Happy Independence Days

The 14^th and 15^th of September are Nicaraguan independence days.  My school has Tuesday and Wednesday off (neither the 14^th or 15^th) which is pretty exciting since usually holidays don’t fall on Tuesdays.  Unfortunately it also means that our maid isn’t coming until Thursday.  To support my patriotism I had kids in the library and at school make Nicaraguan flags last week.  I feel less pressure doing crafts at the library than at school because I don’t have to pretend there is an English lesson they should be learning.

Also to celebrate, on Saturday I went to the beach.  I didn’t actually go near the water or sand but I could see the ocean from my hammock.   

I signed up for a 15km “fun run” on October 5^th.  I didn’t realize that 15km is equivalent to 9.3 miles, now this run doesn’t sound as “fun.”  Someone already sponsored me for the $15 entry fee so now I can’t back down and officially had to start training.  There are two things I have to train for, one the distance and the other waking up at 6am.  I have a long way to go in both these departments.  I feel like I run fairly regularly, but this morning I realized that I don’t.  I now understand how those people that are fine one day and then the next they have to get a crane to get them out of their house because they weigh two tons. 

If you are bummed that you didn’t get to sponsor me for my first (and probably only) 1/3 marathon, don’t worry.  I am still looking for someone to sponsor my hotel for the night and meals.

My house has two dogs, a Boxer and a Rottweiler.  I am not their biggest fan.  Last week when I was opening the gate to let my roommate leave they both ran away.  I had to run around our street trying to catch them and bring them back before a neighbor loaned me a rope to tie up the little one and helped me drag her home.  Then on Saturday night I got home at 10:30 and they ran away on me again.  In the dark.  I was going to leave them but I think the Rottweiler scares our neighbors so I felt bad.  Fortunately, the night guard from across the street helped me bring them back.  On Sunday morning I locked up the house and was reading on the porch while waiting for my ride to pick me up.  Then when they came I left my book on a little table we have and locked up the gate.  When I came back my book was chewed up.  I think I can still read it, just the corners are missing.  I guess they miss their mom Lori, she is the only one who doesn’t think they are gross.  She is coming back tonight.

Thursday my mom, Aunt Mana, and Becky Tobin are coming to visit for ten days.  I am really looking forward to that adventure.

TTFN

Joy

Trocitos of information

Today I have officially lived in Nicaragua for two years.  I had big plans to write a 2 year anniversary poem for you but it is not coming along very well so I quit.  Instead you can write one for me (prizes will be awarded)...  

For the past two years I've lived in Nicaragua

The land of volcanoes and lakes of dirty agua

I slept  wearing thick socks last night (sorry jenny).  I stole them from my dad last time he was here.  What can you deduce from these two statements.  Firstly, you should have me do your laundry, and secondly it is cold.  Yesterday when I was walking home it was drizzling, usually that just means it is really humid but no, I wasn't even sweating.  Then I got picked up by a man who has a horse camp, he was nice.  

Yesterday morning I went to the sports center again with Michelle.  Because of the cold weather, only five students came with their moms.  Since this caused a surplus of adults we got to play volleyball.  I know I am usually not one to judge other's athletic abilities and all in to having uncompetitive sports, but look at  my team. 

 Two pregnant ladies and a lady in purple heels.  I would say that we lost but I don't think what we were playing was close enough to the real game to even attempt to keep score.  

At the library I've been lending out books and they have been coming back, that's a good thing. 

(proof)  

Right now they take them home in zip-lock bags but I just commissioned some ladies to make canvas books bags.  I was going to start making them myself but I have better things to do with my time (in theory) and the ladies need to make money (a fact).  

Also at the library I've started opening up early to give reading help ten and eleven year old brothers in second grade, Jose and Luis.  They are extremely sweet and always filthy and are good at doing puzzles and playing games.  They just can't read.  If you know the spanish alphabet, in theory you can pretty much sound out any word, but for them it is still a struggle.  And then there is the next step after  sounding out syllable by syllable, repeating what you read with confidence and understanding.  The older of the two can do this sometimes, the younger one can't.  So in summary, in this country you can get to second grade with no ability to read.

Today I am substituting for Basic Art at the NCA.  They finished their assignment and it is a Friday.  In college they would be sent home but this is middle school, I have to make sure they don't hurt themselves.  One kid was just doing one-armed pushups, that could have been dangerous.  I have another class after lunch and I don't know where the paper is that says what class it is.  Rumor has it that it is Advanced Art.  Even if I don't have a lesson plan that should be easy.  I can just use the time to demonstrate my advanced art skills.  

Speaking of lunch, we have no bread at my house.  I found some bagels but they were rock hard so had to be thrown away.  I did find crackers and cheese so I will be having a very Jackie Eklund road trip meal.  If only I had Trader Joe's yogurt.  

I've taken up playing Ticket to Ride again.  I've played three nights this week.  I haven't played speed Scrabble all month.  

As for my future, who knows what it holds,

I'm here until December and then my plan folds.