August. 2. 2012.

Holy Cow.

I am amazed that not only is it August, but it is also 2012. I am now closer to 30 than I am to 29.

I am almost three weeks into what could be my last year in Guatemala. I look around my room and see an incredible shelf of books, my awesome dog, paintings on the walls, and a well stocked 'emergency cabinet' (mom and dad always taught me to have extra TP, toothpaste, and hot sauce. Just in case.) Everything you need to claim a well established life in a place.

The longer I have been here, the more comfortable I have become. I live well here. I have wonderful friends, a great job, and the security of knowing a place well. But I still feel like something is missing. I have no idea if relocating will fill that gap or if it will be something that I will have to eventually just come to the realization that it may be that way forever.

The more you travel, the more frequently you fall in love (with a place). The more you fall in love with a place, the more you miss it and those that make that place what it is.

But life must go on. I cannot make decisions based on what will hurt the least (as I have done in the past). There are things that must be faced and must be communicated with honesty, regardless of what the outcome may be.

Going back and reading this, I sound a bit out of it. I'm not. I have just been spending time processing things lately. However, right now, I have a soccer game that I need to go watch! I have a few good friends that are waiting for me with a cold cerveza!

Cheers!

Playlist
Snow - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Violet Hill - Coldplay
Both Sides Now - Joni Mitchell

The joy of a puppy

Last update - Nov. 2010

Where have I been and what have I been doing? I cannot believe that it has been 14 months since I last updated this blog. Once again, I will attempt to be better. I figured the best way to catch up on 14 months was to post one picture from each of those months to give you an idea of what has happened!

November 2011 - This was actually from Oct. 30. Two of my dear friends were married and we had quite the time celebrating.

December 2010 - The family and I headed to Belize to celebrate Christmas. We had a white Christmas, just not the traditional snow covered plains, we spent it laying out on the white sand beaches of Caye Caulker! We had a great time snorkeling, walking on sandy streets, and eating roasted pig!

January 2011 - My old roommate, Randi Johnson, came down for a friends wedding and to be here for New Years. It was great to reconnect with her. We had lots of fun star gazing on the roof, seeing friends, and making new memories.

February 2011 - Inter American School Staff retreat at Irtra! This is always such a treat to have a day off school and be treated to a beautiful time relaxing with my colleagues.

March 2011 - Four day weekend at Monterrico. This is the 'nicest' beach in Guatemala. We were able to release baby turtles into the pacific.

April 2011 - Spring break in London with Mamaw, Emily and Mom.

May 2011 - Spending time with the Brodbecks (Diane and Michael pictured). They are a big part of my experience here. Lots of laughs and good times are always had when we get together.

June 2011 - Time at my mom's on Lake Bisteneau is always a treat. This year we had a few visitors that made the trip extra special. Good thing we ended up not going under!

July 2011 - This summer was filled with many friends and family. I was fortunate that I was able to visit the Hargetts. (After trying to sum up the summer in two pictures, I have realized that I will have to write an additional blog just about summer 2011).

August 2011 - Another Guatemalan wedding of two of my close friends. I am blessed to have such a close group of friends.

September 2011 - Guatemalan independence day is September 15. We had a 4 day weekend so Nicole, Diane and I decided to head to Lake Atitlan. It was a fantastically beautiful day!

October 2011 - I attended an educational conference in Panama City, Panama and I was able to come in a few days early for a nice dive at Coiba National Park. Incredible diving with tons of sharks!

November 2011 - I moved out of my apartment that I had lived in for three years. I traded in a loud church, crowded parking and a downtown location for this view, a yard, and wonderful night noises and star gazing!

December 2011 - Christmas at Lake Bisteneau is always full of adventures. Richard (my sisters boyfriend) and I tried our hands at frying a turkey. The results were delicious, the process was a little messy!

January 2012 - January gets two pictures because I had two wonderful thing happen during this month. My mom and sister came to celebrate my 29th birthday with me. Also, I got my precious dog, Vos.

I am going to try to be better about updating this blog. I will intermittently fill in holes from the 14 months that I missed. I have some great stories and many more pictures to post! I hope you all are doing well!

Playlist

Fractal - The Neighborhood

Back to Black - Amy Winehouse

Pour Some Sugar on Me - Def Leppard

Vienna - The Fray

Walk Back In - Keb' Mo'

All Deliberate Speed - Mae

So Long - Rilo Kiley

Hotel Song - Regina Spektor

BBQ Stain - Tim McGraw

I've Got the World On a String - Michael Buble

To Bob Ross With Love - Gym Class Heroes

Falling - Ben Kweller

Pencil Thin Mustache - Jimmy Buffett

A Little More of You - Little Big Town

Paperback Writer - The Beatles

Bartlett Wedding (1 of 2)

Last weekend, I had the pleasure to attend the first of two weddings of one of my favorite couples, Nicole Sanders and Mau Bartlett. Yes, I did say the first of two. The way it works in Guatemala is you must be married legally before you can get married in the church. Since they are having an out of town wedding, they decided to have a "Xela" wedding and a religious wedding (which will be in December in Antigua). Usually, the civil wedding is smaller and just for close friends and family. Well, if there is a chance to have a party, these two are going to do it! And they did it well.

Mau and Nicole have been an instrumental part of my happiness and family here in Guatemala. They have fed me when I was hungry, they have cried with me what I was crying, they have given me a place to sleep when I get locked out of my house, and most importantly, they have been genuine friends and I couldn't ask for more. So, when it comes to them getting married, of course it's going to be a wonderful celebration and all of our Guatemalan friends were there.

I was also honored to be one of the official witnesses of the marriage. It makes me feel like I am truly a part of the community here. And I think that is where my attitude needs to change a bit because instead of 'feeling' that way, it's realizing that I am a part of the community.

Anyway, the wedding was wonderful and it was great to be apart of it. It was wonderful to have so many friends in one place and it was an honor to be apart of it as well.

Below are a few pictures from the wedding!

Enjoy!

Liz

Oct. 2010

October of 2010 and here I sit in Guatemala. Am I surprised to still be here? yes. When I came back two years ago to 'study Spanish' and visit friends before I headed south on my journey, I wouldn't have expected to be here two years later. Yes, I have ventured south a few time but it has only been for a short stay. Guatemala and Xela have become my home for now. No, I don't know how long this 'home' will be mine but for now, it is. I have a great job, great friends, and I'm able to live life fully. Could I do these things in another part of the world? Of course. But I have family here. My Spanish is getting good. And there are still a few things that I haven't seen. I discover something new about the culture around me everyday. People want to help you. Yes, the men on the streets get a little annoying but I have come up with ways to quite them. A lot can be said about walking with confidence and addressing them before they have time to address you. I know that with each random post in the last year (a total of two bloggings), I have promised to be more diligent and faithful. Well, this time, I'm not going to make those promises. I just hope that I can get back into the habit of writing and publicly processing. As for now, I will leave you with a few pictures from June until now. A few things that have been important or interesting...

On my way to paradise!

Well, once again, I am sitting at the end of my school year, trying to reflect on yet another incredible year and I have no idea where to start. I am currently in Eastern Guatemala on my way to Honduras for a week of SCUBA diving. I will be staying on the island of Utila while there. I spent 4 days on Utila during April for Semana Santa and just had to go back. I am traveling with some of my closest friends here and we have had a great time thus far. I fly back into the states June 15 before my 5 week tour to see friends and family.

Like I always say, I will try to update when I have more time. I have quite a bit to share with you. I can leave you with this.

I am happy.

I am living well.

I am living passionately.

I love my life.

Well friends, I know I have been very neglectful of this blog in 2010 and I will try to do something about that. Guatemala has been wonderful and life has continued as normal. It has become hard for me to write because life here is so normal now. I have a feeling that when I'm home for the summer, I will be more shocked by the things I see in the US than what I have seen here. My dad and sister were able to come for a visit a couple weeks ago and they both were able to see my home with fresh eyes. I found myself laughing at some things that I would have normally just passed by...it makes me realize that I need to get out and 'refresh' my eyes!

Well, I don't have much time right now but know that I will be updating soon! Oh, for those of you that don't know, I have signed my contract for next year so I will be down here until at least May 2011! Come visit me!

Viva la Vida!

Liz

"I'll be home for Christmas" Fall 2009 Top 10

Top 10 Memories from Fall 2009:

10. New Staff coming in and meeting who we would be working with for the next 10 months. We went to Fuentes Gorginas and a Super Chivo game. I had no idea the impact that some of these people would have on my life.9. Pre-k kiddos and all the strange things they do, including wearing wings to school just because they feel like it!8. Sunset views from my apartment. How could you not fall in love with a place that has views like this daily? It blows my mind each time I see the volcano erupt and the sun setting behind it! What a beautiful thing God blesses me with daily!7. Thanksgiving in El Salvador. I had such a nice time lying next to a pool, hanging with friends, and soaking up the sun!6. Liz Wright came to visit. If you were not here, you will never understand the fun that was had and the memories that were made! The adventures of Mary and Lloyd continue.5. Discovering Portal de la Quinta. This place has become a "Cheers" like atmosphere. There have been many memories made and many burgers eaten at this establishment. 4. Halloween 2009. I was Wendy from Wendy's...or maybe Pippy Longstonckings but either way, I had a blast!3. Time with the Brodbecks. The Brodbecks are my Guatemalan family. If you have received coffee from me, this is the couple that is responsible for this deliciousness. I don't have any pictures with them, just from adventures that I have taken with them including a long weekend at Lago de Atitlan and many weekends at their house on the side of Santa Maria.2. October 2009. In October, I was attended an educational conference in the Dominican Republic and the next week, I was in Oklahoma for Sarah Shenold's (now Robert's) wedding. These two weeks were a whirlwind but I had such a great time!


1. And last but obviously first, my time with my 'family'. I am so blessed to have such great friends down here that have become family. We spend time together cooking, eating, watching "How I Met Your Mother" (thus the frozen high-five picture), and talking about life. I can't describe the feeling of having such a close-knit group of friends in Guatemala. It makes it worth it!




Once again, I hope this finds all of you well. I am on my way home right now. I will fly into DC tomorrow and be in Wyoming, Oklahoma, and back to DC before making my way back to the beautiful city of Xela Jan. 4.

Merry Christmas!

Liz