Last week was no doubt the busiest of my Peace Corps service. I was in five departments (states) in as many days. On Sunday, I was in Jinotega at my counterpart’s private English school. We’re doing a letter/video exchange with some students in the states and the kids were finishing up their letters of introduction and recording brief video greetings. We’re not entirely sure where the project will go but we’ve got lots of fun plans. On Monday morning, I left at 6AM to travel to Managua (2.5 hours, express bus). We departed Managua at 11ish en route to Masaya for the “Site Fair” which introduces new trainees in my sector (TEFL) to the select places around Nicaragua where they may live and work. My presentation was a PowerPoint which drew attention to the pros and cons of small, medium, and large sites. I made it home to Jinotega that same evening around 7pm—after five hours on the bus and a little over an hour in cabs getting to a from the bus station. On Tuesday, I ran all over Jinotega looking for teachers and holding short meetings in preparation for the activity I’m participating in this week—a teaching practicum for the TEFL trainees. On Wednesday, I attended a Peace Corps meeting in my town before catching a ride with staff back to Managua. On Thursday, I spent the day in Carazo doing “Coping with Stress” talks with trainees from the environment sector. On Friday, I left at the crack of dawn for Matagalpa (2 hours north) in order to co-present at a regional English conference with a teacher from Jinotega. It was the first time this particular teacher had ever presented at a conference and boy was he nervous but we did well and that was the point—to have a positive experience and build confidence. I arrived back in Managua that same evening around 8pm, ate at Burger King—if you know me, you know how desperate I must have been—and then on Saturday I was back in Masaya co-presenting on the topic of “Effective Communication” with 43 trainees. Saturday evening I got home at 7pm, ate oatmeal, and went to bed. Sunday I had more video projects starting at 8AM and Monday morning the practicum got underway with teacher/trainee meetings held in my living room. This activity is still underway. I'll send some details later because it's really awesome.

Anyway, during the Effective Communication presentation I found myself acknowledging how busy I felt and how exhausted I was but instead of focusing on my need for rest, I was focusing on my need/desire to be working, contributing, and basically being really involved in Peace Corps and in the lives of the teachers in my city. That need has absolutely been met over the last couple weeks. I’m so glad I’m still here. I’m learning so much and sleeping so soundly. Hope your days are equally fulfilling y Feliz Cumpleanos a todos los miembros de mi familia que han cumplido un ano mas este mes de octubre. Felicidades! Espero que lo pasaron alegres.