I had no idea that conducting a study with live subjects would be such a complicated process. I understand that precautions are necessary and that even if we are gong down there to do good we can still accidentally do harm.
What really helped to put things into perspective was Ashley's example of the Indian laws. You have to have all these permits, and jump through hoops to go study the people in the reservations. But if they don't take these measures we would not have or be able to preserve that culture. It is the same for the places where we will be going.
Another thing that I've been thinking a lot about lately is decision making. When I was little I remember telling my mother that I hated making decisions, that I didn't want to decide anymore. I think this came about because I had to chose who I would stay with when my parents divorced. It wasn't really a question that I would stay with my mother... but still I had to voice this "decision". To the day I have to make decisions every day. Most of the time they are easy, and the church helps me decide what will be best for me.
The reason why I bring it up, is because while in El Salvador I will me forced to make decision that I am not use to making here. For example, riding in the back of pickup truck or eating mango prepared on the street. What decisions will I make that can keep me safe while down there. If I ride in the back of trucks I will be putting myself in danger, even though in some areas this is the only public transportation. And eating things prepared on the street-- I had an uncle who had to be flown to America after eating some street food. He was very ill and nearly died. I grew up with these foods, but I have to take into consideration that it has been years since I don't intake those foods. I want to do what the church recommends. Make the decision now, so that when you are presented with the choice you will have already chosen. I think this is a good way to go about it. Maybe trying to find a ride that does not endanger my life will be worth the wait, and maybe waiting to prepare my mangos at home will keep me healthier.
These are just some of the examples of choices that I will need to plan for. Things that we don't even think about here. Even finding a place to sleep that has a ventilator or a mosquito net is essential. It would be very bad if I got dengue while trying to help the dengue cause...
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
What to expect
Even though I will try to prepare and expect the unexpected, this site gave a bit more insight of what to expect while in El Salvador.
This is where the American Embassy is located... just in case.
Final Boulevard Santa Elena Sur,
Urbanizacion Santa Elena, Antiguo Cuscatlan,
La Libertad
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1109.html
This is where the American Embassy is located... just in case.
Final Boulevard Santa Elena Sur,
Urbanizacion Santa Elena, Antiguo Cuscatlan,
La Libertad
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1109.html
Monday, February 27, 2012
Change of plans?
So, I've been trying to figure out what I want with my future... like always. And I really like food. Not just to eat, but to study. To help teach which foods and recipes are better for our health. In the Inquiry Conference I got the opportunity to hear about two projects that dealt with food. One girl went to Germany. Her presentation really impacted me. I had never thought about how much the food changed with the fall of the Berlin wall. What a great project. I thought it was very interesting. Food was rationed, and the people only ate local food that was in season--so they were actually healthier than the other side. Interesting. So do we have too many choices now? I think so. Though diversity and competition between suppliers in good. Anyway, I won't go down that road at this time.
I am exited though because the woman who will be my mentor in El Salvador is the nutritionist for the organization I will be working with. She is also the nutritionist for the national soccer team (I'm exited about that too).
I have been really torn lately between water quality or nutrition... And then it occurred to me that I can do both! Not both on this same trip. But next one. Once I'm prepared. It can be another workshop, like the water one. Also I think I would like to minor in something having to do with food. It's so important. We eat 3 times a day! and for the people who don't--something needs to be done!
Food!
Science is food. Maybe not in the traditional sense of the chemistry set idea... but it is! I have always wanted to do something with food, and at the Inquiry Conference I saw that others had done it. So can I. And I believe I have met the right person to help me out. Nancy already runs nutrition programs, she knows the people and the methods! What a great opportunity.
I am exited though because the woman who will be my mentor in El Salvador is the nutritionist for the organization I will be working with. She is also the nutritionist for the national soccer team (I'm exited about that too).
I have been really torn lately between water quality or nutrition... And then it occurred to me that I can do both! Not both on this same trip. But next one. Once I'm prepared. It can be another workshop, like the water one. Also I think I would like to minor in something having to do with food. It's so important. We eat 3 times a day! and for the people who don't--something needs to be done!
Food!
Science is food. Maybe not in the traditional sense of the chemistry set idea... but it is! I have always wanted to do something with food, and at the Inquiry Conference I saw that others had done it. So can I. And I believe I have met the right person to help me out. Nancy already runs nutrition programs, she knows the people and the methods! What a great opportunity.
More books!
This is another good book I've been reading. I have to admit I agree more with the ideas of the Easterly book. but this one also has some helpful insight.
Friday, February 24, 2012
The Reality of Changing the World
Today I had a very helpful meeting
with Malcolm. I was able to express a lot of my fears and hopes about my
project. He also had a lot of advice to share.
I feel more at ease with my project
expectations. I told him that I have noticed how the rest of my classmates seem
to be doing very specific research projects, as opposed to trying to go “save
the world” as least not right away. It seems to me that most of my peers
understand that we really need work on our selves before we go off to try to
help other people. I am taking this into consideration as I plan for my
project. I have to plan but realize that things will most likely not go as I
have planned.
I want this first trip to really
set the ground for the rest of my trips. Malcolm also told me that we should
not bring anything on our trips. Some people had wanted to take soccer balls,
or clothes. I wanted to bring some equipment to measure the water quality.
Though, I had already thought about getting some supplies there. So it is a
sustainable project. What I am trying to determine now is whether I should try
to find the equipment in the capital or see if there are any stores in the more
rural areas that might have what I need. I want the school it self to be able
to carry out the project with students if they want to. That’s another question
that I need to answer. Will FUNDAMUNI be the organization to lounge the water
workshop? Or will the local school be able or interested to do it? I don’t
expect the school to want to teach this workshop in their social studies
classes (just yet) it will be a gradual process. It will start with FUNDAMUNI
but I need to get the children some somewhere…
I want to make a huge difference, I
know I can, but those big changes are made through small changes.
Throwing money at is is not the solution!
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
The Real Reason Why
More of then than not I forget why I have this desire to help others. When asked what it is that I will be doing in El Salvador for three months, I usually answer that I will be trying to set up water quality workshops in poor areas.
This is what I will be doing, but I never mention it in a way that involves the Gospel. Maybe I don't think its the place or time? I know that I can't talk about the church in every sentence out of my mouth...but I can surely bring it up more than I do now. I don't mean I need to be a "missionary" about my project. But we are representing Him, we will keep the honor code while on our countries. Should't the people we will be working with know why?
Yes, this benefits my future career plans. It will help me see more less what kinds of jobs are out there. What kinds of projects work or don't work. But ultimately I want this to better the lives of at least a few of God's children. The best way to help the poor is by bringing them the hope of the Gospel, but I think they could probably benefit from healthy water as well.
While I am on the field, and as I prepare for this project I want to keep in mind the reason why I am majoring in Public Health and International Development. It is not just to be nice to others, but it is also to keep the commandment that He has given to help the poor.
Charity is everywhere in the scriptures.
This is what I will be doing, but I never mention it in a way that involves the Gospel. Maybe I don't think its the place or time? I know that I can't talk about the church in every sentence out of my mouth...but I can surely bring it up more than I do now. I don't mean I need to be a "missionary" about my project. But we are representing Him, we will keep the honor code while on our countries. Should't the people we will be working with know why?
Yes, this benefits my future career plans. It will help me see more less what kinds of jobs are out there. What kinds of projects work or don't work. But ultimately I want this to better the lives of at least a few of God's children. The best way to help the poor is by bringing them the hope of the Gospel, but I think they could probably benefit from healthy water as well.
While I am on the field, and as I prepare for this project I want to keep in mind the reason why I am majoring in Public Health and International Development. It is not just to be nice to others, but it is also to keep the commandment that He has given to help the poor.
Charity is everywhere in the scriptures.
It is the pure love of Christ. I am not saying I will ever do the work Mother Theresa has done, but I can try. And it has to start somewhere. God has given me so many opportunities in life, he has allowed me to get an education, he has granted me the blessing of the Gospel, and now I ask myself: "What can I do?"
Why We Help
http://www.lds.org/haiti-relief/relief/why_we_help.htm
When the earthquakes hit El Salvador in 2001 the church was one of the first relief aids on the scene. It was the same this last winter when major floods destroyed several homes. Helping others is not only what Christ would do, but it's what Heavenly Father has commanded us to do.
When the earthquakes hit El Salvador in 2001 the church was one of the first relief aids on the scene. It was the same this last winter when major floods destroyed several homes. Helping others is not only what Christ would do, but it's what Heavenly Father has commanded us to do.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
How It All Comes Together
In 1994 FUNDAMUNI saw the necessity of providing strengthening to the educational development of children and young adults in the areas most affected by the war.
It has taken many years for El Salvador to recuperate from the civil war. As a vulnerable group, the children of the war generation had been neglected and forgotten. This is what I want help change. And as there are already organizations putting forth the effort, I don't have to re-invent the wheel. (At least not yet)
Just recently, FUNDAMUNI organized a race in awareness for youth rights. They argue that even though they cannot vote yet, they still should receive attention. I agree, this is a problem that we see in our society in the United States as well. Candidates will focus on the voting population-trying to keep them happy...occasionally mentioning education and the school system. HUGE PROBLEM. It is not even a very long time before these kids become the next voting generation. It matters to El Salvador and to America.
Learning about the history of El Salvador has truly made and will continue to have a huge impact in how I see my project. We only spent about 40 minutes talking about it in class, and it wasn't even specific to my country...but it got me thinking about its importance. I was not aware that the organization I was working with had begun their efforts as a direct consequence of the war. They saw a problem and addressed it fairly quickly since the war officially ended in 1992. It will be amazing to get the chance to work with individuals who know the population so well and have been working with them for so many years.
As I recall the American volunteers when I was little, I can remember the big impact they had in my life. They opened my perspective of the world, with their stories and fascinating equipment. I wonder how it will be for me. Coming from the same place...yet visiting as a foreigner. What role can I play? Whose side can I teach?
I have now spent just about the same amount of time in both El Salvador and the United States. And still I ask myself, "Who's story can I tell best?"
After some 'soul' searching I have found that I cannot tell one better than the other. Or just one for that matter. I, like the thousand other immigrant children are a new breed. And that is the story we can tell.
Helpful Literature
I've been reading this book about the radio movement that started in El Salvador during the war. So far it has made me go through almost all of the emotions. I've laughed and almost cried. the book is called La mil y una historias de radio venceremos. (The one and thousand stories of radio "we will triumph") It sounds a little funny in English, but it has been amazing to read.
La mil y una historias de radio venceremos
Jose Ignacio Lopez Vigil
La mil y una historias de radio venceremos
Jose Ignacio Lopez Vigil
Friday, February 17, 2012
On my own
I know that the individuals are going on these trips and doing everything else on "our own." But it really hit me last last, that this is project is totally on me.
I can make it amazing or I could come short to what I am expecting. Something that the facilitator said last class really helped me come down from the clouds. She said, "Make some realistic expectations."
This made me realize that I am going in the same path that I always take when I am exited about something. I always think of these great big ideas... and when it comes to it, they don't always turn out exactly how I envisioned them.
So, this is my question to myself, "How can I keep my feet on the ground for this project?"
Don't get me wrong...I strongly believe in dreaming big...but I also believe that the only way to get there is by taking baby-steps. This is what I need to realized. This first trip can serve as a laying-on-the-foundation for the rest of my ideas.
Thinking like this and viewing my trip through this perspective as already helped me not freak out about the many preparations and obstacles still to come.
This project does not need to be in some magazine or newspaper. It just need to have a big enough impact in my life so that I will continue to feel compassion and charity for others. Also understanding that I will learn from whom I help just as much as I may be able to teach them will help me realize that this project is a two way street. Not everything is on my shoulders. What is up to me however, is how I take advantage of this opportunity.
I can make it amazing or I could come short to what I am expecting. Something that the facilitator said last class really helped me come down from the clouds. She said, "Make some realistic expectations."
This made me realize that I am going in the same path that I always take when I am exited about something. I always think of these great big ideas... and when it comes to it, they don't always turn out exactly how I envisioned them.
So, this is my question to myself, "How can I keep my feet on the ground for this project?"
Don't get me wrong...I strongly believe in dreaming big...but I also believe that the only way to get there is by taking baby-steps. This is what I need to realized. This first trip can serve as a laying-on-the-foundation for the rest of my ideas.
Thinking like this and viewing my trip through this perspective as already helped me not freak out about the many preparations and obstacles still to come.
This project does not need to be in some magazine or newspaper. It just need to have a big enough impact in my life so that I will continue to feel compassion and charity for others. Also understanding that I will learn from whom I help just as much as I may be able to teach them will help me realize that this project is a two way street. Not everything is on my shoulders. What is up to me however, is how I take advantage of this opportunity.
Projecto de jovenes
http://fundamuni.org/index.php/proyecto-ninos-y-ninas/ninos-y-ninas.html
This is who i will be working with! I am so exited to get there. I need to send them my proposal and plan to do the water quality workshop, and we'll take it from there.
This is who i will be working with! I am so exited to get there. I need to send them my proposal and plan to do the water quality workshop, and we'll take it from there.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Signals, talking and communication
I have really enjoyed talking about the different ways people see symbols and signals in different places. It has been fun to think about how differently people in El Salvador express themselves. How people see communication differently makes since of why most jokes just don't translate. It is more than just finding the translation for the words. It is about grasping the meaning and context.
Something that my friends notice about my culture all the time is the fact that instead of pointing with my fingers, I often point with my lips. If I want to signal "over there' for example, I will point to the place with my lips. It's strange here, but that is how we communicate in El Salvador.
It's the same with giving directions. We do not use street names to give people, rather we use buildings, or big trees.Why is matters to keep this is mind--is the fact that the place where I will be staying uses these kinds of communication methods. If i am trying to make it some place and ask for directions the locals will try to guide me in this matter, "You see that road, go far on it till you run into a big rock. Then take a left there. If you pass the yellow street sign you have gone too far."
I remember many of these communication differences, but I am also so use to how we communicate here in the US that it might be a challenge to re-adapt to culture there.
Something that my friends notice about my culture all the time is the fact that instead of pointing with my fingers, I often point with my lips. If I want to signal "over there' for example, I will point to the place with my lips. It's strange here, but that is how we communicate in El Salvador.
It's the same with giving directions. We do not use street names to give people, rather we use buildings, or big trees.Why is matters to keep this is mind--is the fact that the place where I will be staying uses these kinds of communication methods. If i am trying to make it some place and ask for directions the locals will try to guide me in this matter, "You see that road, go far on it till you run into a big rock. Then take a left there. If you pass the yellow street sign you have gone too far."
I remember many of these communication differences, but I am also so use to how we communicate here in the US that it might be a challenge to re-adapt to culture there.
Finding help
http://elsalvador.usaid.gov/
These are some of the places where I could potentially find some help in order to finance my project. It if is able to go nation wide maybe I could find a way to make a partnership with some organizations who are willing to help.
These are some of the places where I could potentially find some help in order to finance my project. It if is able to go nation wide maybe I could find a way to make a partnership with some organizations who are willing to help.
Monday, February 13, 2012
contacts
http://home.byu.edu/home/search?search=biology+research+professor&x=0&y=0
These are the people that I plan to hunt down to ask them to help me out. I want to learn how to test water!
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/waterquality.html
I like how this site explains the process of how and where water gets polluted. This did not explain much about how to actually measure water quality but it did a nice job introducing the process.
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k-12/fenlewis/test.htm
I am keeping this source. It is very helpful to me. It explains what good quality water consists of. Next step is getting to know someone that can help me out. And get the materials that I may need.
These are the people that I plan to hunt down to ask them to help me out. I want to learn how to test water!
http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/waterquality.html
I like how this site explains the process of how and where water gets polluted. This did not explain much about how to actually measure water quality but it did a nice job introducing the process.
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k-12/fenlewis/test.htm
I am keeping this source. It is very helpful to me. It explains what good quality water consists of. Next step is getting to know someone that can help me out. And get the materials that I may need.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Much to be done
The exersise in class today made me realize that I have a lot of research to do. As I expected the more I research, the more I become interested in more/detailed aspects of my project. I want to take the ideas of teh GREEN project and try it out with the youth of El Salvador. More specifically a group in the department of Cabanas. FUNDAMUNI already works with youth and kids--the perfect audience. But I don't know if this organization has a partnership with any of the schools down there. This would be ideal. That is how the projetct works here in the United States.
Another thing that I didn't really take into consideration before is the fact that I am the one who will be teaching these kids how to measure the water quality. And I am not expert. In the group the idea came up to try to find a professor that might be able to help me out. I need to get on this ASAP! Another subjestion was to try to find donors for some of the materials that I may need.
I am very exited. Everything is really coming together for this project. I am hoping to slowly make it a nation wide thing. Why not? My fears are that I am inexperienced, and frankly just a kid... but I do have that huge desire to help.
Another thing that I didn't really take into consideration before is the fact that I am the one who will be teaching these kids how to measure the water quality. And I am not expert. In the group the idea came up to try to find a professor that might be able to help me out. I need to get on this ASAP! Another subjestion was to try to find donors for some of the materials that I may need.
I am very exited. Everything is really coming together for this project. I am hoping to slowly make it a nation wide thing. Why not? My fears are that I am inexperienced, and frankly just a kid... but I do have that huge desire to help.
Friday, February 10, 2012
is this water healthy?
http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/iwachap13.pdf
if i am going to go test water and teach others how to do that... i need to learn how to test it and see if it is healthy or not! i am finding some pretty cool scientific articles about this stuff.
if i am going to go test water and teach others how to do that... i need to learn how to test it and see if it is healthy or not! i am finding some pretty cool scientific articles about this stuff.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
family dinamics
in class we learned about family roles. this past week i got an eye opener on my own culture. i got to see and understand how my own culture values the roles of the father and mother in the family. and i can say we truly live in a male dominant society in el salvador. my step mom does everything around the house. so do my younger siblings. the girls get up early and make breakfast. my father sits and waits for his food to be served.
this was another little culture shock i had. out of nowhere my father started ordering me around. "i'm thirsty," he would say. "get me water." and i did. it was a strange feeling coming from here were i am my own boss to going back into a home where i am no longer considered an adult. or at least not an adult that can fully decide what she wants to do. we ate when he wanted, what he wanted and where he wanted. the girls take care of the younger siblings. so there i was changing dippers. we also are responsible for the meals and the cleanness of the home. so there i was cleaning. i don't mind helping out at all. but i realized that it is not just helping around the home. it is my role as the oldest daughter to do so. it is this unspoken expectation. i am not sure if this is something i should be okay with or if it is something i should speak up about. how do we know when a culture is ready for change? the role of women is obviously a lot more than just the cleaning/cooking lady. but does my father (and most men in el salvador) realize that? and is it my job as the outsider to try to show him the difference?
this was another little culture shock i had. out of nowhere my father started ordering me around. "i'm thirsty," he would say. "get me water." and i did. it was a strange feeling coming from here were i am my own boss to going back into a home where i am no longer considered an adult. or at least not an adult that can fully decide what she wants to do. we ate when he wanted, what he wanted and where he wanted. the girls take care of the younger siblings. so there i was changing dippers. we also are responsible for the meals and the cleanness of the home. so there i was cleaning. i don't mind helping out at all. but i realized that it is not just helping around the home. it is my role as the oldest daughter to do so. it is this unspoken expectation. i am not sure if this is something i should be okay with or if it is something i should speak up about. how do we know when a culture is ready for change? the role of women is obviously a lot more than just the cleaning/cooking lady. but does my father (and most men in el salvador) realize that? and is it my job as the outsider to try to show him the difference?
the war
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0yL42r4aAE
this is a video that shows the war. there are many more videos. this is what i need to keep in mind when in el salvador. how the people were affected by this. how this has changed them. and how i can try to help heal.
this is a video that shows the war. there are many more videos. this is what i need to keep in mind when in el salvador. how the people were affected by this. how this has changed them. and how i can try to help heal.
Una guerra en lagrimas. history.
a little while back we talked about the importance of knowing the country's history. well this cannot be more true than in el salvador. almost 20 years ago el salvador went through a horrible civil war. and most of the people continue to carry in their hearts and minds the effects and devastation this war brought to el salvador.
my own family was heavily affected by the war. grandma and uncle (who at the time was five) were taken by the escuadron de la muerte ( the squadron of death). usually this group terrorized the people kidnapped civilians who spoke up, tortured them and left their torn up bodies by the side of the road. the bodies of my grandma and uncle were never found. this has changed my father for ever. it wasn't until recently that i saw a picture of what my grandma and uncle looked like. there is one picture of them at the beach, and this is the only picture the family was able to rescue.
knowing this history helps me relate to the people, since almost all of the people have either lost a close relative themselves of know of someone who has.
the lady who i will be staying with lost her mother in the war as well. it is a very delicate subject. her mother's body was never found either. it is hard to find closure about their deaths since their bodies are still somewhere in the ground of our nation. i can't help to wonder, "what if they are still alive?" maybe taken as slaves some place. especially my uncle walter. he could have been taken someplace and told he was someone else. it is very unlikely, but it is still things i think about. it is still things and possibilities all salvadorans still think about.
a war that lingers in our hearts
my own family was heavily affected by the war. grandma and uncle (who at the time was five) were taken by the escuadron de la muerte ( the squadron of death). usually this group terrorized the people kidnapped civilians who spoke up, tortured them and left their torn up bodies by the side of the road. the bodies of my grandma and uncle were never found. this has changed my father for ever. it wasn't until recently that i saw a picture of what my grandma and uncle looked like. there is one picture of them at the beach, and this is the only picture the family was able to rescue.
knowing this history helps me relate to the people, since almost all of the people have either lost a close relative themselves of know of someone who has.
the lady who i will be staying with lost her mother in the war as well. it is a very delicate subject. her mother's body was never found either. it is hard to find closure about their deaths since their bodies are still somewhere in the ground of our nation. i can't help to wonder, "what if they are still alive?" maybe taken as slaves some place. especially my uncle walter. he could have been taken someplace and told he was someone else. it is very unlikely, but it is still things i think about. it is still things and possibilities all salvadorans still think about.
a war that lingers in our heartsGREEN
http://www.earthforce.org/GREEN
this is what i would love to be able to do with the children from el salvador. teach them how to test water quality and get them interested in protecting their environment while young. they are the future scientist, politicians and parents who can help make a difference in the world. this project is the thing that first got me interested in researching water.
this is what i would love to be able to do with the children from el salvador. teach them how to test water quality and get them interested in protecting their environment while young. they are the future scientist, politicians and parents who can help make a difference in the world. this project is the thing that first got me interested in researching water.
potable water maps
http://www.foroagua-elsalvador.org/
i really liked this page because it gave me the maps of the most affected areas and of where the conflicts are. also you can join to receive updates about the water situation. i like their approach because they argue that water is not a privilege it is a right. i very strongly agree.
i really liked this page because it gave me the maps of the most affected areas and of where the conflicts are. also you can join to receive updates about the water situation. i like their approach because they argue that water is not a privilege it is a right. i very strongly agree.
El Diario de Hoy
http://www.elsalvador.com/mwedh/default.asp
this is the website i use to keep up with current events in El Salvador. the elections are coming up in march! the people are very concerned because this determines how much aid they will receive towards fixing new roads, homes, and obtaining aid for POTABLE WATER.
this is the website i use to keep up with current events in El Salvador. the elections are coming up in march! the people are very concerned because this determines how much aid they will receive towards fixing new roads, homes, and obtaining aid for POTABLE WATER.
FUNDAMUNI
http://fundamuni.org
this is the organization i will be working with! a few days ago i was able to meet with the lady who i will be working very closely with. she will be emailing me the plans for the project. i asked her if there is anything i can bring i.e materials, etc. i would love to either fundraise or get donations for things that could be useful to teach the youth.
this is the organization i will be working with! a few days ago i was able to meet with the lady who i will be working very closely with. she will be emailing me the plans for the project. i asked her if there is anything i can bring i.e materials, etc. i would love to either fundraise or get donations for things that could be useful to teach the youth.
time
last class we talked about time and how people not only use it differently but also see it differently. this is very true. hispanics have the fame of alway arriving "fashionably" late. my family will tend to be from one to two hours late to whatever event they are trying to get to.
while in el salvador i really got to see how they view time there. everything seems a lot more chill. people aren't late for lack of respect (which is what lateness can be considered here in the US) but rather because they value time differetly. it is almost expected that if u say you will be some place at four it will actually be 5 or maybe even 5:30 by the time you actually get there. it may just be the people i was with but this relaxed attitude about time borders procrastination. everything can be done in "one more minute". this minute can take up to an hour.
Salvadorans do things as they go, one thing at a time. Monochromatic is what we called it in class. frankly i kind of like this way of doing things. here in the US i am always running and jumping through hoops to do a million things in one day. and that is how things function here. over there i can sit eat my breakfast and have a nice chat with a stranger at the dinner.
i know that with organization this can also be done here in the US i can make it so i have some time in between tasks, but its not as effortless as it is over there. its not because we don't all have the same expectations. most people in the US want it done now. papers must be due now, homework, tasks at work.
it is strange to me how relaxed things are over there, but how much gets done as well. its not like the people don't work or have deadlines. its just different. society is also set up differently. kids get out of school at noon and have the rest of the day to play, do homework, or simply get bored and invent something. adults also get out of most jobs earlier as well. somehow the days just seem longer. the first few days i was beginning to feel anxious because things were getting done so slowly! this was my tiny culture shock while down there. i was so use to things getting done so fast, that when they took an extra minutes i was about to lose it! then i began to appreciate the one thing i was doing a lot more-- now that i had more time to dedicate to it. i like it. instead of doing a lot of sloppy jobs and tasks i was able to do fewer much better and more appreciated jobs. i liked that we discussed this in class before i left. it gave me the chance to actually recognize why i was feeling so weird the first few days.
while in el salvador i really got to see how they view time there. everything seems a lot more chill. people aren't late for lack of respect (which is what lateness can be considered here in the US) but rather because they value time differetly. it is almost expected that if u say you will be some place at four it will actually be 5 or maybe even 5:30 by the time you actually get there. it may just be the people i was with but this relaxed attitude about time borders procrastination. everything can be done in "one more minute". this minute can take up to an hour.
Salvadorans do things as they go, one thing at a time. Monochromatic is what we called it in class. frankly i kind of like this way of doing things. here in the US i am always running and jumping through hoops to do a million things in one day. and that is how things function here. over there i can sit eat my breakfast and have a nice chat with a stranger at the dinner.
i know that with organization this can also be done here in the US i can make it so i have some time in between tasks, but its not as effortless as it is over there. its not because we don't all have the same expectations. most people in the US want it done now. papers must be due now, homework, tasks at work.
it is strange to me how relaxed things are over there, but how much gets done as well. its not like the people don't work or have deadlines. its just different. society is also set up differently. kids get out of school at noon and have the rest of the day to play, do homework, or simply get bored and invent something. adults also get out of most jobs earlier as well. somehow the days just seem longer. the first few days i was beginning to feel anxious because things were getting done so slowly! this was my tiny culture shock while down there. i was so use to things getting done so fast, that when they took an extra minutes i was about to lose it! then i began to appreciate the one thing i was doing a lot more-- now that i had more time to dedicate to it. i like it. instead of doing a lot of sloppy jobs and tasks i was able to do fewer much better and more appreciated jobs. i liked that we discussed this in class before i left. it gave me the chance to actually recognize why i was feeling so weird the first few days.
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