I finally finished training on Aug 10th! The last couple weeks went by pretty fast, but my favorite part of training was attending the youth business plan competition. The program was set up by previous and current Peace Corps Volunteers to teach people ages 15-25 how to write a business plan and then attend a compeition where they can win money to get their business started. Also, professionals from different industries attended a lunch to meet the interested students. I got to watch a few of the presentations and I was really impressed!
After our training graduation, our whole group came to Asuncion to celebrate for the weekend. We found all kinds of food here… Peruvian, Korean, Mexican, Italian. On Monday, everyone left for their future sites. I moved in with my new host family (the same one I stayed with a couple weeks ago) on Monday night.
I’ve been going in to the co-op everyday so far to start getting to know people and figuring out where I might be able to help. My job for my first 4 months here is just to get to know people in my community and complete a community study. I went to see the new Batman movie with my host sister here, and it was in English! She also invited me to play tennis with her and her friends tomorrow :). At the co-op, they have a flip flop decoration class that I attended last night. There are about 9 women learning to sew beaded designs onto flip flops. The want my help with making a business plan to figure out how to sell the flip flops, so I will be working on that soon I hope!
Tonight i am attending a fancy party at another co-op for its anniversary. I have no idea what to expect! My schedule here is very go-with-the-flow. I have been going wherever my host mom goes, but I usually don’t know where we are going or how long we will be there. She always just asks me if I’m ready, and I say sure! It’s always a surprise, but it’s helping me learn my way around the city a little better.
Yours Truly, Julie G
YoursTrulyJulieG 
We r still in Cal. August 1st to 25th. Went to wedding in Scottsdale. Aunt Candy & Uncle Arnold drove us back to Cal. They stayed 6 days, Stacey drove by her self to visit while the Lipps were here. Then u r Dad & Karen came & the Lipps went home& Stacey stayed! So they all had a good time. Now we r by ours selves but we have friends here! U r Dad said that u were having a warm winter there! It is warm in Cal. where it suppose to b cool!!
Ur job in Ausaion sounds really interesting and a lot more urban than before. Playing tennis, did u cream them, they didn’t know who they were taking on!!
Keep us informed on all u r projects, it sounds very interesting & we love hearing all the details. Life in u r new home& work–food, friends, work, weather. Did that Jewish family invite u for Rosh Hashana& Yom Kippur? Is a synagaga near u?
Have fun & stay well( how r u r ears) Love u so much Honey
What a nice posting. It sounds like you are getting close to being more involved. Karen and I saw some beaded sandals in Ogunquit, Maine and we thought of your project. The shoes looked fun. Make sure you go to the doctor for your ears and stomach issues. Stay healthy! Speaking of that ,10 people have died in Dallas from mesquito bites infected with the West Nile virus. We try to not linger outside too much except for golf . Love, DAD