I should really start working out soon so I can clear my mind... Here is what is on it currently:
-How to get funding for a pump and/or health center project at my site. This has many, many components such as identifying potential donors, project descrition, timeline and budget. All of those have various parts and this is just for the proposal, there is no guarantee that the project will get funded...
-General work at site is fine but I've hit a glitch with my counterpart. A certain situation has made our relationship a bit awkward. We had planned to go out to all the villages and do baby food demonstrations but she has started scheduling other work/errands instead of going with me... She tells other people I'm good enough at my Gasy to do it on my own - yet she has told me that my Gasy has retreated back to a lower level and the other issue is I don't know how to get out to all the villages.
-America. I'm missing it but I am also going back in June/July. I've got to get approval from PC and then of course the gift buying process.
-Another HIV/AIDS and Hygien/Nutrition tour is a possibility
-I'm starting to think about "After Peace Corps" which I think has become the most thing on my mind. At least in this current moment. Do I want to extend my PC service? If so, in what way (NGO, response volunteer)? Do I want to find an actual job here? How to even go about that process? Is Foreign services an option? I also want to get my Masters - In what? Where? Through what program? What about travel after service?
So much to think about. Way too much time to think about it...
Hi Tisa,
ReplyDeleteWe have been thinking about you and just finished checking out your latest blog. Here are a few impromptu comments from members of my Advisory.
Jedi - Are you still having fun? What do they use to make the colors that were used. How do you make paint? Are these natural dyes from plants? How long does it take to make the tapestry.
Dylan - What's new? Why do you want to travel after Peace Corp?
Jacob - How's life? Can you send pictures or post some.
Subrina - How do you become a member of the Peace Corp? What are the people like? Are they nice? rude? Do you think that people who live in warm climates are nicer?
Brett - What do you do for fun?
Jayce - Do you need tags for hunting?
We are putting together a package of condiment packets (sugar, jelly, honey, ketchup, mustard, etc.) We hope to get it in the mail next week. Thank you so much for sending us the cloth tapestry. (We keep referring to it as the tapestry because we have forgotten the name of it.) We have it hanging on the wall of our classroom.
We really appreciate the chance to hear from you and learn more about what it means to be a Peace Corp Volunteer and what you are learning in Madagascar. Thanks for taking us with you and we are looking forward to the months of service and adventure that lie ahead.
Tom
(P.S. I will be in Denver the end of June and first part of July. We need to make sure that we sit down for coffee.)
Wow! I'm sorry I didn't respond to you all sooner...
ReplyDeleteJedi - Yes, I am definitely still having fun! I'm not sure what they use as dye but I don't think it is natural... I'm pretty sure all the Lambahoany are printed in bulk so I don't know how long they take... But I just posted an album on Facebook about the silk making organization here and they use a lot of natural dyes from leaves and bark and stuff - feel free to check it out.
Dylan - Well, a lot it new haha but I want to travel after PC because I want to see the world, meet people who have different life experiences, learn about myself and plus...I'm not extirely sure I want to get into the job market yet and I'm already on the other side of the globe so why not! :)
Jacob - Life is good, great actually! I'll try to figure out how to get pics and stuff up on the blog but feel free to find me on Facebook because there are pics and videos there.
Subrina - There is a big application process, it starts on peacecorps.gov and then you have an interview and stuff. Let me know if you want more specifics and I can Definitely give them to you! The other volunteers are great! For the most part they are all nice and a great support system too. As far as people being rude..? There are people you don't necessarily care for in all aspects of life pretty much and PC is no exception but it's not a big deal at all haha. I'm not sure I have noticed any sort of difference in people depending on the climate.
Brett - When I first got here I read a lot in my free time and played with the kids too. Now I have started to try cooking more complicated meals like swedish meatballs in gravy, zucchini bread and pumpkin yogurt cornbread lol that is at site though, when I am in the bigger towns I hang out with other volunteers. Market day is always pretty fun too.
Jayce - Hmmm, hunting..? There is really no wild game here. People farm chickens, pigs, goats and cows and they either slaughter them themselves or sell them to other people. I know that there are ownership papers for oxen/cows since they are valuable but that's about it. Sorry I don't have a better answer for you...
I'm lookiing forward to the package!!! Thank you in advance! I'm also really excited that you have the Lambahoany up, makes me smile! Thank you all for reading and listening to my experience, it means a lot to me.
Tom - We will Definitely have to meet up and chat! I will be back in CO starting on July 4th or 5th and head back out to M/car on the 10th.