June 22, 2010
City girl
I’ve decided to rename my blog, City Girl because I am a city girl born and raised. I enjoy being lost in the crowds. I really have nothing else to say besides. I have a meeting with the Junta contra violencia at 2:30pm and before that I have an appointment with the Área de Salud at 1pm to get some data on my barrio population divided by regions, gender, and possibly ages. I would like to enter it into my CAT. During the mornings, I walk around introducing myself as the new volunteer in the area. It is an awkward experience as well as awkward conversation to initiate. After all, you are interrupting whatever it was that they were doing before you showed up. Most folks are pretty receptive and are kind enough to open their doors and willingly invite you in for a cafecito or tecito. I do not like coffee so I jokingly say tecitio, they laugh because it is rare to say although they love their ticoism, and technically it is correct to say, but it is rarely used because most folks enjoy their Costa Rican cafecito. They are so proud of it too and when you say you don’t drink coffee, they are kind of shocked. If someone else is in the house they are quick to point out that you do not drink coffee and so it continues. So, I start saying I will have a tecito to lighten up the mood. I do not mention, I would prefer green team instead I take the manzanilla tea, as it is the chosen brand of flavor amongst most ticos. The good things is people generally remember me because I am the only person they know who doesn’t drink coffee. So I guess, that counts toward my intergration process, right? Jackpot, 100 points for me!!!!
Anyway, I do my rounds in the mornings, but I am considering switching my schedule to the late afternoons, as most folks who are home at that time are cleaning and preparing lunch, so I pretty much interrupt their flow. It is just I would rather do it in the morning when the weather is more fresquito.
Monday, July 5, 2010
City Girl in a Tropical World
June 21, 2010
City Girl
This is not a dream. I am officially a Peace Corps volunteer after a year and six month application process. This is it, I am finally here. I’ve been trying to imagine this moment for such a long time and now it is a reality. In fact, a close friend and I were just talking about our b!@#% fest (via internet of course) over the enduring PC application process and now we are both volunteers serving on different sides of the equator, but nonetheless are dreams have been realized.
I’ve been assigned to Costa Rica’s Children, Youth, and Families project for the next two years of service. I’ve been in country for four months. Four months? I’ve been living in CR for four months? It is crazy how time really passes by. I am done with PST! Yes, I’ve said it! I am done. I’ve survive the lengthy sessions, sitting in those darn semi-circle while participating or observing a NFE session. PST is the pre-service training process that all volunteers go through, the length various from country to country. Here it is the first 11 weeks of initial service, where you are learning the specifics of your assigned project, how to implement projects, tech week, site visits, language learning, culture sensitivity training, and safety and security stuff. After all, I am living in a country with active fault lines and quite close to the epicenter, so earthquakes are bound to happen at any time. In fact, four days after landing in this beautiful country, I experienced my first “temblor”. I still call it an earthquake, but here because they happen so frequently they distinguish earthquakes from seismic trembles. It was quite freakish, as I am unaccustomed as to what the hell to do. So, I pretty much just sat there as calm as I could be, as my neighbor… Ok, so I will explain a little further, during the first week you are in country, there is this thing called a Retreat, which is a slow acclimation process to your…well, país. It is a chance to meet your fellow Peace Corps trainees’ (No preocupes, PC handles this process quite well, there are all sorts of activities that ease the pressure of you creating small talk, so you’ll learn of the group dynamics quite early-on like the extroverts/introverts, the “know-it-all”, the jokester, computer guy/gal, the odd 1. I mean, it all is quite fascinating as I am the laid-back observer). The Retreat provides a glimpse of your PST schedule (which is quite intense), you’ll take a LPI-language proficiency evaluation, and so forth. Moreover, during the Retreat you share a room, in my case a hostel style bungalow with about 8-10 girls (it is same-sex unless you are a married couple). Getting back to the topic, I was pretty much as cool as a cucumber, as my neighbor looked over at me horrified. To her defense, she was on the bottom bunk, so if it had been more severe, she would have been crushed. I never knew what an earthquake would feel like, thank God, it was quite mild. I will say that you are aware right away that it is an earthquake. I mean after all the earth is really shaking! So, no I am not dreaming, I am a PCV, by the way following your PST you will be sworn-in as a volunteer, so your title and privileges will change. You kind of grow in to you beard or if you are a lady you grow into your bra. I will admit the first three months are tough and not all of those, whom you arrived in country with, will be standing along with you singing the national anthem during your Juramentación. Four trainees have left service during my PST phase. So, if you can get through that you are pretty much in it to win.
To catch you up to speed briefly, I’ve been assigned to the Guanacaste region. It is hot, hot, hot, hot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Luckily, it is it’s the rainy season, so some times when it rains it cools off and other times it is humid. Thank goodness, the Guanacaste region is known for it’s dry heat, which makes it more bearable, but honey I am from the Northeast, so this is all knew to me. This sort of weather would be considered a heat wave, in the north that is. I’ve been here for one month and just about everyday I ask myself, “How in the world do they survive in heat like this and whose idea was it to settle here?”. I don’t know just a thought. Some days are worst then others. So, I have to change things up a bit, which means I wake-up earlier to go for a run around 5:00 am (I would get up earlier, but it is dark out), between the hours of 12-3, I try to do things that involve being in doors, like chillin’ with the Guancasteco fam, hanging out in the Equipo-Interdisciplinario(Interdisciplinary team-social worker, psychologis, and I cannot quite figure out the translation for the Orientadora) office, visiting one of the Community or Social Institution centers with AC, as most homes are not equipped with them, or just having cafecito (I should say tea or OJ because I do not drink coffee) with the vecinos. For the first three months you are to do a community analysis or diagnostic of the community to figure out what the hell you are doing there. So you talk to folks, service providers (i.e.,health clinics), visit social institutions (e.g.,schools), and make personal observations to find the strengths, weaknesses, threats, and of course project opportunities to analyze with your counterpart or interested neighbor. That is really all you have to do for the first three months, is integrate into your community.
City Girl
This is not a dream. I am officially a Peace Corps volunteer after a year and six month application process. This is it, I am finally here. I’ve been trying to imagine this moment for such a long time and now it is a reality. In fact, a close friend and I were just talking about our b!@#% fest (via internet of course) over the enduring PC application process and now we are both volunteers serving on different sides of the equator, but nonetheless are dreams have been realized.
I’ve been assigned to Costa Rica’s Children, Youth, and Families project for the next two years of service. I’ve been in country for four months. Four months? I’ve been living in CR for four months? It is crazy how time really passes by. I am done with PST! Yes, I’ve said it! I am done. I’ve survive the lengthy sessions, sitting in those darn semi-circle while participating or observing a NFE session. PST is the pre-service training process that all volunteers go through, the length various from country to country. Here it is the first 11 weeks of initial service, where you are learning the specifics of your assigned project, how to implement projects, tech week, site visits, language learning, culture sensitivity training, and safety and security stuff. After all, I am living in a country with active fault lines and quite close to the epicenter, so earthquakes are bound to happen at any time. In fact, four days after landing in this beautiful country, I experienced my first “temblor”. I still call it an earthquake, but here because they happen so frequently they distinguish earthquakes from seismic trembles. It was quite freakish, as I am unaccustomed as to what the hell to do. So, I pretty much just sat there as calm as I could be, as my neighbor… Ok, so I will explain a little further, during the first week you are in country, there is this thing called a Retreat, which is a slow acclimation process to your…well, país. It is a chance to meet your fellow Peace Corps trainees’ (No preocupes, PC handles this process quite well, there are all sorts of activities that ease the pressure of you creating small talk, so you’ll learn of the group dynamics quite early-on like the extroverts/introverts, the “know-it-all”, the jokester, computer guy/gal, the odd 1. I mean, it all is quite fascinating as I am the laid-back observer). The Retreat provides a glimpse of your PST schedule (which is quite intense), you’ll take a LPI-language proficiency evaluation, and so forth. Moreover, during the Retreat you share a room, in my case a hostel style bungalow with about 8-10 girls (it is same-sex unless you are a married couple). Getting back to the topic, I was pretty much as cool as a cucumber, as my neighbor looked over at me horrified. To her defense, she was on the bottom bunk, so if it had been more severe, she would have been crushed. I never knew what an earthquake would feel like, thank God, it was quite mild. I will say that you are aware right away that it is an earthquake. I mean after all the earth is really shaking! So, no I am not dreaming, I am a PCV, by the way following your PST you will be sworn-in as a volunteer, so your title and privileges will change. You kind of grow in to you beard or if you are a lady you grow into your bra. I will admit the first three months are tough and not all of those, whom you arrived in country with, will be standing along with you singing the national anthem during your Juramentación. Four trainees have left service during my PST phase. So, if you can get through that you are pretty much in it to win.
To catch you up to speed briefly, I’ve been assigned to the Guanacaste region. It is hot, hot, hot, hot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Luckily, it is it’s the rainy season, so some times when it rains it cools off and other times it is humid. Thank goodness, the Guanacaste region is known for it’s dry heat, which makes it more bearable, but honey I am from the Northeast, so this is all knew to me. This sort of weather would be considered a heat wave, in the north that is. I’ve been here for one month and just about everyday I ask myself, “How in the world do they survive in heat like this and whose idea was it to settle here?”. I don’t know just a thought. Some days are worst then others. So, I have to change things up a bit, which means I wake-up earlier to go for a run around 5:00 am (I would get up earlier, but it is dark out), between the hours of 12-3, I try to do things that involve being in doors, like chillin’ with the Guancasteco fam, hanging out in the Equipo-Interdisciplinario(Interdisciplinary team-social worker, psychologis, and I cannot quite figure out the translation for the Orientadora) office, visiting one of the Community or Social Institution centers with AC, as most homes are not equipped with them, or just having cafecito (I should say tea or OJ because I do not drink coffee) with the vecinos. For the first three months you are to do a community analysis or diagnostic of the community to figure out what the hell you are doing there. So you talk to folks, service providers (i.e.,health clinics), visit social institutions (e.g.,schools), and make personal observations to find the strengths, weaknesses, threats, and of course project opportunities to analyze with your counterpart or interested neighbor. That is really all you have to do for the first three months, is integrate into your community.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Best US banks for international traveling
Hello world,
As I prepare for my two year stinct in Costa Rica, I am currently looking for a US bank that would best service the needs of US travelers abroad. Do anyone know of any banks or could you offer suggestions? I will even accept complaints regarding your current bank and the issues you've ensued while serving as a Peace Corp member.
I guess I ought to tell you what I am looking for:
International fees associated with ATM withdrawals/deposits/currency exchanges/card transaction
Minimum balance and fees associated with falling below
Theft protection/security policies
Monthly fees/service charges
Inactivity fees and periods
Free online banking and online pay/transactions
And anything you feel is relevant
As I prepare for my two year stinct in Costa Rica, I am currently looking for a US bank that would best service the needs of US travelers abroad. Do anyone know of any banks or could you offer suggestions? I will even accept complaints regarding your current bank and the issues you've ensued while serving as a Peace Corp member.
I guess I ought to tell you what I am looking for:
International fees associated with ATM withdrawals/deposits/currency exchanges/card transaction
Minimum balance and fees associated with falling below
Theft protection/security policies
Monthly fees/service charges
Inactivity fees and periods
Free online banking and online pay/transactions
And anything you feel is relevant
Sunday, December 20, 2009
What am I going to do about my cellphone?
I cherish perserving what can be preserved. Most of my clothes that I currently wear are from my highschool days (I graduated 8 yrs ago). For goodness sakes, I've had my well-functioning TV since I was 13 and I am now 24. I am dreading even having to think about getting rid of my cellphone while I am overseas. I've had this phone for 5 yrs and it took my friends 3 yrs of convincing me, I needed the thing in the first place. This precious device serves as my life line. It has saved me from some life threatening situations (ok, so I am being dramatic). Nonetheless, there is some value in having a cellphone. In my research, I've discovered that my t-mobile phone is not compatible with CR communications technologies. So, what do I do?
Do I get rid of it, plain and simple, and buy another once I get there? Or, should I keep my phone active here for as low as $20 bucks per month? After all I pay less than $60 for my phone and probably will not get a deal as good as this.
In general I live pretty simply, but again I like to hold on to things as well. To my fellow PC folks & family member what have you done in the past with your cellphones?
Do I get rid of it, plain and simple, and buy another once I get there? Or, should I keep my phone active here for as low as $20 bucks per month? After all I pay less than $60 for my phone and probably will not get a deal as good as this.
In general I live pretty simply, but again I like to hold on to things as well. To my fellow PC folks & family member what have you done in the past with your cellphones?
Friday, December 18, 2009
The invitation--CR
When I got home from work... I've been working like an animal (ok maybe a legal US corporate slave) since I've moved to DC 10 months ago. DC is a toxic place to live. Unless you have a well paying job, you have to work, minimally, 2 jobs to survive and save $$$. So I have two jobs and constantly feel overwhelmed by it all. As proof of my mental tension, my acne resurfaced because my hormones are out-of-wack (I've gone 7 years w/o acne).
However, when I arrive home that Friday evening there was a little white & thick package with PC logo on it. I was immediately excited and yet nervous. Although, I've agreed to accept the C/S American Youth development email offer, I had no idea where they were sending me exactly. So, I bypass the form and nonchalently put my belongings away. Took a shower, cooked dinner, brushed & flossed my teeth, & performed my nightly routine which includes pampering my precious, sensitive, and beautifully toasted almond (brown) skin. Once I finished my therapeutic pampering.
I walked passed the envelop again. I looked down at it and decided what the hell! I've started this tedious process 14 months ago and I refused to go back. Without overthinking, I've opened up the darn thing and discovered an official letter offer, a small paper VAD (volunteer assignment description) booklet, & a large blue PC folder contained w/ more paper work. I picked up the PC offical invite letter and in bold print it read Costa Rica!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was ambushed with joy! Then, I realized wait I've been there before. Since, I've disclosed that info with them I am sure they are aware, but I just decided to go with it all, this time.
I've been fortunate enought to receive 3 offers. 2 of which were highly desirable programmatic options. Since I've completed my dental work there is no excuse to turn this down, now. So it is offical. I'll be heading out (tentatively) March 2, 2009 to San Jose, Costa Rica for the next 27 months fo my life
However, when I arrive home that Friday evening there was a little white & thick package with PC logo on it. I was immediately excited and yet nervous. Although, I've agreed to accept the C/S American Youth development email offer, I had no idea where they were sending me exactly. So, I bypass the form and nonchalently put my belongings away. Took a shower, cooked dinner, brushed & flossed my teeth, & performed my nightly routine which includes pampering my precious, sensitive, and beautifully toasted almond (brown) skin. Once I finished my therapeutic pampering.
I walked passed the envelop again. I looked down at it and decided what the hell! I've started this tedious process 14 months ago and I refused to go back. Without overthinking, I've opened up the darn thing and discovered an official letter offer, a small paper VAD (volunteer assignment description) booklet, & a large blue PC folder contained w/ more paper work. I picked up the PC offical invite letter and in bold print it read Costa Rica!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I was ambushed with joy! Then, I realized wait I've been there before. Since, I've disclosed that info with them I am sure they are aware, but I just decided to go with it all, this time.
I've been fortunate enought to receive 3 offers. 2 of which were highly desirable programmatic options. Since I've completed my dental work there is no excuse to turn this down, now. So it is offical. I'll be heading out (tentatively) March 2, 2009 to San Jose, Costa Rica for the next 27 months fo my life
Friday, August 21, 2009
Why are PC placement specialist so pushy & mean?
I am finally medically cleared. I received a call from a PC placement personnel regarding an ESL offer on the Pacific Island. My initial reaction, "you gotta be kidding me, I hate teaching". I was told because of my background that Community Dev'p or even Youth Development will be the direction that I would go into.
I don't mind using my techinically skills and experiences in a different capacity, but teaching is not one of them. I lack the passion for it and do not have the personality nor patience. I tried it in the past and was asked not to return again. I am not bragging about my inept ability to transfer info in a classroom setting, but it is the truth.
I shared my past experience with the PC placement personnel and she was so determined on making me an ESL teacher stating that my skills best match that program and she tried to downplay my background in Youth Development, stating that there are so many others that have that background. Well, news flash most folks who do not have a specialty tend to go in ESL programs!!!!!!!
I am at a lost for words, what should I do??? I even told her, "I am willing to diversify my linguistic skills (although fluent in Spanish) in order to be place in a Youth Dev'p or Community Service program and she told me that I mines well "withdraw my application" (her words not mine) because they are only placing ESL.
What am I to do??? I am not proficient at ESL. How should I handle this??
I don't mind using my techinically skills and experiences in a different capacity, but teaching is not one of them. I lack the passion for it and do not have the personality nor patience. I tried it in the past and was asked not to return again. I am not bragging about my inept ability to transfer info in a classroom setting, but it is the truth.
I shared my past experience with the PC placement personnel and she was so determined on making me an ESL teacher stating that my skills best match that program and she tried to downplay my background in Youth Development, stating that there are so many others that have that background. Well, news flash most folks who do not have a specialty tend to go in ESL programs!!!!!!!
I am at a lost for words, what should I do??? I even told her, "I am willing to diversify my linguistic skills (although fluent in Spanish) in order to be place in a Youth Dev'p or Community Service program and she told me that I mines well "withdraw my application" (her words not mine) because they are only placing ESL.
What am I to do??? I am not proficient at ESL. How should I handle this??
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Dancing in the dark
It is now July and I am still dancing in the dark. I was suppose to leave this month, but everything got pushed back because they imposed an imaginary deadline. I called frequently to verify if there were any deadlines and I was given vague and unassuming responses. Now, I know that I indeed missed the deadline. Only, if I had damn health insurance this would not be an issue. So, I found a free health clinic in Pittsburgh (my hometown). Sounds great I know, but I live in Maryland. Nothing here is free unless you are under 20. DC has opportunities, but you must be a resident and I don't know anyone there to use their address.
Now it is just a waiting game. Not to mention, I have yet to get the dental work done for PC, which by the way cost money that I don't quite have.
I realize that I must push on with my life already, so I am back on the prowl and this time I am hungry. I need a new opportunity that will fuel my adventurous appetite.
Yes, if and when the PC present an opportunity I will consider especially, if in a desirable region. If not, then I will revert back to plan B.
Peace Corps unassuming and vague.
Now it is just a waiting game. Not to mention, I have yet to get the dental work done for PC, which by the way cost money that I don't quite have.
I realize that I must push on with my life already, so I am back on the prowl and this time I am hungry. I need a new opportunity that will fuel my adventurous appetite.
Yes, if and when the PC present an opportunity I will consider especially, if in a desirable region. If not, then I will revert back to plan B.
Peace Corps unassuming and vague.
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