the time is almost here i will soon know exactly where i will be for the next years of my life...

and the people i will be working with!!!!

and people keep asking me what i would like them to send me and i will soon know the response to give once i get to my new location.....

KEEP.....

Another

Ok so I'm not exactly sure why but i seem to be blanking out. Its really odd, well not that odd. I have been ignoring complete languages NOT GOOD! I have managed to forget words in spanish and english and have no idea what is going on. So confusing when that happens and when people switch between english and spanish i have no idea what is going on, and it doesn't help that in my house they have been watching shows that are only in english and have spanish subtitles. Not working out so well and ugh I've been studying spanish, STUDYING SPANISH!!!!! why do i need to study it out side of classes when I'm talking to people every day! why? i can understand studying writing it but I'm practicing speaking by my self it makes no since its so odd I'm having issues conjugating stuff and I don't understand it i thought i was saying things perfectly fine earlier but now i have no idea! so weird. I don't understand but neways i think I'm going to head back to go study and figure out what i need to go and do to advance my language level so that i can have my language at the level required in order for me to swear in August.

Birthday Surprise

Yesterday was my host sisters birthday and of course...I didn't know until i got back home saw that she and my mom weren't there and proceeded to wash my clothes and once they got back and told me that dinner was ready i saw a cake and still waited until after i finished my dinner and then i found out that it was her birthday! it wasn't a grand party tho just singing and having some cake, but i feel bad like i should have known and now I'm going to run over to get something for here for her birthday but I'm going to have to wait until later to actually be able to get it ugh the life of a PCT don't know whats going on. I really need to figure out how to just understand spanish and not need to translate it into english for me to comprehend it fully.

MORENO

So I'm black and I apparently stand out, ya I do actually at least here I don’t think that I will near the afro Peruvians but here I do, when I first got here I was close to the complexion of some other people here but now that I've gotten darker and I'm clearly taller than a lot of people here I often stand out and apparently more than I thought because apparently people know me before I know them. I recently just met one of the other volunteer’s parents and they knew my name where I lived and it was quite a bit of information. And the volunteer that lives with them actually said that they seem pretty fascinated with me and the other black volunteer which I had no idea. The first week that I was here I met another another volunteers abuela antrifonia y she said that I look like a Peruvian saint (I think she said san martin)

I don’t remember and other people have said that I look like him too but I have still yet to see a picture to see if it’s true or not. But FYI I apparently have the entire community looking out o at me!

THE POST YOU HAVE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!!!!!!

What has Royce been doing for the past 4 weeks..... Learning SPANISH!!! Well More SPANISH and Peruvian Slang etc. and preparing for the next 2 years learning teaching styles that can help me to get the point across in ways that have worked for other people.

So I have been working in a group with people preparing for the last couple weeks of training where we get to kinda go and do what we will be doing at our sites with little supervision and where we have close access to people that have done this in the past and because the activities have to be done in the evenings or mornings (non traditional class times kinda) things have to be kept more interactive and non traditional so that people will learn and be attentive, because the educational system is different than in the states here they focus more on the definition of everything I've been told and not as many people focus on the actual process as it is taught in comparison to the definition, something that people in the states do not tend to focus on and rarely know a clear definition.

Ya

Ok so its getting close to the time that I need to do another interview to see how well I have been learning and adapting to the language and I had no real idea what I was suppose to be doing for it other than talking. Last week I decided to take the approach to 'wiing it' last week because carrying around my dictionary everywhere wasn’t exactly working for me, and I didn’t feel like I was really learning words I just felt like I was just looking for words and not really having a decent conversation. That approach has seemed to work but then again it hasn’t. And today I went to go and ask the language instructors what is actually necessary for me to advance my level and learn what I need to show that I can do and its stuff that I think that I can do I just don’t all of the time because I get hung up on a word or a conjugation or a verb etc. and basically all I have to do is have a continuous conversation and continuously speak once a question is asked of me and not just answer the question which is kinda hard for me because it isn't really all that typical of me to give tons of extra info beyond what is asked of me but apparently that’s kinda of what is culturally expected from someone that is from another country so I guess I will nee to get use to is and I also need to learn how to ask more questions about people but I often don’t ask questions when I’m not interested in the answer so its kinda hard for me to just ask what really could be considered stupid questions like, how’s the weather when I knows its sunny cause I'm talking to you outside o where are you from when I know the answer. But I will just need to get over it and show that I have general interest. Its odd but I'm sure that I will eventually get over it I've been able to get over other stuff it just seems kinda odd to me I've been asked not to ask questions and what do I need to do now ask questions. Go figure.

Down Day

So... Today i dont really have too much to do in comparison to the other days that have been jam packed with excitement and training and learning spanish!!!! Ive decided that it really doesnt matter how quickly i learn spanish it will come as it comes. and as long as i understand enough to have a converstion and i am able to say please explain that word because i dont know it im still learning spanish im ok.

And i am FEELING BETTER AND NOT SICK anymore so no need to contanct mis padres and tell them.

One of my friends here suggested that we all make blog posts about bodily functions because they are a very common subject here about wether or not we have diearea actually is a common question just as common as hi how are you doing. but im not going to post that it isnt important enough to do that so im just going to say that it happens.

Better feeling

Feeling Better!!!

SICK!!!

Ok so it happened to me. I got sick and im still sick and I have no idea how to deal with it here. I was able to deal with the slight stomache cause it was starting to go away but this extra crap from the high altitude trip yesterday and my sore muscles and the creamy poop I don’t know what to do. The peruvians here are just saying that I have the flu but I don’t think so because to me everything can be explained but then again it’s a possibility. And im really temped to just drink a few liters of water and have that flush out my system but when ever I drink water too fast right now I feel like im going to vomit (and im not sure if im not supposed to use vomit here cause when I say it they all look at me weird and say a different word) but I don’t really understand it and don’t feel well enough for them to explain to me bacuse I feel like that would be an even longer conversation. But I may just need to call the doctor because I feel really odd yesterday at high altitude I was fine to hike down the mountain for 2.5 hrs even though I could have taken a horse which now that I look back on it, it would have been better because all of my muscles are sore and im not sure if it was because of the hike o illness. Because I couldn’t catch my breathe when I walked up the hill to my house cause that’s just a 15 min walk but it took me nearly 30 mins and I couldn’t breathe after the first 50 ft or so, so im thinking that im just going to stay in bed like im doing right now.

Hopefully ill feel better soon in este aqui Peru

Royce

Post that i didnt review let it go

Hoy yo enquentre la primero voluntario de mi familia aqui en la cuidad cerca de la centro de entermiento (i completely just spelled that word wrong and others probably). Yo tengo no idea el visitio aqui asi cuando el entro yo solo oigo un gringo en la casa pero yo conezco las personas aqui en mi cuidad mucho asi yo conocer el estan no una persona de aqui y el caminio directamente en mi cuarto como estan un cosa tipico porwue el vivio aqui por tres meses como yo el el camina arriba la cerra cada dia como yo pero el estan flaco y ahoro no flaco y no quiero estar flaco solo fuerte pero yo estoy fuerte ahora asi yo estoy bien, ha ha ha.

But anyways he was back in the training center to learn about how he needed to do something because all of the volunteers have to take continuous training etc. (I have been putting etc with things and Spanish and people have let it go but I'm pretty sure there is something else that I should have been doing)

so ya back to the gringo. So PCVs are all pretty cool people its quite surprising I haven’t really found anyone that I don’t like, there are a few in my training group that I don’t trust but dislike no people seem to be cool chilled but there are a few that I put themselves first and have the entire time they have been here cause I only do it when I'm lazy but I talk to people and they know its coming compared to the others who will just dip out #fail. wow completely going on tangents with this one, people were making fun of me for having used twitter and there are some jovens that don’t know what twitter is seriously? You weren’t in a different country you watched TV you used the internet I think they were having some sort of serious technological, communicational, youth issue.

Ok so back to the other person that lived here first. He came back with one another person who he worked with at his site that he has been at for nearly two years in order to learn more and to teach a friend info that would be beneficial to them in order to advance the business. And he was from south Dakota. So for the record Oregon is not that out there south Dakota is #bow (again I have to use my twitter lingo somewhere) but apparently peace corps draws people from random places clearly its just that great of a place. Out of my group the most people are actually from Illinois but the part where there’s corn and the people say they’re from Chicago but in actually aren’t and the next biggest group is from Oregon! Yes Oregon. There are a lot of us we exist and were making a come back! It was also nice to talk to another volunteer that has gone through some other things here like I have its suprising dome of the comparisons that you have to adjust to something as simple as spices. Because very few people here use dry spices. They are all fresh and if it doesn’t easily grow here it probably doesn’t exist at a reasonable price. Another thing that I have found so odd here is that every juice is super sweet and coffee and chocolate too not candy but drinks all drinks that have sugar in them are pure sugar, syrup and something else that I cant remember how to translate. But toda de aqui drink wise is super sweet and the sugarfree things are either nasty or very expensive the version of crystal light here is called clight (they combined the name so smart) but its more expensive than the others almost 40% so many people don’t buy it. I tried it tastes just like crystal light. My family here doesn’t really like it its really different in comparison and the drink is thinner than the other drinks by a lot!

O and I also asked the other volunteer if I would ever be able to find any milk here because the milk here is far worse than whole milk in the US. First of all I already thought that whole milk tastes like cream but the milk here seems like heavy whipping cream. And its incredibly hard to get to fresh milk almost all milk here is canned and contains alot.

First Days

OMG I'm here in Peru with a bunch of other amazing other people and speaking to people in Spanish!!!! Wow didn’t expect it to be so difficult for as it has been to get accustomed to things here, as it has been. Something’s are as I expected and others I didn’t. Its weird I’m still learning about things that are happening here in Peru since I can’t manage to understand the language completely but I’m sure ill get it soon. There is no internet in my house so I have to walk down the street to the internet cafe from my house or the cafe near the training center I go to almost everyday to insert one of the following words (work, train, learn). So far it has been fun, enjoyable, eye opening and educational and I’m not regretting it!

Aqui en este Peru

6/4

Bog entry regarding BPA

When I preparing for graduation I was the typical college student finishing classes, taking finals, finalizing post grad plans (continuing with BPA). But it all changed when I got a blue envelope stating Peace Corps Invitee. Well actually an email saying simply stating 'peace corps status' change, and at that point I was still expecting to be able go back to work at BPA for a little less than a year. But anyways once I got the envelope I knew that my time had come. I was being called to do what I had spent the last 12+ months working towards researching and applying and all of the other little minute and enormous activities that needed to be done to know / be prepared / have completed all that is needed to actually have the opportunity to join the PC.

But after all the excitement of graduation and post grad vacation, It was time to return back to BPA to continue my plan as it had been previously set yet there was a change. I had previously thought about it, but put it to the back of my mind as I decided to be respectful and tell everyone in person rather than let people know from an email that got passed and might have missed some (sorry to all of you that you found out about that way it wasn’t my intention, NEWS JUST SPREADS LIKE WILDFIRE). Upon the return on the dark day compared to the warm sunny weather I left! WHY PORTLAND WHY? I got back and things happened much as it had in the past. There was difficulty entering the building, comp issues you know the usual. But then once I got to my desk I realized people were gone. People had left the agency. I assumed that nothing would change but the shocking fact was that wow I spent a period of my life working with these people every summer and it was odd knowing that they aren’t in the cubicle next to you, and that you cant just go to another floor and say hi.

Everyone that I have had the opportunity to work with over the past summers it has been a opportunity that I have cherished and would to have loved to have come back to work with you all full time. But I need to follow my heart and go do well. I have been blessed to have the opportunity to meet some many great people and they have helped me in ways that they cant even begin to realize. So I need to go and pay it forward to someone that may not have been able to get a perspective that you may have shared with me.

You all will be missed. See you all again soon well at least 27 months later.

Soon to be in este Peru

Royce Haughton

Sorry for the lack of posts i have things to post but i havee tbeen to an internet cafe recently with my flash drive which i have my blog posts saved to.

One of theses days i will bring it so that i can post it until then sorry

Ill let you all know whats going on with the updates later

Soy en Peru

I have been in training and i do not have a constant internet connection and am using internet cafes as of now so there is your fyi if i dont respond to you if you email me right away.

Will post more soon .


Aqui en este Peru

Royce Haughton

Epiphany

Its 2:30 am PST and for some reason it just hit me, well not really but kinda. I only have 10 days left here in the the US of A. And i have all these feelings about it: excitement, fear, frustration, joy etc. but why? I'm here with people and I'm going to be there with people. People are people and I've always felt that way so why am i so worried? is it the location? No. I don't care about the location although i do prefer water access (water is so freeing I suggest you go swimming after reading this water is good for you)

Could it be lack of knowing the language? Nah. Although it is causing some frustration and anticipation my language skills are progressing slowly but surely. What could it be? Is it that people are telling me that I'm going to change and the experiences are going to change me? Maybe that's the only thing that i can really think of. to best explain it I'm going to do something bad... I'm going to quote Sarah Silverman ugh! i cant believe I'm doing this but then again it is 2:30 in the morning. and i have no idea if this is true or not cause i didn't watch lost it seemed dumb to me. (and unknown persons seems like its gunna be a copy of lost or its gunna be like the 4400 and if it is someone please send it to me) neways she said that the people lost on the island were living their lives at different times but the island altered time so they all lived at the same time but they didn't but they did but only on the island or something like that. SO i feel like I've been living my life in these three different worlds all within the US of course from the 3 places I've lived keeping up with all the politics, past experiences, future experiences, relationships etc. as they take place, there when I'm there, when I'm away and when I'm virtually there. (just because i mentioned technology doesn't mean I'm having pre-departure remorse over technology ill miss it for a while but really i don't need technology you all need it to contact me so HA!) But as i prepare to add another world to intertwine with the others i wonder if it will fade into the past like summer camps past or Mexico or maybe I'm just now feeling the remorse from graduating NOT! although i do miss my friend and the realization that i wont see them again next year like before is saddening but that's why we have networks like Facebook and hopefully everyone will keep the same email address since some people have already planned to change their phone numbers.

But neways I'm excited about leaving for Peru! with the 56? others i don't know if they will all be doing the same work as i will but it will be interesting and exciting to meet them. A few of them graduated as Spanish majors so my Spanish is no where near theirs so i clearly have some work to do since they're typing messages in Spanish which I'm happy to say that i was able to decipher without the use of a translator it did take me a while to figure out a couple of words.

Those of you still in DC ill see you soon others of you i still have a week here although I'm working and I'm going to go see Shrek so those of you that want to join are welcome. Also how about you all follow the blog just reading the blog is going to have you confused and you'll miss your shout out @Hutch_Jessica ha did it and you wont even know.

Soon to be in este aqui Peru

Royce

Updated List

I have made progress to my packing!!!! i have some things now and i have all of my clothes together for the most part or they are on the way thanks to some great people!!!

I still need to get some basics so ill get those things this week mostly toiletries etc.

so everyone can see ive updated the list below...

the Ö is supposed to be a check i dont know why it didnt stay a check im just as confused as you are.

GENERAL SUPPLIES

Rubbing alcohol

Ö Sunscreen

Purel (as much as can carry)

Shampoo / conditioner

Body wash

Soap

Brush / comb

Ö Razor

Extra razor blades

Ö Deodorant

Ö Toothbrushes

Ö Toothpaste

Flossers

Q-tips

Nail clippers

Medal nail file

Ö Carmex

Burt’s bee wax

Ö Johnsons baby powder

Ö First aid kit

Photos of family

Wipes

Ö Vitamin B Complex

Ö Vitamin C

Ö Vitamin D

Duct tape

Ö Compact umbrella

Batteries (Lithium not Alkaline)

Earplugs

Ö Travel pillow

Ö Can opener

Spices

Tea

Ö Garden seeds

Goggles

Hand fan

MEDICAL ITEMS

Sudafed

Steripen or Water virus killers

Lamasil

Neosporin

Claritin

Advil

Waterproof tape

Band-Aids

Gauze pads

Benedryl

Buckley’s

Imodium

Insect repellent

Ö Sleeping aids

CAMPING STORE

Ö Backpack

Ö Dry Sac

Water sealed bags for electronics

Ö Sleeping bag

Ö Sheet Bag

Gloves

Water filter? (SteriPen)

Ö Quick dry towels

Headlamp?

Ö Leatherman tool

Ö Pocketknife

Compass?

Carabineers

Maps

Fire starter

Ö Travel water bottle

Ö Watch

Ö Solar / clock / flashlight

Ö Small mirror

Rhuli gel (for insect bites)

Ö Packable backpack but sturdy

Marine epoxy?

Ö Pad Locks

Combination locks

Ö TSA Approved Locks

Ö Can opener

Ö Bungee Cords

Silica gel

OFFICE STORE

Ö Journal

Sewing kit

Ö Extra memory card for camera

Duct tape

Ziploc bags all sizes

Ö Pocket notebooks Ö

Stationary / cards to send letters

Tear tape

Photos

Ö Pictures of the US / Post Cards

Ö Accordion folder

Thumbtacks

Paperclips

Rubber bands

Safety pins

Maps

Day planner or calendar

Ö Index cards

Ö Pens

Ö Pencils

Ö Thumb drives

Colored instruments

Headphones

Ö Mailers (padded / non padded)

Packing

I happened to realize that i am missing somethings that i thought i had i started to panic but then i realized that i would have to just figure out how to manage because there will probably be somethings that i will want once i get to Peru so im going to take this as a learning experience and figure it out later.

Ill keep you all posted on how well i survive.

Farewell Emily

Yesterday i got to see my friend Emily who is traveling off to Korea to teach English As a Second Language (ESL) to children in Korea. It was fun and sad wish i could have spent more time but i was confused and she was leaving in less than 24 hours when i saw her. I felt bad but yea! im was that special to see before she was leaving and still had a couple of things to do. Emily promised me that she would send me the link to her blog and that she would write on it so im going to post a link to mine so that all of you can send her encouraging words so that she wont feel like she is all alone even though you dont know her. (link coming soon hopefully)

Not in Peru yet

Royce

Questions

Everyone is asking me questions like wether i am excited to leave, what will i miss, who will i miss etc. and there are lots of responsed to each to each of those questions but i as i prepare i just keeping asking my self the question what do you pack for a 27+ month journey? i origionaly was thinking it wouldnt be to hard because it could be like college but then i thought about it and realized that its not i cant really just call and ask for something to be sent. I cant just walk to a store that im familiar with and get what ever item, I might be able to but theres always that WHAT IF... will it be there or will i be searching for the rest of my journey for eye drops or cough drops that work or that one super soft shirt? I dont know.

So for the past few days i have been creating a list of things that have been recommended from both the peace corps itself and current and returned volunteers from peru and other countries in the vacinity. its taking a lot of work to see what is needed and im still not together. Im going to have to buy things still and im going to have to throw some things away ugh i hate tossing stuff that can still be used but at least it can go off to some other person in need (that doesnt mean you can throw all my stuff out mother)

So unless the peace corps or some other person who has specifically been to peru has something i should add or take off this is my list that i am going to try my hardest to stick to i hope.

GENERAL SUPPLIES

Rubbing alcohol

Face astringent

Face wash

Sunscreen

Face screen

Purel

Shampoo / conditioner

Body wash

Soap

Brush / comb

Razor

Extra razor blades

Deodorant

Toothbrushes

Toothpaste

Flossers

Q-tips

Nail clippers

Medal nail file

Carmex

Burt’s bee wax

Gold bond

Johnsons baby powder

First aid kit

Photos of family

Wipes

Vitamin A

Vitamin B Complex

Vitamin C

Vitamin D

Vitamin E

Duct tape

Compact umbrella

Batteries

Sheets? (full or queen recommended)

Earplugs

Travel pillow

Can opener

Spices

Tea

Tupperware

Garden seeds

Goggles

Hand fan

MEDICAL ITEMS

Tylenol

Sudafed

Water virus killers

Lamasil

Neosporin

Claritin

Aleve

Waterproof tape

Band-Aids

Gauze pads

Benedryl

Buckley’s

Imodium

Insect repellent

Sunscreen

Sleeping aids

Spices

Tea

CAMPING STORE

Backpack with rain cover

Dry Sac

Water sealed bags for electronics

Sleeping bag

Sleeping pad

Sheet Bag

Gloves

Water filter?

Quick dry towels

Headlamp?

Leatherman tool

First aid kit

Pocketknife

Compass

Carabineers

Maps

Fire starter

Money belt / fanny pack

Travel water bottle

Watch

Batteries

Solar charger / clock / flashlight

Wipes?

Toiletry shower bag?

Small mirror

Quick dry lightweight towels

Rhuli gel (for insect bites)

Packable backpack but sturdy

Work gloves

Marine epoxy?

Pad Locks

Combination locks

TSA Approved Locks

Bear mace?

Can opener

Bungee Cords

OFFICE SUPPLIES

Journal

Sewing kit

Compact umbrella

Extra memory card for camera

Duct tape

Ziploc bags all sizes

Pocket notebooks

Batteries

Stationary / cards to send letters

Tear tape

Photos

Pictures of the US / Post Cards

Accordion folder

Thumbtacks

Paperclips

Rubber bands

Safety pins

Maps

Blow up globe for kids?

Day planner or calendar

Index cards

Pens

Pencils

Thumb drives

SD cards

Colored instruments

Speakers

Headphones

Silica gel

Watch

No battery flashlight

Mailers (padded and non padded)

Travel pillow

Alarm clock

Water bottle

Now that you all know this is my struggle if anyone knows where to get stuff that is sturdy and reasonable that would be a great help especially the hiking back pack

Life

As I start to face the facts that I am growing up and need to understand that life needs to go on. I like many of my other friends seem to only find solace in two things helping others and making money. Sadly this is our experience with life, you can't enjoy much without money nor can we live the life were accustomed to without it and as many of us are not trust fund children although some are and its know (give it up) we know. We now understand that we cannot live off our parents for the rest of our lives although some other people have no issue with doing so. I have acknowledge that I cannot do that and I need to quickly set myself up in a position where I can support my parents as they have supported me. There is no need for such in the immediate future but I would rather be able to live comfortably and have prepared for when the time has come.

But let's back track closer to the immediate future. I am currently preparing for departure to go to the Peace Corps in Peru. AND YES I DO NEED TO WORK ON MY SPANISH A LOT. The coming weeks will he filled with cleaning and practicing Spanish and saying goodbyes for now and see you laters and explaining to everyone that I don't have all the details that they could possibly want. The peace corps provided me with some general information to share with family and friends but I have yet to tell some people for good reason and some people just blab when exciting things happen so I'm telling people in person therefore nothing has been added to Facebook yet and if possible let's keep it that way at least until closer to June.

Its sad seeing people as I prepare to leave seeing people from school wondering if this will be the last time that I ever see this person its sad you are people nearly every day for the last 2 or 4 years and then after graduation you may never see them again as you go separate ways hopefully people will keep their Facebook pages or I can get everyone’s linked in profile so that I can still have some way to contact people since I'm assuming that people may choose to get new cell numbers but I hope not I've had the same number for the past 8 - 10 years some where between those numbers and I plan to continue to keep my number as long as I live in the states and even if I move I'm going to try to port the number to some sort of voip account so that I can always be reached in the years to come and no one ever has to rememorize my number

I'm definitely going back and forth between things in this post I guess my life posts are just gunna be like this so if you get confused reading these posts 'that's fine' because life is confusing decider it as you can and realize that life is hard to understand.

Signing off soon to be here in this here Peru

Este Aqui Peru

Royce

Name

The name of the blog does not have any significance for where i will be in Peru. The name is translated to 'This Peru' not East Peru. But who knows i might end up in East Peru (Este Peru)

Royce

Late Start

Sorry everyone the blog took longer to set up than expected and procrastination and forgetfulness took a part also :( .

But it is now up and running and i will post as long as i have access to the internet at least thats the plan.

Royce