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

A Brief Intermission.

Hey everyone,

Sorry for the lack of content recently, I've been sick for the last few days and have been taking it easy. In a few days I plan on taking some pictures of the local Protestant church down the street, so my next post will be on that. Just know that I'm always trying to look for stuff to post up here and it's because I want to share my experience with all of you! It just so happens that right now that experience is a stuffy nose and gastrointestinal issues lol. I look forward to posting about the church later this week, but until then I'll leave you with this!!

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other."
~Abraham Lincoln

Much love,

~BW

First Week of Work

Hey all,

Sorry I'm behind on posts, but I've been getting used to the new work. I've also found myself to be tired pretty often, but I chalk that up to having to speak Tetun exclusively while at site. I guess I can't say exclusively, because I have been able to speak English with a couple people, and I'm planning English lessons as well. Regardless, this will be a period of high adaptability for me and my fellow TL9's.

Most of the pictures below are from the place I'm working. I've been doing a lot of planning of English classes as of late, but I just found out my Saturday class was cancelled. It's a new experience trying to plan classes for people who don't speak my native tongue. I have had luck however in forming my lessons by using a lot of resources as well as the curriculum from Ontario's ESL program, which has given me a goal to strive towards. The people here are extremely nice and I honestly couldn't ask for a better site!

I will keep this breif, but in the future I plan on uploading my lesson plans, as well as the resources I use so that anyone in a similar spot as mine can be successful. I'll try to get back of a regular upload schedule, but until next time I'll leave you with this.

"Where ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of real peace." 

~Dalai Lama

Much love,

~BW

The New House

Hey Everyone,

So I've been living in my new site for about 4 day's now and the transition has been pretty smooth. Last Friday I had orientation at work and went around to a bunch of the places my organization works with. It was interesting and made me realize how different my site is from others. 

Regardless today I will most likely be going through and repairing laptops and PC towers. I sure hope my tech repair kit comes in the mail lol, because this is where I need it! I'm interested to see where my work is steered. Are they going to use me to fix computers or something else. Whichever way the wind blows though my sail is sure to follow. 

Just like is normal daily life we can be sidetracked by assumptions about the future and feel slighted in some way. I encourage all of you to recognize the moment's in your life where you let expectations dampen an experience. When you find this happening try to wipe the expectations from your mind and just live in the moment.

I hope your future is full of love and amazing opportunities. Until we get to walk that road together, I'll leave you with this.

"There are four ways, and only four ways, in which we have contact with the world. We are evaluated and classified by these four contacts: what we do, how we look, what we say, and how we say it." 

~Dale Carnegie

Much love,

~BW

About To Swear In

Hey All,

I hope this post finds you well, as I am in very good spirits. I will be swearing in tomorrow taking the same oath as the president. This week has been wild,but it's been exciting to meetmy counterpart and learn more about the NGO I'll be working with in Baucau. 

I should start off by saying that my LPI went well (Intermediate Mid). Diak, tamba ho'u hanoin ho'u bele komunika diak liu dukè molok. Regardless I'm just excited for tomorrow when we all leave for our sites.

I want to give a shout-out to the TL8's in Baucau for being super supportive. I also want the thank the TL7 couple for their letter and well wishes. If you guy's want me to shout you out by name in the future, or want me to make a post about you, just hit me up on WhatsApp.

I have been keeping up with people at home, and love hearing stories. The support I get from home makes my life hear insanely more rewarding when I know I'm not hear alone, but with all of you. I truly feel that my experience here will be life changing, but I most of all want to encourage all of you to think globally when you are going through your day to day. So for the mother's worried for their children as they take this journey, you (as well as anyone else supporting them) are the real motivation behind the changes being made during your child's service. I sure as hell know I wouldn't be in the situation I am now, without the love and support for my mentor's and my family. You are here with me, and I hope this window into my experience here, gives you strength, and helps youin sone way regardless of the stresses of roadblocks you face throughout your life.

I've got to go eat dinner now, but I hope this reaches you this morning and encourages you to attack the day with the strength of all of the people who believe in you. Until I see you again, I'll leave you with this.

"A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on." 

~John F. Kennedy

Much love,

~BW

LPI Update

Hey All,

Yesterday we all took the LPI, and I'm glad most people I've talked to feel confident about how they did. I'll keep this update brief, but I do want to say that I'll miss my family for PST. There is a reason everyone has to live with a host family at some point. I can see now why living alone, while it has it's perks, isn't always the most beneficial. Aside from having a group that supports you, a host family also gives you the comfort you need after a long day working with new people. I'll miss my family here, and I hope any of you who are planning on joining the Peace corps also cherish your host family. I'll talk to you in a few days from Dili, but until then I'll leave you with this.

"The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things." 

~Ronald Reagan

Much love,
~BW

The Midweek Sneak Peek

Hey All,

So this week is a pretty exciting one since it's our last week of PST. I'm going to keep this pretty brief as my Hub day is about to start. We will be learning our permanent site's today which is what I assume is on everyone's mind. I actually plan on writing the other half of this blog after I find out, so I'll keep you posted as soon as I know!

-- 6 hour's later --

Hey everyone! I found out I'm in Baucau! I got a packet all about the Organization I'll be working with and who my family is. I look forward to meeting my counterpart and getting to work. Unfortunately I have to cut this post short because I am going to study for my LPI. I look forward to seeing you all again soon, and until then I will leave you with this.

"If someone thinks that peace and love are just a cliche that must have been left behind in the 60s, that's a problem. Peace and love are eternal." 

~John Lennon

Much love, 

~BW