¡Hola Señor Tortuga!

¡Hola otra vez!

Since my update on my first three weeks here was so brief ( sorry for the semi-failure), I figure... When I have the time I´ll share the most important stories with you. Today you get to hear the story of my trip to the zoologico.

During my first week here, if my memory serves my correctly, I looked into doing some volunteer work with a wonderful organization based here in Xela called Nuevos Horizontes. Nuevos Horizontes runs both a Women´s shelter for abused women and their children and a Day Care center for single working mothers- all volunteer run. They were taking the kids from the Day care on a trip to the Zoo...so I jumped at the chance to help out.
It was a great way to meet all the volunteers and all the kids, in total we had 30 kids that day and 15 volunteers.

The smiles and beautiful faces of these children describe all I could ever say about my time with them. No words, just pure joy.

I hung around specifically with one amazing young girl, who had to say hello to each animal we encountered: ¡Hola Señor Tortuga, Hola Señorita Poloma!

Haha, an amusing part of the Zoo was the polomas, which means there was pigeons at the zoo. Yes, Pigeons! In a cage! As a display!...and its not like they don´t have them here, because they take over the Parque Central at all times of day...but, just in case you don´t get enough bonding on a regular day walking around the city, you can always visit your friends, las polomas, at the zoo.

Each day is an experience I will never forget.

(Cada dia es una experiencia que yo voy a olvidar nunca.)

Nos hoblamos pronto. Adios por ahora.

Tu amiga en Xela,

Vicki

Oranges are green here.

¡Hola!

So, as you know ( and if not, now you do!) I´m off on another adventure. This time life has taken me to Guatemala...busy existing in the second biggest city of Quetzaltenango, but more preferably refered to as Xela.

Now, i debated for some time whether it was even worth my effort to update you all on the past year of traveling I experienced in Italy and Thailand...I decided to sum it up. Both changed my life forever.

Italy was an escape to never forget, literally.

Thailand will forever be indescribable. My time spent there was the most amazing and rewarding thing I´ve ever done. Thailand, the culture and it's people will have a special place in my heart forever.

Shed a few tears and move on...


...to more current things...I´m in Guatemala!

First of all, i´ll update you on why i´m even here...

I lost my job and was going semi insane at home ( sorry parents ), pero Yo digo la veridad! I decided on Guatemala because
One- its cheap.
Two- I figured, if I was taking a long vacation I may as well also gain some sort of skill and do some volunteer work.
My wonderful cousin had taken Spanish courses here in Xela before, so I enrolled! I am studying Spanish at a school called Celas Maya, 5 days a week, 5 hours a day. As part of the program I am also living with a host family. 5 dollars a day for a room and 3 wonderful meals, can't quite complain!

So, my blogging skills are subpar and I've now been in Xela for 3 weeks without even attempting this. So, bare with me as I rapidly inform you on the on goings of life here.
I've studied for three weeks and feel like my spanish is atleast coming along, perhaps not as well as I had hoped...but its a process. There have been 3 msall tremors since I've been here, all within a few days which was a very exciting new experience! ( don't worry parents! ) I've also been growing fungus/mushroom in my stomach, which have been wonderfully painful AND contracted some nasty cold on top of it...AND, to top that off..the nearest volcano has been angry lately and spewing lots of wonderful ash into the air which is making my cold soooo much better.
Outside of class, I've swam in volcanic hot springs, climbed a volcano ( dormant- again, don't worry parents!), traveled to nearby village visiting these beautifully YELLOW churches, visited a glass factory and was able to Blow Glass!, wandered aimlessly through the never ending mazes of markets, riden on many a chicken bus- with actual chickens!, and swam in the Pacific Ocean for the very first time.
I also have been overwhelmed by the amount of volunteer organizations in this city. I spent a week volunteering at a Day Care run for single working mothers. The kids will melt your heart with one smile...and i've been dissapointed that my studies have been overtaking my free time lately, but its a hard balance. I also plan on helping out with the construction of a home with Habitat, and it takes about a month to build one house, so I look forward to seeing the whole process. I also have a the prospect of volunteering for a women's weaving cooperative, helping in the office and HOPEFULLY treking around to nearby villages to take photos and interview the women who take part in the cooperative to put together a story on them and the organization.

Ok- well this doesn't even begin to describe everything i'm experiencing. There just aren't enough words and never enough time. For now, this has been a little taste and as time goes on I'll fill you in on the important stories and new adventures occuring here, in my life, in Guatemala.

Adios por ahora. Hablamos pronto.

A New Adventure

Buongiorno miei amici e parenti ( Hello Friends and Family )-

 

It has been some time since my last blog. Last time I was writing from my desk in my basement room in Vanlose, Denmark and now I am writing to you from one of my last nights in my own bedroom at home in Bristol, CT. In only 6 days I will embark on another adventure...this time to Italia.

While studying in Denmark excited for my graduation from college I had a revelation: 'Shit!- I have nothing planned out for the rest of my life!'... This is a great feeling, as well as a scary one. So used to semester after semester being mapped out with graduation requirements I found myself dumbfounded over what I was going to do with my life! Grad school was an obvious option, but after taking 5 years just to earn a bachelors degree, enrolling in more college classes was the last thing I was eager to do. Regardless, I tried to get myself motivated to fill out applications...and failed. I had heard several success stories from friends about summer jobs they had taken up as Au Pairs in other countries. For me, this was the perfect solution. I love nothing more than traveling and working with kids- and this job involves both! Especially after my amazing experience living with a Danish family, I couldn't think of anything I would rather do while trying to figure out what to do with my life. So, thanks to the Internet I found an amazing Italian family that was anxious to take me in!

 I depart on September 12 and will be arriving in Rome on the 13th. The family consists of: la madre- Lucia, il padre- Anton e la bambina- Beatrice ( Bibi ). This adorable 4 year old girl is my responsibility and I am also there to teach her english. They live on a farm in Albinia-Grosseto, the Tuscany region of Italy where their main products are Tomatoes and Sheep Cheese. They also have many many dogs. I look forward to this time away from the busy stressful lives of us crazy americans. I can not tell you how excited I am to frolic and tumble around with Bibi on her beautiful farm. I am hoping the family lets me try out a couple of duties on the farm as well, as I would love to learn how they make sheep cheese- not to mention I've never sheared a sheep either. Of course, I bet shearing sheep has nothing at all to do with making cheese- but I still hope I get to try it out!

Here are some pics courtesy of the Vivarelli family of my future home:

~This is their farm.~

~This is their lovely home~

~This is a pic of little Bibi.~

As for now I am only planning on staying in Italy for three months, although life on a farm in Tuscany sounds quite perfect and I have a feeling I'll never want to come home. 

BUT- I do have plans to do some volunteer work in Thailand in February- but more on that later...for now, I'm Off To Italy!!!

 Arrividerci, Ci vediamo! 

Yours truly,

   Vicki

Oh, I don't know how this slipped my mind- But I am also responsible for driving Bibi to and from school. European cars are rarely automatic and therefore I am super stressed about Italian hills- I keep hoping that since I am only a few miles from the sea the area may be a bit flatter- but I know I am only wishing too hard for something that can not be. I am busy practicing driving stick around here...and well, my skill level is not nearly as high as it should be. If i never had to start the car, reverse or get going on a hill I would be perfectly fine...but something tells me this will not be the case. Uh oh...practice makes perfect?

I only ask for your prayers and support. I am doomed. 

Denmark Has My Heart

~I HEART COPENHAGEN~

Dearest Family and Friends in America-

   I am writing you from Denmark one last time. I leave in less than 5 hours for the airport to fly home to the USA. The past week with the Parents visiting has been wonderful-I will post a blog later with stories and pictures. I also had my pseudo-graduation ceremony which was by far must better than anything Uconn could have done! There were only a handful of us at the closing ceremony that were recognized and given a rose and a Danish gift. It was a graduation to remember, how many Americans can say they've graduated in Copenhagen?! I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. 

As expected, I am having mixed feelings about leaving- I can't wait to get home to see all of you, but it is tearing my heart up to leave. I have been tearing up on and off for the past three days, trying very hard to hide it from my family to not upset them ( of course you will be reading it shortly!) I must now say a quick goodbye...

To My Danish Family-

   Without you, Denmark would not have become my second home. I would not have enjoyed my time here half as much. You,and You alone, made my time here in Denmark the best experience of my life. I was a stranger and you welcomed me into your home as if I was a part of the family, and I now feel like I am family. You all- Lone, Andre, Fredie and Little Nicoline will have a special place in my heart for the rest of my life. I will be craving Meatballs and Curry and Andre's Famous Omelette every single day, and hopefully I can at least manage to make myself some Danish Pancakes. Lone, you have become my second mother. I will never forget how caring you have been- to call me a cab at 3AM to make sure I got home after a night of drinking, and going out at 11PM just to take me to the doctors. Andre, I will never forget your sense of humor- from talking about poop, farts and even vaginas at the dinner table to forcing Miki to try out Nicoline's mattress in the kitchen! I will also miss the high-tech coffee machine! Fredie(Roxy), You are by far the coolest 11-year old I have ever met, you act as if you are my own age...and you could pass because you are just as tall! Great call on the Experimentarium, It is SO FUN! Keep on finger painting and if you need refills on Reeses or Hershey's syrup just let me know. Oh, and don't ever forget how AMAZING your English is, keep up the good work! Little Nicoline, You may not remember me ever living in your house, but hopefully we will all keep in touch anyways! You have made me feel so proud over the fact that you now know the word SHEEP and at how you have mastered your Puzzle with 'Santa's Arc and his animals' :-) I will leave my window ajar just in case you ever want to stop in and ask for a Vinegummi. ( spelling??) I could go on forever and write a whole novel full of Thank You's and memories with you all, but that would take too long to read! So...Again, Thank you all so much- and of course tell the rest of the Pedersen Family thank you and I will miss them as well. Your whole family is so wonderful and it is the reason why I am having such a hard time leaving this wonderful country.It is always hard to say goodbye, But this is not goodbye...but SEE YOU SOON! I will be counting down the days until your visit to the USA. This time I can show you around my country! Also, I will be looking for you on Skype- hopefully I will see all your lovely faces over my computer screen very soon!

( I am now ending this letter in tears, but very happy tears because of all the wonderful memories I now have.)

MANGE TAK! VI SES!

All my Love,

Your crazy American Daughter, Vicki Jo. 

So, back to you Americans-

...as Andre would say, My danish vacation is now over...time to go back to the real world?? I find it so hard right now to even imagine that fact that tomorrow afternoon I will be sitting in my house in Bristol, Ct. But, I will be returning to many family and friends who I can't wait to see. I have graduations to celebrate and road trips to take. I have more ambition now to see some of my own country this time around! 

A quick word of advice for you all: Visit Denmark...it really is the happiest place in the world!

I came to Denmark for only four months, earned my college degree and a wonderful family- life could not be better!

This is your European-Expert saying goodbye for one last time.

Signing off at 00:30.

See you in The States!

-Vicki

Embarking on a week of EXAMS

Dearest Loved Ones-

I currently have one Final down and three to go. We had our Oral Final last week for PCD and my group got an A! (applause is welcomed) Tomorrow I have a written final for PCD, which I feel pretty o.k. about. Or..sorry to say this parents...but I hope five years of college has paid off a little bit and has at least taught me how to be an excellent bull-shitter. 

The past week was a lot of fun and full of sunshine.

 On Thursday we had our PCD reception. 

It was a nice little get-together with snacks and beverages 

provided by DIS for us students and our Practicum

supervisors. My professor and a few students gave speeches and played some music and we had all pitched in some Kroner to get our professor a Thank you/Congrats on the baby gift. I went shopping for it with my friend liz and we found the greatest wooden toy farm, with all the little animals and everything! I wish I had one for myself. :-) We drank the night away thanks to DIS providing us with alcohol, which is one thing I will greatly miss about school in Denmark.

This weekend was also Karnival! There was a huge festival in one

the many beautiful parks here in Copenhagen. It was awesome weather

and Lots of fun. Amazing music, sunshine, and I even got to play in 

the Hay- sounds strange, but it was fantastic!

Pictures on this blog include:

Me with friends at the PCD Reception, The Huge and beautiful park, and My friend Carrie and I at the park enjoying the sunshine. 

Anyways, I just wanted to check in- let you know I have ben enjoying my last days here in Copenhagen and now I am beginning to stress about finals. Please keep your fingers crossed for me- 

I really want to be a graduate! 

HELLOO PARENTS! You arrive in 2 days! I hope you are ready and I apologize for the fact that the weather forecast is not looking so great. You will get the true Denmark experience!

It is crazy to think I will be seeing you in person and not over a computer screen! I am looking forward to it. I have grown to be so comfortable here it's just weird to even think about getting on a plane and landing in The States and stepping foot into our house. Life is Strange.

The next time I talk to you all I will hopefully be done with my Finals and be much more relaxed- and hopefully a Graduate! 

See you all in America in Aprox. 10 Days!

Studying with my fingers crossed,

    Vicki

A trip to The Homeland

~Hobbit HomeLand~

Dearest Family, and friends I consider family-

It turns out Sweden looks like Hobbit land! Ha. The nature is just so beautiful and GREEN. To fill you in- This past Thursday and Friday, my friend Kevin and his host-family invited me along on a trip to Sweden. His host-parents own a flat there, in a town I can't remember the name of ( sorry ). Anyway, it's half way in between Copenhagen and Stockholm, near lakes and forests- where I love to be! I had a wonderful time and Kevin's host-parents are super nice and fed us way too much food! Also, Sweden is absolutely beautiful. I'm glad I got to see another part of it compared to Malmo (where i had been before) because that area is very industrialized- newer buildings and very touristy...so it was nice to see the country side and the woods. And hopefully I will see another side, the sea side, when I go back to Sweden with the parents to visit family! :-)

Also, turns out houses in Sweden, at least in the woods, are VERY cheap. So, I think I need to look into buying myself a nice little Summer Swedish Cottage one day. The picture below is the lake we hiked around the first day we got there. Supposedly it is called Heart Lake because it is shaped like a heart...Now you respond: "Awweee" :-)

We also went to a rock quarry where we could look out over the forest, it was so pretty.

It was a lovely opportunity to get in on a free trip to sweden, with wonderful company and a cozy home to stay in.  

Now...To fill you in on my position in school. I only have one more day of class, On Friday. Tomorrow I will be doing some reading, shopping for a gift for my professor, and going to see Explosions in the Sky later in the evening ( this is an AMAZING band, for those that don't know what i'm referring to, AKA- Mom and Dad). Then, on Thursday I have my first Final, an Oral Exam for my PCD class. It is a group final, there are 5 people in my group. We had to pick a general topic: ours is Theory Versus Practice, and we each have to give a 5-minute presentation on a theme within this topic and then we have 15 minutes to bring up discussion questions and have constructive conversation amongst ourselves and then we get a grade. Sort of nerve-racking, but I think we will do just fine. And after the exam we have a Reception that night for all of PCD, which I think will be a lot of fun. Then Friday is my last day of class... of college... everrrr, or atleast until Grad School. :-)  Then next week I have three finals and the parents are coming! Woooooo! It is so weird to have this all come to close so soon, my time here just flew by!

Ohhh. I had a story I wanted to tell you all, or a quick image to illustrate for you.

On my way to class this morning, the guy walking in front of me was wearing the following outfit: Nicely styled Spiked hair ( to look all messy, like he didn't try to look nice), tight n' bright t-shirt with a Navy-style jacket over(also tight fitting), converse sneakers and tight fitting jeans with a belt that said LONDON from behind pulled down just enough so that you could see that his cute little butt was wearing bright pink undies- Now folks, this is the essence of Danish style! :-)

Talk to you all soon, and see you as well! Yippeee!

 Vicki

A Day at the Beach

~PCD at the Beach~

It is SUMMER in COPENHAGEN!!!

So, I just had to let you all know how awesome the PCD program is here in Denmark, because last Monday for class our professor took us to the beach for the afternoon! Since we are all psychology and child development majors, we are the most fun- so we spent the afternoon playing in the sand and being taught new arabic games, like "SHABADEEEEE". Maybe one day i will teach you all, but it can be a slightly aggressive game in which minor injuries could occur. We also were able to sit around and discuss everything that we have learned while being here and things we want to take back. It was a nice little session, and I think we all agreed that America need some "Hygge" in it! I will be brining the essence of hygge back with me, so don't you all fret. By the end of the day my face was as red as a tomato - my skin hadn't seen such sun in so long!

Anyways, I think it was a nice little way to bring our program to an end. Tomorrow is our final PCD class and I am SUPER sad about it. It is amazing how fast the time has gone by her, and i will truly miss our little PCD crew. 

Oh, and I have finished typing up the 15 pages for my portfolio - and I wish I could write more!! There is just so many memories that I want to share and talk about, I may just have to continue it on my own. But, one less thing to stress about- now its an oral exam and three finals to start studying for!

Also, I will be posting about my trip to Sweden shortly- but I need to lay out in the sun first; get my daily dose of Vitamin D. :-)

Only 17 days till I am home! See you all super soon. 

Hej-hej.

Sunshine and happy,

   Vicki