30 May 2010

wow

I got my house! At least temporarily, anyway. I think once we fix it up, though, they'll give me permission to live there permanently. I just need to fix a few shingles, fill a crack in the walls (the house is made of cement), and put some screens up between the walls and the ceiling. I should be able to move within a week of getting back from training!
Right now I'm in San Vicente for more training, but I doubt if we'll start tomorrow as planned. We are drowning in rains from Tropical Storm Agatha! I'm safe and sound in a hotel with some volunteer friends because they didn't want us to stay with our host families (a lot of the buses are not running in the area right now). I'm sad that I can't be with my training host family, but it's good to see other volunteers again and hear funny stories from everybody's site.
It's so been hot that I've anticipated rainy season (winter) for a while, and boy did I get my wish! In some parts of the country it's been raining for a week straight, and they're evacuating people in areas with risks of mudslides. Plus, there's a lot of flooding. My site is okay, but not everybody's so lucky. My biggest issue is when I'm going to have clean, dry clothes again! I told Mom last night that I was cold, and she didn't believe me. Just so you know, I think you were right, Mom. I have adjusted so well to the climate here that the change has turned me into a wimp. It's 73 outside and I'm in long sleeves! In my defense, I think it did get down into the 60s last night, and San Vicente's colder than my site. Plus my clothes are wet (the ones in my suitcase too)!
Happy Memorial Day back home!

13 May 2010

Almost there!

I just finished typing up my health census, which I´m presenting to the community next Monday. Then I get free time, which I plan to use fixing up my house! I think we found the perfect one yesterday. I´ll post a photo when I get a chance. It´s super cute, pretty big (especially for only one person), and already has a lot of furniture, which is a big plus. I´ll also have good neighbors. I´m still waiting on the official ok from the Peace Corps, but I´m confident it´ll pass the test (PC has a ton of safety rules about the houses we live in). I´m super excited about being on my own, having friends over to visit, getting a puppy, and planting a garden!
We celebrated Mother´s Day this past Monday. Happy late Mother´s Day to all of you!
Thanks for all the love, support, packages, letters, etc. I love and miss you all!