tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57278912514649183242024-03-12T18:59:11.072-07:00The Escobar's take on SeattleDavid and I have finally settled in to our new home in Seattle!!Elizabeth and David Escobarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089541565147362067noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727891251464918324.post-74847106902658670942012-07-12T15:57:00.000-07:002012-07-12T16:01:33.454-07:00Catch Up TimeWorking a 9-5 job makes life pass by way to fast. I don't even know where to start in terms of updating everyone with whats been happening in the Escobar house. <br />
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To start, David received his green card back in March! It only took a few weeks after our interview to receive the actual card in the mail. It was such an exciting time! But meanwhile during this whole process David had been taking ESL classes at Seattle Central Community College. Right after he had finished the Winter quarter during his two week break, he got a job! He still was planning on taking ESL in the Spring quarter but changed his schedule to be at night 6-8pm. That way he would work during the day and go to school at night. After a few weeks of working 7am-5pm and going to school 6pm-8pm, he had to make the choice to stop taking ESL class. He is speaking English at work and is learning a lot there! You would all be so surprised with how well his English has gotten! I'm so proud of him. Now 4 months later he is still working at Al Van Equip and loving it more and more. He gets to work with metal, weld, bend, punch and measure (in inches). It's a super small company and his boss and co-worker (boss's brother) are super supportive and understanding so we couldn't be any happier with how this all turned out. Oh and I almost forgot the most important news...He got his Drivers License!!! That means I ride the bus :( haha oh well. <br />
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I have been doing the same ol' same ol' at my work. I've been super busy with loans, we've had a surge of applications in the past month. It seems that around this area the economy may be picking up or people are feeling more comfortable in their financial situations because they are applying for car loans like crazy. Also I've been working really hard for a Kiva Partnership. A part of my "job description" was to help get the small business lending underway. We've gotten the policy written and are starting to feel out small business lending. We've done a few, we've had a lot of inquiries and applications and slowly but surely are getting further along in our lending. Small business lending is hard in a regulated institution such a Credit Union and its hard trying something almost completely blind. I am really happy with my work. I'll be teaching a loan readiness class at the end of July to a class that is full of future small business owners. The people taking this class are all in the earliest stages to starting a business and all have or had had credit issues and are trying to get back on their feet. I'm excited to do my first "charla" since the Peace Corps. <br />
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Summer has finally arrived to Seattle. It kindly graced our presence on the 4th of July! Since then we have been on the go. David plays in a soccer league every Tuesday evening, we bought a bike rack and are able to take our bikes out for long rides, we started a beach volleyball league every Monday night, we also bought fishing licenses and all the gear so we've been out fishing a few times already and got a gym membership where we take yoga classes every Saturday and are planning on doing zumba there as well! So I guess the theme of our activities is, get fit, have fun and enjoy the sun! This Saturday we are going Whale watching at Deception pass. David is super excited to see the Orca's up close! <br />
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We are very excited for some camping adventures that we have planned as well. Camping with the family at the Olympic peninsula in late July and also camping at the Ellensburg Rodeo in September!<br />
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Life is good.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://lizinparaguay.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>Elizabeth and David Escobarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089541565147362067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727891251464918324.post-70199769511215481662012-04-03T14:20:00.010-07:002012-04-03T14:29:20.239-07:00Mt. Rainier & Weekend with my parentsMy parents came up to Seattle for a few days during my mom's spring break. We had a weekend full of fun, food and wine, just another <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">typical</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tippy</span> Family <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">outing</span>!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHX6aDm3hO6BV3pJHPwxseRbccYdAbwgxqEY9NYTda1wbTRMszdG34HurQ47luIhU4hdDCA0C6wkExQ9Blxp_0PpValAv-J4xGrdwRSS-Xy9pR9tKDqhNyBf16WA7KT03Nlcv27TepIeb/s1600/IMAG0570.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 181px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727288546849204578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGBZfQur_EocwsOpG3iWAj98PxbFic6spYevyoOiE270AnR_cOBePAXT4DziwjZXDKx7GFWd1dblbeQfDddpvLmtqTCVRbpSJj0SNqRrZ6Tpdtyi1adnx-LASlQLwBBMZbUhQxv9WYwK0P/s320/IMAG0575.jpg" /></a></div><div>This is at a Korean BBQ. WE ate our weight in meat, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">kimchi</span> and more yummy foods!</div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 181px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727288346333067906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHX6aDm3hO6BV3pJHPwxseRbccYdAbwgxqEY9NYTda1wbTRMszdG34HurQ47luIhU4hdDCA0C6wkExQ9Blxp_0PpValAv-J4xGrdwRSS-Xy9pR9tKDqhNyBf16WA7KT03Nlcv27TepIeb/s320/IMAG0570.jpg" />Off the the Boeing <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Factory</span> we went. The largest building in the world by volume! It was impressive.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBRJQvrl4FY-bJsrQiv7MV2zAoDsySzb0Ef41R3vu_VTN7Ni7JIfzk0NVG1SBrCDhEsoXmqcB4aEU-jyTvX2LTZ0uTqz_KHVgaZV07EPL-RbOMI6P07YOxHKRE3xPNEP3pZcnWy56UFVk/s1600/FxCam_1332788670904.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727288176100630898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBRJQvrl4FY-bJsrQiv7MV2zAoDsySzb0Ef41R3vu_VTN7Ni7JIfzk0NVG1SBrCDhEsoXmqcB4aEU-jyTvX2LTZ0uTqz_KHVgaZV07EPL-RbOMI6P07YOxHKRE3xPNEP3pZcnWy56UFVk/s320/FxCam_1332788670904.jpg" /></a>Theo Chocolate is AMAZING. My favorite was the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Chai</span> Tea Chocolate bar although the Cayenne pepper bar was delicious too!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuVmDesanvM8tDm3GSRXiFZf2a5uK2sTSVAz_yl2IIB2_BVaevMcaS80ehZsgz0swuMJA8IY0lmgdhs8Emvkni1sLmlfrPn5XLhRqDQwmXBU7r6STuGBxDIbVGfYbg1V2mKYMTruKLlti/s1600/IMAG0563.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 181px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727288094165385666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOuVmDesanvM8tDm3GSRXiFZf2a5uK2sTSVAz_yl2IIB2_BVaevMcaS80ehZsgz0swuMJA8IY0lmgdhs8Emvkni1sLmlfrPn5XLhRqDQwmXBU7r6STuGBxDIbVGfYbg1V2mKYMTruKLlti/s320/IMAG0563.jpg" /></a>While mom graded papers Dad, Patrick, David and I went snowshoeing up Mt. Rainier. We didn't quite make it too the top ;).<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoVSREp0T5k8nyxN5Aw5HefZnUMJyho8C7Hv3OLL7-mzvO5kCFv-3uXWRRU_SKJQApC_dr1KMAEY5ptmxzZeNdFsWRSpROW9SUD5kldHKY5guJLNmjEtW1-Pdlnu0hgiksr3nbiRrdNFd/s1600/FxCam_1332716986104.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 214px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727287957590512226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoVSREp0T5k8nyxN5Aw5HefZnUMJyho8C7Hv3OLL7-mzvO5kCFv-3uXWRRU_SKJQApC_dr1KMAEY5ptmxzZeNdFsWRSpROW9SUD5kldHKY5guJLNmjEtW1-Pdlnu0hgiksr3nbiRrdNFd/s320/FxCam_1332716986104.jpg" /></a>The Cherry <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Blossoms</span> are in season. Beautiful!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWrem3I_1p-DKo3IlcY-aY7Su1iYITaob7x3NwhnNVrhFdgnyf_LmGi4TAJn-jaWOYhvSjFW6h7MUdmna1u3hZWdAJbQ8ZixBKxoWOycvcwZSQCbD1NmfnzSHW2DiS4khW6ZTuLJK_UrV/s1600/FxCam_1332628034175.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 214px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727287751954752834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWrem3I_1p-DKo3IlcY-aY7Su1iYITaob7x3NwhnNVrhFdgnyf_LmGi4TAJn-jaWOYhvSjFW6h7MUdmna1u3hZWdAJbQ8ZixBKxoWOycvcwZSQCbD1NmfnzSHW2DiS4khW6ZTuLJK_UrV/s320/FxCam_1332628034175.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1VFmta5bxcevx1kNt3DODLPc9KPyROmStvQaCOQ_CCxDYACclIcy4M2Gs_5NMMSsvxipFNdvXOVujhTsaYxff0RgCgQbUOZEWHhXjJmTDLlOG7O4QLiQUn0Upd36lMSx_mwERkF5qcaX/s1600/FxCam_1332627862292.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 214px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727287655299553698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1VFmta5bxcevx1kNt3DODLPc9KPyROmStvQaCOQ_CCxDYACclIcy4M2Gs_5NMMSsvxipFNdvXOVujhTsaYxff0RgCgQbUOZEWHhXjJmTDLlOG7O4QLiQUn0Upd36lMSx_mwERkF5qcaX/s320/FxCam_1332627862292.jpg" /></a>Patrick...What a stud!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UF5xTptYT-Yq_Xw-nZv3nOwpNTJajx4-j2pQucKGf143bCx38snC4bHbgvdfunwULmpS36fv53GfSwa_RChqdjQkYYHgIx8pKEPbbXoPpCfpI5uP1werJtnch_9OPIyOtdi_AsmpaVwD/s1600/FxCam_1332626214270.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5727287514601103730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UF5xTptYT-Yq_Xw-nZv3nOwpNTJajx4-j2pQucKGf143bCx38snC4bHbgvdfunwULmpS36fv53GfSwa_RChqdjQkYYHgIx8pKEPbbXoPpCfpI5uP1werJtnch_9OPIyOtdi_AsmpaVwD/s320/FxCam_1332626214270.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://lizinparaguay.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>Elizabeth and David Escobarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089541565147362067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727891251464918324.post-23237776331539927132012-03-23T13:26:00.009-07:002012-03-23T13:41:10.988-07:00St. Patrick's Day / National Corn Dog Day<div><div><div><div><div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvQhHWVg9w6cFJJ0eNGJGLgSiimz4tvoUco8jbrFMesOtw5SuqxJBqCRzbCPsPSwOt-PbZ7MDM_66L3stOYTPuGean6TddhNK1dTHPdQBvPyC7doaOaGvlnh9dmJblPyXROJC4T9g5ubB/s1600/IMAG0531.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 181px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723194038597608338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvQhHWVg9w6cFJJ0eNGJGLgSiimz4tvoUco8jbrFMesOtw5SuqxJBqCRzbCPsPSwOt-PbZ7MDM_66L3stOYTPuGean6TddhNK1dTHPdQBvPyC7doaOaGvlnh9dmJblPyXROJC4T9g5ubB/s320/IMAG0531.jpg" /></a>Corned Beef and Cabbage that I made in the crock pot.<br /><div>It just so happened that this year National Corn Dog Day fell on St. Patrick's Day. Patrick's friend Peter is a member of the National Corn Dog Association and throws a party every year. The Association sends posters, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">tshirts</span>, corn dog coupons and tattoos. Everything you need to throw an awesome party. There was a score board that was hanging on the wall where each person would put a tally for every corn dog, a tally for every 10 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">tator</span> tots and a tally for every Guinness drank.</div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 181px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723194574337253762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6XxvooKrfh5F2ZqrHqml0WDDu5p0YmLQkyREjxxPwkF1_oKPizSq4I2yLODlJX56VQril_Fcf3_ABpQy7cTuzxa9RyhkZJSBDTSq8G6A8Wn59fNIJT4VJMF1UPyBy52IogQoUm_g74SH/s320/IMAG0538.jpg" /></div><div>Patrick and Clay decided instead of a Corn dog eat off they would do a Corned beef and cabbage eat off, plus the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">tator</span> tots and Guinness. I will leave that image for you to imagine. </div><div> </div><div>It <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">wasn't</span> just David's first St. Patrick's day, actually celebrated, but it was his first corn dog and he's addicted. <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 181px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723194708656162786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPOxRBL8CkQgxWpNHWBg9QZCmV-wCa4rtL6i8XJ0sGDYksK-ZDCqqx7AYGSMPfgMZD20dXMTIsBJSJ_0YyD0FjbNlX_Di50o5tUfkJqZEhFtW1UopkG3SAr288OAq8TQQ2ZTlxhi-Mess/s320/IMAG0539.jpg" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 181px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723194338824092706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg89MO9et2n3YLUuQ7ISn5Vg0EQc_jtmSiaNHdmrmjWkN3Ly1npw1QNE7XeTZ6SvguSpO7H-W30jkZVDWsVk0WLq8G6r1e6dGBnW2R-KdAPzBO06pLtn1A4Z3IXgLZBIM-xLyRyQm9m1bxS/s320/IMAG0535.jpg" />Although he <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">decide</span> to drink <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">corona</span> instead of Guinness. He said, " I'm not Irish, I drink yellow beer." </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 181px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723194199182737602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfVKKIIOexNeMPW-78FPZlYNEZeNyruYpkkdtefL1jDjojUnU7SarapsyuWGflTzum4RAYdGEad34jHU6WLQoWtQkccKhlVSzWC973exmFcp9IXHq7DIa-zMcPCM8iqa-lQyjN-VPRfo7/s320/IMAG0533.jpg" /></div><div>After the corn dog party we went home to rest and then met Paulette and Mateo ( both ex-Paraguay Peace Corps Volunteers) and headed to a concert in West Seattle. The concert was amazing, we danced our pants off and had an amazing time! <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 181px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723195036308443794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7-8_oItOzT5gI8yqG-wXR8T5gcE9RemLyCgM7eNRiDQj-F4uy6m6Q36bKMIQOvenqe-7rZi0tHtMfYW464RUWDyvMVK9xPYn1qbMM-vWMbLl5aGIdqgKlUvH3NhEun0qPhhQVZg_TE51/s320/IMAG0548.jpg" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 181px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5723194872902868562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqXukv5QHhUrJJiwaydDK-mSN-lJVdxmj5CeIjuSF8jIlA30ozZgTY1aRTlFs6HaSsNPOG9fFZoxC8K4lCHSkreij2DSalOsQGhMfu5W5jTKz2CLpx44WOf_YeeSngyYNGxYCJHjX1m7S/s320/IMAG0550.jpg" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://lizinparaguay.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>Elizabeth and David Escobarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089541565147362067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727891251464918324.post-39275473268259539962012-03-14T11:29:00.006-07:002012-03-14T11:54:01.272-07:00Soccer in the COLD!<div><div><div>David had his first soccer game last night. He's playing in a men's league with my brother, Patrick, and the Ballard boys. Last night, the coldest night ever, just happened to be the first game of many. On the drive over the the field it started snowing and I thought David was going to die. <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 226px; height: 127px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719824182843543746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZc4yo8JVEQ0pAR_wvmVQ78PICtxT9UzUIiJNtTXcO8WlpzC3GpgTbaBkiOhxuccDzbJn8bRLxykDmcybizI0a8MVlYH0mxK76m0KverzoQ9aD_QPjC_wAlZnHTPxLzgApWuY7QutZ1xK/s320/1.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div>Their team had 12 players while the other team had about a million. The other team was constantly subbing and getting breaks while David's team was good for the first half and their legs were dead the second. </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 226px; height: 127px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719824255169218130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTplXJizBKhmYNlGfXa2dvvpZO5_T3Y45szPR-XC7Bdjawq-A2rDyo4QSxDCS84YLJAFdjqDAI-_Zp42SU2aV8D8BXuSgLvbh549C7141wHiqLHYkrM51CbkSZ6R7zmFUdxWuPSMVvT7c/s320/2.jpg" /></div><div>Patrick scored the first and only goal for their team while the other team scored about 5 goals. That's ok though, it was David and Patrick's teams first game, while the other team practices year round. The Ballard boys plus David and few are just warming up and will surely kick ass later in the season! </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 94px; height: 166px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719824316330033202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju44OtpuoxxD2BDT4wO0jJWagYzmQw9rXiiKdJ07OrjJy0VhQ3vs4BXLfwuZG-20HsWy9cXejyaR4djx8Fy_O9T50eGLlPRww69Q8tVW8-ZKbOP9S6VdW3BF1CelWCtm1qMmPfzd-U_YlI/s320/3.jpg" /></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://lizinparaguay.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>Elizabeth and David Escobarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089541565147362067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727891251464918324.post-57105398479600186792012-03-12T10:53:00.005-07:002012-03-12T12:03:17.902-07:00Staying in touch<div><div><div>I love Seattle, my new job, being married and the new friends I've made. But I feel like something is missing. When I was in Paraguay I missed my "old" friends A LOT. I was constantly thinking about our memories together and excited to see them once I returned. My wedding was so much fun... not only because I was marrying the love of my life but I was able to reunite with all my old friends.</div><div> </div><div>I never thought it would be so hard to keep in touch. Life is busy. I think about them all the time but honestly I don't make time to call them and I know I need to. We are getting older, starting new lives, jobs, families etc. I should have known this was going to happen but I guess I just wasn't prepared. Being so far away from everyone is also very hard. It would be a whole lot easier if I could just stop by and say hey but I can't. </div><div> </div><div>Ladies and gents, you know who you are. I love you and miss you. I am proposing that we plan a get together, or trip, either every year or every two years. We can pick a different place everytime and that way we will have a date that we know we'll see eachother and something to look forward to! <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719088174215944178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSMiGB8TQOa7f2NrOrAZcXz6PLuF7R5vOmvHrcUzy3d6RvEHnQNbIWPbpwieXN6bCS_MGw4Vwh5_BZESU2AYy54StJdSfnCd0fZ1b_ORUcvk_92uUFN7yDvwnWtAwIqagJu_BMxOvVlIat/s320/slc+5.jpg" /></div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719087628408297426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GBwM4MrJXHZ2tw7e9nVvcwNF6APOMK64XqCGtgrMxMCV7NewE7Ynjsv13-yGq79MQaI0rd6R-UZIKk1Qnu5uxvfgo69_-5f0osiqWmV2j532RC173UHc4PP3Fi7OtbZhX_nPYAp3ejgH/s320/slc+4.jpg" /></div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719084524833355474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqag68WeJKWgNwb6lbTlJ_UGjwy4suGvQfrmn-s-OOmAlktxIGXvS2Bt_qiTlfDcmZkWRAZ4ELzc3MjlEisBxmVQk5LHfP7iju0fhpjccOr0w8S6rfbCw0guqsum72akOSjc-habP7IbD/s320/slc+4.jpg" /></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://lizinparaguay.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>Elizabeth and David Escobarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089541565147362067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727891251464918324.post-11902480787788925852012-03-05T08:31:00.002-08:002012-03-05T08:36:24.534-08:00Cross Country Skiing<div align="center">I've been itching to go snowboarding ever since I've gotten back from Paraguay. I also want David to learn to love the snow and maybe even love to ski or snowboard. But before I take him up the mountain and up the chairlift I thought that he should get comfortable on skis. So we went cross country skiing. It was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">SOO</span> much fun! He really did great and enjoyed himself. I too really enjoyed cross country skiing and now feel that we need to invest in some so we can get up and go whenever we want!!</div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzWo6jqMFVs5gEwGpv3zt-m3gzjjeldVbUl-jXEpeoNtTSo59XZ391RXuw4mts2MJ6I8VPd7xAxbnF7e9JRXw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://lizinparaguay.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>Elizabeth and David Escobarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089541565147362067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727891251464918324.post-36510739344849217612012-02-23T14:49:00.007-08:002012-02-23T15:02:44.528-08:00This is me NOT sticking to one of my New Year Resolutions<div><div><div><div><div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpicj95bxF91Zqy4AMmYgA-SDis5vS7n35N5GUSHyVwmR30V321JKG1hBHOiZfbOpPtE3KY1iJY1na4ao_g-g_33EA7I_hPyXNSHxNH2YY6uni4ODUwqR8hGW68-cB2jNrYWQczKuVGt_/s1600/8.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 214px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712468734127425186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpicj95bxF91Zqy4AMmYgA-SDis5vS7n35N5GUSHyVwmR30V321JKG1hBHOiZfbOpPtE3KY1iJY1na4ao_g-g_33EA7I_hPyXNSHxNH2YY6uni4ODUwqR8hGW68-cB2jNrYWQczKuVGt_/s320/8.jpg" /></a>The bangs are back.<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 181px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712469882161171666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu_-45yYSN2AjQNPG9MoCb8eZ5DCZtn_WVvt9dkfIJ1k1uHoj7bm-Kh5EtJhMcqoRixdRmFUZaSL-cVOzS0kjjru19ozs-l2lVMW0gWcAwtmg0axlBkNFjC-_2iClLEEiL4y4dyek6FEL8/s320/6.jpg" />Did you know one <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">nostril</span> is more dominant than the other?<br /><div>I made a few New Year Resolutions; stick to a budget, make new friends and the oh so typical eat healthier/loose weight.</div><div> </div><div>I've been amazing at making a budget and sticking to it. I now know we can survive off of just my income and be <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">completely</span> happy, so now when David gets a job it will all be gravy, or savings to buy a house. We've been good about making an effort to meet new people and I feel we have been pretty successful! My down fall....food...it's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">soo</span> good with that creamy sauce or deep fried. </div><div> </div><div>So while still really trying to change a lifestyle I've been used to for my whole life, I've also eaten some delicious not so <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">healthy</span> food. And why not take pictures of it because food's not only yummy but pretty. </div><div> </div><div>Enjoy!</div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 181px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712468921489121298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAXlsQAu_FLJLrtX2i5HVG8pjw1vyFhXosI67mzDSTbhn5DMlLj5YWJzBH5mrndcYOgquy9Sbs-yh2o1ywLxUQoXlU4piWdLkcd4eWJazg2kgpJi6bYtkBw58vh5mzDyV135819P_gQTX/s320/1.jpg" /></div><div>Sushi night with Paulette</div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 181px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712469044068610066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVfk3el8ULWJN1CdLI4MtO2i6YDiTiTjW7y4rwf0-90xWtJVWkAkjgegG7d3ejQKW48vkie2Rt4gd4_Cjy0f6v4xAm5V1NGcGR2Lur1BqaevDTYtrFRPlnfP7NxbSc5ADk8hdiPjnoi3C/s320/2.jpg" /></div><div>Chicken Cordon <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Bleu</span></div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 214px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712469250570749634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KzFEdLbVn3-1-b6OcDbvs2Qa-nHyaLQB1S4qkTuqk5CRcb0HF21W795hYXnyh-tT5pyponnPyWEewU4IhH_-ZdnABQNJmtwN_WPzuLNgHmwTeM8nimYp1mCx701eyAof-znunqtp2C9w/s320/3.jpg" /></div><div>Beer Tastings<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 181px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712469418967402098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihUzi8gUvm6-ZAmDrFdJ-mKK23Qn2hrUEdi8WSpk8DtfmFJu7Co5HBicAD7rHIPF4JoF0Vvg9rzNR8JW9d148itM7xwOcmotrhZomLDcei4lQ8BGMAqMeItApc2t66NJI8PA7-9remioYw/s320/4.jpg" /></div><div><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Talapia</span> with a curry coconut sauce at Safari Restaurant<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 181px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712469634770448866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifgNQAU_lhxqi54cAYK26GZIrkJD4YRwIiwmJQiWI33meb-XwpZRH0A_KE7MKhz7raqSLwyFBiQ1SVxMAJZ7R5gAmtRzYGwvcMv54hCLelhSyQ_F2RwqL7XY8bYKTuLwKHl2p-pHm7qL_j/s320/7.jpg" /></div><div>Crepes- Gorgonzola, pear, walnuts and honey!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://lizinparaguay.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>Elizabeth and David Escobarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089541565147362067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727891251464918324.post-33918938153387773682012-02-15T16:02:00.001-08:002012-02-15T16:37:17.633-08:00Our first Valentine's Day- Married<div><div><div>Valentine's day in the past really had no significance in Paraguay. Now a days its becoming more and more popular because of the growing American culture influence on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Paraguayan</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">adolescents</span> due to the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Internet</span> becoming more <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">accessible</span>. </div><div> </div><div>The past two Valentine's days David and I didn't do anything. Its not just that they don't celebrate it in Paraguay its also because I believe its a holiday designed for people to spend money. I know that David loves me and I love him and we don't need to prove it by spending crazy amounts of money. Every day we tell <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">each other</span> how much we love <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">each other</span> therefore Valentine's day is just like any other day.</div><div> </div><div>So now I guess I sound like a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">hypocrite</span> when I say I was excited for Valentine's Day this year. Maybe it's because we're married, in the states and all of the propaganda got to me and made me want a special night with my husband, who knows. But I was super excited when I came home to this...<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 312px; height: 200px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709525627246421010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGb3-gezi83DQ07btXcqoQVfSq7Fhay-saKytWtcIMq3A8tcOI_xgq8iSRI45rBv6mu8bmvgU685-wWyP3unc8LxDi9m4zOmM0ASuN3c7gvj35-950oys_AWuDSn4Tb2bzkTCQNE2lIKb/s320/b.jpg" /></div><div>And I made this delicious "postre" for us to share! </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 151px; height: 226px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5709525836012349906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZkUw76XZtyWxzmv76aZvmUPDpXhs1TJBEhtOOX5WergcCaB9qzMI-x29BnionG2Uk0fHYxyOF5Z3oP2Gf-Y4Y-IcZWic2L-KuGDv4N1F-YHRfs5U-KmAeJj-909xOwyg9Bhc3RPzK3pG/s320/a.jpg" /></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://lizinparaguay.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>Elizabeth and David Escobarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089541565147362067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727891251464918324.post-46557992850192272362012-02-09T10:40:00.000-08:002012-02-09T15:10:49.866-08:00Bomb Falafel فلافل <div><div><div><div align="center">Last night Patrick came over for dinner and we enjoyed a delicious meal cooked by, me! </div><div> </div><div><span style="color:#000000;"></span><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 212px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707277045636523970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xgr9lAO79ru2s_MrD0snk4zFaGL00hQOjoh9VXDrUEJ_lvzmUVWDbo8XQ-XjIHhWsKiWJfceefBbyU4cHnLJnC1HgHP_OS6EsWOnx0y5-HlavtpfMJR5q5yRSK_9oFYxRjBYXy0Zrpbg/s320/falafel.jpg" /> </div><div> </div><div><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Falafel</span></span> is a deep-fried ball or patty made from <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ground</span> chickpeas and/or <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">fava</span></span> beans. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Falafel</span></span> is usually served in pita, which acts as a pocket, or wrapped in a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">flat bread</span> known as <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">lafa</span></span>. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">falafel</span></span> balls are topped with salads, pickled vegetables, hot sauce, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">drizzled</span> with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">tahini</span></span>-based sauces. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Falafel</span></span> balls may also be eaten alone as a snack or served as part of a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">meze</span></span>. Generally accepted to have first been made in Egypt, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">falafel</span></span> has become a dish eaten throughout the Middle East. The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">copts</span></span> of Egypt claim to have first made the dish as a replacement for meat during Lent. The fritters are now found around the world as a replacement for meat and as a form of street food. (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">wikipedia</span></span>)</div><div> </div><div><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Falafel</span></span> is DELICIOUS. In Barcelona there is a chain called <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">Maoz</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">Vegitarian</span></span>, a little tiny whole in the wall shop on <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">Las</span></span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ramblas</span></span> that had yummy <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">Falafel</span></span> and Hummus. The selling point for me was there was a self service salad bar where you would stuff your pita full of veggies from broccoli, mushrooms, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">tomatoes</span> and many many more and then you had your choice of sauces. We would stand there and eat our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error"><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Maoz</span></span> when we would run out of veggies you could just fill it up again! It was the most amazing lunch spot ever! See the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">veggi</span> bar below!</div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 241px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5707274063981243954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7AsLXEapK5dgoWoxEhfO5vgqx3J0ZYzsnHVOAfYWycdD3-dq2UU5txE_njnMRazrOwxCxj0Z-b7xW99LMmQm0S90Lt49NKYbz1h5lY0-mGLw3syfc9w2C5DxwB3OTVFAMnnwMIFBNa7b/s320/maoz.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div>So last night I was craving <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">falafel</span> and decided to make my own. And I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">don't</span> want to brag but...It was pretty darn good.</div><div> </div><div align="center">The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Recipe</span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">- 1 can garbanzo beans</div><div align="center">- 1 whole onion</div><div align="center">- 2 cloves of garlic</div><div align="center">- Handful of chopped parsley</div><div align="center">- 1 Tbs of olive oil</div><div align="center">- 1/2 lemon squeezed</div><div align="center">- <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">cumin</span></div><div align="center">- <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">coriander</span></div><div align="center">- cayenne pepper</div><div align="center">- salt and pepper</div><div align="center">- 1 cup of bread crumbs</div><div align="center">- 1 egg</div><div align="center">- 1 tsp of baking powder</div><div align="center"> </div><div>I blended all the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">ingredients</span> together in the blender but a food processor would have worked MUCH better. Then I made a yogurt sauce.</div><div> </div><div align="center">- 1 cup <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Greek</span> yogurt</div><div align="center">- dill weed</div><div align="center">- lemon juice</div><div align="center">- 1/2 cucumber (seeded and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">finely</span> chopped)</div><div align="center">-salt and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">peeper</span></div><div align="center"> </div><div>Then we stuffed pita with the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">falafel</span>, sauce, lettuce and tomato and paired it with a nice cold Red Chair <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">Deschutes</span> Brewery Beer!</div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://lizinparaguay.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>Elizabeth and David Escobarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089541565147362067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727891251464918324.post-49251444208779604572012-02-02T13:04:00.000-08:002012-02-02T13:08:01.826-08:00Paraguayan Food<div align="center"><a href="http://www.tembiuparaguay.com">www.tembiuparaguay.com</a><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704647466579133570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5aCOWjFuuN7SGjoSYJKy_lnpoF1z8MvzjaxQr3SIT1XJEmohz6rz70F1Ps5cI_KZBeAvKZ35GPkNCmGbcdo7i4bvmIV8yXI9X96jEudg8DYFBSJPi25RAgyRKE7lhTZY_CiHs-0pZxRY/s320/chipa.jpg" /></div><div align="center"> Without almidon making chipa may be difficult. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div align="center">Or if you are lazy and live in Seattle and want an empanada</div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.marialuisaempanadas.com/menu.html">http://www.marialuisaempanadas.com/menu.html</a></div><div> </div><div><a href="http://www.marialuisaempanadas.com/index.html"></a> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://lizinparaguay.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>Elizabeth and David Escobarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089541565147362067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727891251464918324.post-5203644443422346082012-02-02T10:59:00.000-08:002012-02-02T11:48:15.015-08:00Green Card Interview5 Months!<br /><br />It's been 5 months since David and I made our journey to the United States. 5 months of new experiences, good times and changes.<br /><br />About 30 days after we were married David and I filed the applications for the I-485 (application for permanent residence (green card)) and the I-765 (application for work authorization). The I-765 is filed because the green card usually takes awhile so if you file for the I-765 you can legally work in the meantime.<br /><br />A month after filing we received an appointment notice for the biometrics interview. So we went to the Department of Homeland Security office in Seattle and David had his picture and finger prints taken and then we were sent home. Not really knowing what was going to happen next. I assumed that the EAD (employment authorization document) would arrive shortly and David could start looking for work...<br /><br />We then received our notice ( a month after the biometrics interview) for David's permanent residence (green card) interview that would be on February 1, 2012. At this point we still hadn't received the EAD card. Then a week before the interview David received his EAD card!!! Yay! I was excited that he was officially allowed to work but at the same time a little bitter. The application for this work authorization card cost about $100. And it came a week before the interview for permanent residence. I was thinking "what a waste of $100". I was thinking the EAD card was useless because we'd go to the interview, in a week, and the green card would be approved then he'd be a permanent resident and allowed to work and wouldn't need the EAD card.<br /><br />Well we went to the interview yesterday, February 1st 2012. We took a translator with us because it would have been a conflict of interest if I, the wife, translated for David. The interview was SOO weird.<br /><br />I had researched about these interviews and we were totally ready for tons of personal questions about each others families and about our marriage. My cousin and her husband also just did the green card interview and they told us to be ready to answer biographical questions about each other and other personal questions. Well the interviewer asked David how we met. He answered in English. She asked me where I worked. She asked us how the wedding was. We then showed her pictures. She asked ME to identify my family members. She asked how many people attended. She asked if we had a ceremony in Paraguay, we showed pictures of our going away party with his family and she asked DAVID to identify his family members. She then asked for proof of shared finances and that we live in the same place and that I've changed my name. I gave her all of our bank statements, lease agreement, health insurance etc. Then she asked the generic questions like if David's been involved in terrorist actives, if he's been involved in prostitution etc.<br /><br />Then it was over. She asked NO personal questions. She said she didn't think they'd be needing any more documents from us. And that we'd be getting a letter in the mail with the answer. I asked how long and she said "as soon as possible".<br /><br />Why didn't she ask any personal questions? I guess we should be happy that it went so quickly and was super easy. But its nerve racking that your future is in someone elses hands. What if they are having a bad day and say "no"? Was it so obvious that we are happily married that she didn't need to ask any questions? I had my dad call my aunt to see if my cousin and her husband got an answer the same day as their interview. They didn't. Their interviewer told them it could be 2 weeks to 3 months to get the letter in the mail!!!<br /><br />So now I don't think the EAD card was a waste of money. Because if it takes 3 months to get the green card David wouldn't be able to start looking for work until then. He's English is improving rapidly and he is anxious to get out of the house. We've started working on his resume and hopefully within the next few days he can start applying for jobs!<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://lizinparaguay.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>Elizabeth and David Escobarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089541565147362067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727891251464918324.post-2404302582938951282012-01-26T10:13:00.000-08:002012-01-26T11:52:36.395-08:00Randomness<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISCBW6wpDsGXdBLU8V5Zqk-h21xa88jjFrnYKAj9H-I3puSSklZYkjRxa2iXNdosNXwCQTSqDP57LREF7aZHXR1WWlXEWl0_Nw1qBNqO9CWUBbLmJqeieYC_OPTIpkmyoR1dezj9Ms2NG/s1600/pikes+place.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 214px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702030899967135922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiISCBW6wpDsGXdBLU8V5Zqk-h21xa88jjFrnYKAj9H-I3puSSklZYkjRxa2iXNdosNXwCQTSqDP57LREF7aZHXR1WWlXEWl0_Nw1qBNqO9CWUBbLmJqeieYC_OPTIpkmyoR1dezj9Ms2NG/s320/pikes+place.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="center">It's been a cold and wet<br />winter here in Seattle. That means lots of time spent indoors and lots of time<br />spent playing on the Internet, watching movies, eating etc. Last week David<br />didn't have school all week (snow days) and I was off work on Monday (MLK day) and then Wednesday and Thursday my<br />work was closed due to SNOW!<br /><br />Thursday we managed to<br />leave the house after watching 4 movies on Wednesday and drinking a half a<br />bottle of whiskey! We went to get Pho with<br />Patrick in the International District and it was delicious. After that we<br />didn't want to go back home and sit some more. So we downtown and walked around<br />in the snow. It started to snow even more so we stopped for some coffee and<br />people watching. Our bus, the #7, got stuck in the snow going up Jackson Street<br />on the way home. So we walked up Jackson to Rainier and waiting for another bus<br />to pass by.<br /><br />By Friday I was a little<br />tired of being home. It's not that I don't love spending time with David its that<br />we usually go out and do stuff, explore, but we were basically trapped at home.<br />David's snow pants were at Patrick's<br />house so we couldn't go sledding or partake in traditional snow activities. And<br />there was NO way I was taking my car out on the roads, people in Seattle do not<br />know how to drive in the snow. So yeah, Friday, I was ready to work. I would<br />have walked there if I had to!<br /><br />David's English is Rocking! Yay!<br />February 1st we have his green card interview! I'm a little nervous. I have no<br />reason to be nervous but I am. I think it's the fact that Immigrations still<br />has the opportunity to say no. Although we have all of our documents in order<br />and are a REAL couple it's a little stressful! After he gets his green card<br />he'll be able to work.<br /><br />It will be so nice once he starts working. We've been on a tight<br />budget with just one income so a lot of stress will be relieved once there is a<br />little more wiggle room with our finances.<br /><br />In the end we are ok! We are<br />fat, happy and in love!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkpZSk8ojjex5JYsSon38Ec3r9CoZzI49fIGZFqpiCkGIbBJz9x03zJgAYYQk-0pdh-Xrn8Eg2ZXGxW2-ZDFTCXZtsxgH72cAVBuI7HNMQtG6ucOKgQ7l6Dyyo2hpAYWuA45WcoQRxVzO/s1600/funny.jpg"></a><br /><br />David</div><div> </div><div> </div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 300px; height: 306px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5702030940585405010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kQGm0Mpo76-5smkDMD1SGJRHJQvo2oIzSHi7EJwcVbvlndsJx9KZ1mzIxlBvarxIGEe_fPAC70Ywax6HQ-CqTWWsF-NkFWqsfE7BpTCvEbZbvYMLpnSk6_NIXQHySixmzd7zTut_r5wy/s320/mucho.jpg" /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://lizinparaguay.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>Elizabeth and David Escobarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089541565147362067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727891251464918324.post-13977215134459164972012-01-14T14:41:00.000-08:002012-01-14T14:54:10.811-08:00Random pictures from around Oregon and Seattle<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSZSstA3u5BJsEJ53uf91-J9OGG2nE5vVVi5elE3gMSDX_vF3tAV0kVIlj5wJYePw0BOgiuUonpMdgfbr_cUxtVio-xqi5tZuEUWbeIV33OeaF5qtS3hf1ccEw1DgMy5VRtML4bU-du0t/s1600/IMAG0381.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 181px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697624159727647090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSZSstA3u5BJsEJ53uf91-J9OGG2nE5vVVi5elE3gMSDX_vF3tAV0kVIlj5wJYePw0BOgiuUonpMdgfbr_cUxtVio-xqi5tZuEUWbeIV33OeaF5qtS3hf1ccEw1DgMy5VRtML4bU-du0t/s320/IMAG0381.jpg" /></a>Hurrican Ridge - Olympic National Forest<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3m-QcqLrFxVFCj5TUdDqrJhs6HwjdeXF_f2PbvhXyUHyf1I-qCMq74xeKnrRXiA-la-aZMOtwjN4OpGmKbzsyZein9yW5EaLwqSg2DHKDv-L7HiosEqDxd4vZgThRCV5anIa3Rj1RmDhz/s1600/IMAG0303-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 181px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697624035906474722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3m-QcqLrFxVFCj5TUdDqrJhs6HwjdeXF_f2PbvhXyUHyf1I-qCMq74xeKnrRXiA-la-aZMOtwjN4OpGmKbzsyZein9yW5EaLwqSg2DHKDv-L7HiosEqDxd4vZgThRCV5anIa3Rj1RmDhz/s320/IMAG0303-1.jpg" /></a>Gasworks Park- Seattle<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKDLmtF-BECQq7RtWkdVC3ppWaJ0NNLq2-92ptl6xIHIKO3KX8bs1Fwl6Gn9z01hlsr8c1tCnc6KyshNaO9_kqo4awBPfk8RY4A23xLhOZC6fiWhZJJTw_AcrJjZJjFOyHnHxoNmCVZMQ/s1600/IMAG0300.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 181px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697623874990137458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHKDLmtF-BECQq7RtWkdVC3ppWaJ0NNLq2-92ptl6xIHIKO3KX8bs1Fwl6Gn9z01hlsr8c1tCnc6KyshNaO9_kqo4awBPfk8RY4A23xLhOZC6fiWhZJJTw_AcrJjZJjFOyHnHxoNmCVZMQ/s320/IMAG0300.jpg" /></a>Mussles for dinner!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxevPuS3r2zKsPTHglrb4abEetTJIuZw9ZvLOYgvUEOdqvZXovo-F_B_XcZ82jQmc-635jJRI8OY7DjLAC58ply-NySx5xxLU7-h2FyTEGU8qNBHOS2A0yGbByzQVjkKo_BEp-_F9tdZiH/s1600/IMAG0256.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 184px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697623747171999970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxevPuS3r2zKsPTHglrb4abEetTJIuZw9ZvLOYgvUEOdqvZXovo-F_B_XcZ82jQmc-635jJRI8OY7DjLAC58ply-NySx5xxLU7-h2FyTEGU8qNBHOS2A0yGbByzQVjkKo_BEp-_F9tdZiH/s320/IMAG0256.jpg" /></a>Bike Ride in Seward Park- Seattle<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uY3aOw4tMklEmObaN3JWsi5sRTqz5t8HKTEWdbmVz2ythQuLzf1wCSLWIZeeuaYPfTnRDT6iKXF8t5jbVe4TQPkcwZaJ06mrZm161chmgr9ZUG2VjaPS_6pV8RHGa2SZuHUtPCOBIC9w/s1600/IMAG0192.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 181px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697623506316149586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7uY3aOw4tMklEmObaN3JWsi5sRTqz5t8HKTEWdbmVz2ythQuLzf1wCSLWIZeeuaYPfTnRDT6iKXF8t5jbVe4TQPkcwZaJ06mrZm161chmgr9ZUG2VjaPS_6pV8RHGa2SZuHUtPCOBIC9w/s320/IMAG0192.jpg" /></a>Oregon Coast<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJl1oMhydCQC3WWH86FS8sLgSEpkE7f30TZ59wM9YGEVzI3P7Rclr_s_je3pBl3JvthKwRxNvJKTVyYeDGTMhvr7WO8KYpAQol3MPsqnoxy0P6FJ1900oDcQDpzltlpToBolq5yXZbbXJS/s1600/IMAG0175.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 181px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697623370991210146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJl1oMhydCQC3WWH86FS8sLgSEpkE7f30TZ59wM9YGEVzI3P7Rclr_s_je3pBl3JvthKwRxNvJKTVyYeDGTMhvr7WO8KYpAQol3MPsqnoxy0P6FJ1900oDcQDpzltlpToBolq5yXZbbXJS/s320/IMAG0175.jpg" /></a>Yerba!!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEEdx8NAmnm4KwKfBu84NcBtbEHcRxtPQWAD_tJEQXou9uB_X4DoiQfeEjZcFkiWQu2B234W-A_UYuH4yNAZSA0oz1LvvLIEjvZjBCMxelDF0SxkVY2myI8RIEClC_gAgsC93hHRhkwTe/s1600/IMAG0091.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 181px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697623146880627074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEEdx8NAmnm4KwKfBu84NcBtbEHcRxtPQWAD_tJEQXou9uB_X4DoiQfeEjZcFkiWQu2B234W-A_UYuH4yNAZSA0oz1LvvLIEjvZjBCMxelDF0SxkVY2myI8RIEClC_gAgsC93hHRhkwTe/s320/IMAG0091.jpg" /></a>Bottle House Wine Bar- Seattle<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7wWdB6KC6CvLUxR5VyoY2yPwoMF_WvTRw4fY10f1gz56hyYrhNWjxR0bAxdgQvFWZb9qPPMccivymeRYtPP9kY2nrxgZbTtuUVn3jxvX4Qmw1ePLG1j7z1NlGmYJvo3qzHZwkPiL2OB8/s1600/IMAG0054.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 181px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697622996870769650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT7wWdB6KC6CvLUxR5VyoY2yPwoMF_WvTRw4fY10f1gz56hyYrhNWjxR0bAxdgQvFWZb9qPPMccivymeRYtPP9kY2nrxgZbTtuUVn3jxvX4Qmw1ePLG1j7z1NlGmYJvo3qzHZwkPiL2OB8/s320/IMAG0054.jpg" /></a>Sounders Futbol game- Seattle<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AxeHrGvoUyeSyioYQQu9Bbww9Je8YDqOJqcp2AMo6YLfQKHP1EQp3TfbRcmcYPfZoNaSPLIsNgTcwJeS64npN02YQNR_1omL5BJJEirGoV6iC2ga_n698LaNBBuj4SpDYIv6BU8eondA/s1600/IMAG0032.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 181px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697622880193851842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AxeHrGvoUyeSyioYQQu9Bbww9Je8YDqOJqcp2AMo6YLfQKHP1EQp3TfbRcmcYPfZoNaSPLIsNgTcwJeS64npN02YQNR_1omL5BJJEirGoV6iC2ga_n698LaNBBuj4SpDYIv6BU8eondA/s320/IMAG0032.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97hhd0xJqALRcDT-qvGoKMApYNWdZyMtI9L5uGZ-se5kWCzHIYRT0nq0gLVXxMlFDK5X-lvhEdFbAZ4HQHCDBcBj003J74YVEq1z3cjXc9G5VtrvyM3L0whM8iuC2VEFMz1mI3LyA6uAK/s1600/IMAG0020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 181px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697622787668693490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97hhd0xJqALRcDT-qvGoKMApYNWdZyMtI9L5uGZ-se5kWCzHIYRT0nq0gLVXxMlFDK5X-lvhEdFbAZ4HQHCDBcBj003J74YVEq1z3cjXc9G5VtrvyM3L0whM8iuC2VEFMz1mI3LyA6uAK/s320/IMAG0020.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://lizinparaguay.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>Elizabeth and David Escobarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089541565147362067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727891251464918324.post-82700474079229990012012-01-04T15:54:00.001-08:002012-01-04T15:56:44.363-08:00Urban Camping<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUEu85XB629QNG5RB6uVjSczwCfHBNfCVmPhon-1T-rAluaS662wkC0QRLAv-bV_CEIR6p2DL-KFuWfCV9IUwlGQmZQb3gyoQnbjl3E-_9FPtGsVq4griZQ7Jnc6woY5ZGJWl4B4l6bWOC/s1600/FxCam_1325656515179.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 214px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693929907508219794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUEu85XB629QNG5RB6uVjSczwCfHBNfCVmPhon-1T-rAluaS662wkC0QRLAv-bV_CEIR6p2DL-KFuWfCV9IUwlGQmZQb3gyoQnbjl3E-_9FPtGsVq4griZQ7Jnc6woY5ZGJWl4B4l6bWOC/s320/FxCam_1325656515179.jpg" /></a><br /><div>David really wants to go camping but it’s cold and rainy here in the Northwest so we set the tent up inside. We had a great night watching movies and giggling on our camping trip.</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://lizinparaguay.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>Elizabeth and David Escobarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089541565147362067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727891251464918324.post-87664046547792015482011-12-07T13:43:00.000-08:002012-01-03T08:28:19.702-08:00Almost 3 months later<div><br /><div align="center"><strong>Our Wedding</strong><br /></div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 214px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683527812207175826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJncoC9ULjsUNKjmOHKBbbUraR2S_KxB8tinR9bBpS9Bsbq-i7WSOAcr-iUowA5vfuKAtJnpcXBSc1Rj8cMtyizFj06wzFiLx6RU5UB4Lx2MOq5Xfi-1zFlaYrv8LAUQGfXfYGK32gPEVu/s320/IMG_8937.JPG" /><br /><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxgd3YUYz8M0jzFd7fosLGqg8Phmu2bVB8ZF-Us7q_SKRF5f5M6C2eKQpmeGrMg6ouztvrupmMggnRsTzDH1IfxTFA2waiF3hGSqyZr8bZGujlcS2ZE8qC5541Bhi0NE8uSI3akQJ4pdQ/s1600/IMG_8847.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683526777264625346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxgd3YUYz8M0jzFd7fosLGqg8Phmu2bVB8ZF-Us7q_SKRF5f5M6C2eKQpmeGrMg6ouztvrupmMggnRsTzDH1IfxTFA2waiF3hGSqyZr8bZGujlcS2ZE8qC5541Bhi0NE8uSI3akQJ4pdQ/s320/IMG_8847.JPG" /></a><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683528409173853938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnyHM4h-8fG22asCEs69rMPtji2218v8Wuqrvdma3AejZ4LCNQ6Ma7EKW0Eje-B-8DOpKA6vY9sV4XKSKG9HpUloHc1Qs79nX1Fzphof39d1ZR4sWuij69TEMhK8-CJ-9XNS0401fce3J/s320/IMG_8765.JPG" /><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzFH6J5kk7BYQemg3XWA-O4mcGvTAoVjJorS3NtIB68UTGR0ra9paOhOVZSW0fcKYVddFPYMwTEWVZB4PzFFMZj63JcpTR4du_C_yPspT1OLNAu1O09wrsrkb-PqsMW7VQrqJ8qQZB6eY/s1600/IMG_8660.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683525809558910130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzFH6J5kk7BYQemg3XWA-O4mcGvTAoVjJorS3NtIB68UTGR0ra9paOhOVZSW0fcKYVddFPYMwTEWVZB4PzFFMZj63JcpTR4du_C_yPspT1OLNAu1O09wrsrkb-PqsMW7VQrqJ8qQZB6eY/s320/IMG_8660.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683527220636854466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9SJJXvy6MMpo5KjFHoim1XkGbp6uDChs7ljb1C_rIGH871Bis5i5tbxzcM97UHaJHBVz8eUNbhrAY_w-upT3bXr0ewknyhirwM-GGejxNelE9bRUNQbg0IrqxmeGEn1ENH1OzURCVfRf/s320/IMG_8257.JPG" /><br /><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 214px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683528135270355010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCKF7Bm9ydjCdZ7ZSdeUCkd-0fTXQ7yNbWgwramiWqo_UcM9z70webxRJu28tADkpov3-O3G3cmRvriPCgQfivdQ-J6UrleYvHAHL7rYZ_y6J-SW1R9uAvjV_2gKiXGyhpC9hGDQmtO_3/s320/IMG_8697.JPG" /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>So I am not sure if anyone is reading this still or ever was but I've decided I'd like to continue writing this blog "de vez en cuando" so David's family can see pics from Paraguay. They have yet to figure out the facebook we have set up for them so maybe if I just give them a website to go to they may see some pictures of the WEDDING! </div><div> </div><div>Yep, we got married! The wedding was perfect! We had so much fun seeing all of my family and friends. It was more than a wedding, it was a big family/friend reunion. It had been 2 1/2 years sense I'd seen anyone and David had never met anyone so it was nice. </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 214px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683510448797254194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3cGy_EimLT5M4r6gi2C2jWnGe2m_zUrUdOP1xQPlIHGjaHydKwOBgWLwNw1Tqfw7QQvyR3Z9haL48Uno6cZWlOxl5v6xuoWGqSsnfF1VqGusR7VylQzYkjkFGywVmu-srzzNkbCnImeq/s320/bobs+pics+%252820%2529.JPG" /></div><div>Two nights before the wedding my girl friends threw me a bachelorette party at Eagle Crest Golf Resort where the actual wedding was held. I got to see my Salt Lake friends for the first time since we've been back! It was so nice to see them! We drank gin and tonics and ate pizza, played drinking games, talked and watched brides maids like 3 times. It was a good night!</div><div> </div><div>The next day, a little hung over and exhausted, Felecia threw a beautiful bridal shower at Ginny's house, my next door neighbor. We ate yummy cucumber sandwiches, played "guess liz's age" and made wedding dresses out of toilet paper.<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683510989966672498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSHVXTw7o_6wPvaogiMmrWjrBCmHJzlML-O2hAPJ-2E0Or-j-gF_53z1StZjz2iqyuUw9nj9miLnaEV_nYbzlFgKyVYgZgXLY_vtr2B2RcD36shxJoxhUslfequS74tZiylJhZCciSOGK/s320/jens+wedding+pics+%25282%2529.JPG" /></div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 214px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683520020486710466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRcJ76nbeddnh1KBcDzd8GzPSgc6Gnh2uTg4x8oqiBU3KY8lfSILNIsAKm3STG7A7c1EmBpv3oEhCDmaK15XII1qOMIeSkQSA-2vuzQp4X8R714VqriJEAxUwZnTPL0T3pCEG3iXSGTQ7E/s320/jens+wedding+pics+%25283%2529.JPG" /></div><div>Two hours after the shower ended we had to get ready again at go to Sully's to practice at the rehearsal dinner. At the rehearsal dinner only our immediate family, plus felecia and jake of course. We practiced our vows for the first time with Jim, the wonderful man who married us, and all of the other details that were to go into the next days events. <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683513190177571698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCFlZSlxGTBo5gLdZ1i2-1F4b2y3qQZnJl_LDkl2IKZIg8zuSXQR8oKE9HdfTqoFpLSXpqKpll_NGCAwuAe7_LCYNg2P8Y80Xb6VYiMGgQ0oO6rV8A8opKtux6BmHW7QslZ5_zABD6mn0a/s320/mom%2527s+wedding+pics+%25289%2529.JPG" /></div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683518361547275170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2d6vx6h_ajOluBHdsLKUY58SeTWBdhBFfhJMyFuxikGwNKi5Qd-06t7-FWkd3iZVbdy6rf5WrvBP49VcWzPvIVp7l-iczOC2RiVH2ix836aTz0k_c_d1qKYobNmElS7gMBs5SH7QWYMVb/s320/mom%2527s+wedding+pics+%252823%2529.JPG" /></div><div> The actual day of the wedding, November 5, Felecia and I went to get our hair done at 9:30 am then to makeup at 11:30. We went and picked up our bouquets and went to the River Run Event Center and met up with the crew! Lori, thank you, set up all of the tables with our flower arrangements, Nanduti center pieces, table names, candles and more. My father was in charge or the planning and organization of the reception. And he did an AWESOME job. </div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683521240880916914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3uTW9TpVoZSUikWRU4ukZC7-9kON0AVCUkdUEfV77eMjefOkrWJvbOyQoDwTA76mZWebhgfovx2feq9ZiA6WoaYSgaD1Y6tZoC05tv1m1laHL9_pLzTqnKR_sMwuCdw813Ovqeg7Xb9w/s320/jens+wedding+pics+%252824%2529.JPG" /></div><div> When my dad and I were walking down the isle all I remember was trying not to blink. My eyes were full of tears I didn't want them to rush down my face, so I couldn't see anyone! In the end the ceremony was beautiful. Jim did a great job mixing in Spanish with English and was good at making people laugh.</div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683523739029719426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYr97kQwF0Plp3AfFq8lbKNY7L-5w1mwqGfdw_t7wW4rcJ0ZP93MX4_qtPHn3LwopJ002hhuxs8SgKoRa8MnxnaF0ytXnLK5UD-nvM2TiXI6CsiB0LYj23H2Pql6yVkvX6D7yegM_fWP-X/s320/IMG_9442.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div>The Turner/Woodly family from Malin, our distant cousins, were in charge of the catering. We ate tri-tip with tulie lake horse radish, delicious chicken, agrauten potatoes, green beans, salad and rolls that were to die for! The "bebidas" were fantastic as well. We had Dan Tippy's famous Rock Chuck red as our house red, sangria which was made from an batch of rock chuck red and local beer from cascade lakes. The drinks were a hit because at the end of the night there was nothing left! <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 214px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683522694265688418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZI0j7hQC3v10eZMaap-g7CW346sGvfjMtvd4lTLhVRkkrjnhrmTknBdZWRxGbtEOwA8FQFoyayjTnCJcytIG3aHE-HAbPiiDy3RhYMAqm2fdHfnX0BcXkslJKBsz78cFWzO2ZrniEncU/s320/bobs+pics+%25287%2529.JPG" /></div><div> Patrick and Felecia did an amazing job with giving toasts. That was actually David's favorite part, he later told me. Patrick made everyone cry when he busted out some spanish welcoming David to the family. </div><div> </div><div>The cake we had on our table, the really pretty one, was only good for being pretty. It was really hard to cut into and very dry. The Dj played the wrong first dance song, he was close by playing Bob Marley, but didn't play Is this love, he played One love. And thats about it that went wrong. Oh yeah a glow stick, bright green, exploded onto my wedding dress but with a little help from Kasey and some soap it came right out!</div><div> </div><div>Other then those very very minor setbacks we DANCED the night away. From the point when people finished eating until 11:45 we danced. <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 214px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683525411105321170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRqAIFQnKBwucLz6eElquwDK-uk_p0gFoezul6Psrg3v2hUELjZfljwJw6lnuyPFNBAtwD-psTWvSu5R9ja4XIgHIfzeK8FyGwIiBeiy0wmytccQcGgKFRxYdHapfqE2mdHnzbO_XZRF_/s320/IMG_0203.JPG" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://lizinparaguay.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>Elizabeth and David Escobarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089541565147362067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727891251464918324.post-51853374597858365802011-09-26T12:32:00.000-07:002011-09-26T12:33:39.958-07:00Whirlwind of Events<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">I apologize for not posting in a long time but I’ve been super busy with all sorts of things. I had my close of service as a Peace Corps Volunteer August 12, 2011. I really really enjoyed my time as a volunteer and will truly miss all of the people in San Salvador and the wonderful volunteers and staff of Peace Corps Paraguay. Thanks again everyone for making my service unforgettable!</span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">On August 22, 2011 David was scheduled to have his K1 Fiancé Visa interview at the US Embassy in Asuncion. I was asked to go along as proof that we are actually a couple. I was so nervous, I don’t know why but I felt sick once we walked into the Embassy and were waiting to be called. The only thoughts going through my mind were..<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>“This is it; this is the last stop before going home so if anything bad happens now we may not be able to go.” We got up to the window and the visa officer asked how we knew each other, for how long and why we wanted to wait to get married in the USA. He asked about what David thought he’d like to do in the states and how we were going to financially survive. After waiting 40 minutes, paying about $300 and going through a 10 minute interview David’s K1 fiance visa was APPROVED!!!! That was a Monday. We had to wait till Wednesday to pick up the actual visa which was put into his passport. So Monday I called my mom and said “Buy the tickets we’re coming home” and so the tickets were bought for Thursday the 25th at 5am.</span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">We rushed home, called his family and advised them they all better come by Wednesday to say goodbye! His dad came on Tuesday evening and his mom and little sister came on Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday night with his brother, dad, mom and sister we shared our last asado, bbq, before going to the USA. It was a very emotional night. There was a lot of crying, hugging and more crying. The taxi picked us up at 3:00am on Thursday the 25<sup>th</sup>. </span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">We checked 3 very large bags and each had a good size carryon. We flew from Asuncion to Sao Paulo, Brazil where we had a 5 hour layover. We were exhausted at this point and still had a long ways to go. We boarded our Korean Air flight to Los Angeles and flew for 12 hours and finally arrived in LA at 9:00pm. Our next flight wasn’t until 6:00am so we decided to check our bags though to Portland and get a hotel to try and sleep a little so we wouldn’t be so exhausted by the time we got to Portland. We stayed at the Best Western and went back to the airport at 4:30am. That little bit of sleep was much needed and really helped. </span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">We arrived in Portland at 8am on Friday the 26<sup>th</sup> where we met my parents!!! It was such a good feeling seeing them waiting for us. The first thing we did was visit Mandy, she was about to have a baby, and meet her son who was born right before I left whom I’ve never got to meet. So that was nice to see them. Then we went to a Mexican lunch and drove over the pass to Redmond. While driving over the pass it we got to see all of the Hood to Coast runners and a group of fires that were just starting on the Warm Springs reservation. </span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Friday, the day we arrived, Patrick sent me a job announcement for a Credit Union in Seattle; it looked like a perfect fit for me. Over the weekend while adjusting to being home I worked on my resume and cover letter. Monday I applied for the job, Tuesday they got back to me, Wednesday I flew up to Seattle, Thursday I had my interview and Friday while driving home to Redmond with Patrick they called to offer me a job. They not only offered me a job I applied for but offered me a job that fit my skill level a little better. They gave me the weekend plus Labor Day to think about it and told me to call back on Tuesday. Tuesday I accepted the job and would be starting the following Tuesday. </span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">I couldn’t start any sooner because I didn’t have my driver’s license and had to wait till Friday September 9<sup>th</sup> to take my driver’s test in Eugene. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>So that gave me a week to plan our wedding. My parents and Felecia and I were busy bees. We were busy making and sending invitations, planning the menu, getting a cake and flowers, buying Felecia’s dress, buying David’s suite, meeting with the seamstress to fix my dress and renting linens. Done…in a week. Who needs a year to plan a wedding? </span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Sunday September 11<sup>th</sup> I drove up to Seattle and went to Patrick’s house, where I’d be staying until I found my own place. I came up alone because it’s easy to crash in someone’s basement when you’re one person but two people would have been a bit difficult. Plus my dad had tons of work planned for David. We thought we’d be staying at my parent’s house for at least a few months. Everyone had told me it would take a long time to get a job therefore my dad had planned a lot for us to do. So David stayed with them to paint the house and do other various jobs while I moved up to Seattle. I felt terrible, I remember when I first got to Paraguay and it was hard to adjust but I had the Peace Corps support system to make it easier. He’s all by himself and now I had to leave. The good thing about it was he’d be forced to learn English quicker because he wouldn’t have me to translate and speak Spanish with. </span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">So two weeks later here I am working and having fun with my brother and his friends. My brother has said I’ve domesticated him; we eat dinner every night together we go suite shopping, bed shopping, shopping for fabric for my wedding dress and go out to the bars. We’ve really enjoyed our time together. But I finally found a house so next weekend, October 1<sup>st</sup>, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"></span>I’m going back down to Redmond to pick up David and when we get back we’ll move into our new home. I can’t wait to settle, and make ourselves a home. </span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">I think Seattle will be a good place for both of us. There is a lot larger support network for immigrants and I’ve found free English classes at a Latino Center and they also offer help finding employment. Plus there is always something going on here, it will be fun. Oh and plus there are 3 other returned peace corps Paraguay volunteers that live here in Seattle. We’ve already gotten together for a dinner that consisted of typical Paraguayan food! </span></p><br /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">We’ve only been back about 3 weeks and we are well on our way to starting our new lives here in the USA. We still have a LONG road ahead of us with all of the paperwork and the process of getting a green card then citizenship but we can do it. We are so blessed with all of the goodness that has happened to us in the last few months I feel like now it’s my turn to give back. Oh wait I just did that for two years. We deserve all this goodness that is happening to us! </span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://lizinparaguay.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>Elizabeth and David Escobarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089541565147362067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727891251464918324.post-45628019763270247882011-08-19T14:20:00.000-07:002011-08-19T14:21:19.984-07:0027 Months…I’ll try to sum it up27 months is the amount of time I’ve lived in Paraguay either as a Peace Corps trainee or as a volunteer. 27 months filled with: hard work, learning, integration, drinking terere, making new friends, speaking Spanish and mishimi guarani, adapting to every situation, planning projects, hanging at the train station, riding an emotional roller coaster, fighting off mosquitoes and much much more.
<br />
<br /><u>The larger projects/ projects that I enjoyed the most
<br /></u>
<br />In the beginning it was about integration, learning the language and analyzing the community to see what they really need/want and adapt my abalities to those situations and try to help. It took awhile, a long while to find these “needs” in which I could actually do something. But while waiting for the right project I made some amazing friends within the community. I was assigned to work in the local savings and loan cooperative where I knew immediately I wouldn’t be spending much of my time. I was eventually inveted to a commuity and cultural center meeting where I fit right in. immediately we started working together on the planning process, making a vision and mission statement, making goals and then made the annual plan of activities. This basically took up all of my time for a god while. On the side I was teaching English, working in school gardens and drinking terere.
<br />
<br />As the group became more formalized and the goals and vision of the group and the train station became clearer and larger we decided to apply for a SPA grand and improve the basic fixings such as lighting, bathrooms, bought chairs a printer and a desk and a few more necessities for the library which is located in the train station which serves as the community center.
<br />
<br />About 6 months before the end of my service, February, I was asked by the principle for Borja, 2km away, to be the computer teacher for the entire high school. So every Wednesday until I finished I went to Borja and taught kids who had never touched a computer how to use Microsoft office, save documents, make folders and use a typing program. It was very rewarding work.
<br />
<br />At the same time that I started teaching computers I took two local girls to a leadership camp in wchi we were assigned homework in the end. The girls were to start a local youth group and do a community project. We formed a group of 11 girls and decided on the name MOCOS ( movimiento de companeros salvadorenos). MOCOS means boogers. The group decided to install trash cans around town. I’m not going into details because it was one of the most stressful projects, but a very good learning experience for everyone. I will say that working with the local mayor was a nightmare. But….in the end trash cans were installed. Then the girls had the opportunity to go to the follow up leadership camp as a reward for all their hard work. Well..no one went. So basically I would have done the project if it weren’t for them and the homework from the first camp then no one went to share their experiences….!
<br />
<br />It may seem that I was always working but really there was a LOT of free time. I took a month vacation when my parents and brother came, to Argentina. Hung out and drank terere with my buddies in site. Chase and Kimmy were able to visit after being stuck in brazil with out a Paraguayan visa, yes all Americans need a visa to visit Paraguay. Liz also came for an awesome week. Although it rained almost the entire time, and we had a crazy ciudad del este experience, it meant a lot to me! I was also fortunate to make great friends with in Peace Corps. That allowed me to travel around Paraguay and see how other Peace Corps volunteers live and be a tourist at the same time. And of course I can’t forget about David. My rock. He defiantly helped me understand all of the awkward cultural moments and he was the shoulder in which I cried on when I missed home, had hard days work or just needed a cry. We always have so much fun together and I am excited to continue the journey. I was NEVER board when he was around. I am the luckiest girl in the world to have found my best friend and fiancée while in the Peace Corps.
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://lizinparaguay.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>Elizabeth and David Escobarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089541565147362067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727891251464918324.post-69177680611749145572011-06-28T08:08:00.000-07:002011-06-28T08:19:28.122-07:00Growing up<div><font face="Times New Roman"><br /><br /></font><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US"><font face="Calibri">As my<br />service is coming to an end I am starting to make reflections back on my two<br />years as a Peace Corps volunteer and on my life.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman"><br /><br /></font><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US"><font face="Calibri">Before<br />coming to Paraguay I was doing fine, I´d finished college, worked a little in Kenya<br />with microfinance and was pretty sure I wanted a career in microfinance.<br />Looking back on that time period and even earlier on in my life I´ve realized<br />that I´ve just been going with the flow or doing what was expected of me and<br />didn´t think much about what I was actually doing or actually wanted. Just an<br />example…In college I got decent grades and managed to do all my work, but the<br />truth is, I don´t remember much of anything, how I felt, what subjects I really<br />liked etc. Taking for granted the awesome opportunity my parents gave me.<o:p></o:p></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman"><br /><br /></font><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US"><font face="Calibri">After two<br />years, of lots of free time/time to think, I´ve realized how much I´ve really<br />gown as a person. I can honestly say now I am an experienced leader who wants to<br />do more with her life, more than just get by and have fun. Paraguay and the<br />Peace Corps have taught me how to plan and execute projects, write grants,<br />organize groups, speak Spanish, adapt to a new culture, be a better person and appreciate<br />all the work that people do within their communities to make it a better place.<br />I´ve become a lot more patient and flexible which I consider qualities very key<br />in the success of any project, job, family etc. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman"><br /><br /></font><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US"><font face="Calibri">I´m not<br />trying to put myself on a soap box, I just wanted to write down how I am feeling.<br />I really do feel Peace Corps has enabled me to develop as a person and find my<br />true self (and true love) finally. <o:p></o:p></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman"><br /><br /></font><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;" lang="EN-US"><font face="Calibri">Who knows<br />what the future holds. I do know that I will give 100% in a job hunt in which I<br />hope to find a good fit for my skill set. Also I will give my all at whatever<br />job comes my way and hope to be able to contribute in more then what are my responsibilities<br />are in any give task. I fell as if I could be a success story of the Peace<br />Corps, maybe I´ll end up being a recruiter…<o:p></o:p></font></span></p><font face="Times New Roman"><br /><br /></font></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://lizinparaguay.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>Elizabeth and David Escobarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089541565147362067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727891251464918324.post-19922928444286936052011-05-05T06:54:00.000-07:002011-05-13T11:53:14.437-07:00Visa UpdateWell as you all know, I think, David and I are planning on getting married. Around Christmas time he had proposed and now we are waiting until I am done with my service as a peace corps volunteer. Our plans are to go back to the United States with a fiancée visa. The fiancée visa allows only 3 months to get married and if we don’t get married before that time is up David will have to return to Paraguay. Luckily I have the love and support of my family which is VERY helpful; I don’t know what we would do without them. I am so excited and can’t wait to start planning everything but I have to be patient because we have a long road ahead of us.<br /><br />There are plenty of twists and turns, jumping in and out of hoops and much more involved in the process of actually getting married. Some say that love doesn’t have borders, but it’s not as easy as that. The United States has its process, for good reasons, and we are going through it right now.<br /><br />Right now we are waiting to hear from Immigrations. We had filled out about 5 forms, letters were written, photos and a check were sent to start the process. Online it says the California service center takes about 5 months to process this first round of paper work. Our papers were accepted on February 10th so 5 months would be in July. Now we are just waiting, patiently. I finish my service in August to hopefully by then we will have heard something.<br /><br />Once he’s accepted by immigrations we have to go through the embassy. There is a whole other set of paper work and back round checks to go through there. He will have to get a medical check and go to an interview at the embassy. I hear this process is shorter than immigrations, I hope. Therefore if things go smoothly, cross fingers, we will be home in September or October.<br /><br />So keep us in you thoughts. We are very excited to get married and start the next stage in our lives, together.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://lizinparaguay.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>Elizabeth and David Escobarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089541565147362067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727891251464918324.post-15516551115315201802011-04-27T05:56:00.000-07:002011-04-27T06:28:43.924-07:00SPA Grant Project<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:hyphenationzone>21</w:HyphenationZone> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Tabla normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB">SPA stands for Small Project <span class="googielink">Assistance</span>. Peace Corps Paraguay <span class="googielink">receives</span> a <span class="googielink">bit</span> of money each year from USAID to give out as grants to volunteers who <span class="googielink">solicit</span> them for <span class="googielink">sustainable</span> projects within their respective communities. Once all the money has been used the volunteers who want a grant have to wait until the next <span class="googielink">time when</span> money arrives.<br /><br />I decided to apply for a SPA grant with the association that works with the community and cultural center that is located in the train station. We had done a needs <span class="googielink">assessment</span> with a German NGO called, GTZ, and our number one, two and three needs were <span class="googielink">illumination</span>, bathroom and chairs. I thought to myself, hey we have the opportunity to access some money why not try.<br /><br />So after three months of filling out the grant paper work we were ready to turn it in. It was quite the process. First..<span class="googielink">I've</span> never written a grant and having to do it in Spanish for the first time was hard. Second..Paraguayans don´t like to do paper work, so it was like pulling teeth for them to come over and help. Third...Once we got the money EVERYONE wanted to be involved and change the entire project for their personal likings. That was really hard for me. Ony about half of the association helped write the grant and do the <span class="googielink">research</span> for the budget on what the project would cost.<br /><br />Well once we had the money a few issues came up. The people who would be installing the <span class="googielink">lightning</span> wanted more money for labor, people from the group wanted more lighting here and there, well why not just build a modern bathroom instead of fixing up the latrine? We had <span class="googielink">received</span> the exact amount of money that we asked for. There was no room to budge. I don´t know if it was my fault and that <span class="googielink">wasn't</span> clearly stated in the beginning or if the people <span class="googielink">didn't</span> understand the concept of a budget and <span class="googielink">that's</span> why we needed a list of ALL the materials we would need for the project before hand to be able to make a list of all the costs. But luckily the president is a very smart woman and put the money in the cooperative so not just anyone could go spending money.<br /><br />Literally two days after we had the money I made it my personal mission to buy the chairs. The train station had about 8 chairs making it hard to have meetings, classes or any other event at the station. Cynthia and I went into <span class="googielink">Villarrica</span> and bought 45 beautiful plastic chairs. In the budget we had gotten the price for 50 but after 2 <span class="googielink">months</span> of waiting for the money the prices went up. But we still got 45 chairs.<br /><br />Next the lighting guy (who upped his labor 300 mil), Julio and I went to <span class="googielink">Villarrica</span> to buy all the <span class="googielink">materials</span> that would be needed to redo the entire <span class="googielink">lighting</span> system of the train station. The association wanted to fix the lighting because there was the problem of low tension in the station due to the neighbor being a carpenter and every time he used his machines the lights would turn off and on inside making it impossible to use the computer. Second there were two lights in total out side that worked making it hard to have activities at night. So we made a whole new line of electricity which is now apart from the “house” part of the station where the people live and have their workshop.<br /><br />We had decided to fix up the old latrine that has 4 stalls instead of building a modern bathroom. That was an essential need <span class="googielink">because</span> whenever there are events held at the train station there was no where to use the bathroom, very <span class="googielink">unsanitary</span>. The bathroom was cleaned, floors were fixed, painted inside and out, New doors were put onto every stall and locks <span class="googielink">installed</span>.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"> Also in the budget we put in a printer and <span class="googielink">acrylic</span> white board which were bought. We left those to be the last things bought due to a rise in cost in a lot of <span class="googielink">materials</span> so we wanted to make sure we had enough money.<br /><br />Since <span class="googielink">we've</span> bought chairs, installed the lighting and fixed up the bathroom, night meetings have been arranged to be held at the station, <span class="googielink">we've</span> had cultural events without having to rent chairs saving <span class="googielink">money</span> and new courses are now being offered. The train station is a beautiful place and a key part of the history of San Salvador. Just a little bit of sweat and hard work paid off.</span></p> <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcfMiASIB00hBQaKoVBc0xMVyfbTLzlzyb_KVt7TA3zxVeIW4FuXYzUCnTppwwlgxmflH-VRRGxS24OXf6D2-Tcl9zSW_avvJy6QLVHnCEYke6vlTqE1X-Xsimh1WqKCgsUNfyFWmmKWK/s1600/station+003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcfMiASIB00hBQaKoVBc0xMVyfbTLzlzyb_KVt7TA3zxVeIW4FuXYzUCnTppwwlgxmflH-VRRGxS24OXf6D2-Tcl9zSW_avvJy6QLVHnCEYke6vlTqE1X-Xsimh1WqKCgsUNfyFWmmKWK/s320/station+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600253757802282850" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCi6ZOja-scXPY37QitL14SlQU8hf6yqASiJWmQi_bt3oODGHj4UMiOVXXZGtVoCzb0okpD3x4xLx4dxGgMnUbSF-St2c35BzJBmJL4E_kuKTqhf-DYR3Sl-CpPnXYcrwP64vU9oxilPV/s1600/station+006.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; 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margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCPfz1arUtNiUFdDccugtK-hcCE7jv9eopMWhmeDzOg4q4XrkbRzW1SnDFwPZrF1nOzNjLLAI4L5RYf6q37dc1RF-HLQ0BfdQfk6kPzq630ejMv1XVkLa1eJPKP5cZVl0XFfikckuzVqM/s320/Liz+Visits+287.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600253407753922290" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3p5eI3c_eddLLOQ2vvILKHAJSyu2TmKF8VCJqTqcVewKa5hyg4lDmuwLy-V2zGVgQo3wvVHNMlpox8H3t8U8CPfibdH0CIIIORCk7VAyj3vn_H_CLhMfZIj2ztrm5grTzlzCOK7LtTN-/s1600/Liz+Visits+286.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3p5eI3c_eddLLOQ2vvILKHAJSyu2TmKF8VCJqTqcVewKa5hyg4lDmuwLy-V2zGVgQo3wvVHNMlpox8H3t8U8CPfibdH0CIIIORCk7VAyj3vn_H_CLhMfZIj2ztrm5grTzlzCOK7LtTN-/s320/Liz+Visits+286.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600253308538804354" border="0" /></a><br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:hyphenationzone>21</w:HyphenationZone> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Tabla normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="" lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahXyYHk38t_hNOTDmjNKq3YjGV4Zlgf6pAEGJ-R1LX-o9YcnR23muqUqtc87WBhfKfrmkSApDupzGprE51NLvsIprgONJGd8uEcr3xwJFLlAdqaTRdwTd_XAJ_Bjy5RvQrLPzqbKpphFh/s1600/IMG_0009.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahXyYHk38t_hNOTDmjNKq3YjGV4Zlgf6pAEGJ-R1LX-o9YcnR23muqUqtc87WBhfKfrmkSApDupzGprE51NLvsIprgONJGd8uEcr3xwJFLlAdqaTRdwTd_XAJ_Bjy5RvQrLPzqbKpphFh/s320/IMG_0009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600253169409443186" border="0" /></a></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://lizinparaguay.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>Elizabeth and David Escobarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089541565147362067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727891251464918324.post-75861400890816708082011-04-27T05:47:00.000-07:002011-04-27T05:56:21.087-07:00DisclaimerI live in Paraguay. I have been learning and speaking spanish for two years now. My english is terrible. I´ve was never a good speller in the first place and it has come to my attention that my spelling has become even worse. Along with bad spelling in my blog, due to using paraguayan computers that don´t have spell check in english, you´ll also find words used in the wrong context or words that just shouldn´t be there all together. For example..I said my house had a lot of "commodities" went I ment to say "amenities". Sorry for the craziness. Attached are a few more pics of my house and daily life here in paraguay living as a peace corps volunteer.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKslfzr2KXzbdZkUxVvHuKQlWjWu4itUQARDc1S7d64aP-dmJFzjwnV3Z9lCX51st8rSblTWSkIqc2pKbYLuP3qmBWSFTSs9M34_Xa6EZ7t4pX-1sD_PIEfzDOAI2y3afpU3_3RnC4M_I/s1600/Liz+Visits+067.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQKslfzr2KXzbdZkUxVvHuKQlWjWu4itUQARDc1S7d64aP-dmJFzjwnV3Z9lCX51st8rSblTWSkIqc2pKbYLuP3qmBWSFTSs9M34_Xa6EZ7t4pX-1sD_PIEfzDOAI2y3afpU3_3RnC4M_I/s320/Liz+Visits+067.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600245028907650082" border="0" /></a><br />Laundry Mat<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEt9p3ohtaYui7nX7PSexB1Bk-ka3_euNaqGRPPIhi5MQv78b_ndn5Mh-7d36HKTV5z1moVhh7x8KBn_eyUcqH95M1cEIhtpBgNFBBBJBs6VwFm3mlvHCkaobhFggwye-zYO03et-CO_yI/s1600/Liz+Visits+004.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEt9p3ohtaYui7nX7PSexB1Bk-ka3_euNaqGRPPIhi5MQv78b_ndn5Mh-7d36HKTV5z1moVhh7x8KBn_eyUcqH95M1cEIhtpBgNFBBBJBs6VwFm3mlvHCkaobhFggwye-zYO03et-CO_yI/s320/Liz+Visits+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600244917994255266" border="0" /></a><br />Day Spa ( liz came to visit)<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSj4O9yypDRMI02oliFVzCj7YWUypvZ_-E-6PKW4VV62vSAiRKLKKVQHn2PyFSxIQr1OMJ2WqmU-9bt1z08xwqBTtcsu38fqRb3NZXmvWAEdoQH1YrCQMFUb10tTMfLe6pCek_N0Hq_8R/s1600/Liz+Visits+007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSj4O9yypDRMI02oliFVzCj7YWUypvZ_-E-6PKW4VV62vSAiRKLKKVQHn2PyFSxIQr1OMJ2WqmU-9bt1z08xwqBTtcsu38fqRb3NZXmvWAEdoQH1YrCQMFUb10tTMfLe6pCek_N0Hq_8R/s320/Liz+Visits+007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600244784759237970" border="0" /></a><br />The front of my house<br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://lizinparaguay.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>Elizabeth and David Escobarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089541565147362067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727891251464918324.post-62712168925474134992011-04-23T15:40:00.000-07:002011-04-23T15:49:49.613-07:00Welcome to my life.<div align="center"><br />I’ve officially been in Paraguay for 23 months. Its defiantly been an emotional rollercoaster like they told us it would be in training. But there have, luckily, been more ups than downs. Well that’s besides the point.<br /><br />This blog entry isn’t about my feelings or any of that. I wanted to take you on a tour of my “crib”. Instead of the tv show about the life of the rich and famous and their houses, cars and excess of unnecessary things, there should be a show about how us peace corps volunteers survive.<br /><br />The volunteers in Paraguay are very spoiled. Every volunteer has electricity. Thanks to the Itaipu Dam one of the worlds largest hydroelectric dams which is split between Brazil and Paraguay. Almost all volunteers have running water, and if they don’t they have a well. If the volunteer brought a computer they have internet, thanks to Tigo and their internet modem. We all have fans, without a fan you would literally die. If the volunteer has a modern bathroom, which is likely unless they live way far out in the middle of no where, their shower will have a hot water head. Some have coffee pots, tvs, electric heaters, blenders, pressure cookers, comfortable beds, hot water heaters, electric ovens and other fun things.<br /><br />I don’t know of any volunteers that have a washing machine but now days almost every Paraguayan household has a washing machine. There was once a volunteer I knew that had air conditioner, chuchi, but she finished her service. Other than her I am not aware of volunteers with air. But again these days in Paraguay it is becoming very common to have air conditioner. The poor little fan isn’t enough.<br /><br />As for the style of the house there are a few basic designs. If you live in the “campo”, you house would most likely be made out of wood planks with a tin roof. The floor may be compacted mud, concrete, brick or tile. Other stiles of house are brick, which is cheaper, with a white wash finish. Then that white wash can be painted one or two of many beautiful colors.<br /><br />My current house, where I’ve been for a year, is very nice. When I was preparing to come to Paraguay I would have never have guessed I would be living in a house with such great commodities and in such comfort, besides the humidity and bugs. Thanks to the volunteer who lived in San Salvador for 4 months before I came, I have a tv, which as helped improve my Spanish. In my house I have a living room with a big table and six chairs, two bedrooms, each room with a double bed and mattress, a modern bathroom with a hot shower, kitchen fully equipped with shelves, sink, stove and fridge. All of which came with the house, except the comfy mattress I bought. I pay 300 mil a month for rent which is about $75. My electricity bill is usually 30 mil or $7.50 and my water costs 13 mil, $3.25. It doesn’t seem like much, but being a peace corps volunteer I don’t get paid a ton so after rent, electricity and water it takes about a quarter of my monthly allowance. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. One of the only things that really sucks is washing clothes by hand, but I’ve gotten pretty good at it and will be very thankful for the washing machine when I get home.<br /><br />My back yard is a mini forest filled with pomelo and mango trees. I have one mandarin tree and some other trees without fruit. Right now is pomelo season and I LOVE pomelo juice. I don’t have any animals but it looks like I do since my yard is always full of chickens, ducks, geese, pigs, dogs and the occasional cow that all belong to my neighbors. Sometimes I have the urge to kill them all but then everyone would hate me. Only if I take a neighbor some food will they give me an egg or two. They should really pay me for the food I feed them.<br /><br />Here are some pics of my beautiful house and all its glory! Enjoy. </div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_uDDufgC8ieImauy4_R5U5ElQFTajsBTB16p62M6LXOCTm7ZM7o-ySzZI81_VxUxeOskvIcx4Y7yYS5Hdl38sVsN55Y8uB4xlb3IhIWHsU8T390vgDKU16RQddTlk-9WFteUL9XfPZQE/s1600/ab.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598914128751388530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_uDDufgC8ieImauy4_R5U5ElQFTajsBTB16p62M6LXOCTm7ZM7o-ySzZI81_VxUxeOskvIcx4Y7yYS5Hdl38sVsN55Y8uB4xlb3IhIWHsU8T390vgDKU16RQddTlk-9WFteUL9XfPZQE/s320/ab.jpg" border="0" /></a> the back of my house/washing station<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6kCww-YvQcFXL2bEybCZDejd3B03OgqRdOeMeIcemLnz_AHhA0rFAey4tS6BlzsKu13-HUd3M3pJhRrmwZiAkOE__0V2Y1pDjpJst-E5J3BVvUtNyfFYG8yczLmFdQ0IxrLr11po8XkH/s1600/abb.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598913939112017954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6kCww-YvQcFXL2bEybCZDejd3B03OgqRdOeMeIcemLnz_AHhA0rFAey4tS6BlzsKu13-HUd3M3pJhRrmwZiAkOE__0V2Y1pDjpJst-E5J3BVvUtNyfFYG8yczLmFdQ0IxrLr11po8XkH/s320/abb.jpg" border="0" /></a> my moto<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gp8Ugojkv6IpeSDG_U0M_nyTAKcOCQ6zOXECV4HDlryktt7B4Hk6bdMiEAicLnmH2W4EwILJUU2J_8fEWrnTyUAepUnYQGT4EfH-i0-cuCOdioIj8D_zpJsRqLvDXQh0LZNajiWceiY0/s1600/a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598913776589400322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4gp8Ugojkv6IpeSDG_U0M_nyTAKcOCQ6zOXECV4HDlryktt7B4Hk6bdMiEAicLnmH2W4EwILJUU2J_8fEWrnTyUAepUnYQGT4EfH-i0-cuCOdioIj8D_zpJsRqLvDXQh0LZNajiWceiY0/s320/a.jpg" border="0" /></a> central heating and cooling<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjIswxtaQYxFOwP5tvdsWHuTobZ6lpXEKLIb9tNDs1QM4D_6bF61MFysvPtGZ_VVKkwJb2F3MrOtKvtpDMwgXND_MCgejwL3onDNVpM5z9BHrc69OAxhZfsYSU8shtXHmAR7vFe0b25VD/s1600/aa.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598913640294960834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjIswxtaQYxFOwP5tvdsWHuTobZ6lpXEKLIb9tNDs1QM4D_6bF61MFysvPtGZ_VVKkwJb2F3MrOtKvtpDMwgXND_MCgejwL3onDNVpM5z9BHrc69OAxhZfsYSU8shtXHmAR7vFe0b25VD/s320/aa.jpg" border="0" /></a> bed/office<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvStLjywzrGRNj3Midoygokw0qf7eNAPUGcGd2vW8S10hMOPI4sTgYFJviG8KUvPpcbyhHbr7k6ytTgvI4IbFWMPL9nF6IPJ9pg3rQyf5eUZHRD_utUIiY56CgU3QcGdIO0RIRiduRAEW3/s1600/aaab.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598913460731159922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvStLjywzrGRNj3Midoygokw0qf7eNAPUGcGd2vW8S10hMOPI4sTgYFJviG8KUvPpcbyhHbr7k6ytTgvI4IbFWMPL9nF6IPJ9pg3rQyf5eUZHRD_utUIiY56CgU3QcGdIO0RIRiduRAEW3/s320/aaab.jpg" border="0" /></a> where i keep food<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04A222Timy-diMiaBLQKHyog3_mizuKR01Ehip9pPIiFCst-48EBDsfEaDAfXNPjDY-m4ztla3vmVYrxbXOvX8PNPdFd9pbXLCtKhn8Yhp8xzcvFv5XIz9EZqMUF3_92XUmc7z335XaxL/s1600/aab.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598913272265110994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04A222Timy-diMiaBLQKHyog3_mizuKR01Ehip9pPIiFCst-48EBDsfEaDAfXNPjDY-m4ztla3vmVYrxbXOvX8PNPdFd9pbXLCtKhn8Yhp8xzcvFv5XIz9EZqMUF3_92XUmc7z335XaxL/s320/aab.jpg" border="0" /></a> beauty salon<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://lizinparaguay.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>Elizabeth and David Escobarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089541565147362067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727891251464918324.post-75700638945362843202011-03-08T04:42:00.000-08:002011-03-08T04:47:28.250-08:00PoliticsWhere do I live? What does it mean to be involved in politics?<br />What actually is the job of the mayor?<br />Can a community actually work together to accomplish a common goal?<br />What does it take to look at a specific project and the benifits for the community instaed of what the personal benifits are?<br /><br />These are just a few of the questions that were running through my head after I heard that there was a physical fight down at the municipalidad between members of the city council.<br /><br />Backtrack..<br /><br />Today I was talking to the secritary about how the council is so divided by the different political parties. She told me that nothing was going to be accomplised in 5 years, none of the peojects will get passed, due to the childlike behavior of grown adults acting as city council members who call themselves politicans.<br /><br />The same afternoon I met with the mayor´s wife. I am going to teach computer classes at her school. We went to the municipality to print off my lesson plans. When we arrived there were tons of people and I felt awkward and told her I could just come back the next day, I didn´t want to be in the way.<br /><br />That night is when it all went down. Apparently the council had asked the mayor to make a copy of the budget. He didn´t. So one of the members pulled out 50 mil and told the president of the council to go make copies for the group. He said since the mayor doesn´t have any money to do so he would just pay for the copies, the guy decided to be a smart ass. A guy on the other side of the table, from another political party, didn´t like the way the guy with the money was talking. So he stated to yell, the guy with the money pushed the table. ( oh yeah the room they are in is TINY) They both ran from their sides of the room and met in the middle. Throwing punches, wreastling, meanwhile the secritary is yelling for help out the window which over looks the city plaza. At some point in the midst of it all one guy grabbed the brick holding the door open and hit the other guys face with the brick. One woman apparently ran leaving one of her shoes in the room. Finally the police showed up and the two guys were haulded to Villarrica and the hospital.<br /><br />Nancy´s husband, Oscar, said it perfectly “these people aren´t politicians, they don´t care about the town, each and every one of them is apart of the council for person reasons.”<br /><br />That next morning I had to go to the municipality beacuse I had made a request for money to take participants to the business workshop, and it was the day before the workshop I had to get the money. When I arrived the mayor looked like he hadn´t slept at all. Luckily I got the money.<br /><br />That evening I went to the mayor´s house because I had plans to print off my lesson plans with his wife. She made a funny comment “Good thing we didn´t stick around last night at the municipality for the party.”<br /><br />Then I stated to ask myself, How does everything I am involved in right now have something or someone to do with the municipality?<br />What does it take to stop such a vicious cycle of corruption?<br />Will San Salvador ever grow up?<br /><br />I am really fed up with corruption. The people are finatics for their political groups. They spend all day talking and stratigizing. Who they will vote for depends on what they get of the deal of voting. It has nothing at all to do with the person or their ideas, just what is in it for them. I know this has been going on FOREVER but I have never had to deal with it, see it, or hear about it all day long. I am tired of saying “you know the guy you are voting for is a narcotrafficer.” Equally they vote becuse that person gives them money.<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://lizinparaguay.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>Elizabeth and David Escobarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089541565147362067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727891251464918324.post-50434360380796472042011-02-17T10:37:00.000-08:002011-02-17T10:52:23.456-08:00This love/hate relationship I have with Paraguay<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">After returning from a wonderful and relaxing vacation in Uruguay, a beautiful developed country, I’ve been noticing a few things about Paraguay that I really love and a few things that I really hate. </span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Paraguay is not a terrible place. Paraguay has been the catalyst to so much change in my life. It has been the place where I have grown so much as a person; I’ve found myself and the love of my life here in Paraguay. My time as a Peace Corps Volunteer has been amazing and flown by, in a short while my time will be done here in Paraguay and will cry when I leave. </span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">I guess it’s time to fill you all in with the love/hate relationship I have with this <span style="mso-ansi-language: ES-PY" lang="ES-PY">querido </span>country, Paraguay.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Love</b> that the yard of my house is currently filled with mandarins, pomelos, oranges and guava fruit. </span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Hate</b> how things just don’t work or break easily. </span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Love</b> the way of living, tranquilo. </span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Hate</b> how so very few people have goals and aspirations. (Save the $ for school instead of buying a new cell phone or moto.)</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">I<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"> Love</b> how every time I am reading or on the computer the people automatically think I am studying.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Hate</b> having to practically force people to want to work and do something good for their community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>(It’s not like they are busy doing other constructive activities, at least here in San Salvador.)</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Love</b> fat. I have a new found love of meat fat. It’s so good. Why did I used to cut it off and throw it away?</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">I<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"> Hate</b> being so far away from home. I feel like this whole time I’ve stayed strong and really tried not thinking about home. But now that the end is getting close and I have other things on my mind, like getting married, I am starting to get anxious. At least I have lots of fun work to keep me busy.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Love</b> chipa guazu. Muy Rico. </span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> </span></o:p></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">In other news…We, the centro cultural, have receive the grant money for the project in the train station. Today I went with my contact and we bought 45 chairs for the train station to have, permanently. It was an amazing feeling. Today I accomplished my biggest goal, chairs for San Salvador!!! Hooray!!!</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">It is still CRAZY hot. I have taken to showering about four times a day. I really want a kiddy pool.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Went to another volunteer’s site one day and got a bunch of new movies and TV shows. But its actually kind of dangerous, because now I don’t want to leave my house. </span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">I learned how to make <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>ñanduti, traditional lace work. </span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Time keeps rolling on. I’m still trekking. But if it doesn’t cool down soon I may melt. </span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mWIT_3SSlahwpCzxVovlElRlfOj6Cr6ijqPvYqbWVbtvr7S2Qh7zdZ8jI1hXu6olI3By7dcyNdW2EsklBn-ByrTtQA36uhzxgyu1WHWuznZabyWs-tNfn7yj1KmyXF3O5NdXOk1c3Ous/s1600/IMG_6901.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574732516627267986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0mWIT_3SSlahwpCzxVovlElRlfOj6Cr6ijqPvYqbWVbtvr7S2Qh7zdZ8jI1hXu6olI3By7dcyNdW2EsklBn-ByrTtQA36uhzxgyu1WHWuznZabyWs-tNfn7yj1KmyXF3O5NdXOk1c3Ous/s320/IMG_6901.JPG" /></a> At the beach in Punta de Diablo, Uruguay<br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4yp91GlWmlDfxBi2zW-QRYP-8HhBgEaecuSKx-R8tsRSkJ3hNsmlim4Z0vFbMWeBe7dFMZgJa6G7fViDebMykZQwC1DvjuHW9Cq6DgzNW1rploso5vPg119-BigVVGStkkkRFEVL22h5/s1600/IMG_6925.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574731797162709890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4yp91GlWmlDfxBi2zW-QRYP-8HhBgEaecuSKx-R8tsRSkJ3hNsmlim4Z0vFbMWeBe7dFMZgJa6G7fViDebMykZQwC1DvjuHW9Cq6DgzNW1rploso5vPg119-BigVVGStkkkRFEVL22h5/s320/IMG_6925.JPG" /></a> The hand sculpture in Punta del Este, Uruguay</div><div align="center"><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2NT3A8c8xkrzUWdx5qnV3vNK80-dEjrJf-DeXrhAk7ex3ERUaoBS4-G2h7gH3KlwAqOytas5RsCqP3adnpiA36Rvj2scBDA8rA4yUGcm2gUo0xJlIbsOMHbE9JbEeu06neZv7Or6_avQ/s1600/IMG_6681.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574731163425014034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS2NT3A8c8xkrzUWdx5qnV3vNK80-dEjrJf-DeXrhAk7ex3ERUaoBS4-G2h7gH3KlwAqOytas5RsCqP3adnpiA36Rvj2scBDA8rA4yUGcm2gUo0xJlIbsOMHbE9JbEeu06neZv7Or6_avQ/s320/IMG_6681.JPG" /></a> Nanduti that I made!!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8c6bKTq6eqb7Wd9zDE7IeSf2nN5C1MCpO0PeF-wEq0oIvF3ARJtzQ0NPAWJcT9U72R4KlTH6Sbaup_9QZTDGJ2atbgREMyuU0qMX7LBNZe97_xff4fsVM_l8IcJ9R5A-7PAIjpqhfrxB-/s1600/IMG_3675.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574730673066431826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8c6bKTq6eqb7Wd9zDE7IeSf2nN5C1MCpO0PeF-wEq0oIvF3ARJtzQ0NPAWJcT9U72R4KlTH6Sbaup_9QZTDGJ2atbgREMyuU0qMX7LBNZe97_xff4fsVM_l8IcJ9R5A-7PAIjpqhfrxB-/s320/IMG_3675.JPG" /></a> Our CHAIRS!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmURoS6yViLBs3V4BpbdqJ3PSIOQLQidbECmIfbq45j0PSCIOXydDYjQ9XMld7uDr_FjyscURn6aSItol9zVfv7FUmUxaG-nLUgFDBZSz22bzZapEki1nAcQgJ8bzgDoEaKEcw9yFsZ_Vg/s1600/IMG_3675.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://lizinparaguay.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>Elizabeth and David Escobarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089541565147362067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5727891251464918324.post-11076292994222932982011-01-21T03:21:00.000-08:002011-01-21T04:07:12.964-08:00Ñande Ha'e Tenoderá - We are the Future - Photos<div align="left"> </div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Here I am, still in Paraguay, and the heat continues rising. It is defiantly hotter than last year, but luckily the house I live in now isn’t an oven like my last house. I am able to sleep past 7 am without waking up sweating. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">So I am starting to get back to work after the LONG holiday season. During Christmas and New Years the people really don’t do anything. Their families from out of town usually come to visit, therefore when it comes to working and projects, nothing will get done. Oh and lucky for us San Salvadoreños our fiesta patronal happens to be January 6<sup>th</sup> but they always have the big party the first Saturday of January. Making the holiday season extra long. This year it happened to fall the 1<sup>st</sup> of January. Therefore we had a New Year’s party and the next day a huge patron saint party. Then the entire first week of January was filled with festivals, concerts, bull fights, carnival rides and much more. Therefore the second week of January the town was back to normal, silent. And I was really ready to get to work. </span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The first thing I had on my plate was a Youth Leadership Camp, Ñande Ha'e Tenoderá, we are the future. I took two girls from San Salvador and we went to Tati Yupi the biological reserve that the company Itaipu is in charge of. Itaipu is the huge hydroelectric dam that is on the border of Paraguay and Brazil. The dam supplies almost all of the electricity for all of Paraguay. When they built the dam, obviously the water rose on the other side flooding part of the jungle. The now “lake” and land around has been made into a biological reserve with space to have camps. We were lucky enough to have the privilege to stay at the camp for 4 beautiful days. Filled with activities and talks such as; what is a leader, communication, human rights, civic education, how to plan projects, working in groups, self esteem and much more. We played tons of games, danced, sang and had a blast. The people from Itaipu also donated a tour of the dam at night to see the lights. Some of the kids said that these were the best 4 days of their lives. </span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">In San Salvador there is no Youth Group, and the girls I took have come back home with a lot of energy and really want to form one. The end goal of the camp is to have the kids go back to their communities and do some sort of project. They have six months to plan the project and finish the project, hopefully. Then six months from the first came there will be a reconnect camp to share their experiences of working with their communities. One idea we have is to form a youth group and do a project involving trash. Maybe giving talks to the youth of the community and then doing a project with garbage cans. There is one public garbage can in San Salvador. We have an oil factory here; therefore there are lots of big tin drums which we can hopefully get donated to make garbage cans. So we’ll see what happens in the next few weeks.</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Some good news…The SPA grant that I wrote along with the Association of the Culture and Community Center, the train station, was approved and the check is waiting for us to get in Asuncion. Included in the project will be the reinstallation of the entire lighting system inside and out. Also we will be equipping the inside of the station to be able to use the computer and other electrical devices. We will buy 50 plastic chairs to be able to hold more courses and events at the station without having to rent chairs, which gets expensive. We will also restore the antique latrines, putting in new floors, painting, doors, and lights. Currently the station doesn’t have bathrooms making it difficult to invite visitors and have courses. Lastly we will buy a printer and will the computer hopefully will be able to start computer classes. We are going to try and finish everything for March 31<sup>st</sup> which is the founding day of San Salvador and they also do a locomotive festival or a cultural week in the train station in this time. So this project along with the youth group will keep me busy for at least a few months! Then hopefully will finally be able to start the business course for youth that I’ve been wanting to teach for ages!</span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt" class="MsoNormal" align="left"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Meanwhile I am going to Uruguay on a little vacation in February, I need to see the ocean and eat fresh seafood, it’s been way too long in a land locked country. Also…David and I have decided to get married!! </span></p><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9makRMjjXcCkh7nDz0jnGS_dyU9tGAf0sDtvQTwOH5QiHOA3u6peLOTDSJOQWZ4zMhy8gSfVGNsRo3opdFiLdTNOM_zmgfVoc3n6dD5OkWqqCH82LEukgdYy4GOJxHT-ZsZ9ZuezsLxBk/s1600/IMG_6563.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564608892910679634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9makRMjjXcCkh7nDz0jnGS_dyU9tGAf0sDtvQTwOH5QiHOA3u6peLOTDSJOQWZ4zMhy8gSfVGNsRo3opdFiLdTNOM_zmgfVoc3n6dD5OkWqqCH82LEukgdYy4GOJxHT-ZsZ9ZuezsLxBk/s320/IMG_6563.JPG" /></a> The whole group!</div><div align="center"><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSceBXtLQmUCxbXNE2Q9Bje_l8eBBnEzhim-ouGwpFUOLy2rK5phkAy72QRtPmp7mtNVNeQz92Bcx8N28OPakWL1w2sPTaFd4GfYzapvj4jEqc9DA5O-v5Exbqh7FcgVkPeE8lHOAm3lxb/s1600/IMG_6528.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564607486200844146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSceBXtLQmUCxbXNE2Q9Bje_l8eBBnEzhim-ouGwpFUOLy2rK5phkAy72QRtPmp7mtNVNeQz92Bcx8N28OPakWL1w2sPTaFd4GfYzapvj4jEqc9DA5O-v5Exbqh7FcgVkPeE8lHOAm3lxb/s320/IMG_6528.JPG" /></a> Patricia, myself and Noelia- The girls from San Salvador<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jvdUByjIKcWt3D9H0L54ImQtOYDFg4AN3Kt4UKB5VIpFBLHw3W5IyX-KY13yi11l95a_TwYKGMY8FQCO3p4mZwb9aYv-OSEoyg1An-08PIUzeHfj1cv0Lec3lQrqcGE91nODOU8HFfcj/s1600/IMG_6550.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564606153265583170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jvdUByjIKcWt3D9H0L54ImQtOYDFg4AN3Kt4UKB5VIpFBLHw3W5IyX-KY13yi11l95a_TwYKGMY8FQCO3p4mZwb9aYv-OSEoyg1An-08PIUzeHfj1cv0Lec3lQrqcGE91nODOU8HFfcj/s320/IMG_6550.JPG" /></a> At the Itaipu Dam<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGGr1ZKIqVTiuojDbDzDI_Oop_L-WzvvbhHtjPunyckBtjvgryB_jjm4AmH4-xkHkWMUAdyKMD4ttqU7axS9c2Vlh55jEMcGLqDazUcd-rzX3mNkZDCA6I8xs1XiXUhPuGRRyyUdDMNwO/s1600/IMG_6511.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564604738114099362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGGr1ZKIqVTiuojDbDzDI_Oop_L-WzvvbhHtjPunyckBtjvgryB_jjm4AmH4-xkHkWMUAdyKMD4ttqU7axS9c2Vlh55jEMcGLqDazUcd-rzX3mNkZDCA6I8xs1XiXUhPuGRRyyUdDMNwO/s320/IMG_6511.JPG" /></a> The lake the used to be a forest<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOeXv8vwdIxsxsPSMEquFy7o1meE_anJulbFjLNFDAQNeoS_CiX5S-gw1K49HDuBz4NzMsFMkwUY85HTZZEADOXWbpSRuUpax0KBlLJWZL0304jPVV4moZtLU9Bg6tHjribAnIk405FZbn/s1600/IMG_6441.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564603612103418402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOeXv8vwdIxsxsPSMEquFy7o1meE_anJulbFjLNFDAQNeoS_CiX5S-gw1K49HDuBz4NzMsFMkwUY85HTZZEADOXWbpSRuUpax0KBlLJWZL0304jPVV4moZtLU9Bg6tHjribAnIk405FZbn/s320/IMG_6441.JPG" /></a> Human Chairs<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgAAzsAOg3zcQvghJ2kWI_k6nXhJZUcmzvhyphenhyphenoB4rVsfoz1gepfCGwVHvcW8yRqNHR1JilyY9ZKDfAIuxKu2Lh0pIukI3pJJ-HiG3QcwvmUwl9gPfr3e81Z15LwYV-EIR5-psNR1XLVDmS/s1600/IMG_6484.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564601545688190482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgAAzsAOg3zcQvghJ2kWI_k6nXhJZUcmzvhyphenhyphenoB4rVsfoz1gepfCGwVHvcW8yRqNHR1JilyY9ZKDfAIuxKu2Lh0pIukI3pJJ-HiG3QcwvmUwl9gPfr3e81Z15LwYV-EIR5-psNR1XLVDmS/s320/IMG_6484.JPG" /></a> The youth<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHK1iDtXaMt4I_oY0aG-1QA9z97jIEPokP7WC0ax1EGMuldCIPHLwANdhlG8IUP3r3R4fGcGiiOu8cXmW3GsSeqz-C-EcjGeqbRQSBpzwgFvVFb2vsurK9JcpsyXnpwO-K3NDcG2hL4ZHJ/s1600/IMG_6431.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564600721700814578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHK1iDtXaMt4I_oY0aG-1QA9z97jIEPokP7WC0ax1EGMuldCIPHLwANdhlG8IUP3r3R4fGcGiiOu8cXmW3GsSeqz-C-EcjGeqbRQSBpzwgFvVFb2vsurK9JcpsyXnpwO-K3NDcG2hL4ZHJ/s320/IMG_6431.JPG" /></a> we are the future<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBb4Bi8vMSRTAvx1UOdWzhnoiBsa3CwPP1n_pgNhfXHjxsd2cRVAQ5xNYcp9ulsU6BZ1HW-LnIDEsop2Eu5o6iMJqY6g4LBxseTLPcYgJaQuYXxHN9rBiLkpBfbdDSdE79CieKhtoghGPG/s1600/IMG_6423.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564599078687960594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBb4Bi8vMSRTAvx1UOdWzhnoiBsa3CwPP1n_pgNhfXHjxsd2cRVAQ5xNYcp9ulsU6BZ1HW-LnIDEsop2Eu5o6iMJqY6g4LBxseTLPcYgJaQuYXxHN9rBiLkpBfbdDSdE79CieKhtoghGPG/s320/IMG_6423.JPG" /></a> At the beach in Iturbe, not quite the same as the ocean...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GWAUh8e3yt-dQz6KVENG-9CONnEsd2R4SyPKJ8Sq53EVkrx37DRyk8z5cH2kgAD2t5edxjK-7V8o2X9GBpttuHHWRa65YJpVvxG3mr9dcdSafENza6SOaiKsTtQKJxkKR4mw2GC0VMtF/s1600/IMG_6423.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://lizinparaguay.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss</div>Elizabeth and David Escobarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13089541565147362067noreply@blogger.com0