blessed

There are many things to be grateful "for" but, 

as I ripen with the seasons of life, 

the many reasons blend into a sacred mystery.

 And, most deeply, 

I realize that living gratefully is its own blessing.

- Michael Mahoney

THANKFUL

i just flushed toilet paper in the toilet. 
in an air-conditioned town house
cooking on a stove
walking barefoot on tile and carpet
listening to city radio
using wireless
washing clothes in washer and dryer
had a sangria with lunch


(travelers/PCVs understand the significance of this)

current status: drinking vino tinto, boiling eggs for Mañana, papa americano, enjoying casa de super rad FSO. happy and thankful PCV in San Salvador. 

serenity

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. 

Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. 

The winds will blow their own freshness into you, 

and the storms their energy, 

while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.

- John Muir 

the week in review

Highlights:

Teacher Julie is back in the Big Apple and we miss her already but we sent her out with a bang.

Amir cooked up a flavorful Indian dinner, 

it’s magic what he can do with his campo kitchen… 

Thanks Amir

Spent 3 hours on Saturday at the University Andres Bello in San Miguel 

working with a professor on my association’s website. 

I have to now learn to use Easy PHP then move it to Dreamweaver 

and somehow pass that to a host who transfers it to the inter-web. Bah. 

Tech savvy friends, I will likely be hitting you up for help. 

Weekend at Embo’s inspiring pueblo, 

climbing rocks, discovering waterholes and waterfalls, wading in the river, 

children singing to us, youth center, soccer field, 

killin’ it at spoons and Uno, 

hammock sleeping, private pool hall shenanigans, 

burgers, s’mores, crasin pancakes, 

stoopin’ it and spittin’ orange seeds, 

Christmas lit patio chillin’ and lots of laughter. 

Thanks Embo. Good luck on your FSO interview in DC!

Unexpected woman empowerment via sub-committee planning session. 

My English for tourism course is coming together nicely thanks to some motivated women in my region.

Visit to the high school to gather up grades and attendance 

to help select the best students to give scholarships for the course. 

A little persistence and patience goes a long way. 

I learned in el Salvador the two things one must always have is an umbrella and a book. 

Oh and change. So that’s three.

Dinner with Clelia our Awesomesauce PC Jefa.

Writing articles with friends for El Camino the famed PC ES publication  

Moi, el Pato, Teacher Julie
after a rousing game of futballito

Current Status: working on my to-do list, special thanks goes to Juan for help on translations more to come

correspondence

 To know someone here or there with whom you can feel there is understanding in spite of distances or thoughts unexpressed - that can make of this earth a garden.

- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I have been writing more. 
feeling connected to all the lovely people who
are blessings put in my path along my journey
It strengthens me to know you all are out there