In an effort to become more regular with these blog posts I thought that I might explain for you, as well as for myself, why I am bothering to even have a blog at all. Peace Corps has a list of three goals, one of which is helping promote a better understanding of other peoples (in my case, Guatemalans) to Americans. Thus, the blog. But how do I make you see how generous the people here are, how do I show you what it's like in this beautiful little valley nestled away in the mountains of Central America?

You see, before coming to Guatemala I had these lofty and rather thoreauian ideas of leaving technology and to put it more bluntly, civilization behind. I imagined living in a shack somewhere, boiling my water, killing big bugs, hiking miles up mountains to reach small isolated communities. And it was impossibly archaic for me to think that way. It was ignorant and imperialistic. My ideals of leaving the 'modern' world behind and finding a more simple lifestyle are now laughable. I've been learning, slowly but surely that if anything is important to the development of Guatemala, it's technology.

I am guilty of taking for granted my computer literacy. So many people, and considering my line of work, children, are not equipped with the skill set to look for information. As simple as that. The internet has allowed us to become experts in looking for information. But kids who don't have the opportunity to learn how to utilize that resource are, for lack of a better phrase, left in the dust. It seems so snobbish now that I was so disgusted by technology. Sure there is such a thing as too much, but the reality is, the internet has opened up doors, and windows, some flies may get in but either way people have a right to access all of that info.

With that in mind, I am determined to use this tool to show you this little piece of the world with hopes that you might learn with me all about the customs, traditions, work, economy and life here in Almolonga (and of course my funny stories too)...

Okay, so enough boring you... Here's a run down of the past two weeks:

-One more school to go on my initial visits, I'm up to 15 total! After that, I go back to each one to do a priliminary diagnostic and then start workshops with the teachers on what is a healthy school.
-I went to a women's group meeting hosted by the Office of Women that is a part of our Muni (mayor's office). I thought that we were going to learn to make ham (jamon) but when we started pour loads of sulfuric carbonate into the mix I realized we were making soap (jabon). Classic.
-One of my school principals, Rosa, invited me to her house yesterday. She has four awesome kids and I loved hanging out with all of them (we danced to Katy Perry, Taylor Swift and the Jonas Brothers). Already set to go back next weekend.
-I found and then lost a K'iche teacher. The hunt continues.
-Ate myself sick last Saturday. To the point that I spent all Sunday curled up in bed with bottles of gatorade. Note to self: I do not have the self control to shell peanuts without eating them. STAY AWAY FROM PEANUTS.
-Made a serious scheduling error with an important Peace Corps meeting. I banged my head on a rock a few times and then went to the nearest bookstore to buy a new agenda and avoid any future problems.
-Saturday art class is going well. I got to buy a fancyshmancy pencil for shading, felt pretty special. The other ten year old girls in the class have taken a liking to me, feeling doubly special.
-Went to a slow foods festival with my friend Andrea who works for Art Corps. We ate tofu. score!
-Washed my bedding at Doña Maria's request. Grandma would be proud!
-Doña Cata gave me a bunch of spinach from her land! Delicious
-Taught Chepe, 13 year old son of Doña Cata, how to use email.
-Bought purple lilies at the market on Saturday, while walking home some guy yelled 'You're as beautiful as the flowers you hold' (in Spanish of course). I've started confronting such guys with a firm handshake and explaining that I'm living and working here. But for some reason, I just kept thinking, 'we're only as beautiful as the flowers we hold'. Kind of deep, right? My flowers, I hope, will be my schools and my warmth. So go out there. Find something beautiful and hold onto it and spread it around!