Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
October Report
October had been a month of ups and downs. Typhoon Juan hit my providence and did some pretty substantial damage just north of where I am staying. A drove north to see the damage after the typhoon left, and there is more devastation than you would believe. As I went deeper into the damage, the landscape when from collapsed improvised homes, to roofless houses, to fallen trees and electric poles, to collapsed buildings. Above a certain latitude, the winds were strong enough to blow every leaf off of every tree. There is no more green anywhere in northern Isabella. It also hit during peak harvest season. Many people who rely on the sale of this rice are going to ironically be eating a lot of rice until they can make ends meet again.
A personal theme of mine this month has been to earn my lunch. I have been treated very well since I have arrived, and I am motivated to live up to my treatment. This has been my biggest challenge since coming here. My two biggest projects continue to be the charcoal briquetting project and the solar pump project. We have begun producing briquettes mostly from branches fallen by the typhoon. I was the facilitator of our biggest workshop yet last Saturday. I was able to implement some well received ideas, which were perfectly executed by the SKEP youth.
The solar project is where I could make my biggest impact. Fr. Clarence (my boss) and I have designed a solar powered pump and battery charging station that will cost far less than anything currently available. If this works, I could cut the cost of a 20,000 USD project to less than 5,000 USD. This project is also repeatable, and could save hundreds of thousands dollars for churches and charities installing these systems throughout the Philippines. But first I need to finish designing it, import some parts, install it, and have nothing go wrong.
All this work is really starting to pay off, and I am really enjoying my time here. There may be struggles, but the fact is, most days here beat the hell out of most days in New York. I have seen many things that people only get to see on TV, and tried many things that most people don't even know exist. I am definantly glad that I am here right now.
November should be a very exciting, because I will be traveling throughout the second half of the month. I will be in Baggio for a conference. Then I will be spending a week in the mountains near where Melanie (my predecessor) was last year.
A personal theme of mine this month has been to earn my lunch. I have been treated very well since I have arrived, and I am motivated to live up to my treatment. This has been my biggest challenge since coming here. My two biggest projects continue to be the charcoal briquetting project and the solar pump project. We have begun producing briquettes mostly from branches fallen by the typhoon. I was the facilitator of our biggest workshop yet last Saturday. I was able to implement some well received ideas, which were perfectly executed by the SKEP youth.
The solar project is where I could make my biggest impact. Fr. Clarence (my boss) and I have designed a solar powered pump and battery charging station that will cost far less than anything currently available. If this works, I could cut the cost of a 20,000 USD project to less than 5,000 USD. This project is also repeatable, and could save hundreds of thousands dollars for churches and charities installing these systems throughout the Philippines. But first I need to finish designing it, import some parts, install it, and have nothing go wrong.
All this work is really starting to pay off, and I am really enjoying my time here. There may be struggles, but the fact is, most days here beat the hell out of most days in New York. I have seen many things that people only get to see on TV, and tried many things that most people don't even know exist. I am definantly glad that I am here right now.
November should be a very exciting, because I will be traveling throughout the second half of the month. I will be in Baggio for a conference. Then I will be spending a week in the mountains near where Melanie (my predecessor) was last year.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
...Hockey
I miss few people, and even fewer things here. Playing hockey is without a doubt the number one thing I miss. Hockey and lacrosse have always acted as my favorite exercise, a place to make friends, and a place to let out a little bit of my anger and frustrations. Playing hockey got me through tough times last winter and spring while I was unemployed. I also had the rare and special opportunity to play on a team with my dad.
A lack of sports here has been tough, but I am trying to substitute physical work for the sports. There is one cultural miscommunication that, now that I better understand it, I am beginning to overcome. Filipinos are so polite, that they treat every visitor with respect as though they are pregnant or elderly. Therefore, when they see me doing any work, they stop me and do it for me. In the culture I am used to, telling an able bodied person that they shouldn’t be doing the work and doing it for them is an insult. But I am in this culture now, and it is my responsibility to adjust. I have learned to be a little bit rude and tell them very persistently “no” and continue working. I am now getting work as a main laborer in our new production building for the charcoal briquette program, but you will hear more about that in my October report.
A lack of sports here has been tough, but I am trying to substitute physical work for the sports. There is one cultural miscommunication that, now that I better understand it, I am beginning to overcome. Filipinos are so polite, that they treat every visitor with respect as though they are pregnant or elderly. Therefore, when they see me doing any work, they stop me and do it for me. In the culture I am used to, telling an able bodied person that they shouldn’t be doing the work and doing it for them is an insult. But I am in this culture now, and it is my responsibility to adjust. I have learned to be a little bit rude and tell them very persistently “no” and continue working. I am now getting work as a main laborer in our new production building for the charcoal briquette program, but you will hear more about that in my October report.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
I need...
There are several changes in my personality since I have been here that I am noticing. I am far more resilient to having a bad day here than I ever have in the US, and I was fairly resilient in the US. All I thought I needed was a decent night’s sleep, a hot shower, and some decent conversation with entertaining people. If I was having a bad day, I could always go to the gym or just go for a drive.
In the Philippines I get woken up most mornings by a rooster or the ringing of a bicycle bell. I haven’t taken a hot shower in two and a half months. The only people I ever “hang out” with are my co-workers or the local Mormon missionaries. There is no gym in Santiago and I don’t own a car. I have been able to live without these things just fine. It makes me think these comforts were all strictly psychological. I don’t actually need any of these things, I just thought I did.
To add onto my theory, the Mormon missionaries are only allowed to e-mail once a week, and call home once a year. While my first reaction is that I could not do that, they seem perfectly happy with what they have. This makes me wonder how deep the rabbit hole goes. What exactly do you need? I mean REALLY need? This is the biggest thing I hope to take away from this year. I hope when I get home I can truly appreciate everything I have, but be perfectly happy with the barest of necessities.
In the Philippines I get woken up most mornings by a rooster or the ringing of a bicycle bell. I haven’t taken a hot shower in two and a half months. The only people I ever “hang out” with are my co-workers or the local Mormon missionaries. There is no gym in Santiago and I don’t own a car. I have been able to live without these things just fine. It makes me think these comforts were all strictly psychological. I don’t actually need any of these things, I just thought I did.
To add onto my theory, the Mormon missionaries are only allowed to e-mail once a week, and call home once a year. While my first reaction is that I could not do that, they seem perfectly happy with what they have. This makes me wonder how deep the rabbit hole goes. What exactly do you need? I mean REALLY need? This is the biggest thing I hope to take away from this year. I hope when I get home I can truly appreciate everything I have, but be perfectly happy with the barest of necessities.
Monday, October 25, 2010
So... what exactly IS Santiago?
I have received one question more than any other from home: What is Santiago? I cannot answer that question exactly, but I can try my best to explain the culture here from the limited knowledge I have, having only been here for three short months. I ask only that as you read this you keep from judging the culture or feeling any kind of sorrow. Transportation: There are cars, SUV’s, Semi’s and Vans here just like in the US. However, the main form of transport here is motorcycle and tricycle. A tricycle is a Filipino invention of a sidecar attached to a motorcycle. Tricycles are also my main form or transportation. The tricycle drivers will accept fares to give a ride to and from town. The fare goes to mostly gas, with the taxi driver usually only making a couple of dollars a day. 5 full grown adults on one tricycle is a perfectly normal occurance. The record so far that I have seen is 12 passangers, 1 driver, and 2 large sacks of what I assume was rice all on 1 tricyle.
Lifestyle: The Filipino people have found a way to live simply and comfortably. A boy who doesn’t go to college likely will buy a tricycle and transport people when he can’t find work. If he is lucky, he may be able to get a job helping a neighbor in harvest or doing construction. A woman will likely have a family started by the time they are in their mid 20s. It is not rare at all for a girl to get pregnant in high school. They will either find a simple job in a town, or simply run a canteen store from their house. If a couple is able, they will also own a small piece of land where they can raise chickens or grow rice. If they live outside of the city, where land is more available and there is less demand for a tricycle, they will spend most of their time tending to the farm. If money gets tight, meals will be rice heavy and meatless. It has been hard for me to get a good idea of a “lower class” meal, because if I go to someone’s house to eat, they will always put out the best meal they can afford. The middle class is privileged to have access to refrigerators, air conditioning, water heater, cable television, washing machine, or computer. Most of Santiago does not have access to any of these luxuries. Even I don’t have a water heater or washing machine. Video games, dryers, and ovens are all non-existent in the area. However, almost everyone in the country has a cell phone and some form of access to a billiards table.
The goal of many people is to work overseas or gain political power. Getting elected is a quick way to make it to the upper middle class, however, it takes money and power to get elected. Therefore, the best way for most people to make a lot of money for their family is to work overseas. Like I said before, here you can make 7 or 8 dollars in a day doing unskilled labor. In Hong Kong, the minimum wage is over $500 per month. In the United States, you can make $400 a week on unemployment. Most people in the middle class here have a family member who works overseas. If you would like to know more about what life is like for Filipinos working in Hong Kong, check out my friend Spencer’s blog at www.spencerinhongkong.tumblr.com/.
You did it, didn’t you? I said no air conditioning, or 7-8 dollars a day, or meatless meal and you felt bad sorry for the people here. They don’t feel sorry. The Philippines is a study on satisfaction with ones surroundings. People here have less stresses then most Americans. They pray every week for their relatives working overseas, because they are the one sacrificing their happiness to send some money back to their family here. I'm starting to ramble a little, so the next blog is going to be about everything I have discovered I don't need.
Here is a list of some prices, just for fun. Remember, 43 php = $1
12 oz coke- 12 php
10 minute ride into town- 15php
Chicken breast / prime pork- 200 php/kg
Rice- 30 php/kg
Average meal at best resturaut in city- 600php
Plate of pork adobo at “point point” roadside stop- 50 php
Lifestyle: The Filipino people have found a way to live simply and comfortably. A boy who doesn’t go to college likely will buy a tricycle and transport people when he can’t find work. If he is lucky, he may be able to get a job helping a neighbor in harvest or doing construction. A woman will likely have a family started by the time they are in their mid 20s. It is not rare at all for a girl to get pregnant in high school. They will either find a simple job in a town, or simply run a canteen store from their house. If a couple is able, they will also own a small piece of land where they can raise chickens or grow rice. If they live outside of the city, where land is more available and there is less demand for a tricycle, they will spend most of their time tending to the farm. If money gets tight, meals will be rice heavy and meatless. It has been hard for me to get a good idea of a “lower class” meal, because if I go to someone’s house to eat, they will always put out the best meal they can afford. The middle class is privileged to have access to refrigerators, air conditioning, water heater, cable television, washing machine, or computer. Most of Santiago does not have access to any of these luxuries. Even I don’t have a water heater or washing machine. Video games, dryers, and ovens are all non-existent in the area. However, almost everyone in the country has a cell phone and some form of access to a billiards table.
The goal of many people is to work overseas or gain political power. Getting elected is a quick way to make it to the upper middle class, however, it takes money and power to get elected. Therefore, the best way for most people to make a lot of money for their family is to work overseas. Like I said before, here you can make 7 or 8 dollars in a day doing unskilled labor. In Hong Kong, the minimum wage is over $500 per month. In the United States, you can make $400 a week on unemployment. Most people in the middle class here have a family member who works overseas. If you would like to know more about what life is like for Filipinos working in Hong Kong, check out my friend Spencer’s blog at www.spencerinhongkong.tumblr.com/.
You did it, didn’t you? I said no air conditioning, or 7-8 dollars a day, or meatless meal and you felt bad sorry for the people here. They don’t feel sorry. The Philippines is a study on satisfaction with ones surroundings. People here have less stresses then most Americans. They pray every week for their relatives working overseas, because they are the one sacrificing their happiness to send some money back to their family here. I'm starting to ramble a little, so the next blog is going to be about everything I have discovered I don't need.
Here is a list of some prices, just for fun. Remember, 43 php = $1
12 oz coke- 12 php
10 minute ride into town- 15php
Chicken breast / prime pork- 200 php/kg
Rice- 30 php/kg
Average meal at best resturaut in city- 600php
Plate of pork adobo at “point point” roadside stop- 50 php
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
September report
This past month has been one of assimilation comfort. Not comfort in a luxurious way, but rather becoming comfortable in my surroundings. I have turned my house into my home and my community into my neighborhood. I have received a lot of questions regarding what it is that I am doing over here? Hope this answers some of those questions.
In the development office I have 2 projects that have taken up the majority of my time. The first is a charcoal briquetting project. The Charcoal Briquette project is a new project run and managed by the youth group “SKEP” of the Greenfields deanery. It will act as both an income generating project for the SKEP and a business laboratory to train young entrepreneurs in practical business knowledge. The fundamental program objective is to economically develop our community especially the youth through empowerment and experience. It is my hope that sustained economic development can be achieved by showing marginalized people that they can achieve far more then they believe is possible. We chose to make charcoal briquettes because that will provide relief to the environment by economically fighting the deforestation that has been so devastative to the Philippines. The profits will go towards funding SKEP activities, a scholarship fund, and the receiver to giver program.
Biodegradable materials such as rice husks, leaves, grasses, rice and corn stalks, corn cobs, and coconut husks are abound in backyards and in the dumping areas. These are left to rot or are just burned. Few people decompose them to serve as organic fertilizer. The project intends to convert this bio-waste into a charcoal that is very useful in cooking food. Currently, wood charcoal is made by cutting down trees and compounding the deforestation problems that have been plaguing the area for years.
My other major project is a solar powered water system in the village of Cabatuan. The Episcopal Church of the Philippines has installed two solar powered water systems previously, and both have since failed. My job has been to design a repeatable water system that will use a solar powered pump to elevate pond water to be accessible to all villagers. I must also troubleshoot all potential threats to the survival of the water system, and prevent the threat from coming to fruition. I have greatly enjoyed combining my engineering education and experience working with contractors to give this project the best possible chance for survival. There is not an exact timeline for the water system, but it should be taking much of my attention until 2011.
In the development office I have 2 projects that have taken up the majority of my time. The first is a charcoal briquetting project. The Charcoal Briquette project is a new project run and managed by the youth group “SKEP” of the Greenfields deanery. It will act as both an income generating project for the SKEP and a business laboratory to train young entrepreneurs in practical business knowledge. The fundamental program objective is to economically develop our community especially the youth through empowerment and experience. It is my hope that sustained economic development can be achieved by showing marginalized people that they can achieve far more then they believe is possible. We chose to make charcoal briquettes because that will provide relief to the environment by economically fighting the deforestation that has been so devastative to the Philippines. The profits will go towards funding SKEP activities, a scholarship fund, and the receiver to giver program.
Biodegradable materials such as rice husks, leaves, grasses, rice and corn stalks, corn cobs, and coconut husks are abound in backyards and in the dumping areas. These are left to rot or are just burned. Few people decompose them to serve as organic fertilizer. The project intends to convert this bio-waste into a charcoal that is very useful in cooking food. Currently, wood charcoal is made by cutting down trees and compounding the deforestation problems that have been plaguing the area for years.
My other major project is a solar powered water system in the village of Cabatuan. The Episcopal Church of the Philippines has installed two solar powered water systems previously, and both have since failed. My job has been to design a repeatable water system that will use a solar powered pump to elevate pond water to be accessible to all villagers. I must also troubleshoot all potential threats to the survival of the water system, and prevent the threat from coming to fruition. I have greatly enjoyed combining my engineering education and experience working with contractors to give this project the best possible chance for survival. There is not an exact timeline for the water system, but it should be taking much of my attention until 2011.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Foxholes, mystery meat, and the Jersey Shore
I took a couple of trips since my last blog. I went to Oyao, Cabatuan, and Belar. Oyao and Cabatuan are both really cool rural villages. In Oyao I hiked up one of the highest hills in the area to measure a water tank. I looked around amazed as to how far I could see in every direction. Apparently I was not the first one to come to that realization because I then realized I was standing on the edge of a World War II foxhole. Cabatuan was great. The people there were wonderful. If everything goes as planned, I will be able to stay in the village during the instillation of the water system that I am the technical consultant for. Belar was not as rural. It is a beach-side town where I had the opportunity to relax, play some basketball, and drink a beer beach side. Ironically, that was exactly what my extend family were all doing at that exact moment in Florida for my cousins wedding. I am still really bummed out that I couldn’t make it to congratulate my cousin Becky and new cousin Jason.
In the last few weeks the charcoal briquette project has gotten a lot closer to reality. I have the support of just about everyone, and we could have briquettes made by Christmas. I am starting to get nervous about this project, because my reputation and the confidence of a bunch of young adults are all riding on this project. But no risk no reward, and I know it can be a success.
My TV is hooked up are I get quite a few English channels. To my continued amazement, TMZ is the most common show on TV. It runs on almost every English channel at some point during the day. I think that may be the reason the world hates America. On a very sad and hilarious note, Jersey Shore is one of the few “reality shows” they show here, meaning that is actually what they think America is like. Every once in a while, when I’m watching a little TV at night, I will forget I’m in the Philippines. Then I will flip passed televised live cockfighting, and I just have to laugh.
I am becoming far more comfortable going downtown recently. I found a really nice meat shop, and they have made my diet far more carnivorous in the past week. I have also made it a habit to buy a couple of random mystery items at the grocery store. Most of these experiments have gone well, except the mystery meat I bought that cost 30 cents. I still haven’t build up the courage to try it yet.
In order to upload pictures, I need to get online when the computer is fastest in the wee hours of the morning, so expect a picture filled post in a few days. Finally, I need a better title for my blog. I can't think of a good one. If you have any ideas, please leave a comment.
In the last few weeks the charcoal briquette project has gotten a lot closer to reality. I have the support of just about everyone, and we could have briquettes made by Christmas. I am starting to get nervous about this project, because my reputation and the confidence of a bunch of young adults are all riding on this project. But no risk no reward, and I know it can be a success.
My TV is hooked up are I get quite a few English channels. To my continued amazement, TMZ is the most common show on TV. It runs on almost every English channel at some point during the day. I think that may be the reason the world hates America. On a very sad and hilarious note, Jersey Shore is one of the few “reality shows” they show here, meaning that is actually what they think America is like. Every once in a while, when I’m watching a little TV at night, I will forget I’m in the Philippines. Then I will flip passed televised live cockfighting, and I just have to laugh.
I am becoming far more comfortable going downtown recently. I found a really nice meat shop, and they have made my diet far more carnivorous in the past week. I have also made it a habit to buy a couple of random mystery items at the grocery store. Most of these experiments have gone well, except the mystery meat I bought that cost 30 cents. I still haven’t build up the courage to try it yet.
In order to upload pictures, I need to get online when the computer is fastest in the wee hours of the morning, so expect a picture filled post in a few days. Finally, I need a better title for my blog. I can't think of a good one. If you have any ideas, please leave a comment.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
The Ups and Downs
There have been a lot of ups and downs in the last few weeks. I have been sick twice in two weeks, lounged on a tropical beach, sat on a bus for 10 hours twice, ventured into town by myself and actually found everything I was looking for, drank coconut milk strait from a fresh coconut, looked a rooster square in the eye and flipped it off*, and introduced a project that could make my whole trip here well worth everything.
The project is an income generating project that will convert bio-waste to usable charcoal briquettes. It will allow us to convert sawdust, coconut husks, twigs, and branches into charcoal instead of cutting down new trees, as is the current practice. The most important aspect of this purposed project is that it will be managed in cooperation with Episcopal young adults in the deanery. The project will not only make money for youth programs, but it will teach business and entrepreneurial lessons to the youth. It will give them power and responsibility that they do not normal get at their age. I couldn’t be more excited about the purposed project, but now I have so sit back and hope the funding gets approved.
Earlier this week I went to the village of Abuleg. It is a small fishing village on the Pacific Ocean that is without any electricity. The trip was kind of tough on my body because I got sick right before I left. But that couldn’t hide the incredibly friendly people and the wonderful hospitality of St. Mark’s Mission, especially Fr. Santi. I was there to help my co-workers, Jocelyn and Penny, monitor the village’s environmental co-op. Every afternoon we went down to the ocean to swim. It was a little bit scary swimming, because I couldn’t stop thinking about sharks. I was swimming at dusk, in warm tropical water, and it was hard not to think about them. Anyway, as you can see from the pictures, it was a trip I will never forget.
(Pictures that will be added once I get a better Internet connection)
*I should explain. I have an arch nemesis. He a rooster who has taken a liking to my yard directly outside by bedroom window. The sun rises here at 6am.
The project is an income generating project that will convert bio-waste to usable charcoal briquettes. It will allow us to convert sawdust, coconut husks, twigs, and branches into charcoal instead of cutting down new trees, as is the current practice. The most important aspect of this purposed project is that it will be managed in cooperation with Episcopal young adults in the deanery. The project will not only make money for youth programs, but it will teach business and entrepreneurial lessons to the youth. It will give them power and responsibility that they do not normal get at their age. I couldn’t be more excited about the purposed project, but now I have so sit back and hope the funding gets approved.
Earlier this week I went to the village of Abuleg. It is a small fishing village on the Pacific Ocean that is without any electricity. The trip was kind of tough on my body because I got sick right before I left. But that couldn’t hide the incredibly friendly people and the wonderful hospitality of St. Mark’s Mission, especially Fr. Santi. I was there to help my co-workers, Jocelyn and Penny, monitor the village’s environmental co-op. Every afternoon we went down to the ocean to swim. It was a little bit scary swimming, because I couldn’t stop thinking about sharks. I was swimming at dusk, in warm tropical water, and it was hard not to think about them. Anyway, as you can see from the pictures, it was a trip I will never forget.
(Pictures that will be added once I get a better Internet connection)
*I should explain. I have an arch nemesis. He a rooster who has taken a liking to my yard directly outside by bedroom window. The sun rises here at 6am.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Week Three
There are few rare moments in life where you know you are amongst the people you are, at the core, the same as. I have experienced this feeling in hostels conversing with fellow backpackers, on the porch of the lacrosse house heckling freshmen, in the desert in Utah hiking with other young adults, and now in Santiago City, Philippines. I was at first a little bit worried to not have any other missionaries to lean on when I got here. However, I have slowly discovered that everyone here has far more in common with me than I thought. My office is built mostly of "outsiders" to Santiago City. People who come from villages in the mountains to help others here at the diocese. The cherry on top is that every day from lunch until 2pm we have siesta, a Spanish term meaning nap time. I also just moved into my new house. We are having a housewarming party today that will officially introduce me to the house. It is an amazing house. There is a master bedroom, a guest bedroom, kitchen, and main room. I have a stove, refrigerator, and air con in the bedroom!
Here are a couple pictures from last weekend's trip with Bishop Wandag
Pet Monkey
Some photos from a village closer to Santiago
Me walking over one of the many hand-made bridges
Here are a couple pictures from last weekend's trip with Bishop Wandag
Monday, August 9, 2010
Food
I am tired of trying to explain my emotions, let’s talk about food. A standard meal here is to take a meat, spice it up a little, and cook all of the edible parts. The other parts get stewed in a pot with vegetables and that becomes the best broth soup I have ever had. Then, you eat white rice, a spinach-like vegetable, and the meat. The most common meat is fish, followed by pork, chicken, on rare occasions beef, and in some parts of the country, Lassie. The rice is very good, and that’s really important, because it is eaten at every meal. The food is all really fresh and the fish is dirt cheap and exceptional. Tilapia will set you back only $2/Kg (less than $1/lb). These ultra healthy staples combined with the availability of McDonalds and pizza should make this year a pleasant culinary experience. At least until I get sick of rice. I had eaten only Filipino food until yesterday, when I had American Canadian food; a cheeseburger with mayonnaise.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Week One
I feel a little bit like I am in an alternate reality. A place where everything seems similar, but everything is just a little bit different.
I haven’t put my finger on exactly why everything is so different, but I know why everything feels the same. They are the staff of the Episcopal Church of the Philippines. When I have been tired, they have already cleared my obligations to give me time to rest. When I have needed to learn more about how engineering is done in the Philippines, I was able to follow an experienced engineer Johnny around and pick his brain the whole day. Finally, I just needed a steady internet connection so I could Skype with my family and write my blog, and here I am.
Now to the differences. I have spent quite a bit of time writing and deleting, as I try to adequately communicate what exactly I mean by alternate reality. But I think it can best be described by telling you that on Thursday morning I had breakfast at a Kenny Rodgers Roasters, and for dinner I was treated to field mice. That is what the Philippines is for me so far. It is a place that will drop you jaw with the unexpected in the greatest way possible, and it is a country that is filled with some of the most caring people I have ever met.
Pictures from week 1
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Sunday, July 25, 2010
Why?
I lied. I'm not half way across the world right now. I'm an my Aunt's house in Toledo, Ohio. I think it is important to clarify why it is I will be a full days journey from anything I have ever known in my 24 years on this earth for the next year. Like most recent graduates, I have spent most of my post-academic life applying for jobs. During this stressful time in my life, I contemplated what it is I wanted to do with my life. I found that the only three things I really needed were independence, adventure, and to accomplish something. That's when all of my applications I had filled out became useless, because it wasn't anything I wanted to do. As I was deciding between joining AmeriCorps and the Air Force, I found out about the Young Adult Service Corps. I could immerse myself in a new culture, live a simple life, be independent, have the opportunity to significantly improve the lives of others, and have the responsibility of representing my church and country internationally. This combined with the support of many people whom I respect is why I am doing this.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
The big trip nears
Part of me wants to write something poetic today about embarking on a great journey. However, I'm just not that good of a writer, and there are more important matters at hand. First thing I want to do a thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading this. Seriously, you aren't reading this for any reasons other than an interest in what I am doing. People who support me when they go home, and nobody is watching, are absolutely inspiring to me.
With a week and half remaining, I am getting more and more nervous about leaving. I am seeing those I love for the last time in a year. Thank God for skype. The more I think about all my first world comforts I will be leaving behind is starting to make me more and more nervous.
Something did happen last week though that made me realize that everything would be okay. I was in Kentucky on mission with Christ the King, Stone Ridge. There I had the opportunity to help build some construction projects. It was hot and humid. There was no tv or internet. The accommodations were simple. I shared a room with 6 other men. Yet, by the end of the week, many people spoke about how rewarding each and every day was. I agreed. There is just something about an honest days work amongst good company that can't be beat. I am lucky to be able to do it for a whole year!
Okay, next time you hear from me, I will be half a world away!
Andy
With a week and half remaining, I am getting more and more nervous about leaving. I am seeing those I love for the last time in a year. Thank God for skype. The more I think about all my first world comforts I will be leaving behind is starting to make me more and more nervous.
Something did happen last week though that made me realize that everything would be okay. I was in Kentucky on mission with Christ the King, Stone Ridge. There I had the opportunity to help build some construction projects. It was hot and humid. There was no tv or internet. The accommodations were simple. I shared a room with 6 other men. Yet, by the end of the week, many people spoke about how rewarding each and every day was. I agreed. There is just something about an honest days work amongst good company that can't be beat. I am lucky to be able to do it for a whole year!
Okay, next time you hear from me, I will be half a world away!
Andy
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
The Blog Begins
I guess I should start with an introduction. My name is Andy Burns, and I just signed on for a year long mission in the Philippines through the young adult service corps of the Episcopal Church. This blog will be my most reliable and accesable form of communication for the year to come. I will be leaving on August 2nd, so until then, you are just going to have to remain suspended in your exitement.
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