This week has been pretty busy, as will be the next few.  I’m winding down my health promoter training group, Hogares Saludables. The women, who have been a part of the group, will be graduating on December 9^th. Groups from the neighboring communities will be graduating as well.  Around 100 women in total from this area will go to the neighboring “city” of Hato Mayor for a morning of activities and certificates!  After graduation, the most promising will start “house visits” in their respective communities. Essentially, they will be multiplying the information by visiting families, who did not participate in the group, to explain a different health topic each month. Most importantly, this means less work for me with only one planning meeting with my women per month.

I recently started a boys group for muchachos ages 7 – 11. We call ourselves “Somos Ingenieros” (We Are Engineers!). Clearly, I have some future Case Western Reserve University Spartans on my hands here. I formed this group because the boys in my community were insanely jealous of my time spent with my girls group (Chicas Brillantes).  They would try to sneak into meetings, and beg to be a part of the girls’ group.  Now we have our own time :) Boys are just as wild as girls, but in a completely different way.  They run around, yelling, dancing, and blurting out random questions…that about sounds like my typical day…so it works out just fine.

Yesterday started Patronales here in my community.  Patronales is the festival in honor of the patron saint for who our Church was named.  I haven’t been a huge part of the Church since I got kicked out of the band (lowest point of my life), but all of my old lady friends practically begged me to decorate the place for the upcoming activities.  All of those who know me well will be shocked to hear that everyone here thinks I’m an amazing artist.  Yes, the Church is now covered in flowers, glitter, and signs that exclaim in neon colored glory that “God is Love!” When meetings ran late yesterday, and I showed up to the first day of the “party” just as everyone was exiting the Church, I made sure to throw a fit and make a huge scene to let it be known just how upset I was that I didn’t have a chance to participate. (Complete sarcasm – but of course no one had any idea…I have to entertain myself somehow).  They were equally upset and consoled me by reassuring me that there were in fact 8 more days of these shenanigans. Great. These are the moments I really think I deserve a reality show.

Finally, today was World AIDS Day. Earlier in the week, I taught my 8^th graders (Escojo Mi Vida group) about HIV/AIDS.  We battled myths – like the virus can be transmitted by mosquitos, kisses, and sharing drinks. We talked about how HIV is transmitted, where we can get the test, and what the difference is between HIV and AIDS.  Today, I had a few of my 8^th graders help me give the same lesson to the 6^th and 7^th graders.  Afterwards, the whole school participated in a march from my community to the next one down the road.  We had prepared posters and chanted things like, “I choose my life. World AIDS Day.” (That flows a lot better in Spanish). Things went pretty well, except that the kids ended up going nuts (surprise) and running down the road for half of the march. We came back, had some snacks, warm strawberry flavored powdered milk (not my choice), and juice.  Overall, it was a great day – minus that milk.  I’m really thankful that the teachers and director of my school are open and ready to do absolutely any project with me – makes me life a little bit simpler. :)

My Engineers.  We decorated and folded the best paper airplanes, followed by competitions!  They are so cute!

Getting ready to march! If the kids had a red shirt, they were excused from wearing their uniforms.

Right before they charged me.  Sometimes I question their love for me.

Made some more wine.  Now up to 4 buckets fermenting in my house.  This last batch was made with sugar cane.  December and January visitors should get ready to have a blast!

And just because it’s cute (her only saving grace).  Wearing my shoes (she literally touches everything I own…all…the…time.)