Home is where the heart is.
Today marks my 14th day back in California. My heart is in my body, I feel fairly comfortable and “at home” in my skin. What am I talking about.
All work and no play makes days sad and gray.
Some fine folks have been hiring me to do things. Last week my brother-in-law's high school friend had me run errands for him, my aunt had me wrap Christmas presents, on Wednesday I did some house cleaning (and am doing some more tomorrow), and the mother of all odd-jobs...Grandpa Vern is paying me to type up a book of his poetry. I've also been able to spend plenty of time sitting around so don't worry my days aren't gray (just cold) and you can still have me do stuff for you.
When God shuts a door He opens a window.
On my last night in Nicaragua Lori and I wanted to go to the circus. Unfortunately, we got there late and they had already locked the doors. After standing outside pouting and looking and the miniature ponies for a few minuets we gave up and went to the fair. But lo and behold East Bay Regional Data had extra tickets to their company Christmas party and invited me (since I've worked there at least 30 hours this year). And guess where the party was. Cirque du Soleil. I was like a dream come true. I mean my only W in college was in tumbling so am impressed by a cart wheel, but they things they did were beyond amazing.
“There exist only three beings worthy of respect: the priest, the soldier, the poet. To know, to kill, to create.” -Charles Bauderlaire
Yes that is a stupid quote, but it is a nice transition into the topic of poetry. We had our 3rd annual Christmas Eve poetry contest this year. I got second place to my brother Joel. At least we didn't let Eric win again. For ridiculousness Grandpa Vern should have won with his drunk driving poem, but then he would have ended up with a plaque with a picture of himself. Definitely the poets in our family are not worthy of respect.
If you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all.
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and are planing on having a fantastic new year. I think I'm going to Huntington Beach on Tuesday for a few days so let me know if you're in that area.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Supplemental post regarding Joy's future
You: Why are you staying there?
Me: I get to have a maid, and a few other reasons.
For the majority of my past year here in Nicaragua, I have seen this December marking the end of my stay. As much as I love the school I was working at and Nicaragua in general, teaching lower elementary English is not something I particularly enjoy or feel gifted in. At the end of August during a lunch with my boss, he mentioned a possibility of a starting a new preschool that I could potentially direct. Although this is not what I'll be doing, my reaction to the suggestion caught me a little off guard; I wasn't kicking and screaming. I think that God used this conversation to open my eyes and heart to continuing my stay here.
Fast forward now to October. One night I was at Coffee with my friend Lori and she asked me if I had considered coming back to Nicaragua for 2008. I told her that I was not opposed to the idea if God provided a way for me to stay here. I knew that if I wanted to stay I could easily fill my time but wanted it to be clearly His leading- not me trying to manipulate things on my own. Basically I wanted Him to plop something in my lap; He did.
You: OK, get to the point.
Me: Hum...where to start...
Hallie and Kathy August are a missionary couple that moved to Nicaragua in 2002 and started, with Amanda Gutierez, El Saltero. El Saltero is a community center and sports complex that aims to serve two barrios: Cedro Galan and Chiquilistaga. Currently the complex is basketball courts, a baseball field, soccer field, volleyball court, 2000 square-foot ranchon (covered, open-air multi purpose room with kitchen), computer lab, and library.
The complex is used for neighborhood Nicaraguan sports teams to practice and compete on and for kids to play at. It also can be reserved for churches to use for day retreats and is currently used to host a weekly youth group.
One area in the August's vision that is still seriously lacking is the education center. They have buildings for a computer lab and library but do not have the manpower to get these to be fully functioning. The computer lab is equipped with computers and was opened for a few hours a day but the lady that was supervising it no longer is able to so the lab is locked up. The library is a whole other story. There is a room and some boxes of books but a lot needs to be done before it can be opened to the community. In steps Joy. Hello, I was an Organizational Studies major (like that matters), love books, and have read The Book on the Bookshelf. So yeah put those three things together and I am in totally over my head again. But, add the grace of God and it's in the bag.
You: So what will you be doing?
Me: I'm getting there.
The Augusts are hoping to be able to open one of the few community lending libraries in the country. My main project will be organizing the books on to the shelves with room for expansion and setting up a system for people to take books home. My hope in this is not to become a life long Nicaraguan librarian but to create a clearly defined, yet flexible, system that later can be run by locals. Since this isn't something I've done before I don't know how long it will take. Right now I am estimating ten months because that would take me up to next Christmas and that seems like a good time to go home to the states.
This project will be what I am mostly working on when I return to Nicaragua, but there are some other things too. Along with this property, the Augusts have a pre-school and feeding center that I am invited to serve in as my schedule permits. Also on the property there are dorms for short term teams to stay at and I may be helping with that, especially as they will be helping me. Unrelatedly, I will be part-time, co-teaching a domestic-arts class at the NCA (where my roommates teach). The class is twelve juniors and seniors and I am excited to be able to be able to pass on my sewing, baking, personal budgeting, and event planning skills to them. Oh, and I hope to still help out with my current boss Matthew, either at the school one day a week or with his other projects. I know this may seem like a lot but most of it is open for flexibility as my schedule permits and God guides.
You: So what does that make you?
Me: Joy
As I am anticipating this change in my life, there is little that is known. I know that God loves me and that His desire is for me is that “the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in [me] (2 Thess. 1:120),” wherever I am living. I am not considering myself a missionary, because I don't know what that means or what you think that means. I will be serving Nicaraguans and building relationships with them and, much like I would be doing if I were in the States, aiming at making the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in the sight of the Lord (Psalm 19:14). So pretty much, yes, this is me living in another country, being me, whatever that entails.
I also know that things cost money and besides a few possible tutoring jobs, I won't be raking in the dough here. So these next two months of life in the States (December 15-Mid February), I will be working to earn enough money to support myself while I am in Nicaragua (this should not be impossible as living in Nicaragua isn’t too expensive and I’m cheap!). Since two months isn’t enough time to go out and get a real job, I am offering you a once in a lifetime (at least for now) opportunity to hire me to work for you. I'm not sure what you need done but I've assembled a list of possibilities (and have excellent references if you need them). If you live out side of Northern California I am willing to travel if it is reasonable Top three reasons to hire me: the job gets done, you get to see me, it's tax deductible.
For the Home:
-Cooking
-Cleaning
-Sewing buttons
-Child care (if really that is the only option)
-Old people care
-Driving
-Shopping/Returning Christmas gifts
-Organizing
-Striping wallpaper
-Washing cars
-Putting up (for procrastinators) or taking down Christmas decorations
-Redoing your address book (that's what I'm doing for my mom)
-Sending out your family updates (you could either send me pertinent information or I can make stuff up)
-Pulling weeds
-Reading
For the Office:
-Cleaning storage closets
-Filing
-Paper clipping
-Stuffing envelopes
-Making secret shopper calls (thank you WAMU)
-Basic computer stuff: Burning CD's, Word, Excel, MySpace
-Counting trees (That's what I did last Christmas for my brother-in-law)
For Homeless and Officeless people
-Drinking Coffee
-Walking (you know, like a walk-a-thon)
-Talking on the phone
-Painting nails
-Writing love poems
-Hanging out
-Pretty much whatever you can think of
Thank you for taking the time to read this, let me know how I can help you in the next few months.
Me: I get to have a maid, and a few other reasons.
For the majority of my past year here in Nicaragua, I have seen this December marking the end of my stay. As much as I love the school I was working at and Nicaragua in general, teaching lower elementary English is not something I particularly enjoy or feel gifted in. At the end of August during a lunch with my boss, he mentioned a possibility of a starting a new preschool that I could potentially direct. Although this is not what I'll be doing, my reaction to the suggestion caught me a little off guard; I wasn't kicking and screaming. I think that God used this conversation to open my eyes and heart to continuing my stay here.
Fast forward now to October. One night I was at Coffee with my friend Lori and she asked me if I had considered coming back to Nicaragua for 2008. I told her that I was not opposed to the idea if God provided a way for me to stay here. I knew that if I wanted to stay I could easily fill my time but wanted it to be clearly His leading- not me trying to manipulate things on my own. Basically I wanted Him to plop something in my lap; He did.
You: OK, get to the point.
Me: Hum...where to start...
Hallie and Kathy August are a missionary couple that moved to Nicaragua in 2002 and started, with Amanda Gutierez, El Saltero. El Saltero is a community center and sports complex that aims to serve two barrios: Cedro Galan and Chiquilistaga. Currently the complex is basketball courts, a baseball field, soccer field, volleyball court, 2000 square-foot ranchon (covered, open-air multi purpose room with kitchen), computer lab, and library.
The complex is used for neighborhood Nicaraguan sports teams to practice and compete on and for kids to play at. It also can be reserved for churches to use for day retreats and is currently used to host a weekly youth group.
One area in the August's vision that is still seriously lacking is the education center. They have buildings for a computer lab and library but do not have the manpower to get these to be fully functioning. The computer lab is equipped with computers and was opened for a few hours a day but the lady that was supervising it no longer is able to so the lab is locked up. The library is a whole other story. There is a room and some boxes of books but a lot needs to be done before it can be opened to the community. In steps Joy. Hello, I was an Organizational Studies major (like that matters), love books, and have read The Book on the Bookshelf. So yeah put those three things together and I am in totally over my head again. But, add the grace of God and it's in the bag.
You: So what will you be doing?
Me: I'm getting there.
The Augusts are hoping to be able to open one of the few community lending libraries in the country. My main project will be organizing the books on to the shelves with room for expansion and setting up a system for people to take books home. My hope in this is not to become a life long Nicaraguan librarian but to create a clearly defined, yet flexible, system that later can be run by locals. Since this isn't something I've done before I don't know how long it will take. Right now I am estimating ten months because that would take me up to next Christmas and that seems like a good time to go home to the states.
This project will be what I am mostly working on when I return to Nicaragua, but there are some other things too. Along with this property, the Augusts have a pre-school and feeding center that I am invited to serve in as my schedule permits. Also on the property there are dorms for short term teams to stay at and I may be helping with that, especially as they will be helping me. Unrelatedly, I will be part-time, co-teaching a domestic-arts class at the NCA (where my roommates teach). The class is twelve juniors and seniors and I am excited to be able to be able to pass on my sewing, baking, personal budgeting, and event planning skills to them. Oh, and I hope to still help out with my current boss Matthew, either at the school one day a week or with his other projects. I know this may seem like a lot but most of it is open for flexibility as my schedule permits and God guides.
You: So what does that make you?
Me: Joy
As I am anticipating this change in my life, there is little that is known. I know that God loves me and that His desire is for me is that “the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in [me] (2 Thess. 1:120),” wherever I am living. I am not considering myself a missionary, because I don't know what that means or what you think that means. I will be serving Nicaraguans and building relationships with them and, much like I would be doing if I were in the States, aiming at making the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in the sight of the Lord (Psalm 19:14). So pretty much, yes, this is me living in another country, being me, whatever that entails.
I also know that things cost money and besides a few possible tutoring jobs, I won't be raking in the dough here. So these next two months of life in the States (December 15-Mid February), I will be working to earn enough money to support myself while I am in Nicaragua (this should not be impossible as living in Nicaragua isn’t too expensive and I’m cheap!). Since two months isn’t enough time to go out and get a real job, I am offering you a once in a lifetime (at least for now) opportunity to hire me to work for you. I'm not sure what you need done but I've assembled a list of possibilities (and have excellent references if you need them). If you live out side of Northern California I am willing to travel if it is reasonable Top three reasons to hire me: the job gets done, you get to see me, it's tax deductible.
For the Home:
-Cooking
-Cleaning
-Sewing buttons
-Child care (if really that is the only option)
-Old people care
-Driving
-Shopping/Returning Christmas gifts
-Organizing
-Striping wallpaper
-Washing cars
-Putting up (for procrastinators) or taking down Christmas decorations
-Redoing your address book (that's what I'm doing for my mom)
-Sending out your family updates (you could either send me pertinent information or I can make stuff up)
-Pulling weeds
-Reading
For the Office:
-Cleaning storage closets
-Filing
-Paper clipping
-Stuffing envelopes
-Making secret shopper calls (thank you WAMU)
-Basic computer stuff: Burning CD's, Word, Excel, MySpace
-Counting trees (That's what I did last Christmas for my brother-in-law)
For Homeless and Officeless people
-Drinking Coffee
-Walking (you know, like a walk-a-thon)
-Talking on the phone
-Painting nails
-Writing love poems
-Hanging out
-Pretty much whatever you can think of
Thank you for taking the time to read this, let me know how I can help you in the next few months.
Monday, December 10, 2007
the electricity is on but my bedroom light died
Hello and merry almost Christmas. A lot has happened here since my last update but I think I can mostly break this one up into three main themes: Christmas, Corn Islands, and Conclusion.
Christmas:
Although December is one of the nicest months here weather wise I can still get away with wearing all the same clothes as in other months, I just sweat less in them. But don't worry shorts and tank-tops don't damper my Christmas spirit.
+Last Friday night I went to a Christmas kick-off BBQ. I thought, it being Christmas themed, I should dress festively. I guess no one else got that memo. Here is a picture of me with my friends Lori and Tomas.
+On Sunday people came over to our apartment, and those surrounding, for a cookie making party. It's a tradition to make plates of treats and then take them with us caroling to missionaries that live near by. I really like Christmas carols. Maybe because you can't listen to them all year long they're extra special. Anyways it was lots of fun, sorry you live too far away to reap the benefits.
+I think tomorrow night I am going to a Christmas concert and that might be the last Advent activity until I get back to the States.
Corn Islands:
Don't worry it hasn't been all Christmas and no fun. From last Sunday to Wednesday I went with my friends Lori and Liz to the Corn Islands off of Nicaragua's East coast. My boss, Matthew, generously donated money towards it as a little end of the year gift for Liz and me. I think getting paid in special gifts is even more exciting than getting paid in money.
+The Corn Islands consist of Big Corn and Little Corn and are in the RAAS region of Nicaragua. RAAS is basically the South Eastern quarter of Nicaragua, and is independently governed. The people are Caribbean and speak Native English which is totally cool to hear but really difficult to understand. I want my children to speak it.
+Early last Sunday morning we took a flight on a 12 passenger plane from Managua to Big Corn. Here is a picture of us looking bright and cheery on the plane.
Christmas:
Although December is one of the nicest months here weather wise I can still get away with wearing all the same clothes as in other months, I just sweat less in them. But don't worry shorts and tank-tops don't damper my Christmas spirit.
+Last Friday night I went to a Christmas kick-off BBQ. I thought, it being Christmas themed, I should dress festively. I guess no one else got that memo. Here is a picture of me with my friends Lori and Tomas.
+After the BBQ Lori and I met with some friends to go see Cascanueces (a.k.a. The Nutcracker) put on by the Nicaraguan Cultural Organization. Over all it was very good, just a few dances were completely off.
+After the Nutcracker (yeah it was a busy night) we decided to walk to the old cathedral where the city's Christmas tree is. We knew that something was going on downtown but figured it would have been over by that time. Yeah it wasn't. All of the sudden we were is a mass of people listening to a speech by our lovely president Ortega. Really we were probably 100 yards away from him just out in the open with fireworks going off. Perfect location for an assassination (if I was into that kind of stuff).
+On Saturday I went with a youth group's service team to a local orphanage for a Christmas party. We mostly hung out with the older kids (4-8), sang songs, read books, colored pictures, and decoated Christmas cookies. I held this one kid until he fell asleep. What can I say, I have a calming effect on kids. When he woke up I proceeded to feed him frosting, I think most of his teeth had been recently pulled so the cookies were a little tough. I also tried to interact with the babies, but I really didn't know how so mostly I petted them while they sat in their cribs. Much like a petting zoo.
+Not only does December mark Christmas for Nicaragua but also Purisima. Purisima is when Mary's conception is celebrated, which makes a sense since we know that her birthday is in September. It all falls into the "too much information" category if you ask me. So all the first week at 6pm, 9pm, and midnight there are firecrackers going off. Friday the 7th and Saturday the 8th are the official days so they are even more exciting. On Friday night people (not just little kids) go door to door and sing to Mary for gifts. I guess the gifts aren't just candy either but can be pretty nice depending on your neighborhood. Some NCA teachers had bought fireworks and on Saturday night we went to a basketball court and watched boys light things on fire. The girls got sparklers.
+On Friday night I went to Lori's house to hang out. They had a lot of extra Christmas lights so Lori thought decorating each other with them was a good idea. I electrocuted myself. But the pain was minimal and now you get this great picture.
+After the Nutcracker (yeah it was a busy night) we decided to walk to the old cathedral where the city's Christmas tree is. We knew that something was going on downtown but figured it would have been over by that time. Yeah it wasn't. All of the sudden we were is a mass of people listening to a speech by our lovely president Ortega. Really we were probably 100 yards away from him just out in the open with fireworks going off. Perfect location for an assassination (if I was into that kind of stuff).
+On Saturday I went with a youth group's service team to a local orphanage for a Christmas party. We mostly hung out with the older kids (4-8), sang songs, read books, colored pictures, and decoated Christmas cookies. I held this one kid until he fell asleep. What can I say, I have a calming effect on kids. When he woke up I proceeded to feed him frosting, I think most of his teeth had been recently pulled so the cookies were a little tough. I also tried to interact with the babies, but I really didn't know how so mostly I petted them while they sat in their cribs. Much like a petting zoo.
+Not only does December mark Christmas for Nicaragua but also Purisima. Purisima is when Mary's conception is celebrated, which makes a sense since we know that her birthday is in September. It all falls into the "too much information" category if you ask me. So all the first week at 6pm, 9pm, and midnight there are firecrackers going off. Friday the 7th and Saturday the 8th are the official days so they are even more exciting. On Friday night people (not just little kids) go door to door and sing to Mary for gifts. I guess the gifts aren't just candy either but can be pretty nice depending on your neighborhood. Some NCA teachers had bought fireworks and on Saturday night we went to a basketball court and watched boys light things on fire. The girls got sparklers.
+On Friday night I went to Lori's house to hang out. They had a lot of extra Christmas lights so Lori thought decorating each other with them was a good idea. I electrocuted myself. But the pain was minimal and now you get this great picture.
+On Sunday people came over to our apartment, and those surrounding, for a cookie making party. It's a tradition to make plates of treats and then take them with us caroling to missionaries that live near by. I really like Christmas carols. Maybe because you can't listen to them all year long they're extra special. Anyways it was lots of fun, sorry you live too far away to reap the benefits.
+I think tomorrow night I am going to a Christmas concert and that might be the last Advent activity until I get back to the States.
Corn Islands:
Don't worry it hasn't been all Christmas and no fun. From last Sunday to Wednesday I went with my friends Lori and Liz to the Corn Islands off of Nicaragua's East coast. My boss, Matthew, generously donated money towards it as a little end of the year gift for Liz and me. I think getting paid in special gifts is even more exciting than getting paid in money.
+The Corn Islands consist of Big Corn and Little Corn and are in the RAAS region of Nicaragua. RAAS is basically the South Eastern quarter of Nicaragua, and is independently governed. The people are Caribbean and speak Native English which is totally cool to hear but really difficult to understand. I want my children to speak it.
+Early last Sunday morning we took a flight on a 12 passenger plane from Managua to Big Corn. Here is a picture of us looking bright and cheery on the plane.
+ As soon as we got to Big Corn we took a taxi to the docks so we could get on a boat to Little Corn. The boat ride was like riding Splash Mountain for 40 minuets and only paying $6 -- I like Splash Mountain. I also like the fact that it was December and we had the skies blue and the warm sun bright.
+People say that Little Corn is the better of the two islands because on Big Corn there is nothing to do. This statement is pretty funny because on Little Corn there is really nothing to do. We stayed in Casa Iguana a set of cabanas that I highly recommend. Because there were three of us we upgraded to the cabanas with the "outdoor, but private showers." Who needs indoor showers when you have a deck with hammocks on it overlooking the Caribbean.
+People say that Little Corn is the better of the two islands because on Big Corn there is nothing to do. This statement is pretty funny because on Little Corn there is really nothing to do. We stayed in Casa Iguana a set of cabanas that I highly recommend. Because there were three of us we upgraded to the cabanas with the "outdoor, but private showers." Who needs indoor showers when you have a deck with hammocks on it overlooking the Caribbean.
+So Sunday we spent laying on the beach, playing with local kids in the ocean, reading (I brought The DaVinci Code which I got made fun of for, because I guess everyone besides me has already read it), and napping. Pretty much the ideal day if you ask me.
+After a leisurely Monday morning (to make up for the busy Sunday) we went snorkeling. First we just swam out to the reef with one of the guys that works at the hotel and then in the afternoon we went out in a boat with divers. It was beautiful and I don't know what else to say about it except when we went out from the boat somehow we lost the reef. So for a while we just swam around looking at the sand until we went back to the boat and asked the driver to help us find it again. Yup, and did this happen once? No, twice.
+A cool thing about the little island is that you can walk around barefoot. This comes in handy when you only bring one pair of shoes and the dog steals one of them. After a day without it I asked the maintenance men if they had seen a sandal and they suspiciously knew just where to look.
+On the island you can also have Jimmy (who lives just past the pink house) walk around with you to find fresh loaves of coconut bread sold in different houses depending on the time of day. Note on that: don't expect the ladies that sell bread out of their homes to have 88 Cordobas of change on them.
+Tuesday we went back to the big island. It was another fun boat ride, this time in the rain. Don't ask who the guy is, he's classy that's all I have to say.
+After a leisurely Monday morning (to make up for the busy Sunday) we went snorkeling. First we just swam out to the reef with one of the guys that works at the hotel and then in the afternoon we went out in a boat with divers. It was beautiful and I don't know what else to say about it except when we went out from the boat somehow we lost the reef. So for a while we just swam around looking at the sand until we went back to the boat and asked the driver to help us find it again. Yup, and did this happen once? No, twice.
+A cool thing about the little island is that you can walk around barefoot. This comes in handy when you only bring one pair of shoes and the dog steals one of them. After a day without it I asked the maintenance men if they had seen a sandal and they suspiciously knew just where to look.
+On the island you can also have Jimmy (who lives just past the pink house) walk around with you to find fresh loaves of coconut bread sold in different houses depending on the time of day. Note on that: don't expect the ladies that sell bread out of their homes to have 88 Cordobas of change on them.
+Tuesday we went back to the big island. It was another fun boat ride, this time in the rain. Don't ask who the guy is, he's classy that's all I have to say.
+Our first day on Big Corn the rain continued but our hotel had indoor hot showers with water pressure, air conditioning, room service, and cable. All it really lacked was electricity but even that was only for an hour. So yes, what did we do: Took hot showers, turned on the air conditioning, watched Fa La La La Lifetime Christmas movies and had the restaurant bring us up lobster and pizza.
+By Wednesday morning the weather completely cleared up so, after breakfast on the beach, we were able to lay around swimming and reading for a few hours. As soon as we went inside to pack up it started raining again, obviously because the island was grieving the loss of us. At 2:30 we went back to the airport, where you have to be weighed before getting on the plane, and ate cup-o-noodles.
+Our plane back was much bigger. Bigger means louder and that drinks get served. It wasn't big enough to hire fancy stewardesses to serve those drinks so I ended up with coke all over me, twice.
Conclusion:
+It has been a very full few weeks but pretty amazing over all.
+I am really ready to come back to the States on Saturday and hope to see a lot of you soon.
+Plans are being made for me to return to Nicaragua in February 2008. I am really excited to talk to you about what I'll be doing (because it's completely different) and hopefully soon I'll be able to pull my thoughts and plans all together to share in an official way, maybe later this week. Until then, I welcome questions. Thank you so much for your prayers about this decision making process, God once again proved to be exceedingly faithful.
+By Wednesday morning the weather completely cleared up so, after breakfast on the beach, we were able to lay around swimming and reading for a few hours. As soon as we went inside to pack up it started raining again, obviously because the island was grieving the loss of us. At 2:30 we went back to the airport, where you have to be weighed before getting on the plane, and ate cup-o-noodles.
+Our plane back was much bigger. Bigger means louder and that drinks get served. It wasn't big enough to hire fancy stewardesses to serve those drinks so I ended up with coke all over me, twice.
Conclusion:
+It has been a very full few weeks but pretty amazing over all.
+I am really ready to come back to the States on Saturday and hope to see a lot of you soon.
+Plans are being made for me to return to Nicaragua in February 2008. I am really excited to talk to you about what I'll be doing (because it's completely different) and hopefully soon I'll be able to pull my thoughts and plans all together to share in an official way, maybe later this week. Until then, I welcome questions. Thank you so much for your prayers about this decision making process, God once again proved to be exceedingly faithful.
Monday, November 26, 2007
the countdown continues
Maná
Last Saturday night I went to a concert for the band Maná. They are a Mexican rock group that has been around for like 20 years or something, so a really big deal. I barely knew their music but was really excited to be able to go, and I think that everyone else's enthusiasm and obsession made up for my lack. Anyways, the band totally rocked. I would have taken a picture but it's recommended that you take nothing with you to the national stadium, so no camera. Even if you think you are pretty aware of pickpockets and such, most awareness goes out the window when the night is morphed into something resembling a cattle drive as people try to leave. I held on to the people I went with with my dear life, which I'm sure they appreciated.
Thanksgiving, Take One.
Last Sunday night the English speaking church, ICF, hosted a Thanksgiving dinner. It was the typical pot-luck, cold dry turkey, eighteen dishes of mac and cheese (something our family never considered Thanksgiving food), veggie casseroles, and two tables of desserts.
Painting
Since I am officially finished with teaching, Monday and Tuesday I helped paint furniture at a center my friend runs. We used black oil-based paint and my nails still look rather dirty. I don't mind painting but am not a big fan of the preparation or clean up.
Substituting
On Wednesday I started Substituting at NCA. I've decided it's the easiest job ever. I "coached" ultimate frisbee for three classes, made anti-drug hand turkeys in heath, and sat in the computer lab while my five anatomy students did research. The common theme in my classes was the students asking about Mr. Eklund and Elijah and trying to decided which Mr. Eklund I look like the most. Seventh and Eighth grade girls whine a lot, that was another theme.
Béisbol
My friend Lori's dad is visiting this week; last Wednesday night we went to a baseball game. She recently met one of the players that is down from the states playing fall ball. He put our names on a list so we wouldn't have to pay the five dollars that everyone else had to pay. We also got good seats, right behind home plate. On a side note the stadium is named after Denis Martinez, he is embarrassed that they named it after him because it is so ghetto. Ghetto, but oh so Nica. The street vendors come in to sell fried plantain chips, quesillo (string cheese in a tortilla with onion and sour cream), and chicharon (fried pig skin), and the street kids come in to collect beer cans. Managua's team, Boer, beat San Fernando (SF). I wish you could have been there.
End of the School Year
As well as marking American thanksgiving, Thursday also had my end of the school celebrations. There was some chapel type stuff and then parties in each grade. I've probably mentioned before that our classrooms are small they get a lot smaller when parents, pinatas, buckets of food, and home stereo systems are added. Oh I'm going to miss my school (honestly, no sarcasm), and you should have been there for that day too.
Thanksgiving, Take Two.
On Thursday afternoon one of the organizations here, Manna, had a gringo dinner. This one was smaller than Sunday's and thus had better quality control.
Thanksgiving, Take Three.
Thursday night I went to my boss Matthew and his wife Jennifer's house for dinner. Their oven doesn't work but Pricesmart sells really good roasted chicken. So the meal was pretty traditional with a little Korean mixed in. At the end of dinner Matthew and Jennifer decided it was time for them to find me a husband. I won't go into details but I understand Asian matchmaking so much more now. I mean they are talented. So you're all invited to my wedding, Matthew will be officiating and Jennifer either being co-mother-of-the-bride, a bridesmaid, or doing a reading.
Graduation
Friday, after lunch with my future husband, was pre-school and sixth grade graduation at my school. When the ceremony ended parents asked me to take pictures with their students, I think because I'm white. We also got food, I put my sandwich in my purse to save for later. I ended up saving it in the trash can with my sugar with caramel cake.
More Substituting
Today I am substituting again. On Mondays there is no PE so I only have three classes. In Bible we are going to make Christmas tree ornaments, my roommate Kate and I made samples on Saturday. I think it will be a two day project. I have/get to be here for seven more hours, so today is the day for you to e-mail me.
Prayer Requests
I guess if you've made it this far you love me enough to pray for me. One big one, should I stay or should I go? I really need God's peace and direction as far as what I should do next year. Either to return here or if I stay in the States I'll probably need to find a job or something. Feel free to share your opinion especially if it isn't based on emotional inclinations, yes I know you all love me. And looking at my remaining time here (rather it be short or long) I need daily guidance in my life as to how to spend my time wisely in a way that glorifies God. So basically the whole more of You, less of me thing and all that jazz.
Last Saturday night I went to a concert for the band Maná. They are a Mexican rock group that has been around for like 20 years or something, so a really big deal. I barely knew their music but was really excited to be able to go, and I think that everyone else's enthusiasm and obsession made up for my lack. Anyways, the band totally rocked. I would have taken a picture but it's recommended that you take nothing with you to the national stadium, so no camera. Even if you think you are pretty aware of pickpockets and such, most awareness goes out the window when the night is morphed into something resembling a cattle drive as people try to leave. I held on to the people I went with with my dear life, which I'm sure they appreciated.
Thanksgiving, Take One.
Last Sunday night the English speaking church, ICF, hosted a Thanksgiving dinner. It was the typical pot-luck, cold dry turkey, eighteen dishes of mac and cheese (something our family never considered Thanksgiving food), veggie casseroles, and two tables of desserts.
Painting
Since I am officially finished with teaching, Monday and Tuesday I helped paint furniture at a center my friend runs. We used black oil-based paint and my nails still look rather dirty. I don't mind painting but am not a big fan of the preparation or clean up.
Substituting
On Wednesday I started Substituting at NCA. I've decided it's the easiest job ever. I "coached" ultimate frisbee for three classes, made anti-drug hand turkeys in heath, and sat in the computer lab while my five anatomy students did research. The common theme in my classes was the students asking about Mr. Eklund and Elijah and trying to decided which Mr. Eklund I look like the most. Seventh and Eighth grade girls whine a lot, that was another theme.
Béisbol
My friend Lori's dad is visiting this week; last Wednesday night we went to a baseball game. She recently met one of the players that is down from the states playing fall ball. He put our names on a list so we wouldn't have to pay the five dollars that everyone else had to pay. We also got good seats, right behind home plate. On a side note the stadium is named after Denis Martinez, he is embarrassed that they named it after him because it is so ghetto. Ghetto, but oh so Nica. The street vendors come in to sell fried plantain chips, quesillo (string cheese in a tortilla with onion and sour cream), and chicharon (fried pig skin), and the street kids come in to collect beer cans. Managua's team, Boer, beat San Fernando (SF). I wish you could have been there.
End of the School Year
As well as marking American thanksgiving, Thursday also had my end of the school celebrations. There was some chapel type stuff and then parties in each grade. I've probably mentioned before that our classrooms are small they get a lot smaller when parents, pinatas, buckets of food, and home stereo systems are added. Oh I'm going to miss my school (honestly, no sarcasm), and you should have been there for that day too.
Thanksgiving, Take Two.
On Thursday afternoon one of the organizations here, Manna, had a gringo dinner. This one was smaller than Sunday's and thus had better quality control.
Thanksgiving, Take Three.
Thursday night I went to my boss Matthew and his wife Jennifer's house for dinner. Their oven doesn't work but Pricesmart sells really good roasted chicken. So the meal was pretty traditional with a little Korean mixed in. At the end of dinner Matthew and Jennifer decided it was time for them to find me a husband. I won't go into details but I understand Asian matchmaking so much more now. I mean they are talented. So you're all invited to my wedding, Matthew will be officiating and Jennifer either being co-mother-of-the-bride, a bridesmaid, or doing a reading.
Graduation
Friday, after lunch with my future husband, was pre-school and sixth grade graduation at my school. When the ceremony ended parents asked me to take pictures with their students, I think because I'm white. We also got food, I put my sandwich in my purse to save for later. I ended up saving it in the trash can with my sugar with caramel cake.
More Substituting
Today I am substituting again. On Mondays there is no PE so I only have three classes. In Bible we are going to make Christmas tree ornaments, my roommate Kate and I made samples on Saturday. I think it will be a two day project. I have/get to be here for seven more hours, so today is the day for you to e-mail me.
Prayer Requests
I guess if you've made it this far you love me enough to pray for me. One big one, should I stay or should I go? I really need God's peace and direction as far as what I should do next year. Either to return here or if I stay in the States I'll probably need to find a job or something. Feel free to share your opinion especially if it isn't based on emotional inclinations, yes I know you all love me. And looking at my remaining time here (rather it be short or long) I need daily guidance in my life as to how to spend my time wisely in a way that glorifies God. So basically the whole more of You, less of me thing and all that jazz.
Monday, November 12, 2007
as things wind down...
Hello again lovelies, don't worry I'm back but do sincerely apologize for my recent lack of consistency. My computer is slowly dying a very painful death. Fortunately for you I just dropped a huge hint as to what someone could get me for Christmas in one month and 13 days.
Today is Monday November 12th and I am deciding what, besides my computer woes, to share with you. I started writing to you last week about how I need attention or, as people like to say, my love language is quality time. However, this morning I was much looking forward to being a lazy bum and a friend came over. Does it count as craving quality time when I would rather have it with myself? I think I need to remember that whole beggars can't be choosers things.
You may be wondering why am I writing this anyways on a Monday instead of being at school. The answer to that takes us back to last week. Last Monday morning I went to school thinking I had two more weeks of classes to review before a half week of finals and then graduation ceremonies the day after American Thanksgiving. Last Wednesday I was eating an apple during recess and our directora came to find me a let me know that English finals are on November 14th. That meant that my last class was on Friday the 9th instead of the 16th like I was expecting. So in summary, I'm finished with teaching (hopefully for my life). This Wednesday I have to go in to give my tests and then next Thursday and Friday I have to go for end of the year ceremonies and graduation. In honor of this I have a picture of me with one of my first grade classes.
I think I'll just stick with stories that have pictures because I guess people like those and I actually have a few. In Nicaragua it is difficult for people in the poorer classes to have anything other than civil weddings and some aren't even able to have those. So last Saturday at NCA there was a joint wedding for five of the maids. It was a really exciting thing for these couples, most of whom have at least five kids together, to have a church wedding. It was semi-out doors and we had hurricane like rain which went well with the proverb on the programs about many waters not being able to quench love. It was pretty fancy, I borrowed nice shoes. The picture is of the brides, obviously (the man isn't a groom).
Yesterday for lunch one of the brides invited my roommate Aimee over for lunch, when Aimee commits to situations that she thinks will be awkward she makes me go with her. The food actually ended up being really good and the two of us together probably understood about 60% of what was said the first time around and about 90% after they repeated things 8 times. Aimee volunteered my computer to one of the sons that like to fix computers, he said he would only take it if I have confidence in him. I'm not sure we know each other quite that well yet. We ate lunch with the parents and five of their kids and a cousin. The oldest son cooked and him and his brother served all the food. I'm sure my brothers have never done that so it was quite a shock for it to happen in the Nicaraguan culture which is even more machismo. There is a picture of us eating outside of their house minus Aimee (the other blonde is Aimee's student teacher who was no help at all in the Spanish department) and one of the boys that was still serving food. So it ended up not being that awkward after all, except at the end when our hostess Ana asked if we wanted to go on a field trip to the new grocery store. We declined.
On other exciting news, not in a photo. We had power all week last week. It is quite a different experience not having to plan showers and being able to watch TV (an obvious necessity). And don't worry about me not having enough to do this next month without classes. I am going to substitute for one of my roommates for a week (heath, anatomy, and PE don't laugh) and am planning a trip to the East Coast (hopefully not to get shipwrecked like my sister-in-law) and then I'll still have some time to think about processing the fact that I've live in Nicaragua and maybe some day soon I won't. Now I'll see if this will post even though I am using the slowest internet ever.
Love, Joy
Today is Monday November 12th and I am deciding what, besides my computer woes, to share with you. I started writing to you last week about how I need attention or, as people like to say, my love language is quality time. However, this morning I was much looking forward to being a lazy bum and a friend came over. Does it count as craving quality time when I would rather have it with myself? I think I need to remember that whole beggars can't be choosers things.
You may be wondering why am I writing this anyways on a Monday instead of being at school. The answer to that takes us back to last week. Last Monday morning I went to school thinking I had two more weeks of classes to review before a half week of finals and then graduation ceremonies the day after American Thanksgiving. Last Wednesday I was eating an apple during recess and our directora came to find me a let me know that English finals are on November 14th. That meant that my last class was on Friday the 9th instead of the 16th like I was expecting. So in summary, I'm finished with teaching (hopefully for my life). This Wednesday I have to go in to give my tests and then next Thursday and Friday I have to go for end of the year ceremonies and graduation. In honor of this I have a picture of me with one of my first grade classes.
I think I'll just stick with stories that have pictures because I guess people like those and I actually have a few. In Nicaragua it is difficult for people in the poorer classes to have anything other than civil weddings and some aren't even able to have those. So last Saturday at NCA there was a joint wedding for five of the maids. It was a really exciting thing for these couples, most of whom have at least five kids together, to have a church wedding. It was semi-out doors and we had hurricane like rain which went well with the proverb on the programs about many waters not being able to quench love. It was pretty fancy, I borrowed nice shoes. The picture is of the brides, obviously (the man isn't a groom).
Yesterday for lunch one of the brides invited my roommate Aimee over for lunch, when Aimee commits to situations that she thinks will be awkward she makes me go with her. The food actually ended up being really good and the two of us together probably understood about 60% of what was said the first time around and about 90% after they repeated things 8 times. Aimee volunteered my computer to one of the sons that like to fix computers, he said he would only take it if I have confidence in him. I'm not sure we know each other quite that well yet. We ate lunch with the parents and five of their kids and a cousin. The oldest son cooked and him and his brother served all the food. I'm sure my brothers have never done that so it was quite a shock for it to happen in the Nicaraguan culture which is even more machismo. There is a picture of us eating outside of their house minus Aimee (the other blonde is Aimee's student teacher who was no help at all in the Spanish department) and one of the boys that was still serving food. So it ended up not being that awkward after all, except at the end when our hostess Ana asked if we wanted to go on a field trip to the new grocery store. We declined.
On other exciting news, not in a photo. We had power all week last week. It is quite a different experience not having to plan showers and being able to watch TV (an obvious necessity). And don't worry about me not having enough to do this next month without classes. I am going to substitute for one of my roommates for a week (heath, anatomy, and PE don't laugh) and am planning a trip to the East Coast (hopefully not to get shipwrecked like my sister-in-law) and then I'll still have some time to think about processing the fact that I've live in Nicaragua and maybe some day soon I won't. Now I'll see if this will post even though I am using the slowest internet ever.
Love, Joy
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Bob Barker is gone
Once again I find myself with loads of stuff to say. I guess because there aren't a ton of people here to talk to (although that's changing) I have all sorts of stuff stored up in my head and you unsuspecting people become my outlet. And without seeing your face I can tell myself that you are captivated by my wit.
Last week a new girl, Liz, came down from LA for two months to help out at school. It is nice to look at her and to think that is where I was this time last year. She sees the classrooms and still has the perspective that everything is abnormally crazy. Fortunately for my sanity, my standards have lowered and to some extent I can see thing through Nicaraguan colored glasses.
So one funny thing. Hopefully Liz will soon live closer to me but now she's living with Matthew's family on the other side of town. So last week she was new and if she went home right after school she would have nothing to do for at least four hours when the rest of the people got home (another thing I've gotten used to). So the solution to this is for us is to hang out for a few hours after school before we go our separate ways. Since we don't have cars this gets a little complicated. But Matthew has this car that the school treasurer Roberto uses to run school related errands. So if we want to do things after school, like go to the mall, we have him take us and drop us off and have him come back in a few hours. Basically it's like we're in Jr. high again but instead of our parents driving us around we have a twenty-year-old Nicaraguan boy. So to make ourselves feel better we buy him snacks.
Speaking of food, Friday at school the college students that usually come to give health demonstrations threw a party instead. There were pinatas, games, and free lunch for everyone. Free lunch is a huge deal for my students and co-workers. I, however, still have managed to maintain some standards as to what I eat. Cold over-cooked pasta with thousand island dressing, nica cheese, and a half slice of white bread is a little below those standards. Actually it makes me nauseous. Fortunately, years of being force fed mashed potatoes and split pea soup has taught me some tricks on home to make it look like I'm eating a lot more than I am.
What else, Friday I went to the movies with my friend and her mom, I was really tired so I missed most of the plot, I think. Saturday I had really good french toast for breakfast then in the afternoon a group of us went swimming at Lagua de Apoyo. It's this volcano that is closed up and is now a gorgeous lagoon. You should have been there.
Every Saturday night the newest local coffee shop, Esperanza, has live music. On Saturday I went there with my friend Lori and a bunch of other people that don't sit around talking about problems in their preppy rich school. It is really refreshing to be out of that bubble.
Sunday night I went to a Nicaraguan ballet with Lori, again, and some other people. It was mostly traditional Nicaraguan dances and I'm glad we splurged and bought the eleven dollar balcony seats because the ground floor had audience interaction. Here's a picture of the group of us and I left the red-eye in honor of Halloween.
Monday school was long. I was really tired and fell asleep in the office. But Monday's redeeming factor is that I have the next day off.
Tuesday was a great day off. I talked on the phone, watched The Price is Right (with Drew Carey now), made dinner, went out to lunch, went swimming, went to a cheap Tuesday movie (cheap as in seven dollars for two tickets, snacks, and a drink), had BFF Lori over for dinner, played cards, made sample Jack-O-Lanterns to use in class today, wrote most of this blog out in a note book, etc.
And that brings us to Wednesday. This morning I was running up the stairs to put stuff away real quick before my ride came and I fell. My left foot is now swollen. Not just anyone can fall like that. Friday is Day of the Dead, a national holiday, and I don't have to work. That makes this week only three days. How do people expect me to get a job in the States?
Love, joy
Last week a new girl, Liz, came down from LA for two months to help out at school. It is nice to look at her and to think that is where I was this time last year. She sees the classrooms and still has the perspective that everything is abnormally crazy. Fortunately for my sanity, my standards have lowered and to some extent I can see thing through Nicaraguan colored glasses.
So one funny thing. Hopefully Liz will soon live closer to me but now she's living with Matthew's family on the other side of town. So last week she was new and if she went home right after school she would have nothing to do for at least four hours when the rest of the people got home (another thing I've gotten used to). So the solution to this is for us is to hang out for a few hours after school before we go our separate ways. Since we don't have cars this gets a little complicated. But Matthew has this car that the school treasurer Roberto uses to run school related errands. So if we want to do things after school, like go to the mall, we have him take us and drop us off and have him come back in a few hours. Basically it's like we're in Jr. high again but instead of our parents driving us around we have a twenty-year-old Nicaraguan boy. So to make ourselves feel better we buy him snacks.
Speaking of food, Friday at school the college students that usually come to give health demonstrations threw a party instead. There were pinatas, games, and free lunch for everyone. Free lunch is a huge deal for my students and co-workers. I, however, still have managed to maintain some standards as to what I eat. Cold over-cooked pasta with thousand island dressing, nica cheese, and a half slice of white bread is a little below those standards. Actually it makes me nauseous. Fortunately, years of being force fed mashed potatoes and split pea soup has taught me some tricks on home to make it look like I'm eating a lot more than I am.
What else, Friday I went to the movies with my friend and her mom, I was really tired so I missed most of the plot, I think. Saturday I had really good french toast for breakfast then in the afternoon a group of us went swimming at Lagua de Apoyo. It's this volcano that is closed up and is now a gorgeous lagoon. You should have been there.
Every Saturday night the newest local coffee shop, Esperanza, has live music. On Saturday I went there with my friend Lori and a bunch of other people that don't sit around talking about problems in their preppy rich school. It is really refreshing to be out of that bubble.
Sunday night I went to a Nicaraguan ballet with Lori, again, and some other people. It was mostly traditional Nicaraguan dances and I'm glad we splurged and bought the eleven dollar balcony seats because the ground floor had audience interaction. Here's a picture of the group of us and I left the red-eye in honor of Halloween.
Monday school was long. I was really tired and fell asleep in the office. But Monday's redeeming factor is that I have the next day off.
Tuesday was a great day off. I talked on the phone, watched The Price is Right (with Drew Carey now), made dinner, went out to lunch, went swimming, went to a cheap Tuesday movie (cheap as in seven dollars for two tickets, snacks, and a drink), had BFF Lori over for dinner, played cards, made sample Jack-O-Lanterns to use in class today, wrote most of this blog out in a note book, etc.
And that brings us to Wednesday. This morning I was running up the stairs to put stuff away real quick before my ride came and I fell. My left foot is now swollen. Not just anyone can fall like that. Friday is Day of the Dead, a national holiday, and I don't have to work. That makes this week only three days. How do people expect me to get a job in the States?
Love, joy
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Two months until Christmas, you know what that means
I skipped another week,
But this shouldn't be too bleak,
I now have a lot to say,
Maybe it will brighten your day.
I figured a poem is in store,
Just on the basics, not more,
It should keep things upbeat.
Now you may want to take a seat.
I've told you there have been robberies at my school,
And I think we all agree that is far from being cool.
Last week a neighborhood boy died
This country is so messed up I could have cried
The next day my dad came to stay,
We did tons of things, about a thousand a day,
And my life of ease and luxury ended,
Hopefully reading my e-mail he won't be offended.
He came to school his first day here,
I had to make sure he stayed near,
He has the tendency to leave the classroom and roam,
Fortunately I had time, half my kids had stayed home.
The weekend was full of lots of restaurants,
And a little with church and visiting old haunts,
I got to make decisions and practice my patience,
With my father whom is great but a little high-maintenance.
On Monday to Selva Negra we went,
Some quality time in the mountains we spent,
It's a coffee farm where you can go and rest,
Or if your name is John, you can talk to every guest.
On Tuesday we headed back to Managua,
And on the way stopped in Matagalpa.
I got to see a lobster-handed lady,
Much like my man, the original Grady.
The road from the mountains isn't that great,
Especially since there has been rain 45 days straight.
The pot holes were big, are car was small,
The right rear tire was not stable at all.
On Wednesday my dad remembered a town,
That he had seen his last time around.
It was up a hill and had a nice view,
That description doesn't help me, how about you?
I think we went to dinner every night,
With different people with whom I've grown tight.
And Saturday in Granada I got to eat a waffle,
Let me tell you, it wasn't awful.
I'll sum things up, because this is getting bad,
My time was great with my dad.
His flight was early morning yesterday,
But I have have two more months left of my stay.
My roommates here have been driving me mad,
I'm partially annoyed and partially sad.
I have a lot to learn about living with others,
Especially since Christ wants us to be lovers.
I just watched Kindergarten Cop,
That Arnold is governor I think is notch-top.
"the most perfectly developed man in the history of the world," he's been named,
I'm excited that my Davis diploma was signed by someone so famed.
I think that's all the details I can remember for now,
If you want to be in my e-mail now you know how,
Come for a visit I'd love to see you for sure,
As long as it's before the fifteenth of December.
But this shouldn't be too bleak,
I now have a lot to say,
Maybe it will brighten your day.
I figured a poem is in store,
Just on the basics, not more,
It should keep things upbeat.
Now you may want to take a seat.
I've told you there have been robberies at my school,
And I think we all agree that is far from being cool.
Last week a neighborhood boy died
This country is so messed up I could have cried
The next day my dad came to stay,
We did tons of things, about a thousand a day,
And my life of ease and luxury ended,
Hopefully reading my e-mail he won't be offended.
He came to school his first day here,
I had to make sure he stayed near,
He has the tendency to leave the classroom and roam,
Fortunately I had time, half my kids had stayed home.
The weekend was full of lots of restaurants,
And a little with church and visiting old haunts,
I got to make decisions and practice my patience,
With my father whom is great but a little high-maintenance.
On Monday to Selva Negra we went,
Some quality time in the mountains we spent,
It's a coffee farm where you can go and rest,
Or if your name is John, you can talk to every guest.
On Tuesday we headed back to Managua,
And on the way stopped in Matagalpa.
I got to see a lobster-handed lady,
Much like my man, the original Grady.
The road from the mountains isn't that great,
Especially since there has been rain 45 days straight.
The pot holes were big, are car was small,
The right rear tire was not stable at all.
On Wednesday my dad remembered a town,
That he had seen his last time around.
It was up a hill and had a nice view,
That description doesn't help me, how about you?
I think we went to dinner every night,
With different people with whom I've grown tight.
And Saturday in Granada I got to eat a waffle,
Let me tell you, it wasn't awful.
I'll sum things up, because this is getting bad,
My time was great with my dad.
His flight was early morning yesterday,
But I have have two more months left of my stay.
My roommates here have been driving me mad,
I'm partially annoyed and partially sad.
I have a lot to learn about living with others,
Especially since Christ wants us to be lovers.
I just watched Kindergarten Cop,
That Arnold is governor I think is notch-top.
"the most perfectly developed man in the history of the world," he's been named,
I'm excited that my Davis diploma was signed by someone so famed.
I think that's all the details I can remember for now,
If you want to be in my e-mail now you know how,
Come for a visit I'd love to see you for sure,
As long as it's before the fifteenth of December.
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