Next destination: Galaxy Park, an amusement park chock-full of sketchy, old, other-countries'-reject rides. There were a couple times I literally thought I was going to die. Like on the squeaky ride with a rusty metal car that didn't seem to be closed all the way.
Or the ferris wheel when the guy running the ride stopped it to tell us to press the metal bar. Too bad Sarah and I don't know enough Spanish to understand what "Push the metal bar and...flip upside down" means. I almost wet my pants. The guy died laughing. 
Among others, we also rode the dreaded "Kamikaze" (the one that flips you and holds you upside down). I had never been on one of these in the States, so my bright idea was to get in a 30-year-old one that just recently got shoulder straps put in. I guess I figured if a Bolivian I know survived without shoulder straps on a sketchy ride that goes upside down, I'd be okay. 
Among others, we also rode the dreaded "Kamikaze" (the one that flips you and holds you upside down). I had never been on one of these in the States, so my bright idea was to get in a 30-year-old one that just recently got shoulder straps put in. I guess I figured if a Bolivian I know survived without shoulder straps on a sketchy ride that goes upside down, I'd be okay. And I was. I had a blast. Minus a little, well a lot, of nausea I felt there at the end, I'd do it again. My friends without tummy aches braved the food and got a stick of chocolate-covered marshmallows. Love City and Galaxy Park, however, were not so loving toward me.
If you're reading this, sorry, Mom. What you don't know until afterward won't hurt you. :)
Incredible view of Mt. Ilimani from the plane. Sometimes I'm still astounded that I live with this in sight every day!
Welcome home! My beautiful sister and niece, wearing a homemade shirt that reads "I love my neen neen." (That's what Maddie calls me.) Along with Charlie, my parents, and the surprise of 2 other friends, I felt so loved and even happier to be home!
My oh-so-precious niece and my granddaddy. It was such a blessing to be with family.
These are some of my dearest small group girls from my days at Covenant...it had been so long since I'd seen them. They are amazing, and I got to catch up with them a little over dinner at one of the many Mexican places I ate at when I was home. (Bolivian food is NOT the same as Mexican!) 
One of my sister and brother-in-law's Christmas presents was tickets for my sister and me to "A Chorus Line" in Raleigh, which was so much fun. As was staying with my sweet friend Sara in Cary. I miss you all! There were so many lovely times, but since I am not great about remembering to take pictures, these'll do. I'm so thankful for the people God has put in my life.
This is Pepsi, the puppy that belongs to the family that runs the tienda beside the school. He is so super cute and has the sweetest personality. He's my adopted dog in Bolivia (I even let him come into my classroom!).
This is one of the owners of Pepsi, two-year-old Janela, who lives beside the school and comes to play after school almost every day. She is so beautiful, and she loved having a photo shoot.
Of course, as much as they can drive me crazy, I love my students dearly. They definitely make the favorites list. Aren't they precious?
Another of my favorites is the fun I have with my teacher friends. What a blessing to be among a fun group of believers that love Jesus and love life!
And last but not least, one of my favorite things about Bolivia is the scenery. How do people deny the existence of God when seeing such a breathtaking view?
and Team Day, which was like a big field day for the whole school. It was really incredible to watch the high school kids lead the little ones and encourage them in the events (and also a nice break for the teachers!). I was able to observe the students from my station, and it just became so evident to me how much God's hand is over the school.
This was refreshing, especially since that evening my roommates and I were invited to a student's house for dinner and, heartbroken, I observed the parenting skills, or lack thereof, of a single father. It seems many parents at our school try to buy their way to kids' hearts, don't know Jesus and try to depend on their own strength day in and day out to guide their children, and put the responsibility of raising their kids onto their hired help. It can be overwhelming, but by the grace of God, I'm thankful to be at Highlands to try to point my little ones to their Heavenly Daddy that won't ever fail them.
Thank you, God, for the beautiful people in my life, who all teach me so much every day.
In other dress-up news, it didn't work out for my roommates and I to have our costume/masquerade party Halloween weekend, so we scheduled it for the following. We were not characters, but rather an era--an incredible decade in which fashionable clothing was at its peak of classiness and hairstyles were big and beautiful. We were the '80s. Here's the female crew in attendance. L to R: Sarah Palin, 80s chicks, pregnant hick lady, Tim the biker, butterfly, and ant
Since my roomies and I can be overachievers, we didn't settle for just dressing up in 80s attire--oh no. We learned the dance to "Thriller" and performed it for everyone, leggings, hot pink lipstick and all. Who says missionaries can't throw fun parties?