With only a few months left of my Peace Corps service, I've started to think about all the things I'll miss about Peru. It's strange how accustomed I've become to certain aspects of the lifestyle here, the very basics being life without hot water, a washing machine, an oven, nor a refrigerator. Apart from that, I realized this weekend that all I expect from a Sunday is a day of rest and time to watch a soccer game. I stop on the streetcorner and have a 10 minute conversation about the weather, without realizing it. I'm definitely going to miss the dancing. There is no party if people aren't dancing. And every party has family and friends from age 5 to 75 who come, and all dance. The focus on the family, while overwhelming at times, has made me realize how much more I'd like to be able to spend time with my extended family. I very much value my independence, and more so now, after seeing the more conservative, close to home lifestyle of many peruvians, and I'm glad to have been able to demonstrate to them that independence can be beneficial, but I've also learned that a little more dependence on family and friends can help maintain those relationships for years to come. I know I'll be really excited to be home, but I'm also glad that I have a few more months to enjoy my time in Peru, soaking up as much cumbia music and culture as possible.

Work has been slow the past few weeks because schools let out for Fiestas Patrias, the

peruvian celebration of independence, and then

vacations were extended because of the swine

flu. Before school let out I was working with Maria, a nurse,

with a group of teenagers,

training them as peer health promotors. We have also been teachin

g classes in both high schools, a few each week, working with younger students on self-esteem and good hygienic practices, and with older students on self-esteem, changes in adolescence and sexual education. Working with the teenagers is really interesting, and they have participated a lot and given us some great feedback. The community library, in the municipa

lity, is also working well. We have gotten a few more donations of books, and many kids come after school to do their homework or assigned reading, or use the computers to research an assignment. I'm trying to train the librarian as much as I can in using the computer software to organize the books etc to make sure that the project continues to function well after I'm gone.