It was unexpected. This will sound unreal. It feels surreal, and I'm likely still in shock. I have to resign from my peace corps service. After today I will no longer be a pc volunteer. Does that sound as dramatic as it has felt?
I'm terrified thinking of all the questions I will have to answer to everyone of my family, friends, acquaintances, and all the people I have yet to meet who will likely ask something to the degree of "WHY?". Well, it's was not my decision. I am signing off as an "Early Termination, Interrupted Service". This simply translates to I finished with service, before the expected date for reasons beyond my control. I can reapply. I am leaving on good terms, and I'm still considered a returned peace corps volunteer.
I'm tired, and sad. I was in tears all day yesterday meeting with staff after staff, but it's a done deal. There is nothing anyone can do to change the situation. I feel a deep enviousness for all my co-volunteers and every volunteer who has or will have completed their two year service. I feel sorrow for this personal loss, and for all the experiences I would have had with friends. I can't help but think of the judgement that will come from others, and the sadness that my close friends and fellow volunteers will feel. Simple to say, there's a lot of low energy in my life right now, and wondering how did this happen?
I'm trying to tell myself that it just wasn't meant to be right now. It has been really stressful and challenging to be here as a volunteer. And, it just has not worked out. I'm trying to tell myself 'things happen for a reason' and that I just gotta take what life hands me right now. With all the things that went wrong with my first site and supervisor, maybe it really was just is not the right time.
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March 31, 2011 8:11AM
I've had about a week to get my thoughts together. Now, my plan is to travel and return home, then I will be working in China again this summer. Post summer, I'll travel more or make plans for a new job or adventure. Family and friends, see you at the end of May =)
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Week 29 - Settling In
Magandang hapon po sa inyong lahat = Good afternoon to you all - the extent of my new language aquisition so far. hah!
I was so fortunate to find a decent apartment right away. My landlady, whom I just call Tita/Aunty, is really sweet and has helped me get oriented and settled around the city the last few days. My new sup and counterpart are amazing (makes the last few months at my last site seem even more of an anomaly), sweet and helpful. Overall, I'm settling in pretty well and last week's transition was relatively painless.
I spent the weekend in Naga and Goa with a few girl friends, whom are the closest volunteers from me - all two or three hours away. This is going to take some adjustment. My last site, I had other volunteers I could get dinner with nightly. Having my own apartment and not many close friends here in this city (yet!) gives me a sense isolation, but not quite loneliness since there is so much to get to know, so much new-ness, and so many people looking out for me still.
Having to learn a new language is definitely a draw-back. I feel like a dud when I can't understand any Bicol or Tagalog spoken to me here. I spent so much energy trying to learn Waray. Some words translate, but most of the time I bashfully say to people "I'm sorry. I don't understand". I have to learn Tagalog/Bicolano! It's the best way to connect and be a part of the community. That way I'm not just Mei, the Chinese girl who happens to be an American volunteer.
Lunch break is drawing to a close. I had rice and chicken adobo from the canteen next door. I prefer to make my own - can't wait for my kitchen to get set up. First things on the list: Adobo & Dumplings, nom nom.
I was so fortunate to find a decent apartment right away. My landlady, whom I just call Tita/Aunty, is really sweet and has helped me get oriented and settled around the city the last few days. My new sup and counterpart are amazing (makes the last few months at my last site seem even more of an anomaly), sweet and helpful. Overall, I'm settling in pretty well and last week's transition was relatively painless.
I spent the weekend in Naga and Goa with a few girl friends, whom are the closest volunteers from me - all two or three hours away. This is going to take some adjustment. My last site, I had other volunteers I could get dinner with nightly. Having my own apartment and not many close friends here in this city (yet!) gives me a sense isolation, but not quite loneliness since there is so much to get to know, so much new-ness, and so many people looking out for me still.
Having to learn a new language is definitely a draw-back. I feel like a dud when I can't understand any Bicol or Tagalog spoken to me here. I spent so much energy trying to learn Waray. Some words translate, but most of the time I bashfully say to people "I'm sorry. I don't understand". I have to learn Tagalog/Bicolano! It's the best way to connect and be a part of the community. That way I'm not just Mei, the Chinese girl who happens to be an American volunteer.
Lunch break is drawing to a close. I had rice and chicken adobo from the canteen next door. I prefer to make my own - can't wait for my kitchen to get set up. First things on the list: Adobo & Dumplings, nom nom.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Week 28 Site Transfer
"For some reason you are exactly where you are meant to be..."
- Roma, PCV, Belize
It's 7am. I'm laying in my bed in a hotel room in Legazpi City, Albay, Bicol, my new pc service site. I can hear horns honking and birds chirping through the open window. I just read a letter from my good friend Roma who is serving in Belize right now (hey girl!). ESPN live is muted on the small TV on the stand and Oregon State seeded #9 is coming out strong over #1 Arizona - I always love a good upset, well unless it's over UCLA. We'll see how the game goes.
Today is a full 28 weeks I have been in this country, and 4 weeks since I heard I was to get a site transfer. Today I meet my new organization and start hunting for an apartment or host family to move in with. Tomorrow hopefully I will get to travel to the next city, Naga, and meet some of my new region-mates (fellow volunteers around me).
I feel excited about a new city, and new organization. Of course I feel anxious too. The last few months were rough, not bad, just rough. All the tension and conflict with my last supervisor, left my nerves on edge, and hoping that my relationship with my new organization will be more successful. And, there was the four weeks of waiting, requiring so much patience, and creativity to fight against boredom.
I got to chat with the director, my supervisor, and my counterpart before and they seem really amazing, as does the organization and the work they're trying to do for children and families in this region. It's an ngo, headquarter'ed in Kansas City that organizes sponsorships for kids. Check 'em out here, Children International. It'll likely take a few weeks to figure out what my role and work will be at this new org.
This last week was filled with packing, despedidas (farewell parties), and just mentally gearing up for the transition. I flew to Manila on Wed with just my clothes. My bike and other belongings will be coming in a trunk sometime in the next month. My host family was sad to see me go. My host sister started crying as I left. My climbing friends from Bukid said goodbye, and gave me a couple tshirts. I'm really grateful that I had such amazing friendships and relationships with locals. I hope that I can find something similar here. I'll get to see my volunteer friends at trainings, but no more weekly pizza sessions with them - we did have our own little farewell with a giant 36' inch pizza. It was amazing.
My 12 hour bus ride from Manila to Legazpi, was actually a 9 hour straight drive in a car. Vic, the driver is a champ! He drove straight threw without stopping and got us here before dinner. My first impression of the city: beautiful, smells sweet and tastes spicy. I went jogging, and a crescent moon hung in the sky during twilight, while the Mayon volcano sat like a giant in the backdrop covered under clouds. I went to dinner last night with my new regional manager, Joji. It was actually her birthday, and it was pleasant to try to some delicious spicy food, and chat with her professionally and personally.
The last four weeks, waiting for my site transfer, gave me a lot of time to gear up, and try to ground myself. A lot of days I was frustrated and wanted to ask no one in particular 'why me?' - Why did I get a unreasonable supervisor? Why do I have to transfer leaving my friends, relationships, and a dialect that I've been trying to study/speak for six months? It all left me with a feeling of lose and that my time thus far has been in vain. Those irritable moments came and went. I just have to take everything as part of the experience, and let issues of control and desire for I cannot have go.
So, it wasn't all waiting in angst the last weeks. I took quite a few day trips with friends and my host family, and finally uploaded pictures to fb! My camera is a bit of a black hole 'cause no one ever gets to see photos I take, until now! Check 'em out if you haven't already.
Ten Day Before Peace Corps
Day Trips: Leyte & Samar
Climbing Community
Cabucgayan, Biliran
Ah, Arizona is up by 12 in the second half now. Things do work out how they should sometimes, huh? Headed out the door to meet and greet my new org, city, and find a place to live. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Loathing Packing
I am packing right now to leave Leyte and fly to Manila, then tomorrow I will have a 12 hour van ride to my new site in Legazpi City, Bicol. I loathe packing. This reminds me of when I was packing back in San Fran the days before I left for the Philippines. I was busy and a hot mess.
I had just returned from six weeks of work traveling the width of China for Dragons and I literally had ten days between landing at LAX, traveling home to SF, packing, moving my room to the attic, saying goodbye and leaving for pc staging in Detroit. Ridiculous, I know, I remember thinking why I would do that to myself. I was packing two hours before I left. This time I started a couple of days ago, and giving things away more freely.
But, I'm still not done. Instead of swiftly finishing I am blogging, but this time I have four more hours and far less stuff. Anyways, here are some pictures from those ten days seven months ago. Okay, back to packing.
11AM: I'm done packing!!
I had just returned from six weeks of work traveling the width of China for Dragons and I literally had ten days between landing at LAX, traveling home to SF, packing, moving my room to the attic, saying goodbye and leaving for pc staging in Detroit. Ridiculous, I know, I remember thinking why I would do that to myself. I was packing two hours before I left. This time I started a couple of days ago, and giving things away more freely.
But, I'm still not done. Instead of swiftly finishing I am blogging, but this time I have four more hours and far less stuff. Anyways, here are some pictures from those ten days seven months ago. Okay, back to packing.
11AM: I'm done packing!!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Appreciation For Place
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| Initial Orientation August, 2010 |
You can read below if you want to know what's going on and how I'm feeling. You may also just stroll through these pictures that show some of the beauty of this place that's been my home for the last six...
Baras, Palo, Leyte
This is a small neighborhood on the beach side where I lived and trained my first three months. It was my first experience of the Philippines, and a place of family, fiestas, and comfort.
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| Afternoon Strolls |
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| Nanay buying three pinyas for fifty pesos |
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| Balay ni Sta. Monica House of Santa Monica |
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| Chen, Nanay, Yen Dancing, singing and trying to feed me Christmas Day. |
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| Main Street. It does sell chicken. |
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| The bakery. They sell wine too. |
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| Pedi Cab - best way to get around. |
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| Celia & Jenna, Palo Christmas Lights |
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| Nanay Toni has a beautiful garden |
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| Reda and Moogie, two of the four. |
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| The beauty shop. |
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| Barangay Hall. |
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| Simbahan - Church |
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| Groceries. |
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| Dinner on the porch |
You likely know already that I am getting a site transfer. Initially, my managers, myself, family and friends here were hoping I could transfer to another agency within my city, but that organization is going through some internal restructuring and cannot take a volunteer - too bad. There are no other developed agencies (I don't know what developed actually entails, but it can take weeks or months) in my region, so I am not only moving cities I'm leaving my island and Waray-Waray speaking area. I have to learn a new dialect (gah!) and build a new community where I land. At least this is all happening relatively early in my service, just three months into my twenty-four. There is still a lot of time to learn, grow, and try to make an impact.
I've experienced a wide spectrum of emotions. I am frustrated with the office that I was working at - I felt I gave it my all, but things were not improving, so a transfer was a good decision. It is still a big transition. I am sad that I have to leave my friends and family here, and with that all the things I was looking forwarding to doing and seeing with them. I am anxious to know where I will go next, but I am also excited. It wasn't easy going into an office that didn't appreciate my work and me for two whole months. I hope that my next site will be a better match, and that they will be supportive and eager to work with me as a volunteer. I am excited if I do end up learning Tagalog, so that I can have a wider and more practical use of Filipino when I travel here, and so I can chop it up with my Fil-Am homies back in Cali. There is a lot of waiting since I heard two Fridays ago about my transfer. I feel stress during this waiting period. I suppose that range of emotions is not too surprising. I was upset when I heard about my transfer, but I was not surprised.
My site transfer is likely between two organizations in two entirely different areas (Luzon or Visayas). When I know for sure I'll publish it and offer what information I can. For now, I've moved back to my host family in Baras to wait for a decision, and whatever processing that needs happens in the pc office. It feels really good to be here with this family who have shown me a love and commitment that I could not have imagined.
Tacloban City, Leyte
Tacloban is a small city, but the biggest in region XIII, the Eastern Visayas. My favorite things to do were bike to work, dine with friends, rock climb at Bukid the indoor gym, and thrift shop. Also, soak in the beauty and art on jeepney rides.
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| Tacloban City - the view from my (previous) desk |
These next set of stree art pictures are by my site mate, Mark Fullmer. |
| "Don't urinate here" |
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| I would see his face riding to and from work. |
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| Cutest strongest kids at Bukid |
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| Lawrence, 4. |
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| Bukid on Burgos |
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| Tacloban City Port |
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Sworn in plus three months...
and, I am getting a site transfer.
Been at my site serving for three months as of today. I've had a rough time in my work office. My supervisor has not approved of my work and me for the last two out of three months. It's been a challenge, and it has not worked out. So, for everyone's sake I am transferring sites. I do not know where. I may stay in Tacloban City or move to another place entirely. I will keep the world updated as news arises.
This is small beans in world events (read up on Egypt lately?), but I really like my city, my host family here, my friends who climb with me every week, and my fellow volunteers who are some of my closest friends here, and would be anywhere else. However, site transfer means so much uncertainty.
I have never been comfortable with uncertainty. I thought this would change after giving my life up of semi-nomadic traveling for pc service. I was wrong. change is still constant - as is uncertainty. My attitude is what needs revamping. So, goes the game of experience and growth.
I'm trying to keep my spirits high, think level headed, and enjoy my days. Yesterday was fiesta in my barangay, and today I'm bbq'ing with friends, so life is still good. Next week I will close up shop with those in my office that matter, and hand off reading materials that I wanted to start with my kids at the Women's Center.
I'll let you know how the transition goes. PC is on my side and looking out for me - I hope you are too! Hugs and smiles from this side.
Been at my site serving for three months as of today. I've had a rough time in my work office. My supervisor has not approved of my work and me for the last two out of three months. It's been a challenge, and it has not worked out. So, for everyone's sake I am transferring sites. I do not know where. I may stay in Tacloban City or move to another place entirely. I will keep the world updated as news arises.
This is small beans in world events (read up on Egypt lately?), but I really like my city, my host family here, my friends who climb with me every week, and my fellow volunteers who are some of my closest friends here, and would be anywhere else. However, site transfer means so much uncertainty.
I have never been comfortable with uncertainty. I thought this would change after giving my life up of semi-nomadic traveling for pc service. I was wrong. change is still constant - as is uncertainty. My attitude is what needs revamping. So, goes the game of experience and growth.
I'm trying to keep my spirits high, think level headed, and enjoy my days. Yesterday was fiesta in my barangay, and today I'm bbq'ing with friends, so life is still good. Next week I will close up shop with those in my office that matter, and hand off reading materials that I wanted to start with my kids at the Women's Center.
I'll let you know how the transition goes. PC is on my side and looking out for me - I hope you are too! Hugs and smiles from this side.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
So, you thinking about applying to PC?
Whatup! I'm approaching my three month mark at site (so, six months in country), and not too much has changed since I last blogged and emailed. I'm here in Manila right now for a few days taking care of a few things and taking in the city.
Back at site, I'm still navigating my work office and trying to get different projects and programs up and running. Some exciting news is that I got selected to be a trainer at a training camp in April, and have a few other volunteer trainings coming up to look forward to. Anyways, for my lack of highlights over the last few weeks I will leave it that: I'm good, happy, working, eating well, loving the rainy season, climbing and running and just living.
I wrote an email recently responding to some of my friend's questions who is considering applying for the PC and thought others might be interested in reading some of the responses...
Saturday January 29, 2011 7:21 AM
1. How structured is your life right now? Do you have lots of freedom? A sub-question of this is do you feel like you have enough structure to make an impact? My concern is that if it's up to me to come up with ways to help I wouldn't have any good ideas. Simultaneously and paradoxically I worry about too much structure and not enough freedom to do what is needed in the community. Can you speak to this dynamic?
This was one of my big concerns too. You’ll hear it endlessly, and obnoxiously, that you ‘have to be flexible and everyone’s experience is different’, but it’s true. I have been frustrated knowing where I should focus my energy, or what it is that I should be doing. It’s all about the site placement on part of PC, which I had very little say in after I submitted my essay work to my country assignment. This lack of control is something I think all PCV have to come to terms with. If you have a preference or want more say, say it from the start, and make it clear.
Most volunteers here in the Phils. have to figure things out on their own. I’m working in a local government.
Keep in mind, though, that my batch and I have been here for 2 months only. In this culture, it often takes 3+ months before they begin to really trust you and recognize your work and relationship in the office. So, I’m speaking from a fresh perspective, and things have not really materialized in terms of work.
One thing I can speak to is, when I was writing my essays and through my interviews I tried to be as honest, objective and narrative about my interest, skills, and personal style as possible - what I really wanted, didn’t want, and didn’t know. Currently I’m working in a community based site (I go out into the neighborhoods and try to organize meetings, as opposed to the other option for my work sector, which is center based).
Every step along the way I tried to say exactly how I am, state my concerns and feel that PC did a good job with my placement. I said I enjoy being social, dynamic work, and don’t like routine or being locked into boring tasks. Now, I have a lot of options to work with, but not much direction. It’s hard to navigate, but I prefer this over a clear outline and not having a say in my own work.
There are so many steps of the process to applying and making it here. If I had to pick one word between ‘structured’ and ‘unstructured’ to describe my PC experience so far, I would say my training was incredibly structured: everyday was pre-planned, and we had very little say where we were going, and had no vacation days, but that is the style of the training team in PC Phils.
Every country runs its own type of PC. And, I really loved my training time, and that it was structured. My work site has been unstructured, I’ve had to navigate things with little support from my managers, (but that is attributed to my batch being twice the size of normal). I think unstructured is how most other volunteers here in PC Phils would say their work is right now, two months in.
2. I hear that the majority of volunteers (especially those without a specific skill set) are "English teachers." Is this simply to give everyone a job and then are PCV's expected to create their own projects apart from that? Are you technically an English teacher despite the fact that you're organizing more of a program?
I am not an English teacher, and do not project my responsibilities going there. I organize youth programs, and run life skills (granted I’m still trying to get this off the ground). If you do not want to be an English teacher, say that from the get go at your first recruitment interview. I would have liked to be a teacher, I’ve done it before and it provides clear structure, but I was such a mess (about direction in my own life) when I was applying I said I'll go anywhere, and do any job - this worked for me, but if I had any inclination I would have spoken up. If I had to make a change, I wish I put more research into regions and different job sectors.
I think often PCV are put under education to provide a spot for them. This is not necessarily bad. English teacher here in Phils. are expected/encouraged to find secondary projects, and some of them have some amazing ones in their respective communities. My girl, Mel, is a teacher, but she works with a women’s livelihood ngo in her town. I’m helping her facilitate a training next month to teach the women basic marketing/accounting skills to better their livelihood businesses.
3. How isolating is it? I see a fair number of pictures of you hanging out with other PCV's and drinking San Miguel. I've heard that it can be a very isolating experience but from what it sounds like you are able to hang out with your fellow PCVs at least during training. Does this change once you get to your site? I assume it depends but am mostly curious to hear about your experience.
Some PCV are really isolated. Within PC Phils, there are volunteers who are 5+ hours away from the next PCV, and maybe the next foreigner even. My situation is unique, I live in a city, and have multiple site mates. My site mate Mark, works downtown with me (he’s a teacher at a university – he actually has a really good blog you can check out http://markfullmer.com/peace-corps-blog
). I have multiple girl friends in the next town over, so a 20 min bike/bus ride. I am ridiculously well connected to them. I love it. Some would hate it. And we were asked during our site placement interviews what we preferred. I was also asked how urban or rural I wanted my permanent site to be. I really love my site and city.
Just remember though, that these things are taken into consideration, but the highest priority is matching of skills and needs. I had a hard time with this... My friend had a reality check with me and reminded me to ask myself what am I doing this for, and it has to go back to wanting to help people where you are needed – even if the realization of your help may not materialize until service is completed. Also, other countries will do things differently than what I am describing.
4. How much "free" time is there? It sounds like you're able to do yoga, jog, climb, play frisbee, explore the city and attend lots of cultural events. Is there a good work life balance?
I feel I have control over my life and time. Most volunteers will say there is way more free time. I feel pretty busy, but that’s cause I’m in a city with hobbies and things that I want to do. Being the first two months I’ve spent a lot of time just getting adjusted, and then there were the holidays which I spent with my host family that I really love, and I was able to travel for Thanksgiving and New Years. I feel busy thinking about the things I need to do, and juggling where to be, but I have free time.
I really enjoy talking about my experience. It helps me process and keep it in perspective, which is easy to lose in the midst of it all. Things are rough, and it’s easy to get caught up in every small inconveniece and turn to sarcasm, or worse becoming jaded, but I love being a PCV right now, and I just always remember, if I stop wanting to be here I can choose to go home. I just have to keep choosing to be here.
My last words on PC for now is to just apply. The application process is so long (I waited a full year) that you do have to have patience, and just get the thing going, you can pull your application at any time, you may as well get it started, and navigate it as you go (well, this is more my style). You would be a great PCV, and would offer so much. //
Back at site, I'm still navigating my work office and trying to get different projects and programs up and running. Some exciting news is that I got selected to be a trainer at a training camp in April, and have a few other volunteer trainings coming up to look forward to. Anyways, for my lack of highlights over the last few weeks I will leave it that: I'm good, happy, working, eating well, loving the rainy season, climbing and running and just living.
I wrote an email recently responding to some of my friend's questions who is considering applying for the PC and thought others might be interested in reading some of the responses...
Saturday January 29, 2011 7:21 AM
1. How structured is your life right now? Do you have lots of freedom? A sub-question of this is do you feel like you have enough structure to make an impact? My concern is that if it's up to me to come up with ways to help I wouldn't have any good ideas. Simultaneously and paradoxically I worry about too much structure and not enough freedom to do what is needed in the community. Can you speak to this dynamic?
This was one of my big concerns too. You’ll hear it endlessly, and obnoxiously, that you ‘have to be flexible and everyone’s experience is different’, but it’s true. I have been frustrated knowing where I should focus my energy, or what it is that I should be doing. It’s all about the site placement on part of PC, which I had very little say in after I submitted my essay work to my country assignment. This lack of control is something I think all PCV have to come to terms with. If you have a preference or want more say, say it from the start, and make it clear.
Most volunteers here in the Phils. have to figure things out on their own. I’m working in a local government.
Keep in mind, though, that my batch and I have been here for 2 months only. In this culture, it often takes 3+ months before they begin to really trust you and recognize your work and relationship in the office. So, I’m speaking from a fresh perspective, and things have not really materialized in terms of work.
One thing I can speak to is, when I was writing my essays and through my interviews I tried to be as honest, objective and narrative about my interest, skills, and personal style as possible - what I really wanted, didn’t want, and didn’t know. Currently I’m working in a community based site (I go out into the neighborhoods and try to organize meetings, as opposed to the other option for my work sector, which is center based).
Every step along the way I tried to say exactly how I am, state my concerns and feel that PC did a good job with my placement. I said I enjoy being social, dynamic work, and don’t like routine or being locked into boring tasks. Now, I have a lot of options to work with, but not much direction. It’s hard to navigate, but I prefer this over a clear outline and not having a say in my own work.
There are so many steps of the process to applying and making it here. If I had to pick one word between ‘structured’ and ‘unstructured’ to describe my PC experience so far, I would say my training was incredibly structured: everyday was pre-planned, and we had very little say where we were going, and had no vacation days, but that is the style of the training team in PC Phils.
Every country runs its own type of PC. And, I really loved my training time, and that it was structured. My work site has been unstructured, I’ve had to navigate things with little support from my managers, (but that is attributed to my batch being twice the size of normal). I think unstructured is how most other volunteers here in PC Phils would say their work is right now, two months in.
2. I hear that the majority of volunteers (especially those without a specific skill set) are "English teachers." Is this simply to give everyone a job and then are PCV's expected to create their own projects apart from that? Are you technically an English teacher despite the fact that you're organizing more of a program?
I am not an English teacher, and do not project my responsibilities going there. I organize youth programs, and run life skills (granted I’m still trying to get this off the ground). If you do not want to be an English teacher, say that from the get go at your first recruitment interview. I would have liked to be a teacher, I’ve done it before and it provides clear structure, but I was such a mess (about direction in my own life) when I was applying I said I'll go anywhere, and do any job - this worked for me, but if I had any inclination I would have spoken up. If I had to make a change, I wish I put more research into regions and different job sectors.
I think often PCV are put under education to provide a spot for them. This is not necessarily bad. English teacher here in Phils. are expected/encouraged to find secondary projects, and some of them have some amazing ones in their respective communities. My girl, Mel, is a teacher, but she works with a women’s livelihood ngo in her town. I’m helping her facilitate a training next month to teach the women basic marketing/accounting skills to better their livelihood businesses.
3. How isolating is it? I see a fair number of pictures of you hanging out with other PCV's and drinking San Miguel. I've heard that it can be a very isolating experience but from what it sounds like you are able to hang out with your fellow PCVs at least during training. Does this change once you get to your site? I assume it depends but am mostly curious to hear about your experience.
Some PCV are really isolated. Within PC Phils, there are volunteers who are 5+ hours away from the next PCV, and maybe the next foreigner even. My situation is unique, I live in a city, and have multiple site mates. My site mate Mark, works downtown with me (he’s a teacher at a university – he actually has a really good blog you can check out http://markfullmer.com/peace-corps-blog
). I have multiple girl friends in the next town over, so a 20 min bike/bus ride. I am ridiculously well connected to them. I love it. Some would hate it. And we were asked during our site placement interviews what we preferred. I was also asked how urban or rural I wanted my permanent site to be. I really love my site and city.
Just remember though, that these things are taken into consideration, but the highest priority is matching of skills and needs. I had a hard time with this... My friend had a reality check with me and reminded me to ask myself what am I doing this for, and it has to go back to wanting to help people where you are needed – even if the realization of your help may not materialize until service is completed. Also, other countries will do things differently than what I am describing.
4. How much "free" time is there? It sounds like you're able to do yoga, jog, climb, play frisbee, explore the city and attend lots of cultural events. Is there a good work life balance?
I feel I have control over my life and time. Most volunteers will say there is way more free time. I feel pretty busy, but that’s cause I’m in a city with hobbies and things that I want to do. Being the first two months I’ve spent a lot of time just getting adjusted, and then there were the holidays which I spent with my host family that I really love, and I was able to travel for Thanksgiving and New Years. I feel busy thinking about the things I need to do, and juggling where to be, but I have free time.
I really enjoy talking about my experience. It helps me process and keep it in perspective, which is easy to lose in the midst of it all. Things are rough, and it’s easy to get caught up in every small inconveniece and turn to sarcasm, or worse becoming jaded, but I love being a PCV right now, and I just always remember, if I stop wanting to be here I can choose to go home. I just have to keep choosing to be here.
My last words on PC for now is to just apply. The application process is so long (I waited a full year) that you do have to have patience, and just get the thing going, you can pull your application at any time, you may as well get it started, and navigate it as you go (well, this is more my style). You would be a great PCV, and would offer so much. //
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Twenty Two Gone & Coming
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| Search for Mr. Ms. PYAP, Dec 27th I was a judge for a pageant! |
This one is for JDW. This last Friday I’ve completed my 22nd week in country, and my 10th week at my permanent site and volunteering in the office. (That’s 10/104 – Koopa, that’s less than 10%). My girl, Lou, put it well “22 weeks here, 22 months to go”.
The last month or so was challenging to be away from family in Cali during the holidays. Having been here for five and half months I’m beginning to feel more at home; the initial novelty is almost at its end, but with that challenges begin to present themselves.
My current host family and I had a few growing pains adjusting to different needs. The host nanay was finding herself very tired from cooking meals for me, but providing food is such a high priority in this culture that she was too ‘awod’ (one word to mean both ashamed and shy) to tell me this. The host tatay is very concerned with keeping his family and home safe, so is not comfortable giving me a key to the house.
Unfortunately, one weekend text messages were delayed and they did not know that I was waiting outside for a couple of hours. I’m not sure how internet contracts work here, but I was asked not to use the internet at my host house anymore. These are all minor things, but took adjustment and persistence on my end to find out what their issues were. Having asked a few times, they finally opened up to me and we settled that I’ll take care of my own meals, which I prefer since it gives me more freedom to eat as I please. In the next few weeks I’ll be moving to a new host family. I searched for an apartment, but they’re far too expensive in Tacloban City for my pc budget, and my work situation will be finalized, hopefully.
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| Luz, my awesome counterpart and I |
My work environment has also required persistence and a lot of listening to learn how things work in my office and what my responsibilities are – this is still a learning process for me.
Okay, what’re all the awesome things in life?
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| Kevin, Celia, me, Jenna, Heather, Holly NYE in Cebu City |
I went to Cebu City for NYE with a few other volunteers. We spent the weekend lounging, eating amazing food, and strolling around the second biggest city in PI. I connected with a few couch surfers and went to a high rise apartment with my volunteers to meet locals and foreigners to mingle. When the clock struck midnight we were on the rooftop with a 360 view looking over the endless fireworks going up all around the city from individual households. It was a beautiful way to bring in the new year.
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| Eclectic mix of people. Rooftop at midnight. |
I spent a weekend in Manila, where I found good Chinese food! It’s surprisingly hard to find it here.
I’m fortunate that I have a great set of volunteer site mates near me that I see weekly, and an amazing host family just a town over in Baras, Palo from my city that give me so much support. I see them all weekly.
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| PYAP Youth Leaders, Teambuilding at San Jose Beach |
I really adore my counterparts (coworkers). I’m looking forward to work picking up from the holiday season here and getting to know the youth leaders that I’m working with. I have barangay/community visits to look forward to in the coming weeks to recruit Out of School Youth (OSY) to join the PYAP youth association and SCALA, a basic computer literacy course.
Okay, what’re plans that I’m looking forward to?
Moving to a new host family (my current one is trying to get visas to go to the states to visit their kids). This is always a bit anxious ‘cause who knows what the family will be like?
I’m going to get dive certified in the next month =D
I’ll (fingers crossed) be traveling to Bicol to help with a training for a women’s organization that provides livelihood projects.
I’ll be sending out a longer email this week. Email me if you want in: xiumei(at)ucla(dot)edu
Did you know February 3rd is the beginning of Chinese New Year? Family, mail me some red envelopes with new year cake!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Dear Ms. P’s Class
Closing out Week 20 in this country, and finishing the first week of the new year. I have so much to share, both good and bad. But, in the mean time I want to share a letter that I wrote to a class I am having email/pen-pal exchanges with in Nevada through the Peace Corps World Wise Schools Correspondence Match program. Have you ever had a pen-pal? Want to be my pen-pal or want more details than this blog offers? Just email me and I'll add you to my email list: meixmc(at)gmail. Here's my mailing address too: Mei Chen, Peace Corps Vol. c/o Lili Baltazar CSWDO, Balyuan Bldg. Magsaysay Blvd. Tacloban City, Philippines 6500. Enjoy!
Dear Ms. P’s Class,
Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were wonderful. I debated whether to answer your questions one by one, but decided I would answer them through two letters and let you find the answer to your own questions. All of your questions were about me or life here in the Philippines. There were quite a number of questions, so let’s get started.
I’ll start with a little bit more about myself. I was actually born in southern China and shortly immigrated to California. I grew up in San Francisco with my mom, dad, little sister and three older brothers. My siblings and I have American citizenship, but my family is Chinese American, so I grew up speaking Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin) and English. I am currently learning the Filipino dialect, Waray-Waray. I went to Westmoor High School in Daly City before I moved to Los Angeles to go to UCLA where I majored in International Development.
During my college studies I traveled abroad to teach English in China and studied abroad in Beijing. Some of my other travels include 5 weeks through New Zealand to volunteer and travel, and around the United States (I’ve visited Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Ohio, Hawaii, New York, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas, Michigan, Washington DC, Oregon, and Washington State).
I love traveling to learn about different places and people. I enjoy how it makes me a better person and more able to understand people who are different from myself. When I’m not travelling I like snuggling with my cat, Penelope (who is being taken care of by my little sister) and partaking in my favorite hobbies: rock climbing, salsa dancing and playing ultimate frisbee. Some of my other favorites: color is green; food is dim sum; last favorite book read is The Secret Life of Bees.
After graduating from college I worked at a non-profit that assisted low-income and homeless people to build job-hunting skills with Americorps, a volunteering organization (which is quite different from Peace Corps which is the organization I am volunteering with now). I had many different jobs between college and coming to the Philippines for Peace Corps, mostly, working as an outdoor instructor on different camping and rock climbing trips. To name a few others, I worked at in an office, in a rock climbing gym, at science camp, as a tutor/babysitter and spent much of my time traveling in a car throughout California visiting national parks. I’ve had a wide range of jobs before that include offices and exploring.
Thursday, January 6, 2010
Computer Center, Tacloban City, Leyte, Philippines
Computer Center, Tacloban City, Leyte, Philippines
Dear Ms. P’s Class,
Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were wonderful. I debated whether to answer your questions one by one, but decided I would answer them through two letters and let you find the answer to your own questions. All of your questions were about me or life here in the Philippines. There were quite a number of questions, so let’s get started.
I’ll start with a little bit more about myself. I was actually born in southern China and shortly immigrated to California. I grew up in San Francisco with my mom, dad, little sister and three older brothers. My siblings and I have American citizenship, but my family is Chinese American, so I grew up speaking Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin) and English. I am currently learning the Filipino dialect, Waray-Waray. I went to Westmoor High School in Daly City before I moved to Los Angeles to go to UCLA where I majored in International Development.
During my college studies I traveled abroad to teach English in China and studied abroad in Beijing. Some of my other travels include 5 weeks through New Zealand to volunteer and travel, and around the United States (I’ve visited Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Ohio, Hawaii, New York, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas, Michigan, Washington DC, Oregon, and Washington State).
I love traveling to learn about different places and people. I enjoy how it makes me a better person and more able to understand people who are different from myself. When I’m not travelling I like snuggling with my cat, Penelope (who is being taken care of by my little sister) and partaking in my favorite hobbies: rock climbing, salsa dancing and playing ultimate frisbee. Some of my other favorites: color is green; food is dim sum; last favorite book read is The Secret Life of Bees.
After graduating from college I worked at a non-profit that assisted low-income and homeless people to build job-hunting skills with Americorps, a volunteering organization (which is quite different from Peace Corps which is the organization I am volunteering with now). I had many different jobs between college and coming to the Philippines for Peace Corps, mostly, working as an outdoor instructor on different camping and rock climbing trips. To name a few others, I worked at in an office, in a rock climbing gym, at science camp, as a tutor/babysitter and spent much of my time traveling in a car throughout California visiting national parks. I’ve had a wide range of jobs before that include offices and exploring.
I hope that this letter serves as a good introduction. If you didn’t find your question answered here, look for it in my letter number two. I look forward to more exchanges with you about my life serving as a volunteer in the Philippines. Again, happy new year and I hope it’s not too cold in Nevada!
Sincerely,
Mei Chen
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