HELlo, HEllo, Hello,
Things have been interesting as always here in San José. I am once again the only American here in San José…however, supposedly I should be getting a volunteer visit in about a week so that a volunteer can sort of shadow me in my daily activities to see what it means to be a volunteer.
Speaking of volunteers, there is new news in the Peace Corps world…as of now, the volunteers in Honduras have to live with a host family the whole 2 years (they can´t live alone) because of the increased crime against volunteers who live alone. Furthermore, because of the economic situation in the states, PC volunteers can no longer extend for an extra year. That news surely made my mother happy. Lol. At one time I had actually considered extending, but I don´t think I really have a reason to now anyways and I no longer have the opportunity…everything always works out accordingly to God´s plan digo yo.
My activities are going well in my site…busy, but not really. One thing I have managed to do is DELEGATE and work with my community, which is supposedly more sustainable…I shall pray about this. There are very few activities and programs that I actually do by myself. This is good because while working with the Honduran counterparts, we are both learning from each other and gaining skills (me-patience and understanding).
I´m still living with my first host family…but the other house that I will officially move in to now has a toilet, so things are at least progressing. The lady told me that I should be able to move in 2 weeks or so once she gets the doors put in for the bathroom, shower, and my bedroom. (I believe necessities…right now there are just curtains or nothing covering these very private areas).
Speaking of toilets…the toilet in my house right now does not always flush very well…so sometimes I encounter nasty little treats because people forget or do not know (which one I´m not sure) how to correctly dispose of their wastes. I will share with you this important information in the case that you find yourself using a latrine one day (a toilet that does not flush):
1. Do your business.
2. After wiping…please fold your tissue conservatively and throw it in the trash so that other people using the bathroom do not have to see your waste.
3. Pick up the pailita (little bucket or bowl).
4. Fill it with water from the pila (large stone holding of water…also where you wash your hands and your clothes).
5. ¨Throw¨ the water (it is an art I have discovered) into the toilet at the angle in which the water goes down the hole…don´t dump the water straight down, but at a sort of angle. You will learn the technique with practice.
6. IMPORTANT…afterwards, you must wait to hear the slurpy type noise that will follow signifying that the toilet has indeed flushed. If you do not hear this noise…you must repeat steps 3-6 until this noise ensues.
7. Please, please, please, wash your hands…use the pailita once again to get the water out of the pila and use the bar of soap strategically placed at the pila…lather and YA!!
Right, so now you know…maybe one day you will be able to experience using a latrine (if you come visit me you could…)! But, no, normally the toilet works quite normally. I just wanted to share this information with you.
Well…on to more excited things…the countdown officially began as I now have 4 ½ months before returning to the states for Christmas and New Year!!! Yay!!
I can´t wait to see you all and the time is going by so fast. Anyways, I hope everyone is having a good time, not working too hard!
P.S.-I think it´s interesting that right now I´m reading two books with similar titles ¨The Sacred Heart¨ and ¨The Sacred Romance¨. Also, Kelsey and Tope (maybe Shetoria)…I just read a great Christian Romance novel called ¨Bookends¨ by Elizabeth Clark Higgins (I think that was her name)…It was SOO good!
Love ,
Victoria
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Sunday, July 24, 2011
FOTOS!!
Hi All!!
Pues, yo se que estan esparando las fotos...entonces aqui estan...miranlas y disfrutan!!
This is my
COLGATE program with one of the teachers givig the charla...the kids are cute.
This is my birthday...the three little girls all made me things out of flowers and wrote my letters. lol.
This is also my birthday...when I went to my friends house in another town and we made the srawberry cheescake!! It was SOO good...I def. had a theme of red for my birthday with the clothes, the cheescake and then my friend got my a strawberry pinata...lol!
Playing at the soccer field in Camalote...with the Amigos de Americas. This guy is one of them...Roberto or Robert.
Excursion...beautiful view!! Yes, I spend most of my time walking up mountains going on excursions with the youth...I can not complain about life. lol
The Amigos de Americas...another help organization, but with high schools and me!
Las Marias...these ladies are awesome! They make the best bread or pan in town...I am always searching them out as my sweet tooth is ridiculous.
Making bread...the quick and easy way in the horno. It takes like 5 or 10 min. in this thing because it is incredibly hot and efficient.
Some of the girls in the youth group...on the excursion to Camalote otra vez y siempre.
This little guy is so cute brushing his teeth...he is really enjoying himself! Good for him...keeping those teeth clean!
Hope you enjoyed,
Victoria
Pues, yo se que estan esparando las fotos...entonces aqui estan...miranlas y disfrutan!!
This is my
COLGATE program with one of the teachers givig the charla...the kids are cute.
This is my birthday...the three little girls all made me things out of flowers and wrote my letters. lol.
This is also my birthday...when I went to my friends house in another town and we made the srawberry cheescake!! It was SOO good...I def. had a theme of red for my birthday with the clothes, the cheescake and then my friend got my a strawberry pinata...lol!
Playing at the soccer field in Camalote...with the Amigos de Americas. This guy is one of them...Roberto or Robert.
Excursion...beautiful view!! Yes, I spend most of my time walking up mountains going on excursions with the youth...I can not complain about life. lol
The Amigos de Americas...another help organization, but with high schools and me!
Las Marias...these ladies are awesome! They make the best bread or pan in town...I am always searching them out as my sweet tooth is ridiculous.
Making bread...the quick and easy way in the horno. It takes like 5 or 10 min. in this thing because it is incredibly hot and efficient.
Some of the girls in the youth group...on the excursion to Camalote otra vez y siempre.
This little guy is so cute brushing his teeth...he is really enjoying himself! Good for him...keeping those teeth clean!
Hope you enjoyed,
Victoria
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
UPDATESSSS
Hello!!
So, things have been going well in the community...getting busy. Right now, I'm working on COLGATE (dental hygiene) as always, the two English classes, helping the library get a reading corner, starting with a reading club in the elementary school, and finally starting the HIV/AIDS/abstinence program with the high-school kids.
I still haven't moved into my new house...but, still considering it and getting excited!! I'm excited to start cooking really. Speaking of cooking, I'm officially involved with a healthy eating/sharing recipes/vegetarian club...it's through the Peace Corps. I'm not vegetarian, but I do love my veggies. Speaking of veggies, I'm in Teguz right now and I have the BEST lunch ever. I have a salad with oil dressing and a broccoli, cream cheese, walnut sandwhich on a toasted french baguette with a banana and passion fruit smoothie!! How great does that sound. I love coming to Teguz to eat good food!
Also, I've observed some other cultural things that I'm sure you all will appreciate. Since the 3 Amigos de Americas have been here (other American volunteers that are high-schoolers) they've really opened my eyes to things that I guess I've been taking for granted and just gotten used to. BUT, here goes:
1. The men love to lift up their shirts and rub their bellies.
2. They don't have lawnmowers...they use machetes. They use machetes here a lot actually. It was scary at first, but now it's quite normal for a man to be carrying a huge knife. lol.
Things I've learned:
1. learned how to make my own earrings courtsey of my PC friend, Anna who has a little factory in her house (exaggeration). lol.
2. Some men can be trusted and should be because they're nice to talk with and cute. :)
So for right now, just working...have plans to possibly see monkeys soon, go to Guatemala in November and Nicagaragua also and of course home for CHRISTMAS!! YAY!!! ALSO, still waiting for mother to confirm her trip here to Honduras next year. :)
Hope everyone is doing well...recovering from surgeries...losing weight...exercising...eating good American food, etc. Will post more pictures and videos soon. I just brought my memory disk, but these computers don't have a port for the disc. Anyways, next time!
LOVE YOU ALL,
Victoria
So, things have been going well in the community...getting busy. Right now, I'm working on COLGATE (dental hygiene) as always, the two English classes, helping the library get a reading corner, starting with a reading club in the elementary school, and finally starting the HIV/AIDS/abstinence program with the high-school kids.
I still haven't moved into my new house...but, still considering it and getting excited!! I'm excited to start cooking really. Speaking of cooking, I'm officially involved with a healthy eating/sharing recipes/vegetarian club...it's through the Peace Corps. I'm not vegetarian, but I do love my veggies. Speaking of veggies, I'm in Teguz right now and I have the BEST lunch ever. I have a salad with oil dressing and a broccoli, cream cheese, walnut sandwhich on a toasted french baguette with a banana and passion fruit smoothie!! How great does that sound. I love coming to Teguz to eat good food!
Also, I've observed some other cultural things that I'm sure you all will appreciate. Since the 3 Amigos de Americas have been here (other American volunteers that are high-schoolers) they've really opened my eyes to things that I guess I've been taking for granted and just gotten used to. BUT, here goes:
1. The men love to lift up their shirts and rub their bellies.
2. They don't have lawnmowers...they use machetes. They use machetes here a lot actually. It was scary at first, but now it's quite normal for a man to be carrying a huge knife. lol.
Things I've learned:
1. learned how to make my own earrings courtsey of my PC friend, Anna who has a little factory in her house (exaggeration). lol.
2. Some men can be trusted and should be because they're nice to talk with and cute. :)
So for right now, just working...have plans to possibly see monkeys soon, go to Guatemala in November and Nicagaragua also and of course home for CHRISTMAS!! YAY!!! ALSO, still waiting for mother to confirm her trip here to Honduras next year. :)
Hope everyone is doing well...recovering from surgeries...losing weight...exercising...eating good American food, etc. Will post more pictures and videos soon. I just brought my memory disk, but these computers don't have a port for the disc. Anyways, next time!
LOVE YOU ALL,
Victoria
Friday, May 20, 2011
A day in the life of a volunteer
Well, I guess, it should more appropriately say in my life instead of a volunteer´s life…because this really does depend what country you go to, where you go in the country (city or country) ,who you´re working with (how many organizations you´re working with) and what project you´re working on.
For me, I´m in Honduras (more developed than some places, but still less developed than the U.S.), in a small town/village with 5,000 people in all and only 2,000 that actually live in the area I´m at because my town has like 12 outlying communities or other villages. Therefore, it´s pretty small, but not the smallest it could be. Also, I´m working with 3 counterparts-the high school with around 300 students in all the 6 grades they have! Also, I´m working with a youth group and a Culture and Tourism Group.
With those 3 groups, I´m actually quite busy….so my day goes something like this:
6:30ª.m.-wake up after hitting snooze at the 6:15ª.m. alarm/baby crying/rustling in the family household / possible music playing loudly.
7a.m.-Get myself together, have a bible study (still working on this).
8ª.m.-Take shower, eat breakfast (tortilla, beans, cheese, avacado, maybe eggs-normal, also I might have oatmeal, pancakes (rare), or cereal (that I supply myself because I LOVE it!)
From here on is where it gets a little crazy…different every day! But, usually, I have 2 things in the morning and 1 or 2 things in the afternoon that could include meetings with groups to plan activities, English clubs and class with teachers, projects (HIV/AIDS, Dental Hygiene, etc.), visiting families, using the computer, etc.
ALSO, I find it very interesting that almost every lunch here at my host familie´s house includes rice, a Little meat, veggie and fruit juice. Very interesting…I´m def. noticing this pattern.
5p.m.-usually I go home around this time and eat dinner, read, do some planning for the next day, maybe watch some t.v. in the “living room area” (I say this is in quotations to not decieve you into thinking this is something luxurious as it is also used as the dining room and we don´t have couches…which is sometimes a Little sad for me) is not occuppied by other viewers.
9:30p.m.-10:30p.m.-Go to SLEEP (of course I sleep past this time, this is just the hour usually when I fall asleep)
Pictures to come and look at my facebook...there are so many new photos on there!
Love,
Victoria
For me, I´m in Honduras (more developed than some places, but still less developed than the U.S.), in a small town/village with 5,000 people in all and only 2,000 that actually live in the area I´m at because my town has like 12 outlying communities or other villages. Therefore, it´s pretty small, but not the smallest it could be. Also, I´m working with 3 counterparts-the high school with around 300 students in all the 6 grades they have! Also, I´m working with a youth group and a Culture and Tourism Group.
With those 3 groups, I´m actually quite busy….so my day goes something like this:
6:30ª.m.-wake up after hitting snooze at the 6:15ª.m. alarm/baby crying/rustling in the family household / possible music playing loudly.
7a.m.-Get myself together, have a bible study (still working on this).
8ª.m.-Take shower, eat breakfast (tortilla, beans, cheese, avacado, maybe eggs-normal, also I might have oatmeal, pancakes (rare), or cereal (that I supply myself because I LOVE it!)
From here on is where it gets a little crazy…different every day! But, usually, I have 2 things in the morning and 1 or 2 things in the afternoon that could include meetings with groups to plan activities, English clubs and class with teachers, projects (HIV/AIDS, Dental Hygiene, etc.), visiting families, using the computer, etc.
ALSO, I find it very interesting that almost every lunch here at my host familie´s house includes rice, a Little meat, veggie and fruit juice. Very interesting…I´m def. noticing this pattern.
5p.m.-usually I go home around this time and eat dinner, read, do some planning for the next day, maybe watch some t.v. in the “living room area” (I say this is in quotations to not decieve you into thinking this is something luxurious as it is also used as the dining room and we don´t have couches…which is sometimes a Little sad for me) is not occuppied by other viewers.
9:30p.m.-10:30p.m.-Go to SLEEP (of course I sleep past this time, this is just the hour usually when I fall asleep)
Pictures to come and look at my facebook...there are so many new photos on there!
Love,
Victoria
Monday, May 9, 2011
What's Going On!?
Hope all is going awesome with everyone back in GA!! Can't wait to visit for Christmas...another reason to look forward to the holidays! lol.
Anyways, many a thing have been going on these days...Spiritually, in life in general, etc.
Spritually, I feel like I've been struggling about getting involved with my church here, being generous, etc. BUT, after reading a great and hard book to read, Crazy Love, I've realized (with the leading of the Holy Spirit) that I need to get more involved with the church here(not just because it's a rule or anything, but because I feel like somehting's missing in my life if I don't). I definitely have been feeling lukewarm and I DO NOT want that...so, that has been hard because the reason I didn't want to get involved is because I will be leaving in 1 yr. (if God allows) and I didn't want to get too involved and then have to leave...AND, deep down I was actually scared that I would like it and the Lord would ask me to stay in Honduras.
I have mixed feelings about this...I struggled with this quite a bit (crying and all) because naturally I have my own desires and plans...BUT, the Lord's will is number 1! That is SOOO hard to say, but it is true. But, anyways, another part of me thinks that not getting involved in the church for fear of the Lord asking me to stay was just a plot of the enemy so that I would become lukewarm. BUT, anyways, just pray for me all that I would be able to accept what the Lord has for my life and NEVER be lukewarm.
Also, some other updates:
1. I'm officially having laser hair removal done for my underarms, legs, and other areas (don't be nosey-lol). Anyways, I'm SOO excited, cause it's working!! I have less hair under my arms and it's awesome...I feel more like a warm!!
2. In July (next month), I should be moving out to my new home...still living with people, but a whole lot less people so it should be more quite, I'll have more space, my room will be nicer ANDDD...I'll get to cook for myself-every single meal!! I'm so excited, I'm already planning for my cooking adventures!!
Work:
Did a Spelling Bee and working on a program for preventing HIV/AIDS, still working with the dental hygiene program, have 2 English classes going right now, and other stuff not to mention lots of other non-work, but fun things coming up...Mushroom Festival, Corn Festival (tal vez), my BIRTHDAY, etc.
Quote of a lifetime---God is good-Life is good!!
Here are some pictures for your purusing...
This is actually just a week ago on an excursion with the youth...
This is during Easter- Monica is french-braiding my hair. lol
These are "apples"...they're actually hollow inside, but sort of similiar to regular apples.
Talk with you soon...still need to upload videos!!
Victoria
Anyways, many a thing have been going on these days...Spiritually, in life in general, etc.
Spritually, I feel like I've been struggling about getting involved with my church here, being generous, etc. BUT, after reading a great and hard book to read, Crazy Love, I've realized (with the leading of the Holy Spirit) that I need to get more involved with the church here(not just because it's a rule or anything, but because I feel like somehting's missing in my life if I don't). I definitely have been feeling lukewarm and I DO NOT want that...so, that has been hard because the reason I didn't want to get involved is because I will be leaving in 1 yr. (if God allows) and I didn't want to get too involved and then have to leave...AND, deep down I was actually scared that I would like it and the Lord would ask me to stay in Honduras.
I have mixed feelings about this...I struggled with this quite a bit (crying and all) because naturally I have my own desires and plans...BUT, the Lord's will is number 1! That is SOOO hard to say, but it is true. But, anyways, another part of me thinks that not getting involved in the church for fear of the Lord asking me to stay was just a plot of the enemy so that I would become lukewarm. BUT, anyways, just pray for me all that I would be able to accept what the Lord has for my life and NEVER be lukewarm.
Also, some other updates:
1. I'm officially having laser hair removal done for my underarms, legs, and other areas (don't be nosey-lol). Anyways, I'm SOO excited, cause it's working!! I have less hair under my arms and it's awesome...I feel more like a warm!!
2. In July (next month), I should be moving out to my new home...still living with people, but a whole lot less people so it should be more quite, I'll have more space, my room will be nicer ANDDD...I'll get to cook for myself-every single meal!! I'm so excited, I'm already planning for my cooking adventures!!
Work:
Did a Spelling Bee and working on a program for preventing HIV/AIDS, still working with the dental hygiene program, have 2 English classes going right now, and other stuff not to mention lots of other non-work, but fun things coming up...Mushroom Festival, Corn Festival (tal vez), my BIRTHDAY, etc.
Quote of a lifetime---God is good-Life is good!!
Here are some pictures for your purusing...
This is actually just a week ago on an excursion with the youth...
This is during Easter- Monica is french-braiding my hair. lol
These are "apples"...they're actually hollow inside, but sort of similiar to regular apples.
Talk with you soon...still need to upload videos!!
Victoria
Friday, April 22, 2011
A Week in the Life of Semana Santa!
Hello!
Semana Santa is a big week here in Honduras...and in many other places too, but it's a celebrated a little differently here.
So first, for those who are wondering...Semana Santa means Holy Week and it's the week of Easter. As you know, Honduras is a pretty Catholic country and Comayagua in particular is a very religious city in Honduras as well as big and beautiful. Therefore, about 10 or more of us (Peace Corps Volunteers) went to Comayagua to see the festivities, swim, enjoy each other's company, etc.
The weeks festivities:
Monday, April 18- traveling 2 &1/2 hours to Comayagua by bus. Arrived to see Monica and friends and went to the pool where it was beautiful, peaceful, basically on us there and quite hot. I got a nice tan and we had an awesome sandwich with good cheese and ham and mangoes (yes, I have eaten mangoes quite a bit here despite my supposed allergy-side note-I was told by a friend that possibly not eating the skin would be better). After leaving the pool, we walked around and went to Wendy's to eat where I had a GREAT salad with blue cheese, cranberries, chicken and fries (on the side) OMG I was SO excited to eat American food! :) After that, we went to the big central park and saw a procession in the large catholic church...
Tuesday-This day, we went to the lake/waterfall. It was very beautiful and large! The waterfall was about 2 hours away in different buses with beautiful views especially since you have to walk sometimes to get to the different buses-it was like walking through a random Honduran ghost town almost! We went to the park where we saw a lizard, lots of vegetation, and got a little soaked by the waterfall on the lookout deck. Some friends went behind the waterfall and jumped off! So, we watched them, hung out, played in the water, and left to hitchhike randomly with some nice gentlemen. Afterwards, we went to the Princesita which has HUGE baliadas-flour tortillas with beans, cheese and other things inside. It was a little struggle, but we managed to scarf the thing down...
Wednesday-We went shopping for clothes at the used american clothing shops and I found a great flowy skirt por FIN!! Then, we ate at Dunkin's Donuts and then we went to a Chinese restaurant where we had GREAT sweet and sour chicken and fish with boiled rice FOR FREE (friends know the owner who is a Chinese lady that's been in Honduras for 38 years)!!!
Thursday-Some friends got there hair braided at a local Garifuna's salon-I just got a french braid by a PCV friend. lol. After, we went to a waterpark with dinosaur statues...there were TONS of Hondurans and we were the ONLY Americans. Later, there was a pretty cool concert with dancing and music. They had cute little competitions with the children and others for singing and dancing. Also, in the back of the park, we got to pick some fresh mangoes off the trees. We figured out the technique finally on how to get the fruit off the trees. Also, I realized today (after seeing others with them) that I want a sarong, they are quite useful. Then, we rested....ate and went to a bar/club which was quite sophisticated (lol) and hung out on the couches and watched tv and talked with another volunteer and her father who was visiting from the states. It was interesting seeing and hearing how he was viewing the culture...can't wait for Mom to come!! Later, we waiting for the procession which blesses the streets before they make the rugs and took pics and hung out more to dance a little and see the start of the rug-making. Went to sleep around 2:30a.m. All in all a GREAT night.
Friday- Woke up early to go see the rugs and watch the procession in the streets that tramples the rugs and goes through the 12 "stations" of the Christ story with him being betrayed by Judas up to His resurrection. Ate at a GREAT restaurant with air condition...had a sandwich with awesome sauce and a greek salad. Then, later, we went to dance and enjoy the environment by the pool.
Saturday-Went shopping for foods and went HOME!!!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Deja Vue and New Things Too!
Hello!
These past weeks have been interesting since there have been strikes for the last three weeks here in Honduras at the schools…so there hasn’t been any classes for almost a month (starting when I was in the states). So, many projects that I was going to do are difficult to get started with the teachers doing there own thing (fighting for there rights, etc.). Right when I got into site (literally the first day, my town was having its feria…it’s festival to celebrate its saint) I was enthralled in activities…possibly a good thing to forget about the sadness of being away from home once again. I’ve included some random pictures of the past weeks-mostly of the excursion (more info. farther down). I tried to load the video...but, virtually impossible~ BUT, do not fear...I posted them on Facebook! :)
BUT, we are doing some things in my site such as COLGATE, a dental and personal hygiene program with an elementary school and a kindergarten in a nearby community. It’s nice to get out and do something, even if just for only one time a week. We talk about how to brush your teeth and why it’s important…and LOTS of fun activities! Also, we’re working more with the youth group to go out and do excursions to document the nearby places that are touristy and we go and play games and bring lunch and they bathe in the river (I don’t because I’m suspicious of the dirty rivers especially with children…I know they’re peeing in the river). But, we just had our first one this past Saturday and I think it went very well…it was SOOO tiring, but it was good exercise and bonding time with the kids and it got them out of the house since there hasn’t been school in so long!!
That’s pretty much all I’m doing right now…and working so hard to get more projects off the ground and applying for grants and things for the projects because we have so many things we can do so I want to use my time wisely! But, right now, I’m in Tegucigalpa…about to go to training and then for Holy Week (the week of Easter) I believe I will be going to Comayagua to participate in the festivities! AND, Monica told me that we (PCV’s) will actually get to help with making some of the street rugs out of sand…I’m REALLY excited!!
YAY! That’s all for now…talk with you all soon,
LOVE, Victoria
These past weeks have been interesting since there have been strikes for the last three weeks here in Honduras at the schools…so there hasn’t been any classes for almost a month (starting when I was in the states). So, many projects that I was going to do are difficult to get started with the teachers doing there own thing (fighting for there rights, etc.). Right when I got into site (literally the first day, my town was having its feria…it’s festival to celebrate its saint) I was enthralled in activities…possibly a good thing to forget about the sadness of being away from home once again. I’ve included some random pictures of the past weeks-mostly of the excursion (more info. farther down). I tried to load the video...but, virtually impossible~ BUT, do not fear...I posted them on Facebook! :)
BUT, we are doing some things in my site such as COLGATE, a dental and personal hygiene program with an elementary school and a kindergarten in a nearby community. It’s nice to get out and do something, even if just for only one time a week. We talk about how to brush your teeth and why it’s important…and LOTS of fun activities! Also, we’re working more with the youth group to go out and do excursions to document the nearby places that are touristy and we go and play games and bring lunch and they bathe in the river (I don’t because I’m suspicious of the dirty rivers especially with children…I know they’re peeing in the river). But, we just had our first one this past Saturday and I think it went very well…it was SOOO tiring, but it was good exercise and bonding time with the kids and it got them out of the house since there hasn’t been school in so long!!
That’s pretty much all I’m doing right now…and working so hard to get more projects off the ground and applying for grants and things for the projects because we have so many things we can do so I want to use my time wisely! But, right now, I’m in Tegucigalpa…about to go to training and then for Holy Week (the week of Easter) I believe I will be going to Comayagua to participate in the festivities! AND, Monica told me that we (PCV’s) will actually get to help with making some of the street rugs out of sand…I’m REALLY excited!!
YAY! That’s all for now…talk with you all soon,
LOVE, Victoria
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