I was inspired by those who were doing the 30 days of Thanks but I decided to save everybody's news feed and I wrote them in my journal instead. There are an abundance of things that I am thankful for this year and I am more aware of them now more than ever. The list could go on but these are the things that I thought of on each particular day.
1. The ability to work with children - they are the most awesome people on the planet
2. Having internet because it is my greatest means of communication
3. For my mama and her sending me awesome packages!
4. Caramel candies after a delicious pizza dinner
5. Being placed in a situation where I am forced to learn, grow, and push myself
6. My amazing and quirky family who I love dearly and with all of my heart
7. The strength, courage, and support to follow my dreams
8. Awesome friends who make me laugh till I cry and appreciate who I am, eccentricities and all
9. Good health- having a sound mind and body
10. Beautiful sunsets and scenery plus the time to stop and appreciate them
11. Delicious coffee and sweet treats : )
12. Experiencing the history that has contributed to making the world what it is now- the good and the bad
13. A comfy bed which I will be able to enjoy in a few weeks + sleeping in on cold gray day
14. Music of all types- they have the power to fit and/or improve your mood
15. Books, especially ones that make you think, laugh, or cry
16. Accessories - they have the power to change your wardrobe (especially if your wardrobe is limited)
17. Freshly sharpened pencils
18. Comedies- especially of the Will Ferrel sort- always good for a laugh
19. Planners and to do lists- help stay organized not to mention the satisfaction of crossing something off!
20. Honduran Thanksgiving and Honduran family- they have truly made this experience incredible!
21. The crazy beautiful unpredictableness of life
22. Every person who loves, loved, or hurt me- I could never be who I am or where I am without all them
23. For all teachers who truly care about students and want to change the life of at least one child
24. The way people / strangers can come together and share in unforgettable moments in life
25. Waterfalls and their serenity in nature
26. Meeting people from all walks of life and realizing that there is a lesson to learn from each person
27. Buses with good jams that make traveling much more enjoyable
28. People with big hearts that help and inspire others to help as well. I am so thankful for the people who make a difference.
29. Each and every good or bad experience I have ever had that has lead me to this point in my life. I am exactly where I need to be
30. My fantastic and amazing kiddos who make me laugh each and everyday and who teach me life lessons
The list could go on and some may seem vain and silly but the reality is that you have to appreciate even the small things in life. Thank you to all the people who care enough to read my blogs and stay involved in my life. I love each and all of you! Words will never be able to express enough gratitude to all the people in my life who have helped me become the person I am. THANK YOU!
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Friday, December 2, 2011
Rewind....
I apologize to all because I have been terrible about keeping up to date with my blog....Let me see if I can review noteworthy events that have happened in the last month. My dear friend Tiffany came to visit and we met in Copan where we were able to enjoy the ruins and catch up on what has been happening in the last few years. I hadn't seen Tiffany since we graduated with our Bachelor's in 2008. She came back with me to Gracias and was awesome, teaching my kiddos how to make snowflakes and reading stories to them. They adored her. We went to a futbol game but didn't stay long because there was absolutely nowhere to sit. Also, the crowd was a little strange because they were practically silent until a goal was almost made. Not quite what I had pictured for a soccer game in a Latin country. The next day we went to a nearby town called La Campa. Though the town was beautiful it felt like something much out of a horror movie because of the lack of the people. We saw maybe 5 people in the whole town. There was some very cool pottery and bought some fun things to take home back to the states. Bright and early Sunday morning Tiffany had to leave and we said our "see you laters" knowing that our paths will cross again someday.
Later that day, teachers from Minerva and the other bilingual school, plus a few missionaries all gathered together for a Thanksgiving meal. I have truly never been so grateful for so many things in my life. It was a gathering of awesome food and even more awesome food. It will definitely be a Thanksgiving to remember!
A story that I must include but can't remember when it actually happened was a few weeks ago when I was sitting on our patio, enjoying my usual breakfast of corn flakes and waiting to skype when I hear a very loud pop! pop! pop! and see sparks shooting out. My first thought was gun shots but quickly realized that it was one of the cables that runs ridiculously close to our house. When I say close I mean perhaps 3 feet from our railing. The internet goes out instantly as well as the lights. I continue eating and then 3 more pops! and more sparks. I continued to sit there eating until I hear our neighbor shouting "fuego! fuego! fuego!" I run to the railing and see 2 small fires on the wires. My first and only thought was to grab water....I know many of you are thinking water is a terrible idea because it was an electrical fire.....irregardless we had nothing else to put out the fire with and yes the water worked and I am clearly still alive to tell this tale. Never a dull moment in Gracias.
On to Jenna and Kristin take on El Salvador.... After leaving Wednesday after school and arriving to our final destination Thursday about 8 pm we were more than thrilled to be stationary for a bit. (We did stay the night at a border town) After setting our things doing and preparing ourselves to explore the town for some food we leave our room to find some English speaking people hanging out in the patio area. They offered us a beer and we knew we had made some immediate friends. We had perhaps one of the most memorable Thanksgiving dinners either of us will ever experience. Our make shift El Salvodorean family consisted of a couple from Australia, 2 men from LA, and a half El Salvodorean. We enjoyed our meal immensely and of course indulged in some pie, it was Thanksgiving after all. The next day we went on a waterfall tour where it was Jenna, myself, our tour guide Duglas, and his 5 dogs. We were out in pristine nature where it appeared that only few tend to travel. We were hiking in and out of the river and waterfalls, where we actually had to repel ourselves down the waterfall. It was such an incredible experience! We were then able to sunbathe in the base of a waterfall, yup couldn't imagine a better trip. We explored the town and even had a little lounge time before hitting the night market and rabbit tacos in a nearby town. Saturday, we spent hitting the market in Juajua and found some good steals. With our bags and goodies loaded we headed to La Palma, a super adorable town much closer to the border of Honduras. Sunday we were able to check the bright colorful murals painted all over the town and check out all the artisan shops. After one last zapote licuado, we headed back home to Gracias. We had a blast on our trip and are very much in love with El Salvador!
Later that day, teachers from Minerva and the other bilingual school, plus a few missionaries all gathered together for a Thanksgiving meal. I have truly never been so grateful for so many things in my life. It was a gathering of awesome food and even more awesome food. It will definitely be a Thanksgiving to remember!
A story that I must include but can't remember when it actually happened was a few weeks ago when I was sitting on our patio, enjoying my usual breakfast of corn flakes and waiting to skype when I hear a very loud pop! pop! pop! and see sparks shooting out. My first thought was gun shots but quickly realized that it was one of the cables that runs ridiculously close to our house. When I say close I mean perhaps 3 feet from our railing. The internet goes out instantly as well as the lights. I continue eating and then 3 more pops! and more sparks. I continued to sit there eating until I hear our neighbor shouting "fuego! fuego! fuego!" I run to the railing and see 2 small fires on the wires. My first and only thought was to grab water....I know many of you are thinking water is a terrible idea because it was an electrical fire.....irregardless we had nothing else to put out the fire with and yes the water worked and I am clearly still alive to tell this tale. Never a dull moment in Gracias.
On to Jenna and Kristin take on El Salvador.... After leaving Wednesday after school and arriving to our final destination Thursday about 8 pm we were more than thrilled to be stationary for a bit. (We did stay the night at a border town) After setting our things doing and preparing ourselves to explore the town for some food we leave our room to find some English speaking people hanging out in the patio area. They offered us a beer and we knew we had made some immediate friends. We had perhaps one of the most memorable Thanksgiving dinners either of us will ever experience. Our make shift El Salvodorean family consisted of a couple from Australia, 2 men from LA, and a half El Salvodorean. We enjoyed our meal immensely and of course indulged in some pie, it was Thanksgiving after all. The next day we went on a waterfall tour where it was Jenna, myself, our tour guide Duglas, and his 5 dogs. We were out in pristine nature where it appeared that only few tend to travel. We were hiking in and out of the river and waterfalls, where we actually had to repel ourselves down the waterfall. It was such an incredible experience! We were then able to sunbathe in the base of a waterfall, yup couldn't imagine a better trip. We explored the town and even had a little lounge time before hitting the night market and rabbit tacos in a nearby town. Saturday, we spent hitting the market in Juajua and found some good steals. With our bags and goodies loaded we headed to La Palma, a super adorable town much closer to the border of Honduras. Sunday we were able to check the bright colorful murals painted all over the town and check out all the artisan shops. After one last zapote licuado, we headed back home to Gracias. We had a blast on our trip and are very much in love with El Salvador!
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