Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July.

I am not big on holidays but I haven't celebrated 4th of July in long time and thought I should give it a shot. I decided to celebrate it by making Sloppy Joe's and french fries for a couple of my friends (Benja, Peter, Marissa, and Kathlyn).

Anyway, I found old pictures from last year that I haven't shared with anyone. And the only picture of our one year anniversary in Peace Corps, which Katie and I spent together.


Enjoy!

Following pictures are from last year. People: Tara, Katie, Benja, Tara's friend and I at our bar (Pikazzo).  Karaoke night!

Pictures of Katie's host family, Our first time cooking in our apartments, and View from our balcony.

Our one year anniversary Picture. We celebrated it by drinking fruity wine, eating really amazing Ecuadorian chocolate, and sharing a pint of ice cream. We are wicked awesome! 

Still can't believe it has been over a year since I have been in Ecuador. God time flies by quickly!

She will always keep her cards close to her heart

This month has gone by fast. I didn't even notice, I was too busy with co-teaching, preparing workshops, getting thing done for the Resource library project, and working on projects with Katie.

Well let's see, what did we do this month. . .

El Oro Cluster. Omnibus 105, 106, 107!

Well we had our second cluster (El Oro PCVs) meeting with volunteers from omnibus 105, 106, and 107. We ended up going to an Island off of a town called Huaquillas (bordering Peru). The island is called Isla de San Gregorio and it is a deserted island with a beautiful beach. We spent all day on the beach reading, playing Frisbee, and chasing crabs. We had a great time. I got wicked tanned.

We spent the next day in Arenillas hanging out with Renee, Nate, and Maria. I like Arenillas, it is such a cute little town and it is greener than Machala. I also LOVE both Renee's and Maria's apartments, they have hammocks! We all had a blast.

In other news I failed at both my 21 days of happiness and 30 day challenge. I guess I stopped the 21 days because I got busy with teaching and the cluster meeting kinda of messed it up. As for my 30 day challenge, well it turned sour, I got bored reading about Linux and I did not really apply it. I felt like an ass not completing any of the challenges I set my self up to do. So, I decided I will redo the 21 days of happiness starting July. I hope this time I don't give up!

This month I started Cross fit. I love it and I hate it. I love that I workout my body to the point of exhaustion, no pain no gain right? And I hate it because I am so freaking sore some days I can barely move my legs. Yesterday, I was being an idiot and over did it. So today I woke up in agony, I strained my back. I feel better now that I got some helpful tips from Katie. But holy hell that was painful couldn't even bend down and touch my toes. I am not complaining I did it to myself being an idiot and all. I am happy to say I lost 6 pounds since I started, bonus I have better muscle definition!

Ben's girlfriend is here visiting him. They are so adorable together, plus she is pretty cool. We had a few nights of playing rummy and just chilling on the balcony. She will be leaving next week  :(  oh well I think she will be coming back December so it's all good. I wish her loads of luck in the job search department. God only knows I will need it too next year. 

I got great news today. We have a space for our Resource library and I got contacted by the Lincoln Library (the American Embassy library) director for a seminar in July!!!!! There are so many possibilities here, I am wicked excited. I am overflowing with excitement. I am just thrilled!

So I can't wait for next month.

Bring it on July. I am so ready.

Also I am in love with this band. These two songs are 100% AWESOME! Plus the guy that sings is such a hottie. 

Perfect song

Now this song well lets just say it hits close to home. I have felt that guy's pain many times. 

Here are the lyrics, Bring it on song lyrics

Canguil is the best thing ever!

First of, Canguil is the word used to describe popcorn in Ecuador. I love how they make it here and enjoy how the tienda lady at my school always is selling it, always. Its the best snack food every.

. . . . .

All last week has been an okay week. Not really busy.  My students are done and so are my teachers, school is on break at the moment. On Friday we had the senior graduation, it was very lovely and interesting. The girls wore white dresses while the boys wore black suits. It was the most interesting graduation I have ever attended. I am happy all of my students graduated.

Here are some pictures, enjoy!

Yesterday, January 29th
Well yesterday was my daddy's birthday. He turned 68 :) Got to talk to the family on skype for an hour or so. it was great I can't wait to see them all in March.

My dad is the guy with no beard

I got to talk to Mara and Alese yesterday as well and it was amazing, I just needed that! To just hear their voices and talk to them. I can't wait to go visit them soon.  I also talked to cupcake for awhile which was fun. I enjoyed it, hope we get to converse again very soon. 

Today

I finished up my VRF forms and my revised version of my CAT tools. Fun fun. Now I am watching Modern Family with Benja and Katie, having some Canguil/popcorn, and some wine (Chilean wine!). 

Anyway that's all, not a lot of updates at the moment.  Hopefully things pick up pretty soon.