February Fun!

February seems so far away, but I realized I never posted some of the pictures I have from some fun actives from February.

Carnival: Here in Ecuador, there is a holiday celebrated the weekend before Lent called Carnival. Although I am sure there is more to the holiday, people enjoy throwing water (and other not so fun material like oil based paint, eggs, flour, and anything else you could think of) on friends and strangers as well. Each year the school has a 1/2 celebration before a long weekend holiday. I personally think it is the best day of the school year. The day always includes fun water games for the students, and it ends with an all out water war. (Yes, students get to douse their teachers- and vice-versa!)

Lauren's Birthday/Valentines Day: Lauren's (my roommate) birthday was on the 13th so we decided to take both of our classes to the popular restaurant in town for dinner. On Valentine's night, we babysat for friends so they could go out to dinner.

Who can push the ping pong ball across the court with the squirt bottle fastest?

No the're not competitive at all :)

Getting instructions for the next group game.

Large, water version of capture the flag
notice Olivia's (girl in the green shirt) face as she runs back to her home base. 

One of the games involved throwing water balloons at your teacher! Thats me cowering as the water balloon came  hurdling towards me.

Group Picture  (We noticed the principal had somehow remained dry throughout the water war. )

Because we were Nanki's dates for Valentines, he brought us both flowers and a card.

Missions Completed

Mission 1: As many of you know, I spent last year working on a Master of Education with a concentration in teaching mathematics. As of Saturday, January 24, I have completed the year long program! It was a tough year, but I learned so much.

My friends an I celebrated by going to my favorite restaurant. (an Italian resturant that has the best carbonara) They made me a diploma and cap. It was really fun and a great way to celebrate all of the hard work.

Happy Graduation to ME!!

Nanki (the son of David and Beth) is five years old. He says my name as it is written on the diploma.

Mission 2: About 2 weeks ago, a rat got into the school library. Although there were traps set, the rat was avoiding all attempts to catch it. I made it quite clear that I was not excited about having chapel in the library with the rat loose. The rat was eventually caught (before chapel), but my friends thought it was funny that I was not fond of the rat. So with the help of my roommate (thanks so much Lauren) they placed toy mouse in the cup cabinet. Needless to say, I screamed REALLY loud when I accidentally found the mouse.

Thanksgiving Weekend

While family and friends enjoyed their chilly Thanksgiving complete with turkey and other important fixings, I was in Banos with my roommate, Lauren, and our friend Tracy. We had a great time, and here are just some of the highlights.

Tracy and I enjoying our Moka Menta at Cafe en el Cielo (Coffee in the Sky or Heavens).

We visited this fun tree house. It had fun swings, and amazing view, and a small zip line.

The swing was really fun once you got over the height issue!

Betsy- our friend the cow

Amazing view 1

Amazing view 2

Outside view of the restaurant, Cafe en el Cielo

The day was beautiful, and for a few minutes we could actually see the tip of the Volcano Tungurahua 

View over the bridge in Banos

The wind was blowing so hard.

Lauren and I went on a Chiva tour. The bus with flashing lights and very loud music takes passengers up to a lookout over Banos. The view was beautiful.

Here is a picture when the bus was full and headed up the side of the mountain.

The view from the lookout over Banos

Lauren and I in front of the tree in Banos

Cuy- a delicacy here in Ecuador.  (Guinea Pig)

If you can't tell, that is the claw of the guinea pig.

This is how they roast the guinea pig.