Bed, Bugs, & Beyond

Holiday season has officially arrived!  Unfortunately, though, it probably has more drawbacks than benefits for SM’s, at least for those in Bolivia.  School and work continued as usual. Being away from family was pretty tough, but it wasn’t too bad thanks to my second family right here in Bolivia.  Once the kids were in bed, all the “parents” got together to have a Bolivian-themed Thanksgiving. We had veggie loaf, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, rice, salad, rolls, apple cider, and apple crisp for dessert.  The ingredients may have been Bolivian ones, but it was a flavorful Thanksgiving meal that I will never forget. We’ve actually been quite the party animals recently. In addition to our Thanksgiving mini-feast, some of the SM’s had a game night a couple weeks ago.  I made empanadas for the whole group and we played some fun games including watermelon bowling, squeegee shuffle-board, pass the banana (with your feet), and shaving-cream-soybean toss (one participant’s face is la

The rainy season has arrived here in Bolivia.  My weather app is pretty much useless now (Not that it wasn’t before with the spotty service) as it forecasts thunderstorms every day.  Whereas I would normally be depressed by the rain ruining all my plans, I am actually loving it so far. With all the rain, our normal high temperatures have dropped from the upper 90’s to the mid 80’s (Not so great when it comes to the cold showers).  Rain also means that we have study hall instead of work which has given me the chance to get ahead in planning my classes. With the end of the school year rapidly approaching, (You must remember that your winter is our summer--and coincidentally--rainy season) this will hopefully give me the extra time I need to write final tests and get grades finished in the midst of all the other year-end craziness. When the final school bell rings, many of the kids will return home with the exception of the few orphans who live here year-round. Summer break spans a