Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day

Written on 2/16/2015

There is only one word that explains my Valentine's Day and that word is ADORABLE.

Charlotte and I made heart shaped Valentine's with the kids at the center. Charlotte explained that Valentines aren't just for couples! You can spread a little love to your friends, your parents, your brothers and sisters, whoever!

It was so precious, as always, to see the kids getting so excited about coloring and making little notes about love to their parents. I spent most of the time cutting out hearts, and at one point stopped all together telling the students my hand was too tired to cut out more hearts.

It was so fun to see the kids excited about something new! The lycee (highschool) English class wrote love letters. They got so into it and also learned how to write letters and share their appreciation for the love of the people around them.

It just another reminder that holidays - like Valentine's Day - don't have to be just about getting a special something like chocolate, flowers, a date, from a special someone but can be about just sharing your love and appreciation for the people around you! :) 

Mamangy

Mamangy: A Symbole of Support from my Community

Written on 2/16/2015

I've been back at site for about a week. I'm definitely still working on getting back into the swing of things. I didn't teach last week but spent the week at my sitemates house while I stopped by my house and cleaned it a little bit at a time - because I left in such a rush it was quite dirty. (Mostly just taken over by spider webs and cockroaches).

Being back I can honestly say I am so thankful for the support from my friends back at home, my fellow Peace Corps Volunteers, and my community.

The director of my school arranged a mamangy (visitation of sorts) for me. When someone passes, a mamangy is held and people come together as a sign of support for the person and the family. There is one representative from the group who gives a small speech, and the person responds. (or in my case the survaillant who did the traditional response for me).

I went to the mamangy feeling surrounded by my sitemate, Charlotte, my counterpart, Vola, and the librarians and secretary of the community center in my town. We entered a small room and they stood in my side as my family. The teachers entered and the representative spoke (rather quietly) that they are there to support me and the surviallant responded the traditional thank you on my behalf.

My sitemate, Charlotte, responded also responded a bit for me. She explained that our experience is not easy, especially when things happen at home and we are so far away. She said its so important to have a family here and to have people around for support and thanked them for coming to show that they are there for me.

I was also given a small envelope of money that is traditionally used for soap and washing materials to refresh yourself and help you feel rejuvenated and back on your feet.

It really meant something to me to feel not only supported by, but also feel like a part of my community. They arranged a traditional cultural event for me, and I felt important and missed by my community, which was a welcoming feeling as I was wondering if I was really needed here like I feel like I was needed at home.

As I get back to teaching, I can honestly say I don't feel 100% myself yet. I am okay, and certainly am pleased with my decision to return to my community, but sometimes it is all so overwhelming. Its hard not having my biggest cheeleader at home to support me. I feel like I got knocked off my feet and left laying on my back with the wind knocked out of me – left feeling a little lost in the shuffle and not sure what to do next.

I know taking it one step, one day at a time is my best bet. I have to keep moving forward and I know, although the days ahead will be tough, eventually my head will be clear, my breath will leave me feeling strong, and I'll feel back on my feet again.

As I get back into my routine, I can feel myself readjusting. I am confident that eventually I'll be able to get back to feeling like a strong part of my community and will feel ready to start making bigger steps towards small changes – but for now just being back is enough!

Packing List

Packing List, For all those future Peace Corps Mada Volunteers 

Composed over time

Its important to note that what you bring will not define your Peace Corps experience and everything you need you can either get here, get sent here, or have an incoming training group bring it from the states for you. It's really about bringing things that will make you feel comfortable and that you enjoy. Things you like to do for fun, or clothes you like to wear. The hardest part for me was not knowing what I needed - when your packing Peace Corps is still so ambigious. Pack things that will make you happy.

Clothes:

*Note on Clothes: You can always, always, always buy things here. Most towns/banking towns have frips where you can buy used (and sometimes new/misprinted) clothes. I would focus on bringing clothes that 1 - You enjoy wearing and are comfortable in but you don't mind leaving in Madagascar. and 2 - Things that will keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter/in the highlands. 3 - That are patterned/dark colored. You're washing things in rivers/with buckets of water so you don't want to spend hours trying to get a white/pastel shirt clean. All my skirts are patterned so they hide spills well. I hardly ever wash them. I'd suggest bringing a mix of things for moderate/intesely hot climates because you never know where you'll end up. Layers are best. You can always wear everything you own on cold days at training and then buy warmer stuff if you end up at a cooler site.

Underwear - I brought something like 40 pairs. You can't go wrong with bringing too much underwear. I bought two new packs of neutral colored undies before I left that I wore almost exclusively at homestay because I had to hang my undies out to dry right in front of the door to their house.

2-3 Bras. Go for neutrals with changing straps so you can wear them under anything.

2-3 Sports bras. I love wearing sports bras so I brought more but you really don't need them unless you plan on working out/like lounging around in them.

5-10 pairs of socks. I bought a pack before I left and almost never wear them unless I'm running at site. There nice to have if youre in the highlands and are wearing shoes/hiking boots a lot because of the mud.

2-3 skirts. Most teachers wear skirts that at least go to your knees - which is nice if you are bending down to help students with their work. You really only need skirts for teaching - but they are also nice to wear when its hot out. Cotton dresses/skirts get really hot and sticky when it gets humid so try to find lighter, flowly fabrics. I got mine from my friend's grandma and Goodwill.

1-2 dresses. I brought 2 and saved one for swearing in. I would go for dresses that you can dress up (if you are invitied to a wedding or a special event) but also that you can dress down a little and wear to class when your sick of your skirts. I would go with a longer dresses because you can always buy short ones here but if you're tall (or realistically average American size, I'm relatively tall in America but I am a giant here) it might be really difficult to find long skirts/dresses!

1-2 Pairs jeans. I brought one pair and only wore them occassionally during training. They can be tight jeans as long as you're comfortable in them. Nothing with rips/tears/distress and a darker wash is a good idea.

1-2 pairs cargo/khaki pants. Best if these are capri length/can be folded to capri length and a light weight but easily washable fabric. They don't need to be safari-pants but you'll want pants you can be cool in.

1 pair sweatpants. I wore mine all the time during non-training days at the training center because it was cold!

1 pair yoga pants - if you're so inclined. I brought my crop yoga pants and I'm so glad I did!

1 pair leggings. It gets so cold in the highlands during the winter months that I wore my leggings under my pants/skirts to keep warm.

1-2 pairs pj bottoms. Or whatever you wear to bed. No one has to see you in your PJs! (except your roommate at training).

1-2 pairs shorts. I brought one pair of khaki shorts and two pairs of running shorts. You can always buy shorts here. I brought longer pairs because I feel like my legs are already freakishly long here but I've seen shorter shorts (Nothing too short!!). I also brought a few pairs of shorter shorts to wear under skirts.

1 belt. This is essential. I would buy pants that are a little big and then if you gain/loose weight you'll still be able to wear them with a belt!

2-3 plain, dark colored shirts. I brought 4 V-necks that I wear with everything. They are plain enough that I can wear them with a skirt but not "dressy."

2-3 "fun" shirts. I brought a tye-dye shirt, a shirt from my University (U of M! Woot!) and a Girl Scout shirt. I wear them mostly to run in or do errands around town.

1-2 fun shirts for dressing up/going out in Tana! I brought a shirt with sparkles on it that I waited until going out after swearing in to wear. Its fun to get dressed up a little bit every once and a while!

1-2 long sleeve shirts. I brought one that I could wear with skirts and one thats athletic that I wear to bed/if I run when its cold(ish) out.

2-3 tank tops. Thick straps to cover bras. Make sure they are thick enough that you can just wear one at a time when its hot.

1-2 cardigans. I have one thats light weight and one that is heavier. I wore my heavy one all the time in the highland winter and my light one when its a chillier/rainy day here.

1-2 sweat shirts. I brought one crew neck and I wear it in the mornings when I am up before the sun rises and its still a little chilly. You'll need a sweatshirt for winter in the highlands.

1-2 fleeces/zip ups. My fleece kept me sane during training in the highlands when it got cold. (Its only around 50 degrees when the sun isn't out and without any heating in the buildings it gets really really cold at night. I also brought a zip-up hoodie that I wore a lot during training too.

1 rain jacket. Rainy season here is no joke.

&

1 small/compact umbrella. For the same reason as above (You can always buy one here too but they aren't "compact" at all).

Headband(s)

Bandana - some PCVs use these for wiping off sweat/blowing their nose. I brought a ton of travel tissues and you can buy tissues here but its a good idea to have one.

1-2 hats - I brought one baseball hat from the U! :)

1-2 scarves. I like scarves but you don't really need them. They are nice to have when its a colder day though!

Toiletries:

*Note on Toiletries: You can buy almost everything here in Tana but it can get really expensive. Bring things you enjoy using but you don't need a two years supply of anything. You can also always have care packages sent! Most medical things are available but you should bring at least 3 month supply of anything you are used to using regularily just incase.

Toothbrush ( I brought multiple but you can buy them here)

Toothpaste

Facewash (I also brought face wipes for days when I'm feeling lazy)

Bar soap

Shampoo/Conditioner

Dry Shampoo/Baby powder - I wash my hair once a week. Sometimes I need something to look presentable for those last few days.

Mosterizer with SPF

Chapstick with SPF - they give you a generic chapstick in the med kit but I like my good-smelling/tasting chapsticks better. I brought so many.

Comb/Brush

Hairties

Bobby Pins

Deodorant

Baby/Booty wipes

hand sanitizer

Tampons - I brought OB tampons because they are compact and don't have a ton of packaging. You can get tampons from the Medical Center but bring some for the first 3 months of training (and don't forget to take them to homestay right away like I did! You body does weird things when you move half way across the world!)

Diva Cup/Soft Cups - I brought soft cups and then ended up getting a DIVA cup later on, and they are both life savers. You can keep either in for 12 hours so you don't have to worry about changing them in a long brousse(bus) ride. If you choose this option I would reccommend buying them few months before you leave to get used to them! Soft Cups are great, but honestly I think a DIVA cup is the way to go. It is reuseable (less waste) and then you don't have to worry about running out. These ARE NOT available in country.

Nail clippers

A good tweezer - there is one in the med kit but it isn't great.

Basic make up/hair styling things - nice to have for special occasions! I didn't bring any hair styling things though.

Nail polish/Nail polish remover - I didn't bring any because I never paint my nails but other girls did! If you enjoy painting your nails its nice to have colors you like when you're bored. You can by nailpolish and remover here too, but its not great quality.

Anything else you use on a regular basis that isn't electrical. You definately don't need a blow dryer or a straightner or anything like that, but its nice to have things you are used to! Especially for the first few months.

Shoes:

Note- Same as clothes. Bring a mix. You can always get shoes here. I almost exclusively wear a pair of flip fops I bought here.

1 pair heavy duty sandals. I have Chacos and I love them.

1 pair flip flops - I wear them around my house/yard and in the shower.

1-2 pair of shoes that cover your toes but are relatively nice looking (I brought Toms). Some schools apparently say you have to have your toes covered while you teach. There is a lot of sand at my site so nicer sandals are fine too. You can always buy sandals/flip flops here though!

1 pair nicer shoes that cover your toes (I brought a pair of matallic flats that I really only wore for Swearing In.)

1 pair running sheos (if you like running).

1 pair hiking boots (I was SO glad I brought mine. When it rained in the highlands during homestay these were essential when walking to trainings. The roads are SO MUDDY.)

Electronics:

Laptop

Charger (some people bring extra batteries)

Converters!

Flash drives

Harddrive (for movies/tv shows)

An unlocked smart phone (I brought an Iphone but other PCVs brought other types. You can get a phone plan with internet and talk to your family. Making sure its unlocked is ESSENTIAL for using the SIM cards in country.) You can get phones here but they aren't great quality. You could also bring (instead or as well as a smart phone) a older/non-smart phone thats unlocked to put a SIM card in too. I have my Iphone and then a phone I bought here. I use my iphone to talk to my family and the other to talk to other PCVs/teachers/my Malagasy Friends.

Headlamp

Flashlights

Many batteries for anything you bring. The batteries here don't last long.

A watch - nothing too fancy but you'll need to keep track of the time while you're teaching.

Other useful (but not necessarily needed) electronics:

I brought a SteriPen and I use it sometimes. You have to put chlorine (Sur Eau) in your water and it tastes kind of bleachy and hurts my throat sometimes. Its also nice to have non-chorlined water when I mix in drink packets every once and a while, but it goes through batteries pretty fast so I dont' use it often.

Power storage things for phones - I brought a few and they have been wonderful. The electricy isn't always reliable and I can always charge everything when the electricity is one and then use the power storage things when my electricy isn't on to charge my phone.

Solar power charger - I brought a little one and used it when my electricy just wasn't on for a few days. You can buy them here too.

A nook/ereader - Many PCVs bring these and share files. Its a great way to have a whole library at your disposale. Its an easy way to have a lot of books at once. I ended up bringing around 10-15 real books that I had collected over the years and really wanted to read. You can also get books from the Meva (Peace Corp Hotel) in Tana. But its sort of a take one/leave one policy.

Misacallenous:

Duct Tape : Fixes everything.

Pillow - You can buy one here but again, so glad I brought one from home. The pillows as homestay/PCTC are somewhat uncomfortable and you won't buy one until site intall.

Sleeping bag - I brought the smallest packaged camping bag I could find. Its good for as low as 45 degrees. I mostly use it as a body pillow but its nice to have when you're visiting other volunteers too.

Sunglasses - I brought a few pairs. I wear them when its really windy so sun doesn't get in my eyes or if its an especially bright day. And also at the beach. They sell sunglasses here too!

1 Ltr Waterbottle - You'll want something sturdy and with measurements. A liter works best because its what you use to know how many drops of Sur Eau (chlorine) to put in your water. Many PCVs have Nalgenes. So do I! I also brought a smaller Camalback for brousse rides/travel because its so bumpy and difficult to drink out of a Nalgene if you're thirsty!

Yoga Mat - if you do yoga. I have a lightweight one that I brought, and again, so glad I did. There is (alledgedly) a sports store in Tana that sells them but they are hard to find and pretty expensive here.

Notebooks/Folders/Pens(especially red pens for teachers!)/Pencils/Siccors/Permanent Markers/crayons - I only got a few items from the school (2 Blue and Red Pens,2 Pencils, an eraser, and one notebook) and some items from Peace Corps (A folder, two notebooks, and a pen and pencil) and they just aren't the same as American school supplies. I would reccomend bringing permanent markers of various colors and definately crayons or colored pencils. Especially if you enjoy doodling/drawing in color.

Bags:

You get two checked bags a carry on and a personal items bag. It really doesn't matter what you bring, but eventually you'll have to cart it around so its a good idea to get something thats easy to carry. Also something rather durable because it will get thrown around in any form of transportation on these streets.

I brought:

One large duffle bag.

A big bag that has back pack straps and rollers - Its been quite handy. Some PCVs bring giant day packs. Those work too.

A carry-on that is a suitcase/backpack -Many PCVs bring small day packs and those work really well. Something that can fit 1-2 weeks worth of things is perfect for traveling around the country or spending a few days at a PCV's place nearby.

A messenger bag - Perfect for brousses because I can sit it on my lap with all my valuables in it.

A small purse - It should have a strap that goes around your body. I bring mine everywhere I go to carry money and my keys. Its also nice for when you're in Tana or a big city. It should be a little big bigger than your passport (not that you carry around your passport but our country ID cards are that big and you have to bring them with you and have them accessible when you leave site).

Other things to get sent when you leave or shove into your bags if you have space:

Sheets - you can buy them/have them made here but I was SO glad I brought some from home. I brought two queen size flat sheets.

Kitchen utensils - If there is anything small that you use often - bring it. I brought measuring cups, a can opener, a vegetable peeler, and I wish I would've brought a good knife. But everything is available here - but sometimes its just a bit different from the stuff you're used to at home and when it comes to cooking its nice to have things your familiar with.

Food -Especially things that are hard to get here: your favorite (non-chocolate because it will melt) candy (I brought Twizzlers and had my mom send them in my first care package), almonds (or any nut besides peanuts), dried cranberries/raisins, cliff bars, granola bars, your favorite spices, powdered milk (its kind of expensive here and I like the powdered milk from American better but make sure to check the expiration date and put it in a bag in your bag. A bag of powdered milk exploded on the way over and everything in my bag was covered in it.), pancake/cake mixes (my mom sent pancake mix. it was wonderful), some people bring powdered cheese from mac & cheese boxes or velvetta/hickory farms cheese, your fav. hot sauce, quinoa, Instand Oatmeal, Girl Scout Cookies, and really anything you do not want to be with out! *bring extra Girl Scout Cookies for me*

Drink packets - I brought 100. I don't regret it. I put them in my water every once and a while and its a great mix. There is wonderful fresh juice available here but sometimes you just want some ice tea or lemonade! I put them all in my Nalgene which saved space and made my Nalgene useful during travel.

ENJOY! :) Remeber - Nothing you bring/don't bring will impact your service! Its not about what you have its about what you're doing!!

Back In Mada

Back in Madagascar

Written on 2/6/2015

I've written a blog about what has happened in the past month three times but I can never find the words to put together what happened in a way that makes sense to post on a blog. But I feel like I
should say something, so here it goes.

On January 10th, 2015 my mom passed away. I spent the days before not knowing what had happened and making my way back to America.

She was driving her car when she lost consciousness and slumped over the steering wheel, causing her to drift into oncoming traffic and hit another car. She had spinal and brain injuries and life support was the only thing keeping her body going.

This tragedy has and will effect my service in the Peace Corps as well as my life. Which is why I felt it was important to post something, although no words can really express what the past month has been like.

I was astounded and so thankful for how quickly Peace Corps got me back to America. I spent a lot of time with my family and friends. Since my arrival, my Dad said he wanted me to go back. And I have felt that since this is what I'm doing now, and it is important to me, that it was important to go back to work and return to Peace Corps.

Today, I arrived back in Madagascar.

I was more nervous to leave America and come back to Madagascar than I was to leave the first time. Everyone keeps telling me how strong I am to come back, and I know that I am a strong person. But over the past few weeks I've had moments where I have felt the farthest from strong I have ever felt in my life.

Luckily, this really unfortunate event has shown me that I have amazing friends and family all over the world that are here to support me. I may not feel like my strongest self, but I have people around me to help bring me back up when I'm feeling down. I couldn't have asked for better support from the Peace Corps Staff and the other volunteers, as well as my friends and family back home.

I know the next year and a half will be much harder than I could have ever anticipated. But it comforts me to know that I have so many people around me to confide in.

And an amazing guardian angel.

2015 Resolutions

2015 Resolutions

Written on 1/3/2015

*FYI - This is a very introspective blog post*

There is something about the New Year that just makes you reminisce and think about how you can take those steps in the upcoming year to be a better you. Pair that with the endless thoughts that washed up on me as I sat on the beach in Mahambo, Madagascar and its fair to say I have a few ideas for personal changes to come.

There is something so rejuvenating about the ocean, I don't know if calming rush of the ocean waves, or the taste of the salt water, or maybe its the fresh, cooling, breeze that lets you breathe easy. I took some time to really think about how I want to change this year. There are some obvious, typical resolutions; I want to work out at least three times a week and I need to start flossing more to keep up my dental hygiene. But as I soaked up some sun (through my protective layer of sunscreen, of course) I started thinking more deeply about how I want to change as a person.

This will be my only full calendar year in Madagascar serving with the Peace Corps. There is something truly special about that. And I've decided that I want to embrace this opportunity to the best of my ability. Not every day is perfect, but I want to start embracing those imperfections and see them as opportunities for growth instead of challenges to hold me back.

The idea of focusing on growing positively got me thinking about my Top Five Strengths (Gallup Strengths Test, I learned all abour them in my time as a Community Advisor in Housing and Residential Life at the University of Minnesota). Specifically, two of my strengths have made the transition to life here in Madagascar particuliarily challenging.

One, is my Relator strength. Being a Relator, I value close, personal relationships. It takes me longer to let people in, and once I do I have a really hard time letting them go. Being half way around the world, I've noticed that many of my personal relationships I had left back in America are withering away and its been really difficult for me.

In the coming year, I want to focus more on the relationships I can be building here, with my community and other volunteers. Not that I want to totally cut myself off from my friendships in America, but I've decided its time for me to start making healthier choices when it comes to my friendships and let friends aren't interested in staying connected go.

Relationships are two way streets, and I can't be putting so much energy keeping relationships going in America. Instead, I need to focus more of that energy on building relationships where I am. I need to trust that the friendships I've built in the past are strong enough to sustain this distance. And the friendships that aren't strong enough are friendships that I might be better off letting go.

The other strength that has challenged me is my Futuristic Strength. As a futuristic thinker, I am always ten steps ahead of where I am right now. My freshman year of college I realized if I planned out the next two years I could graduate a year early. I had Peace Corps in my sights A YEAR AND A HALF before I graduated from college. Planning ahead has always been beneficial and comforting for me.

Its impossible to plan that far in advance here, and its been hard on my mental health thinking of what my life might be like when I get back. Where should I apply for jobs? What jobs should I apply for? Where do I want to live? Do I want to live with other people or alone again? Should I stay close to home? Do I even want to be in America again?

Obviously all of those questions are impossible to answer here but hard not to think about. The opportunities when I get back are endless....and thats terrifying. I keep telling myself that planning for my future is okay. Its okay to spend the quite days at sight, or some time before bed, thinking about what I really want in my life. There is nothing wrong about that.

What is hurting my mental health, is trying to plan happiness. Asking, where will I be most happy? Is a stupid question. I've decided its time I take some of my own advice and remind myself that I can choose happiness no matter where I am, who I am with, or what I'm doing. Thats a day to day choice. I can choose to go anywhere and to do anything and I know that no matter what I do or where I am I can also choose to be happy.

So thats my ultimate resolution for 2015; To choose happiness, to choose friendships that make me happy, to wake up everyday and put a smile on my face, and to remind myself that in the future it will be just as easy to do the same.

And also...I should really start flossing more....

New Years Celebrations

New Year's Celebrations

Written on 1/3/2015

Its 2015! Yay! Aside from spending a lot of time thinking about the next year on the beach, I also brought in the New Year with some fun!

My friends and I went up the coast from my site to Mahambo, Madagascar. Its a quieter beach town that always is full of vacationers. We arrived without a reservation and spent the first TWO HOURS there trying to find a place to stay. We ended up fairly far away from the beach, but at the bungalows of a nice French man.

We spent the first night chillin with him and the two wonderful Malagasy women on his staff which was really fun. He gave us a free pizza, which was AWESOME and a delightful surprise. The women told us that there had been five American men there a few days ago and they weren't sure if they left Mahambo yet. It was so much fun joking around the the Malagasy women about trying to find the men. There were four of us, and allegedly five American men, so we kept joking they would have to fight over the fifth.

Unfortunately, while searching for a surf/body board the next day, we found out the men had already left Mahambo. BUT, we did find a body board..which I'm telling myself was much more fun then five men from Tennessee would've been. It really was fun, at first, it was challenging trying to catch a wave. When I finally got the timing down, it was a blast catching a wave into the shore. I think I had a smile on my face the entire time I was on the board.

For New Year's Eve, we decided to go to the fanciest resort in town and get some fancy drinks. We had checked it out the day before, thinking maybe we could eat there too, but alas, we are volunteers and we vacation on a budget...and a their new year's eve dinner was a quarter of our monthly wage.

So we got all dolled up and walked over for drinks. It was a blast - and we ended up with the longest check I've had in country. The owner of the restaurant of the resort said that we could come back for the New Year's Eve party if we were interested, since we said we had already ordered food in town for dinner.

Our dinner was fairly disappointing. My food was good, I had octopus in a coconut sauce with rice...of course. But my friends were disappointed in their meals. On the way back to the resort, my friend and I decided we wanted to sing some Karaoke and stopped at a bar to astound their patrons with a wonderful rendition of "That Don't Impress Me Much" by Shania Twain. The owner of the bar told us we needed to buy a drink to sing but we ended up just singing and then running out...karaoke on a budget.

Then, we made our way back to the resort and sat and listened to an actual performer - a Malagasy artist called Big MJ - who had recently filmed his latest music video at the resort and wanted to bring in the New Year there too.

My favorite part of the night happened just before midnight. The female vocalist started singing "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gayner. All of us got up to dance and sing along. We danced and sang in the new year to "Strong Enough" by Cher. After we sang out "Happy New Year" we ended up in a line of the French three-cheek-kiss which was unexpected but fun!

It was a wonderful way to start my year in Madagascar and I'm so excited to see what adventures the next 12 months will bring!