The end of the project

We finally put all of the cranes together. They are now on 25 different lines, all connected together. The 1,000 cranes project is finished, but we have yet to put the cranes up on display. There is some debate about where to hang it. But more than that, the director of the center doesn't want us to place it where the boys can touch it. So, we need to put it up high. Anyway, now it is sitting in a box, waiting for direction! It's very frustrating. But, it's still pretty.

The farm

This past weekend, I was invited to meet a friend's dog. He mentioned that her name was Victoria and that she was "big." When I think of big dogs in Cape Verde, I usually think of pit bulls because a few people have them and think it is cool to have them because it makes them seem like a ganster or rap star! But, my friend is neither a ganster or a thug, so I figured he had a different kind of dog. We went out to "the farm" and met Victoria. He is a beautiful Great Dane (or some version of a Great Dane). Anyway, she is super sweet and affectionate. We had an amazing time with her. You will see a photo of her up top. I did it in black and white to really show off her beautiful gray colored coat. The other photos here are of the farm. Oh, and the big fake tree that has been designed inside a new restaurant here. It was a great Saturday, all in all.

Our weekend in Santo Antao

Here are the photos from our weekend away in Santo Antao! A great weekend and a great group!

Beach Clean Up Photos

These are some photos from the day we cleaned up the Beach! Good looking group, huh?

moving...

I had a nice, BIG barbeque at my house on Saturday. It was a going away party for my house. We certainly had a fun time and lots of food. I invited my friends and some students. We had about 60 people there and grilled fish and chicken. I was fortunate enough to have a student whose family owns a boat, so he donated all of the fish! I also had another student who took the fish to get cleaned and prepared. It was such a nice night. I'll be sure to post pictures from the party soon! I also have pictures of the boys and their cranes. The project is coming to a close, so the cranes are starting to go on the string and they look great!

And I moved.... I am not a fan of moving. I'm not a fan of packing and unpacking. And, my new house is smaller, so that means that all of the things I had in my house are now crammed into the new house. I don't have an outside space, so I am really missing that. Anyway, I'll survive in the new house! Jackson isn't so sure about it and keeps running back to the old house. Luckily, the old house is just a short walk away, so I can get him and carry him back! It's a new game we have.

Update on my life

Hi faithful readers! Things here in Cape Verde are moving right along. The school is going great. I am loving teaching and my schedule is now becoming second nature so that it doesn't feel like such a strain. The 1,000 cranes are flying along and I have decided to also teach an English course to the boys at Nho Djunga. Well, actually, they recruited me. So, I will now spend an extra hour a week there to focus on some basic English lessons with the boys who are really interested.

In other, non-teaching news, I am planning to move! I moved into my current apartment by assuming the year-long contract on the house. The contract is up next month and the landlord wants me to pay 2 months rent up front. OH, and he's raising my rent. So, I'm moving. I love my place, but more than that I love my neighborhood. And luckily, yesterday I talked with some neighbors and they said not to worry because there are two apartments open on my street. Then this afternoon, one woman gave me the telephone number of the landlord for one of them and is arranging a meeting to see the second one. They are both in my price range and both on my same street, which is the best part of it all! So, I am feeling pretty happy about that.

I went on a beach clean up this past weekend and will post pictures as soon as possible. I also have some photos of my students and the school, which I will also post when I have time to get them off of my camera and go through them. I hope all is well. I have gotten some emails from friends lately, so keep sending them! I miss you all.

Santa Luzia de Terra

Our most recent hike was to Santa Luzia de Terra. This is the green oasis in the middle of the desert valley outside of town. We took my mom there when she visited. It's a nice spot and it is also the place where there is a huge almond tree. Last year we spent hours up there collecting the fruits, but this time they weren't quite ripe, so we will return in a month or so.

Unfortunately when I was taking the pictures off of my camera, something happened and I lost most of them, especially the really good ones. But, Pedro passed his on to me, so you will see a few photos of me that he took. So, it's cool because he took lots of group shots and shots of me climbing around up there! Enjoy!

Oh, and while I'm writing, today is a national holiday. It's All Saints Day. In Cape Verde, they celebrate religious holidays at the national level, so we are off of work today. I've been invited to a barbeque out in Sao Pedro again, so I'm headed out there now! Then tonight our yoga group is meeting. Though Elizabeth has left, we have managed to still meet and we are continuing on with new leadership and new, exciting classes!

My boys and the 1000 cranes

Our 1,000 origami cranes for good luck is coming right along. Well, we have made about 150 of the 1,000. Each boy is really getting a hang of the folding, but we can only make a few each time we meet, so we are moving along slowly. In an effort to speed this process along, I have made about 200 at home in my spare time after work. I hope we will finish the project by Christmas. I know it will be really cool when we get finished with it! The boys are proud of their progress. We are keeping all of the cranes in a box and after every meeting we count them. This time it was Pele's turn, so you'll see a picture of him guarding the box and keeping track of the numbers. Of course, I wanted to get some candid shots of the boys at work, but when you break out the camera, they go nuts. So, as you can see they are showing off their work and posing for silly photos. Gosh, I love these guys. They are so adorable and so interested in whatever it is that I have for them. I hope we can get through the cranes so that we can start learning some of the new things we have in the books I brought back....

Oh, speaking of books, the U.S. Embassy in Cape Verde called yesterday. They received a huge shipment of about 30,000 books. I had requested some of them if they would permit it. They agreed and are sending 15 boxes my way to be divided between my school and ISE! It's a wonderful thing! I am so glad to have been a Peace Corps volunteer because the connections that I now have from that experience are paying off!!!!! The books should arrive in the next month. They are currently sitting in Praia and waiting for a boat company to agree to take them. Keep your fingers crossed that they get here!!!