Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to everyone! This is my second big holiday away from the states and my family. Plenty of gifts have been sent down here and Julie and I will be celebrating Christmas morning at my apartment and then we are heading over the my host family's house for Christmas dinner. I am spending New Year's in Caye Caulker, which is a nice island off the coast off of Belize. Happy Holidays!!

New Apartment

I found a nice apartment near the school in Belize City. I am happy that I am finally getting my own place after 4 months of living with host families, but I am going to miss having all my food prepared for me. If you want to write or send anything here is my new address:

5964 Campus Avenue
Apartment #10
West Landivar
Belize City, Belize

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

Chess Tournament

So Julie and I played in a chess tournament in Dangriga over the weekend. We both finished towards the bottom; since it was the first tournament for both of us, that was expected. We both played 4 matches and it lasted all day. It is safe to say that we both had a lot of fun and chess will definitely be a part of our experience in Belize. There are numerous chess associations in the country and they tend to team up with Peace Corps volunteers. The game has a number of benefits for both youth and adults in country: intellectual and the development of hobbies, simply put there is not a lot do do here. More than likely I will bring chess to the "It's Up To Me Program."

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

My Job

I don't think I have actually described my job in depth so here goes: I am working at a high school out of the counselor's office in Belize City, Belize. I am responsible for coordinating and running a program entitled “It's Up To Me.” The program was created by a former volunteer who basically wrote the framework, but did not include any activities/strategies/materials; so I am having to come up with the “meat and potatoes” of the program. I am having a great time because I can essentially do whatever I want with the kids. The students involved in the program are labeled as “at risk.” What is at risk? Students who are in trouble academically and/or disciplinary. There are currently 11 students in the program and I meet with them on a individual and group basis once a week. In the next two years I would like to create a manual for the program along with a handbook/assignment book for the students.

I teach 5 Life Skills classes on Thursday's and Friday's to 2nd and 3rd formers (sophomores and juniors). The subject matter includes: Goal setting, communication skills, conflict resolution, stress management, decision making skills, sexuality, STD's/HIV/AIDS, drugs, teenage pregnancy, child abuse, domestic violence, depression and suicide. It was weird at first because I don't really have any classroom experience but I am comfortable in front of groups so I am having fun with it. All classes are conducted in English but the kids often respond in Kriol.

Another crazy part of the job is that I am already one of the Big 5 on campus. Every week there are management meetings with the principal, 2 vice principals, a counselor and me. I am responsible for reporting on the status of the students in the Its Up To Me program. I am enjoying this because it holds me accountable. All meetings are conducted in Kriol.

Some of the benefits of the job: its a structured environment, I have my own office (desk, chair fan, window, door sign, the works. Its funny I couldn't find a job like this in the states so I have to join the peace corps to get hooked up with an office), I have the freedom to create my own work, I don't work on weekends, I get 3 weeks for Christmas, 2 weeks for Spring break and Summers off. ha.

I was also asked to be the advisor for the American Football Club the first week I got here. I enjoy watching football but I do not have any experience coaching the game. I think American Football is one thing that Belizeans think Americans automatically know and enjoy. The club meets on Wednesdays for an hour.

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

Happy Thanksgiving!

My first major holiday away from the states: Thanksgiving. I was alone in San Diego last year for Thanksgiving so being in Belize isn't that bad. My host mom made all of the traditional dishes for me so I got my share. Happy Thanksgiving!

Chetumal, Mexico

I went to Chetumal, Mexico yesterday with my host brother, his girlfriend and Julie. Chetumal is where Belizeans go to buy items that are too expensive in Belize: cereal, milk and toilet paper. It's got an American feel to it: there is a mall with a movie theatre, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, McDonalds, Burger King and Dominoes Pizza. We saw a movie and ate at McDiesel's: I got a Big Mac with fries and a coke. It's funny how McDonalds brings the American out of you when you are in a foreign land; in a weird way it makes you feel comfortable. At first i was adamantly opposed to eating at Mcdonalds but the golden arches were calling my name. Who can turn down big mac sauce? So good. It was a nice change from the rice and beans Belizean cuisine. I spent most of my money on food and entertainment, however I did buy a football for the American Football Club I am supervising at school.

I got my first package from my parents on Friday. It included the following:
Books
Maps - The US and World
Jeans
USA T-Shirt
Franks Red Hot Sauce
Magazines - magazines in Belize are $25

Far From Home, (Toledo, Ohio to Belize City, Belize - 1,916 miles to be exact)

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

The Full Day

On Monday morning I was doing a self reflection/personal growth activity that Julie came up with and it made me laugh, think and cry. I couldn't help but think of Jimmy V's speech at the EPSY's in 1993.

Delivered March 4, 1993 by Jimmy Valvano at the ESPY's:


"Now, I'm fighting cancer, everybody knows that. People ask me all the time about how you go through your life and how's your day, and nothing is changed for me. As Dick said, I'm a very emotional, passionate man. I can't help it. That's being the son of Rocco and Angelina Valvano. It comes with the territory. We hug, we kiss, we love. And when people say to me how do you get through life or each day, it's the same thing. To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. And number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special. And so, I can't help -- I rode on the plane up today with Mike Krzyzewski, my good friend and a wonderful coach. People don't realize he's ten times a better person than he is a coach, and we know he's a great coach. He's meant a lot to me in these last five or six months with my battle. But when I look at Mike, I think, we competed against each other as players. I coached against him for fifteen years, and I always have to think about what's important in life to me are these three things. Where you started; where you are; and where you're gonna be. Those are the three things that I try and do every day."

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

The Today Show in Belize

So I was flipping through the channels this morning and stumbled upon NBC's The Today Show (Belizeans get cable from random parts of the United States, so the TV at my house receives local channels from New York City and Denver. So I can watch the Denver local news if I wanted to. Its kinda weird though because I fell connected to family and the US in a way because my brother and his family are probably watching the same thing.) . They are doing a week long segment on exotic locations throughout the world that are being affected by climate change. One of the places is Belize. They are filming at the Great Blue Hole. What is the Great Blue Hole you ask: The Great Blue Hole is a large underwater sinkhole off of the coast of Belize. It lies near the center of Lighthouse Reef, a small atoll 45 miles from the mainland and Belize City. The hole is circular in shape, over 1,000 feet across and 400 feet deep. It was formed as a limestone cave system during the last ice age when sea levels were much lower. As the ocean began to rise again the caves flooded, and the roof collapsed. I have not had a chance to visit the hole, but I am sure I will sometime in the next 2 years.

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

Quote of the month

I heard this quote earlier today and it is what it is:


“The richest and fullest lives attempt to achieve an inner balance between three realms: work, love and play. To pursue one realm, to the disregard of the others, is to open oneself to ultimate sadness in older age; whereas to pursue all three with equal dedication is to make possible a life filled not only with achievement, but with serenity.”

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

New Look

As some of you may have noticed, there is a new look to my blog. My former boss (whom I dominated in the game we like to call squash) has decided to help me out with the layout of the site. I've also posted a link to the tenniscompany.com. He has so graciously decided to give free shipping when you use the promo code: WEISS. He stated that he would also throw an extra 5-10% (depending on how he is feeling that day) off. Promo code: BELIZE. Why am i dong this you are all asking? I lost some bets. I bet that Obama would not be the next president and that Sears Holding Co. would hit $115 before it sunk below $50. Well, i was wrong. So feel free to take a look at: www.tenniscompany.com . Tell your friends, family, and anyone else you know about this limited time offer.

As for Belizean events, I just finished my first full week of work: Monday through Friday 8-4, my own office etc. I am working at a high school in the counselor's office. I am responsible for teaching 5 life skills classes, coordinating the "It's up to me" program (the Its up to me program is a program for "at risk" youth basically the bottom of the barrel of the high school, kids who are real close to being kicked out due to disciplinary or academic reasons), as well as supervising the American Football Club. (yeah i said it, football). I really like it so far and its something new and challenging.

Julie came up to Belize City this weekend and we ate dinner at the only Sushi place in the country. It was delicious and it satisfied Julie's 3 month craving for Wasabi (satisfied is an understatement).

I recently purchased Kenny Chesney's new album through I-Tunes and the first song is entitled "I'm Alive." The chorus sums up how I feel at the moment: "I'm alive and well. I'm alive and well. And today thats good enough for me."

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

Swearing In

So I am an official Peace Corps Volunteer as of last Wednesday. The swearing in ceremony was at the Governor General's house in Belmopan. The Ambassador was there to speak and congratulate the group. After the swearing in ceremony we had a lee bash (kriol for little party) and I had a great time. The party consisted of a slide show, eating at a nice indian restaurant, Peace Corps superlatives in which i took home two: Best Friends For Life: Jake Hafkin and Chris Weiss otherwise known as "the jizz" all credit goes to Julie for the nickname, and Favorite Republican (i am one of 4 conservatives in the group).

On Thursday I decided to go up to Dangriga to stay with Julie for the night and we met up with Abby and Joel for dinner and red wine (which costs about $40 a bottle down here). On Friday we left for Placencia where we had our swearing in/Halloween party. One of the best four days i have had in a long time, to say the least. A common phrase used throughout the weekend: "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world right now."

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

Belize Pics

More Pics

Pics from Belize

Pictures and Videos

I should have some pictures and videos posted sometime next week. Training is over and we swear in as Volunteers next week.

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

Food

I thought I would make some comments on the food of Belize. As a nation of many languages and ethnic backgrounds, Belize has quite a few traditional dishes. While I was in Independence which is primarily a Kriol community there was a lot of rice and beans, plantains, baked/fried chicken, and wheat tortillas. If you were to visit any Mayan culture the main dish would be this chicken soup dish with corn tortillas. In Belize, you eat the whole chicken bones and all; when you are served fish you are given the entire fish (with bones), depending on its size. If its a big fish you will either get the head or the tail.

Have i had rat? Yes, its called a gibnut and it was really good. The last time the Queen was in Belize in 1981, she had gibnut aka The Royal Rat.

Have i had pigtail? Yes, it tastes kinda like a combo of ham and hot dogs.

I have not had the pleasure of eating iguana because its out of season right now.

Belizeans like kool aid with a shit ton of sugar. They call it juice. Its a little bit of water with sugar and a huge packet of kool-aid.

There are no "real" fast food places, excluding the 1 Subway in Belize City. Most of the food down here comes from shacks, street vendors or the inside of houses.

There are shops owned by people from Asia. Belizeans call these shops "Chinees" and they call all asian people "Chinees" as well. Its really racist but they don't see it that way.

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

Birthday Weekend

So I am now 25. The weekend started on Friday with the usual trip to Belmopan early in the morning. I had to make it back by 7 pm to give a presentation to a youth group on the Peace Corps and Setting Goals and creating a Life Purpose statement. I was a little bit late but Belizeans are never on time so i fit right in. Saturday-Terra's host family invited us all to the private island for the night and it was awesome: camp fire, smores, 45 lobsters, sleeping on a dock etc. On Sunday morning we were taken back to Independence because we had to catch a boat to go to Placencia for a Beach Clean up with another Youth Group. The beach clean up went well and we saw the Prime Minister swimming with his kids. At 5 we all went back to Independence for a dinner/party for my birthday. My host mom worked really hard making all the food and the cake. It was Julie's birthday on the 11th so the dinner was for her too. On Monday we all went to Placencia again and had some fun. After we got home on Monday night Jacob's host family had us all over for dinner. Overall the weekend was awesome: private islands, placencia and free lobster, I am having way too much fun down here.

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

Placements

So i found out a few days ago I am gonna be living in Belize City, Belize for the next two years. A few good things about being placed there: my house is close to the school I will be working at, there is a gym nearby, i am gonna be living on the safe side of the river, its an actual city and not a village, the airport is close and its a cruise port. The one bad thing about the city: its the crime capital of the country. Roughly 80-90% of the country's crime takes place in Belize City. Most if not all happens on the southwest side of the city.

Since my last post i've done a few things:
1. Cockscomb National Park/Preserve - a cool jaguar reserve with jungle hiking and natural waterfalls.
2. Volunteer Visit to Jungle - slept in a kechi village for a weekend, river bathing, soccer, volleyball, jungle fishing, jungle bowl making etc.
3. Independence Day Celebrations - get real drunk and sing bad songs
4. Placencia - wow beautiful Americanized vacation destination
5. Private Key - swimming and fishing off of a private island.

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

The 23 hour Peace Corps Day

Alright since my last post a couple of things have happened: We started a garden in one of the villages, one of the volunteers let go of a machete and it stuck another volunteer in the face, (luckily it was the dull side), saw Punta Gorda - an awesome waterside community, saw Mayan Ruins, slept in the jungle, did some cave climbing at the Blue Creek Caves, attended my first Beliezean party - funny story from the party: My host dad and his brother were getting pretty drunk of some Rum and they like to sing old time country songs - hank williams type country. They thought i knew some of these songs. not so much. Towards the end of the night they decided to play a song that i might like and know. They dedicated it to America and Mista Chris. The song they decided to play: "We Are The World, We Are The Children" hahahahahahaha. Nice pick guys. 

Alright here is the good/crazy story: We all awoke at 4:30 a.m. to catch the 5:30 bus to Belmopan which is about 3 hours away by bus (the actual distance would be from Toledo Ohio to about Findlay, Ohio. In the states this bus ride would take about an hour) All of the training sessions were cancelled in Belmopan because one of the 2nd year volunteers passed away. So basically we all sat in the PC headquarters until 4:00 pm. We caught the bus back to Independence at 4:30. The Belziean bus experience goes like this: Its an old US School bus, Lines forget it, its a mob. pushing fighting swearing the works, as long as you get on that bus you are good to go. So picture a bus to its full capacity and add 40 more people. If you don't get a seat you stand in the aisles. Sometimes people stand for the entire bus ride. Meanwhile the guy who collects money doesn't collect the money right when you get on, that would be too easy and logical. He waits till everyone gets on and then starts to collect bus fare. He is climbing over people just about every time the bus stops. Speaking of bus stops or places that one would catch the bus forget that. If you want on you stand by the road (any road) and waive the bus down. so picture the full bus and then more people getting on along the way. It was one of those wow we aren't in America moments. So back to my long day story, So we are all riding back to Independence and then all of the sudden the bus stops in Dangriga (about half way) and someone starts yelling: "Chris! Chris! Is there a Chris here!?" I'm like whats going on here? It was my host dad: he was in Dangriga because his grand daughter was in the hospital. He wanted to know if i wanted a ride instead of riding the bus. I said fo sho. Jacob came along too. We thought we were leaving right away. No No. We didn't leave for another 4 hours. We were taken to the hospital, a bootleg casino (we didn't gamble) and given the full tour of the city. We ended up leaving at 9:30 pm. So we leave and hit Silk Grass (about 20 miles from Dangriga) and the van breaks down. Sweet. No cell phone service either. Someone finally makes a phone call for help somehow, and by help i mean a tow from a friend who has to drive to Silk Grass from Independence. We finally get picked up at around 12:30 am or 1. We decide to ride in the back of the truck bead which is sweet because it cools you off from the humidity and heat. By cools you off i mean 83 degrees. So we are cruising along and all of the sudden we get flashed down by some people who just had an accident. So we all get out and go check it out: This car struck a thick telephone poll and split it in half, 3 people injured: head injuries, showing skull, broken legs, shattered hips the works. The kicker: A dead guy. They were all drunk. The driver was thrown from the vehicle and didn't survive. Meanwhile right after we get there and until we leave its lawlessness. the ambulance arrived 45 minutes later. By ambulance i mean people with bootleg "medical training" and are basically there to give you a ride to the hospital. They picked up the three injured people and left the dead guy. All three guys rode in the same ambulance. The cops came about 2 hours later. (the cop car was driving by after we left). 

We got home at 2:30 and went to bed at around 3 am. 23 hour day. no big deal. 

Lessons learned: Stay on the bus and Belize is not America nor do Belizieans operate similarly to Americans. 

Far From Home, 

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

Whoa

What up,

Alright a lot to cover here: Staging in Miami was awesome. Being in a room full of people that really want to make a contribution to Belize made me feel pretty good. Hurricane Faye hit Miami while we were there. NO BIG DEAL. There was a big greeting for us at the Belize Airport, it was pretty cool. Training while at the Peace Corps Headquarters was basically a 8 hour session of Belize stuff. They kept telling us about procedures for quitting and going home, which was kinda weird, but 2 people have already quit. In the past two weeks I've seen or done the following:
-Garifuna Drumming and Dancing
-Cliff Jumping
-Watched Sunrises
-Watched Sunsets
-Caught a Sting ray
-Consumed more food than i ever have before (Ive only had rice and beans for one meal)
-Learned/Learning Kriol: Da weh yo nehym Bwai? Its basically bad English
-Biting Bugs (enough said)
-My host family is the shit: they call me Mista Chris
-Private Island: i am going to buy in 5 years: $40 K Belize
-2 International Soccer games
-Dead snakes dragged through the streets of San Juan: He shot it with a gun.
-Mango Time: Shook mangoes out of a tree: Them be some big trees.
-"Hey Bwai you be dat German!!!" apparently i look German
-I don't miss the U.S. at this point and i can see myself living here for the next few years.
-Had a two hour conversation with the town drunk about life and Belize. He said if he had my education he would "dominate people" Whatever that means. He really wants to fall in love with a french woman. This guy gets paid on fridays, proceeds to put his payday money in his pocket, gets drunk, passes out in a random place and people steal the money out of his pockets.
I'll add some pics and videos later. I'm out.

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

In Belize

Yo Yo,

I am in Belize and I just had the best week of my life. I've seen more stuff in 7 days than my previous 24 years of living: Garifuna Dancing, Beliziean Sunrise etc.

I wont have the Internet so i'll catch up in a couple weeks. We leave for our towns today.

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

Almost Time To Leave

So I've got about 6 days until I head to Miami, FL for the staging event. I am going through lists of what I need to pack and making necessary purchases. There is a facebook group for all of the volunteers and some of the people who are already down there have made suggestions on what to bring and what not to bring. One volunteer's list included numerous items including: pots and pans, vegetable peeler, pillows, spatulas, nice pair of sunglasses, hanging shoe organizer, etc. Lets be serious here, I don't have most of these items and I am pretty sure I wont need them in lesser off conditions. She's telling me to bring a blow up sleeping pad. A blow up sleeping pad? Come on now....I slept on a pile of clothes for a little over 6 months in San Diego. I repeat a pile of clothes. I think I can make it without buying a blow up sleeping mat thank you very much.

About a week ago we were asked to fill out questionnaire's so the Peace Corps volunteers can get to know us better and one of the questions was: What is the craziest item you are bringing to Belize? I replied with: "I'm actually bringing a full grown adult chimpanzee. I'm thinking I am just gonna duct tape his mouth and bury him under clothes during the flights. He should make it through security right?"

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

Conference Call

So I had a conference call from Belize the other day and I was taken back by a few things. I couldn't understand the lady (my future boss) on the other side of the line due to her thick Caribbean accent, she was on speaker phone, and we were the two only people on the call. I thought conference calls involved more than two people? I guess that's how they do it down in Belize. I also wasn't expecting the questions she asked. The email informing me of the call said that it would be an info session and they would answer any questions we had. Well there was very little info given and she couldn't really answer any of my questions. The call consisted of her interviewing me.

I left Chicago this past weekend. My buddies threw a party that consisted of keg stands, daring people to take their shirt off, and yelling: YOU BETTER BELIZE IT!!!!!! I had a great time for the three months that I was in Chi city. A couple memorable things: Moe's bottle service, Kenny Chesney Concert, working for Ralph Lauren again, living with fraternity brothers, Taste of Chicago, and the art museum. All in all Chicago is an awesome city, but its a bit expensive and from what I hear the winter is miserable. Despite the amount of friends in the city, I don't think its for me.

34 days until I leave.


Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

Peace Corps Application Process

So I thought I would explain/list the whole Peace Corps application process:

1. Online Application (September 2007) - 25 pages of life information, 3 letters of rec., 2 essays
2. Interview in L.A. (November 2007) - Hour and a half interview in Los Angeles, CA
3. Nomination (November 2, 2007) - basically a recommendation to be given further consideration. The program or location one is nominated for isn't guaranteed. I was nominated for the Community Development Program in the Caribbean Region.
4. Dental Clearance (February 25, 2008) - I didn't have insurance at the time of my dental checkup = $400 occlusal guard + $110 checkup fee = $510.
5. Medical Clearance (March 14, 2008) - $110 checkup fee + $300 in lab work = $410.
6. Legal Clearance (March 21, 2008) - this is only a preliminary legal clearance. As soon as you accept an invitation they are running a full on FBI Background investigation.
7. Invitation to Serve (May 21, 2008) - I was invited to serve in Belize in the Youth Development Program.
8. Acceptance to Training Program (May 25, 2008) - this basically reserves a spot in the Belize training program.
9. Staging is August 18-20 in Miami, FL - 3 day seminar on Life in the Peace Corps
10. Depart for Belize (August 20, 2008)

Alright there it is: September 2007 - August 2008. 11 months. From all of the stories and advice from Mike Buckley, John Slattery and Randy Quinn (whom all served or are currently serving in the Peace Corps) it is well worth the work/wait.

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

New at this whole bloggin thing

What up,

This is my first official post on the blog, suitably entitled Far From Home: Wilkins Weiss. So I got accepted to be in the U.S. Peace Corps in Belize as a Youth Development Facilitator Trainee. I can't wait for the journey to begin and it should be a rewarding experience, to say the least. I hope to write a new post at least once a week and provide videos and pictures to boot.

I am doing this whole Peace Corps thing for two main reasons: 1. to become a better person and 2. to help other people. I've been a "leader" ever since I can remember: student government, sports captain, fraternity president etc. But have i really been a leader? Who's life did I make better? What contributions did I really make? I recently heard a speech by Rick Warren the author of The Purpose Driven Life and his remarks reminded me of why I am doing the Peace Corps: "Every time I give it breaks the grip of materialism in my life....we think that the good life is about looking good, feeling good, and having the goods, but that's not the good life. If money made you happy then the richest people in the world would be the happiest...not true...So the good life is about being good and doing good: giving your life away. Significance in life doesn't come from status, it doesn't come from sex, it doesn't come from salary, it comes from SERVING. It is in giving our lives away we find meaning and significance." My Peace Corps experience will be the first time that I truly give myself away to help other people.

My assignment will be to work with youth, community groups, and schools to increase youth leadership skills, employability or job creation, and to develop a knowledge based on facts about HIV/AIDS; how it is transmitted, how it is not transmitted, prevention strategies, and peer education skills.

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss