Wednesday, December 30, 2009

More Vlogs!

Featuring the famous Canon of Somoto.



On our way back.



all for now folks! more to come soon!

Monday, December 28, 2009

More vlogs of me and Alex

Our arrival in Managua.



Truck ride. This was a particularly rough one.



Baking the infamous cookies that made Romain cry and gave us the sugar high of our lives.



Ari

Some vlog of me and Alex

In the San Salvador airport.




On the plane to Managua.



yes these are super old, but I hope you all enjoy none the less. more will be on soon. I promise!

Ari

NOWEL

These past couple of days have been quite lazy and relaxed. We went up to my family's cabin and went ice fishing. It was pretty sweet. It was only me and Jonathan though because the rest of the family was busy watching the game... Canada vs. Latvia... and Canada destroyed them with like 16-0...ouch. We didn't catch any fish and we really only stayed for like 45 minutes while drinking some smirnoff ice. Lovely.

Yesterday we went to Cecilia's sister's house. They have a very nice big house next to the river. We hung out there and had dinner.

Thelma can speak pretty decent english now. She survives just fine without me around all the time. It's been quite a full house here since all of Cecilia's family have been here. But today they pretty much all went to Saskatoon to watch the Canada vs. Switzerland game. I am so jealous, I would have loved to go... oh well...

Today we've been making plans for new years eve. It's looking like we're going to a latino party here in town. It's pretty exciting.

Well that's all for now folks. By the way, all the pictures I have are on Facebook now. Videos will be coming soon, I promise.

Ciao!

Ari

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas!

First of all I would like to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

So I really was indifferent about the holiday thing...until yesterday came around. This is my first Christmas away from home. I knew it was going to happen some time, but I don't think I ever expected to be sharing that Christmas with a new, massive family. I did get a bit emotional last night when we were about to sit down but also when we were at church. It's weird not having my own relatives around for the holidays. It's weird not waking up Christmas morning to eggs benedict and the traditional family movie in the morning. Yesterday I was shoved into a whole new line of traditions. We had to fast all day until dinner, and we had a meat-less dinner... so lots of fish and porogies. Then we went to mid-night mass... which was actually at mid-night. For my family, we go to mid-night mass... at 7pm. So I was a little sleepy to say the least by the time mass came rolling around. Surprisingly enough, Thelma and I got a ton of presents. I was pretty shocked, and so was Thelma, I think. Even though we are pretty much complete strangers to the Loch family, last night they treated us as one of their own, which was an awesome feeling. I am so thankful to be with Cecilia as a host-family for so many reasons. I was worried that my Christmas would be horrible because I'm away from home, but this was defenitly a good Christmas, thanks to the Lock family.

They also have a tradition called the "gift gag". Everyone has to buy a silly gift for about 5$ and wrap it up. Then everyone draws a number and takes turns open their gag gift. They are also allowed to trade a gift before opening the one they have chosen, therefore the other person must open it and is stuck with it. I got candy. Little sour cherry things that I adore. Lovely.

Another nice surprise was that my boyfriend had a flower arrangement made for me. It's super pretty and hangs out next to my bed. He said that the florist didn't have red roses anymore so she had to use orange, but frankly, I prefer the orange, haha.

Tonight we will be having a big turkey dinner and then tomorrow I believe we'll be heading up to the family's Cabin. I kind of want to go toboganning today, but I don't think anyone else wants to go.

Well, Merry Christmas everyone.

Ari

Monday, December 21, 2009

Kindergarden

Oh man. As much as I love my job, it's a little tough at times. Right now I am in the computer lab with the kids and Thelma is in the classroom with one of the girls who didn't do her decoration for her parents. I don't mind kids, but I get a little exhausted after a while... and I can't access facebook from here either... and all proxie sites are blocked also... hmph.

Anyways, we had a busy busy weekend. On Friday we had a group meeting where our new EADs will be. Then, Luke and myself were suppose to make a presentation to some kids, but they cancelled litterally at the last minute, so we just hung out with the staff there and ate some cookie with hot chocolate. Pretty sweet, right? Then Friday night most of the girls in the group had a nice little get-together at Vero's house. It was fun to play card games, sing rediculous to rediculous music and play Wii together. I missed hanging out with them.

On Saturday I mostly hung out with Cecilia's grandson, Jonathan. He's 24 and is Mr. Fitness. So Saturday morning we did some yoga together, then went out for starbucks. Later we went to a hockey game because on of his cousin's was playing. Then we went for DQ. Afterwards he took me and Thelma to a dinner the group was invited to at the Multi-cultural counsil. Michel and Luis Carlos work at the Multi-cultural counsil, they teach english, which is kind of funny seeing as how Luis' english is pretty limited, even though it's better than most... and Michel is from Levis... in the heart of Quebec... But Michel's english has improved drasticly since the beginning of this program. Woot woot. Anyways, we all went to the dinner and it turned out that there has been quite a bit of drama going on in the group and it all surfaced that night. I guess that was to be expected since they decided we also had to work with our counter-parts. Now we litterally spend 24\7 with our counter-parts. Luckly, me and my counter-part get along all the time and are always on the same page about everything. Unfortunately, this isn't the case for everyone else. Everything by the end of the night was able to resolve itself though. Thank God.

Yesterday morning, Jonathan and I did another workout. This time we did a DVD called "Ab Ripper X". It's a 16 minute video of ab exercises... anyways, about three minutes in we were both laying on the floor half dead... oh man... I am so sore today.

Yesterday afternoon, we were invited to mass at Cecilia's church. We were also invited for a multi-cultural pot-luck after mass. So the Nicas made tons of food for this dinner. Thelma and Alany made lots of tortilla together for this occasion. It is a tradition at their church to have a meat-less dinner as their last big feast before Christmas. So we had lots and lots of fish. There are leftovers enough to feed an entire soup kitchen. After dinner we sang christmas carols together and got a present from Santa. We got candy... oh boy. It was nice to get to hang out with the whole group a lot this weekend.

Tonight is girl's night. Us girls are going to see New Moon!!! Finally!!! I can't wait to see this movie as New Moon was my favorite book in the series! I heard that this movie is way better than Twilight, thank God. All the canadian girls have been playing this outting since September. I will probably act like a fan girl at this movie. Lets be honest, team Jacob all the way! Woot!

Christmas is this weekend and I haven't done my Christmas shopping yet. I know exactly what I will be getting Thelma and Cecilia. More of Cecilia's family will be coming over for the holidays. It should be a pretty crowded house, I think.

Well that's all for now I think. Later gater!

Ari

Friday, December 18, 2009

No internet

Oh my Lord. It has been such a long time since I have updated. I am sooo sorry. I think I may have mentionned this before but I haven't any internet at our house and I cannot use internet at my job either, so this is really the first time I am on in over a week. I have alot of things to say but really no time. I am currently at the Red Cross and I was suppose to do a presentation for a group of kids on the program, but they cancelled last minute... so yeah. Now I will only be giving this presentation to the staff at the Red Cross.

My job is extremely awesome. I work mostly with kindergarden kids and we have a great deal of fun together. At my school we are very busy with Christmas things, so I've been making decorations nonstop it seems. I love the staff I work with. Thelma's english is coming along nicely, which is good.

Life with Cecilia is pretty awesome. Slowly but surely her family has been coming over and some are starting to move in for the holidays. It's bound to be a pretty crowded house seeing as how she has 9 kids and God knows how many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

On Monday the girls have made a date to finally go see the New Moon movie! I am so excited! I was worried that it was out of theatres, but I guess not! All of us are super excited! :)

Today we assigned everyone their new EAD topics for the canadian phase. I have been paired up with Jorge and our topic is media and communications. We are going first... so I'm a little nervous.

Today is the first time the whole group has met up in a week. It feels so nice to see them again. We aren't used to being apart because in Somoto we saw eachother everyday.

The Nicas are adjusting super well to the cold. Everyone is really doing great and getting along pretty good with their new families and jobs. So far, the canadian phase rocks.

I must say that now that we have returned to Canada, I am getting somewhat anxious to returning to my life in Ottawa. I don't want the program to end and I don't want to seperate from the group... but I am looking forward to seeing my friends, my family and my boyfriend when I get back. The day I go home will definitly a very sad and very happy day. I am both excited for it and dreading it at the same time....

Well I have to go now. I will make a more thorough post some other time. No promises when that may be... Toodles!

Ari

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Dry skin

OH MAH LAWD! WE ARE BACK IN CANADA!

Yes, we had a lovely and safe journey to the great white North. We are now all in Prince Albert and the other group is in Saskatoon. Our flights were long and sometimes tedious, but it was well worth it. We flew from Managua to San Salvador, San Salvador to Toronto, Toronto to Saskatoon and a bus from Saskatoon to Prince Albert. We spent a night in Toronto though. However, we only really got to sleep for a couple hours. My parents, as well as many of the other parents from the canadians, came down with oodles of clothing for the Nicas. Both for our group and for the other. We dumped all the clothes into Shayne and Ben's room and had a massive raffle. Serious, their room almost looked like a small thrift store. Toronto was no where near as cold as Prince Albert turned out to be though. Now all the Nicas understand the concept of layering your clothes, as well as having thick sweaters and good hats. It's so much fun for us Canadians because we get to teach them so many things. Many occasions already have I had to zip up winter coats and tie scarfs the right way around some of the Nicas. They are so adorable when they are all dressed up. For the most part, once they have on their full winter attire, you can only see their little eyes, shivering in pain. Pobresitos. The other day I had to show Tania how to walk into sliding type doors. You know, the kind that go around in a circle. She really didnt know what to do when she saw it.

Now, onto my host family. I live with Cecilia. She is an elderly woman who acts much younger than you would think for her age. She lives alone out in the country side, owns a farm with several cats (oh yay!) and has an enormous family. It looks like we'll be meeting alot of her family for Christmas. Cecilia is very catholic, but she doesn't impose her views, which I like. Thelma was nervous about Cecilia being so catholic, because in Nicaragua, the Catholic and the Evagenlical church are quite divided, and Thelma is evangelical. But all is well in our house hold. I really enjoy living with her. She has a hot tub in the basement. When I say hot tub, I don't mean a bath tub with a couple jets... I mean the kind that you usually see in someone's backyard. She's really nice. It should be an awesome 3 months with her.

Currently we are in our orientation camp for the Canadian phase of the program. So we've been doing alot of touring and going to the workplacement for a visit. Also hitting up the thirft stores for possible boots for whoever needs them. Yesterday we went to 3 different museums here in Prince Albert about the history of the town, as well as the Métis people, the educational evolution and about the prisons here. We also visited some of the work placements, such as The Canadian Mental Health Association, the Salvation Army, the Forestry office, the Red Cross and the hospital. I will be working in an elementary school. I'm actually going this afternoon to meet my bosses there and find out more about what it is that I'll be doing.

For the most part, it seems like all of the Nicas are adapting well and aren't going through too much culture shock. Everyday there is someone from Nicaragua calling Thelma. I don't get any calls... no one loves me, haha. Thelma only really had one night where she was quite home sick, but she's doing just fine now. Her english is already starting to improve, which is really great. She really likes Canada.

Coming back to Canada made me realise how much I love my country. I missed it more than I realised. I love the cold weather. It's pretty much always been bellow 30 degrees here, so we've been hit pretty hard with the bone chilling cold. I missed the food. I just know I'll gain back that 10 pounds I lost in Nicaragua. But also, returning to Canada made me realise how easy we have it here and how much I love Nicaragua as well. I miss Nicaragua so much already. I can't wait to go back. Before I left, my Nicaraguan friends would tell me to never forget Nicaragua. But really, how could I ever forget it? Nicaragua has left a permanant mark on me, and I like it that way.

Toodles :)

Ari

p.s. yes, I am currently shivering.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Last post from Nicaragua

Just so all of you know, I added some new photos a couple days ago and am adding a bunch more right now. So be sure to check out my facebook. Once I get my laptop I will start putting some of my pictures on photobucket and then on this blog. Only the amazing money maker pictures. I must say, some of our pictures are pretty fan-freakin-tastic. Also, I shall soon be adding some old videos that I have collected throughout this trip. They will be on youtube and on this blog, maybe on my facebook as well. Most of these videos will be me and Alex talking.

Today is my last day in Nicaragua. Tomorrow we are leaving at 4 am for Managua. Alex and I took our last stroll all over Somoto saying goodbye to little spots that we love to hang out at. Alex took tons of pictures. Tonight I am going to church with Thelma and my family. I believe Romain and Luke will also be going. We are pretty honoured guests tonight.

Im probably going to ball my eyes out tonight. Tomorrow morning too. I think Melania is planning on coming with us Managua to see us off. Im all packed and ready to go. Canada is hours away now. Oh I cant wait, but dread it at the same time. I love Nicaragua.

Like me and Thelma always say... Lista para la guerra.

Aricake

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

48 hours...

Oh man... Sadness is really starting to sink in now. Tomorrow is our last day in Nicaragua. Were leaving early morning on Friday to catch our flight in Managua at 9. Im really excited for the flight just to see how the Nicas will react to their first plane ride ever. The plane from Managua to San Salvador is going to be our group and the Esteli group. Its pretty much going to only be a CWY plane.

Monday night was our Christmas dinner with all the families. We had lots of food of all kinds. We had a band come play as well.

Yesterday was the HIV Peace Corp concert. We were super busy all day and had so much fun. It was a real success. Some of the guys went to Managua yesterday to take some more artisitc photos of grafitis and political murales.

Today we have a press conference that we all must attend to. Lake, Luis Carlos, Thelma and Romain will be speaking on our behalf. They will talk about the future project of Canada World Youth in Somoto. I believe Shayne and Ruth will also say a little something. I prepared a slide show with some of our pictures to show at the press conference.

Well I best be going now. Tomorrow will be my last post from Nicaragua... tear sniff sniff....

Ari