Tag Archives: speech pathology

Honeys, I’m Home!

Posted in My life, My travels, My writing by

Zora and I, fellow volunteer and speech cohort

I just got back to my apartment a couple of hours ago, and I’m still on a high from Haiti. Even with the cold and rain that greeted me when I finally stepped outside of the airport, I’m still trying to savor every bit of my experience before the strict routine that is my week begins!

To sum up my experience, I LOVED ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK (ASB). I cannot even tell you what the best part was because everyday of the 8 days I got to personally know Haiti through exploration, team work, service and eating! Yes, eating. What better way to get to know a culture but through gastronomy! Food is life.

A little background on the trip; a group of 15 undergraduate, graduate and professional studies students were specifically chosen to stay at the compound (volunteer facility that doubles as a school) of Haitian American Caucus’ location in Croix des Bouquets. The interdisciplinary representation was as follows: 2 med students, 3 speech language pathology students, 3 clinical lab sciences students, 2 dental students, 2 pharmacy students and the remainder was a mix of theology students, political science and education.  The Haitian American Caucus is an organization that was established months after the devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010. It aims to empower the community through “education and comprehensive community development.” Their programs include: Ecole Shalom (the primary academy/school), an English language program, literacy program, a microfinance program, and a women’s empowerment group just to name a few. Our group was given the opportunity to serve in any capacity we felt lead to. HAC was our home base, but throughout the week we also got the opportunity to leave HAC and visit other grassroots organizations doing great and necessary work in Haiti.

About Croix des Bouquets

  • Is pronounced Kwadèbouke (sounds like Quadebookay) in Kreyol
  • About 15-20 minutes North of Port-au-Prince, 15 miles east from the airport
  • According to Wikipedia, Wyclef Jean was born in Croix des Bouquets and lived there until he was about 9 years old.
  • Most of the families living in Croix des Bouquets are devoted to agricultural work such as growing beans, sweet potato and corn.

For the next week, I will be posting a photo a day and will be sharing the story behind the photo. Please stay tuned!

Cinco Dias: Reality Check

Posted in My life, My writing by

When life gets real hard, or I feel like I’m limbo, or overwhelmed I can’t organize my thoughts into a cohesive post.

I want to write, but I hold back. I feel:

Dramatic. Ridiculous. Uninspired.

I’m my biggest critic. I criticize every post I type, to the point that I hinder authenticity at times.

Mostly my circumstances recently have made me feel:

Frustrated. Guilty. Childish. Like One who Lacks Faith.

The Cancerian in me wants to crawl into my crabby shell and come back out with more confidence. More than half of the time, I write to inspire myself. To soothe my worrywart mentality, to remind myself that I’m not the first or the last to transition to a new city, to push myself to have a better outlook when things aren’t going according to my schedule.

I won’t sit here and brag like I’m the most positive person ever. God’s still working on me.

I call myself a realist, which in my eyes is the happy medium to between an optimist and pessimist. But time and time again, I get the same test of faith. And I fail in my eyes.

This past week in my new city has taken me up and down. I’m over the honeymoon stage, I did realize that much.

My first encounter with this City happened on the eve of my 24th birthday. I was in a serious relationship then, younger, in a dead-end job that was barely paying me enough to take 2 week vacations that left me wanting more. But I was working towards goals, so that kept me going.

Initially, I got really good feelings and vibes from this place. There’s lots of culture, history, and growth happening.

I still feel that way.

Me, at 23

Today, the good vibes are still in the air. Although I want to fast forward through this time known as graduate school, I know that this discipline, time and commitment is for my own good.

Like the motto from the last post: No one said it would be easy… but I have no doubt it’s worth it.

Being out of my comfort zone has also opened my eyes to other truths.

If someone happens to ask me for the time, I am inclined to shake my head and say “Sorry, I don’t have it.”

When I get off the metro and walk on the sidewalk in certain neighborhoods, I’m holding my clutch purse to my person and walking purposely and rapidly.

I will probably never enjoy listening to music in my headphones traveling at night.

I will think twice when I wear my flashy little watch, especially at night.

Purchasing mace online is on my To Do List.

Call me paranoid, or someone who’s OD-ing. This is City life sometimes. I take safe over sorry any day.

So Life, I have no idea where you are taking me for the next 2 years. But I’m gonna keep walking. And when I can’t walk anymore, I’m going to TRUST that He will carry me.

Yours,

She