Wednesday, November 26, 2008
So I'm rather annoyed right now. I just wrote out an entire post only to have it deleted when I tried to add a photo. Unlike my brother though I'm going to try and at least make an attempt at rewriting it.
Some highlights of the post that I wrote that I'm now rewriting were.
Language study, it happened this week, it will be happening for 2 more months...that seems like forever right now.
My mom came through! Yay her, she usually does by the way. I did a trial run and am currently baking rolls for Thanksgiving.
Some of us (maybe up to 8 of us) have decided to head to the Beach for Christmas. I hope it's 20 degrees back home.
I got a new Nickname last night. If you haven't guessed by now it is the one in the title. I'm not sure what I did to get it. All I can think of is that maybe it was the new haircut I got. Or maybe is was the bandana I was wearing at dance practice. Wait, I'm Mennonite...did I say dance practice? I meant...umm...err....read your Bible pray everyday? (or maybe I should go with 'Jesus'...Sunday school answers are always appropriate right?)
Sorry about the lack of creativity in this post. I assure you that the previous post was much more interesting and whimsical. That losing it thing really killed any desire for being creative I had...so I guess I'll just leave you with a sideways picture. I'm too lazy to turn it, so just turn your head. You could also turn the computer screen. Just don't drop it, that would be bad.
Some highlights of the post that I wrote that I'm now rewriting were.
Language study, it happened this week, it will be happening for 2 more months...that seems like forever right now.
My mom came through! Yay her, she usually does by the way. I did a trial run and am currently baking rolls for Thanksgiving.
Some of us (maybe up to 8 of us) have decided to head to the Beach for Christmas. I hope it's 20 degrees back home.
I got a new Nickname last night. If you haven't guessed by now it is the one in the title. I'm not sure what I did to get it. All I can think of is that maybe it was the new haircut I got. Or maybe is was the bandana I was wearing at dance practice. Wait, I'm Mennonite...did I say dance practice? I meant...umm...err....read your Bible pray everyday? (or maybe I should go with 'Jesus'...Sunday school answers are always appropriate right?)
Sorry about the lack of creativity in this post. I assure you that the previous post was much more interesting and whimsical. That losing it thing really killed any desire for being creative I had...so I guess I'll just leave you with a sideways picture. I'm too lazy to turn it, so just turn your head. You could also turn the computer screen. Just don't drop it, that would be bad.
Friday, November 21, 2008
A commentary on Pop here.
That's right "soda" people, I called it pop.
Since getting here I have had a few chances to partake in this delightful substance. As always my first goal was to find some Mountain Dew because I'm a dork like that. I did succeed in finding it. I was very curious to see how different it tastes here. The surprising thing was that it didn't taste that much different. It mostly just tasted watered down compared to american Mountain Dew. I have decided to not drink it as a result. I have also tried Coke, Sprite, and RC cola. All of which taste much better here. The only difference in the taste is that because they are made with sugar instead of corn syrup they taste sweeter. I think RC cola in particular tastes delicious here and considering I can buy a 500mL bottle for $.30, I think I'll be going with that as my drink of choice. Not that I drink it all that much here. I've now been here almost 3 weeks and am currently sipping on my 3rd bottle.
Speaking of which, it is hard for me to believe that it's been almost 3 weeks already. Thanksgiving is almost there in the states and we have decided to celebrate here too since we are all actually going to be together for an all staff training next weekend. I'm making the rolls if my mother ever actually gets me her recipe. I'm going to trust that she does get it to me in time.
I also remembered where Jodi is from. She is from Archbold, Ohio. I can't believe that I forgot that.
Stay Well,
Phil
Since getting here I have had a few chances to partake in this delightful substance. As always my first goal was to find some Mountain Dew because I'm a dork like that. I did succeed in finding it. I was very curious to see how different it tastes here. The surprising thing was that it didn't taste that much different. It mostly just tasted watered down compared to american Mountain Dew. I have decided to not drink it as a result. I have also tried Coke, Sprite, and RC cola. All of which taste much better here. The only difference in the taste is that because they are made with sugar instead of corn syrup they taste sweeter. I think RC cola in particular tastes delicious here and considering I can buy a 500mL bottle for $.30, I think I'll be going with that as my drink of choice. Not that I drink it all that much here. I've now been here almost 3 weeks and am currently sipping on my 3rd bottle.
Speaking of which, it is hard for me to believe that it's been almost 3 weeks already. Thanksgiving is almost there in the states and we have decided to celebrate here too since we are all actually going to be together for an all staff training next weekend. I'm making the rolls if my mother ever actually gets me her recipe. I'm going to trust that she does get it to me in time.
I also remembered where Jodi is from. She is from Archbold, Ohio. I can't believe that I forgot that.
Stay Well,
Phil
The Players
So I promised my parents that I would do a post on who I'm working with here.
Person #1: Nathan- He is originally from PA but has spent the last several years in NC. He worked for IBM and is now working for MCC doing appropriate technologies. He will also be living in Bogra when we settle into our permanent places. He enjoys long walks on the beach and owns a house.
Person #2: Gloria- She is originally from PA. She just graduated from Eastern University with a Masters in International Development. She will be working in Dhaka for an organization that was originally founded by MCC doing design work. She is an avid badmitton player and loves tea.
Person #3: Jodi- I don't really remember where Jodi is from. I do know she was working in Sri Lanka for the last couple of years. She has now joined us for the next 7 months and will be working up in Bogra. She does something with cows. She plays the oboe and loves cheese.
Person #4: Sarah- Sarah is from Colorado, she graduated from Notre Dame. She is here working in Dhaka. She works with the peace programs MCC runs here. She can do a backhandspring and is a vegetarian. We are currently living with Sarah while we stay in Dhaka.
Person #5: Joyce- Joyce is from Bangladesh. She works as a coordinator/secretary at the MCC office. She lives here with us at Sarah's house on a permanent basis. She enjoys people and places.
Person #6: Various other MCC workers- I'll tell you about them later.
Person #7: The old lady who lives below us. She is from Bangladesh and enjoys trying to speak Bangla to us. Her other hobbies include smiling and opening the entrance gate to our building for people.
Some or all of the information above may or may not be accurate.
This past week I got sick for a couple of days. That put me behind on my Bangla learning which was frustrating but I was already frustrated with that to an extent. It's ok though. I have done quite a bit of reading since I got here. I'll try to think of what else I might say on here later.
Person #1: Nathan- He is originally from PA but has spent the last several years in NC. He worked for IBM and is now working for MCC doing appropriate technologies. He will also be living in Bogra when we settle into our permanent places. He enjoys long walks on the beach and owns a house.
Person #2: Gloria- She is originally from PA. She just graduated from Eastern University with a Masters in International Development. She will be working in Dhaka for an organization that was originally founded by MCC doing design work. She is an avid badmitton player and loves tea.
Person #3: Jodi- I don't really remember where Jodi is from. I do know she was working in Sri Lanka for the last couple of years. She has now joined us for the next 7 months and will be working up in Bogra. She does something with cows. She plays the oboe and loves cheese.
Person #4: Sarah- Sarah is from Colorado, she graduated from Notre Dame. She is here working in Dhaka. She works with the peace programs MCC runs here. She can do a backhandspring and is a vegetarian. We are currently living with Sarah while we stay in Dhaka.
Person #5: Joyce- Joyce is from Bangladesh. She works as a coordinator/secretary at the MCC office. She lives here with us at Sarah's house on a permanent basis. She enjoys people and places.
Person #6: Various other MCC workers- I'll tell you about them later.
Person #7: The old lady who lives below us. She is from Bangladesh and enjoys trying to speak Bangla to us. Her other hobbies include smiling and opening the entrance gate to our building for people.
Some or all of the information above may or may not be accurate.
This past week I got sick for a couple of days. That put me behind on my Bangla learning which was frustrating but I was already frustrated with that to an extent. It's ok though. I have done quite a bit of reading since I got here. I'll try to think of what else I might say on here later.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Random thoughts and tidbits.
The first thought I've been pondering is whether I'm way ahead of time or way behind it? They say I'm 11 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. This means I experience a day 11 hours sooner than everyone back home. Ha ha chumps! I think I'm also like 14 hours ahead of Jon, or something like that. The one problem I've had with this thought process is that I might actually be behind. I didn't learn who our next president was going to be until like 9 am Wednesday morning when everyone back home knew that Tuesday night. I don't know how I feel about all that.
In similar but not the same news, I love how the time difference works out as a crazy sports fan. I have had a chance to watch the updates of several Pacers games online, live. I am a morning person and when they play 7pm games in the states I get to watch them at 6am here. It is marvelous. Especially since they are decent this year. I am amazed at the effect TJ Ford has had on Jeff Foster's scoring abilities. I couldn't figure that one out for the longest time but then I read today that they are running the pick and roll with him. It makes so much more sense now. I guess all I'm trying to say is YAY!
I think I had more to say but I can't remember it right now.
Have a good one!
Phil
In similar but not the same news, I love how the time difference works out as a crazy sports fan. I have had a chance to watch the updates of several Pacers games online, live. I am a morning person and when they play 7pm games in the states I get to watch them at 6am here. It is marvelous. Especially since they are decent this year. I am amazed at the effect TJ Ford has had on Jeff Foster's scoring abilities. I couldn't figure that one out for the longest time but then I read today that they are running the pick and roll with him. It makes so much more sense now. I guess all I'm trying to say is YAY!
I think I had more to say but I can't remember it right now.
Have a good one!
Phil
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
By popular demand...or not so popular, it depends on your opinion of Shelley
Cricket players across the road.
There is a Taco Belle here! Yeah you can see the extra "e" if you really look hard.
I'm sitting in the right brown chair right now.
A nice nostril shot just for Shelley.Tonight I took an adventure. I took a CNG (little green motorcycle motor run buggy) down to New Market by myself. I was looking for a book. New Market is huge. You can find almost anything there. Imagine a Wal-mart sized area filled with clothes crammed booths. Now take that and make it a multiple story building. Then spill it into the streets for blocks on end. I found a book dealer. I asked the guys there if they had Muhammed Yunus' book. One guy ran off and found me one in Bangla. I told him I wanted one in english. He disappeared. He showed up about 5 minutes later saying that there wasn't one in this market but if I'd wait 10 minutes he would get me one. It turns out he knew where another market was that had it. So he ran to go get it and sure enough he found it. One thing that isn't in short supply here is cheap labor. There are tons of people here. I started to head back. I talked to a CNG driver and he said he would take me back for about $1.15. I thought to myself, "I was told it shouldn't cost more than about $.85." So I decided to walk farther. Then I decided to walk the entire way. It took me just under an hour to walk the entire distance. I wasn't walking slow either. I decided that for future references, it's worth paying the extra 30 cents that they charge me because I'm white. On a more positive note, it is incredibly safe here. There are tons of security people everywhere as well as tons of people in general. There is very little danger to walking for an hour outside after dark.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Thank you Lord for Cucumbers
So it's at this time that I'll comment on the food portion of this adventure.
The food here is very different from what I'm used to. There is all sorts of odd spices and flavors in anything that is remotely traditional. Many of these tastes are quite delicious to me. Some of them not so much. I eat it all anyway. Many times there is rice with the meal. Often enough there isn't. There is always some kind of vegetable though. I've never liked tomatoes, until now. There is something special about vegetables that I now hold dear. They return me to home. Oh such precious dull flavor they have that they dull so much else. The greatest of these is cucumbers.
On a side note to the main note, I've discovered that mixing foods together is always the best idea. Somehow the whole always tastes better than the parts.
On a side note completely unrelated to this topic, http://mccgloria.blogspot.com/.
The food here is very different from what I'm used to. There is all sorts of odd spices and flavors in anything that is remotely traditional. Many of these tastes are quite delicious to me. Some of them not so much. I eat it all anyway. Many times there is rice with the meal. Often enough there isn't. There is always some kind of vegetable though. I've never liked tomatoes, until now. There is something special about vegetables that I now hold dear. They return me to home. Oh such precious dull flavor they have that they dull so much else. The greatest of these is cucumbers.
On a side note to the main note, I've discovered that mixing foods together is always the best idea. Somehow the whole always tastes better than the parts.
On a side note completely unrelated to this topic, http://mccgloria.blogspot.com/.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Obama the president?
For those of you in the states:
I know many of you have mixed feelings on this whole president thing. I can tell you that the overwhelming feel from the rest of the world is that Obama was the right choice. It has served to create positive speculation about foreign relations with countries like Russia, France, Venezuela, and even Cuba. Personally though, I think the most underrated change towards optimism came from the Middle East. I'm not sure if you guys are aware of the massive shift they recently made as a result of this election, but it was pretty pronounced on BBC news. Congratulations America, because of your vote the protesters in the Middle East were only holding up "DOWN WITH AMERICA" signs instead of "DEATH TO AMERICA" ones like they usually do!
That is all...
I know many of you have mixed feelings on this whole president thing. I can tell you that the overwhelming feel from the rest of the world is that Obama was the right choice. It has served to create positive speculation about foreign relations with countries like Russia, France, Venezuela, and even Cuba. Personally though, I think the most underrated change towards optimism came from the Middle East. I'm not sure if you guys are aware of the massive shift they recently made as a result of this election, but it was pretty pronounced on BBC news. Congratulations America, because of your vote the protesters in the Middle East were only holding up "DOWN WITH AMERICA" signs instead of "DEATH TO AMERICA" ones like they usually do!
That is all...
Friday, November 7, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Life in the United States...
It isn't much like here. Today it was like 85+ degrees. There are always interesting noises. Those range from the sound of whistles all night long to things like the local mosque's call to prayer at 5 am. The local caller for our area is not one of the best. He always starts of real low and gets higher pitched going into his chant. We like to joke that it is like the moderately well known, "Leeeeeeeeeeeeeets get ready to rumble!" chant back in the states. During the day you always here car horns honking. Traffic is always interesting here. Cars honk to signal they are turning or that they are coming near you and they suspect you should know it. It isn't considered a rude thing to do here at all. Just a common courtesy. That said, many cars here have extra bumpers and many more have smashed in bumpers. You might think that sounds unsafe but in reality I haven't heard of anyone being hit by a car while walking and I suspect I won't any time soon.
I got a haircut today. It wasn't nearly as dramatic as my brother's experience. We went into the shop. He used only scissors and a comb. He worked fast and did every bit as good of a job as someone with clippers. He then pulled out a new razor blade and shaved my neck. He asked if I wanted my mustache trimmed and I said "no". He did it anyway. After trimming my mustache he immediately grabbed my nose and trimmed the hairs in it too. I just relaxed and went with it.
I went to a market by myself this afternoon. I bought a pair of sandals. They wanted a little over $10 for the ones I wanted. So I bought some cheap $3 ones instead. I went to a shop with set prices. I figure I'll save bartering for when I have some language study in. I meet my language instructor tomorrow.
On my way back from the sandal place a cloth dealer waved me over. He asked where I was from. I said, "America." He said, "Obama!" The election is something they pay attention to here. The people in the office are setting up a video screen that will post live election information tomorrow. It is kind of nice being 11 hours ahead of others at times.
I have a blister on my pinky toe from my previous sandals. I guess I should have broken them in first huh?
That's all the random thoughts I have for tonight.
Love,
Phil
I got a haircut today. It wasn't nearly as dramatic as my brother's experience. We went into the shop. He used only scissors and a comb. He worked fast and did every bit as good of a job as someone with clippers. He then pulled out a new razor blade and shaved my neck. He asked if I wanted my mustache trimmed and I said "no". He did it anyway. After trimming my mustache he immediately grabbed my nose and trimmed the hairs in it too. I just relaxed and went with it.
I went to a market by myself this afternoon. I bought a pair of sandals. They wanted a little over $10 for the ones I wanted. So I bought some cheap $3 ones instead. I went to a shop with set prices. I figure I'll save bartering for when I have some language study in. I meet my language instructor tomorrow.
On my way back from the sandal place a cloth dealer waved me over. He asked where I was from. I said, "America." He said, "Obama!" The election is something they pay attention to here. The people in the office are setting up a video screen that will post live election information tomorrow. It is kind of nice being 11 hours ahead of others at times.
I have a blister on my pinky toe from my previous sandals. I guess I should have broken them in first huh?
That's all the random thoughts I have for tonight.
Love,
Phil
Sunday, November 2, 2008
ARRIVAL!
There is no point for that being in caps. Unless you are really excited, in which case you can read it exactly how it is written.
I arrived in Dhaka the capital city of Bangladesh at 2am local time here and we made it through immigration fairly readily. The guy at immigration had no clue what Mennonite Central Committee was and I wasn't about to try and fill him in. We grabbed our bags and headed out an exit. It happened to be the wrong one. They were waiting for us at another exit. While we were both figuring this out we were also noticing the heat and humidity. It was probably like 75 and really humid at 3am. We eventually asked a local security guy which entrance was the main one and got ourselves redirected to the other one. They were really excited to see us. Apparently for a split second one of them had thought they saw us earlier but it turned out to be a young Bengali couple with an 8 year old kid. We all got a good laugh at that one. We packed our stuff into a small SUV like vehicle (think Rav4 sized) and headed "home" for the rest of the night. I will withold any comments about observations of the city until I see it during the day, but from what I can see, I'll have some interesting ones to talk about.
On a side note, I must admit that my parents were right. They predicted and tried to stop me from forgetting to write Alma Miller a thank you note for the suit case she provided for me. I remembered that I needed to do it but it was too late by the time I remembered. So I guess what I'm trying to say is, will everyone from Howard-Miami who reads this please tell her thank you for me when they see her next? I figure if I get enough of you to do that, she will get the point of how grateful I am despite my inability to get her a card. Also, thank you everyone else who offered suitcases.
God Bless,
Phil
I arrived in Dhaka the capital city of Bangladesh at 2am local time here and we made it through immigration fairly readily. The guy at immigration had no clue what Mennonite Central Committee was and I wasn't about to try and fill him in. We grabbed our bags and headed out an exit. It happened to be the wrong one. They were waiting for us at another exit. While we were both figuring this out we were also noticing the heat and humidity. It was probably like 75 and really humid at 3am. We eventually asked a local security guy which entrance was the main one and got ourselves redirected to the other one. They were really excited to see us. Apparently for a split second one of them had thought they saw us earlier but it turned out to be a young Bengali couple with an 8 year old kid. We all got a good laugh at that one. We packed our stuff into a small SUV like vehicle (think Rav4 sized) and headed "home" for the rest of the night. I will withold any comments about observations of the city until I see it during the day, but from what I can see, I'll have some interesting ones to talk about.
On a side note, I must admit that my parents were right. They predicted and tried to stop me from forgetting to write Alma Miller a thank you note for the suit case she provided for me. I remembered that I needed to do it but it was too late by the time I remembered. So I guess what I'm trying to say is, will everyone from Howard-Miami who reads this please tell her thank you for me when they see her next? I figure if I get enough of you to do that, she will get the point of how grateful I am despite my inability to get her a card. Also, thank you everyone else who offered suitcases.
God Bless,
Phil
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