So Surprise! I'm in the states. I came back the week before Christmas. After months of planning my dad and I successfully surprised everyone!!! (with the exception of the few friends who knew, and me spilling it on facebook before my brother got home)
Michigan has been great. It was for sure a shock when I first got back. There are just so many people here. and the food!!! there is just so much and so many choices!! CRAZY!!!! It didn't talk long to get back in the American swing of things. It was wonderful to be able to spend the holidays with my family and see some good friends. At times it was stressful because like any vacation there is never enough time for anyone or anything. I'm ready to get home and slow down and go back to my new way of life :) but It'll be hard to leave again.
After hearing that people actually do read my blog I guess I need to get back in the swing of things :)
to start I put most of my pics online. Enjoy and I'll update soon!
http://picasaweb.google.com/116005566328750799555
Love and miss you all!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Friday, December 10, 2010
It's been awhile...
So it was pointed out that I haven’t updated this is three weeks. Sorry about that. I haven’t been online much and when I do have free time I’ve been spending it in my hammock with a good book, or 5.
Everything is still going really well, I love this village a little more every day. Well Let’s start with the 19th of November.
November 19th is a national holiday, Its Garifuna settlement day. Since Hopkins is one of only a few Garifuna communities it’s a BIG deal here. It is celebrating the Garifuna people coming to Belize, after being exiled off of St. Vincent. On the 18th we had a rally at school, we sent some boys out in dories (canoes) to reenact the arrival. After we paraded back to school while singing and dancing and drumming. We than watched some Punta (traditional Garifuna dancing) and had some guest speakers. After we paraded around the village. We got a truck with huge speakers and danced through the streets it was a blast. After we came back to school and all the classes got to have some traditional Garifuna food (there a few different dishes most made out of ripe plantain or banana.) That night I had a few other volunteers come in to celebrate it. While it’s a national holiday there are really event in the Garifuna communities. Unfortunately it poured all night so the village was pretty dead, everyone deciding to stay in or head to Dangriga, where it was raining but had artist still playing.
Friday morning we woke up early and although it was still raining went to watch the real reenactment. It was cool. There were 2 boats with like 20 people and they came in and were turned away by a English guy just like when they came originally. They tried again and finally were allowed to stay. There was drumming and singing which lead us right into church. We than had a church service. It was all in Garifuna and about 2 hours. However I loved it. The Garifuna hymn and amazing and beautiful. I’m even learning a few!
After church we headed home and made some lunch! Yum! In the afternoon Molly and Jenna had to head out but 2 other volunteers showed up out of nowhere! Awesome! We saw Molly and Jenna off and than hung out for a bit. Later in the evening I got a call from Hilton (a teacher at my school) and he informed me that they were parading and where was I?? so we hurried up and caught up with the parade. I pretty much ditched my volunteer friends and danced with some of my students than joined some of the teachers. This parade conveniently stopped right off on the beach. They started drumming and dancing started. At first I was just standing with my friend Miles and Alison and Hilton and Wayne. But soon they were convincing me to dance. And so I did. I talked to lots of people and lots of kids laughed at me. By far I felt the most intergraded I had since I got to Belize.
The rest of that weekend was uneventful, mainly because the village was recovering from Friday night. The next week was thanksgiving and while my first big holiday away was hard I was fortunate enough to spend it with a lot of my new peace corps family. Monday we had a district dinner in Dangriga. The staff at the peace corps office donated a turkey for us and it was wonderful. Later on Thursday I headed up north to have another amazing dinner on Friday. There were about 30 of there included three staff member who made the drive up to celebrate with us. It was nice and I think really needed for all of us. There was a small group of us who spend the night and stayed up chatting. The rest of the weekend I spent in the north just hanging out. Monday it was off to Belmopan. We had a two day workshop for all the education volunteers. It was cool to get some good idea from each other.
Wednesday I headed home to Hopkins and haven’t left since. I love it. I love really being able to spend time here and not feeling guilty for missing school again for another meeting.
Unfortunately we got some bad news this week. One of the teacher’s mom, passed on last weekend. I went to the wake on Tuesday and the Funeral on Wednesday. It’s been a long, hard week. Although, I’m really glad I got to be here. This week really made me realize how important the guys I teach with have become to me. They are thoughtful, caring, strong family men and I feel always so honored when I get to walk around with them. They are now part of my family; they watch out for me and laugh not only with me but at me. They include me into this community and make me feel like I belong here just as much as they do. It’s amazing feeling that I wish I could communicate better. But I supposed that like the quote “the best feelings have no words”
I meant to bring some pictures to post but forgot so I guess that means you get another entry next week :)
Everything is still going really well, I love this village a little more every day. Well Let’s start with the 19th of November.
November 19th is a national holiday, Its Garifuna settlement day. Since Hopkins is one of only a few Garifuna communities it’s a BIG deal here. It is celebrating the Garifuna people coming to Belize, after being exiled off of St. Vincent. On the 18th we had a rally at school, we sent some boys out in dories (canoes) to reenact the arrival. After we paraded back to school while singing and dancing and drumming. We than watched some Punta (traditional Garifuna dancing) and had some guest speakers. After we paraded around the village. We got a truck with huge speakers and danced through the streets it was a blast. After we came back to school and all the classes got to have some traditional Garifuna food (there a few different dishes most made out of ripe plantain or banana.) That night I had a few other volunteers come in to celebrate it. While it’s a national holiday there are really event in the Garifuna communities. Unfortunately it poured all night so the village was pretty dead, everyone deciding to stay in or head to Dangriga, where it was raining but had artist still playing.
Friday morning we woke up early and although it was still raining went to watch the real reenactment. It was cool. There were 2 boats with like 20 people and they came in and were turned away by a English guy just like when they came originally. They tried again and finally were allowed to stay. There was drumming and singing which lead us right into church. We than had a church service. It was all in Garifuna and about 2 hours. However I loved it. The Garifuna hymn and amazing and beautiful. I’m even learning a few!
After church we headed home and made some lunch! Yum! In the afternoon Molly and Jenna had to head out but 2 other volunteers showed up out of nowhere! Awesome! We saw Molly and Jenna off and than hung out for a bit. Later in the evening I got a call from Hilton (a teacher at my school) and he informed me that they were parading and where was I?? so we hurried up and caught up with the parade. I pretty much ditched my volunteer friends and danced with some of my students than joined some of the teachers. This parade conveniently stopped right off on the beach. They started drumming and dancing started. At first I was just standing with my friend Miles and Alison and Hilton and Wayne. But soon they were convincing me to dance. And so I did. I talked to lots of people and lots of kids laughed at me. By far I felt the most intergraded I had since I got to Belize.
The rest of that weekend was uneventful, mainly because the village was recovering from Friday night. The next week was thanksgiving and while my first big holiday away was hard I was fortunate enough to spend it with a lot of my new peace corps family. Monday we had a district dinner in Dangriga. The staff at the peace corps office donated a turkey for us and it was wonderful. Later on Thursday I headed up north to have another amazing dinner on Friday. There were about 30 of there included three staff member who made the drive up to celebrate with us. It was nice and I think really needed for all of us. There was a small group of us who spend the night and stayed up chatting. The rest of the weekend I spent in the north just hanging out. Monday it was off to Belmopan. We had a two day workshop for all the education volunteers. It was cool to get some good idea from each other.
Wednesday I headed home to Hopkins and haven’t left since. I love it. I love really being able to spend time here and not feeling guilty for missing school again for another meeting.
Unfortunately we got some bad news this week. One of the teacher’s mom, passed on last weekend. I went to the wake on Tuesday and the Funeral on Wednesday. It’s been a long, hard week. Although, I’m really glad I got to be here. This week really made me realize how important the guys I teach with have become to me. They are thoughtful, caring, strong family men and I feel always so honored when I get to walk around with them. They are now part of my family; they watch out for me and laugh not only with me but at me. They include me into this community and make me feel like I belong here just as much as they do. It’s amazing feeling that I wish I could communicate better. But I supposed that like the quote “the best feelings have no words”
I meant to bring some pictures to post but forgot so I guess that means you get another entry next week :)
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Garifunia refresher, Dengue, and my 1st hurricane!
Ok… so clearly I’m writing this so everything is fine.. meaning I didn’t die from dengue! But lets catch everyone one…
First, Last week Laura and I had our Language in-service training. It was going to be a refresher course on language, which we both really needed. Laura came a few days early and we hung out in Hopkins… even though I had threaten a man with the police and ran out of gas to cook we had a blast. Once again my neighbor pulled through for both and tried to help get my lawn chopped (I paid a man and he did a really bad job and didn’t finish but wouldn’t. I had to threaten the police but a guy who’s family owns the house ended up stopping by and doing it for me! She also was nice enough to let us finish cooking our chicken on her stove! Seriously what would I do without my neighbors???)
Anyway, we had a great weekend and made it to Dangriga on Sunday ready for three non stop days of speaking Garifuna. Well Monday morning I woke up and wasn’t feeling so hot. By noon I could hardly walk. By 1PM Laura was sure I had dengue and I was in full denial (I’ll be fine!!) For those of you who don’t know dengue is a tropical desiese spread by misquotes. Its commonly called broken bone deiseise because it literally feels like your bones are broke. It was by far the most painful thing I’ve every experienced, and this time I’m not exstuating. I could hardly move. There is also nothing they can do for it. I got some Tylenol for the fever and to “help” with the pain but it didn’t really do much beyond the fever… for about 5 days I was sure I was going to die, but by day 6 it was ok. Today I’m feeling much better, at least I feel like myself again. I’m still tired and sore and not 100% but I no longer feel like I have 232 broke bones So Friday as I was lying in bed dying peace corps called, they informed me they were picking me up and we needed to talk. Well once I got to the peace corps office I found out that surprise a hurricane was coming! (who watches the weather channel when they are sick? Isn’t that was E! is for?) so Basically I needed to get on a bus come back make sure my house was packed up and hurricane proof than turn around in the morning and get back to Belmopan. I talked with some staff and decided the only thing in my house was my computer and it was up high away from windows so I wasn’t moving.
On Sunday morning about 20 other volunteers arrived at the hotel (other volunteers were in hotel in other parts of the country) We got briefed by Peace Corps (who informed us it was now a category 2 hurricane and headed straight at us… ) and were locked in the hotel. It started at about 6pm. It was heavy rain and by 9 the wind was so strong it was scary. We would stand on the balcony and get blown down it. (Don’t worry mom we were safe the whole time!) two men from the hotel walked around all night and made sure we were safe and the building was ok. at some point in the night the ceiling of the rooms on the third floor starting collapsing so we were all moved to the second floor. The second floor is like a motel the hall ways are open, it was interesting trying to move with candles and pitch blankness in 90 mile an hour winds! But no worries we woke up safe in the morning! Through the night I keep in contact with not only other volunteers but also my counterpart down in Hopkins and my host family who were at my host brother’s house in Belmopan right down the street. It was nice to know everyone was safe yet scary not knowing what how my house was or if others were ok. Lucky Hopkins wasn’t damaged much other than a few down trees and everyone is ok. Belize City wasn’t so lucky and had a lot of damage. I watched the news for a bit with my neighbor and it was so sad to watch.
First thing Tuesday morning we were all cleared from the hotel and allowed to leave. The buses were back and up and running and I returned home. There was no damage too my house at all and actually came back to a fixed up yard! Lucky me!
I spend the afternoon with me neighbor (he fixed my bike! Seriously what would I do?) and my oldest Host sister stopped by and hung for while. It’s so nice to be back. Today I’m back to work! Its about time. This weekend is Halloween (my favorite… note the sarcasm) Friday we are having a parade and other than that not much happens. The big news is that its almost November which is a very eventful month in a Garifunia community, we have all sorts of events and celebration, but that sounds like a perfect next blog so I’ll catch you up on that soon!
First, Last week Laura and I had our Language in-service training. It was going to be a refresher course on language, which we both really needed. Laura came a few days early and we hung out in Hopkins… even though I had threaten a man with the police and ran out of gas to cook we had a blast. Once again my neighbor pulled through for both and tried to help get my lawn chopped (I paid a man and he did a really bad job and didn’t finish but wouldn’t. I had to threaten the police but a guy who’s family owns the house ended up stopping by and doing it for me! She also was nice enough to let us finish cooking our chicken on her stove! Seriously what would I do without my neighbors???)
Anyway, we had a great weekend and made it to Dangriga on Sunday ready for three non stop days of speaking Garifuna. Well Monday morning I woke up and wasn’t feeling so hot. By noon I could hardly walk. By 1PM Laura was sure I had dengue and I was in full denial (I’ll be fine!!) For those of you who don’t know dengue is a tropical desiese spread by misquotes. Its commonly called broken bone deiseise because it literally feels like your bones are broke. It was by far the most painful thing I’ve every experienced, and this time I’m not exstuating. I could hardly move. There is also nothing they can do for it. I got some Tylenol for the fever and to “help” with the pain but it didn’t really do much beyond the fever… for about 5 days I was sure I was going to die, but by day 6 it was ok. Today I’m feeling much better, at least I feel like myself again. I’m still tired and sore and not 100% but I no longer feel like I have 232 broke bones So Friday as I was lying in bed dying peace corps called, they informed me they were picking me up and we needed to talk. Well once I got to the peace corps office I found out that surprise a hurricane was coming! (who watches the weather channel when they are sick? Isn’t that was E! is for?) so Basically I needed to get on a bus come back make sure my house was packed up and hurricane proof than turn around in the morning and get back to Belmopan. I talked with some staff and decided the only thing in my house was my computer and it was up high away from windows so I wasn’t moving.
On Sunday morning about 20 other volunteers arrived at the hotel (other volunteers were in hotel in other parts of the country) We got briefed by Peace Corps (who informed us it was now a category 2 hurricane and headed straight at us… ) and were locked in the hotel. It started at about 6pm. It was heavy rain and by 9 the wind was so strong it was scary. We would stand on the balcony and get blown down it. (Don’t worry mom we were safe the whole time!) two men from the hotel walked around all night and made sure we were safe and the building was ok. at some point in the night the ceiling of the rooms on the third floor starting collapsing so we were all moved to the second floor. The second floor is like a motel the hall ways are open, it was interesting trying to move with candles and pitch blankness in 90 mile an hour winds! But no worries we woke up safe in the morning! Through the night I keep in contact with not only other volunteers but also my counterpart down in Hopkins and my host family who were at my host brother’s house in Belmopan right down the street. It was nice to know everyone was safe yet scary not knowing what how my house was or if others were ok. Lucky Hopkins wasn’t damaged much other than a few down trees and everyone is ok. Belize City wasn’t so lucky and had a lot of damage. I watched the news for a bit with my neighbor and it was so sad to watch.
First thing Tuesday morning we were all cleared from the hotel and allowed to leave. The buses were back and up and running and I returned home. There was no damage too my house at all and actually came back to a fixed up yard! Lucky me!
I spend the afternoon with me neighbor (he fixed my bike! Seriously what would I do?) and my oldest Host sister stopped by and hung for while. It’s so nice to be back. Today I’m back to work! Its about time. This weekend is Halloween (my favorite… note the sarcasm) Friday we are having a parade and other than that not much happens. The big news is that its almost November which is a very eventful month in a Garifunia community, we have all sorts of events and celebration, but that sounds like a perfect next blog so I’ll catch you up on that soon!
Friday, October 15, 2010
Pics!!!
The view from my school! Yes that is the sea!
Me in front of the school
I'll post somemore later when there are kids!
The boys drumming at the drumming center. Awesome!
This is one of the walls in my kitchen/living area! The world map is one of the best things I've gotten in a care package! Thanks A!
My new bedroom! It's blue blue blue!
colleen is amazing and painted my kitchen!!
Gayla putting the finshing touches on my room!
This is one of my students, Ryan, he helped so much! and he's so cute!
My neighbor Derrick, I'm sure he painted more of my house than I did. I'm not actually sure how he got roped into helping in the first place :)
There are many more so I'm going to try to put them on a online photo album, soon! :)
Thursday, October 14, 2010
paint, drumming and behavior changing
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!
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 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
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