Me and my mom were watching the news the other day and we saw this amazing invention called the PET, Personal Energy Transportation. It was created for people with disabilities and sent all over the world. Here is the websites,
http://giftofmobility.org
http://www.thefigtree.org/dec04/PETcart.html
If you are wondering why I'm so interested in this, its because I found my passion for disabilities when I was very young. lets say kindergarden when I was diagnosed with a learning disability and dyslexia. Any ways thats the short version of that story, but in the Peace Corps all be teaching teachers how to work with their disabled students.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Fellows Program Peace Corps
I found this fellows program that goes really good with my Rehabilitation degree, it makes me happy that I can find programs that I like. This one is awesome because its more of what I have wanted to go to school for. The Rehabilitation program at the U of A was so broad that it only allowed me to get a miner in special education. I know its crazy to say but I am exited to come back and hopefully get into the masters program of my dreams. I know I'm a planer, what can I say.
http://www.peacecorps.gov/learn/whyvol/eduben/univandprog/5247/
http://www.peacecorps.gov/learn/whyvol/eduben/univandprog/5247/
My resignation letter
I just wrote my resignation
letter to UCPSA. Its kind of strange shutting down one life to move on and start a new one somewhere ells. UCP was was my longest job of 3 years and I had a lot of us and downs. I made some grate friends throughout the way. I am so lucky to have met the Reid and Hodge families. I really am going to miss my little guy Sean he mad my weekends. I am going to miss you all but I will keep you posted along the way. My last day at UCP is going to be January 22, 2013 and the beginning of my new job is January 24th. Bring it on!!!!!!!
Friday, December 21, 2012
Last instructions, staging event
To day was an amazing day one step closer to leaving for my 2 year 3 month adventure into the Peace Corps. A few weeks ago I got a hint that it was getting closer to my departure. Less than 5 weeks away might I add. Instructions where coming my way. Well today was that day. Its time for me to call and confirm that I am really ready to make this last big step. I need to call the travel agency and get my ticket all set up. The Peace Corps also sent me a day schedule for my staging event the 24th and 25th of January in Miami FL. I think I am ready for this.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
My first Schedule
Orientation and Pre-Service Training in St. Lucia
Orientation Accommodations
You will spend the first eight nights at the Pastoral Centre in Gros Islet, St. Lucia. On the weekend of your arrival you will be meeting with the Peace Corps Medical Officer (PCMO) for your medical interview and vaccinations. The official orientation program begins at 8:30 am on Monday, January 28th and lasts until Friday, February 1st, 2013.
At the Pastoral Centre, breakfast will be served daily from 6:30 am and dinner will be served at 6:30 pm nightly. A good night’s rest is recommended to ensure that you are prepared for the long training days.
Departure from Pastoral Centre
On Saturday, February 2nd, 2013, you will gather all your belongings and depart for the community of Babonneau (which is situated north east of St. Lucia) to begin your Pre-Service Training (PST). There you will be hosted by a homestay family while you engage in the PST.
Vaccinations and Medical History
All trainees will have a one-on-one meeting with the Peace Corps Medical Officer (PCMO). Vaccinations will be given as needed during Pre-Service Training.
Pre-Service Training (PST)
On St. Lucia & on Island of Assignment
While in St. Lucia you will engage in a four-week Pre-Service Training (PST) program from Monday, February 4th to Friday March 3rd, 2013. At the end of this training program you will transfer to your island of assignment. PST will continue on your island of assignment for an additional three weeks, from Monday, March 6th to Friday March 25th, 2013.
Home stay During PST
During PST you will live with a family both on St. Lucia and on your island of assignment. Living with a family can be one of the most valuable aspects of training. The host family can be of great help in assisting in your community integration and enhancing your safety and security.
PST Goals and Objectives
The goal of PST is to prepare you for the first six months of your service. The emphasis during training is on both adapting your existing skills and experience to the Eastern Caribbean environment, as well and on developing new skills that will enable you to be safe and work more effectively at your site. During your two years of service other training opportunities will be offered to hone your skills.
The training objectives are focused on providing the opportunity for you to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes you will need to effectively communicate with your counterparts, adjust to the norms of a new culture and working environment, effectively accomplish your daily job requirements, integrate into your community, and ensure your own safety and security.
You will spend the first eight nights at the Pastoral Centre in Gros Islet, St. Lucia. On the weekend of your arrival you will be meeting with the Peace Corps Medical Officer (PCMO) for your medical interview and vaccinations. The official orientation program begins at 8:30 am on Monday, January 28th and lasts until Friday, February 1st, 2013.
At the Pastoral Centre, breakfast will be served daily from 6:30 am and dinner will be served at 6:30 pm nightly. A good night’s rest is recommended to ensure that you are prepared for the long training days.
Departure from Pastoral Centre
On Saturday, February 2nd, 2013, you will gather all your belongings and depart for the community of Babonneau (which is situated north east of St. Lucia) to begin your Pre-Service Training (PST). There you will be hosted by a homestay family while you engage in the PST.
Vaccinations and Medical History
All trainees will have a one-on-one meeting with the Peace Corps Medical Officer (PCMO). Vaccinations will be given as needed during Pre-Service Training.
Pre-Service Training (PST)
On St. Lucia & on Island of Assignment
While in St. Lucia you will engage in a four-week Pre-Service Training (PST) program from Monday, February 4th to Friday March 3rd, 2013. At the end of this training program you will transfer to your island of assignment. PST will continue on your island of assignment for an additional three weeks, from Monday, March 6th to Friday March 25th, 2013.
Home stay During PST
During PST you will live with a family both on St. Lucia and on your island of assignment. Living with a family can be one of the most valuable aspects of training. The host family can be of great help in assisting in your community integration and enhancing your safety and security.
PST Goals and Objectives
The goal of PST is to prepare you for the first six months of your service. The emphasis during training is on both adapting your existing skills and experience to the Eastern Caribbean environment, as well and on developing new skills that will enable you to be safe and work more effectively at your site. During your two years of service other training opportunities will be offered to hone your skills.
The training objectives are focused on providing the opportunity for you to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes you will need to effectively communicate with your counterparts, adjust to the norms of a new culture and working environment, effectively accomplish your daily job requirements, integrate into your community, and ensure your own safety and security.
PST Components
Following this orientation you will begin your on-island PST, which is made up of the following training components:
Technical: modules delivered according to assignment area (Youth Development, Special Education, etc).
Universal Technical: modules delivered to all trainees regardless of assignment area and focusing on various aspects of development work.
Health: modules to support you in maintaining your health during your service.
Safety and Security: modules to increase your awareness of safety issues and help you to
remain safe during your service.
Cross Cultural: modules to enable examination of the host culture and your ability to adjust
to it.
Language: modules will provide an introduction to Kweyol (offered in Dominica and St. Lucia
only).
Training packages
-Youth panels and practica to gain experience working with youth in the areas of literacy and Life Skills Development.
-Shadow current Volunteers and network with community members involved in the area of your assignment.
-Methodology and Assessment Criteria
-The training is based on adult, experiential, self-directed learning principles, such as:
Introducing you to the conditions for professional independence and “self-starter’” roles which are the norm for a Volunteer in the field.
-Decreasing your dependence on the training group and Peace Corps staff in order to increase self-confidence and personal motivation.
-Responding to your individual needs and learning styles.
-You are encouraged to share your own skills and experience with other trainees throughout the training.
-The entire training experience is designed to encourage a collaborative approach to information sharing and skills exchange.
The training is competency-based and you will be regularly evaluated on your ability to acquire and demonstrate the technical, cultural, and personal health and safety skills needed to be a Volunteer.
-Objective assessment and evaluation tools, as well as periodic opportunities for giving and receiving feedback
Interviews
Twice during PST you will be interviewed by the Peace Corps representative (Associate Peace Corps Director) on your island and by other appropriate Peace Corps staff members. The interviews are intended to gauge your progress and to help determine your preparedness for Peace Corps service. Every effort will be made to support you in achieving the PST competencies by providing you with honest and relevant feedback so that you are clear about your skills and the opportunities for growth.
Following this orientation you will begin your on-island PST, which is made up of the following training components:
Technical: modules delivered according to assignment area (Youth Development, Special Education, etc).
Universal Technical: modules delivered to all trainees regardless of assignment area and focusing on various aspects of development work.
Health: modules to support you in maintaining your health during your service.
Safety and Security: modules to increase your awareness of safety issues and help you to
remain safe during your service.
Cross Cultural: modules to enable examination of the host culture and your ability to adjust
to it.
Language: modules will provide an introduction to Kweyol (offered in Dominica and St. Lucia
only).
Training packages
-Youth panels and practica to gain experience working with youth in the areas of literacy and Life Skills Development.
-Shadow current Volunteers and network with community members involved in the area of your assignment.
-Methodology and Assessment Criteria
-The training is based on adult, experiential, self-directed learning principles, such as:
Introducing you to the conditions for professional independence and “self-starter’” roles which are the norm for a Volunteer in the field.
-Decreasing your dependence on the training group and Peace Corps staff in order to increase self-confidence and personal motivation.
-Responding to your individual needs and learning styles.
-You are encouraged to share your own skills and experience with other trainees throughout the training.
-The entire training experience is designed to encourage a collaborative approach to information sharing and skills exchange.
The training is competency-based and you will be regularly evaluated on your ability to acquire and demonstrate the technical, cultural, and personal health and safety skills needed to be a Volunteer.
-Objective assessment and evaluation tools, as well as periodic opportunities for giving and receiving feedback
Interviews
Twice during PST you will be interviewed by the Peace Corps representative (Associate Peace Corps Director) on your island and by other appropriate Peace Corps staff members. The interviews are intended to gauge your progress and to help determine your preparedness for Peace Corps service. Every effort will be made to support you in achieving the PST competencies by providing you with honest and relevant feedback so that you are clear about your skills and the opportunities for growth.
Schedule
Both in St. Lucia and on your island of assignment you will travel to the Peace Corps training hub for training. Sessions will be held from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (end times may vary due to bus schedules). This should allow sufficient time for those traveling an hour or more to be on time for sessions and be home before dark. Days will be scheduled for you to visit your worksite, engage in networking, participate in practica and youth panels, and many other training activities. You will be expected to participate in family and community activities on evenings and weekends.
Departure from St. Lucia
On Saturday, March 4th, 2013, you will gather your belongings and depart for your island of service. Trainees assigned to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and Dominica will travel by plane where they will be met by their on-island Peace Corps representative and Volunteers on island.
Swearing-In Date
After successful completion of Pre-Service Training you will be invited to swear in as Peace Corps Volunteers . The swearing-in ceremonies will take place during the last week of training. There is a separate ceremony held on each island.
General Information
Phones
US phone cards and cell phones do not work in the Eastern Caribbean so do not bring them. You can purchase local calling cards to call home or to make local calls. You may dial US-based, toll- free numbers (such as 800 numbers) but you will be charged the regular overseas rates. Staff and Peace Corps Volunteers have purchased “Magic Jack” in the US and use it to call the US for a small annual fee (approximately $19.95 USD). While most Volunteers have land lines at home, over 90% of Volunteers purchase cellular phones.
Internet access is available at the Pastoral Centre and at some host families but we hope you will immerse yourself in this new experience using your free time to get to know the other trainees and the Peace Corps staff who will be supporting you during the next two years. Please try to manage the expectations of your friends and families (and your own) so that they expect limited communication from you during your first few weeks in Peace Corps/Eastern Caribbean.
Both in St. Lucia and on your island of assignment you will travel to the Peace Corps training hub for training. Sessions will be held from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (end times may vary due to bus schedules). This should allow sufficient time for those traveling an hour or more to be on time for sessions and be home before dark. Days will be scheduled for you to visit your worksite, engage in networking, participate in practica and youth panels, and many other training activities. You will be expected to participate in family and community activities on evenings and weekends.
Departure from St. Lucia
On Saturday, March 4th, 2013, you will gather your belongings and depart for your island of service. Trainees assigned to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, and Dominica will travel by plane where they will be met by their on-island Peace Corps representative and Volunteers on island.
Swearing-In Date
After successful completion of Pre-Service Training you will be invited to swear in as Peace Corps Volunteers . The swearing-in ceremonies will take place during the last week of training. There is a separate ceremony held on each island.
General Information
Phones
US phone cards and cell phones do not work in the Eastern Caribbean so do not bring them. You can purchase local calling cards to call home or to make local calls. You may dial US-based, toll- free numbers (such as 800 numbers) but you will be charged the regular overseas rates. Staff and Peace Corps Volunteers have purchased “Magic Jack” in the US and use it to call the US for a small annual fee (approximately $19.95 USD). While most Volunteers have land lines at home, over 90% of Volunteers purchase cellular phones.
Internet access is available at the Pastoral Centre and at some host families but we hope you will immerse yourself in this new experience using your free time to get to know the other trainees and the Peace Corps staff who will be supporting you during the next two years. Please try to manage the expectations of your friends and families (and your own) so that they expect limited communication from you during your first few weeks in Peace Corps/Eastern Caribbean.
Local Currency/Money matters
The currency on all the islands in the Eastern Caribbean is the Eastern Caribbean dollar. The exchange rate is about EC$2.7 to the US dollar. ATMs can be found on all the islands. Funds can be withdrawn directly from your US or local bank account
The currency on all the islands in the Eastern Caribbean is the Eastern Caribbean dollar. The exchange rate is about EC$2.7 to the US dollar. ATMs can be found on all the islands. Funds can be withdrawn directly from your US or local bank account
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Becoming real
The last 6 month has been crazy, anticipating where I would be going and then once I found out I was going to Grenada the count down began. Everything changed different emotions starting running through me. Its very overwhelming when you know that your hole world is going to change for 2 years and wondering what your going to come back to and how you will have changed as a person. I am happy to say that I am scared but I am also very exited I have been waiting for this opportunity for a very long the. I know that I am scared now but once I get their everything will fall into place. I feel strong that I can be placed into a new place with new people and accomplish what I set out to do and was assigned to do. Its coming up so fast but I am thankful that I get to spend the holidays with my loved ones and friends before I go. I am excepting this challenge with an open mind, body and sol. I think this is going to be a good change in my life.
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