Water safety day/the weekend

Today we had water saftey day, which was awesome. We finally got to get in the water. It was kind of a sick joke the Peace Corps played on us, sending us to an island surrounded by beautifully blue water and telling us we can't get in the water until water saftey day. But after 2 long weeks we finally had water saftey day. They day was very fun, but also very interesting. We learned about currents and tides and the importance of not panicing. Plus we got to go into town, which meant I could buy m&ms!! This always highlights my week. Of course one bag is $2.40, but so worth it! I am eating my last m&m as I type this, and let me say this, if I had another bag, I would eat the whole things again, with no regrets! I loved being in the water today. It brought me happiness. I got a tinny sun burned, nothing to worry about, but enough for my host family to mention. They think it is so funny when us White people sun burn. I miss all my friends back home! I know we can't talk daily, but I want you all to know I miss you like crazy and would love to get some e-mails/snail mail.

To touch base a little on my post yesterday, I am going to Yap Proper in August. That will be my site for the next two years. Yap is a state in Micronesia, Yap Proper just means I will be on the main island and not the outter islands. The name of my town is Gagil. I am not sure how big the town is yet, or how big the school is that I will be teaching at. I don't know what exact age group I will be teaching, but I know the school is grades 1-8. Yap is the furthest island in Micronesia from the United States. It is also the most traditional. On the outter islands of Yap the women are topless and the men wear loin clothes. From what I understand, on the main island tops for women are optional. I have heard that the cell service and internet is pretty good on the main island, so I should be able to keep up my blog. Okay, I am off to bed, 10pm on a Friday night and I am stoked about falling asleep, I guess the sun took a lot out of me today! Good Night! 

They say that the hardest part about being in the Peace Corps is the weekends. Well they, whoever they may be, are right. The weeks go by fast, but the weeks are so long. This is mostly because here on the islands, they believe in island time. This means that most of the day on Saturday and Sunday are spent relaxing and laying around. I can't stand this. I always like to be on the go, and when I do have free time, I like to binge watch Sex in the City or Dexter. Neither which I can do here. So I find myself reading and thinking a lot on the weekends. The thinking is the part that makes this time so hard. Thinking about what life will be at in Yap, or when my vacations will be, or what the hell I am going to do with my life after the Peace Corps. Or, the hardest thing to think about is what my friends and family are doing back home. My sister is probably going to the pool, then Chipotle, both sound amazing. My mom and dad are working, but spending thier evenings together, watching t.v. or having a fire pit. Me, I am watching people sleep, unable to sleep myslef because I am thinking just too much. Yesterday, Saturday, I spent all morning reading, I finished half my book. I took a nap, gave my family a call, ate chicken and rice for all three of my meals, yet still went to be hungry. Today was a little better, I read some more, then went to the waterfall to swim. Of cource, they told me to get ready, I got ready in 5 min., and we left 30 min later. Island time is real! I am learning to be patient, but it is hard. I spent the afternoon swimming at the waterfall with the fish. I saw a volunteer there and we talked almost the whole time, sometimes talking to another American makes everything seem a little better. Someone else is going through the same things as me, and suddenly I don't feel so alone. I have been able to run everyday and  enjoy my workout time, it's me time that no one can take away. Plus, it helps with all the rice I am eating. Back to training tomorrow, I am excited, it feels good to be back in a classroom setting. 'Till next time,

Jenny 

Site Announcements

This is going to be a short blog today, but I have to share this information! Today in training we talked to many former and current volunteers about their experiences. It was great, but we have to remember that every site is different. I found out today that starting in August, I will be teaching at an elementary school in Gagil, Yap. Yap is one of the four states of Micronesia, and Gagil is a town in Yap. I am very excited about this news and starting Monday I will start classes to learn Yapese, which is the local language spoken on the island. Tomorrow we have water saftey day, then off for the weekend! Love you all!  

1st weekend

This weekend has been good, however it just keeps dragging on. The days are so long. Yesterday (saturday) I played cards all morning, then took a walk to call my family. It was really nice to talk to them, however the service is not too good, so that got a little frustrating. I tried out my water purifier, I am not sure if it was that water, or the boiled water, but today I was sick! dehydradted and weak! After a couple trips to the bathroom, I ate some bananas which seemed to back things up a bit. Our morning project was using the lice shampoo on Kay, my 7 year old sister. No wonder that girl was always iching her head, there had to be at least 100 lice we killed and took out. I am going to get checked again. I am trying to install so health tips into my everyday conversation. Like for instance, if you share Kay's hair brush, you will get lice too. My 'cousin' wants to learn how to box, so I told him I would teach him what I know. I spent the day in bed and drinking so gatorade, I feel better now. Let's hope it lasts! Happy Father's Day!! 

Field trip

Today we took a field trip into town. This is about an hour ride, but the bus was air conditioned so no one cared. It is funny how the small things become big ones. Also, I don't think I will ever get used to seeing chickens and pigs walking on the streets. I just want to say now, if I haven't already, that the group of Americans that I am training with are absolutly amazing. I laughed so hard I cried at least three times today. They help every bad situation seem a little bit better. It is always nice to laugh about your misfortunes with others going through the same things. We talk about poop a lot, and our showering situation. Mine is quite interesting. Like for instance, in my host family, we shower outside with a bucket . It is closed in on the sides, but there is a huge opening that everyone in the kitchen area can see. I had a shower dress to shower in so that my naked body wasn't showing everywhere, but for some reasoned the shower dress has disappeared, maybe it is getting washed, ironically. So my last two shower have been completely naked facing the house. I have given up, and I now officially don't care if anyone sees me naked. Today when we were in town, we visited a garden. Here I got to husk a coconut. This is quit difficult, buying one on the streets for .50 cents seems much easier. But at least I know that if I was ever lost on an island, I could survive on coconuts. We also had a chance to buy some of the locally grown food. I bought some avocados and cucumbers for my host family. I also bought a local skirt. When I showed my host family the skirt, they asked why I bought it, and asked if I didn't like the skirt that was given to mr by them. I told them that I loved the skirt given to me by them, I just needed more skirts. Then they all talked to each other in Pohnpein. After a discussion that I have no idea what was said, my host dad told me to not buy any more skirts and that instead my host mom will make me skirts. I hope I didn't offend anyone, but I do really like my new skirt! We played more uno tonight, they absolutly love it. I get kind of bored with it, but at least I am spending time with my host family. Also, my host sister gave me a bucket so if I have to pee in the middle of the night I don't have to leave my room. I am so excited about this, like I said, it is the little things :) I am getting heat rash prettying much all over my body, but besides this, nothing else is really new. I am still learning everyday, I can't wait to see what this weekend has to bring. 

First week of training

As I become more adjusted and used to life here, my blogs might become less routine, because less happens to me that is blog worthy. I don't think you want to hear about every adventure I have in the shower, because let me tell you, every shower is quite the adventrue, or every time I use the outhouse, which has become more frequent because my stomach is still getting used to the food. For now, water hasn't been an issue because we have purified water at training, and we are in training from 8:30am to 5pm every day. I will say that I have never thought about how much water I drink until now. I am constantly thinking if I have enough water to last the day, or to stay hydrated, because I am still sweating constantaly. I never feel clean because once I get done showering, I start sweating again. They say I will get used to the heat, I hope that happens sooner rather than later. In our training we are learnin about health saftey along with general saftey tips. My host family does have lice, but I was checked and I do not have it, yet. ;) We are going to learn how to garden to promote a healthier lifestyle on the island. I am so exicted about this, because like water, I constantly worry about the amout of veggies I eat. Something I never worried about in the States. Next week we find out our final sites. I do know that I will be on a main island, which island, I don't know. I am at a much better place emotionally, I feel accepted by my host family and I know I am here for a reason. I am going to try to post once a week, but don't hold me to it. There is not a lot of wifi here, and when I do connect, it is extremely slow. So slow that I can only post one picture at a time, and sometimes I have to retry 5 times before it uploads. I also can not see anyones pictures on facebook, or read a lot of the statuses. So I have no idea what is going on at home, so write me letters! 

 Today we visited a school. One of the current voluneers serves there now. We sat in on a class that she taught and it was amazing! She was a music major, so she taught enghlish and music. The class sang for us, and it was so beautiful. They sang Lean On Me and it gave me chills. I took a video, however there is not way it will load with this internet, but I will try to upload it on my facebook! We have a gardening class later this afternoon with some more health and safety courses. Training is going great! Tomorrrow we are taking a field trip to town to observe a local garden and market, I am very excited about that, I NEED VEGGIES!! Last night I played uno with my host sister, it was so much fun! I learned how to say blue, green, red and yellow in Pohnpein. I love my host family! I had some diarrhea this morning so I took some anti-diarrhea medication and ate 4 small, very small, bananas, so now I will probably be uncomfortably constipated for a couple days, haha, I can't decide which is worse. Sorry I am talking about my poop on here, but it is the reality of my situation. Many of the trainees have gotten really sick, so I consider myself lucky!   

First day with my host family

Hello,

Today we met our host family. I was so nervous. I had so many questions and no idea what to expect. Well I defiantly felt the culture shock today. Man am I thankful for what I have in the U.S. I am so grateful for the hospitality I have been given because I know they went out of my way to make me feel more at home. I sweated more today then I ever have, but I have a fan to sleep with, which I am so happy about! I now have a 7 year old sister, a father who works for the department of education and a mother that makes the best skirts in the town. They served me dinner of crab, chicken, rice and breadfruit, along with their traditional drink "sakow" they spell ohm might be wrong on that. 

     Today I had many feelings, I was very anxious all day, followed by a lot of homesickness and doubt. I found myself doubting myself on if I can make it 27 months, or even till the end of the day. As I walked to bed, I was treated by a HUGE spider, good thing it was leaving my room and not going in. My host brother, who I have not met, and might never meet because he is older, married, and moved far away, is an MMA fighter! Hearing that made me smile! My family is protisant, however they don't seem big on going to church. Tomorrow we might spend the day exploring, or maybe just sleeping. I would be okay with either. I will write again tomorrow to let you know how. My first full day went with my host family. For now I am exhausted and off to bed!! Night,

Jenny 

On Saturday night I woke up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom, of course I have to use the out house. I exit my room and see my whole family sleeping on the floor in front of my door. I try to tip toe around them to get to the out house. The mother wakes up and Insistes on coming out with my for protection.. This is very nice, but around 4a.m. Every morning I wake up to go pee. She is going to get really sick of me. I woke up this morning to two geckos running across my ceiling. I am sure much more will happen today that I will be sure to post. 

   Well today was quit eventful. I cried during breakfast as I showed my "family" my actual family from home. I was very homesick this morning, I sent a message to my mom telling her I wanted to come home. My host family has been very supportive and have done everything they can to help me not be so homesick. They took me to their grandfathers house so I could use the internet, which is when I told my mom I wanted to come home. After that we went and saw some haunted ruins. I slipped and fell into the water, which was a good laughing point. My whole back was socked, but it felt good after the hike up there. We had lunch there, picnic style. We ate left overs from breakfast and dinner. I really need to get used to rice and chicken. I didn't get a chance to run or workout today, but my host dad showed me where the closest track is, which is dirt, but it is like that in Humboldt, IA too ;). I talked to Brandon on the phone and he really helped me understand that is it going to be hard at first but it will get easier. After the ruins we went to a waterfall. It is absolutly beautiful!! Spending the day with my host sisters and cousin really helped me. I told them I was home sick and they understood. At the waterfalls I was able to talk to my sister on the phone. I loved hearing her voice. But I cried again. We got caught in the rain walking back from the waterfall, good thing my backpack is water risistant. Tomorrow we have training from 8:30-5. So that will keep me busy. At least when I am busy I don't think about home as much. Love you all! Be thankful for what you have! If I learn anything it is that! 

Jenny 

First official day of training

It's me again,

Today was the first day of training. We met with the director and our doctor. To all my nurse friends out there, and my mother, you will be happy to know the only vacination I needed was Typhoid, and I recieved it today! Meeting with the director went good as well, it was a simple get-to-know-you conversation. He asked if I had support from home, and I happily said yes. I am not feeling as homesick today, I am really trying to stay active and not think about you all at home, no offense. Thinking about you all makes me sad. I am learning to live as one with insects, still getting used to ants in my bags, but I am not squimish anymore. Tomrrow we meet our host families! I will spend the weekend with them, so I won't have internet until Monday. I will update you all then! All is good here! Still constantly sweating! Miss and love you all! Till next time! 

Jenny 

Arrived in Pohnpei

Today we finished our long legs of flights to finally arrive in Pohnpei, Micronesia. We were greeted at the airport by a group of wonderful Peace Corps staff. We all recieved a local head dress and got on the bus to our hotel. All was well, but let me tell you, it is HOT!!! and when I say HOT I mean every single one of us was sweeting visabley. But I will say it is not nearly as embarrasing sweeting when everyone else is doing it too. In a way, it brought the group together even more. We arrived at out hotels and I took a cold shower right away. It felt amazing, but the second I stepped out of the shower I was stemming hot again. I was able to get wifi from the hotel to contact my family back home and tell them I had arrived safley. We then went to a welcoming dinner. Here we drank from a coconut and ate the local food. The local food was fried fish, sushi with spam, different rice, fruit, fresh tuna, and a salad (with ranch dressing). It was very yummy, and the cocunt really helped with my hydration! Leaving dinner I had a bunch of different emotions, I love it here, it is absolutly beautiful, but the reality of living here for 2 years has set in. I am feeling home sick today, but I know I will have days like this. I did some yoga with my hotel room mate and I felt a lot better. I know that working out will be a struggle here, but I will make it work! Tomorrow we have individual meetings with the director, we will talk with him about our expectations and wants for the next two years. I am so used to having a set schedule that this transition has been hard, but I know once I get into a daily routine the days will fly by and I will start feeling more at home! Till next time,

Jenny 

Staging

Hello all, 

I am writing from L.A. California. Myself and 17 other volunteers spent the day at staging. Staging is a fancy name for meetings and introductions to the program and each other. I flew in from Denver and arrived around 10am, staging started at noon so I had plenty of time to get my luggage and catch a shuttle to the hotel where staging was held. I checked into the hotel, put my luggage in my room and was off to the meeting room. We went through registration and a handful of last minute details, which included a fax from home with my immunization form (I had to forget something, at least it was something that could be faxed) We continued the day with various meet and greet games and activities. I soon began to realize that I was not alone. Each one of the other 17 volunteers had similar feelings that I had. In the past week I have felt every emotion possible. Excitement, fear, anxiety, happiness, sadness, feelings of uncertainty and an emense amount of graditude. Sometimes all at the same time. It is an interesting feeling leaving for the Peace Corps. I was so sad to leave my life at home filled with amazing friends and an even better family, yet the anticipation and excitement of the adventure ahead kept me happy. I would be lying if I said I didn't cry. I did cry, a lot. Moving to another country for 27 months is not an easy thing to digest. I could tell that this group of young adults That I met today felt the same way, and it helped us connect. Tomorrow we fly to Hawaii then from Hawaii we have a 10 hour flight to Pohnpei, Micronesia. To all of you back home, know that I am thinking of you all the time. Yes this time is bitter sweet, but eventually it will be more sweet than bitter. In the words of Winnie the Pooh "How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard". Thank you all for all your loving words and support. More from me in Micronesia!

Jenny