Hace Un Mez

So its been a month. A month of learning. Learning Honduran spanish. Learning the way the community here functions. Learning how to limit my time on the internet. Learning how to attempt to keep my blog going. Learning patience. Learning humility. Learning how to keep going when you are super tired. Learning all about Amigos.
We started tutoring. We shadowed all of the workers and the volunteer jobs to see where we could find our niche...oddly enough, i am going to be working in Health, who knew :). I am also going to be doing work with Social work as well, which will be awesome. I am pretty excited.
Its pretty awesome to be apart of this Hogar. In one converstation, i am asked why the planets exist and why we cant breathe up there--and in the same breath begged for a carrot. I love turning around during MOnday and TUesday nights when we have free nights with the boys and see a frisbee coming from one direction and a soccer ball the next. Its fun to prestar (loan) things to the boys, like my rings or necklaces and tell them my story. I cherish the moments when I get to listen to their thoughts and what they love to do.
In one minute I am laughing and joking with one, another gives my an impression of Harry Potter, and a third wants to show me las pulseras he made for his padrinos in the States.
Yes the language is still a struggle. Yes, Im still pretty unsure of punishments and how to take care of boys who are coming off of the street and from horrible life situations, but all in all, I know that in as much I can give them, I am recieving from the boys here ten fold. Somehow I landed the blessing to live here for the next 14 months, and I will take each day and embrace the trials, the joys, the exhaustion and the excitement.
To all those at home, I miss you, I love you, and know you are in my thoughts. You have played a huge role in my being here. I could not do this without your love and support. WIthout you I am nothing.
God Bless

First Impressions

We spent the night in Copan Ruinas, about 2 hours outside of the hogar with the Current volunteer community before arriving at the Hogar. The drive was long, however, when we were all told to start looking for the cross, it was a pretty incredable feeling. I was so excited. Of course, Kate spotted the cross first, and apparently she wins L 5, but I am not sure if she will get it. And then we were there. Father Dennis was there to greet us, along with boys, everywhere. It was pretty awesome. We drove straight to the volunteer house where we were greeted with open arms and lots of yelling. The Hogar itself is pretty beautiful. I can not wait to make this place feel like home. I was welcomed and fed, but walking around was pretty intense. The Volunteer house is pretty cool, the comedor and the homes for the boys are really pretty, and the cross, I guess I hope you can come and see it while I am here. My first thought was I am glad I came. There is not place I would rather be right now.
I know this next year is going to be tough, from the boys´ stories, to living away from the states, from learning to eat meat, to living in community, however, I know there is no place else I am supposed to be.
Interestingly enough, our first night was full of Piñatas, belayadas, and Micheal Jackson. I will never cease to be surprised when I hear little Hondurans singing Thriller or Billy Jean and dancing as though they were on stage at a concert. Its pretty fabulous. Our first night at the Hogar was indescribable, and I couldnt wait to see what else was in store.

Xelajooooooo

Visiting Xela as you know, was a blast. This blog is long over due, but hopefully I will be able to capture my last few weeks there. I went to two Quinceaños and one wonderful soccer game. I can not remember those times without a huge smile on my face. IT makes me forget all about the cold and the rain that we lived through there. I believe my last two weeks there, I sounded like a frog and could not stop coughing. However, I made it through. My six weeks there were full of adventure and the start of many great friendships, both with those in my AMIGOS family, and those in Xela. I hope to return there soon. Perhaps not before I finish my exciting year at the Hogar, but soon after. I loved every minute of this.
Being a guest at a Quniceaños feels as though I was part royalty. The guests (mostly family) dress to the nines and the food, dancing, and music is top noch. It is a passing from being a little niña, to being an adolecent. The girls leave behind their dolls and playthings and move onto charting their own path. A move marked by a huge celebration, and a long night of dancing. It was wonderful. However, the whole time I remembered my own 15th birthday party, and in no way would I trade the amazingness that was Hawaiian and Mama Pelstring´s cake for the world. So with all of the tradition, I become more and more appreciative of my own memories that marked my growing up...if thats what you call it.
Then, of course, I could not miss my opportunity to see a famed soccer game in Xela....XELAWHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Well needless to say, I choked on smoke, watched a tee shirt get set on fire, and enjoyed one too many gallo (which is pretty nasty) all while getting absolutely DRENCHED. Probably the cause of my illness the rest of the time. But it was wonderful. Xela won 1-0, and of course there was much celebration after. IT was so wonderful. I highly reccomend enjoying a futbol game if possible on your visit.
Time came for us to leave, and it was rather sad. I wanted to stay, longer, and make Xela more my home. I loved everything about it. Language school, was school, but such a great way to learn! MY host family. Fed me, supported me when I lost my things, and made me feel so much a part of their life. AND..i climbed a mountain, soaked in hot springs, ate my way through with amazing food, AND DANCED alot. Xela was one stop on my way to Honduras, but hopefully i have not said a final goodbye.