Wednesday, September 26, 2012

On Getting Older...

October 8th rolls around in less than 2 weeks. Time for that birthday anxiety...
I am almost 27 and I don't have a job. Well, I sort of have a job. Peace Corps is like a pseudo job that I love. But the fact is, I'm on the older end of my 20's and about to be closer to 30 than 25. This makes me feel like I should have a lot of things that I don't. Weird. Let's talk about it.
Have to admit, sometimes I totally freak out that I am at my age and I don't have a house, a career, an adorably fat little child, a husband, a wiener dog, a closet full of fantastic shoes, etc. Well, let's not lie, I do have a closet full of fantastic shoes, it's just very far away from me right now ;)
I can explain it with social pressure, I can explain it with personal expectations, or maybe I could even put it on that good ol' American ambition. Fact is, I need to just calm down about it.
As I've recently seen, we humans take things for granted all the time and I am not immune to this habit. Things we have can be taken away in a moment and plans can be altered forever. One of my favorite song lyrics is given to us from none other than Mr. Benjamin Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie and goes like this, "And it came to me then/ that every plan/ is a tiny prayer to Father Time." How true and beautiful that is.
But I digress. Back to the fact that I am getting older...
Yesterday in English class, my students were discussing the fact that I looked more like a señora than a señorita. This is a sore spot for me. Señoras are older, usually married, women. Señoritas are younger and they are ladies. I'm a laaaady. My monsters of students went on to say that I had to be a señora because I am 26 and that's too old for someone to still be single, especially someone who was bonita, so maybe I wanted to be called señorita because I was divorced and that's why I came to Peru. Well, at least they said I was pretty. Haha. Gotta love the logic of 9 year olds. I didn't take it personally, but they shouldnt be saying shit like that in front of their teacher. The cleaning lady was offended for me. How sweet. So naturally this conversation caused my well behaved students to gasp at the disrespect and spun me into the kind of lecture I never thought I would give. Sigh. Teaching is hard.
But this is what I mean when I say social pressure. I am sort of living in this weird balance between two societies right now with Peru and the States. So not only do I hear shit like the scenario I just described almost every day here in Peru, but I also have that daily confrontation with myself when I log into Facebook and see another baby, or new house, or engagement, or pregnant belly, or pile of wedding pictures in my feed. It's not those peoples' fault. Everyone moves at a different pace, this I know. I know I can't compare myself to everyone else, and for the most part I don't. But every now and then a little friend called doubt creeps in and I wonder if I'm doing what's right. Then almost immediately, I realize that I am. It's just part of this bizarre experience to be doing things at a different pace than everyone else. Doubt is normal and if I didn't question myself, I'd be worried. I've accepted it and honestly, I like my weird lifestyle. I'm happy to be doing something different and I thank my lucky stars every day that I am here. I'm just saying, part of this experience is dealing with the fact that even though I have accepted my weird lifestyle, a lot of other people just don't get it. And that's ok. They don't need to. I'll be a happy ambassador for single young women traveling, learning, and growing as they please. It's rather nice for right now. And when it's not, I will do something else.
And hey, I'm only going to be 27. As one of my favorite old lady neighbors used to say, that's just a spring chicken. I have nothing to freak about. For an almost 27 year old, I have a lot to be happy for- namely a collection of wonderful people in my life, lots of adventures from Peru and beyond, good health, that closet full of shoes at home, plans for a great second year in Peru, SEVEN little nieces/ nephews, the best family ever, and a bunch of wonderful hats. Oh, how I love my hats (the newest is from the jungle!). This feels like Thanksgiving dinner. I could babble on forever about everything I am thankful for. There is certainly a lot to be happy about. Which is why my "OHMYGOD I'm SO OLD!" freakouts only last a few minutes at a time. But they happen. And that is ok.
And let's not forget. I'm living in Peru. That's pretty fricken cool. My experience here is incredible and precious. Hay que aprovechar cada minuto.
So yeah, someday if I'm lucky maybe I'll have all of those things I rattled off at the beginning of this post, just not right now. And that is alright. Plenty of time. For now, I will enjoy everything I have right here in Peru, plus my awesome family from afar, and as many of those shoes as I managed to squeeze into my bag last June ;)
26 was great. Here we go 27...
Oh, and if you're reading this from Peru, come celebrate with me next weekend :)



Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Dairy Training

Peru has taken a lot from me: My dignity. Creature comforts. Hygiene. But one thing I will not allow it to take- no matter how hard it tries- is the very thing that it is slowly robbing from me right now- cheese. That's right, one of the purest joys in life is slowly slipping away from me. Cheese and I are on a break. I'm not happy about it.

I, a born and raised Wisconsin girl, monger of cheese, and connoisseur of all things cheddar, am becoming lactose intolerant.
SHIT.
Apparently it happens when you live in a place where the only cheese produced tastes like tasteless, saltless, lifeless rubber. Harsh? Sorry, Peru, you're stealing cheese from me. Not ready to play nice yet. This is an epic loss.
Not to get gross with you, but GAS. That's what I'm talking about. And illness. And extreme discomfort. How could this be, cheese? I thought we were meant for each other? I never saw this coming, despite the obvious signs.
I think I've always had some form of lactose intolerance. I hated milk so much as an infant that by the time I was walking I had earned the nickname "Crab" from a beloved family friend. I was a colicky little beast of a baby from what I can tell, but I've been told it was because I had a permanent stomachache on account of the milk, only this was discovered too late. As a kid, I could never finish a full carton of milk at lunch, unless it was chocolate. Even then, I had recess tummy aches after every lunch.
Yogurt makes my tummy turn too, even though I've never done anything to yogurt. I think it's great and even pretty, but in return it hates me. Jealous bitch.
So my dairy intake has been reserved for the only 2 indispensable foods in the dairy column- ice cream and cheese.
That is until Peru happened. Like I said, I've heard of this happening to expats and specifically to Peace Corps volunteers. It makes sense. Humans really weren't meant to consume the food that nature intended for baby animals. Bodies evolve and devolve and develop. I get it. If you don't give your body dairy, it will adjust accordingly. Which, unfortunately for me- and anyone I decide to share a pizza with- means that my body hates dairy and hates me when I find dairy.
This is upsetting. But there is an upside- I can change this. By slowly introducing any dairy I can get back into my body, I can slow the process of what is happening. Thus commencing... Project Dairy Training. That's right, any action to be taken is underway. I spend silly amounts of money on squishy and often flavorless cheese at the fancy supermarkets. I wince in pain and disgust while drinking warm yogurt that can't be good for you... yes, you drink it here. I order extra milk with coffee, so that I can stomach the milk. How else would I drink thick nasty white stuff that I don't even like at home? I eat ice cream more than usual, even if it means an afternoon of discomfort. I'm on my way.
Dairy training: in progress. End goal? CHEESE CURDS. I have less than a month before I arrive in America's Dairyland. I refuse to return as an outsider, immune to the spoils of the region. I MUST be able to eat copious amounts of cheese without compromising visiting time. And if I'm not totally 100% lactose ready, I will still not succumb and sacrifice sweet delicious cheese in my life.
So, family, you have been warned. Nasty gas or not, I will eat as much cheese as I can while I am home. I'll do my best to prepare in the coming 3 weeks. Let's hope for the best.
You haven't gotten the best of me yet, Peru. I will prevail. And eat cheese... in large quantities. Cannot wait. Just a few more weeks of downing the hard stuff and then it's smooth sailing in a sea of cheese.
Family- prepare :)


The couple in happier days.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Bowling with Little Man


I've been spending a lot of time lately at the school district office and haven't been at the Ascope homestead most of this week. This means that when I am home, Piere is like my shadow. 
As of late our schedule had been filled with Uno, Guess Who, Play-Doh, Los Simpson, shadow puppets, and most recently... BOWLING!
That's right, bowling. Who needs my pretty pink bowling ball and my ever understanding bowling team (I am a very bad bowler) when I have Piercito and a bunch of plastic bottles? I have yet to beat him, and he loves that. 
For your Friday fun, have some photos... 



This was all his idea. I just had to show him how to set up the pins. 



His toe crossed that line every time. Cheater. 


This is what I look like in the eyes of a 6 year old. 


Setting up the pins for me. What a sweetheart. 


His pre-release dance for good luck. He also licks his fingers then wipes his ears. 
I did not teach him this. I think Homer Simpson is responsible for that one. 














Thursday, September 13, 2012

Ordinary Things 7: Strikes


Strikes. They happen. A lot. 

Whether it be postal workers, health workers, transportation workers, or teachers, everyone seems to strike. 

Currently, we are on day 7 of the national teachers strike. From the conversations I've had with teachers or directors lately, no one expects classes to resume anytime soon. 

Recently, the health workers of my region just went back to work after a 33 day strike closing clinics and hospitals. 

And I can't fail to mention the many times transportation was stalled or my packages were trapped in the post office with no one to give them to me. 

Strikes. Not my favorite thing about Peru, pero asi es la vida. 


Teachers gathered in the Plaza de Armas of Trujillo 

Friday, September 7, 2012

August Recap

August. 

>The 19th marked one year for me as a sworn-in Peace Corp volunteer. 
>On the 22nd, I celebrated my one year anniversary in Ascope. 
>I spent a week in Lima for annual med checks. It was great seeing everyone from the Youth Development side of Peru 17. 
>Lima offered its spoils of all-you-can-eat sushi, sandwich shops, Thai food, milkshakes, and of course, Starbucks. I ate SO much sushi one night and had Starbucks pretty much every day. 
>Lima is cold right now. The weather in Ascope is perfect. Sunny seventies. Loving it. 
>I stumbled into the oldest Starbucks in South America on their 9th birthday. I got free cake! Happy birthday Starbucks on Ovalo Guitierrez in Miraflores (: 
>Med checks were good. I am healthy. And happy. 
>Bought my ticket for a visit home in October! SOOO excited :) 
>My fellow 17ers are doing awesome things in their sites- drum clubs, bike races, ecological tour groups led by youth, youth centers, gardens for mothers of small children, etc. Inspiring. Proud to be a part of this group. 
>Piere and I embarked on a mutual mission for me to get him the largest variety possible of Disney erasers from a toy machine at a grocery store chain. Fifteen soles later, I was cursing Donald Duck and fighting the addiction to keep feeding coins into a machine in order to get a wider variety of Disney characters. I think I need to make more adult friends. 
>I am realizing how fast time passes and how little time I have left here. 
>I went to a science fair the last week of August and walked away with 5 FREE bundles of asparagus, fresh from the field. I love this country. And I love my job. 
>I have been enjoying delicious Starbucks coffee all month, thanks to my wonderful sister and her generous packages filled with glorious amounts of Starbucks Via pouches. I love you, family. Oh, how I look forward to seeing you soon. 
>This week two of the schools in Ascope celebrated their anniversary. This meant parties all week. Between the anniversaries and the holiday last Thursday that extended into Friday, I don't think any classes happened from any teacher all week. Add that to the two week winter vacation from classes at the beginning of the month, and it has been an easy month on students... a rougher month on me, as far as classes at the high school go. Glad I have a lot of stuff going on and could focus elsewhere this month. 
>My English class in a neighboring town is still going strong. My numbers have fallen a little, but I'm optimistic that the students I've kept are learning and that our numbers will come back up. I've gotten used to this pattern. Tons of kids, less kids, few kids, more kids, medium amount of kids. In that order. Happens in every class I've taught so far. 
>Speaking of that class, I am closer than I have ever been to getting my donation for the Red Ambiental and science fair from the sugar company for whom I teach that English class. I'll write a full post on this later when it is all said and done. 
>On the 17th, Peru 19 swore in for service. They got an awesome swearing in ceremony at the US ambassador's house in Lima. Lucky ducks. Excited for them to join us and looking forward to working with them. 


Happy Birthday Starbucks!!! 
Free cake for me. My lucky Monday :)


All You Can Eat Sushi with the 17ers. 


A friend I made in Lima. 


Mission Muñequitos. 
Crossing my fingers for Pooh or Mickey or anyone but Donald. 
The things I do for that 6 year old. 


Our harvest.
We made out alright despite the 2 unwanted Donalds. 


Little Man was impressed :)
(He makes a weird smile right now because he still doesn't have front teeth...)


This was all FREE!!! 
And oh so delicious :)
Taught my host mom how to prepare it and they loved it. 
WIN. 


Thursday, September 6, 2012

Debate Day


This morning I went to a debate and argument competition. My cup of tea. 
Today marked the first day of what could be a rather long national strike held by the teachers. No hay clases... at least for a week, more likely two, or if I give into my fears and believe everyone I talk to, it will last a month. Sigh. This is disheartening. 
One of my most reliable community partners and someone I would call a friend in Ascope is in charge of the communication and English departments for the school district of Ascope. He supports me immensely in my classes with the English teachers, so I like to help him out when I can. Yesterday, he invited me to the provincial debate/ public speaking contest that he had organized for today and I was happy to accept. He's been busy working on this and it sounded cool. Why not? 
With the strike starting today, I knew I would have an easy morning void of classes or meetings with teachers that have been put off due to school vacations, the weeklong school anniversary parties, and any other random reason. Plus everything I need to do is everything I want to put off- reporting for Peace Corps, writing documents in Spanish about critical thinking for an upcoming event, uploading pictures of the Red Ambiental onto our facebook page that I'm making on my putt-putt internet... you know, the usual. All good things... all very procrastinatable. So, why not go to a debate instead? 
The competition was divided into 2 parts. The first being individual 3 minute speeches, and the second being a group debate. Immediately, I was elated. The atmosphere breathed academia. Nerds. Lots of nerds. Nerves. Even more of those. Smart excited kids happy to be where they were and hoping to do their best. This was awesome. I'm not saying that this never happens, but you spend enough time around the education system, or any system really, and you find that people sit in positions all over the excitement and engagement scales. It's not every day you find yourself amidst a group of equally engaged participants in anything, unless you're at a movie premier or a Lady Gaga concert... the latter of which will be true for me in about a month and a half, but I digress. What's important is that the students were into this. Super into it. I spend a lot of time with teenagers doing things by obligation or feigned interest. So when they are really into something, I feel happy. 
The cherry on the sundae is that the theme of the day was bullying. So perfect. As it is in the States, bullying is currently a very relevant topic of interest in the school system here. I've spent some time working on this with parents and students and am getting more requests all the time to help with classes on bullying, values, self-esteem, etc. So to hear the kids talking about bullying from all angles was more awesome than I can explain. 
In both the individual speeches and the group debate, the students spoke completely on their own. It was unscripted, not memorized, and totally genuine. In all of the competitions and events I have been to in my one year here, I have never seen this. The students always have a memorized speech and struggle to answer questions for which they have not prepared and memorized a flat answer that sounds like it came straight from Wikipedia. 
Today was different. Unlike other competitions, the students did not have their parents and teachers there to help them along. They spoke on their own with nerves, a few awkward pauses, a couple of meltdowns, and some unexpected ease. It was a wonder to watch. Of course it was hard to see the few who totally clammed up and ran off of the stage or choked mid-speech and ended prematurely. But it only forced me to remember my moment like that- spelling bee 1997 -and think about how it was a good experience in the long run. And then of course there were a lot of students who did not choke at all and did rather well. I was impressed by more than a handful of them. 
Sure, today was the first of many days with no classes. And yes, the education system here has flaws. But I like to think that Peru is on it's way. Some days I feel that way more than others. Today was one of the good days. 
Watching the kids discuss self esteem and argue about who has the biggest role in preventing bullying was incredible. These are the conversations that need to happen. Not only are they happening, but they are happening among young people. Peru is on their way. And I like being a small part of it. 
This was one of those events where I didn't really do anything. I was just there. Happily. But I've learned that this is enough sometimes. I like to think I am a motivator or example of some sort and I like that I can relate with the kids at events like this one. I took advantage of the before and after moments. The breaks. The deliberation recess. I enjoy chatting with the kids during those times more than anything. 
Maybe it's because I know these kids and have had a year with them now, or maybe it's because these particular kids and I are of a similar mind (I'll just say it- we are nerds), but today's conversations were different. Better. Instead of the typical, "Did it hurt to get your nose pierced?" and "Do you miss your family?" discussions that I am used to having, today I was able to talk to them about good books and Cranberries songs and communication strategies. Turns out "Zombie" is quite the hit within a certain crowd here. And Allende remains relevant. I love it. Nerds of the world, we are not alone. Great company. If only they were about 10 years older, I would have given them my phone number that they all wanted. Passing that number out is a rookie move. A few late night teen texts and you never repeat that mistake again. 
And bonus: one of the students spoke English- perfectly. He is 16 and can speak English about as well as I can. I was shocked to hear, in English, "Do you like Adele?" "Yes, of course. What is your favorite song?" Kid, "Someone Like You" Me, "It's so sad though." Kid, "Yes, but that is the idea." And there it is. I am having real conversations with teenagers. It can happen. Maybe it's cheating, because he speaks English, but still. Sometimes teenagers are like real people. And sometimes they are... well, strange little weirdos who make you wonder what happened to that perfectly functioning person you were just talking to. Navigating communication with teenagers is harder than navigating communication in your second language. Put them together and you become the butt of many giggly teenage jokes. But not today! In a world of nerds, I become cool. 
Oh, and I can't forget to mention how difficult it was for me not to jump onstage and shout "#26 is right!" or "#32 is full of it!" Not sure if that's a sign of a good argument, or if it's just because I love arguing. It killed me hearing them talk and not being able to join. But at least I got to be there. I am happy for that. 
While Debate Day just might be the last scholastic event I am able to attend for awhile, I'm glad I went. In the time it took me to write this, I got a call about the science fair being postponed on account of the strike. Our Red Ambiental evaluation has already been postponed for the same reason. My next English teacher class is in jeopardy too. Sigh. Poco a poco. Peru is on their way. And I will be here in the process. Waiting. Enjoying things like today and having as much patience as I can while we sit and wait. Vamos a ver. I'll keep you posted. 


Individual Speech. 


All participants in the plaza of Paijan.