Messages from Wednesday March 5 and Thursday March 6

Paul Cianci Hey everyone.  We have been so busy these past two days that we haven't gotten the chance to make it into town to go to the internet cafe.  Work wise, we did dowels and foundation cages on Wednesday and poured ten foundations on Thursday.  Tomorrow the plan is to finish pouring the last ten foundations to complete all of the work that we set out to do.
Auntie Di, I am glad that you got a chance to check the website out, thanks for your thoughts.
Mom and Dad, I really miss you guys, this really has been a moving experience for me.  I have a ton of stories to tell you when I get back.  I really cannot wait to call you when we get into the airport Saturday night.
Bina, I miss you and hope everything is well for you.
We lost to the Hondurans again in soccer (could have really used Nick's help).
Everyone else, thanks for all of your thoughts this week, it really meant a lot.  Hope everything is going well in the U.S.
These are our last messages as tomorrow we will be getting ready to leave, so I will talk to you Saturday evening.
Love, Paul
Rob Cunnane Hola amigos. It's been a great couple days. They've prepared a pig that we ate today that was really good and we had BBQ chicken last night. The food's been awesome. Dad, I'm probably cleaning up after I get home, Kelly, I've ruined 3 shirts with sweat so if you could use all those faces and sew me some new clothes thatd be great and Mom I do remember the book and apparently am not at all like the dog because I was exhausted after 5 minutes of digging. Christine (and The GMan? and Skippy) hope Florida was fun. I'll talk to everyone Saturday or Sunday with plenty of stories. Adios. Love you all
Matt DeSimone (Wednesday & Thursday) Hey everybody. Sorry I didn't write on Wednesday.  No one went into the nearby town to upload our messages to the website.  But anyway, the past two days have been great.  Yesterday, work was pretty relaxed.  We built rebar cages in the shade, away from the hot sun.  Wednesday night we ate a great barbeque chicken dinner at the volunteer house cooked by Dr. Dinehart and Dr. Gross--a nice treat to get an American meal in the middle of the week.  We also got to learn a little more about the long term volunteers here at Amigos.  Today, we began mixing and pouring concrete.  Batching concrete by hand is tougher than I thought it would be, especially in this heat.  But having 10 other people around you mixing made it much more bearable. We had our pig feast tonight with all the kids.  We all stuck around afterward to play with the boys.  It's hard to believe that tomorrow is Friday--our last full day here.  Our time here seems to have gone by so fast, and I know for sure that I'm going to miss the place and the people we've met. I'm looking forward to coming back home and telling you all about it.  I hope you guys are doing well.  It's weird not having the option of hearing your voice by phone.  But only one more day to go.  Talk to you soon.
Justin DiBiase (WEDNESDAY)  Hola a todos. Today was another great day. I got to attend a 6th grade English class and helped teach. At work, we finished making the re-bar cages and we should begin mixing and pouring concrete tomorrow. I played some soccer again today, and I have to say my touch is far from where it was, but I can still run like hell. Today I saw a donkey chasing a horse in full stride, and the horse was kicking it while they were both "neighing". So that was cool. Dr. Dinehart and Gross cooked breakfast and dinner (which were both awesome). Thanks Uncle Mike and Aunt Kathy for the message. Mom and Dad, how did you guess those were my hands? I really wish I brought my glove and a baseball. MCCOOL! What's up? I will be home for Easter break. Then me you and rue can watch some crappy movie downstairs like Small Soldiers.

(THURSDAY)  Hi everyone. Today we had an awesome pig roast after a hard day of work, mixing and pouring 10 foundations. Tomorrow I am going into town to update the website. I will be sure to take pictures. Thanks to everyone who sent me a message. OK I got to jet. Hasta Luego!

I have so much to tell everyone about this amazing experience. I can't wait to come home and tell you all. Te echo! Love You All.

Kelly Donmoyer (Wednesday & Thursday)
Wednesday went by so quickly that we didn't get a chance to write and post today (Thursday). The highlight of yesterday was Dr. D & Dr. G cooking a big dinner for all of us plus the volunteers (bbq chicken in a pit, pasta salad, homemade bread, and homemade salsa). We didn't have a very productive work day, which was because there were a lot of different components to the footings that needed to come together. In the evening I played soccer again :-) This morning was pretty uneventful, but in the afternoon we mixed and poured 8 batches of concrete. And by we I mean mostly the guys. The gals did mix and shovel, but we also made the cylinders and did the slump tests. I got concrete all over me, and it was so much fun. I'm sure there will be lots of pictures posted. Another event from the past two days has been the pig roast, starting with the live pig...gross! There are a few boys who I keep seeing over and over at dinner and outside, and they're still so energetic, loving, and fun, and I know I will miss them very much. This has been such a great experience, and I hope I make the most out of my last day tomorrow--more concrete and definitely more time with the boys. Can't wait to come home and tell you all about it!!
Love, kel
Caitlin Glenn (WEDNESDAY)  Hey Again- Today was wonderful, again.  For working, we made the reinforcement cages for the foundations and got ready for pouring concrete tomorrow.  After work, Dr. D and Dr. Gross prepared a big, delicious dinner for all of us- salsay, bbq chicken, and pasta salad.  We had 2 games of scrabble going in the yard while they finished it up.  The best part was hanging around and talking through and after dinner with all of the volunteers, including us from Nova.  We are quite the bunch, if you can't already tell from the pictures and posts...the evening was particularly gorgeous, the sun was a little more gentle than usual and a beautiful breeze picked up.  The week is going by so fast, I know I keep saying that but it really is!  There is a full-time volunteer here from Downers Grove, graduated from Montini in 2003, he and his sister danced at World Academy....how crazy is that?!  We all had a great convo/reflection after dinner tonight too; we all said people that are our role models...and not surprisely, most of us said our families.  For most of these boys, this hogar is their family, and it was really something for me to think of this work as a way to give these boys a 'family home' that they can be proud of. 

(THURSDAY) Hi! The morning was a little slow work-wise today, but I did hang out by the pig roasting for awhile--it still had feet!  I gradually adjusted to the situation, but it took...an hour.  We started pouring the foundations in the afternoon, which was alot of work because we needed to mix it by hand.  The Honduran workers thought we were hilarious because we were so slow and trying so hard to be efficient.  Late that night we had the pig roast, it was delicious.  I chatted with Lily, a girl here about 13, same as Aisling (I told her about you!).  I was so touched by how genuine she is...Tomorrow is our last day, and I'm really sad to see the week coming to an end...until tomorrow!

Matt Maddalo (WEDNESDAY)  hola out there... another great day down here... worked on the rebar cages and dowels for the foundation in the morning... we'll be ready to start mixing and pouring the concrete tomorrow so that's exciting... i was lucky enough to be one of the people who got to go into town today to upload the pictures/messages and get some groceries for dinner tonight... drs. dinehart and gross outdid all expectations with a ridiculous salsa/pasta salad/barbecue chicken dinner... they definitely take the mvp awards for the day... keep writing messages since we are heading for a trip record very shortly... starting to miss certain things (hot showers, espn.com etc.) but not nearly enough to wish i was home yet... the week's getting better every day and i expect that to continue... until tomorrow... Matt

(THURSDAY) helllllo... another day of hard work in the strong sun but i'm certainly not complaining... we fell behind a bit in the morning but worked our tails off to catch up and get 10 foundations poured in the afternoon... this should set us up to reach our goal of having all 20 poured by the end of tomorrow so that's an accomplishment... having to mix the concrete manually with shovels really gave us a new appreciation for the mixers we have back at the lab... the pig roast tonight was awesome as expected... seemed like the kids really liked it too... not so psyched about having to say goodbye to all them in a couple days... wish i had the time to get to know them all - they are amazing and we don't have to look hard for motivation for work during the day... a quick hello to mom, dad mark and nicky and all the other people who i know are checking up... thanks AGAIN... excited to talk to you all when we get back to the states... until then....... Matt

Ramon Martinez Hola,
En estos dias volvimos a jugar soccer y volvimos a perder, estos niņos son mejores que nosotros y nos estan dando clases de como jugar. El miercoles icimos un bbq de pollo que quedo brutal y el jueves cocinaron un cerdo a la barrita que tambien quedo super bueno. Osea que la comida en estos dias ha estado bien buena. Tambien se ha trabajado un monton y con ese sol caliente el cansancio se multiplica. Laura no me cuentes de LOST estoy loco por saber que paso. Gracie thanks for your message and I am really excited that I'm going to meet you after the trip. Yes I know Matty, he helps us on the structural labs and yes he is a big guy. Also keep working on your spanish, you are really going to need it when you come visit the kids from amigos de jesus.
Ramon
Rory McCormick

(WEDNESDAY)  

Hey everyone,

Thanks to Bridget and Kelly for the messages. Its cool to have the cousins represented on the guestbook. Everyone down here is saying "Who are all these Joyces?". I'm glad you're keeping Pappap updated Aunt K. Tell Taryn that she is going to have an amazing time in Guatemala.  And yes, the heat is like nothing I've every experienced. It gets into the 90s very early, and just stays at that temperature til about 4 or so. To Mom, Dad, Moira, and Shea: Keep checkin the site, hopefully this sparks some interest in Civil Engineering for Shea. Dad, I think you should take a few days off of work and come down here sometime. There is a lot of projects going on at Amigos that need some of your field experience.

To Uncle Patty, Aunt Kathy Jean, Kelly and Pat, Thank you very much for keeping up with the trip. Again, I think if you (Uncle Patty) and my dad took a trip down here, there would be some major progress in the construction down here. And as for Pat, that is just awesome. Va Tech is has such a good name amongst engineering schools, as does PSU. I know that for a fact. But whatever your decision  is, Civil Engineering is a good field to get into, and you'll succeed in it. I can't wait to get home and talk to everyone about the trip, too much to explain.

PS: We built a pig roast pit. They bought a pig in town and killed it and we are gunna be eating it on Thursday.

Jamie Mucha Hola!  I know nobody at home is reading this because they too busy following the Sox in spring training.  I was getting a little bummed about it, but I have found comfort in the most unlikely of places.  I would have never guessed it prior to the trip, but Joe is one of the most sensitive people I've ever met.  Sometimes he will be deep in thought, just starring at the boys or the cross and will start weeping openly.  At reflection he expresses the most beautiful of thoughts ... a true feeler.  Given Paul and Angela's guiding example of a how a CEE relationship can work ... well, let's just say you never know.  Love you all.  JM
John Mulligan Hey,

I'm really enjoying myself here. Being around the people here and the crew I came with makes you have to have a great time. We have been eating really good lately and the food is the only thing down here that scares me so thats good. We dug out 20 foundations and starting mixing and pouring the concrete today. I'm very happy I came on this trip; we had some pretty good discussions and I'm looking forward to continuing the good times when I come home. I miss and love you guys and I have some quality stories.

Chus thanks for the info on the JETS, mucho appreciated. Also Mom tell Dad that the "Ros Compoya" song has been a huge success with the kids down here. Hope everythings going good and I will see you probably next thursday night.

Love, El Rey

Kevin Perazzelli (WEDNESDAY) 

Hey, me again.

Kind of a slow day today.  Ran out of supplies for the rebar cages so instead we prepared for a BBQ that we had planned for tonight by making our own grill out of rebar and wire mesh (pictures forthcoming).  A full roasted chicken for each of us and it was phenomenal.  Don't worry Matt, you're still the grill master but this was a very welcome meal that brought us all back to the States, so to speak.  Also got a chance to experience washboard laundry today.  Not the greatest of experiences but I have a deeper appreciation for modern appliances now and also know I'll have experience should they ever not be available.  We also worked on one other thing that will be continuing all tomorrow but again I won't spoil the surprise even if others write about it.  But it's the reason why this and tomorrow's messages will be delayed in posting. 

To everyone who has been keeping tabs on me, thank you so much. Westerelli's, Easterellis, and everyone else.  I'll say it again, we're 18 people who all have to use one computer so naming everyone would take too long but know that you're in my thoughts and prayers and hope you are all doing well.  Got our hardest workday ahead of us tomorrow.  Wish me luck and I'll try to keep the camera rolling so you all can enjoy.

-Kevin

(THURSDAY)

So didn't know that we wouldn't be posting yesterday or at least thought there would be a separate thing, but guess not.  Today was a slow day simply because materials and tools were scarce or unable to be found.  Eventually we were able to get the formwork for 10 of the footings squared and were able to mix concrete.  This isn't Quickcrete folks.  This is taking each individual ingredient of sand, gravel, water, and cement with our own ratios (as opposed to just add water till it looks right) and then fill the formwork as quickly as possible before it dries out.  Needless to say I'm exhausted but we did get 10 out of the 20 done and should be finished by tomorrow.  The surprise that I was hesitant to tell you was that we actually were privileged enough to witness, help with, and partake in a Honduran pig roast from start to finish.  We just had the meal and it was delicious.  Though the portions were meager the flavor was not.  I've got almost everything documented but won't post them because at parts it can be graphic.  In the future though just let me know and I'll make them available to you.  I guess the only thing left to say is actually to Matt Tymann who I'm not even sure knows this site exists.  But guess what Ty, the one and only dessert that we have been given since getting here was none other than the Pastel de Tres Leches.  I was in shock for two reasons, one was the fact that the only thing we cooked in a Spanish class is the only thing that we've had here. The other is that ours was definitely better!  Catch you all tomorrow. 

-Kevin

Angela Russo (Wednesday and Thursday) Hello everyone, thank you all for posting messages throughout the week.  We didn't get a chance to post our messages from Wednesday because Thursday was a busy day on the site so we couldn't go into the city to post them.  We had to finish all the rebar and forms and poured ten of the twenty footings.  It is really hard work but so good to see the finished product.  Tomorrow (Friday) we are finishing the rest of the concrete for the footings.  Wednesday I was able to help teach a 5th and 6th grade English class at the school.  The kids are really cute and it was so fun to interact with them.  Tonight we are about to go to the pig roast, Dad, they have been cooking it all day long.  I have been taking a lot of pictures and really can't wait to tell you all about it ( I will try to take a picture of all of the kids for you).  Mom, don't worry I have taken my malaria pill and am doing well.  Last night (Wed.) we had a bbq chicken dinner which was great.  On another note, Mom, you would be ashamed of my performance in scrabble but Dad, Paul and I just had a huge win over the two old men (dr. d and dr. g) in Spades.  I think this will be my last message until we are back home.  We are leaving early Saturday to go to the airport.  I will call you once we land.  Can't wait to fill you in on the trip! Love and miss you both!
Boccio's: Thanks for checking in with me throughout the week! Can't wait to tell you all the happenings of Honduras.  Happy Birthday to the Capurso kids in Chicago!  Alexa, Paul says to tell you that you are the best of the cousins, because he thinks you were born on a great date!  Pancakes? I wish! Those were tortillas, we have been having them for every meal, lets just say they are no clams casino.  Jenna, I'm excited to finally meet you sometime soon!
See you all soon enough! Love Ang
 
Ryan Smoke Hey all and thanks to all of the family for the wonderful messages.  It's been a couple of days since the last post and there's been a lot going on.  So much so in fact, that I have passed out before 9:30 the last two nights, right after our group reflections and before making it to the shower (I have of course been showering in the mornings). On Wednesday we made a bunch of rebar mats and upright assemblies for the the footings and I spent the afternoon helping Dr. D prepare a BBQ chicken dinner for all of the students and the other full time volunteers... which was amazing by the way.  Both Dr. D and Dr. G are fantastic cooks.  Thursday was spent preparing the formwork and pouring the concrete for ten footings.  We were able to mix the concrete and pour all ten in just over 3 hours, which was really good considering all the work that goes into hand mixing everything.  As you'll see in the pictures, we also had an all day pig roast capped off by a delicious dinner.  There have been some who say you lose 10 pounds over the course of this trip but I'm not so sure... we've been working hard but also eating really, really well down here.  Today (Friday) it's finally my turn, along with three others, to go into town to post the updates at the internet cafe.  After we get back we will pour the final ten footings to finish the week.  We've been lucky to have the help of some incredible local Honduran workers the entire time.  There are a few boys from Amigos that work alongside us as well, and one boy in particular named Jose has been especially awesome to be around. He's a really nice kid... kind of quiet, very chilled out and easy going, but an amazingly zealous worker.  At first we would just communicate with hand gestures and facial expressions, but I've become really comfortable trying to speak Spanish with him and he really seems to appreciate our conversations.  It just makes me so glad that I'm here because I'm able to connect with a kid who I just met a few days ago and is part of a completely different culture, yet someone in whom I see a lot of myself... it's kind of difficult for me to explain, but it's a very cool feeling.  It's just such a bummer that we have to leave so soon.  Despite that "end of the trip" feeling that I now have for sure,  I'm definitely thankful for the limited time that I've had here.  Everything has been flying by so quickly, but I've been enjoying every second of it.  Hopefully the boys have as well... and judging by their smiles I think they have.  Hopefully with us coming down here, we've been able to be a small bright spot in their lives, because I know they will always be a huge one in mine.  Looking forward to talking to everyone when I get back to the states and I love you all! - Ryan
Joe Staeheli Wow, I am spent.  The work is very exhausting, but the emotional roller coaster of experiencing this poverty stricken country is really affecting me.  I've never had these feelings before.  Mom and Dad, I've found comfort with a new good friend here.  I won't name names in this public forum, but let's just say she's AWESOME.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not walking around here breaking into tears at the drop of the hat (like some gus).  I mean, common, I still like blowing things up!  Another thing I didn't get about Honduras is that it is really hot, so wearing black and/or long sleeve shirts was not probably the right call.
Pat Veale To my faithful internet following: Hello from Thursday. Today (Thursday) was pretty busy so no one got into town to update the site on Wednesday's happenings.  Yesterday was pretty atypical work-wise since there was a lot of tedious preparation work that needed to be done before we could mix and pour the concrete. I went into town yesterday with Matt, Des (also Matt), Rob, Dr. Gross, and Jeff. We hit the internet cafe, where I (finally) learned that UMass won on Saturday, but I could use a guestbook update for Wednesday's result. We also went to a couple of markets to pick up supplies for the past two night's dinners. Wednesday the Dr.'s made everyone some awesome barbeque chicken and pasta salad which we enjoyed with the other volunteers. Not that you'd expect anything less from a pair of Civil Engineers but they can cook like nobody's business. And I'm not sure if anyone was brave enough to check out the NSFW pics (I hope for your sake that you didn't Mom) but they showed some preparation for the delicious pig roast we had tonight. It took a lot work to create a custom made spit and about 8 hours of cooking but it was well worth it as it was the best ham/pork I've ever tasted.  After making concrete all afternoon and pouring ten foundations today, we look to set the record for most foundations poured by one group tomorrow when we try to finish the final ten footings (I guess we should have the record with an all time high 18 group members). I didn't get to read the guestbook from the past couple of days yet  due to the postponed trip to town, but to all who did post, many thanks and I'll certainly enjoy reading everything tomorrow. The week has gone really fast, I can't believe we have to leave in two days. Although I just met all these boys, I'm really going to miss them. You can't imagine how fun they are. Mom, Dad, Lauren (if you're reading in between riding gondolas and doing art stuff), Katharine and Kristin, I've loved reading all your messages and I miss you all a lot. Anyway, sorry for yesterday's missing update and thanks for reading. Talk to everyone soon.   -Pat
Dr. David Dinehart I think that year over year I am working less and aching more ... I guess 40 is right around the corner.  Matt and Abby, I was very glad to hear that Charlie has earned the privilege of roaming the entire kitchen.  Matt, great job on the tests; keep up the good work.  Have a great Friday and Saturday with Mom.  Find a "wagon photo" and look behind it for your last surprise.  I miss you and love you, Dad.  Jimmy S, Liza, Lindsay, Athena, Josh, Katie, Kate (all former trip participants), thanks for following along.  We had a great time telling stories to the group about your adventures.  Honduras IIX, Dr. G. paid me back for my part in the Mafia setup by hiding my passport, after hours of panic I made a deal with Angela (who now weighs 82.4 lbs) that she could be my grad student next year if she sang.  It took her 0.3 seconds to spill her guts. All of the class of 2008 grad students (AR, MD, and PC) are really great.  It looks like they will all be working, going to class, and living together for the next year and a half.  Dr. K. and the family, once again thank you for your messages and the crew is looking forward to the pot roast and sundaes!  Parents, you should be very proud of your children.  It has been a privilege to teach them and spend this week together.  I am grateful that you have entrusted them with us over the past four years.
Dr. Shawn Gross Well it's now Friday morning.  It's been a great two days of working and feasting, as I'm sure you'll see from the pictures.  I appear to be working in several pics; thanks to the crew for helping me to set up those poses.   The group has done a great job on the job site. With a little help from the locals we managed to pour ten footings in three hours Thursday afternoon.  Definitely a new record.  The concrete looks great, too...Jeff has definitely improved the quality control around here. 

As far as food goes, the pig roast and the tres leches (three milks) cake were new additions this year, on top of the traditional pancakes, frittatas, bbq chicken, salsa, and lots and lots of pepsi and coke.  I'm just about out of money from all of the shopping and may not have the fee to get out of the country, so at least Dr. Dinehart will have somebody to keep him company until his new passport arrives.  On the bright side, Angela is really excited about working with Dr. Yost next year and she'll get to come back here as a grad student TWICE now!

To the 2008 group you have done a great job continuing and strengthening this relationship.  To the friends and families of the group, thank you for checking in on us all week via this web site.  It started on a whim in 2000 as has taken on a life of its own.  Trust me when I say that each and every one of you, our followers, have added a little special something to this journey with your posts. I am sure that as you have read through the messages and looked at the pictures each day, you are enormously proud of those you have been checking up on.  To all of the trip veterans out there, it has been great to see all of the messages from past trip participants.  The photo of my Honduras 2000 shirt in the pics today is a shout out to all of you who have made this journey and helped strengthen the bond between VU and Amigos since 2000.  It is so clear as we return each time that you have made a lasting impression on this place, as I'm sure it has made on you.

Jen (Sweetie) and Nicholas (Buddy), hope you are managing without me.  I miss you a ton and can't wait to see you Saturday night.  Blowing you each a big kiss...I love you.

Flat Traver I'm tired.  It never rains here; please be specific with your prayers that we want the rain in Honduras on Friday!  The closest we got was some thunder and lightning on Wed. night ... but no rain.  Round Traver, I've eaten chicken, pasta salad, homemade bread and 5 lbs of pork (last night) ... at this rate I should catch you be July!  Water students, buckle up ... I've scouted some great locations for porous pavement projects!  Matt and Abby D, how about some American Idol results?  Ron, Dr. D. is going to mail me back to the states, so I'll see you in May.  Funniest thing about this trip so far though is definitely the prank I played on Dr. D.  He thinks Dr. G stole his passport but it was actually me.  I just had to get him back for all of those jokes over the years.  Never ever ever underestimate us water types....Ha...take that one Dave!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Flat Traver out.