Last week in Cayo

It's hard to believe that ISP time has flown by so quickly. I am not ready to leave Cayo or the people I've met here. Its a hard balance because I have so much work to do, but want to spend time with people. I'm hoping that I do indeed get to come back this spring- I'd like for mom to come with me, I think she'd really like Cayo as well.

Speaking of mom, I finally got a chance to talk to her and catch up on the arrangements. It will be an interesting transition home. I'll either be sharing a room with mom, or moving in and renting a room from Teri for the summer. I won't be home much anyways. Hopefully the ODS program leader position works out and I can be hired for a few weeks. After that it's back to the Humane Society, and Urban Fauna- as much as I don't want to deal with the yuppy owners- I do get another pay raise this year. We shall see. You just have to take it as it rolls I suppose.

An actual real update of some semblance of substance*gasp*

Much has been going on here in Cayo. Hence, why I have not updated this much. I've been using livejournal more often than not. Other than the fact that it's 2am and I don't intend on going to bed this evening- here's what's new and some other random thoughts.

1. ISP
My ISP, I really dislike it currently. Why you may ask? There is so much work to do, and all the most important interviews are happening the final week of the project (thats the only time we could arrange to meet). I have around 7 more interviews to do, and massive amounts of information to write up and analyze. Tomorrow at 7am I am heading out with some University of Belize (UB) students to gather water quality data. This weekend I need to bust my ass and get everything done. I'd like to have a copy to my advisor for editing by wednesday. Then do the final binding on Friday for submission to Jerry. From there the presentation in my biggest worry-but it won't be difficult. I need to meet with Belmopan City Council once again and see if I can see some copies of the grant proposals from PACT and UB and the other organizations involved. Mr. Marcel has a copy of the systems plan that I need to borrow yet again- though its not a final copy so I cannot really quote it in my paper which is a slight disadvantage. It still has yet to be approved by the Belize Government. So goes the ISP stuff. The project has been more frustrating than I thought it would be, but has had great advantages of meeting some really cool people in the different governments.

2. Cayo
The longer I am here the more I realize I feel more at home here than I have any other place I have lived. I'm used to constantly moving (esp. since I have done so several times in the past two and half years). Despite the fact that I do get lonely and miss my friends and family, Cayo has given me a larger sense of family and belonging than portland or Beloit. I've been seriously considering exploring my options to come back here and teach after graduation next year, even if it's just student teaching. I've hit the point where I realize I am going to be a senior next year, and need to move into real life soon. I'd like to live here for a couple of months and see if it's truly a fit before committing. But- all that is in the future and at least a year ahead. The people I'm meeting here are awesome. I usually take quite a while to open up to people and really get to trusting them, but with most of my friends here it has come so easily. Playing pool has become an addictive habit. I'm not looking forward at this moment to coming home. Though this evening while watching a movie with some friends I was missing portland. The movie was filmed in portland- it was called 'Hunted'. But, it was good to see some of the sights again. It will be nice to catch up with friends, play some soccer, and get some camping and coffee shop hopping in. I haven't gotten a chance to play as much soccer as I have wanted to down here. Hopefully on Saturday I can make it to the games that happen each evening. We shall see- that all depends on if I can get the bulk of my paper written before-hand.

3. On the agenda tomorrow:
7am meet at UB, field sampling all afternoon, hopefully meeting with my advisor and talking
over some ISP concerns with him.
4:00 ish catch bus back to Cayo and get some major work done before heading out and
having some fun.

4. Now for the random shit
I chatted for a long time with Lauren this afternoon. I miss her a lot. I wish that I could have made it to Mexico for Easter to see her and the kids at Casa Ayuda that I have heard so much about. Next year will be a good one- by spring the everyone from the freshmen year group wil be back on campus. There'll be a good chance to play catch up. With several of us having been to Ghana, Mongolia, Mexico, Belize, and Ireland we'll have more than enough to talk about.I'm excited to head about their adventures. I continue to add to the list of realizations/thoughts/observations in my personal journal which I have not been nearly as good about keeping up in. I look back and laugh at some of the entries and wonder what the hell I was thinking. But I suppose that's all part of the process.

Chaunty and Chris were in town last night- it was fun to see them again. Chaunty seems to be able to get me to talk about anything- its both good and bad. I've only know one person that could/stil can do that. For the most part I stop talking as opposed to talking more- especially with people I don't know well. thats one of the habits I've been trying to break during my time in Belize. I've gotten a little better- but still can grow some more in that respect.

I had better get back to some ISP work, but I'll add some pictures of some of the recent events.
-easter with my host family (the entire group is only part of the horde of grandkids)
-some random pictures from Punta Gorda
- hanging out at Shooters with Landy and Erva

Crazy weekend.

Friday Evening was spent in Belize City. Left from Cayo in the afternoon and met up with the group, checked into the hotel, and then headed to the 'Smoking Mermaid" were we spend the bulk of the evening chilling out and talking. there were eight of us: Brittany, Sonja, Emily, Sarah, Kalyn, Paul, Chris, and Myself. We were in a reserved part of the bar up above the restaurant place. It was a good evening.

Saturday we checked out and left for Caye Caulker. Spend the night on Caye Caulker and the bulk of the day there before we left to head back home. It feels good to be home. I liked caye caulker, but missed Cayo. The weekend was ok, there were parts that pissed me off, but that is just how life goes. Brittany, Sarah, and I got back to Cayo in the evening and then went out to Cocopeles. Played some pool, met some more people. Went to the casino and helped someone else gamble. Then got home around 2am and crashed- slept till noon today and got some work done. Hung out at Erva's and visited with landy and erva, then went to Eva's and talked with Kimo for awhile.

San Ignacio Homestay

Well folks,
Here's the travel journal I meant to start earlier, but didn't. San Ignacio was amazing, I loved it. That's why I am living there for the next five weeks. Here are some random pictures of my homestay and some of the group adventures during our stay.