Dealing with Ants, Dirty Power and Other Developing Country Snafus

So, it is official. The internal hard drive on our new (used, but new to us) computer has crashed. Guyana - 2, Broken Computers – 0. We think there could be two possible reasons for the crash this time around. Possibly one of the ants that decided to swarm the computer last week and crawl in and out of the USB ports got stuck in there and is mucking things up. Or it could have been that when we were at MST and there was a blackout, the computer got fried with dirty current. Presently we are running off of an external hard drive, so we are basically on life support again. The lessons we have learned this latest edition in a continuous stream of computer problems are many; keep backups, and backups of backups (because we did this, we didn't lose any of our stuff), only plug computers into a surge protector, keep computer in a case when not in use so bugs don't decide to move in, and finally, PATIENCE.

Tim and I have had to battle with a lot of frustrations recently. The computer situation compounds with a sick kitty (see prior post about a cat on a minibus) and a broken refrigerator. When we got back to our house after our vacay to the US we found our fridge no longer got cold, and isn't that the whole point of a refrigerator! After many heated conversations with our landlady, we finally compromised and agreed she would get it fixed. That was almost a month ago. Still no fridge. Now, I don't want to seem like I am complaining too much. We learned that we can actually live and eat without a fridge, we just can't make too much food and store leftovers like we like to do. No big deal. Some PCVs go their whole service without refrigeration, so what is a month, really? I just think that if I were living in the bush I would be more acceptant of that fact. Here in my urban site, however, we have a different standard of living so I get pissy when it isn't being upheld.

The point of the blog wasn't supposed to be a whine-fest. In fact, I wanted to brag a little about how well Tim and I have been coping with all these frustrations. Yesterday, I had a realization as I cut into what I thought was a beautiful, ripe pineapple, and found it squishy, mushy and spoiled. We are choosing to let things go. Instead of dwelling on the negative, we have managed to stay pretty happy. We are being zen and letting all our anger and discomfort just roll away. We haven't liked feeling negative, and surprisingly, letting go of negativity is easier than we thought when we put our minds to it. We don't trivialize difficult situations nor do we naively say that everything is peachy when it isn't. We are just getting better at seeing a negative situation for what it is, acknowledging it, trying to find a solution and then moving on. I could have chosen to be angry and sad about not having a yummy pine to eat, but why choose that? So we just let go and tossed the thing into the compost. The end. Ta-DA!

Right now I am grooving to the album 19, by Adele and enjoying my day. I am working from home, blogging, doing my trimester report for PC and writing up my work plan for the next (and final) 10 months of my Peace Corps service. In addition to working to make my projects sustainable, I have some other neat things to look forward to: Tim and my 2 year wedding anniversary (June 7), a cool trip for a workshop in the savannahs of Region 9, my 26^th birthday (August 26), Dad and Lisa's wedding (September). So many things to be positive about! So fried ants and dirty power, broken fridges and squishy pines, I say to you, “Y'all got nothin on me! I'm still gonna smile, so bring it!”

Off to Town and MST

So first off, we made it! Yay! We have survived yet another Rapture/Y2K/End-of-the-world craze. I can't tell you how relieved I was when I woke up this morning...riiight. Anywho, since I haven't been swallowed in fire and brimstone (yet, I guess the day isn't over for another 14 hours...) I am moving on with my weekend plans.

Today I am wrapping up some recording for next month's episode of Health Watch. I am really excited because I organized the group of Peer Educators I work with to perform a skit that they had written and rehearsed. The theme is peer pressure and teen pregnancy (which has been on my mind a lot recently). I am really excited to see the end result! After the shoot, Sara and Tim and I are heading to meet up with some other PCVs in Georgetown and celebrate Sara's 25^th birthday at the Princess hotel (the fanciest hotel and Guyana's only casino) for dinner and shenanigans.

Tomorrow we are checking into a hotel with the rest of our Peace Corps buddies for our Mid-Service Training Conference (MST), then hitting the trail with the Guyana Hash House Harriers for a run in G/town. Both activities will be loads of fun. PC conferences are always a mixture of tedious sessions in meeting rooms, interesting discussions with colleagues about our projects, and a ton of fun catching up and touching base with our compatriots. It is weird to think that after MST we will only meet again in one big group at our Close of Service Conference (COS) around December time.

I am looking forward to the week to come. When we get back from MST I am excited to start my own Be Safe! Sessions in a local nursery school and continue with the other projects I have going. In addition, I am going to keep following up with the young mother and her sick baby that I mentionedd a few posts back. (Update: I heard the baby had been discharged from the hospital so I decided to go visit them at home. So, yesterday two nurses from my health centre and I walked around for an hour and a half trying to find this girl's house to check on the baby. When we found them, we learned that the situation was not much improved. The girl is still not breastfeeding her baby and he is as malnourished and weak as ever. Many reasons for this include an unsupportive family, an irresponsible teenage baby-daddy, and a TOTAL lack of education about how to raise a healthy child. The nurses and I spent hours with her, showing her how to change a diaper so baby's persistent rash will heal, how to breastfeed and/or express her milk and feed baby with a cup and spoon. By the end of our visit, after a few ounces of breast milk and a clean diaper, the baby, who was previously almost completely inert, was opening his eyes and making baby sounds as he nursed. Little by little, with a lot of effort and teamwork, we may just be able to give this child another chance at life. I am NOT giving up on this baby).

Okay, thanks for indulging my baby tangent. I've been trying hard to put into words the effect that working with the patient is having on me emotionally, but I can't seem to yet. Right now, I am just taking action to try to get the child better and that is the most helpful thing I can do right now, both for baby and my own psyche. Thankfully, I will get an imposed break from that situation during MST and check in on them again when I get back to Linden next Friday.

I'm sending love to everyone at home and so much gratitude and prayers for all the healthy babies in my family (Eevee, Quinn, Sawyer, Josiah, Lucia) and all the little ones on the way.

Holy Rainflies, Batman!

The rain has been falling steady, steady all day long making Chelsea and I feel chilly! Can you believe it! Chilly in Guyana! It's the start of the rainy season someone mentioned to me the other day, I'll believe that when I see it! Anyway, it hasn't rained heavy in a while so these insects called “Rain Flies” come from the woodworks and they swarm! They are fairly harmless, but Chels did mention that if they get in your mosquito net they crawl into your ears. Ewwwwww! They only come once the rain has slowed down or stopped. Now is that time and our house is surrounded by these little creatures. They seem to have this innate sense to find the smallest cracks in your windows and walls then crawl through being basically disgusting, but lemme tell you the spiders are having a field day! The really weird part is they lose their wings then they crawl and then they die. They don't live very long, but it's still a bit creepy. It's a helluva mess to clean up, though.

Anyway. TIG.

It's been a really good day! The day opened with some rain right when I wanted to go to the gym, so I did what any self respecting Guyanese would do: stayed in bed! While Chels and Sara took their typical morning walk I read! I exercised my mind, if you will. I finally finished, after an epic struggle, Victor Hugo's Les Miserable (sp?) 1463 pages and almost a month later mission accomplished! Hurdle cleared!GO!

Now, I am all about the classics, but I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone (the unabridged version). Well, unless they loved 19^th century French history and philosophy or if they're mad about reading 15 million allusions to ancient stories in one page! But I am being harsh. The actual narrative about the characters was good, but when he began ranting about Paris's sewers and spent 100 pages on the battle of Waterloo, and 50 pages on Parisian riot that is bit too much for me (morel of the story: France had a bunch of different governments/riots all through the 19^th century between monarchy and republic. Done.) 

 However, I would recommend an abridged version that only tells the characters' stories. That part was awesome. Especially if you like Romantic period literature (think Goethe and Mary Shelly).

As the day continued things got even better. I began a new project this week where I am actually going to try and print my teacher manuscript and design a four week professional development program for several Guyanese teachers in Region 10! It will take place over the summer term with me working with small groups of teachers. I'm super excited.

In terms of the project, first, I got the go ahead to design the program from my supervisor (thanks REdO), now all that I need to do is file the paper work and the central Ministry needs to review my booklet (making sure I am not going against any Education Policies and all that). Another piece of good news is my counterpart talked to someone at the central Ministry and a the booklet is packed in an envelope bound for G-town this Friday for the Big Man's approval. Then, I finished the first draft of the initial proposal and passed it on to my counterpart and my supervisor for a review. All-in-all super productive day!

How could I forget! One more thing! I printed out copies of my manuscript and finally got them bound today!!!! They look so good! I am really proud of them; it makes me feel almost like and expert!

Till next time!

I will post some pictures soon. 

T

A bird and a cat get on a minibus...

Today we took Rasta kitty into G/town to see the vet. She sat in her new cat carrier that Lisa gave us (THANK YOU LISA!) and had a fairly relaxed ride. Tim thought it was hilariously ironic that we sat next to a man with a bird in a basket on the way to town. Very Loony Tunes...

Our experience at the vet was less fun. Rasta got dewormed and some multi-vitamins (hopefully this will help her stop eating dirt). We were also concerned about the shape and feel of her stomach. Since we got her fixed in December it has been very hard and bumpy and she licks it until she gets hotspots.

The vet in town was awesome (undergrad and masters in Germany who did his Fulbright scholarship at Davis). However when he saw Rasta he said her surgery had been a “butchery” and she had definitely lost a few of her nine lives. I was almost in tears when he told us that it is almost certain that she still has her ovaries inside and it is possible that her intestines have formed lesions. Poor kitty!!!

For now he gave Rasta some antibiotics (a shot and some pills) to help with her exterior tummy wounds and after that series of antibiotics we will call him to set up an appointment so he can cut her back open in the hopes that he can reorganize and fix things. I am so pissed off at the “vet” who did such a bang up job on my little mewster. However, we trust in the skills of the G/town vet (any PCV who wants his info, give us a call, we highly recommend him).

We can also be grateful that we have even gotten to love Rasta at all. It was fate that brought her to us on a rainy day, when a chance walk brought us down a new route to where she was mewing on the side of the freeway. Without us, she wouldn't have survived past the torrential downpour that day. So whatever happens we are grateful to have found such a sweet friend in Rasta Kitty. We will keep you posted next month when she has her next visit to the vet.

What a day can bring

It is funny how life seems to provide you with exactly what you need when you need it.

On Friday I had a terrible day. The maternal/child health clinic was busy and the babies were especially fussy for some reason. I got especially frustrated with some moms whose babies wouldn't settle on the scale and wouldn't help me calm their children as I had to hold them screaming and kicking to get their weight. Then a very young mother (15 years old) came in with a very, very sick baby. The child had a fungal infection covering his entire scalp, thrush on his groin and at 2 months, only weighed 3.3 kg (7.2 lbs, basically in the 0^th percentile for weight). A coworker and I took charge of these children and headed over to the hospital to get some help. The infant was admitted, thank God, because I honestly think that the baby was dying. There were many reasons for why the infant was so malnourished but I don't want to get into that here. But I was just so saddened by the whole experience. To see that sort of suffering so up close and personal shook me to the core.

However, with the support of my loving husband and amazing housemate, Sara, I was able to talk through my emotions and cheer up a little. Especially because they reminded me how much my intervention in this case could literally save a life. Yay.

Then the weekend began and things turned around for me. Three volunteers came into Linden to participate in the Hash. For those of you who don't know, a Hash is a run/game/adventure/treasure hunt/obstacle course type thing. It is hard to explain, but basically you run around following clues left on the ground to find a trail that eventually leads to a BBQ and booze. It is often referred to as a drinking club with a running problem (real healthy, yeah I know). Tim and I had run 2 Hashes in San Diego before and enjoyed them but never got really into it. I was excited to learn there is a club in Guyana. So, Tony, Sara, Amy (a new PCV in Linden) and 3 other PCVs joined in with an eclectic group of expats and Guyanese in this wacky game. We made some great new friends, enjoyed a fun trail and good BBQ and afterwards ended up playing pool into the wee hours of the night. Happy times.

There is another Hash next Sunday in G/town and I am definitely planning on going. If we do 10 Hashes in Guyana we get a Hash name (a honor and something that follows you to any Hash you go to around the world). We will see if we achieve that before we go home.

Today we made eggs and banana pancakes and did our laundry and now we are lounging around reading. It is a good Sunday. Tomorrow I plan on checking in with the baby at the hospital. I am going to follow up with them and hopefully ensure that the child stays as healthy as possible. I am feeling optimistic and happy today. Awaiting whatever tomorrow brings...

Moms!

Happy Mother's Day to Our MOMS!!!

Our Moms are amazing, strong, intelligent women who raised us to believe in ourselves and believe in our power to serve our global community. Without the nuturing, love and support from our mothers, Tim and I would not have the courage to be on the adventure we are on right now. Thank you Mom for making us who we are today. We love you oceans and oceans.

And to all the Moms out there who weren't directly responsible for our creation, but instead are responsible for another unique being on earth, keep being amazing! Moms ROCK!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Some Musings

Happy Cinco De Mayo!

I wanted to add my 2-cents to our holiday. These last three weeks were a journey. A journey of friends, family, and food. Moreover, it was a journey of self. In previous posts, Chelsea has talked about the first three journeys with her description of the physical activities we did, the friends that we saw, and about the food we ate ( I will post some of my food pictures just for kicks.) However, each of these journeys are tied to the latter: our self.

This realization came through reflection and through the experiences we had. The first was heading down to San Diego when we visited our old school and old friends. It still felt like we had a place there It was an electrifying and wonderful experience. I wasn't sure if I felt that it would be any different but I did have this sense of unease, which was quickly dispelled the minute we walked into TJ and Groth's apartment. Then, going to Stone brewery and having the whole crew show up made me tear up I was so ecstatic to see everyone. Then, the next morning going to our old school, where some students still remembered us and watching the surprise of teacher's faces when we nonchalantly strolled into their classrooms was priceless. The welcome from everybody involved (including LA, Heather B :) ) was second-to-none. It showed how much our friends enjoy us (and it gave me a nice little self-esteem boost!)

And back in Oxnard to finish the week out, we visited my old high school friend, Llewellyn, and her awesome husband, Tom, who welcomed us with open arms, home-brews, and home cooked pizza. They were stoked to see us too! They also told us that they read our blog constantly, which was this crazy existential moment of realization that people care about what we do. It gave me new hope and it was a great time. Fast-forward to my birthday party. 30. Wow, what an age, but it's mine. 30-year olds say it gets better from here, but I remember hearing that when I was 20 too... But with respect to my over 30 friends I see their point, that the 20s was this strange decade of passage to adulthood, and when one turns 30 the journey is almost over. Not that a 30-year old cannot learn new tricks, for it is never too late to learn; however a 30-year old knows who he is. And for me, I am not feeling too different, maybe I knew myself way better than I thought I did? Anyway, I digress (isn't that a sign of old age? Or maybe it's the head wound :) ), the party was unbelievable. I felt so much love from all my friends and family. And I can't believe that everyone made it out. I had no idea who to expect but I was overwhelmed at who did come (Cameronicus, Grace, Drake/Morse, Flo, Veres, Adam, to name just a few) And even if it did have an unexpected ending...well was it that unexpected? I had a great, great time and I hope everyone else did too.

Northern California was it's own adventure. It was pretty great hanging out with Chelsea's brotha and madre, but the real journey was going to visit possible law schools for Chelsea. I've mentioned before that I'm not a planner but going to Davis, Berkeley, Santa Clara, and San Francisco and spending a little bit of time in each allowed me to become aware of my own emotions and ties to the future. I am really glad I am doing Peace Corps and I wouldn't take it back for a minute, but I am also okay with how our future is going to be. I could live and work in any one of those cities and give the necessary support that Chelsea needs, whatever her path may be. We were also able to spend some time with Cameron and Katt (and Cam's folks) in their San Francisco suburb, which was a tremendous experience. Thanks guys for letting us crash at your place. Likewise, I was able to spend some more time with some of Chel's friends and her cousin from “The City” who are about our age but a little further along (i.e. one baby on the way and one already born) and I could see the possibility for us. Sampa and Oma were also wonderful as they took us through the Olmec's history at the De Young and giving us memories that money can never buy.

And then we come to the last leg of our journey: Portland, Oregon. Coming here we knew that vacation was coming to close, but it was good to finally get to spend time with Douglas, Chels's dad, and Lisa, his fiance. They treated us so well and really made us feel at home. However, when Monday came though I dreaded the long journey, I wanted to come “home” to Guyana and start my routine again. I was tired of being a nomad, I wanted a home base to act from and as of now it's Guyana, but come 11 months, I will be more than ready to find a new place in California.

Though the physical journey may be over there is still much more for the journey of our selves.

Tim

P.S. This blog didn't even get into the societal pressure in the US for materialism or the nutso experience of going to a grocery store/mall the first time. One word: Overwhelming. Perhaps that can be for another day.

TT  

Gin!

Happy Cinco De Mayo!  Margs at JFK

Beer in LA with Heather B

Yeah Glazed sweet Potatoe Fries....insane! 

Gaffin Away

Thai Noodles in Berkeley 

Cameronicus and Katt in Alameada.

Wonderful Easter Breakfast Andy and Tara cooked up for us.

Back in Guyana

Well, after 25 days of an amazing vacation we arrived back in Guyana without a hitch.

We wrapped up our time in Santa Cruz with mom and Bup doing all the fun things that my hometown has to offer; bowling, playing laser tag and riding the Giant Dipper at the Boardwalk, going to Marini's, eating yummy pizza, hiking, watching Bup play volleyball at the beach and generally relaxing with family. Then, we headed up to Oregon to stay with Dad and Lisa for a few days. Up in the cold, misty Pacific Northwest we ate wonderful home-cooked meals, drank delicious wine, watched the Royal wedding and a football game, did a little shopping for wedding attire, visited Rogue microbrew for good food and drink. We also had two amazing visits, one from the Quinlivans, our friends from Peace Corps Guyana. It was so great to see them out of context and socialize in the real world instead of just in the Peace Corps bubble. We also headed over to my Aunt's house and got to meet my cousin, Dallas's 11 day old baby girl, Evelyn. Hanging out with my Auntie, cousin, her husband and baby was so super! I loved snuggling and kissing my first second cousin on that side of the family and catching up on all our lives.

Then, almost before we knew it we were in the airport flying back to Guyana. The trip was easy, although not quick (24 hours...ugh) but we encountered very few snafus. The strangest moment was when the flight attendant on our Caribbean flight told us we couldn't have the following in the exit row in which we were seated; anything under the seat in front of us, a blanket on our lap, a blanket folded up at our side, our water bottles, our shoes off, and my favorite, our books in our hands, since they were too “thick”. When we were told that we couldn't even hold our books or put then in the seat back pocket, we truly realized that we were back in “Caribbean mentality” where things don't always make sense and you just have to smile and go with it.

Coming into Linden and our house really did feel like coming home though. We were exhausted and I was feeling like I had a little cold (you know the stuffy, dried out feeling of being in an airplane too long) so we made a quick dinner and crashed out. This morning I woke up a little bit disoriented and had to remind myself where I was and why it was so damned hot. Oh yeah, it is hot. Welcome back to humidity. This heat is the only reason why we will be able to stand another 11 months of cold showers, which actually feel nice in this weather.

Anyway, we wanted to send out a sincere THANK YOU to everyone who made our vacation awesome. To our families who flew us out and gave us their own beds to sleep in, to everyone who bought us food and drinks to enjoy at home and bring back to Guyana, to the birthday party guests and people who celebrated elsewhere with us, and to everyone who reminded us that you will be there for us no matter where we are and how long we are gone for. We miss you and look forward to staying in touch over the next year as we all continue our adventures. Much love,

Chelsea

The boardwalk!

Volleyball. Smooth move, bro!

That's the "Strike" face...it didn't work.

LYRA!!! Such an pretty and amazing dog!

Proud Mamma, Pretty Baby

Just us gals.

Beer and food; good and good!

Yay for old friends and good times. go Quinlivans.

Home Safe!

Yay! We made it home safe to Guyana, but are truly exhausted. More to follow when we can think straight! Thank you everyone who made this trip possible and unforgettable! Much love to all!