My dad always asks me if I am at "work"

So my dad always asks me if I am at "work"... that is a very loosely defined word here. Work is not a place or a certain activity.. in fact, I am ALWAYS working. That doesn't mean I am always busy. It just means that I have no set hours or office. It keeps things interesting that is for sure. Boundaries are non-existent and it would be impossible to compartmentalize your life. So, I am in it. All the time. Because of this, sometimes I forget to tell you people about what I actually DO here that is measurable... because I am pretty sure THIS is the type of stuff my dad wants to hear about when I tell him I do ACTUALLY work down here.

So here is what I am actually DOing- my "work":

If all goes well this month, I will complete the following projects:
-We will distribute 30 efficient cook stoves to 30 families
-We will complete the replacement of the leaky roof at the elementary school
-We will successfully train 30 youth on business and creativity skills at a Youth Business Camp
-I will finally close the Ojushte grant that my women worked so hard at
-The purchase of Softball uniforms for my softball team and their first trip to a neighboring community to play...

October will entail completing the paperwork the follows the completion of 3 separate grants. I will also be taking the GRE....

November will include a trip to the states for a fundraising dinner to electrify 3 houses and improve a road to 5 houses supported by Granite Bay High School Spanish Club and classes. WYD will also be accepting and judging a new round of scholarship applications from Salvadoran Youth.

December will include me giving away my crown at the fiestas and starting the construction and electrification process. WYD will be hosting an enrichment camp for the 25 scholars. Also, I will begin to apply to graduate schools.

January will see the conclusion of the electrification and construction projects as well as my Close of Service Conference

February will mostly entail packing and selling my stuff, and trying to fit my life back into the 3 pieces of luggage I arrived with...

In March you will see my swollen smiling face filled with tears and excitement sadness and joy....I will be coming home. Where that will be, has yet to be determined.

There you have it... what I am and will be doing as an official PCV in El Salvador. My "work" includes so much more, and those are the conversations that await a good cup of coffee or glass of wine depending on the time of day.. and good company. I can not wait to share all of my stories with you all. In the meantime wish me luck and say lots of prayers for all of the things that I have yet to accomplish here.

These are some pictures of me actually "working"

I don't have very many because usually no one else is around to take pictures of me....

Teaching kids how to set and achieve goals at the WYD camp

Teaching volunteers and Salvadoran counterparts how to plan and execute an efficient stove project

High-Fiving kids who were waiting for the arrival of the ambassador at a community event on Earth Day 

Building Stoves with Salvadorans