Sorry it´s been awhile!
First of all, Belize was wonderful! It was great to eat fish and speak English. It was also wonderful to see my parents, even though they did get rather sick (sorry guys!)
Work has been great, CEIPA has brought such joy to my life. I have a set schedule now. Mondays I cover the youngest grade while the teacher has class at the university. I´m sort of a permanent substitute. The first few weeks were kind of crazy, kids climbing the pipes and setting frogs loose in the room. Now that rainy season is in full swing only about half the students come on any given day. It´s a problem for sure, but it does make teaching easier. Last Monday only two students came, so I got to give them both a lot of attention, but it´s sad that the rain keeps the other students from getting to school.
On Tuesdays and Wednesday I work with the three students who don´t know how to read. One of them is nine years old and the other two don´t know how old they are. It´s slow slow slow but we are making progress. I love them, I can see that they have more confidence when they talk to other students. It´s very fulfilling work. I also teach English classes to the older grades and at the end of the day I´m available to give special attention to any of the students. This usually involves multiplication tables. I also realized the other day that I dont remember how to do long division, that was embarassing! The students have certainly overcome their shyness towards me and I get a pretty good balance of hugs and foul language. It´s hard work, but I love it. I could see myself doing this kind of work permanently.
My community life is also amazing. I really feel like a big sister in my family. My teenage brothers are always picking on me, but I know they love me! The other day I came home from work soaked to the bone and my bother Mario said "Luisa, hurry and change clothes before you get sick!" He loves me! My youngest brother Ismael is obsessed with Mario brothers, so I bought him a little Mario key chain that I found. He never puts it down, he carries it with him everywhere, he even SLEEPS with it! A key chain. He´s so cute.
I was on the commitee from planning this month´s big youth event, it´s tonight! It should be a good time for fellowship, praise, and reflection.
Also this month I was reunited with my other half- Asia visited! I showed her my favorite places (to eat) in Guatemala. It was a really encouraging time and we had a lot of fun. I also went to Semuc Champey and Tikal with a fellow volunteer-- both amazing places. Semuc Champey is absolutely the most beautiful place I have ever seen. I even went caving! And Tikal, of course, was unreal. When I finally came home from the grand tour of Guatemala my host mom had prepared my favorite food, chuchitos, to welcome me back!
And now for the top and bottom 5 things about Guatemala:
Bottom 5: 1. The rainy season is making life rather soggy.
2. I´m so over eggs. We eat them so often that the thought of them makes me rather ill.
3. Speaking of ill: I´m sick of being sick! I get sick ALL THE TIME!
4. Swine flu scare. I spent precious stipend money on masks and a flu shot
5. I really wish I could speak Mam. Or at least Spanish.
Top 5: 1. Mango season!
2. Mam lesson´s with the family
3. Semuc Champey
4. The pastries Sara (my host sister) brings back from her cooking class.
5. Teaching Giants, Wizards, and Elves at youth events. Or just youth events in general.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Every day, in every way it´s getting better and better--John Lenon
There is a tradition here on Valentine´s Day, but it has nothing to do with love and friendship. In fact, at my house, it´s all-out war.
Cascarones. Eggs cleaned out and filled with pica pica. Confetti. The idea is to sneak up behind your unsuspecting victim and break the egg on his or her head. Then run for your life. So far my sisters are winning, but I´ve got a secret stash and I´m pretty sure they are all out. As they said to me, she who laughs last laughs loudest.
February has been busy. It started with the end of our last retreat (in Monterrico, where we released baby sea turtles!). Then the next day was my first class at CEIPA. I LOVE CEIPA! It´s hard work, but I enjoy it. We have about 40 students in our little primary school, the youngest is 12 (in first grade) and the oldest is 17 (in 6th grade). We never have 40 students all at once, usually more like 25 or 30. It can be hard for the students to get to school every day, because of transportation issues or if they cant get off work, so it´s hard to keep a class going. But we manage. Im working in the class with the 4th 5th and 6th graders (yes, all in one class). Like I said, I love it, but I ache to be able to talk to the children. My Spanish is getting better, but it´s still a struggle. The kids are patient with me, but I´m afriad I´m not much help. Yet. I know it will get better.
On my third day of work a boy showed up with a Valle Crucis, NC Mast General Store T-shirt! I was so excited to see a piece of home here in Guatemala, I almost laughed and cried at the same time!
The next day he wore it again.
And the next. And the next
He has worn that shirt every day. So many of the children wear the same clothes every day. They dont have anything else. My soccer-playing friends here in San Juan ask me whenever I see them when I am going to bring them shoes and clothes and toys. What can I do? It hurts to be so powerless. In our school there arent enough desks. Our students sit in the dark every day so we dont have to pay an electricity bill. They need so much but they are so happy to be in school. I wish I could do more for them. I don´t know what it´s like to live the way they do, but I want to know, I want to understand, and I want to care for them.
My English class has started. This is a class at the Mam Clinic for adults who weren´t able to go to school when they were younger. Let me just say I have gained a huge respect for teachers. Don´t get me wrong, I love getting up in front of people and being the center of attention- but only when my lines are scripted and memorized and I don´t have to rely on audience participation! My students are so nervous and shy that getting them to repeat anything in English is like pulling teeth. Oh, did I mention that they don´t speak very much Spanish, that they mostly only speak Mam? Also did I mention that I have no training as a teacher? But you´d be surprised how far my camp-counselor skills have gotten me. Almost any game can be turned into an English lesson.
I have reached my half-way point in my year here. At the moment I am not struggling with the painful homesickness that was strangling me in my first few months. Now it´s more like home-annoyance, Im not sick from missing my home, just sort of annoyed. But not very often. In a lot of ways, I feel vey at home here. My sister Sara traded rooms with me so I now have a door! That was a joyous day, and it did wonders for my feeling more at home here. I can also tell that I have changed in some ways, For example, my English class. This time last year I could not have handled doing anything without exact instructions and perfect execution. Here, I´m lucky if I get any intructions and perfection is just a hazy memory. But I´m ok with it. I do my best and I generally find that people are thrilled, but if they aren´t, there´s nothing I can do about it. This way of life is a lot less exhausting, but I´m glad I didnt discover it until after undergrad.
OK, Today instead of a top and bottom list, Im going to give you my Top Ten Reasons to Praise the Lord!
1. The toilet is working
2. There´s toilet paper in the bathroom
3. A good seat on the microbus
4. Chocobananos (these are bananas covered in chocolate.)
5. A non-Tigo text message (Tigo is the phone company, it´s very dissapointing to see you have a text message, only to find it´s about changing your ring-tone)
6. A song I know comes on the radio (in Spanish!)
7. A hug from a CEIPA student
8. I can understand the sermon!
9. Seeing someone walking a farm animal. Like it´s a dog.
and finally, last but not least:
10. FRIENDS!
yes, I´m finally making some real friends here. And I even go out and do things with them. LIke dinner on Valentine´s day or go see a movie! I cannot express how precious these friendships are to me. And that´s why I find myself randomly praising the Lord.
Oh, and, I milked a cow for the first time! Check that off the life goal list.
March is looking very promising, with a retreat in Belize and then a week with my parents. I miss you all and hope you are well!
Cascarones. Eggs cleaned out and filled with pica pica. Confetti. The idea is to sneak up behind your unsuspecting victim and break the egg on his or her head. Then run for your life. So far my sisters are winning, but I´ve got a secret stash and I´m pretty sure they are all out. As they said to me, she who laughs last laughs loudest.
February has been busy. It started with the end of our last retreat (in Monterrico, where we released baby sea turtles!). Then the next day was my first class at CEIPA. I LOVE CEIPA! It´s hard work, but I enjoy it. We have about 40 students in our little primary school, the youngest is 12 (in first grade) and the oldest is 17 (in 6th grade). We never have 40 students all at once, usually more like 25 or 30. It can be hard for the students to get to school every day, because of transportation issues or if they cant get off work, so it´s hard to keep a class going. But we manage. Im working in the class with the 4th 5th and 6th graders (yes, all in one class). Like I said, I love it, but I ache to be able to talk to the children. My Spanish is getting better, but it´s still a struggle. The kids are patient with me, but I´m afriad I´m not much help. Yet. I know it will get better.
On my third day of work a boy showed up with a Valle Crucis, NC Mast General Store T-shirt! I was so excited to see a piece of home here in Guatemala, I almost laughed and cried at the same time!
The next day he wore it again.
And the next. And the next
He has worn that shirt every day. So many of the children wear the same clothes every day. They dont have anything else. My soccer-playing friends here in San Juan ask me whenever I see them when I am going to bring them shoes and clothes and toys. What can I do? It hurts to be so powerless. In our school there arent enough desks. Our students sit in the dark every day so we dont have to pay an electricity bill. They need so much but they are so happy to be in school. I wish I could do more for them. I don´t know what it´s like to live the way they do, but I want to know, I want to understand, and I want to care for them.
My English class has started. This is a class at the Mam Clinic for adults who weren´t able to go to school when they were younger. Let me just say I have gained a huge respect for teachers. Don´t get me wrong, I love getting up in front of people and being the center of attention- but only when my lines are scripted and memorized and I don´t have to rely on audience participation! My students are so nervous and shy that getting them to repeat anything in English is like pulling teeth. Oh, did I mention that they don´t speak very much Spanish, that they mostly only speak Mam? Also did I mention that I have no training as a teacher? But you´d be surprised how far my camp-counselor skills have gotten me. Almost any game can be turned into an English lesson.
I have reached my half-way point in my year here. At the moment I am not struggling with the painful homesickness that was strangling me in my first few months. Now it´s more like home-annoyance, Im not sick from missing my home, just sort of annoyed. But not very often. In a lot of ways, I feel vey at home here. My sister Sara traded rooms with me so I now have a door! That was a joyous day, and it did wonders for my feeling more at home here. I can also tell that I have changed in some ways, For example, my English class. This time last year I could not have handled doing anything without exact instructions and perfect execution. Here, I´m lucky if I get any intructions and perfection is just a hazy memory. But I´m ok with it. I do my best and I generally find that people are thrilled, but if they aren´t, there´s nothing I can do about it. This way of life is a lot less exhausting, but I´m glad I didnt discover it until after undergrad.
OK, Today instead of a top and bottom list, Im going to give you my Top Ten Reasons to Praise the Lord!
1. The toilet is working
2. There´s toilet paper in the bathroom
3. A good seat on the microbus
4. Chocobananos (these are bananas covered in chocolate.)
5. A non-Tigo text message (Tigo is the phone company, it´s very dissapointing to see you have a text message, only to find it´s about changing your ring-tone)
6. A song I know comes on the radio (in Spanish!)
7. A hug from a CEIPA student
8. I can understand the sermon!
9. Seeing someone walking a farm animal. Like it´s a dog.
and finally, last but not least:
10. FRIENDS!
yes, I´m finally making some real friends here. And I even go out and do things with them. LIke dinner on Valentine´s day or go see a movie! I cannot express how precious these friendships are to me. And that´s why I find myself randomly praising the Lord.
Oh, and, I milked a cow for the first time! Check that off the life goal list.
March is looking very promising, with a retreat in Belize and then a week with my parents. I miss you all and hope you are well!
Monday, December 29, 2008
Christmas day is in our grasp, as long as we have hands to clasp -Dr. Seuss
Yes, Im still alive and well here in Guatemala.
Since CEIPA went on holiday in early December, I´ve been trying to get more invloved in my Mam community. I started taking violin lessons, so far I can play El Niño del Tambour (the little drummer boy) and Joy to the World. To keep my family from hating me, I often escape to the roof to practice, thus making me (oh yes) the Guatemalan fiddler on the roof! I love it! I´ve also started a small English/Spanish (and maybe someday Mam) practice group with some university students who go to my church. We have fun, but their English is better than my Spanish and Im living in their country, which I find kind of embarassing. But all I can do is my best; I´m still learning and they dont judge me. I´m learning that it´s ok not to be perfect, and it´s a hard lesson.
We (the other volunteers, Marcia, and I) had an amazing December retreat. We decorated our little Western hearts out and we cooked a fantastic feast--stuffing, sweet potatos (camote), mashed potatos, gravy, chicken, and pumpkin pie--all from scratch with goods bargained for at the market. It was good to relax and hear that everyone is fine, but also missing their families during the holidays.
Christmas here in the Guat was quite an experience. I taught the youth group a song in English for the big Christmas eve celebration (angels we have heard on high, they especially liked the Gloooooooooria part) and the taught me a song in Mam: Cuctzaje´e´ocslal (oh come let us adore him). It was pretty hilarious. They keep insisting that Mam is easier to learn than Spanish, "It´s a lot more like English" they tell me. I want to ask them if they have ever heard English, or Mam for that matter. Let´s just say, they are different.
We decorated our little plastic tree with mandarinas and lights that sing Christmas songs, though they are are rather high pitched and off key. I helped my host mom make paches de arroz and Christmas eve we ate paches and drank ponche (hot sugar water with chunks of fruit floating in it). Some of the youth group came over and we played truth or dare (which, if youve ever played truth or dare with teens you know, quickly disolves into truth or truth and then finally who-do-you-like. Funny how some things are the same no matter where you go). At midnight everyone in the world set of firecrackers. It was fun, in a someone-is-about-to-get-hurt kind of way.
Christmas morning there were only two presents under the tree. One from Santa to the 5-year-old, and one from me to the family (twister, they´ve been playing non stop ever since). Mid-morning we went to the grandparent´s house where they have chickens, geese, cows, and about 400 rabbits. Not for pets. For lunch we had tortillas (made from the corn from the feild next door) and cheese (made from the milk from the cows in the backyard). How stinkin´ cool is that? I love all this super- natural (as in very much from nature, not other-worldly) food, I feel great knowing where everything comes from! Then for dinner, we drove to Xela and ate at Pizza Hut (seriously? Yes.)
Im excited about the new year. I give my first English class this Saturday, and Im terrified. I start working with the children at CEIPA on the 12th.
I´m happy here, but every day is a challenge. A few weeks ago I got very sick from eating raw cabbage and it left me emotionally and physically drained. And even though the new experience was great, it was hard being away from home at Christmas. And the language barrier can be painful at times. Before coming here I was told that Spanish would be fine , that I would "pick it up." Oh, I´m picking it up all right, like a 400 pound boulder. Just kidding, I´m sure I know more than I think I do, and it can only get better.
But the challenge is good. The challenge is what makes me feel close to God. He gives me the challenges because he believes in me, and I accept the challenges because I love him. And I´m learning to trust him, as lame as that sounds. It´s hard, but it´s good. It´s the reason I came here.
OK, that´s enough for now, bottom and top 3.
Bottom:
1. Dont get me wrong, I´m thrilled that it doesnt rain every day, but the lack of rain has caused an unforseen problem: DUST. There is a fine layer of dust coating everything, including the inside of my lungs.
2. I may have mentioned this before, but let me say it again, it is COLD here. It freezes at night. No heat. And January is supposed to be the worst. Im scared.
3. Um, I can´t speak Spanish, it´s kind of a problem.
Top:
1. Zapote. It´s a fruit that we dont have in the US. It´s shaped like an avocado and is brown on the outside and kind of maroon on the inside. It tastes like a mixture of papaya and pumpkin. Kind of. It´s really stinkin good. I just ate one before I wrote this blog.
2. Sometimes when I go running there are little kids at the feild and we play soccor together. They are all way better than me.
3. SO, it´s really cold here, but at night I get under my 6 thick blankets and put in my earplugs and I get all snuggly in my bed. I call it my cocoon and it makes me happy. It´s pretty much the only time that I am really warm.
ok and an extra one: There are these two little girls at church who are fascinated by me and are not shy about it. They play this game where one of them tries to distract me and the other one tries to touch my hair. It is amusing for all three of us and anyone who is watching.
Special thanks to all of you who sent me Christmas cheer, Happy New Year everyone!
Since CEIPA went on holiday in early December, I´ve been trying to get more invloved in my Mam community. I started taking violin lessons, so far I can play El Niño del Tambour (the little drummer boy) and Joy to the World. To keep my family from hating me, I often escape to the roof to practice, thus making me (oh yes) the Guatemalan fiddler on the roof! I love it! I´ve also started a small English/Spanish (and maybe someday Mam) practice group with some university students who go to my church. We have fun, but their English is better than my Spanish and Im living in their country, which I find kind of embarassing. But all I can do is my best; I´m still learning and they dont judge me. I´m learning that it´s ok not to be perfect, and it´s a hard lesson.
We (the other volunteers, Marcia, and I) had an amazing December retreat. We decorated our little Western hearts out and we cooked a fantastic feast--stuffing, sweet potatos (camote), mashed potatos, gravy, chicken, and pumpkin pie--all from scratch with goods bargained for at the market. It was good to relax and hear that everyone is fine, but also missing their families during the holidays.
Christmas here in the Guat was quite an experience. I taught the youth group a song in English for the big Christmas eve celebration (angels we have heard on high, they especially liked the Gloooooooooria part) and the taught me a song in Mam: Cuctzaje´e´ocslal (oh come let us adore him). It was pretty hilarious. They keep insisting that Mam is easier to learn than Spanish, "It´s a lot more like English" they tell me. I want to ask them if they have ever heard English, or Mam for that matter. Let´s just say, they are different.
We decorated our little plastic tree with mandarinas and lights that sing Christmas songs, though they are are rather high pitched and off key. I helped my host mom make paches de arroz and Christmas eve we ate paches and drank ponche (hot sugar water with chunks of fruit floating in it). Some of the youth group came over and we played truth or dare (which, if youve ever played truth or dare with teens you know, quickly disolves into truth or truth and then finally who-do-you-like. Funny how some things are the same no matter where you go). At midnight everyone in the world set of firecrackers. It was fun, in a someone-is-about-to-get-hurt kind of way.
Christmas morning there were only two presents under the tree. One from Santa to the 5-year-old, and one from me to the family (twister, they´ve been playing non stop ever since). Mid-morning we went to the grandparent´s house where they have chickens, geese, cows, and about 400 rabbits. Not for pets. For lunch we had tortillas (made from the corn from the feild next door) and cheese (made from the milk from the cows in the backyard). How stinkin´ cool is that? I love all this super- natural (as in very much from nature, not other-worldly) food, I feel great knowing where everything comes from! Then for dinner, we drove to Xela and ate at Pizza Hut (seriously? Yes.)
Im excited about the new year. I give my first English class this Saturday, and Im terrified. I start working with the children at CEIPA on the 12th.
I´m happy here, but every day is a challenge. A few weeks ago I got very sick from eating raw cabbage and it left me emotionally and physically drained. And even though the new experience was great, it was hard being away from home at Christmas. And the language barrier can be painful at times. Before coming here I was told that Spanish would be fine , that I would "pick it up." Oh, I´m picking it up all right, like a 400 pound boulder. Just kidding, I´m sure I know more than I think I do, and it can only get better.
But the challenge is good. The challenge is what makes me feel close to God. He gives me the challenges because he believes in me, and I accept the challenges because I love him. And I´m learning to trust him, as lame as that sounds. It´s hard, but it´s good. It´s the reason I came here.
OK, that´s enough for now, bottom and top 3.
Bottom:
1. Dont get me wrong, I´m thrilled that it doesnt rain every day, but the lack of rain has caused an unforseen problem: DUST. There is a fine layer of dust coating everything, including the inside of my lungs.
2. I may have mentioned this before, but let me say it again, it is COLD here. It freezes at night. No heat. And January is supposed to be the worst. Im scared.
3. Um, I can´t speak Spanish, it´s kind of a problem.
Top:
1. Zapote. It´s a fruit that we dont have in the US. It´s shaped like an avocado and is brown on the outside and kind of maroon on the inside. It tastes like a mixture of papaya and pumpkin. Kind of. It´s really stinkin good. I just ate one before I wrote this blog.
2. Sometimes when I go running there are little kids at the feild and we play soccor together. They are all way better than me.
3. SO, it´s really cold here, but at night I get under my 6 thick blankets and put in my earplugs and I get all snuggly in my bed. I call it my cocoon and it makes me happy. It´s pretty much the only time that I am really warm.
ok and an extra one: There are these two little girls at church who are fascinated by me and are not shy about it. They play this game where one of them tries to distract me and the other one tries to touch my hair. It is amusing for all three of us and anyone who is watching.
Special thanks to all of you who sent me Christmas cheer, Happy New Year everyone!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
"You´ll get used to the screaming"
That´s what my host sister , Karla, said to me as I was getting in the shower the other day. Thinking I had misunderstood her, I smiled and nodded. Then, a few minutes later, I heard it. Someone being tortured (that is, someone other than me in the scalding shower). I couldnt figure out what would make someone scream like that! Then it dawned on me, someone in the house was having a baby.
This is a common occurance in my house. Sometimes the women scream, but sometimes they dont, I dont know which is more discomferting. Let me tell you about my host mom- the woman´s a machine. Some days (like yesterday) she delivers as many as three babies! It´s like drive thru baby delivering, the women come in, have the baby in about 20 minutes, maybe rest for an hour or two, and then they leave. Back to life. They come from all over at all hours to see my host mom. I am in awe of her.
The other day we were making lunch and my host mom leaned too close to the wood burning stove and her apron caught on fire. Personally, I would have screamed like a small child, and then been very grauchy about ruining my apron. But not Doña Susana. She calmly put the fire out and then laughed and laughed about the gaping hole that made her beautiful, hand-woven apron, virtually unusable, I told her that I would have been so angry if that had happened to me. "What can I do?" She said, "being angry won´t fix it, I may as well laugh." That´s an attitude I hope I can learn from her.
Another anecdote about my amazing Mam mom: When we go to the Sunday market, we usually fill up a huge bag of delicious produce, and then we drop it off with someone we know while we continue shopping, and pick it up again on our way out (at which point my host mom carries it on her head--dang). Well, last Sunday the bag was gone. Someone had taken our bag of already purchased produce. Anyone I know would have been furious, would have found someone to yell at or blame, would have complained about it the rest of the day. Money doesnt grow on trees here in Guatemala, we couldnt just go re-purchace what had been taken. My host mom, again, just laughed. "What else can I do? I can´t get it back, so I may as well laugh about it." Wow, I want to be like her.
Work at CEIPA is going well, everyone is very nice to me, but I spend a lot of time cleaning out file cabinets. The graduation was last week, and it was really moving. Without this organization, none of those kids would have been able to attend school at all, much less graduate and have the oppurtinity to find better paying jobs than what they have already been doing (shining shoes, selling candies, being bus aydantes). I really feel honored and blessed to be a part of this amazing organization. When school starts again in January, I´ll probably help out at the elementary school, I´m really excited!
I´ve started attending the women´s group at my church. At our first meeting I was asked to give a surprise sermon (in Spanish, mind you). I tore through my Bible to find a verse I was familiar with and talked a little about God being the closest when we feel that He is the farthest away. I think they got it. They threw in several encouraging "Amens" so I felt pretty good. My first surpise mini-sermon, I feel like I can do just about anything now.
Last weekend we had our first retreat at a coffee finca on the coast (the coast of the mountains, not the beach). We got to pick coffee and we learned all about bananas (which, by the way, are a grass!). It was very encouraging to be with the other girls and speak in English for a few days. I came back feeling refreshed and ready for the holiday season.
OK, bottom 3 things about Guatemala:
1. So, every day I take the bus from San Juan to Xela. The bus goes right by my house in San Juan so I dont get off at the main stop. Lots of people do this, but when I dont get off at the main stop, the bus driver always feels the need to tell me "this is San Juan." "Yes, I know." " But, you need to get off here, this is San Juan." "Yes, I know, I live here, a little bit up the road." "oh" I guess it isnt a big deal, but for some reason I find it very annoying. I should just laugh, like my host mom!
2. Running at this altitude, My lungs are on fire after only 1/2 an hour. I´m sure I´ll get used to it, but for now it is no fun.
3. 2 hour church services in Mam. On the bright side, I should have finished reading the Bible by early January.
Top 3 things about Guatemala:
1. Tea! I drink tea all the time and it is so warm and delightful.
2. Did I mention I gave a surprise sermon in Spanish? Let me just pat myself on the back one more time...
3. The bus ride to and from Xela everyday is BEAUTIFUL! We pass by farmland and small towns and I can see the Santa Maria volcano the whole way. I watch the senery and think in English knowing that no one is going to ask me anything, so I can relax a little.
Special thanks to Asia for the package, the candy corn was enjoyed by all the volunteers. I miss you all, and I highly suggest planning a little trip down to the Guat, maybe sometime in May? Check your schedules!
Oh yeah- YAY FOR OBAMA!!!!
This is a common occurance in my house. Sometimes the women scream, but sometimes they dont, I dont know which is more discomferting. Let me tell you about my host mom- the woman´s a machine. Some days (like yesterday) she delivers as many as three babies! It´s like drive thru baby delivering, the women come in, have the baby in about 20 minutes, maybe rest for an hour or two, and then they leave. Back to life. They come from all over at all hours to see my host mom. I am in awe of her.
The other day we were making lunch and my host mom leaned too close to the wood burning stove and her apron caught on fire. Personally, I would have screamed like a small child, and then been very grauchy about ruining my apron. But not Doña Susana. She calmly put the fire out and then laughed and laughed about the gaping hole that made her beautiful, hand-woven apron, virtually unusable, I told her that I would have been so angry if that had happened to me. "What can I do?" She said, "being angry won´t fix it, I may as well laugh." That´s an attitude I hope I can learn from her.
Another anecdote about my amazing Mam mom: When we go to the Sunday market, we usually fill up a huge bag of delicious produce, and then we drop it off with someone we know while we continue shopping, and pick it up again on our way out (at which point my host mom carries it on her head--dang). Well, last Sunday the bag was gone. Someone had taken our bag of already purchased produce. Anyone I know would have been furious, would have found someone to yell at or blame, would have complained about it the rest of the day. Money doesnt grow on trees here in Guatemala, we couldnt just go re-purchace what had been taken. My host mom, again, just laughed. "What else can I do? I can´t get it back, so I may as well laugh about it." Wow, I want to be like her.
Work at CEIPA is going well, everyone is very nice to me, but I spend a lot of time cleaning out file cabinets. The graduation was last week, and it was really moving. Without this organization, none of those kids would have been able to attend school at all, much less graduate and have the oppurtinity to find better paying jobs than what they have already been doing (shining shoes, selling candies, being bus aydantes). I really feel honored and blessed to be a part of this amazing organization. When school starts again in January, I´ll probably help out at the elementary school, I´m really excited!
I´ve started attending the women´s group at my church. At our first meeting I was asked to give a surprise sermon (in Spanish, mind you). I tore through my Bible to find a verse I was familiar with and talked a little about God being the closest when we feel that He is the farthest away. I think they got it. They threw in several encouraging "Amens" so I felt pretty good. My first surpise mini-sermon, I feel like I can do just about anything now.
Last weekend we had our first retreat at a coffee finca on the coast (the coast of the mountains, not the beach). We got to pick coffee and we learned all about bananas (which, by the way, are a grass!). It was very encouraging to be with the other girls and speak in English for a few days. I came back feeling refreshed and ready for the holiday season.
OK, bottom 3 things about Guatemala:
1. So, every day I take the bus from San Juan to Xela. The bus goes right by my house in San Juan so I dont get off at the main stop. Lots of people do this, but when I dont get off at the main stop, the bus driver always feels the need to tell me "this is San Juan." "Yes, I know." " But, you need to get off here, this is San Juan." "Yes, I know, I live here, a little bit up the road." "oh" I guess it isnt a big deal, but for some reason I find it very annoying. I should just laugh, like my host mom!
2. Running at this altitude, My lungs are on fire after only 1/2 an hour. I´m sure I´ll get used to it, but for now it is no fun.
3. 2 hour church services in Mam. On the bright side, I should have finished reading the Bible by early January.
Top 3 things about Guatemala:
1. Tea! I drink tea all the time and it is so warm and delightful.
2. Did I mention I gave a surprise sermon in Spanish? Let me just pat myself on the back one more time...
3. The bus ride to and from Xela everyday is BEAUTIFUL! We pass by farmland and small towns and I can see the Santa Maria volcano the whole way. I watch the senery and think in English knowing that no one is going to ask me anything, so I can relax a little.
Special thanks to Asia for the package, the candy corn was enjoyed by all the volunteers. I miss you all, and I highly suggest planning a little trip down to the Guat, maybe sometime in May? Check your schedules!
Oh yeah- YAY FOR OBAMA!!!!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Corn, anyone?
Well, since I last updated, I moved in with my family. I must admit, when the van drove away without me on Monday, I had to fight back the tears, but my host sister/roommate, Karla, sat on my bad and talked with me for awhile, and I immediately started to feel better. Then she showed me all around San Juan Ostancalco, which is pretty small. We met up with some of her friends and they planned out my whole week (Xela, the zoo, hiking, etc). My host brother, Ishmeal, who is five, is my new best friend. He is constantly showing up in my room offering to help me learn Spanish.
Sara, the oldest sister, took me to her youth group at the church. It was almost like being back at WCF, except that everyone spoke Mam and I had no idea what was going on. But they were very welcoming to me and i look forward to getting to know them.
On my second day in San Juan, I was reading in the living room when my host mom walked in with a huge sack of corn. She asked if i wanted to help, of course! SO she and I and a few other members of the family sat around the kitchen table peeling corn. I wasnt very good at it. After it was all peeled, we removed all the kernells (how do you spell that word?) one by one. I was better at that. This operation took a little over an hour. Then we boiled and mashed about a third of the corn into a liquid, and added 1/2 lb of sugar. This family is serious about sugar. This mixture is called atol de elote (corn drink). Then we made tomales (corn, sugar, margerine, and eggs). Then we made tortillas (corn and water). My host mother explained that in Guatemala, a woman who cant make tortillas will never get married. Good thing Im not Guatemalan, because my tortillas were the joke of the day. The last bit of corn we cooked by itself (unmashed).
Then came lunchtime. I was served AN ENORMOUS BOWL OF LIQUID CORN! To which I was told to add my cooked corn! THats right, corn in my sugar corn. I am currently in a corn coma. At least four normal bowls could have fit in this one. Oh, and tortillas.
Yesterday I visited the women`s group at the church, they were also very welcoming, but im not sure what I am supposed to be doing there. I think that may be a theme for this year, being unsure. Also, yesterday, I experienced my first tremblor (mini earthquake). It wasnt dangerous, just strange. It felt like I was sitting on a trampoline.
Ok, top and bottom 3 things about Guatemala right now:
Bottom 3
1. It is FREEZING and there is no heat. I wear all of my clothes all the time.
2. Our shower has only hot water, it`s kind of like being tortured. I go as long as I can between showers. I think it´s creeping out my new family.
3. Im missing Halloween! I love Halloween, please send pumpkin candy corn and other treats (to share, of course)
Top 3
1. MY FAMILY! The sisters are so nice to me, the mom is really spunky, the older brothers are sweet and the 5 year old is adorable!
2. Helping my host mom in the kitchen. That is the part of the day when I laugh the most and feel most at home. Even though I have no idea what I am doing.
3. The sense of community here is really beautiful. Everyone knows everyone, everyone takes care of everyone. It`s a very different feel from the United States.
I start work at CEIPA on Monday, wish me luck, I miss all of you!
Sara, the oldest sister, took me to her youth group at the church. It was almost like being back at WCF, except that everyone spoke Mam and I had no idea what was going on. But they were very welcoming to me and i look forward to getting to know them.
On my second day in San Juan, I was reading in the living room when my host mom walked in with a huge sack of corn. She asked if i wanted to help, of course! SO she and I and a few other members of the family sat around the kitchen table peeling corn. I wasnt very good at it. After it was all peeled, we removed all the kernells (how do you spell that word?) one by one. I was better at that. This operation took a little over an hour. Then we boiled and mashed about a third of the corn into a liquid, and added 1/2 lb of sugar. This family is serious about sugar. This mixture is called atol de elote (corn drink). Then we made tomales (corn, sugar, margerine, and eggs). Then we made tortillas (corn and water). My host mother explained that in Guatemala, a woman who cant make tortillas will never get married. Good thing Im not Guatemalan, because my tortillas were the joke of the day. The last bit of corn we cooked by itself (unmashed).
Then came lunchtime. I was served AN ENORMOUS BOWL OF LIQUID CORN! To which I was told to add my cooked corn! THats right, corn in my sugar corn. I am currently in a corn coma. At least four normal bowls could have fit in this one. Oh, and tortillas.
Yesterday I visited the women`s group at the church, they were also very welcoming, but im not sure what I am supposed to be doing there. I think that may be a theme for this year, being unsure. Also, yesterday, I experienced my first tremblor (mini earthquake). It wasnt dangerous, just strange. It felt like I was sitting on a trampoline.
Ok, top and bottom 3 things about Guatemala right now:
Bottom 3
1. It is FREEZING and there is no heat. I wear all of my clothes all the time.
2. Our shower has only hot water, it`s kind of like being tortured. I go as long as I can between showers. I think it´s creeping out my new family.
3. Im missing Halloween! I love Halloween, please send pumpkin candy corn and other treats (to share, of course)
Top 3
1. MY FAMILY! The sisters are so nice to me, the mom is really spunky, the older brothers are sweet and the 5 year old is adorable!
2. Helping my host mom in the kitchen. That is the part of the day when I laugh the most and feel most at home. Even though I have no idea what I am doing.
3. The sense of community here is really beautiful. Everyone knows everyone, everyone takes care of everyone. It`s a very different feel from the United States.
I start work at CEIPA on Monday, wish me luck, I miss all of you!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
mucha lluvia
Warning: some parts of this blog are not for the faint of heart/weak of stomach.
A great deal has happened since my last update. For starters, I thought it would be a good idea to use the tap water to brush my teeth. OK, mistake of my life. Several days of almost-being-dead later, i found out I had amoebas. Seriously? I thought amoebas were just things you looked at under a microscope in tenth grade. I told them ( the amoebas) that it just wasnt working out and that they couldnt live here ( in my stomach) anymore. Then i killed them. (On the bright side, you really drop pounds when youre eating for 1,000) Gross. TO all concerned family members: I promise I´m fine now, and I will be more careful.
On Saturday we visited my site in San Juan Ostencalco (near Xela). I´m in love! At the (2 hour) church service, they had me get up in front of the entire congregation and say a few words (like seven or eight). Then my host father got up and welcomed me on behalf of the church, then my host sister welcomed me on behalf of the youth group, then everyone said a prayer for me. I´ve never felt so welcome in my life! The service was a mix of Spanish and Mam (so i was totally lost) and almost all of the women were dressed in the traditional traje. It was beautiful. After church there was a huge snack time (truly, these are my people) and we went to my house. I love it! It´s very cozy and there are many different rooms for various activities (sewing, embroidery, cooking, hanging out, etc) I have my own room and there is definitely enough space for some Pilates. My host father works at the church, but he is trying to start a restaurant out of the house. My host mother does emroidery work and she also runs a maternity health clinic in the room next door. There are two older daughters, Sara, who has finished school, and Carla who has promised to get lost with me Xela! There are three younger boys, Mario, Daniel, and I´ll have to report back about the third one. Im so happy to be living there, I could move in tomorrow (I actually move in October 13th, yikes!)
THis week we are in Xela and it has done nothing but rain. Xela is a very cool city, we have already discovered an amazing place for hot chocolate and a Mennonite bake shop. We also visited CEIPA, where I will also be working. They took us to one of their schools which is located in one of the markets. Every student there works in the market all morning and can attend school from 2-5:30. Public schools are open in the morning, so this is a wonderful oppurtunity for these children, I am very excited/nervous to be working with them.
We only have a week and a half more of language school, while I´m excited to start working, I hope that is enough time to learn all of the Spanish that i will need (it isnt, but I´ll manage)
OK, I will leave you now with the top and bottom 5 things about Guatemala (so far)
Bottom 5:
1.Amoebas
2.you cant drink the tap water, it isnt a huge deal, you just have to be careful about eating fruit that has been washed, or off of plates that have been washed
3.cold showers. it is not hot here
4.the rainy season
5.did I mention ameobas?
Top 5:
1.Corn flakes with hot milk. Im serious, try it.
2.If you say "hello" to someone in the street, they will say "hello" in return. always
3. the rainy season is almost over!
4.Tortillas, liquados (like smoothies, but better), hot chocolate, etc.
5. The culture here is beautiful, which sounds cheezy but there´s no other way to say it. I love it.
Special thanks to Asia for the post cards, Jeffrey for the phone calls, and all the email support! A big hug to all the other YAVs, WCF, my family, and my friends in Tallahassee!
A great deal has happened since my last update. For starters, I thought it would be a good idea to use the tap water to brush my teeth. OK, mistake of my life. Several days of almost-being-dead later, i found out I had amoebas. Seriously? I thought amoebas were just things you looked at under a microscope in tenth grade. I told them ( the amoebas) that it just wasnt working out and that they couldnt live here ( in my stomach) anymore. Then i killed them. (On the bright side, you really drop pounds when youre eating for 1,000) Gross. TO all concerned family members: I promise I´m fine now, and I will be more careful.
On Saturday we visited my site in San Juan Ostencalco (near Xela). I´m in love! At the (2 hour) church service, they had me get up in front of the entire congregation and say a few words (like seven or eight). Then my host father got up and welcomed me on behalf of the church, then my host sister welcomed me on behalf of the youth group, then everyone said a prayer for me. I´ve never felt so welcome in my life! The service was a mix of Spanish and Mam (so i was totally lost) and almost all of the women were dressed in the traditional traje. It was beautiful. After church there was a huge snack time (truly, these are my people) and we went to my house. I love it! It´s very cozy and there are many different rooms for various activities (sewing, embroidery, cooking, hanging out, etc) I have my own room and there is definitely enough space for some Pilates. My host father works at the church, but he is trying to start a restaurant out of the house. My host mother does emroidery work and she also runs a maternity health clinic in the room next door. There are two older daughters, Sara, who has finished school, and Carla who has promised to get lost with me Xela! There are three younger boys, Mario, Daniel, and I´ll have to report back about the third one. Im so happy to be living there, I could move in tomorrow (I actually move in October 13th, yikes!)
THis week we are in Xela and it has done nothing but rain. Xela is a very cool city, we have already discovered an amazing place for hot chocolate and a Mennonite bake shop. We also visited CEIPA, where I will also be working. They took us to one of their schools which is located in one of the markets. Every student there works in the market all morning and can attend school from 2-5:30. Public schools are open in the morning, so this is a wonderful oppurtunity for these children, I am very excited/nervous to be working with them.
We only have a week and a half more of language school, while I´m excited to start working, I hope that is enough time to learn all of the Spanish that i will need (it isnt, but I´ll manage)
OK, I will leave you now with the top and bottom 5 things about Guatemala (so far)
Bottom 5:
1.Amoebas
2.you cant drink the tap water, it isnt a huge deal, you just have to be careful about eating fruit that has been washed, or off of plates that have been washed
3.cold showers. it is not hot here
4.the rainy season
5.did I mention ameobas?
Top 5:
1.Corn flakes with hot milk. Im serious, try it.
2.If you say "hello" to someone in the street, they will say "hello" in return. always
3. the rainy season is almost over!
4.Tortillas, liquados (like smoothies, but better), hot chocolate, etc.
5. The culture here is beautiful, which sounds cheezy but there´s no other way to say it. I love it.
Special thanks to Asia for the post cards, Jeffrey for the phone calls, and all the email support! A big hug to all the other YAVs, WCF, my family, and my friends in Tallahassee!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
"God will protect you"
I'm sorry this took awhile, they keep us busy here in Guatemala.
After leaving home I spent a week in Louisville, KY at the Young Adult Volunteer orientation. It was a great week of fellowship, lectures, and worship. I am really happy to be a part of such a great group of people.
We spent the first three days in Guatemala in a monastery, messing around Antigua and learning about each other. The most interesting experience there was getting hot milk with our cornflakes, sounds gross, but I'm a believer.
On the first Friday we moved to San Juan Del Obispo where we have school. Language school is... not easy. Four hours of nothing but Spanish, it's exhausting! But my teacher is so patient with me and, even though it doesnt feel like it, Im sure Im learning a lot. On Wednesday I learned the past tense, it was a big day for me! The most frustrating part of language school is that I can already say all of these things in a language that is not my own (French!). Having to start all over again is a major pain, but it's fun and going well.
My host family in San Juan is AMAZING! The mom teaches Spanish in another school, so when I come home for meals it's like more school. She talks very slowly and is always quick to correct my (many) mistakes. Sometimes I get to help her cook real Guatemalan food (Pepian, salsa, and some veggie and egg dish). SHe is wonderful . She has two sons who are very sweet to me, the younger one took me around the house and introduced me to all the pets. We have has several "conversations" about things like movies and pet rabbits. We also watch TV together, X-men and Toy Story in Spanish (by the way, Mr Potato Head is Señor Carra de Papa).
A few nights ago i went into my room and saw three rather sizeable spiders hanging out by my bed. I looked at them for awhile, deciding if I could handle this situation on my own. I decided no, and went to my host mother. "Im sorry, I know it is stupid to be afraid of small animals and spiders, but can you help me?" She went right to work with the broom, and when she was done, she said "It's ok, when I first moved here I was always afraid of everything, and you are new, so it's normal. But don't worry, God will protect you."
Our first Saturday here we decided to hike up a volcano. I made lots of nerdy jokes about destrying the ring, but let me tell you, this volcano was no joke. We got right up to the lava, just flowing away, minding its own busisness. And the top of a volcano is not stable terrain, in case you were wondering. We were climbing on these rocks, like pebbles but sharp, which were constatly sliding out from under us. It was quite the adventure.
We've been spending a lot of time in Antigua, which isnt really like the rest of Guatemala, lots of tourists and ex-pats. But it's fine for now. We Visited Ana's placement in Santiago, SO BEAUTIFUL! We are all a bit jealous.
We have also spent a lot of time learning about the civil war here. It lasted almost 40 years and just ended in 1996. Over 200,000 people were either killed or dissapeared. Entire villages were massacred. They call it La Violencia, The Violence.
Im getting really excited about getting to my placement, even though it wont be for another month. THis whole thing still seems unreal. I think part of it is beacuse the people here call me Luisa (Jane is hard to pronounce, and I dont want anybody to be uncomfertable saying my name). But it's like I'm playing this character, Luisa, who has moved to Guatemala to learn Spanish and build relationships and do all these great things. But she isnt me, or at least it seems that way now. Hopefully it will feel more real when I can speak the language a little better and I finally get to my placement.
Well, that's the news for now. I miss everyone, and hopefully I'll get a chance to update more frequently.
After leaving home I spent a week in Louisville, KY at the Young Adult Volunteer orientation. It was a great week of fellowship, lectures, and worship. I am really happy to be a part of such a great group of people.
We spent the first three days in Guatemala in a monastery, messing around Antigua and learning about each other. The most interesting experience there was getting hot milk with our cornflakes, sounds gross, but I'm a believer.
On the first Friday we moved to San Juan Del Obispo where we have school. Language school is... not easy. Four hours of nothing but Spanish, it's exhausting! But my teacher is so patient with me and, even though it doesnt feel like it, Im sure Im learning a lot. On Wednesday I learned the past tense, it was a big day for me! The most frustrating part of language school is that I can already say all of these things in a language that is not my own (French!). Having to start all over again is a major pain, but it's fun and going well.
My host family in San Juan is AMAZING! The mom teaches Spanish in another school, so when I come home for meals it's like more school. She talks very slowly and is always quick to correct my (many) mistakes. Sometimes I get to help her cook real Guatemalan food (Pepian, salsa, and some veggie and egg dish). SHe is wonderful . She has two sons who are very sweet to me, the younger one took me around the house and introduced me to all the pets. We have has several "conversations" about things like movies and pet rabbits. We also watch TV together, X-men and Toy Story in Spanish (by the way, Mr Potato Head is Señor Carra de Papa).
A few nights ago i went into my room and saw three rather sizeable spiders hanging out by my bed. I looked at them for awhile, deciding if I could handle this situation on my own. I decided no, and went to my host mother. "Im sorry, I know it is stupid to be afraid of small animals and spiders, but can you help me?" She went right to work with the broom, and when she was done, she said "It's ok, when I first moved here I was always afraid of everything, and you are new, so it's normal. But don't worry, God will protect you."
Our first Saturday here we decided to hike up a volcano. I made lots of nerdy jokes about destrying the ring, but let me tell you, this volcano was no joke. We got right up to the lava, just flowing away, minding its own busisness. And the top of a volcano is not stable terrain, in case you were wondering. We were climbing on these rocks, like pebbles but sharp, which were constatly sliding out from under us. It was quite the adventure.
We've been spending a lot of time in Antigua, which isnt really like the rest of Guatemala, lots of tourists and ex-pats. But it's fine for now. We Visited Ana's placement in Santiago, SO BEAUTIFUL! We are all a bit jealous.
We have also spent a lot of time learning about the civil war here. It lasted almost 40 years and just ended in 1996. Over 200,000 people were either killed or dissapeared. Entire villages were massacred. They call it La Violencia, The Violence.
Im getting really excited about getting to my placement, even though it wont be for another month. THis whole thing still seems unreal. I think part of it is beacuse the people here call me Luisa (Jane is hard to pronounce, and I dont want anybody to be uncomfertable saying my name). But it's like I'm playing this character, Luisa, who has moved to Guatemala to learn Spanish and build relationships and do all these great things. But she isnt me, or at least it seems that way now. Hopefully it will feel more real when I can speak the language a little better and I finally get to my placement.
Well, that's the news for now. I miss everyone, and hopefully I'll get a chance to update more frequently.
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