The Blogger Looses Her Way

As many have noticed my blog has been somewhat lacking entries for some time. I cannot tell a lie. I have no excuse. It may be for a while there that I was a little unhappy or later, a little two busy to write. After that I was so overwhelmed with all the writing I would have to catch up that I didn’t write anything which was also not very productive. I have there for decided to write a top ten list of my last two months in Honduras.

1.) I attended the REF Meeting in December which is one of the few Peace Corps support groups available. REF stands for Religious Equality Forum. We got together to discuss different points of view and also how to field questions in our sites where sometimes religious plurality is not seen as positive or interesting. The highlight of the whole meeting was when a tree fell onto our cabin and a board smacked me in the head. I proceeded to run outside and yell at the Hondurans standing around, “What the hell?” Yes, I yelled at them in English. I was in shock, give me a break.

2.) December was crazy. Not much work but lots of cultural learning. For example: I participated in the gift exchange at the municipality, “Amigos Secretos.” And this is how it went. The guy who chose me went first. They forced him to stand up and say something nice about me and then we took a picture together with the present. After that, he handed me the present and everyone watched me sit down. And then I thought to myself, “Do I open it now or are we going to wait until everyone has a gift?” My thoughts were interrupted by one of the ladies telling me it was my turn to give my gift. So this continued around the table, some nice words, the obligatory picture with said gift, and more passing. THEN, we all put our gifts aside to eat! Everyone took there presents home later to open up in secret. I have to tell you, as a selfish gift giver who likes to see the surprise, and displayed (sometimes fake) appreciation, it was a let down. However, I definitely learned a lot about Honduran culture and the act of gift giving.

3.) I threw a Christmas party for the youth group I am working with. Lots of silliness but overall, a great time. Especially since they kept insisting that they wanted to dance but actually meant that they wanted to watch me dance!

4.) Went to Roatan with the folks and my Aunt Cathy for a wonderful, beautiful, restful Caribbean vacation. I can’t really give justice to the great time had by all or the beauty of the island and its’ coral reef.

5.) In six months I have graduated from trainee, to baby volunteer, to full-fledged, full privilege having volunteer. I can now travel for personal reasons and visit my super, awesome volunteer buddies around Honduras.

6.) To celebrate, I visited Mark and Lauren (a married MuniD – Youth (wish I was MuniD) couple) in their new home in La Esperanza. La Esperanza is one of the highest points in Honduras and definitely one of the coldest. I wore a hat and many layers all weekend (even inside the house). La Esperanza has a really large Lenca population and really gives the town a different feeling then anywhere else I have been in Honduras.

7.) I watched inauguration coverage from my couch in Spanish. It was a really great day in American History and its amazing how more American I feel since joining the Peace Corps.

8.) I have recently become obsessed with people who post the “25 random things about Me” on Facebook. Its amazing hat you learn and the list is starting to feel a little random…..

9.) Last week was our yearly Reconnect meeting in which all the Municipal Development volunteers get together for a three day conference to share what we are working on and to hear updates from Peace Corps Staff. It was a great week. I love seeing all my friends together and meeting some new people. I was inspired by all the support we have been able to offer here in Honduras and I feel ready to tackle some new projects!

10.) I am officially moving into my own house this week! I hope to take some pictures and post them soon. It’s got three bedrooms, a living room, and a large kitchen. It’s more space then I know what to do with and hope that I can make it homey and loved.

That’s it for now, signing off until next time (which will surely come faster than the last time)!

B