of travel each way, but well worth it. We broke in her new house with lots of amazing cooking (homemade pizza, pita bread, hummus, huevos rancheros… yeah, it was incredible). Even though it was freezing and we jammed 4 people (and a puppy) in a 2-person bed, we had a blast!
And the last one happened to be my birthday ☺ It fell on the same day as the US Embassy 4th of July celebration, so I got to be surrounded by friends for the day (and party at the embassy, major plus)! We were also celebrating Bridget and Ian’s (people from my G) birthday, that occurred earlier that week. We ate bbq, drank coronas with lime, played games, laughed, sang, and danced. Then I went out to dinner at a Spanish restaurant and hit up the Paraguayan nightlife! It was the first time in 4+ years I didn’t celebrate at Wrigley, but was a pretty incredible way to bring in the big 2-3.
I would like to make a special shout out to all of you who sent cards/packages/emails/texts/facebook messages/any other form of birthday salutation. It really does make the whole day brighter here when you hear from people back home :) And to those of you here in Paraguay – thanks peeps! This year was definitely one of the best!
To end – just wanted to say congrats to all the exciting things happening back state-side! I have friends who just got married (or are going to very soon!), a new cousin on the Zaideman side, people getting awesome full time jobs, friends moving into their first ‘big kid’ apartment, home renovations, Rizzo playing like a champ for the cubs… the list goes on! Wish I could be there to celebrate and congratulate you all ☺
The second was at the beginning of June, when I went to my friend Alex’s site to celebrate Karen’s 25th birthday. It was 10 hours of travel each way, but well worth it. We broke in her new house with lots of amazing cooking (homemade pizza, pita bread, hummus, huevos rancheros… yeah, it was incredible). Even though it was freezing and we jammed 4 people (and a puppy) in a 2-person bed, we had a blast!
And the last one happened to be my birthday ☺ It fell on the same day as the US Embassy 4th of July celebration, so I got to be surrounded by friends for the day (and party at the embassy, major plus)! We were also celebrating Bridget and Ian’s (people from my G) birthday, that occurred earlier that week. We ate bbq, drank coronas with lime, played games, laughed, sang, and danced. Then I went out to dinner at a Spanish restaurant and hit up the Paraguayan nightlife! It was the first time in 4+ years I didn’t celebrate at Wrigley, but was a pretty incredible way to bring in the big 2-3.
I would like to make a special shout out to all of you who sent cards/packages/emails/texts/facebook messages/any other form of birthday salutation. It really does make the whole day brighter here when you hear from people back home :) And to those of you here in Paraguay – thanks peeps! This year was definitely one of the best!
To end – just wanted to say congrats to all the exciting things happening back state-side! I have friends who just got married (or are going to very soon!), a new cousin on the Zaideman side, people getting awesome full time jobs, friends moving into their first ‘big kid’ apartment, home renovations, Rizzo playing like a champ for the cubs… the list goes on! Wish I could be there to celebrate and congratulate you all ☺
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