Happy New Year

We are into the new year already and I am left with just over 8 months left of service. I have been back in my community for a week now after a refreshing two weeks at home for the holidays. Though it was chilly at home in the Bay Area, it was great spending time with my family, playing with the dogs, going to a gym, bathing with hot water, and eating hummus (and other tasty foods that I can't get down here). The extent of materialism was a little overwhelming, though I hope the timing partly affected it. It was hard to come back to El Salvador, but I was looking forward to seeing my boyfriend again and keep going on old projects and start new projects.

I got back just in time for the New Year's celebration which involved a lot of dancing and noisemakers. I participated in the women's group amigo secreto (Secret Santa) that night and there was a community feast and a dance in our newly-paved street. It was quite a party, but my favorite moment was when midnight struck. It is tradition here to hug everyone you see and wish them a Happy New Year. I love this intimacy among the community.

Now I am spending time thinking about the coming year and what my goals are for my remaining time here. The women's shampoo group is now completely independent (though I show up on occasion), and it seems to be going strong. My stove project is coming along - about half of the 65 stoves are done and the rest are starting to get planned out. People seem to like the stoves and everyone keeps telling me that it will be a great way to remember me. I hope they remember me because of other things also, but at least they seem to be happy.

I've spent a good amount of my energy recently working with my youth group as well. In December we made bamboo benches for around the soccer field and painted them. We met just this week to talk about the group because it has transformed into more of a group interested in community projects, which makes me more than happy. So we are looking at forming a directive in order to better manage the group and we worked on a few ideas for community projects for the year. Our first one will be a mini fair day for the kids in the town. They are hoping to raise a little bit of money from the event in order to get the next project going. And to celebrate the success of the group we took a little trip to the nearby river and relaxed/played for the day.

Aside from the stove project and the youth group, I'm starting to think more about what my role will be in the school this coming year. I'd like to keep going with the eco-club, though I need to come up with some better ideas and would like to rework the various ages now that I know a little better. I would like to get another teacher and adult working with me since I won't be here the entire school year...but we'll see. People don't tend to be terribly interested in responsibility. I'm also thinking about doing a girl's arts and crafts club. Since art is one of my passions it wouldn't be too difficult. I'd like to put together worksheets for each of the activities in order to put together something people would be able to refer to. And I think I'd be able to get a young woman or adult woman in my site to help me lead it.

Otherwise, things are pretty low key as usual. I'm flying through books, working on my quilt, and attempting to teach my boyfriend English. I realized there's a pool close by to I was able to arrange a lower entrance price with the owner to go swimming for exercise on a regular basis - it is a nice change from just running. I'm working on constructing a grey water filter from my shower and sink to water my garden, which I'm in the midst of replanting. I brought some recipes from home and hoping to do some playing in the kitchen and keep the passing neighbors wondering what in the world I've got brewing in my house. The weather is getting warmer and the days longer. For all of you jealous of the warm weather we're getting down here you should check out airline tickets and pay me a visit.

Happy Belated Holidays, Christmas, Hanukkah, Solstice, and New Years! May the New Year bring you an abundance of opportunities and joy. Also, I'll be starting to look for a job in the environmental science research field for a start date of mid/late-September so echarme la mano (lend me a hand), and let me know if you know anyone or any job in the field...thanks! And thanks to everyone who has helped with funding for my projects. If you haven't been able to and would like to there are plenty of opportunities still - just let me know!