Pictures for all :)

This is a really short update.

I finally got internet in my room and I was able to upload my pictures! Enjoy!

https://picasaweb.google.com/108559391541463117960/Peru1?authkey=Gv1sRgCLPT3J2oitfCXg

I'll be updating the pictures here so save this site!

Week one of PST (Pre-service training)

Week one of PST (pre service training) is...done. I have 9 more weeks of this. Training is mentally draining. Look at that rhyme.

On Monday, I had to wake up at 7am to take my first BUCKET SHOWER. I didn't expect this... but I actually love them. They are way less painful than taking a cold shower in the morning. It is cold here during the morning and at night so the cold water is pretty intense. Bucket showering allows me to do my hair first then put it up in a towel before finishing the rest. I had breakfast with my host mom and sister Bryanna. Bryanna has to leave for school at 730 am and I start walking down to the center around 745. Training is filled with language classes and youth development training as well as classes in Peru culture, etc, etc. By 5pm nothing else can fit into my brain.

This week I got to do some pretty cool things. I made a lemon pie with my host mom who is honestly the nicest. In my house, my host mom's mom also lives with us and she told me that my Spanish is getting better very quickly. I also get to sit down and do homework with Bryanna who is pretty dang smart for a 3 year old. 

I really worked my Spanish out on Wednesday night. I decided to finally ask the internet man about getting wi-fi in my house. Now this is where it gets interesting. As many of you may know my Spanish isn't the greatest and I'm far from fluent, so when I had a women and an internet man holding my MAC outside the top window of a house... you can imagine my face. Apparently the signal is really bad to pick up WI-FI in my house so I would need an antenna installed... for 90 soles. No way jose. Somehow, with my broken Spanglish, I managed to have the guy install the antenna for the original price of 50 soles... and I promised to give him back the antenna when I left. The antenna is coming on Monday... so right now I only get internet on my roof... next to 15 ducks. So, as I write this, I'm chillin' with the patos on the roof with a piece of lemon pie. Life is good. 

On Thursday my TAPS (youth development training group) went to Chosica to accomplish something called "Mission Impossible". Chosica is a major town filled with resturants and markets. My group had to interview a resturaunt owner and a school director. It was really interesting to see how schools are run in Peru. After the mission impossible a few of us stuck around and checked Chosica out. I decided to eat a cow heart from a street vendor. I didn't get sick and it was pretty darn tasty.

I came home today to find that my mom had killed one of my amigas (ducks) because it was eating all the other ducks foods. The duck died right in front of my eyes and all my host mom said was "Hasta Luego"... but guess what... 5 mins later my host mom was plucking the feathers off the duck and putting it in the fridge (along with the pig head with the eyeballs still in it). So excited for dinner tomorrow. 

My family is celebrating El Dia de Padre (Father's Day) tomorrow because my host dad works in Lima on Sunday. There is a fiesta tomorrow... but no one knows the time. Should be interesting. 

Special shout out to my DAD in America! Hope you have the most amazing Father's Day! I miss you very much! Thank-you for your unwavering support :) I would not be doing this amazing thing without you. 

I really do love Peru, more and more everyday.

I found a really great quote by JFK that I want to leave you guys with

"Life in the Peace Corps will NOT be easy. There will be no salary and allowances will be at a level sufficient to maintain health and basic needs. Men and women will be expected to work and live alongside the nationals of the country in which they are stationed---doing the same work, eating the same food, talking the same language. But if the life will not be easy, it will be rich and satisfying. For every young American who participates in Peace Corps---who works in a foreign land-will know what he or she is sharing in the great common task of bringing to man that decent way of life which is the foundation of freedom and the condition of peace." 

Miss you all so much!

-Brielle

PS: I promise pictures on Monday when I get the wi-fi and say adios to the ducks on the roof!

Mi Nueva Familia

( Sorry in advance. Im currently on my roof next to 15 ducks getting bad internet. I'll have wireless internet on monday in my house! Ill go back and add pictures of my awesome fam. Also, on the side is my new wish list for things to send me :) please read the directions on sending packages. muy importante!) 

All 52 of Peru 17 woke up and had our last breakfast all together. At 11:30 a.m. the Small Business Development (SB) trainees and Youth Development (YD) trainees (me) would be split up and be heading to 2 different training locations. SB went to Chacalacayo YD would be heading to Santa Eaulia. It was sad to say have to say goodbye to a group of people we had just come to really like, but we will be reuniting for 4^th of July and other holidays and days during training. We boarded onto our busses and went to meet our new host families. I’ve not been nervous about this entire experience until this bus ride. I’m pretty sure I was shaking. My Spanish isn’t that great and here I was heading off to a new family where all they would speak is SPANISH!

Once we got the training center we were separated into groups and our names were called and matched with host families. When the language instructor called my name I heard a screech of “MI HERMANA!” (for those of you Spanish illiterate this means “my sister”). She helped me with my bags and we were off to mi nueva casa (my new house). I got super lucky because my house is a 5 minute walk from the training center, and I don’t have to take a 30 minute bus ride like some of the other trainees.

In my house there is my host sister Melissa. She is 23 years old and guess what… she speaks some English. She is the nicest person and super helpful when I’m completely confused at what is going on. She has a boyfriend studying English in Lima and he is coming next week, but she told me I’m not allowed to speak English because I NEED to learn Spanish. 

 I have another host sister and she is 3 years old and the most adorable person, ever. Her name is Bryanna (pronounced BRIE ANA), and she repeats everything I say. I realized, too that I’m going to learn a lot of my Spanish from this little girl. (picture)

My host mom’s name is Carmen and she is… PREGNANT! 5 months along, and she knows she’s having a little girl. My host dad is a policeman in the town, which is reassuring. I have a room with a bed, a dresser, a side table, a desk and a huge ventana (window) overlooking the mountains and the main street.

The family has a dog named Dacha. Un perro (the dog), kind of looks like a cocker spaniel mix. Dogs just roam the streets here, much like they did in Honduras, and sometimes you have to pick up a rock to throw if they get too close. ALSO, my family has had 10 volunteers and I’m the 11^th. This calmed me down because now I know nothing is really going to surprise them.

After all the introductions, Melissa helped me unpack and then we had dinner. My first meal was pollo (chicken) con arroz (with rice), lettuce (they put lime juice and sugar on this) and PATATOES. The Peruvians are all about the carbs… guess I’ll have to start working out. My host mom looked at me and must have noticed I was exhausted because she told me to take a nap. The nap lasted 20 minutes before I heard a band playing and people in the streets. I got up and looked out my window and saw a procession of a cross (Peruvian’s also LOVE their processions). I went into the kitchen and Melissa asked if I wanted to go. OF course I do! The procession was a ceremony of the cross. They bring the cross to a certain place and hang it up, the band plays and fireworks are shot off (pictures).

After the ceremony there is a town fiesta (party). Melissa and I headed to the party where I saw some other volunteers who had host families in the area. We all sat together and talked and most of the people were drinking beer. After a little while we were served sopa (soup) with pork in it. I was a little hesitant because we had been warned about street food, but I asked my host sister  and she said it was fine, but not to drink whatever they were passing out. It would cause serious stomach issues.  (For all of you reading this… I want you to realize all of this is going on in Spanish. I know you must be impressed. The few years of Spanish arefinally coming back). There were people dancing and a band playing. Around 10 p.m. Melissa and I went home and I went to bed. My first day of training would start at 8 a.m. sharp.

I could not have asked for a better host family for the next 3 months of training. They are very laid back and understand when I need my own time. I feel very safe here and content. It’s things like this that make me see more and more that I made the right choice. I’m falling in more in love with Peru every single day.

Also, looks like I'll be bucket bathing for the next 3 months. I love Peru. 

"Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye." -Helen Keller

-Brielle 

Passport Stamped. Hello Peru!

I've finally finished my first day in PERU! We got into our recreational center late last night. The plane ride from Miami to Peru wasn't so bad and I got to watch "The Company Men." It was pretty good. I also had the sweetest Peruvian man sitting next to me who told me all of the great places to visit before I leave. All 51 of us, traveling by ourselves, made it through customs and got our bags. We took 2 busses to the rec center. It was dark when we got there and I was SO exhausted so I went to bed pretty quickly.  I woke up around 7:00a.m. and guess what... I took my first COLD shower in PERU! :) It wasn't so bad. I'm used to them after having to take them in Honduras.

I walked outside and I was literally surrounded by mountains! Freakin' crazy, uploading pictures soon!

We ate breakfast this morning- roll, cheese, jelly and INSTANT coffee. I actually had tea here and it was freakin' awesome. I had 3 cups of it today. I love it. After breakfast we went to hours and hours of meetings for safety, medical... and some Spanish first lessons so we can talk to our host families tomorrow (which is giving me anxiety at the moment). For lunch we had avacado and steak and of course... Potatoes! The PCMOs (Peace Corps Medical Officers) are the greatest and all the staff are really, really nice!

I got to Skype my parents :) and some of my friends here go to meet them :) I'm already having a really great time. I'll be training in Santa Eulalia, Peru.

So, everyone reading this, please say a little prayer tomorrow that I get a very nice host family that likes me. Really, say one, like right now.

Well... I don't know when I'm getting internet next. SO! Training starts Monday! PERU 17! 

"You get the best out of others when you give the best of yourselfs." -Harvey Firestone

 

Hasta la próxima vez 

-Brielle 

 

Staging & MY LAST NIGHT IN AMERICA

I don't have any pictures for this blog besides me holding some "We'll miss you" balloons from my best friend Casey McGuire :) I loved them and I actually really like this picture. As Aaron would say... I look like the character from the movie "Up".

 

 

Last night at HOME!

So, after a final last dinner in New Jersey I woke up at 5 am and headed to La Guardia for my flight. It's never easy saying goodbye to your parents & realizing that you won't be seeing them for at LEAST a year is tough. My dad will NO longer be there to solve a crisis & I won't be able to just go to lunch at California Pizza Kitchen with my mom whenever I want. Here I go being a grown up.

I had a quick flight to DC & that's when the longest day of my life started. I handed in my paperwork and officially went from Peace Corp Invitee to PEACE CORPS TRAINEE. Apparently a big step in this process.

I had a full day of information. We discussed our anxieties and our aspirations. I met some pretty awesome people and already know that PERU 17 will be very close by the end of this unreal journey. It was nice to finally be in a room filled with people with the same passions and reasons for doing something that most people only dream of. When we were asked "Who is nervous about the next 27 months?". Everyone in the room raised their hand. All 51 of us. It's a nerve wracking process- there's no denying that.  There are both Youth Development (me) and Small Business volunteers. At the end of the activity our leader ended with "This is going to be the hardest job you EVER have. I'm here to remind you of that, but it is worth EVERY second." I can't wait.

After the longest day of my life me and a few other volunteers went dinner and a few drinks. We have volunteers from literally ALL OVER the country and from all walks of life. I can't wait to experience this with all of them.

I already miss everyone back home and wish that all of you could be with me on this journey (physically at least because you're with me always). I leave from DC at 12:00pm and we go to Miami where we are literally going to be running from plane to plane. This is where my phone will be OFFICIALLY off & I'll be available by email and Facebook until further notice. From Miami I will be taking a 5 and change hour flight to Peru :) I arrive in Peru at 9pm (10 p.m. in the United States). After a day at a retreat center... I will be picked up by my host family and then things really get interesting....

"You can be anything you want. But you have to take a risk sometimes. Reach out. One thing I can tell you for sure is this: we only regret what we don't do in life." - Kristin Hannah

Hasta la próxima vez 

-Brielle 

 

P.S. : Amanda Slack, you are the best.

2 years in 2 bags

I'm not sure how it fit and I'm not sure how I'm going to repack it after training, but I (really my super amazing packer mother) managed to get basically everything I needed in one NorthFace rolling duffel, one hiking backpack, one carry-on backpack and a larger purse. I know most of time Peace Corps soon to be volunteers check out blogs of current Peace Corps volunteers for tips on packing. I can't say that my method is going to work for everyone, but here is the picture of what my bags look like.

 

Here is a general list of what I packed because I actually didn't count all my items.

- 10-20 Tee shirts  (included is some sleeping tees and some nicer ones)

- 10 long sleeved shirts

- 4 pairs of jeans

- 2 pairs of pants

- all the yoga pants I own (this is a lot of yoga pants)

- lots of socks

- 3 bathing suits and a bathing suit cover

- 3 summerish/nicer dresses

- 3 longer shirts

- a few pairs of shorts

- 2 pairs of sneakers, TOMS shoes, Rainbows, flats & 2 other pairs of sandals. 

- One hoodie sweashirt and one zip up sweatshirt ( The zip-up is my 46HourABBS sweatshirt from THON and probably one of the best purchases I made in my life. I practically lived in it in college).

- underwear, obviously

- lots of toiletries

- laptop (and external hard drive)

- IPOD touch (Thanks mark!)

- Kindle (THANKS DAD!)

- Flip cam (Thanks Dad!)

- Nikon D60 

- Digital Camera (Thank you Donnie and Maria!!!)

- Host family gifts

- Pictures and cards from my amazing family and friends :) 

I'm sure there are a few things I'm forgetting to list, but you get the point. There are a few things I don't need right away and I will be having my parents ship, but for the most part I think we did pretty well. I have one more full day of life in New Jersey and in my house (I'll be relocating once I come back in August 2013). Goodbyes are definitely the worst, but I can honestly say after these past couple of weeks I truly have the best friends and family a girl could ask for. I want to thank EVERYONE for their kind words of support and advice, you have no idea how much it means to me. Before leaving you with a quote here is a picture of the quote on my luggage.

 

 

"Never STOP Exploring." Amen, NorthFace.

"Trust that little voice in your head that says 

'Wouldn't it be interesting if...' ; And then do it"

- Duane Michals

 

Hasta la próxima vez 

-Brielle

6. 1. 2011 Single Digits

I'm in single digits now. I can't believe how quick the time flew. First off, I want to say I have the BEST friends. I had an AMAZING time down in Sea Isle with some pretty awesome people. I'm going to miss you guys so much & really hope you all stay in touch. I want to hear all about your summertime & the next 2 years of your life. 

 

First night in Sea Isle for MDW . Left to Right Me, Danielle, Abby, Brandon. Amazing WEEKEND!

I had my interview for my Spanish levels today. Needless to say it went.... ok? The lady asked me what my favorite holiday was and I responded with "mi cumpleanos". She started laughing very hard which in turn made me laugh. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be placed in the basic Spanish class, but I was told by other volunteers its better to placed where you should be. You move up levels very quickly once you're in Peru. I'm sure the first few weeks there will be a lot of hand motions and charades going on but I'm confident that I'll pick up the language pretty quickly.

I wanted to update you guys on keeping in contact with me. On the right side of this page is my SKYPE address. My skype name is brix3bri23. Please download Skype (www.skype.com and it's free to download) if you don't have it already. I want to see all your beautiful faces! Also... my address during training has been posted (on the right of this page) with directions on how to mail things. Customs can be annoying so following the directions is key. I don't want them taking any of the stuff you guys thoughtfully send :) At some point I will have a telephone and the number will be there as well.

9 days til I'm to the next adventure of my crazy life. 

"The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before." - Albert Einstein

Hasta la próxima vez 

-Brielle