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Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Winter Vacation Mania

Every July the Paraguayan school system shuts down for two week for the "Vacaciones de 15" or Winter vacation. Last year I used the time to present a Geography camp to kids in 1st thru 6th grade at the community center. This year I helped out at a camp for teens for a few days and then attended a three day workshop in the capital where I learned about Youth Employment and Youth Counseling. The workshop was very interesting and I came home with all kinds of ideas for great projects, except that actually getting someone to listen and go along with the projects now thats a challenge. I woke up last Monday morning with tons of ideas in my head, but when I took those ideas to the city officials they just kinda laughed and told me my ideas won't work or they've tried that before and it fell apart. The problem here is someone to keep the projects going. So here I am again with all kinds of ideas and nowhere to go with them... frustration!

So then comes the announcement that the two week vacation will be extended to three weeks. Three weeks! Three weeks with no classes to teach. Sounds like a nice break, except if you are someone who always has to be active. So just why did they extend the vacation? H1N1. Yes that nasty flu has made its way down south. Although up there you guys are not hearing about it so much anymore Paraguayans can't stop talking about it. Many people walk around the streets with surgical masks and Purell has finally found its way into the market. So now the kids are at home for a third week and so am I. It has given me a chance to clean up though! And also the opportunity to get some long runs in, yes thats right I will be running another race! A half marathon in Asuncion August 2nd! Its less than two weeks away...