What an exhausting week!

Well, I know I haven't written anything of substance in the last two weeks or so. Time is just flying by. My days have been spent trying to read the handwriting of whoever enters patient information in the book at the reception area of the Posta. There is such a wealth of information, however, trying to not only read the handwriting but then understand what the translation of the diagnosis and treatment has proven to be very challenging. I have gotten lucky and had some of the Posta workers help if they have down time. They read and I enter the data, but that doesn't happen every day. As of now, I have finished with January of 2010 (about 200 patients), but knowing I have 11 more months to try to get through in the next 6 weeks is extremely daunting. Plus, my best helper, one of the nurse interns, is leaving on Friday since her placement is finished then. The data is so important that I just keep trying. It is boring but very informative.

I am absolutely exhausted due to my little host-brother's first birthday. Fabricio turned one yesterday. This last week leading up to the party has been crazy. We've been putting together treat bags, cake boxes, blowing up balloons (I believe that I single-handedly blew up at least 125 balloons over a two day span), decorating, buying things, cooking, etc. Anyone who knows me well, knows that I REALLY value my sleep. So this whole week I have been going to bed after midnight and getting up to workout at 6:05am like normal. Now that it is Friday, I am dead tired. My goal is to go to bed at 8pm tonight!

However, the party was a success! Now, I must say, I am a little perplexed as to why my host family would want to spend upwards of 1000 soles (about $360) on this party. Remember, the average income here is only 600 soles a month. I will post the photos today if I can, but definitely by the weekend. You will see just how elaborate the cake was. There was a giant Winnie the Pooh piñata. They had a clown who danced and joked around with the kids for 2 hours. So here is how it all works. Everyone comes in and sits on benches around the walls of the locale. We then go around and serve them popcorn, chips, cheese curls, jello, arroz con leche (rice pudding), massamora (think goopy purple syrupy stuff), cookies, animal crackers, hard candy, etc. All of these things are on little round trays that we walk around with. Then the clown did his thing. All the while, kids are running around jacked up on all the sugar they have been fed. After a couple hours, we finally blew out the candle then the kids smashed the pinata. Imagine my surprise when even adults were fighting their way through the crowds to get candy and stuff. The party started around 5pm and finally around 9pm we served beer and real food to the adults (but to the adults only -- kids are still hyped on sugar). Around 10pm most everyone had left. Then for the next 2 hours, those of us in the immediate family sat around and drank beer and chatted. I was so tired that I had to leave around midnight. Shura and I carried a big box of gifts back to the house.

I really have not done justice to the craziness of the party. The kids were running around helter-skelter. There was a Tigger suit that one of the teenage cousins put on to help the clown. Of course when Fabricio first saw it, he screamed bloody murder. I spent most of my time passing out food, handling the video camera, dancing with the little cousins or making sure Fabricio was happy. All I can say is that I am happy it is over. Although, we have to go back and clean everything up. There are cups and wrappers and popped balloons everywhere!

I have quite a bit of administrative work that I am trying to get organized and finished for Awamaki right now. We are writing up detailed work plans for the projects. I just really worry about the sustainability of some of our disabilities projects and want to make sure that whoever comes in as the next health coordinator can continue these things. Sunny is leaving in June. We need to get some recruiting done. Lord knows I wish I could stay, but nursing school awaits. My old Epidemiology adviser at IU wants me to come and do some presentations to his classes. I am hoping I might pique someone's interest.

The weather is changing here now. We are definitely moving into the dry season. Rain has been rare even though clouds hang in the sky. But the sun is winning right now. Luckily the mountains and valley are still all green. I was awestruck on my drive back from Cusco on Wednesday by the beauty of the valley. The snow-capped mountains were so clear, the fields were lush and green in the sunshine. It was gorgeous. Times like those make me sit back and smile and love my life.

Kaitlyn and I have booked our tickets to head back up to the beach in Punta Sal right before we both go home in May. She is only home for a couple weeks as a vacation (she is here through December). However, we are both looking forward to the beach trip. I think Amos and Bricia are joining us as well. Hopefully Gian can find us a good beach house to rent for the four days for cheap. That would be ideal.

Tomorrow the municipality has organized this gigantic medical campaign with upwards of 70 doctors from the States. We will be there to help translate. I am really interested to see how this goes.

Anyway, my mornings and afternoons for the most part are spent doing data collection. We have started up the health classes again at the Telecentro after-school program. I have those to teach on Tuesday nights. We still do all of our fun social events each week. The volunteer numbers are growing steadily as we head into high season.

I hope all is well with everyone. All my love and talk to you soon! Pictures are coming, I promise. I even will try to post a little video of the bashing of the pinata.