YES WE CAN!

"Yes We Can" are three very important words to all Americans right now. Yes, we can make a difference. Yes, we can change the world. Yes, we can believe in our fellow man. And Yes, one act of kindness can create a domino effect of world peace. I will never forget where I was when I heard the most beautiful announcement of my life. "Barack Obama is President of the United States of America!" It was lunch time on Wednesday. All of the PCT's were together, eagerly watching the results on CNN. Peace Corps staff was kind enough to project the newscast on the wall in the lunchroom. We had watched the results all morning on our laptops during sessions. When the happy news was announced we all cheered and jumped up and down. All of us hugged one another and there was not a dry eye in the house. I cried ridiculously hard. I've never cried over politics--but then again, i've never been more happy in my life. Or more proud to be an American. It was an increadible moment, and a memory I will forever cherish. What complimented that moment was my final step to becoming a Peace Corps Volunteer--my swearing in ceremony. The US Ambassador swore all 65 Volunteers in as the #267th PC group in the Philippines. I can't begin to describe all of my emotions that day. I knew as it was happening that it was one of the mot important moments of my life. That 16 months of applying for the Peace Corps, 2 months of packing/preparing and 3 months of very intense training had finally paid off. I am now, and will forever be, a Peace Corps Volunteer. I am so excited, incredibly happy, overwhelmed and in awe of all the responsibility I have earned with my new title. I look forward to beginning my assignment in Leyte. I look forward to all of my new experiences and adventures and I look forward to serving my new President as a PCV. Obama said "Yes We Can!" Our batch has adopted this mantra as our own. So stand up America! Yes We Can make a change and bring peace and prosperity not only to our country, but to the world. I will begin in the Philippines. :-)

"We Can, we can make difference. With our hands together we can reach the whole world. We can, we can move a mountain. It's all for one and one for all that keeps us strong." -#267 (written by Tom & Ben)

Farewells

Yesterday, Oct. 17, was my final day teaching at Junob National High School. My students are so adorable. They planned a farewell program for me. And it was quite a production. They made me wait outside the classroom while they finished with their tasks. I heard desks scraping against the tile floor, giggling girls and boisterous laughter coming from inside. I waited patiently, anticipating what I would see. Finally they said "Come in Ma'am!" I was so nervous, and I can't begin to tell you why. I walked in and on the chalkboard they had written "Farewell & We'll Miss You Ma'am." They had me sit on my throne in the middle of the classroom and then they crowned me with a wreath of flowers they had weaved themselves. It was lovely. And smelled incredible!

The students then began to say such wonderful and heartwarming things. Such as, "You are my favorite teacher, You are the most beautiful woman in the world, You have taught me so much..." They are all such dears. One of the girls, Angel, dressed up to look like me. They then reenacted my first day. I couldn't stop laughing. Then all of the students stood in front of me and sang "Farewell my Friend." Then they proceeded to tell me how much they would miss me and how much they love me. Each of them had prepared beautiful cards for me. They deposited the cards, gifts and roses into my lap. I read some last night. They are incredibly sweet. I stood up after the show and told them thank you and told them how special they are to me and that I will treasure our time together and they will always be in my heart. I was crying by the time I finished my little speech, because they were all sobbing. Oh my!

You really have no idea the impact you have on a student's life sometimes. My experiences in the Philippines has made me want to continue teaching when I return to the States. I finally understand what it is all about. The light in their eyes when they understand a concept I'm trying to teach, the anticipation and pride I feel each time they succeed at a project in class... They are incredible people and I will miss them all very much. But I look forward to teaching at BayBay National High School next month. And for the next 2 years. I hope my next experience can match that of JNHS. But I don't know, they set the bar pretty high!

Pictures of my journey thus far can be viewed on my facebook profile...

More to follow...

Site Announcement

Hey All! My site was announced today. I will be in BayBay (byebye) on the island of Leyte for the next two years. YAY! It's the best diving in the Philippines so I'll get certified ASAP. And I'm teaching at a large high school--3,800 students. It'll be an amazing change from my comfort zone. And I won't be alone! Syd will be teaching at the University which is near my school. Her home is just 12 km away from mine; or a P10 ride. Cassie, Connie, Nancy, Jasmine, Shreyll and Sean will also be on Leyte ranging anywhere from 30 minutes away to 3 hours. Megan and  Dan are also near, although they are on another island. Weekends will be fun! Syd and I will do everything together, I'm sure. I'm so lucky she's the gal in my town. Syd is awesome and a plethora of information regarding teaching.

Okay, well I didn't get a chance to finish my blog before I  went to site. I just returned to Bocolod last night and we leave  for Dumaguette today. My site is incredible! BayBay is beautiful. We're  nestled in between the mountains and the ocean. I'm close to everything... the church, market, bank, school, post office,  college... I really love it here! I can't wait to post photos  for you all to see. My students  are so sweet. They prepared a welcome  dance for me and then I spent  an hour on stage answering  questions and talking to all 3800 kids and 82 faculty. I interviewed with the  student newspaper and they had so many  questions! I talked to them for 1.5 hours before losing my voice and calling it quits. I'm so lucky that I get to live in BayBay for the next 2 years. Another volunteer from the group before, Matt, lives in BayBay. He showed Syd and  I around and will be a great friend. I'm happy he's there. The community is excited we're there, the schools... Everything is wonderful. My host family are really down to earth and great cooks--I  had shrimp, clams and calamari while there. I return to BayBay after swearing in, November 8. That means another plane to Cebu, than a 2 hour boat to Ormac, and a one hour  bus ride to BayBay. Ahh... the life  of a Volunteer. No job can beat it!

Medical Cultural Experience: Check!

Maayo Hapon (good afternoon)!!

I know that I haven't written in awhile but I have a really great excuse, I was in the hospital. Now don't freak out! I'm fine now. Thursday, Sept. 11, I awoke with a very intense ear pain in my left ear. I called my PCMO (peace corps medical officer) and she had Marc (my Language and Culture Facilitator) take me to the hospital for a quick exam--yeah, that took 4 hours. The pain steadily grew worse until finally Friday afternoon I was going crazy with pain. I was admitted into the hospital and was eventually informed that I had 3 inner ear infections due to bacteria in the ocean and cleaning my ears with Q-tips (heaven forbid!) I've never felt a pain like that before. It was incredible! Thank God for my friends, I can't imagine going through that alone. I have extremely loyal and helpful PCT's by my side for my 5 day/night stay. The PC Filipino staff was also extremely helpful and stayed with me while my fellow PCT's were at work. I owe all of these wonderful people a dept of gratitude I can never possibly repay.

Medical care in the Philippines sucks. That is not endorsed by PC and I probably shouldn't even write it, but I honestly feel this way. Even after knowing my allergies, the anesthesiologist still gave me codeine which, of course, I had a reaction to. A 5 day vomiting reaction! I'm now on anti-nausea meds to help with that. I threw up every 15 minutes for 29 hours Sunday. I know that may be over sharing, but I just want to show evidence to support my opinion of medical care in this country. I really do love the Philippines and the people--I'd just prefer to stay away from the hospitals.

I'm feeling much better now. No more pain. I am, however, temporarily deaf in my left ear. I've been assured this will dissipate with time once the swelling goes down. For now my host family just refers to me as "the beautiful deaf girl." ;-) And I now know that whenever you're in trouble, who you gunna call? THE ED SECTOR! Big thanks to all of those in the Dumaguete ED sector who came to visit me and comfort me during one of the hardest times I've ever experienced.

More to follow...

Questions Anyone?

I'm pretty sure I drank tea in the exact spot the photo on my blog was taken. It is paradise here.

      Filipinos are very curious about us, naturally. They point and stare (which is not considered rude here). They also run in front of us to take our pictures (which is really weird). I now know how the stars feel about the paparazzi. I have no idea how many times my picture has been taken or how many times people have stood outside the gate at my host family's home just to get a glance of me, but it happens. A lot.

    I had my first class yesterday and I was only there to observe. I thought I would walk around and familiarize myself with the school I will be teaching in for the next 9 weeks. (Junob National High School). My presence didn't go unnoticed. Students (11-16) ran out of their rooms to stare and giggle. They were to shy to speak to me, which is another culture gap. I, however, was not shy. I smiled at the students, said hello (in English always at school), and tried to get them to open up. They laughed some more and covered their faces with their hands. A teacher I met last week approached me and asked me to visit her class. The students I have previously been trying to talk with all followed me to the classroom and hung outside the windows (no screens, just bars) to listen to what I had to say. When I entered the classroom all the students stood up and clapped. The teacher introduced me and as if on cue all of the students turned to me and said "Good Afternoon Miss Jessica!" I was a little taken aback and my response was lame. All I said was good afternoon, students. I walked up to the front of the class and told them a little about myself. I was nervous at first but, as you all know, I wasn't shy. I smiled and encouraged questions, teased the kids.... they are all so sweet. They were so worried about messing up their grammar that they wrote down their questions first and double checked to make sure they had it correct. This made me want to laugh-out-loud, but I reigned it in. Now, in the Filipino culture, personal questions and privacy does not exist. They want to get to know you as fast as they can and it is considered a privilege to be friends with "the American." The first question, of course, was "how tall are you?" I told them I was 6 ft. and love to play basketball. I assured them all I would play a game with them whenever they want. Moving on to questions such as "Do you have a boyfriend?", "Will you get married?", "Tell us about your family", "How much do you weigh?!!!" (No, I didn't answer) "How are the Philippines different than America?". "Would I ever eat a dog/horse/cat?", "What is my favorite Filipino dish?", "What is America like?", "What was high school like?", "Did I have a boyfriend in high school?", "Was he hot?", "Why did I come to the Philippines?", "What really is the Peace Corps?", "How long would I be in the Philippines?", "How long would I teach at Junob?", "Would I stay forever?", "What is my religion?", "Which of the boys was the hottest?" Oh my goodness.... it never ends. I gave them my email address for further questions. I expect I'll really regret that decision, but it's okay. They are all dear and I told them that the Filipino people are all warm and wonderful, which they are. When I finally made it to my class (second year, like sophomores, but they are 12-13) they were just as curious. After class they all waved and told me they were excited that I was their teacher and couldn't wait for me to return. I find myself feeling the same sentiment. :-)

More to follow...

The Americans Have Arrived

I'm in Dumaguette City (spelling?). We arrived Thursday (your wednesday) and met our host family. I'm am so spoiled, because my host family is awesome. My host mother (Mama) is a retired dentist and owns two homes. She is single but can some how afford air con (AC), a shower, flushing toilet (big deal here) TOILET PAPER!!!!, and a washing machine. We also have a houseperson (maid) that does the laundry and cleaning. Mama cooks because she's a very cautious woman. I have a host sister, Raylynn. She is 24 and works in Publishing. Raylynn lives at home and will not move out until she is married. My host nephew is 4 and his name is Denzel. I really love my family. They are such warm and caring people. I have adjusted well, at least into the family. Not so outside of the balay (house). Still a lot of staring and pointing. Many men declaring their love and proposing. I take it all in stride. The people here are used to foreigners because of the college, but we still draw a lot of attention.     I begin co-teaching Tuesday and can't wait to begin. I look forward to telling you all about it. Oh, and I am no longer learning Tagalog. I am learning Visayan--the language of the Visayan island region. I know my site in 3 months will be around here somewhere. I wish I could stay in Dumaguette, but that will never happen. I am so in love with the Philippians and the people. Everything and everyone are so wonderful. I am truly in paradise. No really, I am. I have a cocunut and mango tree growing in my backyard! I would love to post photos, but it may not happen. It's been hard to find internet access for my lap top. Right now I'm in an internet cafe with a few of the other education volunteers. No Wi-fi here. It is not common. I have two little Filipino boys watching me type this blog. They are very cute. But I think everyone is about ready to leave and I don't know my way around well enough to find Junob (where I live) on my own. Hope all is well with everyone back home. Miss you. Siege, ayo ayo! (okay, take care)

More to follow...

Dumaguete City

Wow, I just read the previous post and I saw all the errors. Sorry about that. I was very distracted while typing that one.

Just wanted to let you all know that I know where I'll be for the next 3 months...until November 9. I will be in Dumaguete City located on the island of Negros. It is the most beautiful city in all the Philippines, so I'm told. It is a college town, so they have everything...all amenities, beautiful beaches, wealthy families (yay host family!) and indoor flushing toilets. YES! The city is nicknamed The City of Gentle People. I'm so excited. Apparently I got the deluxe site because of my knee surgery three years ago. I had no idea that day would guarantee me the best placement available. But it did!     I meet my host family tomorrow about 11 am. We'll eat together at a host potluck and then go to our individual homes. I'm excited but also very nervous. I hope they like me! :-)

Facts: The island of Negros is approximately located down south, but not where the terrorists are. I'd tell you more but everyone is standing next to me yelling "Jess, Jess" because I'm just so damn popular here.  Gotta go. Don't know when I'll be back again. But when I am, oh man. It's gunna be interesting. Later bloggers.

More to follow...

A Day in the Life...

i didn't think it was possible to find each day better than the last, but I do. Yesterday, Monday, has been the best so far. I'm just going to walk you through each moment because I loved yesterday.     My roomates, Lynn and Angela, and I were up with the rooster at 4 am. Its been that way every day. The guys named his Harold, I named him dinner. :-) We're all plotting to get him.   After breakfast we began session at 8:30 and asked many questions about the Philippines and culture. Church and State are not seperate here and the Catholic Chruch, according to the panalists, owns much of the land and govern much of the country politics. In fact, they excommunicate any politician who opposses them and then that politicians approual rate goes down so low they lose all power.     We broke into our projects-mine is Education. We also have Costal Resource Managements and Child, Youth and Family coordinatiors. Discussed our goals and learned we heed to create lesson plans for we will be teaching on our own. High School (secondary) by the way. I'm excited to begin, but freaked all the same about curriculum. I may need to call on you friends at the CCE! :-)      Session ended at 4 and children from the Children Abuse Center had prepared several dances for us. They were so cute! Afterwords they came up to us and played with our hair, giggled each time we spoke, and laughed at our attempt at Tagalog. They taught us a dance and a new game. The boys brought some of us girls, me included, yellow flowers. They made me bend down so they could put the flowers in my hair. I felt so accepted at that moment. The kids are great, they accept you immedietly and try to teach you as much Tagalog as they can. Like our numbers... isa, dalawa, tatlo, apat, lima, anim, pito, walo, sigam, sampu... There is no sense of privacy here. We're on display and free entertainment for the next 27 months. I wish I oculd say more but I do not wish to offend my new host country. Fun questions for when I return. I will tell you that having white skin here is ideal. It's considered beautiful. On the way to the hotel Saturday night I saw a "Skin Whitening Boutique", a lot like our tanning salons, which they consider very strange. Love to explain more, like the Mall of Asia (the largest mall in Asia) and the fact that Jason and Garrett are freaking me out about eating cats, but it's time to party. Gotta go do Videokee. Later! Peace.

More to follow...

I'm HEEEERRREE!

Kumusta from the Philippines! I'm just outside of Manila in a beautiful "resort" where the water is one temperature: cold, the cockroaches are your friends and fish is whats for breakfast. It's perfect. I love it here. I'm sitting under a shady tree with my fellow PCT (trainies), who are all wonderful by the way, listening to the waterfall and the exotic birds. Friday was the longest day of my life. We were in the lobby at 3:45 and left LA at 8:30 am. We landed in Honalulu for a very short time and then made the 10 hour flight to Manila. We landed at 4:45 pm, made it to the "hotel" around 7ish and made it to bed by 10. Now it is 8 am and we begin our day in about a half an hour. Everything is so beautiful, you guys. I can't even begin to tell you how great it is here. I will post pictures as soon as I can. Just wanted to let you all know that I'm here safely and having the time of my life. Oh, one thing I need to write for legal reasons: ehm... "The views represented in this blog do not reflect that of the US Peace Corps." Alright, off to work. Later all! Babay!

More to Follow...

Counting Days...

Hi readers! Just 21 days before orientation. I fly to Los Angeles 8-12-08 from PDX at 11:00 to arrive at LAX at 1:20 p.m. where Kelly (my youngest sister) will pick me up. I'm going to spend the day with Kelly & Eric, plus our cousins, before Kelly takes me to the hotel at noon the following day. I'm so excited to begin this new journey in life. It's hard to say goodbye to those I love, but everyone's support has been appreciated. Mom and Dad are hosting a Bon Voyage party for me Aug. 2 at our home. It's an open house from Noon-4. All family and friends that wish to say goodbye are more than welcomed.

Saying goodbye has been difficult. I know it has been hard for most people to understand why on earth I would want to do something so extreme. It's easy to understand, really. I believe each of us has the ability and obligation to make a difference in the world. This is just the first stepping stone I am laying on my path to making the world a more peaceful place.

Many have asked about letters and care packages. All mail can be shipped to me in the Philippines at:

Jessica Strickland, PCT

US Peace Corps

PO BOX 7013

Air Mail Distribution Center

N.A.I.A.

Pasay City, Philippines

1301

Yep, that's the whole address. This address is only good through November, I believe. When my address changes, I'll let you know. Have a beautiful day friends.

More to Follow...

Blog Questions

Hello again,

Some friends have asked how to subscribe to my blog. Go to www.wordpress.com and create a Username and Password. Activate your account (it's free!) by checking your email and following the directions. Then, go to Google and type in the following: "Peace Corps A Traveler's Journal jessiegirl03". You should only get one result from your search. Click on the result. In the upper right-hand corner you will see in white a link which reads "Blog Info" Please click. Then click on "Subscribe to Blog" and follow the direction. Voulla! Now each time I post a blog, it will be sent to your email address and you will not have to check the website at random. Isn't technology grand?! But I am sorry about all the steps. Didn't realize it would take so much. All my best!

Good Things Come To Those Who Wait

Hello dear friends,

The news I have been waiting 16 months to hear arrived in the mail yesterday afternoon, May 2, 2008. On April 3 I received the long awaited phone call only to hear disappointing news that broke my heart. I wasn't going to Africa. Due to my knee surgery 3 years ago, the Peace Corps felt that Central Asia would be a safer place for me. Central Asia is made up of Terkmenestan and Kazakstan and other countries of similar reputations. I was upset and confused and even hurt over the decision, but came to realize that where wasn't important. I did not join the Peace Corps to travel to Africa. I joined the Peace Corps to travel, gain life experience (become a better writer due to those experiences), and to make a difference in the world. So four weeks after my phone call, my letter arrived. My father picked up the mail like every other day and was shocked and happy to see the large packet waiting in the mail box marked Peace Corps. Now, out of all the ways I pictured finding out where I was going, I never imagined it would turn out the way it did. Dad called my sisters and my Grandparents to tell them where I was going, because he was able to read through the envelope as to my destination. I couldn't believe it. My younger sister called my cousin Ashely, who happened to be sitting in the passenger seat of my car next to me, and told her the news as well. So there you go. My Dad, sisters and Grandparents all knew the coveted destination. Armed with this knowledge, I couldn't possibly wait the 2 hour drive from Seattle to home to finally know the truth myself. So I called Mom who had just arrived home herself. She picked up the package, (after scolding my father) and looked through the envelope herself. She gasped. I said, "What? Where am I going? Georgia? Did I make it to at least Georgia?" My mother pauses, "No, you're going to the...." (I hold my breath) "The Philippines!" AAAAAAHHHHHHH! I screamed and my cousin instantly declared herself deaf forever. I was so happy I began to cry. My youngest sister decided that I had won the Peace Corps jackpot, proving that good things do come to those who wait. I am so relieved to finally know, to be happy where I'm going and to be blessed with such a lovely destination. Oh--and no, the Philippines is not in Central Asia. I don't know what that phone call was about. The Philippines is a series of islands in a tropical environment in the South China Sea. My departure date, which I learned upon my arrival at home, is August 13. I will begin orientation 8/13/08 in my stating city, which may be Seattle or San Francisco, and then leave from there for my 3 month training session in the country itself. I will live with two host families, but will not know where and whom until after training in November. I will be tutoring English in classrooms and orphanages, and will also help establish a library somewhere in the country. I will return to the states after my service November 2010, to those who are wondering. I still need to call the placement officer next week to confirm my whole-hearted acceptance of the assignment, and then it is official. I fill out more forms, but otherwise, I just wait to leave. And enjoy the moments shared with my family and friends. Thank you to all of you who have been waiting patiently with me. Your encouragement has helped keep my spirits high. I shall post again before I leave. Have a wonderful summer! More to Follow...

Patience is a Virtue

I remember writing a blog last August about hope. I wrote that the loss of hope is the greatest tragedy. Dante believed it was the ultimate sin, to despair. I wrote that is is impossible to lose all hope; man is made of hope. Having hope is as essential as needing air to breathe or love to function. We all live in hopes. I felt that I was despairing last Tuesday for I had yet to hear from the Peace Corps (and I hadn't slept in weeks). Yet, for some reason, I awoke Wednesday feeling refreshed and renewed. I just knew that everything was going to work out. I had faith and hope that all would be well. And shortly after making this revelation, I  received the long awaited phone call from one of my placement officers. Not the call, but a call. He called to ask me a few minor questions and to inform me that I should receive the call in the next couple of weeks. I no longer have any holds on my status; my file has been reviewed. Now I wait for the call that says "Congratulations!" Once I receive the call I wait for a letter to arrive that has the exact location details. Once I know which country has invited me, I have 10 days to accept or decline the offer. At this point, I could be placed in the middle of Antarctica and still go. (No, that won't happen.) Once you've reached this point in your application process, you know you're going. I find it insane to believe anyone would say no at this point.After all, I've had over a year to make my decision. I don't care where in Africa I go, I'm just so excited to have the opportunity. So yes, I must remain patient. But at least my hope has been restored. I know that it is only a matter of time (less than a month) until I hear the news I've waited nearly 15 months for. Now I anxiously wait to hear the sweet sound of my ringtone with the 202 area code displayed so brightly on my cell screen. With luck and prayers, my patience will finally be rewarded.

 More to follow...

Waiting on the World

Actually, I'm waiting on my placement officer. I applied for the Peace Corps mid-January 2007. I was nominated June 2007 and it took six months before I was medically qualified for service. Now, 49 days after learning that I was approved, I'm still waiting for my placement officer to call with the wonderful and uplifting news that he has found me a country that has invited me to stay for the next 27 months. I rememeber thinking 27 months was such a long time last summer. I still had my doupts about leaving home. But now that I've had this time to think, I cannot express my excitement.

Joining the Peace Corps was not a light decision. It has been something I have thought about doing nearly five years now. I recently graduated from Washington State University with my BA in English and the inevitable question a year before graduation sprung..."now what?" I have always been in love with travel. I always knew I would never stay in one place for too long. Two years in Pullman, WA showed me that I can be apart from my loved ones. I know that 3-5 days instead of 7 hours will seperate us this time, but I'm confident in my dreams to know that I will not look back and ever regret my decision.

Each day that goes by and I still have not heard from my placement officer, I despair a little more. My life is in limbo right now, and I greatly wish to move on and strike out on my own. I will miss my family and friends, but I so will cherish my next adventure. If life is a journey, then I want to make the most out of the time I have. People often ask me "why?" when I explain about the Peace Corps. I answer that Robert Frost said it all with his poem Road Less Traveled. "Two roads diverged in a wood/ And I took the one less traveled by/ And that has made all the difference."

More to follow...