Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Learning Curve
I'm loving NY right now. I miss people from home and STL a ton, but have found that I'm learning so much, and big things are really happening here. I want to be part of that. I keep having to remind myself to sit still and learn before i try to do! I just want to jump in.
I have been getting energy from riding the subway. I'm learning it, and when i get on a packed subway, I feel part of something so much bigger than myself, and part of a world that is flying by! For some that seems nuts, but for me, I'm ready to tackle it head first. I want to make some changes and be part of something great. I want to push for positive changes in the world, but first I have to learn how.
So, I got an internship! That's super exciting. I'll be helping with systematic change around domestic violence through policy analysis, talking to policymakers, and courts, education and so on, but most importantly, working with people who have been directly affected by the policies and helping them to make the changes they want to see. SUPER EXCITING. I've been dreaming a lot though. Today we went to the UN and took a tour, and then got to talk to someone working in one of the UN offices. I loved it. It's an international government trying to work together to make global changes....end poverty, bring education, gender rights,....so many cool things. There are plenty of criticism of the UN, but i look at it in the same light as child services; it's easier to point out the flaws than what great work is being done. Anyway, it just reminded me that these are the kind of issues I want to be working on some day...global issues and policy that will affect global change and promote human rights. My passion is coming back! I'm in the right place.
Speaking of being in the right place, I'm loving my policy course, and even the loads of reading i have (which i should be doing now about the US budget). Last night I did reading on US Healthcare. That was awesome to start to understand. Did you know that the health care reform is actually helping the US budget by a lot once it starts?!?! It provides care for more people, and tons of improvements, plus helps the US budget. YEAH! And, if i understand it right, for all you made about the abortion part of it, the funding of abortion is only for rape, incest, and women who could have life threatening complications due to pregnancy. I think that's what I understood.
Anyway, point of the story, i'm super interested in what I'm learning and excited to learn more so I can start putting this into action. I feel like i'm learning so much that will be incredibly useful soon. I was nervous as i came back to school that I wasnt ready to be back in the social work world, but as i'm entering into the policy part, i'm thrilled and feel a drive to really make some systematic changes. Can't wait. I keep wondering what kind of work i'll be doing in five years!
So much energy and excitement!. Hopefully this continues as the year goes on and i get swamped with work!
Miss y'all at home!
Love,
Trouty
Friday, August 3, 2012
The City That Never Sleeps (OMG It's True!!!)
Another journey. As my cousin Jamie said, "you never know where on earth Jessica is going to be." This year, I'm in New York City and have officially started classes at Columbia University. Can you say "intimidating?" So, I moved here to get my MSW in Policy Practice and International Social Welfare. Do I want to be a policy analyst? Nope. So why, you may ask are you doing the Policy track? Well, I want to be able to speak the language that policy makers speak and to be able to analyze the policy, but use that skill set to work with the people and change those policies. I have too much fight in me to sit behind the desk. I have to be on the front lines but want to make sense while I'm there.
Needless to say, I've pretty much realized this is going to be the hardest year of my academic career. I have to take Econ, and do a lot with numbers and stats, and so on. YIKES! That side of my brain has never really been my friend. I'm gonna get in a lot of fights with it this year, and i'm determined to win!
You're probably bored with what I'm here to do, so what have i been doing? I flew with my mom to NYC just over two weeks ago. We moved me in, and then took a sightseeing bus around the city. We got to see Uptown and Downtown Manhattan (I live in uptown) and also some of Brooklyn. We went to the Statue of Liberty and the 9/11 Memorial which was really powerful. After my mom left, I was on my own for a week. I explored my neighborhood and found a jazz concert in the park. I also went out one night with a Former Jesuit Volunteer who I contacted on the JV listserv. We talked for like 6 hours!
As I was about to go crazy, one of my roommates, Jill, moved in. Thank God. I needed some personal interaction. So I spent some time with her and her family. Then Monday morning came. We got up to get ready for orientation as our other roommate, Mandi, moved in. We all went to orientation and I was presently surprised how down to earth all of our staff and faculty were that talked to us. I imagined since it was CU, that it might not be so pleasant, but they all seemed wonderful. I also got to meet the 53 other Advanced Standing students in the program. SWEET!
Tuesday classes started. Our Practice class is somewhat hard. Well, it's not really hard, it's just a lot of reading because it's condensed. I've been pleased with how confident I have been that I understand the material and am keeping up. I've also been pretty relaxed that I will do as much of the reading as I can, and let what I honestly can't finish just be. Yay for keeping sanity thus far! The other class is a Field Seminar and it's pretty simple.; only a little reading, and mostly talking and comparing experiences. It's more of a fun class.
The classes I'm worried about are coming in September! haha. So now that my first week of classes is over, I'm trying to catch up on some of the reading, but also see some of the city. Today I went to the gym for the first time here too. HOLLY HELL! It's big, and lots of strong men. Again, intimidating. Anyway, as I was cooling down and walking the track, I saw banners for all the Ivy League Universities hanging. I thought, "Holy Crap, I'm part of that! How did that happen. Yup, this year is gonna be hard! Enjoy is while you can!"
Finally, last night we went out to a couple of bars around my neighborhood, and tonight we're going to Greenwich Village to see some of those bars.
Sorry, this one's prob pretty boring. Just step by step update of life.
Oh, one last thing, I've pretty proud of myself and my knowledge of transition. I think although I'm lonely and missing a ton of people from home, I've been pretty rational in putting my transition loneliness and irrationability into check. New York does seem like such a different culture tho. I really hope I don't lose my Midwest friendliness. Everyone says I will just in defense of the crazies. I guess y'all will have to put me in check when I come home if i'm a rude New Yorker.
Love y'all and miss y'all!
Jessica
Friday, April 8, 2011
Epilog
I took a nap earlier in the day yesterday and didn't see my fiend. I thought I would never see him again, Lo and behold, I was mistaken. Last night, I reached down to the side of my bed to get a book, and this time I did yelp as he ran away from my hand. The battle began.
"Oh you BEEP!!" as I grab my friend Black Cat Pesticide from Japan! "Don't you dare go under my bed again you little BLEEP! Meghan!!! Help!!!"
Meghan comes running in as I spray the monster over and over away from under my bed. She laughs but agrees that my description of the size is accurate.
I jump around screaming at spider nearly the size of the tarantula in Home Alone until I grab a shoe. Thank God my best friend Black Cat stunned the bugger and I smack a shoe on top of it. Then I run out of my room dancing from disgust! But, I won the battle and slept peacefully! Spiders, stay away. I loathe thee!!!
"Oh you BEEP!!" as I grab my friend Black Cat Pesticide from Japan! "Don't you dare go under my bed again you little BLEEP! Meghan!!! Help!!!"
Meghan comes running in as I spray the monster over and over away from under my bed. She laughs but agrees that my description of the size is accurate.
I jump around screaming at spider nearly the size of the tarantula in Home Alone until I grab a shoe. Thank God my best friend Black Cat stunned the bugger and I smack a shoe on top of it. Then I run out of my room dancing from disgust! But, I won the battle and slept peacefully! Spiders, stay away. I loathe thee!!!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Simple Living Island Style
10 pm, the power goes out (again). The fans go off. It’s currently 93 degrees in our third floor apartment. I wake up at 1am in a pool of sweat, lie a sheet on the tile floor and throw my pillows onto the floor. Then I see it! A spider 2/3 the size of my fist. I scream in my head, grab a shoe and throw it at the horrifying monster. The monster runs under my bed (yes, last night there was a real monster under my bed). I can’t get to the monster so I wonder what to do. Now mind you, I am a self declared princess. I do not like bugs. They are fine from a distance, but when cockroaches crawl over my face or fly at me in the shower, I tend to scream; having a gigantic spider in my room is no small thing. So, I ran into this dilemma, where do I sleep? If I sleep on the bed, the monster could climb up and get me. If I sleep on the floor it could waltz its way to me. I choose the floor. It’s further away, and frankly, cooler (and harder).
Next, I shine the flashlight under my bed. I don’t see the spider but I do see plenty termite dust that has come from the termites living in my bed frame, and try to roll over. Mind you, living in Chuuk for two years might have made me a little crazy, so while I’m trying to forget the monster and fall asleep, I jump and slap my ear, because I think I made the spider mad at it came out to attack me (spiders are vengeful little ogres in my imagination and craze). Luckily, the spider did not eat me. I lived until the morning, but I think I still have a monster under my bed and I’m not sure what to do about it.
That’s just a sample of simple living in Chuuk. Bucket flushing, wind up flashlights, showering outside in skirts when we have no water, and flushing our dish water are other examples. So, as much as I value living in Chuuk, this little princess can’t wait for an air conditioned room and a bed with no bugs come June! Maybe when I get home I’ll stop being crazy…or be more crazy. Crap!
Next, I shine the flashlight under my bed. I don’t see the spider but I do see plenty termite dust that has come from the termites living in my bed frame, and try to roll over. Mind you, living in Chuuk for two years might have made me a little crazy, so while I’m trying to forget the monster and fall asleep, I jump and slap my ear, because I think I made the spider mad at it came out to attack me (spiders are vengeful little ogres in my imagination and craze). Luckily, the spider did not eat me. I lived until the morning, but I think I still have a monster under my bed and I’m not sure what to do about it.
That’s just a sample of simple living in Chuuk. Bucket flushing, wind up flashlights, showering outside in skirts when we have no water, and flushing our dish water are other examples. So, as much as I value living in Chuuk, this little princess can’t wait for an air conditioned room and a bed with no bugs come June! Maybe when I get home I’ll stop being crazy…or be more crazy. Crap!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
A Day in the Life of Me...
“OHHHH, what a joy!” When most people think of two years of service in another country, they romanticize how wonderful the experience will be. People think of relationships, the reward of giving, and having your heart broken and sewn back together by the poverty. Well, day to day, it’s hard to see the wonder of service, so I’m going to take you into what I see day to day living in Chuuk, FSM.
Friday was quite a day and showed perfectly many of the frustrations I encounter regularly. I was giving 4 midterm tests to my 9th and 10th grade Lit classes. The first class started wonderfully. It’s the class that I look around and do see great relationships and enjoy. Then came the freshmen. Having 38 freshmen in a class is not ok and bad for student learning and teacher sanity. Outside of general yelling for 5 minutes to get the class seated, and then 5 more to get them quiet, all went ok. There was of course talking during the test, but for the freshmen, the period went smoothly.
After second period was my free period. Commonly, during my free period or walking past classes, I see them unattended. Friday was not unusual, but after my free period was when it got good. I went to the other freshmen classroom. 9M has been by far my biggest challenge in teaching. Well, I walked into 9M, the bell rang and I start speaking loudly to be heard over the racket of the class saying “please find your seats.” Obviously no one heard me, so I yelled, but not angrily. I did that for about 10 minutes finally getting mad. In the time of trying to get students seated, I witnessed one student literally get out of her seat and walk over to another student and stand in the back of the classroom having a conversation. I noticed other boys walk outside to a group of my students who are standing outside of the doorway just chilling while I tried to regain some kind of control. Finally, some students started to sit, only because their friends, who are good students, started to encourage them. The boys outside noticed the class was all sitting and decide maybe they’d come in.
These boys start a whole different story. When they decide to come in, I tell them to go get tardy passes because they were not in the classroom. Well, two of them push me out of the way to run to their seats instead of getting passes and the other three try to sneak in the other door. I stand firm and pull the two boys who pushed me out of their way out the door. They push me out of their way again and I just yell their name to get a pass and also say the names of the three other boys I saw sneak in. After 5 more minutes, the boys go to get their passes. Two students come back. One has a pass, the other stands smiling at me and laughing while I tell him to get his pass annoyed. Then, the three others come. One goes straight to his seat while the other two are chasing one another. They run past the first door, into the second door and straight down the aisle. The one in front runs behind me and pushes me forward to sacrifice me to the other student who stops running when he gets to the middle of the aisle and hands me the pass telling me the story. Agh! I yell at them to sit down and stop acting like 5 year olds. Finally they sit. The second boy is still standing by me because he came back with the other group as if his name was on their pass. It wasn’t. Then he pulls three passes out of his pocket and hands them to me. Two were for my class and the other was blank. ANNOYING!
Anyhow, I just need to stop fighting the students and get class going, so I didn’t do anything, plus, this is so regular it doesn’t even faze me anymore. At least they’re not saying F-you to me, I hate you, or fighting each other (today). So after about 20 mins, everyone is seated. I tell them to clear their desks and be quiet. I stand at the front of the first row to hand out tests but wait for them to be quiet. As soon as I start to think I can pass the tests out, 2 groups start talking. 10 more minutes. Finally I pass the tests out with about 20-25 mins left for them to take the tests.
They now have the tests. One would think it would be time for me to take a deep breath and just watch them go. Ha! Not in Chuuk and not when you’re a young, white, female teacher. Those three factors play against me in so many ways! Anyhow, questions start flying. Each time I answer one question, I hear students talking. Literally, every time I talk to one student, others start talking. I threaten to stop answering questions and that works for a while. After that threat I inform the students they have 5 more minutes until the bell and lunch. I said “hurry, so you can go monga(eat) meat.” Well, the class busts up thinking I said monga me….yes class, please don’t eat me! again, I want to scream my head off at their lack of respect and maturity, but know that I will regret what I say if I do. Thank God, before I can fulfill my promise to stop answering questions or go crazier, the bell rings and I get the heck outa that class. (I teach them 4/5 days a week!!!)
It’s lunch! Woosh! Thank God Almighty I have time to breath in our JV appt. We all sit down to eat, and a student walks straight into our house without knocking. He’s bleeding and needs a band aid, so he came to the “nurses office.” We have not been designated that, but if a student has a headache or injury, they send them to us. So much for quiet lunch. Good thing that didn’t take too long.
The bell rings again. Back to class. Class number 4/5, sophomores. Similar situation, but toned down and a smaller class, so control happens faster. Students still say inappropriate comments and take a while to sit, but life is not so frustrating. Then I go to my last period class, and brainstorm with English Composition Class how to make freshmen better. The bell rings and I pass my naughty homeroom. I know they’re naughty, but sometime during the day I passed them with the principal. The students were seated on the floor in front of the principal with their desks pushed back. This is a common punishment, so I was confused. I asked one of the students why they were on the floor and she said “principal said that when we don’t have teachers we’re bad so we had to sit on the floor for punishment and write apology letters.” WHAT?!?! No. So, when the students aren’t frustrating, the system of the school just plain pisses me off. At the staff meeting we discussed how it’s not fair to punish students for their teachers not being at class, and that it’s not ok that the school lets classes regularly sit alone. Well, it turned into their fault. AHHHHH!!! Yes, let’s blame the students for our incompetence instead of writing the apology letter ourselves. Thank you for the ease of blaming students….BAH!.
Day ends, I run away to do laundry so I don’t have to deal with the SCA systems or students who want to push me around and make demands of me. Then, I come home and fall asleep from a week similar to this one day, wake up and grade all weekend to turn in fourth quarter grades where most of my students will fail because they don’t see the value in education.
In conclusion, that’s what my life normally looks like; misbehaving students, not being listened to by students or faculty, and then working more on the weekend. Therefore, serving in another country isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. So, as the end nears, I do notice wonder in Chuuk, relationships with students, friends, community and host family, God, weather and many other things, but sometimes it’s nice to just run away and fall into a bed and forget the day and all the frustrations.
Note: it sounds like I need classroom management and discipline….i promise I try. I give detentions, call students to my office, call parents, send students to the office (and then they come back to class), take points off their grades, make them do extra work, etc….it’s not effective….
Friday was quite a day and showed perfectly many of the frustrations I encounter regularly. I was giving 4 midterm tests to my 9th and 10th grade Lit classes. The first class started wonderfully. It’s the class that I look around and do see great relationships and enjoy. Then came the freshmen. Having 38 freshmen in a class is not ok and bad for student learning and teacher sanity. Outside of general yelling for 5 minutes to get the class seated, and then 5 more to get them quiet, all went ok. There was of course talking during the test, but for the freshmen, the period went smoothly.
After second period was my free period. Commonly, during my free period or walking past classes, I see them unattended. Friday was not unusual, but after my free period was when it got good. I went to the other freshmen classroom. 9M has been by far my biggest challenge in teaching. Well, I walked into 9M, the bell rang and I start speaking loudly to be heard over the racket of the class saying “please find your seats.” Obviously no one heard me, so I yelled, but not angrily. I did that for about 10 minutes finally getting mad. In the time of trying to get students seated, I witnessed one student literally get out of her seat and walk over to another student and stand in the back of the classroom having a conversation. I noticed other boys walk outside to a group of my students who are standing outside of the doorway just chilling while I tried to regain some kind of control. Finally, some students started to sit, only because their friends, who are good students, started to encourage them. The boys outside noticed the class was all sitting and decide maybe they’d come in.
These boys start a whole different story. When they decide to come in, I tell them to go get tardy passes because they were not in the classroom. Well, two of them push me out of the way to run to their seats instead of getting passes and the other three try to sneak in the other door. I stand firm and pull the two boys who pushed me out of their way out the door. They push me out of their way again and I just yell their name to get a pass and also say the names of the three other boys I saw sneak in. After 5 more minutes, the boys go to get their passes. Two students come back. One has a pass, the other stands smiling at me and laughing while I tell him to get his pass annoyed. Then, the three others come. One goes straight to his seat while the other two are chasing one another. They run past the first door, into the second door and straight down the aisle. The one in front runs behind me and pushes me forward to sacrifice me to the other student who stops running when he gets to the middle of the aisle and hands me the pass telling me the story. Agh! I yell at them to sit down and stop acting like 5 year olds. Finally they sit. The second boy is still standing by me because he came back with the other group as if his name was on their pass. It wasn’t. Then he pulls three passes out of his pocket and hands them to me. Two were for my class and the other was blank. ANNOYING!
Anyhow, I just need to stop fighting the students and get class going, so I didn’t do anything, plus, this is so regular it doesn’t even faze me anymore. At least they’re not saying F-you to me, I hate you, or fighting each other (today). So after about 20 mins, everyone is seated. I tell them to clear their desks and be quiet. I stand at the front of the first row to hand out tests but wait for them to be quiet. As soon as I start to think I can pass the tests out, 2 groups start talking. 10 more minutes. Finally I pass the tests out with about 20-25 mins left for them to take the tests.
They now have the tests. One would think it would be time for me to take a deep breath and just watch them go. Ha! Not in Chuuk and not when you’re a young, white, female teacher. Those three factors play against me in so many ways! Anyhow, questions start flying. Each time I answer one question, I hear students talking. Literally, every time I talk to one student, others start talking. I threaten to stop answering questions and that works for a while. After that threat I inform the students they have 5 more minutes until the bell and lunch. I said “hurry, so you can go monga(eat) meat.” Well, the class busts up thinking I said monga me….yes class, please don’t eat me! again, I want to scream my head off at their lack of respect and maturity, but know that I will regret what I say if I do. Thank God, before I can fulfill my promise to stop answering questions or go crazier, the bell rings and I get the heck outa that class. (I teach them 4/5 days a week!!!)
It’s lunch! Woosh! Thank God Almighty I have time to breath in our JV appt. We all sit down to eat, and a student walks straight into our house without knocking. He’s bleeding and needs a band aid, so he came to the “nurses office.” We have not been designated that, but if a student has a headache or injury, they send them to us. So much for quiet lunch. Good thing that didn’t take too long.
The bell rings again. Back to class. Class number 4/5, sophomores. Similar situation, but toned down and a smaller class, so control happens faster. Students still say inappropriate comments and take a while to sit, but life is not so frustrating. Then I go to my last period class, and brainstorm with English Composition Class how to make freshmen better. The bell rings and I pass my naughty homeroom. I know they’re naughty, but sometime during the day I passed them with the principal. The students were seated on the floor in front of the principal with their desks pushed back. This is a common punishment, so I was confused. I asked one of the students why they were on the floor and she said “principal said that when we don’t have teachers we’re bad so we had to sit on the floor for punishment and write apology letters.” WHAT?!?! No. So, when the students aren’t frustrating, the system of the school just plain pisses me off. At the staff meeting we discussed how it’s not fair to punish students for their teachers not being at class, and that it’s not ok that the school lets classes regularly sit alone. Well, it turned into their fault. AHHHHH!!! Yes, let’s blame the students for our incompetence instead of writing the apology letter ourselves. Thank you for the ease of blaming students….BAH!.
Day ends, I run away to do laundry so I don’t have to deal with the SCA systems or students who want to push me around and make demands of me. Then, I come home and fall asleep from a week similar to this one day, wake up and grade all weekend to turn in fourth quarter grades where most of my students will fail because they don’t see the value in education.
In conclusion, that’s what my life normally looks like; misbehaving students, not being listened to by students or faculty, and then working more on the weekend. Therefore, serving in another country isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. So, as the end nears, I do notice wonder in Chuuk, relationships with students, friends, community and host family, God, weather and many other things, but sometimes it’s nice to just run away and fall into a bed and forget the day and all the frustrations.
Note: it sounds like I need classroom management and discipline….i promise I try. I give detentions, call students to my office, call parents, send students to the office (and then they come back to class), take points off their grades, make them do extra work, etc….it’s not effective….
Friday, February 25, 2011
2 posts: Mortlocks and A Good Day
Dear Family and Friends,
I know, it’s about time I update my blog. I’ve had trouble knowing what to write on here for a while because life became a struggle for a while and I didn’t want to publicly talk about the frustrations I’ve encountered here. While those still exist, I had a really wonderful and exciting weekend to share. (and currently, my biggest frustration is a kitten named Monkey that has been living with us and has been climbing up my leg since I sat down. Monkey NEEDS a new home! I am not a cat person!)
So onto my great weekend, last Wednesday I boarded the ship, Chief Mialo and set out for a 15 hour boat ride to the outer islands of Chuuk, the Mortlocks. I had been wanting to go to the Mortlocks for over a year now, so, FINALLY! I went out to the Morlocks because there was a 100 year Celebration of the Catholic Church in Chuuk. SCA’s principal set me, Sister Ina, and Seminarian Robert up with the diocese to go out for the celebration. So, me and Sr. Ina became great buddies and spent tons of time together.
We got on the ship for 15 hours and sat under an open stair well. Bad decision but there was no place else to go. So, it rained all night, and water flooded down the stairwell soaking the floor all around us, so the whole night instead of laying on the floor sleeping, we sat on buckets in corners trying to avoid rain. Thank Goodness we didn’t get sea sick!
Once we got to the Mortlock Lagoon we were told to get off with the Bishop at Moch. Getting off with the Bishop was a little of a surprise, but YES! I get to go to Moch. This is the island where most of my Mortlockese students are from and the island 2 of my volunteer friends, Steph and Alex are living on. So, after quite a cluster we get off and get to Moch. We go to a welcome prayer, and after the prayer Steph and Alex find me and welcome me! There were a lot of other things going on like flag raising AND FALLING, but less important. Later Sr. Ina, Steph and I were invited to dine with the bishop...first time i ever talked to him...i didn’t know what to say. Afterwards we set out to go to another island, Kuttu. So, I got to see another island and I knew of some people who had lived or live on that island so it was great! Sadly, I witnessed how the water is rising over the islands sea wall and flooding the island. Global warming and environmental issues do matter! Then i went back to Moch and had some time to hang with Steph and Alex and see Moch.
Friday we spend the day again on the ship picking up people from different islands to head out to the celebration at Lechinoch (sp?) Two more of the Peace Corps from the Mortlocks got on the boat and we caught up a little. After being on the ship from 10-6pm we got to Lechinoch and settled. The next day started the celebration with Mass said by the Bishop and singing competitions which went on all day and into the late night. Along with singing there were many speeches. The singing is a cultural highlight. Firstly, Chuukese people have beautiful voices. Second, they make is so much fun. They will sit and do hand motions they made up and their leaders and people from the crowd will get up and dance. Then people throw candy into the group singing and walk around spraying them with perfume. It’s very different from home, but so enjoyable. (I want to throw Monkey out on the streets!)
The next day there was another mass and then a meeting of all the parishes. I skipped this hard core and hung out with Peace Corps and Steph. Then we got back on the ship around 4ish, dropped people from Moch off, and took a 20 hour ride back to Weno. I got here around 10:30, and taught three periods of classes. Then i passed out! The ride back was better than the one there though.
Other things left out:
*i ate total of three times with the Bishop.
*We were with the Bishops secretary all weekend and she was helping us know what and were to go.
*The islands out there are much cleaner and more peaceful that in the lagoon.
*The president came, but the bishop seemed more important, but President Mori seemed to have made a good speech about children instead of campaigning which i respect.
*Last years VP Marz was there with Pres.
*It was an all around great trip. I wouldn’t want to take the boat ride again, but i am glad I had the chance to do it once.
*I think that’s it!
Blog # 2 of good things:
The Thursday of getting back to Weno was a great day. Sometimes with frustrations here, I forget to enjoy myself and notice good days, but Thursday was good. I only had three classes which probably helped a lot. The school day was more less normal, but i had an after school Lit class with two juniors. They were supposed to finish the book Of Mice and Men and we talked about the book and what they were to do for next week. Then, I asked them questions on the book and they did great. I think they really read the book. Any lit teacher knows getting students to read a book is a challenge. Most somehow trick you that they read, but i think these boys read most of it at least and got the questions right. They also seemed into the conversation we were having about the book and one said he really liked it. At the end of class, one of the two boys asked if he could end in prayer. Now, I don’t let students pray at the beginning and end of my normal classes because i see it as a tactic to make class shorter, but they choose to stay one min. extra after school to pray and it’s just the three of us and i love it!
After class I walked to the new college to look for a teacher and on the way out, was snagged by a student to sit as a coach at a volleyball game. I asked where the coach was and they didn’t know. The other team was already there and i wasn’t surprised that a coach just left the students out to dry and skipped something they were supposed to be at. This happens all the time. teachers don’t go to class, don’t follow through on their obligations, and the students get screwed. Knowing how often this happens i didn’t think twice in sitting in on the game with no questions asked. Game starts and i sit watching the boys coach themselves. I get really proud of them. Normally I get more frustrated with the male students but most of the boys on the team were some of the good students, or at least students i enjoyed in some form. I actually felt loving watching them which sometimes my anger and frustration blocks that love.
Well, the game got cancelled...i looked like a fool. Apparently there was no game scheduled and the coach STILL hasnt picked the official SCA team. I don’t know why there is no team, but i know i looked like a fool, and don’t really care. I prob. would have done the same thing again because the team should have been organized by the school, and the students were doing something that kept them out of trouble and they enjoyed. I don’t know who is at fault, and I am not investigating because there is fault in sooooo many place I think it would take away from the joy i felt just being with the students.
When the game ended I started to walk out to buy dinner and was easily roped into a conversation with one of the local priests who I talked to a little on the way to Moch. I have a lot of questions about the role of the Cathlic Church here, but this priest is WONDERFUL and really doing his best to live out the gospel and help Chuuk. We had a 1.5 hour conversation about so much from education to faith to social issues here. It was wonderful to talk to him and feel like i could be honest with what i witnessed and how in some unjust situations my hands seem tied. He has the same problem. I won’t go in depth about what we talked about, because that would be publicly detailing the frustrations in Chuuk and could have repercussions, but the conversation was really life giving and gave me some hope. I grew a lot in respect for him, but was forced to say a prayer for him and others like him who are working with so many road blocks. one step forward, two kicks back….
So at the end of the day, despite having a drunk guy try to kiss my hand on the way to the store, I realized that this day was something I really needed. I needed a pick me up, and these personal interactions did just that. I actually feel like Thursday has given me some energy for more than a day. Yeah!
That’s the end. I hadn’t written in a long time, so I wrote a long one that I doubt you really wanted so long. You know me, I’ve always been wordy!
Peace, Love, and God Bless,
Jessica
I know, it’s about time I update my blog. I’ve had trouble knowing what to write on here for a while because life became a struggle for a while and I didn’t want to publicly talk about the frustrations I’ve encountered here. While those still exist, I had a really wonderful and exciting weekend to share. (and currently, my biggest frustration is a kitten named Monkey that has been living with us and has been climbing up my leg since I sat down. Monkey NEEDS a new home! I am not a cat person!)
So onto my great weekend, last Wednesday I boarded the ship, Chief Mialo and set out for a 15 hour boat ride to the outer islands of Chuuk, the Mortlocks. I had been wanting to go to the Mortlocks for over a year now, so, FINALLY! I went out to the Morlocks because there was a 100 year Celebration of the Catholic Church in Chuuk. SCA’s principal set me, Sister Ina, and Seminarian Robert up with the diocese to go out for the celebration. So, me and Sr. Ina became great buddies and spent tons of time together.
We got on the ship for 15 hours and sat under an open stair well. Bad decision but there was no place else to go. So, it rained all night, and water flooded down the stairwell soaking the floor all around us, so the whole night instead of laying on the floor sleeping, we sat on buckets in corners trying to avoid rain. Thank Goodness we didn’t get sea sick!
Once we got to the Mortlock Lagoon we were told to get off with the Bishop at Moch. Getting off with the Bishop was a little of a surprise, but YES! I get to go to Moch. This is the island where most of my Mortlockese students are from and the island 2 of my volunteer friends, Steph and Alex are living on. So, after quite a cluster we get off and get to Moch. We go to a welcome prayer, and after the prayer Steph and Alex find me and welcome me! There were a lot of other things going on like flag raising AND FALLING, but less important. Later Sr. Ina, Steph and I were invited to dine with the bishop...first time i ever talked to him...i didn’t know what to say. Afterwards we set out to go to another island, Kuttu. So, I got to see another island and I knew of some people who had lived or live on that island so it was great! Sadly, I witnessed how the water is rising over the islands sea wall and flooding the island. Global warming and environmental issues do matter! Then i went back to Moch and had some time to hang with Steph and Alex and see Moch.
Friday we spend the day again on the ship picking up people from different islands to head out to the celebration at Lechinoch (sp?) Two more of the Peace Corps from the Mortlocks got on the boat and we caught up a little. After being on the ship from 10-6pm we got to Lechinoch and settled. The next day started the celebration with Mass said by the Bishop and singing competitions which went on all day and into the late night. Along with singing there were many speeches. The singing is a cultural highlight. Firstly, Chuukese people have beautiful voices. Second, they make is so much fun. They will sit and do hand motions they made up and their leaders and people from the crowd will get up and dance. Then people throw candy into the group singing and walk around spraying them with perfume. It’s very different from home, but so enjoyable. (I want to throw Monkey out on the streets!)
The next day there was another mass and then a meeting of all the parishes. I skipped this hard core and hung out with Peace Corps and Steph. Then we got back on the ship around 4ish, dropped people from Moch off, and took a 20 hour ride back to Weno. I got here around 10:30, and taught three periods of classes. Then i passed out! The ride back was better than the one there though.
Other things left out:
*i ate total of three times with the Bishop.
*We were with the Bishops secretary all weekend and she was helping us know what and were to go.
*The islands out there are much cleaner and more peaceful that in the lagoon.
*The president came, but the bishop seemed more important, but President Mori seemed to have made a good speech about children instead of campaigning which i respect.
*Last years VP Marz was there with Pres.
*It was an all around great trip. I wouldn’t want to take the boat ride again, but i am glad I had the chance to do it once.
*I think that’s it!
Blog # 2 of good things:
The Thursday of getting back to Weno was a great day. Sometimes with frustrations here, I forget to enjoy myself and notice good days, but Thursday was good. I only had three classes which probably helped a lot. The school day was more less normal, but i had an after school Lit class with two juniors. They were supposed to finish the book Of Mice and Men and we talked about the book and what they were to do for next week. Then, I asked them questions on the book and they did great. I think they really read the book. Any lit teacher knows getting students to read a book is a challenge. Most somehow trick you that they read, but i think these boys read most of it at least and got the questions right. They also seemed into the conversation we were having about the book and one said he really liked it. At the end of class, one of the two boys asked if he could end in prayer. Now, I don’t let students pray at the beginning and end of my normal classes because i see it as a tactic to make class shorter, but they choose to stay one min. extra after school to pray and it’s just the three of us and i love it!
After class I walked to the new college to look for a teacher and on the way out, was snagged by a student to sit as a coach at a volleyball game. I asked where the coach was and they didn’t know. The other team was already there and i wasn’t surprised that a coach just left the students out to dry and skipped something they were supposed to be at. This happens all the time. teachers don’t go to class, don’t follow through on their obligations, and the students get screwed. Knowing how often this happens i didn’t think twice in sitting in on the game with no questions asked. Game starts and i sit watching the boys coach themselves. I get really proud of them. Normally I get more frustrated with the male students but most of the boys on the team were some of the good students, or at least students i enjoyed in some form. I actually felt loving watching them which sometimes my anger and frustration blocks that love.
Well, the game got cancelled...i looked like a fool. Apparently there was no game scheduled and the coach STILL hasnt picked the official SCA team. I don’t know why there is no team, but i know i looked like a fool, and don’t really care. I prob. would have done the same thing again because the team should have been organized by the school, and the students were doing something that kept them out of trouble and they enjoyed. I don’t know who is at fault, and I am not investigating because there is fault in sooooo many place I think it would take away from the joy i felt just being with the students.
When the game ended I started to walk out to buy dinner and was easily roped into a conversation with one of the local priests who I talked to a little on the way to Moch. I have a lot of questions about the role of the Cathlic Church here, but this priest is WONDERFUL and really doing his best to live out the gospel and help Chuuk. We had a 1.5 hour conversation about so much from education to faith to social issues here. It was wonderful to talk to him and feel like i could be honest with what i witnessed and how in some unjust situations my hands seem tied. He has the same problem. I won’t go in depth about what we talked about, because that would be publicly detailing the frustrations in Chuuk and could have repercussions, but the conversation was really life giving and gave me some hope. I grew a lot in respect for him, but was forced to say a prayer for him and others like him who are working with so many road blocks. one step forward, two kicks back….
So at the end of the day, despite having a drunk guy try to kiss my hand on the way to the store, I realized that this day was something I really needed. I needed a pick me up, and these personal interactions did just that. I actually feel like Thursday has given me some energy for more than a day. Yeah!
That’s the end. I hadn’t written in a long time, so I wrote a long one that I doubt you really wanted so long. You know me, I’ve always been wordy!
Peace, Love, and God Bless,
Jessica
2 posts: Mortlocks and A Good Day
Dear Family and Friends,
I know, it’s about time I update my blog. I’ve had trouble knowing what to write on here for a while because life became a struggle for a while and I didn’t want to publicly talk about the frustrations I’ve encountered here. While those still exist, I had a really wonderful and exciting weekend to share. (and currently, my biggest frustration is a kitten named Monkey that has been living with us and has been climbing up my leg since I sat down. Monkey NEEDS a new home! I am not a cat person!)
So onto my great weekend, last Wednesday I boarded the ship, Chief Mialo and set out for a 15 hour boat ride to the outer islands of Chuuk, the Mortlocks. I had been wanting to go to the Mortlocks for over a year now, so, FINALLY! I went out to the Morlocks because there was a 100 year Celebration of the Catholic Church in Chuuk. SCA’s principal set me, Sister Ina, and Seminarian Robert up with the diocese to go out for the celebration. So, me and Sr. Ina became great buddies and spent tons of time together.
We got on the ship for 15 hours and sat under an open stair well. Bad decision but there was no place else to go. So, it rained all night, and water flooded down the stairwell soaking the floor all around us, so the whole night instead of laying on the floor sleeping, we sat on buckets in corners trying to avoid rain. Thank Goodness we didn’t get sea sick!
Once we got to the Mortlock Lagoon we were told to get off with the Bishop at Moch. Getting off with the Bishop was a little of a surprise, but YES! I get to go to Moch. This is the island where most of my Mortlockese students are from and the island 2 of my volunteer friends, Steph and Alex are living on. So, after quite a cluster we get off and get to Moch. We go to a welcome prayer, and after the prayer Steph and Alex find me and welcome me! There were a lot of other things going on like flag raising AND FALLING, but less important. Later Sr. Ina, Steph and I were invited to dine with the bishop...first time i ever talked to him...i didn’t know what to say. Afterwards we set out to go to another island, Kuttu. So, I got to see another island and I knew of some people who had lived or live on that island so it was great! Sadly, I witnessed how the water is rising over the islands sea wall and flooding the island. Global warming and environmental issues do matter! Then i went back to Moch and had some time to hang with Steph and Alex and see Moch.
Friday we spend the day again on the ship picking up people from different islands to head out to the celebration at Lechinoch (sp?) Two more of the Peace Corps from the Mortlocks got on the boat and we caught up a little. After being on the ship from 10-6pm we got to Lechinoch and settled. The next day started the celebration with Mass said by the Bishop and singing competitions which went on all day and into the late night. Along with singing there were many speeches. The singing is a cultural highlight. Firstly, Chuukese people have beautiful voices. Second, they make is so much fun. They will sit and do hand motions they made up and their leaders and people from the crowd will get up and dance. Then people throw candy into the group singing and walk around spraying them with perfume. It’s very different from home, but so enjoyable. (I want to throw Monkey out on the streets!)
The next day there was another mass and then a meeting of all the parishes. I skipped this hard core and hung out with Peace Corps and Steph. Then we got back on the ship around 4ish, dropped people from Moch off, and took a 20 hour ride back to Weno. I got here around 10:30, and taught three periods of classes. Then i passed out! The ride back was better than the one there though.
Other things left out:
*i ate total of three times with the Bishop.
*We were with the Bishops secretary all weekend and she was helping us know what and were to go.
*The islands out there are much cleaner and more peaceful that in the lagoon.
*The president came, but the bishop seemed more important, but President Mori seemed to have made a good speech about children instead of campaigning which i respect.
*Last years VP Marz was there with Pres.
*It was an all around great trip. I wouldn’t want to take the boat ride again, but i am glad I had the chance to do it once.
*I think that’s it!
Blog # 2 of good things:
The Thursday of getting back to Weno was a great day. Sometimes with frustrations here, I forget to enjoy myself and notice good days, but Thursday was good. I only had three classes which probably helped a lot. The school day was more less normal, but i had an after school Lit class with two juniors. They were supposed to finish the book Of Mice and Men and we talked about the book and what they were to do for next week. Then, I asked them questions on the book and they did great. I think they really read the book. Any lit teacher knows getting students to read a book is a challenge. Most somehow trick you that they read, but i think these boys read most of it at least and got the questions right. They also seemed into the conversation we were having about the book and one said he really liked it. At the end of class, one of the two boys asked if he could end in prayer. Now, I don’t let students pray at the beginning and end of my normal classes because i see it as a tactic to make class shorter, but they choose to stay one min. extra after school to pray and it’s just the three of us and i love it!
After class I walked to the new college to look for a teacher and on the way out, was snagged by a student to sit as a coach at a volleyball game. I asked where the coach was and they didn’t know. The other team was already there and i wasn’t surprised that a coach just left the students out to dry and skipped something they were supposed to be at. This happens all the time. teachers don’t go to class, don’t follow through on their obligations, and the students get screwed. Knowing how often this happens i didn’t think twice in sitting in on the game with no questions asked. Game starts and i sit watching the boys coach themselves. I get really proud of them. Normally I get more frustrated with the male students but most of the boys on the team were some of the good students, or at least students i enjoyed in some form. I actually felt loving watching them which sometimes my anger and frustration blocks that love.
Well, the game got cancelled...i looked like a fool. Apparently there was no game scheduled and the coach STILL hasnt picked the official SCA team. I don’t know why there is no team, but i know i looked like a fool, and don’t really care. I prob. would have done the same thing again because the team should have been organized by the school, and the students were doing something that kept them out of trouble and they enjoyed. I don’t know who is at fault, and I am not investigating because there is fault in sooooo many place I think it would take away from the joy i felt just being with the students.
When the game ended I started to walk out to buy dinner and was easily roped into a conversation with one of the local priests who I talked to a little on the way to Moch. I have a lot of questions about the role of the Cathlic Church here, but this priest is WONDERFUL and really doing his best to live out the gospel and help Chuuk. We had a 1.5 hour conversation about so much from education to faith to social issues here. It was wonderful to talk to him and feel like i could be honest with what i witnessed and how in some unjust situations my hands seem tied. He has the same problem. I won’t go in depth about what we talked about, because that would be publicly detailing the frustrations in Chuuk and could have repercussions, but the conversation was really life giving and gave me some hope. I grew a lot in respect for him, but was forced to say a prayer for him and others like him who are working with so many road blocks. one step forward, two kicks back….
So at the end of the day, despite having a drunk guy try to kiss my hand on the way to the store, I realized that this day was something I really needed. I needed a pick me up, and these personal interactions did just that. I actually feel like Thursday has given me some energy for more than a day. Yeah!
That’s the end. I hadn’t written in a long time, so I wrote a long one that I doubt you really wanted so long. You know me, I’ve always been wordy!
Peace, Love, and God Bless,
Jessica
I know, it’s about time I update my blog. I’ve had trouble knowing what to write on here for a while because life became a struggle for a while and I didn’t want to publicly talk about the frustrations I’ve encountered here. While those still exist, I had a really wonderful and exciting weekend to share. (and currently, my biggest frustration is a kitten named Monkey that has been living with us and has been climbing up my leg since I sat down. Monkey NEEDS a new home! I am not a cat person!)
So onto my great weekend, last Wednesday I boarded the ship, Chief Mialo and set out for a 15 hour boat ride to the outer islands of Chuuk, the Mortlocks. I had been wanting to go to the Mortlocks for over a year now, so, FINALLY! I went out to the Morlocks because there was a 100 year Celebration of the Catholic Church in Chuuk. SCA’s principal set me, Sister Ina, and Seminarian Robert up with the diocese to go out for the celebration. So, me and Sr. Ina became great buddies and spent tons of time together.
We got on the ship for 15 hours and sat under an open stair well. Bad decision but there was no place else to go. So, it rained all night, and water flooded down the stairwell soaking the floor all around us, so the whole night instead of laying on the floor sleeping, we sat on buckets in corners trying to avoid rain. Thank Goodness we didn’t get sea sick!
Once we got to the Mortlock Lagoon we were told to get off with the Bishop at Moch. Getting off with the Bishop was a little of a surprise, but YES! I get to go to Moch. This is the island where most of my Mortlockese students are from and the island 2 of my volunteer friends, Steph and Alex are living on. So, after quite a cluster we get off and get to Moch. We go to a welcome prayer, and after the prayer Steph and Alex find me and welcome me! There were a lot of other things going on like flag raising AND FALLING, but less important. Later Sr. Ina, Steph and I were invited to dine with the bishop...first time i ever talked to him...i didn’t know what to say. Afterwards we set out to go to another island, Kuttu. So, I got to see another island and I knew of some people who had lived or live on that island so it was great! Sadly, I witnessed how the water is rising over the islands sea wall and flooding the island. Global warming and environmental issues do matter! Then i went back to Moch and had some time to hang with Steph and Alex and see Moch.
Friday we spend the day again on the ship picking up people from different islands to head out to the celebration at Lechinoch (sp?) Two more of the Peace Corps from the Mortlocks got on the boat and we caught up a little. After being on the ship from 10-6pm we got to Lechinoch and settled. The next day started the celebration with Mass said by the Bishop and singing competitions which went on all day and into the late night. Along with singing there were many speeches. The singing is a cultural highlight. Firstly, Chuukese people have beautiful voices. Second, they make is so much fun. They will sit and do hand motions they made up and their leaders and people from the crowd will get up and dance. Then people throw candy into the group singing and walk around spraying them with perfume. It’s very different from home, but so enjoyable. (I want to throw Monkey out on the streets!)
The next day there was another mass and then a meeting of all the parishes. I skipped this hard core and hung out with Peace Corps and Steph. Then we got back on the ship around 4ish, dropped people from Moch off, and took a 20 hour ride back to Weno. I got here around 10:30, and taught three periods of classes. Then i passed out! The ride back was better than the one there though.
Other things left out:
*i ate total of three times with the Bishop.
*We were with the Bishops secretary all weekend and she was helping us know what and were to go.
*The islands out there are much cleaner and more peaceful that in the lagoon.
*The president came, but the bishop seemed more important, but President Mori seemed to have made a good speech about children instead of campaigning which i respect.
*Last years VP Marz was there with Pres.
*It was an all around great trip. I wouldn’t want to take the boat ride again, but i am glad I had the chance to do it once.
*I think that’s it!
Blog # 2 of good things:
The Thursday of getting back to Weno was a great day. Sometimes with frustrations here, I forget to enjoy myself and notice good days, but Thursday was good. I only had three classes which probably helped a lot. The school day was more less normal, but i had an after school Lit class with two juniors. They were supposed to finish the book Of Mice and Men and we talked about the book and what they were to do for next week. Then, I asked them questions on the book and they did great. I think they really read the book. Any lit teacher knows getting students to read a book is a challenge. Most somehow trick you that they read, but i think these boys read most of it at least and got the questions right. They also seemed into the conversation we were having about the book and one said he really liked it. At the end of class, one of the two boys asked if he could end in prayer. Now, I don’t let students pray at the beginning and end of my normal classes because i see it as a tactic to make class shorter, but they choose to stay one min. extra after school to pray and it’s just the three of us and i love it!
After class I walked to the new college to look for a teacher and on the way out, was snagged by a student to sit as a coach at a volleyball game. I asked where the coach was and they didn’t know. The other team was already there and i wasn’t surprised that a coach just left the students out to dry and skipped something they were supposed to be at. This happens all the time. teachers don’t go to class, don’t follow through on their obligations, and the students get screwed. Knowing how often this happens i didn’t think twice in sitting in on the game with no questions asked. Game starts and i sit watching the boys coach themselves. I get really proud of them. Normally I get more frustrated with the male students but most of the boys on the team were some of the good students, or at least students i enjoyed in some form. I actually felt loving watching them which sometimes my anger and frustration blocks that love.
Well, the game got cancelled...i looked like a fool. Apparently there was no game scheduled and the coach STILL hasnt picked the official SCA team. I don’t know why there is no team, but i know i looked like a fool, and don’t really care. I prob. would have done the same thing again because the team should have been organized by the school, and the students were doing something that kept them out of trouble and they enjoyed. I don’t know who is at fault, and I am not investigating because there is fault in sooooo many place I think it would take away from the joy i felt just being with the students.
When the game ended I started to walk out to buy dinner and was easily roped into a conversation with one of the local priests who I talked to a little on the way to Moch. I have a lot of questions about the role of the Cathlic Church here, but this priest is WONDERFUL and really doing his best to live out the gospel and help Chuuk. We had a 1.5 hour conversation about so much from education to faith to social issues here. It was wonderful to talk to him and feel like i could be honest with what i witnessed and how in some unjust situations my hands seem tied. He has the same problem. I won’t go in depth about what we talked about, because that would be publicly detailing the frustrations in Chuuk and could have repercussions, but the conversation was really life giving and gave me some hope. I grew a lot in respect for him, but was forced to say a prayer for him and others like him who are working with so many road blocks. one step forward, two kicks back….
So at the end of the day, despite having a drunk guy try to kiss my hand on the way to the store, I realized that this day was something I really needed. I needed a pick me up, and these personal interactions did just that. I actually feel like Thursday has given me some energy for more than a day. Yeah!
That’s the end. I hadn’t written in a long time, so I wrote a long one that I doubt you really wanted so long. You know me, I’ve always been wordy!
Peace, Love, and God Bless,
Jessica
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
