Blog, November 30th, 2014
Hello, My Faithful Readers:
The three photographs posted at
the bottom of the blog – The first, is of course, me at Bazalti Lake. It was so
cold but so beautiful. The second is the first snow here in Sagarejo. It snowed
for an entire day but not much accumulation. And the bonus photo J
- Thanksgiving Dinner here in Georgia!
What a wonderful day.
Here we are at the end of November. I know that I
keep saying this but it is just so hard to comprehend that I am now here in
Georgia for (7) months. This is my last month of the twenties….that is, (27
month commitment). Next month will begin the start of the teens (19). The time
seems to be moving faster and I am not sure why that is? Maybe because some
things are more familiar now than when I first arrived?
I had a wonderful time at the Bazalti Lake Hotel
recently www.bazaletilake.ge.
The (4) day conference held at the hotel was called “All Vol” which meant that ALL
Peace Corps Volunteers were in attendance. It was so great to meet so many
people that I only knew by name or on Facebook.
In addition many Peace Corps staff attended the conference and the US Ambassador
to Georgia and his wife attended the Thanksgiving feast that was held on the
final evening. Overall, there was so much food that most days I ended up with a
stomach ache as my stomach is just not used to having so much food in it. I
kept saying that I was not going to eat; but, that was a lie. There was variety
of foods (which is something that does not happen here on a daily basis) that I
could not resist.
I don’t know
where to begin, so I’ll begin at the beginning.
The conference started with my taking the language
test. The test is a verbal question and answer (one-on-one) with one of the
language teachers. We spoke for maybe twenty minutes (it felt longer). The
language teacher asked a variety of questions (in Georgian) and of course, I
had to answer (in Georgian). I very often understand what someone is asking (in
Georgian); however, my vocabulary is limited and most times I get it all
jumbled so it comes out wrong. I don’t have a lot of experience speaking in
sentences as most folks here want me to speak English with them. They want to
practice their English and I want to practice my Georgian. It is a balancing
act for sure.
Test results: I was not surprised to find out that I
did not make the required language level (Intermediate Low). I did my best on
the test but I am still struggling with the language. Presently, my level is
(novice medium) so I still have two levels to achieve before I make the
required level. I will continue to work with my tutor and take the test again
in early March, 2015. A piece of good news is that my tutor was able to obtain
for me the language books that the children use in the 1st and 2nd
grade. I know this will help me build a stronger foundation and also to begin
to put the language together so that I can speak in full sentences. J
It was snowing here on Monday, 11/2414 – so, it is
time to really get ready for winter! I’ve listed below some ideas to help us
stay warm this winter. Also, my host family has secured a heavy duty heating
system for the second floor (where the bedrooms are). . It is powered by gas so
it has to be vented out the window. I am told this is a very powerful system. I
will still use my space heater but the new gas heater will help keep the chill
off the bedrooms. I think I will need to keep my bedroom door open so that the
heat makes its way to me. Ok, that
sounds good to me. Stay Tuned! In the meantime, I have uncovered some ideas that
can also help.
The above link was given at the conference. I have
not tried it yet; but it is a video of something called a “Candle Furness.” I
need to go buy the materials. I am told that the setup lasts for (4) hours and
it does a nice job heating up the room. I will keep you posted as to how it
helps me keep the room warm.
Another item was something called “Hot Hands” – body
and hand warmer that lasts up to 18 hours. A friend gave me a couple to try out
(I’ll let you know). I’m told that if you put the hand warmer in bed with you
it does marvelous to keep you warm. The
hot water bottle will also make a return to my list of items to help me keep
warm. It will serve two purposes: the first is that it will be in bed with me
as I sleep (to keep warm) and then in the morning I will have tepid water in
order to wash face and hands and brush teeth. It will sure beat the ICE COLD
water in the morning (as at times the hot water heater does not kick on). There
are days when I just cannot wash my face and hands. I use those wet wipe things
but they are a poor substitute. The water is just SO COLD – numbing. I can
already see my breath in the bathroom.
Finally, rubber gloves or the gloves the doctor uses
to give you shots or examine you. Using the gloves won’t warm your hands;
however, your hands will be dry. A friend showed me pictures of her hands last
year from being in the cold water. Looked like welts on her hands. It was just
awful. I need to connect with the doctor to get some (and soon!). Also, I’m
told I should get a pair of “kitchen rubber gloves” that are more heavy duty
than the gloves used by the doctors. There is a supermarket here called
“Goodwill” that carries the gloves.
I have listed a couple of links you may enjoy
viewing. These are the PSA (public service announcements) by Presidents Kennedy
and Obama. They are the only two Presidents that have made PSA’s for the Peace
Corps.
I’ve listed this link to a TED talk that
you may find interesting. The talk focuses on the 8 Secrets to Success
and I think it is a real hoot! I am working with my counter-part teachers to
see if we can develop a lesson plan/syllabus around this talk. I know it will
take away from the time needed to get through the required textbook; however, I
think the students may welcome a change (as well as some new food for thought)
during class time. Stay Tuned!
Below is some
information on a very important holiday here in Georgia. The paragraph explains
better than I can (plus lots of links) if you want additional information. This
year the holiday fell on Sunday so we didn’t have the day off from school.
15_Issue#8_EloungeUserGuide.p
Language and Cross
Culture
Some “Useless” information you will
never use: “SWIMS” is the longest English word that you can read up-side-down.
Try it! J
So much of my life here revolves around
school and the classroom; so, I want to keep you updated as to happenings of
all kinds. First, I must tell you how I am in “Awe” of my counter-part teacher.
I watch her every day give so much of herself to the students. At the end of
the day she is just exhausted and depleted and I know why. She continues to teach as students are
sleeping; talking, laughing, hitting each other, coming and going in the
classroom, using their hand-held devices
and just overall not paying attention. As I said previously there are some
students who are in the room to learn; but they are in the minority. This is a
new world for me as I am not a traditional classroom teacher. As a Reading
Specialist I work with children/adults/families that really want to learn; so,
what my counter-part experiences on a daily basis is foreign to me.
I continue to look for ways to make a
difference in the face of all these classroom antics. I have been told by many
folks here that conditions are better now than they were, say five years ago. I
must continually keep in mind that this is a developing country and not set my
standards to what has been my experience with teaching. I must focus on what we have here in Georgia
rather than what is missing. That is hard to do but I am slowly learning. I
feel that I am gaining in baby-steps “patience”.
I
have also been told that my impact or making a difference here in Georgia may
never be seen by me. You see, I am an “Accomplishment Junkie” so this is so
hard. I want to see my actions making a difference; and yet, that may not come
about. I wrote to a friend recently that it is like “acting on faith.” What I
mean by that is my “way of being” here in Georgia as both a Peace Corps
Volunteer and Ambassador for America may be felt here in Georgia long after I
am home in the USA. I must put my frustrations and judgments aside and share
myself and my abilities across the board without trying to see what I’ve
accomplished. The Georgian people may take some, all or none of what I want to
share with them; however, I will know that I gave my very best, I am starting to really “get” that it is not
about me – pretty good for an old broad to finally come to grips what that old
chestnut. J. Life is always a work in progress.
The Peace Corps talks about something
called the Peace Corps Experience. That is, seeking a profound encounter with a
foreign culture and a series of experiences that change you. You expect to be
challenged, to have your patience and your mettle tested, to be pulled, pushed
and otherwise forced into new ways of thinking and behaving. All of this has happened to me and yet I feel
that I am only at the very start of this roller-coaster ride. I only have my little toe in the waters of
this experience. I feel very fortunate as I’ve read that this experience is
available in varying degrees in every Peace Corps country – some have it, but
many do not. After seven months I think
the experience of all this is seeping into my bones. I will continue to expand
on this as time goes forward. I would
not trade this PC experience for anything in the world; and I must tell you,
that I will continue to complain! It is just part of being human! J
I just heard that the books I requested
(twenty-five) pounds of books have been shipped by a volunteer organization in
the US. It could take 3-weeks or 3-months to reach us here in Georgia; but,
they are on their way. I know this will be a welcomed addition to the library
at the school. I am looking for other resources to order more books. Also, I am
starting to read up on how to apply for grants for the school. I’ve met with
the Director and Teachers and have a list (wish-list) of items. We have given
priority to computer, projector, A/V equipment, maps, books and hopefully some
new furniture for the English Room.
I continue to work with the 4th
graders on their Reading. Now, this is where my heart is. Sometimes I have
seven students and sometimes I have one student; however, it does not matter
how many students come – the reward is that “student(s) do come!” We meet on
Mondays and Wednesdays after classes end for the 4th grade @ 1:10 pm.
We work for an hour. I have configured
the learning space into a circle rather than the traditional teacher in front
of the classroom design. I am not calling it a “Reading Club” as for the most
part we are not reading. I am calling it a “Circle.” Now, that fact has been a
little confusing to the students and the teachers.
During the time I have worked with the 4th
graders I can see that they can read the words. They can read the English words and translate
it into Georgian (now that is something that I cannot do). However, what I am
working to get across to the students is more about the reading skills that
make readers “good readers.” That is, Predicting what the story is about;
questioning the story and developing a sense of wonder as to what the story is
telling us – basically to make meaning out of the story. There are many more
skills to develop; but, I’ve started with the three I’ve mentioned. It is very
challenging for me as my Georgian vocabulary and the student’s English
vocabulary don’t align; but, we are working through it. These classes PUSH me
into spending more time with the vocabulary I need to get my teaching across to
the students. I’ve been told that possibly the 5th graders may also
attend the class and that is fine as from what I can initially see these
reading skills are needed. This is
on-going!
I continue to take my weekly shower;
however, recently (due to logistics) it was ten days in-between showers…Thank
goodness for wet wipes. J.
Believe it or not with dry shampoo and wet wipes it is not that bad….let
me tell you when the shower does become available it will be like finding gold!
I will be a whole new woman!
I wanted to share some of my experience
seeing snow here in Georgia for the first time. Now, of course, I’ve seen snow
in the USA – but somehow it occurred differently for me here. Because of the
location of our house on the mountain I see a vista of white on the mountain
that reaches (it seems) to the sky. My surroundings are un-disturbed as there
are no cars or buses and very few people to make imprints in the snow. As I sat
on the porch looking at the garden I felt such a sense of quiet. Overhead all
that remains of the grapes is the skeleton o f the vines waiting for spring and
summer. Many of the plants have moved inside the house to protect them from the
cold so the garden is sparse. It is cold but it does not feel bad as I can sit
and watch this winter scene in comfort (of course with all my winter gear on).
My host father brings the kettle out (leaking steam) as he needs to un-freeze
the locks on his car. The chickens are running around looking for food under
the snow. The sun is finally peaking through the clouds after a day of overcast
and snow. The atmosphere is soft and gentle. There is no hustle and bustle here.
I sometimes wonder how anyone gets anything done here as all I want to do is
just soak in all these experiences!
I will be traveling over the New Year
Holiday. My friend Sharon, a fellow former PCV, will be meeting me in Prague on
12/26/14. She will be flying from Pittsburgh and I will be flying from Tbilisi
to Prague (via Istanbul). We will be on a cruise down the Danube River and
arriving in Budapest on 1/3/15. We will then be staying in Budapest for (3)
nights, arriving back in Tbilisi on 1/7/15. This is another dream for me. We
will be in Vienna on New Year’s Eve and Day. So many wonderful parts of this
trip and one being a Mozart Concert in Vienna!
Ok, My Faithful Readers…I could write
and write and write. But, I will give you a rest J. Until
next time – thank you for sharing this adventure with me!
All the Best,
Catherine
Lawrence, G14 – 11/30/14
Peace Corps Volunteer/ Georgia
The
contents of this blog are mine personally and do not reflect any position of
the U.S. Government or the Peace Corps.
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