Busy, busy

Where do I begin? I know it’s been awhile, but I’ve been busy. Who would of thought . . . busy. The word is relative really, but I have been running around like a crazy person. I would use the all time favorite phrase, “I’ve been running around like a chicken with her head cut off,” but that hits too close to home these days.

Anyway, let’s start from where I left off last. I went to the beach in Auachupan, called Barra de Santiago, with twenty something other volunteers from my group, to celebrate our first year in country and it was great. It took us Easterners two days to get out there, but it was worth the travel. I know there are some picture circulating out there, so I hope you guys are now jealous. Posh Corps isn’t so bad after all.

So after spending a few nights in at the beach and SuperBowl in the capital, I headed back to site. My next project was getting Coco spayed. Not so bad. She’s been living at Jordan’s because she’s not allowed to play outside and she can’t escape from Jordan’s house. She is not amused by the enclosure, but is getting along just fine with J’s dog, Jefe. She gets her stitches out on Monday and will finally be coming home.

This last week I visited the city of La Union in the southern half of the department. It was actually a cute little coastal pueblo which has real coffee shop with internet and air-conditioning. La Union’s hidden gem. It’s about an hour and a half away, but I will be visiting here and there for free internet days. Anyway, the real reason I was there was to attend a FONAES seminar, providing rural schools with the materials to start conservation programs. There has been a lot of deforestation in El Salvador and the program is promoting regrowth and environmental education. I plan on soliticiting them soon for materials and beginning a youth group to carry out projects. Luckily, I have a great teacher who has an immense interest in environmental education and will be thrilled to hear about this new opportunity.

Continuing on that note, this past week I went to visit Erica’s site and participated in an environmental education and trash management day at her school. She’s starting a recycling program and asked some volunteers to come out and help. I did activities with the students discussing health factors related to trash management and what the benefits are of a more clean, hygienic life. I think we all did really well. I will be starting a similar program in my school in the months to come.

The following day, we had a regional meeting. Every so often all the volunteers in each department get together with their regional leader, a third year extension volunteer, to discuss volunteer projects and opportunities in the region. It was about six hours, but provided us with some valuable information. Besides, it’s good to see all the gringos now and then.

Between now and the end of the month I have a few more things in store. On the 22nd, I’m finally starting my classes in the school. On the 25th, my TEFL application is due; I’m taking the English teacher at my school to an English teaching workshop sponsored by Peace Corps and the Salvadoran Ministry of Education. It’s a three day event in Perquín at the end of March. On the 27th, I’m going to San Miguel to watch the Oscars, because I’m a fanatic. I’ve been trying to watch all the films that were nominated for best picture by buying them illegally on the street for one dollar. So far I’m only missing TruGrit, The Kids are Alright, and The King’s Speech. Seven out of ten. Not bad for the developing world. On the 28th, my VRF (volunteer reporting file) is due; every few months we have to record all the work we’ve been doing to send back to Washington. And on the 8th, I go in for mid-service med; three days of medical appointments and stool samples in the capital. Can’t wait. Well, at least they put us up for free and pay us extra.

So now let’s examine my newest problem, well . . . a revisited problem, theft. Someone has been repeatedly breaking into my house and stealing from me while I’m gone. So far this thief or thieves has stolen three pairs of my headphones, my camera, my ipod, and oddly enough my Peace Corps assigned medical kit. Great. All my neighbors are convinced that someone has a key and are playing the blame game. I’m a little afraid someone has been breaking in through the roof which probably wouldn’t be that hard. The good news is that they’re doing it while I’m away, although I haven’t been able to sleep too well because I’m paranoid.

I talked to my landlord the other day and he thinks it’s someone with a key too, which would actually be a relief. So, we have a new plan. First, at night I bolt all my doors; there are these bars that I slide through the back of my doors into the wall that keep the doosr from opening. And now when I leave I bolt both front doors and leave through the back door, which I just received the key to, supposedly the only key that exists. Hopefully no one has a copy of this one. The door is in the back room of my house that I don’t use because the bats live there, but it’s tolerable. And, if this new entry/exit door solves my problem . . . great. Additionally I have locked all my valuables in a closet. So hopefully this will keep the thief or thieves out. I’ll keep you all updated.

That’s all for now. Things are moving along out here nicely, well at least more rapidly than before.