Comments for bread to be eaten

Comment on ice by Fuzzbee

Fuzzbee — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 19:27:54 +0000

I heard someone say once, “Magic is a little closer to the surface in the snow,” which is exactly right. Glad to hear you’re as enthralled as I am!

Also, we must reunite in the New Year. MUST!

Comment on ice by squish

squish — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 04:25:05 +0000

i have never seen a frozen lake bubby! it must be amazing! can’t wait till you get here

Comment on ice by Lan

Lan — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:12:41 +0000

i was just wondering about your recently and how you were faring in MN.

hope you blog/update soon, when you can and when you feel like it.

Comment on loneliness, an unavoidable peace corps companion by Lisa Bevell

Lisa Bevell — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 06:13:58 +0000

Hi Carol,
I saw your post on this blog and had to reply. I am a PCV currently serving in Southeast Asia and I can tell you that I struggle with loneliness everyday. You raised some good points—one cannot know how he/she might perform under stressful circumstances. You just can’t. I think your daughter has the added challenge of interviewing over the phone. My interview was in person and there’s something to be said about reading another person’s facial expressions and body language. Your daughter is already a seasoned global traveler. I think she should stress this and talk about how she coped with homesickness whilst on previous trips abroad. She is also fortunate to have a loving, supportive family who believes in what she wants to do. This should be noted to her recruiter because a support system is one of the ways PCVs cope with loneliness. Mostly we rely on our fellow PCVs, but staying in touch with friends and family is important. Another thing I did was to enroll in the Worldwise School (WWS) program prior to leaving for training. Being accountable to a group of school kids back home helped me temper my most sarcastic thoughts. This also meets Peace Corps’ Third Goal of bringing the experience home to America. Practicing good self-care, such as getting enough sleep, eating as best you can given the harsh circumstances, and exercising are effective mood-lifters. Ultimately, what worked for me was staying connected with those I cared about. I talked with or sent humorous text messages to my fellow PCVs. My best friend in the USA sent me weekly e-mails. I made certain my in-country mobile phone had Bluetooth capability so that I could always send e-mails home via wireless network because having access to technology was sometimes impossible. I also Googled PCV blogs, such as this one Bread to be Eaten to find support. I wrote, sent postcards, or audio recordings to my WWS schools—even when THEY didn’t respond. I think it’s important that your daughter stress that she is confident in her ability to face the unexpected. She can’t and won’t know the challenges that await her…but she has to be open and confident in herself that everything in her life has prepared her to go forth and deal with it. Providing her recruiter with examples of prior struggles is helpful. I think her confidence and enthusiasm will come across over the phone. Good luck to her. Getting asked to serve in the Peace Corps can be long, frustrating process. She’s lucky to have your support throughout it all! All the Best! Lisa

Comment on loneliness, an unavoidable peace corps companion by Carol Phelps

Carol Phelps — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:40:23 +0000

Do you have advice, or have you come across advice on the web, about how to survive/cope with loneliness as a PCV ?
My 22 year old daughter has applied to join the PC, and in her recent phone interview with a recruiter, the recruiter was unconvinced that she would be able to cope with the loneliness. My daughter has already spent two six-month periods out of the country, away from her family and friends, studying abroad & doing overseas internships, but apparently that isn’t considered enough experience to serve as proof that she’ll be able to take the lonely days for a whole two years.
How can she know, or we (her parents) know, or the recruiter know who will “make it” and who will get lonely & discouraged and “wash out”? What can one do to psychologically or practically prepare for loneliness? One can’t choose a host family or know who in the local community one will or won’t “click” with, any more than you can pick your boss or coworkers when you accept a job in the U.S.
So… do you have any advice to help her have a good experience in the PC & beat the loneliness monster?
- Carol

Comment on Book Queue by Charity

Charity — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 03:46:30 +0000

Well, you caught me–snooping through your blog. I grew up in Nebraska, which means that anything by Ted Kooser makes me a little homesick. Local Wonders is a beautiful portrait of Nebraskan life. I own it and may possibly force you to borrow it. Also, his Poetry Home Repair Manual is a great book on writing.

Comment on fall plus nardi by breadtobeeaten

breadtobeeaten — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 01:12:55 +0000

I am SO for that.

Comment on clunky by sarah

sarah — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:20:13 +0000

That is hilarious about you calling her by the wrong name! I literally laughed out loud!

Comment on fall plus nardi by Fuzzbee

Fuzzbee — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:25:54 +0000

Here’s hoping for a “second annual” festival to go along with this first!

Comment on clunky by breadtobeeaten

breadtobeeaten — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:57:32 +0000

Z! I love ya! Thanks for the put-ups. And thanks for the word ‘klunkidiklunk’.