#18 The Poor get Poorer

***This post means a lot, please take time to read it***

My brother wont sit still and do his math homework. I worked on it with him for two minutes on Tuesday and it was clear as day why. He has fallen behind in an education system that is over crowded, nowhere nearly as structured as it is in The States, underfunded, and doesn’t seem to give special attention to each student.

I tutored underprivileged 5^th graders for a few years in DC at a special after school program. These students were in the same boat, but they were able to sign up for a volunteer program where they received special one on one tutoring sessions, have workbooks, flashcards, hands-on activities for certain types of learners, etc. In these poorer nations, students like my brother have only one empty notebook for all their classes and have up to 100 students in a class. They don't have access to workbooks, flashcards, etc... It is a mean cycle where once you fall behind at all, you're essentially done for and Emanuel has fallen behind. I have resolved to work with him for 30 minutes every night Monday through Thursday until I leave. I will get him caught up.

I am not a teacher (yet) so if you would be able to help I would appreciate it so much. He is a very visual learner, so next time you are near a book store or any place that would sell workbooks or math supplies to help students learn 3^rd, 4^th, or 5^th grade math (advanced addition and subtraction, any level of multiplication, etc…) I WOULD BE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL. It may cost around $10 to mail, but it would help more than you can imagine. They'd be used by not only my brother, but his friends and the dozens of relatives in the same age. You can mail them to me at  the address on the right ------->

Thank you so much.

#17 Emanuel’s Birthday

My first birthday celebration in Nicaragua was the most interesting event thus far. There were several overlapping characteristics between an Nicaraguan bday and one in the USA (Cake, candles, balloons, etc…) but there were far more outliers. I came back from class, picked up some ice cream for myself and Emanuel and got busy helping my mom prepare for the festivities.

Their home is a one room dining room/family room/kitchen/etc. We put balloons all over the cement brick walls, streamers, bday decorations, blah blah blah… My mom was up until 1:30 last night making a piñata from cardboard, newspaper, streamers, and paper-mache (sp?). I was floored. She had constructed a very impressive bright yellow guitar with black strings. Piñatas are extremely popular for birthday here. Go figure. We filled it with candy, hung it up, and the kids lost their minds over it. I had the final turn after everyone and smashed it to pieces. Sorry I’m not sorry. I took off my blindfold and saw a mosh pit of 8 year olds in front of me throwing haymakers to get Caramelos.

Next was dinner. You’re expecting pizza right? No probably not actually. We each had a bowl of rice and curry chicken with a slice or two of white bread. It was delish. After, my pops turned the beats up and I learned how to dance Nicaraguan style. Not gonna lie, I got down. Must also admit that I got down pretty dam well and definitely won the crowd over.

After the dancing was the usual cake and singing (I led the English verses). While we ate, we started the Gringo Game. All 10 of the kids and the 6 parents in the room had a Q and A session with me, The Gringo. We went over English and Spanish words, that when you are pronouncing very clearly, they actually sound ridiculous. Say Purple out loud slowly. T-shirt and Teacher were difficult, as were winner and winter. I laughed at them because I got ridiculed last week when I asked for Thursdays for breakfast (Jueves = Thursday, Huevos = Eggs). After about a solid 45 minutes of Q & A, the kids went outside to play and I stayed in to talk to a family ( I think my Uncle?) who lives up the street. We spoke about everything and I had hit a stride in my Spanish, felt goooood. Everyone is very interested in my life and I love talking about my friends and family from back home so I get to work on my Spanish and reminisce about those of you hanging out in Amerikah.

#16 Meeting with the Mayor

We had a meeting this morning with the Mayor of our town. The four of us had been trying to form a youth group to teach about small business and have compete in a Peace Corps business competition for the past two weeks. Unfortunately after the first meeting, we had been only been able to pull three students, two of them being host sisters. We needed help.

After waiting for about an hour to meet with the Mayor and chatting it up with a local offering to give us pottery lessons, we were sitting in his air-conditioned office (oo0o0o0o!!) and the fun began. The four of us trainees and our teacher negotiated with this heavily authoritative man for help in recruiting the youth. About 15 minutes into our discussion I was convinced I was misunderstanding the Spanish that the mayor was speaking. It took me another 15 to realize that I was hearing correctly and he really did want us to teach a group of 16-20 year olds about electricity. I don’t know if you’ve ever walked through the offices of an accounting firm, but I can assure you if you were to pick a few topics that businessmen/accountants are not experts in, electricity would likely be included. While we had wanted only 2 hours a week to work with the youth in the local community center, we were now bargaining 2 hours every Tuesday and Thursday in addition to 2 hours of electricity classes on Sunday.

It took us a little while to understand all this, mind you he’s talking Spanish to the lowest group of Spanish trainees in Nicaragua at the moment. We negotiated back and forth, back and forth (hey Mebaa), and ultimately decided to hold meetings for two hours each Tuesday and Thursday, and split the group into his electricity students and our business students. The four of us are now splitting up into two business teachers and two aspiring electricians each week. He did come up with some great ideas that we will implement into our classes, such as teaching selling to Americans using our marketing skills (price tags, product history, how it’s made, etc…) because the local townspeople sell all their beautiful ceramics to Americans, and we will teach them English sales phrases and customer service. We are expecting upwards of 40 people at our next meeting and are giddy about it. Seriously, Matteo was giggling so much we had to learn the word for it. Risilla.

#15 Class at Leslie's

Check it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLPfKGiF4SE

#14 Bobby Boucher

There is a saying in the Peace Corps:

Peace Corps Volunteers don't look at the cup half full or half empty. They look at the cup and wonder if there is enough water in the cup to take a shower. 

Think about how much water you use throughout the day. You really appreciate how much water you consume when every time you want to cop some h2o it requires more work than simply cranking a knob. Next time you flush the toilet, wash your hands, or brush your teeth you better appreciate that luxurious faucet and irrigation system you are blessed with. 

Perspective: My morning shower was scooping freezing cold water from a home depot bucket using a soup bowl and liberally soaking myself. Advice: If you breathe out instead of in while you pour, it feels far less cold. That, or a water heater.

#13 Cowboys

I was walking down through my little 2x3 street town (with like 4 branching off the corners) with my buddy Jake Saturday when a cowboy rode by on a horse. Our dialogue:
Me: Haha, imagine if we were at.....
Jake: What?
Me: Never mind... What I was about to say was ridiculous.
Jake: What were you about to say?
Me: I was about to say, Imagine if we were in like a part of Nicaragua where there were like cowboys and horses that walked around our town like cars, but then I just realized that that is exactly where we are. A cowboy just rode by on his horse. I haven't seen a car since we've been here.
Jake: Haha, yeah man we are. We are here.

My site mates, Matteo, Jake, and Leslie are awesome. The four of us have been intensely bonding and we have no doubts that even though we may be in the weakest Spanish level of our business sector, we have the strongest group. Physically and mentally of course. 

#12 Pretty poor quality video of my house here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t4bmQo05zc

#11 Storytime

I’ve been living in Nicaragua for about a week and I already have enough stories to write a book. Before I go off telling you just a few little stories, I have to get sentimental for a quick second (not like me, I am aware). Not having a cell phone coupled with constant access to the internet and Facebook is a huge 180. Not being connected 24/7 has sincerely allowed me to be fully engrossed in the present. I don’t think about who’s going to call or text me (also because I have only 3 friends who also lack cell phones…) and vise versa who I want to call or text. I am not concerned with what’s going on with Facebook or have the need to go through my favorites tab to get my constant internet fix. In a word, it is liberating...

In other news, I can’t wait to have my phone and have access to some wireless internet.

Where do I start with these stories? I could literally write a story about every single thing I do. From waking up 8 times in the night with these intense dreams that the Malaria medicine induces and the zoo animals surrounding my bedroom to the old man down the street with one crooked bottom tooth who loves when I stop to chat. Some memorable moments:

My first night here, my dad took the boys and me to the neighboring town, Catarina (I’m sure if you google it, you’ll see the same view that I was able to). At the top of the town, there is a beautiful lookout with volcanoes and endless lakes. Very romantic for our first date.

Awkward dates. Have you ever had one of those dates where the other person and you just can’t find something to talk about and there is all that awkward silence? Not understanding most of what is said at the dinner table is pretty much exactly that. While it’s not bad now that my Spanish is improving, the first few times were just like that awkward date you've had.

After our first day of classes, we learned basic welcoming dialogues, so the four of us went to each of our family’s home and introduced each other to our parents. One of my site mates became disoriented in our town of 3 streets, walked into the wrong home, and got lost on the way to his house for a solid 30 minutes as we trailed behind passing the same people on the streets at least 3 or 4 times.

I hate spiders. Loathe them. Just prior to getting in bed on my first night I had to kill a spider laying next to my pillow. Luckily for me (and spiders everywhere), that was only one of the few spiders I have even seen here. However, roaches, beatles, geckos and the like have been making appearances in my bedroom. Now whenever I enter at night, I just hold my breath in anticipation. Whatever.

It’s slowly becoming rainy season and I was blessed with my first thunderstorm that same night. 9pm to around 11am, rain slammed my tin roof, thunder bellowed, animals bitched, and my dreams went wild. I slept like.. well I didn't.

Anytime I am walking around the town, people stare. I toss an ‘Hola’ their way and they remember they’re staring and respond with a big grin and an ‘Hola.’ Our convos are slowly getting better as I’m picking up phrases and am able to explain that I need them to slow down, I only know a little Spanish, and am learning. They find interest in where I’m from and what I’m doing in their little tucked away town.

Classes are going well. It is very hands on and time consuming. I’m treating this job like I should have treated 4 years of college. When I’m not in class, I am doing my homework, studying my notes, reading about Nicaragua, speaking with my family, going on walks with my brothers, etc… Full emersion at its finest.

My brothers and I raced to the basketball/futbol court and within minutes of being there, I was surrounded by about seven 5 to 9 year-olds. They joked on me telling me each other’s names were words like ‘butthead’ and the like as I said “hello butthead, it’s nice to meet you.” Emanuel (my brother) helped me out and stopped the madness, I was able to get a kick out of that though. I showed off my hidden talents like blowing bubbles and wiggling my ears to the kids which were immediate hits.

Today we went into the high school and spoke in our absurdly awful Spanish to students in an effort to get them to come to our first meeting to start a group of little business men and women. The Peace Corps throws you under the bus and has you doing things you are far unprepared to be doing a week into your new language ASAP. Regarding the meeting, only 4 people came. We didn't pitch it right. It may have been our accents, but the students may actually be sincerely interested and hit the ground running. I'll find out at our next meeting next week.

Okay enough. My Spanish is improving everyday. I feel more and more comfortable with short sentences and phrases. Sometimes I’ll be talking and I’ll just hit a stride and once I’m done I have to take a step back and reflect on what I just did. I speak often in synonyms, as I'm unfamiliar with most of the vocabulary, so I have to say “opposite of” or take a backdoor approach explaining words in a sort of Scattegories approach. (Ross you'd be proud)

Some times I take a look around and think, What the hell am I doing here? Where the hell am I? 2 YEARS here? 2 YEARS?!!? I quickly move on because those thoughts are far too overwhelming. It’ll fly by. I’m going to love it. Fingers crossed.

#10 Mi Familia

When I first arrived, my host mom, Elba, was traveling home from her sister’s home in Belize. Therefore, I didn’t have that warm motherly greeting that mothers are gifted with for my first two days here. When she did arrive, she immediately turned my room into a bedroom, put up my mosquito net around my bed, cleaned the floor, and the food tasted better (kidding, Luis has skills in the kitchen too). Men are men no matter what country you are in.

My host dad, Luis, is a serious bro. He doesn’t have a serious bone in his body and I have learned to think the opposite of anything he tells me. His jokes coupled with my little Spanish make me a constant source of entertainment for friends, visiting family, and most of all Luis himself. He is a short man, like myself, but easily has an extra 40 pounds on me and enjoys showing off how skinny he actually is.

My host mom is a real sweetheart. She is maybe 5 feet tall and is such a joyous and caring person. She is always asking me if I need anything, if I want more of anything, how is the food, etc… I appreciate it so much as it really makes me feel like I’m at home.

I’m pretty sure that the Peace Corps just found the Nicaraguan replicas of my real parents. I miss you <3

I have two brothers: 5-year-old Orlando and 9 year-old Emanuel. If they’re awake, they want to play, go somewhere, or do something. I gave them a NY Yankees baseball as a gift and they always want to throw it around. Same goes for the frisbee I brought with me. They had never seen a frisbee before, called it a plate (“Plato”), and had no idea how to handle this foreign object. Emanuel loves the deck of playing cards I brought and I have taught him and his buddies ‘Go Fish’ (Va Pescado) and ‘Spit’ because those are the only two games I can remember playing as a kid. If you can think of any others, please remind me. Orlando is a character, always wrecking havoc and earning his name of “chico malo” (bad boy). I have nick named him doofus and he’s been getting a kick out of it. My two brothers sometimes just wait for me to open my door at which point I always getting a big hug and the games begin. 

I put up pics in my room with of my real family and friends from home. They are a hit here because photographs are very very rare because they are expensive. Everyone that comes by wants to hear details about each one. They especially love the ones of my dog Riley dressed up and sporting pink shades.

#9 So it goes

It’s bizarre, as I’ve been writing these blog entries my mind wanders to Spanish. Sometimes I can’t think of the word I am searching for and I’ll find myself searching through the Spanish dictionary in my head until I find the right word only to realize that it is of no use. On a side note, my Spanish is getting better.

I truly expect to run into Pablo Escobar every time I walk around my town. It is exactly what you imagine when you think of a small town in rural-esque Latin America. In a town of about 3,000 (feels like 500), there are 5 churches, 1 billiards hall, dozens of small shops in peoples’ homes (pulperias), a police station (haha…. there’s one open room, a desk in the corner, a typewriter on a table in the center, some articles taped to the wall, and a file cabinet in the other corner. I didn’t even see a phone.), 2 schools (elementary, high school), 1 basketball court with soccer goals, and any open field/flat road/cement surface/any surface whatsoever has futbol goals and soccer lines painted on whatever that field may be.

As you can see from the links in the prior blog entry, San Juan is a town of artisans who sell handmade jaw-dropping ceramic pottery. Everyone in the town is involved with the crafting or distributing of these pieces. One of the volunteer’s family at my site distributes their work to a small retail chain in the U.S. called Target. He lives in a nice house/estate down the street with a house that you’d expect to see in Florida. When you go to big stores again and see Made in ____ , I'm only now realizing that these pieces  may be made by hand in far away places.

All the people are extremely friendly. Friendly beyond friendly. When I’m walking around, it is perfectly normal for me to stop and attempt a conversation with anyone hanging out in or near the street. Even punk-ass 15 year olds say ‘Hola’ when I walk by with a smile on their faces.

My house sits behind a small house/shop on the corner in a sort of L shape hugging the other house and corner. Mine house, as are nearly all other homes, is seemingly one with the outdoors. There are essentially no doors or windows and if there are, they are fixed open. The house is split into two separate buildings. I live in one with a storage room to my right and a bathroom to my left. The other building contains the kitchen and living area and the bedroom that the family shares.

My family has two dogs that I have only seen off their chains twice since I’ve been here at night. They also have a rabbit who my little brother, Orlando, loves to manhandle and show off to me, a colorful green parrot, and what sounds like a thousand roosters and chickens. Nights are loud. So loud.

Since water functions every other day, barrels store water for the days when it is not available. Most water routines revolve around buckets that you dip into these barrels and take to wherever you need one.

Washing your hands? You’ll need a bucket. Take a bucket of water to the sink area, grab some soap and scrub.

Going to the bathroom? You’ll need a bucket. You flush the toilet, by tossing enough water from a bucket in the bowl to fill it past the point of flushing.

Want to shower? You’ll need a bucket. These are the most difficult because the water is most definitely not hot. Using a small bowl, you suck up bucket water and pour cold water over you until you have lathered up and washed yourself clean. I’m slowly becoming an expert.

I’ve developed new bathroom routines to say the least. 

#8 San Juan de Oriente

Wiki Site  ( note, water every other day? some volunteers don't even have water, lucky me :D )

WOWW
Google Images

Some Tourist Site

I’m going hard with these blog posts right now because I was unable to post yesterday (thank you blogspot) and in my training town (through August), there is said to be no internet. Therefore, I assume my posts will be scarce for the next few months.

We have received our host families for the three months of training and mine is located in the lovely town of San Juan de Oriente. This town is known for its pottery and in the picture of my host family I received today, they are standing in front of shelves of pottery and ceramics. Based on the photo, I am under the assumption that my family owns a pottery business. I will be the 7^th member of the family, living with a mother and father, their two young boys (aged 8 and 2) and two in-laws in their 30s.

The town is noted to be a beautiful artsy sort of town with lakes and lots of character. I do not know of much more information about the town itself, but tomorrow when we move in with our new families, I will be able to tell you more (that is, when I can connect to the internet and am able to update my blog of course)!

I have 4 other male trainees in my site. Matt, Lesli, Jake, and I are all close to the same level of Spanish proficiency and get along well. We are all very comfortable with each other and when we met today to receive our first Spanish level, we had laughs and a generally fun time leading me to believe that the next few months will be that much better.

The PC has provided us a mosquito net, a heavyy toolbox of medical supplies, a diarrhea kit mmmmm, and kilos of reading material to read and learn over the next 11 weeks.

On my way to class yesterday one of the staff members here in the Ministry of Education compound pulled me aside to give me a tour of the school located in our compound.  You can see the videos of a tour of the compound with an intermission of photos followed by the conclusion of tour afterwards.

Here is where the photos and videos would go. But the internet is garbage right now.

#7 MADE – I want to be Nicaraguan (MTV reference old people)

That's all my luggage for 2 years and my beautiful self : )

I’ve been going to bed between 9 and 10 and waking up at 6:30. It honestly feels phenomenal. You’d think I’d be awake, but no. I slept through a meeting yesterday due to a post-lunch coma.

Rice and beans in EVERY meal. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Rice and beans, rice and beans, arroz y frijoles. The food has been pretty good though, I am growing to like Nicaraguan/Hispanic food more. I especially like food that you can pile together all the dishes into one bite. Check.

Nicas don’t use addresses. They use directions. Example, my name is Obama and I live in the White House. My address would therefore be: Across from large phallic structure, large white building (Capital) go 2 block south, turn left, 400 feet on the right.

There is no hot water. I'm glad too. When you wake up sticky and midday sweat and evening humidity, the shower is more than refreshing. Depending on my home conditions, it's likely I'll have to take bucket baths to conserve water.

I just got my first mosquito bite on my elbow. We get mosquito nets to keep the bugs and malaria away. God that would suck... We are taking anti-malaria medicine that spooks you with vivid violent and/or sexual dreams.  : D

It's like 20ish Cordobas to the USD. A beer costs a little less than 20 "Cords" and we can get by living with our host families on $2 per day. Some even save money. Mind you, we don't have to pay for food as the host family cooks for us.

Professionalism is stressed to the max here. Everyone dresses nicely anytime in public. Ironed shirts, slacks, etc… Being clean and professional is not taken lightly.

If they say 8:00, they could mean 8:15, 8:30, 8:45 or just not show up. Nica time. Learn it, love it.

In all the photos of Nicas, they are not smiling. They could be the happiest people just prior to the photo, but at 3 the smiles drop and they all look like mug shots devoid of human emotion.

We took a tour of the capital city, Managua, yesterday. Drove through serious poverty (shacks for homes and trashed areas), but other parts were surprisingly nice. I guess not that unique compared to most other large cities. We saw where a devastating earthquake ruined the city years ago and how they rebuilt around the mess instead of cleaning it ($$$).

Ugh I have several photos to post but the internet here won't let me upload any besides that beaut up top. Grrrrr

The current President, Daniel Ortega, has changed the constitution for his benefit 3 times now. The first changing the need for more than 40% of the popular vote to be elected to far lower. The second to simply needing to get the most in comparison to your rivals, used to need a 5% margin, now it is just more votes than the opposition. Thirdly, changed the 2 term max to a 3 (or more?) term max. He will be running for his 3^rd term in November. He also changed the law to allow government funds to be used for his campaign. One of his slogans is “The party that pays” because President Ortega pays his voters to support him. He runs as a candidate who aims to help the poor, but from what we have learned he has no real interest in helping impoverished families at all. As a PC Volunteer, I must be apolitical so you will not hear my opinion, but you get the picture.

#6 “Learn to be comfortable being uncomfortable”

Those are some wise words of advice from the current volunteers assisting us through our orientation retreat. Learning to speak Spanish through practice with locals and integrating into a new community will undoubtedly make us feel uncomfortable.

The Peace Corps stresses a hands-on approach (“discovery-oriented and self-directed”) towards becoming a local Nicaraguan. This means that our Spanish class to learn about food will be in the local food market and our lessons about teaching will be in front of classes full of students. The PC has planned out each day of training to the hour. Oodles of hours at that. During training we will accomplish the following:

• Spanish for 6 hours a day, 4 days a week
• Start a community bank amongst the volunteers and create a service or good that we will then sell/promote
• *Fully integrate into the community (Can't be stressed enough)
• Hold business lessons (Charlas) for the community
• Teach 3 high school classes (my Spanish is at a 6 year old level or so…)
• Design and carry out youth programs (15-20 year olds), also hold two Charlas (1 about HIV/AIDS, the other optional)
• Maintain a journal to reflect upon
• Learn the history of Nicaragua and its economy
• “Meet everyone in your community”
• Advise small business owners

Honestly the list goes on and on… We have 11 weeks to fit all of this in AND read a sac (“Saco”) filled with literally 10 or more workbooks and textbooks. Intense is extremely appropriate.

They also tossed a curveball at us regarding our home stay. It is expected to get slightly chaotic as the November election comes (see future posts regarding why) and they have extended the home stay for the past two volunteer groups for 6 weeks and 8 weeks once they arrive at their sites. For us they have scrapped this 6/8 week nonsense and once we move to our site, we will be living with a family for 6 MONTHS. I have mixed emotions regarding this, but I am certain it will turn out for the best. My Spanish will indubitably be far better, I won’t have to cook my own meals, and will likely have a stronger network in my community. I’m reluctant to discuss some pessimistic points (not sure who will read this in the future), but privacy is a major one. It will be great, I’m not concerned.

The PC isn’t messing around. Their motto is “The toughest job you’ll ever love.” I just have to love it.

#5 I have arrived!

First impression: H O T

I'm so excited right now. We had our staging yesterday where we got to know everyone and were told what was expected of us and what we should expect in Nica. They weren't lying about the heat. It's a solid 95 and humid going into the rainy season. It is expected to rain 6-7 days a week, usually storming at night and spots of cloudiness and sun rays during the days lasting through November.

Everyone in the group is radiating excitement. There is so much to look forward to right now and it is clear everyone is on the same page. We have heaps paperwork to complete as you can imagine. We've already feasted on our first serving of rice and beans for lunch and were informed that this would be a staple in your everyday diet here in Nica.

We were cultured in some hand motions in an effort to understand the local non-verbal communication when verbal fails. There are several and most differs from ours at home in context and the way they are expressed. They have hand motions for arriving via horseback. The pointer + middle of the one hand straddle the opposite hand's pointer finger.

We are slowing down this afternoon/evening in an effort to read through the packets of information and relax because none of us enjoyed any sleep last night due to a 2:00am wake up call. I'm going to start sprucing this blog up soon with videos and pictures because all this text is boring you and me both.

Adios! I need to start practicing my spanish. It's everywhere.

#4 I got these beats inside my head, they won't let me go to bed

Please do not expect my posts to be this long normally. I don't want to write them and I assume you don't want to read them if they are. This is only because I have time and there is a lot to discuss prior to starting. I assure you this rate will not continue. I'm aiming for weekly updates, maybe more if I am feeling generous and not drained from the intense work they planned for us. Plus I find this whole thing pretty interesting, so I have a lot to say.

Upon acceptance into the Peace Corps, my post college plans changed when I sent in my confirmation letter. In this past year, I lived in a frat house becoming a phony kapp sig, moved into THE LODGE (heyoooo), climbed mountains in Switzerland, sailed the coasts of Italy and France, Birthright-ed in Israel, hit up Egypt mid-revolution (oops), toured Petra in Jordan, founded Beatlodge, got a bunch of DJ gigs, made new life-long friends, fathered a gorgeous fake-puggle Riley, and even got to make sweet sweet love to Ultra Music Festival. Hell yeah for year off's. Woot Woot.

Okay seriously.

The Peace Corps provides us packets and packets of information. If I were involved in the agricultural sector, I'd be pretty pissed at the irony. So they give us all this paperwork, of which, I've been putting off until just a few days ago when I finally read my assignment info all the way through. The first of about 11 packets waiting for my scrutinization. The reading material gives me so much to think about, I can barely even categorize it all.

There is so much to look forward to. I am overwhelmed (but not really) with all the aspects and endeavors just in the coming days. To get an idea of what sort of things a person about to embark on this sort of adventure is thinking about, please continue reading :)

Imagine picking up EVERYTHING and moving to a foreign country. New language, new climate, new friends, new diet/food, new humor, new home, new bed, new job, new transportation, new community. I feel like I'm narrating the introduction to Trainspotting.

The unique thing about the Peace Corps is how this organization goes about achieving its goal of aiding developing nations and spreading US love. It does this in the form of Volunteers speaking the local language, understanding the local culture, and living in the local towns. I will have the opportunity to make positive differences in several peoples' lives through the Peace Corps. Here is a summary of an anecdote from one of the dvd's sent to us of a current business Volunteer in Nica:

The volunteer began working with a local business woman who owned a business, and had for years seeing as she was about 60. The volunteer taught the woman the most basic business principle about profits and losses. This woman had no idea if she had been making money on the goods she was selling. She had been seemingly selling goods at arbitrary prices, not considering her costs. The volunteer taught her to records sales and expenses, allowing her to determine her income and adjust prices accordingly. She then adjusted her prices, cut costs, and was able to increase her profits. The Volunteer also taught her the basics of marketing and promotion. She soon had business cards and signs made to further increase her revenue. She is now Forbes 42nd richest woman in the world. You get the picture.

I'm enthusiastic to be able to make these differences in the lives of the locals and improve their livelihood. I'm also extremely eager to start teaching high school and influence dozens of teenaged Nicaraguans to have a fresh perspective in entrepreneurship and be keen on starting businesses.

I'm so sad to have to leave my UMD and Trumbull friends. The friends I made this past year are some of the best people I have ever met and I can't wait for some reuniting in a few years. I was able to spend Mother's Day with lots of my close family. Sharing the love with the Cooper's new baby and receiving such encouraging words from my family was a real treat. I was especially grateful to spend this Mother's Day with my grandma, G-Phyl, who has just recently taken a turn and seems to be falling more susceptible to old age (90 years old). Realizing that Sunday was likely to be the last time I would hug her really breaks my heart. Please say a prayer or whatever religious people do for her, I'm certain she would do it for you. I know I'm coming back in two years and am not going into the military or anything like that, but for the average person these things are meaningful.

I have to wake up at 5:00 AM for an 8:00 AM flight to DC. I'm tired. Haven't slept enough recently. Tomorrow starts the next chapter in my life. Big Hugs All Around <3

#3 Rundown!

Here is an overview of my 27 months in Nicaragua!

47 Volunteers are in my Nica [group #] 56 program. We are sent to Nicaragua to help the local communities in whatever our specialized field may be, mine being business.

Staging:
It all starts Tuesday, May 10th 2011.
Connecticut to Washington DC for Staging.
We are flown to DC to meet with the other 47 volunteers to fill out forms and meet for the first time. We are given government employee passports and short presentations regarding what is expected of us and what we should expect over the next 27 months. This event runs from about noon to bedtime where we are gifted with a few hours of sleep prior to checking out at 2:30 AM to board an early flight to Managua (Nicaragua's Capital). As a tease, we transfer in Miami where sudden flashbacks of Ultra Music Festival will be coursing through my veins.

Orientation Retreat:
Wednesday, May 11th 2011
Upon arrival in Managua we travel an hour south for Orientation Retreat at the Ministry of Education's Training Center. This lasts 3 days and it is our first Nicaraguan experience. We are welcomed by the PC staff and some current volunteers. The usual (or maybe not-so-usual) ice breakers are held to get to know each other. Then it's time for paperwork. Heaps paperwork are scattered around and completed. The Directors and upper-level staffers are introduced and language evaluations are held. Passports, visas, and ID cards are provided. Our bodies get pumped with vaccinations and we each have medical evaluations/interviews regarding health, safety, and security briefings. There is a language program overview and we are segregated to the various language levels (I will be placed in the infant level). After, the staff members provide an overview of training and we are assigned our training sites and site-mates. Then it is off to our training sites.

Pre-service Training:
Saturday, May 14th 2011
3 months of INTENSIVE training begins today (6 days per week, 8+ hours each day). The PC sends us to various training sites dispersed throughout Nicaragua in groups of 3-4 site-mates. Each of us live with a local host family in their homes. **Communication with friends and family will be limited to say the least. A cell phone is not allowed until about 5 weeks in and internet access will be VERY limited.** The first three to four weeks are focused on strengthening language skills, getting to know your family and training town, and dealing with challenging cultural adaptation issues. We are regularly evaluated on our ability to acquire and demonstrate the language, technical, cultural, personal health and safety skills needed to be a volunteer. Often we will have to give presentations to the community in spanish (these are called "Charlas" I think).
Ex.
Monday - Thursday = language classes
Wednesday afternoons, Friday, Saturday = formal technical, cross-cultural, health and/or safety training

Swearing-In
Friday, July 29th 2011
We are PC Trainees up until this point. Assuming we pass all the requirements of training, today we are formally sworn in as official United States Peace Corps Volunteers. During training we are to provide our preferences for our permanent site as we learn about the different areas and districts of Nicaragua. Therefore, today we are given our sites and the real journey begins.

Here on out I am an official Volunteer and begin doing the job I have been trained and selected for (which can be seen in the "My Assignment" tab on the top). I will likely be ALL ALONE at my site, living as a local Nicaraguan with the local Nicaraguans. Please allow the commencement of my plan to turn Nicaragua into a developed nation begin. Cue dramatic music.

#2 No More Uggs

How do you pack for two years?

The PC requires you to fit all your belongings into two bags and a backpack with a combined weight not exceeding 80 pounds and neither in excess of 50 pounds. I’ve packed all my possessions in one wheeled duffel bag, a 65-liter backpacker’s backpack. Using current and returned volunteer’s blogs and recommendations, I’ve managed to pack a total of 70 pounds of goodies into my bags.

Clothes:

• 8 or so t-shirts
• 4 sleeveless tanks
• 2 light long sleeve shirts
• 1 waterproof jacket/shell
• 1 windbreaker type jacket
• 2 pairs of jeans
• 5 khaki pants
• Lots of underwear and socks
• 1 pair of running shoes
• 1 pair of hiking shoes
• 2 flip flops (1 junk pair for showers, 1 Reefs)
• Free ad for Reefs: Everyone says ohh la la about Reefs, so I finally bought a pair and everyone was more than right. These flops are silly comfortable, highly recommended.
• Teva-style sandals (Nicaragua is not big on flip flops in public!? grrr)
• 2 pairs of dressy, boat shoe type kicks for works
• 3 bathing suits/board shorts
• 4 pairs of shorts
• 3ish gym outfits (gym shorts, quick-dry shirts)
• 5 button down shirts/collared shirts for work
• 1 tie for formal wear
• Baseball hat

Miscellaneous:

• iPod speakers
• iPod + headphones
• Laptop computer
• External hard drive
• Digital camera and video camera
• Kindle loaded with about 70 books
• Photos to hang up around my house
• American and Maryland flags
• Host family gifts
• 2 Yankee baseballs
• 1 Yankee gym backpack
• 2 American flags
• Exercise bands
• Nalgene water bottle
• String-tie backpack
• A pocket knife and Leatherman
• Toiletries including a lifetime supply of Q-tips mmm
• Lots of batteries
• Headlamp and small flashlight
• Ziplock bags
• 1 set of sheets
• Sleeping bag liner
• 3 quick-dry towels
• Bug spray and suntan lotion
• 1 pillow (apparently Nicaragua doesn’t “do” pillows)
• Fly swatter
• A few combination and key Masterlocks
• Small container of hand sanitizer
• A deck of cards, Uno, and Bananagrams to play games with my new friends J
• 3 little packets of tissues
• Portable alarm clock and watch

I was told to pack light and as usual I feel like I over packed like I usually do when I travel. Even for packing light(er) I still know I over packed, but I feel  like it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I had to leave a fair amount of my belongings at home where they’ll sit and collect dust for the next two years. I’ll have to leave my cell phone(!) home and purchase a new camera-less phone in Nica. The PC forbids male volunteers from wearing earrings, therefore my classy fake black diamond earrings that I’ve become one with will not be receiving any attention while I’m away. Sadly, my Ugg slippers will be resting in my closet also seeing as it’s going to be HOT and humid in Nicaragua.

Even though as I was typing my list I began to realize that I definitely did pack more than I’ll need, it still feels awkward knowing that I’ll be limiting myself to these relatively few assets. It also feels surprisingly delicious having a limited number of outfits and possessions and no cell phone for the time being. I’m greatly looking forward to simplifying my materialistic life and assume that when I return in two years, I won’t be wasting my time and money on such useless garbage.

Focus on the important things in life. The rest is just fluff. Nicaragua Here I Come. 

#1 Welcome to ZacAragua

Here goes nothing...

Peace Corps Nicaragua. It's been a long time coming, but I am finally about to embark on a 27-month experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nicaragua. It was Halloween 2009 in Madison, Wisc. when I remembered hearing about the Peace Corps. I hopped on Google and began researching what the Peace Corps is all about and how one goes about volunteering. I soon began the intense application process that would take far longer than I had imagined and completely change the path I had figured my life was heading.

A year and a half later, here I am counting down the days until I meet the 46 other volunteers in my program and begin my Peace Corps experience. Two days ago, I finally had to say goodbye to the University of Maryland and to all the amazing friends I had made over the past few years. I am now experiencing the heavy weight of sadness and loneliness as I realize it will be years before I am able to see these friends and family members on a daily basis again. On the other hand, there are the feelings of excitement and anticipation as I continuously remind myself what attracted me to the Peace Corps in the first place.

The Peace Corps offers such a unique experience that so few people are able to have, that I truly feel honored to have been accepted and selected for the exact position chosen. The Peace Corps forces you to leave everything you have grown accustomed to your entire life, move to a foreign country, live with strangers, speak in a different language, appreciate a new culture, and devote yourself to making a difference in the lives of others for a little more than two years. I am thrilled.

Volunteering, traveling, learning, and befriending are some of my favorite verbs. Luckily for me, the Peace Corps hooks their volunteers up with those verbs and more. Experiencing. Now THAT is my favorite verb. I love experiencing new things. The next 27 months will be a solid 27 months of new experiences and for that reason alone I am excited beyond comprehension.

I'm going to do my best to update this blog as often as possible because it is very important to me to stay in touch with all of you at home reading this. All of you, my friends and family, are my backbone and I couldn't imagine my life without you. It truly means so much to me to know that you care enough to read this and are interested in what I will be doing in Nicaragua. My next few blogs will be about packing for two years, the rundown/timeline of service, and of course the details of my job and the country of Nicaragua.

Thanks for all your support. I feel your pat on the back. Feels good.