So my father recently let me know that I´ve been out of the blog scene. Sorry!! Things have actually been busy here and internet time as been even less than normal. I do have good news though, and writing should be easier because...
I HAVE A COMPUTER CENTER!!!!!!!!!!!! I just installed our 3 brand new computers yesterday and although we don´t have internet (yet!), I will be able to type blogs and emails in advance now. I´m SUPER excited too! I´ve been waiting for this to happen since September `07 and typically Paraguayan projects are very slow. At least it´s real now though! The rest of my time will be spent teaching the future teachers for classes and begging and pleading for internet. It´s exciting though! The money for the center was donated by a non-prof called ACDI/VOCA, and they help coops all over South America. I´ve been asked to document the progress and in typical Betsy/Kyle style... I think I´ll not just take pictures, but make them a movie as a thank you! I love technology!
Lots going on in other areas too. My women´s committee is in the process of finalizing all of the local and national recognition forms. Just one more to go, and then we can get funding from anyone anywhere. I´ve been doing a lot of talk/research about chicken coops too because that is their number one project goal. Who would have thought that I´d be calculating how much corn needs to be planted to support 50 chickens in 37 houses?! But that´s my life now! Chickens, chickens, chickens!
Paraguay recently had an election and in the opposing party finally won. The future pres is a really nice guy and our new governor is the former mayor of my community. People in my community are buddies with the two new politicos, and it´s really exciting to see the changes around me. They don´t even go into office until August, but already we´re getting new roads and 2 ¨free¨ hospitals are in the works for the Asunción area. I hope this positive progress continues, and I believe it will!
Just got back from my first vacation in almost 1 year!! I met up with mom and her friend Yvonne just on the borders of Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil. We checked out the falls (it´s the longest in the world... 1.8 miles... and beautiful!!) from the Argentinian side and Brazilian side. Then it was off to Rio de Janeiro!! LOVED IT! I´d think about moving there but I don´t speak Portuguese! It´s white sands surrounded by lush, green mountains. It´s apparently pretty dangerous, although it never left like it. Only 5 quick days together and it was back to PY. Although I must admit, I did miss my simple little life here.
So what´s on the radar for the future? Our new training groups comes at the end of the month, so I´ll be in and out of Asunción a lot. I´ve been asked to come in at least twice to give a few presentations (#1 role of women on the farm, #2 starting/working with/motivating groups). I guess all of those years of PHS Student Gov, USC Student Gov/Carolina Productions/Dance Marathon skills are finally going to use outside of college! I´ll also be starting dental health classes within the next 2 weeks. Thank you again to my mom and members of First Lutheran Church for donating lots of toothbrushes!! Almost more importantly, I have another vacation too! Costa Rica with Dad, Carolyn, and Nanny is quickly approaching and July and I´m already looking forward to 7 days on the beach!
I´m still frequently asked about care package ideas, and the truth is I don´t NEED anything! But if you have a desire to send something, it will clearly be appreciated! Here are a few ideas...
-Nutella or peanut butter
-anything to cook with like spices, or mixes. I love sauce packets and any and all things with more international flavors!!
-tunes (I have a CD player and can play mp3s too), pop culture mags, DVDs
-any type of office/art/craft/scrapbooking supplies
Thanks again to all of you that email, read the blog (although my updates have been a little spread out), send packages, or are planning visits. I´m very happy here and enjoy my life a lot, but it´s always nice to know I´m being thought of at home.
Picutre update too!!
Almost 1 year here!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Friday, April 4, 2008
finally an update on visual aids!
I FINALLY posted some more pictures, although nothing too reviting.
I had a great 23rd bday, and a big thank you to everyone that called, texted, or wrote on my Facebook wall! It was a big day because after 10 months of living here, my mom finally figured out how to use a calling card! Love you Chiquita Bonita!
As for working, there is a lot! Today I start giving gardening presentations with my women´s committee, tomorrow the radio program is all on me as we discuss cooperativas for 30 minutes, and I just got word today that the money came through and I WILL have my computer center in the coop! Only $6,000 was made available from the organization ACDI/VOCA, but they are great people and a potential job resource when I return to the states (their main office is located out of DC). Lots going on... FINALLY!
Enjoy the pictures and please keep the phone calls, texts, and emails coming! They keep me sane! Also, just click the link below that says Paraguay Cinco to see the full pictures and my commentary.
Paraguay Cinco
I had a great 23rd bday, and a big thank you to everyone that called, texted, or wrote on my Facebook wall! It was a big day because after 10 months of living here, my mom finally figured out how to use a calling card! Love you Chiquita Bonita!
As for working, there is a lot! Today I start giving gardening presentations with my women´s committee, tomorrow the radio program is all on me as we discuss cooperativas for 30 minutes, and I just got word today that the money came through and I WILL have my computer center in the coop! Only $6,000 was made available from the organization ACDI/VOCA, but they are great people and a potential job resource when I return to the states (their main office is located out of DC). Lots going on... FINALLY!
Enjoy the pictures and please keep the phone calls, texts, and emails coming! They keep me sane! Also, just click the link below that says Paraguay Cinco to see the full pictures and my commentary.
Paraguay Cinco
Monday, March 24, 2008
volei, anyone?
So its time for my monthly update! I used to be able to update more often, but time just isn´t on my side right now. That is a MAJOR change, but it´s good to actually have things to do!
Mostly though, I´ve been playing a lot of volei! (a.k.a. volleyball) We put in a court in front of my house and try to play daily, but last week we put in a new court at my host mom´s family´s house and it is SWEET! Juan and I spent HOURS working on it and I have pictures to prove our lovely work, but those will be posted a later day. Juan cut down all of these trees and then we made the court outlines and took out all the grass to expose the soft turf underneath. It´s SO much better than my court, but they live about 20km from my house, so I def see a lot more of my own field. No matter where I´m play, it´s great exercise!
The women´s committee is coming along nicely. I´m meeting with the director of the Ministry of Agriculture today. We met two weeks ago too and he´s a really nice guy that has known a lot of volunteers of the years. There are a lot of funds out there to help with committees like mine because my community is so poor. This is great news and horrible news. My ladies think I´m just going to find a project completely free of work on their part. Not likely! The main reason they´re coming to meetings (p.s. I´m up to 37 ladies!) is because they want chicken coops. Why do they want chicken coops? Because another women´s committee down the street has them! This is pretty much how everyone operates here. They want to be exactly like their neighbors in every way possible! Well, this particular committee has been together for almost 7 years. Their president is an amazing woman who is very outgoing and busted ass for 6 years to get them where they are today. And my ladies think they´ll get the same type of project with zero effort. NOT HARDLY!
Another idea that will become a reality is ao´poi classes for women and jr. high/high school aged young ladies. Ao´poi is pretty awesome and a tradition only in PY. Its hand woven designs, that are woven into a fabric that is light and airy. MY idea though is to have them export to the US! I´m doing this apart from the women´s committee because the President is being difficult. She´s not interested in doing it herself, but I´d say a strong 50% (or more!) want to do it. On top of that, I got a professor to come for free and teach us (I said "us" because you can be sure I´m learning too!), so besides paying her gas to get here, it´s a great opportunity! If YOU are interested in having your very own ao´poi from MY community, or know of somewhere they could be sold, let me know! Here are some samples (just copy and paste)... And please remember that we will be making it ALL by hand, so we can make it to fit just you if you want to give your measurements!
more modern styles:
http://images.google.com.py/imgres?imgurl=http://www.catedral.com.py/img/productos/dama/BLUSA1227_pantalon_864_p.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.catedral.com.py/productos-damas.php&h=141&w=94&sz=7&hl=es&start=14&um=1&tbnid=Y8LMb9ZIhLX8UM:&tbnh=94&tbnw=63&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%2522ao%2Bpoi%2522%26um%3D1%26hl%3Des%26lr%3D%26sa%3DX
males:
http://images.google.com.py/imgres?imgurl=http://www.catedral.com.py/img/productos/dama/BLUSA1227_pantalon_864_p.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.catedral.com.py/productos-damas.php&h=141&w=94&sz=7&hl=es&start=14&um=1&tbnid=Y8LMb9ZIhLX8UM:&tbnh=94&tbnw=63&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%2522ao%2Bpoi%2522%26um%3D1%26hl%3Des%26lr%3D%26sa%3DX
Table clothes or other things like that can also be adapted. NOW EXCEPTING ORDERS!
What else? What else?
The coop is pretty much not a part of my life. Luckily, I have a two day Peace Corps sponsored meeting with my contact this week. I´m hoping that this will get my work finally started. I literally haven´t done a thing for my coop, and I´d really like it to be the bulk of my work! I have a lot of ideas, but no one to really talk it through with. That´s the job of my contact, but his bro is running for Gov right now so on top of all the regular work he has, he´s also campaigning a bit. The good news though is that if his bro wins, my coop and community could possibly transform into many great things. We´ll see what happens though. (Election Day here is April 20)
We did have an interesting meeting a few weeks ago though. We had people from all over South American come to our coop because some org claims ours is a model for all coops. NOT! But, that´s ok. The sponsoring organization is from the US, so there were Americans too. I found it a little difficult to talk about my work and life without using Spanish words, which gave me a little self entertainment. I got a few business cards and hope to keep up with this group. I didn´t really understand what they did before, but now that I realize their website is in English too, I´m golden!
Not much else to report. Its off to Asunción tomorrow for a few days then back by Friday (hopefully) for my women´s committee meeting. Please let me know what´s going on with all of you!!
Mostly though, I´ve been playing a lot of volei! (a.k.a. volleyball) We put in a court in front of my house and try to play daily, but last week we put in a new court at my host mom´s family´s house and it is SWEET! Juan and I spent HOURS working on it and I have pictures to prove our lovely work, but those will be posted a later day. Juan cut down all of these trees and then we made the court outlines and took out all the grass to expose the soft turf underneath. It´s SO much better than my court, but they live about 20km from my house, so I def see a lot more of my own field. No matter where I´m play, it´s great exercise!
The women´s committee is coming along nicely. I´m meeting with the director of the Ministry of Agriculture today. We met two weeks ago too and he´s a really nice guy that has known a lot of volunteers of the years. There are a lot of funds out there to help with committees like mine because my community is so poor. This is great news and horrible news. My ladies think I´m just going to find a project completely free of work on their part. Not likely! The main reason they´re coming to meetings (p.s. I´m up to 37 ladies!) is because they want chicken coops. Why do they want chicken coops? Because another women´s committee down the street has them! This is pretty much how everyone operates here. They want to be exactly like their neighbors in every way possible! Well, this particular committee has been together for almost 7 years. Their president is an amazing woman who is very outgoing and busted ass for 6 years to get them where they are today. And my ladies think they´ll get the same type of project with zero effort. NOT HARDLY!
Another idea that will become a reality is ao´poi classes for women and jr. high/high school aged young ladies. Ao´poi is pretty awesome and a tradition only in PY. Its hand woven designs, that are woven into a fabric that is light and airy. MY idea though is to have them export to the US! I´m doing this apart from the women´s committee because the President is being difficult. She´s not interested in doing it herself, but I´d say a strong 50% (or more!) want to do it. On top of that, I got a professor to come for free and teach us (I said "us" because you can be sure I´m learning too!), so besides paying her gas to get here, it´s a great opportunity! If YOU are interested in having your very own ao´poi from MY community, or know of somewhere they could be sold, let me know! Here are some samples (just copy and paste)... And please remember that we will be making it ALL by hand, so we can make it to fit just you if you want to give your measurements!
more modern styles:
http://images.google.com.py/imgres?imgurl=http://www.catedral.com.py/img/productos/dama/BLUSA1227_pantalon_864_p.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.catedral.com.py/productos-damas.php&h=141&w=94&sz=7&hl=es&start=14&um=1&tbnid=Y8LMb9ZIhLX8UM:&tbnh=94&tbnw=63&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%2522ao%2Bpoi%2522%26um%3D1%26hl%3Des%26lr%3D%26sa%3DX
males:
http://images.google.com.py/imgres?imgurl=http://www.catedral.com.py/img/productos/dama/BLUSA1227_pantalon_864_p.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.catedral.com.py/productos-damas.php&h=141&w=94&sz=7&hl=es&start=14&um=1&tbnid=Y8LMb9ZIhLX8UM:&tbnh=94&tbnw=63&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%2522ao%2Bpoi%2522%26um%3D1%26hl%3Des%26lr%3D%26sa%3DX
Table clothes or other things like that can also be adapted. NOW EXCEPTING ORDERS!
What else? What else?
The coop is pretty much not a part of my life. Luckily, I have a two day Peace Corps sponsored meeting with my contact this week. I´m hoping that this will get my work finally started. I literally haven´t done a thing for my coop, and I´d really like it to be the bulk of my work! I have a lot of ideas, but no one to really talk it through with. That´s the job of my contact, but his bro is running for Gov right now so on top of all the regular work he has, he´s also campaigning a bit. The good news though is that if his bro wins, my coop and community could possibly transform into many great things. We´ll see what happens though. (Election Day here is April 20)
We did have an interesting meeting a few weeks ago though. We had people from all over South American come to our coop because some org claims ours is a model for all coops. NOT! But, that´s ok. The sponsoring organization is from the US, so there were Americans too. I found it a little difficult to talk about my work and life without using Spanish words, which gave me a little self entertainment. I got a few business cards and hope to keep up with this group. I didn´t really understand what they did before, but now that I realize their website is in English too, I´m golden!
Not much else to report. Its off to Asunción tomorrow for a few days then back by Friday (hopefully) for my women´s committee meeting. Please let me know what´s going on with all of you!!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
update´i
Yes, another span of many weeks since my last blog yet again. Sorry world!
I´ve had lots of visitors lately and have more coming my way today. The Director of PC Paraguay, Michael, came by for an afternoon with our new Director of Security, Gustavo. They wanted to see what campo life was like from a security perspective, and quickly discovered no problems where I live! We sent them off with a big crate of delicious pineapples, so they were happy as clams.
The very next week, my new boss visited. His name is Fernando and he´s a really nice guy. Its been hard not having a boss for the past 3-4 months, but Fernando is hitting the ground running! He and our coordinator Chris (a volunteer that stays on for an extra year to work in Asunción with our my coop/municipality group) also enjoyed my community. We had a good meeting with my coop president, VP, tresurer, and my contact. I asked Fernando and Chris to remind my coop boys that I´m not here to work by myself, I´m here to work WITH them. Since then, they´ve been a little better about including me in on conversations regarding the coop, which I appreciate.
Speaking of my coop, we´re moving right along! We recently bought land in Guayaibi, which is about 11km (7ish miles) from our current "office," and have hopes to develop a credit and savings extention of the coop within the next 2-3 years. There are no banks in Guayaibi, so this could be a huge opportunity for us! The only problem? We don´t know a thing about credits! Our members get money for their pineapple and banana only, and its from a 3rd party. In fact, we can´t even get some of our members to pay that 3rd party back! I´m hoping they´ll let me help them plan this out a little and we can start a system of credits and savings where I live first as a test model. We´ll see what happens though!
The coop has had a lot of problems with keeping accountants. One was killed in a tragic car accident, so we retrieved everything from his home in Santani (about 40km from where we live) and hired a new lady that lives about 3 hours away. As you may infer, the education system is so poor that its very hard to find qualified people locally. This woman was kind of sketchy by my standards. Late 20s but dressed like a 14 year old. She worked for one week and the coop paid her 2.000.000 Gs which is more than a lot of people make in 2 MONTHS of work! She hit on socios and my family members. Then to top it off, one random Sunday she was at the treasurer´s house (my host dad´s) at 7am to ask for a loan from the coop. A loan for what? Not too sure, but because my guys didn´t want to say no, they gave her some cash. Now, no one can get in touch with her. She has information we need to pass onto another accountant if she´s not working with us longer, but she´s MIA. But honestly, that´s Paraguay for you! They´re probably the #1 country in being sneaky business associates! Today we´re hoping to find yet another replacement. What a mess!
English class has been going well, although I canceled call last Thursday due to Valentine´s Day and yesterday as well because I´ve got a headcold and can barely think. But my girls are enjoying themselves. They know all about family, colors, numbers, and body parts. I´m hoping to hold a more formal class starting next month. The first day of school for kids here is Monday, but again... the education system is so tarrible that they won´t start learning quite yet. The teachers will make them clean the school, although my family, a few neighbors, and I cleaned the yard at least. Normally, they just let it get overgrown for 3 months and make the kids do all the work. Its horrible!
Speaking of education, and maybe I´m so interested in it because mom, dad and Carolyn all started out as teachers, but I digress... I was recently helping a friend of mine that´s studying to be a teacher. She was working from a social science book published in 1980. The world has changed so much since then! She was also given an assignment to present to the class the boarders of Central American countries. BUT she´d NEVER seen a map before and there was hardly anything in her textbook. I gave her my world map and taughter her how to use it. But seriously, the teachers aren´t trained well so of course the children aren´t either. DISASTER!
I finally got my women´s group of the ground as well. Meeting #1 was a hit when you consider how many ladies showed up (25!!!!) but a miss when it came to communication. I´ve kind of been a bad volunteer and put the guarani studies on the back burner, and it showed! Afterwards, my host dad told me the following week wouldn´t be as successful because women don´t know how to go to meetings. I was all confident thinking he was just being an ignorant male and that women can do it just as well as men, but he was right! Last Saturday, meeting #2, I had a whopping 5 women. Afterwards, my host dad couldn´t wait to give me the I-told-you-so talk. He clarified that women have no patience here, but I also can´t do a women´s committee if no one wants to participate to get the ball rolling. I´ll give it another shot this Saturday of course, so wish me luck!
Tonight I´ll be hosting 10-15 volunteers from our area. We´ll be cramped in my house, but it´s a good opportunity to network and share ideas. I hope that I can travel a little and do some business "consulting" in other communities as well. I´m fixing 5 pizzas for lunch and burgers (and soy burgers) for dinner. I´m looking forward to hosting, but will it really be fun if I can´t make that famous spinach dip??? Then I´m hoping to hit the volleyball court down the street for some friendly competition. Should def. be fun!
Our radio station will also start in two days. They could only give us a 30 minute slot on Friday mornings, but I´m hoping once we build some street cred and everyone wants to listen to the Nortes, then we can get more airtime. But we´ll see!
I guess I went on a date Sunday? Its really popular for young people to go to what I would call a "swimmin´ hole." (That phrase just reminded everyone I´m from West Virginia I think!) Anyway, Juan and I went and brought along his fun 18 year old sister and a girlfriend of his brother. We drank beer, played some serious 2-on-2 volleyball (and yes, Juan and I DOMINATED. They thought I had never played before, but clearly they don´t know about my days as a Hamilton Jr. High Wildcat!) We then, fully clothed of course, went swimming. I didn´t see one girl in a bathing suit! Most Paraguayans don´t really know how to swim since its a landlocked country and pools aren´t popular, but it was HILARIOUS to watch them try. Watching Juan was like watching Zach Braff in Garden State. Good clean entertainment! We´re already making plans for this weekend and have vowed to play more volley. Rumor has it that my grandma has an extra net in her house somewhere, and if we can find it, we´re going to install it right in my front yard. Where´s Carl Harnish when you need him?
That´s pretty much all to report for now! In March I have a meeting with my contact in Asunción, so that should be helpful for work purposes. I´m also hoping to have a bit of a birthday bash mixing my American buds with Paraguayan amigos in April. Maybe even Kyle Bohman will make it for the festivities! Then its Brazil in May with Mom and Costa Rica in July with Dad. Time is FLYING! The end of Feb is actually 9 months. CRAZINESS!
Here are the currents...
BOOK: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (although I also read Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold and Extremely Loud and Incredibily Close by Jonathan Safran Foer recently too)
MUSIC: the iPod has been on shuffle for a long time...
GUARANI: adding ´i to anything means that it´s small. For example, roga´i is a little house (roga=house), mita´i (little kid), tomate´i (little tomato), etc.
Thanks for always thinking of me folks, because I think of you guys all the time!!
I´ve had lots of visitors lately and have more coming my way today. The Director of PC Paraguay, Michael, came by for an afternoon with our new Director of Security, Gustavo. They wanted to see what campo life was like from a security perspective, and quickly discovered no problems where I live! We sent them off with a big crate of delicious pineapples, so they were happy as clams.
The very next week, my new boss visited. His name is Fernando and he´s a really nice guy. Its been hard not having a boss for the past 3-4 months, but Fernando is hitting the ground running! He and our coordinator Chris (a volunteer that stays on for an extra year to work in Asunción with our my coop/municipality group) also enjoyed my community. We had a good meeting with my coop president, VP, tresurer, and my contact. I asked Fernando and Chris to remind my coop boys that I´m not here to work by myself, I´m here to work WITH them. Since then, they´ve been a little better about including me in on conversations regarding the coop, which I appreciate.
Speaking of my coop, we´re moving right along! We recently bought land in Guayaibi, which is about 11km (7ish miles) from our current "office," and have hopes to develop a credit and savings extention of the coop within the next 2-3 years. There are no banks in Guayaibi, so this could be a huge opportunity for us! The only problem? We don´t know a thing about credits! Our members get money for their pineapple and banana only, and its from a 3rd party. In fact, we can´t even get some of our members to pay that 3rd party back! I´m hoping they´ll let me help them plan this out a little and we can start a system of credits and savings where I live first as a test model. We´ll see what happens though!
The coop has had a lot of problems with keeping accountants. One was killed in a tragic car accident, so we retrieved everything from his home in Santani (about 40km from where we live) and hired a new lady that lives about 3 hours away. As you may infer, the education system is so poor that its very hard to find qualified people locally. This woman was kind of sketchy by my standards. Late 20s but dressed like a 14 year old. She worked for one week and the coop paid her 2.000.000 Gs which is more than a lot of people make in 2 MONTHS of work! She hit on socios and my family members. Then to top it off, one random Sunday she was at the treasurer´s house (my host dad´s) at 7am to ask for a loan from the coop. A loan for what? Not too sure, but because my guys didn´t want to say no, they gave her some cash. Now, no one can get in touch with her. She has information we need to pass onto another accountant if she´s not working with us longer, but she´s MIA. But honestly, that´s Paraguay for you! They´re probably the #1 country in being sneaky business associates! Today we´re hoping to find yet another replacement. What a mess!
English class has been going well, although I canceled call last Thursday due to Valentine´s Day and yesterday as well because I´ve got a headcold and can barely think. But my girls are enjoying themselves. They know all about family, colors, numbers, and body parts. I´m hoping to hold a more formal class starting next month. The first day of school for kids here is Monday, but again... the education system is so tarrible that they won´t start learning quite yet. The teachers will make them clean the school, although my family, a few neighbors, and I cleaned the yard at least. Normally, they just let it get overgrown for 3 months and make the kids do all the work. Its horrible!
Speaking of education, and maybe I´m so interested in it because mom, dad and Carolyn all started out as teachers, but I digress... I was recently helping a friend of mine that´s studying to be a teacher. She was working from a social science book published in 1980. The world has changed so much since then! She was also given an assignment to present to the class the boarders of Central American countries. BUT she´d NEVER seen a map before and there was hardly anything in her textbook. I gave her my world map and taughter her how to use it. But seriously, the teachers aren´t trained well so of course the children aren´t either. DISASTER!
I finally got my women´s group of the ground as well. Meeting #1 was a hit when you consider how many ladies showed up (25!!!!) but a miss when it came to communication. I´ve kind of been a bad volunteer and put the guarani studies on the back burner, and it showed! Afterwards, my host dad told me the following week wouldn´t be as successful because women don´t know how to go to meetings. I was all confident thinking he was just being an ignorant male and that women can do it just as well as men, but he was right! Last Saturday, meeting #2, I had a whopping 5 women. Afterwards, my host dad couldn´t wait to give me the I-told-you-so talk. He clarified that women have no patience here, but I also can´t do a women´s committee if no one wants to participate to get the ball rolling. I´ll give it another shot this Saturday of course, so wish me luck!
Tonight I´ll be hosting 10-15 volunteers from our area. We´ll be cramped in my house, but it´s a good opportunity to network and share ideas. I hope that I can travel a little and do some business "consulting" in other communities as well. I´m fixing 5 pizzas for lunch and burgers (and soy burgers) for dinner. I´m looking forward to hosting, but will it really be fun if I can´t make that famous spinach dip??? Then I´m hoping to hit the volleyball court down the street for some friendly competition. Should def. be fun!
Our radio station will also start in two days. They could only give us a 30 minute slot on Friday mornings, but I´m hoping once we build some street cred and everyone wants to listen to the Nortes, then we can get more airtime. But we´ll see!
I guess I went on a date Sunday? Its really popular for young people to go to what I would call a "swimmin´ hole." (That phrase just reminded everyone I´m from West Virginia I think!) Anyway, Juan and I went and brought along his fun 18 year old sister and a girlfriend of his brother. We drank beer, played some serious 2-on-2 volleyball (and yes, Juan and I DOMINATED. They thought I had never played before, but clearly they don´t know about my days as a Hamilton Jr. High Wildcat!) We then, fully clothed of course, went swimming. I didn´t see one girl in a bathing suit! Most Paraguayans don´t really know how to swim since its a landlocked country and pools aren´t popular, but it was HILARIOUS to watch them try. Watching Juan was like watching Zach Braff in Garden State. Good clean entertainment! We´re already making plans for this weekend and have vowed to play more volley. Rumor has it that my grandma has an extra net in her house somewhere, and if we can find it, we´re going to install it right in my front yard. Where´s Carl Harnish when you need him?
That´s pretty much all to report for now! In March I have a meeting with my contact in Asunción, so that should be helpful for work purposes. I´m also hoping to have a bit of a birthday bash mixing my American buds with Paraguayan amigos in April. Maybe even Kyle Bohman will make it for the festivities! Then its Brazil in May with Mom and Costa Rica in July with Dad. Time is FLYING! The end of Feb is actually 9 months. CRAZINESS!
Here are the currents...
BOOK: The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (although I also read Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold and Extremely Loud and Incredibily Close by Jonathan Safran Foer recently too)
MUSIC: the iPod has been on shuffle for a long time...
GUARANI: adding ´i to anything means that it´s small. For example, roga´i is a little house (roga=house), mita´i (little kid), tomate´i (little tomato), etc.
Thanks for always thinking of me folks, because I think of you guys all the time!!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Rainy days and little activity
My dad called the other morning and mentioned that I hadn´t written in my blog for quite some time. “I guess you´re kind of bored and nothing exciting is happening?” he asked, and to be honest… he´s totally right! Its been completely tranquillo here due to the holidays, and I´m sorry I don´t have more enthralling adventures to report!
We did kill a pig for New Years which was pretty great. It was my second pig killing, but after you get over the shock of your first... the second is kind of fun! I´ve still refused to take an active roll in cutting anything, but I did get some fantastic pictures! I told them the next time, I´m all in so we´ll see if they remember.
Other than that it´s just been kind of rainy, and when it rains the world stops. I used to think that was horrible, but I LOVE IT! It gives me a great excuse to be a little lazy and just stay in bed and catch up on some reading if I feel like it.
I will have my first visitor next month!! I´m really excited that my great former (and perhaps future some day?) roommate is making his way down from his new home in Florida! I wish I could tell you that Kyle and I just can´t live without each other, and although that is somewhat true, he actually works for American Airlines and its a lot easier (and cheaper!) for him to fly down. He´s promised many visits while I´m here, so let´s make sure he keeps his word!
My other fantastic roommate from college, Emily, is also joining the Peace Corps family in February. She´s moving to Malawi, Africa to be in their Environmental Education program. I´m slightly jealous because Malawi is right next to Mozambique where our good friend Zachery Scott is a Peace Corps Non-governmental organization AIDS volunteer. I tell Emily that she´ll have a great time, but who knows what Africa is like? I love it down here, and we´ll all just have to stay posted to her adventure too.
As for work, my 3 other PC neighbors and I managed to get a free show out of the biggest radio station in my area. We´re planning to start next month. It will be a one hour show where we´ll talk about everything from global warming to what´s going on in our neighborhoods. We´ll play any kind of music we want (although I don´t think Paraguayans are ready for any of the Microwave Mixes, right Cathy?) and we just chose our theme song. Don´t judge, because its totally musically based, but it´s Destiny Child´s Bootylicious! Should be a lot of fun, and if you plan on visiting... also plan on being on the show with us!
I´m doing two, 8 day youth camps as well. The days I´ve planned all by myself involve appreciation for nature and trees. I figured that would be more appropriate since kids between 5 and 11 probably don´t want to talk about computerized accounting methods or marketing tactics!
I recently made a trip to Asunción and trekked home with 8 packages! A BIG thank you to Dad and Carolyn, Laurie Sheldon and her family, Stephie, Nicole, Uncle Dave and Aunt Mary Jane. I absolutely loved each pacakge and my family and neighborhood kids were equally excited! Thank you guys for always thinking of me, and as usual... keep them coming! They brighten my weeks! But I am sad to report to Kely that the puppy he sent has not yet made it. I hope it makes it, but it´s been in that box for over a month now!
I´ve been hanging out more with my host mom´s brother, Juan. He´s the one that has been interested since my first weekend here, so we´ll see where things go. He´s a really good guy, and it´s just so typically West Virginian that I may eventually be romantically involved with my “uncle,” right?
Well I´m on coop duty right now so I at least better look like I´m working on coop related activities. Blogs are first though! I love and miss you all. Please continue the emails, phone calls and packages!
PICTURES UPDATED TOO!
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2280806390102107902moXAVH?vhost=good-times
We did kill a pig for New Years which was pretty great. It was my second pig killing, but after you get over the shock of your first... the second is kind of fun! I´ve still refused to take an active roll in cutting anything, but I did get some fantastic pictures! I told them the next time, I´m all in so we´ll see if they remember.
Other than that it´s just been kind of rainy, and when it rains the world stops. I used to think that was horrible, but I LOVE IT! It gives me a great excuse to be a little lazy and just stay in bed and catch up on some reading if I feel like it.
I will have my first visitor next month!! I´m really excited that my great former (and perhaps future some day?) roommate is making his way down from his new home in Florida! I wish I could tell you that Kyle and I just can´t live without each other, and although that is somewhat true, he actually works for American Airlines and its a lot easier (and cheaper!) for him to fly down. He´s promised many visits while I´m here, so let´s make sure he keeps his word!
My other fantastic roommate from college, Emily, is also joining the Peace Corps family in February. She´s moving to Malawi, Africa to be in their Environmental Education program. I´m slightly jealous because Malawi is right next to Mozambique where our good friend Zachery Scott is a Peace Corps Non-governmental organization AIDS volunteer. I tell Emily that she´ll have a great time, but who knows what Africa is like? I love it down here, and we´ll all just have to stay posted to her adventure too.
As for work, my 3 other PC neighbors and I managed to get a free show out of the biggest radio station in my area. We´re planning to start next month. It will be a one hour show where we´ll talk about everything from global warming to what´s going on in our neighborhoods. We´ll play any kind of music we want (although I don´t think Paraguayans are ready for any of the Microwave Mixes, right Cathy?) and we just chose our theme song. Don´t judge, because its totally musically based, but it´s Destiny Child´s Bootylicious! Should be a lot of fun, and if you plan on visiting... also plan on being on the show with us!
I´m doing two, 8 day youth camps as well. The days I´ve planned all by myself involve appreciation for nature and trees. I figured that would be more appropriate since kids between 5 and 11 probably don´t want to talk about computerized accounting methods or marketing tactics!
I recently made a trip to Asunción and trekked home with 8 packages! A BIG thank you to Dad and Carolyn, Laurie Sheldon and her family, Stephie, Nicole, Uncle Dave and Aunt Mary Jane. I absolutely loved each pacakge and my family and neighborhood kids were equally excited! Thank you guys for always thinking of me, and as usual... keep them coming! They brighten my weeks! But I am sad to report to Kely that the puppy he sent has not yet made it. I hope it makes it, but it´s been in that box for over a month now!
I´ve been hanging out more with my host mom´s brother, Juan. He´s the one that has been interested since my first weekend here, so we´ll see where things go. He´s a really good guy, and it´s just so typically West Virginian that I may eventually be romantically involved with my “uncle,” right?
Well I´m on coop duty right now so I at least better look like I´m working on coop related activities. Blogs are first though! I love and miss you all. Please continue the emails, phone calls and packages!
PICTURES UPDATED TOO!
http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2280806390102107902moXAVH?vhost=good-times
Friday, December 28, 2007
picture update!
One, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Two, I have a ton of pictures but Webshots has given me a headache for the past month trying to upload just a few! After a many frustrated hours spent here, I finally got a few up. They don´t have captions though... so here´s a recap.
There is a picture of traditional PYan dance and attire. (little sister Romina in the middle)
If Romina has white on or people are in rain gear, it was at her end of the school reception. She got #1 student in her class for the third year in a row! As a reward, her parents bought her a COMPUTER! She is hands down the only almost 9 year old in the campo in the ENTIRE country to get a computer!
Christmas celerbations here happen Christmas Eve. You stay up until midnight drinking beer and then set off fireworks, give everyone hugs and kisses, eat a big meal and go to bed. If you want to have love in the next year, you wear red. I wore a little to humor them.
Its also pineapple time so there is one pictures of the 18-wheeler that pulled in to take our pineapples to Argentina.
Also a few other comic pics like Yoni getting his head stuck in a chair and their version of deocrating for Christmas. Not at ALL like ours!
Love you guys and shoot me an email and let me know you were holidays were swell!
Paraguay Tres
OR
http://travel.webshots.com/album/561913931RaouaE?vhost=travel&start=12
Two, I have a ton of pictures but Webshots has given me a headache for the past month trying to upload just a few! After a many frustrated hours spent here, I finally got a few up. They don´t have captions though... so here´s a recap.
There is a picture of traditional PYan dance and attire. (little sister Romina in the middle)
If Romina has white on or people are in rain gear, it was at her end of the school reception. She got #1 student in her class for the third year in a row! As a reward, her parents bought her a COMPUTER! She is hands down the only almost 9 year old in the campo in the ENTIRE country to get a computer!
Christmas celerbations here happen Christmas Eve. You stay up until midnight drinking beer and then set off fireworks, give everyone hugs and kisses, eat a big meal and go to bed. If you want to have love in the next year, you wear red. I wore a little to humor them.
Its also pineapple time so there is one pictures of the 18-wheeler that pulled in to take our pineapples to Argentina.
Also a few other comic pics like Yoni getting his head stuck in a chair and their version of deocrating for Christmas. Not at ALL like ours!
Love you guys and shoot me an email and let me know you were holidays were swell!
Paraguay Tres
OR
http://travel.webshots.com/album/561913931RaouaE?vhost=travel&start=12
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Saludos a Todos!
Well crew, it’s been a few weeks and I apologize for leaving you on the edge of your seat! I mean, what kind of crazy, wonderful, awkward things are going on in PY with Beva?? No worries, its update time for all of you bloggers!
I was away from site for 12 days… which was fun and exhausting. Every year Peace Corps organizes a Thanksgiving weekend for all the volunteers. The festivity is always held at a great hotel in the southern part of the country, near Encarnación. The place completely reminded me of Jackson’s Mill in West Virginia, but with 3 pools and no bunk beds. But regardless of my student council flashbacks, it was a lot of fun. It was kind of like Animal House meets Earnest Goes to Camp. Whenever you get 130ish Nortes together with swimming, a Thanksgiving meal American style (I must report, no pumpkin roll though!), and a little bit of booze you’re bound to have an outstanding 48 hours. PC Paraguay delivered as usual, and since my group just hit our 6 month mark in country, it was definitely time for a reunion/vacation. I’m already looking forward to next year’s!
Being away from site for that long though, and speaking that much English, quickly took its toll on me. I love being with my friends and having the freedom to be Betsy (as opposed to be Beva, which is less outspoken and a little more wholesome than the Betsy you all know and love), but my life is here. My life is working within my community, studying and practicing the languages, and trying to figure out how I can help my neighbors improve their lives in a sustainable manner. A lot of my friends living in larger cities have no qualms leaving for a few days at a time because when they return, almost no one noticed they were out. I, however, live in very tiny, closely interwoven community. I’m gone for one morning and people start to ask questions! It’s hard to get back in the swing of things too. Language alone leaves me rapidly, not to mention potential projects and future plans discussed with community members that are forgotten after about 7 days if I’m not around. With that said, I probably won’t head back into Asunción until a required meeting with my bosses toward the end of January. It’s expensive and mentally taxing to leave, and for that… I’m sticking around for a long while!
Speaking of projects, I currently have a lot on my plate. Well, it isn’t on my plate quite yet so perhaps I should say I’m preparing to have a lot on my plate! Being a bit of an overachiever (just a bit, right??), I have a lot more planned for my two years, but I also don’t want to look around to see my hand in too many pots and many different activities not getting full attention. But to start it off lightly, I’ve got English classes for 2 hours, 2 days a week. The first class is this coming Tuesday, and I know I should have about 4 girls. If more kids show up, I’ll probably teach more classes. They’ll learn much better when I can give them more attention. Also, next Thursday I’ll have my first women’s committee meeting. I’m super excited about this one because I’ve wanted to do it since I stepped on PYan soil! The hardest thing with getting it off the ground is convincing the women that I’m not their boss and I don’t know more than them. It is their community and their committee, I’m just here to observe and help where I can. I’ve discussed potential projects with enough women that I know we’re going to start out talking about nutrition and making a good garden, and also cooking classes. I’d like to move onto an income generating project, but that will depend on interests. We just hit the peak of pineapple season here though, so if you have any good pineapple recipes… email them my way please! My nearest PC neighbors (Gariety—health, and Sam—education) and I will be starting a radio show on January 11. For those of you that can turn into Gauyaibi 100.7, be sure to listen Fridays from 7-8am (Although I don’t think our station has made it into PodCasts or Satelite Radio just yet! You can always call Steve Jobs and request it be added though!) The radio show will be fun and it will give us a great opportunity to talk about an array of topics from our sectors of business, health, and education, to more taboo topics like condom use, AIDS, gender and development, diversity including race and sexual preference such as homosexuality. Lots going on, but I still haven’t even touched my real interest which is the coop… but I think I’ve got some tricks up my sleeve for them still too!
Christmas and New Years Eve plans have yet to be determined. Pretty sure I´ll stick around here for Christmas because I want to see how they celebrate. Basically its nothing like ours from what I hear. Not a lot of gifts, NO Christmas tree, and a few pathetic lights here or there on a house. Should be interesting! I´d kind of like to be with my friends for NYE, but we´ll see. I´m kind of poor, so I´ll just probably make that call the week of.
There’s a little something that PY is famous for; it’s called chisme (pronounced: cheese-may) and it can be fun or damning, or both!. Chisme is basically rumors, and we’ve all been in 8th grade. We know some rumors are legit, and some rumors are just so people have something to talk about. I was recently clumped into the latter of the groups. I’ve been here in Guayaibi for a solid 3.5 months. I love my family here, and they have all taken me in as one of their own. Pablino and Raquel, although they are young parents themselves, have played all roles in my life from being my confidants and business contacts, to bug killers when my room is infested with wasps, and even mom and dad when they think I’m showing a little too much leg at a coop meeting. That’s why I was slightly overwhelmed when Raquel told me she heard some chisme among the other mom’s at school. Unbeknownst to me, these mothers claim that I’ve been having an affair with her husband, Pablino. I mean, REALLY? At least give me a cute member of my coop that is at well under the age of 35. But I quickly calmed as it wasn’t an interrogation session. Raquel knows better than anyone that it’s just not true. I spend the majority of my days with her, and speak mostly business or jokes with Pablino. I don’t think he’s heard the rumors, because she and I share everything practically and only about 15% makes it to Pablino. And past that, I’m a complete oddity in this community. They’re going to be talking about me regardless, and if some want to associate me with one of my 50 male, coop members, then naturally it would be the one that is closest in proximity and friendship. I can only wait to see what more chisme they can dream up over the next 21 months!
Paraguay also has a tradition previously mentioned in a former blog entry: dating days. Oh yes… every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday a boy will go over and drink terere (the weird weed like powdery mix I love and will never be able to live without after 2 years of Peace Corps!) with the girl’s family. This pretty much goes on for years until they get married. The potential couple is NEVER left alone, and if mom and pap don’t like the boy… he takes a hike! Well, I guess we could say I had my first potential suitor this week. I didn’t even realize it was Tuesday, but he came to Raquel’s asking if the Americana was around to drink terere. Like a good momma, she set us up and let us chat while she supervised from our outdoor kitchen. And the best thing? Not Raquel, Pablino (who actually works with the guy getting loans for land he’s developing next to our house!), nor myself know the poor young man’s name! He never asked me and I never asked him, so he’s just a mystery wannabe boyfriend! The whole thing made me laugh inside, although I showed him respect and chilled for a while drinking our mostly grass-like terere. Poor soul… we’ll see if he comes back, I don’t think I’m interested señor!
Big shout out to my care package masters! Mom, Cathy, Ming, Laurie Sheldon (Kely’s mom), Mary-David and George all win some major cool points! I mean, there are few things sweeter than knowing people care about you enough to send you goodies! Nicely done to all of you, although I think Cathy’s winning the record. She’s a little nutty for sending one 12lbs package followed by a 21lbs package internationally, but dammit do I love her! Please keep them coming because I can always use more things. With upcoming projects, I’m in need of more supply-like materials… so if you want to get a box together, shoot me an email. Thanks again for everything! Postcards are cool too… I ALWAYS need things to remind me of the states!
As for the favorites of the week…
BOOK: A Widow for One Year by John Irving (I’m kind of on an Irving kick)
ALBUM: Sam’s Town by The Killers… I couldn’t just pick one song this time!
AWKWARD MOMENT: thinking an 8 year old was talking about my varicose veins (thanks mom!) when really she was being secretive asking her mom if my shorts were cut by a pair of scissors (Nike made them that way!!)
REVELATION: Rio in May with mom, so look out world… I’m going to be bikini ready!
GUARANI WORD: kaigue (pronounced ka-ee-guay) which means without energy.
I’m without energy: Che kaigue
You’re without energy: Nde kaigue
He/she is without energy: Ikaigue
I was away from site for 12 days… which was fun and exhausting. Every year Peace Corps organizes a Thanksgiving weekend for all the volunteers. The festivity is always held at a great hotel in the southern part of the country, near Encarnación. The place completely reminded me of Jackson’s Mill in West Virginia, but with 3 pools and no bunk beds. But regardless of my student council flashbacks, it was a lot of fun. It was kind of like Animal House meets Earnest Goes to Camp. Whenever you get 130ish Nortes together with swimming, a Thanksgiving meal American style (I must report, no pumpkin roll though!), and a little bit of booze you’re bound to have an outstanding 48 hours. PC Paraguay delivered as usual, and since my group just hit our 6 month mark in country, it was definitely time for a reunion/vacation. I’m already looking forward to next year’s!
Being away from site for that long though, and speaking that much English, quickly took its toll on me. I love being with my friends and having the freedom to be Betsy (as opposed to be Beva, which is less outspoken and a little more wholesome than the Betsy you all know and love), but my life is here. My life is working within my community, studying and practicing the languages, and trying to figure out how I can help my neighbors improve their lives in a sustainable manner. A lot of my friends living in larger cities have no qualms leaving for a few days at a time because when they return, almost no one noticed they were out. I, however, live in very tiny, closely interwoven community. I’m gone for one morning and people start to ask questions! It’s hard to get back in the swing of things too. Language alone leaves me rapidly, not to mention potential projects and future plans discussed with community members that are forgotten after about 7 days if I’m not around. With that said, I probably won’t head back into Asunción until a required meeting with my bosses toward the end of January. It’s expensive and mentally taxing to leave, and for that… I’m sticking around for a long while!
Speaking of projects, I currently have a lot on my plate. Well, it isn’t on my plate quite yet so perhaps I should say I’m preparing to have a lot on my plate! Being a bit of an overachiever (just a bit, right??), I have a lot more planned for my two years, but I also don’t want to look around to see my hand in too many pots and many different activities not getting full attention. But to start it off lightly, I’ve got English classes for 2 hours, 2 days a week. The first class is this coming Tuesday, and I know I should have about 4 girls. If more kids show up, I’ll probably teach more classes. They’ll learn much better when I can give them more attention. Also, next Thursday I’ll have my first women’s committee meeting. I’m super excited about this one because I’ve wanted to do it since I stepped on PYan soil! The hardest thing with getting it off the ground is convincing the women that I’m not their boss and I don’t know more than them. It is their community and their committee, I’m just here to observe and help where I can. I’ve discussed potential projects with enough women that I know we’re going to start out talking about nutrition and making a good garden, and also cooking classes. I’d like to move onto an income generating project, but that will depend on interests. We just hit the peak of pineapple season here though, so if you have any good pineapple recipes… email them my way please! My nearest PC neighbors (Gariety—health, and Sam—education) and I will be starting a radio show on January 11. For those of you that can turn into Gauyaibi 100.7, be sure to listen Fridays from 7-8am (Although I don’t think our station has made it into PodCasts or Satelite Radio just yet! You can always call Steve Jobs and request it be added though!) The radio show will be fun and it will give us a great opportunity to talk about an array of topics from our sectors of business, health, and education, to more taboo topics like condom use, AIDS, gender and development, diversity including race and sexual preference such as homosexuality. Lots going on, but I still haven’t even touched my real interest which is the coop… but I think I’ve got some tricks up my sleeve for them still too!
Christmas and New Years Eve plans have yet to be determined. Pretty sure I´ll stick around here for Christmas because I want to see how they celebrate. Basically its nothing like ours from what I hear. Not a lot of gifts, NO Christmas tree, and a few pathetic lights here or there on a house. Should be interesting! I´d kind of like to be with my friends for NYE, but we´ll see. I´m kind of poor, so I´ll just probably make that call the week of.
There’s a little something that PY is famous for; it’s called chisme (pronounced: cheese-may) and it can be fun or damning, or both!. Chisme is basically rumors, and we’ve all been in 8th grade. We know some rumors are legit, and some rumors are just so people have something to talk about. I was recently clumped into the latter of the groups. I’ve been here in Guayaibi for a solid 3.5 months. I love my family here, and they have all taken me in as one of their own. Pablino and Raquel, although they are young parents themselves, have played all roles in my life from being my confidants and business contacts, to bug killers when my room is infested with wasps, and even mom and dad when they think I’m showing a little too much leg at a coop meeting. That’s why I was slightly overwhelmed when Raquel told me she heard some chisme among the other mom’s at school. Unbeknownst to me, these mothers claim that I’ve been having an affair with her husband, Pablino. I mean, REALLY? At least give me a cute member of my coop that is at well under the age of 35. But I quickly calmed as it wasn’t an interrogation session. Raquel knows better than anyone that it’s just not true. I spend the majority of my days with her, and speak mostly business or jokes with Pablino. I don’t think he’s heard the rumors, because she and I share everything practically and only about 15% makes it to Pablino. And past that, I’m a complete oddity in this community. They’re going to be talking about me regardless, and if some want to associate me with one of my 50 male, coop members, then naturally it would be the one that is closest in proximity and friendship. I can only wait to see what more chisme they can dream up over the next 21 months!
Paraguay also has a tradition previously mentioned in a former blog entry: dating days. Oh yes… every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday a boy will go over and drink terere (the weird weed like powdery mix I love and will never be able to live without after 2 years of Peace Corps!) with the girl’s family. This pretty much goes on for years until they get married. The potential couple is NEVER left alone, and if mom and pap don’t like the boy… he takes a hike! Well, I guess we could say I had my first potential suitor this week. I didn’t even realize it was Tuesday, but he came to Raquel’s asking if the Americana was around to drink terere. Like a good momma, she set us up and let us chat while she supervised from our outdoor kitchen. And the best thing? Not Raquel, Pablino (who actually works with the guy getting loans for land he’s developing next to our house!), nor myself know the poor young man’s name! He never asked me and I never asked him, so he’s just a mystery wannabe boyfriend! The whole thing made me laugh inside, although I showed him respect and chilled for a while drinking our mostly grass-like terere. Poor soul… we’ll see if he comes back, I don’t think I’m interested señor!
Big shout out to my care package masters! Mom, Cathy, Ming, Laurie Sheldon (Kely’s mom), Mary-David and George all win some major cool points! I mean, there are few things sweeter than knowing people care about you enough to send you goodies! Nicely done to all of you, although I think Cathy’s winning the record. She’s a little nutty for sending one 12lbs package followed by a 21lbs package internationally, but dammit do I love her! Please keep them coming because I can always use more things. With upcoming projects, I’m in need of more supply-like materials… so if you want to get a box together, shoot me an email. Thanks again for everything! Postcards are cool too… I ALWAYS need things to remind me of the states!
As for the favorites of the week…
BOOK: A Widow for One Year by John Irving (I’m kind of on an Irving kick)
ALBUM: Sam’s Town by The Killers… I couldn’t just pick one song this time!
AWKWARD MOMENT: thinking an 8 year old was talking about my varicose veins (thanks mom!) when really she was being secretive asking her mom if my shorts were cut by a pair of scissors (Nike made them that way!!)
REVELATION: Rio in May with mom, so look out world… I’m going to be bikini ready!
GUARANI WORD: kaigue (pronounced ka-ee-guay) which means without energy.
I’m without energy: Che kaigue
You’re without energy: Nde kaigue
He/she is without energy: Ikaigue
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