A Trip to the Salon...

This weekend has started off great! Yesterday (friday) was mother's day here in Nica and we had a big family get together at our house here. It was fun. All the family was here and it was just a good time to laugh and hang out with family. It reminded me a lot of times with my own family at home...good times, always! My uncle is here from Miami and I thought that would be a good oppurtunity to relate with someone from the states...however, it was just the opposite. I won't elaborate on here, because this blog can be accessed by anyone, but you can ask me about it sometime.

The night ended for me at midnight! Crazy, because I usually am in bed by 8:30 or 9. So I was definitely sleepy and excited for a saturday of sleeping in...

However, this was not the case. I was awaken by a special someone who had a cupcake for me before he headed off for the group trip to Masaya. What a sweetheart : ) It would have been nice to sleep in, but this was definitely a nice surprise!

So after getting myself out of bed and showered my mom comes home from a meeting and says that I can go with her to the salon. I wasn't really expecting to get anything done, so I didn't take any money. Once we arrived my mom said she was going to pay for me to get a pedicure! It was great! We've been doing so much walking that my feet were so thankful for the TLC. My little sister also came with us and she got her fingernails painted. It was all-around girl's day. And we had a blast. I even read the magazine "Vanity"...in spanish! My sister kept doubting that I was able to read and understand everything. I don't think that the quite understand that my speaking may be rather weak, but writing and reading come a lot easier : )

It was interesting going to the salon with my mom and sister, because a few days before I left the states, my mom, sister and I all hit up the salon. So it was a little bit of dejavu!

So, it's been a fun day! And now I am ready to hit the hay, because tomorrow morning I am going to a soccer game at 8 am and then heading to the beach for the day! Yay. I am super excited about that...hope there's not another hurricane!! : )

Adios,
allisonjae

I still don't know about service, but we had meetings with doug the other day and he told me and Lindsey Beck that we would be placed together somewhere, so I am REALLY happy for that. We will probably be working with kids in some form...maybe an orphanage or school setting. We'll see. And I'll let you ASAP!

HuRrIcAnE aLmA!

Well, it's a hurricane!

Last night I slept to pounding rain on my roof and I left for school this morning despite the protest of my mom. The rain was absolutely insane! I arrived at school and found out that we were in a tropical depression and by noon, the tropical depression has turned into Hurrican Alma. The first hurricane of the season, and I guess one of the first to happen on the pacific coast like this. Que Raro! (how stange!)

We shouldn't have many problems with the hurricane here in Jinotepe since we are on the top of a mountain. The flooding is mainly a problem in the lower lands and the winds haven't been too bad since we aren't right on the coast. Plus, it's only a catergory 1 hurricane. So don't worry about me I won't be blown away... : )

We were planning on going to the beach this weekend, but if this rain keeps up, I doubt we will make the trip...plus it is COLD, COLD, COLD! Who knew?! I obviously didn't when I was packing, becuase I didNOT bring warm clothes. Brrrr...

In other news, I am still waiting to find out about my service assignment. I bought a yellow shirt at the store the other day. School is stressful. And I am already tired of the clothes that I had brought on this trip. I guess I am just used to having way more options...Lame, I know!

Yesterday, after our weekly SST "coyuntura" meeting at the SST house, some of the guys wanted their hair cut. So we got a clippers and started cutting. I cut kyle's hair and it is super short! But I am sure you will see pictures on the blog soon, since Doug took pictures of the event.

I feel like I've been doing the same thing everyday, class, lunch, lecture, homework, sleep. It's gotten pretty monotonous and I think I am ready to move onto the service portion of the program. I will miss my family here in Jinotepe dearly, and can only hope for the same love from another family. But I am ready to move onto the next stage. School makes me tired and I just feel like I am always going, going, going. Talk about burn out...but soon it will be over and I will know SO much more spanish by the end. Yippee! : )

I could really go for a white chocolate mocha from Starbuck's right now...a warm drink would be nice. ha.

I taught my sister how to play Uno the other night and we've been playing ever since. Just with two people everytime...Uno isn't that much fun with only two people..but it works. And it's a good way to connect with my sister. We have a good time!

I have also enjoyed talking to my mom more and more. We can't talk about MUCH, but when we do talk it's always nice. When I was feeling homesick she told me about her family in the United States and how she misses them a lot, too. This morning she cried because she realized I would be leaving so soon. It's crazy how quickly I have become like a daughter to her. It's amazing...and I don't know how I can ever say thank-you enough. Tomorrow is mother's day here in Nicaragua, so I bought a gift for her and will give that to her tomorrow. I hope she likes it!

So, that's all for now! I am holding up well here (other than the lack of clothes...brrr!)

I'll keep you posted on the service plans as soon as I find out!
Buenos Noches!

Feeling a little homesick...

I knew this day would come eventually...and today was the day.

Tonight I am feeling a bit better. But I was just pretty homesick all day. I think it's because I know of all the festivities that are going on at home with graduation and such! So much stuff to miss out on...yet, I am gaining so much here. And I need to remember that, too : )

Everything was getting to me today. Especially when I wasn't able to converse with people and my family. And ESPECIALLY the cat calls when I walk down the street. I know most of the time it's a cultural thing...but sometimes I understand what the guys are saying and it's just completely inappropriate. Ugh, I just need to start ignoring all of it.

I think the weekend just got kind of long. And at this point we are halfway through the study part of the program so the routine has been kind of monotonous. I am ready to find out my service project and start looking forward to that! Hopefully, we find out our assignments this week. I'll keep you posted.

So that's all the update I have for now. I am feeling better...but just needed to get some of that frustration out. I'll keep you posted about service! Buenos Noches!



Congratulations BCHS class of 2008! And special shout out to my brother. I am so proud of you. All grown-up!! love you!

A Day In the City

I know this is my second updated in two days and it may seem kind of crazy for me to be spending so much time on the internet, but I had a BIG day yesterday that I wanted to share on the blog before I forgot...

Yesterday, the whole group headed to Managua for the whole day, which meant no spanish class and no lecture! Yippee. So despite all the transportation strikes that have been going on we found a way to make it Managua safely. We didn't have any problems except at one check point the police stopped our bus. They saw that we were all "gringos" and immediately asked for our passports. None of us had them because our leaders keep them at their house for safekeeping. We were a little confused and Maria, our awesome leader who is Nicaraguan, talked our way out of it. Later she explained that La Policia knew that we probably wouldn't have our passports, but instead would take money so that they wouldn't "arrest us". It's kind of like a bribe thing, just another issue of corruption here in Nicaraguan.

So, we finally made it to Managua. The capital city. We had a schedule of everything we were going to do that day. Visit the Nehemiah Center, which is a center where they set up programs and send people out to work in communities. The main goal is to bring the connection of Faith and Life together. It's run by a family from Michigan and it's a part of the Christian Reform Church, but many other churches and church related groups support the programs. I really liked the place, and it may be a service option for me.

We then headed to the MCC house in Managua. It was great to see friendly mennonite faces. We ate lunch there and heard a bit about what they do. They are basically a human resource facility. They make connections for people and organizations. After that we went to a community center where there are clasrooms and awesome murals. I don't remember much from that tour because our tour guide didn't really know much and it was hard to listen to her, ha. Plus, it was SO hot! Managua is always about 10 degrees hotter than here in Jinotepe. Hot, Hot, Hot!

We all got onto the bus and drove through town to the city's garbage dump. Here they call it "La Chureca" and WOW! It was unbelievable the poverty around and IN the garbage dump. There are tons of people that work in the dump to sift through the trash to find anything recylable. Glass, plastic, paper, etc.. All of these things they sell for a very, very low cost. And not only do some of these people work in this place, but they also LIVE there. In a garbage dump. I just couldn't even comprehend all of it. Even after SEEING it I couldn't believe what I had seen. There were people of all ages working. Kids, grandparents...just trying to find a few pieces of garbage to make some money. As we drove through the dump, two little boys jumped into the van with us for the ride. They were just normal boys, but living their entire lives in a garabage pile. The houses are nothing but cardboard and the occasional piece of metal. It was just insane. I have never seen anyhting like it before. Or experienced I feeling so awful. You know that feeling you get when a begger asked you for your loose change and your gut just kind of clinches when you walk right by and ignore them? Well this was 1,000x worse. My whole body just clinched. It was not a fun feeling at all. We had a lady on the bus talking with us about how she had worked in La Chureca for many years and finally worked her way out. She explained how the people who work there are find their food there. And also, so many kids are getting lead posioning because of car batteries or other forms of lead. It's just insane. When we left our bus was completely silent because I think everyone was just in shock and really there was nothing to say, at all. It was just breath taking...and not in a good way.

So, after La Chureca we headed to the Peace Park which is where thousands and thousands of guns were burried after the contra-sandinista war. After the election of Violetta Chomorro, she declared that all the guns of the way be burried in cement, so that is exactly what happened. Usually countries will send guns for money, but Chomorro wanted to be sure that the guns would never be used to kill again. I think it's a good idea...

We then headed to El Palacio Nacional, which is the national palace. It is now a national museum, so we did the usual museum thing. It was just like a museum in the U.S. but it was about Nicaraguan history, from the times of the Indigenous until now. Interesting, but kind of long.

We then left Managua and headed back for Jinotepe. The drive was beautiful as the sun was beggining to set behind the mountains as we drove. Amazing.

Tomorrow half of the group is headed for Mombacho, which is a famous volcanoe here. We are staying overnight at the top. Hope it's not an active volcanoe! : ) Yikes. Now it's friday night and I am going to bed at 9:40...Buenos Noches!!

Also, I forgot to put this on my blog earlier, there is a GC website that has pictures and another blog done by our leaders if you want to keep tabs on SST that way. There are a few pictures that I am in, but they all seem to be of me making really awful, bad faces. So if it appears that I am having an awful time, or am falling asleep...really it's just a BAD picture. Ha. Just a little disclaimer. The website is: http://www.goshen.edu/sst/nica08/

Glad I Didn't Miss the Middlebury Festival

This weekend I experienced Middlebury Festival Extreme...

For those of you who don't know. The Middlebury Festival is a festival in my home town where there is food vendors, games, prizes, and an infamous parade. It happens once every year, over the summer, and it's just always a good time.

This weekend I experienced the ultimate festival. This one is called Hipica (sp?). It takes place every sunday in different towns throughout Carazo, Nicaragua. On Sunday, it took place in Masatepe. It was pretty insane.

First, they have people walking the streets selling beer, food, candy, balloons. Everything. And there is A LOT of beer. Let me tell you. By the end of the night everyone is pretty drunk. Don't worry friends and family, I did not partake...

There is also a parade. But this parade is quite different than any parade I have experienced in the U.S. this parade was very sporadic and seemed unorganized. Sometimes there would be 20 things to look at and for ten minutes nothing at all then a bit later there would come 2 more and then three minutes later another group of 6 things. Ha.

And this parade didn't have floats. Rather it was a horse parade. Yippee! And even better...they were dancing horses. You may wonder how they got these horses to dance. Well take horse + a liter of beer = dancing! Plus, the riders of these horses were definitely under the influence as well. Wow!

(just a little interjection...there was just this huge cockroach crawling on my foot!!! Ahhh. I just wanted to share that with you all! Yikes. Now I feel like there are bugs crawling all over me! Anyway...)

So we watch the parade. And at the end of the parade there is a float. It's decorated as a horse and there is a stage. And what do you know, it has a beer theme. The famous beer here is Tona, so that's who sponsored the float. On the stage there are 6 or 7 dancing 'Tona Girls' (well, My dad just killed the cockroach...hahaha.) So these girls are dressed kind of...okay just not really dressed at all and they are dancing theirs hearts out.

To say the least, the experience was interesting. I had a lot of fun though because I went with my older sister and her boyfriend and we met up with some of her friends from school so it was fun to interact with people my own age other than the other SST students.

So although I am a little sad I can't hang out at the Middlebury Festival this summer and watch the awesome parade, I feel like I have found a replacement...at least for this summer. And maybe the Middlebury Festival committee should consider adding some drunk, dancing horses...I dunno? Just an idea : )

Buenos Noches!
Allison

P.S. I am still freaked out about these cockroaches. I might not be able to sleep tonight...

Street Volleyball, Rainstorms and a Few Tears

My weekend so far...

Last night my family and I were doing the typical Nicaraguan thing: Sitting in front of the door outside, watching the world go by, and conversing. Earlier in the week I bought a volleyball and my dad remembered this. He told me to go get it so we could play. Of course I asked him Where the heck we were going to play since there is no such things as yards here. And he said in the street. haha. Quite the experience. My sister and her boyfriend also played and so did my brother. We just stood in a circle and hit the ball back and forth and when I car would come we would catch the ball and move of the streets. My little sister was my coach so she was giving me advice, and we even have a new handshake! My dad actually seems pretty decent. His setting could use some work...ha...but he said he hasn't played for 10 years. We had a good time though, and I think they were impressed with me for being able to keep the ball up at all : )

Later on in the evening, the rains began. It was very refreshing! The rainy season is right now so from now on it will be a lot of on and off raining which helps cool it down here a lot. However, the humidity is still pretty ridiculous. Our roofs are tin so falling asleep to rain pounding the roof is kind of nice. I really enjoyed that last night. And this morning I was reading on our hammock and another storm came, this time with thunder and lightening. It was pretty spectactular. Our hammock is under a roof so I stayed on the hammock and watched the storm pass. It was amzing. I love storms in the U.S. and Nicaraguan storms are no different : )

And now onto the tears...
This morning I slept in, which felt really good. After I did some reading on the hammock my mom invited me to help her cook lunch. I was pretty pumped because I have asked before, but she has always told me no. So I was excited. So I put my aporn on and think of the big mess I will probably make because I am the messiest cook ever right, mom? ha. And my mom tells me we will be making Vinegeriete (sp?). Sounds easy enough. She hands me a knife and shows me an onion on a cutting board. I beging to chop the onion and immediately the tears begin to roll down my cheeks. It was so funny and my mom and I just laughed and laughed about it. But it was hurting so much, too. Ha. It was funny. She said that it doesn't usally happen to her, so it must be my American eyes. : ) We also made this pasta casserole thing where you stuff the paste with chicken and onions and other ingredients and cook it up with cheese and tomatoe sauce. We are just about to eat it and I am SO excited! It smells delicious and I helped to make it!

So there are a few stories from my weekend. Today is mother's day in the U.S. if I rememember correctly? I think Mother's Day in Nica is on the 30th.

But to all the Mothers, Happy Mother's Day. And a special shout out to all those who have been mother figures to me. Thank-you for everything. Happy Mother's Day. I love you!

Love always,
Allison Jae

A Typical Day

7:30 am: wake-up naturally, no alarm. I love it. Shower, of course.
8 am: Breakfast. Huge!
8:40 am: Leave for school. A 20 minute walk
9:00 am: Begin classes with an awesome spanish teacher. He is so funny.
10:15 am: Break from class, go to a "pulperia" for coke or fanta
10:30: begin class again
11:30: Class ends, time for lunch.
11:45: Finally find and decide on a place to each lunch with whoever we choose.
12:30: walk around Jinotepe. Shop, use the internet...
1:30: Begin second session of class. It's a lecture about something Nicaraguan. Usually history, art or something like that..
3:00: Lecture ends
3:00: Walk around Jinotepe for the afternoon. Hang out with friends. Talk with Kyle. Whatever my heart desires.
5:00: My mom expects me home. Kyle walks me home...what a sweetheart! : )
5:30: begin some homework
7:00: Eat dinner
7:30: more homework
8:30: Bedtime....I know, so early! It's nice getting so much sleep though.

And that's my day here in Nicaragua. Fun, yeah?! I hope everyone is doing well back in the States. I am having so much fun, even with the communication block. My family and I are able to talk more and more each day!

Also, I find things EVERYDAY about my family that are so similar with my family in the states. The other day my mom was showing me pictures of the family and she came to one of my brother, Jose, his face was all scratched up and his lips were swollen. I asked what happened. She said that he fell off of a bike...and that he was really accident prone. Haha. Sounds like someone else I know. Love ya, mitch! : )

Well that's all for now. My family just got internet tonight. Yippee. So maybe I'll update more often? Sweet! : )

love you all and miss you!

Mi Familia en Nicaragua

My family is so great here! I love them already.
They are exactly like my family at home.
I have 3 siblings and my parents are so nice.

Mi Madre--Her name is Virginia. She is an awesome cook and is always so nice. She takes care of me. And she is an awesome hostess who knows lots and lots of people

Mi Padre--He sells coffee for a living. He also talks really loud when he is talking to me. He thinks this will help me understand. ha. I think this is exactly how my dad,dave, would be. I love it. It makes me smile.

Mi Hermana (sister --she is 19 and has a boyfriend. She is nice and tries to help me understand. I like her a lot.

Mi Hermano --he is 16 and i don´t see much of him...hm...kind of like another brother I have. haha. He is nice though and always greets me.

Mi Hermanita my little sister -- she is 8 and has so much energy and always wants something to do. She reminds me of my own little sister. She like horses too. She reminds me of little miss sunshine, but with abbis personality. She is hilarious and loves talking to me. I think she likes me a lot which helps me feel really welcome too. She is adorable!

My family is great. They always help me understand and they care about me a lot. They always call me Allison too. It´s cute. They do so much stuff for me. I hope someday I will be able to return they thanks because what they are doing for me is amazing!

That´s all for now. I will update more later! Miss you all.