Thursday, October 1, 2009
a very long week...
September 30, 2009
This week has been one of my busiest yet, or maybe it just seems that way. I have a bunch of projects that are lined up to do on top of my daily computer classes and work with the association. The director of small business has asked me to do a workshop for all the artisans and the volunteers on selling and stand presentation before the annual pc fair in Lima. This won´t be that difficult bc I´ll be using the materials from the volunteers who presented this past year, but I def still have to tweak it a bit. Also my friend Vince called me and wants me to come to his site and help him facilitate a 2 day workshop on product design and marketing. I have a prior compromiso to do a workshop on youth career planning with another volunteer, in his site the same week as Vince´s. Also I was asked to write up an article for Washington on a work success I have experienced during my service with my artisans. This is all going on right after site visit when my boss came to go over the projects I have done, the ones I am doing, and what I am going to focus on my 2nd year of service.
Speaking of which, on a suggestion from Alfredo, I have decided to do a pc artisan shop in Piura. This will include all the products from the different groups that small business volunteers of Piura are working with. There is another shop like this in Cajamarca that a Peru 2 volunteer set up. This is going to be a mountain of a project that if I can develop will be an amazing accomplishment. I kinda think that this is what I could leave behind as the mark of my service. I have gone over the idea with Iris and she said she would be more than willing to help me. So we have to start with getting an oficio written up, which is basically our plan of what we want to do and send it out to the other artisan associations to see if there is an interest and by how many groups. This wills tart the ball rolling. From there we have to figure costs, requisites to put products in the store and then also how to get the startup capital. The previous volunteer who undertook this venture used a spa grant that pc offers. I might be doing that. (…then I will def be contacting my Aunt Ba!!)…We shall see how this idea of mine unfolds.
I am also in charge, well technically I put myself in charge, of making the despedida shirts for Peru 10 who will be leaving in November. I need to get that done in order to give the t-shirt making company plenty of time to mess up and re-do. (Not that they would…)
The most exciting thing I am trying to plan is the jungle trip I´ll be taking with my brother, grant in November! I can´t wait! We´re going to go inside the Amazon´s National Reserve where you can hold monkeys, sloths and see the rare pink dolphins! Which reminds me, I have to call the man who will be our guide tomorrow to reserve the dates I want.
And last but not least on this short blog entry… I took some footage of the women I work with weaving, another on the taller where I work and finally one on how the women dye the straw.
Pardon my spanglish on the tapes, but I think you all are used to it from these entries
Miss you all
Elizabeth xoxo
This week has been one of my busiest yet, or maybe it just seems that way. I have a bunch of projects that are lined up to do on top of my daily computer classes and work with the association. The director of small business has asked me to do a workshop for all the artisans and the volunteers on selling and stand presentation before the annual pc fair in Lima. This won´t be that difficult bc I´ll be using the materials from the volunteers who presented this past year, but I def still have to tweak it a bit. Also my friend Vince called me and wants me to come to his site and help him facilitate a 2 day workshop on product design and marketing. I have a prior compromiso to do a workshop on youth career planning with another volunteer, in his site the same week as Vince´s. Also I was asked to write up an article for Washington on a work success I have experienced during my service with my artisans. This is all going on right after site visit when my boss came to go over the projects I have done, the ones I am doing, and what I am going to focus on my 2nd year of service.
Speaking of which, on a suggestion from Alfredo, I have decided to do a pc artisan shop in Piura. This will include all the products from the different groups that small business volunteers of Piura are working with. There is another shop like this in Cajamarca that a Peru 2 volunteer set up. This is going to be a mountain of a project that if I can develop will be an amazing accomplishment. I kinda think that this is what I could leave behind as the mark of my service. I have gone over the idea with Iris and she said she would be more than willing to help me. So we have to start with getting an oficio written up, which is basically our plan of what we want to do and send it out to the other artisan associations to see if there is an interest and by how many groups. This wills tart the ball rolling. From there we have to figure costs, requisites to put products in the store and then also how to get the startup capital. The previous volunteer who undertook this venture used a spa grant that pc offers. I might be doing that. (…then I will def be contacting my Aunt Ba!!)…We shall see how this idea of mine unfolds.
I am also in charge, well technically I put myself in charge, of making the despedida shirts for Peru 10 who will be leaving in November. I need to get that done in order to give the t-shirt making company plenty of time to mess up and re-do. (Not that they would…)
The most exciting thing I am trying to plan is the jungle trip I´ll be taking with my brother, grant in November! I can´t wait! We´re going to go inside the Amazon´s National Reserve where you can hold monkeys, sloths and see the rare pink dolphins! Which reminds me, I have to call the man who will be our guide tomorrow to reserve the dates I want.
And last but not least on this short blog entry… I took some footage of the women I work with weaving, another on the taller where I work and finally one on how the women dye the straw.
Pardon my spanglish on the tapes, but I think you all are used to it from these entries
Miss you all
Elizabeth xoxo
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
September 22
MY COMPUTER CRASHED!
Yes, I know, it`s devastating!! I don´t know exactly what I am going to do, though I do have a plan. I REFUSE to buy a new computer bc that is my treat to myself next August upon completion of my service, and although my mom would like to get me a used one and ship it down, that seems like too much of a hassle. Therefore, I´m sending emails out to Peru 10 volunteers who are COS in October/November to see if any of them were planning on leaving behind/donating their computers, so I can take it for the next year and then I´ll give it to whomever they wanted to give it to. Also I was thinking of this plan working till I come home in December for Christmas and I can look into buying one of those mini computers.
The worse part about my computer crashing is that I lost ALL my videos from Cusco and Ancash and all over parts of Peru. It´s def upsetting but I still have all my photos so that's okay. And yes I should have bought another external hard drive after my first one got stolen but I completely forgot when I came home in July!! grrr!!! What a way to start a week!!
Right now I'm sitting in Catacaos in the cabina where I teach my computer classes. The guy here loves me, thank god, so he lets me use the computer for free, so now I´m def going to start taking advantage of his offer so I can get my work done!!
I also have begun planning a career planning course to teach not only in my site but also up in the mountains at another volunteers site. Its great timing for the course because 5th grade of the secondary school (equivalent to Senior year in high school) graduates in December.
Okay well I have to get ready for my class! Also, another exciting thing about tonight is that it will be the first interview with the grad school course (Univ of Colorado) that is doing a case analysis on the artisans I work with!! Genial, no??
Chao,
ekh
Yes, I know, it`s devastating!! I don´t know exactly what I am going to do, though I do have a plan. I REFUSE to buy a new computer bc that is my treat to myself next August upon completion of my service, and although my mom would like to get me a used one and ship it down, that seems like too much of a hassle. Therefore, I´m sending emails out to Peru 10 volunteers who are COS in October/November to see if any of them were planning on leaving behind/donating their computers, so I can take it for the next year and then I´ll give it to whomever they wanted to give it to. Also I was thinking of this plan working till I come home in December for Christmas and I can look into buying one of those mini computers.
The worse part about my computer crashing is that I lost ALL my videos from Cusco and Ancash and all over parts of Peru. It´s def upsetting but I still have all my photos so that's okay. And yes I should have bought another external hard drive after my first one got stolen but I completely forgot when I came home in July!! grrr!!! What a way to start a week!!
Right now I'm sitting in Catacaos in the cabina where I teach my computer classes. The guy here loves me, thank god, so he lets me use the computer for free, so now I´m def going to start taking advantage of his offer so I can get my work done!!
I also have begun planning a career planning course to teach not only in my site but also up in the mountains at another volunteers site. Its great timing for the course because 5th grade of the secondary school (equivalent to Senior year in high school) graduates in December.
Okay well I have to get ready for my class! Also, another exciting thing about tonight is that it will be the first interview with the grad school course (Univ of Colorado) that is doing a case analysis on the artisans I work with!! Genial, no??
Chao,
ekh
September 15th posted really late...
September 15, 2009
End of August Recap…
Finished up with the PROMOPERU 5S’s competition though the women were supposed to come to judge each of the 5 different associations participating the 28th of August, it is now the 15th of September and they still have not come nor called. So who knows what exactly is happening with that…
I got back from my one year med checks in Lima on Sunday. I got the Flu shot and also had to do a stool sample. Surprisingly, it was my first in country, which is EXTREMELY uncommon for a volunteer, so I’m lucky. It came back negative which means I am living without any strange and tiny friends inside my intestines. Gross but true. I also went to the dentist for a check up and he said I had perfect teeth. Honestly he told me that I have wonderful teeth and I take care of the beautifully then he proceeded to tell me that the doctor who did my root canal was an artist and ask who did it. It was a bit unusual but I told him he could always contact Dr. Mario Gebia in Haddonfield NJ if he wanted some advice! That was unusual.
While in Lima, I also had an IST on Promotional Materials. This was a 3 day workshop that each business volunteer from group 11 attended with their community partner. It was nice to go because we went over everything that I just did for a year with my artisan, so while most would think it was a waste of time, it was actually extremely beneficial because it showed my artisan that I do know what I’m talking about and that I’m an amazing volunteer having done all of this with her as compared to everyone else who hadn’t. (It also didn’t hurt my self-esteem) haha Topics that we covered were how to create a email account, blog, picasa photo account, promotional CD, business card and labels. The only thing that I hadn’t done yet, which I am working on, is the Association’s logo. Well, to be truthful, I’m not working on it as much as my mom’s magazine designer Thanks Toby!
Today was the second day of my computer classes. I started yesterday with the weavers from each association and today I was with the jewelers teaching basic computation. Tomorrow starts my new addition to the classes, the intermediate course. When I put this up it’ll be right before I start my class! (Fingers crossed!) The intermediate course is with all the artisans who participated previously and have completed the basic level course. The turnout wasn’t as high as I had hoped but this is quite common. I predict that by the start of next week we’ll be filled, as word gets out about free computer classes, more people make the effort to come.
The best part about computer classes is that I get to see an immediate result. I teach them how to move a mouse in the first hour of class and then by the end of class they can move a mouse and click, double click, and drag! It’s so fulfilling. (Okay, I hear you all giggling to yourself, but honestly it’s the little things as a volunteer that keeps us going, through all the failures!!)
Other than these couple things, I’m not doing too much, I think I’m going to join a gym in piura but haven’t decided, I just really need to start exercising more as a way to release some steam and tension. Though, today washing some of my delicates by head helped too! Lol. Though I think I was just overwhelmed in August because I wasn’t busy therefore had wayyy too much time on my hands, where as for the next two months I’ll be busy with my daily computer class and starting up a business English class as well as replicating the aids workshop in the surrounding communities.
Right now I have to go because I have to actually prepare the first class for my intermediate group! Yes, procrastinating, not my fault, I blame Lima!
End of August Recap…
Finished up with the PROMOPERU 5S’s competition though the women were supposed to come to judge each of the 5 different associations participating the 28th of August, it is now the 15th of September and they still have not come nor called. So who knows what exactly is happening with that…
I got back from my one year med checks in Lima on Sunday. I got the Flu shot and also had to do a stool sample. Surprisingly, it was my first in country, which is EXTREMELY uncommon for a volunteer, so I’m lucky. It came back negative which means I am living without any strange and tiny friends inside my intestines. Gross but true. I also went to the dentist for a check up and he said I had perfect teeth. Honestly he told me that I have wonderful teeth and I take care of the beautifully then he proceeded to tell me that the doctor who did my root canal was an artist and ask who did it. It was a bit unusual but I told him he could always contact Dr. Mario Gebia in Haddonfield NJ if he wanted some advice! That was unusual.
While in Lima, I also had an IST on Promotional Materials. This was a 3 day workshop that each business volunteer from group 11 attended with their community partner. It was nice to go because we went over everything that I just did for a year with my artisan, so while most would think it was a waste of time, it was actually extremely beneficial because it showed my artisan that I do know what I’m talking about and that I’m an amazing volunteer having done all of this with her as compared to everyone else who hadn’t. (It also didn’t hurt my self-esteem) haha Topics that we covered were how to create a email account, blog, picasa photo account, promotional CD, business card and labels. The only thing that I hadn’t done yet, which I am working on, is the Association’s logo. Well, to be truthful, I’m not working on it as much as my mom’s magazine designer Thanks Toby!
Today was the second day of my computer classes. I started yesterday with the weavers from each association and today I was with the jewelers teaching basic computation. Tomorrow starts my new addition to the classes, the intermediate course. When I put this up it’ll be right before I start my class! (Fingers crossed!) The intermediate course is with all the artisans who participated previously and have completed the basic level course. The turnout wasn’t as high as I had hoped but this is quite common. I predict that by the start of next week we’ll be filled, as word gets out about free computer classes, more people make the effort to come.
The best part about computer classes is that I get to see an immediate result. I teach them how to move a mouse in the first hour of class and then by the end of class they can move a mouse and click, double click, and drag! It’s so fulfilling. (Okay, I hear you all giggling to yourself, but honestly it’s the little things as a volunteer that keeps us going, through all the failures!!)
Other than these couple things, I’m not doing too much, I think I’m going to join a gym in piura but haven’t decided, I just really need to start exercising more as a way to release some steam and tension. Though, today washing some of my delicates by head helped too! Lol. Though I think I was just overwhelmed in August because I wasn’t busy therefore had wayyy too much time on my hands, where as for the next two months I’ll be busy with my daily computer class and starting up a business English class as well as replicating the aids workshop in the surrounding communities.
Right now I have to go because I have to actually prepare the first class for my intermediate group! Yes, procrastinating, not my fault, I blame Lima!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
catching uppp
August 15th thru 21st
Saturday I went into the city to tie up some loose ends that were STILL dangling after finishing up a boys camp in June called VALOR. Then at 6 I headed to a wedding in Piura with another volunteer Alex. He was invited to attend the wedding of a girl from his site. We went to ceremony at a really pretty church and felt like we weren’t in the right place when the ceremony started sans the bride. The mass continued until at last 5 minutes before communion the bride walked up the isle, no pomp or music. IT was … awkward. I couldn’t stop giggle at the absurdity. No one else commented on it either, it was like the white elephant that only Alex and I saw. Anyway then we headed to the after party. They didn’t know when they invited him that they would be getting two gringos at their ceremony, weren’t they elated! It was like Disney World Piura version. I was invited, though knowing neither the bride nor the groom, to be in every photo with them and be filmed and toast to them and also included in the honor of dancing with the groom after the first dance which is normally given only to the immediate family. My popularity astounds me. I also was forced to be apart of the tossing of the bouquet, ehhh that was embarrassing, I never want to be single and look desperate at a wedding. Anyway while Alex got to dance with all the good looking girls 25 and younger I got stuck dancing with men 65 and older. I wanted to beat him. At one point I pinched him bc the guy I was dancing with had some wandering hands, needless to say Alex didn’t save me. When the song ended I yelled at him and asked why he didn’t cut in and he said that he thought the pinch meant that I was jealous of the girl he was dancing with and wanted him to dance with me which he thought was rude. I told him that he thought a lot about himself! It was a bunch of fun though. Neither of us had a watch nor cell, so we had no idea what time it was or how long we had been there. WE decided that after dinner since normally dinner is served at 11:30 during celebrations to leave, we danced out the door so that no one could stop us and prevent our exit with more drinking. When we got out we took a taxi back to the hostel to see what the other volunteers were up too. Everyone was in bed but since Alex and I used the wedding as a pre-game we were ready to head out and decided to do Casino night. The casinos here are all electronic and smell like stale cigs and trashy people. I has a blast though because, I mean I can entertain myself anywhere. Alex and I played roulette and won about 10 soles in 2 hours by placing 10 centavo bets. Yes we are pathetic. We ended up leaving at about 2:30 ish or 3 I forget now, because he was going to kill me. I get to nervous in casinos bc I don’t like to gamble. I think casinos sound like a fun idea but when the betting starts I like freak out and act like I’m loosing my right arm.
Sunday didn’t do much, skyped with the family and then headed back to site to catch up on sleep. Monday came around and I spent the day with my artisans and also I spent some time firming up the dates to start computer courses again in September with artisans from the associations of Paja Toquilla and Plata. Also, since I sold the design of my purse to a bunch of my friends I had to light a match under my artisans to finish up 2 purses that I had to hand over by the end of the week. They pissed me off right good because they had nothing done, even though I gave them the order about 2 weeks ago. They knew I was pissed but I couldn’t say much because this week one of the daughters of my counter part was really sick so she was really worried about her daughter and I didn’t want to be that bitchy person bugging her about work. It’s really hard to separate work from family when the whole business is inside the house. I know this before I came here though, considering how my mom works. So I was really stressed about whether the artisans would finish the purses on time and whether the quality would be up to par. Now, being Friday and having given the purses out I feel a lot calmer, but there was one point this past week that I just wanted to yell, but I kept my cool, thank God. Always in retrospect it doesn’t seem that bad. Tuesday I headed to the monthly mass that is given for my host father that passed in 98.
Wednesday I spent all day working on more inventories with my artisans. It is such a big project; I can’t wait till it’s done! Also I got a call from another volunteer in Piura, Vince who lives in the Sierra asking if my artisan and I would go up to his site and talk with artisan group about formation and getting started. Also, we were preparing the taller for Friday because Friday Grupo Romero Foundation came to film the taller and women. This was a really big deal for my artisans because in the past they didn’t get as much help as the other associations in the area, so hopefully after this visit GR will start putting more funds into helping our development.
Today I went to Piura to have lunch with Vince and his sister who came from the states for a week long visit, we went to Fresco Mar to have her taste the most Peruvian platter, ceviche! She not only was willing to try it but also enjoyed it! After lunch, I headed to my artisans to meet up with the Grupo Romero people. They filmed all the women weaving and also filmed the taller and store, bought some things, ate the ceviche that my artisans prepared and then headed on their way. I headed home shortly after.
I’m heading up the Vince’s site with my artisan tomorrow, so hopefully that goes well. Though I hope I make the bus at least; it leaves at 7:30, so that means I have to be up and out of the house by 6 to get there on time.
chauuuuuuu
Saturday I went into the city to tie up some loose ends that were STILL dangling after finishing up a boys camp in June called VALOR. Then at 6 I headed to a wedding in Piura with another volunteer Alex. He was invited to attend the wedding of a girl from his site. We went to ceremony at a really pretty church and felt like we weren’t in the right place when the ceremony started sans the bride. The mass continued until at last 5 minutes before communion the bride walked up the isle, no pomp or music. IT was … awkward. I couldn’t stop giggle at the absurdity. No one else commented on it either, it was like the white elephant that only Alex and I saw. Anyway then we headed to the after party. They didn’t know when they invited him that they would be getting two gringos at their ceremony, weren’t they elated! It was like Disney World Piura version. I was invited, though knowing neither the bride nor the groom, to be in every photo with them and be filmed and toast to them and also included in the honor of dancing with the groom after the first dance which is normally given only to the immediate family. My popularity astounds me. I also was forced to be apart of the tossing of the bouquet, ehhh that was embarrassing, I never want to be single and look desperate at a wedding. Anyway while Alex got to dance with all the good looking girls 25 and younger I got stuck dancing with men 65 and older. I wanted to beat him. At one point I pinched him bc the guy I was dancing with had some wandering hands, needless to say Alex didn’t save me. When the song ended I yelled at him and asked why he didn’t cut in and he said that he thought the pinch meant that I was jealous of the girl he was dancing with and wanted him to dance with me which he thought was rude. I told him that he thought a lot about himself! It was a bunch of fun though. Neither of us had a watch nor cell, so we had no idea what time it was or how long we had been there. WE decided that after dinner since normally dinner is served at 11:30 during celebrations to leave, we danced out the door so that no one could stop us and prevent our exit with more drinking. When we got out we took a taxi back to the hostel to see what the other volunteers were up too. Everyone was in bed but since Alex and I used the wedding as a pre-game we were ready to head out and decided to do Casino night. The casinos here are all electronic and smell like stale cigs and trashy people. I has a blast though because, I mean I can entertain myself anywhere. Alex and I played roulette and won about 10 soles in 2 hours by placing 10 centavo bets. Yes we are pathetic. We ended up leaving at about 2:30 ish or 3 I forget now, because he was going to kill me. I get to nervous in casinos bc I don’t like to gamble. I think casinos sound like a fun idea but when the betting starts I like freak out and act like I’m loosing my right arm.
Sunday didn’t do much, skyped with the family and then headed back to site to catch up on sleep. Monday came around and I spent the day with my artisans and also I spent some time firming up the dates to start computer courses again in September with artisans from the associations of Paja Toquilla and Plata. Also, since I sold the design of my purse to a bunch of my friends I had to light a match under my artisans to finish up 2 purses that I had to hand over by the end of the week. They pissed me off right good because they had nothing done, even though I gave them the order about 2 weeks ago. They knew I was pissed but I couldn’t say much because this week one of the daughters of my counter part was really sick so she was really worried about her daughter and I didn’t want to be that bitchy person bugging her about work. It’s really hard to separate work from family when the whole business is inside the house. I know this before I came here though, considering how my mom works. So I was really stressed about whether the artisans would finish the purses on time and whether the quality would be up to par. Now, being Friday and having given the purses out I feel a lot calmer, but there was one point this past week that I just wanted to yell, but I kept my cool, thank God. Always in retrospect it doesn’t seem that bad. Tuesday I headed to the monthly mass that is given for my host father that passed in 98.
Wednesday I spent all day working on more inventories with my artisans. It is such a big project; I can’t wait till it’s done! Also I got a call from another volunteer in Piura, Vince who lives in the Sierra asking if my artisan and I would go up to his site and talk with artisan group about formation and getting started. Also, we were preparing the taller for Friday because Friday Grupo Romero Foundation came to film the taller and women. This was a really big deal for my artisans because in the past they didn’t get as much help as the other associations in the area, so hopefully after this visit GR will start putting more funds into helping our development.
Today I went to Piura to have lunch with Vince and his sister who came from the states for a week long visit, we went to Fresco Mar to have her taste the most Peruvian platter, ceviche! She not only was willing to try it but also enjoyed it! After lunch, I headed to my artisans to meet up with the Grupo Romero people. They filmed all the women weaving and also filmed the taller and store, bought some things, ate the ceviche that my artisans prepared and then headed on their way. I headed home shortly after.
I’m heading up the Vince’s site with my artisan tomorrow, so hopefully that goes well. Though I hope I make the bus at least; it leaves at 7:30, so that means I have to be up and out of the house by 6 to get there on time.
chauuuuuuu
9 August 2009
This weekend didn’t go as I had planned. I ended up not heading to Motupe or the walk of 14 crosses in Chiclayo bc the car of my artisans broke-down. Therefore, right now I’m just hanging out and reading. I did get some work down of little things that I have been putting off. And now that they are done, I actually have nothing to do. Though not having anything to do really urks me, I know that this week I’ll be busy again with work and organizing the taller via 5S’s. Also I have to present my cronograma for the 2 computer classes I’m going to start in September to the NGO who pays for the room we use for the class. I’ll be doing the basic class again as well as starting up an intermediate class 2x a week, which will help the artisans learn how to send formal emails to clients and also how to create brochures and catalogues. Should be interesting considering I just learned how to do it and I’m not that good at it.
Fri night I we all went out and danced after having drinks and taps with the ambassador. It was a really cool experience and I got to sit next to him! We got to speak with him about the relationship between the States and Peru, as well as, Peru’s internal development issues and about basic world news, that we volunteers are probably in the dark about. He also had some great advice and ideas for after PC work.
Saturday was nice, I laid around and watched tv all day in the hotel and then I went to the bus station to say good bye to Karrie and the new girl Kerry. Kerry will be back in about 3 weeks. I just have to keep myself busy for the next 3 weeks, which should prove to be hard.
I can’t believe that a month ago I was home in the states. I feel like it never happened, like it was a whirlwind. I’m planning on heading home for Christmas, which will no doubt be a blast, but could be more of a cyclone than the last visit, because I’m planning on only coming home for 6 days. Flights are really expensive too, if anyone enjoys looking for flights help me out and search for a non-stop below 500. Thanks!
This week will be easy I think and then this weekend I’m invited to attend a wedding in Piura with another volunteer. That should be good and my artisans want to re-try for this trip to Chiclayo. Maybe I’ll convince them to go on Friday instead of Saturday so I can have a day to rest before the wedding. Other than that there is nothing going on.
PS if anyone wants any straw products made for them, basket sets, purses, jewelry, hats, Christmas decorations, please let me know what you would like so I can bring home things people want during Christmas. REMEMBER they make REALLY cheap/unique gifts! I’m finishing a Christmas catalogue and when I do ill post it online for you all to see. Also, check out the blog that has a bunch of fotos of our products. It is not finished, so bare with me.
Nariwalac.blogspot.com
Un besito,
Elizabeth
This weekend didn’t go as I had planned. I ended up not heading to Motupe or the walk of 14 crosses in Chiclayo bc the car of my artisans broke-down. Therefore, right now I’m just hanging out and reading. I did get some work down of little things that I have been putting off. And now that they are done, I actually have nothing to do. Though not having anything to do really urks me, I know that this week I’ll be busy again with work and organizing the taller via 5S’s. Also I have to present my cronograma for the 2 computer classes I’m going to start in September to the NGO who pays for the room we use for the class. I’ll be doing the basic class again as well as starting up an intermediate class 2x a week, which will help the artisans learn how to send formal emails to clients and also how to create brochures and catalogues. Should be interesting considering I just learned how to do it and I’m not that good at it.
Fri night I we all went out and danced after having drinks and taps with the ambassador. It was a really cool experience and I got to sit next to him! We got to speak with him about the relationship between the States and Peru, as well as, Peru’s internal development issues and about basic world news, that we volunteers are probably in the dark about. He also had some great advice and ideas for after PC work.
Saturday was nice, I laid around and watched tv all day in the hotel and then I went to the bus station to say good bye to Karrie and the new girl Kerry. Kerry will be back in about 3 weeks. I just have to keep myself busy for the next 3 weeks, which should prove to be hard.
I can’t believe that a month ago I was home in the states. I feel like it never happened, like it was a whirlwind. I’m planning on heading home for Christmas, which will no doubt be a blast, but could be more of a cyclone than the last visit, because I’m planning on only coming home for 6 days. Flights are really expensive too, if anyone enjoys looking for flights help me out and search for a non-stop below 500. Thanks!
This week will be easy I think and then this weekend I’m invited to attend a wedding in Piura with another volunteer. That should be good and my artisans want to re-try for this trip to Chiclayo. Maybe I’ll convince them to go on Friday instead of Saturday so I can have a day to rest before the wedding. Other than that there is nothing going on.
PS if anyone wants any straw products made for them, basket sets, purses, jewelry, hats, Christmas decorations, please let me know what you would like so I can bring home things people want during Christmas. REMEMBER they make REALLY cheap/unique gifts! I’m finishing a Christmas catalogue and when I do ill post it online for you all to see. Also, check out the blog that has a bunch of fotos of our products. It is not finished, so bare with me.
Nariwalac.blogspot.com
Un besito,
Elizabeth
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
