Hola Amigos! Well it's now been 6 weeks since I first arrived here in Nicaragua,and thus far I must say that life is good. The majority of this time was spent in Managua, the capital of Nicaragua, where I was taking a month long workshop of English teacher training. During this time I have been struck by the poverty that exists here each and every day. Even though I've been here before, it's different seeing it through the eyes of a person who lives here versus merely a visitor for a week. Here poverty is a way of life that is accepted by everyone,where as in the states we try to hide the poverty as if it didn't exist. There are many street kids who don't go to school but instead go out and beg to make a living for their families, often times while both parents are at home not doing much. These children live in fear that if they don't make enough one day when they arrive at home there won't be a very "welcoming" homecoming. Therefore they choose to sleep in the streets rather than go home and bear the wrath that is waiting for them. It's sad to see. Well now to some more brighter and exciting topics! I must say I've learned so much in my time here, and I know I'm going to continue to learn each and every day. I have been blessed with meeting many amazing, wonderful people as well that have taught me about life and living. My life is adjusting to a diet of rice and beans for nearly every meal, but don't worry that's not all I'm eating! Usually it is accompanied with chicken or beef and sometimes fries or mashed potatoes. There's also an occasional vegetable or fruit, but not too many down here. I haven't moved into my house yet, the "Izquinera" or the cornerhouse. As of now there is no water so I've been staying at the"Cassona" or large house (more or less). I am very fortunate because I believe these are the only two houses in Cusmapa with bathrooms with usable toilets and showers with running water. Most everyone else takes bucket showers and has an outhouse with a hole in their backyards for a bathroom. Yesterday we had a storm here in the afternoon, as it rains quite often, and we lost power for the rest ofthe day. That means complete blackout so it was quite interesting trying to fix dinner for 12 with not many resources to use. Luckily we still had the gas stove, some pasta, tuna, hot dogs, eggs, and cheese, so we made an interesting meal centered around a spaghetti and macaroni dish with a tuna and ketchup sauce! Quite interesting let me tell you! Although there was not a whole lot to go around, such is life here and I'm becoming accustomed to eating much less than I used to! I know BBT that may be hard to believe, so you'll just have tomake up for what I'm not eating - I'm sure you won't have a problem with that! I am not going to begin teaching classes for another month as I am headed back down to Managua in a week to attend an English teacher's conference for 4 days with all the English teacher's in Nicaragua, and there are also many activities going on now with their Independence day coming up in mid-September. So after that classes will commence. I am going to be teaching a values class in the mornings and then 2 English classes in the afternoon to begin - 1 to the first year high schoolers (which is equivalent to 7th grade in the states) and 1 to the Coro Fabrettino. That means the next time some of you come downhere the choir may know a bit of English so you can communicate better! Until then I really have no idea what I'm going to be doing, but this wonderful woman Carmen said they are going to find plenty of things for me to help out with at work. It also gives me plenty oftime to work on my Spanish as it has improved, but in Managua I was spending much time with English speakers. Here in Cusmapa it's almost basically 24/7 in Spanish! This makes for an extremely mentally exhausting day because my whole mental process is changing to think in Spanish instead of English. So although it's difficult, it's very good for me.Well that is about all I've got for now! Know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers! May God bless each and every one of you - some as you are beginning new school years, some new jobs, and all of you as you continue to be a light to those around you! UNTIL NEXT TIME...