Goodbye, 2013

December for me was all about family time. As the weeks pass, I am spending less and less time alone in my house and more time with the people in my community I love. With just over 3 months left, I am doing my best to force myself out the door on those scorching hot days to visit with families. The effort has resulted in a few things:

1. I have way more money all of sudden because of all the meals I am eating at other places. Helloooooo, post PC traveling!
2. I have never felt more a part of my community. I have friends, best friends, and best of all – family here. I have felt it for a while, but this month really drilled home just how much I love the people who have been so incredibly generous to me here.
3.  I consistently dream in Spanish – FINALLY!

Aside from the standard family visits, some other fun activities have been happening in site. In the first week of December, I went to my high school’s graduation, in which diplomas were given to those who passed 9^th and 12^th grade, as well as the top performer for each grade. That same day was also the graduation for the computer class in my community, in which the Mayor came to hand out the diplomas.

12th Graders post-graduation!

I have now been to my neighboring volunteers’ site twice to talk on her weekly radio show that she puts on with a Paraguayan/American that lives in San Juan. The first week I went we talked about Sexual Health with a focus on condom use, and the next time I talked about Christmas! The show is a lot of fun, and I am hoping to go at least once a month for the rest of my time here.

First time on the show

The unbearable heat is in full force, so my friends and I are always looking for ways to cool off. Last week, we headed to the local arroyo (stream) during the siesta! It was full of people looking for the same relief we were, and we spent the afternoon splashing and keeping cool.

When I went home to the states, I received a package full of toys from the previous volunteers in my site. I decided the best way to distribute was to simply put a sign at my local almacen (store) letting kids know they could pass by my house the morning of the 23^rd for a little Christmas present! Over 30 kids stopped by that morning for gifts! They were all amazed at the crazy toys we Americans have (things that made fart noises were definitely the favorite. And a surprise to me, play-doh was not so popular).

Feliz Navidad!

Christmas in Paraguay was spent with my two closest families in site. Christmas Eve is actually the more important night, and I spent that with Sixta and her family. I enjoyed an afternoon of tereré, dinner of chicken and pasta, and when the clock struck midnight we all hugged and kissed and wished each other a Merry Christmas. Then Christmas day I hung with my neighbors for more or less the same thing. For a moment I was a little disappointed, as Christmas here is spent the same as all the major holidays (hanging with family and eating meat). Then it dawned on me – OH! This is how holidays are without all the commercialism of the States and Hallmark! Paraguay has definitely helped me realize that it’s not the tangible things you have in your life that matter, but the irreplaceable. At the core of every special occasion in Paraguay, you can find the people appreciating all the family and friends they are surrounded by and are thankful that they are healthy and happy.

Sixta's beautiful family :)

FELIZ NAVIDADDDDDDDD!

prepping the tatakua for some Christmas day sopa Paraguaya

roadtrippin' with Fatima and my amazing Godson, Matias

So what’s coming up next month? I will be spending New Year’s Eve in site! I will eat dinner with a family I didn't visit for Christmas, then head to the local town party where we will welcome the New Year with a night of dancing until the sun rises. On the 2nd, I am off to visit one of my best friends in her site for a couple days. Mid-January I will be having my second week-long summer camp! Last year’s theme was health, so this year I decided to go with art & environment. Then at the end of January I will be attending my Close of Service conference with the rest of G38. It’s pretty crazy how quickly my end date in Paraguay is approaching!!

Wishing you all a wonderful New Year! See you in 2014 :)