Freezin' in Texas

Can you believe it?!? I came to Texas so see my long lost family...and it's snowing! Must have brought it with me I'm told...they'd probably love me in Paraguay if I brought a little cold weather ;p Checked it out today and the high is 96, low is 74. Sounds pretty decent for sleeping though.

It's been great being here! My mom and I are staying with my Aunt Nancy and Uncle Dale and I've had the chance to catch up with all my cousins (4) and numerous second cousins (there are 20!). It's been 15 years since I was in Lubbock, so lots has changed. My Aunt Nancy has been working on our family history (geneology) for some years -it's pretty cool (although some of it is embarrassing). I'm looking forward to helping fill in any gaps I can in the years to come and learning more about what we already know. We're traced back to the Cherokees (one of our ancestors was a chief!) on one side (grandmother's), but haven't gotten that far back yet on the other side (grandaddy's). So I have to ask...do you know where YOU come from? ;p

Hopefully I'll be able to fly home tomorrow...the south doesn't take too kindly to snow and they're not sure what to do about it. I'll be heading to Chicago just in time for some wintery weather there too...gotta get it in now I suppose - don't think I'll be seeing snow for the next couple years unless I head into the mountains.

Hope you all have power and heat (or at least a fire or someone to snuggle with)....cause if you don't already have it, the cold weather is coming!

Acgue,
Dances in the Snow

Home sweet other home

Just got back from DC...what a great trip! It was fabulous to see everyone...I feel so incredibly loved and lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life :) I only wish I had more time to spend with you all...time goes so fast and it's tough to get enough quality time in. I do want to say thanks, though, to everyone who came out - my heart is so filled with love because of friends like you. Oh, how I miss you!

A bunch of you have been asking about sending me things in Paraguay...well...here's my address for the next couple years, beginning February 8:

Lorien Anderson, PCT (Trainee for the first 3 mos) or PCV (Volunteer after the 3 mo mark)
Cuerpo de Paz
162 Chaco Boreal c/Mcal. Lopez
Asuncion 1580, Paraguay
South America

If you want it to get to me before I leave PC, mark it and send it Airmail (takes two weeks)...don't send anything expensive and if you can, don't send anything in a box - Customs opens all boxes (but not padded envelopes as much) and they have sticky fingers. And for reference, because it's probably the thing I'll ask for most ...I like natural peanut butter - the kind where the only ingredient is peanuts (and sometimes salt). You'll spend more shipping it than buying it I'm sure...but hey, it makes for an easy birthday present ;)

You've also asked about vacation...my coming home to visit and you coming to see me. I get 24 days of vacation each year, and like any job, I have to have permission to take time off or to have visitors. That being said, I welcome all of you with open arms! I'm likely to take my time off to travel around South America because frankly, I might not have the opportunity again. So, if you've always wanted to check out Iguazu Falls or Machu Pichu - let me know when you can come down and we'll work it out :) For you adventurous types, I'd love for you to come check out my home town (wherever that may be) as well. I figure - give me a good 9 months to get settled in and start saving for anything late September and beyond. Linse and I turn 30 this year, so we figure we'll get together somewhere to celebrate - I'll keep ya posted ;)

I've talked with a few returned volunteers from Paraguay, and I'm feeling more excited than ever! As much as I still have some anxieties, being able to talk with others about their experiences has eased a lot of the angst. And thank you for all your encouraging words - they will continue to help me when I'm feeling frustrated and overwhelmed in the months to come.

The next few weeks I'll be visiting family and friends and getting ready to head out - I'm sure it's going to fly by, but I'll be around with access to email and a phone...most of you know I'm not the best about picking up the phone, especially when I'm busy, but you know where to find me and I'd be happy to hear from you :)

With lots of love!
Lor

Happy New Year!!

Already January, eh? Feels more like March with these balmy temps...

It's been nice being home - relaxing, catching up with friends and family, and getting myself ready for Peace Corps. In the next month I'll be going to DC, Texas, and Chicago to see friends and family and give a few final hugs (no I'm not dying), so I've already started figuring out what I need to take, reading up on Paraguay, brushing up on my Spanish, and trying to teach myself a few words in Guarani (not easy)! My only disappointment - no snow in Michigan!! It's a crime, really ;)

As much as some days I feel pretty nervous...I'm mostly just excited. I remind myself that there are 150 volunteers already serving in Paraguay and I'll be going with a new group of at least 15 or 20 I imagine, so I'm certainly not alone! Besides, I'm pretty adaptable ;)

While things might be a bit busy the next month, I am around...so feel free to shoot and email or give me a call (at my mom's) because pretty soon I'll be going back to being more out of touch.

Hope you all had a safe and fun NYE celebration and whatever holiday you might/might not celebrate this time of year. And I hope you ate your black eyed peas today....they're good luck!

Lots o love,
Lor