Calcetín Tejido

The socks took a rest while we were back in class this week, but we're off until Monday and I have high hopes. Our classes this week focused on public speaking and it was a little nerve-wracking to say the least. My hope is that with this training, even though it'll be awkward, I'll be able to deliver an update in a church or at a lunch without sounding too crazy or rambly. :)

Here's the Amps this morning -- I've already knit on an additional inch or so and may be able to start sock 2 today...

And then she asked how long it would take

I finished the birthday surprise for my sister a few days ago and as a lazy weekend was upon me and a fit of sneezing and stuffy noses consumed me, I started a pair of socks.

I'm knitting another pair of Ampersand socks, this time out of some delightful Socks that Rock. O, so soft and squishy. :)

Julie, one of the other interns here, asked how long it takes me a to knit a pair of socks. I explained that some have taken months, some weeks, but never days. Then I cast on, and here on day 2, I'm halfway through the first sock.

Maybe this is the pair of socks to take less than a week. Maybe I'm going to get eaten up by public speaking classes this week and won't be able to work on them again until the weekend.

Maybe.

Very, very

While I was in Nicaragua, it seems like Emily grew up.

I've heard from my parents and sisters who see her on Skype every week or so that her hair has gotten longer and she looks taller. Those things were true for me to. Even after just 5 days.

In the midst of just plain growing though, she's also learned some new words. Most noticable is her use of the word 'very'.

In the shower she'll tell you to be careful because it's "very, very slippery", except it sounds more like va-wee, va-wee swiper-wee.

The same is true for very, very delicious food or times you need to be very, very careful.

It's adorable and I love it, but it's also a pinch sad to be seeing my 'baby' grow up.

Cultural Experiences: A tale in two parts

On Saturday morning our water went out. This was surprising for a few reasons. One, we're from the Estados Unidos and typically as long as you pay your bill, you have water. Two, we have several large cisterns all over the base that we pump water around to. Turns out we hadn't gotten water from the city for almost a week (they only turn it on every few days) and the cisterns were empty.

In addition, our washer and dryer had gotten fried in a power outage the weekend prior (just as we were leaving for Nicaragua).

I had a suitcase full of dirty clothes from my trip, plus eight days of the girl's clothes that needed washing. On Saturday night the team returned and Wayne brought eight days of dirty clothes home. Also, I hadn't showered since Thursday night.

Water was necessary to say the very least.

Mike & Deborah invited us over to their condo where they not only had water, but also two showers and a pila. A pila is a cement sink used for washing clothes in most Latin countries.

I spent almost two hours "pila-ing" our clothes, but only got through about half. It was a learning experience nonetheless -- I know for sure now that I need a washer and dryer in Nicaragua, albeit with a pila backup. Plus I know that I'm a lot tougher than I thought I was.



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Saturday was kind of a frustrating day with the no water situation, so at around 7PM, I volunteered to run to the grocery store for some ice cream reinforcements. I opted to take Ali with me and we stood outside the gate waiting for a taxi.

After about 10 minutes we were in the taxi and on our way. It was easy to tell him where we were going, there's only one Bodega in town. We found the ice cream and paid the cashier.

As we exited the market, we went to the taxi area and were ushered into a car. I gave the driver our address, but due to my crummy Spanish, I actually confused him quite a bit. We ended up about 5 miles out of our way before I figured out he thought I was going to give him directions. I stammered out a few "Lo siento"s (I'm sorry) and kept a jovial attitude. Alison and I were actually laughing about the whole thing.

In the end, he got us home, and even was so gracious as to not charge us extra.

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Central America is definitely a different place, but even with the bumps in the road, I'm enjoying the adventure.

Fun Days!

My trip back to Mexico -- three flights, one bus trip and a taxi ride -- was long, but uneventful. I was so eager to get back and see the girls, but so sad to leave Nicaragua and an infirmed Wayne. He's feeling better now and he and the team return late tomorrow night.

The girls and I have been enjoying having some time to relax and play. When we're in "class" here they are watched by a mom and daughter duo that have worked with the missionaries here at the base for years. Macadea and Sarai are very sweet and kind, but it's nice for me to have some quality time with the girls.

This morning we celebrated our freedom to do whatever we wanted with PlayDoh. It was Emily's first experience with it and we had a lot of fun.





This afternoon Alison finished something big.

Tonight we are going to the Chinese Acrobat Circus which is up the road for a few weeks. We've heard it's really fun and tickets for the three of us were under $15!

In case you're wondering, I haven't knit anything in over a week. I brought my knitting for the plane trips, but was told I'd have to check it. I want to knit, I just need to make time. :)

I'm in Nicaragua

Yep.

I know that last you heard I was in Mexico, but apparently I've become a bit of a traveler. Friday I was in four countries on my way here -- Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua.

Today we worked a dental and medical clinic down in Ciudad Sandino at the training base. It was amazing and life-changing and all those things people always say about missions trip. But it was more.

It was my first look at a future home.

It was the first time I saw the people God is stirring my heart for.

Today I think I spoke more Spanish than I have in my whole life and as frustrating as it was at times, it was also amazing.

Si.

Tezpotlan again

Yesterday we visited Tezpotlan, the day before we went to Mexico City. After a week of classes it was nice to have some "cultural immersion" days. We saw a lot of great things and got to practice our Spanish.

We bought Emily the most adorable handmade doll. It was only $4US!!! In the market there were embroidery "shops" that had what looked like fingering weight yarn. I was tempted to buy some, but it was mostly acrylic and I had no idea what the yardage was.