motivational Archives - Page 2 of 11 - Sonia Marsh

I Leave for Africa with the Peace Corps on October 4th

August 25, 2015 by Sonia Marsh 4 Comments

100_3089 — Teaching Kindergarten at Ban Bo Phut elementary school, Koh Samui

It’s all confirmed; I leave for Africa with the Peace Corps on October 4th. I called to make sure all my paperwork was in order, as I hadn’t received a confirmation in writing, and I have to sell my car and pay for a storage unit.

My recent Bamboo Project volunteering, was the best thing I did to prepare for the next stage of my life: Teaching primary education in Lesotho, Southern Africa, on October 6th, for a 27-month period.

Thailand taught me the importance of accepting that things are done differently, to be flexible, and to understand the local “Thai” way of teaching and doing things.

In the beginning I struggled with the way we had to teach. It was so different from what I learned (t) in British English, at my TESOL course in Greenwich in May. Most of the teaching at our school was based on repetition and copying from the board. I felt like the children did not understand what we were talking about, and asking a question was impossible. The kids would repeat what I said (out of habit) but apart from one or two in the class, most kids could not answer my questions.

The Bamboo Project was about more than teaching. I had to live in a communal (student-style) accommodation, where we shared one toilet and two showers among seven people. It brought back fond memories of college dorm days.

IMG_20150810_162000425 — Our living room

IMG_20150810_162010064 — Living room and kitchen with tiny fridge crammed with our drinks and food

IMG_20150810_162050109 — The downstairs shower became my own. Cold water and a handle that popped off every time I turned it.

I loved my new routine of getting up at 5:30 a.m., making Nescafe, and then checking e-mails and blogging. I realized that everyone else stayed in bed until 15 minutes before we were supposed to be at the pick-up stop for school. I have no idea how young people can roll out of bed and be ready in 10 minutes.

Jeep Bamboo — Ready for our Jeep Pick-up at 7:30 a.m.

I also enjoyed the nightlife with the volunteers at the ARK,a beachfront night club. You’ll see some amazing stuff from 1:50 seconds into the video.

Amazing fireworks from 1:50 onwards.

100_3093 — Having dinner at Zanzibar cafe after teaching.

Now I start teaching in an Orange County, California, primary school, and look forward to learning some new skills, before I leave for Lesotho, with the Peace Corps.

I Got My Medical Clearance From the Peace Corps

July 30, 2015 by Sonia Marsh 7 Comments

Extracting Influenza Virus Vaccine — Vaccinations-Photo credit-click on photo

I GOT MY MEDICAL CLEARANCE FROM THE PEACE CORPS

After numerous shots, blood tests, x-rays and doctor visits, I finally got my medical clearance from the Peace Corps.

It’s only been a year since I first applied to serve, but somehow, it feels like forever. As some of you may have read,my first application was rejected, and then on January 14th, 2015, I rewrote my resume and received my invitation to serve on May 14th.

On July 29th, 2015, I finally received my medical clearance, which means, I’m good to go to Lesotho, on October 5^th. This may not seem like a long time to you, but so much has happened in my life in the past year, including my divorce, finding a place to live, and passing the TESOL certificate in London.

Now I admit that patience is not one of my strengths, and I realize that I shall need to slow down in Lesotho as this is an important part of our Peace Corps training, while learning to adapt to a totally new and unfamiliar country.

When I look back at how much stuff I had to go through, it seems like it was a full-time job to get my medical and dental paperwork in order.

It’s not like I have any illnesses, or take medication of any kind, but nevertheless, I had to fix certain “problems.”

Dental Exams:

A full set of x-rays in digital format.
A detailed dental exam with measurements of the distance between the gum line and each tooth, (not sure of what the dental terminology is for this.)

Results:

I had to have one crown, which then resulted in an unexpected root canal. I was worried sick about the root canal, because of stories I’d heard of how painful it can be, and surprisingly, I didn’t feel a thing. The crown actually hurt more than the root canal.

Medical Exams:

The following vaccinations:

MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella.) When I was a child, I had the measles, and there was confusion as to why I wasn’t getting vaccinated against measles. I had several back and forth e-mails with the Peace Corps nurse explaining this.
Polio: Another vaccination
Typhoid: I accidentally got two, and paid $150 for one of these. I then worried that the Peace Corps would tell me that I was not allowed to go, as I’d had two vaccinations. I had to explain my mistake, and this also caused some delays.
Yellow Fever: I had to find a special urgent care that offers yellow fever shots. This also cost $150.
Tetanus: I got a shot, and actually, that’s the one that hurt my upper arm the most, especially during my shoulder press exercises at the gym.
HIV/AIDS blood test. I’m clear.
Tuberculosis: I came out 5mm positive, as I was vaccinated for this in Europe as a child, and they don’t seem to vaccinate n the U.S. I therefore had to get a chest x-ray, to prove that my lungs are clear. Apparently my lungs are long, so the technician had to x-ray them 3 times, and of course I’m worried about all the radiation.
Colonoscopy: I had one six years ago, and thankfully no polyps, so I’m not supposed to have another for 4 more years. Even that required a personal statement explaining the results.

Now, I’m focusing on the type of backpack I need to buy. I was told 65-85 litres, however that’s enormous. So the researching backpacks at REI, online, and other places, and we also have a long list of items to bring to Lesotho, southern Africa. We are not allowed to leave Lesotho during our 3-month pre-service training, nor can we leave (i.e. shop in South Africa–across the border) for another 3 months after that. So we have to pack the stuff we need. The problem is, we’re not sure what we’ll need, and we’re limited to two suitcases.

World___Thailand_Huts_on_stilts_on_the_island_of_Koh_Samui__Thailand_061760_-700x525 — I’m teaching English in Koh Samui, Thailand, with the Bamboo Project.

More about getting ready for the Peace Corps, and my trip to Thailand, next week.

Am I Going to Live on Papa in Lesotho?

July 23, 2015 by Sonia Marsh 13 Comments

I’m getting prepared for my 27 months in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho, in southern Africa, and it looks like I’m going to live on Papa in Lesotho. Papa even has its own special wooden utensil for mixing.

Papa, seems to be the main starch eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s bland, so you can add milk for breakfast or vegetables for dinner.

“At the heart of the Basotho diet is a corn-based food called papa. Papa is served almost every lunch and dinner. Papa le moroho (cooked greens), papa le nama (meat), papa le lebese (milk), papa le linaoa (beans), papa le beet root, paper le lihoete (carrots), papa le mahe (eggs); the possibilities are endless. This is because papa is a classic starch. It is a mildly flavored, completely unseasoned base to every meal.” — Beth Spencer.

My author friend Lauri Kubuitsile from Botswana, introduced me to Rethabile from Lesotho, who now lives in Paris. He then informed me about a chef from Lesotho and her cookbook. Here is a BBC video on Chef Ska Mirriam Motteane, and her goal to teach women to become chefs in Lesotho.

The Mountain Kingdom Cover_ — Click on cover to see on Amazon

I’m also reading Greg’s fascinating memoir, The Mountain School, and learning about what to expect as a primary education teacher in Lesotho. I’m so excited to meet him for lunch tomorrow in San Diego. Greg lived in Lesotho as a Peace Corps Volunteer, and as I’ve connected with other Peace Corps Volunteers and shall be asking him to answer all of our questions about his life as a primary education teacher in the Mountain Kingdom. I’m already learning about what to expect.

I hope there is more to eat in Lesotho than Papa, and Moroho.

Moroho consists of greens: spinach, cabbage, collard greens etc. I shall have to bring some seeds to plant my own vegetables.

I wonder where I shall get my protein from? Eggs? They have beef, mutton and chicken, but Papa, seems to form the main part of the dish.

Anyway, I’m getting more and more excited about this life change, and hopefully the Peace Corps won’t turn me down at the last minute for some medical reason. I’ve uploaded all my medical and dental exams to their portal, which is quite time-consuming.

If you have any suggestions as to what to bring or to plant, please let me know.

What’s It Like to Date In Your 50s

July 21, 2015 by Sonia Marsh 4 Comments

Please click on photo to read article: 3 Reasons Why Dating in Your 50's is Fabulous — Please click on photo to read article: 3 Reasons Why Dating in Your 50’s is Fabulous

I’ve been dating, so I figured I’d share what it’s like to date in your 50s, and don’t worry, there’s no naughty stuff here.

The best way to date in your 50s, and to not get upset or frustrated, is to treat dating as a research project rather than an act of desperation.

Why do women never seem to give up on the “Cinderella” dream, even when we’re in our 50s?

If you’re confident, and have “semi-realistic” goals, regarding what you consider to be your ideal mate, you’d better start developing a sense of humor if you want to stay sane in today’s online dating world.

Dating in your 50s, and older, is like dating in your twenties but worse.

My Observations:

Most people lie about their age, stating that they’re ten years younger in their online profile. I don’t lie about my age. I’m 57, and proud of it. I plan to continue being honest about my age even though men say they want younger women. The opposite is true as well.
Most men are fatter and older than their photos. (To be fair, I’ve heard the same comment coming from men, about women mis-representing themselves on their photos.) We don’t need to show what we looked like at 25, when we’re 65!
Most men in the U.S. think that a motorcycle or a sporty car, is the way to get a woman’s attention. Come on, can’t you be a little more creative/different? The men I saw on U.K. dating sites had more intellectual photos, like “swinging in a hammock and reading a “real book.” OK, I don’t care for motorcycles, or fancy cars, as I don’t believe it’s your car, when I see a Lamborghini. Why are you on a free dating site if you’re so successful? I’m sure many women are attracted to your materialistic toys, but that’s not me. I’d prefer to see you on a camel in the Sahara desert, or scrubbing the elephants on a vacation in Thailand. At least that’s different, and shows that you’re unique and stand out from the rest.
Women don’t like to see a man’s photo with an ex-spouse or girlfriend clinging onto him, even if he’s tried to photoshop her out of the photo. We are good at detecting red nail polish, especially when it’s grabbing your waist.
Women especially don’t want to see you with that “boyish” grin on your face when half-naked show girls cling to your sides. That might impress your guy friends, but not a woman whom you’re asking out on a date.

Here’s my advice.

Treat dating as a research project and you can learn something from it, I promise.
You can learn about yourself, and what’s important to you in a relationship when you date.
You can enjoy the company of another man when there’s a stimulating conversation.
You can become a journalist, and take notes for your next article or novel.
If there is no connection, dig for that one quality or quirk that you find fascinating and use it in your next novel.
You can learn to become more accepting and tolerant.
You can laugh, especially if you haven’t been out on a date in a while.
You can learn to figure out the best way to escape without hurting the other person’s feelings.
You can become friends, although I’ve been told that men hate to hear, “Let’s be friends.”
If you’re looking for love, you can move slowly and see what develops.

Here’s a video on dating after 50. They selected 6 women, and here’s the message I got from this, that rings true:

“You can learn about yourself and what you’re willing to accept.”

Here’s a 15 minute podcast on “How to Attract Your Soul-Mate.”

“If you’re thinking about getting back into dating after a long hiatus, take the time to figure out what fits for you now versus what fit for you when you were in your twenties. Be open to trying new things and moving out of your comfort zone. And, if by chance the opportunity for a passionate romance, comes you way, I say go for it!”– Karen Kanya Daley, MA/MFT

In the meantime, to all the women out there waiting for a date with the “right” man for you, why not enjoy Magic Mike XXL for therapy. I have seen it twice.

Any comments? Please share your stories or points of view.

Serving with the Peace Corps in Lesotho

May 21, 2015 by Sonia Marsh 29 Comments

IMG_20150517_140142182_HDR (3) — I’m wearing the Lesotho hat that my new Danish friend, Lone, brought over. She lived in Lesotho, South Africa

For years, I’ve been telling my friends that I would serve with the Peace Corps when my children were out of the house. It’s something I started talking about ten years ago, and last week, I received the invitation to serve in Lesotho, a small country in Southern Africa.

lesotho — Lesotho is known as the “Mountain Kingdom” and is the roundish, landlocked country in pink on the map.

Now that I’m divorced, and my three sons are independent, this is the perfect time for me to work as a primary education teacher in Africa.

I applied to serve last year in June, and was turned down in January. I was devastated, especially as I felt completely lost, and could not understand why this could happen to me. I’ve attended monthly Peace Corps meetings, including a Peace Corps event at Cal State Long Beach where the new Director, Carrie Hessler-Radelet, stated that the Peace Corps is hoping to increase the number of over 50-year-olds to serve.

After my rejection, the local recruiter encouraged me to reapply immediately. I did so the next day, updating my resume to include the Trinity College Cert-TeSOL course in London. Fortunately I’d been accepted after my interview in London in December 2014, to take the TESOL course starting on April 20th-May 15th, 2015. I needed a backup, in case the Peace Corps turned me down a second time.

The Peace Corps placement officer for Lesotho, interviewed me on February 27th, and almost 3 months later, I received an e-mail with an ‘invitation’ to serve; ironically, on the last day of my course in London.

Now I have a massive amount of paperwork to fill out, passports and visas, medical and dental exams, and finger-printing, etc. As long as all my medical and dental results are fine, I shall leave for Lesotho, on October 5th, 2015.

I cannot wait to start a completely new and challenging life in Africa. I realize this is not going to be easy, and it’s going to take a long time to adapt, as well as to learn the new language, (think clicking sound) of Sesotho. During the first 3 months you live with a host family and learn the local language.

At least it sounds easier than the Czech language that we had to learn during our first week of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other languages.) Watch video of Czech here if you’re interested.

Here is a local dish: Basotho Bashed Beef. The article says they eat horse meat, but only if the horse dies accidentally. They never kill horses for meat.

I would love to meet Prince Harry in Lesotho. He set up the Sentibale charity to help orphaned children in Lesotho. So many children are orphans due to the 3rd highest rate of HIV/AIDS in Lesotho.

Watch this video to see Prince Harry and the work he does in Lesotho.