hn53.

So, today I had a breakthrough, clear evidence that I am doing something right in terms of Peace Corps goals. I successfully transfered organization techniques to a group of people. To the max. And here's the short of it:

I have, in the last few months, organized a local group to participate in vocational courses (a little over 100 people). Now, most of the classes are planned for after the coffee season, but one was done this past week (Preventative Veterinary Basics). We had been planning it for almost a month, and although we had a few setbacks (one week the technico never showed up, the next the owner of the ranchito where we were going to do the class canceled), the course went down without a hitch. I had organized the whole thing, with help from a local coordinator, but the goal was for him to do the organizing. However, since we were in a rush, I thought it best for me to have a role. Well, now it's clear that I will not be necessary in the future. The people from the vet class have already planned another course with a different coordinator, and they already have the transportation, food, and housing lined up. So, BAM. The rest of the mini-class groups will get a little warm up training for me on organization of this type of vocational class, and then they will be on their own. Let's just see if this works out. But thats 1/1 so far. :)

hn52.

so i'm sick, and it's cold and wet outside. a perfect opportunity to write about everything that is worth writing about, which i guess changes depending on the reader. in this case, i'll just go ahead and write about whatever.

1. halloween - so my favorite US holiday was spent this year in Copan Ruins, with about 150 intoxicated volunteers. that is an estimated number, but I definitely think we were up there. PC guatemala was also represented, so that probably even further added to the chaos. and overall it was pretty awesome, if you ignore the fact that on the morning of the costume party i woke up with a sore throat and a fever. by the time the actual even happened i was feeling completely awful, but i still braved the night, put on my chilean miner costume and made an appearance. that only lasted an hour though, as with every minute i felt my sickness bearing down on me. by 11:30 i was ready to go home, and i said my goodbyes to my booing friends, and went home. however there were some highlights to the trip

a. the canopy zipline was incredible. its about the closest thing to flying that i have ever tried, and it was quite an experience. some friends took photos and video, so if those ever hit the internet, ill be sure to link there.

b. the copan hot springs are incredible. tiered pools. mud bath. natural massage. rainforest. what else can you ask for. and it mostly made me feel better until we hit the road on the way back and our jalon took twice the time necessary, while it got dark and really cold. that probably didnt help my whole sick thing at all.

c. the food was incredible. we ate in as many places as possible, but the main point is that what we ate was rarely tipico. we had steak/avocado/creamcheese/focaccia sandwiches (which for some reason was called a red neck), breakfast burritos, three course meals, and all sorts of other fun things. i would go back just for the food. and not too expensive either, surprisingly.

2. work - well work and projects are coming along. garden meetings are over, and we still have 30 spaces for local families, but there are a few communities in the mountains that are interested, and if their leaders are willing to get trainings with me, then they're in. i have also been thinking that i may just do the leader/participant trainings all at once, two birds with one stone style, and that way save some time and ensure a little more transfer of info. we'll see.

worms are doing great, and it seems that this season i may actually do what i promised last year, depending on funding, which has been promised, but is delayed, over and over again.

the vocational courses are on hold, mostly because of coffee season, but also because of inefficient management on the part of the instructors. apparently they don't manage materials lists for their courses, they just remake them every time (by hand, with paper and pencil), even though they basically stay the same except for actual quantities. they also don't have them in digital, meaning that i have to go to see all of the tecnicos individually, and convince them to give me the lists. regardless, its a big clusterfuck, but understandably so. however, a few organizations have shown me interest in supporting the classes, so once i have the lists of what needs to be bought, i can start begging for money, YAY!!

finally, i have this new idea, which i have been toying with for some time. something about a conference. but since i havent ironed out all the details, im gonna hold off on talking about it until i have everything set.

other than that, that's basically it. lots of reading, lots of watching HBO, some work in my model garden (which is on pause now that i'm sick), and some working out (also on pause). Pretty boring, no?

in fact, this whole blog thing seems pretty lame for the time being, since nothing of note is happening, and the only people who seem to read it are my family. and i talk to them on the phone. so, im gonna take a break.