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!!

FELIZ NAVIDAD!!! "For unto us a child is born...." Well, it's that time of year again, and I feel so blessed to be able and spend this Christmas again with all of my family. It's been more than fabulous being in TN again and around everyone....not to mention this way of life. But, yesterday was really special. We had Christmas with my MeeMaw and Dad's brother and family, and we got an extremely overwhelming gift. Then, for the first time, my dad, mom, Sheena, Kydon, Logan, and I went to the Methodist Church in downtown Jackson and had communion together. I loved it because it was a great way to put focus on Christ, and it gave us a still moment to pray and just reflect in quiet ( a huge change from the normal hustle and bustle ). At our church, we had a candlelight service Sunday night, but no communion, and there's never anything for us on Christmas Eve. I don't know why...it kind of bothers me because that's the #1 thing I'd want to do on CE. I like how most Catholic churches have a midnight service. It's so reverant. Anyway, then, today for Christmas, my parents surprised me with an electric keyboard to take back with me to ES!!! I'm so excited, but I'm not sure how I'm going to get everything back because I have gifts for my friends and fam in El Salvador too. Plus, clothes that I found in my closet that I want to take back....it's going to be a challenge, but I shall prevail!!!! (hahahaha)

All this week it's been so great seeing old friends and catching up. Also, family that I don't always talk to, but when I do it's like we never missed a beat. I love that!! Also, it's been nice being in church and being able to worship and be in fellowship without so much skepticism in my heart. Overall, I've thoroughly enjoyed being back home, and it makes it difficult to go back. However, I do have one thing/person keeping me excited to return...Ramfis! Thankfully, I'll be spending New Year's Eve with him and his family. Well, hope everyone else's Christmas was fantastic!! Let's remember to pray for the poor and homeless, and to be cheerful givers!!!Once again, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

I'm HOME!!! I got in Friday night to the airport like around 10 p.m., and then drove to Knoxville. We got there around 2 am their time, and had to wake up at 6 am for the graduation!! I was super tired, but the great thing is that at 7 we had breakfast in the hotel, and I got to see all of my family at once! My grandparents, uncles, cousins...so overwhelming but fun!!!! Sheena's graduation was of course boring, but she looked beautiful, and she's so excited to be done...I'm proud of her. She's already got a full time job lined up that she enjoys. It's right up her alley, and I think it will be a good start for her career-wise. My brother's huge, and I couldn't believe how tall he is and how much he's thinned out. Plus, he's really sweet and sarcastic. He's fun to be around......and he's into girls. I mean, I know he should be, but it's just wierd. Something else wierd is that I'm officially the smallest person in our family. Seriously, I go from being the green giant, and feeling large, to feeling short and skinny!! I love it! :) Everyone says I'm so thin, where as just last week my Salvadoran family was telling me that I've gained weight and that I'm "gordita." So funny.

The food hasn't settled well with me since being back, but I'm lovin' gettin' to eat the stuff!! Also, love my hot showers and clean bathrooms. Also, love the chocolate and all of the back scratches!! Also, love knowing what everyone's saying 100% of the time!! Also, love the cold weather and this Christmas season!! Also, love getting to drive! (Aussie still runs fabulously) Also, love having all of these clothes in my closet!!! It's like Christmas....oh wait, it is Christmas!! hahaha

In short, it's great being home, even though it's wierd. I broke down at an Italian restaurant Sat. night. I was deliriously tired, and emotional. So, Sheena and I started laughing about something, and that turned into me sobbing at the table. Craziness. But, it felt good to let it all out. Oh, and p.s., I colored my hair! It's a lot darker. I like the change...it makes me feel more sophisticated. :) I'll put a pic on later.

This week is gonna be crazy, and I love it!!! So, today I have a meeting with Intervida to discuss the possibility of them funding our clinic. Then, tomorrow I´m going craft shopping with Ramfis in a town that´s known for handmade artisan work. Then, Mon. Don Ezequiel and I are going to Morazan to bring the letrine pieces to the canton, where we´ll start that project. Then, Tues. the same man and I are going to request a letter from the health clinic in the pueblo saying that we need a clinic in Potrero de Joco, so that we can go the the Ministry of Health and get a contract saying they´ll give us medicines and a nurse if we build the clinic. Then, on Wed. I´m giving that women´s health day again, where we focus on Diabetes this time. Then, Fri. an all English day (it´s gonna be fun with lots of activities and food and everything), and then Sun. and Mon., I´m going to some island to translate for a medical campaign coming through. Then, the 13th we have this huge community party, and the 14th I´m on a plane to TN!!!! I´m glad that things are so busy, and can´t belive I only lack 2 weeks ´til I see my family and some friends!!

This last weekend I went to this remote town called Ojeo. Basically, it´s in the middle of nowhere, and we had to bathe and wash clothes and dishes in the river. I thanked God that I don´t have to live that way. Of course, I enjoyed the adventure for a couple of days, but for a way of living...no spankyou. But, my little sister Ana was beautiful in her big pink dress, and she got tons of gifts. These people live it up for the 15th b-day! Tons of food, cake, cokes, decorations, unnecessary expenses, but it was fun. It was a church service because since they´re evangelicals, they can´t have a dance. But, they invited this cool worship-praise group to play and sing. They did a lot of salsa and cumbia style songs, and I was bee-boppin´in my chair in the church. My family made fun of me, but I was like, whatever, it´s good music!!

Life is really fun right now because Nov. and Dec. are full of cosas! I´m preparing to go to a Quinciniera this week, after going to a North American family´s house for a Thanksgiving meal on Thurs. Then, to ¨Carnival¨in San Miguel to see the wild side of this country...hahaha. Then, very soon, the second week of Dec. we´re having a party\dance in my canton, the day before I leave for the U.S. Then, I´ll be there in the gran Norte for 2 weeks. Plus, we´re starting the letrine project. So, I´m pretty busy right now, but mainly just with thoughts of travel. We were supposed to go to the Marine Ball this past weekend, but the peeps didn´t buy the tickets in time, so instead I just hung out with Ramfis in the captiol. It was fun times, and I got so excited like a little kid because San Salvador´s decorated for Christmas, and they were playing Christmas songs in English in the shopping centers. Also, we popped popcorn, and I bought M&Ms to put in it, and we watched a movie...after eating Pizza Hut. I sound so United Statesy, right?!? It´s so funny how the little things in life bring such joy. For instance, last night it rained for the first time in a while because now we´ve entered summer. It made me so happy to see the rain, and smell it, and feel the bit of cool air that it brought, as well as how it tamed all of the dust in the air. So, thank God for the small gifts we receive each day...smiles, hugs, kind words, sunsets, rain, a free entry to the market bathroom, an unexpected trip to the cyber cafe, etc. etc. Ahhh, feels good to take time and appreciate life. I don´t do that often enough. I´ve become a worrier, I think. Or maybe just an anxious person. It comes with this job...always conscious of the future, as well as trying to make everyone possible happy. It´s tiring, and I pray God can allow me to feel peace and tranquility again. I like being mellow. It´s healthier.

So, Ramfis came and visited this weekend because he had vacation for the holiday, Dia de Los Muertos. I was extremely excited, but nervous because it isn´t really my home, so I wasn´t sure how to host. Also, I didn´t know how they would all treat him since he has an earring in his eyebrow...however, the nerves went fast. Everyone loved him, of course, because he´s super great with the people, and the kids wouldn´t give us time alone!! He was a hit with them. Saturday we all hiked to the waterfall...we were the first to go since July. It was very different from all of the storms, and very shallow with like this new little island in the middle of the waterbed...not quite as beautiful, but still fun and to me pretty! Then, our pig gave birth to 7 little piglets, and our cat killed a chicken, so we got to eat it; that was a nice treat. A very active, yet relaxing weekend, and now I´m ready for 2 weeks of work!!! It´s super hard to focus, though, because I just think about Dec. and how I´m gonna go home soon. It feels a bit like senioritis!!! :) hahaha

Check out this salsa dancing.....well, it´s a mix of samba and salsa, but a great routine...enjoy and marvel!!!!

salsa de Cali

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This weekend was soooo much fun!! I went to my friend, Maria´s going away party because she´s getting married and moving to Ecuador. We had good food, good company, and good times! Plus, I got to go shopping because my mom sent me my card! Yeh! Also, went to the beach for a PC conference....a blast! I met a really cool chick who also went to L.A. Mosaic!! We were so excited to find another believer!! Then, Fri. night I got to go Salso dancing - like for real! The guys were really good, and you couldn´t wipe the smile off of my face! A live band too! I think I´m gonna try and go atleast once every 2 months. Then, I got to spend a very fabulous Saturday with Ramfis...we had tortas, walked around Santa Tecla (this really cute town that has lots of personality and great street vendors) eating fruit off of the street, watched a movie (in English), and just chilled at his parents´house drinking coffee and eating sweet bread. Great times. Seriously, I had so much fun. Then, this week, our softball team won, we´re on the ball with the sale of the land for the clinic, and everything´s on track mas o menos. Mrs. Sherri Worley sent me some yummy yummy yummy chocolate oatmeal cookies and these peanut butter chocolate things. They´re so good that I´m gonna be putting on some pounds!! hahaha. But, seriously, great stuff...and who knew you could mail such things?!?!?
Mad TV - Miss Swan At The Drive Thru


For a laugh or two!!! Miss these sketches!!
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West Coast Swing....My Favorite Dance!! Isn't it cool and beautiful?!?!? I miss it! I wonder how this year's "So You Think You Can Dance" competitors are doing. Oh well, in case you didn't notice, I have a new blog design! Lovin' it!!! Hope you do too!

Just a quick little story to give glory to my God...the night before last, my knees were hurting really badly (something I´ve had since childhood), and I didn´t want to get out of bed to take an ibuprofen. So, I said to God, ¨Oh God, my knee hurts! And I know all I have to do is go take a pill, but I don´t want to get out of bed, and plus, you´re way better than pills! Please Father, I know that if you say it, it will happen, so please tell my knee to stop hurting.¨ And I´m here to tell you that in that instant I felt no more pain! No joke. I felt like one of those ladies in the Gospels who is healed by Jesus and can´t stop praising Him. So, just a little reminder that if we truly believe, He is faithful to answer......and it´s great that God really does care about the ¨little things ¨ in our lives!! :)

It´s been a while since I last wrote...sorry about that. But, the news is that 1. the mayor´s office is buying the land that we need, so this month we´ll be beginning to solicit for a health clinic...exciting!!! 2. my favorite, Ana, my beautiful host sister, is moving...she´s leaving me!! She´s going to move back with her parents in November. Also, in Nov., I´ll be attending her 15th birthday party. it´s a big deal. So, I´ve gotta go shopping for a good gift, and thankfully, mom and Sheena are mailing me a dress to wear. 3. I´ll be teaching the ADESCO how to make a budget this month, as well as planning for the letrine project. 4. This Friday is women´s health day and will be giving a charla on breast cancer and how to self-test. 5. Only 8 weeks to go until I´m in Greenfield again!!! Can´t wait! 6. Made some homemade fudge, thanks to my mommy! She sent me the ingredients in the mail...love you! It was scrumdiddlylicious! The kids loved it too. I was a bit jealous and selfish because I wanted to eat more! That´s about it for right now, but fill you in more later! Hugs and Kisses!

This weekend was lots of fun!!! Went to Guatemala City and saw Heroes in concert...awesome!! But, itś a dangerous city. There was a bit of an episode, but thankfully we all got back safe and sound, and are back in ES. We went in a microbus full of rockers on a 4 hour ride with no sleep and much anticipation. We ate McDonalds and hung out there for several hours, trying to rest a bit before the big she-bang. It was fun, but cold!!! Such a difference! I had a sweater, but it did little good against the wind. But, much better to be cold than hot...good times!! Good news is that Ramfis shared his pics with me, so now there are a few to share with you!! I think I m a fan now of this group...you should all check ém out...even though its in Spanish!! The stage setting was probably the biggest I've ever seen in an outdoor stadium, with several different lighting tricks and lots of big screens with videos and photos and some really good graphic design pieces...it was great to have that type of a show being so far from the stage. The thing is, they were a group like 10 years back, and they split up. This is their first tour since then, and is their last. So, it was packed and my peeps were especially emotional. I didn't realize how big of rivals ES and GA are, but it was pretty crazy to see the flag running and the fights break out and the guards with paint guns...really crazy. Thank God we were high up and far from the chaos. So, good times and great oldies...Heroes Rocks.

Isn't it amazing how God works? Yesterday I had a full day of one-on-one Spanish classes. My teacher, Angelica, at one point said she heard I tell good stories and wanted me to tell one to show her my conversation skills. I was like, well, what kind of story do you want to hear? So, she wrote Religion and Politics on the board. I said, ooooh, my 2 favorite topics! So, she said, bueno, tell me a story about the religion in your canton. I was like, oh girl, where do I start?!? Well, one story led to another, and eventually, I was giving my full testimony and the saving power of Jesus Christ and how God changed me, and how I went from being religious like the people in my canton, and seeing slavery to religion and tradition in my own country, to being free in Christ and realizing it's not a list of laws and rules, but a life change that gives me new desires to serve and love and a Guide for wise decision making. Well, she said she's Catholic and told me her similiar experience. We were getting so excited to be sharing in the Faith...we were like little school girls. Well, she shared her time of speaking in tongues and how she's never been the same, and then I shared the Peru experience about the girl who was demon-posessed, and then we both talked about God's power and how it's a shame so many "Christians" deny that part of God and say it isn't Biblical. We both were like, hello! We've read it in Acts and in Corinthians!!! :) Anyway, it was a blessing to have that time with her...not only to share, but also to vent to a fellow Salvadoran who understood my frustrations. Good God Times.

I'm at such a strange place right now because I'm doing very well...projects and work are going well, relationships are going well, I'm learning more and more Spanish, I'm learning more and more of my God, etc. But, for some reason, I'm extremely homesick. I always get this way in the Fall. The last years in CA were the same, because I would have this longing to be with my family, have cookouts, go on hayrides, go fishing, go to football games (even though I'm not a fan), carve pumpkins, see the beautiful leaves change, eat lots and lots of food. I don't know., it seems like the fam got together much more in this season. Plus, there's nothing like a Tennessee Autumn. So, I'm attributing this ache to all of that. Plus, I talked to Sheena Monday for a long time, and we laughed and did our usual, and I just miss her and miss sharing stupid SNL sketches with someone or quotes from a movie, or lines from a song. No one gets that here. I've tried explaining it in Spanish, but it just doesn't work. Plus, I'm convinced that our point of humor is distinctly different. I also had a craving the other day to just go to a grocery store and buy some Moose Tracks ice cream and watch a movie....well, that's not a possibility. Plus, sometimes I listen to my i-pod at night before I sleep, but lately it's just been making me sad because most of my music is jazz or blues or rock-a-billy or swingy stuff, so it just makes me want to dance, or remember Lindy Groove, or etc. It almost brings tears to my eyes because I miss dancing so much. So, I'm making a mental list of what I want to do in December. 1. Watch a ton of movies. 2. Eat a hot dog and chips/dip. 3. Eat Moose Tracks ice cream. 4.Go swing dancing. 5. Go Salsa dancing. 6. Go to Pancake house with G-Daddy. 7. Go to Memphis and see some blues. 8. Go to a GOOD coffee shop. 9. Ride the 4-wheeler. 10. Bake and bake and bake Christmas goodies. 11. Play in snow. 12. Eat lots of homemade biscuits (molasses, honey, jam, sausage, whatever else to accompany). 13. Drink lots of sweet tea. 14. Get my back popped. 15. Buy a camera. :) 16. Play the piano. 17. Spend endless hours with my family and friends, laughing, talking, playing, shopping, etc. Love you guys and missing you!

So, the land buying process is finally happening! I´ll be travelling a lot, though. Today I went to Usulutan to try and retrieve the extratada, but I have to go back Friday. Then, tomorrow I go to another city for Spanish exam and classes, and then Wed. to another city for a meeting with the United Nations Agriculture program. Then, it´s a possibility that I´ll be going ot GA (country not state) on Sat. and Sun. with some friends for a 2 day short vacation to see a concert! Crazy, huh??

On Friday, I had my first "arguement" with my host sister. She´s 14, and she was being snappy. So, I told her that she was in a bad mood and was being haughty. You would have thought that I´d told her she was the worst person in the world! She wouldn´t talk to me the whole day, and everytime I looked at her, she´d roll her eyes. Then, I saw her crying to my host cousin Ester, and she came and asked me why I called Ana "brava". I said, well, because that´s how she was acting. Anyway, I went and apologized and hugged her, but she still didn´t talk to me until like 8:30 p.m. when I asked for her help to move the couch. She said no, because she´s still mad at me. I said, still?? Then, she laughed and helped me, and that was that. Teenagers are so strange sometimes, and what´s funny is that I feel like one in my house because there´s just the grandma, the aunt, and the teens and I. I´m telling this story, though, because even though it made me crazy the day of, and it actually really bothered me that she was angry, I realized that I have true family. I mean, that´s what sisters do, right Sheena? We´re so comfy to say what we want, that sometimes we hurt feelings, but we get over it and are right back to comfy again. So, basically, I´m settled in. I like it. I just hope the girls´mood swings don´t get worse!! Yikes!

Also, on Friday I gave a "charla" on Cervix Cancer to about 50 women from the community. It was a great turnout, and I think mainly because of the refreshments! We had popcorn, cookies, and ice tea. I ended feeling satisfied because I could see the looks of shock and concern on their faces after the info. was presented. Then, several asked where they could schedule gynocological visits. That was super exciting! Little by little, I think progress, education, and change are definitely attainable!

I started out this morning in a hurry because last night, I didn´t see one of the pieces of clothing hanging on the line, so I accidentally left it for the storm to play with. This morning, there was my black skirt, covered in mud and leaves...an unexpected surprise! I had planned my morning to be able to drink coffee and have some pan dulce before heading off to Nueva Granada, but I washed instead. So, I hurried off to wait infront of the school, in desperate need of my ¨daily drug¨where a pick-up truck passes every morning to haul in the teachers. It´s the other mode of transportation if we miss the bus that comes by at 6 am. Since my meeting was scheduled for 8, I decided to go in the car at 7:15. But, the car broke down and didn´t come until 7:40. Not a big deal, though...I´m getting more and more Salvadoran everyday when it comes to time. So, we rode the 45 minutes on our rocky, dirt (or should I say mud now that we´re in winter) road standing in the back of our red pick-up, hair blowing in the cool wind (a beautiful thing...lovin´me some winter weather), trying not to step on the person next to me or touch their butt or anything, and chatting about the man who died from drinking poison. I finally got to NG at 9 am, but it was fine. The mayor didn´t seem to mind, and we joked for a while before getting to the topic. He´s nice, and I finally got me some coffee! 2 cups to be exact :) He even shared some of his sweet bread. We have this huge project where we´re trying to get the members of the community to change their d.u.i.s to be registered with NG because that´s the territorial district we belong to. By doing this, it will be easier to receive funding and projects from the local government. It´s successful. The Mayor´s office is going to fix our road (YEH!!!) starting next week, and also will probably buy some land we need to solicit for the health clinic. I think he´s going to give us a ¨casa comunal¨also. So, I was excited by our visit, as always because it gives me hope that something´s going to happen, and soon! Also, chatted on the phone with the UN´s rep that I adore, and figured out what to do about some projects gone rye under their reign. So, it´s been a productive day. After all of that, I figured since I´m already out and about, I might as well head on over to Santiago to check my e-mail, buy some pan dulce, and see what all my peeps have sent me in the post office! I love pueblo days! So, I´m sipping on some coffee waiting on the P.O. to open after their long 2 hour lunch hour, and thinking of all of my loved ones that I miss in the States. December can´t come soon enough!!

This week I learned how to make corn tamales...they´re yummmmmmy! The fam made chicken tamales also, but still confused on how it´s done. Maybe next entry. If you want recipes of some yummy campo food, just ask!

Many of you have asked me how I´m living and who I live with and all of that. I thought I already said, but so you know, I live with a little old lady who´s very spunky, Ester, and her grandaughter Ana, who´s 14. I love them both very much. I have my own room with a bed and hammock and closet thingy. Our living room has a couch and 2 hammocks, and a TV...go figure. We don´t have a kitchen, but the house directly next to us does, and I´m constantly in and out of both houses. My house is bloque, but the other is adobe. We share everything, since we´re all family anyway. I usually just eat red beans and tortilla, and some Salvadoran cheese or I fry an egg or something. But, right now it´s winter season, so we get some veggies and also lots of corn!! I love it! There are corn tamales, corn tortas, corn on the cob, corn soup, etc. We eat rice sometimes too. Pan Dulce´s the best ever!!! And, yes, I´m still an addict to coffee. Pupusas when I go to the pueblo are a must...they´re a savory Salvadoran delicacy (not really, theý´re everywhere) that everyone must try at some point in their lives. I crave them sometimes; they´re like my new hamburger!!

So, life´s been really really good, and lots of surprises have come my way. Work´s been sensational, meaning that I feel like I have lots of it to do, and that it´s coming together well. Personally, I´ve met someone that´s great, and am thoroughly enjoying his company when I´m able. But, he lives in the capitol, and well, I don´t. But, it´s very new and very ¨chivo¨. This weekend, we went salsa dancing and to dinner, and it was crazy, because we had my camera out on the dance floor, and from goofing around a bit much (just my style, right?), we lost the camera, and someone must have stolen it. So, in the course of 2 days, I lost my phone and my camera. Therefore, more pics on my site will be delayed for a while, but eventually I´ll get a new one and keep filling you in on the ever-increasingly adventurous life of a Peace Corps Volunteer!

I ¨don¨this blog entry as The Poop Chapter.

1. Hilarious story about my cell phone...I usually don´t ever use a latrine because I just go in the monte, but on Friday, I was like, hmmm, think I´ll use the latrine up at my uncle´s house. Well, I had my cell in my back pocket of my bluejean skirt, and I guess that as I took it off, the cell phone fell into the latrine pit!! It was so gross! So, Tio Mardoqueo, after about an hour of trying to get it out with sticks and string, and me holding the flashlight so he could see, finally retrieved the once-white phone, now-brown-phone from the dark abyss. I had to go clean it, and while I was cleaning, our mayor came to my house looking for me (I had poo on my shirt and my hands!). Can you imagine? Then, my phone ended up dying anyway. So, had to buy a new one, but that´s a huge crazy soap opera story too.
2. My little bundle of joy, the new baby boy of my ¨aunt¨Marina, gave me a gift of love as well. He´s now 2 months, and I go over to hold him all the time. Not only does it give Marina some time to do things, but also I love it! Anyway, one day he peed on me (not strange, since he never wears diapers...too expensive), and the following day, I went to pick him up and felt something nice and warm. I thought, oh, he peed again...until Marina said Oh Ginger, look at your hand!! So, I looked, and my hand as well as my beige skirt, were painted bright yellow. Fun stuff, I gotta say. Edward just looked up, laughing, like he knew that he´d made a funny. He´s so cute!

3. Following the poo theme, we are finally getting a Latrine Project in our site!!! I´m so excited, and the Mayor has worked really well with us on this, as well as amazing friends and family in Greenfield, TN! We´ll start the project in November, but the announcement´s been made, and they are currently signing up for the labor and the project. I´m gonna get to go in my own back yard, but in an outhouse!! Yeh!