2009 The beginning

I promised myself I would start blogging more regularly.... and here its been 2 months since my last blog. What can I say, I blame dial up.

I went home for Christmas and got to meet Ella June, aka Junebug, aka Ella Bella, aka my new niece. She is too adorable and I am going to miss her as well as my brother and Miranda dearly for the 2 years they will be living in Japan. I spent good QT with my family and friends. And in a way, coming back here, although difficult to get on a plane again, I was at peace. Being home was like never leaving. I felt like I hardly missed a beat. My friends were still my friends, my family still the same as when I left, everyone complaining about the wonderful snow; all the same.

Since being back, work has been slow. School is out until March and Puerto Limon has become somewhat of a ghost town. "Reconnect", a weeklong seminar for volunteers after a few months in site, was held in Quito at the end of January. My counterpart, Paola, went with me and we were able to get some really good ideas about new project we can start as well as learn about writing grants and fundraising for projects. And, I was in Quito with all my Peace Corps friends, so despite getting food poisioning again at the beginning of the week, we managed to have a pretty fabulous time.

Tomorrow, I begin teaching Taebo (they have no concern for copywright laws in Ecuador and when I try and call it Cardio kickboxing, I get corrected) at a gym in Santo Domingo. If everything works out, I will get a free membership for teaching 1-2 days a week. And trust me, I need it. Talking to my mom the other day, I said, You know, I think collectively between me and my girlfriends we have gained the weight of a 16 year old girl, strap that on your a@s... It just shouldn´t happen that way. Gaining weight, losing hair, should not be part of the Peace Corps experience. But I didn´t write the rules.

Some sad news, as of late. A friend of mine from North Conway passed away last Thursday. His untimely death was difficult to deal with being so far away, but it lacks in comparison to what his family and close friends must be going through. I have realize the importance of getting people together when someone passes to reflect on the good times and to celebrate life. Here, the Catholic Latin American culture teaches we are not responsible for our destiny. Our date of death is determined at your date of birth and there is nothing we can do to change that fact. Fate vs. Free Will. This is something I cannot wrap my finger around. I don´t believe you should spend your life destroying your body and taking unnecessary risks because you have no say as to when your time is up. When I start thinking about it too long my head starts to hurt (must be my state school education). So, although I cherish my Ecuadorian friends here after about the tenth person who said to me, "That is God´s will. He was supposed to die now," I packed up some clothes and spent the weekend with another Peace Corp Volunteer, Aquila, where I could talk about freely how death sucks.... Today is the funeral and to all my friends attending know you are in my thoughts and prayers through this difficult time. And of course, to Lumpa: At our loss, heaven is gaining a wonderful man.

Cliff Jumping.. or walking on water

New Years Eve Crew

I dont have any more patience for pictures today. In 30 min. Ive uploaded 2 and the quality is terrible. I will try and find a computer with faster internet and post more tomorrow.

Chau!