Sunday, May 29, 2011
Quick update
I am currently in hotel restaurant in penonome on my way to technical training week. Last weekend we went to an amazing beach in San Carlos an also to a farm of freddy's brother. It was a really awesome weekend that turned into kind of a rough week. Loads of presentations, spanish interviews, and unfortunately we had someone leave our program. But I ran an activity where everyone had to say nice things about each other. It went really well and I think everyone felt a little better, I know I did. And I went up a level in Spanish booya!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Uno
I busted out the uno cards....and that is literally all we have done for the past two days. Play uno with these tiny little cards with trying to cheat kids. Last night we probably played for about 3 hours. At one point there was about 15 kids hanging out on our porch. Then I busted out the ipod and speakers. I only have one song that is all in spanish, Loca by Shakira. We listened to that one about 5 times. But I was pretty cool for having an ipod. Freddy told me that I can´t become Panamanian if I can´t dance. She doesn´t quite get the whole I´m white deal.
Current least favorite thing about Panama....Roosters. Whoever started this whole idea of roosters only crow in the morning is on my list. They crow all day and night. The 2 AM calls are my favorite. Oh and especially when the dogs join in. Asi es.
Current least favorite thing about Panama....Roosters. Whoever started this whole idea of roosters only crow in the morning is on my list. They crow all day and night. The 2 AM calls are my favorite. Oh and especially when the dogs join in. Asi es.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Volunteer Visit
I am back from Cocle and more pumped than ever to get going!
So I went to a campo community outside of Penonome. I had to take a bus from where I am into Penonome and then a chiva (little bus/van thing), and then hike up 30 minutes to the school where my volunteer met me. I visited with Jake, the same person we went to visit as a whole group. I had mixed feelings at first about going back to someplace I had already seen. But on the flip side, I felt more comfortable traveling, and had really already seen about the projects, and was able to spend more time really getting to see how he integrated in the community. And really that is what I want to know more about. Projects come and go, but the impact you make personally on people is what is most important!
It was soooo nice not really having a schedule and just hanging out. On Saturday we worked at the school, helping finish a basketball court. It was really interesting watching the pace of work and the inginuity of the people. As the day started, I was not really sure that it would happen, but every problem was worked through and the hoops were put up! It was totally a real live PC project in action, with all the ups and downs. On Sunday we went to La Pinta for a festival which was really fun. Google it. Its a cool place. Lovely story about travel on Sundays...its nearly impossible. There was one chiva running. One. And on the way back we accidentally got on headed toward Penonome. Oops! So we got a bit of a ride. The joys of travel in Panama!
Pasear-ing was awesome! People were a bit shy about talking to me at first, and I was the same way. But once I got in with the kids...I was golden. One of the little boys Adrian was so stinking cute. We whistled back and forth and played which hand has the rock for hours. I started to feel more confident and was able to talk and joke with the family. I was really sad when I had to leave. I feel like we do that a lot in the Peace Corps, form relationships and then have to leave.
It was also really nice just to talk and have a real conversation. We have been so busy training and spending time with our host families, that we really haven´t had time to really talk about why we are here and what we want from this personally. I know that everyone here is similar to me, but to talk to a volunteer and just get that reassurance that what we are doing is pretty awesome and we are all on the same page.
Two final things that I learned from my visit....I will have a hammock and I will have a dog.
So I went to a campo community outside of Penonome. I had to take a bus from where I am into Penonome and then a chiva (little bus/van thing), and then hike up 30 minutes to the school where my volunteer met me. I visited with Jake, the same person we went to visit as a whole group. I had mixed feelings at first about going back to someplace I had already seen. But on the flip side, I felt more comfortable traveling, and had really already seen about the projects, and was able to spend more time really getting to see how he integrated in the community. And really that is what I want to know more about. Projects come and go, but the impact you make personally on people is what is most important!
It was soooo nice not really having a schedule and just hanging out. On Saturday we worked at the school, helping finish a basketball court. It was really interesting watching the pace of work and the inginuity of the people. As the day started, I was not really sure that it would happen, but every problem was worked through and the hoops were put up! It was totally a real live PC project in action, with all the ups and downs. On Sunday we went to La Pinta for a festival which was really fun. Google it. Its a cool place. Lovely story about travel on Sundays...its nearly impossible. There was one chiva running. One. And on the way back we accidentally got on headed toward Penonome. Oops! So we got a bit of a ride. The joys of travel in Panama!
Pasear-ing was awesome! People were a bit shy about talking to me at first, and I was the same way. But once I got in with the kids...I was golden. One of the little boys Adrian was so stinking cute. We whistled back and forth and played which hand has the rock for hours. I started to feel more confident and was able to talk and joke with the family. I was really sad when I had to leave. I feel like we do that a lot in the Peace Corps, form relationships and then have to leave.
It was also really nice just to talk and have a real conversation. We have been so busy training and spending time with our host families, that we really haven´t had time to really talk about why we are here and what we want from this personally. I know that everyone here is similar to me, but to talk to a volunteer and just get that reassurance that what we are doing is pretty awesome and we are all on the same page.
Two final things that I learned from my visit....I will have a hammock and I will have a dog.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Muy Cansada y muy pumped!
This go go go training is wiping me out! Up early for spanish class, lunch break, technical classes and more spanish in the afternoon, then still thinking/talking in spanish with my family. The other day I had my first bad day...it just all caught up to me. I just did not want to do anything. But then on my walk home I saw my host sister, and then some neighborhood kids happy to see me. And I realized that this is not just about me, it's about them too. So while I will have my bad days, I know I want and need to be here. Also watching a really bad bootleg copy of Fast and Furious 5 helped too :)
Tomorrow I leave for the province of Cocle for a volunteer visit. Basically I just hang out with a volunteer for a few days to check out their site and see what there day to day life is, how their site is, and to understand more what I want in a site. I am super pumped!
Tomorrow I leave for the province of Cocle for a volunteer visit. Basically I just hang out with a volunteer for a few days to check out their site and see what there day to day life is, how their site is, and to understand more what I want in a site. I am super pumped!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Address update
Cuerpo de Paz Panama
Amy Stypa
Edif 240
Calle Victor Iglesias
Ciudad del Saber, Clayton
Panama Repulica de Panama
Anything you already sent is fine, but the office just moved. So please send anything further here.
Amy Stypa
Edif 240
Calle Victor Iglesias
Ciudad del Saber, Clayton
Panama Repulica de Panama
Anything you already sent is fine, but the office just moved. So please send anything further here.
A Normal Sabado
Saturday was one of the most fun days I have had so far. We did a short hike, for old people and kids, through the first National Park of Panama. It was cool and fresh and relaxing. Best part ever...we saw a SLOTH!! In Panama barely a week and boom wildlife....so awesome.
Then comes party weekend. There was an insane amount of parties in town, a 21st birthday, a quincinera and just generally hanging out. My neighbor did my nails, bright blue with white tips. I guess it looks good since I am muy blanca. Then it was bingo and the aunts house. I had kids help me because I could not keep up with thinking between english and spanish for the numbers. They were more than happy to help!Afterwards, we paseared for a little while and checked out what was happening. I went back to the bingo house and the party was really started. Just hanging out, playing cards, dancing, soccer with family and friends. It is so nice to feel welcomed by everyone!
I am currently writing from the mall in Panama City. We had an adventure in the city for more practice on how to use the buses and find important things in the city like the hospital and a check in point for the emergency action plan. Panama is one of the safest coutries for PC volunteers in Central America. The crime rates are so low. And the health care is excellent, Panama is the regional MEDIVAC center.
Adios for now!
Then comes party weekend. There was an insane amount of parties in town, a 21st birthday, a quincinera and just generally hanging out. My neighbor did my nails, bright blue with white tips. I guess it looks good since I am muy blanca. Then it was bingo and the aunts house. I had kids help me because I could not keep up with thinking between english and spanish for the numbers. They were more than happy to help!Afterwards, we paseared for a little while and checked out what was happening. I went back to the bingo house and the party was really started. Just hanging out, playing cards, dancing, soccer with family and friends. It is so nice to feel welcomed by everyone!
I am currently writing from the mall in Panama City. We had an adventure in the city for more practice on how to use the buses and find important things in the city like the hospital and a check in point for the emergency action plan. Panama is one of the safest coutries for PC volunteers in Central America. The crime rates are so low. And the health care is excellent, Panama is the regional MEDIVAC center.
Adios for now!
Friday, May 6, 2011
Mi Familia Panamania
My host family rocks! My mom, Freddy is 31 and she has two kids Victor, 12 and Cielo, 10. Freddy is so outgoing and loves to make jokes and thinks I am crazy for not wearing shorty shorts and spagetti strap tops. It has been really great to practice spanish with them. And dont worry I am not living in squalor or anything. I have running water, electricity, tv, washing machine, and microwave. Only downfall...only a curtain for the bathroom door.
My spanish is getting so much better. woop woop. There are four levels of spanish and I was placed in the second. I am at intermediate low and need to be at intermediate medium in order to be sworn in. I have seen how much I have progressed in the past week and it feels great! My teacher said I was placed in a class slightly above my level based on the recommedation of the tester. She said the I am doing great. oh yea.
Positive reinforcement is something that we definately get alot of which is amazing! The staff is fantastic and are really making this transition so much easier.
My host family has alot of family in our community and a really fun thing we do here is pasear. Which basically means to go visit others. Just to hang out, have a chat, drink some chicha. Its great!
The kids in my neighborhood are super cool. They are always looking for me and waiting for me to come play. Freddy called me Hannah Montana and all the kids are my fans! LOL The kids have really become my favorite part of being here!
I will try to post some photos soon but its hard without my own computer or regular access to internet. I gotta fill my time by publishing for my loyal following. Ok more so you guys know Im still alive.
Please feel free to email me or write comments and I will respond as quickly as I can.
My spanish is getting so much better. woop woop. There are four levels of spanish and I was placed in the second. I am at intermediate low and need to be at intermediate medium in order to be sworn in. I have seen how much I have progressed in the past week and it feels great! My teacher said I was placed in a class slightly above my level based on the recommedation of the tester. She said the I am doing great. oh yea.
Positive reinforcement is something that we definately get alot of which is amazing! The staff is fantastic and are really making this transition so much easier.
My host family has alot of family in our community and a really fun thing we do here is pasear. Which basically means to go visit others. Just to hang out, have a chat, drink some chicha. Its great!
The kids in my neighborhood are super cool. They are always looking for me and waiting for me to come play. Freddy called me Hannah Montana and all the kids are my fans! LOL The kids have really become my favorite part of being here!
I will try to post some photos soon but its hard without my own computer or regular access to internet. I gotta fill my time by publishing for my loyal following. Ok more so you guys know Im still alive.
Please feel free to email me or write comments and I will respond as quickly as I can.
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