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

Back from Vacation

I am back from my recent visit to the United States and I am refreshed, re-energized and ready for my last year of service. While back in the motherland, I experienced the following for the first time in a year:

Chick-fil-a
Subway
Driving
Shopping Mall
Disney World
Relative Ease
I felt completely Safe
Relaxing with Family
Sleeping with a comforter

I had a great time with my family and I was happy that Julie got a chance to spend some time with my whole family. I still can't believe how fast my niece is growing and how smart she is.

This year I hope to have a even more productive year than last year. I hope to work on the following:

Sports Complex at E.P. Yorke
Teacher's/Leader's Manual for It's Up To Me Program
80% promotion rate for the It's Up To Me Program (73% last year)
Start a School Garden
Secure a Peace Corps Volunteer at E. P. Yorke for 2010-2012

A few sports predictions for the year:

NCAA Football Champions: Florida Gators
NCAA Heisman: Tim Tebow
MLB World Series: New York Yankees and Jeter retires
Tennis: Federer retires in the next 2 years


Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

First US Visit

I will be making my first trip back to the United States this week for the annual Weiss Family Vacation. I am really excited and it should be a blast. I haven't seen my brother, sister-in-law and niece in over a year. I look forward to dominating the Weiss Family Olympics and taking back the crown. I am also excited for Julie to meet my whole family.

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

Rain, PTSD and 1 Year

So it's the rainy season and it hasn't been raining that much, but when it does....look out. Every time it rains I say" That's the most amount of rain I have ever seen." It is so much rain that it looks like it is snowing; and then you add the wind, it takes it to another level. A few systems are starting to form over Africa and the Cape Verde Islands which isn't good for the Caribbean or Central America, so the next few weeks should be interesting.

PTSD - sometimes known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Well, I would like to change the acronym to Post Traumatic Spider Disorder. I had my first run in with a large spider last week in my bathroom. It was about the size of a small sand dollar and i think it was venomous. I took a picture of it and showed it to the Eiley's and the first thing they said: "Dis da no ordinary spida." Most of the time if you see a spider here, it's a tarantula but not this time. It came in through my bathroom window and was hanging out in the shower. I had to get all pumped up to kill this thing because it was a. in my house and b. the biggest spider i have ever been in contact with. I tried spraying it with "Belizean Death Spray" (a really powerful bug killer that kills and melts ants) but it had no impact on this thing. So i spent about 10 minutes getting pumped up to kill it and finally it took my broom and trapped it in a corner and killed it. I have done some research on the internet and i am led to believe I killed a Black Recluse spider. Look up the bite on Google its pretty crazy. When you get bit by these things and it goes untreated your skin disintegrates and they typically amputate. I am kind of tweaky now and everything I see moving reminds me of the spider and I am constantly checking the shower and my bed for spiders. But the score remains Weiss - 1 Spiders - 0.

I have been in Belize a year now (As of August 20) and I can honestly say that I have learned a lot about myself, others and a developing country. I'm in a good place right now. This year flew by and it seemed like yesterday I was in Chicago living it up one last time. I look forward to the upcoming year in country and I hope to accomplish a lot.

Far From Home,

Christopher Wilkins Weiss

PSA Peace Corps

I'M IN BELIZE Moment

I just had one of those happy moments where bursts of joy travel throughout my body and I want to yell: I'M IN BELIZE!!!!! But I then realize I am in an office with a bunch of Belizeans and it wouldn't be appropriate for me to yell.

I guess its just part of being truly happy with where I am right now. It is still exciting to think I am in the Peace Corps and I am in Belize. Crazy.