Finding my Footwork

so not only have i fallen off the bandwagon on this blogging thing, but i fell off, the wagon kept going, broke down a few times, stopped to get some new tires, a rim repaired, overheated and needed some deep cleaning. yes, all of which have happened to my precious car la Fritangera. I am now in my fourth month here, and just like my wise father predicted its been these past few weeks that i feel I have gotten into the rhythm of my life here. My job has sped up to a pace i am trying to keep up with, although totally loving the thrill. In retrospect, it's pretty amazing the opportunity i have been offered here; being put in charge of this private hospital's entire International Market and patient coordination, its a position that would take years, if not just lots of experience to achieve in the states. And seeing that the job market in the states is pretty much zero for us recent college graduates, I can only smile and feel lucky even when getting yet another flat tire at 1 in the morning in a not so safe neighborhood on my way home from dropping off a friend. What's more is that the Marketing finally got a new head of the department who happens to be my friend Rudy who i recommended apply for the job. This addition to the team has been huge as we can move forward with more direction and organization, and have a good deal of laughs along the way. Given that he, his housemates and i hang out like every weekend, we are able to work well together which can often be problematic when it comes to mixing personal and professional. I dont feel like going too much into the details of my job, but it did give me the opportunity of going to Miami for a fair in November and hopefully to NYC in May.
So nowadays my week consists of leaving to work around 7:30 leaving supposedly at 5:30 but usually later, then going to rehearsal for the dance company that i started dancing with this past month at Ilusiones. We are called S.e.v.EN which i had no part in creating and it stands for some exciting adjectives. We have a facebook page with some all too incriminating photos and some of our dance videos, although it's missing a lot to put up. While i feel like i barely have time to call my parents or successfully cook anything for myself (or write a blog entry) the non-stop action has been wonderful in helping me feel grounded. First in my job feeling like i have more direction and enjoying it, and secondly feeling relatively socially satiated. The group is like a nice loving family, of course with the typical quarrels, but a fun and supportive group that dances our way quite nicely from studio spaces, to the discoteque dancefloor, to different living rooms, all the way to the cobblestone streets of Esteli's Hipico (traditional carnavalesque tradition that involves a parade of horses, their riders and a various drunken debauchery that runs alongside).
With the holiday's coming up the whole country is slowing down,i should specify that this is more than usually, which can become quite problematic when it comes to getting things done. But for me what this means is a city shining with christmas lights adoring the majority of public edifices, a few too many "Amigo secreto" gift exchanges, a lot of upcoming deadlines, and a sweet longing to be with my family. The latter unfortunately will not be happening this year, but instead i will crash a friend's family christmas dinner and get a taste (literally?) of Christmas in a catholic country.

Of course i am relocated, for the umpteenth time. Long story short I found an awesome apartment for two people in this centrally located complex that right next to one of the universities called UCA that i am moving in to with a friend from the dance company Jan 4th because it is occupied until then. In the mean time i am taking refuge in a house with some gringo's I know just cuz i really needed my independence again. haha. It's funny, everyone i talk to has been like, yeah, I was just waiting to see how long you would live with a family. So i guess everyone knew except me, but it was great for what it was. Especially after being sick, being with a family helped me get back on my feet but my moving and shaking just became too much by the end in my opinion so i decided it was better to find something else.

this is all the very brief update, but better late and general than nothing at all.. Especially after just having a skype conversation with my father, my plan is just seeing how things go. I will at least be here another 6 months seeing that I signed a contract for the apt which goes through June, but after that who knows. Just trying to take it one day at a time.

saludos from a house that smells sweetly of fresh baking banana bread. oh yes! the other new addition to my income has been funded by the new hype and obsession from people in the hospital, actually everywhere, with my chocolate chip banana bread. Its a secret recipe and quite heavenly, but on top of everything else now i have baking orders to fulfill!!

<3 <3 <3
Alana





Granada







A drink by Tiscapa




Birthday cake surprise at the office



Birthday Weekend trip to Leon



celebrating with delicious food at the beach



Rudy, Alana, and Hospital Metropolitano Vivian Pellas take a trip to Miami



The dance company :)



Gillian's Last night in Nicaragua!