That’s how I feel when I am speaking in front of more than four people. Here is a video file of me sharing at last week’s Missions night at church. I only had a couple days notice so I was extra nervous (although I’ve never actually given a speech when I wasn’t nervous even when … More My tongue is too big for my mouth
Here is a 2 minute photo montage video from the last 5 months worth of projects. A quick synopsis: Costa Rica (spanish school) El Salvador (spring water source scout) Panama (well drilling, borehole) Haiti (latrine construction, livestock) Ecuador (hygiene, sanitation, water management community training) Ecuador (water purification installation)
Graduated with A’s! Wahoo! Although, you’d wonder how I got such good grades if you heard me during graduation yesterday. My teacher, Gaby, asked me some questions during my presentation that I was not expecting. So, when she asked me what my favorite sport was, I unintentionally made everyone laugh when I said “Sandia” (watermelon). … More My Favorite Sport is…Watermelon?
Next time I sign up for a training program, I’m going to pay close attention to the name. For example, the word “Intensive” in the title of my training program here in Costa Rica didn’t really stand out to me when I signed up. Oh, it certainly stands out now! This program has been fantastic … More Should have pondered the word “Intensive”
Does anyone remember that PSA for drug awareness where the narrator would say “this is your brain” as he holds up an egg? Then, as he cracks it into a frying pan, he says “this is your brain on drugs.” Well, this was my brain after Thursday’s class on indirect pronouns in Spanish grammar. I … More This is your brain.
Wahoo! I am at the half-way point for this 7-week intensive program! Yesterday, we learned “Perifasis” – basically, we started putting sentences together with the verbs, nouns and adjectives we have been studying so far. I put together my first story in class today. It starts out with “He is Fred” (now the title of … More El es Fred.
All is well here in San Jose! The classes have been difficult and overwhelming, but I am cheerful over small victories like pronouncing a word correctly or using the correct verb conjugation (wahoo!). I am leaving shortly to fly to San Salvador for the scouting project in the mountains. I already plan to practice my … More Quick Hydromissions trip to San Salvador
This was a week of goodbyes and hellos. -I said goodbye to Somerdale and hello to Vineland as I moved the last of my belonging to my dad’s house. -I said goodbye to my co-workers and tomorrow I will be saying hello to the Spanish Language Institute in Costa Rica for 7-weeks of intensive study. … More Hasta luego!
I have been quite the slacker in terms of keeping you all updated on what I have been doing lately regarding water-related projects. Sorry! I travelled to Grand Rapids, MI for an international development conference a few weeks ago. I took a course for certification in disaster response building inspection for earthquake and flood damaged … More What can YOU do with a bicycle tire?
Watch out for that tree! I can always find a way to be a goof – we don’t have vines this big in Jersey!
