So it has been more than 2 ½ weeks since I wrote, and I can’t believe. Time really flies when you are busy. The last time I wrote I had just been on my site visit to Ocotal; and I’m now living in Ocotal. However, let’s back up just a little bit. Steve and my youth group did a fantastic job on their final project. All four of the groups performed their songs and I will put those up for you to see when I can. The videos were presented by two of our students to the rest of the volunteers, their groups, and all other PC people. All but one of the TEFL groups sang (one sang Bon Jovi live for us), and the Environment groups did different projects with recycled materials and they all started gardens. Some of their projects included plastic bottle planters and jewelry made from the tops of glass coke bottles.
After the final project, we got our last dose of charlas in Diriamba. I think I can speak for most when I say that we were not too sad to see the end come near. In fact, training ended just in time. I was getting a bit jaded from all the intake of information and starting to feel overwhelmed because we weren’t really doing anything with it. One big thing with PC is that we cater to the needs of our community. Well, we don’t really know our community yet, so it was hard to figure out how to use all the information they were giving us. Anyway... I’m glad that we are finally able to put some of the charlas to good use. My training mates and I celebrated the occasion with a Boggle night (our favorite game)! Of course, I lost miserably.
After the final project, we got our last dose of charlas in Diriamba. I think I can speak for most when I say that we were not too sad to see the end come near. In fact, training ended just in time. I was getting a bit jaded from all the intake of information and starting to feel overwhelmed because we weren’t really doing anything with it. One big thing with PC is that we cater to the needs of our community. Well, we don’t really know our community yet, so it was hard to figure out how to use all the information they were giving us. Anyway... I’m glad that we are finally able to put some of the charlas to good use. My training mates and I celebrated the occasion with a Boggle night (our favorite game)! Of course, I lost miserably.
On November 22, I left my family and house in Dolores. It was sad to pack up and say my goodbyes. Isolina kept walking by my room and shaking her head. The kids came to give me a million hugs, and to be honest, I’ll miss them a lot. They have been such a good family to be in training with. When I was sick, Isolina was sure to make me light food that wouldn’t hurt my stomach. We always had lunch and dinner together, and Isolina would make me breakfast and sit with me even if it was 5am. They always knew when I was upset and didn’t want to talk or when I was excited and did want to. The kids were good (for the most part) and always wanted me to play with them. It was a great atmosphere and I’m so glad that I’m going back for Christmas!
Before I left the house, I made spaghetti for my family. I bought the noodles, and regular spaghetti sauce (most of the sauce down here is like ketchup). I then mixed in garlic, black pepper, carrots, and soy meat. Unfortunately I forgot about the onions and peppers, but everyone still liked it. By the way… do you know how healthy soy meat is? It is so much lower in fat, high in protein, and REALLY cheap. It might replace meat in my diet.I just about forgot to mention that as I was packing up, Isolina, Alex and I were glued to the TV and radio. That weekend there were two major demonstrations in Managua less than a mile apart. The government had given permission to two opposing sides to protest at the same time. We were all expecting major mahem and many people were leaving Managua so as not to get caught up in the crossfire. All PCV were told not to travel that day and to stay out of Managua and not to get involved in any political matters. In my host family, there were 5 active participants in Managua. Luckily nothing happened and everyone came home safely (although a little sunburnt).
So getting on a bit... I begrudgingly left my host family in Dolores, Carazo and arrived in Managua, where I immediately began to sweat. Monday morning everyone was dressed up for the 10am swear-in ceremony. The dress that Isolina made me (the last of many versions) finally made its debut. Tons of photos were taken and everyone greeted their families as they arrived. 
Both Isolina and Chico came for the host family ceremony. Isolina and I accepted her certificate and after everyone had been presented, there was a traditional Nicaragua dance. There was, however, a twist. One of the Environment volunteers performed it with his host sister! We energetically and whole heartedly voiced our praise as they twirled around in traditional outfits. After a short break of coffee (with real milk!) we went back in for the swear-in ceremony. Each volunteer introduced themselves and told where they were from in the States and their new sites. As the microphone came to me, my hands were shaking and I forgot what my site was. Guess my public speaking isn't too good. It was the icing on the cake when we had to sing the Nicaraguan and US national anthems. We finally got called up individually to shake the hands of the country director, ministor of education, program director and specialist, etc., and receive our pins. Everyone had to sign their contract, but mine was mysteriously missing. Do you think that since I didn't sign it that I'm really a volunteer? If not, I just wasted a long three months!
After hugs and kisses to all and one more cup of coffee for the road, we piled back in the buses to go to the hotel. There was one last round of awards as Claire presented the groups superlatives. I was voted most likely to make my own alcohol... well, I did just buy a manual of how to make soy milk, tofu, peanut butter, preservatives, and WINE. Guess my group noticed how excited I got about this little book of fun. HEHE.
That night we celebrated... a lot. Everyone kick back for one last night together before we all had to leave for our sites. It is amazing how close I have gotten to this group of people. I wouldn't point out one and say that they are my new best friend, but there is a strong bond between all of us. It probably formed sometime while talking about our bodily functions- does anyone else burp fruity pebbles? Is it normal to have horrible stomach cramps each time after eating? What does the water taste like in your house?. Or maybe it was as we comforted each other through all the changes in the past three months, where moods can change by the hour and each day brings something new. All the movie nights, trips to the beach, and chats in the park are worth their weight in gold to me.
The day after swear-in, we attended the All Volunteer Conference (AVC). Much like the name might suggest, all 180 Peace Corps volunteer in Nicaragua from the five sectors (small business, teaching English, environment, health, and agriculture) came together for two days to talk about Food Security. Being in the TEFL program, we had some trouble finding a connection with this, but we finally decided to teach the bums how to beg in English... JOKE. Just making sure you were paying attention. We did learn some cool tricks, though: like how to make purses from potato chip bags or earrings from the tops of glass coke bottles. Besides getting to learn about that, the AVC was good for networking. At night, there was lots of entertainment. The first night Liz, Steve, Ellie and I formed a trivia team, with the name "House of Representin'" (from the movie Idiocracy). I answered two questions: one about bull riding, and the other about the movie Wayne's World. I shudder to think what this says about me. We lost horribly, but I throughly enjoyed the free popcorn and games of MASH. The last night there was a talent contest and I participated in a TEFL skit. It is a must see... I´ll try to attach it later.
AVC ended on Thanksgiving. It was such a treat to use the hotel's free wi-fi to skype my family in Knoxville. Everyone was so fun to talk with, despite the long enough to demand that we end each sentence with "over." Katie even took me on a tour of the house and showed me what was cooking in the oven. Glimpses of the turkey filled the screen making we wish for smell-a-vision. It was also fun to see eveyone playing pool in the basement and their smiling faces. Skype is an amazing invention and I cannot possible describe how indebted I am to its creators. It has allowed me to keep up with the Jones back in the US. Its also let me see the beautiful faces of my fam and receive their air kisses- which they give me plenty of. In truth, I am so thankful for my family and their support of me here. I can't imagine my life without them... I love you guys! By the way, if you would like to skype, look me up at the screen name laura.sanders6
After talking for more than an hour with them, about 25 volunteers and I went to the Country Director's house for a traditional dinner. George Baldino and his wife Susie were wonderful hosts as they dished out two beautifully golden turkeys, roasted potatoes, Italian stuffing, gravy, vegetables of all sorts, and delicious French bread. To boot, they even offered wine! As I basked in the warm, fuzzy feelings of my favorite holiday, I talked with some volunteers I didn't yet know. It was seredipidous to meet a fellow Knoxvillian named Joanna, who I used to play soccer against. What a small world it is! The night continued with chats on the porch with the breeze cooling us off from the Managuan heat, card games, and of course cat napping on the couches. I was definitely ready to hit the sack by 8:30.
Friday was the day that all the trainees had been dwelling over for months. Our first day in site. I rode on the bus with Steve until Ocotal, where we deboarded and quickly got seperated in the madness. I caught a cab and arrived at my new house in less than 10 minutes. Because I didn't know if I was actually at the right house (street addresses don't exist here), the taxi driver was kind enough to inquire for me. My new host sister, Carolina (28 y.o), greeted me with a warm smile and helped me with my luggage after a quick hug and kiss. She guided me through the living room and showed me my HUGE room! Eventually I also met my host mom Maria Teresa, host sisters Claudia (25 y.o) and Tania (21 y.o). The house has running water (even though water comes every 2-3 days), a refrigerator, stove, and even an exercise machine! However, the best part is how bubbly and including the girls are with me and the fact that there is fresh brewed coffee all day long. One quick negative would be the darn rooster that starts crowing around 4am. Good thing I brought down my earplugs.
Since I have been in Ocotal, I attended the end of the year TEPCE (Teacher in-service) this past Monday. My main goal was simply to remind everyone that I was in town and meet any teachers yet unknown. It was pretty uneventful and very quickly I got lost in the quick conversation between multiple people in the meetings. Other than the TEPCE, I've been relaxing in the house, getting to know my new family, reading, watching a bit of TV and going on any errands that the family makes. My site mates, Nikki and Jessi, were nice enough to invite me over the other night to put up Christmas decorations and eat dinner. It certainly is a different pace of life after the gruelingly long days of training.
I've been eager to catch you guys up for so long. In the future, I hope that it won't be so long between blogs. The months of December and January are depressingly empty on my schedule, but I'll be sure to fill you in when something does happen. Hope everyone is well and enjoying the cold weather up in the States. I'm a little jealous thinking of rich hot chocolate, cute scarfs, and blazing fires in the fireplace. Maybe you are a bit jealous that I'm running around in short sleeves and having to wake up early to run before the heat is unbearable. The grass is always greener on the other side- except if you are looking at the dirt yards of Nicaragua. Much love and talk with you soon!
