Feeling Generous???

I know some of you have mentioned that you would like to send care packages to me.  I found out that packages can get through the mail system, just keep them smaller and light. 

Here are some things you can send if you need ideas (letters of encouragement are great too!):
-Non-scented hand sanitizer
-Tissues (travel packs)
-Baby wipes/wet wipes (good for a "shower" in these hot days)
-Small candles (for power outages)
-Coloring books & crayons for the kiddos in mi casa & in the neighborhood
-notebook/computer paper or spirals
*No chocolate as it would melt :(

Today we had our first long day of language class (regular schedule): 8am-noon, lunch at home, 1-3pm.  In the morning we have "formal" Spanish where we discuss phrases, verbs, etc. and practice with each other.  In the afternoon, we have "applied" Spanish, which is where we go out in the town and practice using Spanish in our community.  It's so funny with our classes because we have class at one of the volunteer's houses and switch every couple weeks.  Right now we are in Kellie's house and there are a lot of kids that make noise during class, watch tv, etc.  There are lots of noises outside, including a parade that passed by today.  It was all of the school children.  My language teacher thinks they were practicing for some presentation. 

Disruptions like these are completely normal and usually we just talk louder and lean forward to hear each other haha

This afternoon, we walked around the town to map out our community.  This was really neat because I didn't really know what all was around town.  We walked around and drew maps and wrote down important things, such as el instituto (the high school) that we will be working with later on, and the internet cafes ;)  We also met the police and talked to them briefly.  They wrote down our names and where we live, just for safety purposes.  They have volunteers in town all the time.  Also, we stopped and talked to some jovenes (high school age kids) because we have to form a youth group during out training period.  We set up a time to meet with them to introduce ourselves and get things started.  I'm a little nervous of course, but fortunately Jessica, Kellie, & I get to work together on this and we will be teaching them English, among other things. 

Now I'm in the internet cafe with the two other aspirantes (trainees) and it looks like it might rain soon, but I don't live far from here.  One thing that is funny about the rain here is that when it rains, people wait inside until it passes so they can go home or wherever else.  I just think about in Oregon how we just zip up our coats & run :)  I saw another interesting thing today: on the street in front of lots of houses there were piles of wood.  Apparently, on hot days people put their wood out on the streets to dry out so they can use it later to burn.  I thought maybe it was for sale, but they just throw it out in the street and then pick it up later.

Anyway, I'm signing off now, but hopefully there will be more pictures to come.  We're supposed to hide our cameras for the most part to protect ourselves from being targets.  !Adios!