Happy Birthday to the Oso!

Please go here to LOL: http://caringforbear.blogspot.com/2006/10/ode-to-bear-thanks-clare.html

I was looking for a bear poem to put up with this picture and instead found a blog written by a lady that is married to a Bear. Pretty funny. Anyway, Happy Birthday, Bear. Thanks for being a great friend and sister. Love, Bird.

En Paz/Capaz

Today kicked off camp at one of my schools. I really wasnt sure what the expect, how many kids would come, if theyd like it. En fin, all that other stuff of self-doubt and assumptions. The camp was set to go one way a few months ago but in this last week, I completely changed it, focusing on Children´s Rights around the world. Stressing to them that they have rights as members of their society and citizens of their country and the world, conditions that must be met in order for them to have happy, healthy lives; they, in turn, must respect the human rights of others. Lovely UN stuff. I dont know what made me change but Im glad I did. Today went well. We had some get-to-know you activities, a grafiti wall, read a fairy tale about human rights, and had aserious geography lesson. Did you know that Venezuela was in Asia? Yeah, Im talking serious. I thought the inner city was bad. Anyway, in the next couple of days we will be celebrating Children´s Rights, via watching movies (hopefully even though my CTA let me down with the projector), playing games, and doing art (making Christmas cards for a local orphanage and one of our students that is very sick). I will post more stories and pictures soon. Love you.

Guat?

Feels slightly strange being back. Specially yesterday when I saw a bunch of people from town that I am kind of close with. Complete social awkwardness. Slight language barrier. Road blocks of different understandings. And also small talk. But today I feel better. Took the bus into town and everything feels good. I found out that the three classrooms that were going to be built at one of my Institutos are going to be used for more students unfortunately. Its great that they are sending more students our way because the majority of the teachers are pretty great here. A lot us were hoping that we could use those classrooms for special purposes, like a library or a Home Ec class. The walls are up though. And the schools being painted a bright yellow color. Next week is a camp at one of my schools. Im excited about it but feel no way prepared. Hard work the next couple of days. My host brother, Cristian, and I will be working away. More random thoughts... I made Mac and Cheese today over an open flame and it was amazing. I also made some black beans in a clay pot, took a nap with Jellyto, took a cold shower because the electricity went out and cleaned my house . I miss you guys.

Otown pwnt

Survey

1. Where were you at 3:02 AM this morning? sleeping with Mom but she kept telling me to move over because I was too close. I need warmth. Perla, you understand.
2. What was the first thing you thought this morning? I need some Fiber 1 and Honey Chex in a big bowl, STAT.
3. Is the person you like older or younger than you? I don't know if I even like this person but if I do, then he's older.
4. What did you do last night? watched the Biggest Loser and Dancing with the Stars with Mom, Dad, and Perla, then passed out on the couch until Mom made me go up to my bed
5. What do you hope to do this weekend? have fun with my family, with Phillip as part of it
6. Do you think you will be in a relationship 3 months from now? its possible, but that'd be totally unprofessional
7. Do you own a stereo that costs more than $100? not sure, Roy, how much was that little boombox?
8. Have you ever told someone of the opposite sex you loved them and meant it? yes I have and will continue to do so, but always with extreme hesitation to even like them at first: baby, that's how I roll
9. How's your heart lately? strange, I kind of feel weird here and also in some kind of limbo for my brother, sad because I know he has to go back but then this other feeling I can't quite describe because I find myself trying to believe that he isn't going back
10. What were you doing this morning at 7am? still sleeping, trying to keep warm
11. What will you be doing this afternoon at 12 pm? stuffing my face with delicious food
12. Are there any previous relationships you wish could have lasted longer? no, probably would have been better if they would have been shorter then I wouldn't have gotten attached as I did
14. What was the reason you last cried? seeing Phillip after so many months
15.Have you ever talked to someone that was high? jajajajajajaja...
20. How many red lights have you ran? not too many, never on purpose
21. Have you ever cried in the shower? yea, how confusing
22. What was your favorite grade(s)? 4th grade or 5th
23. What were you doing at 12am last night? sleeping
24. Whats a sure way to catch your attention? beauty, humor, violence
25. Have you ever, in any way, been betrayed by someone you trusted? I'm sure
26. When was the last time you were given flowers? I don't know, it was that long ago
27. Is there anything that you are craving for right now? maybe some sushi and a delicious mojito
28. Where did your last hug take place? Perla possibly last night before she left
29. Do people ever make stupid mistakes when spelling or saying your name? in Guatemala they spell it with only one N and they dont even try saying the last name; they say "dejemolo asi no mas"
30. Have you ever started a sentence with "No offense, but..."? more like, "all im saying is..."
31. Do you drink tea? mmhmm, I'm somewhat chilean
32. When was the last time you saw a cop? yesterday on Douglas
33. Did you ride in someone else's car today? my old car, apparently GarBears's car now!
34. When was the last time you ran? I ran to the car the other day