7.28.08 Can it get any hotter?

Seriously…when I came to site in May and was dying of heat everyone kept telling me ‘’Oh Andrea, no se preocupe…ya va a bajar la temperatura’’

LIES…I tell you…its almost August and it is perhaps hotter now than it was in May. Ugh. I’ve come to the conclusion that it is going to be this way the entire year (except maybe December and January) so I might as well just get used to it. I really need to go shopping for new clothes because my jeans and collared shirts aren’t really cutting it.

Donations happily accepted. J

Hummm…what else? Work is going well…definitely been having my fair share of frustrations but then again, Peace Corps is supposed to be the ‘’toughest job you’ll ever love’’ or something like that and I can definitely attest to it. I am frantically trying to finish a grant to solicit funds for an Exposida we are planning for September. (An Exposida is like an HIV fair where there are educational games, food for sale, HIV related art and poems, etc.) I am really looking forward to it, I think its going to be a great event, I am just a little worried about getting the funds on time and everything. We’ll see…I am working with La Red (the youth group) to train them to be the leaders of the educational games and activities.

I went to Valle de Angeles for a workshop on the Abstinence initiative last week which was very interesting. Normally, I am pretty against abstinence education but this program, which is called Yo Merezco (literally, I deserve) is designed for girls only between the ages of 10-14. It focuses on more than just abstinence; there are chapters on self-esteem, anatomy, domestic violence and much more. I think it is a great program to implement in such a machista country, it helps empower young girls to realize they do have the right to make decisions and say no until they are ready to be sexually active. I am looking forward to implementing the class with 6th grade at the girl’s school.

Also, I have a visitor this week…his name is Nathan. He just finished a 10 week study abroad program through Purdue University (where he studies in the States) at the agricultural school outside of Tegus. The last week included an option to spend a week with a PCV so my boss asked me if it was okay if he came with me. He is staying at my host family’s house and they love him. I feel bad because there is a strike this week so my work at the schools has been cancelled. But hopefully he is getting an idea of what the ‘real’ PC experience is like.

In other exciting news…I finally moved into my house a few weeks ago…it’s magnificent but also a lot of work. There is all the sweeping and washing clothes and cleaning and finding someone to cut my lawn and getting my lights turned off (long story) etc. etc. But overall I love it and wouldn’t trade it for anything. I went and retrieved my puppy on Sunday. Her name is Miel…she is the offspring of Reina’s dog. She is only 7 months old and is absolutely adorable...but she is being a bit of a pain in the ass right now…won’t eat her dog food…cries when I leave the house…etc. I know it is going to take some time for her to get adjusted to being at with me so I understand.

Well I hope that is a good enough update for now…I promise to post pics of my house soon…or you guys could just come visit and see it in person. ;)

7.1.08 July?

Another month has passed and suddenly, we are half way through 2008. How on earth did that happen? Sometimes it seems like just yesterday I was celebrating NYE with Paul at Downtown Disney, but other times it seems like staging in DC was a million years ago. How strange…

With each passing day, my English seems to be getting worse and worse so I apologize if this as well as future blogs are confusing and make no sense. Maybe I should start writing these in Spanish…

Given my linguistic difficulties, I believe I shall provide a brief list of current highlights:

• Stomach is a-ok…even after consuming lots of straight from the cow milk (which is delicious I must say) and huevo de toro (yes, that would be bull testicle.) Cultural experience right? :)
• The fundraiser for the Nutritional Center was a smashing success, I sold my tasty cookies and got totally sunburnt while trekking around town asking for money. We raised almost 80,000 limperas which is awesome.
• Attended a gringo get-together in Yorito, hosted by the 2 volunteers that live there. Got to meet the rest of the PCV’s in my department and eat pollo y tajadas. Yummy.
• Work is insanely busy as usual…I gave HIV charlas to 7^th, 8^th, and 9^th grade in San Jose, an aldea 30 minutes outside of Negrito. It was a lot of fun and I can’t wait to go back
• Also work related…I started giving health charlas to 5^th and 6^th grade at the girls school which is more the fulfilling, the girls are absolutely adorable.
• I was a judge at the lip-syncing festival last Friday which, of course, was so fun. The 11 participants were from different schools in the area and all were decked out in costumes and had some pretty sweet dance moves.
• I am moving into my house this week, just in time for the beginning of the feria, which from what I have heard, is the best in the department. Woohoo!

Pictures as requested...

Top to bottom

1. Me and Reina

2. My kids at the bilingual school

3. The beach in Tela

4. Me and my friend Lidis at the beach

5. Me in all my glory, giving a chara

6 & 7 . The Rodeo in Morazan

8. My puppy, Miel

Details to come!

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6.16.08 Parasites Attack

Yesterday was definitely the worst day I have had in country by far.

My weekend started out really good…Friday night I gave a 2 hour HIV charla to a class of students of various ages that are studying to complete 6th grade. They have recess during July but in August I am going to go give them weekly health talks which I am excited about. They are a lot of fun. The education promoter for the classes, Sayda, is a friend of mine and we sat outside of her house just chatting afterwards which was the perfect way to unwind after a crazy week.

I slept in on Saturday and then spent the morning baking a cake for Reina’s birthday as well as completely cleaning my room. I took Reina her cake and a pineapple in the afternoon and got invited to a wedding reception with the rest of her family. I ran home and changed and we all headed to the reception, ate good food and danced. Then some of us headed to the fiesta at El Club, which was in full force. I saw a lot of people that I know…I felt like such a part of the town. I danced a lot and drank a few beers, had a really great time over all. And then the terror came…

At six in the morning on Sunday, I woke up with the most excruciating stomach pain I have ever felt. I couldn’t breathe; I was in so much pain. I staggered to my bathroom in attempt to vomit or something, anything really, but to no avail. I spent the next 20 minutes lying on my bathroom floor, sweating and literally feeling like I was going to die. I managed to crawl over to my phone and called my sitemate Emelina. She rushed over and my family called our doctor, who also happens to be my host mom’s son.

After throwing up and some meds from the doctor, I felt a little better. I spent the rest of the day sleeping, feeling nauseous and being generally miserable. Dr. Julio gave me antibiotics, stating he was fairly sure that I had parasites (after just having amoebas 2 weeks ago…yay) I got about 12 hours of sleep last night and woke up this morning feeling much better. I ate some tortillas and cheese a few hours ago and have managed to keep that down which is definitely a good sign.

I have to say…despite this being a terrible past 24 hours, I feel very well taken care of. My entire family has stopped in to check on me, bring me something to drink, etc. Dr. Julio has come back 4 times after his initial visit to see me (talk about good healthcare.) Emelina spent a good portion of the day with me and I’ve received several phone calls from Hondurans after finding out that I was ill.

So even thousands of miles away…I have still managed to find a place to call home :)

6.6.08 Chaos...begin now!

In a matter of one week (but really, more like one specific hour) my life here went from ‘I have enough work to feel busy and fulfilled but also time to relax’ to ‘OMG, how the heck am I going to do all that!’

Granted, most of you know that I thrive on being busy and an element of chaos in my life…but it sort of came as a surprise to me. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed, but mostly excited about the next few months…I am going to recount how this realization came about.

I went to Progreso yesterday with a group of about 15 or so Hondurans, for a workshop on the Special Law for People living with HIV-AIDS that they have here. I had learned about the law during training but it was nonetheless an interesting and informative workshop. I got to share my experiences and thoughts with others as well as listen and learn…plus I got to go swimming which is always a plus! At the close of the workshop earlier today, we got together in groups based on our communities to talk about our plans in terms of HIV education etc.

Sidenote: When I first got to site, I met with the HIV promoter from Morazan who have me a copy of an Excel spreadsheet that has all the HIV education and prevention activities that were happening for basically the whole year…focusing more on the upcoming months. He said whatever I wanted to get involved in, let him know.

Well today when those of us from El Negrito sit down to talk about the plan…guess what? NONE of the activities have been executed. The plan was made in February…its now JUNE. I make a funny face, not really understanding but a bit excited at the potential to assist and support the committee. Then I ask who exactly is capacitated to teach HIV education in Negrito…which is when they all turn, look at me, and say…’well, you right?’

I quickly begin scanning the Excel spreadsheet, trying to wrap my head around the fact that I have now been named responsible for carrying out all the events on the calendar. I suddenly felt faint and imagine that my already pale skin looked even whiter than normal. I took a deep breather and remembered why I joined the Peace Corps, smiled and replied that I would love to get involved and help in whatever way I can. We have a meeting planned for Tuesday with all the community leaders to make a new calendar.

So this is on top of me assisting with monitoring and weighing children under 5 in –all- the barrios of El Negrito, teaching health classes at the Girls School, planning the fundraiser for the Nutritional Center and helping the library get on its feet.

Grant me serenity…

5.24.08 Body Issues Part II…but I heart frijoles

I was feeling pretty excited, and quite frankly a bit of pride at the fact that I had not had any serious stomach issues since arriving in country. Especially considering the ill fate of some of my fellow PCV’s and my willingness to eat pretty much anything here. That luck ran out about 2 weeks ago.

I won’t go into the gory details but lets just say many days passed without anything ‘solid’ and an awful lot of ‘knives in my gut’ stomach pains. It was shitty [pun intended, sorry Mom!] I talked to the Doctor at the health center and she informed me that I had amoebas crawling around in my stomach. She gave me some pills and things have been calm every since…-knocks on wood-

Surprisingly, my body is pretty happy. Fungus, bug bites and diarrhea are all at bay for the moment. Let’s hope it stays that way!

Somehow the weekend managed to creep up on me again. This must be a sign that time is going by quickly here. It reminds me that I must absorb and appreciate every moment that I have here because I am sure that with a blink of my eyes, these 2 years are going to be over, sadly. There are many mornings still where I wake up and think to myself ‘Wow…I am living in Honduras as a PCV…’ almost like it’s a dream.

Things are macanudo as always…this week was filled with finishing the vaccine campaign [yay!], playing with the kids at the Nutritional Center, seeing my future house [one word: amazing!], and a visit from my project manager, Helmuth. It was good for him to see me in my environment and he had great things to say about me integrating and the work I am doing.

I got to catch up with Joel last night which was awesome. Today I learned how to cook beans Honduran style and ate delicious baleadas with guacamole for dinner. Yes, be jealous because that’s right, my life rocks. =)

5.16.08 Friday Already?!?!

Peace Corps seems to spend a decent amount of time reminding all the future volunteers how difficult it is when you first get to site. They talk about how you need to be patient and integrate into your community and that things will probably be pretty slow and quite possibly boring at first. You need to just stick it out and realize that it takes time to integrate and get projects started. I had mentally prepared myself to spend a lot of time reading, journaling and integrating.

Well maybe it’s a fluke, but I have been so busy these past 2 weeks. The days have gone by so fast, I can’t believe that it is Friday. A run down of the week included:

-A trip to the Bilingual school and the Nutritional Center on Tuesday. I got to help teach kids English in the morning and then play with babies in the afternoon. It was a wonderful day. (Since when do I love kids so much? Creepy!) By the time I left the school in the morning, all the kids were yelling my name and giving me hugs. And I absolutely fell in love with one of the boys at the Nutritional Center, I call him mi principe. It was definitely my favorite day this week.

-I spent Wednesday morning in the back of a pick up truck as we climbed up into the mountains to the village of La Laguna to vaccinate kids. I also ate the –most delicious- eggs, beans, rice and tortillas ever. Every day I am amazed at the hospitality of the people here, it is so beautiful. Then we went to Las Minitas to relax in the water. I got in for free because I went there so much last week. That –is- a good thing, right? Haha. I also ate a total of 9 tortillas that day. A new record for me.

-Thursday I was at WorldVision all day helping the librarian, Wilda. I translated some suggestions about how to start and run a library for her. And then I started on an inventory of the books. She is the sweetest woman I have ever met and I am so blessed to call her not only my co-worker, but also my friend. We are supposed to plan some charlas for the beauty school in town. I want to take her with me to the Abstinence Workshop we have in June. Then last night I had a meeting with the committee that is planning the marathon (fundraiser) for the nutritional center, which is going to be June 22nd. I am really excited to be a part of the planning, it makes me feel like I am really helping. I also made friends with some more locals, which is always awesome.

-That all brings me to today, where somehow it is already noon (I actually got to sleep in today, it was wonderful.) I am going to do some yoga, go eat lunch at my favorite comedor, stop by and Internet, and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing in the hammock. I think I deserve it. :)