We Think Not, Hurricane Ida

In November of 1998, Hurricane Mitch trampled the Atlantic Coast of Central America leaving disaster in its wake. Nicaragua, already the Western Hemisphere's second poorest country (give it up for Haiti at the #1 spot), was left with $1 billion worth of damage, primarily in the agricultural sector which traditionally provides a majority of the country's exports. It washed out roads and destroyed bridges throughout the region. Heavy rains instigated a mudslide at Volcan Casita which tragically buried several rural villages.

Yesterday, a sweet little note from the U.S. Embassy in Managua popped up in my inbox. It was addressed to all American citizens registered as living in Nicaragua and it read, "U.S. citizens are urged to identify secure locations to shelter, monitor media reports, and follow all official instructions. U.S. citizens should carry their travel documents at all times (i.e. U.S Passport, birth certificate, picture I.D.'s, etc.) or secure them in safe, waterproof locations. We also suggest that American citizens contact friends and family in the United States with updates about their whereabouts...the U.S. Embassy will continue to monitor Tropical Storm Ida's track, and will issue updated messages."

So, Moms/Dads, I suppose this is us issuing the recommended update of our whereabouts.

Still in Granada, still living in the barrio, and still planning on going forward with tonight's activities for Noche de Ninas en La Oficina (Girls Night in the Office). I mean, c'mon, let this itty bitty little Hurricane stand in the way of tonight's review of Donde Viven Los Monstruos (Where The Wild Things Are)? We think not.

We'll let nothing stand in the way of that childhood classic.

Keep abreast of Ida's progress at cnn.com.