Last week I traveled down south to the town of Punta Gorda with my counterpart to take part in a Peace Corps workshop. It was called “design for behavior change”. It was amazing. We came up with behavior we wanted to change and than made plans of just how we are going to try to change them in the next 2 years. Wayne and I came up with three different behaviors we are going to work on in the next three years.
1) Half of our teacher live in Hopkins and half live in Dangrgia and we want to unite the staff and get all the teachers working together. We are going to work on this by having a retreat and doing weekly staff meetings where I’ll do some team building! Camp pays off again!! So excited for this!
2) We are going to try in the next two year to get 80% of out students reading at grade level. Right now we are at about 60%ish. We are going to do this by pull out reading groups and afterschool programs. This week I’m starting to stay after Tuesdays and thuresday with the two standard 4 teachers to work with about 5 kids from each class on their reading. I’m also starting some sort of reading program that I’m not exactly sure what will look like yet.
3) We are going to try to educate the community on the importanace of education. According to many members of the community that I have spoken with education has never been viewed as very important in the village and we want to change this. We want parents on our side. My counterpart and I are going to work on this as well as another man in the village that I meet this weekend. I’m not entirely sure exactly what we are going to do yet for this but I’m starting to meet with people this week!
So at the end fo the day I think those are the main projects for the next 2 years. There are a few side things I’m also working on, such as on Fridays there is a teacher in the village that home schools 10 kids and we meet and are going to fix up the library and catalog it and hopfully get it running on its own again. Currently there is no one there to work so it sits closed all day. hopefully we can change this soon!
Other than loving coming up with what are going to do for the next 2 years I also enjoyed having a chance to get to know my counterpart better. He is a great guy and possiably the busiest human I have ever met. He is always on the go but has a great heart and you can tell he loves those kids and wants what is best for them. I really enjoy working with him and I’m excited to see how I can help!
I was at the workshop Mon to wed and than spend thuresday and Friday back at school. I love going to school! I’m getting alone with a few of the teachers really well and its nice to have people to joke around with and talk about real things. I’m finding myself staying at school until 5:30 or 6:00 chatting and just hanging out. It’s nice!!
On the non-school front… my roommate is gone!!! She moved back the states last week! I finally have a house to myself and let me tell you its amazing!!! I didn’t realize just how uncomfortable I felt in my own house!! This past weekend two volunteers from up north came down and helped me paint and fix up my house! Actually we had a painting party! My neighbor Derrick somehow got roped into helping than one of my student Ryan stopped by and wanted to help. He is 8ish? And was a great help! He painted my closet and helped me with my selves! Such a sweet kid! It was fun and now my house looks so good! It’s now very much me and I couldn’t ask for more!
Saturday night, after all the hard work was done we headed down to the drumming center. Drumming is huge part of the Garifunia culture and right down the street is the drumming center. I can usually hear the drumming from my veranda at night. Well we headed down and watched them drum and did a little dancing. It was great and I think this weekend I finally realized just how many people I know and know me! I might have already said this but it amazes me more and more everyday how many people I already know and how welcoming me into the community they are!
*pictures of the painting will follow hopfully tomorrow!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
A few people have been complaining about my lack of blogs.. again.. so I thought I would give you a little something!
Everything down here is still going good. We passed our 6 month mark in country and our 4 months as volunteers. It’s weird to think about how long its been and the fact we are almost ¼ of the way through!! Time is flying!
School is going really well! Peace Corps always makes sure to tell us that community can be anything we think, it isn’t nessiarlaly your village or city, it might be the area you live in or where you work. I guess I heard that but never really thought about it. All along I have been considering Hopkins my community and feeling kinda like I wasn’t doing a great job getting to into it. Today I came to a different conclusion. My community is my school. The 18 teachers I work with everyday are my community. Today was the first day that I truly felt that I was part of it. At lunch we were getting together to eat and hang out and celebrate the birthdays for Sept. This was Mr. Coleman and myself. Yesterday I note went around to everyone reminding them that we were getting together for Mr. Coleman’s birthday. I wasn’t surprised or hurt or anything. After all I’m not a teacher. Well today at the lunch Mr. Coleman himself made a point to correct everyone and make sure everyone knew that It was also my birthday this past month. We sat and ate and laughed than it was time for cake. Mr. Coleman and I had to cut the cake and we decided to dance while doing so. Well actually after I bought up the point that it was probably best if I didn’t dance with a knife in my head, they agreed (they have seen me fall or trip a number or times ) just goes to show you how well they already know me! After we ate this amazing cake we heading out for afternoon classes.
Next week I have to go to a in-service training with my counterpart Wayne. Today we had to go through some things to get ready for it. We spend the entire afternoon having very frank honest conversations in the office. It was amzing, we talked about the village, the teachers, social issues, social divides, eduation, and what we need to do or can do. It was amazing. It was the first time I really felt that someone from Hopkins really trusted me, like I was “in”. AMAZING!
Only to get better after school I headed to the standard 6 room. Hilton’s room. He is one teacher that I have spent some time with and really enjoy talking to. Plus he has the cutest shyest 5 year old I’ve ever met and I’m slowly convincing her that we are going to be friends! There are have been a few days that I have went and hung out and helped him in his room and then we will walk home together. When this happens it’s the highlight of my day. Today was one of those days. I helped him hang some posters and then we walked home (he lives right down the street) together. On the way home he confused that his teaching was too “boring” and that he needed some creative ideas and could I help? Umm of course!!!! I would love too!!! This whole Peace Corps thing wouldn’t work if I walked into school and starting throwing ideas around, but once someone trusts you enough to ask for help or invite you into their classroom!! That’s what I’m waiting for!!
It’s days like today that remind me why I’m here, why I left all my family and friends and everything I knew behind. Sometimes I need that reminder and I’m always so thankful when I get them!
As for this weekend? I’m planning on heading to town in the morning to pick up a few things for the house and some money! Then I plan on sleeping, reading, and relaxing the rest! Should be good!
Also! My roommate moved out!!!! AHHHHH!!!! So excited!! Zach is coming down next weekend to help me paint and then Laura is coming to the next to help..do whatever is left? Haha so in a few short weeks I should have new pictures of my house once it’s been kimed! I CAN’T WAIT!!!!!
Everything down here is still going good. We passed our 6 month mark in country and our 4 months as volunteers. It’s weird to think about how long its been and the fact we are almost ¼ of the way through!! Time is flying!
School is going really well! Peace Corps always makes sure to tell us that community can be anything we think, it isn’t nessiarlaly your village or city, it might be the area you live in or where you work. I guess I heard that but never really thought about it. All along I have been considering Hopkins my community and feeling kinda like I wasn’t doing a great job getting to into it. Today I came to a different conclusion. My community is my school. The 18 teachers I work with everyday are my community. Today was the first day that I truly felt that I was part of it. At lunch we were getting together to eat and hang out and celebrate the birthdays for Sept. This was Mr. Coleman and myself. Yesterday I note went around to everyone reminding them that we were getting together for Mr. Coleman’s birthday. I wasn’t surprised or hurt or anything. After all I’m not a teacher. Well today at the lunch Mr. Coleman himself made a point to correct everyone and make sure everyone knew that It was also my birthday this past month. We sat and ate and laughed than it was time for cake. Mr. Coleman and I had to cut the cake and we decided to dance while doing so. Well actually after I bought up the point that it was probably best if I didn’t dance with a knife in my head, they agreed (they have seen me fall or trip a number or times ) just goes to show you how well they already know me! After we ate this amazing cake we heading out for afternoon classes.
Next week I have to go to a in-service training with my counterpart Wayne. Today we had to go through some things to get ready for it. We spend the entire afternoon having very frank honest conversations in the office. It was amzing, we talked about the village, the teachers, social issues, social divides, eduation, and what we need to do or can do. It was amazing. It was the first time I really felt that someone from Hopkins really trusted me, like I was “in”. AMAZING!
Only to get better after school I headed to the standard 6 room. Hilton’s room. He is one teacher that I have spent some time with and really enjoy talking to. Plus he has the cutest shyest 5 year old I’ve ever met and I’m slowly convincing her that we are going to be friends! There are have been a few days that I have went and hung out and helped him in his room and then we will walk home together. When this happens it’s the highlight of my day. Today was one of those days. I helped him hang some posters and then we walked home (he lives right down the street) together. On the way home he confused that his teaching was too “boring” and that he needed some creative ideas and could I help? Umm of course!!!! I would love too!!! This whole Peace Corps thing wouldn’t work if I walked into school and starting throwing ideas around, but once someone trusts you enough to ask for help or invite you into their classroom!! That’s what I’m waiting for!!
It’s days like today that remind me why I’m here, why I left all my family and friends and everything I knew behind. Sometimes I need that reminder and I’m always so thankful when I get them!
As for this weekend? I’m planning on heading to town in the morning to pick up a few things for the house and some money! Then I plan on sleeping, reading, and relaxing the rest! Should be good!
Also! My roommate moved out!!!! AHHHHH!!!! So excited!! Zach is coming down next weekend to help me paint and then Laura is coming to the next to help..do whatever is left? Haha so in a few short weeks I should have new pictures of my house once it’s been kimed! I CAN’T WAIT!!!!!
Monday, September 20, 2010
oh boy!!!
So there isn’t too much new to report. Work hard and a lot at school. We have another holiday this week. Tuesday is indepenace day (29 years I believe) not sure what I’ll be doing for it. Perhaps just relaxing.
Something big does happen this week. Friday will in the 6th month mark of me leaving and Saturday will be 6 months in country. That just seems crazy! I can’t believe its been 6 months already!! Time is flying!
Something.. small that happens at 6th months is we start to have to pay duty on packages…so here are some tip if your going to be sending me something!
-No tags… take off all prices and tags
-Call EVERYTHING used or old or something.
-The cheaper you say things are the less likely it is that some guy in the post office will look in it and the less likely they are to charge me $$$$$
Ok I think that’s all I have… Thank you Thank you Thank you to EVERYONE who has sent me letters or packages, you have no idea how much they mean to me or how much they make my day! I’m really going to try to start writing more letter… but I wouldn’t hold your breath
Now last but not least I’m way behind on my Happy thoughts of the day so here you go!!
~We choose our joys and our sorrows long before we experience them.
-Kahlil Gibran
~Knowledge plus character- that is the goal of true education.
-MLK Jr.
~The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.
-JP Morgan
~Listen and make the connections. Between you and them- make the connections
-ASB “Voices”
~Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
-MLK Jr.
~Kathleen Kelly: Why did you stop by again?
Joe Fox: I wanted to be your friend.
-You’ve got mail
~Connect one community with another and build some real power
-ASB “voices”
~Many fine things can be done in a day if you don’t always make that day tomorrow
~Lovers embrace that which is between them rather than each other.
-Kahlil Gibran
Something big does happen this week. Friday will in the 6th month mark of me leaving and Saturday will be 6 months in country. That just seems crazy! I can’t believe its been 6 months already!! Time is flying!
Something.. small that happens at 6th months is we start to have to pay duty on packages…so here are some tip if your going to be sending me something!
-No tags… take off all prices and tags
-Call EVERYTHING used or old or something.
-The cheaper you say things are the less likely it is that some guy in the post office will look in it and the less likely they are to charge me $$$$$
Ok I think that’s all I have… Thank you Thank you Thank you to EVERYONE who has sent me letters or packages, you have no idea how much they mean to me or how much they make my day! I’m really going to try to start writing more letter… but I wouldn’t hold your breath
Now last but not least I’m way behind on my Happy thoughts of the day so here you go!!
~We choose our joys and our sorrows long before we experience them.
-Kahlil Gibran
~Knowledge plus character- that is the goal of true education.
-MLK Jr.
~The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.
-JP Morgan
~Listen and make the connections. Between you and them- make the connections
-ASB “Voices”
~Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
-MLK Jr.
~Kathleen Kelly: Why did you stop by again?
Joe Fox: I wanted to be your friend.
-You’ve got mail
~Connect one community with another and build some real power
-ASB “voices”
~Many fine things can be done in a day if you don’t always make that day tomorrow
~Lovers embrace that which is between them rather than each other.
-Kahlil Gibran
Saturday, September 4, 2010
School, School, and more School!!!
Well school officially started Wed but we held school on Tuesday to get kids into their classrooms to meet their teachers. Tuesday went really well. We all met in the morning as a school and Mr. Cass had me introduce myself to the school once again with all the other staff. This year we have 7 new teachers, 17 total. 19 “staff” if you include the principle and myself. That is a pretty big school in Belize. I’m really happy being at a bigger school because I have the advantage of having a non-teaching principle. I think any school with under 200(?) students the principle is also a teacher. In Hopkins this is not the case. This is nice for me since I can pretty much bug my principle whenever!
School is from 8:30am (I usually roll in at 8-8:15, that way I can say hi to the teachers and visit for a few minutes) at 10:15 we have a school wide break, the kids run around like crazy and the teachers can have a moment to relax, think of it as recess. We break for lunch at 11:30 and everyone heads home. The afternoon session starts at 1:00pm but I try to be there a few minutes early once again. For the infant I and II classes (kindergarden and 1st grade) school ends at 2:30. At this time the whole school takes another 15 min break, than the rest of the school has class again until 3:30. Right now I’m working full days Mon-Friday. This may not be the case all year. Right now I have plenty to do and I have a feeling it won’t change much. But Once I’m in charge of the library I may only work at school in the morning. We will see how things work out. Most volunteers take off Friday to do research, right now I’m not but I might start. Once again.. we’ll see!
Well after we all met on Tuesday I was working around room to room saying hi and seeing how things were going. I stuck my head into stardard 5 (like 6th grade?). These were the kids that I spent the most time with back in the spring and they asked me to come in and help. I than spent the afternoon helping them and their teacher put up posters and clean up the room. On my way out the standard 6 (7th and 8th grade?) teacher stopped, he is new to our school but I worked with him over the summer for summer school. He informed me that a few of his students were having some trouble reading and wondering if I could help. Of course! That’s my job! I suggest that I test the class and see their reading levels. He agreed and suggested we start Thuresday! Game on! My first real job!! I agreed and Today (I’m writing on Thuresday night) I started to test some of his kids.
Yesterday (Wednesday) I started the day out by sorting out all the new text books and delivering them to the class rooms. There were A LOT of books and the school is two different building and two level and it was about 1094 degrees out.. needless to say it was a LONG morning! But I was so excited to have work I didn’t even care!! After I was done with that I walked around and poked my head in some classrooms. We have some amazing teachers this year! I’m really excited to continue to work with them. Two of our teachers are doing their internship and in Dec they will be a certified teacher. This is a big deal in Belize. Right now out of 16 teachers two are certified or have bachelors in primary ed…actually bachelors period. Anyway they are both amazing teachers and seem egger to work with me! Which is awesome because I’m excited to work with them!!
I spent my afternoon observing standard 3 and checking out the preschool. I didn’t do a ton of “work” after the books, but I am starting to build relationships with some of the teachers and to me that’s really exciting! To be honest... I’m not actually sure what I did for the rest of the day but I promise I was busy and working!
Today was a little more laid back. I started off by teaching standard II for the first part of the morning. Their teacher is still on maternity leave and won’t be back until Monday. So the principle is teaching it right now and he needed to sort some stuff in infant I out. Normally I’m really against subbing but they were in a jam so I offered. He knows it’s not something that will be happening all the time so I’m ok with it! After break I started testing standard 6 on their reading level. Most of the students are doing pretty well. However there is a student who doesn’t even know his letters, it breaks my heart. He can’t read at all. He’ll be done with school this year, he’s been passed along because of “social reasons” meaning his old enough. But oh man.. I guess his siblings were all the same way but nothing has ever been done to help him. His teacher and I chatted and we both know we aren’t going to be able to get him to read enough to get to high school but we can help him with some life skills. Hopefully when he finishes school he’ll at least know his ABC’s. We will see, I am excited about how much his teacher seems to care and want to help. That’s always nice!
Tomorrow I’m doing a read aloud with the preschool students and than hopefully finishing the testing for standard 6. My to do lists are getting really long already, but I’m so excited to be working finally that I don’t even care!
Update Saturday morning:
Preschoolers are amazing! They are so much fun! I have finished testing standard 6 and Monday I start standard II. What fun!! Also this man Ben came and found me yesterday. He is a special eduation teacher form texas who came down here and fell in love and never left. He told me about this family with 3 special needs children who are being “home schooled” by a women with no training. He asked for any help, so on top of the library and school I think I will be spending wed mornings helping this teacher as well. I’m very excited about it and it might be nice to have a small break from school on wed mornings. I have a lot of work a head of me but I’m ready! As for today? I have no work and plan on enjoying the rest of the day in my hammock and perhaps bathing in the sea
School is from 8:30am (I usually roll in at 8-8:15, that way I can say hi to the teachers and visit for a few minutes) at 10:15 we have a school wide break, the kids run around like crazy and the teachers can have a moment to relax, think of it as recess. We break for lunch at 11:30 and everyone heads home. The afternoon session starts at 1:00pm but I try to be there a few minutes early once again. For the infant I and II classes (kindergarden and 1st grade) school ends at 2:30. At this time the whole school takes another 15 min break, than the rest of the school has class again until 3:30. Right now I’m working full days Mon-Friday. This may not be the case all year. Right now I have plenty to do and I have a feeling it won’t change much. But Once I’m in charge of the library I may only work at school in the morning. We will see how things work out. Most volunteers take off Friday to do research, right now I’m not but I might start. Once again.. we’ll see!
Well after we all met on Tuesday I was working around room to room saying hi and seeing how things were going. I stuck my head into stardard 5 (like 6th grade?). These were the kids that I spent the most time with back in the spring and they asked me to come in and help. I than spent the afternoon helping them and their teacher put up posters and clean up the room. On my way out the standard 6 (7th and 8th grade?) teacher stopped, he is new to our school but I worked with him over the summer for summer school. He informed me that a few of his students were having some trouble reading and wondering if I could help. Of course! That’s my job! I suggest that I test the class and see their reading levels. He agreed and suggested we start Thuresday! Game on! My first real job!! I agreed and Today (I’m writing on Thuresday night) I started to test some of his kids.
Yesterday (Wednesday) I started the day out by sorting out all the new text books and delivering them to the class rooms. There were A LOT of books and the school is two different building and two level and it was about 1094 degrees out.. needless to say it was a LONG morning! But I was so excited to have work I didn’t even care!! After I was done with that I walked around and poked my head in some classrooms. We have some amazing teachers this year! I’m really excited to continue to work with them. Two of our teachers are doing their internship and in Dec they will be a certified teacher. This is a big deal in Belize. Right now out of 16 teachers two are certified or have bachelors in primary ed…actually bachelors period. Anyway they are both amazing teachers and seem egger to work with me! Which is awesome because I’m excited to work with them!!
I spent my afternoon observing standard 3 and checking out the preschool. I didn’t do a ton of “work” after the books, but I am starting to build relationships with some of the teachers and to me that’s really exciting! To be honest... I’m not actually sure what I did for the rest of the day but I promise I was busy and working!
Today was a little more laid back. I started off by teaching standard II for the first part of the morning. Their teacher is still on maternity leave and won’t be back until Monday. So the principle is teaching it right now and he needed to sort some stuff in infant I out. Normally I’m really against subbing but they were in a jam so I offered. He knows it’s not something that will be happening all the time so I’m ok with it! After break I started testing standard 6 on their reading level. Most of the students are doing pretty well. However there is a student who doesn’t even know his letters, it breaks my heart. He can’t read at all. He’ll be done with school this year, he’s been passed along because of “social reasons” meaning his old enough. But oh man.. I guess his siblings were all the same way but nothing has ever been done to help him. His teacher and I chatted and we both know we aren’t going to be able to get him to read enough to get to high school but we can help him with some life skills. Hopefully when he finishes school he’ll at least know his ABC’s. We will see, I am excited about how much his teacher seems to care and want to help. That’s always nice!
Tomorrow I’m doing a read aloud with the preschool students and than hopefully finishing the testing for standard 6. My to do lists are getting really long already, but I’m so excited to be working finally that I don’t even care!
Update Saturday morning:
Preschoolers are amazing! They are so much fun! I have finished testing standard 6 and Monday I start standard II. What fun!! Also this man Ben came and found me yesterday. He is a special eduation teacher form texas who came down here and fell in love and never left. He told me about this family with 3 special needs children who are being “home schooled” by a women with no training. He asked for any help, so on top of the library and school I think I will be spending wed mornings helping this teacher as well. I’m very excited about it and it might be nice to have a small break from school on wed mornings. I have a lot of work a head of me but I’m ready! As for today? I have no work and plan on enjoying the rest of the day in my hammock and perhaps bathing in the sea
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
This is why you must live within 100FT of someone else...
What can I say I’ve gone blog crazy!!! But I have another great (ok it entertains me) story to tell! This one is about my freaking out and ends with a funeral…
Don’t worry I didn’t have to go to the Gambu Sandu (cemetery, and my favortie Garifunia word!) Now before anyone gets too upset let me inform you this funeral was for a mouse… a mouse that has been in my house for weeks…
So I walked into my kitchen to get a nice ice cold glass of ice water when I hear something in the trash can. It’s the mouse! As it was trying to jump out of the trash can I trapped it in with the lid… than freaked out! I managed to get my trashcan outside but.. What was I supposed to do now?!?! I know! Call Jenna! Well Jenna informed me what I already knew.. I needed to kill it or it would just find a way back in. So, as I’m on the phone freaking out I finally decided that I need to go get my neighbor. My neighbor is amazing, and she has a 23 year old son who is also amazing. I convince Jenna that this is good integration, relying on your neighbor! So as about to hang out and run next door that dang mouse gets out of the trash and runs off the porch!!
After a few I hang up the phone and calm down.. Knowing that the mouse is just going to find its way back in. Sure enough as I go to sit in my hammock that dang mouse runs across the porch and tried to get in my door (which was open and is a medal burglar bar door) out of panic. And by golly I got it! I swooshed its head in the door jam. But now what? I have a half dead mouse hanging from my door, and you know I’m not about to touch it! Derrick!!! Time to integrate!!!!
I run next door and into their house! Derrick looks a little shocked but I’m pretty sure they have been watching me the whole time and as soon as I explain that I have a mouse situation he starts walking to my house. Well he just grabbed it and pulled it out of the door. He decided its dead and starts walking to his back yard. You probably guessed it I’m still freaking out…I’m not sure how he made sure it was dead but he did. I then walked over and we dug and hole and threw it in. We then just kinda squatted and stared at it for awhile. I’m not really sure why, but I wasn’t really sure what to do. After a moment he made a joke about taking a pic and I realized I totally should have! We than buried it, I informed him that he was my hero and I owed him big, and we went on with our evening. It was an adventure, oh the things I’m learning!!!
He doesn’t know it yet but he’s going to hate living next to me for 2 years.. I should keep track of everything I have him kill or remove from my house… I bet it’ll be a long list!
What would you do without amazing neighbors? Just another day in paradise!
Don’t worry I didn’t have to go to the Gambu Sandu (cemetery, and my favortie Garifunia word!) Now before anyone gets too upset let me inform you this funeral was for a mouse… a mouse that has been in my house for weeks…
So I walked into my kitchen to get a nice ice cold glass of ice water when I hear something in the trash can. It’s the mouse! As it was trying to jump out of the trash can I trapped it in with the lid… than freaked out! I managed to get my trashcan outside but.. What was I supposed to do now?!?! I know! Call Jenna! Well Jenna informed me what I already knew.. I needed to kill it or it would just find a way back in. So, as I’m on the phone freaking out I finally decided that I need to go get my neighbor. My neighbor is amazing, and she has a 23 year old son who is also amazing. I convince Jenna that this is good integration, relying on your neighbor! So as about to hang out and run next door that dang mouse gets out of the trash and runs off the porch!!
After a few I hang up the phone and calm down.. Knowing that the mouse is just going to find its way back in. Sure enough as I go to sit in my hammock that dang mouse runs across the porch and tried to get in my door (which was open and is a medal burglar bar door) out of panic. And by golly I got it! I swooshed its head in the door jam. But now what? I have a half dead mouse hanging from my door, and you know I’m not about to touch it! Derrick!!! Time to integrate!!!!
I run next door and into their house! Derrick looks a little shocked but I’m pretty sure they have been watching me the whole time and as soon as I explain that I have a mouse situation he starts walking to my house. Well he just grabbed it and pulled it out of the door. He decided its dead and starts walking to his back yard. You probably guessed it I’m still freaking out…I’m not sure how he made sure it was dead but he did. I then walked over and we dug and hole and threw it in. We then just kinda squatted and stared at it for awhile. I’m not really sure why, but I wasn’t really sure what to do. After a moment he made a joke about taking a pic and I realized I totally should have! We than buried it, I informed him that he was my hero and I owed him big, and we went on with our evening. It was an adventure, oh the things I’m learning!!!
He doesn’t know it yet but he’s going to hate living next to me for 2 years.. I should keep track of everything I have him kill or remove from my house… I bet it’ll be a long list!
What would you do without amazing neighbors? Just another day in paradise!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
not africa so much.....
As many of you may know, my dream was not only to join the Peace Corps, but to do so and go to Africa. Was I slightly disappointed when I got Belize? Yea you might say so. I quickly got over that when I realized that Belize is amazing. Now I won’t lie and say that since I arrived in country I never was disappointed that this isn’t Africa. I had long dreamed of living in a thatch with no water or electricity, hours away from other Americans. I now live in a really nice 2 bedroom cement house on the Caribbean sea in a extremely tourist village which is home to a number of other gringos. Not exactly what I expected but if there is one thing I’ve learned it’s you can’t have any expectations of life. Just go with the flow, and in doing so I have feel in love with this country. I’m so glad that I’m serving here and not anywhere else. What can I say today was an amazing day start to finish… let me run you through my day…
Today I needed to go to Belmopan for the day to take care of some bank issues and to pick up a backpack that I left there a few weeks ago. My day started by having water!!! Yes I have water and electricity but almost everyday (I’d say 9 out of 10) we lose water for the better part of the day, which makes indoor plumbing a issue! But this morning we had it, so I got to start my day off with a nice cool shower and a flush of the toilet! After all that good stuff I got on our bus and my host mom was in it! I’m always so happy when I get on the bus and know people, especially her. Once I got to Dangrigia (the town about an hour away where I catch a bus up to Belmopan) I had an hour to wait and decided to walk across the street to the small store to get some juice. On my way there I ran in to Kent. Kent was Laura’s host brother in Dangriga through training. And since I spent more waking hours with Laura than at my own host family I saw him often. He came over and gave me a hug and at first I thought he might have been confused and thought I was Laura (everyone here thinks we are sisters, if not twins). But confuse us he did not! He asked all about Hopkins and how things were going. It’s so cool that you don’t even realize the connections you’ve made until later! Next I got on the bus and ran in to another volunteer. We chatted our way to Belmopan and it made the ride so much faster. Once I got to Belmopan I had a few errors to run and went to the opposite side of town than the office. It was HOTTTT today. I’m not sure how HOT but one of the hottest days we’ve had in awhile. On my way walking to the office (which was about 30-40 mins, if not more) I was going to call a taxi and decided to walk it instead. About 10 min in to my walk my favorite taxi driver Jack pulls over (most of the volunteers use him in Belmopan and he has always been just a great day, peace corps gave us his number as a dependable taxi) over the past few months I have gotten to know Jack, so when he offered me a ride I jumped right in. I pulled out my wallet to get my money ready and he insisted that this one was on him, he appreciates everything we are here doing for this country and one taxi ride was the least he could do. This alone made my day. As we drove he was drinking a orange juice and commented that there was nothing better than a nice cold OJ on a hot day. When we pulled over at the store on the way to the office and he said he would just be a second I didn’t think twice about it. When he came out to the car I didn’t think twice about it. It wasn’t until he handed me the oj that I realized he stoped to buy me a orange juice! What a nice guy!
Once I got to the office I had some good chats with a lot of the staff and one of the other volunteers who lives in town and was hiding out at the office with AC for the day. That alone would have been enough to make my day.. but no it kept coming. On the way to the bus station I stopped at the bank and figured all that out. Once at the bus station I was standing infront of the gate which our bus to dangriga leaves from was waiting “inline” or rather the mass group that pushes to get on the bus and this women was next to me behind a counter selling drinks and food and such. She was singing and yelling and having a great time. Then I hear “Hello! Hello lady! Hello!” Now Belizeans don’t say hello to one another they great each other with the time of the day so when I hear Hello I usually look around cause they are 9/10 times talking to me. Sure enough I was right “are you Belizean??!” Some guy in front of my answers “NO! She’s Cuban!” I respond that no I’m not but I live here. “AHH I thought so you fit in, you don’t look like you’re from the states, you look like you belong here” Now I’m not entirely sure what I was doing or how I was acting to make her think that but it’s one of the biggest compliments I’ve ever gotten.
Next up was Grigia. I had an hour “lay over” so I ran around getting a few things done, first was the post office were they knew me and I got to pick up a letter from Sarah (thanks Sarah!!) than I stopped in to say hi to Ms. Donna. Ms. Donna owns and runs Val’s hostel, this is where Jenna, Cass, Laura and I spend 90% of our time that we weren’t sleeping or at class. She became sort of a second host mom to us all. I stopped in just to say hi and see how she was doing. I thought it was no big deal but you could tell it meant the world to her. Next on my list was the movie place, there is this guy who owns a movie/bike shop. He was one of the first people Laura and I meet in Dangrigia. He is also who I bought my bike from. Anyway I walked over to see if he could get me a movie (Eat, Pray, Love) and chatted with him. I was walking with my friend (another PCV) and he needed to head to the market. Once there even though I didn’t buy anything I chatted up my market guy and suddenly I realized how many people I knew and had relationships with in this country. As I walked back to eh bus station I had a seat than decided that I needed water ASAP, not in a hour at home so I was walking across the street when I guy (who lives in Hopkins) stopped to tell me that my bus was going to be there soon, so hurry up! Seriously this day was amazing. As I got off the bus I got three “Hello Ms. Kim!”’s and as I was walking along that Caribbean sea I saw tons of people I knew and stop to chat with a few of my favorite kids. As I sat down on my front veranda still smiling to enjoy and splurge in a big bowl (or 2) of lucky charms my amazing neighbor walks over with some hot, fresh of the fire, jonny cakes (kinda like denser bread about that size of a English muffin) which just happen to be my favorite. She also agreed to teach me how to make them next time she does!
Man I love this country!
So am I living in a hut in the middle of nowhere? No.. but I’m come to learn that, that is not what it’s all about. I’m learning about another culture (or two) and forming relationships that will be with me for the rest of my life. Is this what I expected? No.. it’s so much better.
Ps. Only a few will understand this but I for sure wrote packback the first time.
Pps. I’m sorry if this is long winded or boring! I can’t stop smiling and needed to tell someone about my day so I decided why not everyone!
Ppps. I think I ate too many jonny cakes
Pppps. Lost another 5 pounds
Today I needed to go to Belmopan for the day to take care of some bank issues and to pick up a backpack that I left there a few weeks ago. My day started by having water!!! Yes I have water and electricity but almost everyday (I’d say 9 out of 10) we lose water for the better part of the day, which makes indoor plumbing a issue! But this morning we had it, so I got to start my day off with a nice cool shower and a flush of the toilet! After all that good stuff I got on our bus and my host mom was in it! I’m always so happy when I get on the bus and know people, especially her. Once I got to Dangrigia (the town about an hour away where I catch a bus up to Belmopan) I had an hour to wait and decided to walk across the street to the small store to get some juice. On my way there I ran in to Kent. Kent was Laura’s host brother in Dangriga through training. And since I spent more waking hours with Laura than at my own host family I saw him often. He came over and gave me a hug and at first I thought he might have been confused and thought I was Laura (everyone here thinks we are sisters, if not twins). But confuse us he did not! He asked all about Hopkins and how things were going. It’s so cool that you don’t even realize the connections you’ve made until later! Next I got on the bus and ran in to another volunteer. We chatted our way to Belmopan and it made the ride so much faster. Once I got to Belmopan I had a few errors to run and went to the opposite side of town than the office. It was HOTTTT today. I’m not sure how HOT but one of the hottest days we’ve had in awhile. On my way walking to the office (which was about 30-40 mins, if not more) I was going to call a taxi and decided to walk it instead. About 10 min in to my walk my favorite taxi driver Jack pulls over (most of the volunteers use him in Belmopan and he has always been just a great day, peace corps gave us his number as a dependable taxi) over the past few months I have gotten to know Jack, so when he offered me a ride I jumped right in. I pulled out my wallet to get my money ready and he insisted that this one was on him, he appreciates everything we are here doing for this country and one taxi ride was the least he could do. This alone made my day. As we drove he was drinking a orange juice and commented that there was nothing better than a nice cold OJ on a hot day. When we pulled over at the store on the way to the office and he said he would just be a second I didn’t think twice about it. When he came out to the car I didn’t think twice about it. It wasn’t until he handed me the oj that I realized he stoped to buy me a orange juice! What a nice guy!
Once I got to the office I had some good chats with a lot of the staff and one of the other volunteers who lives in town and was hiding out at the office with AC for the day. That alone would have been enough to make my day.. but no it kept coming. On the way to the bus station I stopped at the bank and figured all that out. Once at the bus station I was standing infront of the gate which our bus to dangriga leaves from was waiting “inline” or rather the mass group that pushes to get on the bus and this women was next to me behind a counter selling drinks and food and such. She was singing and yelling and having a great time. Then I hear “Hello! Hello lady! Hello!” Now Belizeans don’t say hello to one another they great each other with the time of the day so when I hear Hello I usually look around cause they are 9/10 times talking to me. Sure enough I was right “are you Belizean??!” Some guy in front of my answers “NO! She’s Cuban!” I respond that no I’m not but I live here. “AHH I thought so you fit in, you don’t look like you’re from the states, you look like you belong here” Now I’m not entirely sure what I was doing or how I was acting to make her think that but it’s one of the biggest compliments I’ve ever gotten.
Next up was Grigia. I had an hour “lay over” so I ran around getting a few things done, first was the post office were they knew me and I got to pick up a letter from Sarah (thanks Sarah!!) than I stopped in to say hi to Ms. Donna. Ms. Donna owns and runs Val’s hostel, this is where Jenna, Cass, Laura and I spend 90% of our time that we weren’t sleeping or at class. She became sort of a second host mom to us all. I stopped in just to say hi and see how she was doing. I thought it was no big deal but you could tell it meant the world to her. Next on my list was the movie place, there is this guy who owns a movie/bike shop. He was one of the first people Laura and I meet in Dangrigia. He is also who I bought my bike from. Anyway I walked over to see if he could get me a movie (Eat, Pray, Love) and chatted with him. I was walking with my friend (another PCV) and he needed to head to the market. Once there even though I didn’t buy anything I chatted up my market guy and suddenly I realized how many people I knew and had relationships with in this country. As I walked back to eh bus station I had a seat than decided that I needed water ASAP, not in a hour at home so I was walking across the street when I guy (who lives in Hopkins) stopped to tell me that my bus was going to be there soon, so hurry up! Seriously this day was amazing. As I got off the bus I got three “Hello Ms. Kim!”’s and as I was walking along that Caribbean sea I saw tons of people I knew and stop to chat with a few of my favorite kids. As I sat down on my front veranda still smiling to enjoy and splurge in a big bowl (or 2) of lucky charms my amazing neighbor walks over with some hot, fresh of the fire, jonny cakes (kinda like denser bread about that size of a English muffin) which just happen to be my favorite. She also agreed to teach me how to make them next time she does!
Man I love this country!
So am I living in a hut in the middle of nowhere? No.. but I’m come to learn that, that is not what it’s all about. I’m learning about another culture (or two) and forming relationships that will be with me for the rest of my life. Is this what I expected? No.. it’s so much better.
Ps. Only a few will understand this but I for sure wrote packback the first time.
Pps. I’m sorry if this is long winded or boring! I can’t stop smiling and needed to tell someone about my day so I decided why not everyone!
Ppps. I think I ate too many jonny cakes
Pppps. Lost another 5 pounds
Sunday, August 15, 2010
I could tell you....
As some of you know I spent 3 days last week in a village named Bronco. It is the southernmost village in Belize and where my friend Laura is living. It is a small Garifunia community that is considered the spiritual capital of the Garifunia people. I went there so see a ceremony called a Chugu. It is a spiritual ceremony to lift a curse off of a family. It is a 3 day event that pretty much the entire village and people from all over the country come in to participate in it.
Now I could try to describe dancing around in this temple, 100 bodies swaying together to the beat of the drums. I could try to explain the beauty of the people and the drumming and the singing/praying. I could try to tell you how sitting in this temple was the first time that I felt like I really did join the Peace Corps. I could try to tell you my shock and my American skepticism when I witnessed the first person catch a sprit. I could try to make you understand that by the second I was a full believer. I could try to describe going to get smoked out so that the sprits wouldn’t follow us home. I could try to tell you the fear in my heart when someone caught a bad sprit, not for myself but for that person. And I could try to tell you the sense of overall calm and safety I felt as entire temple full of amazing people prayed for that individual. I could try to tell you how calm I felt once they bad spirt had left. I could try, but it would truly never be enough.
No one except for Laura and Sam, who experienced this with me will ever truly believe or understand this experience. I have really debated writing about this at all. At first the American in me wanted to laugh at what I was seeing, but after participating in it I have no doubt. I was fearful that writers would as well. This culture and the people in this culture have already become such a special thing to be it was hard to think about write about it and having people at home laugh or think lightly of it. I find it amazing that I get to part of a culture, even if it is only for two years that has such strong beliefs and sacred rituals. The sense of community and willingness to help one another is unlike anything I have ever found in the states. If there was some kind of Peace Corps lottery I won it hands down. There is no where I would rather serve and no one else I would rather live with than the amazing people I have met in the Garifunia community.
Other than my two days in the south everything else is still going well. I start “work” on Monday. School starts on the first of Sept but I’ll be doing workshops with teachers for a few weeks first. I have gotten a few questions about this so I guess it’s time for me to tell ya’ll what exactly I’ll be doing this year. A few people seem to think that I’ll be teaching. False. I’m a teacher trainer I’ll be training the teachers and helping them with their classroom management and lesson plans. Also, starting a reading program will be a big part of my job. I’m not sure exactly what this is going to look like yet. I do know that I want to make good use of the library and have teachers bring their students over to use the resources we have. I think that one of the keys if not THE key to being the literacy rate up is getting kids to ENJOY reading. READ READ READ!!! Most kids aren’t exposed to many books other than the texts they use in class. I want to them learn that reading is fun and exciting and can be an escape or something that you can use to learn from. There is so much more to reading than their science texts. I will also being doing a few pull out reading groups with some of the younger kids. Also, I hope to start a GLOW club. This is a Peace Corps initiative started a few years ago. It will be an afterschool club for kids in upper standards (like middle school ages). We will work on self esteem and peer pressure but also fun things like gardening and cooking! I’m really excited for this project and hope it works out! There are other small projects that I’ll be working on but I’m honestly not sure what exactly my year is going to look like. I’m so excite to get started and get working!!! Also there are a few committees that I’m on/hopefully will be on. First is the VAC committee. This is the “volunteer advisory committee” basically we having meetings without distract every 3 months and they take volunteers concerns or suggestions back to the Peace Corps staff. The second committee I’m currently on it the Peer support planning committee. We (the pcv’s in this country) want to start some type of peer support system in country so everyone also has the support they need. Well I’m on the planning committee to plan how we want this to look. I’m really excited about it. It (the planning committee) is brand new and we haven’t met yet but I’m excited to see how this works out and be on the actually peer support committee one day I’m also applying for the WID/GAD committee that works with gender issues here in country. The GLOW club I want to start is something this committee started. Also they hold Camp GLOW every summer for girls. We will see!
Of course everyday here is a challenging, even the days that I spend sitting in my hammock reading all day. It’s a challenge to spend so much time with yourself. You are really forced to look deep down and think all the thoughts you have been avoiding for years. However, I am loving every second of it and learning more and more about myself every day. I love waking up and having NO idea what my day is going to bring and who I’m going to meet.
I think for today I’m going to head to my host families house and hang out for awhile, perhaps hut down my counterpart and see if I’m supposed to do anything this week!
Its been awhile (sorry I forgot!) but here are some more happy thoughts!!
~We choose our joys and our sorrows long before we experience them. -Kahlil Gibran
~Kathleen Kelly: Why did you stop by again?
Joe Fox: I wanted to be your friend. –You’ve got mail
~Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. –MLK
~Knowledge plus character-that is the goal of true education. –MLK
~The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are. –JP Morgan
~Listen and Make the connections. Between you and them-Make the connections. –ASB Voices
Now I could try to describe dancing around in this temple, 100 bodies swaying together to the beat of the drums. I could try to explain the beauty of the people and the drumming and the singing/praying. I could try to tell you how sitting in this temple was the first time that I felt like I really did join the Peace Corps. I could try to tell you my shock and my American skepticism when I witnessed the first person catch a sprit. I could try to make you understand that by the second I was a full believer. I could try to describe going to get smoked out so that the sprits wouldn’t follow us home. I could try to tell you the fear in my heart when someone caught a bad sprit, not for myself but for that person. And I could try to tell you the sense of overall calm and safety I felt as entire temple full of amazing people prayed for that individual. I could try to tell you how calm I felt once they bad spirt had left. I could try, but it would truly never be enough.
No one except for Laura and Sam, who experienced this with me will ever truly believe or understand this experience. I have really debated writing about this at all. At first the American in me wanted to laugh at what I was seeing, but after participating in it I have no doubt. I was fearful that writers would as well. This culture and the people in this culture have already become such a special thing to be it was hard to think about write about it and having people at home laugh or think lightly of it. I find it amazing that I get to part of a culture, even if it is only for two years that has such strong beliefs and sacred rituals. The sense of community and willingness to help one another is unlike anything I have ever found in the states. If there was some kind of Peace Corps lottery I won it hands down. There is no where I would rather serve and no one else I would rather live with than the amazing people I have met in the Garifunia community.
Other than my two days in the south everything else is still going well. I start “work” on Monday. School starts on the first of Sept but I’ll be doing workshops with teachers for a few weeks first. I have gotten a few questions about this so I guess it’s time for me to tell ya’ll what exactly I’ll be doing this year. A few people seem to think that I’ll be teaching. False. I’m a teacher trainer I’ll be training the teachers and helping them with their classroom management and lesson plans. Also, starting a reading program will be a big part of my job. I’m not sure exactly what this is going to look like yet. I do know that I want to make good use of the library and have teachers bring their students over to use the resources we have. I think that one of the keys if not THE key to being the literacy rate up is getting kids to ENJOY reading. READ READ READ!!! Most kids aren’t exposed to many books other than the texts they use in class. I want to them learn that reading is fun and exciting and can be an escape or something that you can use to learn from. There is so much more to reading than their science texts. I will also being doing a few pull out reading groups with some of the younger kids. Also, I hope to start a GLOW club. This is a Peace Corps initiative started a few years ago. It will be an afterschool club for kids in upper standards (like middle school ages). We will work on self esteem and peer pressure but also fun things like gardening and cooking! I’m really excited for this project and hope it works out! There are other small projects that I’ll be working on but I’m honestly not sure what exactly my year is going to look like. I’m so excite to get started and get working!!! Also there are a few committees that I’m on/hopefully will be on. First is the VAC committee. This is the “volunteer advisory committee” basically we having meetings without distract every 3 months and they take volunteers concerns or suggestions back to the Peace Corps staff. The second committee I’m currently on it the Peer support planning committee. We (the pcv’s in this country) want to start some type of peer support system in country so everyone also has the support they need. Well I’m on the planning committee to plan how we want this to look. I’m really excited about it. It (the planning committee) is brand new and we haven’t met yet but I’m excited to see how this works out and be on the actually peer support committee one day I’m also applying for the WID/GAD committee that works with gender issues here in country. The GLOW club I want to start is something this committee started. Also they hold Camp GLOW every summer for girls. We will see!
Of course everyday here is a challenging, even the days that I spend sitting in my hammock reading all day. It’s a challenge to spend so much time with yourself. You are really forced to look deep down and think all the thoughts you have been avoiding for years. However, I am loving every second of it and learning more and more about myself every day. I love waking up and having NO idea what my day is going to bring and who I’m going to meet.
I think for today I’m going to head to my host families house and hang out for awhile, perhaps hut down my counterpart and see if I’m supposed to do anything this week!
Its been awhile (sorry I forgot!) but here are some more happy thoughts!!
~We choose our joys and our sorrows long before we experience them. -Kahlil Gibran
~Kathleen Kelly: Why did you stop by again?
Joe Fox: I wanted to be your friend. –You’ve got mail
~Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. –MLK
~Knowledge plus character-that is the goal of true education. –MLK
~The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are. –JP Morgan
~Listen and Make the connections. Between you and them-Make the connections. –ASB Voices
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
