Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, the leaves aren’t changing color and a hint of snow isn’t in the air, but the holiday season is upon us anyway and I can feel a difference in the air. For one thing, it actually is a lot cooler. I’ve worn my fleece the last few nights and felt very comfortable. I’ve also taken several bucket baths recently – by choice because then I can warm up the water! The last round of crops is just getting ready for harvest, and we’ve seen a significant increase in options for fresh fruits and veggies . I’m sure it won’t last long, but we’re enjoying it while we can. People are also starting to talk about Christmas and New Years’ Eve. It makes me sad that we won’t get to be around, but we’re getting excited to spend the holidays in Santiago and Fogo with some of the other volunteers.

Since the last time I wrote, we’ve been to a couple more festas, integrated a little further with the teachers, and probably doubled our list of recipes that we can whip up at the drop of a hat (we’re currently on a mission to use 24 large cans of decomposing chicken before we leave for Christmas break). We also attended our first fashion show and local soccer game and got through our first few rounds of teachers’ meetings (and teachers’ parties). Not to mention going on several hikes and a terrifying night-time car ride. On the whole, life is good and I’ve established a pretty good routine that keeps me busy, but with enough time to relax and appreciate the little things.

I spent half of last week in bed with a pretty miserable bout of the flu, so it feels really good to be back in the saddle. Yesterday, I spent the day walking around the city and visiting students and didn’t even mind all the unwanted attention I got – it felt so good to be outside! Today I thoroughly enjoyed my 5 hours of classes in a row. Normally I dread Mondays, but I really missed my students! They may be a headache, but at the end of the day they are the reason I’m here. They seemed genuinely happy to have me back, too. Some of them had come to visit me last week when I didn’t come to class. One group was all the “good”students of course, but another was a couple of the students I normally have problems with. It’s good to see that they’re enjoying me even if they don’t always show it. And it was nice to see that they cared about my well-being, although it didn't quite translate into them being quiet in class today...

Other than that, we’re just busy prepping for the holidays as well. We’re hosting a big Thanksgiving dinner for all the volunteers here on Saturday. Each volunteer is making a couple of things so that everyone can bring a touch of their home to the table. I'm making mom's family's famous scalloped corn and some green bean casserole. After that, it’s Christmas music and time to put up decorations (i.e. taping up a paper tree and making ornaments)! We may even make some sugar cookies to frost...

This Thanksgiving, I want to take a moment to say thank you to my family and friends who have always been so loving and caring and supportive, especially through all the big things that have happened this past year. I wouldn’t be here and happy without you. And as much as I’d love to be home, I’m also really thankful for this incredible opportunity I have and for my new Peace Corps family, with whom I’m lucky enough to get to spend the holidays this year.

Hope everyone is staying warm and enjoying the holiday cheer.

Peace, love, and happy Thanksgiving!