Happy Mother's Day

Mama-
On your 23rd Mother's Day I wish you all the happiness. I hope it is full of love, kindness and hugs from your other 4 children. I wish I could be there to celebrate with you and give you a huge hug. I guess it will have to wait until next week. :)
People say that imitation is the highest form of flattery, Mom, I hope I am half the mother you have been to me and my siblings. You are not only giving, kind and loving but compassionate and an amazing listener. Thank you for being my rock and advisor. All I am I owe to you. I love you Mom. Happy Mother's Day!

I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.  ~Abraham Lincoln

"AHA" Moment

Many of you know that 
I love to read. 
I love books. 
I love libraries.


When I was 12 I began volunteering at the local public library-Thomas Jefferson. That was my first experience with volunteering and where the seed was planted. I continued to volunteer there until the age of 18. I mainly worked in the Children's Section. I would shelve books, clean out the icky books, prepare children's programs, label books, etc...you get the idea. It always felt nice to help in some manner and actually work with materials that I love. I think this is also where I learned my hard work ethic and what volunteering was all about. 


Today I stopped by the PG library or should I say the temporary library. They move it to a temporary location while the library is being renovated. I started talking to the Librarian, Elzena. I was asking about the time frame of completion. She begins to tell me how concerned she is because she was just informed that there is a lack of funding to complete the project. I think to myself, "oh my, they've already started and now will not finish!" She continues to tell me how she is going to start fundraising, holding a BBQ next weekend and a dance the next. I immediately tell her how I would love to help her. I would love to assist in making the library come together. She also begins to talk about how she wants to target children, because they do not know how to read. We talk about possible children's reading programs and other activities. This is my "AHA" MOMENT Going back to where I started, working/volunteering in a library. I am very hopeful and excited for all the possibilities this project offers. Finally feeling right about something here in Belize. 

PG Library before construction began

Current Events, The Low Down, April's Activities...

I realized that I have not blogged in a while, so I figured it would be good to do a summary post. Put a few events into one. Give the current events, the low down, the most important facts, you get the idea...This past month has a random assortment of events.

First off my little kitten, Piglet passed away. This was very hard to endure. Not only was this my first real pet, but great company to me for living alone in a foreign country. He woke up one morning and was not acting like himself and two days later he died. Strange how those things happen. I definitely see the need for good vets in this country. I am so fortunate to have some great friends to support me while going through this. They even held a memorial service for Piglet. Here is what Greg Casaletto a fellow PCV had to say,

"We light this candle to honor the memory of Piglet who has recently passed, Piglet was a much loved member of the Peace Corps Belize family and he will be missed greatly. We honor Piglet's beautiful loving spirit, kind eyes, playful demeanor, and unconditional love. Piglet's presence calmed Erica, soothed her at the end of a long day, and made her feel loved when she needed it most. As we kindle this flame, we are reminded how this beautiful animal brought light into the lives of those who loved him. Thank you for honoring Piglet today."

This just shows what great friends I have made here, the fact that they rally behind me. Christine Breland was there through it all, and I really do not know what I would have done without her. She is a great friend.

Piglet

Next update is that I had a trainee come and stay with me for a weekend. I mentioned meeting the new trainees arriving in March. I was blessed to get Gayla for the weekend visit. She is a spunky lady from California. She was super excited to see the sea. She has been living in San Antonio Village in Cayo, which is in the mountains. I was happy to take her in Rio Blanco Falls and also swimming in the sea. We had a great weekend. It was great to make a new friend and share PG with her. 

In PG the PCVs decided to do something special for Earth Day. We were able to go into the 3 primary schools in town and give presentations about Earth Day, volunteering and how to better our planet. It was a great experience and we worked well together. On that Saturday we organized a town clean up with the children at the schools. Some had a better turn out than others, but overall I think we accomplished what we set out to do "enlighten the children about the earth and volunteering."

Earth Day Presentations

PG Town clean up

I had a great 23rd birthday. Yes, I am now 23. YIKES! I got to share my birthday with Kristen Devoucoux, another PCV here in PG. Christine hosted a mega bash for the two of us. Many PCVs gathered for the festivities. We had some great grub and a bonfire. Lilly discovered MEGA MALLOWS (huge marshmallows) which were enjoyed by all. It was a great party and I enjoyed celebrating my 23rd year of birth with some amazing people in Belize. 

Lilly and I celebrating

Our cakes! Mine is the one on the right, funfetti even in Belize!

Christine and I. Thank you for all the hard work!

FEET/LEGS!

Everyone and their feet!

This past week I have encountered 3 scorpions in my house. The first was in my bathtub under my mat, I of course smashed it to pieces. The second was on my screen door, I was able to use my swiffer to eliminate and then stepped on it for good measure. The last one I discovered was in my loofah while I was in the shower...yes this was one of the most frightening experiences of my life. Luckily I was not lathering up and was able to kill the scorpion. Oh the adventures of living in Belize.

Where I found the scorpion on my screen.

Dead scorpion.

Big news as of this last weekend I am officially certified to SCUBA DIVE. I began scuba classes back in March with 4 other PCVs and we just finished up Sunday. I have to say, having swam my whole life, breathing underwater was AMAZING to me. I loved the freedom it allowed me. It is definitely a hobby I will continue to do. Especially while I am here in Belize. 

The lovely Snake Cayes which we practiced diving off of.

Me, Grace, Christine, Emily and Lilly.

Emily and I all geared up!

Joking around with Lilly. Gotta love the wet suit. 

That about wraps up the past few weeks. Things I have to look forward to are Devon Buckley's trip to visit me. My trip to Hawaii for Amanda Heien's wedding and also a Howe family vacation. May looks like it will be a great month!