How is it almost feb already??

Well then...it seems to me that my dear sister is getting slightly disgruntled about my lack of posting these past few weeks. Sorry sissy. Been busy!
Things are going quite well over here. My porch has finally been constructed and I have learned that water pools right outside my front door. Oh well :) Lesseee...whas goin on these days...Suzy has been in the village with me for about a week now. Its been fun and interesting to see everything through a new pair of eyes. More and more I notice the kids who yell "Mr. Jacob!" or "where's Moses??" I get to look at my village through unfamiliar eyes, seeing the palm trees and the sunsets, the joy of picking a coconut off the tree outside my door and hacking it open with a machete to drink the water inside. So many people have been so curious to meet Susy. We have had countless invitations over to people's houses to eat dinner, hang out, talk etc. All of the women seem to love her. She has made a habit of sharing and learning recipes from the ladies of the village. Alot of the women don't work, so I think their social circles are pretty small. Having a strange new woman (with a friendly smile and a genuine interest in learning and chatting) must be fun and different.
I dont know if I have mentioned it before, but I have been semi-adopted by a family in the village. They are constantly inviting me over for dinner, helping me build things, fixing my bike and generally being awesome. The two boys, Emerson and Edward, are cousins, and they are attatched at the hip. Many nights will find us hangin out on my porch or couches just chatting and listening to music. Susannah has bonded with the daughter, Jeanine. Jeanine is a large powerful woman with the cutest daughter ever. The three of them will sit and talk and giggle, Jeneve (the daughter) firmly planted on Susannah's lap. The entire family seems to enjoy ganging up on me and helping Suzy give me a hard time (I dont know what I do, im so innocent!!)
In other news, the Carmelita school garden has taken off, with teachers asking me if I will help them start one with their class. The cilantro and the radishes are currently stealing the show, growing quickly in the hot Caribbean sun. Today in art class we will be painting signs that the kids to plant in front of their plots...just another way for them to take ownership of their beds. Suz and I should be starting my garden in my yard in the next lee bit too! (who woulda thought I would be psyched about gardening!)
The 4H club is not going nearly as well as the garden :( Had a meeting this past Sunday, had over 20 kids promise to attend. The big day brought out a grand total of.....one. Didnt I feel silly standing in front of a plate of cookies and a pitcher of juice. I refuse to stop trying, I just know I will have to work slightly harder!!
This weekend we should be heading up to Corozol to watch the Superbowl and hang out with some other vols. It should be nice to spend some time with people, I just have to find a place to put the dawg. (Alot harder than I would have thought...I just dont feel too comfortable leaving him with anyone in my village just yet.) It doesnt help that he is a big baby and cries pitifully when I leave the house without him. Yep. Thats it for now. I'll be posting pics with the next installment, which I promise will come soon!
love
jake