Success!

Yep, first day of camp was a success! :) Kids want more days, longer hours, more games, more of my attention...fabulous! As you might know, the camp is focusing on the environment, so we made beads (for necklaces) out of magazines and jewelry out of earth friendly materials (noodles and recycled stuff). The kids got really into it and walked away with some really lindo necklaces. On Saturday we're making playdough from flour, salt and water and kites from old plastic bags and other recycled material. We had a mini teatro about the life of a tree killed by an evil logger & games related to wildlife and deforrestation. My favorite part, though, was leap frog! Almost peed my pants I laughed so hard! Looking forward to tomorrow :)

Things have been going well...went out to Ca'acupe to celebrate my friend's birthday on Wednesday - my PC lil sis is a whopping 23 now. Had a sector (Education and Urban Youth folks in all PC PY) conference a week ago...it was nice to catch up with everyone and hear what others are doing in site. Couple people are in love, everyone likes her/his site, some are doing really innovative projects...good opportunity to share-that's for sure. On Sunday I head to Guarambare to see my host family from training. Tanto tiempo since I've seen them...it's time!

Have decided to continue practicing TKD without belts - the exams are too expensive and it's just not a priority. My profe is disappointed, but has agreed to keep instructing me as if I were progressing through the belts. One of my youth had a baby last week. He's tiny & adorable!! Certainly a reminder how things are different here - they dip his pacifyer in honey when he's cranky...isn't there some rule about not giving kids honey or peanut butter the first year in the states? Something about allergies? And as soon as he starts taking a bottle, he'll get milk loaded with sugar. The four year old in the house drinks coffee and has been known to wield a machete - maybe we're just too protective in the states??? ;)

It's still pretty cold here, although the sun helps a ton!! Gets down to the single digits (celcius) at night, and without the possibility of relief (except when huddled in my sleeping bag) it feels really cold. I'd like to say I'm getting used to it, but I'm not. Only solace is that it won't last much longer. Only another month or so of winter. That's another thing - days go by so fast!!!! I feel like I'm going to wake up tomorrow and my two years will be up! Remind me I said that on the bad days, but seriously, time is already flying. Maybe because it's winter and it's dark so early...I don't know, but it's true. Good thing is that I'm feeling like a part of my community and getting really comfortable here. Certainly at the point that when I travel it will be nice to come 'home'. That being said, I'm psyched!!! Going to Buenos Aires with a really good friend (from the states) in November :) I know, it's forever away, but at the rate the days pass for me, it might as well be next week! There's so much I want to see in Paraguay, so hopefully I'll have some time to travel within the country before then as well. In the meantime, I'll just keep hanging out with my kids and workin...could be worse ;p

I know I've left out a million things I wanted to write about...guess they'll just have to wait till next time. Till then, just know I'm happy, healthy, and sending you tons o love!

xoxo, Lor

Never a dull moment...

More good times in PY :)

So I found out that one of my TKD instructors (the brother of the one I started working with, who is now practicing English with me before class) is also a make-up artist, massage therapist, and hair brusher. Yes, there is a specific person to brush hair in the chuchi (up scale) salons here. Apparently my hair needs a good shampooing and "shape" so he's going to cut it on Friday...AND he offered to teach me how to put on make-up. My beautification continues...I'll post a pic soon so you can see the progress ;)

The teachers are still on strike around here (MY teachers aren't striking, but because others in Fernando de la Mora are, we don't have class either) and winter vacation starts on Monday...looks like they'll be getting a month off when it's all said and done. It's a shame because the kids WANT to go to school, and go there every night just to see if they'll have class. Last night, I saw a bunch of them in the street on my way to class...ever optimistic that today would be the day...and once I found out we were still out of comission, I rounded them up and we played Escoba Quince and Casita Robada...two of my favorite card games here :) The first one is all about math and logic, so it's a good game to play in vez de clase...or at least that's what I tell myself ;) I'm so glad I have such cool kids around (and that they want to hang out with me) - it makes a HUGE difference!

A bunch of folks were in town this weekend for the 4th of July celebration on Sunday, so it was a fun time seeing everyone. Got to spend some quality time with my Jennie and then we headed for Asuncion to meet up with the rest of the crew and go dancing. Danced until about 3:30am - still early here, but late enough for us. Sunday was a good time. Lots of folks came out to celebrate. The Marines here were selling beverages & playin volley ball, far cry from my cuz's experience so far - shout out to my cuz, Jeff, in Iraq - glad you're coming home soon!! No fireworks, but at least they had ice cream. Turned out to be a gorgeous day - sunny and low 80's...couldn't ask for a better winter day ;) Got to chat with a bunch of PCVs and trainees that I didn't know yet, so that was a bonus too.

Things are definitely going well. I'm loving every moment with my youth and am feeling more connected with my community every day. While there are certainly frustrations - strikes, meetings that don't happen, miscomunications... overall, I'm happy and making progress. Still doing lots of research about global warming and environmental education - if you have any good activities or info for either high school or little kids, please send it on! And Mary, thank you so much for the activity book for ninos!!!

Talked with Kris and baby Kaj is happy, healthy, and home :) Congrats again sister, I'm sooo happy for all of you!!!

Until next time,
Fuerza y amor - L