Dear Diary

Journal Time:
One of my resolutions this year was to write in my journal every day. After about a year in country nothing seemed so crazy and weird anymore. I didn't feel the need to 'go write this down before I forget!' So... I have missed a few but I have been trying to write something each day. Here are a few entries (these were not shortened). I don' t know what other people write about...perhaps their feelings. But me, well I just write it what I see.

All the kids 'helping' Greg wall the dog house.

October 6^th, 2010 Wednesday 5:50 pm

Played volleyball until 5:20. It was very fun. I nicked named Carla ‘patti cake carla’ because she slaps the ball instead of setting. It was frustrating having 1 ball.

Our house with my newly planted garden!

Dec. 3, 2010 Friday 11:30am

Got to finally meet letticia to set up her email so I feel better about that. We also bought 6 baskets. I emailed Jon about the computer donations, just need to email Parham about shipping. Got a thanksgiving package from Greg’s mom!

“I’m smart with you miss.” -Margarita

Dobby with the 7 pups that we came home to...4 remain

January 16, 2011 Friday 8:10 am

Pen is dying.

Jan 22^nd 2011 9 months left Saturday 12:00pm

Greg walled and floored the dog house this morning. I washed 2 buckets, the dishes, the latrine and bathed. The police will soon arrive and we will eat with them.

Things that made me smile:

-“I like to touch you keveen. I like you.” –Morpheus

-Ofelia and I talking all through an entire bucket of washing

-Kids playing in the dog house

*I got the idea of adding what made me smile to my journal entries from my friend Amy.

5:00 update: Everyone (Nina, Andres, Vera, Fer, Ofelia, Mrs co from next door, Sofia, and 7 or so kids came to stare at our freshly finished dog house. We saw Andres chasing Vera, he said he was so tired from diving for fish last night he wanted her to back him home. Greg was quick and responded, “bwai you da get fat, Kevina can back me!” At which point he began chasing me around the little thatched house as I squealed, “noooo!” Much to the delight of everyone watching. He is faster and so quickly caught me, jumped on my back and turned and waved at Andres who was now doubled over laughing and slapping his knee. Everyone was laughing so hard, except the kids who could not understand this so un-adult-like behavior. After he recovered he took off after Vera and threw her on his back and galloped off laughing.

Phase one of thatching a dog house

Jan 31, 2011 Monday 9pm 528 days

Yesterday was great! Met Greg at the junction, rode our bikes to Columbia and had BBQ with Albina, stopped in San Miguel on the way back (impressed the shop keep with our ketchi) Greg worked on Martin’s computer and they gave us delicious veggi filled caldo. Then we stopped by Rositas on the way and they gave us juice and pan tul (banna pudding/bread) and we arrived home to our Godson and his sister with a bag full of Coconut crusts!

Today was not so great, it stunk. Two teachers were out, back to no librarian, and there were visitors and high schoolers at the computer lab. FINALLY going to bed.

Sunday funday in the neighboring village with Tracy. We bartered a haircut for a massage.

*My friend Erica told me she keeps track of how many days she's been in country. She said she was always keeping countdowns and that it was better to stop always looking forward to something. Just live your life.

Feb 4 2011 Friday 9:00am rainy 532 days

On the 22^nd of July 2011 we will have spent exactly half our marriage as Peace Corps Volunteers.

Kids working on their freshwater signs for their football team.

Feb 5^th 2011, 10:30pm Peter visiting

Ofelia “what happened to your ear ring?” to Virginia

Virginia “what?”

Ofelia in a whisper “ Look at greg’s cup!”

-Everyone laughed because this was all said in ketchi and the bit about the ear ring was to distract us about her making fun of greg’s broken and chipped mug he was using!

Kids using beer bottle taps for manipulatives to learn division.