a challenge

As hours turn into days and days into weeks, I´m started to see the various layers of this campo and some of the challenges it has to offer me. In a way I feel I´ve been led astray. I was up, they were up and somehow important information just didn´t get mentioned during my last visit. Don´t get me wrong, I still love my site and the people who live there, but the Lab isn´t quite as ready to go as I was told.
One Example:
I came back from a week in the capital with a bag full of lessons, ideas, and new programs (Encarta, Rosetta Stone, and Windows XP) to put on the computers. Tuesday morning rolls around, I´m ready to go to the Lab and make things happen. We arrive and I´m told we can´t turn on the computers because there isn´t enough gas oil in the tank to provide electricity. HHHHHMMMMM. OK, deep breath. Soooo, how are we going to get the computers ready for the classes we have starting in June if we don´t have gas oil to power the Lab nor any funds to buy gas oil? Well, we can do a fundraiser! OK, but before we can do a fundraiser we have to meet with the comitè de informatica (which is somewhat formed) and decide what type of fundraiser we want, when we want to do it, and then how to get the kids and the community to participate. So we have a meeting tomorrow, Friday, which with I hope we can come to a conclusion. Then next week we´ll need to organize the students and assign tasks to different groups. After all is said and done we´ll have about 2 weeks to get all the computers on the same page. About half have functional Internet now.
Good thing my encargadas are techi people, because I would be lost if not.
So one step at a time and that is how things will get done here.
Nevertheless, most of my days are spent in true happiness.
Everyday this week I got up and jogged-walked for and hour with Ruth `my hermana`, Enmanuel, and Pedro. I feel like I already have made a few friends I can count on.
As I walk through the streets I am always greeted with an Adios Angèla, Hola Angèla, a wave, a big smile, and from those who really like me, a hug and a kiss.
My sweet old little neighbor lady, Cochecha, just got a new puppy se llama Cosita (which literally means Little Thing). I love this little puppy. I will post pictures as soon as possible.
My food is delicious and they´ve gone out of their way to buy things that I enjoy like: Bottled water, cornflakes, wheat bread, butter, zapote, and pineapple.
This week I´ve been observing classes (I substited in a kindergarten class for 15 minutes today. Not by Choice. It was slightly chaotic.)
I play games with the students during recess and after school.
During the evenings, I´ve been visiting various families of the students who tend to latch on to my waist with every passing. For the most part time isn´t an issue. I just talk and play while trying to gain confianza with la gente.
Life is good, life is great, now it´s time for chocolate cake!