Camp, Christmas and New year's

       Hello everyone!  I know it's been a long time, and I apologize for that!  I have had many requests to make a new blog, and it's definitely time to fill everyone in on how it's going down here!  It is incredible how quickly 5 months has past.  It doesn't seem possible that I haven't been home or seen my family for that long, but it surely and truly is possible. Ok, onto some stories.

       Before I came here, my mom told me that when she was in high school at Cleveland Heights, there was an AFS student from Paraguay that she was friends with.  One day my liaison here texted me and told me that someone wanted to get in contact with me.  She didn't know the name of the person or anything, but told me I could text this person if I wanted.  I figured that I would just text them, and ask them their name and why they wanted to get in touch with me.  I texted the number and low and behold it was Aida (Neiny) my mom's old AFS friend.  We talked for a while and later planned a little tour around a few cities. When we went on our little tour we went to Caacupe, (a very famous city here in Paraguay for the pilgrimage that happens every year on December to pay respect and pray with the Virgin of Caacupe in the beautiful Basilica.) San Bernardino, where we went on a boat tour on lake Ypacarai and had lunch, and to Aregua, where we want to an art exhibit and looked around at the pottery the city is known for.  We had a really nice time, and it was so funny knowing that she went to high school with my mom.  What a small, small world we live in. 

       I am still working at Don Bosco Roga, where I am translating letters...but as we say in Spanish "no da gusto" ....it's not that great.  I told some coworkers that I was bored and it was pretty boring sitting at a computer for hours and that all I really want to do is work with kids.  Fortunately for me one of my coworkers really listened to me and found me an opportunity that has totally changed my experience here in Paraguay.  I started working at a summer camp the 1st of December and it has been the best thing that has happened to me here in Paraguay (Gracias a Rubio!).  Camp starts with some songs and dancing, then we go to the age divided activities.  I am working with the little kiddos 3-7 year's old.  We do drawing and painting.  Other activities for other ages include dance, singing and guitar playing, camping stuff, and cooking.  After the activities the kids can play in the park or play soccer or foosball, pool whatever.  It's absolutely great.  I am so so so so soooooo happy there.  Even though it's about 45 minutes -1 hour to get there on bus, and now I'm taking 6 busses a day, it's totally worth it.  I have made some amazing friends there and I feel truly blessed to be doing what I am doing there.  Truly a game changer for me. 
 
       Christmas here in Paraguay or at least in my family is very different than at home.  Christmas eve is what is more celebrated here and by celebrated I mean, sitting outside with your family, drinking beer, waiting until midnight and when midnight come get undercover because you don't want to get hit by a stray bullet or firework debris.  I'd say that's a little different from home!  After midnight, we all sat outside and ate dinner.  There was a lot of food, sopa paraguaya, chipa guasu, pork, beef, chicken, potatoes salad, you name it.  Everthing was very delicious.  Here, everyone has a "pesebre" which is a nativity scene, but they are all very big and set up outside and then decorated with lights and little ornaments.  My family doesn't do a Christmas tree or presents, but I don't believe that is true of all families here.  It.just depends what your family does.  I wrapped a bunch if gifts for my family for Christmas and my intention was to have them open them that night, but no one is ever home, so we postponed until the 26 when somehow miraculously, all 8 of us were together.. it's nice to see my family repping Ohio and Cleveland! 

       New year's was good, it was the first year I actually went out and did something for a change.  First I had work in the morning, then I got home and went to the salon with my sister to keep her comoany, then I came home, then went to the mall to buy a blouse, then got home again, went to the salon to get my hair done for the night...and poof it was midnight!  Many many fireworks and getting undercover again, but that's just how it goes here!  At about 2 am I went to a party with my sisters and we danced the night away.  Got home at 7:30 am and I've pretty much been sleeping ever since.  It was a nice way to end a great year and I know this year has a lot to hold for me too, but really I see it as just another day in my life; another beautiful day.

Funny story that my mom requested:
       I was walking to the bus the other day and coming my way was motorcycle carrying a little girl, man and a woman (3 is normal, I've seen 4 one one before).  As the motorcycle came to my side it stopped.  I always have these fears even at home that a car or motorcycle will stop close to me and sometimes they do but it's usually because there is a stop sign or something like that.  Well anyway, this motorcycle stopped next to me and the man said "can I ask you something?" And I said "sure" , I was expecting something like, do you know where this family lives, or where something is, and I was just 100% wrong!  He asked me "Porque vos sos tan linda" "why are you so beautiful?" and I was so shocked!  I immediately started walking and a laugh came out and I'm sure my face was beet red.  This kind of thing is just so normal here, but still not normal to me!  Well I still have 6 months to try and get used to it (never going to happen)

       I wish all of you who are reading this a happy and blessed New year!  I'll try to write a little more frequently, but the truth is I'm so busy I rarely have the energy or time to do it!  But I'll make more of an effort.  We'll call it my new year's resolution!  Hasta pronto. 

Emma