Community Visits

Hey everyone,

So the reason there are so many pictures here is because I had an exhilarating adventure with my work. We took a trip out to some of the Eastern communities we work with and I was blown away by the beautiful scenery and the wonderful people we met. The trip itself took about 3 hours to the point where we would have to go off to each community of which we visited 5. All together the trip took the entire day and required a lot of walk, climbing and traversing uneven (rocky) terrain. I was extremely tired by the end of it, but glad to have gone through that experience since it gave me a lot of insight into the work my organization is going with the communities in East Baucau.  Thankfully we were able to make it back home before it got dark, but the trip was a long one.

This week I also helped one of one of the fellow volunteers in the breakfast club with a computer issue trying to get a printer driver to work over internet speeds slower than DSL. It was a fun challenge, but the food I had there was some of the best I've had in a while (Thanks for the food B, you're an incredible cook!).  I've also been trying to work on some computers here without having the appropriate equipment, which has become somewhat of an interesting challenge. However, I can't wait until my tools get here from the states.

This week was wrought with highs and lows, which is something you should expect if you're planning on joining the PC. It may seem obvious, but imagining yourself lower than you may have ever been is an important thing to think about.  It's also a good exercise for anyone who is about to go through a challenging period in their lives. Are you someone who doesn't handle sickness well? Are you someone who would give up when things get bad? Do you thrive in the dirt? Being able to make sure that you won't give up in the face of difficulty is important to being able to finish a challenge. One thing I can say though is that the PC will stretch your tolerance to uncomfortable and difficult situations.  

I've been behind in my posts recently which has been for a lot of reasons, but just know that I don't plan on stopping this blog. So if you check this regularly or have been wondering why I haven't posted yet, just know I will be putting something out soon enough. I can't wait to see you all again, so until next time I'll leave you with this.

We are a nation of communities... a brilliant diversity spread like stars, like a thousand points of light in a broad and peaceful sky. 

~George H. W. Bush

Much love,
~BW

Part of the Community

Hey all,

It has been a few days since my last post, but that's because I wanted to talk about my first actual lesson here. The class went pretty well and I'm glad people in the group are enjoying my teaching style, at least from what I've heard so far. Before the first class I did a quiz with all of my students to find out their levels in English and it seems that most people are at level 1 (Elementary). This is actually ideal because I can introduce English lessons without having to wonder if everyone already knows what I'm talking about. However this also plays the opposite way as well, because I rarely know if everyone is understanding what I'm trying to convey or not.

I have been trying to use what I've learned about teaching to help my students become comfortable in my class. The stigma of having a wrong answer here, or the fear on being incorrect is very real. My class has been a bit shy early on, so one of the ways I got around this was to show them that failure is the best way to learn. When we aren't afraid to fail we open ourselves up to more experiences and gain a lot more confident in being able to approach difficult situations in a healthy way.  I'm hoping that this idea can help them with our programs as well, because being willing to fail is extremely important in innovation. 

Some of you may have also noticed that I added a new page to my site that includes a few podcasts as well as some English resources for my students. If this can help you at all I hope you take advantage of it. I'm also going to put in a survey so if there's anything you want to suggest then it'll be easier for you! I've also noticed that a lot of my readers here are from many different countries so if you want a google translator built into the page let me know. Se karik imi hakarak tradusaun iha lingua diferente, hakerek nebaa iha fatin okos.

I have to go eat some lunch, but I'll be doing some work on the site later as well. I look forward to hearing from you all and miss everyone back home. You know what I say though, "Until next time, I'll leave you with this!"

Good, better, best. Never let it rest. 'Til your good is better and your better is best. 

~St. Jerome

Much love,

~BW

Teaching English

Hey all,

This week has been a little crazy, but let me give you all a brief overview. This last weekend a few of the TL8's went with us to the pool which was a great bonding experience and opened my eyes to what the next year might look like for myself and my friends here. So for that shout out to the Breakfast club. Then yesterday (Jan, 8th) I gave my first sudo-lesson to my org and gave out an exam to test their proficiency in English. The results turned out as I thought, gut it also yielded some interesting findings that I plan on using in my future lessons which will be happening every Saturday.

The Protestant church around the corner has also alluded me up to this point since I'm usually to tired to head over and take pictures after work, and I wanted to get this post out. Regardless the church is in major need of repair anyways, so we'll see if I do something with them in the future.  The 8-5 work week has kinda grown on me, and makes finding what to do everyday a bit easier, since I have a supervisor. That being the case I am also limited on the scale of my personal projects, since anything outside of work needs to be done solely in my spare time.

Oooooh, we also went to a beach party in Manatuto last Sunday which was pretty baller. I saw the ocean, heard a Timorese band try and cover early 90's-2000's classics so that was cool. The Ocean was beautiful and I feel like we had a really good bonding time as a group. I posted some of the pictures below, but for the most part we just ate by the beach. All in all though the view of the ocean was great, and I learned that my counterparts (and maybe most HCN's) love to take an overabundance of photos together. XD

This week has been good at getting me to look at the next few months and what they will look like with my organisation. It has also made me wonder how things will change over time. Neither of these are bad, but I hope for anyone planning to join the PC you take a step back and realize that 2 years is going to be a long time. I've already seen a few of my friends leave for many different reasons, but don't be upset with yourself if you aren't able to give two years of your life to this task. It's a huge commitment and as much as it's worth it, like most things that are worth it, this commitment is not an easy one.

Sorry to leave you all on a serious note, but I do look forward to sending out these posts whenever I can, they certainly give me a place to reflect on what has been happening. Let me know if any of you have something specific that you'd like to see for the next post, but until then I'll leave you with this!

Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment. 

~Jim Rohn

Much love,

~BW

Update #2

Hey everyone,

This is just a basic update, because unfortunately I'm still sick. I've been resting often, but my stomach troubles still persist. I am in contact with my PCMO in Dili, but due to my symptoms they suggest I stay at my site and wait it out. I am pretty sure I know what I have, and if I'm right then I should be able to just wait it out. Regardless the holidays have been less than excellent.

This is a good lesson for myself and one that I hope any soon to be volunteers will take to heart. The lesson is that you will get sick, period. Don't be afraid of that fact, because it is something that is natural when you move to a new region for an extended period of time. Just know that the PC has your back, and you should always update your PCMO on the symptoms you are experiencing.

I just hope that this news doesn't upset my loved ones, and that you all know I have the situation under control (with the help of my PCMO). I will try to make the next post's on time it has just been difficult as of now due to my intestinal situation. 

I love you all and sorry for the lack of pictures in this post. However, until I message you again, I'll leave you with this!

"Riches do not respond to wishes. They respond only to definite plans, backed by definite desires, through constant persistence." 

~Napoleon Hill