MERRY CHRISTMAS

This is in Spanish, English, and Quechua/Kechwa. :) Cool huh!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Visits, Thanksgiving, and Madrina, oh my!

Okay so it has been a while since I wrote and I feel like I have been really busy. Lets put it this way, the last 3 weeks I have not been here for the weekend. I have traveled to 2 communities and had Thanksgiving in Lima. I have started teaching English classes (although for a while we haven’t had them due to people at the office being busy or gone), I have translated another document, preached 2 sermons and I became Madrina (Godmother) of a church in Moya, Tambo.

Some explanation. Lets start with my work in general at the radio. I still have times when there is not much to do, but I feel that is changing. The English classes give me lessons to prepare and though we haven’t had them at the radio in two weeks, I have been going to the church once a week to have a conversation class with the pastor and his family that is going really well.

Also, Samuel (my boss) asked me to begin preparing sermons so that he can just ask me to preach whatever time he wants. So, with that I have been filling a lot of my time. Then of course I still manage to have time to sit and chat with people that come in or sometimes Samuel bounces ideas off of me. My schedule is pretty flexible and so that still gives me time to do things like go and hear Valarie (my little host sibling) sing in a Christmas program. (I will be posting video).

Ok so now my second visit to a village outside of the city. So we went to Huayra pampa. It was really beautiful. We went to help with a roof raising (literally) but when we got there it turned out they didn’t have the supplies. They couldn’t call to let us know cause no one has a phone. So they fed us breakfast and I took pictures, Samuel helped them cut and carry tree trunks up to the church and I took pictures, they fed us lunch and I took pictures, and we had a prayer service and I took pictures. If you hadn’t guessed my job was to take pictures. Besides taking pictures I did one other thing. I got sick. I mean stomach-twisting sprint to the bathroom sick. The bathroom happened to be a porter potty that consisted of a hole in the ground but I didn’t really care at that point. I continued to feel awful the whole 5hrs we were there and then threw up on the way home. Needless to say I wasn’t exactly very animated or interactive. I really worried Samuel who even escorted me into the radio to tell my host mom I was sick. I think mainly he was worried because when I threw up I vaulted out of the car at a place we had stopped to take a picture. Everyone kept saying don’t get out and I was like I'm going. Turns out it is because it wasn’t exactly the safest place to get out of the car. They were worried I would fall off the edge of the mountain. Needless to say I didn’t, but I did continue to feel sick the rest of the night and the next day, and there went my weekend. Still it wasn’t a complete loss. It is a good story and I have some cool pictures. Plus now when we go on a trip if I don’t throw up it is considered a success. You can see the pictures at

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2028227&id=35702103&l=bc63c3a821

Thanks giving: I spent Thanksgiving in Lima with the rest of the YAVS at Debbie’s house (our site coordinator) We actually went to Alexandra’s house thanksgiving day. She works at Red Uniendos Manos with Debbie. http://www.manosperu.org We all cooked something and I made my families stuffing recipe. It was my first time to make it and I was a little worried. Partly because I had to add spices to the sausage to make it right and make the bread part (we usually do that out of a bag) it turned out really well. Lots of people said that it was really good. The texture was a little different due to the difference in bread, but I think I may try to talk my family into trying to make the bread next year too. We all got together and ate. I think it was probably one of the most significant thanksgivings I have had. There were some Peruvians there that were celebrating thanksgiving for the first time. As such we each explained our dish and talked about the traditions that go along with thanksgiving. Alexandra read a document written by a Native American (I cant remember who it was, sorry) that talked about sharing the earth and being a part of it. She then read a document written by a Peruvian that was along the same lines. It was cool to really experience the sharing of customs. I think for me one of the best parts was reflecting on all that I have learned about Peru and Peruvian customs and sharing a little in return. We also shared what we were thankful for. One of the YAVs commented that this was their first thanksgiving away from their family and it was mine too. She then talked about how while that was true that being together with the YAVs and the people from the Red, the Presbytery, etc, made it so that we were creating a new family of sorts. Almost every single person in the room was from somewhere else. Whether that be the states (a wide range of states by the way), or somewhere else in Peru. For all of us to come together is quite amazing. It really felt like each of us was put there for a reason. Each person was there because they were doing something in Gods plan. There was a lot of joy passed around and while there are plenty of times I miss my family, it was amazing to find that on Thanksgiving Day I wasn’t especially homesick. I am thankful for my family in the states and my Peruvian family here, and my YAV family that we have created. After all what is thanksgiving about if not having your heart filled with thanks for those around you and those that cant be there? So to everyone out there who has been in my life in anyway, thank you. I know that the people I have come in contact with have made me who I am today and will continue to shape me in the future. I thank God for all of you.

Moya, Tambo. I visited a place called Moya in Tambo, which is in Ayacucho, which is in Peru. I hope that gives you an idea of where it is but if not, it is in the mountains. It was a small village; although not as small as Huayra pampa it is still pretty small. They too were putting a roof on a Presbyterian church. First off I didn’t get sick

Helped carry dirt out of the church to level the ground,

Helped teach some kids a couple songs,

And took like a hundred pictures of kids that wanted to see there pictures on my camera.

Halfway through the day my boss’s wife asked me if I had my things to sleep there. I laughed thinking she was joking. I found out latter she wasn’t. No one told me there was a possibility we would sleep there, but we did. We stayed late to have a church service with everyone. I was a little irritated that we were spending the night and I hadn’t really been told. Turns out one of the reasons we stayed is because the church members wanted to make me the Madrina (Godmother) of there church. I felt horrible for being frustrated earlier and quickly changed my attitude. It is funny how God works huh? They had me cut the ribbon to enter the church,

, I preached, and then took tons of pictures with everyone. When we went to go to sleep I swear everyone in town gave me a blanket t

o use. They even tucked me in.

The next day breakfast was cuy (guinea pig) to celebrate. We also had potatoes, cheese, and soup. I didn’t finish and packed most of it up (besides the soup) to take back with me. We prayed to leave and took tons of pictures again

They gave me a whole lot of onions as a parting gift

We walked down to Tambo (which was a pretty good hike by the way)

And spent the rest of the way finding cars to take us back and ridding back. I was exhausted but all in all it was a really good trip. If you want to see the rest of the pictures you can head to http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2028604&id=35702103&l=d39e691e2a

All and all it has been a busy month so far and will probably continue to be. My family is coming to visit for Christmas so if you want to send a letter or anything for me and or the other yavs, without paying postage now is the time. For any families of other yavs that aren’t coming, my family will be more than happy to bring Christmas presents. Just shoot me an email at Alissadking@gmail.com and I can get you their address. J

I am excited to see my family and show them around Huanta. I got a box in the mail from them with all sorts of fun stuff that is sure to make me gain weight (chocolate, supplies to make chocolate chip cookies, blueberry syrup, etc). J I have been sharing my box with those around me which has been especially fun. I have some new movies that came in my box and a lot of them have both Spanish and English. I have already lent some out and have had fun talking about the movies. They also sent English vocab cards that have been fun here with my host family. I may lend them out to people in my English class as well. So again thanks family for the box! I really appreciate it. For all those who are wondering it took about 3 and ½ weeks to get here.

Well I miss you all. Happy late thanksgiving and I hope everything is well. It may be cliché but let me know what you are thankful for and whom you spent thanksgiving with. I love you all!

Alissa

What's up?

Okay so I want to know how your lives are doing. What's up with all of you? What are your plans for thanksgiving? What's the weirdest thing you have eaten lately? What are your future plans? Just wondering. Let me know.

Alissa

Pictures my host family and me

This is my host family and me, all in the backseat of a VW bug. It lives here at the radio too and they call it the frog. :) There were 3 more people in the front. That makes 9 people in all. Thats nothing once we fit 15 in a taxi.
This is a pic of my host family and I playing in the part. There are TONS more(jumping photos, spinning photos, pics of the kids, etc) so let me know if you want to see them and I can try to post more.
This is my host family; Luz(the mom), Orlando(the dad), Esteban(4), Valarie(7), and Pricilla(1 1/2)

videos

This is a video of my little host sister playing with a cat. I just thought it was cute. I hope it makes you smile.

This is a video of some of the listeners of the radio singing in Quechua on the radio for the anniversary celebration. 49 years this year!

Have you ever kicked a chicken?

No, this is not a philosophical question. I really mean have you ever kicked a chicken. I have. Now before you get irritated about the rights of said chicken I have to say in my defense that she bit me first. I am pretty sure she thought my toe looked like a tasty morsel. I guess that will teach me for wearing sandals out to give the leftovers to the chickens. I have noticed ever since that chicken seems bolder and I must repeatedly act like I am going to kick this said chicken again to keep it from trying to grab another sample of my feet. I know you think I would have learned not to wear my flip flops but it seems silly to change shoes to wash dishes. (The sink to wash dishes is where the chickens are) Plus I am determined not to let this chicken get the best of me. I know this seems a silly topic for a blog entry but it really struck me and I thought it was a funny story to share. So have you? Have you ever kicked a chicken?

P.s. as far as I know the chicken was not harmed in this exchange. Oh ya and neither was I.

Livin Life

It has been a while since I updated so let me think what I need to add. To begin with I am having fun and living life. I hope you are all doing the same! :)

Rebecca, one of my best friends, is getting married in about a week and obviously since I am in Peru I won’t be there. I am not going to lie this is really hard. I keep thinking of all the memories she is making that I wont be there to see. I really want to be there to support her and tell her she looks beautiful, but I guess it can’t be. I think it is times like these when I think about the things I am missing at home that I get homesick. Don’t get me wrong I am experiencing tons of things here and am happy to be here, but to miss things like Rebecca’s wedding is really difficult. Long story short, I want to say congrats to Rebecca and send her a huge hug. Rebecca you look beautiful and will on your wedding day too.

Ok so what have I been up to? Well I have been translating the same document for a while but I am so close to done it isn’t even funny. I also recently went to the anniversary celebration of a church here. They were holding services for 2 days, and I am not talking short services. I went to the first part. It was 3 ½ hours and included 3 sermons. It was also in Quechua, which made it hard for me to understand since I don’t speak Quechua. Al the same I was really impressed by the members dedication. After they served a meal and some of the kids found it really interesting that I was there. I cant even tell you how many pictures I had taken of me. They asked me if I speak English and had me tell them some words. Luz, my host mom, told them that I bathe in milk and eat sunscreen. I am pretty sure they believed her until I told them that she was joking. It was pretty interesting because that is probably the strongest reaction I have gotten so far for being different. Well lets see what else?

Oh yeah we had our first YAV retreat. It went really well and it was great to see every one again and get a chance to speak English. We talked a lot about the highs and lows of our time so far, how we are doing, and our experiences thus far. We visited Paz y Esperanza (Peace and Hope), which is a group that helps abused children, particularly sexually abused children. They also work towards prevention by visiting schools and talking about stranger danger etc. They have coloring books and everything that talk about what is appropriate and what is not. The farm we stayed at also acts as a shelter for some kids as well. They also help with therapy, including art therapy where the kids make crafts that they sell to support the center. It was good to see where one of the other YAV’s (Sarah Baja) works. We also went on a hike/climb in the upper jungle(it is in the mountains). We climbed 12 waterfalls. It was really fun. Basically it consisted of using a rope to pull yourself up by your arms and using your feet against the waterfall rock. I learned that often the path that looks the hardest is easiest and vice versa. They told us that walking where the water is flowing is best because the moss doesnt grow there. For those who haven’t experienced it, moss is very slippery. J I only feel a couple of times and made it through with only very minor scrapes and bruises. I was a lot more comfortable on this climb than the last one. The water kept us cool and it was absolutely beautiful. Hopefully our guide will send us the pictures soon so that I can post them.

I am looking forward to our next retreat (Thanksgiving) so that we can all eat all the foods we have missed and catch up with one another once again. Oh yeah, I attached links to the blogs of the other YAVs. I am pretty sure some of them are better at posting pictures if you want to check their sites out. Plus it might be good to read some other experiences.

Well lets see what else? I wanted to ask all of you some questions. How do you feel about what I have talked about so far? How are your lives going? If there were one issue that you could put on the radio for the people here in Peru, what would it be? Think about it and get back to me.

I think that is basically it. I was going to go on a trip with the young adults of the church this weekend but it didn’t end up working out. It is probably good that I was here anyways. My family went to this big open field/park area to eat lunch. We played tag, took tons of pictures, and did silly tricks like cartwheels and such. It was really fun and relaxing. We stayed pretty much the rest of the day and then headed back. We didn’t celebrate Halloween. Actually from what I can tell most Christians here are pretty against it. My host family was probably shocked to hear that my church and Presbyterian college at home actually hold Halloween carnivals. I tried to explain that the basis of Halloween isn’t a celebration of the devil but I don’t think it got across. I also realized that I only know a little about the history of Halloween. Really not enough to truly explain my thoughts and feelings about it. I think it is just one of those things that will remain different. What do you feel about it? What do you know about the history of Halloween? I would be interested to hear your thoughts.

Well I am doing well. I cant believe it is already November. I am looking forward to my parents visit in December. I also finally gave them my address. Some of the other YAV’s got packages and said that the mail took about 10 days to 2 weeks. So that is not that bad. I think letters take even less time, but I am not sure. I hope you are all doing well and think of everyone often. God Bless!

Alissa

Ps. A cool random fact about Plano Tx that I just found in Encyclopedia Britannica, “The community was granted a post office in 1851; several names were proposed, and ultimately Plano—which a leading citizen understood to be the Spanish word meaning “plain,” an apt description of the terrain—was selected.” I was looking up populations because someone at worked asked me about my city. We all joke that it is Plain-o Texas who would have thought how close we were to right. J Thanks to my awesome friends for the gift of my Encyclepedia for a computer. I have used it quite a bit. It has Austin College listed in it which is Awesome and it turns out is also has a Spanish English dictionary!

Reference:

Plano. (2009). Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica 2009 Deluxe Edition. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica.