This is the part where I get sappy...

I’m well into week 4 in my site and starting to realize all of the things I miss about home. It probably has a lot to do with the lack of a lot of the relative comforts I had during training (i.e. speaking English) that I’m just now beginning to notice these things. But, without further ado, here they are, in no particular order…
· Libraries
· Peanut Butter
· Coffee shops (and good coffee!)
· Cheese
· My family (and Annie too!)
· Speaking English
· Movies
· Dance parties (Jess, Josh, Paul…you three are most definitely included in that)
· Talking about international development with Houghton friends…man, living it is WAY harder!

But I have to say, that the thing I miss most of all of this is the amazing communities of people that I left behind in the U.S. I miss having late night conversations about important stuff and trivial stuff. I miss cooking meals together and sitting around the dinner table long after the plates are empty. I miss going on walks and hikes with people I love. I miss picnics and Frisbee games after church. I miss church! I miss game nights. I miss trips into DC with lunches on Saturdays. I miss concerts and plays. So, to those of you who live in New Hampshire, Houghton, and DC- this blog is dedicated to you!

However, you have a way of making my life full even from afar. I love the memories and pictures I brought with me to Guatemala, and the knowledge that we will make more soon. Knowing that you continue to dance your heads off, play Bang, talk about international development, and cook lots of yummy food makes me SO happy! Miss you!

This is Life

So, I must apologize for my serious lack of posting lately. Ive settled into my new life here in my site and everything seems a whole lot like normal life now. I suppose Ive felt that since nothing has changed and nothing monumental has happened that I dont have anything to blog about. I think thats just a reflection on the fact that this is now my home (wow...weird!) and things are going to be pretty normal from here on out. So, with that in mind, let me fill you in on my normal everyday life in Huehuetenango.

Ive been here for 3 weeks now. I have a cute house on one of the main streets in town and on market days my house is full of noise and smells from the vendors that are parked less than a block from my front door. Im beginning to make friends; the wonderful thing about small rural towns is that everyone knows everyone else and because Im new people notice and invite me in for coffee! So Ive meet some pretty cool people that way. There are several families in town that I think Ill be hanging out with pretty frequently. In one family a baby was born a week before I arrived. We were talking the other day about how she will kind of be the marker of my time here. Ill get to see two of her birthdays, see her learn to walk and talk, get to teach her my name even! I like the sound of that kind of consistency.

Job stuff is going pretty well. Its a slow start, to be sure. Any job takes a lot of orientation and learning and throwing in cultural and language barriers only makes that harder. But my counterparts (the two local women who I work with) are very gracious and are teaching me lots. Im beginning to learn the local Mayan language: so far I can say whats up and safe travels! Next week we are beginning the process of creating our operating plan and budget for next year. Im excited to begin the process with them and to be here to see it through next year.

So yep, thats my life now. I speak a lot of Spanish:)

Obamania

Barb, me, and Alana at the election party


The man of the hour!


Though I was out of the country for the elections, thanks to Democrats abroad, I was able to view the results as they came in. It was pretty exciting to be surrounded by 250 other people- Americans and others as our country selected our first ever African-American president! It looks like our country is in for a pretty big change, with Obama has Head of State! Hopefully he keeps his word and ups the Peace Corps! I´m excited to see what the next few years bring for the US and countries like Guatemala who are really affected by our policies.

It´s Official!

Esperanza and I in the garden of the Embassador´s house


So excited to be volunteers!



The gang looking super fresh in our swearing-in best


Well folks, it´s official, I am a Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV)! After 3 months of training we all descended upon Ambassador McFarland´s house last Friday to take our oaths as volunteers. The ceremony was really cool- the ambassador, our country director, and one of our group spoke, reminding us what we´re here for and what our mission is as volunteers.

The day was also bittersweet, as I had the difficult task of saying goodbye to the Carillo family who have taken me in as one of their own. We had a going away party where I cooked them all dinner and we all said words (Guatemalan tradition where everyone present thanks everyone and says nice things about the guest of honor) about how much we enjoyed our time together. Then they gave me lovely presents for my house, which was totally unexpected and very sweet.

It´s hard to believe that I´ve been here for 3 months already, and even harder to believe that soon I´ll be living ALL ON MY OWN, speaking only Spanish!