Thank You March

In what seems to be a reoccuring theme, I have no written in a long time (I actually think this one sets the record of close to one month). How/why is this happening? I guess it just means I am having way too much fun …or it means that I havent been prioritizing my time correctly and setting aside blocks of time for writing. Which is it? I say a combination of the two.

March has treated me way better than February did. February left me feeling useless, unhappy, and unsatisfied with my role as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Granada. February kicked me down, called me names, and begged for me to get up again. It was filled with scheduling problems, uncertainties with other work projects, and disorganization on my part. It made me question what my true role was as a PCV in Nicaragua and examine certain aspects of my personal life. Had February had a full lot of 31 days it might have given me the knockout, but thankfuly it only has 28 and I was able to recover and bury February in its grave for at least 11 months more.

March greeted me with open arms and a welcoming smile and I have tried to embrace once again a positive attitude and unrelenting smile that I had for the first six months in country. I think that I am finally learning how to truly prioritize my time and organize myself in a more effective way amongst the chaotic scheduling in Nicaragua. I am learning how to schedule and reschedule appointments, be more authoritative with my schools and small business owners, and have regained a sense of self confidence that I seemed to lose in that month of 28 days whose name we shall not say. I have begun to realize that one of my main responsibilities as a foreigner and PCV in working with the schools and small business owners is to be a positive, motivating influence on everyone with whom I encounter. Nicaragua’s educational system and small business owners tend to lack motivation to work hard through difficult times and achieve progress and instead seem to be ok with the status quo and this lack of motivation was getting me down. But no more I say! I am a new man and WILL be a motivating influence for everyone. They need a a breathe of fresh energy, new ideas, and a positive can-do attitude and I will be the person to provide it. Armed with this new attitude everything has been brighter in March (including the nearing ridiculous strength of the sun) and I feel as if I am beginning to accomplish small things. Disclaimer: Ask me in a few months if I still have the same attitude.

So what have you accomplished Avi?

So glad that you asked.

1. Ran a half marathon without training. Yes, folks, that’s 13.2 miles or in the metric system (come on US, seriously get with the program….this should be on Obama’s priority list) it is 21-22 km. After about 10 km I stopped keeping track so not sure if it was 21 or 22. I went up the north of Nicaragua to spend a wonderful weekend with my good buddies Owen and Patricio and then ran the half marathon on Sunday morning. I had been “training” for a month or two, basically running 2 times a week for 30 minutes or so. So yeah, you could say I had never been more ready for a race. Well turns out that I did just fine (even though my mom was worried I would hurt myself) and finished in an amazing time of 2 hours and 5 minutes, narrowly losing to the winner who had a time of 1 hour and 11 minutes. I was <–> this close. Maybe next year. Anyway, I didnt hurt myself, I did run/jog the entire time except for up one really big hill and I felt pretty good when I reached the meta, the finish line. I’m not sure I will ever be a professional runner but it was definitely a great new experience and the course was an absolutely beautiful road between Jinotega and San Rafael del Norte. Check it out on google if you want. And I am awaiting pics. And there may possibly be a more detailed description of the race and how I felt if there is a demand. So what do you say readers?

2. First Business Sale: I am currently working with just one small business, a couple that works with bamboo, specializing in bamboo furniture and we have had an on/off business consultary cycle since November. Well I have finally made them their first sale, a set of 12 bamboo spoons for a hotel in Granada. They only made 6 dollars on the sale but I think it is a great start. So if any of you are in the market for bamboo items, just let me know and we can try to work something out with the shipping or I can bring it back when I come in May. They can make almost anything and it is quality.

3. Successful Classes: This year I find myself doing a lot more teaching given that two of my counterparts are brand new and thus are really just observing and so far things are going well. I am hardly doing anything at one of my schools given a schedule conflict but that has freed up more time to build some better relationships with my other students/teachers which is a good thing. I am pretty sure the kids are learning something BUT we will see soon when I give them their first exam next week.

4. Purim Party: went to a quickly organized Purim party, remembered my portion of the megillah from like a million years ago and made hamantashen. Fun times all around. And no I unfortunately dont have pictures. Sorry Mom and Dad!

5. Paid my first water/electricity bill. This was way easier than expected as I just rode the bike to the offices and paid the bills rapidly. Practically no lines. Water was $4 and electricity was $4.50, not too bad but given that I am not at home very often it was still too high, so says my neighbors. So I went to ask about the water bill and see why I was being charged so much and they told me that it is a fixed price charged and that there is no lower fixed price currently offered in Nicaragua. So $4 it will remain. But interestingly enough, this fixed cost, although cost beneficial to the water company will probably end up hurting the amount of water available in Nicaragua as now people are just using as much water as they feel like knowing that they will not go over the fixed amount given each month. For a business trying to promote water savings, this structure of charging fixed amounts is not a good way to go.

6. Miscellaneous Accomplishments: got a big mirror, found spinach in the market (and am now eating a lot of it), starting playing basketball again (I suck but still), going to start working with some fifth year students on their baby sandals business, went to an agri-business workshop where I learned a bit, read some good books, AND I am learning how to build websites with the help of a guy here (i am really excited for this!).

Two more weeks until Spring Break! Yay!