February funk

February 2011 - February Funk

Yes, "funk" is a good word to describe much of my state of mind during this short month. With last month's Close-of-Service conference I've been extra eager to move my extension efforts forward, and yet I must be patient,working with the pace of bureaucracy. I managed to get all my required medical check-ups scheduled and as of now have done everything required by Peace Corps on the medical front. One thing I still hope to get is a hearing test, for as mentioned in a previous post I am convinced I have experienced some hearing loss while living here, and not just a normal amount that one would attribute to mere aging. Hearing well is a daily challenge, as one's ears work to distinguish speech and other things you want to hear from mufflerless motorbikes, megadecibel music and other varieties of noise pollution. (Wouldn´t you know, right after drafting this first paragraph I left the city hall to go home for the day, only to hear that we`re in for another evening of concert-volume music across the street. Heaven help me, help my hearing!) A hearing test isn't required for me, but I want to know how this function is faring, not to mention it`s always a good idea to document any changing health conditions one experiences during service.

The "funk" continues until I know my extension request status, because if it is not approved I need to be ready to depart for the States in less than two months. With each passing day I am feeling more positive that it will go through, and yet I do not want to assume anything until I have the official decision in writing, especially given the current state of U.S. budget deliberations. One way or another, stay tuned for the March post which will convey my confirmed status!

Meanwhile, February means back-to-school mode here. Last week I went snap-happy taking pictures of Nico´s first day of school, eager to document the childhood milestone. He now goes to preschool every afternoon, complete with a "Cars" backpack and cup. It rained cats and dogs all over the country on the first official, country-wide day of public school, and so many children didn't trek to school, including those in my site.

Carnaval time again too, and although there's not a celebration in Troche this year, nearby Villarrica is staging two Carnaval weekends. Our PCV group for Guaira met in Villarrica this past Saturday to coincide with the carnaval happenings. Carnaval is colorful and a feast for the eyes (especially if you happen to be a heterosexual male), but I can do without the spewing foam that is part of the Villarrica version. Nonetheless, I did enjoy experiencing this spectacle once again, trading in the month`s pervasive funk for some FUN with which to draw February to a festive close.