New pics!(And a new pic site.... Google Picasa this time. Still trying out sites to find the one I like best!)
Hey First Graders! Anybody recognize these letters?! Thanks for all the Christmas wishes!!!13 January 2007
Christmas Pics
New pics!(And a new pic site.... Google Picasa this time. Still trying out sites to find the one I like best!)
Hey First Graders! Anybody recognize these letters?! Thanks for all the Christmas wishes!!!
05 January 2007
The effects of growing up in an educated and educational society are numerous... and sometimes the proof just sneaks up on you. Two such examples caught me by surprise this Christmas. I had been at a neighbor's house maybe a half hour, and suddenly her 26-year-old son took me to the table and asked if I knew how to do "this". Now, in this case, "this" was a Christmas puzzle probably intended for ages 6+. So, I sat down and, having nothing better to do, put the puzzle together. It was one of those with the piece outlines on the board. I finished in maybe 10-15 mins, and suddenly everybody was super excited. The 10-year-old took it around to show everybody, and they were amazed that I could put it together. "Bolivar and I spent an hour on that, and we couldn't even get one piece!" my neighbor told me. Not even the 26-year-old had been able to put it together. I thought of my house where I recently put together a 1000 piece photo mosaic and a 300+ piece globe. How easily we take for granted our growing up in a problem/puzzle-solving world!
The second mind-blowing revelation occurred the next day. I was at the same neighbor's house, and somehow the conversation turned to the way the "land rotates". My neighbor's son-in-law very matter-of-factly told me he didn't believe that. At first, I thought maybe they were talking about continental drift and how land masses are moving, but his position was soon clarified as someone announced "It's the sun that rotates around the earth!" This was roundly accepted (since of course it's the sun that moves across our sky every day) until I spoke up. I tried explaining (briefly and simply!) how the earth was like a ball turning - we wouldn't see ourselves moving (as they pointed out we can't). I went on to say that the sun does not move, but the earth and all the planets go around it. "Yeah, I was taught that in school, but I never believed a word of it," chimed in the son-in-law. And that was the end of that conversation.
How much our education shapes us! Growing up we are taught to understand facts, not just know them. Teachers spend precious time explaining and teaching us to learn. In countries such as this one, students are taught by rote. Whatever is on the board, they copy down and memorize. There is no why, no problem-solving, no application. I won't say education in the entire country is this way, but if this is a sample of the learning process for the majority, what implications does this have for development? for change? Often times it's the little things - reading a book to open your world, doing a mind puzzle to exercise your brain - that reflect our joy in the learning process. As educated people, we enjoy learning and seek out "learning opportunities". Peace Corps is just that for me - a learning opportunity. New cultures, new ideas, new lifestyles. But wouldn't it be amazing if I could be a "learning opportunity" for them? May you be a learning opportunity in your community this new year, wherever you may be!
The second mind-blowing revelation occurred the next day. I was at the same neighbor's house, and somehow the conversation turned to the way the "land rotates". My neighbor's son-in-law very matter-of-factly told me he didn't believe that. At first, I thought maybe they were talking about continental drift and how land masses are moving, but his position was soon clarified as someone announced "It's the sun that rotates around the earth!" This was roundly accepted (since of course it's the sun that moves across our sky every day) until I spoke up. I tried explaining (briefly and simply!) how the earth was like a ball turning - we wouldn't see ourselves moving (as they pointed out we can't). I went on to say that the sun does not move, but the earth and all the planets go around it. "Yeah, I was taught that in school, but I never believed a word of it," chimed in the son-in-law. And that was the end of that conversation.
How much our education shapes us! Growing up we are taught to understand facts, not just know them. Teachers spend precious time explaining and teaching us to learn. In countries such as this one, students are taught by rote. Whatever is on the board, they copy down and memorize. There is no why, no problem-solving, no application. I won't say education in the entire country is this way, but if this is a sample of the learning process for the majority, what implications does this have for development? for change? Often times it's the little things - reading a book to open your world, doing a mind puzzle to exercise your brain - that reflect our joy in the learning process. As educated people, we enjoy learning and seek out "learning opportunities". Peace Corps is just that for me - a learning opportunity. New cultures, new ideas, new lifestyles. But wouldn't it be amazing if I could be a "learning opportunity" for them? May you be a learning opportunity in your community this new year, wherever you may be!
23 December 2006
Happy Holidays!
Just a quick note to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
It's been a work, travel and fun packed month (too many days in the capital!), and I'm looking forward to some time around the house and with my community "family" and friends. To celebrate the holiday season, I've had fun splurging with some of my friends. We went to a Shakira concert in the capital on Tuesday (amazing!). Her singing and dancing is uncomparable. We decided it was well worth the splurge!
And last nite a couple of the new volunteers in my area and I went to a Raulin Rodriguez concert. Raulin sings bachata... the musica typica here besides merengue. It's my favorite music here, and Raulin is a good performer. We danced the night away... and into the morning - from 8:30 until 4am!
Needless to say, the holiday season has begun (along with my requisite cold). Family and friends are all making the trips up to the campos, pig roasts have begun, and (most Dominican of all) the drinking has started!
While I enjoy my Christmas in the tropics (although Jarabacoa is actually cold!), have happy holidays of your own and stop to enjoy your traditions!
It's been a work, travel and fun packed month (too many days in the capital!), and I'm looking forward to some time around the house and with my community "family" and friends. To celebrate the holiday season, I've had fun splurging with some of my friends. We went to a Shakira concert in the capital on Tuesday (amazing!). Her singing and dancing is uncomparable. We decided it was well worth the splurge!
Shakira Raulin Rodriguez
And last nite a couple of the new volunteers in my area and I went to a Raulin Rodriguez concert. Raulin sings bachata... the musica typica here besides merengue. It's my favorite music here, and Raulin is a good performer. We danced the night away... and into the morning - from 8:30 until 4am!
Needless to say, the holiday season has begun (along with my requisite cold). Family and friends are all making the trips up to the campos, pig roasts have begun, and (most Dominican of all) the drinking has started!
While I enjoy my Christmas in the tropics (although Jarabacoa is actually cold!), have happy holidays of your own and stop to enjoy your traditions!
25 November 2006
Updates
Coffee season is starting again. I have been terrible about keeping things updated lately. As so much has happened in the last month, I decided to make several entries so I can post and you can read at your leisure. (It may be awhile before the next update!)PICTURE UPDATES ARE FINALLY HERE!!! (See the sidebar.)
A few of the things that are keeping me busy these days... :o)
Thanksgiving pies
My kitten... getting big!
Volunteer friends visiting
22 November 2006
New Work Projects
"So, now that your projects are finishing up, what will you do?" you ask. Well, that's a good question because life here is never dull! Courtney and I have found that working together on community projects is much more fun than alone. So besides finding more undeclared kids and following up with the stragglers, we have decided to dive into a very ambitious project. A few months ago, I was contemplating how I would keep in touch with my new "family" here, and I started thinking about ways to teach the youth computers. One option was to take some people down to Jarabacoa and spend time at the internet cafes. But this seemed very expensive and not very effective, so I began to dream bigger. In May, 2 days before the local elections, electricity arrived to Manabao and families living along the main road. Teaching computer classes at the liceo (high school) seemed a much more effective method. So I turned the idea over to Courtney and we began researching our new project. The director of the liceo is thrilled to get computers. The students currently have a Computer Theory class. Imagine... learning about a computer and programs without ever seeing a computer! But despite the enthusiasm, this will be a challenging project. For one, Courtney and I both have primary projects that we cannot neglect. Second, although electricity is now available in Manabao, the school is still not hooked up, nor are the rooms equipped with things like outlets. And naturally, the costs. To supply a computer lab large enough for a class of 25 students will be a challenge... but I think we're up to it! (And if you'd like to be a part of it, ask me how you can help!)
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