Help stop the violence

When I hear "violence prevention" I tend to think about the annoying, nasally man who passed out graphic anti-meat pamphlets on the quad saying "Help stop the violence."I will never forget this man's voice as he was a permanent fixture on my numerous campus tours. I don't remember what I ate for lunch yesterday, but I certainly remember this man's voice. Sheesh.

I never thought I'd actively work to prevent violence, but here I am in one of the most violent countries in the world (if you believe the US State Department). Isn't this a good place to start?

Sure it is!

My ADESCO is currently working on three projects that aim to prevent violence in the community, all of which I'm proud to be helping out. We're starting up a painting club for youth, a women's group to learn a trade, and building two lighted bus stop shelters in the busiest desvios. The idea is to keep the kids off the street, put the mothers in a better economic position, and chase the bolos away with light like the blood-sucking vampires they are.

Of course, no one said "Hey! Let's do some projects that prevent violence!"That would be too simple and organized. What really got my ADESO moving was a huge kick in the butt from the microfinance institution currently dangling a lump sum of money in front of their faces. I swear, I saw dollar signs in their tiny black pupils.

Now unfortunately, writing about my work activities on this blog has proved to be a sure fire kiss-of-death. Remember that women's savings group? I was asked to stop coming to the meetings. Or the #feria2014 we had in my site way back? The ADESCO absolutely fell to pieces after the reina was crowned. So I won't say anything too positive, too reassuring, or too concrete about these projects. Such is the work of a PCV.

But if these might work out? And they might prevent some of the violence in my community? Then I guess it would be alright with me.

Whatchu know 'bout campo life, fool?

"Campo life" has a whole new meaning for me after I visited my friend and fellow PCV's site. I went for a Friday to Monday stint and yeah, that was enough for me. I actually had a great time. It was like being a city girl going to summer camp for the first time! We played sports, did arts and crafts, baked, watched movies, jumped off cliffs, did an English class and a ton more.

I thought I was living campo life before visiting Rachel. I am, if you consider access to water, education levels, community resources, etc. But I don't have to forge a river as part of my daily commute. Needless to say my eyes are open and I have seen the light! I'll never take the nicer parts of my community for granted again. Thanks Rach for a great time! 

We are too cute. Now where's the nearest wifi?

Rio Torola. 

The other side is Honduras. 

Apparently, this is a cool place to jump off from. 

Jump off?! Are you kidding me?

#YOLO

I lived!!!! Can't wait to go back when the water isn't so dirty. Thanks a lot, Rachel. 

The pulley chair men use to get to work in Honduras every day. Talk about commuting! 

Rachel showed me how to make a self watering planter. Hopefully I'll have some basil in a few weeks!

Pasteles. The insides are stuffed with mashed potatoes. 

I brought some lemons from my tree and we made lemon bars. 

Actually, Rachel and her siblings made the lemon bars. I just ate them.  Great job!

Back in Action!

When you're living and working in a developing nation, sometimes things work really well and other times they don't work at all. Ex: my internet modem. Luckily I just needed to take it in to the big city to get reset to factory settings, and now I'm back in blogy business! Good thing, too- I think my mother is going to have a conniption if I don't get some updates posted soon.

It's been a little over a month since I posted, and yes, a whole lot has happened. The most important thing that's happened is that I went home.

Let me rephrase that- I went HOME! My short visit to Texas was great, but it wasn't home. I was in the USA a grand total of 6 days, 2 days of traveling and 2 days back in BloNo to walk in my master's graduation. Me and my cousin Christi graduated together for undergrad at ISU, and it was too good an opportunity to celebrate again (even though I have a ways to go on the thesis part). So, thanks to my plane ticket patron, I headed home to experience all my favorite things and spend time with family and friends.

First meal back in the Houston airport. It's like I was transported back to my freshmen 15 days... 

How I know I'm home. 

Obviously, I need to get my Louie's breadsticks fix!

So goooood. 

We had a girls lunch with my cousin and grandma too. I loved it!

I talked to my sister's high school Spanish class about Salvadoran culture and learning Spanish via immersion. They were great and I had a lot of fun! Hey Mr. Corzo's class! 

Why are all my pictures of food? Portillo's hotdog because Chicago. 

My dad's pizza. I craved this all. the. time.

I got my mom a hammock from the hammock guy in my municipality. I think she likes it!

Pizza heaven. 

Me and my dad, the two mastas!

Miss you girls!

Graduation round 2!

My favorite pic of us. 

Our proudest accomplishment? Brewe-has. 

I tried to cram as much family time in as possible when I was home. I got to see my grandma every day to my delight. My goal was to not be too too busy and just enjoy being home. I think I accomplished that!

I also saw my sister play in two lacrosse games. She did great! The first one was on the way home from the airport and I nearly froze to death in 50 degrees. The second one was a balmy 80s. Chicago weather- some things never change! 

On that note, not a whole lot was different. I was really happy about that, too. One of my biggest fears about being in PC is that I'll come home and everyone I know will be different and I won't recognize anything. I feel better after being home, like my batteries are recharged. I'm nearing the 1-year in country mark and getting closer to being home permanently every day.