The Pearly Whites Project

So the second year of my Peace Corps service has begun. When I think of a year ago, I can remember how outrageously nervous I was about moving to Guatemala. I had no clue what I was getting into. I had never been to Central America, never spoken the Spanish language, never been away from home for longer than four months and never done something as crazy as joining the Peace Corps. Looking back, I know that the decision to get on that plane has changed my life forever. I have now been to two Central American countries, can carry on decent conversations in Spanish, I’ve been away from home for an entire year and I still think I’m crazy for joining the Peace Corps. It hasn’t been what I thought it would be. I pictured myself in a mud hut all alone in the middle of nowhere. But in reality, my house here is beautiful and I rarely feel alone. I can’t believe it has already been a year. The first one flew by; I can only imagine how fast this next one will go.

The school year has started and we know what that means… WORK! Productivity, organization, meetings, school visits, projects, feeling like I am actually here for a legitimate reason. FINALLY! I can’t tell you how happy I am to be starting work. That doesn’t sound normal huh? Wanting to go to work? Well, after three months of no school and feeling like a bump on a log, I am ecstatic about doing something useful. Now don’t get me wrong…I didn’t just sit on my rump for the past three months. I also took naps and watched three seasons of Modern Family. But I digress. I did my first school visit on Friday and boy did it start out with a bang. I showed up and there was a celebration going on. Apparently, a group of Canadians had been working in the school that week putting a new roof on some of the classrooms. So on Friday, the director and the students put on plays, sang songs, gave out gifts and just celebrated our friends from the great white north... Canada. As I sat there, observing the activities, the director decided to call me out and introduce me in front of everyone. Only mildly uncomfortable and awkward. Welcome to Guatemala.

This next week, I get the joy of waking up at 5am to go to schools. Getting on a chicken bus isn’t my favorite activity at the crack of dawn…sleep is. But that is the only way to get to school, so it must be done. I know what my Dad would say here…”When I was your age, I had already milked cows, plowed a field and walked to school in five feet of snow by the time 5am rolled around.” Well Dad, the only thing I have to say to that is…that sucks. Try living in the middle of nowhere Guatemala where you can’t drink the water or speak your native language. Milking those cows doesn’t seem so bad now does it? Just kidding Dad. Sort of.

Kurt, Laura and I are hosting a competition between all of our teachers. Each classroom has to have what we call a “healthy corner”. The teachers have to create a place for soap, towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, brooms, clean water, bleach, etc. Each child has to have their own supplies and at the end of April, we will be judging to see who has the most impressive, creative healthy corner. Hopefully, our teachers will get really into the competition and astonish us. Unfortunately, when I mentioned this amazing activity to my teachers on Friday, they replied by asking me to teach them English and then they wanted to know if I have found a Guatemalan man to marry yet. Yep. Welcome to the life of a gringa in Guatemala. Try to get some work done and all anybody wants to know about is my love life. I replied by telling them to buy some freaking toothpaste!

On another fabulous note…I want to introduce you to the Pearly Whites Project! My Aunt Ramona has begun a fundraiser in her school for toothbrushes and toothpaste to send to Guatemala. I plan on using the donations as prizes for the students and teachers. One of Ramona’s talented students has created a blog where we are talking about the project. Check it out! www.pearlywhitesproject.blogspot.com I am really excited about sharing my Guatemalan experience with her class. I think it is very important for kids to learn about different cultures at a young age.

So that is pretty much what is happening in my life these days. All of the excitement of international development work coming right at ya. Be careful of a fun overload. The next couple of months will go by fast. Soon enough I will be back stateside fighting the millions of people who will also be searching for jobs. Hmmm. Becoming a gypsy is sounding better every day. Seriously. I’m not coming back. :-)