I AM HERE

I am finally here guys!  I have been here a week and I love it.  My training town is a little town close to Jinotepe.  My host family is awesome!  They have been so kind to me, and I really feel accepted in their family.  My host mom asks me if she can braid my hair every day and after she does she says that "Im Nica now."  And my sister has painted my nails three times since i have been here.  And its not just painting...its art.  She puts a flower on every nail and decorates it like my nails are a piece of canvas!  She is amazing!  To sum it up--I like my family very much and they are extremely kind!  I really like the Peace Corps so far, and am excited about learning all there is to learn in training.  I do have running water for part of the day and electricity most of the time.  My room is huge and i have a really soft bed!  I feel like a princess!  My town does not have any post office or internet cafe, although most training sites do.  So when I come into Jinotepe, i get my mail and get on the internet!  I really love it here.  The Nicaraguan peole are so wonderful!  I have missed you guys...my friends and family. 
Top Ten Awesome Things that have happened so far:
1.  We went on a boat ride on the lake in Granada and a monkey climbed on me while eating a popsicle.
2.  I was able to teach the other 42 trainees in Environmental Ed and TEFL how to dance salsa, merengue, and bachata, with my friend Joswe.
3.  I watched awesome street dancing and cultural dancing one night while in Granada.
4.  I learned how to plant an intense garden.
5.  I am learning more spanish than I have ever known before!  hopefully I will learn enoguh to swear in!  (I am in the lowest langauge group of trainees-and I am the lowest one of my group:)  But im going to work my but off to get to the level that I need to!
6.  I have made tons of friends with the other trainees and my host families extended family.
7.  I am going to a fiesta and parade on Tuesday...Nicaragua is celebrating its Independence Day!  I am so excited about it!
8.  I have learned how to flush the toilet when there is no running water(you get a bucket of water and pour it dwon the toilet really fast).   I have learned how to wash myself without running water(take a bucket bath...ie:  I get a bucket and my soap and a little bowl and pour water on myself and wash myself.  Then I wash the soap off and I am done!)
9.  I have learned how to say the rosary in Spanish with my family.
10.  I got to take a walk in my small town and saw the outskirts of twon---so beautifuyl and an unforgetable experience!

I hope you guys are doing well!  I miss you so very much!  I dont need anything now...but in a little while i might need some soap(Equate Tropical liquid soap) and some shampoo.  Also I know my sister would love some cotton balls if you want to send any!  love you guys!