Chelsea King went missing in Rancho Bernardo this week while running through Rancho Bernardo Community Park. She is the daughter of a very dear friend of mine at the dermatology office. If you have any information, please contact authorities. Thank you!
Alyssa
http://www.findchelsea.com/
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/feb/26/search-continues-for-missing-poway-teen/
http://missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PubCaseSearchServlet
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Nah Take Worries
Creolese essentially is spoken phonetically, but with all of the articles left out. They also use certain, more proper words, in the place of everyday words we would use. For example, instead of saying someone is fat, they would say sturdy. Or if they want to know where you are staying they would say, "where are you stopped?"
Here are a few creolese phrases. See if you can figure out what they mean:
-lef it
-small up
-just gelin
-cutting teeth
-glut
-Me nah no
-Al be nah play wid al yo dese
-how yo day guh?
-taking a five
Monday, February 22, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Life on the Coast
Hello Family and Friends!
Paul and I are learning more than we can tell you. It's challenge enough to get it all written down, let alone typed up onto a blog at an internet cafe. Know that we wish we could tell you everything, but you'll have to survive with the majors and a few details here and there.
We are living on the coast with a wonderful retired couple, Vesta and Allan. They are incredibly hospitable and sweet, not to mention patient with us. Vesta has been teaching me how to cook the local cuisine. She is an excellent cook and I have a lot to learn. I'm trying frantically to write down recipes in my composition book, as well as the names of the local fruits and vegetables. Although they have many of the same foods we have, many go by another name. Paul is learning the area with the help of Allan, taking a bike ride this morning that Paul says almost killed him. :) There is a lot of laughter in the house with the cultural "no-no's" we do, as well as the mixed communication. Guyanese English is very different from our English and it is hard to understand people. We can still communicate though, and that I'm thankful for.
We have seen numerous mosquitoes, toads, salamanders, bats, and birds, not to mention the goats, sheep, cows, and horses. We've even been visited by our favorite, the giant brown spider that is allowed to be inside. It is as big as my hand and completely harmless. I only hope it can't make it through a mosquito net.
Just an FYI as well. We learned that all packages that come to us will be opened by the post office. Items inside are then taxed and we pay before we get the packages. There is a Peace Corps staff member that makes sure the packages get to us, but there is nothing going around them being opened. It's nothing to worry about, but some volunteers already here suggested thatyou conceal certain items in other cheaper items or items no one would want to go through (their example was an empty tampon box, seriously). Just keep that in mind.
Training has been very long but extremely informative and I'm thankful for the amazing staff we have. We are learning how to integrate into our communities and then ways of Guyana. We won't know for a few more weeks where we'll be for the remaining two years, but we'll let you know when we do.
It is hot here, but it is good. The coast has a nice breeze and it's very comfortable at night. Just sleep under the mosquito net and make sure it is tucked in tight. That I learned the hard way. My knees are swollen with bites, but they surprisingly don't itch as bad as the ones on my ankle. Oh well. I'm still enjoying the breeze on the veranda, mosquitoes or not.
The dermatology office will be happy to know I've been slathering myself in sunscreen and wearing my very large brimmed hat all the time. I figure I already stand out, I might as well look ridiculous.
We love you all and we'll try to get photos up as we can. We're working through some kinks, and the internet is very slow in getting pictures up.
Love Alyssa and Paul
Paul and I are learning more than we can tell you. It's challenge enough to get it all written down, let alone typed up onto a blog at an internet cafe. Know that we wish we could tell you everything, but you'll have to survive with the majors and a few details here and there.
We are living on the coast with a wonderful retired couple, Vesta and Allan. They are incredibly hospitable and sweet, not to mention patient with us. Vesta has been teaching me how to cook the local cuisine. She is an excellent cook and I have a lot to learn. I'm trying frantically to write down recipes in my composition book, as well as the names of the local fruits and vegetables. Although they have many of the same foods we have, many go by another name. Paul is learning the area with the help of Allan, taking a bike ride this morning that Paul says almost killed him. :) There is a lot of laughter in the house with the cultural "no-no's" we do, as well as the mixed communication. Guyanese English is very different from our English and it is hard to understand people. We can still communicate though, and that I'm thankful for.
This is the view from the sea wall outside our house.
Just an FYI as well. We learned that all packages that come to us will be opened by the post office. Items inside are then taxed and we pay before we get the packages. There is a Peace Corps staff member that makes sure the packages get to us, but there is nothing going around them being opened. It's nothing to worry about, but some volunteers already here suggested thatyou conceal certain items in other cheaper items or items no one would want to go through (their example was an empty tampon box, seriously). Just keep that in mind.
Training has been very long but extremely informative and I'm thankful for the amazing staff we have. We are learning how to integrate into our communities and then ways of Guyana. We won't know for a few more weeks where we'll be for the remaining two years, but we'll let you know when we do.
It is hot here, but it is good. The coast has a nice breeze and it's very comfortable at night. Just sleep under the mosquito net and make sure it is tucked in tight. That I learned the hard way. My knees are swollen with bites, but they surprisingly don't itch as bad as the ones on my ankle. Oh well. I'm still enjoying the breeze on the veranda, mosquitoes or not.
The dermatology office will be happy to know I've been slathering myself in sunscreen and wearing my very large brimmed hat all the time. I figure I already stand out, I might as well look ridiculous.
We love you all and we'll try to get photos up as we can. We're working through some kinks, and the internet is very slow in getting pictures up.
Love Alyssa and Paul
Monday, February 15, 2010
Welcome to da Jungle
We arrived early Sunday morning to the instant slap in the face of the equitorial heat. So far however, the heat has not been as bad as I initially expected. Especially away from the asphalt of the city.
After getting off the plane we were greeted by many excited (way too excited to handle after a 7 hour flight at 12pm) Peace Corps staff and current volunteers who loaded up our bags and carted us off to a local resort. You may be thinking, "a resort I thought you were joinging the Peace Corps to not stay at resorts". Well. this whole experience has been a well oiled machine, with many hiccups, in which they slowly ease the volunteer into the environment in which they will be serving. The idea is to start giving up U.S. culture one step at a time. First, with your environment, second with your freedoms, third, with modern convieniences (AC and ice) then with other volunteers. While Alyssa and I could have probally handled being dropped in a small rural village many in our group could not.
From the resort we took little day trips to Georgetown, the capital of the country, in order to take care of logistics like banking and basic city knowledge. We learned about the "red zones" of the city, of which their are many, and experienced our first Guyanese pizza with the CD (country director of Peace Corps Guyana). He gave a short inspirational talk about the things to look forward to during our time of service and sent us on our way to our homestay training.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Flight to East Coast and Staging
*Important note*
For the next two months we should have consistent access to the infoweb. Which means we will have consistent access to updating our blog. Because we have already been here a week and I could honestly write 20 pages about our experience so far we are going to try and write a few posts at a time but time delay the posts so we dont overload all of you with information. What this really means is the a post may be released a week from now but would have been written today. You still tracking...Good. Its our plan to post pictures with every blog post but because service can be slow we may not be able to.
Also, because we are now officially government employees our safety is paramount. To insure our safety we are prohibited from mentioning our exact locations. We can tell you regions or generalities but not specifics. For now we can tell you we are safe on the Essequibo coast (S-A-QUEEBO) *
An absolute whirlwind of an adventure. We left San Diego at 6am February 5th and found ourselves in New York at 2:30pm EST. The flight represented a major step in the journey. Until the flight everything had merely been talk and not actually a part of the trip. For the first time during our whole process, I (Paul) became emotional. Alyssa looked over at me during take off the see my face full of tears at the realization that I would not see the sweet Pacific, feel cold (ever), or see you, our family and friends for a long time.
My emotions however were short lived for once we got off the plane we were thrown into the absolute chaos that is Peace Corps staging. Meeting our team of Guyana 22, signing paper work, learning about the PC expectations for our time of service, and attempting to find a few seconds to breathe consumed our time.
After our staging sessions we jumped on a chartered bus and headed to the airport to catch our plane to Georgetown, Guyana.
Heres the make up of our group:
-19 girls and 16 guys (Total = 35 people)
-17 are Community Education volunteers
-18 are Community Health outreach volunteers
-11 people from California (Majority, YEA!!!)
For the next two months we should have consistent access to the infoweb. Which means we will have consistent access to updating our blog. Because we have already been here a week and I could honestly write 20 pages about our experience so far we are going to try and write a few posts at a time but time delay the posts so we dont overload all of you with information. What this really means is the a post may be released a week from now but would have been written today. You still tracking...Good. Its our plan to post pictures with every blog post but because service can be slow we may not be able to.
Also, because we are now officially government employees our safety is paramount. To insure our safety we are prohibited from mentioning our exact locations. We can tell you regions or generalities but not specifics. For now we can tell you we are safe on the Essequibo coast (S-A-QUEEBO) *
An absolute whirlwind of an adventure. We left San Diego at 6am February 5th and found ourselves in New York at 2:30pm EST. The flight represented a major step in the journey. Until the flight everything had merely been talk and not actually a part of the trip. For the first time during our whole process, I (Paul) became emotional. Alyssa looked over at me during take off the see my face full of tears at the realization that I would not see the sweet Pacific, feel cold (ever), or see you, our family and friends for a long time.
My emotions however were short lived for once we got off the plane we were thrown into the absolute chaos that is Peace Corps staging. Meeting our team of Guyana 22, signing paper work, learning about the PC expectations for our time of service, and attempting to find a few seconds to breathe consumed our time.
After our staging sessions we jumped on a chartered bus and headed to the airport to catch our plane to Georgetown, Guyana.
Heres the make up of our group:
-19 girls and 16 guys (Total = 35 people)
-17 are Community Education volunteers
-18 are Community Health outreach volunteers
-11 people from California (Majority, YEA!!!)
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Here We Go!!!
By the time you read this e-mail we will have officially arrived in Guyana. We just spent the last day in a whirlwind of meeting people, stratagizing for our future PC success and last minute logistics and are so excited to finally arrive and start our adventure. Pictures to follow.
We love you all.
Paul and Alyssa
We love you all.
Paul and Alyssa
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Thank you!
We've spent the last month saying "goodbye" too all of our friends and family.
As difficult as it has been, we are completely overwhelmed with the support we have from you all.
You remind us why we've chosen to do this.
Thank you. We love you, and we'll miss you greatly.
Love Paul and Alyssa
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Some Last Minute Details
*Address Updated on Feb. 4th*
If you check the right hand column of our blog you'll see some newer additions.
First is our mailing address for the first two months we are there. After April we'll update you with our new mailing address. From February to April you can send letters to:
Peace Corps Guyana
Paul and/or Alyssa Quinlivan, PCT
c/o U.S. Embassy
100 Young & Duke Streets
Kingston, Georgetown, Guyana
South America
The second new addition is something Paul has been working on. Seeing as we won't have a computer with us, we'll have to upload all of our pictures somewhere, so Paul created a shutterfly account for us. We'll still put some on the blog, but check out the site below for all of our pictures.
quinlivanadventures.shutterfly.com
More to come!
Love Paul and Alyssa
If you check the right hand column of our blog you'll see some newer additions.
First is our mailing address for the first two months we are there. After April we'll update you with our new mailing address. From February to April you can send letters to:
Peace Corps Guyana
Paul and/or Alyssa Quinlivan, PCT
c/o U.S. Embassy
100 Young & Duke Streets
Kingston, Georgetown, Guyana
South America
The second new addition is something Paul has been working on. Seeing as we won't have a computer with us, we'll have to upload all of our pictures somewhere, so Paul created a shutterfly account for us. We'll still put some on the blog, but check out the site below for all of our pictures.
quinlivanadventures.shutterfly.com
More to come!
Love Paul and Alyssa
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