Forest fires are back. The city is covered in smog when I drive down to the church each morning. Yesterday the land down the road about a kilometer away was completely scorched. There was another fire burning further down the mountain on the other side of the road. It's not everywhere. Yet. But it's getting closer.
Right now all of my windows are closed, despite it being a beautiful evening. There is a fire close by and the smoke is saturating the air. It hurts to breathe. I can't see the glow of the flames and I can't hear the sound of the fire crackling, thank God. (I hate that sound.) But the smell is powerful.
I'm glad I have already been through a fire season here. I know it's going to get worse before it gets better. I'm glad I was at the church last year when the fire burned right up to my house. This year I know what to expect. I know if the fire burns up to my house I'll be safe. I know it can be scary.
My landlords work hard keeping the land clear. They hire extra help and they work on a daily basis themselves. They cut everything back and clean out everything that is dead. Except trees because the trees here are protected. Even the dead ones. It is illegal to cut them down. There are several dead trees near my house. They died last year when the fire came. The fire took their leaves and fruit, then smoldered in their roots for several days, which killed the trees slowly. Luckily they are not close enough to be a danger to my house, I think.
I need to make sure not to leave any clothes drying on the line or windows open. Last year I had to wash my whole wardrobe several times because all of my clothes smelled smoky when I left the windows open. My sheets burned up when I left them on the clothes line. Lesson learned.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Ugh
What a crappity crap of a day. It all started at 5:30 a.m. That's when Jetty woke me up because she was hungry. Turns out I was hungry too. So hungry that I couldn't get back to sleep. Finally after coming to grips with the fact that sleep was not going to return to me, I went downstairs and got some yogurt. I finished the coffee mug of yogurt and set it on the nightstand, then started drifting off to sleep. Until I heard licking sounds. The cat was liking the mug clean. Vomiting was guaranteed to ensue if I didn't get out of bed, go downstairs and wash the mug. Instead I tried to cover it with a notebook which the cat quickly knocked off. My next brilliant idea was to stick it under my pillow.
Even in the moment I knew under the pillow was not a good place. Two reasons: Yogurt was getting all over my pillowcase. Also, I could easily forget the mug was there and it would fall on the floor and break. Since you already know it was a crappy day, you already know that both of those things happened. Rather than sleep I was soon cleaning yogurt and broken mug up from the floor.
At that point I gave up on sleep. I decided to get to work on some tax stuff I have been putting off, but it wouldn't download (internet too slow). I tried to send a thank you email for the third day in a row and it wouldn't send (internet too slow). I checked on tickets to go to the US in June. No matter how I try to do it (Salt Lake or Denver, May, June or July) the ticket is close to $900. Looks like I won't go home this summer either. Very disappointing. Finally I gave up on internet related things and decided to do them at the church.
Determined to do something productive I called my mechanic and asked if I could pass by for my three month battery check. The check is necessary in order to maintain the 7 year guarantee valid. The mechanic told me he'd be waiting. But when I got there he said he forgot he can not do the check himself. He has to take it to the store where he bought it and they check it there. Also, I needed to have paperwork that was not in the car where I put it. So I was stressed out all day wondering where I put those papers. Without that paperwork my 7 year guarantee was already invalid after 3 months. UGH!
I got to the church and one boy and one lady were the only ones there. We sat and waited. Meanwhile the boy pestered me to pay him to wash my car, which I just washed 2 days ago and the lady got mad at me because I thought her son was using a pencil I had lost the week before. I still think that, but I don't understand getting upset over a dumb pencil. First she got mad at me for asking about the pencil and then she criticized me for being quiet. She gave me a big speech about how I was very quiet and serious and that my mind was far away and just a bunch of stuff I didn't feel like hearing.
I needed to get away so I decided to try to use the church computer, but someone had taken a cable off the back so it no longer has internet. I spent about a half hour trying to figure that out why I couldn't at least get Wi-Fi. Belinda offered to let me use her computer and right at that instant the power went out. That was when the migraine kicked in.
The afternoon kids finally showed up. One boy came with a huge, swollen, black and blue egg on his temple. There were several stories about how it got there. Looked to me like someone slugged him really hard with a right fist. Poor little guy. As I was checking out the banged up head, Junior told me he has a "ball" growing under his armpit. His mother has been putting aloe and an iron (I certainly hope it is not literally an iron like he said) on it. The skin looked fine, but there was a big swollen ball in his armpit. Then a kid who was on his way home fell out of a mango tree onto his head and needed stitches. He came back, bleeding all over so we patched him up and sent him home with a note explaining it had NOT happened at the church and he needed medical attention.
We finished up homework with the afternoon kids and I went straight home. No gym with this headache.
I finally was able to log in to my donor account online only to learn that I lost a donor. In reality, I have only lost 2 sponsors in the past 2 years. I think that is really good. One is a situation I completely understand and think is for the best. But this was someone I thought would tell me they no longer chose to support me. There are other factors that make it difficult to understand and hurtful, but this is not the place to share them.
So, I am going to take a shower, put fresh sheets on my bed and read. Disappearing into a book is the best way to be done with this day. I have more awesome days than most people, so I am grateful for that. Everyone has a bad day now and then. Tomorrow will be better.
Even in the moment I knew under the pillow was not a good place. Two reasons: Yogurt was getting all over my pillowcase. Also, I could easily forget the mug was there and it would fall on the floor and break. Since you already know it was a crappy day, you already know that both of those things happened. Rather than sleep I was soon cleaning yogurt and broken mug up from the floor.
At that point I gave up on sleep. I decided to get to work on some tax stuff I have been putting off, but it wouldn't download (internet too slow). I tried to send a thank you email for the third day in a row and it wouldn't send (internet too slow). I checked on tickets to go to the US in June. No matter how I try to do it (Salt Lake or Denver, May, June or July) the ticket is close to $900. Looks like I won't go home this summer either. Very disappointing. Finally I gave up on internet related things and decided to do them at the church.
Determined to do something productive I called my mechanic and asked if I could pass by for my three month battery check. The check is necessary in order to maintain the 7 year guarantee valid. The mechanic told me he'd be waiting. But when I got there he said he forgot he can not do the check himself. He has to take it to the store where he bought it and they check it there. Also, I needed to have paperwork that was not in the car where I put it. So I was stressed out all day wondering where I put those papers. Without that paperwork my 7 year guarantee was already invalid after 3 months. UGH!
I got to the church and one boy and one lady were the only ones there. We sat and waited. Meanwhile the boy pestered me to pay him to wash my car, which I just washed 2 days ago and the lady got mad at me because I thought her son was using a pencil I had lost the week before. I still think that, but I don't understand getting upset over a dumb pencil. First she got mad at me for asking about the pencil and then she criticized me for being quiet. She gave me a big speech about how I was very quiet and serious and that my mind was far away and just a bunch of stuff I didn't feel like hearing.
I needed to get away so I decided to try to use the church computer, but someone had taken a cable off the back so it no longer has internet. I spent about a half hour trying to figure that out why I couldn't at least get Wi-Fi. Belinda offered to let me use her computer and right at that instant the power went out. That was when the migraine kicked in.
The afternoon kids finally showed up. One boy came with a huge, swollen, black and blue egg on his temple. There were several stories about how it got there. Looked to me like someone slugged him really hard with a right fist. Poor little guy. As I was checking out the banged up head, Junior told me he has a "ball" growing under his armpit. His mother has been putting aloe and an iron (I certainly hope it is not literally an iron like he said) on it. The skin looked fine, but there was a big swollen ball in his armpit. Then a kid who was on his way home fell out of a mango tree onto his head and needed stitches. He came back, bleeding all over so we patched him up and sent him home with a note explaining it had NOT happened at the church and he needed medical attention.
We finished up homework with the afternoon kids and I went straight home. No gym with this headache.
I finally was able to log in to my donor account online only to learn that I lost a donor. In reality, I have only lost 2 sponsors in the past 2 years. I think that is really good. One is a situation I completely understand and think is for the best. But this was someone I thought would tell me they no longer chose to support me. There are other factors that make it difficult to understand and hurtful, but this is not the place to share them.
So, I am going to take a shower, put fresh sheets on my bed and read. Disappearing into a book is the best way to be done with this day. I have more awesome days than most people, so I am grateful for that. Everyone has a bad day now and then. Tomorrow will be better.
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Photos from Friday
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| Delia and Jacky took a break from tutoring and worked in the kitchen! |
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| Isabela thinks it's fun when Mommy prays |
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| Washing hands |
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| Violet |
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| Marlin took a day away from cooking and washed hands |
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| Ana stepped out of the kitchen for the day She enjoyed drying all of the kids' hands. |
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| Drying her son, Jired's, hands |
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| And a kiss for Mommy |
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| Happy Mom |
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| ♥♥♥ |
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| Walter is new. He has been coming every day for 2 weeks. |
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| Samuelito |
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| Carlos appeared today |
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| Junior |
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| Oscar pretends he doesn't want his picture taken |
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| Roberto is a sweetie |
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| Isabela loves espagetis! |
Friday, March 14, 2014
The Party is Over
Tummy is back to normal. I think it was going to the gym that did it. That and a little acidophilus got everything running smoothly. But not tooo smoothly.
Last night was kill tremendously huge bug/spider night in my house. It is amazing how I am getting accustomed to these things. The spider I had seen before. It was one of those big double bubble ones. I call it that because it has two big round parts for a body. The bug, on the other hand, I had never seen before. It was like a supersized grasshopper, only with a tubular body and antenna that were three times bigger than itself. That sucker did not want to die. I think it wanted to attack me first. Of course I was trapped in the bathroom with it so there was nowhere to run. It crawled across the ceiling, then dive bombed me. I screamed and hid in the shower. Finally it crashed onto the floor outside the shower, spilling guts all over. GROSS!
Jetty's asthma is acting up from my mad killing spree. I try to be concise and limit the amount of bug spray I use, but with gigantic beasts like these too much is never enough. I have seen them come back to life after I thought they were dead! So Jetty is a little wheezy.
I am really enjoying the weather. The rainy season ended a month ago. It has been warm and sunny every day with an occasional thunderstorm just when you are tired of baking in the heat. I can hang laundry out to dry and it actually dries! Something those of you who have never lived near a rain forest really can't appreciate. I have also been leaving the second floor windows open at night. I love to snuggle in my blankets with a nice breeze blowing through.
One week into the dry season the fires had already started. The air was pretty smoky, but nothing like last year. Of course it is still early. Yesterday on the radio they were announcing water shortages, which I can't believe since it rained from June until February. That rainy season felt endless like a Northern New York winter.
In other news "The Party is Over". That's what they said about all of the people who are running unregistered vehicles for public transportation. Transportation police are going to have roadblocks 3 times/week to get the unregistered busses, taxis and moto-taxies (aka tuk-tuks in Guatemala and Thailand) off the road.
Road blocks in Honduras are kind of a joke. They announce on the news each morning who they are targeting, so people know ahead of time and just take the day off if they are not legal. But the radio announcer who said, "The Party is Over" said the last time they set up roadblocks, of 30 buses only five were legal. They estimate over a thousand unregistered tuk tuks are on the road. And who knows how many taxis.
Yesterday morning in the news I also caught that some prison gangs were throwing grenades at each other at 3 a.m. and trying to escape. They were talking about preparing the hospitals for the injured and dead people.
My church in the US was supposed to have a team meeting about planning a trip to Honduras, but apparently people forgot about it so it was postponed until next week. I would love to host them and am hoping they make it here eventually. I think it has been 4 years since the last team was here. It would be great to get them excited about Honduras again.
Last night was kill tremendously huge bug/spider night in my house. It is amazing how I am getting accustomed to these things. The spider I had seen before. It was one of those big double bubble ones. I call it that because it has two big round parts for a body. The bug, on the other hand, I had never seen before. It was like a supersized grasshopper, only with a tubular body and antenna that were three times bigger than itself. That sucker did not want to die. I think it wanted to attack me first. Of course I was trapped in the bathroom with it so there was nowhere to run. It crawled across the ceiling, then dive bombed me. I screamed and hid in the shower. Finally it crashed onto the floor outside the shower, spilling guts all over. GROSS!
Jetty's asthma is acting up from my mad killing spree. I try to be concise and limit the amount of bug spray I use, but with gigantic beasts like these too much is never enough. I have seen them come back to life after I thought they were dead! So Jetty is a little wheezy.
I am really enjoying the weather. The rainy season ended a month ago. It has been warm and sunny every day with an occasional thunderstorm just when you are tired of baking in the heat. I can hang laundry out to dry and it actually dries! Something those of you who have never lived near a rain forest really can't appreciate. I have also been leaving the second floor windows open at night. I love to snuggle in my blankets with a nice breeze blowing through.
One week into the dry season the fires had already started. The air was pretty smoky, but nothing like last year. Of course it is still early. Yesterday on the radio they were announcing water shortages, which I can't believe since it rained from June until February. That rainy season felt endless like a Northern New York winter.
In other news "The Party is Over". That's what they said about all of the people who are running unregistered vehicles for public transportation. Transportation police are going to have roadblocks 3 times/week to get the unregistered busses, taxis and moto-taxies (aka tuk-tuks in Guatemala and Thailand) off the road.
Road blocks in Honduras are kind of a joke. They announce on the news each morning who they are targeting, so people know ahead of time and just take the day off if they are not legal. But the radio announcer who said, "The Party is Over" said the last time they set up roadblocks, of 30 buses only five were legal. They estimate over a thousand unregistered tuk tuks are on the road. And who knows how many taxis.
Yesterday morning in the news I also caught that some prison gangs were throwing grenades at each other at 3 a.m. and trying to escape. They were talking about preparing the hospitals for the injured and dead people.
My church in the US was supposed to have a team meeting about planning a trip to Honduras, but apparently people forgot about it so it was postponed until next week. I would love to host them and am hoping they make it here eventually. I think it has been 4 years since the last team was here. It would be great to get them excited about Honduras again.
Monday, March 10, 2014
Hambre vs Hombre
I think it is official that I am becoming accustomed to living in Honduras. Friday night I came home in a rain storm. When I washed my feet in the shower there were squirmy worms that washed off. It was disgusting. I was glad I had not jumped into bed without washing my feet!
Then I went downstairs and killed another scorpion. This time killing the scorpion didn't even fase me. Jetty was very interested in it so I was more concerned about her getting stung. It was very crunchy under my foot and didn't die quickly. (Aren't you glad I shared those details?)
Jetty has a new friend and I have my own personal watch dog again. Almost a year ago my landlords got a dog. He always laid outside my door. One day he disappeared and was gone for eleven months. We figured he was kidnapped. That's what happens to good dogs around here. When I got back from Guatemala he came back! He just showed up one day. The cool part is that he resumed his spot outside of my front door. I had forgotten that he used to do that. He and Jetty play under the crack of the door. I like having a guard dog.
My tummy is still not right. A couple of days ago I got hungry for the first time. Since then I really only get hungry at night. In Spanish if you are hungry, you can say that you are "with hunger". The word for hunger is hambre. The word for man is hombre. The other day I told Eunice that I am not hungry all day, but every night I am "with men"! I realized what I had said as soon as I said it and we both started cracking up laughing. I think Eunice was more embarrassed than I was. She said I should never say that again.
Today the coolest thing happened. I was getting ready to go to the church, running late, when my phone rang. I took the time to answer it and talk for a few minutes. It was someone whom I don't know well. She was calling with a quick question. In the course of the conversation she asked how I am doing. I told her I am doing well, but really struggling for financial support. As soon as I said that I felt so strange! It is something I have not talked to many people about.
At some point I have to send out a letter begging for money and I have been dreading it. But for some reason as I talked on the phone I shared that with her.
After I got to the church I received an email which brought me to tears. She said that she had been praying and God is leading her to support me on a monthly basis! I love seeing God's hand so clearly. It helps me know I am on the right path. I know that God put those words in my mouth. I was shocked when I spoke them to her. They didn't come from me. I am so grateful God did that. It gives me courage to ask others for more monthly support in the future.
Then I went downstairs and killed another scorpion. This time killing the scorpion didn't even fase me. Jetty was very interested in it so I was more concerned about her getting stung. It was very crunchy under my foot and didn't die quickly. (Aren't you glad I shared those details?)
Jetty has a new friend and I have my own personal watch dog again. Almost a year ago my landlords got a dog. He always laid outside my door. One day he disappeared and was gone for eleven months. We figured he was kidnapped. That's what happens to good dogs around here. When I got back from Guatemala he came back! He just showed up one day. The cool part is that he resumed his spot outside of my front door. I had forgotten that he used to do that. He and Jetty play under the crack of the door. I like having a guard dog.
My tummy is still not right. A couple of days ago I got hungry for the first time. Since then I really only get hungry at night. In Spanish if you are hungry, you can say that you are "with hunger". The word for hunger is hambre. The word for man is hombre. The other day I told Eunice that I am not hungry all day, but every night I am "with men"! I realized what I had said as soon as I said it and we both started cracking up laughing. I think Eunice was more embarrassed than I was. She said I should never say that again.
Today the coolest thing happened. I was getting ready to go to the church, running late, when my phone rang. I took the time to answer it and talk for a few minutes. It was someone whom I don't know well. She was calling with a quick question. In the course of the conversation she asked how I am doing. I told her I am doing well, but really struggling for financial support. As soon as I said that I felt so strange! It is something I have not talked to many people about.
At some point I have to send out a letter begging for money and I have been dreading it. But for some reason as I talked on the phone I shared that with her.
After I got to the church I received an email which brought me to tears. She said that she had been praying and God is leading her to support me on a monthly basis! I love seeing God's hand so clearly. It helps me know I am on the right path. I know that God put those words in my mouth. I was shocked when I spoke them to her. They didn't come from me. I am so grateful God did that. It gives me courage to ask others for more monthly support in the future.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Much better
Today I was active most of the day. I didn't even take a nap! But I also didn't eat. I was scared about how my stomach would react and I had no appetite.
Then Hermida came over and asked what I had eaten. I promised her I would cook soup, but she took me to her house and made me chicken broth and potatoes again. My tummy is still gurgly. It hurts now and then, but it is way better than even yesterday morning.
I can't wait for it to be well enough to go to the gym again. I am aching to run!
I got some things done around the house that I have been meaning to do. And I watched the movie "Saving Mr. Banks". I really liked it. I had not heard anything about it and didn't know what to expect, so it was a nice surprise.
Then Hermida came over and asked what I had eaten. I promised her I would cook soup, but she took me to her house and made me chicken broth and potatoes again. My tummy is still gurgly. It hurts now and then, but it is way better than even yesterday morning.
I can't wait for it to be well enough to go to the gym again. I am aching to run!
I got some things done around the house that I have been meaning to do. And I watched the movie "Saving Mr. Banks". I really liked it. I had not heard anything about it and didn't know what to expect, so it was a nice surprise.
Monday, March 3, 2014
Say no to toast
My excitement in the past 24 hours consists of the fact that I finally got hungry last night. I decided I was enough better that I didn't need to listen to the doctor's advise of clear liquids only. So I made toast. And put butter on it. Suffice it to say that my stomach made it quite clear it was not happy with my choice of food.
Today Hermida made me really yummy pureed potatoes with NO dairy and the most delicious brothy soup I have ever had in my life. I eat a few bites every 2 hours. My stomach grumbles, I get a little nauseous and burpy, then I go back to sleep. I never knew bland food could taste so good.
I am drinking plenty of liquids and trying to decide if I can make it to the Breakfast Program tomorrow. Since I am tired just walking up and down the stairs to the kitchen, right now I am leaning toward no. But I am definitely much, much better than Saturday and Hermida says she can see improvements in my appearance and the sound of my voice even within the day today.
I guess I am disappointed because I expected to feel better than I actually do by now.
Today Hermida made me really yummy pureed potatoes with NO dairy and the most delicious brothy soup I have ever had in my life. I eat a few bites every 2 hours. My stomach grumbles, I get a little nauseous and burpy, then I go back to sleep. I never knew bland food could taste so good.
I am drinking plenty of liquids and trying to decide if I can make it to the Breakfast Program tomorrow. Since I am tired just walking up and down the stairs to the kitchen, right now I am leaning toward no. But I am definitely much, much better than Saturday and Hermida says she can see improvements in my appearance and the sound of my voice even within the day today.
I guess I am disappointed because I expected to feel better than I actually do by now.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Yup. It's dysentery.
This morning I woke up feeling better, but knowing I would still have to see a Dr. I was full of burps with sharp pains in my stomach and NO appetite. I called my neighbor/landlord Hermida and asked her if I should see a specialist, or if this was something my regular Dr could handle on Monday.
First she scolded me, saying I should have called her yesterday and why did I wait so long. Then she called a specialist. Her husband ran to the store and came back with soup and Gatorade. She apologized that she could not stay home and take care of me. But really, I prefer to be alone when I alone when I am sick.
The specialist came within an hour. He did a full check up and told me that I wasn't drinking enough water, which was definitely true. He asked to look at my tongue, which I knew was black since I had been taking PeptoBismol all day yesterday and hadn't thought to brush my teeth until that moment. I explained about the PeptoBismol and he said, "That is good. You North Americans are good about always taking PeptoBismol." I thought that was pretty funny. And accurate.
I had to explain to him that yes, I knew there was mucous but no blood in my stool because on several occasions yesterday I had not made it the 10 feet to my toilet so my underpants held the evidence.
He gave me something natural to clean out my intestines? or colon? or wherever the little infectious creatures are living inside of me. And he gave me the same exact antibiotic I had read on the internet was the best, which was reassuring. Plus something for nausea. He told me not to eat any dairy or anything greasy. No worries. The idea alone almost made me gag.
Hermida has her brother and sister-in-law on stand by. She called them right after she called the Doctor. Since she has church obligations she asked them to come over this afternoon to look in on me. She thinks they are making soup for me.
Really, I am much better than yesterday. I just need to get rid of these uninvited guests in my belly.
How funny that I spent two years in Honduras with no stomach problems. Then one week in Guatemala hit me hard. Strange. Good thing I really loved that place.
Note to self: Stop watching Discovery Channel's show about parasites. It is making my imagination run wild.
First she scolded me, saying I should have called her yesterday and why did I wait so long. Then she called a specialist. Her husband ran to the store and came back with soup and Gatorade. She apologized that she could not stay home and take care of me. But really, I prefer to be alone when I alone when I am sick.
The specialist came within an hour. He did a full check up and told me that I wasn't drinking enough water, which was definitely true. He asked to look at my tongue, which I knew was black since I had been taking PeptoBismol all day yesterday and hadn't thought to brush my teeth until that moment. I explained about the PeptoBismol and he said, "That is good. You North Americans are good about always taking PeptoBismol." I thought that was pretty funny. And accurate.
I had to explain to him that yes, I knew there was mucous but no blood in my stool because on several occasions yesterday I had not made it the 10 feet to my toilet so my underpants held the evidence.
He gave me something natural to clean out my intestines? or colon? or wherever the little infectious creatures are living inside of me. And he gave me the same exact antibiotic I had read on the internet was the best, which was reassuring. Plus something for nausea. He told me not to eat any dairy or anything greasy. No worries. The idea alone almost made me gag.
Hermida has her brother and sister-in-law on stand by. She called them right after she called the Doctor. Since she has church obligations she asked them to come over this afternoon to look in on me. She thinks they are making soup for me.
Really, I am much better than yesterday. I just need to get rid of these uninvited guests in my belly.
How funny that I spent two years in Honduras with no stomach problems. Then one week in Guatemala hit me hard. Strange. Good thing I really loved that place.
Note to self: Stop watching Discovery Channel's show about parasites. It is making my imagination run wild.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
I think I have Dysentery
Was really looking forward to going to La Tigra for the day to hike with the jovenes group. Then at 6:30 a.m. I woke up feeling sick. I was hoping to feel better by the time I was supposed to meet up with the group. It was the same symptoms I had in Guatemala, only worse. My stomach was killing me.
The morning went by in a haze. In the middle of the afternoon I decided I was not going to die.
Once I realized I wasn't going to die I decided to upload some Guatemala photos to Facebook, as this was something I could do from my bed. My cousin's wife thanked me for sharing the photos. She also mentioned she had Dysentery when she got back from Guatemala. Tonight I got to wondering what Dysentery is. It sounds so exotic. So I googled it.
I have every symptom. Ugh.
I know it's typical to think you have something when you google it. But Dysentery has some very specific symptoms which you do NOT want to know, and I have them.
Some people let it run its course, but since I have had it for over a week and since the type that is commonly found in tropical areas needs medication, I will have to go to the doctor.
I really thought it was my IBS acting up in strange, new ways. Believe me, "Dysentery" sounds a lot more exotic than it really is. Don't bother to google it. Just believe me. It's disgusting and not fun.
The morning went by in a haze. In the middle of the afternoon I decided I was not going to die.
Once I realized I wasn't going to die I decided to upload some Guatemala photos to Facebook, as this was something I could do from my bed. My cousin's wife thanked me for sharing the photos. She also mentioned she had Dysentery when she got back from Guatemala. Tonight I got to wondering what Dysentery is. It sounds so exotic. So I googled it.
I have every symptom. Ugh.
I know it's typical to think you have something when you google it. But Dysentery has some very specific symptoms which you do NOT want to know, and I have them.
Some people let it run its course, but since I have had it for over a week and since the type that is commonly found in tropical areas needs medication, I will have to go to the doctor.
I really thought it was my IBS acting up in strange, new ways. Believe me, "Dysentery" sounds a lot more exotic than it really is. Don't bother to google it. Just believe me. It's disgusting and not fun.
Friday, February 28, 2014
My Bienvenido at Buen Provecho
When I got back to the Breakfast Program, AKA The Plentiful Life Program, now known as Buen Provecho which is a segment of the Plentiful Life Program, the kids cheered and raced for my car. Then shoved each other out of the way and climbed inside onto my lap as I opened the door. I was smothered in hugs and kisses and told I was greatly missed. The welcome was so intense, somehow my car alarm started going off and I couldn't get it to stop.
This week a lot of kids tell me they love me. This is something new. It used to happen sometimes, but now it is on a daily basis, at random times. A person can never be told too many times that they are loved! So I make sure they know I love them too.
The curriculum for English classes must have changed this year. (Remember the school year just started in mid-February.) In the past the kids never spoke in English. Their work was all written. As a result they did not have confidence to say anything aloud, no matter how many years they studied. This year almost every homework assignment is to read something aloud in front of the class, to carry on a conversation, or to give/follow directions. I think it is really great! But I do feel bad for the kids who don't have someone to help them at home. The teacher has them copy things down and expects them to come prepared to pronounce it correctly the next day. My personal goal is that the kids from Iglesia en Transformación have the best grades in their class and feel comfortable speaking English. So far they are doing really, really well.
This week a lot of kids tell me they love me. This is something new. It used to happen sometimes, but now it is on a daily basis, at random times. A person can never be told too many times that they are loved! So I make sure they know I love them too.
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| Not sure what the boys' pose means |
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| Violet, Milagro, Walter (he's new!), Samuel, Misael and Jose |
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| Samuel |
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| Jose |
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| Marco Tulio asked where I had been. He missed me! |
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| Samuel and Misael playing "viejos" (old people) |
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| The aches and pains of being Viejo - Hahaha! |
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| Milagro and Violet cooked for me until my lap was full! |
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| Then they cooked for Don Juan |
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| Samuel heading off to work with his briefcases |
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| Scarlet brushing her new haircut |
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| Proud boys! They finished their "Rey McQueen" puzzle together. |
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| Cristian reading out loud in English to practice his homework |
The curriculum for English classes must have changed this year. (Remember the school year just started in mid-February.) In the past the kids never spoke in English. Their work was all written. As a result they did not have confidence to say anything aloud, no matter how many years they studied. This year almost every homework assignment is to read something aloud in front of the class, to carry on a conversation, or to give/follow directions. I think it is really great! But I do feel bad for the kids who don't have someone to help them at home. The teacher has them copy things down and expects them to come prepared to pronounce it correctly the next day. My personal goal is that the kids from Iglesia en Transformación have the best grades in their class and feel comfortable speaking English. So far they are doing really, really well.
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
My cousin Carolyn's wedding in Guatemala - Part One
After the weddings (there were two - one civil and one in the church) I went to visit Los Seaman, a family from my church in Honduras who moved to Guatemala City last year. My time with them was super too.
I got a camera the third day in, but unfortunately I spent that day in bed. The girl who has not had any stomach problems for two years in Honduras got an upset stomach and lost a day in Guatemala. Luckily it was sightseeing day, not wedding day.
In the 48 hours of the civil ceremony and church wedding I took 793 photos. It took a while to get used to my new camera, but it was a fun learning process.
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| The mural outside of my hotel window |
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| Flowers from a local market Given to me by my cousin's wife when I was sick |
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| My cousin Jack (brother of the bride) And his awesome wife, Kadija |
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| My cousin Lisa (sister of the bride) and me |
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| Boats on Lake Atitlán CAROLYN AND EDYN'S HOME Everything built by hand |
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| Gathered in the new house before the civil ceremony |
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| Carolyn explaining the day to come |
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| Carolyn and Edyn's new kitchen Then the civil ceremony: |
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| Edyn's Mom with Jack's wife Kadija |
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| Edyn, my cousin Jack, Edyn's Dad |
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| Edyn's nephew, mother and sister |
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| Carolyn and Edyn coming in |
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| Carolyn and her soon-to-be nephew |
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| BODA! (Wedding!) |
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| My family - Aunt Ann, Cousin Jack and his wife Kadija, Cousin Lisa |
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| The ladies cooked during the ceremony |
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| The ceremony |
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| Cousin Liz, signing as a witness |
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| Kadija signing as a witness |
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| Fingerprints for some |
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| The Godfather |
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| Ladies cooking for the dinner after the ceremony |
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| The men served the food |
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| Chicken, a traditional soup, and tamalitos |
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| Delicious! |
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