Saturday, March 31, 2012 - 2 comments

What Would You Like To Know?

I realize that my posts aren't very word heavy and focus more on showing off my adventures. So for future posts, I ask you, dear readers, what would you like to hear about from me and my experiences Nicaragua?
Friday, March 30, 2012 - , , , 3 comments

I'm an Official Peace Corps Volunteer!

Today we had our "juramentacion" or "swearing-in ceremony" and Peace Corps Nicaragua now has 19 new Community Health Volunteers! 
The ceremony was very nice; we had a special ceremony for our host families and all they did for us and after a short recess, we started the formal ceremony. After singing the Nicaraguan national anthem, and kind of butchering the US national anthem (ironic?), we introduced ourselves to our families, Peace Corps Nicaragua staff, and the rest of the audience with our names and where we are going. 
The director of MINSA said some words, as did the Charge D'Affaires of the US Embassy, and we then started a line of hand shaking to sign our Peace Corps commitment and receive our Volunteer pin! 
One of the girls in our group said some words about our experience thus far and what we should expect for our next two years, and after a closing speech by the Country Director, Carol, we all threw up our imaginary caps and tassels and became Volunteers!

We said our farewells to our host families, rested the afternoon and went to Carol's house later to have a lovely Italian feast with amazing food! 

 We are staying in Managua till the end of the weekend and then head off to our sites to start our service!

My madrecita and me. 

Dolores girls!

Don't mess with us.

Madrecita accepting her diploma of awesomeness with Hija #12.

Congratulations Nica 58: Healthy Lifestyles!

2 of the best Spanish facilitators!

Volunteer status!

With the Charge D'Affaires of the US Embassy, Gary Clements.

From Trainees to Volunteers!

Some of the group at dinner.

Sunday, March 11, 2012 - 2 comments
Walking down one of the roads in Jalapa to get some Eskimo.

Yeah, I can get used to this!

(PS: Jalapeño family has wifi! SCORE!)
Thursday, March 8, 2012 - 1 comments

JALAPA!

Yup I'm offically a Jalapeña for the next two years! Jalapa is one of the northern most cities in Nicaragua, in the department of Nueva Segovia, close to the border of Honduras. It's cool because not only does it remind me a lot like home, but there are NGOs FROM COLORADO that work here. Oh, and there's waterfalls, hiking, AND hot springs...just like home! Plus, Teotecacinte, another Nica city is the sister city of my hometown in Glenwood Springs, CO. Sweet action!


COME VISIT ME!
Saturday, March 3, 2012 - 1 comments

What is New?

Let's see... I went to Chinandega up north for a week for Practicum. Talk about hot! I learned a lot and realized that I have a knack for working with men's groups like the military and billiards tournaments.

I have also been having problems with my stomach essentially since day 1and though I have done two laboratory tests and they haven't found any parasites but since I've had diarreatic problems essentially the entire time we've been here the med office gave me a round of antibiotics for anti parasitic and anti bacterial. They're pretty fuerte and my stomach is feeling the effects of them. Only one more day!

On Monday, we find out where we are going to be living! That's exciting, too. I think I'm ready to start my service and start applying what I've learned!

Other than that, Nicaragua life is still going on and I'm enjoying every day of this experience!