Two Thousand and Thirteen

I've been thinking about this post for awhile...maybe all year but defiantly in the past few weeks. This is probable the last free night I will have of 2013. I am spending the next few nights with families here in Paraguay and then Monday I will be flying home and hope to be with family and friends every night! Such a sweet sweet thought.

So I can honestly say this year went by the fastest in all my 23 years of life. I knew 2013 was going to be a big one, just wasn't sure how big. I guess I can thank Paraguay for making this year the best for so many reasons. I wanted to take some time to reflect on what this year was for me, because it was such a big one! So here are the top 10 things that have made 2013 big, fun and very very special.

Number 1. My one and only sister  got engaged and that started the year out perfectly!
2. I got on an airplane with 22 strangers to Paraguay and started a little life for myself
3. I learned how to speak and understand confidently a new language and can even crack some jokes!
4. Adapted to one of the most different cultures I could have encountered while questioning it daily I kept with it and am so happy I did.
5. Was adopted by a family who I am literally in love with, like they were my own.
6. Moved into my own house, on my own. And in that same house live my life daily and happily!
7. Have created friendships that have changed the way I look at life and how I live my life.
8. Found somewhat of an identity in Paraguay and looking forward to what that will look like in the future.
9. Have spent more of 2013 in another county then in the USA!
10. And all of this was down while still feeling so connected with all my loved ones from home in America! Never doubting me and always cheering me on!


So theres my reflection on the past year, I know there are so many more but those are what come to mind right now. For me this has been a year of growth and independence unlike anything I could have imagined. I hope for you as well that this year meant something big for you. As for 2014 I am ready for something bigger and looking forward to whatever that maybe!

As for Paraguay right now- I am sweating out the hot summer days, drinking lots of ice water and trying to stay cool. School is out and I've had some girls over to work on christmas art crafts. A lot of stuff has gone on hold and I am waiting till the new year to pick it up. I also received my mentees ( future peace corps volunteers) who will be arriving at the end of January. I will be in contact with them to share all the secrets of peace corps volunteers.. haha!

Wishing all of you a happy happy Christmas and a joyful New Year!! Sending all my love!

My First Birthday in Paraguay!

Last week I turned 23... now there really isn't anything special about 23, its not like there's a Taylor Swift song called 23! But what was special about this birthday was that it was my first one in Paraguay!

Birthday's in Paraguay are a big deal. I've been to my fair share of Birthday celebrations and have heard from other volunteers what a birthday in Paraguay can consist of. I love my Birthday so I was excited to celebrate it although it was very very different then a Birthday in the states. But i'm not in the states so different is good just another culture difference.

So in Paraguay when it's your birthday you invite who you want ( be warned everyone you have ever talked to will want to be invited to your party) and you buy everything and make everything...its not like oh hey its your birthday we wanna throw you a party and make your cake and do everything...its more like...Oh its your birthday, invite me, buy all the food and drink, make all the food, and then clean it all up... yay! Happy Birthday!!!

You think i'm kidding, i'm not. As stressed as this made me I went ahead with it and it all turned out so special. See I am constantly being taken care of by my host families here and my friends. They are always inviting me to eat with them, stay with them and basically be their daughter and they never let me pay or take care of them. But my birthday was a chance to do it all for them, an excuse to get into my kitchen and serve them. And if you know me you know I love hosting people, cooking and celebrating my birthday. So although it was a little different then America it was so special!

So what did I do you ask?? First, I had my very first host family over for lunch. They have hosted 9 volunteers and have never been able to go visit them at their house and I was the first! They loved seeing where I live, work and spend all my time. I bought a bunch a meat and made some salads and we had such a nice time. Normally my host mom is cooking and preparing everything but this time I was able to show off a little and I think they were impressed! Also my friend Alex who is a volunteer came over and joined us!

Then I tried to rest but people kept stopping by to wish me Happy Birthday and eat cake, I had a total of 4 cakes on my birthday... which I hope to never repeat. Then later that night we went to my other host families house who I spend almost every night with had another cookout. I bought a bunch of chicken and we had some salads and sausage and my favorite Paraguayan corn bread dish... it was delicious....

I had such a wonderful day and although I was away from my family in America I never felt sad because I was able to spend it with such wonderful people down here that I consider my family down here! Here are a few photos from the day!! And heads up American I'll be home in 16 dayss!!!