Hello all! Not having access to internet is kind of an adjustment. It´s nice on one hand because I think we in the US are addicted, especially people my age, and on the other hand it makes me feel really far away. I think this in addition to lots of other things have make me realize that I´m here for real. For two years this is my home. I don´t get to just pack up and head home. It´s not that I necessarily want to go home, but it´s just weird the first time you realize that you´re somewhere for good.

Fortunately I have my instant Starbucks coffee, my Clif bars and some Vanilla Chai tea I brought from the States. I´ve learned that just because a place has everything you could need doesn´t mean it has the smells and tastes you crave. Of course they have granola bars and tea here, not to mention that coffee grows behind my house. Still when I start to miss home and make a cup of Starbucks I instantly feel better. (Note to family who may send packages- send Via coffee and or Good Earth Vanilla Chai Tea :))

Training is becoming very long... I´m sure volunteers all over the world feel that way, but that doesn´t change the fact that you have to sit in class all day everyday. I understand the methodology, but I still get really tired. This week we do have something fun to do though. On Saturday each of us is going to visit a volunteer and spend the weekend wih them. I´m really excited to see what real live volunteers are doing in their communities. It´s hard listening to so much theory and not actually seeing it applied. I´m hoping this visit will help put the training in to perspective and help me connect real human need to what I hear all day.

Despite long classes and studying, I can´t leave this post without mentioning how absolutely beautiful it is here and how wonderful my group of trainees is. I have met some really interesting and caring people here and I am really glad to have them as my new friends to talk to and share this experience with. I also make sure I take a good look around as I walk places to remind myself of where I am and how incredible it is to be here.