Happy 3 months to meeee in site!!!

So, that's right I've made it 1/8th of the way and, honestly, so far, much better! It ONLY took 3 months in site and about 6 months in Peru(I make my 1/2 a year away from the states on March 11th!!!!!!!) to finally be comfortable. In my community, people know me and actually like me (Don’t be surprised!). I just finished up my English classes last week and it's official, I want to work with monsters. I love that when kids are determined to do something how they accomplish so much. I am starting a youth group, for sure. It'll include health topics, life skills, and leadership type of training/learning/building. I'm excited for it because some of the kids are even more excited for it..SUCCESS! As for other health shit/work, I am trying to properly promote family gardens and hopefully start monthly talks on health topics. I am working on organizing this more so it can actually be productive. In the future, I think "cocinas mejoradas" (more effective firewood stoves) might be a bigger project of mine but we'll see.

The truth: To tell you the truth, the climbing is still rough but sooooo much more bearable (plus, my ass loves it. ha,). I still have a pee bucket that I use every now and then - it's such a lifesaver in the middle of the night. I mostly wear hiking boots or else I die. Rain still makes my life hell but I've gained more balance and the ability to fall with even more grace than before - oh and I walk with a staff or as I call it "my stick." Food still isn't the best part of my day (especially if all I get is rice or potatoes for breakfast - I've always hated breakfast and now I could def live without it FOREVER) but it satisfies my hunger and it is starting to taste much better. I have built a pretty good support system here with my fellow PCVs (yea, you guessed it - they are amazing; most at least) and that makes my future super exciting (having friends all over the USA will be loads of fun!). My happy times include talking to my peeps back home (phone calls make me feel like I'm not in a different continent) or hanging out with peeps here or getting a whole room of Peruvians laughing or going raspberry picking with the biggest monster in the world (3 yr old host brother) or simply babysitting the smaller monster (1 yr old host bro).

I'm not sure/don't remember if I have mentioned this but things in my life (it has always been this way for me) are always better when I have something grand to look forward to and this upcoming month it is my first visitors!!! My mother and my nieces are coming! Plus, it's going to feel like Christmas because they come bearing gifts!! It's not until the end of the month but that works because I have a lot I should accomplish before then. I guess it isn't the little things for me..it's the BIG (GRANDIOSE!) things that make me the happiest right now or maybe always.

Well, I hope this has been entertaining and a bit informative. I don't even know who still reads this but I'll continue to update just in case there are avid readers.

I miss and love all my lovers!! <3

P.S. Boys suck in all countries. Ha.

CaRnAvAl WhOa!

This time of year is fuckin' fun, fun, and fun!! Get that? That is right, it is fun!

When and how did it all start?
So, this actually began back in December for me. Yea, that's right December. After becoming a PCV, I became aware that I would be living in the department of Peru that does Carnaval the best. This all really excited meee! I began looking forward to this event every time I thought of the next BIG thing that I would be doing. The time finally came and that time was this passed weekend.

What was it like?
I think everyone should do it and then you'll know. I mean unless you don't like to be painted on or wet or should I say unless you don’t like to have fun. Ha. If that's you, do I know and like you? Probably not. Mayhem in the streets. Party in the streets. Dancing in the streets. Just loads of street fun. DO IT!!

So, I don't know if this made much sense but what I wanted everyone to get is how much fun it was…fo' realz.

One more thought or story. Once I returned to my community, I thought I would be done with Carnaval. WRONG!! It turns out my town was partying all of the day before and today. So, this is the kind of party it was: There is this tree that is filled with "presents." The "presents" are things like sheets, baskets, brooms, and you know. They call it a "Yunsa" or something like that. I arrived just in time to see what happens to this tree of "presents." Did you guess it?? Well, they chop it down, it falls somewhere (hopefully not on top of people) and then men run to get a present. So, yea…it is the same idea of a pinata except there are men literally fighting for sheets and buckets. This was SUPER interesting to watch. I hope you can imagine it because it's a site to see.

But yes, Peru continues to surprise me and that amazes me. I like it here, for now.

P.S. Someone video taped our fun...there is creepers all around the world. DUH, right? :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4acUCn8ic54