Well it's nearing Christmas now, but I must say it doesn't feel a whole lot like Christmas down here in the Cus'! That might have to do with the fact that it's sunny everyday and I'm struttin' around in a t-shirt and flip flops all the time! No snow, no coldness, and the only decorations are some miniature-sized Christmas trees in some of the houses with a few lights. It's nice but not quite the same.

Shortly after my last post my classes at the oratorio stopped as the kids stopped showing up as their vacation began. Therefore for the past 3 weeks or so I've only been giving my English class to adults in the evenings, and that has actually been a lot of fun. Other than that life has been pretty tranquilo. A couple weeks ago I went to the nearby town of Somoto (by nearby I mean at least 1 hour by truck and 2 1/2 hours by bus, and if I'm lucky I get to take a truck and ride in the back!) Although Somoto is only something like 33 kilometers from here, or a little over 20 miles, without having a paved road for the majority of the way that's just the way it is. In Somoto they had what they call "Carnaval" which is a big annual street with at least 5 bands and some DJ's that, that lasted all night long! After some pretty good music and dancing, we decided to call it a night at 3:30 in the morning even though it didn't end until 6am. After 2 hours of sleep we hopped back on the bus to make it back for Mass that morning.

Although I will not be spending Christmas at home in Denver this year, I will be home shortly after on Dec. 29th. The very next day I will be hopping on another plane to spend New Year's in VEGAS with a bunch of friends from Gonzaga! That should be exciting! Then I will fly back home on Jan. 1, spend my birthday on the 4th and most of the month of January in Denver. I will head back down here to Nica on Jan. 24th.

When I return, I will no longer be teaching English at the oratorio, although if I can continue my evening classes with adults I would like to. I have recently been asked to take over the music program here and become the new director, and I have accepted! I know some of you might be thinking that sounds crazy, but I do have some musical background and skills!!! It will definitely be a huge challenge, but I am excited about it and the possibilities there are to pick the music program back up from where my friend Brian Gonzales left off a year ago and send it once again in the right direction.

Other than that, the beans and rice are still treating me well, although I continue to hear comments of how skinny I'm getting! I'm excited to be back in the States to fatten me up a bit and eat like I used to! BBT can appreciate that I know! For those of you who will be in Denver while I'm home I'd love to see you and catch up if we get a chance! Drop me a line! God bless!

UNTIL NEXT TIME.....................