back in full force

I am back in Nicaragua and have so much to say. The length of this will make up for the one I skipped while in the States.

"The Flight of the Conchords"
My flights last Tuesday were interesting. I flew from San Diego so I left the house at 9:50 for a 11:15 flight and everything was smooth as silk. When I got on the flight I, being the lovely person I am, offered to switch seats with this lady so she could sit by her son. This seat change sat me strategically in front of a yippy dog. I was wishing I had allergies so I would have an excuse to move but instead I fell asleep. My layover was short in Houston and I knew people on my flight so that was enjoyable. A small mishap occurred when the lady sitting next to me spilled her apple juice. Based on the amount that landed on me I think it missed her completely.

"Reading Rainbow"
Wednesday I had off and was able to re-acclimate to Nicaraguan life. It is slow here and hot. Pitaya is in season so there was amazing juice in the fridge. The electricity is out from 2pm to 7pm which isn't bad because that is only one hour of darkness and it gave me plenty of time to reorganize my bookshelf. In honor of this organizational process, I am now reading The Book on the Bookshelf by Henry Petroski. It is one of those books that doesn't have a description on the back cover because if it did, no one would ever read it. I guess it's about the history of the bookshelf. I am on page 43of 231. There is also a 20 page appendix that covers different methods of organizing books. I personally first divide by theme and then size. Maybe I will change them up some day and organize by price, publisher, or provenance. I mentioned that life is a little slow here, right?

"Schoolhouse Rock!"
Thursday I went back to school. It was a good day to ease in by helping in pre-school. Thi s one kid Hazzel/Gyser peed in the trash can. Friday was my first day back with regular classes. I was supposed to get picked up at 7:15 but Matthew called at 7:45 to tell me that he was running late. There was a robbery at the feeding program. I asked if they just took money or if the guy was injured. He was fine, the just took his money, shirt, and shoes. This is Nicaragua. The delay made it so I missed my entire first class but I went to the other 3 and they went smooth enough. After school as I was waiting to leave I wrote down my lesson, I think I was supposed to be doing that the whole time here. In the office one of the girls was reading the classified job ads. Although, I don't know why she would want to work anywhere else. One of the ads wanted a female, friendly, good-looking, thin, between ages of 18-23.

Real Women Have Curves
When I got home I ran some errands with my roommate and then took a nap. When I woke up I decided to go get things accomplished. I joined Curves. They let Cristina leave her membership to me so I don't have to pay the start up fee. I did not get any Curves dollars for tossing the keys on the Twister mat, and I think that shocked the girl that worked there. But whatever, those mats are slippery. Maybe next time.

"Friends"
So I've realized here that I need to be more purposeful in my socializing. Like actually call people and do things. It has already paid off, Saturday I went to Sambajuice for the first time. Their smoothies are good, just orange juice, ice, and your choice of 2 fruits. I went for the Strawberry, Raspberry combo. In the parking lot outside there was a man training a dog. It was the first well behaved dog I have seen in the country. Also in the parking lot this lady was walking around passing of fliers for cheesy bacon hot dogs at the gas station. Just looking at the picture made me gag. At night I went out with my Nicaraguan friend for dinner. In the States that usually means at 6 or 7 but here it was at 8:30. So I went to pre-dinner first with the Americans at someones house and then went out for buffalo wings. We ate Nica dinner outside and every time the giant Nica folk woman walked past us the car alarm went off.

"Full House"
On Saturday I also rearranged my bedroom. My new roommate moved in Sunday so I figured it was time to find places for all my valuables. How is it possible for me to accumulate so much stuff? I have a nightstand now so once again I got to organize books and find a place to store the extra buttons that come when you buy new clothes. All four of my roommates are back in Nicaragua now.

Revenge of the Nerds
Sunday I went to American church, It is quite a different experience than the Nicaraguan church that I normally go to. The American one starts a little after 8 and ends way before 10. That leaves the whole day free. I went on an hour long power walk with some girls here, which was totally an old lady thing to do but quite the work out. Then I went with my roommate to go pick up Kate, who I'll now be sharing a room with, from the airport. The late afternoon was filled with the normal procrastinating that comes when I should be thinking of lesson plans. At night my roommate said she would donate her big bookshelf for our house, so once again I got to organize books. I know if you made it this far in my e-mail you now know how much of a nerd I am. But also by this time I figured you will love me regardless.

"So You Think You Can Dance?"
Along with Mondays comes change in power schedules. This week 5pm to 10pm. But today was actually 5:15-9:45 so I guess they were in a good mood down at the power plant. I would love to complain about this but when it is on a schedule that you know it really isn't that bad. So tonight at 6:40 when it was pretty much dark we went to the mall. Most people were going to go to the movies but three of us girls brought books and laptops and hung out at a cafe chatting. On the way back as soon as I got in the car it smelled really bad so we were driving with the windows down and then finally realized it was my shoe. I had stepped in something not too pretty smelling. So I was content holding my shoe out the window for the rest of the drive but my roommate was laughing so hard she couldn't drive and pulled over in the video store parking lot for me to get cleaned up. It was quite the adventure. But at least I didn't have to watch Transformers.

global warning my foot

I haven't written for quite some time now and figured it was about time to fill you all in briefly about my life. Right now I am in overcast San Diego. I have been here since last Sunday for a wedding and sleeping. I am leaving tomorrow to return to Nicaragua. So yes I'm going back. Until December 4th (that's my return flight). Yes, I'm nervous. Yes, I'm excited. Yes, I'll miss hot showers and cereal and blueberries. For those of you I got to see I am really glad and for those of you I didn't see I'm sorry I'm such a loser. As I return things will be a little different, I'll have one new roommate and my brother and sister-in-law just moved back to the states. Other things will be the same, I'll still be teaching 1-3 grade English, I'll still have to pretend I know Spanish, I still will be living without electricity a few hours a day. As far as this trip to the states goes, I've been here for one action packed month but had a great time. I had forgotten how nice and necessary it is to spend quality time with people, and I've gotten to do a lot of that. In other ways I'm ready to return. I'm not a big shopper but everything is on sale here. I forget that even things on sale are more expensive than buying nothing. And my trip has been more nomadic than usual and that can be a little draining. What else do I have to say? Pray for me, come visit me, keep me posted on your lives. Oh, and a shout out to my favorite sister, it's her birthday.
Love, Joy

America the Beautiful

I was toting my pack along the long dusty Winnemucca road

When along came a semi with a high canvas covered load

If your goin' to Winnemucca, Mack with me you can ride

And so I climbed into the cab and then I settled down inside

He asked me if I'd seen a road with so much dust and sand

And I said, "Listen! I've traveled every road in this here land!"

I've been everywhere, man

I've been everywhere, man

Crossed the deserts bare, man

I've breathed the mountain air, man

Of travel I've had my share, man

I've been everywhere

Directions: Concord, CA to Absarokee, MT
1. Load up the cars. Seven adults, two toddlers, and ten days of luggage.
2. Stop for Peet's coffee.
3. Take I-680 East towards Sacramento. Go 19.7 miles.
4. Take the Sacramento exit onto I-80 East go 41.6 miles.
5. Take the Reno exit onto I-80 East – go 169 miles until Fernly, Nevada. The stop in Fernly will be short-lived. They don't even have a page on Wikipedia.
6. Continue driving on I-80 East 130 miles until Winnemucca. During this time it would be very appropriate to listen to Johnny Cash. (Winnemucca does have a page on Wikipedia, but I'll fill you in on the important details without on-line research). The hotels have balcony bars that are wider than standard which 2-year olds may take advantage of during attempted suicides. There is also a strong Basque contingency in Winnemucca. If you don't know much about the Basque they like to have darkly lit overpriced restaurants with food like meats with gravies and soups. The parking lots in Winnemucca are very nice for toddler boys to fall out of the car on to their faces. The emergency room nicely located near a park.
6. After leaving Winnemucca an hour later than intended (although the ETD was up for debate). Get back on I-80 East for 122 miles to Elko, Nevada. In Elko there is a very nice park and two Starbucks.
7. Get back on I-80 East for 41 miles
8. Take Exit #353/East Wells 0.3 miles
9. Turn left on US-93 – go 109 miles. Arrive in Pocatello, Idaho. Hotels in Idaho are about 1000 times nicer than in Nevada. They have waffle irons as part of their continental breakfasts.
10. Keep going North East on a variety of highways for 250 or so miles. Stopping in Twin Falls and then, eventually, in Bozeman, Montana at “The Leaf and Bean.” Keep driving some more until you get to Columbus. Exit. Stop at McDonald's to go to the bathroom and break your sunglasses that you bought 3 days beforehand.
11. When you get back on the road in Columbus you'll be on the MT -78 S. Go on that 14 miles then Yippee! you're in Absarokee.

Things to do and see in Absarokee, Montana:
1. Sneeze and apply lotion, the dry air and freshly cut weeds cater perfectly to these fun activities
2. Drink a peanut butter milkshake. There may not be a ton of restaurants but the first one on the right is really good.
4. Grate 10 lbs of carrots for your brother's wedding cake.
5. See your brother get married.
6. Play “Ticket to Ride.”
7. Lose at “Ticket to Ride” to your sister who you just taught how to play.
8. Play “Connect Four”
9. Lose at “Connect Four” to your brother-in-law in four moves.
10. Go to Billings to watch minor league baseball.
11. Go to Red Lodge. Red Lodge has a main street twice as long as Absarokee's.
12. Dress like a cow girl

Directions: Absarokee, MT to Concord, CA
1. Load up cars. Same people same luggage.
2. Get back on MT – 78 S for 32 miles until you get to Red Lodge. Stop for coffee.
3. Go on Beartooth pass through the amazingly beautiful mountains that lead you into Yellowstone. Stop once or twice for pictures.
4. Time your trip so you barely miss seeing Old Faithful. Sit in the parking lot having a picnic for approximately 90 minutes until it goes again. During the picnic take note of the vast variety of people that hang out at National Parks. Watch Old Faithful, speculate on how it got it's name.
5. Backtrack a little until so you can see the hot springs.
6. Drive out through West Yellowstone go on US - 20 for 97 miles until you reach Idaho Falls, Idaho.
7. In Idaho Falls eat at The Olive Garden. They may be out of what you want but what better way to end a day of being in the car. Depending on your hotel there is a chance you can take a dip in an over chlorinated spa, this does wonders for the eyes.
8. To leave Idaho Falls (where they had never heard of the potato shaped ice cream sundae) get on I – 15 S for 43.5 miles.
9. Take exit #72/Twin Falls onto I-86 W go 63 miles
10. Continue on I-84 W – go 47.9 miles. About now you should be thanking your family for not living in Eastern Nevada. If you still aren't sure you lucked out...
11. Stop in Wells, Nevada. In Wells there is an option for a guided tour of historic down town. We opted to sit on the lawn in front of the Presbyterian Church and have a picnic. Most businesses in Wells are past their glory days but the Flying J has showers.
12. Get on I-80 W (yes!) drive for 172 miles (no!). Somewhere in these long 172 miles of nothingness you may decide that you have no desire to sleep another night in Winnemucca but would rather continue on driving all night. This is a great idea. But you should stop in Winnemucca at the park (next to the emergency room) to let children run and then go buy coffee.
13. Get back on I -80 West (at 7PM) – go 128 miles. This entire time may be filled with screaming toddlers in the backseat.
14. Stop in Fernly for the bathroom and to sedate small children.
15. Continue on I-80 W 209 miles,
16. Take exit #40/Benicia/San Jose onto I–680 S go 20.1 miles.
17. Arrive in Concord at 1 AM (2 AM, Mountain Standard Time).
18. Pace aimlessly until you get Michael Card's “Sleep Sound in Jesus” out of your head.