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