Just another post

I'm keeping busy with the reporting part of the job, finishing up my first draft of my VSA, or Village Situational Analysis, and my VRF, Volunteer Report Form (?).

Today in our kitchen as we ate our daal bhaat we were faced with new challenges that come along with the new warmer season, and the fact that our goat gave birth.  The battle began as we smacked around continuously to keep the new influx of flies (x34958769230840853e) off our food. Why are the flies not afraid of humans?  Then the two new baby goaties kept coming into the kitchen, also trying to get at our food. Cute goats, but they eat everything you don't want them to be eating.  It's always fun to compare Nepali home to California home and think, "why are there goats in the kitchen?". Ah the joyful varieties of life.

Overall, today was a very uplifting day.  I woke up and decided to go for a run through my village, as I occasionally do when I can bare the stares.  I'm thankful for that decision because as I began to cut across the khet (crop fields) I was stopped by a very kind didi (older sister, but she was really a mom) who was interested in me (being "non-Nepali") because her children have talked about me many times before.  Lucky for me, she was a community mobilizer for an NGO that works specifically in my district (kind of like a miniature state).  She told me briefly about some of the work she does and offered to show me around her office some time and have me be a part of the work she does.

........ sweet!

<3

I love my hyphy village.

Happy Holi!

3/17/14

Or to all back at home, Happy St. Patrick's Day. Holi isn't the Nepali equivalent of St. Patrick's Day, but the two holidays happened to land on the same calendar day this year. From what I've heard, Holi is a Hindu holiday celebrated after the gods Vishnu and Radha. Vishnu, a blue skinned god, threw colors at Radha so that they would be of the same color and they fell in love. Thus, Holi is celebrated by destroying other people with tikaa powder of all different colors. There is also a mixture of water balloons, water squirters, eggs, alcohol and beer, and a good ol' angry fight when someone gets too much tikaa to the dome to give the holiday its full atmosphere.

I was quietly working on my nursery bed (I'm working on my green thumb) in the back of my house when I was hazed by a mob of villagers in my gaou (village). I wasn't too eager on participating in the Holi celebrations at first because I wanted to get my nursery bed up and growing. However, after over 100 villagers smacked me around with colorful tikaa powder and cracked 2 eggs on my head, they got me to stop what I was doing and join the festivities. We walked down to the local mandeer (temple) and they yelled, “AMERICAN DANCE!”

I taught them a few good moves, some of the classics like the sprinkler, the disco, the hands and knees move (I don't remember what its called), and some interpretive & improv moves. I'd say the people dug it, but you all will never know since no other American was around to witness.

And now I have tikaa stains all over my face and body because I didn't bathe quick enough. I have a nice solid red mustache too (I hope it never goes away).

With love and tikaa,

Bora

Back at it

Kiss me goodbye, I'm defying gravity

3/13/14

It wasn't until I hit my 6 month mark of living in Nepal that I realized, “This is it”. I have a better understanding of what my work here actually consists of, and a much better understanding of the commitment I made back when I decided to join the Peace Corps. As with many things in life, it's been quite an experience and I could say that it differs from the expectations I had, but as truthful as I can be, I don't think I came with any expectations at all.

I suppose one assumption I did arrive here with that I took for granted was that my safety would be assured. Unfortunately, my safety isn't guaranteed as many things are not guaranteed in life. That is one of the risks of joining the Peace Corps, or running a marathon, or riding a bike, or crossing the street: the risk of the adventure. But whose to say it isn't worth the risk? Perhaps people who suffer the consequences, but one will never know until he or she tries. Disclaimer: no I'm not dead; I am perfectly fine.

Although it should have been obvious to me, it wasn't until now that I realize the sacrifices I've made in deciding to move to Nepal. With the majority of my service remaining ahead of me, I now see what I need to let go of in order to continue forward with this journey. And so, forward into the future I go, letting go of bits and pieces of who I once “was” for who I am to “be”.

With that said, I want to tell all my friends and family back home how gravely important you all are to me in creating who I am and who I want to be. Your love and nourishment mean a lot to me, especially in those days when I feel alone (it happens to all of us, no?).

Sooooo, what I'm tryin' to say eeezz..... letters and care packages?!?!

Just kidding, but the care packages would be niiiice. Your support and small friendly reminders have such a great impact on my well being here (sincerely) and I don't want to do this without you all.

Here's my new official address, as told by my host-father. My sister-in-law works at the post office, so God-willing, all should work out!

Christine Bora Lee

c/o Kadaga Bahadur Bhandari

Manpur VDC, Ward no. 1

Dang District, Rapti Anchal Nepal

Desirables:

*love letters (with cool facts I should know about things that have happened while away)

*protein bars (SO IMPORTANT)

dried seaweed (not very important)

dried fruit (like banana chips)

-blueberries, cranberries, and raspberries don't exist here either... think: berries and cream.

*whole wheat, whole grain ANYTHING

*brown rice/purple rice/wild grain rice

emergen-C or vitamin C stuff

*guitar capo, guitar learning guides (I bought a saano guitar heh)

The (*) is something I would reallllly like. Also, my room is sort of overloading with stuff and there is no room to put junk, so please no need to send too much stuff/random eeeish!

God bless America, California, and Nepal while he's at it!

Love and Peace upon thy World from,

Bora

PS- If anyone has travel plans to Asia or anywhere, let me know. Anyone down to visit Nepal is more than welcomed. (Come to me.)

boom boom pow. punch wack jab smack! the fight continues.

I once heard the purpose of life is to get as close to death as possible, without dying. I'm living the dream.

It seems just as I think things "can't get any worse", it definitely can, and does. But hey, we alive and we here. The past is the past, and I'm moving forward into the future. Breathing and alive. Hallelujah for that.

Doing my best. Just gotta make it!

To be honest, this is hard. Any ounce of Inspiration or motivation would help tremendously.

Missing and loving you all my friends and fam.