Finally Got to Cook!

I didn't realize how much I missed being in the kitchen to get my own food until today. It's not even that I wanted to make my own food, but being constantly at the mercy or control of someone else to give me food has been rough without me realizing how much it bothered me. I don't even serve myself here, they ask me if I want to eat at the set time (which always ends up being yes, because I say I don't mind, whenever they want) and they bring out my food and drink without me having a say. Its been rather frustrating when I've been given things I really wouldn't have served myself, also, every time its more than I would have served myself. This is something that I'll live with here, but hopefully when I get stationed (assuming I survive training, fingers crossed) I'll be able to set things to be a little more comfortable for me. I'd really rather not get fat for the sake of excess politeness. Anyway, now that I have that mini-rant out, I can talk about what I got to learn how to cook today! 
We had language class at Andrew's place, but his mom still hasn't had her baby. Class was very long today and everyone was burned out by lunch time. Sarabeth, Andrew, y yo went upstairs to eat lunch and saw that Sarabeth's mom and Andrew's mom were making their lunch. I immediately went over to watch and ask questions. Eventually, Andrew's mom, Carmen, asked me to wash my hands and let me do it. "It" was papas rellenas which literally means filled potatoes. It was pureed potatoes in little balls that you would flour with and make into a pancake. Then you spooned the filling into it, sealed it, adding more flour as you go to keep it from sticking to you and then coat it in egg. After that you drop it in about a half inch of hot oil in a pan and ladle oil over it. I got to do every step except man the pan (I didn't ask). It was incredibly fun, and undescribably exciting. That most likely sounds really weird to others, but I can only explain it with my first paragraph above. I really was just excited to learn an interesting dish they ate and get to do it MYSELF. I guess this is one of the American filters that they've talked about in training, that Americans really like to be self-reliant (and by Americans I mean of the United States, even though I fully acknowledge that every person in all three American continents are Americans. I simple don't have a better word for USA-ians). The filling in the potatoes had carrots, onions, olives (greek with pits), egg and I wasn't quite sure what else. Carmen said she'd get me a list. 
After lunch, we sat around a lot and talked about the project we were supposed to work on for the afternoon. We didn't need to go to the Center today because the work was in the community. We were to gather at least 3 people together and practice using the tools they taught us yesterday. These tools are supposed to help you get to know your community and help you at the beginning to get out there and get integrated. The two we had to do were the community map and "FODA". The community map is relatively simple, you ask the group to draw a map of the community and then talk about what things they highlighted because they found them important. You can add further steps to find out from them things they want in the future, where they go, where are places people gather, etc. FODA is in regards to a specific project idea, like a recycling center. You ask them what are some strengths in the community, opportunities outside, weaknesses from the community, and threats from outside that can't be controlled. I guess this is a thing in English too, called SWOT. Anyway, the idea is that we are the facilitators, they do all the talking and deciding and writing. It really worked out for us that they did that which was exciting. They got into it and discussed amongst themselves etc. It was neat. Also, they were all 30 minutes late and only 4 people showed up out of the 6 or 7 we'd asked not 30 minutes prior to the set time. They all said they'd go but that's not how it worked out. Even this was a helpful experience, because it's what my host community will be like most likely.
After that, I had Spanish tutoring with Grant. Karina is really nice and it wasn't bad at all. She actually speaks English so when we're confused or don't know a word to finish a sentence, she can actually provide it for us. That very much increased the flow of conversation and made things more enjoyable for me. After that, we had our first yoga session, thanks to Laura a fellow Environment trainee who has taught yoga before. It was really wonderful, and I feel so relaxed and content now. I think that's why I don't feel like doing things on my mind for this blog. I'm content, not worrying about anything at the moment. Except maybe setting up times to exercise regularly, like playing more voley like we did last night, and yoga, and hikes. It was a very productive and interesting day. 

Excited to see what's next.