How can I only have FIVE months left?!

Well it's becoming a trend... I keep taking forever to write a blog post. I think it's mostly because this is just my reality now and my home and I don't feel like I have very noteworthy things to say, but who knows maybe y'all will thinks it's interesting ha.

I think it's been about 2 months since I've posted, and I certainly had to have done somethingggg!


Let's see..
I ONLY HAVE 5 MONTHS LEFT IN PARAGUAY!!!!


In the beginning of October I went to the beautiful Iguazu Falls (the Argentina side) with Bonna, her mom, and Arianna. It was a wonderful little weekend getaway filled with good wine, steak, and excellent company.



Coatis- kinda cute but also food thieves...

these monkeys were actually really obnoxious
and kinda scary because they would stalk your food

Garganta del Diablo

I took an online class called Health for All Through Primary Healthcare and have recently started another called Epidemics, Pandemics and Outbreaks. I just felt the need for some intellectual stimulation, so there's that.


Maria and I, as you all know, are friends from home. We had our mutual friend Kristen come visit for a week which was awesome!

Kristen was an awesome little photographer - Here's my bus stop...I spend about half my life here waiting for buses haha

leaving home!

Me and my escuela!

Traditional Paraguayan asado at Jen's house

La Casita Hostel in Asuncion

As far as work goes, I've been doing a lot of work in the elementary school with the dentist, Teresita. She's fabulous and guapa!

Reading the kids a story called Super Cepillo, about a superhero toothbrush who takes care of the village of Boca Grande (Big Mouth) and fights off the Microbios Malos (bad microbes)

Kids practicing correct tooth brushing techniques

Dental students came from Encarnacion to work at the school and give dental exams to the kids

I'm also on the planning committee for the national youth health camp - Camp Jaikoporâ (roughly translates to Camp Be Well). I'm the head of logistics for the camp so right now I'm charge of any contact with the place we're holding the camp, managing the incoming applications, etc... The camp with be in mid-January! Here's our little spiel about it:
The mission of Camp Jaikoporâ is to establish a yearly summer retreat that empowers youth health promoters as peer educators in sexual decision making and advocates of healthy living

In other news: on Monday I'm heading to Salta, Argentina with Jen for a week vacation! I'm very excited because we're gonna camp and go to a winery and hike and such! I'll post about it afterwards!

Clausura de Ingles

sometimes it is just so hard to write. But, igual.

Last week was the official end of my English adventure. Although, many have asked if I am going to continue or if I'm going to teach another class...my response is always the same..."Puede ser" ("Maybe") even though I 100% know that the answer is a big fat NO! It's just such a Paraguayan response to not want to disappoint people.. yay! Integration.

Anyway, I had a graduation ceremony which included certificates for all the kids who completed the course. I wanted it to be a small event with just Leti and I, and our students and any parents that were interested in coming. I thought the directora understood that. well... she didn't. Without letting me know, she went on the radio to advertise and invited any parent of any student in the whole school to come (at the wrong time of course) and also had the entire school watch as I handed out certificates! WHAT?! I was completely unprepared for that. Peace Corps flexibility at its finest, I'll say! So I made a speech in front the whole entire school, fine. And it actually went well and looked SUPER lindo, thank God! We took a million photos and the directora even gave Leti and I little gifts for appreciation (A very very nice wallet!). I bought some little snacks and made chocolate chip cookies, which were gone in a matter of seconds!

And I was able to advertise my Vamos Viajeros camp which I'm going to do again this summer. It was actually kind of funny because at first the kids thought I was actually going to be taking them to other countries...what a nightmare. I had to make sure that everyone understood that we were just learning about different cultures not actually traveling to them hahaha.

 

 

 

 

 

I'm officially VAC Rep now. so that's sweet.

I finally had my one-year visit from my boss (after being in site for close to a year and half...oops). It went well. We basically just had a little interview chat portion then I took her to visit some of my contacts. She talked to the directora of my school and also to my host mom which was nice. The directora of the school gave amazing feedback and made me feel like a million dollars. They had the meeting with my boss without me being there so that they feel like they can be more candid, and she was asked to describe me in five words and she chose Active. Responsible. Creative. Flexible and that I manage a classroom very well! HIGH-FIVE TO ME! So I'm definitely looking into what other work I can now do in the school, since I seem to have a great relationship.

It was just so wonderful because we obviously went to the school so that my boss could chat with the directora and all of my students were on recess and they just ran up to me and were telling me how much they missed me (granted it had been 4 days since we ended our class haha) and my boss even asked one of the students what her name was in English and she was able to respond perfectly (WOO SUCCESS!) so that was awesome.

good vibes all around, right now. The next 7 months will FLY by I'm sure of it.

tanto tiempo!

Wow. tanto tiempo peeps! Sorry for the extended absence, I know you've all been dying to hear about what I've been up to!

Still going strong with my English class, we finally started back up after winter break and my vacation to brazil. It was wonderful because when Leti and I arrived at the school we originally thought that maybe the kids forgot that we were starting back up again today but then all of the sudden some of the girls started running full speed at us and jumped and gave us big hugs. It really was lovely! We have only 3 classes left until we complete the course. I have positive and negative feelings about this. On the one hand, I'll simply be glad it's over. On the other hand, I liked have scheduled, consistent work two days a week... so I'll need to figure out what to do afterwards. Blerg. I'm thinking of trying to start up my Club de Embarazadas again, or maybe a zumba class, or maybe do some dental health stuff in the schools. I'm still undecided at the moment. I just need to get through this English class first.

This weekend I have a VAC meeting (a meeting with all the volunteers who live in my department) and I'll be transitioning into the role of VAC representative, which is like the president of the VAC so that's exciting! I'll have to attend quarterly NVAC (national VAC) meetings to update the higher ups on what we're up to.
Speaking of VACs, mine has been killin' it! Recently I organized a Grassroots Soccer (GRS) event in Encarnacion with the US Embassy's Access English program. GRS uses soccer drills and activities to teach life skills and HIV/AIDS and STD prevention. We were able to teach the mini day-camp in English and it is just AMAZING the things one can accomplish when able to use their first language haha! It went really well and it was awesome to have some G-mates and VAC-mates support me!
We also ran a bunch of HeForShe presentations at the largest high school in Encarn. If you don't know what HeForShe is it's the UN Women's initiative towards gender equality...you should definitely look it up! PCPY is the first Peace Corps post to work hand in hand with them and do many presentations to youth throughout the whole country. It's really quite incredible! My VAC did 6 presentations in 2 days to over 600 students! QUE GUAPO!
Then we also had a mini environmental camp called Paraguay Verde'i in one of my VAC-mate's sites. it went so well, we had 3 NGOs come to speak to the youth about various issues, we planted 30+ trees and learned some recycled art projects!
I'm just so proud to be surrounded by such motivated, fantastic people!

My technical library project in the office is going well. I've finally gotten a staff member and a coordinator involved and training on how to use the cataloging system so hopefully there will be some serious progress! I would LOVE to have it all digitized and up and running before I leave.

Speaking of leaving, I cannot believe that G43 (the G before me) is having their COS (close of service) conference already. That means we're next!! I only have about 7.5 months left of service and I think it's going to fly by!

English Frustrations

This is sort of venting post. So if you're not interested in negativity you can stop reading...now. As you probably know I teach an English class to 4-6th graders at the local school. It's definitely not my dream project and I certainly tried to get out doing for a long time but then I realized many people wanted me to do it and that it would help me get to know more people...blah blah blah. There are some positives obviously. I have work, which is a good thing. I have some students who are really learning and I'm better know throughout the community...BUT IT'S JUST SO FRUSTRATINGGGG!!!

We've just passed our half way point and I decided to give them another quiz.. the first one they took wasn't so bad. On Thursday, our last class, I showed them the quiz and explained what I'd be asking of them so that they could effectively study. When they showed up today, it was clear to me that no one had studied. I gave them 5 minutes to use their notes last time and clearly they expected notebook time again and were relying on it. I told them if they got worse than 50% they would have to take the test again next time. I have 9 students out of my 40 who failed. 9!!!!!! and many who just squeezed by. it's just not acceptable and I don't know what to do about it. we practice and review, I tell them what to study and they simply don't do it. Annnnddd to top it all off, they cheat like crazy. I don't know how many times I had to tell them to stop talking and to keep their eyes on their own paper and to give me their notebooks because they were looking inside. It's completely outrageous!!!! I just don't understand at all.

A large part of it has to do with the education system here. In the U.S. this kind of behavior is simply NOT tolerated obviously. If you're caught cheating you simply get a 0% on your test, and you have to explain to your parents why you did so poorly. here...NO ONE CARES! so when they come into my class they expect to get away with these things and I don't allow it, and then I seem like the mean teacher. Also, they just don't know how to study in general. They have no concept of being independent learners. It's hard to teach in a culture that is just so different educationally speaking. It's a never ending battle. And I get it...its an extra, free class that they take outside of school but I want them to take it seriously and I don't want to waste my time on kids who won't even try a little bit.


In other news, I submitted my medical school application last week! WOOO!!!
I'll just have to wait for my secondary applications to be sent to me, and then I'll have a TON of work to do on those. but yay! the process has begun.

Going to Brazil in like 38 days! CANNOT wait to see my Mateo! <3

Where in the World is Carmen San Diego...I mean Ambyr?

Where have I been? What have I been doing?

I've been busy in my site...of all places. So often I talk about all the fun little trips I take to visit other PCVs or to go to events in the capital. But recently I've made a vow to work hard and stay in my site...for a while a least. I have my mid-service training next week, which is crazy to think about!

I've started an English class...which I don't love but it's work and the kids seem to enjoy it. We had our first quiz yesterday and it wasn't a total failure so that's awesome! More than half of my students got above an 80%! YAY! the weirdest thing about teaching this class is that students here don't really know how to think outside of the box, which is no fault of their own. The Paraguayan school system is a joke, frankly. Students are expected to just copy down anything the teacher writes and to make sure that their notebooks are "lindo". There is no space for creativity or problem solving skills. This proves very difficult for me because I try to do creative activities and have interesting, different homework assignments....but they simply do NOT understand anything that is moderately new. It drives me insane and is so frustrating! LSDKJFASLKDJF!!!! But, other than that, it's very rewarding that one of my students got a 100% on the quiz.
Its also such a test to my patience. I have a newfound respect for teachers. IT IS HARD! Having a classroom full of kids shouting in multiple languages is a challenge. Sometimes, I just don't even know what they're trying to say and probably look like a fool.

Another new thing in my life is that I'm currently APPLYING TO MEDICAL SCHOOL!!! Can you believe it?!?! The time has finalllllly come! It's stressful and brings up a lot of feelings and anxieties, but it'll all be worth it in the end...hopefully. ha. Writing my personal statement is a struggle...to say the least!

annnnnd, Matt and I are finally booking our hotels and flights for our vacation to Brazil and I could not be happier! YAYYYY!

12 months to go!

What has happened since last time we chatted? Well it was Semana Santa (Holy Week), which was weird because it was my second one. I’m at the point where I’m starting to repeat events! Wow, that must mean I’ve been here a long time! So anyway, I spent some of semana santa in Villa Florida (Jen’s site). I originally was supposed to go to Tañarandy, which is a town famous for its productions on Holy Thursday and Good Friday, with my family but they ended up not being able to go because there was a suspected case of Dengue in my site and my host mom, being the guapa lady that she is, had to take care of that. So I went to VF. On Good Friday they had this beautiful reenactment of the crucifixion where they started at the church and then we all followed as the Jesus character carried the cross all the way around the plaza, then afterward they “crucified” him. It was actually very impressive!

 

 

On Saturday, we met up with some PCV friends in Villarrica for dinner and drinks and then we all spent Easter Sunday in Bonna’s site! We had roasted chicken and veggies, carrot cake, French onion dip, deviled eggs, etc. It was sooo rico! Then Jen and I got on a 2am bus back to our sites. Ew. That was not awesome. But you gotta do what you gotta do. It was so lovely being able to spend the holiday with friends and just be American and talk about how we typically spend Easter in the States and such.

YUM! deviled eggs!

 

 

I’ve started/organized a Club de Embarazadas (pregnant women’s club) at the Centro de Salud with one of the nurses and the nutritionist. It’s every Tuesday and to be perfectly honest I don’t do that much. They give the presentations and I basically just help set up and take everything down. I guess that’s the ultimate goal, sustainable projects that can last when I leave… but it’s just kind of weird haha.

 

I'll also be starting a English class with Leti for kids! We're doing it in the library of one of the schools in town on Mondays and Thursdays. We're gonna start in May so that should be...interesting. haha

 

This last Friday I went to Abbie’s site (another PCV) for her despedida (going away party). We did one of those things where you go to a painting place and drink wine! It was SO fun! I mean we made it into that…there is an art teacher that Abbie knows well and she opened up for us that night and helped us with our paintings and let us drink wine haha. I was so impressed by her shop! Her paintings were beautiful and she was able to help all of us with our ideas! It’s sad to see Abbie go because she’s the only other health volunteer in Itapua, but I’m pretty certain we’ll be getting a few more with the new group. It’s just so crazy the turnover rate. As soon as you get close with people from other G’s, they leave. We’re gonna miss Abbie SO much!!!

 

Look what I painted!!!!! I'm so proud of it!

Fun night painting with my girls!

Miriam G-42, me G-44, Abbie G-41, Ruchi G-43

Speaking of the new group, it’s super crazy to think that my G is now the top dog in the health sector. I don’t feel like we’re ready hahaha but I’m sure that’s what G-41 thought too when we got here! I was able to do some site development with one of my bosses, Gloria. It was awesome to see how they choose sites and the whole process behind it all, and I felt lucky to be able to give my input as a volunteer!

 

Also, I did my World Camp with Miriam in her site and it was obviously fabulous! Now we've been invited to go into training and teach the new trainees about the camp so that they can do it in their sites! AHH it's so awesome to be a part of something so successful!

 

The biggest thing that has happened in recent news is that I’VE LIVED IN CARMEN DEL PARANA FOR A WHOLE YEAR NOW!!!!! It’s insane to me! I can’t believe I only have ONE year left. 12 months. I don’t know how many more weeks or days…those numbers seem too big and depressing haha. I only have one of everything left. One more Fourth of July, one more Halloween, one more Thanksgiving, one more Christmas. DANG! The time surely does fly. And I definitely trust the older volunteers when they say that the second year just flies by in an instant. You become so busy with your work and with trainings and with visiting your friends and with going on vacations (YAY Brazil in June or July!!!) and then all of the sudden it’s time to leave! I'm at a really good place in my service right now and that just feels so good! I should probably write something reflective…but I’ll save that for another day.

Oh and one more funny little story. I accompanied Yessica, our nutritionist, to a charla she was giving to the 7^th grade class. This age range is NOT my favorite, but whatever. I went and just watched essentially because she invited me last minute. At the very end the kids were asking me some questions (typical) and they asked me to speak in English. So I literally said “hello. My name is Ambyr. I’m from the United States”. That’s it. I received the most roaring applause you’ve ever heard. You’d think I had just performed some amazing skill or something. I thought it was hilarious and so did Yessica. After that we had to keep steering the conversation back to nutrition. It’s stuff like that that just makes you feel like a rockstar!

here are some photos from other things I've been doing..

this is what a VAC meeting sometimes looks like! hanging out with other PCVs and eating!

YUM asado!

Girls night in my site at the beach!

 

random abandoned boat

The following are pictures from a musical festival that some of the PCVs went to called Asuncionico, a whole bunch of American bands came to Paraguay and it was SO fun!!!!



G-44 girls! #Asuncionico

 



#Asuncionico

Favorite picture in the Art Tent #Asuncionico

Art tent! #Asuncionico



#Asuncionico



#Asuncionico