My Guatefamilia

While I may have left behind my family in California (hi mom!) I was lucky enough to meet an amazing Guatefamilia here in Quetzaltenango. As part of my Spanish studies, I am living with a Guatemalan host family: Elyda, 30, Luis, 29 and their two kids, Ale, 10, and Luis, (above) 5.

In many ways, they are similar to a typical American family: Luisito loves to play soccer and videogames, Ale watches Disney channel religiously, while Ely and Luis give homework help, cook delicious meals and send the kids off to bed.

However with current economic conditions in Guatemala, my family, like others here, still struggles to pay the bills. The $40 per week that I pay for food and lodging is the main source of income. Luis, though very qualified, has trouble finding consistant work, while Ely stays home to care for the kids, cook, and take care of the house.

My Guatefamilia is well-off compared to others. They have a nice TV, stereo, computer, and a three story house (I share the top story with two other language students). But despite the nice things at home, my family can´t afford to go out to eat, see a movie, or take weekend trips.

At first, with my rusty Spanish, I felt like an outsider but now after two weeks I´m more like the American cousin. Ale and I watch ¨Patito Feo¨ together (on Disney Latino channel) and Luis, Luisito, me, and a group of neighborhood kids play fùtobol in the street every weekend. I still have a bit of trouble decifering Luisito´s spanish but otherwise I am right in the middle of the daily dinner table conversations.

Hasta luego!

From high school football to Fùtbol Guatemalteco

While most of the SportsTime crew is busy preparing for the upcoming high school football season, I am in the middle of the Guatemalan fùtbol season. To be more precise, I´m in Guatemala.

This summer I am traveling through Central America with month-long stopovers in Guatemala and Honduras.

Currently, I am in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala´s second biggest city, brushing up on my Spanish, eating plenty of frijoles with my host family, and volunteering as an English teacher at a local high school.

On August 8th, my next adventure begins in Honduras.

I will be working for OYE, Organization for Youth Empowerment (www.oyehonduras.org), as a volunteer with their after school soccer, art, health, and most exciting for me, radio programs!

In order to participate in Honduras I need to raise $1,000. OYE relies on private funding and requires all volunteers to help them in their fundraising endeavors. A $25 donation would be a tremendous help to the Guatemalan youth that OYE serves.

Tax deductible donations can be made payable to “Organization for Youth Empowerment” and sent to 3351 18th Street N.W.Washington, DC 20010. Please note “Carl Nasman” on the memo line. You can also donate on-line at oyehonduras.org

Also, check back here for updates, pictures, and stories from my summer in Central America.

Bergen Baseball tournament--quarterfinals

Below are highlights from two of last weekend's quarterfinal games: St. Joseph Regional vs Ramsey and Ramapo vs Lyndhurst.

A few observations from the weekend...

>Emerson high school is a bandbox. It's the Minute Maid Park of Bergen high school fields. It couldn't be more than 350 feet to straight away center field and with the wind swirling on Saturday, the ball was flying out.

>Don Bosco deserves the hype. This team is good. They've got power throughout the lineup and 4 or 5 legit starting pitchers. See highlights of their quarterfinal game in an earlier post.

>Why can't we keep the balls? I know that putting on a county tournament takes money, organization, and tons of volunteer manpower and the BCCA does a great job every year. But wouldn't it be great if all the young kids that attend the games could keep the foul balls and home runs? Instead, after every foul ball, the P.A. announcer would tell the crowd to "return all balls to the scorers table." I say find a sponsor for the baseballs and let some young fans go home happy.



>Oh, and I forgot to mention that I said Brian Lobban instead of Brendan Lobban in the SJR highlights. Sorry about that Brendan.

Unbeatable Bosco

The Bergen County tournament quarterfinals were my first chance to see the Don Bosco baseball juggernaut in person. The Ironmen are ranked #1 in the nation and have yet to lose a game this year. After their performance against New Milford, they look like they'll finish the year with that unblemished record intact.

Win or go Home--State Baseball Playoffs

The Ridgefield Royals toiled through a tough season in a tough league and were rewarded with the 2nd seed and a first round bye in the North 2 Group 1 New Jersey state baseball playoffs.

The Royals have what it takes to challenge for a sectional title but a trophy must've seemed a long way off when they fell behind 6-1 against their 2nd-round opponent, Hudson County Prep. Could Ridgefield rebound? Find out below.

The Maroon Machine--Ridgewood wins first Bergen County Title

Ridgewood won only their first Bergen County title on Sunday. But the Maroons are no newcomer to county lacrosse--it's just that this was the first time they've even bothered to enter the tournament!

Ridgewood has always been one of the premier programs in Bergen County and in the state of New Jersey. But on Sunday Ridgewood had to prove it on the turf against a talented and streaking Don Bosco team.

Gross-out! Bergen County Baseball chat

Is Bosco beatable? Who can challenge the Ironmen for the Bergen County title? How do teams figure out when to start their ace pitcher in the postseason? Watch the Bergen Record's Andrew Gross give me his take on the local baseball scene.