First of all, shout out to my friend Travis Ray Petersheim. As of December 23 (more or less) is engaged to Allison May Stafford (May is a guess).

As the first decade of the new millennium draws to a close I feel like I need to make some sort of covenant, some sort of pact to make these a great ten years, better myself. I know it comes down to me to make the decision, but I'd appreciate suggestions, comments, ideas, whatever you feel led to do. I'd like to make this an interactive blog, and maybe this is one way to do that.

Some thoughts on my Paraguayan christmas:

I felt awkward at times (normal, don't worry), I felt strangely comfortable in other times. I suppose this represents my comfort level with the culture as well as my extended family. It was more comfort than awkward, which is surprised me, because my family/extended family speaks German. With this its easy for me to feel left out, but the fact that I didn't most of the time speaks to how my family worked to include me.

I think the German Mennonite Christmas is closer to an American Christmas than a Latin American Christmas. For example, Christmas trees aren't that common here, but we for sure had one. It was a must.

I got my first December sunburn. Translation: it's very hot here. Right now it's raining, but it gets up above 100 degrees with alarming frequency and consistency. It's supposed to stay like this all of January, drop off a little in February and March, and then April it gets cooler (or más purete... bad joke. sorry. cuz it means cool in Paraguayan spanish. But cool like James Dean cool).

For Christmas I received a thermos and guampa to go any which way in Paraguay with tereré. This is a big get. Here is what it looks like.

Little ostentatious, but I like it loud... this also helps people sound out Penner correctly... double win.

If you keep tabs on my Facebook profile, you might already know this, but my parents (bless their hearts) sent me a Christmas package. Unfortunately, it is currently in South Africa. Or in transit. Hopefully on its way. Apparently the clerk saw Paraguay, South A. and thought South Africa. In the future, to lower confusion, maybe the best thing to do is fully spell out South America. So if you're thinking of sending me anything (I mean, it might've crossed your mind...) it would go something like this:

Anton Harder
(Para Daniel Penner)
cdc 166, Asunción
Paraguay, South America

I gave away Julian (toy dinosaur that I made in the field museum of Chicago) to my 3 year old host brother. As of 9:37 yesterday morning Julian is decapitated. We are waiting on the super glue.

I definitely appreciate all those who have thought about me and prayed for me these past 3 months. I'm having a really positive experience, but its not always easy. Thanks for supporting me.

Daniel

Greetings and Salutations.

The time is flying and its weird to think about things about how things are progressing outside what is now my bubble of life which is Asunción.

My bro Lucas had his 1st grade promotion on Wednesday. (They end the school year in November and they'll start back up in February) It was an event. Music, awards, costumes, lights, three lions and lots of food. It was a different in a lot of ways, but it brought back a lot of memories. The excited buzz during the presenting of awards, the restlessness of students ready for the liberation that comes with summer. As I left I heard a girl say, "por fin, somos libre!" ("finally, we're free!") as they scampered across the wet grass for food and drink. It made me happy.

Yesterday, Decisiones had it's end of the year party at La Parque de la Familia (The Family Park... yeah, I think it sounds cooler in Spanish too) that lasted all day. They know how to party. But it was full of lots of exciting stuff like asado, futbol, swimming, volleyball, ice cream, presents. I got this neat leather-bound daily planner that makes me look a lot more professional. Mainly it was great to just hang out with my co-workers outside the work setting. We have fun at work, joke around, make coffee, go to Burger King for lunch (ok, that was just once. and it was weird. I could probably write a whole blog entry about that.). But yeah, it was definitely different outside the work setting, with everyone's families, and everyone in the mood to party. And I got pushed into the pool. Fully clothed. Maybe it was some sort of initiation. Romina... shoot. Everyone that I work with is a lot of fun. I'm blessed by this.

I bought a map of Asunción the other day. This was a big get for me. I've done some exploring, but it kinda feels like my daily activities keep me in a small part of the city. So let this be a warning to Asunción, here I come this weekend.

Oh, No Shave November Fail.  I guess I didn't shave, so success.  But this and only this is the fruit of 30 days.

Here is my backyard. It is also where I sleep.                 No, that's just my fort.

This is where I work

 

And this is me, full of Christmas Spirit

I hope this gives you a picture, pun unintended... really, of what my life looks like.  And this way you don't have to click on another link.

dp