Celebrations

I've been super busy lately, as you can tell by my lack of blogging...  Hazzell's graduation and Dyland's baptism were two weekends ago and then my family (parents, bro, & grandpa) came to visit me for a little over a week and now I'm in Boaco trying to settle down before the next trip.

Hazzell's graduation was cute, but I had to leave a little early with Jasser to get together all the last minute baptism details.  We had to go to a little class to learn what it means to be godparents.  I was a little nervous that they would ask me something in Spanish and I wouldn't understand, with it being about religion and such, but I understood the majority and it went well. 

The baptism itself went well--it was a little hot in the church but Dyland did really well and didn't really fuss until the priest was wiping oil on his forehead and pouring water on his head.  He ended up falling asleep after during the mass photo session.  He was exhausted, but precious as ever.

The after party was a party to the extreme.  Jasser went all out to make this the biggest bash in Boaco.  We had a whole team of people working to put things together right up until start time.  It turned out beautiful and everything went as planned.  There was a good turnout and everybody thoroughly enjoyed themselves.  It was quite an affair for a little one's baptism but these Nicas know how to party.  Frank was there with me and we danced the night away.

Details from my family's visit will come tomorrow as it's pretty late right now and I have a class tomorrow morning.  Until then...

Feeling a bit chilly

I just got back from visiting Frank for a couple days and it sure cooled down a bit up north.  When I got there it felt nice and breezy, but still sunny.  That evening it cooled down a bit and then in the morning I was freezing!  I immediately found Frank's sweater and a pair of tall socks.  Unfortunately, I only had shorts & a tank top for pajamas, as it's usually pretty hot, maybe warm in the evenings, but never cold! 

It warmed up a bit and we went to Matagalpa for the day to pick up some Christmas gifts & spend the day together to celebrate 8 months :)  We bought a small bottle of wine for the occasion which turned into quite an ordeal later when trying to open it without a corkscrew.  We tried many things and then finally just pushed the cork all the way into the bottle.  It worked.  I'm not much of a wine-o, so all wine pretty much tastes the same to me...but it was nice and I felt a little more grown up haha  We made a pasta dinner and Frank brought out the candles and we out on the patio.  It was a nice night and we enjoyed each other's company. 

It wasn't as cold this morning and I'm back in Boaco and it's warm here.  I know for sure that it's hot in Managua and Granada, so visitors don't worry! 

Thankfulness

I know I already posted about it being the last day in November, but before November's gone, I just wanted to share a mini-essay one of my students wrote on "What I am thankful for".  I was very impressed!  Remember, she is an English learner in high school (in the Embassy scholarship program).  She is one of the best students (very studious & sweet).

"I'm thankful for a lot of things that I've received in my life. First, and the most important for me, I'm grateful for my parents, because I have them alive and they work very hard to give to my brother and me all the things that we need (food, clothes, shoes, studies, etc.) and give us protection and love. They are comprehensive and patient with me.

I'm thankful for my health, because I don't have any illness. I'm grateful because I can see, I can use my hands, I can use my legs, I can talk, I can hear and I can breathe. I'm thankful that I live.

I'm grateful for my friends, because they've been with me in all the moments of my life (good and bad) and give me help and affection.

I'm thankful for the bad moments, because they let me to know my mistakes and help me to change my life and give me new lessons to learn.

I'm grateful for the good moments, because they give me happiness and I can share them with my family and my friends. I'm thankful for all."

A tear almost came to my eye when I read this.  Not only was her English awesome here, it really showed her maturity.  I was very proud to read this :)  She's getting a special treat! haha

I've been thinking of an idea for awhile about setting up a scholarship program or something between the class here and Gonzaga maybe.  Gonzaga has a good English language center where they have various leveled classes for English learners from all over the world.  It would be really cool if I could set up something with them to sponsor a student from here for a semester or two to learn English at Gonzaga.  I would love to be able to provide that opportunity for a student or two, especially when I see students like this one who really care about their studies and genuinely want to learn :)

Last day...

It's the last day of November, can you believe it?!  Monday was my "official" last day of classes at the instituto even though they've all been done for so long.  Today I had my American culture class and reviewed Thanksgiving traditions and talked about Christmas and a little about New Years.  I gave them an assignment to work in small groups and practice a Christmas song--we talked about caroling, etc.  They love the song stuff.  One of the teachers filling in right now loves the show Glee and he had them do a song from that.  They loved it and were showing me videos today and singing the song over and over.  It was pretty cute.  They're a good group of kids. 

I can't believe that December starts tomorrow.  It feels like second semester was dragging on and on, but now it's time for vacation!  Wahoo :)  My family is coming to visit less than a week away and I'm really looking forward to that.  Until next year November...bring on December!

Getting ready

I've already started packing my things for my family's visit because it's now just ONE week away!!!  I'm super excited to have them visit :)  I haven't seen my bro & gramps in over a year, and I know my parents are definitely missing hugging & kissing me haha  I'm just really excited to have them all here to spend some quality time and show them parts of Nicaragua, AND....to meet Frank!  I've already met Frank's family, but my family hasn't met him yet, just on Skype.  It should be fun :) 

I've also been getting stuff ready for the baptism coming up.  They moved the date again, but it's official now because they've reserved, paid, and purchased.  It is next Sunday.  Oh man!  Jasser and I have been working hard making and arranging things so hopefully everything pays off. 

I've been putting together lists and piles of things for my trip to the States too.  I have to prepare early for this to make sure I have enough warm clothes for the cold weather.  I'm a little nervous about freezing/turning into an icicle up there because I'm so used to the 85+ degree weather.  I'm glad my parents are bringing me a winter jacket!  I am looking forward to dressing in long sleeves, long socks, slippers, big coats, and using a blanket.  I miss the cold weather.  I may regret that statement come December in Maryland...  Oh well.  I'm also really looking forward to spending time with Frank's family and meeting his friends.  He's been telling me about everywhere he wants to take me and things he wants to show me there.  I can't wait, but I'm sure the trip will fly by so fast.  I want to cherish every moment, and savor every bite of delicious American food that I can get my grubby little hands on ;)  Oh, I'm so excited! 

Planning is my thang, so this getting ready biz ain't got nothing on me.  I'm just looking forward to enjoying each of these experiences after all the planning is done. 

Turkey Day

This year I got to participate in a real Thanksgiving celebration.  It was so nice to be able to share a good meal with others and not miss out on this tradition.  Frank and I signed up for the annual Embassy Thanksgiving program sort of thing where US Embassy families host PCVs for a turkey dinner.  Well, we were actually assigned to a family in Granada.  We both love Granada so we said, why not?  The family was actually 2 ex-PCV sisters who served in Africa awhile back, but live in Granada now.  They co-own a hotel and each have their own homes there.  We ended up staying at one of the sister’s homes right around the corner from the hotel and it was amazing!  It had a gorgeous pool and courtyard area and the rooms were nice—air conditioning, private bathrooms, hot water in the shower—could we ask for more?!  Well, they gave us an awesome dinner too!  We stuffed our plates and then faces with turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, yummy veggies and salad, cranberry sauce, and then some pecan & pumpkin pie.  Oh, and we got some bar drinks too.  They treated us well.  After chatting it up with other gringos living in Granada, we went night swimming in our private pool for those 2 days.  Yes, no one else was staying there, except one of the sisters who lived there.  It was awesome—such a great trip for us.  

The next morning we had breakfast in the hotel, which was the best gallo pinto I’ve had so far.  Then, Frank took off to Managua for a meeting and I stuck around and visited my host sister and baby Dyland :)  He is getting so big now!  We took lots of pictures and had a good time sharing stories and just hanging out.  My sis made lunch for me and we gave Dyland a bath and watched a movie.  Love hanging out with her!  In the early afternoon, I decided it was time for me to head back to Boaco so I caught a bus out of there and returned from my little vacation.  It was nice to get out of that heat though.  Granada (like Managua and Masaya) is HOT!  My family will like this when they come to visit though…

Here are some pics from my adventures last week:

Our reserved table

So pretty

Delicious dinner

Such a big boy!

Food

I forgot to mention pretty much the most exciting part of our trip to Granada...the FOOD!  It was so nice to indulge in some delicious food and cut loose for the weekend.  I had some amazing sandwiches, one filled with melted cheese, bacon, turkey, eggs, etc; a quesadilla, bagel with cream cheese, pita & hummus. Also some great drinks: smoothies, mojitos, and frozen strawberry lemonade.  I ate some yummy desserts too.  This past weekend really was all about the food.  That's where all my money went, but I didn't mind one bit.  It was totally worth it.  However now I'm trying to fill that empty void...my stomach stretched to allow all that delicious food, and now I'm back to smaller portions and lots of gallo pinto.  Can't wait til my family comes & then the trip to the States.  I know I'm gonna put on a little weight, but I gotta build up a little layer of fat for the cold weather in Maryland haha  That will be my excuse ;)