so yeah, with a birthday behind me, and a new year ahead, i am pretty damn excited. things seem to be working out just fine, even though periodic hurdles require...well hurdling. i think thats the correct verb. regardless, things are on the up and up. i have internet at home now, thanks to TIGO. so if you want to chat with me, gmail chat and facebook chat should be on pretty regularly. i am right now workin on multiple project proposals, doing some research, and basically being a desk monkey for the next few days. and friday, well friday i get my new pair of cowboy boots. first pair in my life, and hopefully they will last me until panama.

in other news, it seems the renewable energy project is lookin good. a local NGO, in collaboration with an international one called GTZ, is interested in providing solar panels for the communities in the mountains where hydroelectric installations are not permitted due to national park law. the people will only have to pay the cost of the battery, which is a little expensive, but at the same time, if they can't pay it now, how will they be able to pay it in 5 years when the battery needs replacing? right now, 9 families have already agreed to the terms, and thats only from one town. another village refused all together, because they were expecting something free. and the last town is doing the survey now, but it seems that at least 80% will be interested.

as for petatillos, well next week the engineer will be coming to investigate the water source, measure head and flow, and then hopefully, fingers crossed, the turbine project will be underway. two weeks ago my counterpart from the town, the evangelical preacher, got a chance to go to a workshop on turbine management, all expenses paid. so that made me feel pretty good. he had never even been to that part of the country, or stayed in a hotel...so, i think that gives me some brownie points.

the horse is doing well, bit training is coming along, and i think within a few weeks i will finally have a normal fully trained stallion. fuck yeah. time to race with some locals and show off. there's this special race they do here where the riders have to hook a raised ribbon with a pencil (or similar object) at full speed at the finish, and so, i think that will be the format. i think i have a pretty good chance. i'll let you guys know if i lose miserably.

and finally as for my 24th, well it was spent in solitude. just how i wanted. it would have been nice to get together with friends and family, but here, its a little complicated. and i needed some time to myself. so i listened to music, read, worked a little on a proposal, rode my horse, and enjoyed the beautiful day. my uncle's family surprised me with a cake, this milk and banana thing, and it was wonderful. a warm gesture that came unexpectedly, so all i could do is smile, laugh with them, and share the cake. we even ate some of it this morning. every day people surprise me a little. sometimes quite a bit.

but most importantly, i think i'm slowly starting to understand what makes me tick, what makes me happy, and how i can alter the world around me to fit my needs, desires, wishes, etc. its pretty sweet to feel this way. you should all look into that. and if you already got it, well let me know, maybe we can share some wisdom, have a deep conversation, and continue learning. although all of it kind of makes me want to join a monastery where i can hit a big bell in the mornings, sit all day meditating eating mountain herbs, but hey. i doubt that will go down. a little out there, no?