Happy Belated Thanksgiving!!! I´m so thankful for how I was able to spend Thanksgiving this year. A group of 7 volunteers and I cooked in a hostel on the beach. It was fabulous, and then we had a bonfire on the beach in the night. It was sentimental, and delicious! I missed my family, but it was a very good sit-in. Plus, this year I got to go to the Carnaval of El Salvador. It was okay, although I wouldn´t want to be in the push and shove again. But, the music was good. Next year I think I´ll only go for the rides. :) Also, I recieved VERY good news recently....I´m going to be an Aunt!!! :) I´m so excited!! Sheena´s pregnant and due in June, so I´ll get to be there, God willing, for all of the excitement.

Now that Christmas is around the corner, I´m a bit saddened about not being home, but really I´m getting excited about the local plans. We´re going to make the best out of it. The kids and I have been making paper ornaments, and the other day I bought little lights...we have a small pine needle tree outside our door, so we´ve been decorating that tree. It´s fun. Plus, I´ve been practicing Christmas songs on my keyboard, concocting dessert recipes to cook for my neighbors, and we´ve planned a small Christmas party with our Health Committee. We´re going to exchange gifts and everything!! Yeah! So, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!! Hugs and Kisses, and will write more around Christmas time.

Well, I apologize for the delay in writing...but, it was either for a lack of activity, or too much!!!

I'm sitting here on my last night in the USA before I go back to The Savior (ES). It's been a fantastic vacation at home, and I've enjoyed every second of it!! I got to have a weenie roast, eat lots and lots (gained 8 lbs...seriously), go on a hayride, through a corn maze, and pick pumpkins, then carve a pumpkin, ride the 4-wheeler with dad, talk politics, laze around on my big comfy couch, talk with friends, go shopping, eat Thai food, go to cafes, take hot showers...etc etc. It's been great.


Being home, I realized how much I love where I'm from. Before, I always wanted to get as far away from Greenfield as possible, but now I truly appreciate the small town charm with warm people. Plus, it's clean! hahaha. Maybe someday I'll end up closer to home than I ever imagined. I hope so. Also, Bethel Baptist's pastor is really awesome. He's so easy to talk with...like a normal person, you know? It's refreshing. Also, his wife's amazing!! She barely knows me, but is the most consistent person next to my mom that sends me packages and cards in the mail. Plus, I was aware that people are growing here. That's really nice to see. It makes me want to eventually settle down and invest in a community wholeheartedly to actually see the fruits of seeds planted in many years. So far in my life, I haven't stayed in one place longer than 2.5 years!! (other than college). So, maybe one day I'll actually throw my butterfly wings off and "just be". Or not. Even writing this, those wings begin to flit. hahaha

This weekend has been all about Birthdays!! Mine, Ester's, Ramfis', and Gladys'. Lots of fun, and lots of work!! We had a blast, though. There was wine, there was cake, there was pizza, there were balloons, there was pink, there were fireworks, there were paper crowns, there were police (see fireworks above) ;), there was laughter, there was chocolate, and lots and lots of chicken!! The day before and of the Quinceanera, I and all of the other women, were killing, plucking, cleaning, and cooking 80 chickens. Then, there was the cleaning, the decorating, cooking and preparing for rice and salad, for tortillas, ice for soft drinks, etc. Needless to say, we didn't sleep much, and we were pooped!! Ester looked beautiful, though...and everything went smoothly. They had a small church service where they focus on her, and then the lunch and cake and presents down at our house. She seemed happy. Then, Ramfis, Gladys, Armando and I left for the beach to have some fun in the sun and do some relaxing and chatting. It was so great!! Then, on Sunday I had planned a surprise party for Ramfis, and that went perfectly!! He was totally surprised, and loved it! Plus, we got the pizzzas for free because they came late...how cool is that??! I made a chocolate cake, and we had the house all decorated. His friends are amazing...they really helped out a lot, and it's evident how much they care for him. Then, tonight is another suprise party for Gladys. More eating...mmm, this is why I'm getting fat, I guess. :)

So, these have been crazy and fun days that I wish I could repeat tomorrow, but back to the real world of beans and eggs!! hahaha. I like it though. Hopefully this week will be productive. In the meantime, Happy Birthday to all of the August Peeps!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!! Hahahaha...that´s ´right...I´m now a whopping 27 years old. It´s hard to believe, I know. :) Anyway, I´d just like to take this time to thank God and my family and friends for making these years fun, adventurous, valuable, and beautiful. I´m truly blessed, and I thank God for allowing me to know so much beauty in my 27 years. Also, to show me sadness and misery so that I can truly appreciate His blessings.

In addition to another year of vida, Ramfis and I just had our 1 year of being a couple. We went to a fair and had a nice dinner...it was fun, and I can´t believe it´s been a year already!! Then again, it seems like longer. I´m truly blessed to have him in my life as well...not only as a super fun partner in crime (hahaha) j/k, but as an example of how I´d like to be. In this life, we cross paths with many people, and some truly make an impact and are worth getting to know. I´m thankful that I´ve trapped the heart of one of those people.

Disgusting how blessed I am!!! ;)

So, I just got back from an amazing trip to Antigua, Guatemala. It´s soooo beautiful there! And it surprised me how distinct it is from El Salvador, just 4 hours away. An invisible line draws a great cultural difference. For instance, in Guatemala they still have tons of native dialects and languages. I was fortunate enough to overhear several indigenous speaking in their own tongue, and it fascinated me! In addition, they still wear their typical dress (even the young people). They aren´t ashamed of their heritage, their culture, or their past. There are so many colors in every corner, proudly boasting their ability in the arts. I´m not sad to be in El Salvador, but it just saddens me that they don´t have the same. The history of the country has created a country ashamed of its own people, own color, and own culture. They are "igualados" for the most part, trying to be "American" instead of "Salvadoran". However, part of it isn´t their own fault. Masacres and wars and mistreatment of the natives left for little to tell the story, or teach their way of life and lingo. There are still parts in Santa Ana that have salvaged some heritage, but it just hit me hard on my trip the scarcity of culture in this Latin American country. To some, this is the most developed country because it´s model is the USA, 100%. However, I don´t think true development is denying your past and identity. Not much they can do now, except tell their story. Hopefully soon the heroes of the nation will be those that gave their lives, not those who took them.

Well, that was way too much information!! But, anyway, the trip was fantastic! I got to eat cookies, Thai food, drink really good lattes and wine, see art, etc. It´s a great place to visit...you should go. And, while you´re there, hop on over to see me and beautiful ES as well!!! xoxoxo Until next time!!

Happy 4th of July!! I do feel blessed to be from the U.S., and yet feel a bit bad because it wasn´t my choice to be wealthy, nor to have freedom to worship, nor to have a good house, plenty to eat, cars, a fabulous family, technology, clean water, education, dreams, freedom to travel all over the world without someone telling me no...you can´t come in. So many suffer in this world, and we´re unaware because we are so blessed with who is around us and the luxuries we see as the normal way of life. God Bless America, and God Bless the World...may we be more generous and look beyond ourselves to do as Abraham was commanded to do...Bless as you are Blessed!!

O.K., so now to more of a what´s been going on blog...My parents and Logan just left a couple of days ago, and we passed a marvelous 12 days together!! It was so much fun, and so great to see them. They did really well "roughing it" for 4 days in my village, even with bats flying and scorpions on the walls!! I was proud of how they reacted, even though my mom cacooned herself in a hammock. Poor things...they didn´t get much sleep for those 4 days!! They had new adventures, though! Logan was so cute because he was really good with the kids, and all of them were teaching him how to hit on girls in Spanish. It was hilarious! What was even funnier is that he was quite the little Romeo...catching all of the girls´eyes, and throwing his own comments and flirty glances as well. My little bubba´s growing up!!! : ( Then, we went travelling through the west side of the country. We saw volcanoes, lakes, oceans, coral reefs, fish, malls, hotels, cows (ask my mom about that one...she´s awwwed by all of the cows on the roads), landscape views, lightning storms, sunrises, food fairs, dolphins, tortoises, live music, etc. It was a blast, and it was sad to see them go. They met Ramfis and he met them for the first time, and thankfully, they all liked each other a lot! It all felt really comftorable for me and I was relieved that everything went so smoothly. My parents gave their blessing and "persmission" or consent for us to continue dating. It was sweet because he asked them for that and it was this big beautiful translated conversation about our relationship, the challenges and the things working in our favor, etc. The parental units appreciated the respectfulness, and all is well.

Poor Jen got robbed, tricked by a school, and really really sick, so she went home. I feel so bad that her experience was much less than desirable, but hopefully something good will come out of the bad. I already miss her and my family, though. So, pray for her recooperation. And please pray for my patience and strength. I don´t want to go back to my canton right now, so emotionally I´m a bit messed up.

A big shout out and thank you to Mrs. Tammy Perkins, the Porters, Mrs. Sherri Worley, Mrs. Jackie Pentecost, Mee Maw, and Nanny and Grandaddy for all of the goodies that you sent. I was and am much appreciative!!! Love you and thanks again! XOXOXO

It´s been a while!! It´s rainy season here, although the supposed strong hurricane made not even a dent where I live. We didn´t even have strong winds, praise God!! Just rain. I love the rain, because with it comes a nice cool temperature...a welcome change to the stealthing heat. Also, it brings my family!!! That´s right...just 2 weeks left, and my mom, my dad, and Logan will be here in The Savior to brighten my days!! Also, my friend Jen comes again next week!! She´ll be studying here for a month, so I´ll have a best friend here somewhat close to me...so cool, right??? Other new news is that I now have a puppy. He´s black and cute, but I´m not really a dog person. So, I´m learning. I like him cuz he´s cute, but I just don´t like when he jumps up on me. He´s being spoiled because I bathe him every week, and he gets real dog food. The older dogs are jealous, I think, and sometimes they´re snobby to him. But, poco a poco they´re accepting him. (You can see pics of him to the right of this page in My Pics.)


Work´s going well, I think. I´m giving classes twice a week...one in English and the other in Life Skills (sexual education, goal making, etc.). I enjoy those classes. Then, our school´s getting 2 computers next month, and hopefully a new roof due to some soliciting. We have our first Health Committee formed, and they´re still in training right now, but we´ll be starting a Trash Campaign soon. Hopefully all will go well.

Personally, I miss home a lot, but also enjoy my one day to the pueblo every week. I miss my church, but this weekend I´m going to the Capitol, so hopefully Ramfis and I will get to go.
My haír´s gotten so long! I want to put blond highlights in it again, so maybe in a couple of months I´ll do that. If plane tickets aren´t too too bad, I might even go home in October. We´ll see. But, basically everything´s going well. It´s just hard sometimes expecting the people around me to treat me like my family and friends treat me back home, and expecting my norm to be their norm. It doesn´t work that way, and there truly is a cultural difference. It´s taken a year for me to realize how drastic that difference is, but it´s a learning experience, right? Thankfully, I have Ramfis and I have my volunteer friends. Also, my peeps that keep in touch from the US. Thanks!! Well, take care, and until next time!!

It´s been a lovely and crazy April here in El Salvador!! Jen came...fabulous!! I had mid-service medicals....not so fabulous, but time with Ramfis!!! And Alison came....fabulous!!! So, basically, I haven´t been much in my site; although great things have happened. We had a Professional Exposicion that was a large success at the school with 7th, 8th, and 9th grades; yesterday we had our first tranining\meeting with the very new Health Committee; and started up English classes again. So, I´ve been busy, and I´ve been happy. Having friends come and see and experience my life is so rewarding and refreshing. It´s nice for people to understand, you know? Also, it was great that they got to meet Ramfis, and vice versa. He was such a great host, and thankfully he hit it off with the girls (no big surprise).

I've realized a sad yet profound reality about my present situation. I've become more selfish. It's true. The other day I was thinking about everything, and I realized that although I came to El Salvador with the mentality to serve and give of myself, it has caused a backlash of self absorption. Let me explain....Since my comforts have been taken away, everytime I go to the capitol, I'm thinking about what I can eat, where I can go, etc. I want to buy my $5 hamburger meal, or whatever, so I end up spending more money. Then, sometimes I want to buy a shirt or something, yet I barely recognize the homeless in my bee-line to the shopping centers. Every now and then, I give my quarter. But a quarter?? I seriously think to myself, "I can't give more than that cuz I need to save to buy ice cream later." Hello!! I've become crazy!! Also, my Salvadoran family I know would appreciate me buying them something every now and then, but I'm just too selfish to spend my money that way after buying groceries for us. Not only financially, but just with thoughts in general, I've become very me-focused. I don't like it, and I find it ironic because all of you at home are singing my praises (which you shouldn't by the way) for being selfless and sacrificing for others and joining the Peace Corps because I think of others before myself. (I'm just saying things I've heard) But, I feel the opposite!!! So, please pray for me and I'll be praying for a change as well. However, that's also become a trend; to pray to God all about me and what concerns me and me making wise decisions and me being filled with the Spirit, and me me me!!!

Well, thanks for letting me confess online for all to see. Have a blessed day.

p.s. Last week was Fabulous!! Jen came and visited. We had so much fun....jumping waterfalls, making records by the way, for being the first women to jump!!, swimming in the river, seeing street art for Semana Santa, chasing chickens, picking mangoes, eating jocotes, riding on buses, seeing beauty everywhere, and not sleeping from talking so much!! It was just what I needed....great!! Look at the pics on my kodak site!!

I´VE BEEN TAGGED!!

Here are the rules.
(1) Link to the person that tagged you.
(2) Post the rules on your blog.
(3) Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
(4) Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
(5) Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website.

ok, here are the six quirky things about myself...hmmmmmm.

1. I like to pop zits

2. I am constantly counting numbers or spelling letters with my hands, or feet, or butt, or something. Basically, I´m never completely still.

3. In addition, sometimes when I´m thinking, I´m typing the words in my mind, or even worst...sometimes texting!!!

4. I get scared to go to bed if I´m the only one in the house.

5. If I do one thing with my right hand\foot, I have to do it with my left. For instance, move a toe or something.

6. I always say I´m giving up sodas and coffee, but I never do. It´s bad, I know.

Now I tag Casey, Heather, Allison, Jenny, Aunt Debbie, Ramfis. Can´t wait to hear your quirks!!!!

2.

It´s River Time!!! This is my first full summer here in El Salvador, and I´m excited because it´s almost jocote and mango season! Right now we´re eating them green, and they´re alright. But, I can´t wait until the end of this month when everything´s ripe!! Yummy! Due to the hot hot weather, every weekend we´ve been to the river to swim....a different part of the river each time, I might add. There´s an abundance of places to cool off. The only downer is having to hike back up the hill to get home afterward. :}

So, February´s already been really busy. I went and translated for an eye campaign in San Miguel for 2 days...super cool. Hard work, but it´s worth it. It gave me an immediate gratification of knowing that I´ve helped someone, and can see it on their faces. I don´t get tha very often in the PC. Our work is more long-term. Who knows if I´ll ever even see the results of my 2 years of labor!!!! I saw the pics of Union University, my alma mater, and heard the news of the tornadoes and the clean up. I remember that whenever the Tsunami hit in Indonesia, and later the Hurricane in the South, is what got me thinking about going into the Peace Corps, or something to that nature. The irony is that here I don´t feel like I´m doing much good, and now that there´s a natural emergency in my own home, I can´t help!!! Craziness. Well, I can pray. And I appreciate my sister and brother-in-law, and others that are making an effort and sacrifice to help with the after effects of the storm. Maybe someday I´ll get to serve in that way....or better yet, not cuz I don´t want to wish for more natural disasters!!!

I plucked and cleaned and everything my first duck this month. That was interesting. There´s a pic for ya in kodak. Also, had my first tarantula in my house. Lots of fun stuff happening!! This week´s the town´s festivals. So, I´m going with a couple of girlfriends to Estanzuelas to dance a bit and to eat fair food and ride the ferris wheel. It will be fun, but afterward everyone´s going to be upset with me for going....it´s sinful afterall!!! :} hahaha.

Well, this post is late, but I wanted you all to see how much fun I had on New Year´s 2007/2008! I was in San Salvador with Ramfis and his family, and my welcome back to ES present was to help paint their living room...hahaha, it was fun cuz I love to paint.

On the 31st we went to the volcano of San Salvador´s crater. It´s huge, and that was so much fun. Then, on the way back we stopped at this small fair in a village and bought some corn on the cob and overlooked the city and all of it´s lights.

Then, we went with the kids to buy fireworks ( large selection), which everyone does for New Year´s. After we ate tacos as a family, at midnight everyone gave hugs, and then we shot off firecrackers, along with everyone else in the country (it sounded like a war!).

Then, around 1:30 Ramfis and I went dancing until 5:30 am. Needless to say, the next morning became the afternoon. We didn´t wake up until like 4p.m.!! It was a great New Year´s because I was able to spend it with someone I love and also experience what it´s like to celebrate in another country!!