September/October-The Time of Endings

This time has been CRAZY!!! I have finished so many large projects-COLGATE, Yo Merezco and Yo Tambien Merezco, and TEAM 3. It feels good to be ending!

COLGATE finally ended after 6 months of teaching a whole elementary school of 100 kids each week about dental hygiene. It was so lovely to end that project even though it wasn’t an overwhelming amount of work because I got help from the other 5 teachers. And now, that it is over, I have formed really close friendships with many of the kids and the teachers. I still get invited to attend many of the school activities. Also, next year, I think they want me to come back and do something else, so I will see about having a reading program there since Peace Corps has given us a large box with over 100 books to use in our communities.

Yo Merezco and Yo Tambien Merezco is about abstinence, self-esteem, making good choices, preventing HIV/AIDS, learning the responsibilities of having children and being married, etc. This project we did with a high school class of 28 students for their fieldwork. There were 10 groups that went out into 9 different villages or communities throughout my town and taught the 2 programs to either a group of girls or boys. OMG…I got a lot of exercise during these 3 months going to each of these groups to supervise them in all the villages, give them suggestions on how to improve the classes, etc. In the end, around 193 children participated!

TEAM 3 is an English Class that we teach to teachers who then use what they learn to go into the classroom and teach their students. So, I have been teaching them techniques to improve their class, grammar rules, vocabulary, etc. for 6 months.

So, this information is brought to you just because I thought you might be interested or at the least curious to know of my work here in Honduras…not just my travels and cultural insights. Lol.

AND NOW??…I am ready to TRAVEL!!! I can’t wait to see Tiffany, and Wiatta as we travel in 2 weeks! YAY for a vacation! :)
Victoria

Whadaya have-COFFEE!!

These are the rosquillas in coffee in a normal cup of coffee. This is SO delicious!



These are some of the bread varieties that are offered in the stores.

This is a coffee plant with a ripe coffee bean (the red one).


Coffee in a tin

Living in my town, a coffee town that grows tons of coffee, I have come to respect the art of growing, collecting, processing, and of course drinking the oh so common, but luxurious beverage that is coffee.

Just so you know how awesome our coffee is…and so you can be jealous that I get tons of this coffee…in a worldwide competition, our coffee (in the region) was voted number 1 or 3 or something crazy like that. Meaning? OUR COFFEE IS GOOD.

You may be wondering…I thought Victoria didn’t drink coffee…well, when I first arrived to my town, they couldn’t believe it either and so began the slow assimilation that was basically mandatory to live in my town. Even the babies…yes, the babies drink coffee!!! There is a little baby in my house who just turned 1 years old and has been drinking coffee for awhile already…not sure this is good for the little guy, but it’s the reality. This is to give you the context that coffee is definitely the beverage of choice.

Everywhere you will go, you will be offered coffee. It is served for breakfast, sometimes after breakfast but before lunch, at 3-4p.m., and at dinner. This is a LOT of coffee. Right, now, I try to drink only 1-2 cups a day. The one good thing I will say about this is that the cups really are cups…they aren’t huge mugs or anything like that…they are like tea cups.

Also, on the way to my town and throughout my town, you will see coffee plants! People have them in separated farms and even in their back yard. Right now, they’ve actually started picking the coffee as the coffee season is upon us!

So, how is coffee processed? (In my words)
1. Grow it in little small bags.
2. Move the plant once it’s bigger to a field so it can grow to full maturity in around a year.
3. Pick the red coffee fruit/bean. Take off outer shell.
4. Dry the red coffee fruit/bean.
5. Grind this dried fruit/bean to make the coffee grinds that then make the beverage.

Other fast facts about coffee:
COST -L3 for a cup of coffee ($.15)
-L45 per pound of ground coffee (~$2.50)
What do we have with our coffee-normally fresh bread, a tortilla, or rosquillas (corn meal and cheese donut shaped cookie) that are delicious when you put them inside the cup of coffee and the inflate and it’s glorious!

Hope this was fun and informative to read! :)
Victoria

Some Vital Information

HELlo, HEllo, Hello,


Things have been interesting as always here in San José. I am once again the only American here in San José…however, supposedly I should be getting a volunteer visit in about a week so that a volunteer can sort of shadow me in my daily activities to see what it means to be a volunteer.

Speaking of volunteers, there is new news in the Peace Corps world…as of now, the volunteers in Honduras have to live with a host family the whole 2 years (they can´t live alone) because of the increased crime against volunteers who live alone. Furthermore, because of the economic situation in the states, PC volunteers can no longer extend for an extra year. That news surely made my mother happy. Lol. At one time I had actually considered extending, but I don´t think I really have a reason to now anyways and I no longer have the opportunity…everything always works out accordingly to God´s plan digo yo.

My activities are going well in my site…busy, but not really. One thing I have managed to do is DELEGATE and work with my community, which is supposedly more sustainable…I shall pray about this. There are very few activities and programs that I actually do by myself. This is good because while working with the Honduran counterparts, we are both learning from each other and gaining skills (me-patience and understanding).

I´m still living with my first host family…but the other house that I will officially move in to now has a toilet, so things are at least progressing. The lady told me that I should be able to move in 2 weeks or so once she gets the doors put in for the bathroom, shower, and my bedroom. (I believe necessities…right now there are just curtains or nothing covering these very private areas).
Speaking of toilets…the toilet in my house right now does not always flush very well…so sometimes I encounter nasty little treats because people forget or do not know (which one I´m not sure) how to correctly dispose of their wastes. I will share with you this important information in the case that you find yourself using a latrine one day (a toilet that does not flush):

1. Do your business.
2. After wiping…please fold your tissue conservatively and throw it in the trash so that other people using the bathroom do not have to see your waste.
3. Pick up the pailita (little bucket or bowl).
4. Fill it with water from the pila (large stone holding of water…also where you wash your hands and your clothes).
5. ¨Throw¨ the water (it is an art I have discovered) into the toilet at the angle in which the water goes down the hole…don´t dump the water straight down, but at a sort of angle. You will learn the technique with practice.
6. IMPORTANT…afterwards, you must wait to hear the slurpy type noise that will follow signifying that the toilet has indeed flushed. If you do not hear this noise…you must repeat steps 3-6 until this noise ensues.
7. Please, please, please, wash your hands…use the pailita once again to get the water out of the pila and use the bar of soap strategically placed at the pila…lather and YA!!

Right, so now you know…maybe one day you will be able to experience using a latrine (if you come visit me you could…)! But, no, normally the toilet works quite normally. I just wanted to share this information with you.

Well…on to more excited things…the countdown officially began as I now have 4 ½ months before returning to the states for Christmas and New Year!!! Yay!!

I can´t wait to see you all and the time is going by so fast. Anyways, I hope everyone is having a good time, not working too hard!

P.S.-I think it´s interesting that right now I´m reading two books with similar titles ¨The Sacred Heart¨ and ¨The Sacred Romance¨. Also, Kelsey and Tope (maybe Shetoria)…I just read a great Christian Romance novel called ¨Bookends¨ by Elizabeth Clark Higgins (I think that was her name)…It was SOO good!

Love ,
Victoria

FOTOS!!

Hi All!!

Pues, yo se que estan esparando las fotos...entonces aqui estan...miranlas y disfrutan!!



This is my
COLGATE program with one of the teachers givig the charla...the kids are cute.

This is my birthday...the three little girls all made me things out of flowers and wrote my letters. lol.

This is also my birthday...when I went to my friends house in another town and we made the srawberry cheescake!! It was SOO good...I def. had a theme of red for my birthday with the clothes, the cheescake and then my friend got my a strawberry pinata...lol!

Playing at the soccer field in Camalote...with the Amigos de Americas. This guy is one of them...Roberto or Robert.

Excursion...beautiful view!! Yes, I spend most of my time walking up mountains going on excursions with the youth...I can not complain about life. lol

The Amigos de Americas...another help organization, but with high schools and me!


Las Marias...these ladies are awesome! They make the best bread or pan in town...I am always searching them out as my sweet tooth is ridiculous.

Making bread...the quick and easy way in the horno. It takes like 5 or 10 min. in this thing because it is incredibly hot and efficient.

Some of the girls in the youth group...on the excursion to Camalote otra vez y siempre.


This little guy is so cute brushing his teeth...he is really enjoying himself! Good for him...keeping those teeth clean!

Hope you enjoyed,
Victoria

UPDATESSSS

Hello!!

So, things have been going well in the community...getting busy. Right now, I'm working on COLGATE (dental hygiene) as always, the two English classes, helping the library get a reading corner, starting with a reading club in the elementary school, and finally starting the HIV/AIDS/abstinence program with the high-school kids.

I still haven't moved into my new house...but, still considering it and getting excited!! I'm excited to start cooking really. Speaking of cooking, I'm officially involved with a healthy eating/sharing recipes/vegetarian club...it's through the Peace Corps. I'm not vegetarian, but I do love my veggies. Speaking of veggies, I'm in Teguz right now and I have the BEST lunch ever. I have a salad with oil dressing and a broccoli, cream cheese, walnut sandwhich on a toasted french baguette with a banana and passion fruit smoothie!! How great does that sound. I love coming to Teguz to eat good food!

Also, I've observed some other cultural things that I'm sure you all will appreciate. Since the 3 Amigos de Americas have been here (other American volunteers that are high-schoolers) they've really opened my eyes to things that I guess I've been taking for granted and just gotten used to. BUT, here goes:
1. The men love to lift up their shirts and rub their bellies.
2. They don't have lawnmowers...they use machetes. They use machetes here a lot actually. It was scary at first, but now it's quite normal for a man to be carrying a huge knife. lol.


Things I've learned:
1. learned how to make my own earrings courtsey of my PC friend, Anna who has a little factory in her house (exaggeration). lol.
2. Some men can be trusted and should be because they're nice to talk with and cute. :)

So for right now, just working...have plans to possibly see monkeys soon, go to Guatemala in November and Nicagaragua also and of course home for CHRISTMAS!! YAY!!! ALSO, still waiting for mother to confirm her trip here to Honduras next year. :)

Hope everyone is doing well...recovering from surgeries...losing weight...exercising...eating good American food, etc. Will post more pictures and videos soon. I just brought my memory disk, but these computers don't have a port for the disc. Anyways, next time!

LOVE YOU ALL,
Victoria

A day in the life of a volunteer

Well, I guess, it should more appropriately say in my life instead of a volunteer´s life…because this really does depend what country you go to, where you go in the country (city or country) ,who you´re working with (how many organizations you´re working with) and what project you´re working on.

For me, I´m in Honduras (more developed than some places, but still less developed than the U.S.), in a small town/village with 5,000 people in all and only 2,000 that actually live in the area I´m at because my town has like 12 outlying communities or other villages. Therefore, it´s pretty small, but not the smallest it could be. Also, I´m working with 3 counterparts-the high school with around 300 students in all the 6 grades they have! Also, I´m working with a youth group and a Culture and Tourism Group.

With those 3 groups, I´m actually quite busy….so my day goes something like this:
6:30ª.m.-wake up after hitting snooze at the 6:15ª.m. alarm/baby crying/rustling in the family household / possible music playing loudly.
7a.m.-Get myself together, have a bible study (still working on this).
8ª.m.-Take shower, eat breakfast (tortilla, beans, cheese, avacado, maybe eggs-normal, also I might have oatmeal, pancakes (rare), or cereal (that I supply myself because I LOVE it!)
From here on is where it gets a little crazy…different every day! But, usually, I have 2 things in the morning and 1 or 2 things in the afternoon that could include meetings with groups to plan activities, English clubs and class with teachers, projects (HIV/AIDS, Dental Hygiene, etc.), visiting families, using the computer, etc.
ALSO, I find it very interesting that almost every lunch here at my host familie´s house includes rice, a Little meat, veggie and fruit juice. Very interesting…I´m def. noticing this pattern.
5p.m.-usually I go home around this time and eat dinner, read, do some planning for the next day, maybe watch some t.v. in the “living room area” (I say this is in quotations to not decieve you into thinking this is something luxurious as it is also used as the dining room and we don´t have couches…which is sometimes a Little sad for me) is not occuppied by other viewers.
9:30p.m.-10:30p.m.-Go to SLEEP (of course I sleep past this time, this is just the hour usually when I fall asleep)

Pictures to come and look at my facebook...there are so many new photos on there!

Love,
Victoria

What's Going On!?

Hope all is going awesome with everyone back in GA!! Can't wait to visit for Christmas...another reason to look forward to the holidays! lol.

Anyways, many a thing have been going on these days...Spiritually, in life in general, etc.
Spritually, I feel like I've been struggling about getting involved with my church here, being generous, etc. BUT, after reading a great and hard book to read, Crazy Love, I've realized (with the leading of the Holy Spirit) that I need to get more involved with the church here(not just because it's a rule or anything, but because I feel like somehting's missing in my life if I don't). I definitely have been feeling lukewarm and I DO NOT want that...so, that has been hard because the reason I didn't want to get involved is because I will be leaving in 1 yr. (if God allows) and I didn't want to get too involved and then have to leave...AND, deep down I was actually scared that I would like it and the Lord would ask me to stay in Honduras.

I have mixed feelings about this...I struggled with this quite a bit (crying and all) because naturally I have my own desires and plans...BUT, the Lord's will is number 1! That is SOOO hard to say, but it is true. But, anyways, another part of me thinks that not getting involved in the church for fear of the Lord asking me to stay was just a plot of the enemy so that I would become lukewarm. BUT, anyways, just pray for me all that I would be able to accept what the Lord has for my life and NEVER be lukewarm.

Also, some other updates:

1. I'm officially having laser hair removal done for my underarms, legs, and other areas (don't be nosey-lol). Anyways, I'm SOO excited, cause it's working!! I have less hair under my arms and it's awesome...I feel more like a warm!!

2. In July (next month), I should be moving out to my new home...still living with people, but a whole lot less people so it should be more quite, I'll have more space, my room will be nicer ANDDD...I'll get to cook for myself-every single meal!! I'm so excited, I'm already planning for my cooking adventures!!

Work:
Did a Spelling Bee and working on a program for preventing HIV/AIDS, still working with the dental hygiene program, have 2 English classes going right now, and other stuff not to mention lots of other non-work, but fun things coming up...Mushroom Festival, Corn Festival (tal vez), my BIRTHDAY, etc.

Quote of a lifetime---God is good-Life is good!!

Here are some pictures for your purusing...

This is actually just a week ago on an excursion with the youth...


This is during Easter- Monica is french-braiding my hair. lol


These are "apples"...they're actually hollow inside, but sort of similiar to regular apples.

Talk with you soon...still need to upload videos!!
Victoria