It all finally happened. The three big
things that I've been waiting months for have now come:
1) The series of tubes that connect the
goings-on of the world to my simple home in Itapua have been
established. Honestly, this accomplishment was in no thanks to the
two local internet companies, but instead to the ingenuity of that
man I married. Jason has been able to do some great things around the
house that I would not have been able to do as well if serving alone.
For example, the garden is nearly completed because of his diligence
and strength. In our community the soil is very very poor; a paucity
of organic matter and rainfall has turned the soil to rock, and I
doubt I could have shoveled out the beds in a time matching his.
Also, he built a very very lindo garden fence. True, there are
no deer and in fact no pesky small mammals of any sort, but a fence
protecting your greens from the malevolent squackers that freely
lurch around the community is a must.
2) I'm in a groove, a routine, a period
of motivation. I think a large part of this new found self-reliance
was born from Jason's brief departure from site. Due to a tragedy,
medical appointments, and our first host-mom's 60th
birthday, the hubby left our small community for quite a few days.
This truly forced me to be alone with my community and to be alone
with myself – more so than any other time in Paraguay, which
cumulatively is more time than in my whole life. From this experience
I have now felt for the first time what it is like to be a PCV. The
vast majority of volunteers serve alone. With this [initially]
solitary service comes the awkward situations of meeting new people
for the first time and as a PCV this usually means in a new language.
Normally, Jason and I visit new families, battle language barriers,
and confront awkwardness together. But now I've done these tasks all
on my own. Check. This
liberation has prompted me to finally put together a daily routine,
which my personality greatly needs for efficacy's sake. I wake up
early, do house and garden chores, shower, and visit one family
before the siesta. During the siesta I do work, cook, eat, and rest.
From the moment siesta ends until the time darkness blankets the town
around 6 o'clock I am out and about visiting families. At night I
cook, eat, work, and read. Groove, check. And
finally, I have met with the two local agricultural committees,
introduced myself and my work, and led a group activity. Charla
in Jopara, check.
3) My neighbor's cat finally popped out
some kittens – in our house. It all went down on a Saturday morning
while Jason and I were still in bed. Meow, meeeoooowww. In my
half dream state I ignore the cries, until Jason asks me if it is the
cat. I opened the window of the poor girl meowed like I've never
heard her meow before. Is she in labor? I cuddle on the couch*
with her and the meowing only ceases when I pet her. She can't get
comfortable and she constantly readjusts herself. Soon after our
short cuddle session I arise from bed and the horrendous cries follow
my steps, until I turn and see the kitty-kitty in the poop position.
Holy crap, it's going to happen right now. I
grab a box and a dishcloth, and quickly place the feline inside.
Within three-minutes the first kitten was born. Four hours later four
kittens were licked and cared for my their mum, in a zappos box, in
my living room.
Coming up in April: Semana Santa (like
Easter, but different traditions), G-43 Reconnect (a mini-training
week with my cohort), and my 9-year Being-Together Anniversary with
that boy.Also, not a lot of pics this post. The next is sure to have A TON!
*Not really a couch, but another bed in
the living room. Couches are very rare. Instead, the majority of,
homes have at least one bed in the common spaces of the room. I'm not
sure if this is related to wealth, practically, or some other facet I
haven't yet figured out.
Jason showing off how many pant sizes he's lost over the last 6 months.
The fence and gate that Jason built.
A picture of the first kitten immediately after she was born.
Kittens one week later and in their new home - a suitcase.
