Thursday, February 21, 2013
Bi-Weekly Journal- February 21, 2013
Here's my reflection regarding the La Paz Valentines Day Coffeehouse...
Monday, February 11, 2013
Simple Life
After having that conversation with the old man, who is to remain nameless, I realized all the materialistic items I have in my life today are unnecessary. The man lived in a "house" that comprised of a variety of sticks and cardboard nailed together with scrap pieces of tin. The sticks made up the frame of the wall and the cardboard was the area of the wall. This wall served as the support system for the entire make up of his living area. He had found a large piece of black plastic that served as his roof and hung over his bed. As the conversation began and continued he never seemed to talk about his personal belongings or his living area. I would imagine that would be a likely topic considering he was to move into his new house that day. He simply shared his wisdom about different themes or interest that he possessed.
His standard of living didn't necessarily culture shock me into giving all my unnecessary items away, but it made me reconsider what qualifies as something I "need." As a child, as most children do, I would ask my mom if I could have a toy or something new to play with and the question was always asked if I needed it or not. I would say yes and how I couldn't live without that toy. Now, a silly little toy seems less of a worldly need then clean drinking water, shelter, or food.
Going into the conversation I had no expectations about what I was about to hear, but this is one conversation that changed my life for the better.
His standard of living didn't necessarily culture shock me into giving all my unnecessary items away, but it made me reconsider what qualifies as something I "need." As a child, as most children do, I would ask my mom if I could have a toy or something new to play with and the question was always asked if I needed it or not. I would say yes and how I couldn't live without that toy. Now, a silly little toy seems less of a worldly need then clean drinking water, shelter, or food.
Going into the conversation I had no expectations about what I was about to hear, but this is one conversation that changed my life for the better.
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| His Living Area |
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| Our conversation while simultaneously removing nails for his wall. |
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| Him and his wife. |
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Nicaragua Service Trip- Day 1 Reflection
There were a lot of moments and experiences that stood out to me today, but I really want to focus on one specific on the day. Although getting a better grasp on socio-economics worldwide by visiting the trash dump located near Managua, Nicaragua, I also became more knowledgeable about living a simple life. I began the day of work by arriving at the work site we were to be working at throughout the day.
I noticed the standard of living was not as harsh as I had previously experienced in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, but I was later told by an older Nicaraguan man that was due to multiple "missionary" teams. I worked hard all morning layering 100 pound bricks for the foundation of a house for the old man and his wife.
Later in the afternoon I decided to engage in an intentional conversation with the man. I began by asking him if he needed any help with taking nails out of his wooden sticks. I politely asked but knew in my mind I am not a handy man and had no idea what I was doing. He guided me in the art of nail removing and we talked about each others lives.
Where he lived before Tipatapa? What was the war like? Did he have kids? Some questions were more easily answered than others but I could see the wisdom in his face. Every time he spoke he whispered and croaked through his long life of 72 years. The conversation really opened my eyes to the Nicaraguan culture and to the living standard of this man.
I noticed the standard of living was not as harsh as I had previously experienced in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, but I was later told by an older Nicaraguan man that was due to multiple "missionary" teams. I worked hard all morning layering 100 pound bricks for the foundation of a house for the old man and his wife.
Later in the afternoon I decided to engage in an intentional conversation with the man. I began by asking him if he needed any help with taking nails out of his wooden sticks. I politely asked but knew in my mind I am not a handy man and had no idea what I was doing. He guided me in the art of nail removing and we talked about each others lives.
Where he lived before Tipatapa? What was the war like? Did he have kids? Some questions were more easily answered than others but I could see the wisdom in his face. Every time he spoke he whispered and croaked through his long life of 72 years. The conversation really opened my eyes to the Nicaraguan culture and to the living standard of this man.
Creativity Action Service Journal
My CAS journal for this week will consist of the following.pictures that I feel will represent an overview of my hopes for the project.
I'm going to explain these pictures in order and how I feel they represent my goal. The first picture is sort of self-explanatory. It symbolizes my overall goal for the project which is to create a coffeehouse where, once a month, people can come together and read poetry or play some music.
My second picture represents the fund-raising that the coffee house will provide for different groups of the school or different programs.
My third picture represents a goal that we need to get to. The reason the thermometer is empty is because my goal is to never reach a specific area but be constantly raising money for one thing or another.
My last picture represents my main excitement for this project. The hand coming from the top left is a helping hand that is there to assist others while the other hand is needing the help. My excitement for this project is to become the hand that is always there to assist others. If that assistance comes from being able to stay in a safe space or expressing oneself through their talents it doesn't matter. As long as that hand is there to assist.
I'm going to explain these pictures in order and how I feel they represent my goal. The first picture is sort of self-explanatory. It symbolizes my overall goal for the project which is to create a coffeehouse where, once a month, people can come together and read poetry or play some music.
My second picture represents the fund-raising that the coffee house will provide for different groups of the school or different programs.
My third picture represents a goal that we need to get to. The reason the thermometer is empty is because my goal is to never reach a specific area but be constantly raising money for one thing or another.
My last picture represents my main excitement for this project. The hand coming from the top left is a helping hand that is there to assist others while the other hand is needing the help. My excitement for this project is to become the hand that is always there to assist others. If that assistance comes from being able to stay in a safe space or expressing oneself through their talents it doesn't matter. As long as that hand is there to assist.
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