one of the things i love about in hearing from my friends who are away is just the normal, everyday life moments. here are some more from Ariana, that great Woman of the World, during her adventures in Ecuadar with the Peace Corps:

"Sorry to send so many mass emails lately. I finally got my Peace Corps phone fixed on Wednesday, which I think might have created a little bit of confusion for people who were trying to call me to wish me happy birthday. The old phone was not working, and the new phone was, and I didn't send out the correct number. Anyway, both phones are working now, but I am just going to use my Peace Corps number. So just use this number from now on. My old phone will now just be used for my visitors, so they will have a phone when they are in Ecuador.

"Thank you very much for the birthday calls, cards, emails, and packages! I had a very good birthday with my friends in Quito. The new group of trainees arrived the night of my birthday, so a whole bunch of us went to the airport to greet them. 15 volunteers from my group (out of 33) came, which was awesome. We had the best showing amongst all the training groups, which just shows how we are the coolest training group =) We formed a gauntlet outside the airport, and cheered and yelled and gave all the newbies roses as they walked by us. I'm so glad I'm no longer a newbie! The trainees probably thought we were crazy. After they got on their bus, we just kept circling the bus and clapping and yelling. Some of them looked really happy, and others looked nervous and apprehensive (probably how I looked when I stepped off the plane 4 1/2 months ago).

"And then I got really excited thinking about how I am going to be at the airport in just 26 days to meet my first visitor Cindy! I will probably scream even louder then. And 4 days after Cindy arrives, my mom will be here! And then my sister! And 3 days after they leave, Pierre will arrive! Woohoo! I think I am the first person in my training group to have visitors. My friends all want to meet my guests, and travel with us, so hopefully you all won't mind hanging out with a bunch of random people =)

"The only disappointing thing about my birthday is that my friend Joseph wasn't able to come because he had a all day meeting at his site. And he was supposed to make me my ice cream cake =( So, alas, I had no ice cream cake on my birthday, but I am supposed to have ice cream cake at my site tomorrow with my Ecuadorian friends and their families. Plus my friend Maggie bought me a delicious ice cream sandwich supremo, which is an ice cream sandwich covered in an extra layer of chocolate. Bien rico!

"After the airport, we all went to a bar in the Mariscal and my friends sang me happy birthday, which was very nice. Then we went back to the hotel and watched cable television, which is very exciting for us. Sometimes there is nothing better than hanging out in a hotel room watching the OC with your friends =)

"Okay, I think I will put all my contact information in this email, because some people have asked for my other address.

"Happy Summer!

Love,
Ariana"