Getting Back in the Swing of Things

After my time in the United States I was unprepared for what awaited me back in Nicaragua. It wasn't so much the elements or the people, but what mental state I would be in. My time at home was a mental rollercoaster. I remember for the first week thinking about how I missed Nicaragua and how I even wished I could go back sooner. Cue my days of joining yoga, home cooking, family, and relaxing and I found myself on the opposite side of the pendulum wondering how on earth I would be capable of going back.

The airport was hard on both my mom and I.My mom was crying that her baby was leaving her yet again, and I was wondering why I was torturing myself. I liked my life in the States, I had a false sense of security that I could find any job I wanted, thus why torment myself with another year in a foreign land. Well, let's just say I am glad I got back on the plane. Upon getting to Nicaragua I rushed back to site and it has been non-stop since then.

I have taken a new oath to work harder than ever and pursue my goals. I have no distractions and my one objective for 2011 is to be the best volunteer possible. Sounds dorky, I know, but hear me out. I felt that I started taking some of my responsibilites too loosely (ie: traveling around for a week) and I needed to reign in my wandering mind. I want to be remembered in town not just as some gringo, but as an individual that has truly changed the lives of many of the residents.

Since I have gotten back I have already set-up meetings to kick-off round two of my soccer league. We are expanding from 10 teams to over 15 and I am even working at starting a female futbol sala league with the high school. Thanks to Ana all of this is possible and the wonderful people at her church. I have a donation of over 200 cleats and 30 soccer balls to my community and the grand unveiling will be at the opening of my league. I have also already met with my high school director to keep my college fair going and have taken it further to offer professional development classes and lecturers to all 5th year students.

I told you I am taking this seriously. It has only been two weeks and my soccer league is alive, I have universities ready to visit during the school year and my baseball league has been resurected from the dead. While I was gone none of the teams practiced and one actually fell apart. I needed to get them back into some type of organization before we head to Angus' site in Muy Muy to play and I not only got my team restructured but formed a new team in La Colonia. To further cement the process I helped organize a two-game scrimmage at the field that lasted over 4hrs and had in attendence over 50 kids.

I don't want to sound like I am bragging, but I am just very excited for what is to come in my town. This weekam having my first meeting regarding the construction of a $10,000 well to help fight the drought we have every year and will benefit over 4,000 people. I also am working at a youth leadership camp next week and will be presenting four different themes with volunteers throughout the country. It is a heck of a way to start off the new year and stick with my resolution; I only hope I can keep it up... it has only been two weeks.

Part I of my garden complete with a roof to shelter the plants from the deadly sun.

Final bit, I swear. In my free time I decided to jump-start my garden. I got a few tires in town from the local repair man and cut them open with my machete. Cool, right? Well, yes it is cool, but not as easy as it sounds. Those rubber tires for trucks are built heavy duty and I think it has been the hardest work-out I have done in months.

Two tires used as a compost since my soil is solid clay and can't support life.

 Ok and the last bit of news. Since I plan on being busy this year I finally broke down and did something drastic. I can no longer walk an hour and a half to school and lose all that time being productive so I bought a bike. Now, I am really into cycling and this is an insult to my racing days. Basically it is a POS, but what are you going to do, it gets me from point A hopefully to point B. It must weigh 40lbs and I have been tinkering with the gears, but it sure is a lot faster than walking.