My dream car

So those of you who know me well know that I really want a Smart Car (and nearly bought one in 2009).  Until today....

A cute tiny version of a Rav4 with 4 seats and 4-wheel drive.  What could be better?  Maybe a Daihatsu Copen? (google it) Less practical though. ;)

Mi paraiso

So I may or may not have mentioned that I moved over 2 months ago, but I figure it's about time to show you all my new digs.  Which are awesome by the way.  Want proof?


Main gate to paradise

My new home is awesome because it comes with built-in friends!  Joseph & Andres live in a two-bedroom apartment/house and Josely lives right next to me.  I couldn't ask for better neighbors.  Not to mention Amalia, who lives in the main house, and took one look at my unfurnished studio, said "you don't have anything?!?!" and furnished my place by the time I got back from work, complete with pots, pans, towels and a shower curtain.

 

Joseph & Andres' casa

Mi casita!





I would just like to comment that had I posted these photos before coming home for Christmas, you'd only be looking at a twin bed.  But I walked in the door after break to discover a full sized bed with brand new sheets.  Amalia thought I just needed a new one (plus they'll be renting out the apartment furnished when I leave in April).  But I benefit in the meantime.  And I should probably also mention the brand new TV they installed in mid-Dec. Yes!

Kitchen

... with a little bit of home!

Miss you all.  Un abrazo!

My weird christmas

I always struggle with leaving home because I'm afraid I'll miss something.  I'm afraid that I won't be there when my family and close friends really need me.  Which is why this Christmas was somewhat of a mixed blessing because it's as if the universe was waiting until I got home so I could be part of it all.  This will go down in "The Life of Julie" as by far the most bizarre christmas.  I'd like to hear if someone else can top this one...

I had a rather rough last week in Nicaragua and was very much looking forward to getting home.  Only I got home and the whole house was a bit crazy.  No need to disclose all family secrets but let's just say there was a bit of an emotional tidal wave with a house of four women and my poor father.  Then we get a call....

Grandma got run over by a golf cart.  The "Grandma got run over by a reindeer" song took on a whole new meaning.  The golf cart literally just plowed into my sweet little old grandma as she stood there waiting to get picked up and taken to dinner at another house at her retirement home.  I know it had to have been an accident because my grandma is quite a lot like an elderly version of Cindy Lou Who... not even the Grinch himself could be mean to her.  And if you're trying to take out old people, you'd want to keep my grandma around the longest- there are plenty other Scrooges who should go first.

So we rushed to the emergency room and spent a fair amount of time over the next 6 days visiting her in the hospital.  Truly miraculous, not a single bone was broken- just a gash in her head and a fractured skull.  She actually stayed conscious throughout the whole extravaganza.  On Christmas day, instead of dinner at Grandma's, we all piled into her hospital room with our Martinelli's sparkling cider in paper cups and Christmas ham on plastic plates. Not a Christmas I'd ever wish to repeat, but considering the circumstances it was quite merry.

The thing is, even before this strange turn of events, Christmas felt a little strange.  It's weird to try to wrap my head around California, Texas and Nicaragua all being home.  It's weird to be in the house I grew up in and realize just how much I have.  It's weird to want to cry after reading the materialism jokes in the Christmas Day comics.  I walk into Crate & Barrel and instead of mentally picking all the things I want some day, I leave feeling slightly sick and claustrophobic.  I hold a baby at church and I have absolutely no desire to take it home with me.  I walk around the neighborhood, passing by expensive houses and just keep thinking the ones in Nicaragua are so much more lovely with the breeze from the open windows and the tropical gardens.  Just one week in the States and I already miss Nicaragua and the way of life there.  But when I'm in Nicaragua, I miss my family and friends, not to mention the general comforts of the states.

Which raises a whole bunch of strange questions: What exactly is the American dream and why do we want it?  Is it something I still want?  If I don't actually want it, what does that mean that I want?  What will my life look like?  How do you define home?  Do you ever really feel at home if you have more than one home?  I'm on an adventure and I don't want it to stop yet, but will that pass?  Do I really seriously think I could live abroad by myself? The answers that pop into my head for all of these questions surprise, excite and scare me all at the same time.

Of three things I am certain: 1) I have an amazing family that will be there for me no matter what, 2) I am becoming a person that I really love and am finally feeling good about life (for the most part), and 3) even if I didn't have those first two, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is Somebody in control who loves me, who wants the best for me and who's got my back. Don't believe me?  Ask for details.

Nothing like living abroad, business school application essays, Christmas in a hospital, family drama, cathartic tears and an upcoming best friend's wedding to make you think about things.  Hmmm...

Managua family

So it's officially December, and although it's still warm here, the christmas decorations are out in full force in the rotundas and you can't get much sleep because of all the "bombas" (translates to "bombs" but actually means very very loud fireworks).  Though I guess technically Managua has been gearing up for the holidays before all of you back in the States...  be thankful you've got Thanksgiving to keep it at bay.

All of these holiday festivities have made me very very excited to come home and see all of my family and best friends, but I have to say it's also made me realize that I've now got a sort of family here too.  So it's probably about time I told you all about them.

The gang over at Joseph & Andres for Thanksgiving

First, let's start with my neighbors.  Joce, a Nica chica wise beyond her years, lives 5 steps from my front door in the next studio.  Her boyfriend Chris lives with Robbie, Bob and Carlos.  They're all friends with my other gringo neighbor Joseph and together this pack of boys makes up my new group of older brothers to hang with.  Joseph lives with Andres, the son of Amalia who lives in the main house and gave me all the furniture I needed, even though I moved into an unfurnished place.  Joseph might possibly be the best neighbor ever because he gives me rides and teaches me just about everything he knows ( how to drive stick shift, how to cook and how to play guitar).

Then there's Pete, my partner in crime and the only other expat in the office who couldn't be a better coworker except for the fact that he's gone half the time traveling to El Salvador and Peru.  Lucky guy.

Then there's a whole church of gringa missionaries and my biblestudy girls.  And Neil and Kristen from Chaka Market, Amira & Lori from Manna Project, Emily from the Peace Corp, Eliza and Bridget from Fabretto... and all the other gringos from the embassy, other non-profits and other small businesses they've started.  I don't think I could have put together a more inviting or more diverse group if I tried.



Eliza & Bridget, and "Amigos" bottle of wine

Last but definitely not least, there are my taxi drivers, who are more aptly called my chauffeurs or just plain friends.  Javier, Ricardo, Jorge, Ramon and about 4 others constantly watch out for me- picking me up on time, taking me to my little "casita" without asking for directions, taking me to the bank and the grocery store, opening my doors for me, locking my doors whenever there are people walking around...  it's like my own personal bodyguards/assistants.  They know the ins and outs of everything... where to get the best exchange rate, what time the bank closes, where to go to catch a bus for each destination location, etc. 

So I couldn't be more blessed or more taken care of.  And while I'm so excited to see all of you back in the states, I'm definitely indebted to my new family here for making life so easy and keeping me from getting homesick.

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!