Look at my pics!! There aren´t many, but it took a long time to upload them. Hope they give you a better idea of where I am and who I´m with!

I wanted to explain how we wash clothes here because it´s so cool, and I have a pic of me doing it. So there´s this large concrete basin full of water, and next to it is another concrete structure that slants slightly down. I use a plastic bowl to get the water and I pour it onto the first piece of clothing on the concrete structure and the extra water runs off onto the ground. After it´s wet, I use this green cylinder shaped soap and roll it all over the clothing, on both sides. I then pour water on it again and squish the shirt and rub it harshly onto the concrete to get it clean. After rinsing several times, I ring it and place it in a tub full of fabric softener. I repeat this with each piece of clothing, and then rinse it all again after it´s set in the bowl for a few minutes. Then, I hang each piece up on the wires outside of my family´s house until they dry. It´s really hard work, actually, and I feel like my clothes get cleaner here than the the washing machine!!! :) Props to the Salvadoran women who are masters at their full time jobs - housework!!
The way I bathe myself is I stand inside this little concrete room away from the casa, probably 8 feet tall and 4 feet wide, and there is another large concrete basin of water with a plastic bowl and a curtain to shield me from people´s viewing. I pour the water onto myself with each scoop of the cold cold water. I wash my hair last, and I have to brace myself for the shock of the frigid water on my head everytime. It definitely wakes me up!! It´s actually not all that bad, and daily it´s getting easier to adjust. Doésn´t all of it sound like fun?!?!
It´s an adventure that I´m enjoying and learning how to be flexible in more ways than one. I´m just hoping I don´t see a scorpion anytime soon, since I´ve heard stories today from other volunteers!!! Yikes!!! :}

By the way, I ate some sugar cane for the first time!!! Yummm!!!!

I´ve been in El Salvador for a week and a few days now, but it feels like a month!! I think the days are just going slower simply because they´re so packed with information, and the heat I´m sure has an impact. It´s already been a challenging experience, as well as very inspiring. I´m constantly learning, often frustrated, and always excited about the next step. So far, I see many needs around me healthwise. There is garbage everywhere from a lack of garbage cans, no trash or active recycling system, and I think just uneducation about the effects of trash regarding sanitation. So, if that´s the case in my site, that is a task I´m wanting to take on. I´m actually going to give a "charla" (talk/presentation) on March 12 to the 5th grade class at a local school on "limpieza" (cleanliness) and the effects of trash in their living spaces. We observed at that school (we is my community group - Natalie, Kevin, and I with our Spanish teacher, Maria Luisa) on Thursday, and I was quite impressed with the 5th grade. They paid attention and it seemed very similar to a U.S. school, unlike the other grades, according to my team. So, I´m pumped to have that grade for my charla. We also interviewed the director of the school. and I have to say that from interviews we´ve been doing, it´s difficult to get the truth out of people. Of course, they´re a bit defensive because we´re asking questions about health and sanitation issues...who wants to admit to having hygiene problems??? So, I understand, but it´s just proving that it will take much time at my own site to gain trust before I can be an agent of change. A problem is that there´s no potable water source at the school, nor at most homes. For bathrooms, they have latrines, which is fine, except that this school has a problem with them flooding in the rainy season. Plus, there´s no soap for washing hands...only water. As a health volunteer, this is something daunting since so many of the sicknesses here are passed so easily from person to person. It´s crazy because the day before, we interviewed the Unidad de Salud, (health clinic) about 15 minutes away from our cantone, and there was no soap there either. Crazy!
Sex Education and Reproductive Health are going to be topics to discuss. There´s definitely a need for this type of education, but it´s quite taboo to discuss the human body parts and how they work, and totally taboo to talk about sex or prevention or birth control. So, I have my work cut out for me, but it will be worth it when the people are educated and can make wise decisions regarding their health, both physically and mentally.
I´m having doubts as to my capabilities, but know Christ will give me daily strength and wisdom. It´s tough, but fun and envigorating at the same time. I´m staying sane by laughing a lot and listening to my ipod each night before I go to bed. I´m so thankful that I can communicate with people in Spanish, or it would be so much harder. It really is a large part to my happiness here...I can make friends because I can speak with people...that´s huge. Please pray for the volunteers who don´t have that luxury. It´s hard for them and I think they miss home a lot more because of that. Well, peace out and will write more soon!!!

I just love my G-Daddy! Seriously, I got to have 2 long breakfasts with Grandaddy over Jan., and I learned so much I never knew about my family! Don't you just love when that happens?!? He and my Nanny wrote songs and had them published...how cool! Also, I learned about what a mason is...but, the best thing was just sitting there talking...and not forced conversation - it was awesome! We could have talked for several more hours. I don't know why I'm so astonished by this. I think it's because I've been away and haven't had many conversations that lasted more than 5 minutes with him in a long time. To make it short because I've got to head out, He's just a good man. I'd be blessed to find someone like him someday.

So, my sister is now wed!! She's Mrs. Bowen now, and it was quite a wedding! She looked absolutely beautiful and everything went off without a hitch, except for some wax running over onto the church carpet. But, we got it all up. It was an elegant evening with perfect winter weather...no rain or snow or anything, and the church was packed. Everyone loved the music selection (some of my favorite songs), and it was really special having all three of our uncles participate in the ceremony. When my Uncle Mitch started talking about Sheena being a little girl, I lost it and was crying for quite a while, trying to sniff it all back in and get together. But, pretty much everyone was shedding tears.
Then, the reception was so fabulously disguised as a winter wonderland. We had spray painted branches and trees from our back yard silver and it was really beautiful, I think. Sheena and Kydon's first dance went well, and so did Dad and her's. The food was all desserts, and the cake was gorgeous! It was just really sophisticated and fancy, but fun with all of the dancing. Their Knoxville friends really helped make it fun on the dance floor. They drove away in a stretch hummer limo, and now they're in Gatlinburg until school starts back. Crazy my little sister's married, but it's cool and I'm so happy for them. It was a packed weekend!! For more pics, click on View My Pics to the left. Then, later on when the photographers develop the wedding pics, I'll post them as well.

Happy 2007! Happy New Year! Why is it, then, that every first day of the year I feel depressed? I know the answer, really. I end up looking back at the previous year thinking, what did I do? Who did I love? Who did I help? What did I learn? What did I contribute? How did I serve the Lord? Who did I lead to Christ? Once again, I end up disappointed at the answers to most of these questions. But, then come the resolutions, right? Well, I didn't make any this year, really. I have made a few over the last few months, but not particuarly for the new year...just for life. I have to say, though, that 2006 has been more than interesting. I found out I was going to the Peace Corps, loved and was loved, won dance competitions, travelled to Eastern Europe, had 3 months of vacation, had my heart broken - my fault, moved in with my sister in TN, far from my friends and life in California, and the list continues. It's really been a year of transition and life lessons - thus my blog title, In Transition. I guess I'm hoping for another exciting year, but with fewer tears (this coming from the one who doesn't cry). I'm looking forward to El Salvador and all God has in store for me. I know that the main thing I want to change is the way I prioritize my time. God and I are going to be having a lot of dates because He is the most important person/thing in my life, and yet my daily schedule doesn't reflect that. So, hopefully when you see me next, if you ever see me, I'll be a bit wiser and my knees a bit rougher. It's going to be a good year.

To update you all, I've moved in with my parents in Greenfield and have been here for about a week. It's been awesome. Sheena and I transformed my bedroom into a bedroom/entertaining room. It's so different and fun. Then, we've been solidifying her wedding plans. I've been to like 3 Christmas parties already...crazy because it's 70 degrees outside and doesn't feel like Christmas at all!!! Basically, I'm lovin' being at home, which is a big deal since I'll be here until Feb. Something really cool is that I think that I'll have the opportunities to spend time with friends from the past and rekindle a few relationships. I'm really excited about that since I've been really horrible at keeping up with most people, and unfortunately, friends that I dearly loved at one point in my life have slipped through the cracks of time, and now I'm looking around going, what happened?? So, hopefully I've learned the lesson that relationships are important and that they require fostering and attention. That might be harder to do once I'm in El Salvador, but hopefully the cyber world will be kind to me. :)
Speaking of friends, though, I'm super psyched because I am leaving today to see 2 of my best friends in a whirlwind trip through Illinois. It's going to be quick, yet long at the same time (on the road a while), but well worth it to spend some time with Alison and Evelyn before I'm on a jet plane out of here.

New Baby!! My friend Amanda (Perry) Rodriguez and her husband Robert have just had their first child...Rachel Elizabeth Rodriguez, 5 lbs., 5 oz. She has a head full of hair, they said, and is healthy. So tiny! Welcome Baby Rachel!! I'm so excited because I get to see her and the new Mommy on Wed. after I get home!!! Congratulations to their family!

Well, I had a splendid evening!! I taught at the BCM's Christmas Benefit Ball last night. We did Tango, Salsa and Waltz. It was so much fun!! I haven't taught ballroom since the end of April, so it was a huge rush, and I felt so comftorable in my element...I miss it. Anyway, the 80 something college students were great students. I think everyone had a lot of fun, and they did really well with the dancing. We stayed until 1 in the morning, just dancing and them asking questions and stuff. There was this very pretty African man there that could really dance salsa. I enjoyed him being there to help...and to look at. ;)Plus, it was a blast getting dressed up...this is only the second time Sheena and I have gone to a formal event together. She looked beautiful. When we saw each other, we were like, "Oh my goodness! You look so pretty!!!" It was a sweet moment. She said she liked my hair and that she wants me to wear it like that for the wedding...yeh! That's a relief! No slicked-back look!! :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!! I give thanks for a tight-knit family, for my friends - however far, for freedoms in our country, for freedom of my soul, for the ability to choose, for the health to dance and explore, for sanitary drinking water, for contacts, for my big heavy coat this time of year, for mercy and grace of God whom saved my soul from His wrath. I am thankful for many things this year...and this is just the beginning of the list. What about you? Tell me what you're thankful for! Have a good one and don't eat too much turkey and pecan pie!!!

Borat: Not so Nice. So, abading others' advice to skip out on the praised, ground-breaking film Borat, I decided to see what all of the hype was for myself. I mean, afterall, how bad could it be, right? What are a few lawsuits?? AND, if it's a monumental occasion in comedy, I wanted to experience this first-hand and make up my own mind about it all....just maybe I'd laugh til my stomach hurt.

Well, after sitting through an hour of quite offensive humor, Sheena, a friend and I got up and walked out. I never do that with movies, but I just couldn't handle the vulgarity. Not only did Borat want to annilate the Jews, but there were also naked males rolling around on the bed together, and unspeakable other vulgarities. I only wish I could describe to you what I saw and beg you not to submit yourself to the cruelty of humor gone bad, but it's just not something I want to post on the internet. However, my mouth dropped about 10 times in a 'I can't believe he just said/did that!' kind of way. It's one of those. Although, I must admit that I laughed at a few things. It actually would have been hilarious had he stayed away from the gross sexual stuff. He ruined it by going too far in the 'I want to offend everyone possible on the face of the planet that there is to offend' kind of way. Too bad because his character's funny. Well, all of that to say that I'm mad I wasted $8.50, mad that the critics rated it an A movie, and mad that the world applauds this kind of disgusting humor. Whatever happened to Bill Cosby? "He's a-Nice." :}

Success!! So, last night was the lingerie party of the century if I may be so bold. As you probably know, my sister's getting married in Jan., and this whole to-do of me being in Knoxville is for her. So, one can imagine how elated I was to fulfill one of my maiden duties of throwing a shower. First of all, I love throwing parties. How fun is it to decorate?!? Much. A Much too Much. Second of all, it was so great to have a party with all of Sheena's closest friends there, giving "advice" (what they've heard from others, including myself beings that no one's actually married in the group...except for Stacy, but she didn't come until later. However, we still appreciate her input.) and telling sweet and sappy stories - mostly funny of Sheena and what kind of stamp she's left on their lives. It made me a proud sis to hear how they all talked about her. She also got lots of sexy lingerie. I was surprised, though, at how not outrageous they were. I think everyone was thinking what they would want. It worked because she loves it all and tried them on last night (in front of like 10 girls, might I add...yep, she just stripped down in her excitement to wear ribbons and lace! What can I say, she's a Rowlett girl). In all, there were 20 girls at the party. Fun times!! I won't give details of the games played, I guess, but they were a hoot and the girls were good sports about it all. Let's just say one game involved a banana and whipped cream.

I can't believe my little sister's getting married. It's so wonderful, but so crazy. I know it's going to be hard for them at first, being broke students and all, but I see their love for one another, and I know God will bless their union. They're willing to sacrifice and work at it. I've heard them talk about it and witnessed it myself. One thing I like is that Kydon told me the other day that he's learning what not to do and what to do with Sheena from watching us live together. He said he's going to have to do things when she asks, instead of putting them off. That's not in his natural habitating ways, but he's making a conscious note to have a happy wife, and he's willing to do it. That's when it hit me that he's good for her. I always thought no one could truly be good enough for her, but I realized there and then that he's better for her than me!!! Now hear me out...what I mean is that most of the time, I'm not willing to change my living habits (because I think my ways are better) and just say she needs to stop being so anal. I know that's not the best attitude, but it happens with sisters, I guess. I also guess that we'll see if he can actually hold up to his present observations and attempt to please the cleaning power of Sheena Marie. But, for now, I appreciate him thinking ahead of ways to make their marriage work and to prevent fusses over, what I think, is stupid - like when to fold the laundry or empty the dishwasher. God help em and God Bless em!

Viva El Salvador!!! That's right, I'm headed south to Central America's smallest country in Feb. to work as a rural health facilitator in the Peace Corps. I'm so excited that it's a Spanish speaking country because now I can refresh my skills and hopefully become fluent forever!! :) I'm a bit nervous about my job though because I don't really know how to do it, but that's why I have 3 months of training, right?!? Well, guests are welcome, so come visit if you can!! They have great beaches, so we can surf or something...it will be fun!

Church Happy!!

Hallelujah...Praise the Lord I found a church I like here in K-ville!!! Seriously, that's a huge deal because I needed something to change my mind on Southern churches. It's actually very similar to Mosaic, and the pastor said he got a lot of the ideas for the church from Pastor Erwin and Mosaic. Needless to say, that thrills my soul. Can I just say that I love to wear jeans to church? Can I also say that I love a pastor that really challenges Christians? I mean, as followers, we need to be taught/reminded/encouraged/challenged to actually follow and what that means. I mean, yes, salvation is core, and I realize that's a huge ministry of the church is to tell others about Jesus Christ. However, I personally think (and that's a scary thing....my thoughts :} ) that one of the reasons why the church has failed to impact is because the same message is always taught...salvation...but what about after? Discipleship is so important! Our church is full of contented people (I realize I'm generalizing...bear with me) because they think they don't need to do much of anything because they're going to heaven....but are they?!? ;{ So, instead of preaching to the choir, persay, about salvation, preaching to the believers who are wondering just exactly how to pursue a relationship with this Savior and make Him Lord. Well, anyway, as you can see, this is a soap box of mine, but basically, I'm just excited about Faith Promise. So, now I'm actually looking forward to church next week!!! :) Sweet!

So, this is really silly, but I'm in such a good mood just because I painted my nails! They're coral pink, and it makes me feel funky...I like it. Maybe I'll paint them more often. :)

I just got back from a fun weekend home. We got so much stuff done for Sheena's wedding...dress, veil, shoes, columns, arch, flowers, cake...it was crazy and fun. Plus, I threw my friend Amanda Rodriguez a baby shower on Sat. She's expecting in Dec. with a baby girl, and it was my first baby shower to ever throw. I must say it was splendid :) with a cute Winnie the Pooh cake and balloons everywhere and yummy food and a couple of stupid games. She got lots of gifts, a nice start to her baby room, and I think everyone had a good time. The best part was that I got to see all of my friends from high school that I haven't seen in like 3 years. I'm the only one not married out of everyone...crazy. They all seem to be doing well, though, and it's hard to believe i was so nervous about seeing all of them because we just talked and laughed like we'd never missed a step. It was just nice to know that a blast from the past doesn't have to be awkward. I don't know why I thought it would be. Anyway! Then, my family and I cooked out in our backyard, as always. That was fun too, beings that it's like 40 degrees outside! Nothing like a good fire smell in the fall. It was just a good weekend, so thought I'd share. :)

So, I went to a swing dance workshop last night for 4 hours, and I gotta say, I didn't realize how much I don't know! It was amazing how much I learned in those hours, and also how humbling it was to be like, oh...I'm not so good...I need a lot of work. I think it's a process for anyone working on an artform, especially professionals. It was just cool, though. We mainly concentrated on following (something I thought I did really well, but realized I stink ;O), and it reminded me of something one of the girls here told me about a month ago. She said that when she was learning to dance, it was a huge lesson to her in life and spiritually. See, as a follower, I can only do what my leader tells me to do, one step at a time. I may assume what will happen next from past dances, or may try to finish a pattern because of knowledge of the step, but the lead can change it at anytime, using creativity and the music to make his own patterns, his own style, and his own steps. My job is to follow each movement, wherever he leads...even if it's different than what I'm used to. Also, I'm not in control of where I go...my lead is. He's driving, and I'm along for the ride. However, the fun part is that sometimes I get to add in my own steps, and my own styling...once I've learned how to follow completely. It's pretty cool how dance and life correlate so much. Trust and following...makes sense.

Oh, Family! How blessed are those with a Father who's ways are upright, and a Mother who's love is boundless. How blessed is the family who prays together, shares life's joys and sorrows, eats together, laughs together. I am so thankful to God for my family. After years of knowing many people and many families, I realize each and every day how unique my situation is and I wonder why. Why did God bless us so? Well, I do believe that generational obedience had something to do with it, and I believe that my parents' devotion to God is the root. 2 Samuel 7:29 Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O Sovereign LORD, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever." Psalm 37:26 They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed (This one is a perfect description of my parents). Psalm 144:15 Blessed are the people of whom this is true; blessed are the people whose God is the LORD.

Basically, I love my clan!! Thanks Mom and Dad for raising me with the freedom to make my own decisions, but constant guidance in the ways of the Lord.

So, I made that transition I was speaking of just fine...having a sister's a blast, and I love getting to spend time with her. However, it is kind of wierd not having a job I like and being hesitant at making friends and getting involved. It's like my guard is up and I'm enjoying alone time more and more because of the thought of moving away in a couple of months...it's like what's the point? However, I know this not to be the mindset of Christ, and I know that every moment is precious, and that everyday I have an opportunity to bless and be blessed. I want to be used in my time here in K-ville. One cool thing is that I got a second job teaching a latin workout class at the local YMCA. It should be great fun, and I get paid to exercise...how great is that?!? Plus, a Bible Study I've been attending is good...I just need to put more effort into connecting with the people in it, though. Well, until next time, ciao!

Unclear Thinking

Right now I am sitting in a great friend's house, drinking a good cup of coffee, and getting ready to spend a fun and peaceful day at the lake...it seems like I'd have no worries at all, and yet my spirit is stirring and my mind constantly racing. See, I just left my wonderful job that I loved in California, along with my friends and home of almost 3 years. I'll be living the rest of this year as a "vagabond" among family. While I left with a clear goal and exciting vision, I am currently questioning everything about my decision and my life choices. ( For those who don't know, I'm joining the Peace Corps and leaving in Feb. for 2 1/2 years overseas.) I guess that's normal when a huge transition occurs, but I want to be able to trust God completely in this...maybe that's the problem - I don't have 100% confirmation that I'm making the best decision for His Kingdom and/or my life. Basically, I need to be on my knees 24/7. So, it's a good thing that that great friend I mentioned above and I are spending time daily in prayer. AND, if anyone reading this is a follower of Christ, I'd appreciate your prayers as well.