Total blog posts 2009: 17? I think.
Total blog posts 2010: 3.
That's depressing. I don't particularly believe in New Year's resolutions...if you want to change something, why wait for January 1st to do so?! That said, I would like to keep up with this blog a bit better this year.
I just got back from an absolutely glorious 2 weeks, mas o menos, in the States, split between Houston and DC. I cannot even begin to describe the amazingness that is indoor heating, newspapers and radio in english, real coffee, sushi, and delish adult beverages that simply don't exist here. If you can't tell, I think I might be in a bit of withdrawal. I find that to be a positive thing, meaning that it won't be too strange to "re-assimilate" in 6 months. Yes, 6 months. But who's counting?
There is so much left to do that only having 6 months left makes me apprehensive. I'm working on getting my own stove project off the ground in Paxcabalche, with about 25 families. It's the same idea as the project I helped my former sitemate with, just this time with one community and without the coffee co-op cohesiveness. Meaning that it has been difficult to get things together because we had to form the group and start the habit of regular meetings, but I'm looking forward to hitting the ground running now. I definitely respond well to deadlines, and we've got one! The scholarship fund, Friends of Poaquil, is doing absolutely fantastic. We're going to have 13 (!) kids with us this year, more than double than last year. I'm going to send out an email with some more specific details on the kids, but a quick recap from this year: Alex was valedictorian of his middle school class and is going to school for mechanics next year. Norma was also valedictorian of her class at teaching school in Antigua and has been awarded a partial scholarship for next year; she has 2 years left. Also, Marleny graduated from nursing school with a 90 on her final exam.
I feel like this is my version of the traditional Christmas brag letter, but instead after New Year's. I was so unbelievably proud of these kids this year. At their graduations, I was prouder of them than I was of myself graduating from college. That was expected for me. These kids aren't really required to go to school, they just have the desire and the work ethic. I feel like a silly mother hen.
This video absolutely cracks me up...I feel like I should watch it every morning!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR3rK0kZFkg&feature=related
Unfortunately, my blogging skills leave more than a bit to be desired, so I have no clue how to embed (is that even the right word?) a YouTube video in a blog post.
All in all, things are good here. I was kind of worried about coming back after so long, but it felt like I hadn't left. Gouda and Geronimo (the cat and the horse) definitely felt like I had been long gone for too long. Now I just need to start things up again, work wise!
Happy 2011 to all,
Meredith
