Tuesday September 29, 2009
This morning we had language class on renting houses (again) in Belize. We were supposed to watch a video on hurricane Iris; however, we could not get a vcr to watch it on.
After language we had lunch. Celestino and I were the only ones home because everyone else was at the hospital because the flu is going around and everyone is getting sick. They are sending any kid home that coughs…
From 1-3 Anthony did a session on our Project Indicator Outcomes. It is getting exciting talking about our future primary and secondary projects. We then discussed what motivates us and what motivates others.
Next, we had our self assessment interviews with Ginnie. I felt that I was being coincident because I feel that I did very well during PST (pre service training). The training was for 7 weeks and now we go to our official sites now that training is almost over. I am ready to be a volunteer on October 22, 2009!
I talked to Ginnie about how I really hope to have host siblings again (I love the kids in my host family). I want to get a good host family again. I also talked about getting a uniform for when I will be in schools. In Belize the teachers, principal, and students all wear uniforms, even in public, private, catholic, and Methodist schools.
After that we did our final preparations for our workshop tomorrow (on diagnostic reading tests). We also made a slide show for our CBT (Community Based Training Site Maya Mopan) presentations. We scrapped and collaged our pictures… Kevina, Greg, Amy and I. After that I practiced my workshop 30 minutes presentation. The rest of the family went to bed at 7pm because Mrs. Kus was fasting and told everyone to go to bed. She wasn’t feeling well and needed xrays in the morning. It was funny everyone got up at 8pm… bc they could not sleep. Therefore, they listened to me practice my presentation. Also Lorenzo (2year old) first was playing with my hair and then Mrs. Kus gave me a very nice French braid… and then off to bed.
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.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Another GREAT day... p.s. shush
Monday September 28, 2009
Today I got up and did a workout! It was a great way to start the day. Then I and Celestino did all the cooking this morning (my host mom and host sister were shocked how well we did)! Then I got a text from my LCF Ms. Carmelina saying that class would not start until 9 am! So I got to help do all the dishes by hand. It takes a lot of time. First we do a pre-rinse to get all the food and grease off the plates. Then we wash it fully and then rinse fully. We take our time and carefully clean each piece. It took over an hour. Then I showered… in the rain again. I put my towel in a plastic bag and then take it out when my bucket bath is over.
Next, we had language class about house hold items from 9-12pm. When I came home Sister Garcia and her husband were at my host family’s house (they are from the Jehovah Witness congregations). They came over to cook us soup because Mrs. Kus has been sick all week with the flu (maybe dengue?) and horrible back pain. When I came home I reviewed more K’ekchi words with the whole family… lots of learning happens during training!
After lunch then Ginnie taught us a session on extracurricular activities, such as setting up libraries and computer classes. Then we worked on our FreeHop and finished our Safety and Security Packet.
After that I went home and bonded with the family for the rest of the night and then went to bed.
P.S. Gossip is called “SHUSH” here in Belize. The latest shush is that the teachers are on strike because they did not get paid on Friday.
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 got up and did a workout! It was a great way to start the day. Then I and Celestino did all the cooking this morning (my host mom and host sister were shocked how well we did)! Then I got a text from my LCF Ms. Carmelina saying that class would not start until 9 am! So I got to help do all the dishes by hand. It takes a lot of time. First we do a pre-rinse to get all the food and grease off the plates. Then we wash it fully and then rinse fully. We take our time and carefully clean each piece. It took over an hour. Then I showered… in the rain again. I put my towel in a plastic bag and then take it out when my bucket bath is over.
Next, we had language class about house hold items from 9-12pm. When I came home Sister Garcia and her husband were at my host family’s house (they are from the Jehovah Witness congregations). They came over to cook us soup because Mrs. Kus has been sick all week with the flu (maybe dengue?) and horrible back pain. When I came home I reviewed more K’ekchi words with the whole family… lots of learning happens during training!
After lunch then Ginnie taught us a session on extracurricular activities, such as setting up libraries and computer classes. Then we worked on our FreeHop and finished our Safety and Security Packet.
After that I went home and bonded with the family for the rest of the night and then went to bed.
P.S. Gossip is called “SHUSH” here in Belize. The latest shush is that the teachers are on strike because they did not get paid on Friday.
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.
Host Family Party
Sunday September 27, 2009
Host Family Party… another going away party…
Today I got up at 6:30am. The trainees came over to my host family’s house to start cooking for the day. We are having a party for all the host family’s to say goodbye and thank you for all that they did. They took us in for a month and a half… and welcomed and took care of us.
For the party we made:
· Baked Chicken
· Rice and beans
· Spaghetti
· Guacamole
· Chips
· Potato salad
· Cucumber salad
· Watermelon
· Banana bread
It took all morning… and we did a lot of it last minute. My host mother was very concerned that we would run out of time and that it would not taste well.
However, everything went well (and I got to do my laundry). The party was from 12-3pm and was a huge success. We had a lot of fun. We played a huge game of “Go Fish.” We used two decks for 15 people. I loved how many kids attended the party. (I took so many pictures… and laughed so much with all the children.) At the end of the party… some of the neighborhood kids came in for some spaghetti… they really enjoyed it!
After the game we went home and got ready for the meeting. It was my fifth time to a Jehovah Witness meeting. Everyone was very nice… and sad that I am leaving to go down south this week.
Friday is the big day when I will find out where I will be placed for the next 2 years. It could be Laguna, Sainta Teresa, Big Falls, or Silver Creek (those are the K’ekchi speaking schools/sites!)
I can’t wait to find it out less than a week away.
Random things I want to mention:
Belize does not have a day light savings. It gets dark at around 6pm. My host family closes there doors when the sun comes down because the bugs come in the house! However, all day the doors and windows are wide open and welcoming all day (with no screens). The Peace Corps recommends doing the same thing when I get my own place… it is Mayan customs to be welcoming… and never close off your house from visitors.
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.
Host Family Party… another going away party…
Today I got up at 6:30am. The trainees came over to my host family’s house to start cooking for the day. We are having a party for all the host family’s to say goodbye and thank you for all that they did. They took us in for a month and a half… and welcomed and took care of us.
For the party we made:
· Baked Chicken
· Rice and beans
· Spaghetti
· Guacamole
· Chips
· Potato salad
· Cucumber salad
· Watermelon
· Banana bread
It took all morning… and we did a lot of it last minute. My host mother was very concerned that we would run out of time and that it would not taste well.
However, everything went well (and I got to do my laundry). The party was from 12-3pm and was a huge success. We had a lot of fun. We played a huge game of “Go Fish.” We used two decks for 15 people. I loved how many kids attended the party. (I took so many pictures… and laughed so much with all the children.) At the end of the party… some of the neighborhood kids came in for some spaghetti… they really enjoyed it!
After the game we went home and got ready for the meeting. It was my fifth time to a Jehovah Witness meeting. Everyone was very nice… and sad that I am leaving to go down south this week.
Friday is the big day when I will find out where I will be placed for the next 2 years. It could be Laguna, Sainta Teresa, Big Falls, or Silver Creek (those are the K’ekchi speaking schools/sites!)
I can’t wait to find it out less than a week away.
Random things I want to mention:
Belize does not have a day light savings. It gets dark at around 6pm. My host family closes there doors when the sun comes down because the bugs come in the house! However, all day the doors and windows are wide open and welcoming all day (with no screens). The Peace Corps recommends doing the same thing when I get my own place… it is Mayan customs to be welcoming… and never close off your house from visitors.
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.
Beautiful Belize ZOO
Saturday September 26, 2009
Today we went to the Belize ZOO! I was so happy we were able to go on a beautiful sunshine day! (It was supposed to rain all weekend; however, it did not rain while we were at the zoo… hip hip hurrah!)
We met at the Resource Center to get picked up at 8am to go on our Belize Zoo Field Trip! (I love field trips!) 9-noon we were at the zoo. We took a tour of “The Best Little Zoo in the World,” which it was. We saw tapirs, parrots, tigers, jaguars, puma, toucan, eagle, peccary, pelicans, storks, punk rock chicken, scarlet macaw, gibnut, monkeys that sound like dinosaurs… they are called the howler monkey, pigs, crocodile, wild turkeys, owls and much much more!
I even got to hold a snake! I took lots and lots of pictures… check facebook! J
It was 10 dollars to enter the zoo… we got a Peace Corps discount. There were other trainee groups there too! I walked around with the K’ekchi and Spanish teacher… try to learn some new words.
After the zoo we went to the art box. It was really neat. There were pretty art and wood work. I bought “kushtal” = Belizean purse. I bought a colorful wallet and flip-flop earrings as well as a watermelon/ladybug hair tie/bracelet. Greg had coffee… and said it was the best in Belize…
Next we ate a more American restaurant… we got subs, pasta, pizza etc. After that Greg, Kevina, Amy and I went to the resource center to decorate for the party. We made:
· Posters/banners
· Paper chains
· Paper lanterns
· Paper flower arrangements
· Paper shooting stars
· Wrote on the chalkboard… how much we will miss our host families!!!
We went to the grocery store and market and bought all the food for the party. The Peace Corps gave us two hundred dollars to spend for the party… food and decorations… we only went 18 dollars over.
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 we went to the Belize ZOO! I was so happy we were able to go on a beautiful sunshine day! (It was supposed to rain all weekend; however, it did not rain while we were at the zoo… hip hip hurrah!)
We met at the Resource Center to get picked up at 8am to go on our Belize Zoo Field Trip! (I love field trips!) 9-noon we were at the zoo. We took a tour of “The Best Little Zoo in the World,” which it was. We saw tapirs, parrots, tigers, jaguars, puma, toucan, eagle, peccary, pelicans, storks, punk rock chicken, scarlet macaw, gibnut, monkeys that sound like dinosaurs… they are called the howler monkey, pigs, crocodile, wild turkeys, owls and much much more!
I even got to hold a snake! I took lots and lots of pictures… check facebook! J
It was 10 dollars to enter the zoo… we got a Peace Corps discount. There were other trainee groups there too! I walked around with the K’ekchi and Spanish teacher… try to learn some new words.
After the zoo we went to the art box. It was really neat. There were pretty art and wood work. I bought “kushtal” = Belizean purse. I bought a colorful wallet and flip-flop earrings as well as a watermelon/ladybug hair tie/bracelet. Greg had coffee… and said it was the best in Belize…
Next we ate a more American restaurant… we got subs, pasta, pizza etc. After that Greg, Kevina, Amy and I went to the resource center to decorate for the party. We made:
· Posters/banners
· Paper chains
· Paper lanterns
· Paper flower arrangements
· Paper shooting stars
· Wrote on the chalkboard… how much we will miss our host families!!!
We went to the grocery store and market and bought all the food for the party. The Peace Corps gave us two hundred dollars to spend for the party… food and decorations… we only went 18 dollars over.
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.
Friday, September 25, 2009
SHOTS, SHOTS, SHOTS… and training
Friday September 25th, 2009
Today we get three shots from Nurse Jackie. The trainees get Hep. B, D, and Tetanus, I am so happy that I am fine with taking shots (I am glad I don’t get squeamish because that would not be fun with all the shots we get in the Peace Corps.)
8:30-10:30 We have a session on “working with groups”
10:30-12 STI’s with PCMO Jackie (I have a feeling this is going to be a GROSS session)
Get weekly money and lunch
1:15- 2:15 Thresholds of Intimacy with PCMO Jackie and SSC
2:30-3:30 Dealing with Alcohol with PCMO Jackie
3:30-5 PCV Panel: Dating/Not Dating
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 we get three shots from Nurse Jackie. The trainees get Hep. B, D, and Tetanus, I am so happy that I am fine with taking shots (I am glad I don’t get squeamish because that would not be fun with all the shots we get in the Peace Corps.)
8:30-10:30 We have a session on “working with groups”
10:30-12 STI’s with PCMO Jackie (I have a feeling this is going to be a GROSS session)
Get weekly money and lunch
1:15- 2:15 Thresholds of Intimacy with PCMO Jackie and SSC
2:30-3:30 Dealing with Alcohol with PCMO Jackie
3:30-5 PCV Panel: Dating/Not Dating
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 first teacher training workshop! (Went well :)
Thursday September 24, 2009
Today we had language class in the morning. The joke was that I could not remember what the word lime is in K’ekchi for the life of me. (Lamux=lime… which I will now never forget!!!)
This session I loved playing with the LCF, Ms. Carmelina’s, little girl Serena. She is very cute and very shy. She warmed up to me and sat on my lap the rest of the session. Greg videotaped me because I was practicing my workshop presentation on a two year old (Serena). I don’t get nervous in front of kids… so I kept practicing it over and over and she was my audience lol!
Mrs. Kus was so nice to drop my lunch off at the Resource Center….(My host family is ridiculously kind… I am going to miss them.)
Mrs. Kus packed me watermelon my favorite and rice, which is also my favorite. However, she packed me gibnut… which is GROSS!
Then a little before noon we traveled to Georgeville for our first workshop given to the real Belizean teachers!!!! So exciting.
TEACHER TRAINER WOKRSHOP- CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT 1-2. It went very well. Austin (my boss) was there. It made it a little more nerve wracking… however, I did well. I did not read off my notes so I was actually very proud of myself! The teachers learned a lot (But, I realized that the teachers here in Belize are rather shy and don’t participate easily. )
We got home at 4:30pm (I got to spend time with my host family… we got out before 5!) Lorenzo and Mr. Kus were back from visiting Mr. Kus’s mom in PG (Punta Gorda). I missed them greatly. Lorenzo puts a smile on my face every day. I hugged/kissed/tickled Lorenzo as soon as I saw him. Lorenzo loved his books that I gave him. However, Serena (Ms. Carmelina’s daughter) likes my read alouds much more.
Then Marah wanted help with her homework. So I helped her with words that sound the same, but have different meanings, such as course or coarse and there or their. After that Celestino wanted to play games. We played Old Maid. (Celestino is such a sore loser… I have to work on that with him. Hahaha)
Later when Kevina came over to give Ms. Kus a vitamin shot (bc she is a EMT) we all played all Maid. Allysa, Kevina’s host sister, won. We played with 7 people… old maid is much more fun with lots of players!
Tonight was a good productive night… I completed my evaluations, assessments, and journal.
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 we had language class in the morning. The joke was that I could not remember what the word lime is in K’ekchi for the life of me. (Lamux=lime… which I will now never forget!!!)
This session I loved playing with the LCF, Ms. Carmelina’s, little girl Serena. She is very cute and very shy. She warmed up to me and sat on my lap the rest of the session. Greg videotaped me because I was practicing my workshop presentation on a two year old (Serena). I don’t get nervous in front of kids… so I kept practicing it over and over and she was my audience lol!
Mrs. Kus was so nice to drop my lunch off at the Resource Center….(My host family is ridiculously kind… I am going to miss them.)
Mrs. Kus packed me watermelon my favorite and rice, which is also my favorite. However, she packed me gibnut… which is GROSS!
Then a little before noon we traveled to Georgeville for our first workshop given to the real Belizean teachers!!!! So exciting.
TEACHER TRAINER WOKRSHOP- CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT 1-2. It went very well. Austin (my boss) was there. It made it a little more nerve wracking… however, I did well. I did not read off my notes so I was actually very proud of myself! The teachers learned a lot (But, I realized that the teachers here in Belize are rather shy and don’t participate easily. )
We got home at 4:30pm (I got to spend time with my host family… we got out before 5!) Lorenzo and Mr. Kus were back from visiting Mr. Kus’s mom in PG (Punta Gorda). I missed them greatly. Lorenzo puts a smile on my face every day. I hugged/kissed/tickled Lorenzo as soon as I saw him. Lorenzo loved his books that I gave him. However, Serena (Ms. Carmelina’s daughter) likes my read alouds much more.
Then Marah wanted help with her homework. So I helped her with words that sound the same, but have different meanings, such as course or coarse and there or their. After that Celestino wanted to play games. We played Old Maid. (Celestino is such a sore loser… I have to work on that with him. Hahaha)
Later when Kevina came over to give Ms. Kus a vitamin shot (bc she is a EMT) we all played all Maid. Allysa, Kevina’s host sister, won. We played with 7 people… old maid is much more fun with lots of players!
Tonight was a good productive night… I completed my evaluations, assessments, and journal.
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.
Silly Story – Tarantella story
***So I want to begin with what happened yesterday… I had my first encounter with a tarantella… and it was crawling up my arm.
I went into the laundry room in the dark to get something. I brushed up on the tied hammock. I started to feel something going up my arm. I had no clue what it was. I screamed/cried and did a ridiculous dance. My host family thought I was dying. They said they never heard a scream like that. My host mom did not know what to do. My host brother Celestino saw the tarantella and brushed it off. I was grossed out the rest of the night (thinking bugs and insects were crawling on me!) I am not scared of spiders; however, I do not want tarantellas crawling on my skin! ****
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.
I went into the laundry room in the dark to get something. I brushed up on the tied hammock. I started to feel something going up my arm. I had no clue what it was. I screamed/cried and did a ridiculous dance. My host family thought I was dying. They said they never heard a scream like that. My host mom did not know what to do. My host brother Celestino saw the tarantella and brushed it off. I was grossed out the rest of the night (thinking bugs and insects were crawling on me!) I am not scared of spiders; however, I do not want tarantellas crawling on my skin! ****
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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