A few random pictures from the last couple months

Its been a month since my last post. I think I'm getting worse at doing this whole blog thing on a regularlike basis. Sorry. Things have been moving at a pretty quick pace lately. Its good, it keeps me busy! I am sitting in the computer lab typing as the five ladies in my intermediate class work on a typing program. (for those of you in the know its called Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing) Its a pretty decent program but now that the ladies are comfortable with it they don't really need my help for the first hour. Guess my chickies are leaving the nest?? Yeah no, that sounds weird :) Buut anyways...what have I been up to lately other than work you ask?? Well...lesseee... Last month I went back to Asheville for Susannah's birthday. It was supposed to be a surprise but lets be honest, I stink at keeping secrets. I'm like a little kid, "I have a secret but im not gunna tell youuuuu!" Yeah it came out. No popping up at her door outta nowhere. But thats ok, it let us both enjoy the anticipation. It was a short trip, only four days, But absolute magic the entire time. Got to eat at 12 Bones, drive on the parkway, enjoy cold weather, check out the fall leaf colors. I loved it! Being back in Asheville was instantly familiar and I was shocked with how much I felt like I was back home. It was also wonderful because Suzy and I fell right back into the comfortable pattern of our relationship...it fits.


the visit was too short but I have something to look forward to in November...thanksgiving in dc!!! The whole family; sister, brother, niece, nephew, the new york crew, the nashville dirty duo and suzy will be there. I can't wait! It will be my first time back in DC in well over a year. I am trying to whittle down the list of things I want to do while Im home. (going to the aquarium and the zoo in one day may be a little too much, no?)

This past weekend I traveled too Caye Caulker for halloween. It rained most of the time but I really enjoyed myself. As usual I met cool people, drank a beer on the beach, danced the night away and ate amazing seafood. A good trip.

Its looking like Hurricane Ida is heading towards us here in Belize, should be an interesting couple of days. I promise to keep all informed! Gotta run teach a class!
Jake

Interconnect

Things have started moving more quickly here at the library. I find myself getting so busy at times that I am almost too busy. Quite a few of my projects are moving forward rapidly and today I am going to tell you about a new project idea.

I have been put into contact with a group called Interconnect. They are based in Washington State. Basically what this group/company/organization does is take used computers, refurbish them and sell them to developing nations at a discounted price. Now I have told you all that I am going to be teaching computer classes at the library, right? Well the computers we are using are all quite old. One of the things that I would like to get the ladies in the class to work on is raising funds to get "new" machines for the library. I am actually pretty excited about the idea. Another interesting dynamic revolves around shipping. The more computers you order the lower the cost to ship. So I have been exchanging emails with a number of different groups, peace corps volunteers and other Belizeans to hopefully put together a larger order and drop the per unit cost.

As of right now we are estimating a cost of about US$100 per computer, not bad really. The head librarian and I have been doing some brainstorming as to how we are going to raise the funds, about BZ$3000 or US$1500. We have set a working goal of US$750 to be raised by the library itself, with other assistance coming from outside sources. (Don't be surprised if in the next couple of months you see an appeal come from me :)

I am putting up a few pictures from the library as well as a couple fun ones...enjoy!

Happy Independence Day!!!

I know, I know…its been too long since I have written anything. But man have I been busy. I am writing this from home on my fancy new laptop…Dude I got a Dell. I’m not gonna lie, I am still a Mac person, but hey, the amount of computer for the price…how could I not have gotten this guy.

Things have been pretty busy lately. I moved into a new house in early September. I am living in an area of Orange Walk known as the “fruit tree section” Evidently all the streets are named after fruit trees. I say evidently because as much as I have walked around this neighborhood I have yet to see a single street sign. I am on the top level of a two story house. I have three small bedrooms, one of which I have turned into my kitchen. The other one Im currently using as a storage/staging area. Im pretty pleased with the place. There are a ton of windows and plenty of natural light. Being on this level also gives me relief from mosquitos and a sweet breeze. I actually have to close my windows if I want to sweep J Directly across the street is a huge park. The park is filled with mature trees, the majority being Mahogany. The trunks are all painted white up to about 3 feet and provide great shade for the playgrounds and benches. Mo really enjoys it when I decide to take a book over there and he can wander around smelling whatever it is that he smells.
Speaking of Mo he seems to have taken to the place quite quickly. I find myself spending a lot more time with him just messing around. He has become a gangly teenager of a dog, with front legs shorter than the back. He doesn’t seem to be able to just walk, its more of a sway down the road. Its kinda a butt wagging back and forth thing that he is obviously unaware of. The best part was watching him figure out how stairs work, ass sticking straight up towards the sky as he slowly made his way down. His health has improved immeasurably, and I am getting a glimpse of the personality he will have. He is a sweetheart, a total space cadet and a lover to the highest degree. Example: He has learned that he is not allowed up in my bed, so what he has been doing is waiting until im fast asleep then quietly creeping in. I’ll wake up pushed all the way to the side with 70lbs of hound stretched out comfortably. I woke up the other day and I had Doggie head on my left shoulder and doggie paws on my right leg, the rest sprawled out quite contentedly across my torso. What a punk! We spent an hour wrestling in the rain and the mud yesterday

In other news I have started working at the library. Things have been really good really quickly. My new counterpart is absolutely wonderful. She really wants me to focus on working with the children and teens. I am running a program called Homework Helpers. I supervise high school students who volunteer their time to helping younger children with their homework. I am also doing a Story hour on Saturdays. All the great books of my childhood are coming back to me. Can you believe that none of these kids has ever read “Where the Wild Things Are”??? Tragic. I’m looking for a copy of that and a few other titles down here. Ima blow these kids minds with literary awesomeness. I also have plans to get some computer classes going on as well as a fantasy of mine…a book club. I have always said I wanted to join a book club but never did. Maybe if I am running it itll actually happen?! Ooo…I think we are going to paint a world map on the library as well. That’s a project I am really excited about. Yep. So work keeps me busy.

I am also really enjoying Orange Walk itself. I feel comfortable here. Im a block from the river, have a tiny shop across the street and access to whatever I need a 15 minute walk away. Its not too close and not too far. Hopefully I will be able to post these pictures and yall can see what the house and Mo look like. Seems like that about covers it…Ill work on posting more often and getting more pictures posted!

Jake

Pics!!!

What a lovely way to start the post. This deer's tongue was like that...all the time.




Birdie has big wings.




Dancin with the big dogs!!




The view from the bottom of my stairs lookin up. Mo waits for me up there in front of the door.




The front view of the house. I have the top part.

VEGAS BABY VEGAS!!l!

Las Vegas changed my life.

How do you talk about a trip to Las Vegas in a blog that your parents read??? Bachelor party, a drink or two, clubs, socializing...not exactly conducive to storytime, eh? So i guess this will be a short post :)

Las Vegas was effing amazing. Everything i expected was blown out of the water by the actual event. The gentlemen formed a wolfpack and we boldly went where every man who goes to vegas hopes to go. We were lucky enough to have the assistance of a couple ladies who live in Vegas and somehow happen to know EVERYONE. We did not wait in a single line, we had private cars coming to pick us up and drop us at the door of the club. Bottle service and private tables at the hottest clubs. Fer goodness sakes one of the clubs had a 3 story waterfall! It was super neat. Everything about the place is made to just let loose and go crazy, which is exactly what we did. From our knockout suite overlooking the lights to our VIP tables we did it right.

The craziest part about Vegas is that it lives up to all expectations. For example: You know when you watch entourage and theyre hanging out by the pool and every woman that walks by them could be a model? Yeah thats what it was like. I think there is a sign at the doors that says "if youre not a ten just dont even try coming here. EVERYONE IS BEAUTIFUL. Craziness.
We spent our days lounging by the massive pool, sippin beers and watching the world go by and our nights by the big lights. Im thinking I need to write a book: From the Village to Vegas. You would read that, right?! I think we did the bachelor party right. I think we did it all right. I don't even know what to say. Either God or the Devil lives in Vegas, and they're probably sleeping together.

Vegas baby Vegas!

ps ill try to post some pics when i get a faster internet connection and i find some tame ones :)

Updates!

Productive day! Met up with Jay and Austin, the Peace Corps program coordinators to figure out what our next step is. AND....I am officially moving to Orange Walk. Its pretty exciting and I am looking forward to a new set of challenges, new people and new happenings in my life. In a way it is sad too. I know I am only going to be a few miles from Carmelita, but I am starting to get that feeling that comes about when a period of life is coming to an end.
I have this deeply grained instinct/desire for change. Its not so much a "grass is greener" mentality, but rather, I look for whats next. By sticking relatively close to my old site and maintaining alot of contacts I feel like I will be able to both tend to that instinct and still continue to progress and grow as a Peace Corps Volunteer.
I am incredibly excited about one of my new projects. I will be working at the Sandy Hunter Public Library. I will be teaching computer classes, leading a reading program for children, starting to work on an environmental group as well as initiating any programs I want. I feel like one of the best aspects of this is that there is already an established library building and community. I wont be starting from scratch. Ms. Elena, my new counterpart, has hosted many Volunteers. She and I are old friends already. I enjoy her passion and the vibrancy she brings to the library. I finally feel like I will be working WITH someone instead of against!!

Tomorrow I will be heading to meet Trainees as they get off the airplane and then the 2nd year volunteers will all head out to Caye Caulker for a bit of a reunion. Sometimes it blows my mind that I have been here for a year already. At times I have felt like it has dragged, but a year?!?! Wow.

Last post I mentioned that I am heading to Vegas in a week. The other day I had the first inkling of how much that is going to mess with my mind. My friend Rob, who lives in Belize City, and I went to the Princess Casino to see a movie. This was my first theater movie in a year. We saw GI JOE. Now the movie rocked. The 10yo boy who lives inside me was jumping up and down with glee the entire time. (Sub Arctic hideout?! YESSS!!) Ninjas, suits that make you run really fast?! Awesome chase scene through Paris?!...that girl can ride a motorcycle!!) Yeah, it was sweet. The only problem was I was nearly dizzy. I felt like a country boy who just moved to the big city. Like a blind man who opens his eyes and is confused by everything he sees! Lotta lights for this country bumpkin!!! Nevada should be interesting! Im doing desensitization exercises; flashing lights in my eyes, popping bags behind my ears, stepping on broken glass. You know, training for the big event. :D

Sick :(

Hey all! got a quick update for ya about whats been going on with my life and health and all that business. I have actually spent the past three nights in the hospital. For the past week or so I have been developing a bit of a chest cold. I didn't think much of it, just bumped up the vitamin C intake and got a bit more sleep, but monday night when I tried to go to bed even the littlest breath was wheezing in my lungs. To be honest it was a bit scary. I have never had to deal with truly feeling like I could not get any air in my lungs. I would take a deep breath and it would rattle around inside me, but not do much. It felt like trying to breathe off the end of an empty dive tank. Obviously I called my Medical Officer first thing the next morning and made an appointment to go to the doctor on Wed. in Belize City. The doctor took one listen and 2 xrays and promptly laid me in a hospital bed and told me that I was staying in the hospital for at least two nights. Evidently I had come into the clinic with 25% lung capacity.

The past few days have been rather trying, no change of clothes, no computer, no ipod, no book. I had thought that I was going to visit the doc, get a course of antibiotics and promptly return home. OHHH NO. As of right now I am spending the next two nights in a hotel in Belize City. I have a monday appointment with the doc to check up on my lungs and see how I am doing. Its kinda a bummer, he has said that he recommends getting rid of the pets, especially the cats. I don't know what I am going to do, but all of this is a bit of a wakeup call. Guess at 26 I am getting to the point where i can't automatically expect my body to do whatever I want it to do, obeying promptly and without complaint. Hmmm.

In other news, the next few weeks will be pretty exciting. We have new volunteers coming in the 20th and then a week later I go to VEGAS for a good friend's bachelor party. I am also in the process of looking for a new site, quite possibly Orange Walk. It has gotten to the point in the village where I think it would be a good and healthy idea for me to extracate myself from what is going on there and find a spot where people are excited about what I am doing and willing to work along with me.

Crazy changes in life, and im guessing that this is only the beginning.
Jacob