Sea Turtles and Tooth Brushing

A lot has been going on since the last time I wrote so let me fill you in on all the new happenings en mi vida . . .

Belize!

We had to leave the country to renew our visas so we went to Belize. So to avoid being deported from Guatemala, I was forced to lie on the beautiful beaches of the Caribbean for a few days. It was rough. We went to Placencia, a cute little town that is mainly accessible by boat or plane and whose “main street” is a side walk. It was a really nice getaway and we all had a great time playing and catching up. It was also refreshing to see different looking people, white, black, and not just Guatemalan. Guatemala is definitely lacking in it´s variety of people. And the Caribbean culture is so chill! We went snorkeling one of the days and it was incredible! Our guide picked us up in a boat on the beach outside of our house and we spent all morning snorkeling. Who knew there was so much going on under the sea! We saw gigantic star fish, a sea turtle, and a sea cucumber (which are really gross!) and watched our guide hunt and spear lobsters. We later docked on a private island where the captain of our boat prepared a seafood feast with the lobsters that we’d caught, fish, and conch. It was fabulous! We did some more snorkeling after lunch and then headed back. It was such a fun day and a great retreat that ended all too soon! Definitely a recommended way of renewing one’s visa!

Compassion

Compassion continues to be a joy in my life. First of all, I don’t think I mentioned that I decided to only work in one of the student centers instead of two. This way I can be more involved in Chamelco instead of having to divide my time between two places. So far it’s proven to be a good decision. Cograts, Al! I substituted a 1st grade class last week and kept the kids pretty much mesmerized with my magical ability to count in English. I really didn’t realize English was so entertaining- they are constantly asking me how to say things in English and amazed that my family and all my friends at home speak English and not Spanish. After I counted to 100 in English and left the kids thoroughly impressed, we colored. I must admit, I make for a pretty good sub.

I started teaching health classes this week. YAY!! We have planned that each month will have its own topic- February is Hygiene Month. I made some pretty stellar posters and talk for about 15 minutes about what we can do to maintain a good personal hygiene and the proper way to brush your teeth. Then we go out to the pila (large outdoor sink) and practice brushing our teeth using the bottoms of soda bottles, toothbrushes and shaving cream. The soda bottles resemble teeth and they work as models so the kids can make sure they cover the whole tooth with tooth paste (shaving cream). It’s a really cute activity and the kids really enjoy it; although, I have to keep an eye on the shaving cream so they don’t eat it or spray each other with it! The kids are adorable and say the funniest things. Today a little boy interrupted me to tell me that he has a cow at home, a girl wanted to tell me that her dad uses Vic’s vapor rub, and another boy wanted to know what time I get back to the US everyday. They are def. entertaining! And I now have a Compassion work shirt. I´m so official!

So what else, what else . . . I am now a singer in my church’s worship band, I’m translating a Bible study for the women’s group at church, I’m training to run in the Coban International Half-Marathon in May (so excited about this!), and my English classes start up again on Friday. I also witnessed my first serenata (serenade). My 14 year old host sister’s boyfriend woke her up (and everyone else in the house!) on Valentine’s Day with a mariachi band serenade. I was pretty ticked to be woken up at 5am but it was really sweet and I’ve decided that that might have been the most romantic thing ever and I would like to be the recipient of a mariachi band singing outside of my window at some point in my life. The cold and rainy “winter” has come to an end and now it is the perfect spring day EVERY DAY! It’s gorgeous! Sure beats putting tortillas on your face (which is what I would do to warm myself up on particularly cold days)! I’m translating for another CEDEPCA group the first week in March and my parentals are coming for a little Guat- vaca the week before Easter. I’m super excited for both and can’t wait to see my mom and dad! Ok, I think that’s all the news for now. Ciao.