I think it's been a while since I mentioned that I have the best friend in the whole world. Regardless, I do. Now, I thought that I was being hardcore for Lent this year when I gave up all drinks besides water (ie. no Propel packs or delicious juice from the comedor...it hurts...a lot...) but this year for Lent SHE gave up sweets, meats, AND wheats. I have NO clue how she is doing it...but she is :). And I am proud of her. I think maybe this might have lead her to the discovery of new recipes which she has so wonderfully shared with me. I'm also INCREDIBLY grateful to her for the newest addition to my recipe collection: BLACK BEAN BURGERS!!!!!!
Now for those of you reading this who knew me in South Carolina, you're probably thinking "But Jess, you literally ate black bean burgers every other day - why do you say you are just discovering them now?" And to you people I say "I wish I had a good answer." But the fact remains. I literally NEVER thought about make black bean burgers here. That is, until Summer reminded me of the deliciousness that IS the black bean burger. I think part of the reason had to do with the fact that we are served black beans every night - so why would I STILL want to eat them...just in a different form?
The answer? Because Black Bean Burgers are DELICIOUS. Last night Erika, Molly, Thayer and I made the most AWESOME BBB's using black beans from the comedor, american cheese (woo for Kraft singles!), fresh onions, tomatoes, and cilantro, and a plethora of other spices...and topped them with homemade guacamole. Can you say QUE RICO?? Can't wait to make them otra vez ;-)
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Visitor's Day...Round 3...or is it 4?
Sunday was Visitor's Day...again. Probably one of my least favorite days at NPH every few months. Every Visitor's Day, the kids get all dolled up, just to sit and wait for family and friends that they *hope* will show. It is incredibly depressing. In the meantime, the volunteers, teachers, and staff at NPH stick around on a Sunday morning to "entertain" the kids without visitors. I put entertain in quotes because let's be honest...not that much entertaining EVER goes on. Instead, all of the kids from the houses gather in a few select sections and then watch movies for the entirety of those 6 hours. On Sunday I was lucky enough to watch: "Bring it On", "Bring it On Again," and "Bring it On: In it to Win it"...in addition to select portions of "Bride Wars" and "13 Going on 30." In case anyone had any doubts, "Bring it On" is BY FAR superior to the others. I know you were waiting on pins and needles to find out. So was I when I was lucky enough to watch them all...
Monday, March 28, 2011
Pancake Fridays :)
Last year Sam and I started a weekly tradition, aptly named "Pancake Fridays". On Fridays English teachers usually don't have class until later than normal, so we would wake up at the same time as usual and proceed to make delicious pancakes...every Friday :).
Once school started back up again, yes I was sad that Sam was gone...yet happy that the tradition could continue! Thayer, Molly, and I (sometimes) wake up on Fridays to make delicious chocolate chip pancakes (and sometimes we sleep in...). However, this past Friday we all decided it was time for a good night's sleep...so instead, I went for a Pancake Saturday. Que rico!
Look how delicious! My secret ingredient? Cinnamon!
Once school started back up again, yes I was sad that Sam was gone...yet happy that the tradition could continue! Thayer, Molly, and I (sometimes) wake up on Fridays to make delicious chocolate chip pancakes (and sometimes we sleep in...). However, this past Friday we all decided it was time for a good night's sleep...so instead, I went for a Pancake Saturday. Que rico!
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Guatemalan Politics...
Oh Guatemala. Whatever are we going to do with you? A lot of stuff has been going on in the Guatemalan Government as of late. And since I don't really feel like writing about it, I am going to deflect to a new English teacher volunteer here at NPH (and my wonderful friend), Molly Malone, and her blog "Guatemolly" for the following post on how truly "scandalous" our government is here...I hope you enjoy and thanks for the material Mol! :)
http://guatemolly.blogspot.com/2011/03/scandalous.html
http://guatemolly.blogspot.com/2011/03/scandalous.html
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Out of Water
Two days ago everyone at NPH received this message (more or less):
There is no water anywhere. One of the pipes has ruptured and cannot be fixed for a few days (until the man with the key to the control room returns to work). Until then, use all current water resources sparingly.
WHAT?? Now I know I have experienced a lot of strange things in Guatemala – parasites (twice), our water source going bad, endless camioneta rides practically sitting on a stranger’s lap – but COMPLETE LACK OF WATER??? I can honestly say I never thought I’d see the day. It meant: no potable drinking water, no showers, but furthermore, NO FUNCTIONING TOILETS in ALL of NPH. WHA??? How long was this supposed to last? No. Freaking. Clue. But regardless – when you here that there is no water ANYWHERE…you begin to freak out a bit. I immediately became parched and felt the need for a shower and had to go to the bathroom at the same time. All for lack of water.
FORTUNATELY, per usual, all the information we received was wrong – none of the pipes had ruptured, it was only that the pipes were discovered to be DIRTY and so they had shut off all the water from inside NPH. In addition, the outage only lasted a few hours before they were finally able to turn it back on. Granted, they then discovered that it wasn’t suitable for drinking (and hadn’t been for probably about a month…) BUT nevertheless, at least it was running. Oh NPH – what am I going to do with you?
There is no water anywhere. One of the pipes has ruptured and cannot be fixed for a few days (until the man with the key to the control room returns to work). Until then, use all current water resources sparingly.
WHAT?? Now I know I have experienced a lot of strange things in Guatemala – parasites (twice), our water source going bad, endless camioneta rides practically sitting on a stranger’s lap – but COMPLETE LACK OF WATER??? I can honestly say I never thought I’d see the day. It meant: no potable drinking water, no showers, but furthermore, NO FUNCTIONING TOILETS in ALL of NPH. WHA??? How long was this supposed to last? No. Freaking. Clue. But regardless – when you here that there is no water ANYWHERE…you begin to freak out a bit. I immediately became parched and felt the need for a shower and had to go to the bathroom at the same time. All for lack of water.
FORTUNATELY, per usual, all the information we received was wrong – none of the pipes had ruptured, it was only that the pipes were discovered to be DIRTY and so they had shut off all the water from inside NPH. In addition, the outage only lasted a few hours before they were finally able to turn it back on. Granted, they then discovered that it wasn’t suitable for drinking (and hadn’t been for probably about a month…) BUT nevertheless, at least it was running. Oh NPH – what am I going to do with you?
Freaking Out/Going Home
These last few weeks have been rough. Actually, incredibly rough. Between my hellish classes, not having ANY respect from my younger students, the lack of tias in my section with the crazzzyyyy amount of girls in my section, and the bureaucratic changes happening at NPHG…it’s been a reaaaalllly hard few weeks. Since I’ve been back I’ve been feeling overwhelmed about so many aspects of my life here…in addition to trying to plan a wedding…
Ok, so I’ll be the first to admit. I have NOT done much planning since coming back to Guatemala. In fact, very little. It’s true – I DO have a never ending supply of wedding magazines here at my disposal (thanks Eleanor!) buttttt with the wedding approximately 19 months away (but who’s counting…) and me STILL living in a foreign country, it’s been a bit hard to plan anything at all. Instead, my WONDERFUL PARENTS have AMAZINGLY taken on the task of scouting out venues for the two of us. What started out as “oh it’s so far away” QUICKLY turned into….HOLY CRAP THESE PLACES ARE ALREADY BOOKED THROUGH OCTOBER OF NEXT YEAR. After going to 5 venues, my mom, dad, and Jon realized that there was a distinct possibility that I would NOT be able to be a part of the selection process of the location for my own wedding! QUE MALA SUERTE! So, after a few days of homesickness and freak-outs about my lack of decision making power on this, you can be SURE that I was indescribably happy when I received an email from my dad with this line included:
“I am concerned that the dates you are interested in will not be available when you get home in August. I even suggested to mom (a little bit joking and little bit serious) that we should fly you home so you could look at these venues NOW.”
Needless to say I JUMPED on the opportunity to go back to the states…even if just for a weekend. The email came at the perfect time – my patience was wearing thin and my motivations were quickly diminishing. Now, with a flight already booked to go back to NY, my happiness has increased a BILLION fold and my energy and love of Guatemala has returned…ok, well, maybe not returned per se, but it’s getting there… I will officially be in the states in T-8 days and I could NOT be more excited – not only to be back in the states with my family and Jon and delicious food but also to start the loooonnnnggggg process that will be our wedding :)… My parents have already looked at 17 venues with 3 more to go - I just hope that all the venues aren’t completely booked by the time I get home…Wish us luck!
Ok, so I’ll be the first to admit. I have NOT done much planning since coming back to Guatemala. In fact, very little. It’s true – I DO have a never ending supply of wedding magazines here at my disposal (thanks Eleanor!) buttttt with the wedding approximately 19 months away (but who’s counting…) and me STILL living in a foreign country, it’s been a bit hard to plan anything at all. Instead, my WONDERFUL PARENTS have AMAZINGLY taken on the task of scouting out venues for the two of us. What started out as “oh it’s so far away” QUICKLY turned into….HOLY CRAP THESE PLACES ARE ALREADY BOOKED THROUGH OCTOBER OF NEXT YEAR. After going to 5 venues, my mom, dad, and Jon realized that there was a distinct possibility that I would NOT be able to be a part of the selection process of the location for my own wedding! QUE MALA SUERTE! So, after a few days of homesickness and freak-outs about my lack of decision making power on this, you can be SURE that I was indescribably happy when I received an email from my dad with this line included:
“I am concerned that the dates you are interested in will not be available when you get home in August. I even suggested to mom (a little bit joking and little bit serious) that we should fly you home so you could look at these venues NOW.”
Needless to say I JUMPED on the opportunity to go back to the states…even if just for a weekend. The email came at the perfect time – my patience was wearing thin and my motivations were quickly diminishing. Now, with a flight already booked to go back to NY, my happiness has increased a BILLION fold and my energy and love of Guatemala has returned…ok, well, maybe not returned per se, but it’s getting there… I will officially be in the states in T-8 days and I could NOT be more excited – not only to be back in the states with my family and Jon and delicious food but also to start the loooonnnnggggg process that will be our wedding :)… My parents have already looked at 17 venues with 3 more to go - I just hope that all the venues aren’t completely booked by the time I get home…Wish us luck!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Piojos
Thank heaven I’m still "waiting" for my turn to come, but unfortunately a lice infestation has taken over NPH. What started out as a few kids here and there has turned into a widespread epidemic, with most of the sections COMPLETELY overrun with the little buggers. I know what you’re thinking. Gross. And you should. But you should also know that lice isn’t completely uncommon here. With between 10-30 kids living in each section, piojos are INCREDIBLY common…and no one really seems to bat an eye at them. Regardless, Michael and Tia Rosa took to the streets last week (aka the classrooms and sections), armed with their handy dandy “hair goop” as I like to call it – aka a truly disgusting smelling gel-type medicine that they proceeded to slather onto every child at NPH’s head. While a lot of the volunteers were quite happy to have a full on attack against los piojos, a lot of the kids were less than pleased…although to be honest, I think the “goop” has more of a lasting hold for those sweet hair-dos they rock than any other product on the market – so STYLE AWAY!
Weekend Away
Last weekend (yes I keep falling behind on my posts…) the volunteers had our “volunteer salida” to Monterrico – aka the beach! The plan was to leave around 1 pm on Friday afternoon, but sadly, with the earthquake in Japan and threat of tsunamis up and down the pacific coast, a few of us (after MUCH deliberation) decided to take things easy and head down there on Saturday morning. So, instead of the beach, Meghan, Erika, Thayer, Molly, Katie, and I spent Friday night chowing down on DELICIOUS stir fry (thanks for leaving behind your peanut sauce, Sam!) Que rico! After an extremely relaxing and wonderful night with some great friends, a bunch of us took a transport to Monterrico to join the festivities :).
After our wonderful direct (and only 2 hour) transport, we arrived in Monterrico around 10 am on Saturday morning and proceeded to: hang out on the beach, eat DELICIOUS food (read: WHOLE fried fish – SOOOOOOOOO rico!), go swimming in our hotel’s pool, attempt to avoid being eaten alive by mosquitos (thanks for my OFF wipes Eleanor!), annnnddddd release baby turtles into the wild!!
The beach at Monterrico
Our WHOLE fish dinner! DELISH (and we were all VERY proud of Nathan and how well he cleaned his plate!)
Me and mi tortuga!
Monterrico is kind of famous here in Guatemala for his turtle hatcheries where they help protect the turtles until they can be safely brought into the wild. Around sunset we wandered down the beach to find the hatchery and to race our very own tortugitas :). Fortunately, I made friends with the guy in charge so he let me, Nanna, and Thayer go into the hatchery with him to collect all the turtles that we were going to release. Apparently the turtles that we collected had hatched between 15-30 days before we released them. We grabbed a WHOLLLEEEEE bunch of the little guys and headed out onto the beach where there was a huge line of people waiting to collect them. After, we all stood behind a rope and our turtles raced! While I definitely thought mine was the cutest, he was NOT the fastest… Also, and quite unfortunately, only 1 in a few THOUSAND of those little guys ever makes it back to lay their own eggs…so here’s hoping that slow and steady wins the race on this one! Anyhoo, the rest of the weekend turned out to be incredibly relaxing and a good weekend away :)
Look how cute he is!
Thayer and me with our turtles!
Setting our little guys free!
Look at 'em go!
The beach!
After our wonderful direct (and only 2 hour) transport, we arrived in Monterrico around 10 am on Saturday morning and proceeded to: hang out on the beach, eat DELICIOUS food (read: WHOLE fried fish – SOOOOOOOOO rico!), go swimming in our hotel’s pool, attempt to avoid being eaten alive by mosquitos (thanks for my OFF wipes Eleanor!), annnnddddd release baby turtles into the wild!!
Monterrico is kind of famous here in Guatemala for his turtle hatcheries where they help protect the turtles until they can be safely brought into the wild. Around sunset we wandered down the beach to find the hatchery and to race our very own tortugitas :). Fortunately, I made friends with the guy in charge so he let me, Nanna, and Thayer go into the hatchery with him to collect all the turtles that we were going to release. Apparently the turtles that we collected had hatched between 15-30 days before we released them. We grabbed a WHOLLLEEEEE bunch of the little guys and headed out onto the beach where there was a huge line of people waiting to collect them. After, we all stood behind a rope and our turtles raced! While I definitely thought mine was the cutest, he was NOT the fastest… Also, and quite unfortunately, only 1 in a few THOUSAND of those little guys ever makes it back to lay their own eggs…so here’s hoping that slow and steady wins the race on this one! Anyhoo, the rest of the weekend turned out to be incredibly relaxing and a good weekend away :)
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Día de la Mujer
After our Pica Pica fight all the ladies/girls of NPH headed to the comedor for a presentation for “Dia de la Mujer” aka International Women’s Day. Personally, I feel like it’s a little strange to celebrate being a woman, and to also have men celebrate the fact that we are women. We were made to stand in front of the comedor while men shouted:
“Thank you for being a woman.”
“Thank you for all that you have done as a woman.”
Is that not strange? And if THAT weren’t enough…the religious teacher here at NPH, Franklin, then got up to say a few words where he talked about how powerful and strong women are and how they deserve the same rights as everyone else….aka the other half of the population. IN ADDITION, he talked about how amazing women can be…and I quote… “just like they were in New York City when they marched through the city and gained the right to vote.” I’m sorry – would we have NEEDED to march on NYC if men had just given us the right to vote in the first place? Really I feel like this holiday is just used by men to say “sorry for all that crap we did in the past – but look how far you’ve come now!” It was by far one of the weirdest holidays I’ve ever been forced to celebrate (nice, sure… maybe… but DEFINITELY strange)…and I promise after this post I’ll keep my feminist views far away from my blog :).
“Thank you for being a woman.”
“Thank you for all that you have done as a woman.”
Is that not strange? And if THAT weren’t enough…the religious teacher here at NPH, Franklin, then got up to say a few words where he talked about how powerful and strong women are and how they deserve the same rights as everyone else….aka the other half of the population. IN ADDITION, he talked about how amazing women can be…and I quote… “just like they were in New York City when they marched through the city and gained the right to vote.” I’m sorry – would we have NEEDED to march on NYC if men had just given us the right to vote in the first place? Really I feel like this holiday is just used by men to say “sorry for all that crap we did in the past – but look how far you’ve come now!” It was by far one of the weirdest holidays I’ve ever been forced to celebrate (nice, sure… maybe… but DEFINITELY strange)…and I promise after this post I’ll keep my feminist views far away from my blog :).
Carneval!
Sorry that I’ve been a little MIA lately. Things have been beyond hectic per usual. Anyhoo – last Tuesday (March 8th – I know – I’m SO far behind!) was Mardi Gras, better known around the world as Carneval. Being the Guatemaltecos that we are – how could we miss a chance to celebrate another random holiday??
Here at NPH we celebrated NPH in STYLE, read: lots of cancelled classes, a costume contest, and TONS of PICA PICA (aka confetti and my new favorite word in Spanish :).) “Picar” in Spanish means “to itch” therefore confetti is called Pica Pica because it makes you itch :-p. How clever! Anyway – there was TONS of it – and I mean TONS. But I’m getting ahead of myself…
Tuesday’s classes started out normal. However, after a LOT of confusion (you’d think we’d finally start to get this whole “let’s communicate better” thing down but it still has yet to happen…) it was decided at the last minute that the rest of our classes would be cancelled. BIG shocker there Guatemala… In addition, Molly, Thayer, Meghan, and I were asked to be judges for the Carneval costume competition – how exciting!! The kids decorated and prepared their costumes and presentations in their classes and used mostly recycled materials (aka a LOT of garbage and old ricitos (snack) bags) to create their ensembles. The theme of the day was nature, but some classes went off the beaten path, showing us some pretty sweet Michael Jackson “Thriller” moves, synchronized robot dancing, as well as a short presentation on “Alice in Wonderland.” Overall we were incredibly amazed at the costumes and had a great time judging :). Who won you ask? A class of 7th graders that put on a short skit about garbage taking over the world and how a superhero was needed to save the day…and that superhero could be YOU!
After the costume competition everyone headed back up to the school where we had our MASSIVE Pica Pica fight! All the kids (annnnddddd maybe myself included…) had literally been preparing Pica Pica for DAYS for this crazy fight. Seriously – the kids were beyond experts at cutting little strips of paper. We all headed outside and basically just let rip – there was Pica Pica EVERYWHERE – I was seriously still finding it stuck in my hair after 2 days and 2 showers. How about that?
Alan and Concha as the King and Queen of the corn people!
This giant egg was literally hanging SMACK dab in the middle of my class for the ENTIRE WEEK before Carneval. Needless to say it made teaching less than enjoyable...
Some of the kids before their "Thriller" dance!
Molly, Thayer, me, and Meghan getting ready to judge the costumes!
ROBOTS!!!
HOMEMADE PICA PICA!!
Me and Hugo after our Pica Pica fight!
You COULD say that Meghan got her fill of Pica Pica...
Here at NPH we celebrated NPH in STYLE, read: lots of cancelled classes, a costume contest, and TONS of PICA PICA (aka confetti and my new favorite word in Spanish :).) “Picar” in Spanish means “to itch” therefore confetti is called Pica Pica because it makes you itch :-p. How clever! Anyway – there was TONS of it – and I mean TONS. But I’m getting ahead of myself…
Tuesday’s classes started out normal. However, after a LOT of confusion (you’d think we’d finally start to get this whole “let’s communicate better” thing down but it still has yet to happen…) it was decided at the last minute that the rest of our classes would be cancelled. BIG shocker there Guatemala… In addition, Molly, Thayer, Meghan, and I were asked to be judges for the Carneval costume competition – how exciting!! The kids decorated and prepared their costumes and presentations in their classes and used mostly recycled materials (aka a LOT of garbage and old ricitos (snack) bags) to create their ensembles. The theme of the day was nature, but some classes went off the beaten path, showing us some pretty sweet Michael Jackson “Thriller” moves, synchronized robot dancing, as well as a short presentation on “Alice in Wonderland.” Overall we were incredibly amazed at the costumes and had a great time judging :). Who won you ask? A class of 7th graders that put on a short skit about garbage taking over the world and how a superhero was needed to save the day…and that superhero could be YOU!
After the costume competition everyone headed back up to the school where we had our MASSIVE Pica Pica fight! All the kids (annnnddddd maybe myself included…) had literally been preparing Pica Pica for DAYS for this crazy fight. Seriously – the kids were beyond experts at cutting little strips of paper. We all headed outside and basically just let rip – there was Pica Pica EVERYWHERE – I was seriously still finding it stuck in my hair after 2 days and 2 showers. How about that?
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Proyectos en Marzo
This month I’ve already had my two projects – I spent Sunday with Brayan and Marvin – two of the babies from the baby’s house – with Erika, and tonight with Anabella and Sindy, two girls from the oldest girl’s sections.
Proyecto with Brayan and Marvin was certainly…different. We arrived right around 1…just around the time when Marvin was waking up from his nap. Always a good life decision. Needless to say it took him a good 30 minutes to warm up to the idea of not being around his tia or in his bed or still sleeping. During this time, Erika, Brayan, and I ate a delicious lunch of lentils and rice and then headed around the back of the baby’s house to play on the swings. OF COURSE during this time, we happened to adopt the entire little baby’s section into our project, which then turned into Erika and I running around having fun with 6 little babies and taking lots of pictures :).
Brayan chowing down
Erika and Marvin
Brayan on the phone with Mona Lisa!
The brothers :)
Fredy looking fly like a G6
me and Rosita :)
Brayan, Auri, and Fredy all ready for church!
Proyecto #2 in Marzo was incredibly different from the first but equally as fun. Anabella, Sindy, and I made a funfetti cake decorated with strawberries (QUE RICO!) and watched 27 Dresses in the English Department. Unfortunately, my copy of 27 Dresses decided to quit on us smack dab in the middle, afterwhich we picked up the night watching Hitch. Overall – good times :).
Anabella and Sindy
All of us :)
Proyecto with Brayan and Marvin was certainly…different. We arrived right around 1…just around the time when Marvin was waking up from his nap. Always a good life decision. Needless to say it took him a good 30 minutes to warm up to the idea of not being around his tia or in his bed or still sleeping. During this time, Erika, Brayan, and I ate a delicious lunch of lentils and rice and then headed around the back of the baby’s house to play on the swings. OF COURSE during this time, we happened to adopt the entire little baby’s section into our project, which then turned into Erika and I running around having fun with 6 little babies and taking lots of pictures :).
Proyecto #2 in Marzo was incredibly different from the first but equally as fun. Anabella, Sindy, and I made a funfetti cake decorated with strawberries (QUE RICO!) and watched 27 Dresses in the English Department. Unfortunately, my copy of 27 Dresses decided to quit on us smack dab in the middle, afterwhich we picked up the night watching Hitch. Overall – good times :).
Bar Raid.
This past weekend a bunch of us lovely volunteers decided to have a night out on the town in Antigua. We headed to a restaurant/bar called La Sala where there was supposed to be live music and cheap drinks. Wrong on both accounts. In addition, about 15 minutes after we arrived about 20 police officers showed up to the bar and SURROUNDED EVERYTHING – our table, the bar, the bathrooms – everything. They asked us how many drinks we’d ordered, our ages, to see our ID’s. SO weird.
Apparently, what’s done with a much quieter entrance in the US (security checks like checking exits and fire extinguishers, checking the ages of clients, checking ventilation and bathrooms etc.) is done with a LOT more flair in Guatemala. The policia stayed at the bar for about 20 minutes and, que suerte for us – we got free drinks for our “troubles.” Yes, the event was a little strange…yet I feel like things like this rarely surprise me here anymore.
Apparently, what’s done with a much quieter entrance in the US (security checks like checking exits and fire extinguishers, checking the ages of clients, checking ventilation and bathrooms etc.) is done with a LOT more flair in Guatemala. The policia stayed at the bar for about 20 minutes and, que suerte for us – we got free drinks for our “troubles.” Yes, the event was a little strange…yet I feel like things like this rarely surprise me here anymore.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Mystery Meat
I don’t know if I should say fortunately or unfortunately…but this blog post has nothing to do with food that we have been served in the comedor (although on occasion, yes, the meat is rather sketchy…). Last Thursday a few of the girls were on their way outside to wash dishes when I heard: “Jess…uhhh…could you come here for a minute??....what is THAT???” I wandered over to the door and stared out at the walkway to our house….to find…what can at best be described as a blob of raw meat. WHA? “Umm…is this a joke?” Of course not. After all, I live in Guatemala.
Turns out that when the girls had opened the door to go outside they surprised a dog who had been carrying said “blob of meat” in its mouth. In its surprised state it dropped said “blob of meat.” Still without a clue, I ran to get my flashlight to investigate further. It appeared to be a pink-ish, red-ish color, approximately a foot in length, roughly 7-8 inches across, about 5-6 inches in height, all while permeating the most foul smell I’ve ever experienced. Cassie and I then proceeded to find a board of wood (an old shelf from our house) so that we could investigate further….yetttt well, we both chickened out. At this point, the girls from house 7 came up the stairs and Ruth took on the challenge, poking and prodding said “blob of meat” to get at its true consistency.
We thought about trying to get rid of it and decided it was WAY too gross to handle. Instead, we thought – let’s just wait until the morning and if it’s still there we’ll call maintenance to take it away…After careful investigation (and hearing that a whole bunch of pigs had been slaughtered for our delicious dinner and lunch on Friday – YUM!), we believe that we discovered a pig’s liver outside of our house. Fortunately, 20 minutes later, the hungry dog came back to reclaim its lost goods. Digusting? Incredibly so. Hysterical? Absolutely.
Crisis averted.
Turns out that when the girls had opened the door to go outside they surprised a dog who had been carrying said “blob of meat” in its mouth. In its surprised state it dropped said “blob of meat.” Still without a clue, I ran to get my flashlight to investigate further. It appeared to be a pink-ish, red-ish color, approximately a foot in length, roughly 7-8 inches across, about 5-6 inches in height, all while permeating the most foul smell I’ve ever experienced. Cassie and I then proceeded to find a board of wood (an old shelf from our house) so that we could investigate further….yetttt well, we both chickened out. At this point, the girls from house 7 came up the stairs and Ruth took on the challenge, poking and prodding said “blob of meat” to get at its true consistency.
We thought about trying to get rid of it and decided it was WAY too gross to handle. Instead, we thought – let’s just wait until the morning and if it’s still there we’ll call maintenance to take it away…After careful investigation (and hearing that a whole bunch of pigs had been slaughtered for our delicious dinner and lunch on Friday – YUM!), we believe that we discovered a pig’s liver outside of our house. Fortunately, 20 minutes later, the hungry dog came back to reclaim its lost goods. Digusting? Incredibly so. Hysterical? Absolutely.
Crisis averted.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Saying Goodbye
Last Friday was Tio Orlando’s despedida. Orlando is an incredibly special man here at NPH. Having grown up in the NPH Honduras home himself, he moved to Guatemala and began working as a tio here at the age of 19. Now, after 14 years of dedicating his life to NPHG (and several promotions - he's now Director of the House), he has decided to take the next step in his life – moving to España to be with his girlfriend, a former volunteer. While we are all happy that Orlando is moving on with his life, it also makes everyone here incredibly sad. Orlando has been an amazing role model for the children here, has dedicated his life to giving back, and has always, ALWAYS been the voice of the children. No matter what the circumstances, you could always be sure that Orlando would be here for each and every child. To watch out for them, to lead them in the right direction, to show them support and love.
How do you begin to say goodbye to a man who IS NPH? Who has grown up with the children. Seen them at their best and worst. Helped them through so many difficult times. Welcomed them with open arms. Watched them become young adults.
This was the difficult task we were faced with on Friday. How to truly honor Orlando and all that he has done for NPH.
The ceremony itself lasted all day from noon until nearly 8 pm. Included were tons of songs, dances, poems, presentations, gift giving, and displays of heartfelt affection. I don’t quite know if words would do the evening justice, so here it is in pictures…(I took about 760 so here are the best of the best…) Buena Suerte, Orlando - nos vemos pronto!
Oscar playing emcee for the evening
Jan presenting Orlando with a gift from the office administration
Part of the presentation given by the clinic staff
Linda, Enma, Mariela, and Adela snuggled up and looking cute
Orlando with Tacuch and Luis
The volunteer presentation - aka Annika and Thayer holding flags and dancing :)
Karla and Orlando doing their thing
The volunteers watching...
The crowd!
Astrid and Annllie
Marta, Georgia, and Elmer
Sebastian, Jorge, and Cesar
Solomay and Concha
The boys showing some love...
With one of my favorite students, Alexander :)
Juan Carlos and Alex
Alvaro and his tio
Some of the teachers at lunch
Tio Ivan and Fredy!
Josefa, Olga Michelle, and Linda, all new girls in my section :)
Debora with Tia Fruc
Benjamin doing his thing on the cancha
GO TIO ORLANDO!
Axel - aka the best maintenance man EVER (and a pretty good soccer player too ;-))
Gaspar showing off his breakdance skills
Gustavo busting a move!
Guillermo and Darling - being adorable as ever :)
CANNOT get over how adorable Cubo is!
Performance by the orchestina
Orlando receiving his wall-hanging
Signs made by the baby's house
BRAYAN!!!
Presentation by the año de servicios
Orlando surrounded by the baby's house
Everyone watching the tio's performance
Oh why yes that IS Tio Sergio in blackface...we are quite politically correct here in Guatemala...
"Tio Orlando," "Padre Wasson," and "Ismar" in the tio's skit
The tio's presentation to Tio Orlando
Bachillerato's presentation
Kids from bachillerato and año de servicio together
Girls from Fatima presenting the final banner
How do you begin to say goodbye to a man who IS NPH? Who has grown up with the children. Seen them at their best and worst. Helped them through so many difficult times. Welcomed them with open arms. Watched them become young adults.
This was the difficult task we were faced with on Friday. How to truly honor Orlando and all that he has done for NPH.
The ceremony itself lasted all day from noon until nearly 8 pm. Included were tons of songs, dances, poems, presentations, gift giving, and displays of heartfelt affection. I don’t quite know if words would do the evening justice, so here it is in pictures…(I took about 760 so here are the best of the best…) Buena Suerte, Orlando - nos vemos pronto!
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