Things I'm learning

To get you all caught up on my life here, I thought it might be best to tell you all of the many things I've been learning...

• When an email to a Nicaragua government official bounces back, it's probably because you wrote ".gov" instead of ".gob" (english= government but spanish = gobierno).  Details matter.
• Driving stick shift is not as easy as it looks.  Stalling out on top of a mound of dirt- about as hard as it looks actually.
• Being in a culture where life moves slower can make you feel lazy, but also make you feel like you're on vacation every day.  It also means that most others are taking life slow, so you won't get your data until at least 3 weeks after you ask for it.  Which you shouldn't care too much about, because you're taking life slow.
• Strumming a guitar is not easy and pressing your fingers onto strings is unnatural.  Apparently you get used to this, but I've only had one lesson so far.  Technically, I've learned three cords already, but don't you dare ask me what they're called or where to put my fingers on the strings.
• Business school applications are unfortunately not comprised of just essays and a resume.  You have to input a whole bunch of meaningless answers that take time and only add to the misery of the application experience.  It's best to realize this extra frustration before its just 2 weeks before the submission deadline, but you'll probably be ok either way.
• Using canola oil to grease a pan will result in burnt brownies, plus the fact that the gas ovens here have max-min settings, not temperatures.  Futhermore, a smart gringa would not attempt to use her own oven for the first time ever to make a dessert for a church Thanksgiving potluck.  However, the top of the brownies will still be good and go very well with ice cream.  And the mere fact that you burnt them means you just take soda to the church potluck and can enjoy a (nearly) whole pan of brownies on your own.
• Thanksgiving potlucks with gringos in Nicaragua are more like regular potlucks that include turkey than they are like a Thanksgiving dinner.  Good luck finding a pumpkin here, and if you do, be willing to pay a pretty penny for it.
• Don't do 45 minutes of pilates after nearly a month of not really working out.  You WILL be sore all over.
• Don't get deathly ill the day after doing said exercise overkill.  Sore muscles don't feel any better when you have a fever, aches/pains and a very unhappy stomach.
• When the bottle says "take with plenty of water" it will not work to drink water and then sleep for an hour.  You have to stay awake and keep drinking tons of water.  Thankfully second time, not third, is a charm.
• It is important to have both Nica and gringo friends to take care of you when you're sick- one knows exactly what store will have 7-Up Light and the other has already been to see a doctor here and knows all about the miracle that is Cipro.  ;)

So clearly I am learning a LOT and despite a few minor setbacks over the past few days, I have to say I feel rather spoiled here in Managua.  And I'm looking forward to going back to work, eating more than plain carbs, finally eating those brownies & ice cream, enjoying thankgiving dinner with friends here and there are more guitar and driving lessons to come.  Given that I have so much to be thankful for, I think it's the perfect week to wish you all a very happy thanksgiving!

Random update

I recently moved from my overpriced closet to an oasis.  I now have a kitchen, and although I have yet to cook and actually fix myself something other than a sandwich, it's nice to have the option.  I also have wonderful neighbors- a Nica family in the main house, their son Andres & Joseph (a gringo) in a two bedroom apartment and Joce (Nica but lived in the States til high school) in the studio next to mine.

There is also an awesome terrace with a hammock.  There's also a grill area, beautiful grassy areas, immaculate gardening and a tamarindo tree with patio seating.  I sleep with the windows open because it's so cool here and I really can't remember the last time I did that.  And I get to use a washing machine myself (this is exciting people- I don't have to pay 50 cents per item anymore!).  Plus there are people here that I love hanging out with and who I plan to mooch off of as much as possible- cooked dinners, free internet, great company, rides to the grocery store, stick shift driving lessons and maybe even some guitar lessons.  What else could a girl ask for?

My new home involves a lot of animals, which is kinda fun.  First, gotta give a shout out to the gecko that lives on my walls who I still need to name.  Then there's the 4 guard dogs, the 2 cats, the millions of ants and the myriad of birds that wake me up every morning with their pleasant chirps.  And tonight I met a scorpion while watching Glee on CastTV in the chair outside my apartment (where I can get an internet signal), eating my turkey sandwich and the gummy worms the gringas gave me for my birthday.  The scorpion was very nice, just walked on by. 

Which reminds me: the moms at church were laughing at all the ridiculous things they say that they never thought they would.  Like "kids, don't go outside until I check for scorpions first." Or "Ok, you can go play, but not with the machetes."

Luckily, I am not responsible for any other living things, other than "Merma," my cactus.  Let me explain the name.  In Spanish, "merma" means the loss or shrinkage- basically what you lose of the beans once you clean them, take out the broken pieces, etc.    My coworker thinks this is just hysterical because I am so good at killing things that I've already killed off multiple leaves of la Merma- which in Spanish means I've lost some of the loss, or the loss really isn't doing so well.  Anyways, it's a fun word to say and a very cute little cactus. (picture to come later, if Merma lives long enough).

Fun fact: I actually knew the word "merma" before I came down here because of all the random Spanish literature I had to read in college- surprisingly this is not a common word here unless of course you're chilling with the bean producers.  I also know strange words like "mamut" which means "mammoth."  And apparently I say this word as if I am a professor, which Emily's nica boyfriend thinks is absolutely hysterical.  And no, "mamut" did not come up in conversation- I found a way to work it in.  Talented?  I think yes.

And that concludes the world's most random blog ever.  But at least you had something to read.

Quarter of a century

So yesterday I turned 25 and I have to say it was one of the best birthdays of my life.  Nothing like living abroad to make every facebook wall post mean that much more, and there were over 50! Thanks everyone!

Plus, gringos here go out of their way to be there for you.  I had a dinner group about the size as I would have had in Dallas, which just blows my mind considering I've only been here about a month.  It's just so easy to make friends when everyone is in the exact same "place" as you- the bonds here are just that much faster and easier.


The gang

That's right, my friends brought me a chocolate cupcake (plus a whole bunch of American brand candies).  And the restaurant gave us a free desert too!  Two chocolate desserts in one day. YES! 



Blowing out the table candle :)



And of course, what better time to turn 25 than when your life is exactly where you want it to be.  Most people in this world are waiting for the next big thing, waiting for life to happen.  Honestly, that was my life before I got here.  But now I'm perfectly content.  It's a strange feeling but such an incredible blessing.

I feel like I am exactly where I'm supposed to be and turning into the person that I want to be.  I'm so excited to be another year older because it's only getting better.  Looking back ten years, I've done and grown a lot since 15.  Can't wait to see the person I'll have become and the things I'll have done by 35!