My Birthday Weekend! It was the Shit(s)

First off, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for the birthday messages! I seriously have the best friends and family in the world. From all the birthday cards... to the 45 minutes I spent talking to Vraniak, Willy, Codi, Mary and Alex!!!!!!! Seriously, I felt like I was back home.

I need to send an apology to a certain David James Hannon. David, thank you for calling me to say happy birthday - I am very sorry that I pulled a "leddy" and sounded really out of it. My buddy Dave, called me Saturday morning. He just ran a marathon in Khazaksthan (spelling?... whatever). He called to say happy birthday and tell me he ran it (I thought he said he won but im not sure... ). Long story short, I stayed out all night and was a little under the weather! Sorry Hanbone - holler back at me I have some stories!

Speaking of being under the weather, and I'm sure all of you think that I was just hungover after my celebration, I got tested and learned that I had a bacterial infection (my second to date). HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! I was pretty sick, if you consider everytime that you eat something you need to do it near a bathroom! But other than the awkward stomach noises and me hoping that people lost their ability to smell - I had such a blast in the city!

The first night in town we all hit up an "Irish" pub. We ran into some government officials who actually bought a round for us!!!! That was rad. After a few drinks, we took off for a club and I spent the night learning how to dance and trying to speak spanish.

"Puede ensenarme como bailar" Can you teach me how to dance?

The girl responds - "I'm from LA, I speak english... and yeah I will teach you real quick".

This was awkward moment - but I learned a lot. I am going to have MAD MOVES when I get back to the states.* *refer to blog entry about weddings

The second night, the whole gang (about 12 of us) took off on the town. Another night of having a few drinks, laughing and dancing. Long story short, I may have stayed at the club until 6am. And the night may have ended with me in a breakdancing circle teaching 12 guys how to do the moonwalk. So obviously, I haven't changed a bit between my 13th and 24th birthdays!!!!!!

I really missed being home with my friends, but I must admit that the other volunteers really came through! I have made some pretty great friendships in the short time I have been here... you kind of have to. Sink or swim together! I will never forget my first birthday over seas!

LIFE HERE

Things are going slowly here. I have been pretty stressed, and have been letting my boss know where my head is at... which has been a great way to vent/get advice. I have learned that I live in a resetlement community. A post-war zone where famillies have moved to start over. Some families have only been here a few months longer than myself - this explains the lack of community I feel. Also, because I live in guerrilla territory and the United States gave support to the Salvadoran government durning the war - some of the people here are a little slow on accepting me. I need to emphasis that there is no hate towards me, rather, people are just careful around me... no one really starts convo's with me, and are always very curious as to why I ask questions.
I have decided to 'start over' if you will. I am going to dive into the school... just teach and play with the kids, and hope that eventually that trust will spread to every other part of the community. Long term, I know I can do it, the day to day is just hard.

I have been flying through books. Which is odd, for those of you who know that I am a hooked on phonics kid. I just read a book called "The Sparrow" and another titled "The Glass Castle"... I do not know why I bought thoose books, but man there are sections in each that directly relate to my situation right now. They are both really keeping my head strong!

I am starting to work out a little. Pushups, abbs, and pullups everyday. I am loosing that, 'hey that kid kind of has guns' look... more or less I need to get my sexy bad*

*muscles come and go... chest hair always stays...

I have my presentation over my census/diagnostics this tuesday!!!!! I am a little nervous about it, just because it is a presentation in front of my community (all in spanish). I am geared though because my boss is coming and I will be able to ask him for some much needed advice!

Send me some emails everybody! leddyjam@gmail.com seriously, even if the most exciting thing you did this week was show up to work late - I want to know about it... hahaha.

Paz,
jimbo