After a long weekend full of dancing, drumming, laughing, eating, more dancing, and a bit of singing, I feel the need to express how thankful I am. As tomorrow is thanksgiving what perfect timing! This weekend was Nov 19th, Garifuna settlement day. I wrote a post last year describing it so I won't bore you again. This year I believe it was even better than last year.
Before I start I want to make this very clear. I am so thankful (perhaps more than ever before in my life) for my family and friends back at home in the states. There is NO way I would ever be able to do any of this without you. Especially my parents! So thank you mom and dad! I am also so thankful that I will get to spend the bulk of the holiday season with them when I head to the land of snow and freezing wind in Dec for almost 3 full weeks of eating, laughing, and hanging out. The thing is that I think about this every day. I think about how lucky I am to have supportive people in my and people to back me up even if they don't love it or might be more at ease if I was doing something different, this thought never slips from my mind. So thank you!
However I often forget to be thankful for what I have here and now. There are so many people here (many whom I have talked about in this blog) that have become family to me. So many who watch out for me and take care of me. I truly never expected to be accepted in to a family, to have a group of friends whom I'm so close to I consider them brothers, to fall it love! That I for sure never saw coming!
But often because life here has become to everyday for me that it all feels so "normal" to me I forget how good I have it. I have come to realize that I may in fact be the exception to the rule. I do not know many other volunteers that have formed the relationships I have and managed to feel successful in work. I for sure have the best of both worlds but living in it, it is easy to forget.
This weekend I was reminded completely how lucky I am. I had two other volunteers visit and after watching the boats come in we walked to my host family's home where we hung out and laughed. We also got to help make the Hudut. Part of this meal evolves beating plantain. One of the friends that came living in a Spanish village and has never gotten to try Hudut let alone make it. After we were sucessfully in Hudut coma, we continued on our way. After a quick stop for a smoothie we make it back to house for a few minutes of relaxation. And I mean I few! within 10 mins Derrick called to inform us the parade was starting. After a few we hurried to catch up. There was drumming and dancing on the beach following the parade. After a few hours everyone packed up and headed home to relax after a LONG day and get ready to go back out at night (it was probably 7?) Well we had other plans. I met up with the boys (fritz, Hilton and the newest addition Troy who is Fritz's brother and teaching at our school this year) and we decided to go out! We went to our favorite Karaoke bar and danced the night away. We were the only people in the bar... but i think that only made it more fun. Soon derrick and his best friend met up with us and joined in. While dancing (which is for sure a once a year event for me) I realized that most of my favorite people in this country are in that room. It was awesome. I was reminded of the close friendship I have formed and so grateful for these guys in my life. After the dance party the night was pretty uneventful, we went and got food and headed home. This year was so different from last year. Last year I think I was still an outsider where as this year I was just another member of this amazing community I'm blessed to call home!
If Saturday wasn't enough to remember I was standing on the side of the highway last night when I realized I had missed my bus and it was getting dark. Then I head "KIMBERLYYYYYY" Wayne and Mr. Nunez pulls up next to me on the way home from a meeting! Saving the day even dropped me off in front of my house! Than today, I went home from school for lunch today planning on having some Raman. This morning I had let Margret and Derrick put all their things in my house as they were having people come and pull their ceiling down. I reached home to find Marget in my kitchen (after scrubbing my stove and sink which I had been putting off for months) making hudut!
This holiday season I have so much to be thankful for! Aguyu means home in Garifuna and I think this has become my new favorite word. I am thankful this year to have two homes in this crazy world!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
small things or big things? who cares?
This past Saturday might have been my proudest day so far as a Peace Corps volunteer. There are many things that I have been proud of and am proud of. First and foremost the relationships I have formed here. My host family, friends, and students. I'm proud of the work I've done at school; however this is sometimes hard to keep in mind on a day to day basis. There are many volunteer who do huge events and workshops that reach a large number of people. These are usually the stories we hear about. However my work has mainly been small things, day or day interaction or helping out or giving a teacher a suggestion. I have started 2 reading programs and believe that kids are reading much more than they were, but I was still comparing myself to other and the big events they were doing. It’s so easy to compare, the whole time I was working hard and doing something that I truly felt would be sustainable, and I still think it will be. No, I know it.
I first starting to realize that maybe, just maybe the day to day interaction and those "small things" as I call them really are the most meaningful this summer. I had a few people from Peace Corps come down and spend the day with me. They talked to my counterparts, friends, and host family. We had the conversation how I feel like I'm not doing these big things. After hours of talk I realized that those "small things" together make a big difference.
After months of "small things", Saturday was a big thing! Our community had a library, when I came to Hopkins it was being opened only by the last Peace Corps volunteer that was here. She left and there it sat. The library had originally been named after the Peace Corps volunteer before her who had started it. This building full of books sat there for a year. No one to open it and no one to take care of it. I started searching for someone in the community who might want to be a library, last May I finally found her! I also began to work with an agency in Belize called the Nation Library Service. Together we also developed a board, which consists of 6 indivuals as of now. These board member, and mainly the librarian have been working hard for months and it was all worth it on Saturday when as had a re-opening of the new and improved Hopkins Library and Educational Center!!!
We opened the library for 5 hours and had 31 new members! There were adults and kids that came and hung out and read. It was amazing! I loved every minute of it. However the hard work is nowhere near over. Starting this Saturday we are going to start making new bylaws for the board. We are also working on getting some land donated so we can build a new building (our roof is leaking and isn't hurricane ready). We want to get computers and more books but can't until we have a place to keep them safe. There is hard work still ahead but I now know that Hopkins will have a library! The hard work was defiantly worth it!
ps. I posted new pictures!!
I first starting to realize that maybe, just maybe the day to day interaction and those "small things" as I call them really are the most meaningful this summer. I had a few people from Peace Corps come down and spend the day with me. They talked to my counterparts, friends, and host family. We had the conversation how I feel like I'm not doing these big things. After hours of talk I realized that those "small things" together make a big difference.
After months of "small things", Saturday was a big thing! Our community had a library, when I came to Hopkins it was being opened only by the last Peace Corps volunteer that was here. She left and there it sat. The library had originally been named after the Peace Corps volunteer before her who had started it. This building full of books sat there for a year. No one to open it and no one to take care of it. I started searching for someone in the community who might want to be a library, last May I finally found her! I also began to work with an agency in Belize called the Nation Library Service. Together we also developed a board, which consists of 6 indivuals as of now. These board member, and mainly the librarian have been working hard for months and it was all worth it on Saturday when as had a re-opening of the new and improved Hopkins Library and Educational Center!!!
We opened the library for 5 hours and had 31 new members! There were adults and kids that came and hung out and read. It was amazing! I loved every minute of it. However the hard work is nowhere near over. Starting this Saturday we are going to start making new bylaws for the board. We are also working on getting some land donated so we can build a new building (our roof is leaking and isn't hurricane ready). We want to get computers and more books but can't until we have a place to keep them safe. There is hard work still ahead but I now know that Hopkins will have a library! The hard work was defiantly worth it!
ps. I posted new pictures!!
Thursday, September 15, 2011
A new school year!!
Well it's been 6 months so I thought it was about time to update this thing.
School started this week, today is day three. I have a feeling that it’s going to be a great year!
Now for the last 6 months. It’s been crazy! Jackie came for like 10 days and it was awesome. We had a blast and ate like kings! Than three weeks after she left my parents and Bobby came for a visit. Once again we had a blast and ate like kings! I than spent the summer doing... a lot of relaxing. I spent a ton of time with my host family which was really nice. I also went on a few relaxing weekend get a ways. The end of school last year was crazy stressful so a month off was just what I needed. But don't worry I did do some work. I read with kids and prepared for this school year.
Here is something I'm really excited about. This year at school we are implementing two new reading programs. The first one is DEAR. That stands for Drop Everything And Read. When school starts again after lunch at 1pm every teacher in the school will do a read aloud for ten minutes, then everyone in the school will do silent reading for 20, including the teachers. I'm really excited about this. I have a friend in a village in the far south that tried this at her school and it worked wonders. (update: everyone is loving this!! The teachers are really getting into their read alouds and the students are loving the reading, always coming to ask for a good book!!)
The second program is more of a contest, I think when I did it in school it was call "book it" it was sponsored by Pizza Hut. Clearly.. here it is not… Basically the kids keep track of all the time they spend reading outside of school. At the end of the month everyone adds up the time and if we meet our goal everyone gets a prize. The prize is going to be something fun, an extra gym class or a movie afternoon. The point is to simple get them to read more. The more they read the better they will get. I'm also hoping by them reading for fun and not a history book they might also learn to enjoy reading.
We started these both on Monday so we'll see how well they will work. Another thing I'll be doing this year is more testing. Last year, I testing almost every student on their reading level. This year the ministry of education wants all students to be tested, however this year I will not be doing the testing. The teachers will be and I'll be teaching them how to do it! Which is awesome, it's exactly what Peace Corps is all about, transfering skills. Well Goal one anyway.
I hope to spend most of this upcoming year in classrooms helping out teachers. Many of the teachers seem very open to this idea so I'm excited for that! A few teachers are on internship and doing a great job but they are excited to learn more! There are also two new teachers who have never taught before and hopefully I’ll be able to work with them a bit.
Another really exciting thing that is happening is our library is finally opening!!! As some of you know when I came to Hopkins there was already a Peace Corps volunteer here. She was running the library, by herself. When she left she left the keys with me. I wanted NOTHING to do with it!! However I REALLY wanted to see it open and being used! After months of searching and looking I found a woman in the community that was very excited to get in there and take care of business. Her along with 3 other women have formed a library board and taken it over. I am still on the support committee and still helping them. So far they can cleaned and repaired things and reorganized the library. Currently they are working on cataloging all the books. On October 1st we will have a grand opening!! From now on everyone will have to sign up for a membership. This will be free for children and a dollar a year for adults with a onetime fee of $5 for a card. That’s right they are going crazy!! Real library cards and a computer system for checking out books! Thanks to a great donation they are getting 4 new laptops and internet. Once they are open they will begin computer classes, films class, reading group for adult, kids story time and reduced cost of internet for those in school. I’m really excited for this and so happy that the library will be open again!
On a non-school related note: my birthday!! I’m not a huge fan of making my birthday into a big deal but this year it was great!! I was forced, well strongly encouraged to have a party. Derrick took care of everything a head of time and cooked for us. Laura and Amy (two other pcvs) were in charge of everything else.. Including making almost 50 tortillas!!! We BBQed and sat around and drank. It was great and I’m so glad that they made me do it! Than for my birthday dinner they treated me to a pizza dinner!! Yum!!!
So all is well here! School is great, life is great! Also I’ll try to put up some new pictures this afternoon and post again before 6 months!
(by the way I wrote most of this last week!)
School started this week, today is day three. I have a feeling that it’s going to be a great year!
Now for the last 6 months. It’s been crazy! Jackie came for like 10 days and it was awesome. We had a blast and ate like kings! Than three weeks after she left my parents and Bobby came for a visit. Once again we had a blast and ate like kings! I than spent the summer doing... a lot of relaxing. I spent a ton of time with my host family which was really nice. I also went on a few relaxing weekend get a ways. The end of school last year was crazy stressful so a month off was just what I needed. But don't worry I did do some work. I read with kids and prepared for this school year.
Here is something I'm really excited about. This year at school we are implementing two new reading programs. The first one is DEAR. That stands for Drop Everything And Read. When school starts again after lunch at 1pm every teacher in the school will do a read aloud for ten minutes, then everyone in the school will do silent reading for 20, including the teachers. I'm really excited about this. I have a friend in a village in the far south that tried this at her school and it worked wonders. (update: everyone is loving this!! The teachers are really getting into their read alouds and the students are loving the reading, always coming to ask for a good book!!)
The second program is more of a contest, I think when I did it in school it was call "book it" it was sponsored by Pizza Hut. Clearly.. here it is not… Basically the kids keep track of all the time they spend reading outside of school. At the end of the month everyone adds up the time and if we meet our goal everyone gets a prize. The prize is going to be something fun, an extra gym class or a movie afternoon. The point is to simple get them to read more. The more they read the better they will get. I'm also hoping by them reading for fun and not a history book they might also learn to enjoy reading.
We started these both on Monday so we'll see how well they will work. Another thing I'll be doing this year is more testing. Last year, I testing almost every student on their reading level. This year the ministry of education wants all students to be tested, however this year I will not be doing the testing. The teachers will be and I'll be teaching them how to do it! Which is awesome, it's exactly what Peace Corps is all about, transfering skills. Well Goal one anyway.
I hope to spend most of this upcoming year in classrooms helping out teachers. Many of the teachers seem very open to this idea so I'm excited for that! A few teachers are on internship and doing a great job but they are excited to learn more! There are also two new teachers who have never taught before and hopefully I’ll be able to work with them a bit.
Another really exciting thing that is happening is our library is finally opening!!! As some of you know when I came to Hopkins there was already a Peace Corps volunteer here. She was running the library, by herself. When she left she left the keys with me. I wanted NOTHING to do with it!! However I REALLY wanted to see it open and being used! After months of searching and looking I found a woman in the community that was very excited to get in there and take care of business. Her along with 3 other women have formed a library board and taken it over. I am still on the support committee and still helping them. So far they can cleaned and repaired things and reorganized the library. Currently they are working on cataloging all the books. On October 1st we will have a grand opening!! From now on everyone will have to sign up for a membership. This will be free for children and a dollar a year for adults with a onetime fee of $5 for a card. That’s right they are going crazy!! Real library cards and a computer system for checking out books! Thanks to a great donation they are getting 4 new laptops and internet. Once they are open they will begin computer classes, films class, reading group for adult, kids story time and reduced cost of internet for those in school. I’m really excited for this and so happy that the library will be open again!
On a non-school related note: my birthday!! I’m not a huge fan of making my birthday into a big deal but this year it was great!! I was forced, well strongly encouraged to have a party. Derrick took care of everything a head of time and cooked for us. Laura and Amy (two other pcvs) were in charge of everything else.. Including making almost 50 tortillas!!! We BBQed and sat around and drank. It was great and I’m so glad that they made me do it! Than for my birthday dinner they treated me to a pizza dinner!! Yum!!!
So all is well here! School is great, life is great! Also I’ll try to put up some new pictures this afternoon and post again before 6 months!
(by the way I wrote most of this last week!)
Monday, March 14, 2011
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
It’s crazy to me how something that was so... feign is now so every day and well almost boring. I have settled into life here and there isn't really anything big happening. But because I'm getting emails and messages begging me for a blog... here ya go!
I'll try to think of anything interesting...
-Last Friday night my host family held a mass at the church. If you remember back to when I first moved to Hopkins I stayed with my Host family. Shortly before I moved in my Host brother who was about my age had passed away. Well this week was the one year anniversary of his death. So Friday night we had mass. After everyone went back to their house for a "reception" basically to eat. I hung out with the kids of course (some things never change), but after we broke a hammock that belonged to their neighbors, I decided to go talk to some adults. Everyone just sat around and ate and drank. I think this is something that we as Americans need to do more of. Finding reasons to get together and celebrate life and being alive. I'm pretty sure I was the last one to leave that night. We had Monday off due to a national holiday (National... benefactors day?) so I had a nice long weekend. I left my house twice. Once to get a coke and some flower at the shop, and once to pay my rent. BIG weekend! It was nice and relaxing and I enjoyed every minute of it.
-Work is... going. Still doing the same thing. Pulling kids out and reading with them. I did get standard 4 to start some cool stuff. Last week we started a reading contest, I believe it was book it when I was a kid. If you read so many hours each month you got a free pizza at pizza hut. Well we done have a pizza hut, but we have the kids documenting and parents signing off on how many hours the kids read each night. At the end of every month if they read X amount of mins collectively than they get a prize. Last month they got an afternoon of watching movies and eating popcorn. These kids are not reading 30-60 minutes every night. This was inspired by students in standard 6 that I pull out. She was reading at a Standard 2 (third grade) level and come back a few months later is not reading at a standard 6 (or grade 6-7) level. I was so impressed and confused. When I asked her what she had been doing, she simple said her mom made her read for 30 minutes every night. All along this is all she needed a little push and some practice. Once I was done talking to her I realized this is what standard 4 needs too! Mr. Coleman agreed it was worth a shot and we both are seeing how much its helping. Next year hopefully we can implement this school wide!
-It's getting hot again... not really looking forward to the next... 8 months of heat...
-My parents are officially coming in JUNE!!!!!!! I seriously could NOT be more excited...
-My sister is coming for 2 weeks in May!!!!! We might kill each other...c but what an amazing place to do it!
-Lunch is in 22 mins. I might starve to death before then...
-I'm going to Honduras sometime in the next few months to meet up with a friend from college, probably this summer.
-I'm going to be really busy.
-In 2 weeks it'll be one year since I moved to Belize.
-One year goes faster than I would have ever thought.
-To celebrate I'm going to an island with the other volunteers!
-I'm going to stop now. I'll write more soon! That’s a promise!
I'll try to think of anything interesting...
-Last Friday night my host family held a mass at the church. If you remember back to when I first moved to Hopkins I stayed with my Host family. Shortly before I moved in my Host brother who was about my age had passed away. Well this week was the one year anniversary of his death. So Friday night we had mass. After everyone went back to their house for a "reception" basically to eat. I hung out with the kids of course (some things never change), but after we broke a hammock that belonged to their neighbors, I decided to go talk to some adults. Everyone just sat around and ate and drank. I think this is something that we as Americans need to do more of. Finding reasons to get together and celebrate life and being alive. I'm pretty sure I was the last one to leave that night. We had Monday off due to a national holiday (National... benefactors day?) so I had a nice long weekend. I left my house twice. Once to get a coke and some flower at the shop, and once to pay my rent. BIG weekend! It was nice and relaxing and I enjoyed every minute of it.
-Work is... going. Still doing the same thing. Pulling kids out and reading with them. I did get standard 4 to start some cool stuff. Last week we started a reading contest, I believe it was book it when I was a kid. If you read so many hours each month you got a free pizza at pizza hut. Well we done have a pizza hut, but we have the kids documenting and parents signing off on how many hours the kids read each night. At the end of every month if they read X amount of mins collectively than they get a prize. Last month they got an afternoon of watching movies and eating popcorn. These kids are not reading 30-60 minutes every night. This was inspired by students in standard 6 that I pull out. She was reading at a Standard 2 (third grade) level and come back a few months later is not reading at a standard 6 (or grade 6-7) level. I was so impressed and confused. When I asked her what she had been doing, she simple said her mom made her read for 30 minutes every night. All along this is all she needed a little push and some practice. Once I was done talking to her I realized this is what standard 4 needs too! Mr. Coleman agreed it was worth a shot and we both are seeing how much its helping. Next year hopefully we can implement this school wide!
-It's getting hot again... not really looking forward to the next... 8 months of heat...
-My parents are officially coming in JUNE!!!!!!! I seriously could NOT be more excited...
-My sister is coming for 2 weeks in May!!!!! We might kill each other...c but what an amazing place to do it!
-Lunch is in 22 mins. I might starve to death before then...
-I'm going to Honduras sometime in the next few months to meet up with a friend from college, probably this summer.
-I'm going to be really busy.
-In 2 weeks it'll be one year since I moved to Belize.
-One year goes faster than I would have ever thought.
-To celebrate I'm going to an island with the other volunteers!
-I'm going to stop now. I'll write more soon! That’s a promise!
Monday, January 3, 2011
America is crazy!!!
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!
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!
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
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
Monday, July 26, 2010
I bit late....
This is My hopkins mom and I and myself with the fam. It was Heather (the one in brown and gold) primary school graduation.
ps.. they usually smile a lot more... :)
Work, No work, Food for the soul, and "the crazy farm"
It’s been awhile! Sorry about that! Even so I don’t have too much to update on…
Let’s see first.. Work?
Well its summer…so I don’t actually have a job…. BUT! I have been working a little bit! Last week I went up north to a town, Orange Walk town. I have a few friends (other PCVs) but m main reason for going was to help my friend Zach. I was helping his plan a curriculum for a youth group with a business focus. He knows all about business I know about youth and teaching. It worked great! Plus I got to see everyone else up there and let me tell you I love that town. It may just be my favorite place in Belize. It was food for the soul. The PCVs up there are so positive and inviting. (Not that I don’t love my fellow PCVs everywhere else, I DO!) But Orange Walk Town has a little something extra; I will for sure be making more trips up there in the next two years! While I was up there I also got to help Kevin (another PCV) in his village with a chess camp! That was really fun too, I might not have a lot of work to do in Hopkins but at least I worked somewhere! That was a great week but sadly I had to come home last Saturday. That was because on Sunday I had an event in Hopkins! We had a step Africa group come and do a small workshop. The week before I left I ran around Hopkins like a chicken with my head cut off and tried to tell as many people as I could that they were coming! Basically I got a call from the Embassy saying please find a spot and get people there! Wow I’m so important well Sunday I went and met up with them and it was awesome. A guy from Hopkins came and shared a short history of the Garifunia people with the group and it was really cool to hear because he knew WAY more than I had heard before. Then they asked me to stand up and introduce myself. This was unexpected; they then picked my brain for a good 30 mins about what I’ve learned while I have been here and all about the Peace Corps. It was in the end, very fun. It was also really cool watching them teach some of our kids how to step, slightly different than Punta! I tried to get my counterpart to try it with me but sadly… he refused... Next time!
This past week we had summer school. There were a lot more kids than I expected! They have high school students volunteering as teachers and they are good. I was extremely impressed! I was helping out with the Infant one class, who were the 4 year olds that just graduated preschool, they were learning addition!!! So smart! Next week I’ll be helping for a day or two but I have BIG plans!!! Adrienne (we worked at Ohiyesa together for a few years) is coming down to visit her boyfriend. Well that’s what she is telling people but I know it’s really to see me! Anyway… we are going cave tubing next week so that should be, you know, AWESOME!
Other than that there isn’t a whole lot going on, unless you want to hear about me sitting in my hammock for hours each day listening to the carib sea and relaxing... No? Weird….
Next weekend is Hopkins days. Apparently a crazy big party for three days so I should have much more to tell you than!
Ps... I have Skype K4duchen… add me!
*so I wrote this blog this morning... It’s Sunday night the 25th. And I didn’t think I would have anything to add but after today I do...so here you go*
I think that thing that I love the most about Belize and Peace Corps in general is that every time I have the slightest feeling of I’m not integrating, or I’m not meeting people or why am I here… I’m shown why. Last night I was a little frustrated feel like I’m not integrating fast enough or as much as others. (Peace Corps is always telling us not to compare ourselves with each other but it’s really hard not to!) Well today was just what I needed. My host dad’s best friend is Quentin. He is a British guy who has lived in Hopkins for 25 years. He and his partner Dasha live on a farm about 4 miles from the village. I have meet and hung out with them both many times. Well today I bunch of ladies who are friends with them and my host mom was going to the farm to “have a party”. I tagged along. It was great! I’m so glad I did. It has been explained to me that these women and my host mom pretty much control the village. They are wonderful, amazing women and they always make me feel welcome. One I hadn’t met yet and my host mom introduced me as her daughter, and later on when I met my host dad’s brother I was told “welcome to our family” it’s so nice to know that when I can’t be near my family I have this one! I wouldn’t be able to stay here if I didn’t! Anyway, we just spent the day laughing and chatting. I learned all about organic farming and black Maya chickens! Seriously the meat is black! And the bones! So cool and it didn’t taste half bad either! OH! I ate jaguar! I didn’t know it while I was eating it but I did! And it was good. Apparently it’s not ok to hunt them but if one is trying to eat say your ducks; you are allowed to shoot it. And apparently there was one trying to eat his ducks and it had already been shot so there is dinner. It was nice and relaxing and pushed aside all of my doubts! I have come to realize at the end of the day it is days like today that make this so worth it! Well my cheeks hurt from smiling so much so I’m heading to bed!
Let’s see first.. Work?
Well its summer…so I don’t actually have a job…. BUT! I have been working a little bit! Last week I went up north to a town, Orange Walk town. I have a few friends (other PCVs) but m main reason for going was to help my friend Zach. I was helping his plan a curriculum for a youth group with a business focus. He knows all about business I know about youth and teaching. It worked great! Plus I got to see everyone else up there and let me tell you I love that town. It may just be my favorite place in Belize. It was food for the soul. The PCVs up there are so positive and inviting. (Not that I don’t love my fellow PCVs everywhere else, I DO!) But Orange Walk Town has a little something extra; I will for sure be making more trips up there in the next two years! While I was up there I also got to help Kevin (another PCV) in his village with a chess camp! That was really fun too, I might not have a lot of work to do in Hopkins but at least I worked somewhere! That was a great week but sadly I had to come home last Saturday. That was because on Sunday I had an event in Hopkins! We had a step Africa group come and do a small workshop. The week before I left I ran around Hopkins like a chicken with my head cut off and tried to tell as many people as I could that they were coming! Basically I got a call from the Embassy saying please find a spot and get people there! Wow I’m so important well Sunday I went and met up with them and it was awesome. A guy from Hopkins came and shared a short history of the Garifunia people with the group and it was really cool to hear because he knew WAY more than I had heard before. Then they asked me to stand up and introduce myself. This was unexpected; they then picked my brain for a good 30 mins about what I’ve learned while I have been here and all about the Peace Corps. It was in the end, very fun. It was also really cool watching them teach some of our kids how to step, slightly different than Punta! I tried to get my counterpart to try it with me but sadly… he refused... Next time!
This past week we had summer school. There were a lot more kids than I expected! They have high school students volunteering as teachers and they are good. I was extremely impressed! I was helping out with the Infant one class, who were the 4 year olds that just graduated preschool, they were learning addition!!! So smart! Next week I’ll be helping for a day or two but I have BIG plans!!! Adrienne (we worked at Ohiyesa together for a few years) is coming down to visit her boyfriend. Well that’s what she is telling people but I know it’s really to see me! Anyway… we are going cave tubing next week so that should be, you know, AWESOME!
Other than that there isn’t a whole lot going on, unless you want to hear about me sitting in my hammock for hours each day listening to the carib sea and relaxing... No? Weird….
Next weekend is Hopkins days. Apparently a crazy big party for three days so I should have much more to tell you than!
Ps... I have Skype K4duchen… add me!
*so I wrote this blog this morning... It’s Sunday night the 25th. And I didn’t think I would have anything to add but after today I do...so here you go*
I think that thing that I love the most about Belize and Peace Corps in general is that every time I have the slightest feeling of I’m not integrating, or I’m not meeting people or why am I here… I’m shown why. Last night I was a little frustrated feel like I’m not integrating fast enough or as much as others. (Peace Corps is always telling us not to compare ourselves with each other but it’s really hard not to!) Well today was just what I needed. My host dad’s best friend is Quentin. He is a British guy who has lived in Hopkins for 25 years. He and his partner Dasha live on a farm about 4 miles from the village. I have meet and hung out with them both many times. Well today I bunch of ladies who are friends with them and my host mom was going to the farm to “have a party”. I tagged along. It was great! I’m so glad I did. It has been explained to me that these women and my host mom pretty much control the village. They are wonderful, amazing women and they always make me feel welcome. One I hadn’t met yet and my host mom introduced me as her daughter, and later on when I met my host dad’s brother I was told “welcome to our family” it’s so nice to know that when I can’t be near my family I have this one! I wouldn’t be able to stay here if I didn’t! Anyway, we just spent the day laughing and chatting. I learned all about organic farming and black Maya chickens! Seriously the meat is black! And the bones! So cool and it didn’t taste half bad either! OH! I ate jaguar! I didn’t know it while I was eating it but I did! And it was good. Apparently it’s not ok to hunt them but if one is trying to eat say your ducks; you are allowed to shoot it. And apparently there was one trying to eat his ducks and it had already been shot so there is dinner. It was nice and relaxing and pushed aside all of my doubts! I have come to realize at the end of the day it is days like today that make this so worth it! Well my cheeks hurt from smiling so much so I’m heading to bed!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Fake hurricanes and tropical storms
First off I wanted to let everyone in the states know that I'm fine! I survived my very first tropical storm! Actually it wasn't bad at all but I'll get to that...
For the past few weeks that has been this rumor going around that there was going to be a fake hurricane, or a hurricane drill. Actually not to brag... but I may have been the one who put all the clues together and figured this out...
Anyway, last week I was busy at school for the first time, we were getting ready for graduation (graduation from primary school is kind of a big deal here. Early is the week we started getting texts from Peace Corps saying there was a hurricane (called Zeus) 900 miles off shore. Throughout the week it got closer and closer. First we were put on alert, than stand fast. In stand fast we aren't allowed to leave our sites and PC must know where we are at all times. Finally on Wed we got the call to head in to Belmopan to consolidate. When there is a big storm or something other safety concern we are moved into a hostel in Belmopan (which is inland) to make sure everyone is together and safe. Thursday morning we had a short meeting and talked about how this would work in a real storm. Friday I headed to Placentia with a bunch of other volunteers for a mini vacation. However this was short lived as we got a call that Tropical story Alex was on his way and we need to leave ASAP. They sent me to dangrigia to stay with another volunteer (Dangrigia is also on the coast but unlike Hopkins they have buses out all the time. Tropical storm Alex was no big deal where we were. There was a little flooding but there have been much worse storms since I have been here. Sunday morning we were given the all clear and headed home. So now I know exactly what to do in a hurricane and lived through my first tropical storm. All in all a pretty busy week. :)
This week school is out and I'm doing a whole lot of relaxing. I'm still living with my host family. My host mom just left for Mexico for a few days and two of my sisters are in Belmopan with their brother. Heather is home with me for a few days for summer school. I was supposed to move to my new house tomorrow but now it is Thursday so Heather isn't by herself. I'm going to miss my host family, I couldn't have asked for a better one. Luckily I'm going to live in the same village as them for 23 more months and can and will visit often. This summer I have a few things happening, I'm doing a reading camp in July with my counterpart and perhaps and a chess camp after that. Really the next 2 months are all about getting to know Hopkins and the people of Hopkins, and perhaps a new hobby....
All is well down here; still sweating more than I ever thought was possible... Life is good!
I'll write more later I just wanted everyone to know that I'm all good!
For the past few weeks that has been this rumor going around that there was going to be a fake hurricane, or a hurricane drill. Actually not to brag... but I may have been the one who put all the clues together and figured this out...
Anyway, last week I was busy at school for the first time, we were getting ready for graduation (graduation from primary school is kind of a big deal here. Early is the week we started getting texts from Peace Corps saying there was a hurricane (called Zeus) 900 miles off shore. Throughout the week it got closer and closer. First we were put on alert, than stand fast. In stand fast we aren't allowed to leave our sites and PC must know where we are at all times. Finally on Wed we got the call to head in to Belmopan to consolidate. When there is a big storm or something other safety concern we are moved into a hostel in Belmopan (which is inland) to make sure everyone is together and safe. Thursday morning we had a short meeting and talked about how this would work in a real storm. Friday I headed to Placentia with a bunch of other volunteers for a mini vacation. However this was short lived as we got a call that Tropical story Alex was on his way and we need to leave ASAP. They sent me to dangrigia to stay with another volunteer (Dangrigia is also on the coast but unlike Hopkins they have buses out all the time. Tropical storm Alex was no big deal where we were. There was a little flooding but there have been much worse storms since I have been here. Sunday morning we were given the all clear and headed home. So now I know exactly what to do in a hurricane and lived through my first tropical storm. All in all a pretty busy week. :)
This week school is out and I'm doing a whole lot of relaxing. I'm still living with my host family. My host mom just left for Mexico for a few days and two of my sisters are in Belmopan with their brother. Heather is home with me for a few days for summer school. I was supposed to move to my new house tomorrow but now it is Thursday so Heather isn't by herself. I'm going to miss my host family, I couldn't have asked for a better one. Luckily I'm going to live in the same village as them for 23 more months and can and will visit often. This summer I have a few things happening, I'm doing a reading camp in July with my counterpart and perhaps and a chess camp after that. Really the next 2 months are all about getting to know Hopkins and the people of Hopkins, and perhaps a new hobby....
All is well down here; still sweating more than I ever thought was possible... Life is good!
I'll write more later I just wanted everyone to know that I'm all good!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
first 2 weeks = working about 8 hours..
These are the views from picking oragnes with Alex! AMAZING!
Alex and his neighbor walking to the oranges!
My Future bedroom!
Daine painted the floor. How cool is this??
My future Kitchen/Dinning room!
My view, its hard to see but you can for sure see the sea back there!
My little sister Zahan hanging out in our back yard!
This is seriously my back yard!
The house I'm currently living in! We live upstairs and the down stairs in currently empty. So great!
My amazing host mom hanging in our backyard getting ready to bathe in the sea!
An amazing sunset from our back porch
My host sister were really excited to see that I had a camera and took A LOT of pictures!
My beautiful host sisters. We were making oatmeal muffins, which if you were wondering were AMAZING!
So, all most of you know of my first two weeks of being a official PCV is that I still haven’t learned to walk right (one would think I would by 23!!). Well I’ll fill you in a little more.
First an update on my knee. Ok, I might have down played how bad these cuts on my knee really were. They are crazy deep. The day after I fell it starting hurting much worse and I called up the nurse at PC. I traveled in to see her in Belmopan the next day. (I’m not sure why but I can picture a lot of you asking what is evolved in getting there? Well thanks for asking! I have to first take a bus into Dangrigia, it may only be 15 miles but it takes a whole hour... how? Also a great question! From there I take another bus in to Belmopan that takes anywhere from 1.5 hours to over 2. I swear it’s different all the time!) So I got to Belmopan and first she explains that it’s infected pretty badly, also she thinks that my knee cap is actually broke! I went and got x-rays, and she starts me on meds. Alright, it’s not broke but she wants to see it again the next day so surprise! I get to spend the night in the lovely Garden City Hotel. (The hotel we always stay at while in Belmopan... and it’s... something! Let just say my standards have changed A LOT!) So I spent the night and then saw her again the next day. Finally Friday I get back to Hopkins at about 6pm. Ok, in case you were wondering so far I have worked a total at 3.5 hours as a volunteer. I rock!
Saturday morning I spent sitting on the beach (aka our yard) and chatting with my host mom and youngest sister. Sometimes during this I thought to myself “I hope I never forget this”. It was just so simple yet relaxing and amazing! Later on Silk grass (a small village about 5 miles from Hopkins) was having a school fair. I tagged along with my host mom and sisters. The fair was... quite? Ha-ha basically there was nothing going on. But good news! My fellow PCV and friend Alexander lives there and I was able to hang out with him! As we were sitting there bored his neighbor came up and asked if we wanted to go to his farm and pick oranges with him. Uhhh YES! We hopped in his car and headed about 20 mins off the main highway on a rough dirt road. It was possible one of the most amazing views I have ever seen! So we park and go and gather some oranges for us, we tried to find mangos but they weren’t ready yet. (Random fact did you know there are like 15 different kinds of mangos!?!?!) On the way back to the car we stopped and Alex’s neighbor got us a few coconuts done and cut them up with his Machete we drank them right there. It was amazing. It was a total moment of “this is what is about”. Good company and amazing adventures! After the farm Alexander got back on the bus with my family and me and headed back to Hopkins. We crashed on Diane's place (the other PCV in Hopkins and my future roomie...) It was a great relaxing night. I can’t imagine what I would do without the other PCVs. Sunday we spend the say swimming and walking around meeting people. It was so nice and just what I think we both (Alexander and I) needed. Monday it was back to Belmopan for 2 days so Jackie could see my knee again. Good news: It’s no long infected just gross and painful. But I have faith that it will get better soon! Hey and what a good story, "Oh yea I got that scar when I was in the Peace Corps in Belize". I love it! Yesterday it was back to work! (It’s about time!!!) It was good to be back but short lived as today I’m back in Belmopan to get my knee checked again, hopefully for the last time! Tomorrow however I will not being going to work. Instead I’m going to Caves Branch (a resort near Belmopan) to learn how to play chess. Hopefully I’ll have a chess camp if not this summer than next!
So many of you might be thinking roomie?? That means you found a house! Well yes I did! There is a PCV, Diane that has been in Hopkins for a year and a half now. She is wonderful and has been such a big held since I got here. She is also leaving in Sept or Oct. There for I’m moving in with her so I can have her house when she leaves! Its an amazing house and luckily I have a few pics for you. More to come soon I promise! It’s a great house and not far from the ocean at all. In fact not only can you hear it as you fall asleep but I will also have a limited view of it during the day. It’s a 2 bedroom so I have plenty of room for any visitors!!!! For real it’s amazing I’m luck to get it! I never pictured this being my pc experience but I’m deffanitly not complaining! I seriously can’t wait for everyone to come visit so I can show you just how amazing this country and this village are! There are not words to describe
Alright sorry this is so long and I don't have too many fun stories but I hope you enjoy the pictures! I'll update soon and hopfully with a better story!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
