HAOLY CRAP! Tomorrow is 2015 and I am sitting in a Nicaragua kitchen the color of bright lime green thinking OH SNAP I'M IN THE PEACE CORPS! There are days where it doesn't even faze me that I am thousands of miles away from my beautiful California beaches, my incredible family and friends, my adorable doggy who I miss very much, and all my mom's delicious Mexican cooking. I have so much fun and crazy adventures in Nicaragua that I don't really have time to miss people and things. But once I sit down and think about how much I worked to get to where I am right now I can't help but smile and know that it is all worth it. I have now been in the Peace Corps for 141DAYS! Almost 5 months down of my 27month service and I cannot wait to see what else life throws at me, literally, because knowing my life in this country it is going to be one crazy adventure with many move falls from pick-up trucks.

December is done today, and boy was it a long and packed month. It was supposed to be a long and boring month with nothing to do but watch Breaking Bad re-runs on my lap-top for hours and hours. Luckily, my host family didn't let me spend more than one day cooped up in my room, they really wanted me to enjoy and experience the holidays in this country. From many trips to parties and working on my personal huerto at home, December has been BUSY BUSY!

I discovered that at the end of the school year, my rural school takes an annual end of the year trip with all the professors and their families, so I was graciously invited on this awesome free trip where I got to experience the departments of Masaya and Managua with my new co-workers and it was a BLAST!!! They rented a charter bus for all of us (super fachenta!), which meant we had a very relaxing and comfortable trip without having to endure stopping every 5 minutes for people to get off nor did I get any potatoes dropped on my head, no dirty fish water spilled all over me, nor any butts shoved in my face (yes all of these are regular things on my many public transportation trips in Nicaragua). Our first stop was the Mirador (look-out) of Catarina, Masaya. Let's let the pictures speak for themselves: 

The rest of the trip was spent in Managua. I have been to Managua many many times, but this was definitely my favorite. I got to see parts of the city I didn't even know existed, and got to experience it at night without fear of being mugged. I visited one of the fachenta malls of the capital where they had one of the most beautiful Christmas arrangement I'd ever seen, plus I got to take a picture with Gingy from Shrek. I also got to experience my young sisters first trip on an escalator...I nearly peed my pants in the mall from laughter at her reaction going down it. I also went to a park called Parque Luis Alfonso, and it is by far the BEST PARK I've ever gone to in  y entire life, even the states. This public park was ENORMOUS and so beautiful, the entire time I was wishing I was still a little kid so I could play in all the jungle jims. Sadly my camera had died by then so I will have to go back to get photos. 

December will now be known as Piñata month, because I have lost track of how many I saw be destroyed in 31 days. I was kidnly invited to the baptism of one of my co-workers daughters where I awkwardly got started at by the other invitees, ate way too much candy, and somehow was convinced to dance with the professors from my school (really hope there isn't photographic proof that ever happened!)

So I discovered I have one of two zoos in he country, so of course I had to go...let's just say zoos in the states and zoos in Nicaragua are VERY DIFFERENT...and I'll leave it at that. I still enjoyed a nice trip to the Juigalpa zoo with my host sisters and cousin.  

This year I spent my first Christmas away from home, but luckily I had a fun time with my host family in Nicaragua. I spent Christmas Eve at my host family's "finca" (farm) where I ate way to much pig and cow, broke about 10 piñatas, let off a few "bombas" (fireworks)...more like 10, was surrounded by cows, bulls, chickens, turkeys, ducks, and roosters, and met way too many people my head hurt. It was definitely a night to remember. 

My host family invited me to spend a two day trip in Granada, one of the departments I was so excited to see! It was definitely an eventful trip, but then again I've never had just a normal trip. The three bus trip to Granada was spent carrying two giant birthday cakes across five departments! Yeah my arms hurt, but you bet I devoured my piece of cake once it was time to eat. 
The first day was spent at yet another party with yet another piñata. After that my family took me out to see the beautiful central town where everything I saw reminded me of beautiful Santa Barbara California. Granada is definitely one of my favorite Nicaraguan cities. Sadly on our walk, I witnessed someone getting run over. All I remember is yelling "is no one going to call 911, what is the 911 in this country, someone please tell me who and how to call!!! Eventually the paramedics (an old pick up truck) arrived and took the woman to the hospital I'm assuming...hoping to never experience that again. 
The nest day we went out to Lake Nicaragua for a nice swim. Weirdly enough, people in this country only go to the water to look at it, hardly anyone actually goes into the water. At this trip, I lost one pair of sandals, and broke the extras I took. Oh, I also fell out of a PARKED pick up truck. In my defense, it was very high and I was wearing a long skirt. Everyone got a kick of the American having the worst luck that day. Still a beautiful city and trip.

A few days ago I completed a full month of being a PCV! So what exactly have I been doing besides getting lost every week? I mostly keep myself occupied visiting my schools, playing with poop (literally), eating dinner with the ambassador (que fachenta!), and attending Peace Corps trainings. 

I spend most of my time at my rural school, where I teach english most of the week to incoming high school students (this is only a temp job during the winter vacation), and will be starting my ecological clubs in January. I never thought I'd enjoy teaching sixth graders, because honestly they freaking intimidate me!! But they are really awesome, respectful and love learning. I attended their elementary school graduation a couple days ago and I was so proud of them all! 

These are some of the young ones during recess time!

Every Monday and Friday they have what is called "Acto Civico'' Where one of the classes is chosen to do a presentation regarding a topic and then cultural performances. My little host sister did an awesome job on her dance (right side).

The schools are very creative in this country when it comes to recycling materials to make AMAZING ART!

A few weeks ago I went back to the Caribbean side for a day to help out an English volunteer with her English fair. I was a judge for a contest called "Miss English" and got to see different English performances by all the high school students. Had a great time chatting with volunteers from other sectors and departments. I also had the most delicious chicken taco in all of Nicaragua. I also saw a house that had a pet monkey...that's the Caribbean side for you. 

This year I was very blessed to have been randomly selected to have dinner at the ambassador's house for Thanksgiving and let me tell you...BEST MEAL of the year! I ate my first plate in 5 minutes and still wanted more. I thought my stomach was going to explode! It was awesome sharing a delicious and beautiful meal with other very grateful PCVs. I think we all wanted to cry from how blessed we felt. And I got to share this awesome day with my training sitemate!

First week of December was spent in Managua with all of Environment from Nica 64 and 62. It was a week of what is called In-Service-Training where the volunteers can exchange ideas. Then, Nica 64 had an oven training where we went and build ovens that are more environmentally friendly by using less wood. All I can say about that project is that it is A LOT OF WORK, and you will end up covered in poop. 

What better way to end the year than with GRADUATIONS!!! I enjoyed seeing my wonderful sixth graders graduate and also my host sister graduate from high school! She graduated the best female of her year, and she gave an awesome speech :D