1 Year in Paraguay!

This Saturday February, 8 I will celebrate my one year in Paraguay, 1 whole year!! Wow. Still in awe. Its amazing, exciting and completely incredible. This little victory is something I could talk all day about. The feelings of doubt, discomfort and over all fear that were swelling up inside of me a year ago, I can now laugh at... and that feels so good!

You see a year ago I felt like a little child stepping out into the darkest most unknown place ever. I felt alone, scared and confused. I had so many questions and concerns and doubts, lots of doubts. For  a while once I was in Paraguay I still wanted to be home doing american things. I wanted to give up and turn around. The last thing I wanted was to stick it out, give it a try and watch as my life would be forever impacted. Well I don't know what got into me..maybe a little Paraguayan water, some sun and whole lot of patience but I stuck it out, gave it a try and now am forever changed. Also grateful my mother made me get on that plane, because we all know if she had given me the chance I would have stayed... you go Mom!

So here I am a year in. Its been crazy, wild and at times sad, lonely and frustrating. All the negativity is quickly casted out and I am forever reminded each day of the beauty this country is, the people, the land and the culture. I am happy and I am following what was once just a dream I journaled about. I've learned so much about my self...others and the person I want to be around others. I've learned a new language and can confidently tell stories, teach and converse in that language. I've made a family a few actually that I love dearly. I've learned the value of patience and the beauty of simplicity. I've failed at lots of things but now understand the importance of giving everything a shot.

This last year I have seen more growth in my personal life then all other years in my life. I am excited to keep growing and learning in Paraguay. I am thankful for this year, this celebration and that it is mine and that I did it, I really did it!! So thank you for all your support, love, letters and packages. It has carried me to this little anniversary and I hope you are as thrilled as I am. It's been special and I am cheersing to another year...hey maybe 3, because thats how great this 1 year feels!

Now for a little now and then... 

Then.. when I was crying my eyes out saying good bye to my momma!

Now... Alive and well and really happy! 

Summer Camp

As you know Paraguay is in full summer mode, hot as ever! So what better time to put on a summer camp! It is pretty normal for a group of volunteers to get together and plan out a traveling summer camp. I am so happy that some of my friends got together and we were able to organize this and see it actually happen!

Last Monday 3 volunteers came to my house and we put on a 3 day environment themed camp in my community. The Saturday before the camp I went around with some kids in the community to put up signs and invite people but wasn't sure how many people would show up or if any would even show up... Paraguayans are notorious for saying yes to attending something then completely acting like they know nothing of the event with the day comes. .. kids are a different story. I got a couple of weird looks from kids but the general response was excitement! Its still hard putting on events because my community is so big and I still and will probably never know everyone.

So Monday came and we started with about 8 kids and within the first hour there were about 70. I had a feeling this would happen. Word of month spreads quickly and they just kept coming. My friends and I were a bit overwhelmed...as anyone would be with 70 kids and 4 "adults/ tall and very pale girls from a different country." I think over all it was a success. I got to meet a lot of new kids and they all seemed to enjoy it and kept asking when we were coming back. We had planned to have camp last for 3 hours each day but we quickly learned 2 hours was best and the kids could hardly hold their attention span past the 2 hour mark. We wanted to try and buy as little supplies as possible and focus on recycling and teaching the kids about the environment. So each day there was a little craft / a drawing activity. Here is a quick overview of how each day went.

Monday Day 1- First we started with an ice breaker and a little introduction. Then we made name tags our of recycled cardboard. Next we split up into 2 groups. One group went and played field games. We had different relays and activities with the frisbees, jump ropes and balls. The other group made paper beads out of recycled paper from magazines. In between each group we had a snack break with watermelon and free time. We also gave each kid a little paper booklet where they could color and draw freely. It was so nice watching these kids get so excited to color and draw. They don't often get that opportunity and the fact that the book was theirs to keep! We ran out of drinking water in the first 15 minutes, and I would have to say that is the only thing that really went wrong day 1.

Tuesday Day 2- We started with another ice breaker and played a few group games then split up into 2 groups. The first group had a trash gathering competition and then we taught them about the difference of organic and inorganic trash. After they had time to draw in their books pictures of organic and inorganic trash. The other group did a 3 legged race and the human knot. Oh and we had more watermelon! This day went a little smoother and most all of the kids came back!

Wednesday Day 3- This day we had the kids bring an old plastic soda bottle. We cut off the tops and made planters to plant seeds in them. Each kid got to finger paint their bottle, which they absolutely loved! I'm pretty sure this was a new concept to them because they were so confused when I said to use your fingers..but afterwards loved it! Then we played some ball games, ate watermelon then had a water balloon toss...which they also LOVED. It was a bit of a mess trying to organize them in two lines with a partner, they were all just so excited to get the balloon. This concluded the week and the kids got to take home their name tags and booklets.


It was a good experience, I few details to change for next year but this will defiantly be happening again. It was a bit of a struggle getting the kids to listen. They are not taught the best manners at home and that was reflected at the camp. Kids will be kids where ever you go and that is the same down here in Paraguay. I think they had a good time and were given a chance to do crafts and participate in something they normally don't have. After Wednesday we traveled to my friends house to repeat the camp again with her community. Once Saturday came around I was exhausted. Now we have 1 week off and will be traveling to 2 other communities to do it again next week!

The last day, after the water balloon fight! 

The Holidays and New Year!

Well its been about a month since my last post and I am sorry to have kept you waiting but I was just to busy living the American dream! I mean I went home for the holidays and there is no place like home for the holiday's, ate some delicious food, planned and threw a bridal shower and even played in the snow. It was a good holiday! Really it was so special. I little overwhelming at times but that was to be expected. It came and went so quickly but here is a little reflection on my time at home and how its been since I've been back in Paraguay - the land of the hottest weather ever!

The flight home was long and it didn't help that I was totally anxious. I left my house in Paraguay at 7am and arrived at my house in Maryland at about 1:30am, long day. My first meal was a quesadilla with sour cream in the airport..then I got a Starbucks chai late. I almost forgot how to order it and I was having trouble remembering to talk in english. Literally i was freaked out by all the hello's I was hearing, it had been 10 months ya'll!

I had a great Christmas with my family and felt so loved and taken care of. It was so nice to see everyone even if it was negative degrees outside at some points. I got to spend a lot of time with my sister and do some wedding things I've missed out on over the year. I was also able to help plan, throw and host a bridal shower for her. That was definitely the high light of the trip! My mom helped so much and seriously is super mom when it comes to planning a party or a wedding. People if you are in the market for party planner, Jeanne LaRoque can really do the trick, she's magic!

I also got to see a lot of old friends which was wonderful. I tried to see everyone and I am sorry if we didn't get the chance to meet up! I could have never imagined how busy I ended up being! I guess if you really want to see me you will have to come to Paraguay! A few of my college friends made the trip to spend some time with me and that was also so special. Its crazy how you go from living with a person for 3 years and seeing them every day to only seeing them once a year for a weekend.. shot out to you Lauren Hammond! We went to the zoo and it was fabulous!

I was sure I gained double my weight while I was home with all the delicious fast and easy food I was eating. I mean I forgot how beautiful the mall food court is. You literally have so many options right at your finger tips. I went in for chick-fil-a but wanted everything else, panda express? You have no idea how lucky you are! But when I came back to Paraguay I was told I was skinner and needed to eat more and that they must not feed you good in America... all lies.

So coming back to Paraguay is about the least glamorous thing ever. Not that I expected it to be, but you know world traveling sometimes is glamorous... this trip, no. Leaving Baltimore at 5pm in negative weather then flying overnight to Brazil arriving at 11am in 100 degrees with 90% humidity then to Paraguay where its even hotter...then into a taxi car with no ac straight to my house. I'd lie if I told you I didn't cry a little. I mean yes I love Paraguay and now I'm all better. But the culture shock I was feeling arriving back into country was deep and raw and I wanted to run away. So I did just that. Back to the city I went for the night with some friends to celebrate another volunteers birthday! And its just what I needed to get me back in the groove. After that night I went back to my house and put my self together and its back to reality, or at least my reality for now.

It's hot here, like hottest ever. But it slows you down and has allowed me to really sit down with people and talk about things, teach them things and talk about future projects. I was a little scared I would be miserable but things are working out. I'm back working at the health post, planning a summer camp and lesson plans for school to start again. And in a few weeks I will celebrate 1 year in country and that in itself is a reason to rejoice and be glad!

Paraguay is my home right now, wither somedays I call it that or not. I am content and incredible blessed to call it a home. I am also more blessed have been able to spend in my other home. Now to figure out how to maintain those two homes.... All I know is that I am still happy and enjoying the sunsets each day... even after tasting the flavors of my favorite foods of america and saying goodbye again. I am learning over and over again just how simple and satisfying it is to do without, a lesson I will continually be learning.

Happy New Year and sweet sweet summer time for me! Enjoy these pictures from my trip up until now!

The beautiful soon to be bride at her Bridal Shower! 

The cousins at Christmas! 

Lynchburg' s finest! 

The summer evenings sky in Paraguay 

My greeting crew at the airport! 

                           

The best siblings anyone could have!

Celebrating Jules' Birthday back in Paraguay! 

                       

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!!!

Summer Time In Paraguay

The summer here goes something like this-

You wake up in the morning ( usually from sweating) open up all your doors and windows to let the breeze in. Start the day with a cold shower to cool you down. Then go along with your morning routine. For me that involves water my plants, checking my email, making some ice coffee, sweeping, laundry and what ever else the day offers. Then around 10 its real hot and I am off in search of the coldest pitcher of terere and the shadiest yard. You may not believe this but I pick the families I visit based on their shade coverage and the time of day. The sun here is damaging and super strong and I do all I can to not be found under it.

For lunch even on the hottest of days it is a big pot of hot soup. Usually with some kind of meat, some kind of noodle and some kind of veggie...and its hot like the sun and the Paraguayans have no problem slurping it down. I am usually hotter after eating lunch and go for my second cold shower of the day. Then its either lay under my fan and enter a heat induced coma or find a mango tree and sit. After lunch everything closes and it is impossible to really move around and do work. Even the cows and sheep lay down. I usually find some task to occupy my time but by 5 I am antsy and ready to leave the house. So I take my 3rd cold shower and I'm off.

I can usually be found at the house of Mrs. Julia or Na Julia. Where everyone has just woken up from napping and starting to drink more ice cold terere. Once the sun sets I usually play a game or two of volley ball or soccer. Then we sit under the stars, drink more iced drinks and some dinner and cool off. I'll usually go home around 8 re open all my windows and doors and wait till my house cools off before going inside. Then I take my fourth and final shower of the day and try and sleep. Before laying down I usually pour water on my floor, they say that helps cool the house off... I am still not convinced but I do it anyways.

So as you have read, its a pretty slow time of year. No one does much in the heat. School is almost out and I am going to have some art classes in the December before I go home. Then in January I am going to hold a summer camp for the kids. Then I will start planning my work for the new school year. I am also going to my health post almost daily and working there with the nurses and doctors.

The heat takes a lot out of you and I am finding myself more tired each day. Drinking a lot of water and taking advantage of the shade in my yard! I know y'all are freezing that home but I cannot wait to get a little bit of that in only 35 daysss! Yes thats right I get to hug my momma in 35 daysssss! Its only been 284 days since I've seen her or America... yes you read that right 284 days since I've been home! HOLY COW! Can't waitt!!!

All and all this heat is hard and tough and super annoying. But I am smiling and still very much enjoying this adventure. My language is improving, my relationships are building and I am developing a home here that is really greater then anything I've ever experienced soo bring it on summer, I'm ready for ya... this is my ready face!

An update on Mary

A few weeks ago one of my friends/ co-workers/ and nurse in my Health post was injured. She was on a bus and had her cell phone out and was attacked. When they tried to rob here she hesitated and was shot in the neck. Here is a blog post about it if you would like to read more. Since then she was been laying in a hospital bed unable to move any part of her body in fear of the bullet traveling, it is lugged in the back of her neck very close to her spin. In fear of causing more damage they are unable to remove the bullet.

I went to go visit Mary in the hospital and it was shocking. I wish I had a better word for that but I am at a loss. Although this has been very tragic it has been a miracle watching her recover. Each day she is able to move a little more and starting to learn how to walk about in physical therapy. Mary was a big part of my community and since the accident we have all talked about how we want to do something for her to help support and raise money.

This past weekend my health post held a Pollada which is a chicken fundraiser. We sold chicken, rice and bread to the community. Sounds simple but to prepare for it there was a lot of work involved. I spent most of the day Saturday preparing the chicken which included cutting the fat off and the butt off. It was a lengthy process especially for 250 chicken thighs. Then we prepared a marinade for the chicken including; Mustard, vinegar, oregano, soy sauce, salt, onions, green peppers and garlic. Then we returned on Sunday to cook the rice. It was a lot of work but turned out so well! The chicken was 10 mil guaranis ( about 2$USD) and we sold almost all of it and it was delicious!

I had a great sunday afternoon with all the nurses and doctors from my health post. We had music playing and about 5 pitches of terere ( ice cold tea ) being passed around. It was a community event and it made my soul so happy to see everyone come together for Mary! October was a hard month but I am overjoyed to welcome in November and see whats in store for these final months of 2013... here are a few pictures from the even yesterday!

The Director of the Health Post going to deliver chicken!! 

The doctors and I selling the chicken! 

All the chicken before being cooked!