If Its Yellow, Let It Mellow

Hey everyone, just a few updates since the last entry. Well we had a security meeting in Granada this last week and we talked about, well...... security, and we went over statistics of Peace Corps volunteers like robberies, assaults and such. There were nine of use that decided to stay the night in a hostel so we could all have a nice dinner together, and then go out afterwards. We waited for all of the girls to make themselves look pretty and then we headed out. I like Liz's statement when she said, “If two applications of that make-up don't make you look better, that just means your ugly...get your asses moving!” They took FOREVER to get ready, but I digress. We got on our way to the restaurant, all looking great, we were about a block away from the eatery when I heard a loud scream. I assumed it was just some of the volunteers screaming, you know when you get girls together they scream when they are excited, but when I turned around towards the scream, I saw Kristel fighting with some man, he had grabbed her purse and she was fighting to pull it back. In return he grabbed her around the shoulders and kinda pulled her whole body. Finally she let go, raised her hands (kind of like OK I give up) and the man took off running with her purse. It was really weird because I had never seen a robbery take place in person. Although it sucks some bastard stole her purse, she didn't lose her money or credit cards, because she kept all that in her pocket. She did on the other hand lose her digital camera, some make-up and her inhaler. Makes me wonder if we hadn't waited for so long for them to do their make-up if the man would have been there... either way SORRY KRISTEL!!! In the hostel there were signs in all of the bathrooms letting us know that sometimes the city shuts off the water due to a water shortage, and they give us a little rhyme to remember whether or not we should flush, “If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down.” I kinda like that.
So I'm still in the market for an apartment as I haven't found anything. I walked around for 3 hours today looking for places and didn't find a damn thing! I thought I was onto something when I came across a house that said for rent, so I asked the neighbors if they knew about it and they told me the mans name and that he was a doctor. His clinic was in the market, all the way across the city. I decided to make the trek, and hiked my ass across the city and meet him in person. Well I made it to the clinic, sweating HORRIBLY, and I think I scared the poor doctor. After waiting for one of his clients to leave, I found out that he had sold the house last year, and that I had walked all that way in vain. When I got home I called the number like I should have done in the first place, and when the woman answered, she told me it was 200 bucks. F-that I say, there is NO way that the house costs 200 bucks. Oh well. What ev. I found another place that was for rent, and when I went in and looked it was more or less 1 room with a little wall seperating it into 2 smaller rooms, with a really small bathroom, and the man let me know it was 175 dollars. It just sucks that as soon as they see white skin, they assume we are walking bank accounts and wipe our butts with 20 dollar bills. I think I am going to take another approach, I am going to have my counterparts call for me and ask, and see how much it REALLY costs. I recently found out that when you buy your first gas tank for your kitchen stove, it costs 800 cords (42 bucks). I don't think we get enough money to even survive, I'm surprised how some of these volunteers do it. Some people were told that if you don't earn enough money, you should use some money from home or that your parents could help This is not right in my opinion. WRITE TO YOUR SENATORS TELLING THEM TO INCREASE PEACE CORPS WAGES. LOL Now I sound like Tessa...write your senator. OK enough bitching.
Anyways, so I thought it would be funny to write a few ironic t-shirts that I have seen here that I think are too good to pass up and not share. Many people here wear t-shirts that they are not even sure what they say or what they mean. For example, my host mom in Dolores was telling me about when she lived in California, her neighbor's son gave her a t-shirt of a “pretty green plant”, well it turns out it was a marijuana leaf; needless to say that once she found that out she never wore it again. So the first t-shirt I saw in Jinotepe when walking home from the bank. It was a pregnant woman walking with another one of her children, and the t-shirt read, “I'm easy” Hmmm BIG surprise there huh? The second shirt I thought was funny I saw when I was walking to school. It was a downs syndrome girl whose shirt read, “Keep staring, I might do a trick.” LOL . And finally there was a little girl whose shirt said, “If you're rich, I'm single”. This reminds me of something. As soon as I began observing classes and introducing myself to my students, many of the girls asked if I was married and had a girlfriend. Well I knew it would be easier to say yes, I have a girlfriends back home so I told them yes. Then the teachers told me later that many of the girls wanted to be my girlfriend. That worried me a lot because the teachers didn't even bat an eye at that, and they thought it was normal. I guess its not too taboo for a young girl to date an older man, and I am talking about a 16 year old girl with a 26 or 27 year old guy. Just walking to class today I saw one of my students who is prolly about 15 or 16, and she was leaning against the church across the street and she was kissing a guy who looked like he had to be about 30. This really worries me, but here I guess it's normal.
One last thing before I let you go here. We have to co-plan with our teachers before we teach. Co-planning consists of us looking at the book, and what they are required to teach and us deciding some time of activity for the students. I have a policy that if we do not co-plan (without good reason), then I will not teach with them but rather I will go to class and observe. So I asked one of the teachers when he wanted to co-plan and he said on Monday at 7:40 am. Well I got to the school, and looked around for him for a while and went to the teacher's lounge and found out that he had left to go home; when I checked my watch, it was 7:46 am. Well on Tuesday I went to school, he handed me the book and said, “You are going to teach this” and then proceeded to walk to the back of the room and sit in a chair like he always does when I teach. (He sits in the back of the room and watches me teach the entire hour). I had had enough, so I told him that I wouldn't be teaching anything because we didn't co plan. He then responded with, “Well, you never showed up, I waited but you never came.” I couldn't do anything but laugh, because he tells me that I was late after I spent a good 10 minutes looking for HIM and HE already left to go home. Anyways I asked him when he would like to co-plan so I can start teaching again. He said he wanted to co-plan Tuesday at 8:20. So I made sure that I was going to get to the school on time, and about a block away from school I saw him riding towards me on his bike. I waved him down and asked him where he was going and he responded, “I didn't think you were going to come because you never came yesterday.” I answered, “Well I DID come yesterday, and I am here today. This is my job, I always come to school, and I am always here on time.” With an arrogant voice he asked me, “Well what time is it anyways”? It was 8:15. Then he responded with something like oh well you've finally arrived on time. So he was upset that he had to turn around and go back to school, and we went upstairs and began to co plan. After co-planning for our first class that I was going to teach, he decided to tell me that I am supposed to co-plan ALL of his classes; meaning the classes I teach with him and the classes he teaches alone. I told him that I am only worried about the classes that we teach together, because he asked me to co-plan his other classes for him last week and I agreed. Once I helped him decide what he should teach, we asked me if I could make all the materials he would need for the classes. I told him that I didn't have the materials to create the things he would need, and he responded by telling me that it wouldn't cost me too much, but he couldn't afford to do it because he gets paid to little. LOL I just am not sure what to do. I know that when we have the summer break during November, December and January, I am going to keep one of the teachers I currently work with and find 2 new ones. I am here to HELP the teachers, not do everything for them...ya know?!? I realize that working with me actually adds MORE work for them, but if they want to better their English and learn how to incorporate fun activities and different methodologies into their classes, they will have to WANT to work with me, and I completely understand if they don't have the time, as some of them have 2-3 jobs and work 7 days a week just to pay the bills.

OK WOW this blog entry seems really negative, and seems like I am having a difficult time here, but really I just needed to vent a few things, and I honestly couldn't be enjoying my time here any more thank I am. I have met a lot of cool people, and things are going better with my family and my students and my third teacher I work with makes up for everything else. She is SOOOOOO eager to learn and is always asking me how she could make her lessons better, and to be honest (which I tell her) she is doing everything that many teachers lack. She brings in pictures for the students, brings in realia (things students can touch) and has the students come to the board to participate.

Well here are a few pictures I have recently taken that I thought I would throw up on the internet.

**
Ok a few days later, I think I may have found a place to live, not sure but in the process of negotiating prices.


Boy sleeping outside my house


Food I eate, gallo pinto, fried bananas, and fried cheese


view of my host familys house


everyone in Granada chillin out

First week in Masaya!!

Hello again! Well, I have gone through the change! No not THAT change you weirdos, the change from trainee to volunteer. It really feels nice to finally have the training wheels off. My biggest worry was how I was going to get everything to Masaya. I had all of my possessions staring me in the face at the hotel in Managua, and I was thinking about leaving half of everything at the PC office, then coming back in a few days to get the rest of my stuff but in the end I decided to take my chances and bring everything. I had my big backpack, two gym size bags full of clothes, my laptop bag, and a big “saco” (sack) full of books. Well I got safely to the bus station and successfully got onto the microbus and spent an uneventful 40 minutes on the bus. Now the fun begins. I got off the microbus and started loading everything onto my bag, and carrying everything in my arms. HA HA I would have loved to have been one of the people in the park watching me try to walk the 3 blocks to my house, having to stop every 15 steps to gather my breath and switch hands. After a half an hour I got to the house where I will be living for the next 6 weeks.
The first couple of days I went to the school and observed classes and talked to the teachers and gathered their schedules so I could create my schedule with the teachers. I asked them which classes they would like me to assist with so I could offer the assistance and they let me know. Turns out I have Mondays and Fridays off, which will be nice but that also gives me a lot of free time. In a few weeks I will also be starting my secondary project working at a telecentro, (a place where they offer different classes to children and adults) so maybe I can work there on Mondays and Fridays. I am also thinking about starting an English club with the students but have yet to figure out the logistics of it all. I have never started an English club before so I'm not really sure what we should do; I know we can play a few games but other than that I'm not really sure what to do, so I guess I'll have to ask other volunteers what I can do. There are also a few NGO's in Masaya that I could work with so that should also take up some of my free time. There is world vision and Masaya Volcano which were listed in my booklet as NGO's that I could work with, now I just have to find them.
I am also looking for an apartment to live in after the 6 weeks. The problem is that not everyone advertises that they are renting a place, you have to pretty much ask everyone you know or meet. I decided to ask the landlord of Paul and Holly if she knew anyone that is renting out a place, and she said that she didn't but she would be willing to rent the place to me if Paul and Holly move out. I think it would be a nice place to live, but she told me that the place is about 100 dollars a month, which takes up a good portion of my monthly allowance the PC gives me, so I think Ill continue looking. I also asked one of the men that owns a pulperia (a little “ma and pa store” where they sell random things one would need) and he said he would be willing to rent me a room for 90 dollars a month which includes water and electricity. That seems a little high to me, but if there is nothing else I know I always have a place to live, but I'm really looking for a place to live on my own and nothing against the family I live with now, but I cant wait for the 6 weeks to be done with. I will feel so much more integrated when I have my own place to live, it'll be nice to buy my own bed, my own refrigerator, my own everything... ahhhhhh the clock is ticking I better end this here and get my butt out there and look for a place.
I have been reading a lot lately, and I have started reading “The Hobbit” but I'm just not getting into it. I think one of the reasons is that it is written in British English and for the most part, I can understand almost everything but a few things are a bit difficult. The last two nights I have been watching the Harry Potter movies, and I think I'm going to try and get my hands on the books, because I think they would be great reads. Ohhhh I just saw on TV while typing this that there is another Harry Potter movie coming out: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.... cant wait till it comes out, I think I'll have to go to Managua to see it!!!
So I finally got the chance to wash my own clothes, and let me tell you, it was an experience! In the states, we have our washing machines. I guess you can say I had a washing machine in Dolores as well, her name was Isolina. My host mom refused to let me wash my own clothes, I'm not exactly sure why, but my best guess would be that it is the woman's job to do the laundry. I don't really agree with that but thats how the galleta crumbles. So I asked my new mom if I could wash them and she agreed. I started out with my undies, lathering them up and scrubbing them on the lavadero (little scrub basin, see photo) when it came to my white undershirts, I wasnt exactly sure how to wash them because I knew that if you scrub them too hard or too much they will stretch out, so I asked for a little help. She was explaining to me (in Spanish of course) how to do this, and I just was not understanding. Its one thing to talk about everyday things like what I did on vacation, or what my life was like at home, but when you start getting into concrete things where I don't have the vocab for, it makes it a bit difficult. As for my understanding now, you just wet the shirts, and rub a bar of soap on the necks of the shirt and in the armpits, then you transfer the soaking wet shirts into a little bucket with some other soap in it, then you put a plastic bag over everything and let the sun do the work. Not really sure what the sun does, but then after you let the shirts sit in the soapy water under the sun, you rinse the shirts and I guess they are clean. While I was doing this, not only was my host mom out watching me, but my two sisters were out there watching as well...talk about stage fright, I just couldn't perform. I got a little frustrated because my mom kept spouting out directions, and then shaking her head so I let her know maybe a little too bitchy that it was my first time every having to wash my own clothes here. But I think it all turned out well, as I have to wash them again tomorrow.
I start teaching on Monday, and the last few days I have been co-planning with 2 of the 3 teachers I will be working with. The third teacher, I don't think he understands what co planning means, but well see what happens. I feel really bad for the students as well as the teachers here in Nicaragua because none of the students have books, only the teachers do, and the English books they DO have are from the 1970-1980's and they are rugged, ripped and VERY out of date. So if the teachers want the kids to read something from the book, they have to write the dialog on the board and then the students copy that into their notebooks, which wastes a LOT of class time! They do not have the resources for photocopies for students to have, but they do have some photocopies for exams, and those who cannot get photocopies for exams, have to write the exams on the board, and then the students complete the exams in their notebooks! I thought that some resources were lacking in Spain last year, but now I realize I was very spoiled over there teaching!
Last night around 2 AM I went out for a cig, (as I just got done watching Harry Potter) and I heard someone in the grass around the corner and I got a little freaked out, because there are a LOT of drunks around here that drink all night and then pass out WHEREVER, so I sat down and continued and then I herd this crazy noise and came to find out there was a couple of horses eating in the grass and then they came over to me and stared at me for a while and continued on their journey.
Well I need to get done with this entry here so I can watch the third Harry Potter... you know I got to set my priorities!! See you all later. I will get more pictures up once I take them.

Here are a few pics I have taken from swearing in and a few others


Elizabeth and I before swearing in... DONT WE LOOK JUST HOT


Pic with my host mother from Dolores, Isolina, and my ¨nephew¨Alexander after swearing in.


Everyone from TEFL Nica 47... what a great group!!


George Baldino the country director, Naiomi Till our training lady, and of course the focus of the picture...ME!


In the jeep back to the hotel after swearing in.


Elizabeth looking sexy while packing before heading to Chinandega! Hope the scorpion situation turned out for ya!

A fruit that I was given by my host mom. Mamones Chinos. They are a little sour but still good.

Out of the frying pan into the fire!

Well as the name of my blog says it all, I am now leaving the comforts of training and jumping into the wonderful world of becoming a volunteer. Over all the training was really a great way of getting used to the Nica lifestyle and a GREAT way of meeting other volunteers. The last few days have been pretty nice, other than my stomach playing games with me. I am seriously dreading going to the PC office and gathering the rest of m things to begin the journey to Masaya. I know the microbus guys are going to charge me an arm and a leg for the stuff, but I just want to get it done now rather than leaving some of my things at the office and then having to come back in the next few days. We are all sitting here in the shade of our little breakfast nook trying to consume the last bit of American food we can. Some just ordered the breakfast served here in the hotel while others walked to Burger King and ordered the yummy BK breakfast. I'm looking over at Stephanie and I'm thinking of assaulting her and stealing her Crossanwich. But ill fight the urge. Well I wanted to tell you all how it's going, and I think Im going to jump in the shower and make my last tour of the city before I jump to Masaya. ADIOS everyone... I'll be back.

I'm officially a Volunteer!

As of noon today, Peace Corps Nicaragua added 38 new faces to the family, and I am one of those people. It was a great swearing in today!! It started with a despedida (going away party) with our families. My host mom and my nephew came and it was great to see them again. Apparently I forgot a shirt at the house so she ironed it and got it back to me...what a great mom! The ambassador to Nicaragua was also there and he gave a nice speech. I guess today was his last day of service, and will be moving to Miami to work on another project. Now I am sitting at the hotel next to the pool watching Scott pull a coconut off a tree and cut it open.... have fun on the island. We are going our for dinner right now, so I will come back later and write more but just wanted to say a few words before I lose the chance to use internet. Talk to you in a minute.

Hi everyone

In a just a few short days from now, I will be done with training and will say goodbye to my host family. We are being sworn in on July 25th, 2008 in Managua and will no loner be trainees but volunteers! At first I couldn't wait for this, but now I realize that training has gone way too fast and I have become accustom to seeing my friends everyday and having more Charlas (training sessions) than anyone could ever need in a lifetime. Soon this will all be over and we will spread out over the country to live for the next two years in our own cities. Its a very bittersweet thought because I am going to miss the hell out of all the friends I have made during training, but I am very excited to get to Masaya and get to work teaching English to the youth of Nicaragua. It will be nice to move from a town of about 5,000 people to a city of around 159,000 people but I will also miss walking down the street and random people saying, “adios John” or “Adios Chele”. (chele= white person)

So I have been trying to think of things to blog about but I cannot seem to think of anything. Mainly because I haven't done anything exciting in a while, but also the things that I thought were weird or different when I got here have become part of daily life and I no longer find them weird or different. So with that said, I will need your help on things to blog about. If you have any thoughts or blog ideas, let me know. I think in the next few days I will go around the city and take pictures of Dolores so I can put them on the internet. I do have a shutterfly account where I would like to put all of my pics, but it takes forever to put the pictures on the internet because it is very slow here.

Lets see what can I say about the last few weeks. Umm Ive taken up reading again... I know right?! ME...READ? BLASPHMY. I am currently reading Janet Evanovich's One for the Money which seems like a promising book. Before that I read, Two Dollar Bill, Me talk pretty one day, Possible Side Effects, and The Kite Runner. When I went to the Peace Corps office I hit up the library that they have there and I grabbed a few more books which I'm sure I will have read in the next month or so.

The other night I was asked by my sister's husband if I could help him look on the internet for a soldering gun; he fixes TV's and his old one broke. I assumed this could be a simple task because he said that we could buy it online and ship it to his brother who lives in Miami and then his brother would send it here to Nicaragua. Well we went online and I looked on Google, of course, to see where I could get a nice one at a good price. After about an hour of looking he asked me if it would be faster if he gave me the name brand and the model of the gun he was looking for. LOL After we got the model number we looked for a while longer and he kept saying that it was not the one he wanted. I was getting a little impatient because we had looked and found the same model on 20 different sites, but they were not what he was looking for. After a while he found the one he was looking for on Craig's list. Turns out that the model I was blindly looking for is over 20 years old and is made out of bronze instead of aluminum or copper like they are now-a-days. He said that he wanted to find it at a store new, and not used. I had to explain to him that we were not going to find this model new ANYWHERE because of it's age. He kept insisting that we HAD to find it somewhere new because it was a good model. I then had to explain to him how things work in the US, and that although it may have been a good model, companies are always finding ways to make products for cheaper by using different and cheaper materials; I also said I was content to keep looking but I honestly thought that we were S.O.L. He finally agreed and I sent the website to his brother in Florida to look at and inquire about.

Last night we went out to the bar to celebrate everyone's July birthday in our group. There are four of us celebrating July birthdays: Me, Sonia, Scott, and Erin. A few of the girls left the bar saying they had to make a few calls home before the places closed. A few minutes later they came back to the bar with 3 cupcakes and candles and sang happy birthday to me, Scott and Erin and we enjoyed a delicious treat! Thanks for the birthday cake guys!!
Today is the day of the Revolution so we are unable to leave our sites because they feel that it is too dangerous for us to be traveling all over the place. Starting last night they began lighting off bombs to celebrate. When I say bombs, I don't mean bombs as in car bombs, but more like fireworks that just explode in the air without the colors. These things are loud! Many times when they begin lighting off the bombs, the car alarms start going off because these bombs could raise the dead. They are not thoughtful by any means when they light these things off; they start lighting them off around the clock. 3 AM is the earliest that I have heard them go off.

It's been a while

Well ladies and gents, my fate has been decided. I shall live the next two years in the great and artistic city of MASAYA!!

Before we went to the meeting to find out where were are going to live, we decided to play with fate a little bit, and have everyone throw in 10 cords (50 cents) and guess where everyone would be sent to, and the winner would keep the pot. The total got up to 120 cords, and the winner was Lara with an unbelievable 4 correct guesses. Way to go Lara! You still have a way to go before you can call yourself a psychic, but that 120 cords sure helped pay for your beer at the bar. (And of course when I say beer and bar, a rough Spanish translation would be coffee and and coffee house, respectively.) I have been told that some of the TEFLers out there are not telling where they are going but, I'm going to let you in on a little secret where the people from Dolores are going. I will be going to Masaya, Masaya; Elizabeth is going to Chinandega, Chinandega. Lara and her hubby are going to Leon, Leon and Ryan is going to **ahhem** Villa el Carmen, Managua. We are all going to capital cities except for Ryan. (see Ryan, I told you by giving them money, they would send us to nice places...you should have listened to me!) It was a great surprise to everyone where they are being sent, but when I got my name called, I was excited and could do nothing more than an enthusiastic fist pump! Below are a few pictures of us when they called our names, just so you can see how happy we were.... well most of us.





The last few days, Elizabeth and I have been talking about how when we move to our new sites, how said it will be that she wont be able to see me. Oh yeah and that I wont be able to see her either. So we decided to jump on the Nicaraguan bandwagon (yes, they have them here too) and buy a picture of us printed on a piece of wood. But these are not like any ordinary pictures, you see, they carry the picture of the person superimposed on a wonderful background such as a garden, or a waterfall; they also have butterflies (also superimposed) and about the size of the person's head flying in the background. We were so excited to see them man walking around our city today we took a picture to him. On Monday Elizabeth and I will join the ranks of the elite, by becoming owners of said picture. Oooh I cant wait. I will take a picture of it and put it on just as soon as I can, so I can share it with the world. Until then, I will share the pictures that we gave the man. You will notice that we are not smiling, but rather are carrying somewhat of a serious face. We decided that we want to be able to look at the picture an laugh our asses off when we are alone, without each other.



**************** a few days later***********************************

Well, I went on my site visit, and it was somewhat of an awakening. I really realized that I should enjoy the time I spend with my friends here in Dolores because in about 2 weeks, I will not have them in close proximity for the next two years and that is very disheartening to think about. The first night was very uncomfortable. I came there very late at night, and the meeting we at the meeting beforehand in Managua we were supposed to be served dinner, but that never happened; I arrived at the house and my counterpart told the family that we did not eat so they busted out some food and made me dinner. The entire next day, and the following half day, I didn't converse with my family much, and when I did, it seemed very weird. But that passed like a horrid B.M. The third day, they brought me to the Laguna de Apoyo on the outskirts of Managua, which used to be a volcano, but for some reason is now filled with water and is an awesome lake/ excellent place of rest. From then on, my family and I spoke a lot more and I felt a LOT better about the whole situation. I suppose it was a little weird for them as well, as I was the first PC volunteer that has stayed with them, so I'm sure they didn't know what do do/expect.

On my site visit, I met with all of the English teachers and also met the chief of police of Masaya. She seems very nice, and as a matter of fact, she has family that lives in Madison, Wisconsin so we had something to talk about. She told me that if I ever need any help or just want to talk around the city with her (so that everyone knows that I am friends with the chief of police so they don't “F” with me) she was willing and happy to do so. She even gave me her personal cell phone number, so we are like BFF's now.

I thought that I was going to have a very sad and uneventful day on the 4th of July, but it turned out otherwise. There is a group of American Legion people from the states (St. Louis I believe) and they hosted a party with free beer, hot dogs, and hamburgers for all American and British people in Granada. I guess the Brits were included because it's sad they lost the war. The first thing Liz said to everyone after opening her first beer was, “Way to win the war guys!” I thought it was funny... because war is something to laugh about. Totally kidding. Either way, we met a lot of American who live in Granada who are in charge of NGO's and great people to get to know. They were great!! THANKS AMERICAN LEGION GRANADA POST #1 for a great time on my first 4th of July out of the country!!







When I came home it was great to see my family! I was welcomed home with a big bowl of Albondiga soup! MMMMMmmmmm. I love that soup. My host mom also let me know that when the man came to deliver our pictures to us, she gave him a piece of her mind! The man had told us that the pictures were going to cost us 250 cords, and when he came to the door my mom started the conversation, “How do you think that you are going to charge these people 250 cords for these pictures, that is ridiculous.” The man (red in the face) answered, “Well, I never told them a price, but I'll give it to them for 200 cords.” My mom answered that with, “well it looks like you made those pictures in vain because I will not let them buy those pictures for 200 cords either, you are without shame sir, trying to steal the money of volunteers. They don't even get paid enough money to survive here, let alone buy frivolous things like the pictures. Looks like you lose a sale.” He then offered to sell them for 170 cords and she accepted the offer. LOL. She is a great bargainer.

Well, for now that is all I can think of, so I will leave it here. ADIOS

Man, I feel like a woman

OK so I don't REALLY feel like a woman. Yesterday we were asked to be judges for an English singing/dance competition for one of the local high schools. They were able to sing an English song instead of taking a final English test, which is an awesome idea; less work for the teacher and more fun for the students. All of the groups did a great job, but in the end, a group that “sang” and danced to “I feel like a woman” by Shania Twain took home the gold. OK well they didn't take anything home, other than the fact they they now get to participate in the regional competition. After the competition, we thought it would be a great idea to talk to the English teacher and tell her that if they would like, we would work with them on the pronunciation of the song. The teacher asked them, and they liked the idea. So pretty much what I am trying to say is that with our help, they will win.... hand down. It was a lot of fun listening to Ryan and Elizabeth singing, “Men's shirts, short skirts, oh oh oh oh” well mostly Ryan, but he was totally into it, which makes me wonder about him... Does he really like Shania? Oh well we all have our own tastes I guess ;) Below are a few pictures of the singing competition and our beautiful piñata that we made with our youth group. If you would like the rest, send a S.A.S.E with a small donation of 500 buck to my mom, and she will send them out to you.

Yesterday was Día de San Juan or for those of you non-Spanish speakers out there, “Day of Saint John”. THATS ME!! minus the saint, but thats neither here nor there, ANYWAYS I came home from going to Jinotepe, my host mom handed me a gift bag, and inside was an agenda, and a rag. Its funny because I was looking to buy an agenda for when I get to my site and start doing things. And the rag for when I go to my new site if it's too hot, I can wipe the sweat from my brow. I think they were great gifts. I was thinking the other day that it will be very difficult to leave here when I go to my site. Firstly because I like this family a lot, shes a great cook, and they invite me to almost everything they do. And Secondly, I'm going to miss hanging out with the other Trainees. I'm still wondering if I should call her mom, or continue calling her by her first name. I called my host mom in Spain “mom” and she replied with, “My name is Maria”. But I think I might just throw it out there and see how she reacts. Of course, she will never replace my real mom (because my really love my real mom and not to mention she has access to my bank account, and I wouldn't want to upset her) LOVE YOU MOM!

We find out on Friday where they are going to send us for the remainder of our 2 years here in Nicaragua, and I can't wait to find out! I have my preferences, but I guess where ever they send me will be fine! ( I have to write that, the Peace Corps may read this =) Ryan and I walked to Jinotepe today to price out beds, fridges, and table top gas stoves for when we make the move. It was really funny because we both walked into the store together and said, “Estamos buscando una cama matrimonial” or We are looking for a matrimonial bed (thats how they say double bed). We failed to mention that we were BOTH looking for a bed, not one to share. It was funny, I wonder what the sales people were thinking. It keeps them thinking I guess. The beds range anywhere from C$3,000 cords- C$ 4,500 cords ($156.25- $234.00) A fridge (small one) will be around C$6,000 cords ($312.50) and a table top stove is about C$450 cords ($23.50). I hear our moving in allowance will be around C$4,000 so we will have to come up with other methods to earn money. Whats that you ask? Why yes, my birthday IS coming up very soon (July 22nd) now that you know, theres no excuse for no gift. And I have ways of tracking who has visited this site. So once again, my mother will be taking donations for this special ONCE A YEAR occasion. So there is no confusion, my name is spelled John Cunningham for all of you check writers out there (hint hint, nudge nudge. wink wink)

Well thats all for now, I will be back Friday, or Saturday to let you all know where I will be living.
P.S. Happy Birthday Paul. Hope your feeling better Linda. Glad I got out of UHG when I had the chance. Hope you have fun on your around the country excursion Tessa and Anna. Hi Karla at UHG (and everyone else) Kate, I'm glad you added me on facebook! How was Ukraine? If you answer Ukrainey... so help me god! Hi Whitney (I tried calling you the other day, but I think you were working) HI D☺RI!! and Peen, you are NOT the baby's father! And for the guy who asked me what time it was the other day, and I didn't understand until after I walked past, it was 12:30.

P.S.S I recently changed my UWEC email password and forgot what it was... so email me at cunninjj@gmail.com

GOODBYE EVERYONE :::waves goodbye, and tugs on right ear::::::