I've been informed that I have followers outside of my circle of friends. So, hey to everyone, and goodbye, because this will be my last post.
I actually got back to America a few months ago. On my first day back my parents decided to take me to WalGreens, where I had a minor breakdown. There were so many shampoos to choose from and none of them were in Russian. It was difficult. I've found it a bit difficult to readjust to living in America. I have little patience with people who freak out because their coffee was made wrong at Starbucks. But on the plus side, Seattle has a big Returned Peace Corps Volunteer community and I've taken steps to connect with them. I also have a few leads on employment and have had a great time re-connecting with my friends who live here. We did the Dirty Dash and saw Rent this month. Good times.
So, followers, if you ever have any questions about Peace Corps, perhaps are thinking of joining, please feel free to contact me.
O zi buna!
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Monday, April 23, 2012
I need to get married
According to the vice principal at my school, I am very old and need to get married soon. For those who don't know, I just turned 25 a couple of months ago. But in Moldova it is common to get married around the ages of 19-21. Most women my age here already have a few children, thus propagating the belief of my partner-teacher that I am lying about my age. She thought I had just turned 23.
Anyway, back to this conversation. A few weeks ago Doamna Zina (the vp) asked me what I would do when I returned to America. I told her that since I have a degree in social work, I hope to find a case manager position or something similar and work with at-risk populations. She asked me if this pays well and, with good humor, I told her I did not become a social worker for the money and that the salaries tend to be on the low side. She looked at me for a minute and then declared "Well, you'll just have to marry a very rich man then".
So to all possible suitors, I present this article:
By Allison Smith, Brendan Rigby & Weh Yeoh
1. You will never have to suffer through a song by Bono or Madonna in their presence. After all, irrespective of their successful hits, “what do they know about development?”
2. They’re good at bargaining, and always pay close to local price.
3. They know how to fix a bicycle, using only a toothpick, some dental floss and a few small twigs.
4. They’ll be able to tell you the exchange rate in any country, down to the nearest cent.
5. In a crisis, they are seemingly unflappable, even if they’re melting down inside.
6. Impressive gut bacterial flora.
7. They’ll have an plentiful supply of cassava, chia seeds or any other obscure super-foods that you can tap into.
8. They’ll never complain about a hard mattress, a non-fluffy pillow or a cold shower (though you might have to suffer through a story about a harder mattress, less fluffy pillow or a positively arctic shower from years ago).
9. They know how much it should cost to take a taxi from the airport, even if they haven’t been to that country before.
10. They can quote lines from Hotel Rwanda.
11. They’re okay with using squat toilets – in fact, they may even tell you how it’s better for you because it elongates your bowel.
12. They make good +1′s to weddings, birthdays and open house parties. Impress your friends.
13. You will not have to indulge your own sense of guilt at social injustice and global inequalities, as they will take the whole burden on their own shoulders.
14. Smugness doesn’t come easier than when dating an aid worker.
15. Use ‘Moral Credits’ gained from dating an aid worker to offset the morally hazardous aspects of your life.
16. No, you do not have to give a beggar change. Although, there is evidence demonstrating the positive effects of non-conditional cash transfers, it may not have any robust effect on long-term earnings or savings.
17. Never feel like you need to donate clothing to charity again!
18. You’ll have reason to visit all kinds of exotic destinations around the world, places you would have never visited (and perhaps never wanted to…).
19. Get perspective on your cold/sprained ankle/other injury or ailment – hey, it’s not malaria!
20. Your mother will love the fact that you’re dating someone so caring.
21. They will be able to pack a suitcase or backpack as effectively as Mary Poppins.
22. They will be perfectly content if you skimp out on their birthday and take them to the local hole-in-the-wall place, because it serves “real Pho”.
23. They’ll know how to stream obscure interstate cricket matches/American football games/curling bonspiels via your PC.
24. If they are male (and sometimes even if it isn’t), they’ll have an uncanny knack for growing impressive beards.
25. They won’t know who Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry or any others on the Billboard charts are, being so out of touch with pop culture “back home”.
26. They know how to use Seatguru to find the safest and best seat on any plane, in case of an emergency.
27. They actually enjoy candle-lit homes, although this is double-edged, as it may take away the romance aspect of candles.
28. Your belief in democracy will be restored, as you will come to appreciate the significance of being able to vote for one of two parties.
29. They’ll know the one spot in any airport where you can find unlocked wifi.
30. Spending too much time on social media and blogs is better than spending nights at some club with that work colleague (“She’s just a friend!”).
31. They’ll have done yoga at some stage – flexibility is good, right?
32. They’ll have a camera on them at all times.
33. They’ll be the first to know about breaking news around the world. “Hmmm, I hope those folk in Galle, Sri Lanka, will be okay after that tsunami..”.
34. They won’t be easily sold by Fair Trade, Carbon Neutral businesses, or any other seemingly quick-fix solutions.
35. They know how to troubleshoot your SMTP settings on Outlook, so you can actually send emails from outside your home network.
36. She’ll know how to wax her legs using candlewax and foolscap paper (although more likely is that she doesn’t wax at all).
37. They’ll be able to track down Vegemite, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, or any other geo-centric snacks, no matter where you are in the world.
38. As they view material possessions as unnecessary and nothing more than a nuisance when moving, you will never have to give them any kind of gifts.
39. You’ll feel better about what you earn in your job.
40. Your son/daughter will become their school’s Model UN President (and work to bring about democratic changes to the Model UN from a bottom-up approach).
41. Have you ever wanted to see bureaucracy at a household level? Yes? Date an aid worker and see that everything is accounted for.
42. Your children will be empowered through a Family Micro-loans and Savings scheme, rather than the orthodox Weekly Allowance scheme, which creates dependency and has shown to only promote sugar highs.
43. Your friends will think you’re going out with someone with the flair and mystery of Indiana Jones, when in actual fact you’re going out with someone closer to Michael Cera.
44. They will never, under any circumstances, inflict Kony 2012 on you.
45. They will be able to seduce you with that most romantic of languages, Bahasa Indonesia. “Saya cinta kamu”. Ah. It warms the heart.
46. You’ll never have to worry about what they look like when they’re not “dolled up”, because chances are, they looked their roughest when you first met them.
47. They are able to use the phrase “I’m going to a networking event” with a straight face.
48. You will get to participate in your first “tweetup” w/ #globaldev wonks in NYC. #smartaid #1milliontshirts #whatonearthisatweetup?
49. You will beat out celebrities to the next batch of exotic and trending baby names.
50. They wouldn’t be caught dead in Crocs.
51. They’ll know how to speak English to anyone, regardless of where they’re from. For example, they’ll say “seeya this arvo” to an Aussie, “why the hell do you call that hat a toque, eh?” to a Canadian.
52. If you end up getting married and your wedding is being paid for by either of your parents….well, let’s just say that aid workers know how to schmooze donors.
Anyway, back to this conversation. A few weeks ago Doamna Zina (the vp) asked me what I would do when I returned to America. I told her that since I have a degree in social work, I hope to find a case manager position or something similar and work with at-risk populations. She asked me if this pays well and, with good humor, I told her I did not become a social worker for the money and that the salaries tend to be on the low side. She looked at me for a minute and then declared "Well, you'll just have to marry a very rich man then".
So to all possible suitors, I present this article:
52 reasons why you should date an aid worker
1. You will never have to suffer through a song by Bono or Madonna in their presence. After all, irrespective of their successful hits, “what do they know about development?”
2. They’re good at bargaining, and always pay close to local price.
3. They know how to fix a bicycle, using only a toothpick, some dental floss and a few small twigs.
4. They’ll be able to tell you the exchange rate in any country, down to the nearest cent.
5. In a crisis, they are seemingly unflappable, even if they’re melting down inside.
6. Impressive gut bacterial flora.
7. They’ll have an plentiful supply of cassava, chia seeds or any other obscure super-foods that you can tap into.
8. They’ll never complain about a hard mattress, a non-fluffy pillow or a cold shower (though you might have to suffer through a story about a harder mattress, less fluffy pillow or a positively arctic shower from years ago).
9. They know how much it should cost to take a taxi from the airport, even if they haven’t been to that country before.
10. They can quote lines from Hotel Rwanda.
11. They’re okay with using squat toilets – in fact, they may even tell you how it’s better for you because it elongates your bowel.
12. They make good +1′s to weddings, birthdays and open house parties. Impress your friends.
13. You will not have to indulge your own sense of guilt at social injustice and global inequalities, as they will take the whole burden on their own shoulders.
14. Smugness doesn’t come easier than when dating an aid worker.
15. Use ‘Moral Credits’ gained from dating an aid worker to offset the morally hazardous aspects of your life.
16. No, you do not have to give a beggar change. Although, there is evidence demonstrating the positive effects of non-conditional cash transfers, it may not have any robust effect on long-term earnings or savings.
17. Never feel like you need to donate clothing to charity again!
18. You’ll have reason to visit all kinds of exotic destinations around the world, places you would have never visited (and perhaps never wanted to…).
19. Get perspective on your cold/sprained ankle/other injury or ailment – hey, it’s not malaria!
20. Your mother will love the fact that you’re dating someone so caring.
21. They will be able to pack a suitcase or backpack as effectively as Mary Poppins.
22. They will be perfectly content if you skimp out on their birthday and take them to the local hole-in-the-wall place, because it serves “real Pho”.
23. They’ll know how to stream obscure interstate cricket matches/American football games/curling bonspiels via your PC.
24. If they are male (and sometimes even if it isn’t), they’ll have an uncanny knack for growing impressive beards.
25. They won’t know who Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry or any others on the Billboard charts are, being so out of touch with pop culture “back home”.
26. They know how to use Seatguru to find the safest and best seat on any plane, in case of an emergency.
27. They actually enjoy candle-lit homes, although this is double-edged, as it may take away the romance aspect of candles.
28. Your belief in democracy will be restored, as you will come to appreciate the significance of being able to vote for one of two parties.
29. They’ll know the one spot in any airport where you can find unlocked wifi.
30. Spending too much time on social media and blogs is better than spending nights at some club with that work colleague (“She’s just a friend!”).
31. They’ll have done yoga at some stage – flexibility is good, right?
32. They’ll have a camera on them at all times.
33. They’ll be the first to know about breaking news around the world. “Hmmm, I hope those folk in Galle, Sri Lanka, will be okay after that tsunami..”.
34. They won’t be easily sold by Fair Trade, Carbon Neutral businesses, or any other seemingly quick-fix solutions.
35. They know how to troubleshoot your SMTP settings on Outlook, so you can actually send emails from outside your home network.
36. She’ll know how to wax her legs using candlewax and foolscap paper (although more likely is that she doesn’t wax at all).
37. They’ll be able to track down Vegemite, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, or any other geo-centric snacks, no matter where you are in the world.
38. As they view material possessions as unnecessary and nothing more than a nuisance when moving, you will never have to give them any kind of gifts.
39. You’ll feel better about what you earn in your job.
40. Your son/daughter will become their school’s Model UN President (and work to bring about democratic changes to the Model UN from a bottom-up approach).
41. Have you ever wanted to see bureaucracy at a household level? Yes? Date an aid worker and see that everything is accounted for.
42. Your children will be empowered through a Family Micro-loans and Savings scheme, rather than the orthodox Weekly Allowance scheme, which creates dependency and has shown to only promote sugar highs.
43. Your friends will think you’re going out with someone with the flair and mystery of Indiana Jones, when in actual fact you’re going out with someone closer to Michael Cera.
44. They will never, under any circumstances, inflict Kony 2012 on you.
45. They will be able to seduce you with that most romantic of languages, Bahasa Indonesia. “Saya cinta kamu”. Ah. It warms the heart.
46. You’ll never have to worry about what they look like when they’re not “dolled up”, because chances are, they looked their roughest when you first met them.
47. They are able to use the phrase “I’m going to a networking event” with a straight face.
48. You will get to participate in your first “tweetup” w/ #globaldev wonks in NYC. #smartaid #1milliontshirts #whatonearthisatweetup?
49. You will beat out celebrities to the next batch of exotic and trending baby names.
50. They wouldn’t be caught dead in Crocs.
51. They’ll know how to speak English to anyone, regardless of where they’re from. For example, they’ll say “seeya this arvo” to an Aussie, “why the hell do you call that hat a toque, eh?” to a Canadian.
52. If you end up getting married and your wedding is being paid for by either of your parents….well, let’s just say that aid workers know how to schmooze donors.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Responsability
I like the 6th graders. A couple of them are chatty, but they're generally well behaved. Last year I had class with them first thing in the morning, this year it's the last class on Friday afternoons. I've noticed a difference in the energy level. I might start taking them stickers as an incentive to respond to questions more.
But anyway, the title of today's lecture for the 6th graders was "The Impact of my Decisions". We talked about personal responsibility and how it affects our lives; negatively and positively.
My partner-teacher, Maria, asked the kids to raise their hands if they think they are a responsible person. All of the students immediately raised their hands and were very adamant that they are all responsible. Maria picked up the catalog which holds all of their grades for every class. "Oh, really? So if I look through this you will all have perfect grades?" Half of the kids lowered their hands.
But even though most of them don't have perfect grades, I do think that a lot of the children in Moldova take on much more responsibility than children in America. My childhood chores consisted of vacuuming, dusting, helping with dinner, and keeping my room clean. I never had to work in the garden every day because that would determine how much food we had or feed the animals at dawn. Never had to help clean the school. It was never my responsibility to look after younger siblings because our parents worked out of country or make sure that Brian was fed. Sometimes being in Moldova reminds me of the arguments that childhood is not a natural human phenomenon, but something invented by certain societies and cultures.
But anyway, the title of today's lecture for the 6th graders was "The Impact of my Decisions". We talked about personal responsibility and how it affects our lives; negatively and positively.
My partner-teacher, Maria, asked the kids to raise their hands if they think they are a responsible person. All of the students immediately raised their hands and were very adamant that they are all responsible. Maria picked up the catalog which holds all of their grades for every class. "Oh, really? So if I look through this you will all have perfect grades?" Half of the kids lowered their hands.
But even though most of them don't have perfect grades, I do think that a lot of the children in Moldova take on much more responsibility than children in America. My childhood chores consisted of vacuuming, dusting, helping with dinner, and keeping my room clean. I never had to work in the garden every day because that would determine how much food we had or feed the animals at dawn. Never had to help clean the school. It was never my responsibility to look after younger siblings because our parents worked out of country or make sure that Brian was fed. Sometimes being in Moldova reminds me of the arguments that childhood is not a natural human phenomenon, but something invented by certain societies and cultures.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
What I will miss
My days left in Moldova are numbered, 140 to be exact, and I've decided to make a list of the things I will miss once I'm back in America.
Things Jessie will miss about Moldova
Things Jessie will miss about Moldova
- Getting candy from the cashiers at stores when they don't have correct change
- The Russian chips, the bag is always full unlike Lays which is always half empty
- Cheap, fresh local produce
- Getting a whole week off of school for Easter
- Older women being extremely impressed that I know how to crochet
- The Multifrut flavor of Letto soda
- Going to Opa with other volunteers
- Drinking vodka to cure the flu
- McDonald's delivers
- Campy 80's music on the radio
- Being able to wear the same two shirts to work all week
Thursday, February 16, 2012
What I do
This has become a popular trend on the internet over the last couple of days. Yesterday I posted one for social workers, here's today's for Peace Corps volunteers.
The really funny thing is that the tub this girl is sitting in looks exactly like the one I have.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Hey all
Not much to report. Lots of snow, as you might have seen in the news. The buses weren't running on Monday so I've had a pretty relaxing week. Reading the Hunger Games books and writing lesson plans. Also found out that my Close of Service (COS) date will be July 18th, meaning that I have 159 days left in Moldova before I head home.
Any who, during my service I haven't done much fundraising/grant writing. Not the biggest fan of grants in the first place, but the two my partner and I planned on doing the principal of my school got funding for from the mayor's office. Which is kind of cool in of itself. It means that the administration and teachers at my school know what they need, are able to advocate for themselves to get the funds, and have the projects completed quickly. Yay!
However, a fellow health volunteer (and social worker <3 ) needs some help with fundraising for her students. Here's her statement:
Cristy Hickson
Hi, noroc, привет!
I hope everyone is doing well! I have some very exciting news to report! My team, The Beetles, took first place at the National Odyssey of the Mind Competition! Woohoo! We are all very excited! My students have spent the last few months staying after school every day writing their script, creating costumes and props, and rehearsing. Many nights staying at the school past 8pm! Since we placed first at the National Competition, we now have the opportunity to go to St.Petersburg, Russia for the international competition, EuroFest!!! As excited as I am to go to Russia with my students, my stomach is full of butterflies! We have to figure out how we are going to pay for the trip. Yesterday I received an email stating that every student must pay $450 to attend EuroFest. Yikes! This would be a lot of money to fundraise and gather in the U.S., but it is especially challenging here in Moldova where most families live below the poverty level and struggle meeting their basic needs. Our goal is to raise $3,600 to pay for transportation costs, food, and lodging for both my students and myself. My students have worked incredibly hard and I want to illustrate to them that hard work really does pay off. They are going to continue working hard during the next few weeks preparing fundraisers throughout our community and searching for sponsors, however I think it will be nearly impossible to raise $3,600 because of the financial situation here in Moldova, so I am asking for your help! Would you be willing to donate a few dollars to help my students go to EuroFest? If yes, please check out this website: http://cristyhickson.chipin.com/odyssey-of-the-mind-eurofest. A few people have been unable to donate using this site, if that is the case you can also donate using PayPal (my account is under my email, hickson.crystal@gmail.com) or you can mail a check to my sister’s address (531 Compass Road, Baltimore, MD 21220) and she will deposit it in my checking account.
For students from Moldova to achieve something so great is wonderful. And it is unfortunate that the poverty in this nation is keeping these kids from being able to follow through on this all the way to the end. I encourage anyone with some extra cash to please help out these students. Maybe skip that morning latte? Eat at home tonight? These students worked so hard and it would be sad for them not to be able to represent their country at this international event.
Any who, during my service I haven't done much fundraising/grant writing. Not the biggest fan of grants in the first place, but the two my partner and I planned on doing the principal of my school got funding for from the mayor's office. Which is kind of cool in of itself. It means that the administration and teachers at my school know what they need, are able to advocate for themselves to get the funds, and have the projects completed quickly. Yay!
However, a fellow health volunteer (and social worker <3 ) needs some help with fundraising for her students. Here's her statement:
Cristy Hickson
Hi, noroc, привет!
I hope everyone is doing well! I have some very exciting news to report! My team, The Beetles, took first place at the National Odyssey of the Mind Competition! Woohoo! We are all very excited! My students have spent the last few months staying after school every day writing their script, creating costumes and props, and rehearsing. Many nights staying at the school past 8pm! Since we placed first at the National Competition, we now have the opportunity to go to St.Petersburg, Russia for the international competition, EuroFest!!! As excited as I am to go to Russia with my students, my stomach is full of butterflies! We have to figure out how we are going to pay for the trip. Yesterday I received an email stating that every student must pay $450 to attend EuroFest. Yikes! This would be a lot of money to fundraise and gather in the U.S., but it is especially challenging here in Moldova where most families live below the poverty level and struggle meeting their basic needs. Our goal is to raise $3,600 to pay for transportation costs, food, and lodging for both my students and myself. My students have worked incredibly hard and I want to illustrate to them that hard work really does pay off. They are going to continue working hard during the next few weeks preparing fundraisers throughout our community and searching for sponsors, however I think it will be nearly impossible to raise $3,600 because of the financial situation here in Moldova, so I am asking for your help! Would you be willing to donate a few dollars to help my students go to EuroFest? If yes, please check out this website: http://cristyhickson.chipin.com/odyssey-of-the-mind-eurofest. A few people have been unable to donate using this site, if that is the case you can also donate using PayPal (my account is under my email, hickson.crystal@gmail.com) or you can mail a check to my sister’s address (531 Compass Road, Baltimore, MD 21220) and she will deposit it in my checking account.
For students from Moldova to achieve something so great is wonderful. And it is unfortunate that the poverty in this nation is keeping these kids from being able to follow through on this all the way to the end. I encourage anyone with some extra cash to please help out these students. Maybe skip that morning latte? Eat at home tonight? These students worked so hard and it would be sad for them not to be able to represent their country at this international event.
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