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Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities crept in; forget them as soon as you can.

Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson

Spanish Word for the Month: Nuevo Año~New Year [Pronounced: New-way-vo On-yo]

January 26, 2003

Dear Friends and Family,

For the New Year we resolved to make a challenge to ourselves as an alternative to giving something up like a bad habit or unhealthy tendency. The aim being that our challenges would encourage and motivate us both individually and as a couple in our current projects and aspirations. Since we both have a desire to improve our Spanish towards a level of fluency, one of our goals is to speak “only Spanish” with one another from 9 am until 6 pm every day except Sundays. For starters…let me say WE LOVE OUR SUNDAYS. This challenge has its moments of triumph as well as frustration. We are already noting an improvement in our understanding of the Spanish language and grammar. At the same time, however it is exhausting at times not having the ability to express exact ideas and emotions completely. We are learning to enjoy those precious hours before 9 am when English is spoken. For Shawn’s benefit, I do less ¨analyzing of life” out loud since I am limited throughout the day to using every feeling verb I know in my second language.

The challenge has a rule attached. We are both granted two emergency uses each day to speak English incase there is an urgent reason. Unfortunately, sometimes the two chances are used by accident when one person hasn’t been speaking for a while and the other person, without thought, starts to converse in English. It is a glorious victory for the person who can complete the daily game without using their two free English chances, because they win a free shoulder massage! Both being highly competitive, we do pretty well to remember the ¨only Spanish¨ rule.

Most importantly the challenge to work hard and continue learning is a good discipline. We often discuss the transition of returning home to Minnesota after experiencing life in an under-developed country and we know that one of the best ways to make the transition between cultures is to have discipline in mind, body and spirit. The differences can be so extreme that they truly affect a person on all levels.

Shawn and I were both blessed to have had a very last minute opportunity to go home for Christmas. It was a quick decision, but a valuable one as we went home to see family. December had been a difficult month to be away from home. Being a volunteer has its exciting days and its overwhelming days. It is difficult at times to be a position of constant giving - teaching, training, sharing, donating, helping, etc. and overall we were feeling drained. Our time at home reminded us of the importance of those people in our lives who love and support us. It was a good chance to re-energize for our final stretch in Honduras.

We didn’t know how it would feel to return to Honduras after our vacation ended, but we happily discovered that we had a desire to go back. The trip was a good way for us to analyze the transitional phases we experienced and will experience between our lifestyles in the two different countries. There are many things we love about the U.S. (family, friends, church, opportunities, conveniences and comforts of home) and at the same time there are many things we love about Honduras (discovering a new culture, the people, challenges, nature, the climate, relaxed view of time, and the simplicity of living).

Most things back home appeared the same; however there were a few changes that we noted. Airport security has been enhanced and expanded, which we appreciated. The DVD rental kiosks in the airport, where one can rent movies to take on their flight, was quite interesting. The most bizarre encounter was a talking garbage can at Burger King. As I went to throw away my trash the garbage can held the receptacle door open and said, “Thank you for visiting, please come again.” Being quite amused, I ran to Shawn and asked if he had something else we could throw away so I could show him this intriguing advance in technology.

Shawn’s favorite reflection about being home was seeing our families and not feeling an overwhelming sense of rushing around. We could visit and enjoy the time as we had no where else to go, no other predetermined appointments, no last minute shopping, etc. Contrary to the belief that the American life is constantly busy, we actually found ourselves feeling relaxed to be home.

We have been working hard this week teaching computer skills to the employees of the cooperative who are learning how to use a new inventory program that will go into use in March 2003. It is exciting to see the progress of the adult students, many who have never used a computer before in their life. Shawn is in the process of writing the curriculum for the class and learning how the new program functions. I am impressed with his ability to think through the system, design material to assist in the learning process of the students, and create written handouts and worksheets, while completing all the resources in Spanish! It will be rewarding to watch the project go from start to finish as we implement what the employees are learning into practical applications within the cooperative to enhance their business practices. Overall, this could change an economically failing business and turn it into one that not only earns profits, but offers more in the area of products, services, and resources to the community.

Happy challenges to you as you start the New Year!

Jennifer & Shawn

Peace Corps Honduras

Website: globalsilveras.com