What am I really doing?

I remember being so excited once I received my nomination, especially once I found out what I would be doing … and I’m happy to say the description I received was not far off!

So I was recently asked about my day to day activities, which inspired this post…

Well my life is a lot busier than I had anticipated. If you remember my schedule while working at CDC, I would wake up at 4 in the morning to be out the door by 5:20 so that I could catch my vanpool for work. I’d be at work (mostly sitting at a computer all day or in meetings) until about 3:30pm and then off to either the gym or to hang out with friends… I was also doing a lot of traveling shortly before I left. Thus, by the time I got to Guatemala, my body was physically exhausted! But my mind was rejuvenated… for the possibilities that were ahead of me.

I am happy to say that all though I have not slowed down one bit, I am still very excited and rejuvenated in my spirit. It’s funny because once we made it through training, I promised my fellow volunteers that I would be the one relaxing for months at a time… well let’s just say I STILL have not taken a break! Lol

I spend most of my time in my Puesto (health center) interacting with the nurses or planning charlas (health talks I give to the community). I’m usually at my Puesto by 8:30. If I have a charla scheduled for that morning, I am usually out the door at 9 for a ride to my community or I leave at 8 if I have to walk. I also have monthly meetings or trainings with my Health Promoters as well as the Comadronas (women that deliver babies) two weeks apart from each other. So I try to spend a week prepping for those meetings.  On days that I don’t have charlas or meetings in the morning I just work in the Puesto. I usually always have a 2 hour lunch break, except for the days that I have women’s group meetings in my community. I have to walk to those so I’ll eat lunch at 1:30 and be out the door at 2 so I can make it to the community by 3. That’s my schedule for about half the month. The other half of the month entails me hanging out at the Puesto in the morning and taking the afternoon to relax or spend time with the host-fam. We usually get a lot of visitors to our house or we are always going somewhere and they always invite me! And as my motto is to say Yes 10x the amount of times that I say No… I’m always with them! That is basically how I spend my time, giving charlas in the communities or in the schools, planning charlas, in meetings, or spending time with the host fam! I have been super busy…busier than I had hoped I’d hoped I would be… But it’s all good.

Lucky for me, my 2012 is planned to be even busier!

•           On top of my charlas and the monthly meeting with my Health Promoters and Comadronas, I have added monthly meetings for Youth Promoters. I’m starting a new program where I will be training youth promoters to work in the schools. There are 18 schools in my town and I cannot be in all of them giving health talks. Thus, I met with the director of my school district and we came up with a 10 month training program. I will meet with 40 students (a team of 5 students from all 8 communities) and teach them a health topic and how to deliver it to their peers. They will then spend the next few weeks giving charlas in their schools. Should be exciting! 
•       My women’s group meetings will continue, but instead of only going to 2 communities, I will be working with all 8. I think I would prefer to just work in the 2 I’ve been working in, but it’s hard to say no…especially when you are trying to build a partnership. We shall see how things pan out. We may plan to work in all 8 but who knows what will happen. I know I will definitely be working in the 2 we are currently working in…so that’s awesome. In these meetings I have talked about Nutrition for the family, Domestic Violence, and Family Planning. The topics I plan to talk about next year ranges from Healthy Hygiene, Respiratory Infections, to HIV/Aids.
•          I will also be working with the Teachers of all the schools. I will have 2 meetings on the same topic (50 teachers in both meetings) every 2 months. The director was so excited about what I was doing with the students that he wanted me to also work with the teachers. But every 2 months is not too hard to manage! It should be really exciting. I’ll keep you posted on how it goes.

-          Also, I will be working with the Women’s office of my town to not only work with women’s groups but to also start youth groups in every community. This is really exciting because the youth here have no opportunities for things to do outside of school. The young girls go home and take care of their siblings and help with house hold chores and the young men help their dad’s work or hang out with their friends. I’m looking forward to meeting with them and giving them other options than what they have been doing. I hope to inspire their thoughts about their future…hopefully reduce some teen pregnancy along the way!

All that I have mentioned has a lot to do with my program, but more indirectly than directly. My program is called Healthy Homes and my priorities are to work in the communities to educate families about their habits, hopefully encouraging healthier habits and improve the way they are currently living. Working with women’s groups definitely is part of this but it doesn’t get to the heart of it. Thus, I’m planning to start a project, titled Hogares Saludables de Rio Blanco, or White River Healthy Homes. In this program we will invite all of the needy families from the 2 communities with most need to participate. I plan to work with my Health Promoters to give bi-weekly charlas to the community members in the program. I have to plan it out but I’m thinking we will work with them for 5-6 months to improve their habits. This will include them coming to the meetings as well as us doing house visits. Once we have talked them to death, and hopefully they have begun to change their habits … I will start my PROJECTS!!!! This means I will work with the community to get funding to give each member of the program an improved stove, a cement floor, or a latrine. This shall be the grand finale of my program and my service. I plan to start projects at the beginning of 2013. So that should be exciting! Hopefully everything goes as planned… we shall see!

Well I think this is enough for now... I hope I’ve given you a great snapshot of my work life here in the Peace Corps. It’s definitely as exciting as I thought it would be… but definitely more tiring than I thought it would be. I always heard stories of Peace Corps Volunteers relaxing, reading 50 books in their service and finding themselves along the way. Well for me, my 2^nd week in site, I was giving reproductive health charlas in the schools. The only unfortunate part of me being so busy is that I haven’t spent as much time on my Spanish as I would like. However, that is definitely one of my plans for the following year. My goal is to be Fluent, and I will be!!! If everything goes as planned… Pray for my endurance, strength and courage to stay focused and see the change my community needs!

Thanks for reading and enjoy some pictures of some of the things I’ve listed above…

 Health Promoter Meeting: How to give a good Charla..

Same Health Promoter meeting... Love my Posters! lol

World AIDS Day: Went through the town handing out material and talking to people about HIV/AIDS.

Giving a HIV/AIDS charla in one of the schools with one of my nurses.

Monthly meeting with my Comadronas: Danger Signs of a Pregnancy- Before, During, and After.

Women's Group meeting: Family Planning

Doing House Visits with one my Health Promoters.

Doing a Census of one of my communities with my Health Center Staff.

1st Thanksgiving from home....

So I apologize that this blog is looking like a monthly post... I just had a very busy November traveling. Let me tell you about it! 

October marked 3 months that we have been in our sites so in the beginning of November my training group got together for Reconnect. We spent a week back in the Peace Corps Guatemala office talking about our 1^st three months and also learning more Spanish. I was asked by another volunteer how it felt to be back in the office… I smiled and said “Like being back at home!” It’s interesting how much of an impact the office had on me. But also, I was coming in the office as a Volunteer, and not as a Trainee, so I felt a sense of ownership, like I belong! It was a great feeling!

I heard a lot about what Reconnect is “about” from older volunteers and how they compared themselves to each other and it wasn’t a pleasant experience for them. However, my Reconnect experience was fabulous. Other than a sense of pride for where I was, it was sooo great to see everyone from my training group (I’m not big on reunions, so I was pleasantly surprised on how good it was to see everyone). But for me, the most fabulous part was the time we spent discussing our first three months, what we’ve experienced and overcome. I was happy to hear all the wonderful things people were doing in their sites and took notes on some things I could do as well. I guess for me, I went in to Reconnect knowing that I am doing everything I possibly can in my site and that comparing myself to what other volunteers was doing, wasn’t where my head was. I wanted ideas on things I could do in the future or ways to improve my Promoter groups. And I got exactly just what I wanted.

After 2 days of getting additional training, we spent 3 days learning more Spanish. I’m not sure why this Spanish session was different for me, well maybe because I’ve been spending so much time speaking and I had questions and things I wanted to learn. So I was really excited about my session and the things I learned. I realized that there is soooo much I need to learn and how far I am from being fluent, which is my ultimate goal. I’ve made a goal to really spend time studying and perfecting my speech. I feel confident that I can achieve my goal because I have an awesome host-family that helps me and some other people I can practice my Spanish with. God has definitely blessed me in so many ways. I am very Thankful!

So, after Reconnect, I spent another week traveling and having a mini-vacation (I say “mini” because it seems that when volunteers take vacations it’s for weeks at a time, lol). But first, I went to a place called Monterrico, where I had my first Guatemalan beach experience. It was very interesting. The beaches there are black sand beaches because the sand is made from volcanic ash over the years. You could definitely feel it too, its hard under your feet, almost like walking on glass. But it was absolutely beautiful. Gorgeous. We went because they had a Sea Turtle exhibition, in which they released baby sea turtles into the ocean. That was really fun and different. I’m glad I have different types of friends because I probably wouldn’t have done that had someone else not had the idea first. And of course, my motto here is to say yes much much more than I say no… I’m here, I might as well do all that I can, especially the things I wouldn’t normally do in the States. And I am glad I did.

Monterrico was just one night. The next few days we went to one of my close volunteer friends’ house, who is also a Soror, and had a roof top barbecue! We had so much fun, ate really good and just relaxed and enjoyed each other’s company. It was really good to be out of site and enjoying the company of my friends. We also did a little volunteer talk, so I got some pointers as to what I need to do as I fulfill my service (having been one of the newest volunteers). So that was great.

However, the absolute best part of my vacation was I trip to Livingston. After the rooftop barbecue, we got up super early and started our half-day travel to Rio Dulce/Livingston. We spent one night in Rio Dulce, which is gorgeous as well and then traveled to Livingston. Livingston is not like any other place in Guatemala. It spoke to me because Livingston is where the Afro-Caribbean Guatemalans live. They look exactly like me and other African Americans, except their Guatemalans that speak Garifuna (their own language, in which they are named) and Spanish. It was awesome getting to know them, walking around their town, and seeing the struggles they have, much like those African Americans suffer in the states. I was amazed, puzzled, and overjoyed all at the same time. I met some wonderful people and had the time of my life. I can honestly say that since I’ve been in Guatemala, I have not had as good of a time as I did there. And it wasn’t just the partying, it was the conversing, the hanging out, the relaxing … all of it was awesome and just what I needed. I actually was sad to go… but had to get back to my site and get some work done. I’m glad I had such a great time because I felt ready to work, especially since I had been away from site for 2 weeks, it was time to get back to work.

Speaking of being away from site for 2 weeks, I must comment that my awesome host-family missed me a lot! I loved the fact that my host- mom would call me every now and then and check on me to make sure I was doing ok. Also talked to one of my host sisters and my host-mom’s dad. One time they called me and everyone said hello to me, I guess I was on speaker phone. And I missed them as well. It’s great that I can say I have a great relationship with them. I can imagine how it will be when my service is up… but I’ll deal with that when that time comes!

I guess that is all for now… Thanks for reading!!! 

A few pictures from my vacation!

Sunset in Monterrico, Pacific Ocean.

Black sand beach!

Sea Turtle!!!

Beautiful waterfall in Rio Dulce

View of the Caribbean Sea from Livingston.

House Visits....

Soooo I have a love/hate relationship with House Visits! Let me tell you all about it... lol

So the last month has been very busy for me, actually, my life/work here is starting to pick up. I have been working with the O.M.M (or Women's office with the Mayor) to host bi-weekly women's groups in 2 of my aldeas. Also, I have been giving lots of charlas (health talks) in the community. You know, things I am here to do. Finally it seems that people know what I am here for (well a lot of people, but definitely not all). I am really starting to get to know my community and let them get to know me.

One of the best ways to get to know my community is through house visits. And thus, in the last few weeks of house visits, I've developed a love/hate relationship....

I LOVE getting to meet new people. It's great to tell people why I am here and that I'm here to help their community over the next 2 years. I like seeing the confusion on people's face when I walk up to their homes (not alone of course, I go with leaders in the community) and then the relaxation once I tell them my purpose for being there! It's great...

I HATE being ignored, mostly by the kids, but some adults too... I mean how hard is it to say Buenos Dias back, not hard.. B-u-e-n-o-s D-i-a-s... Seee you can do it too! Anyway, that drives me absolutely crazy, I don't know why, but it does!

I LOVE the scenery... my town is absolutely amazing, and while I'm hiking up and down the western highlands of my town, I can look across and see lots of other mountains filled with towns! Its great!!!

I HATE being barked at and chased by dogs... oh my goodness, these dogs are relentless! They decide they don't want you on their property and that's a wrap! This one time I was walking, which is very hard to do, but that will be my next hate...and this dog came up behind me and scared the crap out of me barking...my life literally flashed before my eyes! I for sure thought he had bitten a chunk of my leg off...it was really scary..so scary that I almost fell back on this pig pen...well I did, but the lamina on top stopped me, thank God! Ohh...I have got to do something about those dogs!

I LOVE getting my work done....!?!?!?

I HATE the walking paths...I don't know how they do it here...and they don't even wear secure shoes...here I am with boots and the whole nine and I'm slipping and sliding everywhere. For one, most of my walking path is dirt as there is not a lot of paved roads here. And, being that we are in the rainy season, most of my walking path is mud! Not fun at all...I've decided that it has to be the fact that my feet are so big that its hard for me to walk..that's the only explanation there could be..You definitely have to experience it to understand! Imagine walking down and up muddy hills with a short (width wise) walk way, and to your side is a long drop off... not fun right... kinda scary actually, but hey, it's Peace Corps right?

I suppose you have a pretty good idea of my love/hate relationship with House Visits... the ultimate part is that here we have people that are so nice, they love to offer you a snack or lemonade or something for your trouble! I think its wonderful how hospitable some people can be here...even if they barely have, they are willing to offer something for their visitors! Well, that part i LOVE about them... however, what i HATE is that that same snack can lead to my next bout of parasites and I'm scared every time I take a sip or a bite of something that was offered to me... However, I wouldn't dare say No! That's the ultimate sign of disrespect and will definitely make me integrating into the community much harder! So...I eat, and I drink, and pray that this isn't contaminated! lol... but as I said before, Hey, this is Peace Corps right? and that I LOVE!!!!

It´s been a while...

and I want to say it has been for a reason but I really can´t. Yes, I have been with out internet but I also have been with internet as well. So... sorry for the lax of time...won´t promise that it won´t happen again... LoL!

Anyway, it´s been 3 months in site and things have been great, somewhat sower and back up again... and there´s been many times that this emotional roller coaster happens all in the same day! Fun times hunh?

Well overall, it is fun times. I have to say, in general I am severely blessed! I could not have imagined a better Peace Corps service...yes, I´m living the Peace Corps dream! I have an excellent host-family that helps me improve my Spanish and treats me as part of the family....which is the best thing to have right now, and especially great to have being that I will have to live with them for the entirety of my service. However, since they are so great, I don´t even mind that I "have" to live with a host-family for 2 years.

Work has been so-so... but I was reminded today that I´m working in 2 different cultures, and unfortunately, I can´t ignore my culture and completely adapt Guatemalan´s because it is who I am...  But hey, this is what I signed up for... I´m learning so much about myself. I am also learning so much about Guatemalan´s...they are really some awesome people. But, they have been through so much that me coming in as a foreigner wanting to help, doesn´t easily sink-in...and I get that, or at least every day, more and more that notion is sinking-in with me... I guess I just want everything to go perfectly, smoothly...but is that what life is about? Is that what I am here to learn...perhaps not!

I was reminded by a veteran PCV that the communication issues, the missing appointments, the canceling of meetings with out warning is all part of the deal... and its so interesting...the things that frustrate me are so minimal in the grand scheme of things...I´m getting it...slowly but surely.

Anyway, I have to be thankful, I have great PC friends that definitely make me smile, a lot! An awesome family that continues to feed me awesome vegetarian meals! An awesome town with awesome people... God is great... you know, you have to be thankful for the small and the big things, because things can always be or get ten times worst...

On top of all the other great things in my life...I´m especially thankful for the new piece of fruit my boss let me try today... called Lychee ... see pictures below!

I ADORE my site assignment!!!

My town is absolutely fabulous! See the pictures below of where I'll be for the next 2 years...

 The Puesto de Salud (Health Center) where I work.

One of the main streets in town. 

Basketball/Soccer court. 

 A little out side of town, headed to an Aldea (village of my town)

Giving a charla to mothers about Breast Feeding... 

At home with one of my host sisters.

Am I still a Vegetarian?

So one of  the most asked question, besides "How are you doing?" is "Are you still a Vegetarian?"

Of course my immediate response was "Definitely! I am so blessed to have not eaten meat since I've been here!" But if someone were to ask me that question today, my response would be, "I'm not sure!"

It's crazy that I'm even writing this post because I just knew, 4 years ago this month when I decided to become a Vegetarian that I would Never go back to eating meat. And if you really know me, I'm sure you're just as surprised to be reading this blog...

But anyway, let's examine this question: Am I still a Vegetarian. First, the very reasons I decided to become a Vegetarian is null and void now that I'm living in Guatemala, Second, if 98% of the veggies I eat are cooked with meat, are they still veggies or are they now meat.

I was thrilled to read in my welcoming package to Peace Corps Guatemala that Volunteers find it easy to be vegetarians. *You can read my earlier posts to see my excitement* I was told that the rural populations whom I would be working with, were normally poorer and couldn't afford meat. Well, I must say that is FARTHEST from the truth. Not only have I had to explain that I do not eat meat to everyone (and get a look of confusion in response) but people in rural areas definitely eat meat! In fact, the only true part about that statement is that they may be too poor to buy meat, but how about all the families that raise animals! I have seen more cows, chickens, pigs, etc. in the last 3 months than I have in my entire life (and I loved going to the zoo!). The only real difference is that here, people do not eat meat with every single meal, which is much healthier. Like most Latin American cultures, lunch is usually the biggest meal of the day, and it is at this meal that meat is usually consumed.

I have not mentioned this in my blog yet, but my Training group is the first group to be required to live with a Host family the entire 2 years of our service. I mention that because this is the entire reason behind my post. And unfortunately for me, I am not as lucky as some of my fellow Volunteers to have my own kitchen set-up...sooo I am forced to eat every meal with my host family. Which brings me to my second point earlier, if my veggies are cooked in meat, are they still just veggies? I remember in the States, I was VERY adamant that I could not have anything cooked with meat! Well that attitude here would make me starve to death, so of course I've been a lot more lenient. However, while eating lunch today, which was rice with the carrots and potatoes cooked with big chinks of beef, I thought to myself, I might as well be eating the meat, because the potatoes and carrots and sauce were definitely coated with the fat from the meat. Yeah, I could see it in the sauce. lol It was so good going down though, it took me back to my younger days having mom's spaghetti! So I was happy at the moment...but shortly after those type meals, my stomach does that thing that it does...and I've become so used to it that it doesn't even faze me anymore. (Having gastrointestinal issues in PC is like tattoos in the states... everyone gets them and you're not "real" if you don't). Anyway, I think my question is valid. If you think about Southern cooking and those grandmother's that would cook their greens with fat back...  it was suggested that you cook with turkey instead of pork, because it's healthier... So with that being said, isn't that the same thing for me... if I'm just eating the side veggies to the meat, I'm eating all that the meat embodies (like the enzymes, fat, and whatever else is in meat).

To my first point mentioned earlier, my reasonings for becoming a vegetarian is completely null and void here in Guate. I happen to be a very stubborn and prideful person, so if I say something, I must do it! Also, I will not be told to do something that I don't want to do or that I don't have to do, unless I want to do it. Well, I say all of that to say that my personality has everything to do with why I became a vegetarian. My history with meat has not always been love at first sight, like it is with other people. I always loved my fruits, veggies, and snacks (just like now). However, growing up my mom always fed me meat with a healthy serving of veggies on the side. So, naive as I once was, I thought that I had to eat meat for survival. To make a long story short, I'll leave out my decision to stop eating beef and pork, which happened 10 years ago. So anyway, shortly before I started grad school I learned that the marketing ads were misleading (i.e. The Got Milk Campaign- fyi, you can get more calcium from Broccoli than you can from a glass of milk) and the U.S. agricultural arena is mostly for economical gain than ensuring Americans are eating healthy. Thus, learning that and some other tidbits of information, I decided I'm better off not eating meat. I pledged that I would not fill my body with hormone pumped and mistreated, unhappy animal parts. And, I still stand by that! However, that is completely not the case here in Guate! As I mentioned above, a lot of the families take care of their animals in their back yards (or in their kitchens -- but that's why I'm here!) and from my understanding, they are not pumping their animals with steroids and other hormones (unless lots and lots of corn counts).

So, that's all I have to say for now.. What do YOU think? Am I still a Vegetarian?

Fresh off the plane, my first Guatemalan meal/snack! I LOVE Tortillas w/ Guacamole!!!

Come so far with so far to go...

My first few weeks in site have been VERY busy!!! Much busier than I expected, but I'm happy that I have such a great site and counterpart. My counterpart (the person I have been paired to work with the next 2 years) is named Alex. What makes him so great is that he is patient with me and encourages me, even though my spanish is no where near where it needs to be. He constantly calls me "Pilas" (which means a person on top of their stuff). I appreciate the self-esteem boosts because I definitely need them. I struggle so much because mentally I want to be ahead of where my capacity is. I want to be able to explain my self fully and educate others, you know, what I was sent here to do.. but my limited spanish just doesn't allow that to occur. I am thankful, although frustrated, that I am where I am, because I know I have no where to go but up... I was thinking today, "Wow, I can't wait to see where I'll be in a few months and a year!" I think its amazing to be able to see your own growth. I definitely notice the growth I've accomplished just in the last few months, I just need to be patient and keep practicing, and everything else will fall in place like it always does!

I'm supper excited because last week I had my first Health Promoter group meeting. Health Promoters are the main people I will be working with during my 2 years to improve the living conditions of the people in my town. Peace Corps' thoughts (and every other person doing community development) is that you train local community people to build capacity so that the knowledge of what I'm trying to impart will be left here and passed on after I leave. Thus, I will be starting a Health Promoter program (this month) to train my Health Promoters. I'm so nervous but so excited at the same time! The meeting last week was to bring them together and introduce me and my Healthy Homes program. A lot of the Promoters seemed very excited and ready to work with me. Some were even hugging me at the end of the meeting...BIG SMILE on my face!!! I was appreciative that my counterpart was supportive and really pushed the idea behind the education part of our program and did not mention (as I requested) the projects that I will be doing my second year. It is important for me to have HPs that are working with me because they want to help their community and not because of anything they can get out of it...so that was awesome!

Unfortunately I did not take pictures of my 1st meeting with them, but I did take pictures of my 1st charla I gave today. It was on Family Planning in a school in one of my town's cacerias (smaller town) called Rio Hondo. Family planning is definitely not my strong topic, especially not in Spanish. However, I pushed through it, despite the frustrating thoughts that were going through my mind. To be honest, I really didn't have a choice...what was I going to do, run out of the classroom crying because I couldn't say most of the words I need to say... lol That's really what I wanted to do! No, it wasn't that bad. Luckily my super-hero counterpart saved my day. He stepped in at the right times and was sure to include me throughout the entire charla! The students particpated and seemed to have a good time. Although it ended up being 2 hours long.. I think it went great! It was so funny, at one point I attempted to read descriptions of some of the family planning methods, tripping over a lot of the words and when I was finished the entire class gave me a hand clap for my attempt, I was so touched...lol  Check out some pics below...

Thanks for reading!
Shantrice

I was here...

Beyonce's new song, "I was here" is definitely my theme song here in Guatemala.  "I will leave my mark so that everyone will know... I was here!!!" Check it out!

I am so excited about my site. I've been placed in the western highlands of Guatemala, in the department called San Marcos. It's so cold here, but great! Beautiful, but of course, the entire country of Guatemala is beautiful. I can't wait to take pictures so I can show you all my site. I've been so busy working, and sleeping, that I haven't even taken pictures! lol Can you believe me, not taking pictures...?!?!

So, we each had 2-3 "interviews" to talk to our APCD (Associate PC Director) for the Healthy Homes Program. I told Basilio, so I don't have much of a preference in the climate, I just want a site where I can really learn Spanish and work in a Centro de Salud (more urban site the has more coordination over the smaller rural areas). And guess what I got, an urban site (even though I'm working in a Puesto, which is better actually) and mostly spanish speaking. I'm so blessed, absolutely love my site! Now, you may be asking, what do I mean by spanish speaking, I'm in Guatemala... well there are a lot of Mayan indigenous people living in the areas of our program. Actually, they are mostly the people that we work with to improve their living conditions. Also, there are 20+ Mayan languages, which, for me, are very hard to learn... Luckily for me, I can focus on perfecting my spanish than working on Spanish and a native Mayan language (which would be Mam in my area).

Today starts my 3rd week in site and things are moving very fast for me...much faster than I anticipated. I have definitely got to talk to future PCV's because a lot of the advice that was given to me has not come to past!...Like my daily siestas, and my down time every day once I get to site...I feel like I'm back at CDC doing reports, meeting with people, and on my computer all day... but I love it because this work is So different and challenging, mostly because it's in Spanish. Right now I'm focusing my energy on preparing my Health Promoter program. I'm going to meet with them monthly for a year and teach them different preventive health techniques in an entertaining way... My first program is at the end of the month. I want to have a contract written up for each of them to sign about what's expected of them, why this program is important to their community, and what we're going to talk about/do for the next year... so that's a lot and keeps me plenty busy, mentally at least...

The other thing I'm busy worrying about (yes, still a worry wart in Guate- but not as much) is my housing. Unfortunately, I have not settled in at all...still living out of my suitcase. I have a host family, that was approved, but for some reason when it was approved, they didn't realize that I would have to live out of my front door, into the street, to go to the bathroom, or do anything else in the house...it's very annoying. Quite frankly, I can't do this for 2 years, and it has been hard doing it for 3 weeks... but hey, welcome to Peace Corps...that's what this life is about. While I'm complaining about men greeting me in the morning on my way to the bathroom, there are other PCVs that don't even have bathrooms (use latrines)...so I'll get over myself... But of course, it's so hard to count your blessings in the midst of a "storm" but I've gotten better at that. So thank you GOD for blessing me with a Wonderful site, a wonderful Counterpart that isn't telling the entire community that I am here to start money dropping projects, and that I'm in good health and sound mind!

So, there it is... I'll be sure to keep you all updated. Let me know what you want to know...

Love and miss you all! :-)

It's been 2 months ...

since my last post... training was intense and it was hard to keep up with my blog posts...but I'm A PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER Now!!!!

How ecxiting, those words still make me smile from ear to ear! I'm so glad I followed my heart, stepped out on faith and explored this light within me... I definitely can see myself making a gran difference in my community and I can't wait to be writing a post in 2 years reflecting on all the wonderful things my community and I was able to do!

Anyway, figured I would give you an update of training. I may have mentioned in previous posts, but some weeks we were working 7 days a week! Exhausting, coming from my working world of travel and monthly getaways! When we got here, the 52 of us were broken down into smaller groups based on our Spanish levels. I have to comment that I had the Best Training Group EVER!!! I LOVE Adora, Aaron, and Ryan! We worked very well together in our Puesto de Salud (health center), doing charlas and making posters (Condones son Cheveres!!!), and had a ton of fun along the last 3 months. I definitely owe getting through training to my loves! Thanks so much guys!!!

 My traning group at the beginning of training!

Us at our Swearing-in service!!!

I guess that's about all I have to say about the last 3 months! They were intense but I learned a shit load of Spanish.... I came in and tested at Beginner Alto and at Swearing-in I tested at Intermediate Alto... That was a huge accomplishment for me. But, I have a long way to go... IA really just means that I can ask for food and how to get to the bathroom, basic survival necessities! lol I'm doing ok, but am looking forward to seeing my Spanish progress over the next few years! I'll keep you posted!



Pictures...

  The Healthy Homes program board...

 With my 1st Spanish Teacher...

My room...

Feliz Cumpleanos Madre!!!!

So this is not Part II, sorry...

Training has gotten supper busy, we are working more than 12 hours on some days... So, I am a little behind on my posts. I apologize, but I promise once I make it through training (1 month and 1/2 left) I will be able to post more...I have so much to tell you all!

HOWEVER, this is a very very special day. My Mommi's Birthday! I had to take a few minutes to write to the love of my life and send her special Birthday Wishes in my abscence!

I love you and miss you SOOOO much! I am so thankful that you are supporting me through this journey, even though it is hard for us! You are the best Mom I could have ever had! I am thankful for all that you have done and continue to do for me. Especially your unconditional and everlasting Love! You are the epitome of what I aspire to be in this World!!! :-)

Sorry I can't be there to celebrate your special day with you! However, I took these pictures just for you and now is the perfect time for me to post them.... ENJOY!!!

Love and Miss You,
Tricey

P.S. They have Birds of Paradise growing a lot of places here!

Another reason to come visit!!! :-)

It’s only been 2 weeks??? (part I)

Wow… these last two weeks in my community has felt like a month! It’s probably because we utilize every second of the day and we’re extremely busy. So much has happened in this last week… let’s see if I can catch you up…

Ok, so to follow-up with my thoughts on the funeral from last week-end. Actually, what they call a funeral was equivalent to what we call the wake. The funeral like in the States is called Mass here, more than likely because the family is Catholic. I attended Mass and it was very interesting. Since I didn’t understand much, I just observed everyone and everything that I could. Mass was pretty similar, the priest said a few words, the family said a few words, they collected tithes/offerings, and then they gave communion.  What was interesting was seeing them walk with the body/casket to the Church. It was very solemn. One of the differences is that they had a band (for lack of a better word), a couple of men playing Don Albuerto’s favorite music as we walked to the church and then again as we walked to the cemetery. I enjoyed seeing what seemed like the entire town come together for his behalf.

My Spanish has been improving day by day. Some days are much better than others, but overall, I’m now able to have a conversation with people and almost understand everything they say, and they almost understand everything that I say. It’s been an interesting learning experience. Overall, I’m pleased with my progress but I know that I have a long way to go. I need to study study and practice practice…on top of all the work I have to do… Training is basically an accelerated Master’s program wrapped up in 3 months… Intense but great! I’m so glad I got my Master’s before coming to the Peace Corps because a lot of the themes that we are discussing, I have an understanding of it. Thus, I don’t need to learn the Spanish word as well as what it means in English. That’s a load off!

Well, this week brought me my first bad day in country. Tuesday, I had the worst day Ever! It was so bad… Let’s see if I can give you a short version… Tuesday is my day to travel to the Peace Corps office for training sessions. I woke up not feeling too well and because of that was running a little short of time getting ready. As you know, I don’t do too well when I have to rush, it makes me so anxious thinking that I could possibly be late (however, that anxiety is slowly dissipating the longer I’m in Guatemala!). Anyway, I had to be out the door by 6:30 to catch the bus. My host-mom met me at my door with my breakfast and lunch packed in a bag. Thanking her and filling up my water bottle, I quickly left out the door. I met my group members at the bus and we headed to Santa Lucia… well, enroute, I started to feel very nauseas (probably b/c I took an allergy people and Dramamine on an empty stomach). I eventually fell asleep, only to wake up to hear a guy in my group say “Uhhp, that was our stop!” (as we were passing it). However, we were able to get off only a few minutes walk away, so it wasn’t too much of a big deal. We finally arrived to PC with only a few minutes to spare before our first session began. I, who always sits in the front, was in the front asleep! Can you believe it.. I pretty much fought to stay awake through the Diarrhea session. I mean how exciting is it to learn what to do when you have loose stools… lol I really was interested but couldn’t stay awake, also probably because of the Dramamine. Anyway, at some point I thought, Hey, what did I do with my key? So I started looking through my bag, pretty much emptying it and I couldn’t find it. I searched my pockets…nothing! At this point, I begin to panic. Trying to retrace my steps as I rushed out the door this morning. The only thing I could come up with is that maybe I put them down when I got my water. I prayed all day that they were there. I would hate to be that “Gringa” that lost her keys within the first 2 weeks! I made it through my day, and of course a whole lot of things happened to me, as it does when you’re having a bad day. But, since this is the short version, I’m leaving those things out. Anyway, so I rush home to see if I can find my keys…and of course they are not there. I tell my host-sister and my host-father (who looked pissed, very pissed when I told him)…Mind you, they were getting ready for the Mother’s Day celebration, and this was not the time for me to be locked out of my room! So anyway, eventually the mom comes over and tells me that it’s ok and that they will try to find another copy, since they didn’t have one…However, I had already lost it… I mean this was my day from Hell… I just wanted to go to my room and cry myself to sleep, but couldn’t because I was locked out!!! Oh my… and I don’t think it helped that I hadn’t cried since I left the States… I think it all accumulated at this night…with pink and red balloons around me and a big cake! I had to call the PC staff member  that places us in our homes and informed him. He also assured me that it was ok and not to worry, this happens all the time. It only took the 2 year old, Jasmin, to calm me down. She’s so sweet. She took me by the hand and led me to this wall and looked up to me with her finger over her mouth and said Shhh as we were suddenly hiding from someone …It was too cute…I mean who can cry with her? Mean while, as my host mom and father tried what seemed like every key in the community, they eventually found a key that worked! They told me they would make another copy the next day. Thankfully, the Mother’s Day celebration could continue. We had a few of the family members over for cake and then had dinner. I still couldn’t stop thinking about how I could have lost my key, was it on the bus, did I put it down as I was walking, did it fall out of my pocket? I just couldn’t figure it out…After dinner, I went to my room…so exhausted and just ready to start another day. I could have definitely cried myself to sleep…this was definitely the moment that I wished I were at home! And as I undressed and got ready for bed…there falls my keys out of my bra! After a few seconds of confusing…I burst out in laughter…I couldn’t help but laugh at myself, my day…and all the stress I put myself through. The putting things in our bra came from the PC Security Officer. He told us this was one of the better ways to avoid getting pickpocketed on the bus…apparently I through the keys up/in there on my way out of the door…It’s so funny no recounting this story. I mean, the keys were there the entire day…and I didn’t feel them…that is hilarious. My host-family got a really big laugh out of it too…I’m sure I confirmed their thoughts that I was crazy after this incident!

Lol… we’ll I hope you got a good laugh out of that one! I sure did… and I’m glad I can say my worst day in-country ended with me laughing myself to sleep, instead of crying! How lucky am I?

Love and miss you all,

Shantrice

P.S. I’ll add my best and worst to my next post which will continue talking about my 2^nd week…there’s so much to talk about!

A little past due...

This post was written Saturday, May 7, 2011.

This has been an interesting first week in my community! I don’t know where to begin… 

Today has been a sad day because the host father of one of my group members passed at 5 this morning. It has been a very interesting day for us because we were able to observe the traditions of this pueblo. Having just attended a funeral a few months ago, I’m in a position to make a number of comparisons.

First observation: Don Albuerto died in his home, so his funeral is being held in his home. Of course, you know in the States when a person dies, the ambulance takes the body away, its inspected, and prepared for the funeral. Well, most of this was done in less than a day and in his house.  The room that he died in became his funeral room, or where people are allowed to view the body. He died around 5 am and I looked at his body (in a casket or caja with a suit on) at 10:30 am… and apparently, he was ready before 8 am because a few people from my group saw him then. Now that is a very fast turnaround. In those couple of hours they cleaned up his body and emptied out his room. When I went in there, there was his casket, candles lit, beautiful fresh flowers, and basket for money collection.  I was very impressed! When my maestro or teacher asked me if I wanted to see the body at first I said no. I’m not big on stuff like that. However, once I learned that this was the actual funeral… I was like oh, well sure I’ll see him. And, of course one of the main reasons I’m here is to open my mind and experience another culture. I’m very glad I went. I envisioned that he was just lying in the bed he died in…so I’m glad I was able to see the progress they made in only a few hours.

Second observation: They have another tradition that people from the community shows support by coming to the person’s house and just sitting there. We sat for about a half hour. Because so many people are coming to show their support, they must prepare a lot of food. There were about mas o menos15 women preparing food. Luckily, I was there to see when a lot of the food arrived. There were hugehuge bags of beans to be prepared, cases of tomatoes, onions, I mean I can’t even describe the amount of food that I saw… and mind you, they had to prepare and cook this food. I was told that the women were from their church and that the wife wouldn’t be helping in the preparation. Although I did see her running around getting a few things here and there.  It was very interesting. My host mom prepared my lunch and then went over there to help with the food preparation. 

The cemetery part is tomorrow, so I will finish the story after I experience that. 

Wow, although my week ended on a somber note, it has definitely been very lively and exciting. I commented on my first chicken bus experience in my last post. However, that is still very heavily in my mind. I don’t know how I’m going to do that for 2 years. Luckily it’s only once a week right now. I’m sure I’ll get used to it. It’s a very interesting experience. When you all come visit me…we will definitely ride a chicken bus!!! Lol

My Spanish is improving, poca a poca… I have to realize that it’s only been a week. I get so discouraged when people are talking to me and I’m looking at them like they are characters in a cartoon, of which I can’t understand most of what they are saying. However, I’m fortunate that all of my host family works with me. They talk slow, repeat and explain when necessary. I’m very blessed to be with them. I realized how blessed I am after yesterday. We had appointments with the Mayor of Santa CatarinaBorhona and the Puesta de Salud (Health Post) that we will be working with for the next 3 months. The Mayor and the nurse spoke very fast. It was very discouraging. Of course I smiled and nodded but I was thinking, I have NO idea what you are saying!! We each had to prepare questions to ask them. My question was “How can we help the municipality’s health efforts?” The mayor completely ignored my question and said something else he wanted to say... (However, I didn’t find this out until after the meeting when I asked my teacher what he said!) LOL, I’m sure by my smiling, nodding and jotting down random words that he was also thinking that I knew not what he was saying. Too funny! 

Well, I guess I’ll wrap up for now and give you my Best and Worst for this post:

Best: I’m not sure if this is a Best or Worst, but I’m putting it here because it’s so funny… So absolutely NO ONE in Guatemala (minus the people that flew in with me) can pronounce my name… Is it really that difficult? Shanteace, Shantweece, Shauntice, I’ve heard it all. I’m like, call me whatever, as long as it somewhat sounds like my name, I’ll answer. So the converstion goes like this: “Buenas Dias, Me llamoShantrice” They look at me with a puzzled face… “Oh, esmuyDificil!” I respond… “Si, mi nombre is muydificil, peroEstabien”… as they are practicing how to say my name. After we arrived in our community, we went around to meet everyone’s host family (there are 3 other people in my group) and I had the same conversation with all of the host families. I learned in class the other day that at night, over dinner, the families practice my name with my group members. They told me how they laugh that that is always a topic of discussion. It is even a topic at my house…almost every night, when they get ready to leave the table, a custom is to say Gracious to every person and they stumble when they get to my name. It’s so funny. However, the Best part is the 2 year little girl that lives with me. She has to be the most intelligent 2 year old I’ve ever met. But I’ll save that for another post. She calls me Shaany… and it’ssooo cute! So I’ll here Shaany outside of my room when she wants me to come out and play. Lol..she’s a very demanding person…already!

Worst: So my worst this post almost beats the chicken buses. I was so embarrassed and intimidated, I didn’t know what to do. So of course you know the food situation was the one thing I was worried about. However, it has been absolutely fabulous. I’ve had some great food more or less. And the not so great food I’ve “loved” because it’s not meat… “Oh mucho gusta” I say at every meal. Letting my host mom know that I loved it and thanking her for preparing it for me.It’s important for me to feel like it’s not a burden for her to prepare non-meat items for me and I want her to know I appreciate it. So, even when I’m given something that I don’t “care” for, I still love it. However, yesterday…I reached my limit! And, the worst part was that my Teacher was joining us for lunch at the time. I was thinking Oh crap…when she was walking towards me with a plate full of beets and onions. Now there is pretty much nothing I won’t eat, but, Beets…oh there is something about it that just won’t let me digest it without getting Nauseas. So…I’m like, how am I going to tell this lady that I don’t like Beets without being offensive. My first response was to try it. I’m thinking, well a lot of fruits and vegetables have tasted differently here, or at least I’ve tricked my mind to think so so that I can eat it (i.e. Bananas with lots of black spots, I prefer them green, but here…I love all kinds of bananas, lol). So, I take a small one, and put it in my mouth … and Yep, it tastes just like it does in the States…I force myself to swallow and follow it with a Tortilla. I go back to thinking, how am I going to tell her this. I think it would have been fine had it just been us two. But my teacher was sitting next to me, obviously enjoying her plate of beets! Lol It ended up not being as bad as it felt at the time.  I ate my other food, which was green beans prepared in an egg batter (kinda like egg fujung (sp?)) and salsa, It was SO good, especially after eating a piece of beets. My teacher looked over at me while eating her beets to tell me the name of it in Spanish…and there was my opening.. I responded with a disappointed face, “No me gusta.” She told my host mom and she responded with Esta Bien and that she won’t prepare it again (she said this in a very loving voice). I’m so glad that ended well…although it didn’t begin well. Lol I’m glad I didn’t force myself to eat it, given that I’m trying to acculturate and be as less of a burden as possible. Telling her that I didn’t like it saved me from throwing up all over the table and saved me from future possible run ins with beets…lol

Ok, well that’s enough for now… I’m going to get back to studying…

Love and miss you all lots,

Shantrice

P.s. Don’t forget how to say my name in the next 2 years please… Lol