Eggo Waffles, Funerals, Disaster Bus Rides

       First, I would like to say, that i started my blog post and the power decided to go out...so this is my second try.  Maybe it was a sign that my title or introduction was not as good as it could have been.  The tents, tarps and wooden shacks have gone.  The weather has gone from sweltering heat, to crazy thunderstorms.  I have gone from not missing anything, to pretty much being mom sick a lot (of course I miss my dad and brother and cats...but there is just somthing about mom.)  Other wise, I´m doing pretty well!   Now I will help you imagine my stay through some stories of what I have been doing here.
       Every morning I take two busses to get to work.  The first bus takes me to the highway and the second bus takes me onto the highway until where I get off and walk a few blocks to work.  On my way on the highway, i pass a factory everyday.  I do not even know what it is called, but there is a billboard close that says Belén, so I am just going to call it Belén.  Anyhow, i love passing by thi factory because...it smells like eggo waffles.  I think I could maybe count on one hand how many times i have had eggo waffles, but there is just somthing about the smell that is so nice.  I will say, that i have been craving waffles and pancakes a little morethan i had been previously.
       The rain can stop everything here.  The rain has powers.  When there is rain, you do not go out.  In the country side where some of my friends are it is worse, but even still, today for instance, I didnt go to work because there were some pretty massive thunderstorms and heavy heavy rain.  Well, I guess I lied, the rain almost stops everything...  I went on a trip last saturday to a place called Laguna Blanca, which is in the north of Paraguay, with a lot of the AFS students from all over Paraguay.  I woke up at 4:45 saturday morning to take a shower and to get the rest of my things together, only to find that there was a huge thunderstorm, and no electricity or water.  I had no idea if the trip was going to happen, especially if it would be raining.  Laguna Blanca s a beach area and we would be camping, so I honestly was hoping that it would be cancelled and moved to a more sunny weekend......  It took us about 7 hours to get there.  It was literally raining inside of the bus.  The seats were wet, i got wet and it was a long trip.  One boy set up his hammack in the aisle and slept through most of it.  Somehow, we had luck.  Once we got there, the sky cleared up and there was not a drop of rain!  In fact it was pleasant weather and the sun even peeked out the first day.  We all played volleyball (which I am not the best in) and went swimming later.  The water was really clear, you could see right through it.  During the night some people played guitar and talked and it was really nice.  Some friends walked on the beach and we looked at stars.  It was really incredible.  I have never seen stars like i saw that might before in my life.
     Well, the next day was HOT.  We went swimming and then some friends and I went on a hike on some path close to the lake.  It started off in sand a brush type plants and then went into thorny bushes and then the woods and then back to the sandy brush.  It was a long hike, almost two hours.  Part way through, someone asked for water, and we all realized that no one had brought any with us.  Those noxt few kms were pretty hard.  We finally made it back to the site and had lunch.  Then we packed everything up and loaded up the busses.
       I thought the trip was going to be the disaster with the rain and all, but it actually turned out really great!  The disaster was getting home.  First, there was no air on the bus and it was so hot it made you feel sick.  I just tried to sleep so that I would not be aware of the heat.  I woke up and felt really sick to my stomach, which could have been from lunch.  The AFS people said that the people living or staying in Capiatá for the night (me) were supposed to be switching busses at some point on the trip home.  As we got farther and farther a volunteer told us we would all be going to Asunción instead.  Of course, we asked why.  "Well, when we stopped at the gas station, the volunteer bus forgot one of the girls there, so they had to go back and pick her up and they are kind of far away now."  That was a little discouraging, because it meant that we would be waiting in Asunción for atleast another hour for this second bus to pick us up.  Our bus got there at 11, and everyone else left, leaving me and 8 other students at a shoppng mall waiting forthe other bus to take us to Capiatá.  We waited in a Dominos pizza and al ate, because we had not had dinner.  Finally around 12, the bus came and we all groggily boarded.  We were going for a whie, and the bus stopped...I heard one of the volunteers saying somthing about a car crash we were in and that some one had to call the police.  I was just thinking...really? is this really happening?  Eventualy we left and made it to somewhere in Capiatá, well that is when the bus just stopped moving.  I dont know if it ran out of battery, or gas, or what...but it stopped.  We rolled for a little bit, downhill, but the the road got flat.  At that pont i was getting annoyed.  It was 1 in the morning and now i had to carry all my stuff along with the other students a number of blocks until we got to a volunteers house.  It was an experience... once we got to his house, the nine of us somehow fit in his small living room and all slept together on the floor.  It was one of my most interesting times here yet.
       Well, I went to a funeral yesterday.  It was the funeral of a coworker, and I thought I should go with my coworkers and for the experience too.  We took the bus there (Asunción) and it took a lifetime...and it was incredibly hot...and i was wearing black pants.  We finally arrived and entered.  I was a little surprised to see an open casket and the corpse out in the open like that; I just was not really prepared or expecting it.  There was a ot of praying and singing, but at the same time it was very casual.  People were wearing jeans and t-shirts.  It was an all day event and we were supposed to go to the cemetary too, but i ducked out before that happened.  It wa brutally hot there and kind of boring.  I am glad that I went, though i do hope it will be my only one here.
       Well, I am trying to think of any more interesting things and I think I pretty much covered everything for now.  Sorry for spellingor gramatical errors...I am using a Spanish keyboard and it just says I am spelling everything wrong!!!  Hope everyone is doing well, and I will be checking in again soon.  Hasta pronto.

Tents, tarps and wooden shacks

#1) don't take what you have for granted.  Be thankful and joyful that you have a home, food, water, school and people to take care of you; it's not like that everywhere in the world. 

       I've started to feel my thoughts changing, maybe a feeling of being more aware; I'm not really sure.  It really first started when I took the bus from my home to the main road to go out to work and to just go out.  Everyday the bus passes a huge community of tents, tarps and wooden shacks.  I can't help but look, every time and just try to imagine what that could be like.  Especially these last few days in the sweltering heat, I honestly can't imagine living like that.  It's started to make me think "why is this happening? How can I help? What can I do?"  I don't know the answer to those questions yet, but I'm working on it. 
       Starting my new job has opened my eyes to new things too.  I work for an organization called Don Bosco Roga.  You know those advertisements on tv that say you can sponsor a child and pay so much money every month?  That's where I work.  Don Bosco here in Paraguay has teamed up with a Catholic organization called chalice in Canada, where the Canadian sponsors send money or gifts to children or elderly people here.  My job is to translate the letters that the children and elderly people write to their sponsors.  Some of you may be thinking that those programs aren't really good or real, but I know this one is.  The letters I read and translate are really awesome.  They share photos with each other and really sometimes have a great connection.  Although my job is boring, I also find it kind of rewarding.  On Saturdays I go and play with the kids that are part of the program.  I've learned new rules for jenga (such as holding the structure and taking your piece so it doesn't fall), been asked if my eyes are really real, and I've been learning some more Guaraní (which is always accompanied with lots of giggling kids).  Maybe this wasn't as exciting and fun to read, but I think it is important.  I really hope that you sit down today for a minute and thinks about how really lucky you are!!!  Think about how not every country is like the one you live in.  Be thankful you don't live under a tarp, and think about how you might be able to help!  You don't have to do anything extravagant, maybe just send a thought upstairs to the big guy or do some volunteer work...I don't know!  I hope this inspired you a little bit!  Now I'm going to move onto the fun adventures I've had in the past few weeks!!

Salto Cristal:
       The people who say that Paraguay is an ugly country, obviously have not SEEN Paraguay!  I had the opportunity to travel to a place called Salto Cristal, which was honestly one of the coolest day trips I've ever been on!  My sister Arami was going on the trip, because her friends (AFS volunteers) were going.  I got invited along and though, what the heck, I want to get out, explore and meet new people, so this is really the perfect thing for me to do!  The "party" bus, a small bus that held 20 people, picked Me and Ara up at the infamous Puma gas station that my life pretty much revolves around.  We got on the bus and the first person I saw was the AFS volunteer who I spent a lot of time talking to in order to change families and jobs.  As I moved farther back into the bus, there were all the volunteers from orientation!  Jaja it was kind of weird, just because I was the youngest and I knew them in a different kind of way.  That all faded within hours and everyone was taking and laughing and friends.  The bus ride was really fun.....except for the roads.
       Lets take a minute to talk about the roads here in Paraguay.  I should have put that on the list of things to be thankful for!!  Clevelanders, or anyone that knows those terrible winter potholes; it is nothing compared to here.  There isn't even a real winter here and it is ten bagillion times worse than home.  For instance...on our way to Salto Cristal, we hit a bump....a serious bump.  I literally flew out of my seat, landed back down on a seatbelt buckle and was left with a whole in my pants.  Please, next time you see a "pothole" just get that image in your mind! 
       On the way, we stopped at a big hill from which you could see forever.  I felt in love!!! Finally, I saw green, and trees, and mountains and hills and beauty!  I could smell...urine; but I just kind of blocked that part out as much as I could.  We then continued our bumpy and somewhat uncomfortable journey towards Salto Cristal.  Once we arrived it wasn't what I pictured.  It was like someone's farm...pigs and chickens and goats running around.  Then people started changing into bathing suits and getting ready to go to the falls.  I thought it would just be a little walk and we would be there and boy was I wrong.  It was a vertical drop to get there.  I'm not joking when I say vertical drop.  There were rocks that you had to scale and a rope about half way down that you could hold onto to make sure you wouldn't fall to your death.  Other than that getting down wasn't too bad!  I made the stupid decision of wearing flip flops and ended up just going barefoot to get the proper toe grippage that I needed.  Once we got down the vertical drop of death, we had to walk through a river/stream to get to the falls.  I've never seen so many beautiful butterflies in my life.  Fluorescent purples and blues, floating past your face while you feel the cool water on your feet and the sounds of the birds in the forest singing...it was seriously magical.  But the most magnificent part was the first moment I  actually saw the falls.  I didn't really have words.  It was unlike anything I've ever seen before.  The closer I got the droplets of mist kissed my face and the cool breeze coming off of the water felt so good after coming down those rocks.  It was really incredible.  We all were swimming and playing and just enjoying life.  What a great thing to do.  Enjoy life!!!
       After we climbed back up the rocks, we got back into the bus and started out to our next destination.....CAMPING!  Oh man, it was so much fun.  We made a fire, walked in the river, talked, and had fun.  The most awesome thing was the sky.  The sky clear enough to see many, many stars; and at the same time there was constant lighting.  There was never a crack of thunder or a drop of rain.  Just stars and lightning; it was incredible.  The next morning, I had so many terrible mosquito bites (which still aren't gone yet, I'll attach some pictures don't worry) But it didn't even matter because the trip was absolutely unforgettable. 

Expo Capiatá:
       I went to expo in Capiatá, which is basically like a little fair.  I went with my friend Aldo who I met on the Salto Cristal trip.  I just wanted to mention that it was my first time seeing the traditional Paraguayan dance!!  They balance bottles on their heads, dance with cheese, and chipa and flowers.  It was really cool for me to see for the first time live!!

San Bernardino (Sanber):
       I spent Monday with my friend Aldo in Sanber, which is his city.  Sanber is one of the most popular weekend and summer vacation spots to go in Paraguay other than Encarnacion.  It is on lake Ypacarai and it's so beautiful!  Once you get out of Gran Asuncion and into Interior, everything is more quiet, peaceful and beautiful!  We went by motorcycle (yes I know, but don't worry we went slow and both were wearing helmets) to many places with amazing views of the city and of the lake!!  It was such a cool day and I really want to go back again!  I know people that vacation there so maybe I can tag along with one if them sometime! 

       I am very very happy here and happy about the move.  It has really been good for me and my experience has already changed so much.  Tonight I'm going with some co-workers to a Beatles tribute concert which is kind of REALLY AWESOME!  That's about all I can think of so far...I'm sure there will be more stories soon that I'll want to share!!!  Also a shout out to my Poppy, it's his birthday today and I'm sad I won't be going over to eat German chocolate cake with him.  I miss you!  Thanks for reading and check in soon! 

It's not always sunshine and rainbows on your year abroad!

       Well, hello everyone!!!  Yes, I know it has been a long time since I made my last blog post, and yes A LOT has happened in between that time.  I'll start from where I left off last time and then fill you in on everything that has happened.  Here goes...
       One day I was going to work; walked to the plaza to take the bus (as usual) , got on the bus I always take (as usual), and started my 45 minute ride to work.  When the bus didn't turn where it was supposed to, I thought to myself, "gosh I sure am lucky today! The bus is going to drop me off closer to work!"  When the bus failed to turn at the place that would take me closer to work, I started to get a little nervous.  After a while, I called my host dad and told him I was lost and didn't know where I was or what to do.  He told me to give my phone to the bus driver so he could talk to him and explain where I needed to go.  Soooo, I awkwardly just kind of shoved the phone at the bus driver from behind and said "talk to my dad please".  I was getting really nervous and worked up, so when the bus driver started talking to me, I really couldn't understand a single word.  After a while, the bus stopped.  We were in a neighborhood type place (there was a cow next to us) and the bus driver gave me some money and told me to get off.  I was like...okkkk but I don't know where I am or where to go...am I supposed to walk?!  It was very confusing and scary.  Then all of the sudden, another bus pulled up and was headlight to headlight with the first bus.  I was standing in the middle, extremely confused as to what I was supposed to do.  I looked at the first driver and her pointed at the new bus; then I looked at the second driver and he did the "come here" motion.  I had hope and trust in the Paraguayan bus drivers and got onto the very crowded second bus.  I said "CCPA San Lorenzo por favor"
and took my standing position on the bus.  Finally, I saw a street that I recognized and got off and walked the rest of the way to work.  It was my first getting lost experience...and I think the driver went another way just because there were almost no passengers on the bus.  They just kind of do whatever they feel like. 
       My second adventure was when I was going to a party with some afs friends.  My friends from work were going to take me to my friends house but first I had to go home and get ready.  My friend Pamela came with me to my house while I got ready and then I went to the bus place to catch the bus to the university where our other friend was going to pick us up.  We went to the bus "stop" and were waiting.  It was 7 pm and we weren't sure when the last/next bus would be coming.  Then the police were coming around and Pamela asked when the next bus was coming and they said 8....they also said the neighborhood is really really dangerous and we shouldn't be waiting.there alone.. they told us that they were making rounds and would pass the university and offered to take us.  We.got.in the the car and they took us to the university.  I guess we were lucky because many people told me after that you can't trust the police and it understand isn't safe to go with them.  Luckily for us Paulo and Nestor were very nice and took us to where we needed to go.  Long story short, I made to to my friends house fine and learned not to take rides from the police in the future. 
      Now the stuff you want to hear about...my family and work change.  For reasons that will benefit my experience here in Paraguay on my gap year, I decided it would be best for me to change both my host family and work place.  I changed families of Sunday after my first orientation (which was a blast).  I am now living in a new city called Capiatá, it is a neighboring city to San Lorenzo, so I'm not terribly far from friends or Asunción.  I now have 3 sister's (2 who are twins, 19....and a younger sister who is 14) I have 2 brothers who are 21 and 27.  They love to learn words in Spanish and ask me questions.  I share a room with my twin sisters which is actually really fun.  All of our beds are in a row and we stay up really late talking and watching movies.  It's so different than anything I've ever been used to!!!  I will be starting my new job in Tuesday after the holiday.  I am working at Don Bosco, which is an international organization that sponsors children that need help.  My job will be to help kids write letters to their sponsors and then to translate the letters for their sponsors.  I also might be teaching some English, and on Saturdays just playing with the kids!  My schedule is Tuesday-Saturday 8-12.  Depending on how I feel, I might ask for more hours...because 4 isn't a lot.  But at least I'll be doing work at the new place!!!  I'm very excited to start working and to be working directly with kids.  So that's that about my move. 
       On Sunday I'm going camping with a group of people and my host sister at a place called Salto Cristal.....it looks so beautiful, I'll attach a picture and then later put my own photos up!!  I'll post more soon and tell more about how the new job is and everything that I'm doing!  Hope you enjoyed!  Stay tuned.  Besitos <3 xoxoxo

Second week

       Well, I'm back!!!  I suppose it's almost a good thing I haven't been writing so often, because it means I am busy! 
       I started work a week ago in the CCPA in San Lorenzo.  I am in the library there which is very small.  Its pretty quiet and there isn't a lot of activity.  I really love the people that I work with though!  To be honest, it can get pretty boring there because I don't do anything.  No one there really does anything though, so I guess I'm not the only one. 
       This whole weird thing happened with my lunch there.  So first, numerous people told me that I would eat lunch there everyday, like the rest of the staff and volunteers.  So, naturally, on my first day, I ate lunch there with everyone that was prepared by the lady in the cafeteria.  Later in the afternoon, I got a call from my liaison (who is younger than me) saying I couldn't eat lunch there anymore......why? I have no idea.  So now, I go to work at 1, after I've had lunch at home.  The only problem is that my mom prepares lunch for me in between 10:30 and 11 am.  So then I'm at work from 1-5 with no food.  Today when I got home I ate 4 or 5 empanadas....I can't remember, but I was so hungry.  So basically, work is a little screwed up and disorganized, but I hope it will get better.  I sat in and participated in an English class today, which was fun.  I hope I get to do more things like that. 
       I have gone to work in central (in Asuncion) twice now in the past week.  Also I don't do anything there but it's alright.  I went to a science fair on Saturday in Asuncion and it was pretty cool!  Taking the bus to Asuncion in the morning is just about the worst thing that happens here.  The first time I went I had to wake up at 5am in order to get to the bus on time.  We were supposed to leave the house at 6, but my brother claims his alarm didn't go off (even though I heard it) and he over slept, so we went a little bit later.  Weird things happen on the bus too.  On Saturday, two guys got on the bus with a radio and started rapping!  Of course they had to rap about me.....I heard "rubia" (blonde)  and I knew exactly who they were talking about.  They rapped about blonde, beautiful something something and I like her eyes.  Oh I live for that kind of stuff. 
       One of the things I don't like so far is the attention I get.  For instance, I was sitting on the bus with the window open and some men started saying "hello, how are you" and laughing and stuff.  I hate that.  Today I was walking home by myself and there were these two boys that were saying first in Spanish. .....beautiful, and then in English.....hi beautiful, how are you,  what's your name?  Ughhhhh I hate it. 
       Hmmmmm what else?  I've been hanging out with my friend Ferre from Belgium and I'm really enjoying his company.  Plus, his 5 year old brother is adorable and loves me!  It'll be nice to make some friends in San Lorenzo, but for now I'm happy with my friends in Luque.  Only a short drive away! 
       I take the bus by myself tomorrow.  I'm a little nervous, but I know the way to work now and I know I'll be fine. 
       The weather here is like Cleveland.....BIPOLAR.  Two days ago it was incredibly hot, and these past 2 days have been freezingggg.  I guess I came to the right place!  And speaking of coming to the right place.....on Sunday I met 2 people with the same thumbs as me....WHAT?! Two people in one day?  That's unheard of!!!
       Sooooo, I guess that's all for now!  Check in later for more!  Chau!

Una gran aventura en Asunción

       Yesterday marked my first full week in Paraguay.  I can't believe it!  To celebrate (not really, we would have gone anyway) me, my brother Gili and my friend Ferre from Belgium went to Asunción for an adventure!  It was the most fun day here so far, even though there hasn't been a day I haven't enjoyed yet.
       Gili and I were walking to the bus place (there aren't real stops here) And as we were walking a car pulled up and we got in.  I don't totally understand Spanish and didn't quite understand, but it turns out it was a friend of the family and not some random person driving us around.  We got dropped off part way and took the bus the rest of the way to "shopping" , used as a noun not a verb.  Shopping is the most popular mall in Asunción, where tons of people go to shop, watch movies, eat...you name it.  We met Ferre at shopping and then started out hike. 
       We walked for such a long way seeing lots of things in the streets of Asuncion.  We saw the presidents residence, the US embassy, the BIG manzana (Apple store) and the field where Olympia plays.  Then we went to the river front where the Palacio de Gobierno is.  The water is still really high on the river but it has gone down some since earlier this year.  Instead of walking, we used this vehicle that reminded me of a three wheeler with big wheels on it.  The driver sat in front and there were too passenger seats.  Gilberto drove and Ferre and I were the passengers.  When Gili said we were going to use one I thought he was joking, and when I figured out it was for real and once we got on, I couldn't stop giggling.  It was so much fun and just really cool.  There were antique cars on the river front too, which we took photos with. 
       After our vehicle ride, we were pretty hungry and went to get lunch.  Of course we went to McDonald's.  Today is día del niños so everything is decorated with balloons and there are clowns everywhere too.  Clowns on motorcycles, clowns in the street, clowns everywhere.  In fact, my tía Niti is a clown, as well as many other professions.  ANYWAY, after lunch we went to the casa de independencia where the paraguayans planned their attack on the Spanish to gain their freedom.  It was an interesting little museum.  We then walk through the panteón de los héroes.  Yesterday was also the anniversary of Asuncion so there were some parades and if course fireworks....but fireworks happen almost every night anyway.  I swear, almost every day is a holiday in Paraguay.  I have been here one week and there have already been 3! 
       I had another interesting bus experience, when a man came on with his guitar and serenaded all of the passengers.  His guitar playing was good but his singing was a couple of keys off.  Nice effort though. 
       After our adventure in Asunción, We went to one of Gilis friends house who has two pit bulls.  One of them is the champion of the competitions...and is also Annubis' boyfriend haha.  We were there for a long time and Ferre and me were soooo tired!  Finally we came back home and waited for Ferres parents to come and get him at 9.  He knows I play ukulele, so everyone wanted me to play.  We (mama, papa, Ferre, and Gili) went out onto the patio in front of the store and I played and did a little bit if singing too.  Ferre put my case on the ground and Gili threw a 1000 guarani coin in haha.  We joked that since I am not working yet, I will play my ukulele for a job haha.  I put my first coin in my Paraguayan piggy bank. 
       After, we came inside because it was cold and looked at pictures from a while ago.  It was really funny to see what everyone looked like when they were so young!  It was a lot of fun.  Ferres parents came to pick him up because they were going to a birthday party and then soon after I went to bed because I was so exhausted. 
       Apparently I am going with Gili to a pit bull competition tomorrow which involves me getting up at 3 or 4 am to get there by 7 am................whyyyyyyyyyy.  Well that's about all I can't think of for now!  Check in again!

When your host mom says "Te quiero mucho"

       This is a feeling that I can not really explain.  Having someone that is not related to you, and only in a few days of knowing you, will do anything for you and loves you as their own is a really incredible thing.  When my mom went to bed tonight, she said "te quiero mucho" which translates to I love you a lot.  I already feel comfortable here and love my family, but that just sealed the deal.  I can't explain the feeling because it's so different than anything I have really felt before.  I am so unbelievably happy and lucky to have been placed in this family.  I haven't even been here a week and I know I am at home.  What an amazing feeling and thing that can happen in just a few days....really it's incredible.  Ok, enough of the sappy stuff, I'll fill you in on what I've been doing in the past few days.
       I have not started work yet, and it is still unclear to me as to when I start; but honestly I am very content and happy staying at home with my mom...(just like in the states).  Yesterday I went to the zoo with my brother Cristian.  We took the bus there and back.  Going there we had seats, but on the way back we both had to stand and it was packed like a sardine can.  I'll be honest the bus is the most scary part so far, but that is probably because I'm not accustomed to it yet.  The zoo was practically empty, maybe with one other family.  We went into the museum of natural history and there was a preserved baby cow with two heads....that was interesting to see, also a little bit disturbing. 
       It has been very "cold" here.  It is something similar to a brisk and chilly fall day in Cleveland.  It was cold enough today where I was wearing a sweatshirt, coat and scarf. 
       Today I went with mamá to the main market in Asuncion which is called Mercado 4.  It is really big with many stores.  We went to meet with Andrea, one of Cristians friends (who I consider my friend too).  We talked with her and her coworkers for a while and of course they all commented on how beautiful I am and my hair....it's just what people say when my mamá introduces me.  It was kind of embarrassing at first, but I'm getting used to it.  After we met with Andrea, we got some groceries and a pair of shoes for one of mamás clients in the store.  Then we took the bus back home. 
       There are always vendors on the busses.  The driver lets them on and then they try and sell their goods.  My favorite vendor from today was the man selling toothbrushes.  We had such passion and a lot of information about how great the toothbrush was and at the end of his speech, he said "gracias por su atención, y buen día".  I thought it was such a funny way to end it. 
       There is a little girl named Romina who is 8 years old that is my first friend here in Paraguay.  Every day now after school and on her break she comes by the store and asks for me, so she can ask me questions and talk to me.  She is so cute and today Romina and her friend showed me all of their notebooks with stickers and all sorts of things.  They are very cute little girls and I always look forward to seeing them! 
       I met my abuela the other night and she is very nice.  She lives in a town only about 10 minutes away called Villa Elisa.  My aunt Niti and uncle Javier live there too.  They are all very funny and I love spending time with them.  My whole family is funny (thank goodness) because what would I do in a family without humor???
       I've been playing my ukulele a little more and my mom loves it.  Tonight before diner I was going to play some in my room and my mom said, oh no come to my room because I will take a nap before diner and I want to listen to your music.  So I sat on her bed and played and yes haha believe it or not I played her to sleep.  It was really funny and nice. 
       Well speaking of sleeping, I have reached that point.  Lots of Spanish and guaraní and soccer games today and I'm ready for my bed.  Make sure to check in again! Chauuu. 

My first few days

       Hola everyone!  Today marks my second/third day with my new family.  Saturday afternoon, my papá and brother Gilberto, came to the hotel in Asuncion to take me home.  All of the students were sitting in this courtyard and there was a huge window that looked down on us from the inside of the hotel.  Slowly families started coming to this window and would point and wave once they spotted their student.  We all were joking because it felt like we were animals in the zoo or somthing.  I didn't see my dad and brother in the window and I started to feel a little nervous, even though I knew they were coming.  I finally saw them just appear in the courtyard and I ran over.  It was such a relief and a good feeling to see them and say hello and give hugs and all that stuff.  We put all my luggage in the car and started our trip to San Lorenzo. 
       The traffic is a little different in Paraguay than in the states.  It took us a long time to get to my house...crazy motorcycles, busses, people selling things in the street and a lot of cars not obeying traffic signals...but that's the norm here!  The road in my neighborhood is the most bumpy stone road I've ever been on.  Its also covered in red dirt and sand.  That stuff is everywhere. 
       I got to my house and met the rest of my family except my oldest brother Cristian, because he was working.  We had some chicken for lunch and some rice stuff.  I have liked every single thing I have had here so far. 
       There are some things that are very different than home here (obviously) for instance....the bathroom.  When you use the toilet, you must put your toilet paper in the trash...that takes a little getting used to!  Also, the shower in our home has no shower curtain and is just part of the bathroom.  When you finish your shower you have to squeegee the water on the floor into the drain so no one slips or anything.  I also have to keep all my toiletries in my room and take them to the bathroom When I want to use them. 
       My room is the only room with a real door, that is semi private.  I say semi private because my room is the computer room and everyone uses it during the day.  I also share my wardrobe with my brother Cristian.  Jhony and Gili have a "space" where there are two beds that they sleep in.  There is no piracy there, it's basically in the middle of the house totally open. 
       I have been drinking a lot of terere and mate, which is really good!  It is similar to tea....mate is hot and terere is cold.  People sit around talking and watching tv and drink it.  Every one has it...everywhere.  It is in a little cup like thing with a metal straw that everyone shares.  One person fills it up and then passes it to you or whoever and everyone that is there.  You only get a few sips out of it but it keeps you hydrated and refreshed!  You can't be a germaphobe and come to Paraguay because you have to share the terere!
       The language barrier isn't that bad and I am able to understand most and they can for the most part understand me.  It is very exhausting though.  I gave to say, I told my story about almost dying on the Allegheny river in Spanish and they understood!  Woo hoo!  That felt like a bug accomplishment.
       I am very happy here and so far am.having a really nice time.  There is a lot more to say, but my fingers are tired now and I should get out of bed.  Check in again and I'll have some more updates! 

Paraguay!!!

Estoy aquí finalmente!   I arrived this morning around 8am with my group in Asunción!  The Flight was long and uncomfortable, but we made it and I'm really happy about that.  We got our visas upon arrival, and went through customs (which was a breeze) and then waited for the german/Denmark group to arrive.  Once we met up, we got on a bus and drove to a very big nice hotel in Asunción.  We had a Paraguayan lunch that consisted of a plant root, a corn casserole type dish, rice, salad, and potatoes.  Then there was sizzling meat platters placed by groups of us and we ate that.  There was so much meat, and it was a little to well cooked for me, but it was still delicioso!  They tren served a dessert that I think was flan or something like it.  Every thing was really great.  We haven't done anything really at orientation here but the Italians and Belgian group just got here so we are starting more activities at 5.  My host family will pick me up tomorrow morning (which I CAN'T wait for) I'm so so excited about that.  Keep checking in!  Hasta luego. 

Orientation in Miami

       Yesterday I arrived in Miami at the hotel where orientation is and said goodbye to my family.  Saying goodbye was sad, but not too bad, because I know I'll be back here before I even know it.  The first hour or so here was really scary and weird because no AFS people were here...not even the check in guy.  I was sitting in the hotel room by myself waiting for the AFS guy to arrive.  After a while I went up for lunch and met two boys that were going to Brazil.  There are a lot people going to Brazil.  There are also two people going to Chile and six of us going to Paraguay.  Surprisingly enough, three out of the six of us are going to do community service.  I think there is a total of about 23 people here (I thought it was going to be much bigger)
       It's been really boring here.  I got here at 11:30 and our first activity didn't start until 7:30 and only went till 9.  We have a lot of free time and me and my roommate Reanna are dying to get to the airport and leave.  We leave for the airport at 8pm tonight and the flight leaves at 11:50. 
       My host brother Gili, told me that he and Papá would pick me up Saturday from my NEXT orientation and take me home.  I am so excited for that!!!  Well, it's going to be a long wait for that shuttle to the airport, but I am so excited for it and can't wait to arrive!!! Keep checking in!

This is the last night!

       Wow, I can't believe this day has come...the last day and night with my family here in the States until I return next July.  I have so many emotions... excitement, nervousness, and some anxiety as always.  At this point, the only way I'll be good is after my parents drop me off.  I am dreading the saying goodbye part and just need to meet the people at orientation and then get on the plane to the new chapter in my life.  It's weird to think how quickly these past few months have gone; from the application process, to getting accepted to the program, to receiving my host family and now actually following through with all if this and going!  I guess the best word to describe it would be overwhelming.  I am so overwhelmed! 
       So, tomorrow I get dropped off in Miami for my first orientation; on Thursday my redeye leaves at 11:50 and I arrive in Asuncion at 7:50am.  From there, I get my Visa and go to my second orientation with all my fellow new AFS Paraguay participants for a day or two.  Then my host family will get me!!!  I'm bit sure if they get my on Saturday or Sunday, but that is what I am most excited for right now.  I really can't wait to get to actually meet them and become part of the family. 
       Well I'm going to sign out and get the rest of my things ready, so I don't have to stress too much tomorrow.  I will be posting as soon as I can...and the next post might just be from Paraguay!  Stay tuned...:)

Leaving Cleveland and the Trip down to Miami

         Well, I am no longer in Cleveland anymore...what a crazy thought!  Monday was my last full day in Cleveland, sleeping in my bed, eating dinner there, and being with my family in my house.  My friends Madi and Ben, came over and helped me pack my two large suitcases (which was so nice to have my friends helping me out)  By Tuesday, we finished up all the packing and weighing of bags and eventually hit the road...always a little later than expected.  It was such a weird feeling saying bye to my cats, turning the light off in my room and walking out and then driving away from my house, knowing I won't be seeing it in a while.  We drove a little while and stopped somewhere in Ohio and then yesterday we finally arrived in Atlanta at my aunt's house. 
       OH MY GOODNESS.......I am leaving in a week.  This is so exciting and scary and just amazing that it is time already.  I had a great last couple days in Cleveland; filled with family, friends, and good times.  I am really thankful that we are going on this road trip before I leave, because it allows me to be distracted and see people and transition into this big move a little more easily.  I really can not imagine just leaving straight from home...I think it would be a lot more difficult to leave that way.  It is so nice being able to see my cousins, aunts, uncles, stopping in Disney, spending time at the beach, and then being dropped off for orientation. 
          I have been in contact with others going to Paraguay (not only in the United States but from all over the world) already and I am so excited to meet everyone at both orientations (Miami and Asuncion).  I am also still communicating with my host family and I am getting so excited to finally meet them and become a part of their family.  I know it will be such an amazing experience.  Only 6 days now until I am on my own...and I am so excited about that; nervous too, but very excited.  Of course I will be missing home, and my friends and family (and cats) but it is time for me to move on and do bigger and better things!  I'll be posting more, probably at orientation and then once I arrive in my new city San Lorenzo, Paraguay.  Thanks for checking in!!!

Two weeks left

   Hello everyone!  Last night I skyped with my Paraguayan family for the first time!  I have been communicating a lot with them through whatsapp a messaging app, but this was totally different!  I actually had to test my Spanish speaking skills and I surprised myself!  I was able to talk and understand what was being said and we had conversation for a few hours.  I talked with two of my brothers and got to say hello to my mom too.  I found out that my oldest brother is a peluquero (hairdresser) which made me very happy to hear! I was a little worried about getting my hair cut there!  They also showed me two of the 70 pet mice they have, that they sell to other people for pets.  My mom is convinced that they are rats, because they are pretty huge, but maybe mice are just larger in Paraguay!  My brother also told me that his parents run a store that is connected to the house.  In the winter it isn't open because people are not out in the streets really, but in the summer, it is open 24 hours!  He said if someone wants something really late at night, they ring a bell and mamá o papá wakes up to deal with it!  My family also knows about my love for pigs already and have been joking with me about the delicious pig head delicacy.  It is true that they eat the pigs head and also claim that it is the most delicious part.  They also say I'll be having it maybe when I arrive haha.  I don't know if it's to torture me or to give me a really nice thing to eat!!  Either way, I'm planning on eating or trying everything (even a pigs head)  they are definitely having fun telling me all about it :)
   My brother also said he would teach me how to cook (because my mom told him I don't know how to cook) And that's going to be fun I'm sure.  They also started to try and teach me guaraní and told me I would learn it quickly once I arrived...we'll see!
   Talking with my family made me feel so much more excited (is that even possible?!!) And more comfortable about going there.  They are very nice, funny, and patient (with our pretty broken spanish) people.  I really can not wait to get there to be a part of the family and be the new baby sister of the house! 
   I have a week and 6 days now (who's counting...?) Until my parents drop me off at orientation in Miami.  I can't believe that it is so soon, but I'm feeling ready.  I need to figure out my packing situation, because I can only take one bag...so it's going to have to be a big one.  I'm also having my fiesta de despedida (going away party) on Saturday and we are trying to get ready for that.  Family is coming in I haven't seen in so long and friends will be here and it's going to be a great time I'm sure.  We leave for Florida shortly after that and then before I know it I'll be at orientation in Miami, then orientation in Asuncion, then in my new home!  Crazy stuff.  Well, that's about it for now.  Thanks for checking in!!

My Placement Information!!!

Hello!!! Today was such an exciting day! I finally received my host family information!  I was completely convinced that I would find out about them days before my arrival, but thankfully I got them today!!! I was sitting in the car waiting for my mom when I recieved the e-mail, and I was so excited that I ran inside leaving the car running with the passenger door open for atleast 30 minutes while I freaked out...whoops!
   I will be living in San Lorenzo, Paraguay , which is a suburb of Asuncion.  I am living with 3 new brothers (Cristian 28, Gilberto (Gili) 23, and Jhony 19), a mom (Dolly), dad (Silvio), dog and apparently cows sheep horses and yes you guessed it...pigs at the family farm.  I immediatly friended my brothers on facebook and talked to all of them for quite a while today (in spanish too!!!)  I am so excited to meet and spend a year with my new family!!! I cant even begin to explain!
   I also found out what I will be doing for work. I will be working in American Corner Paraguay, which is an organization that helps children understand and learn English and things about the culture in the United States. I am so happy I will be working with children.  You can click on this link to read a little more on what I will be doing for work: American Corner Paraguay.
   The countdown has really started...19 more days until I say goodbye to my family and meet mi familia nueva:) I will keep my blog updated with any new exciting news!!

Emma

one month to go

Hello everyone!  This is my first post on the blog and I thought I would share what is going through my head!

Today is exactly one month before the day my parents drop me off in Miami.  It's crazy to think how fast my departure date is approaching.  I still have not received my placement in Paraguay and I am patiently waiting for that information.  I can't wait to hear about my Paraguayan family and where I will be staying, as well as what kind of work I will be doing there.  Right now it is all a big question mark but I am still very excited.  The nerves are also starting to kick in.  Living with another family, speaking a different language and leaving everything that is comfortable to you is kind of a crazy thing, but it is also an awesome thing!  I am counting down the days until i leave...31 as of today!  I guess I don't have too much more to say.  I'm just really excited and a little nervous and just waiting for my placement information!  Once anything exciting happens I'll make sure to put it up!

Emma