random thoughts

It's 10:35, which is about 3 hours past my typical bedtime.

Here are somethings I look forward to at my site:

1. time to unwind and rest, finally
2. having my own routine to work and workout
3. choosing what and when to eat, and cooking for myself
4. finally unpacking
5. good coffee (café de palo)

Here are some things I really miss:

1. my family and friends
2. sushi
3. froyo
4. the gym
5. yoga classes
6. Trader Joe's
7. blending in
8. easy travel
9. Netflix
10. feeling pretty/feeling clean

Well. Good night.

I am a volunteer, again

I attended my second swearing-in ceremony this morning and swore in as a volunteer. I gave a speech in Spanish to thank the host families. My host mom came to support me. I was sad to say goodbye to her. She has been such a good mom and I will miss her. We sang the national anthem and Nicaragua's national hymn, and the US ambassador led the swear-in. We took a grip of pictures... well everyone else did. (My camera doesn't work so well lately.)

After the ceremony, I went with my girls Meg and Kellz and we treated ourselves to a celebratory McFlurry. For dinner, all of the new volunteers of NICA 54 went to our country director's home for an "early Thanksgiving dinner" celebration. She made us turkey, vegetables, yams, stuffing, pies and more. It was delicious and we were all very thankful for some familiar food.

Tomorrow I am making my way to my site. It will be a long trip with lots of bags and chaos on the buses, so wish me luck.

swearing in, in a week

Finally it's the last week of training. This last month has been one of the hardest of my life, which is why I haven't updated the blog in a while. I didn't want to spread negative energy out into the universe. But it turns out that I am going to make it after all. I remembered that I was made of nothing but love. Everything is love!
So once I make it through this week, my long and grueling training will be over and on Monday, the 22nd, I will swear in as a volunteer in Managua. I will give a speech in Spanish to thank the training host families. Pictures will be posted. It will be a joyous occasion.
Then on Tuesday the 23rd, I am moving to my site in the mountainous Jinotega region up north. My site is located in between two major cities: Jinotega City and Esteli City. It is a small site, but it has electricity and running water and an internet cafe. There is no sewage system, so most people use latrines, but I have lived in Guinea and I fear nothing!
I will spend Thanksgiving in Jinotega City with a bunch of other local volunteers at a potluck party. I will spend Christmas back in my training town in the Masaya region with my training family.
Send me gifts for Christmas if you want, to either address. Just let me know.
Send me love and I will always be sending love to everything and everyone. Everything is as it should be.