Hello all! Happy Halloween! Can you believe it’s almost November already! I can’t! Anyways I thought I would give you all a few updates on life here in the Sauce. All is good and well here. The rainy season just ended last week (thank goodness, tooo much mold everywhere) and I don’t think it rained as much as it did last year. Or maybe I am just used to it the second time around, I don’t know.. but its done and now the best months are here! November through January are beautiful, not as hot with a breeze most of the time. It reminds me of those first days of summer in when the school year is ending and everyone wants to go outside and play. Maybe I feel that way now as well because the school year is about to end here. There is school through the end of November,

other groups There were all kinds of products: vases with flowers, cards made of recycled paper, gift bags, wooden toys, car wash, key chains, crocheted bags and other items, purses, shirts, baby blankets, and more. but basically I am just giving exams and finishing up a few things. Most of my work is done. The school year has been long, but I am pretty happy with the results of my work. In September I organized a big event for my classes. Throughout the year, my students formgroups and basically created their own business. They did market study, did all their finances, made a marketing plan, break even point, and all that. Also, they actually produced their products or services and were supposed to sell them. They also wrote a business plan and presented them to a panel of judges, which is the event I planned. Let me say that this is a huge project for these students and have never done anything like this before nor had the spoken in public. So I made every group from 4 high schools make 5 minute presentations on a microphone. They were so nervous, but they all pulled through and did a good job. I was so proud! Haha… they are like my babies here… I have been teaching them for a year and a half and at this event all the work finally came together.

First Place

Secnd place car wash In October, the winners of this competition went to de Department capital of Leon to compete against all the municipalities. I took 3 groups from El Sauce, they were so into it and did an awesome job, and unfortunately they did win there, although one group won best presentation. Their little faces were so sad, I think I was more disappointed than them, but I think they enjoyed the whole process and event. That day was long and crazy. On the way to leon, my students kept vomiting on the bus because the road is so horrible with the rains and they don’t travel much, then on the way back, a river overflowed over the bridge and we waited 2 hours to be able to pass! Oh, and it was raining the whole time and we were 17 people in a 13 person mini van… and my students were blasting music and dancing around… haha.. teenagers! I was the same… anyways, regardless of these little issues, the day was a success. Well, for now I am just finishing up school and working on a few other projects. During the break I am going to focus on a group of tour guides my friends and I are training for future tourist projects in El Sauce. We teach them English and other tour guide info… In December my sister is coming and I can’t wait! Then in February I am going home for Maryann and Alejandro’s wedding, which I am also super pumped about. I have already planned most of my days (which are Feb 14- 25th for those who are interested) hope fully I will get to see all of you then. Hopefully, hopefully, my boyfriend is coming too, but he has to get a visa ad that is not that easy.. so cross our fingers! His appointment is in December. After that, I just have 4 more months of Peace Corps… I finish early July… amazing huh? It went by fast… I can already say though, that this is the best and the hardest thing I have ever decided to do, and I am glad I am doing it. After Peace Corps, I don’t know what I will do, but I might hang out here for a little longer… Among other things, I gave away my dog L. It was a hard decision, but I think it’s for the best. The poor thing as along a lot, and I leave a lot weekends and he was so lonely I think. Anyways, Carlos’s family in Leon had just lost a dog, so I offered it to them. It’s a big family of 8 and I think it’s a better situacion for Max. And I can go visit anytime and I know he will be well taken care of. So I had to say goodbye to Max, and the house feels a little empty. I was already thinking of getting a cat, they can take care of themselves better. I still have a bunny though! Well that is all for now. Have a Happy Thanksgiving and I will write you all before Xmas. Un besos muy muy grande and I miss you all so much! Irene p.s. I just watched the sarah palin interview on youtube.. ?!??!!?#@%#@ what was that? Ha.

Dear Family and Friends,

This is a very very overdue email from me, but it is finally here! The last few months have gone by very quickly and have been very busy. Overall, all is well and life is good in El Sauce.

Lets see, where to begin…. In May I had my first visitors here in Nicaragua, Stacy and Jessica came just for a few days, but it was great to see someone from home. We made a crazy trip around the country in just 3 days… anyways, I think they had a good time.

After Stacy and Jess left, my parents came to visit just a couple weeks later. They were here for 10 days… and they were very hot days. They did a great job considering everything.. they were troopers. Even when the police kept stopping my dad on the road, but don’t worry, its no big deal, happens all the time here. They spent most of their time here in Sauce visiting my schools and meeting some friends, all that good stuff.

Then, a few weeks after my parents left I have another group of visitors! A bunch of my friends from college came for about 2 weeks and it was wonderful! We rented a car and spent time on the beach in a nice beach house and then traveled around the country a bit. It was so nice to see everyone and find out how everyone’s lives are going. I am thinking there should be a friend’s reunion every year in Nicaragua…

Since then I have been very busy with work stuff. The class I teach with other teachers at the local high school, La Empresa Creativa, is going pretty well. Last week I help plan an event for 150 people at a local high school. Throughout the year, the students in my class have developed their own small businesses. They have gone through all the steps in the development of their idea, from thinking of a new creative and innovative idea, doing a market study, organizing their finances, and actually producing their product, writing their own business plan, etc. Last week I have 20 students groups present their plans in front of a panal of judges. It was a great competition and I was very proud of my students. It was also one of the most stressful things I have ever done.. planning an event in Nicaragua is not as easy as it sounds. Anyways, the winning groups go on to compete in Leon, and they are very excited. Hopefully, I will post some pictures of the competition soon.

I presented the winning groups their certificate on Sept 15, which it’s the national Independence Day here in Nicaragua and most of Latin America. It is quite an event. The school bands and dance teams perform at the local stadium and pretty much the entire town shows up to watch. Its kinda like the band and dance team at a high school football game, only Nica style. Anyways, everyone loves it and likes to celebrate the national holiday. It also means there is vacation for most of the week. J so I am relaxing, visiting people around town, and cleaning the house (which is never clean, no matter how much I try)

Now I only have a couple months left until the school year is over. Also, the rainy season is in full swing and I am hoping there will not be any evacuations. I also seriously hope that The president here does not follow the footsteps of the president of Bolivia (kicked out the US ambassador and PC volunteers had to leave), because I am not ready to leave yet. I have about 10 months left in Peace Corps and I would like to finish my time here. After Peace Corps, I still don’t know what I will do, but whatever it is, I am sure it will but another crazy idea of mine J I will keep everyone in suspense.

While I am not teaching, hosting friends and family, and planning events, I have also been working on other projects around town. I have been helping with various tourist projects around town. I am helping in the training of a group of tour guides, helping in a business plan competition to win $10,000 for a local community, teaching computer classes, teaching english here and there, and helping with other projects. Its all going pretty well.

I will not be coming home for Christmas this year, unless of course some wants to throw some frequent flyer miles my way, but I will be home in February for the wonderful fabulous wedding of my cousin Maryann and Alejandro… can’t wait! Anyways, until then, I will be just hanging out and working here…

I hope everyone is doing well and enjoyed the hot summer months. I would love to hear how you are all doing!

Besos! Irene

Believe it or not, I have been here for a year... i am more on the not believing it side... time has gone by very quickly. Its hard for me even to remember how i felt when I came, really I had no idea what I was getting myself into or what Nicaragua was like. Lucky for me, I was sent to a great country with some great people.

So what have I been up to these days?? mainly just working and waiting for the next couple months when I will be receiving alot of visitors! In march, for holy week, there ws vacation at the schools, so I also took a little vacation. I went the island of Ometepe, which is so beautiful! It is an island in the middle of the lake of nicaragua. It is formed by 2 volcanoes. There are quite a few people that live on the island.. it isnt that small. So, I spent some time on the beach and all, but my big accomplishment ws climbing the volcano Maderas. yup, i climbed a volcano! It only took us 10 hours... haha... normally it takes about 6 or 7, but lets face it... I am not that "active" so i had to take alot of breaks. There was even a point when there were almost tears because since i was always looking at the ground, i kept running into branches that reached across the path, hitting my head, hard. haha... i was not happy then but at that point i was 3 hours up and i couldnt turn back then. anyways, at the top of the crater there is a lagoon and its very beautiful. sooo.. that was my trip to Ometepe.

Since then I have been back in Sauce and working. Teaching is going ok. I get very frustrated because the schools cancel class ALOT and its hard to keep my class on track. There is a certain information I have to cover for my students to be able to participate in activities at the end of the school year... but when they cancel my class week after week, I dont get anywhere... and the rainy season hasnt even started... thats when things really get crazy. One of the reasons they cancelled class last week was because there was no water. Ya, no water came to my house from monday to friday... 5 days! the power was out, and no power= no water. it was not good, let me tell you. I was going to peoples houses asking to shower. I would ration a bottle of water for the day... I was not a happy person by friday. but thankfully the water returned and all is well now. Life is pretty boring when there is no power. I would sit in my chair with my 5 yr old neighbor and my music listening to totally inappropriate reggaeton songs and realized the little boy knows every single word. It was pretty hilarious/unbelievable.

I am also helping out with a few other projects in town. I am trying to get a computer for one of my schools. I am helping a women´s group with a sewing project. I am also helping a rural community get a tourism project started. So thats what I do in my free time as well. So i am pretty busy.

What else... what else... my dog is ok. he is a handful and destroys my stuff, but he is a cutie. I have learned to cook alot! its my new hobby, I also sew... i never realized I was so domestic.. I am so becoming my mother. ha. My new favorite dancing is bachata. and thats about all for now..

oh! my bike was stolen in february.. but it has been found! this was very exciting!

ok.. i got to go.. but I hope all is well and you are all enjoying the spring time (I am so jealous... its like 100 degrees here, i forgot to mention i also spend my time sweating and sitting in front of my fan. )

hundreds of people rolled into Sauce on these ox pulled wagons for the fiestas patronales. they travelled days to get there and lived in them for a few more to pray to the señor de esquipulas

my students!

Leon and the Volcano Momotombo

my boyfriend´s artwork sale during the fiestas patronales

my neighbor dressed as a taquito

me and the whole department of LEon at sunset, sorry its sideways!

Hello all!

Well its already mid february, time is flying! I am just 2 months away from being in Nicaragua a year... I can´t believe it!

Well the new school year started a few weeks ago. I am now teaching at 4 schools- the local public school, a catholic school, an evangelical school, and a local tecnical school. A little bit of everything. Total its about 140 kids about 15 yrs old. The course I teach is call La Empresa Creative, the creative enterprise. The students learn to create and manage their own businesses throught the course of the year. They seems to be into the class, since it is new and different and also very practical. So far things are pretty good and class is going well.

I got a dog last month! His name is Max and he is mostly a cocker spaniel. He is a cutie, but a handful sometimes. it is nice to have company at the house though, even though he chews up all my stuff! here is the little guy...

Hi everyone! Feliz Año Nuevo!! I hope you all had a great new year! it was so good to see everyone one for christmas. I have been back in Nicaragua for a week and home sees like a dream really. it was a nice little break from life here, but it was also good to come back. For new years I hung out in my town, went to the dance place and danced a little. Then at midnight I went out side to watch alot of very illegal fireworks (in caifornia) on th street. also, its tradition to make people, kinda, like stuff clothes with newspaper and fireworks, make a head, a puppet kinda, and then burn it. on the street. along side fireworks, including a few big disneyland style ones.. gotta love it here! anyways, it was fun..

This month is the fiestas patronales at my site, the city holiday honoring the very famous black christ at my site. I quickly learned that my street is sold off by meter to sellers from out of town. They make these little shacks with wood and plastic and sell their goods, clothes, shoes, cds, dvds, food, artesain items, basically everything. They also sleep there and apparently blast their music. I hear it gets loud and crazy! so I thought, hey if you cant bet them, join them! so I bought my space in front of my house and my boyfriend is going to try to sell his charcoal drawings! we will see how that goes! the fiestas start in a few weeks...

Other than that I have been trying to start working again... I am doing a project with a local microfinance intitution that is very time consuming, but good because i get to talk to many local businesses and get the inside scoop. School starts in month or so and then things will get busy i am sure...

well thats pretty much all that has happened this week... I will try to write more often this year! happy new year! besos!

Irene

This is my bedroom... the wall looks gross becasue it is wet still from all the rain..

This is my bunny! his name is antonio...

These are some friends of mine dressed up for nica halloween.. i am all the way on the right.

That is my and my friend Carlos on halloween..., like my mask??

This is a pretty swimming spot near my house. I went swimming here with my students recently.

This is Franklin, the 5 yr old boy how lives next door to me. I have basically adopted him, he is obsessed with me.... his family tells me he is in love with me... he is cute, but a handful, and dont even want to start listing all the things he has broken...

This my living room! its very big and roomy. That white plastic chair is the ONLY one i have.

This is my kitchen... I cook alot and am learning alot about cooking. its fun....

This is a Nica Halloween called aguicotes.... I am on the left...

These are some of my students...

This is my house from the outside...

Hey everyone!!!

Sorry for not writing for so long! I acutally had another blog written, but that has been completely scratched for more recent, more interesting events. I am in Loen, the department capital for the next couple days because I have been evacuated from my site. It has been raining non stop all week, and PC decided it was best to leave out sites. Most volunteers would have been fine, but I am glad I left when I did because as of right now I would be trapped in my site. The rivers have overflowed, there is flooding and landsides in the neigboring nearby communities. Its really horrible, and came out of nowhere. These people probably have no access to food and water, most are stuggling to get out. When the hurricane hit, everyone knew and was a little prepared, but this kinda came out of nowhere. What I thought was an afternoon shower turned into 5 day event and going. I am completely safe, no worries, I am in a nice hotel in the city and enjoying many commodities. Its a little hard to accept the minute something goes wrong, I just hope on a bus to safety while everyone from my community just has to deal with it. Meanwhile, I have great food and hot showers. Don´t get me wrong, I really appreciate the safety percaucions PC takes, just wish it wasnt this way.

Besides this sudden turn of events, everything is great. I am just working, finishing up the school year, enjoying life here, and looking forward to my Xmas visit to the states! see you all then! Besos!!

Irene

So, today i was picking out some clothes, and i saw a couple of little critters crawling on my jeans, and i thought to myself, "are those ants in my pants?" and then I thought, " did i really just use that phrase in real life?" yes, yes i did....

well, first of all, i am sorry for not writing... i dont know what happened, the weeks are just flying by. second of all, thansk to everyone who emailed me about the hurricane... I was just fine, just a night of heavy rain.. but it rains here everyday anyways so it wasnt a big deal.

soooo, I have been at my site for about 2 months, and everything is going great. The teaching is moving along s-l-o-w-l-y but its going. Class get cancelled for one thing or another and somtimes I feel like I am not advancing, but i am. This week there was alot of drama at one of my schools becuase they fired the principal, i think for political reason, and the kids went on strike, and have been marching around town in protest, they even threw tomatoes and eggs at the school superintendent (i think thats what i would call her position). anyways, school has been cancelled all week, the kids refuse to go to class, and I have had alot of free mornings.

But that has been ok, becuase I moved into my own place last sunday, so I have been busy trying to organize my house and get used to living on my own. So far so good. I have a little place with a big living room, a bedroom, a little kitchen area, and outside I have a bathroom and a big patio with a mango tree ( I am very excited about that) and a lemon tree. Its nice to have a little more freedom. I have great neighbors who are very friendly. I feeling pretty good about my house right now.

hmmm, what else? basically I spend my days teaching, hanging out at the schools, or chatting with random people, which is fun and I am meeting different people in the community. I sometimes make trips to the dept. capital to get some stuff I need or eat some familiar food ( i had hummus anf pita bread yesterday, it was very exciting). Also, I get to read alot, which is great and I feel like I can finally read all these books that at home I never do and always put off.

Well, thats all for now. everything is going well and I hope for you too. Summer is ending in the US... what is everyone up to? I can´t believe its already sept. Maybe you will see me during the holiday.. unless of course you come to visit me here!!

This is the river that formed on my street when it rained... I refer to it as the rio de chocolate.

me and my training group

Me and my host sister. This is my host brother and hos mom from training. This was the day of my swearing in ceremony when i offically became a volunteer. They were a great family!

Thisis 32 lbs of frijoles (beans) that my host family cooked and sold every day in my training town! YUMM! haha

This is the Volcano Masaya and the MAsaya lake... very beautiful, but you cant swim there because is contaminated.

This is my entire business group on our first day on Nicaragua.. I cant believe 3 months have passed!

Hello everyone!!

So I am in my final week of training, only a few more days with my host family, then a few in Managua, then I am off to my site for a two year adventure! I can´t believe training is almost over! Don´t get me wrong, it was LONG and very exhausting and a ton of information, but I also got used to my training site, my family, and new friends, so its hard to leave. But I am excited to actually start my service and I can always come and visit.

So, I spent three days at my site this week to check things out, see the schools I will be working at, and get a feel of the place. First off, my site seems close, but no, oh no, the road there is underconstruction and its takes a while to get there. Lets just say that on my way, there was only one lane, and both sides of traffic tried to go on it. When the traffic met head to head, my bus driver gets out and has a juice. ha. meanwhile, all the ladies on my bus start freaking out, and one decides she is going to start walking to the capital city (we picked her up a little later). Anyways, I got a feeling how travelling to my site may or may not turn out to be.

anyways, my site is really nice. Its a smaller town, everyone knows everyone, and you can walk everywhere. Only the center of town is paved, and the electricity and water go out for alot of the day. Ya that is no fun, but you deal, and it really isnt that bad if you plan in advance. The town has alot going on, with different organizations, NGOs, sports leagues etc. I havent even looked at side projects yet because I am going to be teaching at 3 schools and that is already overwhelming by itself. Anyways, it seems like a great site and it definately has that element of small town Nicaragua that I havent really felt in the city during training. Oh, and since its small, its really safe (I know alot of you are worried about my safety, even though I say Nicaragua is a reletively safe country for the region, i know you worry..)

anyways, my time is almost up, so I have to wrap things up. Hope all is well and I would love to hear from everyone! Thanks for the personal emails, I dont get to use the internet that much so its hard to write everyone back, but I will soon. besos para todos!!

Here i am in Chontales. Its cowboy country in Nicaragua. I went for a weekend, it was really beautiful! very green.

Here I am with some Nica friends on a weekend here in my training town. The weekends are pretty fun here, sometimes we go dancing, or we just hang out at a local bar

This is Contales again, as you can see, its really beautiful!

These are two of my PC friends, Kari and Georgina, they live in the same training town as me. I am gonna miss them once we seperate next week!

Here is my PC friend again, Georgina, she is from cali too! And that is my host brother Olinto, he is fun!

sooo, sorry for the long delay in writing something on this blog. The weeks have been flying by! I just have a few more weeks of training and then I am off to my new site! I found out yesterday! It is a medium size town in the department of Leon. Its "far" in Nica standards, but in my opinion, nothing is THAT far. Basically, to get from my site to Managua is like going to San Diego from home, and there is the departmental city of Leon even closer. And, I will hardly be going to Managua anyways.

anyways, its seems like a cool site, and I am really happy with it. The Nicas do not have the most positive reaction to it, they say things like "ehhhh" or "oh no, hace calor! (its hot!) " or "uuummm, ok". I take their reaction lightly because honestly, if its not my training town, it will never be up to par, and thats ok, because my training town really is pretty great. It will be sad to go. Anyways, back to my site. Its the first time a business volunteer will go there, so that is exciting to start somewhere new, however, there have been lots of volunteers from another sector (environmental education) so PC isnt a foreign concept. I will be teaching in 3 schools on the business course, teaching english, work with various microfinance groups, and maybe working with a honey coopertive. I am excited. Sounds like alot, but I am sure it will all fall into place.

Today I am meeting my counterparts, the teachers and school directors I will be working with, and getting to know more about my site! I am a little nervous, but ready to start working at my site. Next week I will go to my site for a few days before I offically move there at the end of July.

Hmmm what else?? Well, everything is great... just used to my regular training lifestyle here. I went to Chontales this past weekend and it was really beautiful. Its cowboy country here in Nicaragua. It reminded me a little of where my mom is in Spain, it was green and mountainous, and there was lots of cows and cow excrement. haha. hey, its true! anyways, It was a nice little weekend trip.

Hola Hola! Como estan??

So, hey! How is life for everyone?? I am doing pretty good, I can’t believe I left over a month ago! Time felt like it was going very slowly the first week, but now its flying by… I think that is how I will feel by the end of my service... that time really flew by. Anyways, I thought I would talk a little about my actually work here, just so you guys have a better idea of what I am actually doing here, not just sitting in hammocks drinking frescos (yummy juices). Anyways, this might get a little long and boring, but hey, if your interested, keep reading!

So, we have technical training 2-3 times a week. At these, all 18 people from my group get together (we live in 5 different pueblos, my group is the only one in a city). Here we learn all kinds of stuff, from common illnesses to all the peace corps rules to classroom management and how to teach a lesson, and we do tons of “dinamicas” with are like dynamic little activities to get us motivated and to learn (we should do these in the classroom). The trainings are long, but I have learned so much. Also, its nice to see the other trainees and chat about our experiences in our home stays and towns.

Besides training, another girl and I have formed a youth group at a techincal school in Masaya. We meet up with the kids once or twice a week and we chat, play games, give them “life skills” charlas (talks), and we are also doing a project. My group is making a magazine for youth. I think it will work out well, but we are still in the beginning stages of the project. The kids are about 16-20 years old, and a little shy, but they are opening up a little. We plan a lot for the youth group, trying to make it fun and educational and productive, all in Spanish, but its all going well.

Also, I started giving charlas at the nearby high school. That was definitely an experience. The school conditions here are nothing like the States. There are no books, all the desks are falling apart, there is about 50-70 kids in the classroom, and even when I scream, you still can’t hear me over all the noise of the entire building. Needless to say, it is a challenge, but its also kinda fun, So far I have only given one class on goal planning. It went really well. The kids were behaved, I think because I was the new gringa in the class, so that will probably wear off, but I think I can handle it. I have to give 5 more classes before I become a volunteer, so I will have some practice before I get to my site, where I will teach a lot.

So when I am not in training and planning charlas, we have a couple other projects on business analysis and consulting. We write surveys and interview nearby businesses and we are also working with our host families on learning about their businesses and how they run. We have to observe, analyze, come up with suggestions. Its cool, something I have never done before, and its all in the sustainable development context. Its really interesting to learn about the whole business culture here and hopefully by the end of training I will have a better idea of what is going on.

So ya, that’s training! Its good, and I feel like I have learned more in the last 4 weeks then the past year times 100. Its nice to use my brain again.

Other then that, everything is good. My host family is great, my group of volunteers in Masaya is also awesome and its nice to have them around. Its officially rainy season (ya Patagonia jacket!) so it has cooled down a little (thank goodness).

This weekend I am going to visit another volunteer for a few days to see how life actually is at a site. I am going to Esteli, Esteli. It is totally different that training (now its all super structured). I am excited to go somewhere else in Nicaragua and get a new perspective. So I will have news on that soon.

And funny story- When it rains, my street becomes a chocolate river (no sewer system). Seriously, there is so much water rushing down the street, its crazy! And nice to see from inside. Unfortunately, the other day I got caught in a huge rainstorm, and I had to walk through the chocolate river! EWWWW! It was so gross. All these families were watching me from their doors. It was funny, after I scrubbed my feet of course.

Anyways! Happy summer! Its officially summer, right?

Irene

One of the more random things that I have seen since I got here is the many uses of a little plastic baggy. You put juice it and sell it, ice cream too, soda, etc etc. You chew off a corner and drink. its interesting. Well the other day we were sitting outside the pulpuria and my sister was explaining the different kind of chocolate milk and their names, ya know, one of these nicaragua specific spanish lessons. I turn my head, and suddenly I am handed a half liter plastic baggy of chocolate milk. I will add that I NEVER drink milk. So of course I take it and say thanks, and chew off a corner and start drinking the plasitc bag of milk. jajaja So somehow I managed to consume this massive amount of milk. haha it was pretty funny, although I managed to keep a straight face and just kept thinking about how I wish people could see me at home doing these random things.

anyways, life is good, I am exhausted most of the time, but its the weekend, so I can rest a little more. The birthday weekend was alot of fun, very random, and full of stories including dancing, beverages, horse parades, fights, and other events that arent 100% blog appropriate.. hehe... just kidding! I will tell you all someday soon... and yes, it is still really hot, and I am uncomfortable, but it has started raining a little a night so think with hopefully (fingers crossed) cool down. there is nothing like a massive thunderstorm under a tin roof to put you to sleep. Training is intense, but I am learning ALOT. The info seems broad and sometimes obvious and repetitive, but its all really important and good to finally learn all the different aspects of working in development, or at least put terms to all the concepts I have thought about. Anyways, hope you all have a wonderful weekend! next weeks topics: my youth groups, giving my first charla (lesson to students), and other randomness

Hola amigos!

So its been just about a week since I arrived in Nicaragua, but it feels more like a month. I am pretty exhausted, but everything is going great for the most part. There are so many things I want to talk about; I don’t know where to begin….

My host family is awesome. I really think I lucked out big time! I think I am on a roll with this host family business, even with all the drawbacks of not having personal space and all that stuff, sometimes, families are just great. Anyways, I have a mom and dad that own a little store, called a pulperia, out of their home. They are really busy working all the time, but they have tons of business. They sell EVERYTHING- pre-cooked beans, cheese, chicken, tons of soda, candy, toiletries, milk, etc. I think this will be great in the future to see how they started and manage their business once I get into that part of training. Then I have three siblings, which are great and have been pretty welcoming. Considering I have only been here 4 days, they are very welcoming and have met lots of their friends. They are a few years older then me. Basically life here is really slow paced, and a lot of my time is spent just sitting outside of the store and just chilling. Don’t think my life is that chill though, wait till I get to the training part. I guess the funniest thing that has happened with them is my new found participation in basketball. We all know I am not a huge fan, the extent of my playing is bump and HORSE (I am trying to promote bump among the Nicas.) Haha.. well now I am playing 5 on 5 with all these random Nicaraguan friends of the fam two of the four nites I have been here, and I have no idea what I am doing, and they are coaching me and telling me court positions and how to do layups. It is all about integrating, right? So I had to play…. It was pretty funny (I was horrible) Oh, and did I mention is so hot and I am sweating buckets? Well, I am slowing adjusting to the heat, are at least getting a little used to sweating constantly. Its going ok. Ummm, what else? Oh, also one of my sisters has a 6 year old daughter. She is really cute! Haha, also something really funny! Most of the peace corps volunteers that have stayed with this family ended up staying and living in Nicaragua! Hahah, actually marriage among volunteers and Nicas is super common. Don’t worry though, I haven’t found my media naranja in this first week! Also, my family are throwing my a birthday party this Saturday.. so I am sure that will bring lots stories. It will be the first of three birthdays I will celebrate here, so I hope it’s a good way to start things off!

Training is going well, but it’s a little frustrating. Since I am in the advanced group, they expect a lot out of us a lot sooner then the other language levels. I understand the added workload, but I am pretty overwhelmed since I am still adjusting to the language differences, the culture shock, and the heat, and just everything involved in suddenly moving here. I think everything will go great, but today I had a few minutes (or hours) where I think it all suddenly sunk in and I got a grasp of everything that was happening and I need to accomplish during this training. This week we are already starting up 2-3 youth groups, organizing “charlas” or little lectures and the high schools, as well as getting a lot of technical training, vaccines, and tons of other info. It’s a lot to take in, but I think my group and I will do well. We all get along and I think we have similar ideas and goals for this training period.

Well, what else? Overall, this week has been rollercoaster of feelings, but I guess its all part of the process. I am definitely happy with my family, and am looking forward to the next few months, although they will be exhausting! I will let you know how it goes…

Bye pue…

Irene

hola amigos!!!

soooo, I am here! yay! hooray! I arrived safe and sound on Wednesday, and they took us directly to a hotel across the street from the airport, and I have yet to leave the premisis. haha. Tomorrow, however, the real adventure begins! Tomorrow I move in with my hose family! All I know is that it is a lady, and her three older kids. Oh, and its in Masaya, a bigger city, my new home for the next three months! yay! ok, so my battery is running low, so i gotta run! man, i am not good at writing these blogs... i will improve, i swear!! ok bye! miss you all!

Irene

hello!

Well, during these last few hours in the United States, I wanted to to quickly update everyone! I am currently in Georgetown and finished meeting my fellow new volunteers and my pre-service training. It was all overwhelming, but great as far as all day trainging and seminars go. Anyways, everyone is great and nice. Basically, I am even more nervous, but wAY WAY WAY WYWA more excited to go! I can't wait for this experience and alot of my qualms are slowly fading. Of course, I havent actually gotten to Nicaragua yet, but I am can't wait. Well, Its about 10 here, and I have to have my luggage downstairs at 2:30am, so needless to say, I better go (since I yet have to finish packing!) Ok, love you and miss you all! muah!

Irene

hey! so It is officially 12am and now the day I leave for the Peace Corps! I just finished packing. After a little freak out because I thought I was taking to much, I am basically ready to go. Everything fits! Its all in a big backpack, a smaller rolly suitcase, and a big carry-on tote.

I have said goodbye to basically everyone, it was all very weird, like I don't even believe I wont see them, but I am sure tomorrow the tears will come. so it goes. Anyways, hopefully I will update in the next couple of weeks, when I will actually have some interesting stories to tell you all about. Until then!

Irene

Hey friends!

only ten more days and i leave for the Peace Corps! 10 DAYS! I got my plane tickets a few weeks ago and I am actually going ot Washington D.C. for 2 days before leaving for Nicaragua. I am super excited about this because I have not really been to the east coast before (apparently Disneyworld doesnt cut it). So, in D.C. I will have a 2 day pre-service training and get some more info on Nicaragua and my program. I can't wait!

Currently, I am packing, and trying really really hard not to overpack. I can only take 80 pounds in the combined linear dimension of 107 inches. ya, i know, what? but its all good, i will make it! I am shooting for 60-70 pounds. we will see..... I was reading these blogs and some people are bringing like 5 socks and 5 underwear. WHAT? am I missing something? I dont know, but that isnt enough for me! I mean, I guess you can do laundry every 5 days. soo, I am trying to figure out whats enough for ME, because everyone will have their own preferences of whats important or enough. Its hard for me figuring it out! but I am thinking everything will fit just fine, even with a little extra room, and I still have a week to organize and figure things out! I am glad I started early...

Besides, packing, paperwork, and other little details, I am so excited for the weekend. I am having a little get together at my house with some friends from college, which will be a fun way to see everyone and say goodbye before I go, and take lots of pictures so i can remember all of your beautiful faces...

On a side note, last night I watched the end of the Arrested Development series. What a great show! I am contemplating bringing season one with me. That show always always makes me laugh.

Peace out! Irene

Hey Friends!

Since I depart for the wonderful beautiful Nicaragua in exactly one month, exactly 4 weeks from today, I thought I would officially set up this blog and begin documenting my adventure. Here is a little background:

On April 30, 2007, I am leaving sunny, smoggy Los Angeles to join the Peace Corps!I am going to Nicaragua!

In Nicaragua, I will be working in small business development as a Business Educator and Advisor providing entrepreneurial training and skills to youth and local small businesses.Yes, I will be trained in this topic when I get there. Thank goodness!

YES! YOU CAN COME VISIT ME!!! and I really hope some of you come! you have 2 years to plan!

and finally, No, I haven't started packing and I am afraid to start, hahahaAnyways, I hope to keep up this blog while I am in Nicaragua and tell everyone my stories and adventures. I hope you all enjoy! Of course, I will also be checking my email too. Well, thats basically all for now!

Besos pa todos!

Irene