"When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold"

I thought I would write and give you guys an explanation that you deserve, not just my fb status.  Some of you may already know whats going on in Guatemala, but probably not.    My site, San Miguel Chicaj, is known for being very "tranquilo". (I wish I could say more but you guys can read about whats going  on in any guatemalan news paper or "google it".  ) Because of things that have recently been happening my site is not tranquilo.  My sitemate has been in similar situations in Hondurus and has been having a hard time for the last few weeks.  Thankfully, because of her, my boss came up here to figure out what was going on.  My boss told me that she was going to be removed and only if it was necessary, or if I wanted to, I would be removed too.  We had a meeting (me, kata, my boss, the head of security, and the director of all our schools) and they talked about the security and the current status of SMC.  After only a few minutes my boss announced that he was taking both of us out of this site.  As you all know, Im a little emotional, and started crying in front of both my boss'. I had to leave the room and didn't return. 

I understand that PC can't keep us in a site that is dangerous and I don't want to live somewhere where my life could be threatened.  But it breaks my heart.  I don't want to leave.  I have met a lot of people in my life, and a lot of Guatemalans, and there is something amazing about my family.  Heidy has a beautiful soul and I was convinced that after two years we would be life long friends.  After I left for college I told myself I would get better at saying goodbye.  There are people in our life that come and go, and there isn't anything we can do about it.  I am lucky to have met her and her beautiful family and I have learned a great deal from them.  I met them for a reason and I'm happy to have met them even if it was only for a short period of time. 

For now, I don't really know whats going to happen.  I'm packing up my things and leaving today.  Once I leave I officially wont have a home.  No keys, no bed, no address.  It's a little scary.  I will be staying with friends for the next few weeks until Peace Corps finds me a new home.  I was considering leaving PC and starting something new.  Its hard to imagine starting all over.  I came here for a reason and I am going to give it one more shot.  I have to just keep looking forward and hope that everything really does happen for a reason. 

I will keep you all posted.

And as one of my favorite people said, every little thing is going to be alright...

32 Day Challenge

I'm doing a 32 day challenge.  The 32 day challenge is where you decide on doing something for 32 days and if you miss a day you have to start all over.  My mom (Cullen) taught me that this challenge can help you learn things about yourself, through doing certain tasks.   I've decided to write in my journal one thing that I love about Guatemala, I would miss if I were to leave, and the experience I had that led me to realizing why I would miss this particular aspect of Guatemala. 

Day 3:  Indiginous Women
"On the way to school today an Indiginous woman fell asleep on my shoulder.  She was completely content with what she was doing and didn't mind that I, indeed, was a gringa.  At first I was annoyed and wanted her to get off of me. I tried rearranging myself and pretending there was a bump in the road.  Then I asked myself, why is this bothering me so much?  If this was a friend or my family I wouldn't care.  She wasn't smelly, or sweaty, and it wasn't a lot of weight on me.  So instead of getting crabby and all worked up, I let her enjoy my shoulder.  This woman was obviously a hard worker and deserved a shoulder to sleep on.  By the end of the bus ride, I realized, I had enjoyed the moment we had together.  I miss my mom and having someones touch, like a mother's, was comforting.  She woke up, rearranged her traje, and exited the bus"

I'm trying to see this Peace Corps experience in a new way.  Being here is a huge personal challenge and it is going to take exceptional growth.
Thats it for now