Which means "a lack of writing"...sorry that I have not posted in almost 20 days! Oh the horror! Next week my roomie Mike is bringing me my brand new camera, since my old Sony died on me finally, so I will definately be more inclined to update! Pictures make posts so much more fun to read and it gives a visualization of my experiences as well.
This week I'm running all over hell's half acre trying to help the kids finish their business plans...which is quite a nightmare at times, but they are slowly understanding what I mean when I say "Your graph needs to add up to 100%, instead of 240%". Seeing the inability of these kids to do these simple charts scares me to death when I have to teach this to 300 public school kids! They are learning factoring in math class, yet don't know what the function of a pie chart is, OR how to even create one! I believe I started these kinds of graphs in the 3rd grade with Ms. Betts, we were 8/9 years old and knew how to make a graph. Ugh...another gliche in 3rd world education I guess. It will present an interesting challenge.
Next week on Tuesday the kids have their competition, about 150 of them are competing for 3 groups to go on to the regional competition in Ocotal (about 40 min. away from Somoto). We are having a "fair" where the judges and the public walk around to all of the tables and can buy the kids products and be judged. It's also a day of fun for them afterwards, as we are having some sports competitions, music competitions, brain-teaser competitions, etc. after the fair. It wasn't my idea to put these other activities in the day, but it was my counterpart's. Personally I think she is turning the whole thing into a dog and pony act...but a wise RPCV informed me that I should let her go with the flow as she will be the one to ultimately carry on the Empresa Creativa program. The kids also get lunch, certificates that I made for them, and a pat on the back I guess. Hopefully it will all run smoothly.
This weekend I'm headed to the beaches of Leon for some camping and relaxation after an already long work week. I'm going with Callie, my roomie and co-worker/co-Fabretto volunteer from Cusmapa, and her boyfriend and we're meeting up with her friends in Leon. It should be lots of fun and I have a little extra money for the end of the month which will be well spent! We get paid next week anyways, and my rent...well, let's just say my rent is less than $10 a month and then a small amount paid toward gas, water, and electricity. Not bad right? The only downside is having to share the house with Fabretto employees, both Nica and gringos coming in and out. But I'd rather spend less money now and go on awesome vacations later!
Hope all is well at home and please be excited for the following post full of pictures and stories of this weekend and next week.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
A happy little working song...
After having these past two weeks kind of kick me in the butt, I'm more than ready to bounce back. Sorry if that last post sounded like I was on the verge of quitting or something...some of you emailed me asked if everything was ok and to keep my chin up. Thank you for those notes and emails of encouragement!
Yesterday marked the end of these two hard weeks when I was surprised with not one, but two packages at the post office! A huge THANK YOU goes out to Jan and Rosine!!! Opening the boxes made me so happy and I am so lucky to have people at home who love me so much.
After getting the boxes I headed over to the Somoto Oratorio to talk to someone about me living at the volunteer house in Somoto, since I haven't found a place yet. I was again elated to receive good news that they would love for me to occupy one of the rooms and if they move houses I am more than welcome to move with them. I will be living with another Fabretto volunteer named Mike and a couple Nicas that come in and out during the week. It's great because my rent (if my boss reads this yes I am paying rent) will be soooooooo much less this way and I will never be alone, there will at least always be another gringo or Nica around. Another reason why I'm so happy is that Mike and I both love to cook, so I'm sure I won't be going out very often nor will I ever have to cook all by myself. Cooking is such a social event for me, it's just not the same without someone else there to eat with.
So with these two great events, today (Saturday) I felt so much better waking up and my body has almost gotten rid of this cold virus I have. That was the biggest downer of this last week, being sick and just feeling yucky all of the time! I hate being sick! Don't worry, Katie is all better and picked herself back up. We all need our down times right?
Other news, I'm working on getting invitations out for the competition which will be on September 30th and securing some sort of financial support from the community for helping buy prizes. It should be a great opportunity to meet some community leaders and try to get some community involvement. It'll be harder to get a ton of ppl to come because it will fall on a work day, but maybe we'll get a couple people to come. I'm more worried about getting donations for prizes since alot of the businesses here in Somoto aren't very big and most NGOs don't have alot of extra funds this year due to the economic slowdown. But with a positive attitude and an open mind anything is possible right!?
Tomorrow I start moving my stuff...yay for my own space! I think I will feel better with a room that I can actually settle down in and be a part of the house and not just a temporary guest! This next week I'm also going to be trained on the Community Bank session so I can train new Nica PC trainees. Should be fun and I get to hang out with Joey in Esteli!
Yesterday marked the end of these two hard weeks when I was surprised with not one, but two packages at the post office! A huge THANK YOU goes out to Jan and Rosine!!! Opening the boxes made me so happy and I am so lucky to have people at home who love me so much.
After getting the boxes I headed over to the Somoto Oratorio to talk to someone about me living at the volunteer house in Somoto, since I haven't found a place yet. I was again elated to receive good news that they would love for me to occupy one of the rooms and if they move houses I am more than welcome to move with them. I will be living with another Fabretto volunteer named Mike and a couple Nicas that come in and out during the week. It's great because my rent (if my boss reads this yes I am paying rent) will be soooooooo much less this way and I will never be alone, there will at least always be another gringo or Nica around. Another reason why I'm so happy is that Mike and I both love to cook, so I'm sure I won't be going out very often nor will I ever have to cook all by myself. Cooking is such a social event for me, it's just not the same without someone else there to eat with.
So with these two great events, today (Saturday) I felt so much better waking up and my body has almost gotten rid of this cold virus I have. That was the biggest downer of this last week, being sick and just feeling yucky all of the time! I hate being sick! Don't worry, Katie is all better and picked herself back up. We all need our down times right?
Other news, I'm working on getting invitations out for the competition which will be on September 30th and securing some sort of financial support from the community for helping buy prizes. It should be a great opportunity to meet some community leaders and try to get some community involvement. It'll be harder to get a ton of ppl to come because it will fall on a work day, but maybe we'll get a couple people to come. I'm more worried about getting donations for prizes since alot of the businesses here in Somoto aren't very big and most NGOs don't have alot of extra funds this year due to the economic slowdown. But with a positive attitude and an open mind anything is possible right!?
Tomorrow I start moving my stuff...yay for my own space! I think I will feel better with a room that I can actually settle down in and be a part of the house and not just a temporary guest! This next week I'm also going to be trained on the Community Bank session so I can train new Nica PC trainees. Should be fun and I get to hang out with Joey in Esteli!
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