"Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” -Confucius
I had such a great time in Colorado! A mini vacation was just what I needed. I actually slept... and had silly dreams. One was about throwing shoes at a saleswoman. Ha ha! I guess not having closed-toe black shoes is really getting to me. I went shopping with my mom at this mall I had dreamt about before, looking for comfortable shoes. Long story short, the lady was trying to sell me shoes I did not want, we started arguing and throwing shoes at each other. Because that is SO me. I seem to be very aggressive in a lot of my dreams, weird. I finally decided to apologize and all I could do was laugh. As I walked away, a shoe hit me in the back of the head. I told my aunt this dream and she went looking in her closet for some black shoes she had just bought and wore once, but couldn't wear because they were too small. I guess she didn't want me having any more upsetting dreams about shoes. I very much enjoyed relaxing and spending time with Aunt Kathy, Ryan, Daci, Ben, and of course, Joanna. How perfect to ride with a great friend! The hardest part was giving Aunt Kathy a hug, knowing it would be the last one for awhile. I love hugs and don't like lasts. While talking with my friend, Ben, he mentioned knowing a girl who did Peace Corps. I was all over that, and thought it was great this girl was offering her contact information to answer any questions I might have. What a sweet connection! Not only do we share an awesome friend, but we also both have a Peace Corps interest, which I'm finding can be enough to become best friends. So maybe Terrence, my friend who grew up in Belize that I talk to every once in awhile was right when he said I got attached too easily. I can't stop thinking about that and wondering what that will mean once I leave the country.
I finally got out my luggage and measured it to make sure the dimensions were under the limit. I've fit most of what I think I want to take, but still need to weigh it to make sure it's under 80lbs. I looked at the calendar and couldn't believe the little amount of time I have left. I already have plans for my last few weekends and that's how I know time is flying by and won't be slowing down. I'm not worried about packing though, I know I'll have a list of things I should have brought once I get there, and I know I'll be able to deal with living without what I forgot.
Staging is in Washington, D.C. and I'm super excited to have an extra day to enjoy the city. I'll leave 6am from Omaha and get to D.C. around 9:30am. I surprise myself sometimes with my courage and free spiritness. I've been to the capital before, so I know it's pretty easy to get around on the Metro and have had a few must see suggestions: walking to the top of the Washington Monument, Smithsonian, and a twilight tour. Maybe it's good for me to have a day trip to plan, knowing what to expect, instead of continuously wondering what the the next couple years will bring. Which reminds me, I can't help but think how awesome it would be to extend my stay a third year. I know, I have no idea what it will be like there, but I already think I'll want to stay, may go back to that whole being easily attached. I asked my friend Brigitte if the feelings were normal, wondering if she thought the same thing before she left, but she just thought I was crazed. I don't know what it is, I just love hearing about volunteers who stayed 3 years, but I do know as an education volunteer it will be unlikely. And I guess I'm writing it down now so I can laugh at it later.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
My first address!
Hey! If you send me something now, maybe it will make it there by the time I do! :D
Amy Waterman
Peace Corps
P.O. Box 492
Belmopan
Belize
I just got an email with the staging information. The best part was finding this address and reading a tip for sending postcards. I want to say I'll get any mail sent to this address while in Belize, but once I get to my village I'll have one I check more often since I wouldn't go to the capital everyday. And about postcards, it's recommended they're sent in an envelope, otherwise they might end up on the board in the post office. I can just see that, walking into a post office in Belize thinking, "That's a nice picture of Nebraska, wait... someone probably wanted me to have it!" Then I would ask to take it off the wall and start reading a sweet note from someone back home. I'd probably then have to leave it at the post office, how could I ever take anything from someone that wanted it, so yeah, postcards should go in an envelope if you want me to get them. :D
I think the same staging information letters are in the mail, so I'll continue to check my mailbox everyday. I feel like Jerry and I race each morning to see who will bring home the good stuff. Okay, maybe he doesn't know we're racing, but everything's a game to me, and it's more fun when no one else knows they're playing. Ha ha! I don't know why, but receiving the paper copies will be so great! I could just print off the emails, but it's not the same. Staging will be in Washington, D.C. on August 19th from 1-7pm. We then will fly out the next morning, leaving the hotel around 1am which will be fine by me, not like I'll sleep anyways. I'm starting to wonder when I'll stop sleeping before I leave, one week? two? I'll be calling SATO soon to get my airline tickets out of Omaha, which will probably be on the 18th! It would be neat to have a day to enjoy D.C. (and ride the Metro, of course) before leaving the States, how fitting, my last days will be at our lovely capital!
I'm getting ready for my trip to Colorado, just for a few days to go relax with Aunt Kathy for the weekend. I'm also looking forward to the long drive with a best friend, Joanna. Packing for the four days has inspired me to sort through my clothes again, making piles: I'll wear this before I leave, I won't wear this until I get to Belize, I'll wear this when I get back, and I won't ever wear this. I can take 80lbs of luggage and I want to make the most of it. A lot of things can be bought in Belize, it's just some of it will be expensive, and I'll be living on a Peace Corps allowance. Plus, I want to be sure to take things I wouldn't be able to buy, but again, it's always surprising to realize all the things you can live without, and not even really miss.
Amy Waterman
Peace Corps
P.O. Box 492
Belmopan
Belize
I just got an email with the staging information. The best part was finding this address and reading a tip for sending postcards. I want to say I'll get any mail sent to this address while in Belize, but once I get to my village I'll have one I check more often since I wouldn't go to the capital everyday. And about postcards, it's recommended they're sent in an envelope, otherwise they might end up on the board in the post office. I can just see that, walking into a post office in Belize thinking, "That's a nice picture of Nebraska, wait... someone probably wanted me to have it!" Then I would ask to take it off the wall and start reading a sweet note from someone back home. I'd probably then have to leave it at the post office, how could I ever take anything from someone that wanted it, so yeah, postcards should go in an envelope if you want me to get them. :D
I think the same staging information letters are in the mail, so I'll continue to check my mailbox everyday. I feel like Jerry and I race each morning to see who will bring home the good stuff. Okay, maybe he doesn't know we're racing, but everything's a game to me, and it's more fun when no one else knows they're playing. Ha ha! I don't know why, but receiving the paper copies will be so great! I could just print off the emails, but it's not the same. Staging will be in Washington, D.C. on August 19th from 1-7pm. We then will fly out the next morning, leaving the hotel around 1am which will be fine by me, not like I'll sleep anyways. I'm starting to wonder when I'll stop sleeping before I leave, one week? two? I'll be calling SATO soon to get my airline tickets out of Omaha, which will probably be on the 18th! It would be neat to have a day to enjoy D.C. (and ride the Metro, of course) before leaving the States, how fitting, my last days will be at our lovely capital!
I'm getting ready for my trip to Colorado, just for a few days to go relax with Aunt Kathy for the weekend. I'm also looking forward to the long drive with a best friend, Joanna. Packing for the four days has inspired me to sort through my clothes again, making piles: I'll wear this before I leave, I won't wear this until I get to Belize, I'll wear this when I get back, and I won't ever wear this. I can take 80lbs of luggage and I want to make the most of it. A lot of things can be bought in Belize, it's just some of it will be expensive, and I'll be living on a Peace Corps allowance. Plus, I want to be sure to take things I wouldn't be able to buy, but again, it's always surprising to realize all the things you can live without, and not even really miss.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Nebraska Peace Corps Send-off Party
"Some people believe in coincidences, I believe in God."
~Karen Wieskamp, she used to give me piano lessons. She said this when I was telling her about my Peace Corps application process and how everything fell into place perfectly.
The send-off party was super! Funny how my attitude made a sudden switch. Shopping bums me out so much I didn't even want to go anymore after spending a couple hours at the mall. That was changed as soon as I walked through the backyard into the patio. I signed my name, put down my contact information, and made myself a name tag. The first person I met was our hostess, Gretchen, inviting us in. I was glad my mom was able to go with me, just that she wanted to go, actually. Her name tag read, "nominee mom" which made me smile. I had to add to my name tag, writing when/where I was going and standing next to me doing the same thing was another soon to be volunteer. This was the exact reason I came to the party! I wanted to meet even just one other person that was leaving the country around the same time. He will be leaving August 18th for staging most likely in Florida since he'll be heading to the Dominican Republic. We joked about being a swim away and thought we might see each other in August. Of course I wanted to write down his name so I could add him as a friend on facebook, so maybe we could chat before leaving and maybe stay in contact as we would be going through some of the same things, but I should have known there would be more than one Eli Rodriguez. Ha ha! Excitement messes with my brain functions, and it keeps me from eating, too. There was all this amazing looking food at the party, but it wasn't until after I left that I realized I was hungry and had missed out. I also met another lady who was getting ready to leave in October for Ethiopia, which made me think of Margaret, wondering if she had received her assignment yet. There were a couple nominees waiting for an invitation and few applicants just starting this whole process. It was fun answering the applicants questions, remembering back to when I was doing the same thing. I loved that they were able to come to the party and meet all these people they could use as references to answer questions. The majority of guests were returned volunteers from all over the world; I was surprised to see how many people from Nebraska had been to so many different places. One of my longest conversations was with Rebecca. She had spent three years in Morocco and absolutely loved it. When I told her I was going to Belize she was ready to stuff me in the closet and take my identity. Whoa... closet is a word I don't write down very often, I still don't think it looks right. Ha ha! Anyways, I may have talked her into visiting, it didn't take much. It was so neat listening to all the returned volunteers stories. They all warned me about how hard the first six months will be, maybe even the first year, but to not give up, the second year is more than worth it. I didn't really have many questions. I think I learn better through life stories though. We tested our knowledge of Peace Corps with a quiz. I was happy I remembered March 1st as Peace Corps Day and knew the year it was started by JFK, 1961. It's crazy to think I'll be a volunteer during it's 50th year! I'll also be in Belize when the country celebrates it's 30th birthday, since it gained Independence in 1981. What fun coincidences! Another crazy coincidence (I can't wait to tell Karen about this) was towards the end of the party. Everyone had just went around and stated their name, where they were from, and why they were there. I remember one man's eyes light up a little when I said I was heading to Belize, he had volunteered in the Solomon Islands and has been wanting to go visit Belize and see the beautiful coast and Mayan ruins. After that I was chatting with those around me, scoping out people I wanted to talk to and pretty soon the party's hostess was bringing over someone I needed to meet. Roger was also getting ready to go to Belize in August! Can you believe that? Two volunteers from Nebraska on the same team! What are the odds? Gretchen seemed almost as surprised as I was, and was more prepared, taking our first picture together.
One of my biggest fears was going to Belize alone. I knew there would be a group going, but I felt like I was leaving by myself. I asked the Lord for comfort and felt the prayer was answered when I found blogs of volunteers going and then was able to chat with some on facebook. But no, God's goodness is much greater. Makes me think of one of my favorite chapters in Matthew, chapter 6.
25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
~Karen Wieskamp, she used to give me piano lessons. She said this when I was telling her about my Peace Corps application process and how everything fell into place perfectly.
The send-off party was super! Funny how my attitude made a sudden switch. Shopping bums me out so much I didn't even want to go anymore after spending a couple hours at the mall. That was changed as soon as I walked through the backyard into the patio. I signed my name, put down my contact information, and made myself a name tag. The first person I met was our hostess, Gretchen, inviting us in. I was glad my mom was able to go with me, just that she wanted to go, actually. Her name tag read, "nominee mom" which made me smile. I had to add to my name tag, writing when/where I was going and standing next to me doing the same thing was another soon to be volunteer. This was the exact reason I came to the party! I wanted to meet even just one other person that was leaving the country around the same time. He will be leaving August 18th for staging most likely in Florida since he'll be heading to the Dominican Republic. We joked about being a swim away and thought we might see each other in August. Of course I wanted to write down his name so I could add him as a friend on facebook, so maybe we could chat before leaving and maybe stay in contact as we would be going through some of the same things, but I should have known there would be more than one Eli Rodriguez. Ha ha! Excitement messes with my brain functions, and it keeps me from eating, too. There was all this amazing looking food at the party, but it wasn't until after I left that I realized I was hungry and had missed out. I also met another lady who was getting ready to leave in October for Ethiopia, which made me think of Margaret, wondering if she had received her assignment yet. There were a couple nominees waiting for an invitation and few applicants just starting this whole process. It was fun answering the applicants questions, remembering back to when I was doing the same thing. I loved that they were able to come to the party and meet all these people they could use as references to answer questions. The majority of guests were returned volunteers from all over the world; I was surprised to see how many people from Nebraska had been to so many different places. One of my longest conversations was with Rebecca. She had spent three years in Morocco and absolutely loved it. When I told her I was going to Belize she was ready to stuff me in the closet and take my identity. Whoa... closet is a word I don't write down very often, I still don't think it looks right. Ha ha! Anyways, I may have talked her into visiting, it didn't take much. It was so neat listening to all the returned volunteers stories. They all warned me about how hard the first six months will be, maybe even the first year, but to not give up, the second year is more than worth it. I didn't really have many questions. I think I learn better through life stories though. We tested our knowledge of Peace Corps with a quiz. I was happy I remembered March 1st as Peace Corps Day and knew the year it was started by JFK, 1961. It's crazy to think I'll be a volunteer during it's 50th year! I'll also be in Belize when the country celebrates it's 30th birthday, since it gained Independence in 1981. What fun coincidences! Another crazy coincidence (I can't wait to tell Karen about this) was towards the end of the party. Everyone had just went around and stated their name, where they were from, and why they were there. I remember one man's eyes light up a little when I said I was heading to Belize, he had volunteered in the Solomon Islands and has been wanting to go visit Belize and see the beautiful coast and Mayan ruins. After that I was chatting with those around me, scoping out people I wanted to talk to and pretty soon the party's hostess was bringing over someone I needed to meet. Roger was also getting ready to go to Belize in August! Can you believe that? Two volunteers from Nebraska on the same team! What are the odds? Gretchen seemed almost as surprised as I was, and was more prepared, taking our first picture together.
One of my biggest fears was going to Belize alone. I knew there would be a group going, but I felt like I was leaving by myself. I asked the Lord for comfort and felt the prayer was answered when I found blogs of volunteers going and then was able to chat with some on facebook. But no, God's goodness is much greater. Makes me think of one of my favorite chapters in Matthew, chapter 6.
25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? 28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Life is better when done together.
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."
~Helen Keller
Last night I went out to Camp Riverview to join the campers during campfire. I recognized most of the faces from past camps that I counseled. I was especially happy to see Maria. I only know her from two weeks of camp, one that was five years ago and the other was three years ago. We have a special connection, and I'm not really sure what it is, that just happens with some people. I was able to get her address, thinking it would be great to send her letters from Belize and hopefully hear back from her. When she was writing down her address, I asked her if she was sure I had never written her a letter because I thought I had. She responded, "No, I would have remembered that." I didn't know what to say, and now while thinking about it, I'm reminded of what another friend said recently. I hadn't seen Teresa in a long time either. She was so happy for me, joining the Peace Corps, knowing I would love it, saying, "You have no idea how much people look up to you." Again, I had no response. It's good to hear because it makes me feel more accountable. But back to camp, before prayer group time, Pastor Chris announced, without me knowing, that I was moving to Belize for two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer. When he said I was leaving in a month, my first thought was... nuh uh... but actually he's almost right. He then asked the campers to keep me in their prayers, which would be nice, I've never heard of such a thing as too many people praying for you.
I finally got to talk to my friend Margaret, who is hoping to start her Peace Corps adventure in September. I wanted to ask her if she got an invitation to the Nebraska send-off party. I'm wanting to go, I always enjoy hearing other peoples' stories, and at first I thought it was a party for volunteers that were returning, and I was invited since they had my contact information (I guess I missed the send-off part.) I'm glad I talked to her because I didn't realize the party was actually for people like me, getting ready to leave. Ha ha! She asked me what I was doing to prepare, and I mentioned contacting teachers to see if any are interested in being classroom connections. I would love to be able to write letters to those at NLS, plus I might have a couple other teachers interested. Again, this will help keep me there. I'm preparing now for those hard days later. Not that I think I'll want to come home everyday I'm in Belize, but I'm sure those thoughts will come up. It's like I think writing letters to schools in the States is another commitment I'm making for two years. Margaret didn't think either of us had anything to worry about stating, "I'm too proud, and you're too sweet." I don't know about that, but I do know I'm excited to be sitting around together when we're 90, telling our grandchildren about our amazing Peace Corps experiences.
It's been so great talking with people who are in Belize now and those that will be on my team. Thanks to Olivia I'm not as freaked out about being a teacher trainer without much classroom experience myself. I also have a better idea of what to pack, which is a task I'll focus on after buying a few more essentials. When thinking about joining the Peace Corps I knew only a certain type of person would do it, and part of me just wanted to meet these other people. Soon I will!
~Helen Keller
Last night I went out to Camp Riverview to join the campers during campfire. I recognized most of the faces from past camps that I counseled. I was especially happy to see Maria. I only know her from two weeks of camp, one that was five years ago and the other was three years ago. We have a special connection, and I'm not really sure what it is, that just happens with some people. I was able to get her address, thinking it would be great to send her letters from Belize and hopefully hear back from her. When she was writing down her address, I asked her if she was sure I had never written her a letter because I thought I had. She responded, "No, I would have remembered that." I didn't know what to say, and now while thinking about it, I'm reminded of what another friend said recently. I hadn't seen Teresa in a long time either. She was so happy for me, joining the Peace Corps, knowing I would love it, saying, "You have no idea how much people look up to you." Again, I had no response. It's good to hear because it makes me feel more accountable. But back to camp, before prayer group time, Pastor Chris announced, without me knowing, that I was moving to Belize for two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer. When he said I was leaving in a month, my first thought was... nuh uh... but actually he's almost right. He then asked the campers to keep me in their prayers, which would be nice, I've never heard of such a thing as too many people praying for you.
I finally got to talk to my friend Margaret, who is hoping to start her Peace Corps adventure in September. I wanted to ask her if she got an invitation to the Nebraska send-off party. I'm wanting to go, I always enjoy hearing other peoples' stories, and at first I thought it was a party for volunteers that were returning, and I was invited since they had my contact information (I guess I missed the send-off part.) I'm glad I talked to her because I didn't realize the party was actually for people like me, getting ready to leave. Ha ha! She asked me what I was doing to prepare, and I mentioned contacting teachers to see if any are interested in being classroom connections. I would love to be able to write letters to those at NLS, plus I might have a couple other teachers interested. Again, this will help keep me there. I'm preparing now for those hard days later. Not that I think I'll want to come home everyday I'm in Belize, but I'm sure those thoughts will come up. It's like I think writing letters to schools in the States is another commitment I'm making for two years. Margaret didn't think either of us had anything to worry about stating, "I'm too proud, and you're too sweet." I don't know about that, but I do know I'm excited to be sitting around together when we're 90, telling our grandchildren about our amazing Peace Corps experiences.
It's been so great talking with people who are in Belize now and those that will be on my team. Thanks to Olivia I'm not as freaked out about being a teacher trainer without much classroom experience myself. I also have a better idea of what to pack, which is a task I'll focus on after buying a few more essentials. When thinking about joining the Peace Corps I knew only a certain type of person would do it, and part of me just wanted to meet these other people. Soon I will!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Happy 4th of July!
"Of all the places you can be, the best place to be is where you are."
I knew I shouldn't have started my countdown. Ha ha! Pretty much everyone in my community knows I'm leaving the country soon and they always ask "When again are you leaving?" Now I can respond with the number of days which usually brings a laugh. I then tell them to stop trying to get rid of me, thinking a month and a half can be a long time. Yes, but it's also a short time, too. The other night I freaked out a little, feeling sad I was about to leave North Loup. I grew up in this town, went away for away for a few years, and honestly wasn't sure about living there again for eight months when I first got my assignment, but soon fell in love again with everything about small towns. And as I was about to curl up on my floor and cry I couldn't keep from laughing. I am every emotion! I'm sad to leave, but happy to go.
It's been so great reconnecting with my friends here and meeting new ones I'll see in Belize already. I've been able to email back in forth with a current volunteer since April and have recently connected with a few other current volunteers and soon to be volunteers going in August with me. One of my biggest fears was going alone, but I don't feel that way anymore which is so great. Now the only uneasiness is coming from not knowing for sure what my assignment will be. Part of me feels unqualified to be a teacher trainer without much classroom experience, but I know this is just a confidence issue and keep telling myself training will bring out the best in me.
I've had a few crazy dreams. The first one was back in March before receiving my assignment. This was when I thought I was going to an island in the Pacific and all I remember was it was REALLY scary, so I'm glad Belize borders Mexico and Guatemala. Then just recently I had a dream about being in Belize. I dreamt I was being led through a bar by a current volunteer. He knew everyone and was taking me to a table to introduce me to all his friends. We walked by a table and two of my friends in Lincoln were sitting there. They waved me over to their table, but I just kept walking, didn't even stop. Now I see it as a warning, not to forget those here who have been so supportive in my life. Sometimes I feel like I'm spending a lot of time preparing for this move instead of fully being here. Where do I draw the line? I only have a month and a half left and I still have a month and a half left. Also, back to my dream, when everyone around the table was telling me their names I kept thinking to myself, I'll never remember all these names, which is the worst thing you can think when meeting new people, because then that's exactly what happens. Then, like most dreams, the scene changed and I was in a conference room with 50+ other volunteers, current and trainees. I went walking around with another volunteer, I'll call him Marty. (I remember the name of the guy in my dream, but in case I actually meet a volunteer with the same name I'll save him the embarrassment. I mean I'll have to keep from laughing myself if it happens.) So Marty and I go walking off, not knowing this is like church camp and purple is a forbidden color. When a training staff member found us, he told us we were going to have to apologize to the whole group. I told Marty I would do it since it was my fault. Why I felt brave enough to even say a word in front of all these people I didn't know? I'm not sure, but I did want to take the responsibility. We went back into the room full of people and I told everyone we were sorry for kissing. I was happy and lonely, which must not be a good combination. Ha ha!! And the best part, once I told them, they all started clapping!! I have the strangest dreams now, what will they be like when I'm in Belize?
While giving tours at the chalk mines, some people ask what I'll be doing in the fall. When I tell them my future plans they are all so sweet and usually the last thing they say as walking out the office door after the tour is, "Good luck in Belize!" I love people! These are strangers, spending 20 minutes of their life with me on a tour and they are wishing me the best in life. Reminds me that it's the little things in life that make the biggest difference. Along with that, one of my Sunday school teachers said the sweetest thing about me going to Belize. She was asking about the country's standard of living, then turned to those at her table and said something about me spreading God's love to the world.
I officially have my dental clearance!
I had my teleconference call on Tuesday. It was neat talking to those on the other line, knowing they were in Belize. I learned about the four sections of the education program: language arts, administration, preschool, and special education. Administration would be neat since that might be the direction I go when I come back. Preschool would be fun, I love little kids! And I have experience with special education from working in the resource room last spring. I'm not sure how much of my placement will be up to me, but it's a good thing to think about.
I knew I shouldn't have started my countdown. Ha ha! Pretty much everyone in my community knows I'm leaving the country soon and they always ask "When again are you leaving?" Now I can respond with the number of days which usually brings a laugh. I then tell them to stop trying to get rid of me, thinking a month and a half can be a long time. Yes, but it's also a short time, too. The other night I freaked out a little, feeling sad I was about to leave North Loup. I grew up in this town, went away for away for a few years, and honestly wasn't sure about living there again for eight months when I first got my assignment, but soon fell in love again with everything about small towns. And as I was about to curl up on my floor and cry I couldn't keep from laughing. I am every emotion! I'm sad to leave, but happy to go.
It's been so great reconnecting with my friends here and meeting new ones I'll see in Belize already. I've been able to email back in forth with a current volunteer since April and have recently connected with a few other current volunteers and soon to be volunteers going in August with me. One of my biggest fears was going alone, but I don't feel that way anymore which is so great. Now the only uneasiness is coming from not knowing for sure what my assignment will be. Part of me feels unqualified to be a teacher trainer without much classroom experience, but I know this is just a confidence issue and keep telling myself training will bring out the best in me.
I've had a few crazy dreams. The first one was back in March before receiving my assignment. This was when I thought I was going to an island in the Pacific and all I remember was it was REALLY scary, so I'm glad Belize borders Mexico and Guatemala. Then just recently I had a dream about being in Belize. I dreamt I was being led through a bar by a current volunteer. He knew everyone and was taking me to a table to introduce me to all his friends. We walked by a table and two of my friends in Lincoln were sitting there. They waved me over to their table, but I just kept walking, didn't even stop. Now I see it as a warning, not to forget those here who have been so supportive in my life. Sometimes I feel like I'm spending a lot of time preparing for this move instead of fully being here. Where do I draw the line? I only have a month and a half left and I still have a month and a half left. Also, back to my dream, when everyone around the table was telling me their names I kept thinking to myself, I'll never remember all these names, which is the worst thing you can think when meeting new people, because then that's exactly what happens. Then, like most dreams, the scene changed and I was in a conference room with 50+ other volunteers, current and trainees. I went walking around with another volunteer, I'll call him Marty. (I remember the name of the guy in my dream, but in case I actually meet a volunteer with the same name I'll save him the embarrassment. I mean I'll have to keep from laughing myself if it happens.) So Marty and I go walking off, not knowing this is like church camp and purple is a forbidden color. When a training staff member found us, he told us we were going to have to apologize to the whole group. I told Marty I would do it since it was my fault. Why I felt brave enough to even say a word in front of all these people I didn't know? I'm not sure, but I did want to take the responsibility. We went back into the room full of people and I told everyone we were sorry for kissing. I was happy and lonely, which must not be a good combination. Ha ha!! And the best part, once I told them, they all started clapping!! I have the strangest dreams now, what will they be like when I'm in Belize?
While giving tours at the chalk mines, some people ask what I'll be doing in the fall. When I tell them my future plans they are all so sweet and usually the last thing they say as walking out the office door after the tour is, "Good luck in Belize!" I love people! These are strangers, spending 20 minutes of their life with me on a tour and they are wishing me the best in life. Reminds me that it's the little things in life that make the biggest difference. Along with that, one of my Sunday school teachers said the sweetest thing about me going to Belize. She was asking about the country's standard of living, then turned to those at her table and said something about me spreading God's love to the world.
I officially have my dental clearance!
I had my teleconference call on Tuesday. It was neat talking to those on the other line, knowing they were in Belize. I learned about the four sections of the education program: language arts, administration, preschool, and special education. Administration would be neat since that might be the direction I go when I come back. Preschool would be fun, I love little kids! And I have experience with special education from working in the resource room last spring. I'm not sure how much of my placement will be up to me, but it's a good thing to think about.
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