Ode to A PCT
Welcome to Peace Corps Belize
To other PCVs life’s a tease
Laying in a hammock, enjoying the breeze
Gotta love that Happy Cow cheese!
Healthy Communities building latrines
Business Org makin reality from dreams
Youth Development forming sports teams
Teacher Trainers explain what it all means
Oh host family filled with thrills!
New lifestyle without frills
So many critters it almost kills
Don’t forget to take those malaria pills!
Working hard throughout training
Language, tech skills, who’s complaining?
Forget your jacket and it’ll always be raining
Not a fact, but I’m just saying…
Seeing sights and letting loose
Tasty gibnut, pigtail, goose??
Getting my fill of jungle juice
With 15 lbs on my caboose
See Nurse Jackie if diarrhea hits
Malaria and dengue really are the pits
Matt will fund your stay at the Garden Ritz
Hopefully soon we’ll get those med kits??!!
Austin’s the man who knows ‘em all
Valentino answers to his baby’s call
Mike McGwire lets his garden grow tall
While Anthony T shops at Chetumal??
LCF’s help us to fit in
If you want a Belizean, talk to Erin
All my clothes came from the free bin
Hey Nina—this is Belize 20-TEN!
Stanley can make your hammock a-aight
Kent will hook you up if you get a bite
Daniel keeps his security locked tight
So don’t walk home alone at night!
Sharmaine makes sure all is straight
Anthony W keeps us from being late
Jinny inspires with quotes on fate
And Jerry’s the guy everybody wants to date
HC can tell you Chanda’s a ten
And Bryan Dwyer is so damn zen!
Jaime Brancato is our mother hen
Making training the best it’s been!
Peace Corps Belize, the job for me
Where else would I rather be?
And my friends now can’t you see?
Barack gave me a machete!!
Wicka, wicka!
Monday, May 31, 2010
Swearing In!!!!!!
Friday was the day we've been waiting for..... Swearing In Ceremony!!!! woot woot! We officially became volunteers! REAL PEOPLE! hahaha. (B/c trainees are NOT real people)
We all got dolled up and looked like normal people on Friday to head to the Governor General's House, the Belize House. It was a nice ceremony... not too long, which is always good, but still very sweet! We all took "prom pics" before and after... because, let's be honest, we don't get to dress up too often down here! hahaha. Zach gave our volunteer speech and he was awesome. Then we had speakers from each language give a quick thank you in that language. I had to do the Maya speech and I was so nervous! As is our San Martin way, Matt and Dan came up with me because I ended my speech in a song we made up and we all sang it together. It was cute and I think our host families all really liked it. And they could all understand my Maya!
All three of our host families from San Martin showed up, which was so nice! We didn't really know if they would come or not, so it was great! After the ceremony, we all kinda hung out w/our host families. We took some pics and chatted with them. Out of my family, Mrs Sotz, Sofia, Alana, Recarda, her baby, Anastacia, her daughter and daughter-in-law, Hector, and Bernardo all came. It was so nice! I didn't expect them to all come! It made my day!
After Swearing In we had some time to kill before our big football game!! New PCVs vs all the other PCVs. I have to admit, I had talked a lot of trash to the older guys, so I was hoping I wasn't going to regret it! The new PCVs always lose is what I was told. So we started off and we were down 1-0 the first half...but our team was holding their own! Finally, in the second half we tied it up and even took the lead 2-1 with only 5 minutes left! But, then they came back with a second goal in less than 3 and we ended in a tie! Some people wanted to go into a shootout, but we were late for our next thing on the agenda for the day... and everybody knows shootouts are the worst way to end a game. Ugh, hate shootouts. Even so, I was so proud of our team! They were awesome! And, Bernardo even came to watch our game! I thought he would play and help us out, but he just watched. I was excited he came to see me play for once! Prove my skills, hahaha.
After the game we showered quickly for our dinner at the Ambassador's house! The Ambassador's compound was like going into the Truman Show! Everything was perfect and seemed unreal! His house was gorgeous! We had appetizers and an open bar, with wine!, and an amazing meal!!! It was Indian food... and so delicious!!! I almost exploded, I ate so much!!! hahaha. It was fantastic!!! haha We handed out our superlatives and some of the guys played music for us, and it was the perfect end to the 2 months of training. And we were VOLUNTEERS!!!! hahaha FINALLY!
After the nice and proper event at the Ambassador's house, we all went back to the classy Garden to party! Enough said about that....
We all got dolled up and looked like normal people on Friday to head to the Governor General's House, the Belize House. It was a nice ceremony... not too long, which is always good, but still very sweet! We all took "prom pics" before and after... because, let's be honest, we don't get to dress up too often down here! hahaha. Zach gave our volunteer speech and he was awesome. Then we had speakers from each language give a quick thank you in that language. I had to do the Maya speech and I was so nervous! As is our San Martin way, Matt and Dan came up with me because I ended my speech in a song we made up and we all sang it together. It was cute and I think our host families all really liked it. And they could all understand my Maya!
All three of our host families from San Martin showed up, which was so nice! We didn't really know if they would come or not, so it was great! After the ceremony, we all kinda hung out w/our host families. We took some pics and chatted with them. Out of my family, Mrs Sotz, Sofia, Alana, Recarda, her baby, Anastacia, her daughter and daughter-in-law, Hector, and Bernardo all came. It was so nice! I didn't expect them to all come! It made my day!
After Swearing In we had some time to kill before our big football game!! New PCVs vs all the other PCVs. I have to admit, I had talked a lot of trash to the older guys, so I was hoping I wasn't going to regret it! The new PCVs always lose is what I was told. So we started off and we were down 1-0 the first half...but our team was holding their own! Finally, in the second half we tied it up and even took the lead 2-1 with only 5 minutes left! But, then they came back with a second goal in less than 3 and we ended in a tie! Some people wanted to go into a shootout, but we were late for our next thing on the agenda for the day... and everybody knows shootouts are the worst way to end a game. Ugh, hate shootouts. Even so, I was so proud of our team! They were awesome! And, Bernardo even came to watch our game! I thought he would play and help us out, but he just watched. I was excited he came to see me play for once! Prove my skills, hahaha.
After the game we showered quickly for our dinner at the Ambassador's house! The Ambassador's compound was like going into the Truman Show! Everything was perfect and seemed unreal! His house was gorgeous! We had appetizers and an open bar, with wine!, and an amazing meal!!! It was Indian food... and so delicious!!! I almost exploded, I ate so much!!! hahaha. It was fantastic!!! haha We handed out our superlatives and some of the guys played music for us, and it was the perfect end to the 2 months of training. And we were VOLUNTEERS!!!! hahaha FINALLY!
After the nice and proper event at the Ambassador's house, we all went back to the classy Garden to party! Enough said about that....
Back to Belmo...
Sunday we headed back to Belmopan for our last week of training!!! We got up early Sunday morning to catch the 10am bus, but by the time we got our breakfast at Grace's, we missed the bus. (we spend an hour and 1/2 at breakfast...true story.) So we hung out and caught the noon bus. I was exhausted, so I slept pretty much the whole ride there. I woke up every now and then and talked to this girl from Austria sitting next to me-- she was backpacking through the Caribbean. We got in to the good ole Garden City hotel at 5:30 or so.We said some hellos and such and settled in. Molly and Zach had made me a birthday cake! It was so exciting! We had 3 birthdays that weekend, so there were 3 cakes. We gathered everyone together for "hi's" and cake in the party room! It was a good start to the week!
We had dinner and then hung out for our first night together. I had got a bottle of wine for my birthday, so a few of us split it and it was amazing! I miss wine! It's SO expensive in Belize! We hung out all night just catching up...some of us even stayed up past midnight to celebrate the start of Jane's birthday with her! (Midnight is really late for Peace Corps ppl!!) hahaha. Lucky for us, Monday was Commonwealth Day!
Since it was a holiday, we didn't have training on Monday. I woke up late because I felt like I needed sleep after the business of the past few days. Then we did superlatives for our Swearing In ceremony for the majority of the early afternoon. Afterwards, I went to visit my old host family! It was so fun! They made me kaldo kax and even had coke for me! lol. It was good to see everyone again.... and, honestly, I missed Mrs Sotz's kaldo!!! Never thought I would say that! I also got to see Dan's family and talk to them for a bit. I was glad I went, and I think they were excited to see me again.
I got home and we hung out late again that night because whenever there's more that 2 PCVs (or PCTs!) together in one place, there's a party!haha
Training began Tuesday morning and we had a long day of talks and stuff to cover! Then, I got to do yoga again! so nice! After yoga it was a busy night. We made our paper plate superlative awards, then I worked with Laura and Michelle on our talent show act, and THEN I worked with a bunch of people from HC and others for our OTHER talent show act! phew! busy, busy! I was up til like midnight again with all that stuff!
Wednesday was similar. Training all day and then football (soccer) practice that night. I was beat! It was intense, but so fun! We played with a bunch of local boys... yay integration! hahaha After soccer, once again I rehearsed with Laura, Molly, and Michelle--we did a Peace Corps rap-- and then we finalized our routine for our Circle of Life group...ridiculous! haha! I was exhausted!!
Thursday was the big day!!! It was our last day of training and the day we showed our Community Based Training presentations and our talent show acts!! The CBT presentations were all morning and into the afternoon. San Martin did ours as a spoof of MTV Cribs, showing our houses and where we bathe, go to the bathroom, do laundry, etc. I think most people liked it, it was random and funny. After those were over...it was talent show time!!!! A LOT of people participated in our group! We had funny songs, dances, serious demonstrations, readings, interactive stories.... the whole 9 yards! It was cool to see everyone's skillls and expressions!!! I was REALLY nervous to do my little rap bit, (I wrote it, so it was my creation, lol)... But with the great backup vocals of Michelle and Molly and Laura's random crowd pleasing abilities, it turned out to be a hit! People were laughing for a good part of it... I think! hahaha. Then the trainers did a video of a bunch of different songs they changed the words to and it was hilarious! They were really funny! Chanda was especially crazy! hahaha. It was hilarious to see everyone being ridiculous! Finally, we ended with our Circle of Life routine.... oh my gosh.... so funny! People thought it was really good, but we totally meant it for a joke! We did like cartwheels and tumbles and a pyramid.... so crazy. If I ever get a computer I will upload the video because it's borderline amazing! hahahaha. Anyway, the talent show was an awesome end to training!!! We had one more bonding exercise and a general thank you...and that was it! TRAINING WAS OVER!!! woohoo!!!
After training I had to take care of one last thing.... my little speech... in Mopan Maya! Mr Cal helped me to translate it and made sure all my pronunciations were correct. I took time to go to yoga after that, even though I felt like I needed to practice it more! But it was my last chance to do yoga, so I HAD to go!! haha. And, of course, I fell asleep again during yoga. I swear... I have a problem!
Anyway, I was relaxed after yoga and glad to be done with the talent show. By Thursday, mostly all the PCVs were in town, so there were tons of gatherings around the Garden. I bounced around various rooms before a group of us decided to go out dancing... Always a fun time! I enjoyed my last night as a PC TRAINEE!!!
We had dinner and then hung out for our first night together. I had got a bottle of wine for my birthday, so a few of us split it and it was amazing! I miss wine! It's SO expensive in Belize! We hung out all night just catching up...some of us even stayed up past midnight to celebrate the start of Jane's birthday with her! (Midnight is really late for Peace Corps ppl!!) hahaha. Lucky for us, Monday was Commonwealth Day!
Since it was a holiday, we didn't have training on Monday. I woke up late because I felt like I needed sleep after the business of the past few days. Then we did superlatives for our Swearing In ceremony for the majority of the early afternoon. Afterwards, I went to visit my old host family! It was so fun! They made me kaldo kax and even had coke for me! lol. It was good to see everyone again.... and, honestly, I missed Mrs Sotz's kaldo!!! Never thought I would say that! I also got to see Dan's family and talk to them for a bit. I was glad I went, and I think they were excited to see me again.
I got home and we hung out late again that night because whenever there's more that 2 PCVs (or PCTs!) together in one place, there's a party!haha
Training began Tuesday morning and we had a long day of talks and stuff to cover! Then, I got to do yoga again! so nice! After yoga it was a busy night. We made our paper plate superlative awards, then I worked with Laura and Michelle on our talent show act, and THEN I worked with a bunch of people from HC and others for our OTHER talent show act! phew! busy, busy! I was up til like midnight again with all that stuff!
Wednesday was similar. Training all day and then football (soccer) practice that night. I was beat! It was intense, but so fun! We played with a bunch of local boys... yay integration! hahaha After soccer, once again I rehearsed with Laura, Molly, and Michelle--we did a Peace Corps rap-- and then we finalized our routine for our Circle of Life group...ridiculous! haha! I was exhausted!!
Thursday was the big day!!! It was our last day of training and the day we showed our Community Based Training presentations and our talent show acts!! The CBT presentations were all morning and into the afternoon. San Martin did ours as a spoof of MTV Cribs, showing our houses and where we bathe, go to the bathroom, do laundry, etc. I think most people liked it, it was random and funny. After those were over...it was talent show time!!!! A LOT of people participated in our group! We had funny songs, dances, serious demonstrations, readings, interactive stories.... the whole 9 yards! It was cool to see everyone's skillls and expressions!!! I was REALLY nervous to do my little rap bit, (I wrote it, so it was my creation, lol)... But with the great backup vocals of Michelle and Molly and Laura's random crowd pleasing abilities, it turned out to be a hit! People were laughing for a good part of it... I think! hahaha. Then the trainers did a video of a bunch of different songs they changed the words to and it was hilarious! They were really funny! Chanda was especially crazy! hahaha. It was hilarious to see everyone being ridiculous! Finally, we ended with our Circle of Life routine.... oh my gosh.... so funny! People thought it was really good, but we totally meant it for a joke! We did like cartwheels and tumbles and a pyramid.... so crazy. If I ever get a computer I will upload the video because it's borderline amazing! hahahaha. Anyway, the talent show was an awesome end to training!!! We had one more bonding exercise and a general thank you...and that was it! TRAINING WAS OVER!!! woohoo!!!
After training I had to take care of one last thing.... my little speech... in Mopan Maya! Mr Cal helped me to translate it and made sure all my pronunciations were correct. I took time to go to yoga after that, even though I felt like I needed to practice it more! But it was my last chance to do yoga, so I HAD to go!! haha. And, of course, I fell asleep again during yoga. I swear... I have a problem!
Anyway, I was relaxed after yoga and glad to be done with the talent show. By Thursday, mostly all the PCVs were in town, so there were tons of gatherings around the Garden. I bounced around various rooms before a group of us decided to go out dancing... Always a fun time! I enjoyed my last night as a PC TRAINEE!!!
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