I got caught in the rain. And by rain I mean torrencial downpour. In Xela. So there I was, walking around the city streets barefoot in ice cold water. And the moment seemed right. To start talking outloud to myself. 'You idiot. Buy boots already.'

The proverbial last straw. I went to the Co-op and my Guatemalan brother sold me some fine boots. Black and rubbery. All the men wear them here when they go out to the fields to work, and the women too. And he laughed when I told him my story. I wore the boots home from the store. But little did I know that everyone in Almolonga would think it was the funniest thing ever that this gringa was wearing Almolongan boots. I kid you not, they were pointing at my newly aquired wellies and laughing. And I had to smile, because with every step in my toasty dry boots I was walking a step closer to their hearts...

So, it's been a while since I've written. It's been on my list of things to do, but for some reason it always seems to take the back burner. I've been trying to think of interesting things to tell you, but the truth is that it's been hard. It seems that I've reached that point in my journey where I've finally come to find some sense of normalcy, what seemed so new and interesting when I first got here has now just become my life.

Work continues to be a challenge in the best of ways. Everyday is a different group of teachers in a different community, each with their own opinions and ways of doing things. I'm starting them off easy, each kid in school needs their own toothbrush and paste, a towel, a palangana (little plastic cup for the pila to get water), and hand soap. So far so good, all of my schools are starting to have their kids brush their teeth after snack ect. Some schools are more proficient than others, but like I said, each group is distinct with varying levels of energy.

I came the realization this weekend that I work a lot. I know what you're thinking, 'Whatever Sam,' but the truth is that even when I'm not at a school I'm in the work mentality. Walking down the street greeting people on my way to buy my egg for dinner, sitting in my house chatting with Doña Maria, going for a run in la labor, the only place that I can really exhale is in my room (which at the moment looks like a craft supply store exploded in there thanks to all the posters I make for my workshops in the schools). Rereading that makes it seem like I'm complaining, but I'm not. It's just a change that I'm still getting used to, all of the attention and this constant need to have my game face on. I'm already starting to love the influence I have here and the respect that I've been able to earn.

On that note, did I tell you my title here? Licenciada Samanta Boss. So official, right? I still feel really uncomfortable everytime people use it's the proper way to address someone who has graduated university, a common title in the states (BA). Also they use official stamps here. Yup, stamps. I haven't gone that far yet, but heck, why not. I do need to work on making my signature look more like a work of art than my name.

Funny stories of the week:

-I almost burnt off my eyebrows trying to light the stove to boil my plantain... Thank god I survived eyebrows intact.

-Yesterday at my art class I thought our teacher said that we need to draw two big hands for our homework, I clarified because it seemed strange. Nope, two mangos.

-People still think I'm Doña Maria's daughter-in-law... I don't mind, perhaps it will help to keep the harassment down.

-Started playing games with the kids at the schools when I finish my work! Friday I split open my toe playing soccer with some fifth graders (was playing barefoot because I couldn't run in my flats). Result: walking a little funny and the teachers got a good laugh. But we won.

-I started K'iche classes! Not really a funny story but rather good news...