today was my first attempt at packing my bags for turkmenistan. i still need to buy a few more random items but with the space i have left i'm feeling pretty good.
while packing the things that i do need for the two years, i am also trying to weed out items that i don't need/use. i have a large good will pile going. i also have rediscovered the most random items that i'm putting in a memory box.
the box is home to:
A very faded out NCC ID
Old family photos
Empty shot gun shell from Bre's 1st visit to Chilli
Obama '08 from my Ghana trip
6 flags key chain of Me, Lou and Tob from 1990(?)
A mini Aussie boomerang from Bre
"The Thunderer" whistle of my Grandma Nita
Wooden cubs ornament
USA bracelet I was given on my 1st Kenya visit
State ID card to prove my age for softball when i was a kid
Expired drivers license from my 16th b-day
Quigley's coaster from my 21st b-day
100 year old postcard of army basketball team from Fort Casey signed Charles Semtner (great-great uncle?)
Thimble of my great-grandmother on my momma's side
"I don't know if we each have a destiny or if we're all just floatin' accidental-like on a breeze." Forrest Gump postcard
wonder what i'll add tomorrow
Monday, September 7, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
4th grade prediction?
The following is a statement about what I hope to learn, encounter, overcome and achieve while serving in Turkmenistan.
In 4th grade on a project, each student was asked “what do you want to do when you grow up.” As an adventurous ten year old, indicated I wanted to become a Peace Corps Volunteer. At the time, I do not think I fully understood what it meant to serve with an organization like Peace Corps. During college, however, I had many opportunities to serve in my local community, other regions the United States, and abroad. As I prepared for life after college, Peace Corps seemed to make perfect sense as the next step in my life.
In my own volunteer experiences thus far, I have discovered that America has a lot to learn from people in less developed areas, whether those be areas within our own country or beyond. Being a Peace Corps Volunteer will not only allow me to develop a better understanding of myself in relationship to the world, but I will also have stories to share upon returning home, at which point I will be able to help educate the people around me who are not fortunate enough to share in my experiences. Even so, I know there will be many times when I will be challenged while working as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Those challenges may range from adjusting to non-air conditioned schools to not seeing eye-to-eye on certain goals of programs. I expect that I will struggle at times with both missing friends and family and feeling like I live in a fish bowl. While I expect this to be the most difficult and rewarding two years of my life, I could not be more excited and committed to helping develop more effective ways of teaching the children of Turkmenistan.
I am aware that many times, volunteers make the mistake of trying to offer their help with a certain task before asking what it is that the people actually need help with. In my many trips to Africa, I have learned that to be most effective in aiding someone, you must take the time to learn what is needed before offering assistance. Entering into the classroom, I will first try to learn as much as possible from the other teachers and the school administrators. I want to collaborate to achieve goals that we set together. I intend to keep an open mind and not assume my familiar ways of doing something are the best or the only ways. At the same time, I want to tirelessly offer my skills and abilities to improve the methods of teaching English while remaining mindful of respecting the system that has existed before my arrival. My intention is to add to the strength and operation of the program, and to leave it a strong and successful outlet slated to endure long after my departure.
Adapting to new cultures for me has been both exciting and refreshing. I earned a degree in sociology and I have always had a passion for interacting with and understanding people, especially those from vastly different cultures than myself. I come from a very homogenous, rural town where everyone knows everyone and people genuinely care for one another. As much as I loved growing up there, I always desired to experience different cultures. During my first year of college, I got the chance to volunteer with a Muslim refugee family that came from Russia. Over the past four years, I have become more than their volunteer; I am part of their family. Even with volunteering in the United States and traveling abroad for month-long trips, I want the chance to get more than a snapshot of a culture. I want to invest myself and my time into the Turkmen culture. I want to be open minded to all there is to learn and to take an active role in submerging myself into their culture. I believe serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer will afford me the opportunity to realize the similarities between the people from my small hometown and those from small Turkmen towns, despite cultural differences.
Since accepting my nomination, I have been reading anything and everything I can about Turkmenistan. I want to go into the experience educated so I can be as culturally understanding and sensitive as possible. Yet, while collecting information through books, internet and blogs of Peace Corps Volunteers, I want to keep an open mind and not to go into the experience with too strongly-held preconceived notions or ideas about the country, culture or people.
I look forward to gaining knowledge during pre-service and being pushed beyond what I think I am capable of. I anticipate being challenged with learning Turkmen, but I am dedicated to applying myself and really absorbing as much of the language as I can. I think the ability to speak the native language is key to developing relationships with locals and show them my commitment to become part of their culture.
I am also excited for the challenge of teaching English to Turkmen students. I want to establish great relationships with the current teachers and instructors. I plan to first learn from them what works and what doesn’t before trying to apply my skills and knowledge. The biggest personal goal for me is to be able to offer foreign insights yet remain culturally sensitive. I want the learning and sharing to be a two way street, where we both learn equally about one’s culture, country and lives.
As I previously stated, I believe that Peace Corps will be the most difficult and rewarding two years of my life. I also believe it will highlight the ideals I hold to be true in life. I believe I will be more committed to leading a life where I contribute the skills and the abilities I have been given for the benefit of the local and global community that I live in.
My professional plans at the end of service include continuing my education and possibly working at a non-profit organization or in a position as a social worker. I expect to learn things about myself that I did not know before, and I also expect to be challenged in ways that I never imagined. This being said, I believe I could return from service and end up in a field that I had never even thought of previously. Regardless of what profession I find myself in, I plan on using the experience that the Peace Corps provides to be a better person, humanitarian, and globally conscious citizen.
In 4th grade on a project, each student was asked “what do you want to do when you grow up.” As an adventurous ten year old, indicated I wanted to become a Peace Corps Volunteer. At the time, I do not think I fully understood what it meant to serve with an organization like Peace Corps. During college, however, I had many opportunities to serve in my local community, other regions the United States, and abroad. As I prepared for life after college, Peace Corps seemed to make perfect sense as the next step in my life.
In my own volunteer experiences thus far, I have discovered that America has a lot to learn from people in less developed areas, whether those be areas within our own country or beyond. Being a Peace Corps Volunteer will not only allow me to develop a better understanding of myself in relationship to the world, but I will also have stories to share upon returning home, at which point I will be able to help educate the people around me who are not fortunate enough to share in my experiences. Even so, I know there will be many times when I will be challenged while working as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Those challenges may range from adjusting to non-air conditioned schools to not seeing eye-to-eye on certain goals of programs. I expect that I will struggle at times with both missing friends and family and feeling like I live in a fish bowl. While I expect this to be the most difficult and rewarding two years of my life, I could not be more excited and committed to helping develop more effective ways of teaching the children of Turkmenistan.
I am aware that many times, volunteers make the mistake of trying to offer their help with a certain task before asking what it is that the people actually need help with. In my many trips to Africa, I have learned that to be most effective in aiding someone, you must take the time to learn what is needed before offering assistance. Entering into the classroom, I will first try to learn as much as possible from the other teachers and the school administrators. I want to collaborate to achieve goals that we set together. I intend to keep an open mind and not assume my familiar ways of doing something are the best or the only ways. At the same time, I want to tirelessly offer my skills and abilities to improve the methods of teaching English while remaining mindful of respecting the system that has existed before my arrival. My intention is to add to the strength and operation of the program, and to leave it a strong and successful outlet slated to endure long after my departure.
Adapting to new cultures for me has been both exciting and refreshing. I earned a degree in sociology and I have always had a passion for interacting with and understanding people, especially those from vastly different cultures than myself. I come from a very homogenous, rural town where everyone knows everyone and people genuinely care for one another. As much as I loved growing up there, I always desired to experience different cultures. During my first year of college, I got the chance to volunteer with a Muslim refugee family that came from Russia. Over the past four years, I have become more than their volunteer; I am part of their family. Even with volunteering in the United States and traveling abroad for month-long trips, I want the chance to get more than a snapshot of a culture. I want to invest myself and my time into the Turkmen culture. I want to be open minded to all there is to learn and to take an active role in submerging myself into their culture. I believe serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer will afford me the opportunity to realize the similarities between the people from my small hometown and those from small Turkmen towns, despite cultural differences.
Since accepting my nomination, I have been reading anything and everything I can about Turkmenistan. I want to go into the experience educated so I can be as culturally understanding and sensitive as possible. Yet, while collecting information through books, internet and blogs of Peace Corps Volunteers, I want to keep an open mind and not to go into the experience with too strongly-held preconceived notions or ideas about the country, culture or people.
I look forward to gaining knowledge during pre-service and being pushed beyond what I think I am capable of. I anticipate being challenged with learning Turkmen, but I am dedicated to applying myself and really absorbing as much of the language as I can. I think the ability to speak the native language is key to developing relationships with locals and show them my commitment to become part of their culture.
I am also excited for the challenge of teaching English to Turkmen students. I want to establish great relationships with the current teachers and instructors. I plan to first learn from them what works and what doesn’t before trying to apply my skills and knowledge. The biggest personal goal for me is to be able to offer foreign insights yet remain culturally sensitive. I want the learning and sharing to be a two way street, where we both learn equally about one’s culture, country and lives.
As I previously stated, I believe that Peace Corps will be the most difficult and rewarding two years of my life. I also believe it will highlight the ideals I hold to be true in life. I believe I will be more committed to leading a life where I contribute the skills and the abilities I have been given for the benefit of the local and global community that I live in.
My professional plans at the end of service include continuing my education and possibly working at a non-profit organization or in a position as a social worker. I expect to learn things about myself that I did not know before, and I also expect to be challenged in ways that I never imagined. This being said, I believe I could return from service and end up in a field that I had never even thought of previously. Regardless of what profession I find myself in, I plan on using the experience that the Peace Corps provides to be a better person, humanitarian, and globally conscious citizen.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
T-stan and Technology
Today I officially accepted my position for teaching English as a foreign language. So I only found out two days ago and I have already been in contact with a couple of other trainees that will be headed out on Sept. 29th. Technology sure has changed the Peace Corps experience from the Kenndy kids in the 60s. It used to be that you went into the whole experience totally clueless. Now there are websites, and networks that explain what the experience will be like as well as ways to connect with returned volunteers as well as the group that you will be with.
As of today, my blog is a link on PeaceCorpsJournals.com, on Facebook I have already been friended by others in T-18s and I am also a member of Peace Corps Turkmenistan group. Not going to lie when I first got my packet there was part of me that was like “holy crap, I am really doing this…can I really do this.” With reading all the info I was sent as well as reading about other T-stan volunteers experiences, I’m super excited and sure of my decision to join.
Many people have been asking what are you doing, where are you going. Here is a little about where I’m going and what I’ll be doing from the Peace Corps Turkmenistan Welcome Book:
Turkmenistan borders Uzbekistan in the north and
east, Kazakhstan in the northwest, Iran in the south, and
Afghanistan in the southeast. Slightly larger than California,
the country has an area of 195,200 square miles.
Turkmenistan is dry with a desert terrain. Fortunately, most
cities have trees and are quite green in spring and summer.
There are four distinct seasons: Winters can be snowy and
cold with bitter winds; summer temperatures can reach as
high as 130 degrees Fahrenheit (with low humidity); and
spring and fall are rainy but pleasant.
An average Turkmen earns between 1 million and 2 million manats a
month, equivalent to about $50 to $100 (U.S.). According to 2005 estimates, there are approximately 4.9
million people in Turkmenistan, the least populated of the
Central Asian republics.
Turkmen are extremely friendly and warm, though they may
appear cold and distant on the surface. Volunteers enjoy both
Turkmen and Russian hospitality and are intrigued by the
different cultures.
Peace Corps Turkmenistan requires that Volunteers live with
host families for the first three months of service to better
understand the cultural context within which they are living
and working. All trainees will learn Turkmen during Pre-Service Training
as it is the dominant language in the country. Some trainees
may find that learning a little Uzbek or Russian will help them
be more successful at their permanent sites.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
After almost 10 months... I'm headed to Turkmenistan
Today around 11:30am, I was in the "kate layer" (basement) of the Maffey/Sluis household trying to not be too anxious about my invitation arriving when there was a knock at the door. Ran upstairs, and there was Mr.Fedex himself with a nice package for me.
Long story short, I'm headed to Turkmenistan to teach English as a foreign language from September 29th, 2009- December 11th, 2011. Super pumped. This evening I celebrated by going to get a frosty with Joseph and Kimberly. You know I only have like 2 months of frosty availability so I had to.
Today when I first open the package there was many mixed emotions. Relief, excitement, nervousness. I guess it just got so much more real today and probably will continue to get more real up until departure. I'm sure there are many more thoughts coming...
Oh here is a series of photos that show the events today. Enjoy.
Peace Corps Update
submitted application: September 22nd
conducted interview: October 23rd
nominated for a position: November 10th
submitted medical packet: January 29th
resubmitted dental files: March 4th
dental files processed: March 20th
two specialists give me a clean bill of health: May 26th
final submission of medical packet: June 8th
medical certified to serve any where: July 15th
invitation packet arrived: July 21st
Long story short, I'm headed to Turkmenistan to teach English as a foreign language from September 29th, 2009- December 11th, 2011. Super pumped. This evening I celebrated by going to get a frosty with Joseph and Kimberly. You know I only have like 2 months of frosty availability so I had to.
Today when I first open the package there was many mixed emotions. Relief, excitement, nervousness. I guess it just got so much more real today and probably will continue to get more real up until departure. I'm sure there are many more thoughts coming...
Oh here is a series of photos that show the events today. Enjoy.
Peace Corps Update
submitted application: September 22nd
conducted interview: October 23rd
nominated for a position: November 10th
submitted medical packet: January 29th
resubmitted dental files: March 4th
dental files processed: March 20th
two specialists give me a clean bill of health: May 26th
final submission of medical packet: June 8th
medical certified to serve any where: July 15th
invitation packet arrived: July 21st
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Where in the World Will Kate End Up?
Yesterday, I finally got the go ahead from Peace Corps. After tons of testing, exams, and resubmissions of paper work I am finally certified as healthy to serve any where that the Peace Corps is currently at.
I'm still nominated for teaching English in Eastern Europe. There is a pool going of where will I end up. The deal is if you win I either send you something or bring you something back from that certain country. Don't get too excited because a RPCV friend of mine added the sitpulation if you are correct in your selection you so kindly get to send me a care package of American treats at some point in my service.
Peace Corps is in the following countries: Albania (Sandy), Armenia (_), Azerbaijan (Joseph), Bulgaria (Viviana), Georgia (Perrone), Macedonia (Kevin), Moldova (Kimberly, Benjamin, Joe), Romania (Laurie, Ebony, Amy), Ukraine (Peter), Kazakhstan (Gary), Kyrgyz Republic (Michelle, Ton), and Turkmenistan (Strongarms).
If you would like to get in on this go to the following link, check out the map, channel some good vibes and then comment after this and I'll add you in.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=Albania,+Armenia,+Azerbaijan,+Bulgaria,+Macedonia,+Moldova,+Romania,+Ukraine,+Kazakhstan,+Kyrgyz+Republic,+Turkmenistan,+Georgia&ie=UTF8&ll=39.164141,43.154297&spn=33.807525,89.648438&z=4
So hopefully no more than 2 weeks and we will have some winners!!
Peace Corps Update
submitted application: September 22nd
conducted interview: October 23rd
nominated for a position: November 10th
submitted medical packet: January 29th
resubmitted dental files: March 4th
dental files processed: March 20th
two specialists give me a clean bill of health: May 26th
final submission of medical packet: June 8th
medical certified to serve any where: July 15th
Monday, July 13, 2009
Drifting Insignificantly
I’m drifting insignificantly somewhere between college student and Peace Corps volunteer. Still waiting to hear about my placement. Suppose to be in Eastern Europe somewhere teaching English, departing sometime Mid September to Early October.
I’ve taken a fall from well established, comfortable college student to a temporarily unemployed, antsy house guest. I can’t get over the idea that life and skills are giving so people can contribute to society. As much as I try to fill my countless hours with reading, running and merely sitting outside (only in the absence of 3 horrible little creatures aka the neighbor’s three mini yorkies), I cannot fully enjoy my new abundance of free time.
Last summer or two ago, I would be in Africa somewhere at this point. Berwyn is lovely but Uganda and Kenya I might rank a little higher. Wish I was coloring with the kids at Nyumbani or dancing with the girls at Anita especially Lucy. I miss experience the exciting African culture with other college students. The long bus rides, good conversations, and great people. But here I sit. Nothing to exciting going on but I guess I should count it all joy and get over myself.
Guess like songs there are up-tempo and unhurried parts of life. I’m hoping the up-tempo part kicks in soon. Midst all my unorganized thoughts the Beatles “Hello, Goodbye” plays in the background… You say yes, I say no. You say stop and I say go, go, go.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Dying is easy.
For my portfolio for my Leadership, Ethics and Values concentration I had to write my own 'This I believe' statement. It is idea made popular on Nation Public Radio where famous and ordinary people write a 450-550 word statement about what they hold to be very essential to them; a personal statement in a way of their values and ethics through the words of a story, quotes, mini-essay, etc. So this is what I got. This is what at the end of my college career I would say is very close to my core being.
Dying is easy.
“Dying for something is easy because it is associated with glory. Living for something…is the hard thing. Living for something extends beyond fashion, glory or recognition. We live for what we believe,” wrote author Don Miller.
One can do something that is fashionable with relative ease. One can surpass the pain of a self-sacrificing play in a championship game bringing glory to themself and their team in the name of victory. One can prepare and study their entire college career in order to be recognized as summa cum laude on graduation day.
Traveling abroad I have met individuals who go beyond those boundaries to live for people. Living for the people who are undesired, disowned and for the most part forgotten. I am moved by these people’s willingness to care when it is not the popular, easy nor necessarily the action called for. I am moved by people who share their love and serve others despite the void of glory and personal recognition.
In my limited twenty-two years, I have witnessed different situations of poverty, sickness and suffering. Many of these circumstances have been abroad on service trips to different countries in Africa. Returning after my first summer abroad, I found myself getting frustrated with being at home and not being with the Africans I had gotten to know, serve, and love. I had many tearful conversations with my best friend dealing with the frustrations of feeling idle and having the passion to serve without the outlet in which to do so.
My enthusiasm for serving people in Africa was obstructing the larger picture. I do not have to be half way around the world in a foreign environment to achieve serving someone with compassion and care. It is not always a huge act or exotic destination that makes certain people great volunteers or humanitarians.
Mother Teresa once said, “We can do no great things, only small things with great love.” I believe that statement encompasses my passion and effort that I want to show throughout my life. Not to be fashionable, achieve glory, or recognition. Just for the mere purpose that I believe there are no boundaries that can separate me from any other person on this planet. We are one people. If one of us is poor, sick, or suffering than I am also poor, sick, and suffering. I believe living for others is the only way to live. Regardless of status, wealth, or location I have something that can aid another person. We all possess the ability to ease the suffering by continual small acts of living for others and this I believe I pray to never lose sight off.
Peace Corps Update
submitted application: September 22nd
conducted interview: October 23rd
nominated for a position: November 10th
submitted medical packet: January 29th
resubmitted dental files: March 4th
dental files processed: March 20th
two specialists give me a clean bill of health: May 26th
final submission of medical packet: June 8th
god teaching me patience: ever day til I get my assignment
waiting at my mailbox...
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