Thursday, November 26, 2009

Salve a ti Nicaragua

I totally told myself before I came to Nicaragua I would keep this blog up-to-date because I loved blog stalking during my application & wait to leave for country. However, it is sometimes really hard because during my limited internet time I really want to do things like facebook stalk/ skype/read postsecret/other random stuff. And during training I was so busy! But as a newly sworn-in volunteer...I am going to try to update more often and adjust my internet time so that I'm actually being productive (a little bit!).

So training is officially over and Monday was Nica 51 swearing in ceremony. It was such a great day and I couldn't stop smiling as I finally became an official Peace Corps Volunteer. The weeks preceeding swearing in were crazy, including our site visit, our final charlas, youth group ceremony, interviews, and random PC briefings...now I suppose its time to relax a little! :)

I passed my final language interview with flying colors! Coming in with such a limited spanish ability was challenging, but I am now so excited with how much I learned and achieved during training. Although I am by no means fluent, I can complete most daily tasks and hold pretty great conversations. Over the past few weeks I've learned so much about my host family from our conversations and I'm glad to have developed my relationship with them. Seeing them leave on Monday after swearing in was extremely sad. They were a great host family and really introduced me into the culture and life of Nicaragua. I will definately mantain a great relationship with them over the next two years and look forward to cooking food with american cheese, going to the beach, and being absolutely crazy with my sister and cousins!

Tomorrow morning I officialy leave for my site as an official PCV. Its very exciting and also a little bit nerve-wracking after 12 weeks of training. During training, everything is so structered and we spend so much time with the other trainees..its going to be strange really being out in Nicaragua by ourselves. Most of us in the training class are nervous, but talking to other volunteers about the first couple months and knowing they survived ensured me at least that I will make it though. Plus, after AVC (all volunteer conference) this week, I am very excited to get to site and start implementing some amazing ideas! Also, I'll be busy with promciones, PACA tools (YES! YES!), finding a house, and complete community integration! WOO!!

In some ways it really is crazy that I'm actually starting this journey. I swore-in as a PCV about 1 year after recieving my nomination to Peace Corps. Seeing this dream and reality come true is absolutely amazing and I am so excited to dedicate my next 2 years in service to Nicaragua!

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Ok..so I know its been a month since I last posted..so for a really quick update (I´ll do a better one next week when I´m in Managua and have free interent)

I have my site assignement! I will be spending my next 2 years living in La Paz Centro, León!!! More about this and my site visit later.

Life in Nicaragua is wonderful as always and my spanish is doing great! I´ve been able to travel more which is awesome..Nicaragua is such a beautiful country!

Swearing-in is in one week!! Yay!