Final Week
17 years ago
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Reason...
I think I have found out the reason that I came home early. My great grandmother passed away today. She lives up in Michigan. We were planning on a trip up there this week anyways...We'll be able to attend the funeral...Please keep my family in your prayers...
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Dallas...
I am in Dallas right now. My flight was delayed in Miami...some of the flight crew didn't show up or something like that. And than they practically shoved us all on the plane and started getting us going without everything settled. We got here and of course my flight was in a different terminal, so I had to take a shuttle over. Man I am disappointed about that--there was a Ben and Jerry's in the other terminal but I wasn't sure how far my gate was and they had posted on the board an earlier time than was on my ticket so I panicked a little. But I ended up having an hour...but I didn't want to go all the way back. My body was running on empty, so I stopped off at Pizza Hut and got a pepperoni pizza, breadsticks, and a Mountain Dew. I feel more human like and less of a zombie now...I had a few snacks today but it wasn't much. I was going to get lunch at Miami but I was flabbergasted at the prices. There was a really yummy looking chicken sandwich combo with chips and a drink...for ten dollars. I good get something like that in Nicaragua for like two dollars! I was astonished and left the place kind of reeling. I've forgotten how much more expensive things are here in the states.
Also, I keep speaking Spanish to people. Sometimes full sentences, sometimes just one word answers--but it's automatic. I didn't even realized I had done it at first until the stewardess stared blankly at me for a moment. Than I reviewed in my head what I had said-"Un botella de agua por favor." A bottle of water please. I really hope I don't lose my Spanish. I picked up the Spanish magazine out of the back of the airplane seat and was able to read it all the way through...I felt accomplished. Hope all is well with you guys and the next time you'll probably be hearing from me, I'll be home!
~paz
Also, I keep speaking Spanish to people. Sometimes full sentences, sometimes just one word answers--but it's automatic. I didn't even realized I had done it at first until the stewardess stared blankly at me for a moment. Than I reviewed in my head what I had said-"Un botella de agua por favor." A bottle of water please. I really hope I don't lose my Spanish. I picked up the Spanish magazine out of the back of the airplane seat and was able to read it all the way through...I felt accomplished. Hope all is well with you guys and the next time you'll probably be hearing from me, I'll be home!
~paz
In Miami...
Hello to all you wonderful people who have continue to keep up with me on my travels!
We had some minor problems with the plane in Managua. We taxied out to the runway and than they realized something was wrong so we taxied back to the gate and they fixed the problem and had to do the paperwork and then they had to refuel because we had burned so much sitting around. The flight was fairly uneventful except for the little girl who sat next to me. I swear I have never heard a voice so shrill before in my life. And she proceeded to use that voice the entire trip. So the nice two and some hour nap that I had been looking forward to did not happen. Luckily, a tv show was playing and so I tried drowning her out that way. We arrived in Miami about an hour later than we were supposed to, but I had a three hour layover here in Miami, so I haven't been crunched on time which was good having to go through immigration/customs and everything...I feel like I've gone through so many security check points and other ridiculous things today. Ugh. I forgot that I had some mango/pineapple/banana jelly in my backpack and they counted it as a liquid which sticks because I was going to use that as a gift for mom...but oh well.
I have about 40 some minutes before they start my boarding so I think I might hit up the bathroom in a few minutes and maybe get something small to carry on the plane with me to eat. We'll see. I think I have about a two hour layover in Dallas as well and than I have my flight to Alexandria which is about 15 minutes or so from the house.
I was able to hang out with Tara last night and we talked until about 1 this morning (which probably wasn't the greatest thing since I had to get up at 4 but I really enjoyed it). I love Tara to death and I realized how much I have missed her friendship. We used to be pretty close, but I've kind of dropped the ball lately and our paths didn't cross as much. I really really really really hate that I left when I did and didn't get to spend more time with her.
We had some minor problems with the plane in Managua. We taxied out to the runway and than they realized something was wrong so we taxied back to the gate and they fixed the problem and had to do the paperwork and then they had to refuel because we had burned so much sitting around. The flight was fairly uneventful except for the little girl who sat next to me. I swear I have never heard a voice so shrill before in my life. And she proceeded to use that voice the entire trip. So the nice two and some hour nap that I had been looking forward to did not happen. Luckily, a tv show was playing and so I tried drowning her out that way. We arrived in Miami about an hour later than we were supposed to, but I had a three hour layover here in Miami, so I haven't been crunched on time which was good having to go through immigration/customs and everything...I feel like I've gone through so many security check points and other ridiculous things today. Ugh. I forgot that I had some mango/pineapple/banana jelly in my backpack and they counted it as a liquid which sticks because I was going to use that as a gift for mom...but oh well.
I have about 40 some minutes before they start my boarding so I think I might hit up the bathroom in a few minutes and maybe get something small to carry on the plane with me to eat. We'll see. I think I have about a two hour layover in Dallas as well and than I have my flight to Alexandria which is about 15 minutes or so from the house.
I was able to hang out with Tara last night and we talked until about 1 this morning (which probably wasn't the greatest thing since I had to get up at 4 but I really enjoyed it). I love Tara to death and I realized how much I have missed her friendship. We used to be pretty close, but I've kind of dropped the ball lately and our paths didn't cross as much. I really really really really hate that I left when I did and didn't get to spend more time with her.
Airport
Hey guys! I'm in the Managua airport right now. I am getting ready to board my flight in the next ten minutes. Came back here to a little coffee cafe--pretty good. Got a drink and am eating some empanadas. Someone stole my camera. :-( Hope all is well with you guys and I'll keep you update as to where I am.
~c
~c
Monday, July 13, 2009
In Managua!
Hey folks...It is me! I am in Managua right now, and Tara has arrived safely here. I am really sad that I am missing the time spent here with her. It hurts my heart a bit because she is an amazing person and a great friend...but ultimately I think this is for the best. Tomorrow I am getting up around 4 to get to the airport by 5. Early mornings--ewwwww. But it happens. I will blog about the last few days when I get back, so just because today is my last day does not mean anything! I might continue the blog when I get back home, so if you are ever bored, do not be afraid to pop back in.
Love to you all and I can not thank you enough for the love and support that I have had from all of you!
Courts
Love to you all and I can not thank you enough for the love and support that I have had from all of you!
Courts
Friday, July 10, 2009
Going home...
I just wanted to take a moment and thank you all for your prayers and support of Jessica and I and all that we have done here. This trip would not have been possible without all the efforts of everyone involved. I can't tell you how grateful I am to have had this experience. It wasn't entirely what I expected, but some how it all worked out. I have learned a lot about myself and about other people from this trip.
Going home is going to be a good thing. I get to see my family for one--something I've wanted since Spring Break. I get to travel to Michigan with them and see all of my family up there--something I have not done in years. After that, I will be traveling to Tennessee to stay with my grandparents there, which is pretty exciting. And then, I will be back in time for RA training at school. One of the things that I had been worried about is that I would only have three days before classes start to get my hall decorated, things moved into my room, and to prepare myself mentally, emotionally and physically for the school year and to being an RA. This is my last semester of college, and I really don't want to start it off on a bad foot/really stressed out. I'll have time to relax before the school year starts. And, I will also be there for the training with my fellow RAs, which is good because I remember how much I bonded with my old staff last year. It was helpful because I knew what the others were capable of and how they could help me. I knew I could count on them.
The decision to leave was a difficult one, but now that it is made, I feel satisfied and content with the decision.
My flight leaves out on Tuesday, July 14th at 7:10 am. I fly from Managua to Miami to Dallas and then to Alexandria, LA. I should be getting in around 9 pm.
We will be traveling down to Managua on Monday and picking up Tara at the airport and then (hopefully!) will be staying with Rodney down there. I am disappointed that I will be missing time with Tara, but I (selfishly) need to do what's best for me in this situation.
These next few days will be filled with packing and trying to find gifts for everyone around here. Today we will be going to a friend's house who makes flags. I also try to get a flag from every country that I've been too, and hopefully Nicaragua won't be the exception. I hope this finds you all well. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me or leave a comment on this blog.
~paz
Going home is going to be a good thing. I get to see my family for one--something I've wanted since Spring Break. I get to travel to Michigan with them and see all of my family up there--something I have not done in years. After that, I will be traveling to Tennessee to stay with my grandparents there, which is pretty exciting. And then, I will be back in time for RA training at school. One of the things that I had been worried about is that I would only have three days before classes start to get my hall decorated, things moved into my room, and to prepare myself mentally, emotionally and physically for the school year and to being an RA. This is my last semester of college, and I really don't want to start it off on a bad foot/really stressed out. I'll have time to relax before the school year starts. And, I will also be there for the training with my fellow RAs, which is good because I remember how much I bonded with my old staff last year. It was helpful because I knew what the others were capable of and how they could help me. I knew I could count on them.
The decision to leave was a difficult one, but now that it is made, I feel satisfied and content with the decision.
My flight leaves out on Tuesday, July 14th at 7:10 am. I fly from Managua to Miami to Dallas and then to Alexandria, LA. I should be getting in around 9 pm.
We will be traveling down to Managua on Monday and picking up Tara at the airport and then (hopefully!) will be staying with Rodney down there. I am disappointed that I will be missing time with Tara, but I (selfishly) need to do what's best for me in this situation.
These next few days will be filled with packing and trying to find gifts for everyone around here. Today we will be going to a friend's house who makes flags. I also try to get a flag from every country that I've been too, and hopefully Nicaragua won't be the exception. I hope this finds you all well. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me or leave a comment on this blog.
~paz
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Photos!
Everything in this photo was grown/produced on the coffee plantation except for the tomato salsa (pico de gallo). He grows the corn to make the tortillas, he grows the beans to make the refined bean paste, and the cows that we milked--he uses that milk to make the cheese like substance. It was pretty good!
Coffee Plantation!
Today Jessica and I went up to the coffee plantation again with Andy. Amada came with us, and so did two girls from Canada. We had a lot of fun!
We took the tour of the plantation again. I got to milk a cow! And we went horseback riding again--which I love!
We visited the baby coffee plants. They plant the baby ones in little plastic bags where they will live for six months. Then they plant them in the ground--it takes 3 years for a coffee plant to fully mature.
We took the tour of the plantation again. I got to milk a cow! And we went horseback riding again--which I love!
We visited the baby coffee plants. They plant the baby ones in little plastic bags where they will live for six months. Then they plant them in the ground--it takes 3 years for a coffee plant to fully mature.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
The End is near...
So still no word as to why we are being made to leave the hotel.
The guy who owns the coffee plantation--Andy--has offered to let us stay at his house for as long as he wants. He even has two rooms so we could have our own rooms if we want.
Yesterday Jess and I went to the ceramic black pottery place and bought a few gifts. For ten dollars, I got a lot of stuff. I felt kind of bad having the stuff so cheap. She is going to make me a teapot and some teacups.
So my parents don't feel entirely comfortable with me staying down here since things have changed with the hotel. We won't be teaching English here any more, and at the moment the water project is kind of stalled. We'll still be teaching English at the church though. Tara is coming next week for two weeks. We were planning on taking her on a sightseeing tour of Granada and Ometepe Island. I don't know yet if I'll still be here for that.
While Tara is here we have a couple of things we need/would like to do. We are still trying to get in touch with the Young Life camp to find out if we can get a branch here. Apparently Amada used to be part of Young Life, and so she said she would give us some contact information. We would like to visit the Orphanages. Probably take her up to the cross--Jessica will take her at least.
Today we are going to visit the home of the girl that Jessica is working with. After that we will probably swing by the Special Needs school again.
As I said, I might be back on American soil a lot sooner than I thought. It's kind of sad because I feel like I'm letting people down and if you know me, you know I don't like to quit. Sure I might talk about quitting at some points but when it comes down to it I don't. But things have changed for us here, and to be honest this summer was not what I expected. I expected a lot more from it and I expected to get a lot more done. Things have fallen through for us here and while new doors have opened for us, I begin to wonder if maybe those doors are being kept shut from me for a reason.
Psalm 139:15-16
"My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be."
The guy who owns the coffee plantation--Andy--has offered to let us stay at his house for as long as he wants. He even has two rooms so we could have our own rooms if we want.
Yesterday Jess and I went to the ceramic black pottery place and bought a few gifts. For ten dollars, I got a lot of stuff. I felt kind of bad having the stuff so cheap. She is going to make me a teapot and some teacups.
So my parents don't feel entirely comfortable with me staying down here since things have changed with the hotel. We won't be teaching English here any more, and at the moment the water project is kind of stalled. We'll still be teaching English at the church though. Tara is coming next week for two weeks. We were planning on taking her on a sightseeing tour of Granada and Ometepe Island. I don't know yet if I'll still be here for that.
While Tara is here we have a couple of things we need/would like to do. We are still trying to get in touch with the Young Life camp to find out if we can get a branch here. Apparently Amada used to be part of Young Life, and so she said she would give us some contact information. We would like to visit the Orphanages. Probably take her up to the cross--Jessica will take her at least.
Today we are going to visit the home of the girl that Jessica is working with. After that we will probably swing by the Special Needs school again.
As I said, I might be back on American soil a lot sooner than I thought. It's kind of sad because I feel like I'm letting people down and if you know me, you know I don't like to quit. Sure I might talk about quitting at some points but when it comes down to it I don't. But things have changed for us here, and to be honest this summer was not what I expected. I expected a lot more from it and I expected to get a lot more done. Things have fallen through for us here and while new doors have opened for us, I begin to wonder if maybe those doors are being kept shut from me for a reason.
Psalm 139:15-16
"My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be."
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Testing ground...or a sign?
Proverbs 30:1-3
"...I am weary, O God;
I am weary and worn out, O God.
I am too stupid to be human,
and I lack common sense.
I have not mastered human wisdom,
nor do I know the Holy One."
Right now, I am not sure what to do. This summer has not been quite what I expected, and I've been sick for a lot of it. And now this. Is this a sign that maybe I should go home early? Or is this just a testing ground to see how I stand up in difficult times? I don't really have the money to continue to stay here for the rest of the summer and have to pay for it and pay for all my food as well.
I don't want to end up in someone's home that can't afford to take care of us. Fany only makes approximately five dollars a day from the hotel. How can I expect her to take one of us in?
And yet...if I go home early, will that be quitting? Throwing in the towel for the people of Jinotega and all of the things that we have been working on?
Please pray for guidance in this.
"...I am weary, O God;
I am weary and worn out, O God.
I am too stupid to be human,
and I lack common sense.
I have not mastered human wisdom,
nor do I know the Holy One."
Right now, I am not sure what to do. This summer has not been quite what I expected, and I've been sick for a lot of it. And now this. Is this a sign that maybe I should go home early? Or is this just a testing ground to see how I stand up in difficult times? I don't really have the money to continue to stay here for the rest of the summer and have to pay for it and pay for all my food as well.
I don't want to end up in someone's home that can't afford to take care of us. Fany only makes approximately five dollars a day from the hotel. How can I expect her to take one of us in?
And yet...if I go home early, will that be quitting? Throwing in the towel for the people of Jinotega and all of the things that we have been working on?
Please pray for guidance in this.
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