Hola! Here I am yet again, sooner than I expected too! I figure I should start off with the good news. Drum roll please..... I found my camera!! I thought that I left it at the airport, but when I got here and opened my backback I found a pleasant surprise! That made me incredibly happy. My camera has been one of my best friends while I am here so far. There are quite the hilarious things going on. Guatemalans are weird. But I love them! I will eventually put some pictures on. It feels like I have been here forever. I can hardly even imagine that I was an EFY counselor last week. LAST WEEK!? Not even possible. I´ve been here for years. Yet at the same time, it feels I´ve been here only minutes.
The last couple of days have been amazing. Of course. Like I even have to verbalize that. Friday was my first real work day. We joined up with Habitat for Humanity to help build some houses. We traveled to a remote village about an hour out of Chimaltenango called Santa Cruz (I can´t even put into words how beautiful it was). While on site, we mixed cement by hand, tied rebar together, filled in holes, and layed the cinderblock bricks. The house itself was the size of my living room, with 3 or 4 rooms inside. The entire thing was built from cinderblocks, and put together entirely by hand. We ate lunch at a little cafe (rice, beans, and carne), then came back to the site only to find a four year old little latino there to help. His name was Atel, and was absolutely adorable. Really he just saw a bunch of Greengos (that´s what they call us) working, and wanted to see if we bite. Cute little guy. Later in the night we ate dinner at a restaurant in Chimal, and went over to the LDS Church to play soccer with the young single adults. I loved that so much! The church is really strong here, and the members are angels. I felt a definate change the second I left the streets onto the grounds of the gated church. The spirit was very strong. Yay for the truth!
Today was absolutely glorious. We woke up at about 6 to go on a hike up Pakaya, the local volcano. We got there around 8:45, and hiked 2 or so hours through the forest to the top, were we stood at the edge of the lava flow. As in like 20 feet away. It was so hot, there were people roasting marshmallows and even a local tour guide cooking tortillas and meat on the rocks. It was honestly one of the most beautiful places I´ve been.
After the volcano, we went to Antigua, the old Spanish capital of Guatemala. We did some shopping at the little shops run by the natives, were you litterally faught over what the prices should be. I thought that was only something they did in movies. Guess not. I bought 2 purses, 4 bracelets, and 3 head bands. I´m slowly starting to accesarize (sp? I don´t have my phone to help me spell anymore) like the natives, which has been a life time goal.
Sorry this was so rushed near the end, my time is running short. I wish I could write more. I do know that next week is when the real work begins. I am planning on running a theater program at the orphanage as a type of therapy outlet for these kids, which I am thrilled about. Also, I am planning on working with some adobe stove building at some point in time, maybe work with the medicial and square foot gardening, and some other various orphange projects. Thanks so much for everyones´ support, feel free to email me and tell me what is going on at home! Adios!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Well, today is my very first day in Guatemala! It is absolutely gorgeous, the temperature is perfect, and I love the people I am with. I left at 12:30 am from Salt Lake (after realizing only hours before that am means midnight, not noon) and arrived here at 10:30 our time. So far I've just gone around the city and bought things that I'll need while I'm here. The money is completely different, and it was all sorts of confusing. For all I know I was spending hundreds of dollars on a pillow case (don't worry mom, I'm exaggerating... kinda). The food rocks, even if we can't eat certain things. Transpertation is exciting. We ride around on "chicken buses", where they try to squeeze as many people as they can onto one bus. Music is playing everywhere, and everyone stares at the white people. I don't know any spanish, at all. No exaggeration. That's exciting. Also, horrible news that I really don't want to write... I lost my camera. I leftit somewhere at the airport, and pretty much want to shoot myself. So I'm going to just pretend this didn't happen. I'm out of time, and have got to head. Sorry my thoughts are all over the place!! Just know that overall, I love it here! Peace.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Vaccinations, Preparations, and Recommendations
I know, I am a horrible person. I said I would update this weekly, and its been almost two weeks! But alas, I have found the fault in my ways, and have repented.
This last week was enjoyable. I'm finally getting things up and ready to go for Guatemala. I have my passport, my ISIC card, and my insurance all figured out. This weeks' biggest adventure dealing with this was getting my vaccinations all finished up, seeing as how I've been procrastinating this for too long. I got six vaccines total- two in each arm and two to swallow. The good news on that is that I didn't have any sort of reaction from any of it, which I was quite happy about. Also this week I've done quite a bit of clothes and supplize shopping. This included 2 large bottles and three large boxes of pepto, about 7 new shirts, shorts, more medication, and a money pouch to hold my money under my clothes. My next project is to buy some new sandals as well as school supplize for the kids I'll be working with. (Thanks again for everyone who donated! I've used some of my donation money to help pay for this prepatory work).
Other than that life is the same as usual. I'm still working at Six Star, and am starting to think about what I'll be doing when I get back from Guatemala for a job. So if anyone has any good ideas or job opportunities, let me know :)
I suppose that is about it for now. I should be getting a camera here soon so that I can post some pictures. I realize how boring it is just reading about all of this. Until next time!
This last week was enjoyable. I'm finally getting things up and ready to go for Guatemala. I have my passport, my ISIC card, and my insurance all figured out. This weeks' biggest adventure dealing with this was getting my vaccinations all finished up, seeing as how I've been procrastinating this for too long. I got six vaccines total- two in each arm and two to swallow. The good news on that is that I didn't have any sort of reaction from any of it, which I was quite happy about. Also this week I've done quite a bit of clothes and supplize shopping. This included 2 large bottles and three large boxes of pepto, about 7 new shirts, shorts, more medication, and a money pouch to hold my money under my clothes. My next project is to buy some new sandals as well as school supplize for the kids I'll be working with. (Thanks again for everyone who donated! I've used some of my donation money to help pay for this prepatory work).
Other than that life is the same as usual. I'm still working at Six Star, and am starting to think about what I'll be doing when I get back from Guatemala for a job. So if anyone has any good ideas or job opportunities, let me know :)
I suppose that is about it for now. I should be getting a camera here soon so that I can post some pictures. I realize how boring it is just reading about all of this. Until next time!
Sunday, May 10, 2009
In the beginning...
AHH! My first blog ever! I suppose I should be the first to say WELCOME! I feel so cool. I decided to get a blog set up for two main reasons- 1. So that I can have an easy-access account for those who want to stay updated on my trip to Guatemala, and 2. because everybody else is doing it. I suppose I'll give a quick rundown on my life and the oh-so-exciting parts it entails.
First, school. I am starting my junior year at USU this upcoming fall. After a lot of sleepless nights and weeks (more like years) of worrying, I decided to major in Communicative Disorders, Speech Language Pathology emphasis. I previously was a Speech Communication major (pretty much just applied interpersonal and public speech), but decided to run with something with a little/a lot more science. Plus, I really wanted to find something with a solid future. I still am toying with the idea of getting a minor in Speech Comm, but something tells me that's not going to happen. I graduate in Spring of 2011, or two years from now. From that point I've got to get my Masters degree... although I have no idea where yet. Maybe the U? They have a really sound program. Of course, USU's program is top notch, so I could always stay here.
Second, this summer! For the first couple of weeks of the summer I will stay at home with my dear old momsy and popsicle while I continue on my quest to become rich by working at Six Star. Come the first week of June I will be an EFY counseler here at USU, which I am thrilled about. I can't wait to share the gospel and my testimony with all the youngins. Nothing like changing lives to start the summer :). June 6th is John and Loni's wedding, and then June 10th I head off to Guatemala! I was originally going to be gone from May 6th to Aug 20th, but John and Loni are just too darn cute to miss getting married. I was actually pretty sad to cut my trip a month shorter than originally planned, but now I'm quite happy about it all. I had a lot more things to take care of before I left than what I thought. Plus, the extra months salary helps a lot for next fall's expenses. I'll be gone in Guatemala from June 10-Aug 20, roughly 2 1/2 months. I'm so excited to get the show on the road! So far, my plans are to get heavily envolved with four things- orphanage work, afterschool programs, teaching english, and adobe stove building- pretty much anything to do with children and their development. I have a feeling sticking with this type of work will do wonders for my resume :).
On that note, I had an interesting conversation with a lady at Six Star the other day. She has a program that works with handicapped orphans in Russia, and has an opening for an internship next year to travel to Russia. She said everything would be covered except for in country living expenses, but I'd get monthly compensation to cover a lot of that. I got her information and vise versa, so we'll see what happens there. Also, I'm still toying with the idea of looking into the ILP program to teach English in Asia. Not to mention a mission. There's just so much out there!
Other than that, I still have a job, still love my family and friends, and am still single. I love my religion and the strength I get, and can't wait to make a difference in the world one step at a time! Hopefully I'll get a camera so I can get some pictures up here too... until next time!
First, school. I am starting my junior year at USU this upcoming fall. After a lot of sleepless nights and weeks (more like years) of worrying, I decided to major in Communicative Disorders, Speech Language Pathology emphasis. I previously was a Speech Communication major (pretty much just applied interpersonal and public speech), but decided to run with something with a little/a lot more science. Plus, I really wanted to find something with a solid future. I still am toying with the idea of getting a minor in Speech Comm, but something tells me that's not going to happen. I graduate in Spring of 2011, or two years from now. From that point I've got to get my Masters degree... although I have no idea where yet. Maybe the U? They have a really sound program. Of course, USU's program is top notch, so I could always stay here.
Second, this summer! For the first couple of weeks of the summer I will stay at home with my dear old momsy and popsicle while I continue on my quest to become rich by working at Six Star. Come the first week of June I will be an EFY counseler here at USU, which I am thrilled about. I can't wait to share the gospel and my testimony with all the youngins. Nothing like changing lives to start the summer :). June 6th is John and Loni's wedding, and then June 10th I head off to Guatemala! I was originally going to be gone from May 6th to Aug 20th, but John and Loni are just too darn cute to miss getting married. I was actually pretty sad to cut my trip a month shorter than originally planned, but now I'm quite happy about it all. I had a lot more things to take care of before I left than what I thought. Plus, the extra months salary helps a lot for next fall's expenses. I'll be gone in Guatemala from June 10-Aug 20, roughly 2 1/2 months. I'm so excited to get the show on the road! So far, my plans are to get heavily envolved with four things- orphanage work, afterschool programs, teaching english, and adobe stove building- pretty much anything to do with children and their development. I have a feeling sticking with this type of work will do wonders for my resume :).
On that note, I had an interesting conversation with a lady at Six Star the other day. She has a program that works with handicapped orphans in Russia, and has an opening for an internship next year to travel to Russia. She said everything would be covered except for in country living expenses, but I'd get monthly compensation to cover a lot of that. I got her information and vise versa, so we'll see what happens there. Also, I'm still toying with the idea of looking into the ILP program to teach English in Asia. Not to mention a mission. There's just so much out there!
Other than that, I still have a job, still love my family and friends, and am still single. I love my religion and the strength I get, and can't wait to make a difference in the world one step at a time! Hopefully I'll get a camera so I can get some pictures up here too... until next time!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
