Technology is killing me

So despite the benefits of having access to the internet, it comes with its disadvantages. I get on Facebook to make a wall post and I'm immediately greeted with numerous photos of closing weekend at Vail, graduation parties, and other outings that I am no longer a part of. I read conversations among others talking about how fun last weekend was, and who did what and who said this to who...among other "chisme" (Spanish for gossip). I then start browsing through old photos on my profile and think how good I looked in my favorite summer dress. If only I had my full wardrobe I'd be so much cuter. If only my legs weren't covered in mosquito bites then I'd be able to wear fun summer clothes.

I then get bored with Facebook and turn to Skype, only to have my sister tell me, "to hang on a second, that the brownies are finished." What I would do for a brownie right! Meanwhile, I'm sneaking Cliff Bars at eleven o'clock at night because dinner consisted of rolls of pig skin....I think I'll pass. She then tells me that she'll have to call me back later because "Grey's Anatomy" is on. Yeah, I should get going too I think, because some dubbed over American film is sure to come on soon. Brad Pitt just isn't as sexy with a mismatched Spanish voice over.

I should be grateful that I even have internet. If nothing else, it reminds me of what I'm missing out on back home.

I'm a what???

I'm an official Peace Corps volunteer. I swore in on the 13th of April 2010. I have gone from a three month trainee to a legit volunteer. To say the least, things are going to be a little different. I am no longer living in a community with ten other volunteers, who speak English and understand my culture. I am now the one and only "Norte", a.k.a Gringo within miles. Luckily, I have a fellow volunteer on the other side of Caazapá which I will be able to meet up with. I also have a Peace Corps issued cell phone now, so at least I'll be able to keep in touch with my Peace Corps friends. I'm in this weird limbo between trainee and volunteer. It's the first time in my life that I don't have a schedule telling me where to be when. Between class and work schedules, doctor and dentist appointments, tee times and lunch outings I pretty much had my day planned out back at home. But now here I am somewhere between nowhere and nowhere without anybody telling me what to do. I don’t know what to do with this new found freedom. On the one hand, it's what us Americans are always in hope of, it's that.... extended vacation, three day weekend, sick day, or mental health day that is taken just for the sake of relaxing. But, how many days of just hanging out can I do before I've had too much? These next couple months of training were designed to be a time for getting to know the community, become familiar with existing commissions, form relationships with neighbors, and visit important infrastructures within the pueblito. I was on my way to accomplish this, when the rain got in my way of perusing such tasks. When it rains you are supposed to sit and wait it out until it's nice enough to continue on with the "get to know the neighborhood berg aid." It rained today, and it's supposed to rain tomorrow, so I'll have a lot of time to sit and reflect....or sleep, eat, and use internet. With that said, I have three months completed and only twenty-four left to go.