The Flight
Not much to say. I had a good night rest the night before at Chris and Jessica's place and Chris dropped me off at around 6AM Saturday morning. The flight to Miami was uneventful, but once I arrived I only had about 15 min to walk from concourse E to concourse A. It was at least a mile long. I made it just as they were calling the first groups on the plane, so it all worked out well. On the flight to La Paz, a man asked me if I could switch seats with him, so that he could sit next to his wife. This put me in a middle seat about at the very back of the plane, since I didn't really mind moving. I am glad that I did also, because I sat next to a man named Eric who grew up in Bolivia, but went to Michigan Tech for school and is now living in Vancouver. So, yes, I had the privilege of hearing a TCK's (third-culture kid) story and his helpful advice to stay open-minded to the culture. I found it very interesting that he felt more at home in the U.S. and Canadian cultures then his own. He hung out with me all the way until we both found our luggage and until I was able to meet up with Jason and Sara (my director and his wife).
The Arrival
We packed everything into Jason's vehicle and made for the valley. El Alto (the section of the city where the airport is) was very poor. After driving through El Alto we began the descent into the valley were I got to see the city lights down below. An amazing sight! We saw stray dogs all over the place. They are just a part of the city. At the bottom of the city we arrived at my homestay's place. I had been informed that I was going to be at a different place then I had been shown. It is closer to the school and very close to where Jason and Sara live, so I would be able to hitch a ride with Jason when he goes to the school.
Meeting my Homestay
We were greeted customarily when we arrived. For my part a customary greeting with a woman is to lean to the left and make a kissing sound by their cheek as they do the same on the other side. It honestly wasn't awkward at all. We sat down in their beautiful home and just began talking. Well, I didn't as much. :) They said they would treat me like one of their own. I felt very blessed. After Jason and Sara left, I was able to have some limited conversation with both Alberto and (not sure how to spell this) Charro, as I sat down to have some coca tea to help my stomach and headache as well as some pan (bread) with queso (cheese) and mantequilla (butter). It was different, but delicious! Then it was time dormir (to sleep), after some water and Advil. The weather is about mid-40's here. I love it!
Domingo (Sunday)
After taking a shower, dressing for iglesia (church), and putting some more of my clothes away. I made my way down to the kitchen where I met Joshua. He is originally from California, but going to med school in Boston. He was down in Bolvia for a month working on international medicine. He is also living in the same house and knows more Spanish than me, but is still just below conversational. When breakfast was almost done, Silvia walked in. Silvia is from England, fluent in Spanish, lived with the family for 9 months last year and will be living with them again for a couple more weeks as she is visiting on holiday. It was fun to hear the British accent once again. She has been a great help with translating. I am still a little frusturated, because I so want to understand, but my Spanish is so limited. Anyway, we then walked to La Comunidad, the church, and all around us were mountains on every side. Boy, what a sight to behold! I don't think I will ever get used to it, and that's a good thing. I got to meet Scotty Miser at church. He is a missionary to Bolvia, sent out from Bethlehem Baptist, the church I attended, and he is planting a church close to where the school is. The church plant is affiliated with La Comunidad and my family is actually a part of the plant. Pretty amazing connections, eh?! We went out to lunch afterwards at a chicken (pollo) place called Copacabana. It was pretty much a KFC, Bolvian style. Along with the chicken and french fries, you get fried plantains (bananas). They were pretty good. Jason and Sara should be stopping by later today before they pick up some more of the teachers that are coming in tonight. I think tomorrow we begin the orientation itinerary. All I know so far is that we plan to go to Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, on Friday. I hope you are all having as fantastic a Friday as I am! Thank you for all your prayers for safe travel and and an easy transition. They were answered!
A Beginning
I have already had a few comments on the last posting. Not bad! But I think we can do better. I will try to add pictures to spruce up the blog site soon. Until then, I am counting on your comments. I love you all! Thanks again for your prayers!
July 29, 2007
July 25, 2007
3...2...1...Blastoff!
Some Accountability?
Ok, honestly now, who wants to volunteer to keep me accountable to updating my blog more than once a month? All that person would have to do would send me a quick e-mail or posting saying, " It's time to post again!" I want to send out some sort of post every week and I hope to develop a weekly routine to accomplish that goal. Okay, on with the update...
PFO 2007
Southaven, MS was an amazing week and a half. It was filled with scrumpcious southern cooking (no, I didn't have grits, but it was offered) that filled my belly to bursting everyday. Genuine Southern hospitatlity was experienced daily. The seminars ranged from topics regarding our own personalities (including how we communicate, how we approach conflict, etc...), learning more about the TCK (Third Culture Kid- international students in our schools), preparing to leave, and how to adapt to a new culture. My roommate while there, Zach, was an amazing guy. He offered to lead the worship during our time there, so I was more than eager to lend my voice to back him up during those days. They also split us up into small groups to discuss the day's seminars and how we were all doing with our preparation anxieties. I was in a group with three married couples and Zach. Just so people know, this was a training not just for new teachers going to Bolivia, but to all the NICS/OASIS schools around the world. So, I got to know people who were going to places such as: Caracas, Venezuela; Seoul, South Korea; Singapore; Brazil; Ghana; Ankara, Turkey; Kabul, Afghanistan; etc... These people came from all over the U.S., some were coming straight out of college while others had five years experience or more already. I also got to meet frequently with my Bolivia group, of which I am very excited to begin working with. One of the couples, Marcos and Valeria, came from Bolivia. They had been teaching at Highlands International School since it started 4 years ago. Our group was blessed to be able to hear firsthand from them about the culture and the school. I was even able to practice my limited Spanish with them a little. They said I had a pretty good vocabulary already and expected me to catch on quickly when I got there. We'll see. :) Jason and Sara, the school's director and his wife, also came for a couple days for some group bonding. I also got to meet John Swaney, the school's campus pastor and high school Bible teacher. He lives about 10 min away from Southaven, MS and Memphis, TN, so he took the Bolivia group out a couple times to get to know eachother and have some Memphis ribs. Mmmm. John and I also went out a couple times to just sit and talk about everything and anything. The rest of my group is comprised of Whitney (5th grade, engaged, and taught the 2nd half of the year at Highlands), Alison (Kindergarten and elementary specials), and Tom and Anne (EFL teacher and elementary principal, they have a four year old named Avery). Getting to know my group has helped immensely in soothing anxieties about La Paz.
Since I've Been Home
It's been hard. Don't get me wrong now, I love spending time with my parents. But there's been two big reasons why there is still a knot in my stomach.
1. Saying Goodbyes- I had to say goodbye to Stacy this past weekend and many other close friends in the cities. I say goodbye to my parents in 2 days. I can't express enough how much everyone has meant to me throughout my life. There are still so many people that I have not said goodbye to and if you are one of those people reading this right now, I want you to know that I am sorry. Please let me know who you are, so that I can write a proper e-mail letting you know how much you've blessed my life. I leave my comfort zone in two days, which is exciting, and at the same time extremely uncomfortable.
2. Escaping- My big to-do projects over these past couple weeks was to pack (of which I'm not worried about) and begin school planning. I have spent the past two weeks stalling and delaying because I don't know how to start getting organized. I just finished a 2000 piece puzzle and have watched more Cosby show then one person should. It's a frusturating weakness that I have only just recently begun taking to the right source for strength. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I hit the grindstone these last couple days to give myself an outline for this coming school year. Any advice or organization tips would be welcome also.
Final Comments
I have received a few e-mails from people who want to be included in my prayer update, which I plan to send out at the beginning of each month. If you want to be included send me your e-mail at bjorlie@gmail.com.
Also, don't be afraid to comment. I got a whopping one comment on my last posting and maybe that's because I haven't left yet. Either way, let me know that you're reading. Thank you all! I will try this clever wordplay again and see if it works. Let the comments commence!
Ok, honestly now, who wants to volunteer to keep me accountable to updating my blog more than once a month? All that person would have to do would send me a quick e-mail or posting saying, " It's time to post again!" I want to send out some sort of post every week and I hope to develop a weekly routine to accomplish that goal. Okay, on with the update...
PFO 2007
Southaven, MS was an amazing week and a half. It was filled with scrumpcious southern cooking (no, I didn't have grits, but it was offered) that filled my belly to bursting everyday. Genuine Southern hospitatlity was experienced daily. The seminars ranged from topics regarding our own personalities (including how we communicate, how we approach conflict, etc...), learning more about the TCK (Third Culture Kid- international students in our schools), preparing to leave, and how to adapt to a new culture. My roommate while there, Zach, was an amazing guy. He offered to lead the worship during our time there, so I was more than eager to lend my voice to back him up during those days. They also split us up into small groups to discuss the day's seminars and how we were all doing with our preparation anxieties. I was in a group with three married couples and Zach. Just so people know, this was a training not just for new teachers going to Bolivia, but to all the NICS/OASIS schools around the world. So, I got to know people who were going to places such as: Caracas, Venezuela; Seoul, South Korea; Singapore; Brazil; Ghana; Ankara, Turkey; Kabul, Afghanistan; etc... These people came from all over the U.S., some were coming straight out of college while others had five years experience or more already. I also got to meet frequently with my Bolivia group, of which I am very excited to begin working with. One of the couples, Marcos and Valeria, came from Bolivia. They had been teaching at Highlands International School since it started 4 years ago. Our group was blessed to be able to hear firsthand from them about the culture and the school. I was even able to practice my limited Spanish with them a little. They said I had a pretty good vocabulary already and expected me to catch on quickly when I got there. We'll see. :) Jason and Sara, the school's director and his wife, also came for a couple days for some group bonding. I also got to meet John Swaney, the school's campus pastor and high school Bible teacher. He lives about 10 min away from Southaven, MS and Memphis, TN, so he took the Bolivia group out a couple times to get to know eachother and have some Memphis ribs. Mmmm. John and I also went out a couple times to just sit and talk about everything and anything. The rest of my group is comprised of Whitney (5th grade, engaged, and taught the 2nd half of the year at Highlands), Alison (Kindergarten and elementary specials), and Tom and Anne (EFL teacher and elementary principal, they have a four year old named Avery). Getting to know my group has helped immensely in soothing anxieties about La Paz.
Since I've Been Home
It's been hard. Don't get me wrong now, I love spending time with my parents. But there's been two big reasons why there is still a knot in my stomach.
1. Saying Goodbyes- I had to say goodbye to Stacy this past weekend and many other close friends in the cities. I say goodbye to my parents in 2 days. I can't express enough how much everyone has meant to me throughout my life. There are still so many people that I have not said goodbye to and if you are one of those people reading this right now, I want you to know that I am sorry. Please let me know who you are, so that I can write a proper e-mail letting you know how much you've blessed my life. I leave my comfort zone in two days, which is exciting, and at the same time extremely uncomfortable.
2. Escaping- My big to-do projects over these past couple weeks was to pack (of which I'm not worried about) and begin school planning. I have spent the past two weeks stalling and delaying because I don't know how to start getting organized. I just finished a 2000 piece puzzle and have watched more Cosby show then one person should. It's a frusturating weakness that I have only just recently begun taking to the right source for strength. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I hit the grindstone these last couple days to give myself an outline for this coming school year. Any advice or organization tips would be welcome also.
Final Comments
I have received a few e-mails from people who want to be included in my prayer update, which I plan to send out at the beginning of each month. If you want to be included send me your e-mail at bjorlie@gmail.com.
Also, don't be afraid to comment. I got a whopping one comment on my last posting and maybe that's because I haven't left yet. Either way, let me know that you're reading. Thank you all! I will try this clever wordplay again and see if it works. Let the comments commence!
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