Blog 2.0

If you are my mother, you'd know I don't update my blog very often. Well, I am out to change that. Starting today, I'm going to post more often. Originally, I had planned to offer some insightful tidbits, something that was well written or witty; as that as not worked well (a single blog post in a month), I've decided to forgo my pride and just write.

With that said, I should let you (mother) know what's been going on the past few weeks. Ten days ago we rapped up our kids' summer camp. We had a pretty good turnout- 17 kids came of the two-week camp. We played games, made art, learned about the environment, and took trips to watch a movie and to the pool. My favorite part were snacks on the roof: it offered time for both kids and profes to catch a breath, enjoy the sun, and eat a couple of oranges. Overall it was a good way to get to know some of the kids we'll be working with in the coming year.

Last week we re-opened the library, which had been closed while the kids' camp was underway. Jackie and I are responsible for the administrative duties, while everybody uses the space as a base of operations within the community. We've been cleaning, organizing, and reworking policies and procedures in order to be reading for next week, when we begin our semester-long programs.

On a more personal note, I hiked Pichincha, the active volcano that forms the western border of Quito, on Saturday. After taking a few wrong turns (did you know you can actually climb a mountain the wrong way?), Sarah, Sonia, and I made it to the top, paused briefly in the cold wind for a few pictures, and then made our way down the rock and sand face. After making it down, we visited Erik's favorite Chinese restraunt and ate everything we could (it was 6, we hadn't had anything to eat since 9am). All in all, not a bad way to spend 5 hours on a Saturday.

Thanks to those who have donated, followed along on the blog, and who are sending encouragement over email. It means a lot to me to have such as great support group back in the states.

-m-