"So what could I do to prepare of the Peace Corps?"
"Just don't date anyone. It's the leading cause of people turning down the invitation."
Friday, January 30, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
49 Days Remaining!
Highlight of the week- Alex Smith's bachelor party.
We all decide to shotgun cokes in the kitchen. Connor says, "We need to throw these down". So of course I down the drink and without even thinking I throw my partially empty can on the kitchen floor and walk away in victory. A second later, Connor gets pissed and asks "Who's the moron that spilt their drink everywhere?!". I seriously had no idea I had thrown my can down. In response Jeff yells "Gavin this isn't a beach!"
Congratulations Alex!
We all decide to shotgun cokes in the kitchen. Connor says, "We need to throw these down". So of course I down the drink and without even thinking I throw my partially empty can on the kitchen floor and walk away in victory. A second later, Connor gets pissed and asks "Who's the moron that spilt their drink everywhere?!". I seriously had no idea I had thrown my can down. In response Jeff yells "Gavin this isn't a beach!"
Congratulations Alex!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Very sad but thankful
(Follow up from the previous posting...)
I am very saddened to inform you that the man I often escorted to Mass on Sundays passed away yesterday. This was not the man who asked the congregation to pray for me.
For the longest time I thought was unable to speak. However, one of the last weeks we attended mass together he yelled out "Isaiah!". I don't know if he appreciated attending mass with me but I surly enjoyed out time together.
He loved ridding in cars so much that he was overjoyed when I let him hold my car keys as we made car noises on the way to church. I am really going to miss him. As I said last time I am the fortunate one. He taught me so much.
I am very saddened to inform you that the man I often escorted to Mass on Sundays passed away yesterday. This was not the man who asked the congregation to pray for me.
For the longest time I thought was unable to speak. However, one of the last weeks we attended mass together he yelled out "Isaiah!". I don't know if he appreciated attending mass with me but I surly enjoyed out time together.
He loved ridding in cars so much that he was overjoyed when I let him hold my car keys as we made car noises on the way to church. I am really going to miss him. As I said last time I am the fortunate one. He taught me so much.
Monday, January 19, 2009
55 Days...
"Pages of my history were recalled which had been so long forgotten that they seemed to belong to a previous existence." Joshua Slocum.
Highlight of the week-
Sundays I volunteer at Austin State School where 430+ individuals of varying ages and levels of mental retardation reside on their beautiful 95 acre campus in downtown Austin, TX. Each week I accompany a resident to church. For privacy reasons I am not able to give many details, however I can say that during the prayers of the faithful a resident asked the congregation to pray for me because he appreciated my friendship. It touched my heart! The opportunity to work with such amazing people makes me the fortunate one.
Events-
Presidential Inauguration!! I am proud America was able to elect a Black President. But what makes me optimistic are the ideals I see reemerging throughout the nation - integrity, compassion, ...
I am also relieved that Israel is leaving Gaza! Hopefully this will mark an end to the bloodshed and a stable peace.
The views and opinions expressed in this blog do not in any way reflect the views and opinions of the US Peace Corps, the US government, or any other organization I might write about.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Education to Sanitation 64 Days!!
After seeing the movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button I wanted to do something epic with my life. I went to the mall. Failure... Thank goodness John F. Kennedy establish the Peace Corps.
Flash back, almost a year ago-
As soon as my Peace Corps interview was over I was told that I could expect an invitation to teach English. Well, if you know me at all you know I can't spell so I had to inform the PC that education probably wouldn't best suit me. BUT I was more than willing to "get my hands dirty and really give back". Education to Sanitation. Rock on!
Anyway, to prepare I have been reading about issues that hinder waste management in developing nations, and I can't wait to start reading about the technical advancements being made in the treatment of backwater :)
Question: Do I fear sanitation work?
Answer: False. I fear nothing... If I didn't get into the Peace Corps I was going straight to law school. Both endeavors are challenging but I imagine there are a lot more parasites in law than an overrun septic tank. Plus, lack of sewage treatment is a leading cause of death in the developing world. So hopefully my assistance might be beneficial to the people I come in contact with and that would be EPIC!
Will I have a dirty job? Probably. Someone call Mike Rowe!!!
Flash back, almost a year ago-
As soon as my Peace Corps interview was over I was told that I could expect an invitation to teach English. Well, if you know me at all you know I can't spell so I had to inform the PC that education probably wouldn't best suit me. BUT I was more than willing to "get my hands dirty and really give back". Education to Sanitation. Rock on!
Anyway, to prepare I have been reading about issues that hinder waste management in developing nations, and I can't wait to start reading about the technical advancements being made in the treatment of backwater :)
Question: Do I fear sanitation work?
Answer: False. I fear nothing... If I didn't get into the Peace Corps I was going straight to law school. Both endeavors are challenging but I imagine there are a lot more parasites in law than an overrun septic tank. Plus, lack of sewage treatment is a leading cause of death in the developing world. So hopefully my assistance might be beneficial to the people I come in contact with and that would be EPIC!
Will I have a dirty job? Probably. Someone call Mike Rowe!!!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
70 Days....
Just got back from visiting Jordan, Maria, Lauren, LeeAnn and Logan in Atlanta. Maria and Jordan taught us all how to dance the Salsa, I accidentally called Maria's brother Fidel Castro instead of Raul, and I attended my first NHL Hockey game (2-2 with a shootout win). The Trip was fantastic! I sure am going to miss those guys, and if they do not visit me in Jamaica I am going to be ticked!
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