Guatemala.

My favorite things about Guatemala:

1.Blue Jolly Ranchers. The village of Chirixquitzac (Are you ready for this? Pronounced Chit-ti-qui-zac) is about a 10 hour bus ride from Guatemala City. Towards the end of the drive, I didn't realize how close we were to the village and I popped in a blue Jolly Rancher. Now I usually avoid the blue ones because they turn your entire mouth blue (... go figure lex.) but for what ever reason I just didn't care that day.
Well it ended up being the BEST thing ever. As we pulled up to the village, all the locals were waiting anxiously for our arrival. As we stepped off the bus the kids all rushed forward to shake our hands and stare a little. I quietly stuck my tongue out to some of the kids knowing that it was blue, and it was so fun to watch their faces widen with surprise and hear them shrill with shock and amazement. (They can't stop staring at me!)

                           

 2. The affection. As a group, we discussed multiple times about how we couldn't even feel home sick because we were constantly showered with love and affection from the kids. They were constantly on top of our laps, rubbing our arms, calling our names, and spying on us.

See how they cling to Thomas? This is a regular sighting. 

3. Obviously- The kids. Meet some of my favorites. 

Ingri  

  

Bento. (Aka: Bean) 

                                               

Daisy. 

 
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And my ABSOLUTE favorite-Carmalina.

       

 4. The Project. It's an amazing feeling to know you work really hard all day to make a difference in someone else's life. This years project was building stoves. For thousands of years, the women in this village have been cooking over open fire stoves in their homes. Obviously, the room would fill with smoke and cause a lot of health problems. The leaders of the village and Choice workers helped create a stove that would get all the cooking done without the smoke, and the fire hazards. 

 We mostly just carried cinder blocks. Uphill. Many times- all day long. 

And a little bit of digging (In their kitchen. Dirt floors in their kitchen)

Last years project: The school

Project two years ago: Water system

(Pictured below- Water basin)

5. The scenery 

 

                                     

 6. The choice employee's. I want to be them when I grow up. Literally. 

 

7. Dancing in the rain in the middle of the jungle.

On the last day we were dancing and celebrating with the villagers and all of a sudden there was a DOWNPOUR. We were drenched before we could make it inside. 

8. The Marimba. *Cough* Maybe not.... Especially not at 4 in the morning. 

A mighty return.

.... A mighty return? What does that mean?.... Whatever, I'm sticking with it.

Welcome back to the U.S.of A. kids!

I feel: 

exhausted, 

sad,

happy,

energized,

awake, 

renewed,

open,

bruised,

and ready.

Rather than do one very large blog post on my entire trip, I am going to try and break it up a bit. First of all, I want to get my hands on the pictures everyone else took (partially because APPARENTLY, I am terrible at taking pictures of myself.... boo.) and Secondly, it's hard to read really long blog posts. It wears a girl out. (also hard to right.... that's right. I'm being lazy. But not completely. Give me a break I had a week of hard labor and sleeping on cement.)

The fire has been re-lit.

Alas, there are still so many things to worry about. I forever feel like I am lacking. Never enough time, and yet, I still manage to watch the Bachelorette each week. Sigh....

Here is a preview of what's to come:

Things to come in the following weeks:

Yellowstone,

work, work, work (poor Jewelya)

school/ finals (*insert scream here*)

Retreat for girls (Oh man, not quite ready yet!)

Countdown to Guatemala: 1 Day

Well..... Tonight's the night. By this time tomorrow I will be in Guatemala.

*Could there be more gif's in a single blog post? My apologies. *

  *I recently found out I might be in charge of the "official" Choice twitter and blog while we are there. If so, I will give you all the links as soon as I have them. *

A great article, and I agree "This is why I love this company." 

Here is what I have so far:

CHOICE Website

CHOICE twitter

Buh-Bye!

Countdown to Guatemala: 2 days

What I am most excited about:

- Meeting people that will change my life
-Bettering other peoples lives
-A week of non stop service
- A week of simplicity. No cell phone, no school, no drama, no computer.
-A week of realizing what I take for granted
- A week of empowering people and teaching them skills that will change them
- Getting chummy with DownEast "higher-up's".
- Getting chummy with everyone at Choice humanitarian
- Looking into possible Choice opportunities.
-Backpacking. I think I'm going to looove it.

Countdown to Guatemala: 3 days

What I'm most worried about:

-I'm going alone. I literally have zero relationships with anyone that will be there.
-Hiking / asthma/ allergy problems
-Hook worm? (Thank you Sadie Green for the nightmares.... )
- Sleeping on the floor of the jungle. (Okay... not really... but kinda...)
- Language barriers. The village we are in doesn't even speak Spanish. They speak their NATIVE tongue.
- What if I'm not cut out for it the way I think I am?
- What if I get sick?
- What if I Fuego explodes and I'm stranded for ever and ever?
- What if this is all a joke?

Countdown to Guatemala: 4 Days

Something I'm really trying not to think about.


So remember how I am taking online classes this semester? Well one of them is a Natural Disasters class. Now, this class is actually quite awesome. Very interesting, lots of information, yada yada yada. Well guess what? It also makes me super paranoid.

And guess what. I bet you didn't know that Guatemala has a volcano name "Fuego" and it recently had the "Largest Eruption in years". Don't believe me? Read it here. 

Awesome. Just awesome. 

How I am trying to look on the outside:

How I sorta feel on the inside: 

Countdown to Guatemala: 5 Days

My to-do list:

Ya... right. I wish. 

This stresses me out:

-Write a letter

-Email professors (please be nice to me!)

- Do ALL school work for this week (aaah!!)

-AND next weeks

-Get dress fitted

-Finish shopping list

-Packing list

-Go paint balling (It's happening)

-Work

-Get Endorsement from bishop

-Renew recommend

-Try to hit the temple

-Talk to that boy?

-Figure out Counselor class/ Handout...

-By an enormous amount of gum/ lifesavers

-Figure out where by backpack

-Find a new waterbottle?

-Copy Passport.

-Return late library book (opps...)

-Watch the bachelorette... heh... *ashamed face*

-Write a love note to Jewlya

-Get cash/ figure out trip money situation

-Possible wedding?

All of this stress will be worth it....