thankful for internet, houses, and health

So I meant to post more often, but the Claro internet modem ran out of “saldo” and we couldn’t get more until yesterday. I guess I’m still too accustomed to unlimited internet access because I assumed that signing an 18-month contract for a 1G modem meant that you could use it all month on a 1G network for 18 months. However, it actually means that you pay the “monthly rate” of 300+ córdobas and get 1G of downloads and uploads, so when you upload OR download a total of 1G you have used all your “saldo” and must pay another 300+ córdobas to continue having internet access until you use up that 1G. We (Nata and I are sharing it) should be able to upgrade to 3G next month so we won’t have to worry about using it all in a week like we did last time. It will just cost about an extra 200 córdobas/month, but it should last us the whole month if we’re careful. I just really hoped that I wouldn’t have to worry about how much I use it, but you just never can get a break with Claro.

Anyway, things are going pretty well. I currently don’t have any Thanksgiving plans. I was wishing to have a nice thanksgiving dinner, but right now I really don’t have the extra money to make a nice meal to share. However I do have a “pumpkin” pie recipe using the local version of pumpkins. They are green and small but supposedly taste the same. Perhaps I’ll try making that and some mashed potatoes on Thursday. I also still have some frosting my mom sent me that I could use if I bake a cake.

I’m still not sure if I’ll be moving. When Ximena (my boss) came for my site visit last Wednesday she looked at the house. However, there were a couple things that needed a second opinion, so she took pictures and was going to have the safety and security coordinator look at them. I haven’t heard back yet, but the German girl, Silje, who is currently in the house isn’t leaving until Dec. 6. If I move it will cost quite a bit more each month, but it will be well worth it to cook whatever and whenever I want, have my own bathroom, and feel more independent again.
The elections were quite peaceful here. There was only one incident in one of the communities a few days after, but nothing that would affect my safety. Daniel Ortega had a clear win, especially in Rio San Juan.

I’ve been administering my community health survey and the results are looking decent so far. I don’t expect to see anything dramatically surprising, but I still have about half to go. I’m hoping to hitch a ride to a few of the communities within the next couple of weeks so that I can compare them with the results I already have.

Things I’ve been pondering as of late:
-how to actually impact teen pregnancy rates
-how to make manualidades (crafts) sustainable
-the Nica sense of color coordination
-how to make a garden effective and cost efficient at the casa materna
-how to train cats to eat mice
-what shoes besides rubber flip flops are best when it rains at least 50% of every day
-that I probably should cut back more on my evening tv watching (I really only plan to watch about 4 shows a week, but I have a tendency to just watch whatever is on if someone else is watching.)
-whether or not to buy Christmas lights to decorate.
-if my addiction to Christmas music is healthy (I’ve been listening at least once a day since mid-October)
…..so many more

Well, that’s it for now. Nata has been waiting to use my computer to play chess.

Love Peace Cheers