almost november

A couple things:

1. I am starting to feel the monotonousness aspect of Peace Corps service; I tend to get consumed by my primary project and it has become routine. Fortunately, I am really enthused about the E.P. Yorke Sports Complex. I see myself working on the plans, proposals and staring construction in the upcoming year. Let the record state: I am not thinking of quitting or anything like that, it's just one of the emotions/phases I am going through.

2. The new Ambassador had all the Peace Corps volunteers over for dinner the other night: it was for the new volunteers swearing-in. It was really nice and he seems like he is gung-ho peace corps so that's good news for the next couple years. It was my first official state sponsored dinner. I will post pictures on facebook so you can see some of the cool things from the dinner: plates, house, free food (indian), free drinks. The Ambassador went to undergrad with Obama and apparently they are good buddies.

3. I am growing out a beard until New Years.

4. I am growing out my hair until next Summer.

5. Cool quote: "Each time a man stands up for an ideal or acts to improve the lot of others or strikes out against injustice he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope and crossing each other form a million different centers; energy enduring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance." R.F.K. on moral courage

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

26

So I celebrated my 26th birthday on the 12th of October. Julie set up a picnic blanket and we had a Sunrise Watercolor session. We each painted our interpretation of the sunrise. We both have different styles of painting: she has more of a creative interpretation while I am more literal translation. Let the record state that I have no idea what I am talking about when it comes to painting, I just started and I enjoy it that's good enough for me.

After painting we had breakfast at the Pelican Resort aka Julie's front yard. To my surprise, she had the staff bring out a home-made cheesecake.

It was a special birthday. It was different than all my other birthday's. I was taken to see the sunrise and got to paint the landscape. In previous years, I would have gone to a bar with buddies and drank myself stupid (nothing against that, and nothing against all of those who engaged in previous birthday celebrations, but i prefer an epic sunrise and a great breakfast to bonging beers in celebration of one's birth).

So thanks to Julie and all of the happy birthday wishes and if you forgot no worries. I mistakenly forgot my mom's birthday this year. Whoops. sorry mom!

Fall

Lets pretend that Belize has seasons: It’s Fall! What that means here: it’s hot and rainy. Big surprise.

Good news: I finished the Student Workbook/Manual for the student’s in the It’s Up To Me Program! It’s been a goal of mine for a year and I finally completed it. It’s 70 pages of participatory activities that I gathered from numerous Peace Corps resources. I printed off 41 of them so they will hopefully be able to run the program for a couple years after I am gone. Sustainability. Lets hope it works.

Thanks to The Tennis Company for donating 15 soccer balls to E.P. Yorke High School. The Physical Education teacher, Principal and students appreciated the donation. I recommended that the P.E. teacher only use 5 a year so they will be good to go for the next couple years.

I gave 2 speeches to the new 1st year trainees/future volunteers last week:

1. Mentoring At-Risk Youth in Belize

2. Relationship Panel: Being in a Relationship in the Peace Corps

They swear in as volunteers later this month

Thanks DT for sending me the new Pearl Jam CD. Getting new/enjoyable music down here is no easy task.

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss