Tuesday September 1, 2009
Today…was a normal day. We had training from 8am -5pm. I had a great conversation with my host mother this afternoon. She told me about how she never wanted to get married because when she was fifteen she was stalked by a boy. Then her father decided that when she was seventeen she had to get married. They arranged a marriage for her and she married Mr. Kus (my host father). She never met him… she just was engaged and then married to him. She cried and cried and hated her wedding day. She felt like it was her funeral. However, she got over that. She was at least happy that she did not marry a “drunkard” as she said. She likes that her husband does not smoke or drink… like her father did. She never wanted the life her mother had. I was taken back that she told me that story. However, I was happy because I am really forming bonds with her already… and I have only been here for a week!
Disclaimer
This website expresses the views of Grace Boswell, who is entirely responsible for its content. It does not express the views of the United States government, the Belize government, the Peace Corps or any other institutions named or linked to on these pages.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Last day of August... and have already learned sooo much!
Monday August 31, 2009
Today I woke up around 6am and the family was already up. The children were already doing their chores. I took a shower and practiced some more K’ekchi.
Off to school I went and met Kevina and Greg at the bus stop meeting place. They were late because they were quizzing the children before they went to school on their multiplication math problems.
When I got to the resource center Ms. Ginnie taught us about classroom management. We compared classroom and behavior management in schools in Belize and the United States.
After the session on education we had lunch. I went to the internet café and wrote back to the people that have sent me messages in email and facebook. I had a lot of catching up to do because I didn’t have the internet for about a week since I have been in Maya Mopan. Greg told me today that there is an internet café right over the bridge (q’a… that is the word for bridge in k’ekchi). Amy and I went to the internet café for about an hour, which cost 3 dollars. I then went home for lunch. I felt so bad because I was very late… I was supposed to be home at noon and I did not get home until 12:45p.m. My host mom, Mrs. Kus, was very worried about me. She sent her daughter Marah over to Ms. Carmelina to check where I was. No one was sure. So now I will make sure I will inform someone before I go back to use the computers. However, I did have a delicious soup and a craboo ideal for lunch… delicious!
Then I went back to the resource center to learn more K’ekchi. We started with a very fun game where one person from each team comes to the middle and Ms. Carmelina whisper the word in English and we had to find the K’ekchi word in K’ekchi. It was lots of fun! However, Greg and Kevina’s team won instead of mine and Amy. We then did exercises in the Peace Corps K’ekchi workbook.
After that session Kevina came over my host family’s house because she was locked out of her host family’s house. So we sat and chatted about lots of things, such as poisonous snakes and making tortillas.
Then Greg, Kevina, and I went to meet the chairman of Maya Mopan. On our walk there this little girl with no shirt on yelled and pointed right at us… hey you Gringos… I am getting my first taste of being a minority. Anyway, the chairman was very nice. He only spoke in K’ekchi to us. I said Ma ‘sa achool and sa inchool then Greg did all the questions asking for the interview. We were all taken back on how fast he spoke in K’ekchi. However, we liked the part where he said that what he wants and the community needs is a shelter in case of a hurricane. He said the schools are doing well. The village is building more schools and they are okay with that. After the meeting we asked Ms. Carmelina what he said and she said she would tell us first thing when we come back to the resource center in the morning. So Kevina and Greg and I went back to have dinner with our host family. Now I am going to begin my homework for tomorrow. I have to journal on classroom and behavior management and I have to do a section in my K’ekchi workbook! I keep practicing and practicing (however, I having such a horrible accent) even though I practice and practice. Ms. Carmelina keeps telling me to practice with my host family my pronunciation!!!
Disclaimer
This website expresses the views of Grace Boswell, who is entirely responsible for its content. It does not express the views of the United States government, the Belize government, the Peace Corps or any other institutions named or linked to on these pages.
Today I woke up around 6am and the family was already up. The children were already doing their chores. I took a shower and practiced some more K’ekchi.
Off to school I went and met Kevina and Greg at the bus stop meeting place. They were late because they were quizzing the children before they went to school on their multiplication math problems.
When I got to the resource center Ms. Ginnie taught us about classroom management. We compared classroom and behavior management in schools in Belize and the United States.
After the session on education we had lunch. I went to the internet café and wrote back to the people that have sent me messages in email and facebook. I had a lot of catching up to do because I didn’t have the internet for about a week since I have been in Maya Mopan. Greg told me today that there is an internet café right over the bridge (q’a… that is the word for bridge in k’ekchi). Amy and I went to the internet café for about an hour, which cost 3 dollars. I then went home for lunch. I felt so bad because I was very late… I was supposed to be home at noon and I did not get home until 12:45p.m. My host mom, Mrs. Kus, was very worried about me. She sent her daughter Marah over to Ms. Carmelina to check where I was. No one was sure. So now I will make sure I will inform someone before I go back to use the computers. However, I did have a delicious soup and a craboo ideal for lunch… delicious!
Then I went back to the resource center to learn more K’ekchi. We started with a very fun game where one person from each team comes to the middle and Ms. Carmelina whisper the word in English and we had to find the K’ekchi word in K’ekchi. It was lots of fun! However, Greg and Kevina’s team won instead of mine and Amy. We then did exercises in the Peace Corps K’ekchi workbook.
After that session Kevina came over my host family’s house because she was locked out of her host family’s house. So we sat and chatted about lots of things, such as poisonous snakes and making tortillas.
Then Greg, Kevina, and I went to meet the chairman of Maya Mopan. On our walk there this little girl with no shirt on yelled and pointed right at us… hey you Gringos… I am getting my first taste of being a minority. Anyway, the chairman was very nice. He only spoke in K’ekchi to us. I said Ma ‘sa achool and sa inchool then Greg did all the questions asking for the interview. We were all taken back on how fast he spoke in K’ekchi. However, we liked the part where he said that what he wants and the community needs is a shelter in case of a hurricane. He said the schools are doing well. The village is building more schools and they are okay with that. After the meeting we asked Ms. Carmelina what he said and she said she would tell us first thing when we come back to the resource center in the morning. So Kevina and Greg and I went back to have dinner with our host family. Now I am going to begin my homework for tomorrow. I have to journal on classroom and behavior management and I have to do a section in my K’ekchi workbook! I keep practicing and practicing (however, I having such a horrible accent) even though I practice and practice. Ms. Carmelina keeps telling me to practice with my host family my pronunciation!!!
Disclaimer
This website expresses the views of Grace Boswell, who is entirely responsible for its content. It does not express the views of the United States government, the Belize government, the Peace Corps or any other institutions named or linked to on these pages.
Sunday... first day off!
Sunday August 30, 2009
Sunday I was awoken by Mrs. Cus. She was calling my name to get up because I was sleeping in…. it was only 8:30 am lol! I probably could have slept all day because I was drained from the past week of technical training and language training. However, I got up to a wonderful breakfast… fried jacks (this type of fried biscuits) and drop eggs and stew beans.
Then I did my LAUNDARY for the first time in Belize. I haven’t done laundry for the past two and a half weeks I have been in Belize. I kind of lucked out with the laundry situation because my family had a spin washer so I got to use laundry powder soap. (Instead some people have to wash their clothes with a soap stick and a wash board in the river.) Then I rinsed my clothes in two different buckets… to get all the soap off my clothes. Then I hung my clothes on the line to dry. (Thank goodness it is always sunny in Belize!!!)
Then Kevina and Greg and their host siblings came to pick me and my host siblings up to go to the park. Mrs. Cus was hesitant to let her kids go because she never lets her children go to the park alone. But, since there were three adults she let them go! We played go fish in K’ekchi. Then we flew kites and ate ideals (which are a type of Popsicle in a bag made of fruit). Also, of course we took lots and lots of pictures. Around noon we came home (which I was happy about because I was getting burnt even with sunscreen!) However, I had sooo much fun at the park with all the kids. I love my host siblings the best! They are such a help to me. They help me learn the language and meet new people in the town.
Later in the afternoon I received a call from Adam asking if I wanted to go to the river in Belmopan. I had to tell him no because I had a packed full day of things to do. (I was a little sad because last Sunday I had such a blast at the river.)
Then we ate lunch as a family (rice and beans, chicken, and salad). After lunch I am now journaling while the whole family is doing lots of chores. But, in about ten minutes I am going to mill to pick up corn for the family! Oh, and Mrs. Cus brother and sister-in-law came over to visit and talk with the family.
Then we are going to Jehovah Witness church, which will definitely be an experience. I am going to learn more about their culture and meet more people in the community!
Disclaimer
This website expresses the views of Grace Boswell, who is entirely responsible for its content. It does not express the views of the United States government, the Belize government, the Peace Corps or any other institutions named or linked to on these pages.
Sunday I was awoken by Mrs. Cus. She was calling my name to get up because I was sleeping in…. it was only 8:30 am lol! I probably could have slept all day because I was drained from the past week of technical training and language training. However, I got up to a wonderful breakfast… fried jacks (this type of fried biscuits) and drop eggs and stew beans.
Then I did my LAUNDARY for the first time in Belize. I haven’t done laundry for the past two and a half weeks I have been in Belize. I kind of lucked out with the laundry situation because my family had a spin washer so I got to use laundry powder soap. (Instead some people have to wash their clothes with a soap stick and a wash board in the river.) Then I rinsed my clothes in two different buckets… to get all the soap off my clothes. Then I hung my clothes on the line to dry. (Thank goodness it is always sunny in Belize!!!)
Then Kevina and Greg and their host siblings came to pick me and my host siblings up to go to the park. Mrs. Cus was hesitant to let her kids go because she never lets her children go to the park alone. But, since there were three adults she let them go! We played go fish in K’ekchi. Then we flew kites and ate ideals (which are a type of Popsicle in a bag made of fruit). Also, of course we took lots and lots of pictures. Around noon we came home (which I was happy about because I was getting burnt even with sunscreen!) However, I had sooo much fun at the park with all the kids. I love my host siblings the best! They are such a help to me. They help me learn the language and meet new people in the town.
Later in the afternoon I received a call from Adam asking if I wanted to go to the river in Belmopan. I had to tell him no because I had a packed full day of things to do. (I was a little sad because last Sunday I had such a blast at the river.)
Then we ate lunch as a family (rice and beans, chicken, and salad). After lunch I am now journaling while the whole family is doing lots of chores. But, in about ten minutes I am going to mill to pick up corn for the family! Oh, and Mrs. Cus brother and sister-in-law came over to visit and talk with the family.
Then we are going to Jehovah Witness church, which will definitely be an experience. I am going to learn more about their culture and meet more people in the community!
Disclaimer
This website expresses the views of Grace Boswell, who is entirely responsible for its content. It does not express the views of the United States government, the Belize government, the Peace Corps or any other institutions named or linked to on these pages.
We even train on Saturdays!
Saturday August 29th, 2009
Today I woke up at 6:30a.m. to go to training on a SATURDAY! (The kids did not understand why I was going to school on a Saturday.) Anyway, we had a delicious breakfast… I showered outside with a bucket and water… my shampoo and soap. Then I went off to class.
We began today with language and culture: community part 1 continued and community part 2. We mapped the Mayan Mopan community, as a group and then individually… (While also learning many more Kekchi words!
Then I went home for lunch we had noodles and stir fried vegetables with cantaloupe juice. I hung up the community map in my host family home and we all stood around discussing it. After lunch Marah walked me to the local store to buy some soap powder for laundary, which I will start tomorrow.
Then I went back to the resource center to have a daily chat on discussing the community mapping experience, as well as PACA and schools!
Now I at home and really want to take a nap! However, I played outside with the kids… we played “down by the bank where the hanky panky where the bull frog jump from bank to bank say eh ah eh ah ah the frog went kuplunk.” Then they played “see saw” made out of a log and a piece of plywood. This little boy Gabriel joined our group.
Then I MADE TORTILLAS they taught me how to make flour tortillas!!!! Another skill I am going to learn in the Peace Corps is hopefully COOKING…. Because in the states I am the world’s worst cook… ask anyone! Hahaha After dinner I had the case of the giggles… because Celestino left his banana peel on the ground and then his little brother Lorenzo slipped and feel on it. I felt really bad… however, I could not stop laughing because I have never seen that in real life…. I have only seen that happen in cartoons.
Disclaimer
This website expresses the views of Grace Boswell, who is entirely responsible for its content. It does not express the views of the United States government, the Belize government, the Peace Corps or any other institutions named or linked to on these pages.
Today I woke up at 6:30a.m. to go to training on a SATURDAY! (The kids did not understand why I was going to school on a Saturday.) Anyway, we had a delicious breakfast… I showered outside with a bucket and water… my shampoo and soap. Then I went off to class.
We began today with language and culture: community part 1 continued and community part 2. We mapped the Mayan Mopan community, as a group and then individually… (While also learning many more Kekchi words!
Then I went home for lunch we had noodles and stir fried vegetables with cantaloupe juice. I hung up the community map in my host family home and we all stood around discussing it. After lunch Marah walked me to the local store to buy some soap powder for laundary, which I will start tomorrow.
Then I went back to the resource center to have a daily chat on discussing the community mapping experience, as well as PACA and schools!
Now I at home and really want to take a nap! However, I played outside with the kids… we played “down by the bank where the hanky panky where the bull frog jump from bank to bank say eh ah eh ah ah the frog went kuplunk.” Then they played “see saw” made out of a log and a piece of plywood. This little boy Gabriel joined our group.
Then I MADE TORTILLAS they taught me how to make flour tortillas!!!! Another skill I am going to learn in the Peace Corps is hopefully COOKING…. Because in the states I am the world’s worst cook… ask anyone! Hahaha After dinner I had the case of the giggles… because Celestino left his banana peel on the ground and then his little brother Lorenzo slipped and feel on it. I felt really bad… however, I could not stop laughing because I have never seen that in real life…. I have only seen that happen in cartoons.
Disclaimer
This website expresses the views of Grace Boswell, who is entirely responsible for its content. It does not express the views of the United States government, the Belize government, the Peace Corps or any other institutions named or linked to on these pages.
Fri in Maya Mopan
Friday August 28, 2009
My second day at my host family’s house was my first day of training at the resource center. Marah walked me because I wasn’t positive how to get there.
Today we had an introduction and a welcoming to Tech (teacher trainer technical training) where we went over the COTE… which as a teacher I would call an agenda, calendar, or syllabus. Then we talked about primary education in Belize. After that the tech trainer and trainees went on to discuss how principals and administrators roles in Belize are way different then they are in U.S. Then we discussed lesson planning in Belize which is also different. Lastly we observed and brainstormed homemade resources we could use in the classroom.
After tech training I went home for lunch and ate with the family. We had chicken, rice, and salad (lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes)… this was my type of lunch. (I also took my malaria weekly pill. The side effects are crazy dreams, which I have not gotten so intensely yet. ;) )
After lunch I walked back to the resource room. It was my first training in K’ekchi . We went over language and culture: greetings and community part I, II, and III. Lastly we did a tour of Maya Mopan. There are very few shops in Maya Mopan. There is a streamstess and tortilla shops.
LANGUAGE REVIEW:
After the culture map walking I went back home and took more pictures with the family. It was a huge hit. All the neighborhood kids and neighbors came out to take pictures with my digital camera… and look at the pictures. We did that for about an hour. Hahah
Then I had my first Popsicle, which they call an “Ideal” out of a bag made of fruit… delicious…. I believe it was coconut. Then I went on a walk with Marah to a neighbor down the street to pick up the banana bread. We practiced the language when we were on our way. All the neighbors were asking who I was and why I was with Marah. She talked to them in Kekchi.
Then it was dinner. The father wasn’t there because he was out playing soccer. After dinner I played and colored with the kids. We hung my map of Belize in my room. However, it is where it is the kids can still look at it.
Now I am journaling while the kids are being disciplined… all I going to say is there is a lot of crying going on. Some disagree with this form of discipline. It is not my place to but in… bc this is there customs and cultures…
However, I enjoyed my super busy day overall!!!!
“Consequence will be before you do things.”
Disclaimer
This website expresses the views of Grace Boswell, who is entirely responsible for its content. It does not express the views of the United States government, the Belize government, the Peace Corps or any other institutions named or linked to on these pages.
My second day at my host family’s house was my first day of training at the resource center. Marah walked me because I wasn’t positive how to get there.
Today we had an introduction and a welcoming to Tech (teacher trainer technical training) where we went over the COTE… which as a teacher I would call an agenda, calendar, or syllabus. Then we talked about primary education in Belize. After that the tech trainer and trainees went on to discuss how principals and administrators roles in Belize are way different then they are in U.S. Then we discussed lesson planning in Belize which is also different. Lastly we observed and brainstormed homemade resources we could use in the classroom.
After tech training I went home for lunch and ate with the family. We had chicken, rice, and salad (lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes)… this was my type of lunch. (I also took my malaria weekly pill. The side effects are crazy dreams, which I have not gotten so intensely yet. ;) )
After lunch I walked back to the resource room. It was my first training in K’ekchi . We went over language and culture: greetings and community part I, II, and III. Lastly we did a tour of Maya Mopan. There are very few shops in Maya Mopan. There is a streamstess and tortilla shops.
LANGUAGE REVIEW:
After the culture map walking I went back home and took more pictures with the family. It was a huge hit. All the neighborhood kids and neighbors came out to take pictures with my digital camera… and look at the pictures. We did that for about an hour. Hahah
Then I had my first Popsicle, which they call an “Ideal” out of a bag made of fruit… delicious…. I believe it was coconut. Then I went on a walk with Marah to a neighbor down the street to pick up the banana bread. We practiced the language when we were on our way. All the neighbors were asking who I was and why I was with Marah. She talked to them in Kekchi.
Then it was dinner. The father wasn’t there because he was out playing soccer. After dinner I played and colored with the kids. We hung my map of Belize in my room. However, it is where it is the kids can still look at it.
Now I am journaling while the kids are being disciplined… all I going to say is there is a lot of crying going on. Some disagree with this form of discipline. It is not my place to but in… bc this is there customs and cultures…
However, I enjoyed my super busy day overall!!!!
“Consequence will be before you do things.”
Disclaimer
This website expresses the views of Grace Boswell, who is entirely responsible for its content. It does not express the views of the United States government, the Belize government, the Peace Corps or any other institutions named or linked to on these pages.
Meeting my host family!
Thursday August 27th 2009
Thursday Aug 27th was another day of training we had to get up at 6 am to pack our bags and get them all down stairs to be picked up. The staff picked up the bags and then we all helped bring them into the Peace Corps office.
After breakfast we discussed and we had our first introduction to Technical Training (Teacher Training… Training lol). Then we had another lecture from Jackie (PCMO: Peace Corps Medical Officer) about other health problems; such as the Butt Fly, Malaria, Staff infection, gangrene infections, cuts etc…
Then we went off to our Community Based training sites. The four of us went to Maya Mopan. We were the last group to leave along with Belemopan. Also, I was the last one to get dropped off to my host family. First, Amy was dropped off to the house of the chairman and tortilla shop. She walked in and the host parents did not speak any English. I knew she had to be a little bit nervous. Then Kevina and Greg got dropped off to a house with tons of children playing outside. I was a bit jealous and hoped that my family had lots of kids too! Also, their host mom is a teacher… which would be good to learn from one another.
Then it was my turn. This little boy cam running up to Jamie (PCM: Peace Corps Manager) and gave her a big hug. Jamie laughed and said I am not your host sister, but Grace is! So he came running over to me and gave me a huge hug with a big smile. I was ecstatic and grateful to have such a warm welcome. Celestiono I thought would be my favorite; however, I love Marah and Lorenzo too. They are the cutest kids ever… they are ten, seven, and two years old. Also, my host mother couldn’t be nicer. She is a fantastic Mayan cook!!! DELICIOUS!
So my family is a family of five with a dog named Amy and a chicken with only one wing named Mullica, and a lot of turkeys and eggs. I enjoyed the first day with them. We chatted and I was so happy that they spoke English and K’ekchi very well. I spoke to them in English and they spoke back to my English. But, they talked K’ekchi to one another. The father plays football (soccer) everyday and works at the hospital. We have a little electricity and the only running water is the hose that is used to bath in. They are a happy Jehovah Witness family, who are grateful and happy. They said even when they don’t have food on the table they are still grateful to have one another and their health. (WOW) It makes me appreciate life. They are a close knit family. They have breakfast at 7am, a big Lunch at noon, and a light dinner at 7pm.
After dinner I colored with Celestino… in his dinasour coloring book… which was his favorite. Then I helped Marah with her word search. However, she definitely has better eyes than me lol! And then with Lorenzo we played this hand game… because he is only two years old. It took him to the end of the day to finally warm up to me and for him to let me hold him J
So my first day was rather easy. However, my roughest part was the bathroom. It is an outhouse/latrine… with a piece of risen wood with a large hole cut out in the middle. Also, you do not throw away your toilet paper you through it in the brown bag trash can next to the I guess… toilet seat.
The children made a picture for me to hang up by my bed. I was so happy because it brightens up my room! I went to bed early (8:30 pm) and it rained so hard on the tin rough… and the lightning and thunder was extremely loud… that not even me as a heavy sleeper could sleep through it!
Disclaimer
This website expresses the views of Grace Boswell, who is entirely responsible for its content. It does not express the views of the United States government, the Belize government, the Peace Corps or any other institutions named or linked to on these pages.
Thursday Aug 27th was another day of training we had to get up at 6 am to pack our bags and get them all down stairs to be picked up. The staff picked up the bags and then we all helped bring them into the Peace Corps office.
After breakfast we discussed and we had our first introduction to Technical Training (Teacher Training… Training lol). Then we had another lecture from Jackie (PCMO: Peace Corps Medical Officer) about other health problems; such as the Butt Fly, Malaria, Staff infection, gangrene infections, cuts etc…
Then we went off to our Community Based training sites. The four of us went to Maya Mopan. We were the last group to leave along with Belemopan. Also, I was the last one to get dropped off to my host family. First, Amy was dropped off to the house of the chairman and tortilla shop. She walked in and the host parents did not speak any English. I knew she had to be a little bit nervous. Then Kevina and Greg got dropped off to a house with tons of children playing outside. I was a bit jealous and hoped that my family had lots of kids too! Also, their host mom is a teacher… which would be good to learn from one another.
Then it was my turn. This little boy cam running up to Jamie (PCM: Peace Corps Manager) and gave her a big hug. Jamie laughed and said I am not your host sister, but Grace is! So he came running over to me and gave me a huge hug with a big smile. I was ecstatic and grateful to have such a warm welcome. Celestiono I thought would be my favorite; however, I love Marah and Lorenzo too. They are the cutest kids ever… they are ten, seven, and two years old. Also, my host mother couldn’t be nicer. She is a fantastic Mayan cook!!! DELICIOUS!
So my family is a family of five with a dog named Amy and a chicken with only one wing named Mullica, and a lot of turkeys and eggs. I enjoyed the first day with them. We chatted and I was so happy that they spoke English and K’ekchi very well. I spoke to them in English and they spoke back to my English. But, they talked K’ekchi to one another. The father plays football (soccer) everyday and works at the hospital. We have a little electricity and the only running water is the hose that is used to bath in. They are a happy Jehovah Witness family, who are grateful and happy. They said even when they don’t have food on the table they are still grateful to have one another and their health. (WOW) It makes me appreciate life. They are a close knit family. They have breakfast at 7am, a big Lunch at noon, and a light dinner at 7pm.
After dinner I colored with Celestino… in his dinasour coloring book… which was his favorite. Then I helped Marah with her word search. However, she definitely has better eyes than me lol! And then with Lorenzo we played this hand game… because he is only two years old. It took him to the end of the day to finally warm up to me and for him to let me hold him J
So my first day was rather easy. However, my roughest part was the bathroom. It is an outhouse/latrine… with a piece of risen wood with a large hole cut out in the middle. Also, you do not throw away your toilet paper you through it in the brown bag trash can next to the I guess… toilet seat.
The children made a picture for me to hang up by my bed. I was so happy because it brightens up my room! I went to bed early (8:30 pm) and it rained so hard on the tin rough… and the lightning and thunder was extremely loud… that not even me as a heavy sleeper could sleep through it!
Disclaimer
This website expresses the views of Grace Boswell, who is entirely responsible for its content. It does not express the views of the United States government, the Belize government, the Peace Corps or any other institutions named or linked to on these pages.
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