What would you bring if you could only choose 3 things??
Send responses (and updates!!) to:
Alyssa Gruett, PCV
Falalop, Ulithi
YAP, FSM 96943
Hope you all had a very merry Christmas!!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
My First Micronesian Kiss
10-27-08
I had another beautiful moment last night. The kind that you want to remember forever. One that you will always look back on and smile. One that is strong enough to give you hope in even the toughest of times. It takes place in a thunderstorm, in the middle of youth center, or to the American eye an outdoor cement basketball court. Initially I was there to spy. I was spying on my competition for the upcoming dance on Friday night, another night that I am sure will be documentation worthy. Anyways, my magic moment. As I was sitting in the shadows spying, the rain began coming down by the buckets. It was heavy, it was cold, and it was down-right scary especially if you were a three year old. While there were several other people around, three of the little children from my host family came to me. They could have gone to anyone. Everyone else there they had known their whole lives, instead they came to me, someone they had known for just a few days. I was sitting on ground and they all climbed into my lap. We all huddled together and with my arms wrapped all around them, providing protection, we swayed. Together, Clifford, Cedric, Rennet and I would be safe from the rain. Eventually the rain let up for a little bit and the music turned back on. The kids made a game of getting up to dance and then rush back to sit on my lap. At one point Cedric was running around and playing so hard that he wasn’t paying attention to where he was going and slipped on the wet pavement, bouncing his head off the concrete. Instantly there were tears. In a matter of moments he was back in my arms, my arms that Clifford never left, and shortly once the rain started again, Rennet was right back in as well. The rain seemed to last forever. My legs went numb, but we continued to sit there and sway, even after the rain had stopped. We watched the ladies begin to dance again, and both Clifford and Rennet feel asleep in my arms. The ladies danced on. Then, after awhile, Cedric turned his head to look up at me, wrapped his little arms around my head, and kissed my cheek. I melted.
I had another beautiful moment last night. The kind that you want to remember forever. One that you will always look back on and smile. One that is strong enough to give you hope in even the toughest of times. It takes place in a thunderstorm, in the middle of youth center, or to the American eye an outdoor cement basketball court. Initially I was there to spy. I was spying on my competition for the upcoming dance on Friday night, another night that I am sure will be documentation worthy. Anyways, my magic moment. As I was sitting in the shadows spying, the rain began coming down by the buckets. It was heavy, it was cold, and it was down-right scary especially if you were a three year old. While there were several other people around, three of the little children from my host family came to me. They could have gone to anyone. Everyone else there they had known their whole lives, instead they came to me, someone they had known for just a few days. I was sitting on ground and they all climbed into my lap. We all huddled together and with my arms wrapped all around them, providing protection, we swayed. Together, Clifford, Cedric, Rennet and I would be safe from the rain. Eventually the rain let up for a little bit and the music turned back on. The kids made a game of getting up to dance and then rush back to sit on my lap. At one point Cedric was running around and playing so hard that he wasn’t paying attention to where he was going and slipped on the wet pavement, bouncing his head off the concrete. Instantly there were tears. In a matter of moments he was back in my arms, my arms that Clifford never left, and shortly once the rain started again, Rennet was right back in as well. The rain seemed to last forever. My legs went numb, but we continued to sit there and sway, even after the rain had stopped. We watched the ladies begin to dance again, and both Clifford and Rennet feel asleep in my arms. The ladies danced on. Then, after awhile, Cedric turned his head to look up at me, wrapped his little arms around my head, and kissed my cheek. I melted.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
It's A Jungle, but to Her It's Paradise
10/24(ish)/08
I tell ya what (Redneck, much?) those Peace Corps people are smarter than they let on! They best thing they did when placing me, was put me on an island that is 3,000 ft at it's longest point! I wonder if they knew I was a wanderer...
Anyways, it was amazing!
I started out yesterday with the desire to walk around the island. So I got on one of the trails that I knew would take me to the shore. Then I started walking to my left. After awhile things started to look familiar- I was headed right to the cemetery! The cemetery where I was suppose to be working with all the women! We have been cleaning it everyday this week for an upcoming festival. Here, cleaning basically means using a machete and your hands to pull all of the grass, weeds, and other random things off the graves and rocks surrounding them. Mind you, we are on the equator, and we do this during the day, and there isn't always shade.
I just wanted a day to explore- not work.
I'm probably going to be punished. Sad day.
Anyway, I didn't want to walk past the cemetery, so I followed a new path, then a new one, then another one. I played the game right-left-right-left attempting to go in the direction of the loud roaring waves.
It wasn't too long before the path disappeared. I marched on, climbing over and under trees and bushes, through spider webs and ant hills. I loved it, I felt like Mowgli. So I started singing "The bear necessities of life." Augusta would have been proud! It was so beautiful!
The trees, the plants, the flowers, the weird electric red little beetles! I was lost in paradise. Occasionally I would come across a weird collection of rocks. I didn't know if they were the remains of an abandoned house-or some type of tomb- I liked pretending it was an ancient ruin. I also came to the point I had to climb up and down some weird slopes. Upon further exploration, I was intrigued (our island is relatively flat) I discovered that they were more like giant holes or craters in the ground. These were craters left over from the bombings of World War II.
Thank you America.
This island used to be a Japanese military base. Did I mention the whole island is covered by whole layer of concrete? Needless to say, growing food here is a little bit of a challenge. There are also other remains that decorate our shorelines- engines, vehicles, barrels, etc- giving our pristine beaches extra flare. It's sickening.
I also find it weird none of the locals ever talk about how many of them died or were hurt during the bombings/ war. It's only "So many Japanese died- so many Americans died." It's not like the locals went anywhere- or had bomb shelters to hide in! Coconut trees are amazing, but I am doubtful they can serve as adequate protection in a time of war.
All in all though, my exploration yesterday was amazing.
Monday, November 17, 2008
The Journey Begins
Monday, September 8th, 2008
The journey begins today. “All of my bags are packed and I’m ready to go,” just a couple more heartfelt goodbyes and I’ll be on with the show! Bad rhyme, I apologize. Up until today, it did not really hit me that I was leaving. I have been saying goodbye to people for weeks now, and at times I got a little worked up, but was always the hidden crier. Today, however, my emotions ran wild. I am guessing my lack of sleep the nights before may have had a little something special to add to it as well. It started when I left my house, I had to say goodbye to Ringo. Tear, tear, heaving tear. Then I picked up my Grandma who had some amazing and uplifting things to say about me and keeping my faith. Please do not tell her this, but I lied to her. She asked me if I packed my mustard seed (even with faith as small as a mustard seed, great things can be accomplished), I told her I did. Truth is, it is sitting in my special sea shell box, above my bed, in the room my dad built me after I moved to college. Please don’t tell her I physically do not have it. I carry it in my heart everyday.
On the ride to the airport, I finally figured out a way to discretely ask my Grandma about a time in her life that no one is supposed to know about. Once again, I was amazed at her story, her memory and the hardships she had to face. She is such a remarkable woman. Now if you want to know the dirt, you better find your own discrete way to ask her.....but please do not tell her that I sent you!
At the airport, mind you the small airport, I met a man who had served two terms with the Peace Corps. He was actually headed back to Bangkok to visit one of the areas he had served. He had a lot of positive things to say, as well as some that scared my mom including some fun ones about dengue fever. He also showed us some of his pictures. I would have loved to continue talking to him, but my brother and two nieces walked in, and as normal, they won my attention.
We took what felt like a million pictures and threw some pennies in the wishing fountain. Augusta wished for her Auntie to come back safe with one penny, and with another one she wished to swim around with her Auntie. Then she threw in about five more pennies to really make the wishes come true, or maybe it was just for fun – she is only three (and a half)!
We then ate breakfast at the airport, exchanged teary eyed goodbyes, bear hugs and sloppy kisses, and then I was off.
Naturally it was much more emotional then I am letting on, but I thought I would spare you the emotional details. I will however say that I cried pretty much the whole way to Minneapolis. Especially when I saw my family - my fan club, standing outside the building, by the fence next to the runway, waving and cheering me off. Mom was even jumping up and down. Bonsai!
Flying always reminds me of my Grandma. This is because the first flight that always comes to mind when I board a plane is a flight Grandma and I took from Rhinelander, WI to Minneapolis, MN. This was probably the scariest airplane ride that I have ever been on. Needless to say, Rhinelander is a tiny airport, therefore, the airplane we traveled upon was also tiny. We were also traveling through quite the storm. There was lightning and thunder and extreme turbulence. In my mind it was comparable to being in a washing machine. We moved in circles – up, down, all around, it was nauseating! I was terrified. By the time we landed safely, and got off the plane, my poor Grandma’s arms were black and blue from me squeezing her so tight! Sorry again Grandma!
While waiting for my plane in Minneapolis I decided to take a break from my last minute reading that I was supposed to have done for my Peace Corps Training, and listen to some music. (Thanks Jason for helping me figure out technology!) Anyways, I think I was still a little tired, and emotional all because I got all worked up again while listening to a Michael Jackson song. In fact I wrote down the lyrics in my journal. Yeah, I am that cool.
“If you want to make the world a better place,
take a look at yourself and then make a change”
I will be happy to send a postcard to the first person who can tell me the name of the song that is from!
My flight to L.A. was a little more dry-eyed and eventful. I slept the first couple of hours, and then read most of the rest. Note, I did not say the events were exciting! Although I did have an interesting talk with the people sitting next to me. The good looking gentleman, who hogged my armrest a little too much, was also a world traveler who’s sister served in the Peace Corps in Romania. He never went to visit her. He did however travel around the world (he just spent nine months in Moscow, living in a hotel that cost his company $500 a night!), looking for places to build new Nestle factories. In fact, he was out in the L.A. area looking for a suitable place between here and Las Vegas to build a new factory. Every time we flew over a large amount of water he thought it was funny to say “that looks like a good place to build a factory, we could suck up all that water easy!” I thought it would have been funny if I punched him in his eye. He then offered me a ride to Pasadena when I told him my ride was going to be late picking me up. Hmmmm, that sounds like a lot of fun!?!
The lady on the other side of eager arm boy was a little more exciting to talk to. She was on her way to L.A. because her daughter was a top twenty finalist on some America’s Has Talent show. Sorry mom, her daughter wasn’t the four year old. Her daughter was 25, sang, and played the guitar. Cheer her on, her mom was funny.
It is funny how traveling makes you think such random thoughts. I think everyone could probably be a poet if they traveled all the time. Not saying I am going to do poetry now, it is just a had a lot of fun thoughts while in the air. Lucky for you I did not write them down, I had other priorities, like sleep!
I did however, reminisce about my last experience in L.A. and concluded that this time around the city of smog will be totally different. For example, last time I was here I came by train, this time, by plane. Last time I left L.A. to tour our country. This time I will be moving to a new country. Last time I traveled by limo, played V.I.P. and rubbed elbows with Paris Hilton, two nights in a row. This time, I don’t know who I am going to meet, but I have a feeling they are going to be a better quality than Paris! Last time, well to put it bluntly, things got a little wild. This time the wild takes on a whole new meaning!
Well, I have been up since 4:30 (L.A. time – 6:30 WI) and it is now 10am in WI. I am going to wake up Stacy
The journey begins today. “All of my bags are packed and I’m ready to go,” just a couple more heartfelt goodbyes and I’ll be on with the show! Bad rhyme, I apologize. Up until today, it did not really hit me that I was leaving. I have been saying goodbye to people for weeks now, and at times I got a little worked up, but was always the hidden crier. Today, however, my emotions ran wild. I am guessing my lack of sleep the nights before may have had a little something special to add to it as well. It started when I left my house, I had to say goodbye to Ringo. Tear, tear, heaving tear. Then I picked up my Grandma who had some amazing and uplifting things to say about me and keeping my faith. Please do not tell her this, but I lied to her. She asked me if I packed my mustard seed (even with faith as small as a mustard seed, great things can be accomplished), I told her I did. Truth is, it is sitting in my special sea shell box, above my bed, in the room my dad built me after I moved to college. Please don’t tell her I physically do not have it. I carry it in my heart everyday.
On the ride to the airport, I finally figured out a way to discretely ask my Grandma about a time in her life that no one is supposed to know about. Once again, I was amazed at her story, her memory and the hardships she had to face. She is such a remarkable woman. Now if you want to know the dirt, you better find your own discrete way to ask her.....but please do not tell her that I sent you!
At the airport, mind you the small airport, I met a man who had served two terms with the Peace Corps. He was actually headed back to Bangkok to visit one of the areas he had served. He had a lot of positive things to say, as well as some that scared my mom including some fun ones about dengue fever. He also showed us some of his pictures. I would have loved to continue talking to him, but my brother and two nieces walked in, and as normal, they won my attention.
We took what felt like a million pictures and threw some pennies in the wishing fountain. Augusta wished for her Auntie to come back safe with one penny, and with another one she wished to swim around with her Auntie. Then she threw in about five more pennies to really make the wishes come true, or maybe it was just for fun – she is only three (and a half)!
We then ate breakfast at the airport, exchanged teary eyed goodbyes, bear hugs and sloppy kisses, and then I was off.
Naturally it was much more emotional then I am letting on, but I thought I would spare you the emotional details. I will however say that I cried pretty much the whole way to Minneapolis. Especially when I saw my family - my fan club, standing outside the building, by the fence next to the runway, waving and cheering me off. Mom was even jumping up and down. Bonsai!
Flying always reminds me of my Grandma. This is because the first flight that always comes to mind when I board a plane is a flight Grandma and I took from Rhinelander, WI to Minneapolis, MN. This was probably the scariest airplane ride that I have ever been on. Needless to say, Rhinelander is a tiny airport, therefore, the airplane we traveled upon was also tiny. We were also traveling through quite the storm. There was lightning and thunder and extreme turbulence. In my mind it was comparable to being in a washing machine. We moved in circles – up, down, all around, it was nauseating! I was terrified. By the time we landed safely, and got off the plane, my poor Grandma’s arms were black and blue from me squeezing her so tight! Sorry again Grandma!
While waiting for my plane in Minneapolis I decided to take a break from my last minute reading that I was supposed to have done for my Peace Corps Training, and listen to some music. (Thanks Jason for helping me figure out technology!) Anyways, I think I was still a little tired, and emotional all because I got all worked up again while listening to a Michael Jackson song. In fact I wrote down the lyrics in my journal. Yeah, I am that cool.
“If you want to make the world a better place,
take a look at yourself and then make a change”
I will be happy to send a postcard to the first person who can tell me the name of the song that is from!
My flight to L.A. was a little more dry-eyed and eventful. I slept the first couple of hours, and then read most of the rest. Note, I did not say the events were exciting! Although I did have an interesting talk with the people sitting next to me. The good looking gentleman, who hogged my armrest a little too much, was also a world traveler who’s sister served in the Peace Corps in Romania. He never went to visit her. He did however travel around the world (he just spent nine months in Moscow, living in a hotel that cost his company $500 a night!), looking for places to build new Nestle factories. In fact, he was out in the L.A. area looking for a suitable place between here and Las Vegas to build a new factory. Every time we flew over a large amount of water he thought it was funny to say “that looks like a good place to build a factory, we could suck up all that water easy!” I thought it would have been funny if I punched him in his eye. He then offered me a ride to Pasadena when I told him my ride was going to be late picking me up. Hmmmm, that sounds like a lot of fun!?!
The lady on the other side of eager arm boy was a little more exciting to talk to. She was on her way to L.A. because her daughter was a top twenty finalist on some America’s Has Talent show. Sorry mom, her daughter wasn’t the four year old. Her daughter was 25, sang, and played the guitar. Cheer her on, her mom was funny.
It is funny how traveling makes you think such random thoughts. I think everyone could probably be a poet if they traveled all the time. Not saying I am going to do poetry now, it is just a had a lot of fun thoughts while in the air. Lucky for you I did not write them down, I had other priorities, like sleep!
I did however, reminisce about my last experience in L.A. and concluded that this time around the city of smog will be totally different. For example, last time I was here I came by train, this time, by plane. Last time I left L.A. to tour our country. This time I will be moving to a new country. Last time I traveled by limo, played V.I.P. and rubbed elbows with Paris Hilton, two nights in a row. This time, I don’t know who I am going to meet, but I have a feeling they are going to be a better quality than Paris! Last time, well to put it bluntly, things got a little wild. This time the wild takes on a whole new meaning!
Well, I have been up since 4:30 (L.A. time – 6:30 WI) and it is now 10am in WI. I am going to wake up Stacy
Sunday, November 9, 2008
I'm in love (with an island) and I don't care who knows it!
Hello everyone!! I am sorry it has been so long, but island life has been keeping me quite busy these days!!! It is SO amazing here, I can't believe everything I have seen and done already and I haven't even gotten to the island I will be staying on for the remainder of my time here. I have met some awesome people, and my family here is so good to me. I sometimes scare them because I want to do things like jump off cliffs into the water...I just can't help myself!! There are mountains so lush with vegetation and waterfalls and, oh, it's so great! Momma Allegra posted some pictures on Facebook, so take a peek. And thank you all so much for all your letters - I get the most out of everyone! I must go now - and you must make your travel plans to come see me and this beautiful land (and water)! And keep those letters coming ;)
Alyssa Joy
Alyssa Joy
Friday, October 17, 2008
e-mail 10/08/08
Hello friends, family, and all others who apply but don't think you fall into one of the previous categories.
My journey is finally about to begin! It has just been confirmed that the plane will finally fly, and I will be leaving tomorrow for an outer island of Yap! The island of Falalop. This is where I will be having my remaining language and technical training. I will finally be able to learn Ulithian! (I have been sitting in on the Yapese trainings for the past few days...and I am eager to start to learn something I will actually use on my island!)
Yap proper is beautiful, but I am so anxious to see what is yet in store for me! Unfortunately, I will not be on my permanent island of Federai until around the end of November( depending on when the ship/plane leave!)
So tomorrow is the day I say good bye to electricity, cars, internet, phones and all the other little luxuries I have become so accustomed to in my 24 years. I cannot wait. I have already been wearing my outer island lava lava (traditional women's skirt) the shirt that I will be wearing every moment for the next 2 years. Just one of the new customs I am attempting to get used to (there are so many rules that go along with this skirt! The way I can or cannot sit, how I walk, how I wear it, even how I fold it and carry it!! It is crazy!!!)
The way my life is about to change I cannot fully even begin to understand, or try to explain.. Therefore, your just going to have to wait for the updates and learn as I go. On that note, I will stop rambling for now and get back to my training....this afternoon we are having a cultural training....we will be learning all about coconuts!!! I am very excited.....Love you all ....more to follow...Alyssa
My journey is finally about to begin! It has just been confirmed that the plane will finally fly, and I will be leaving tomorrow for an outer island of Yap! The island of Falalop. This is where I will be having my remaining language and technical training. I will finally be able to learn Ulithian! (I have been sitting in on the Yapese trainings for the past few days...and I am eager to start to learn something I will actually use on my island!)
Yap proper is beautiful, but I am so anxious to see what is yet in store for me! Unfortunately, I will not be on my permanent island of Federai until around the end of November( depending on when the ship/plane leave!)
So tomorrow is the day I say good bye to electricity, cars, internet, phones and all the other little luxuries I have become so accustomed to in my 24 years. I cannot wait. I have already been wearing my outer island lava lava (traditional women's skirt) the shirt that I will be wearing every moment for the next 2 years. Just one of the new customs I am attempting to get used to (there are so many rules that go along with this skirt! The way I can or cannot sit, how I walk, how I wear it, even how I fold it and carry it!! It is crazy!!!)
The way my life is about to change I cannot fully even begin to understand, or try to explain.. Therefore, your just going to have to wait for the updates and learn as I go. On that note, I will stop rambling for now and get back to my training....this afternoon we are having a cultural training....we will be learning all about coconuts!!! I am very excited.....Love you all ....more to follow...Alyssa
E-mail news
9/30/08
Hello Y'all! Greetings from Pohnpei, Micronesia!!!
Wow has it been a busy, crazy couple of weeks! So far some of my highlights include jumping off a cliff into shark infested water, fish and rice every meal(yum), exploring the ancient ruins of Nan Madol, climbing and swimming in a waterfall, snorkeling coral reefs-and seeing the largest manta ray of my life! , learning how to cut grass with a machete, meeting the American Ambassador, sakkau, attending church with my family, rafting out to islands, an outdoor toliet full of hundreds of cockroaches, sleeping on a mat on the floor, ants everywhere...and I mean everywhere!! , bucket showers, attending a ladies festival where pigs were definitely sacrificed, boating with the host fam, ...I promise pictures will come!
I am in love with Micronesia!!!! I am still in shock that the U.S. gov is paying for me to do this! I love America!!!
I also learned this last week of my permanent placement... I will be placed on an outer island of Yap call Ulithi....I am very excited . This island does have electricity ...sometimes, but no phones or computers. So other then snail mail I will only be in contact every three or four months.
It is one of the most cultural places to be in Micronesia - meaning lavalava's and thu's all around.(Lavalava = lady skirts and Thu = loin cloth!!!) I will be learning how to weave....This is truly going to be an amazing place to be, and I promise to tell you more at a later date.....
Kaselehie!! Alyssa Joy
Hello Y'all! Greetings from Pohnpei, Micronesia!!!
Wow has it been a busy, crazy couple of weeks! So far some of my highlights include jumping off a cliff into shark infested water, fish and rice every meal(yum), exploring the ancient ruins of Nan Madol, climbing and swimming in a waterfall, snorkeling coral reefs-and seeing the largest manta ray of my life! , learning how to cut grass with a machete, meeting the American Ambassador, sakkau, attending church with my family, rafting out to islands, an outdoor toliet full of hundreds of cockroaches, sleeping on a mat on the floor, ants everywhere...and I mean everywhere!! , bucket showers, attending a ladies festival where pigs were definitely sacrificed, boating with the host fam, ...I promise pictures will come!
I am in love with Micronesia!!!! I am still in shock that the U.S. gov is paying for me to do this! I love America!!!
I also learned this last week of my permanent placement... I will be placed on an outer island of Yap call Ulithi....I am very excited . This island does have electricity ...sometimes, but no phones or computers. So other then snail mail I will only be in contact every three or four months.
It is one of the most cultural places to be in Micronesia - meaning lavalava's and thu's all around.(Lavalava = lady skirts and Thu = loin cloth!!!) I will be learning how to weave....This is truly going to be an amazing place to be, and I promise to tell you more at a later date.....
Kaselehie!! Alyssa Joy
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Alyssa's new address
Last and maybe final address for :
Alyssa Gruett
PCV
Falalop, Ulthi
Yap, FM
96943
She will be on Falalop, Ulithi, YAP
After Nov 11 she will be going to a different outer island....Fedarai
As you can tell from her emails......It is just what she asked for and loves it.
I was told that if you insure a package it will get there sooner then if not insured, but we are still waiting to send anything. She asked for us to wait until she as her assigned island.......She has to carry everything she owns....and we do not what she needs???
I will attempt to update this blog thing....but I told Alyssa I think we all would rather wait for her to tell us her stories. It is much more adventurous then I ever thought it would be, but we are very happy for her opportunity to serve and learn . (We are all learning along with her!!)
Thank You for your concerns and letters to her. It all helps so much.
Love and PEACE to all .....Momma G
Alyssa Gruett
PCV
Falalop, Ulthi
Yap, FM
96943
She will be on Falalop, Ulithi, YAP
After Nov 11 she will be going to a different outer island....Fedarai
As you can tell from her emails......It is just what she asked for and loves it.
I was told that if you insure a package it will get there sooner then if not insured, but we are still waiting to send anything. She asked for us to wait until she as her assigned island.......She has to carry everything she owns....and we do not what she needs???
I will attempt to update this blog thing....but I told Alyssa I think we all would rather wait for her to tell us her stories. It is much more adventurous then I ever thought it would be, but we are very happy for her opportunity to serve and learn . (We are all learning along with her!!)
Thank You for your concerns and letters to her. It all helps so much.
Love and PEACE to all .....Momma G
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Thank You
I'm going to an island and I'm......going to do service
Going to an island and I'm....going to do ser-er-er-vice
Going to an island for fun!
(In the morning! I cannot wait! I love everything about the first two days of Peace Corps so far!)
I also love all of you! My friends, my family, my fan club, your all amazing!
I wish I could talk to you all, but time is short, and I apologize. Know that I take you where ever I go!!!!
I love you,
Alyssa
P.S. Thank you Tara Huss!
Going to an island and I'm....going to do ser-er-er-vice
Going to an island for fun!
(In the morning! I cannot wait! I love everything about the first two days of Peace Corps so far!)
I also love all of you! My friends, my family, my fan club, your all amazing!
I wish I could talk to you all, but time is short, and I apologize. Know that I take you where ever I go!!!!
I love you,
Alyssa
P.S. Thank you Tara Huss!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Delicious Ambiguity
I always wanted a happy ending... Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it without knowing what's going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity.
Gilda RadnerUS actress & comedienne (1946 - 1989)
Gilda RadnerUS actress & comedienne (1946 - 1989)
Friday, August 29, 2008
Childhood Joys that Never Leave
I feel like I am five again. Okay, maybe a little older, but a kid nonetheless. I remember being a kid, playing with my Barbies in my closet underneath the stairs. I loved to play with Barbies. I would spend hours in my little closet, lost in my land of imagination. It was my world and it was amazing. Occasionally, I would become restless for a change of scenery. (I guess my sense of adventure kicked in at an early age?) Anyways, one of my favorite things to do when I was little was to pack, into my little baby blue Barbie convertible, my favorite Barbies at the time. I would bring along all of their necessary clothes, belongings and children. Together, we would then leave the safety and comfort of our closet underneath the stairs and explore foreign areas of the house, camping occasionally along the way when we grew weary from traveling. I loved the idea of being able to pack everything that mattered most into the car and traveling anywhere, at anytime. Occasionally, we would opt to leave the baby blue convertible at home and travel by horseback. Those trips were my favorite.
I started to have this same sensation again this week. Only instead of packing my Barbie's belongings, I am packing my own. Since I found out that I will be moving to an island I have been downsizing my material goods drastically. I love it. I feel like I can now pack all of my favorite things into my car and explore again. Well, I kind of explored the roads of North America already......a couple times......I will save those stories for a later date, when I need to reminisce because I am homesick on the beach. (If that is possible!?!)
In conclusion, I guess we should all play with Barbies? Barbie leads to peace? hmmm....
I started to have this same sensation again this week. Only instead of packing my Barbie's belongings, I am packing my own. Since I found out that I will be moving to an island I have been downsizing my material goods drastically. I love it. I feel like I can now pack all of my favorite things into my car and explore again. Well, I kind of explored the roads of North America already......a couple times......I will save those stories for a later date, when I need to reminisce because I am homesick on the beach. (If that is possible!?!)
In conclusion, I guess we should all play with Barbies? Barbie leads to peace? hmmm....
Thank you Jamie Seed
"When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky"
- Gautama Buddha
- Gautama Buddha
A Rather Depressing Start, to the Greatest Adventure of my Life
Before we begin, we must go back, just a little. These are some of my writings from the beginning of my adventure. For those who may not know, it was an intense time for questions, concerns, and prayers.
Beginning of a new life, Tuesday, May 6th, 2008
To say that is has been a tumultuous couple of days would be putting it mildly. To say that my luck has completely hit rock bottom would be an error, but it is still difficult to look upon my luck with complete favor. Let us now take a brief moment and summarize my recent past occurrences, and then leave the final decision up to you.
Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008. It started with a phone call I received around 9 pm Wednesday night. It was from my brother, Jason. My brother and I have a good relationship, but we are not the kind that have regular phone conversations, especially this late at night-he has two beautiful little girls with an early bedtime. Anyways, he was calling to tell me that my father had been in a car accident. My heart dropped. To this moment I have a tough time recalling whether my mind was completely overflowing with random thoughts or if it was completely empty. He said that he had flipped his truck driving home from work. I asked if he had been drinking. Jason listed things that might be wrong with my dad, saying areas like his face, chest, lungs, kidneys, spine, ankles, but said that it was still to early to tell the complete damage that was done to his body. Apparently he was waiting at the hospital with my mom, and they had not seen him yet since he was still having tests done, but they knew it was bad. I did not know what to do. I immediately began crying and waiting and packing. I did not know what to do. I knew I would be going home, yet I waited for them to call back with more information. I frantically began cleaning everything, busy motion to keep me from sitting too still and thinking too much. I was too emotionally wrecked to drive. While I waited two friends came over, to wait with me and distract me. We watched a stupidly funny, cute movie. I cannot remember what it was about. It is funny how my mind purposely blocks things from my memory. What I can remember is how badly I was shaking. Just writing this now, thinking about it in-depth again, my shakes return. Mid-movie Molly, my sister-in-law called me to give me an update on my dad. She listed the things that were possibly hurt on him, and it seemed the list lasted forever....broke ribs, a ruptured kidney, a punctured lung, a broke nose, compressed discs in his spine, ankles....he was covered in blood and was still having tests done on his head. I lost it again, crying so badly it was difficult to speak. Molly made me promise her that I would not drive home that night. She knew I was too upset, and said my mom had enough going on without worrying about me on the road too. I pulled myself together, returned to my friends, the shakes, and the movie I was completely lost in. The movie ended about quarter after twelve, and my friends hugged me good bye. Immediately after they left, I grabbed my keys and sack of dirty clothes and headed to my car. Technically, I did not lie to Molly. I arrived home around 2:30 am and let the dogs out, after hugging them a million times. Once again I began picking things up, like the salads that were prepared and waiting to be eaten. Around 4 am I was still too wired to sleep, but figured I should try. I climbed into my niece Augusta’s miniature bed and slept with her baby doll Stella, some of her other random toys, and both of our dogs. It was a little crowded, but safe. At 4:30 am my mom came home. She was surprised to see me but I could tell she was relieved, we both were. While she talked to me about what happened she turned into the frantic cleaning, moving woman. I wonder where I get it from. She told me she had to stay at the hospital so long because she had to monitor my dad’s breathing. A little side note, my dad is a big guy (well he used to be 40 lbs bigger, but that was before he went on the nutri-system diet...besides the point) with high blood pressure and sleep apnea. My mom had to stay and wake him up ever so often because his punctured lung kept collapsing while he was sleeping, which to all us medical geniuses pretty much means bad news. After talking for awhile, we decided we should try to rest, I think mostly she just wanted to be alone to process the evenings events.
The next few days were pretty rough. It was hard seeing my dad, who is usually a control freak, leader and hero to all, helpless in a hospital bed. His accident was a big reality check for himself, and us all. We definitely believe that someone was riding with him, especially after seeing his truck, and we are so very thankful for all that we have. Luckily, my dad survived and only broke all of his ribs on one side, four on the other, only bruised his kidney, punctured one lung, broke his sternum, and compressed two discs in his upper back (he already had compressed discs in his lower back.....meaning my father who once stood 6’3” is now probably 4’10”....but not really). He never needed any stitches, according to the doctors - my mom has a different opinion. His ankles, head and face all turned out to be just fine. In fact, the next day he wanted his cell phone and lap top back so he could do some work. What a fighter, not even broken bones and heavy drugs could slow his business ego down. Something, I hopefully did not inherit from my father!
Now to summarize the good and bad of things:
Yes my dad was in a severe car accident and is going to spend the majority of his summer healing, but fortunately he survived. This is definitely a miracle, especially after seeing his Ford F150 fully equipped with the armor of a hydraulic lift tailgate, brace for a plow, a stainless steel toolbox that lined the bed of his truck, and a metal bracket to attach appliances to....twisted, crushed and shrunk down to the size of a S10. Thank god no one else was involved.
While at the junk yard examining my dad’s truck, which clearly was in a horrific accident, I noticed a truck that belonged to another recent car accident victim from my hometown. This other truck hardly looked like it was in an accident at all, but unfortunately the driver of that truck was not as lucky as my dad.
My dad spent five days in Intensive Care, then was moved to the Special Care Unit for another couple days. Luckily my work place was very understanding and supportive and gave me some time off to be with my family. It was much appreciated.
Friday, April 25th, 2008.
I was all set to return to Oshkosh today. I had spent a lot of time with my dad, and we all decided it would be okay for me to return to work...instead of watching him sleep in the hospital. I spent the morning with him, and then it was time for me to leave. I felt alright leaving him because he had a nonstop flow of visitors, calls, cards and flowers frequenting his room. The thing that I did not feel alright about was my stomach. I had woke up the night before at 4 am and thought my appendix was exploding. It was the worst pain I have ever felt. I sat up for an hour and a half crying, shaking, unable to move or twist in any direction. It was awful. It felt like all of my muscles were being ripped apart. I wanted to wake my mom up to take me to the hospital but wanted her to get her rest more. Neither one of us had gotten very much sleep lately, and I did not want to worry her any more. Anyways, I ignored the pain and tried to sleep it off. I woke up in the morning and my side still hurt. I told her about it but added that she should not worry, I would be fine, it was probably just something caused by stress. Unfortunately though, I had been having weird stomach problems for about a month now – I will save you the gory details, but let’s just say it was not fun or pretty! I figured I lived with them for that long, why not longer?
After I left the hospital I called my mom to let her know I was leaving. Like the good, worrisome mother she is, she was still frantic about my stomach and insisted I go the doctor. I had already been to one in Oshkosh - but believe they misdiagnosed me. I told her I would think about it. I then called my nurse friend and she finally scared me into seeing a doctor. Needless to say I did not make it to work that day, and just for fun, they gave me the next day off as well. I did, however, make it to the same Emergency Room that my dad had been rushed to by ambulance two days prior. I had the same doctor and everything. My family was getting pretty well-known around the Emergency territory. I was checked in around 1 pm, finally saw a doctor after 5 pm and was checked out after 7:30 pm. I was told to come back for some more tests, since it was after hours there was nothing more they could do.
Tuesday, April 29th, 2008
I had the joys of an uncomfortable surgical procedure today. All I can say is wow, powerful drugs, or maybe it was just my body has no tolerance for them? I heard the stories from my friends who have had these before, and they were all awake during their procedures. Not me. I remember meeting Carlos the anesthesiologist and being carted in the direction of the room. We went through one set of doors, then another, then I was gone. I do not remember even seeing my doctor or anything. The next thing I knew I was awake and people were talking to me, in fact I think they were laughing at me? I know I was talking, maybe I was funny? Oh well, just another memory I don’t remember.
Adding it all up, I still do not know. Some days it still seems like my stomach is rotting, but at least I know now my colon is clean and healthy.
My dad’s accident was on a Wednesday. He was able to check out of the hospital on the Thursday, the following week. A week that will always be remembered by the Gruett family.
My dad was to come home Thursday morning and we still needed to prepare for his return. Mom and I needed to clean the house, carpets and all, and arrange the furniture to accommodate my dad’s new hospital bed which was to be the new centerpiece in our living room. We decided to wait until morning, ah sweet procrastination.
Tuesday night, the Tuesday before the Thursday my dad was to come home, our dogs, being the typical free spirited wild canines they are, decided that they deserved a little free run time. I have to admit they deserved it, with all of our time recently being spent at the hospital, they were not exactly receiving an excessive amount of our attention. In the past they have been known to take off for days on end, winding up in the neighboring towns – or neighboring houses. Once again, does not sound like anyone I know. Anyways, for some mysterious reason they were only out running for a couple of hours this night. Upon their arrival around 2 in the morning, they found me, still sleeping in my niece’s miniature bed surrounded by a plethora of toys. They both immediately jumped into bed with me. They knew better than to try to sleep in my mom’s bed. They knew they were on her naughty list. She does not approve of their wild curiosities which leads her to long nights worrying. Normally I am more forgiving. However, on this night, in the already crowded bed, I too was not in the mood to share my limited space with two soaking wet creatures from swamp thing. Did I mention we live by a lake? Ringo, a dog who loves the water but hates to swim, was used to being turned away for being too wet, so he just curled up by the foot of my bed. Peanut on the other hand, jumped to the floor and took off in a mad sprint towards the living room, hunched over with his tail between his legs. I assumed his peculiar behavior was just his nerves because he knew he was in trouble. In the morning when we woke up we found pee stains and doggie doo-doo all over the floor. Needless to say this was not an act to make for happy moms in the morning. The dogs spent the day outside on the porch, and mom and I cleaned every inch of the house, carpets and all.
Unfortunately, around mid-morning I had to return to work, and my life so I was unable to be of assistance in the unfortunate events that continued to plague our house.
Thursday May 1st, 2008. If mom and I had paid more attention to our dogs, maybe we would have been able to prevent what happened. As it turned out, the pee stains we thought were on the carpet were actually water that had been regurgitated. Poor Peanut was not feeling well at all. In fact the next morning when mom woke up the floors were dirty like the previous morning again. Peanut kept drinking water, then spitting it back up. He was in a weird place physically and mentally. Mom was very worried about him, but unfortunately she had to go and pick my dad up from the hospital. Just to give yourself a time frame, the hospital is in Rhinelander, 30 miles from our house. She worried the whole way. When my mom and dad returned home, Peanut, our little toy poodle was having seizures and was practically in a coma. She immediately loaded Peanut into the car and headed back to Rhinelander, again 30 miles away. By the time they had reached the veterinarian, all of Peanuts organs had shut down except his heart and liver, he was completely brain dead and comatose. They determined that he had gotten into anti-freeze and that it was too late. There was no choice but to euthanize him.
Once mom learned that anti-freeze was the culprit, she immediately began to worry about Ringo. Leaving her no choice but to return to Crandon, pick him up, and rush him back to the vet in Rhinelander, another 30 miles each way. In case you have not noticed time was not on our side. If Peanut had reached the vet earlier there might have been hope for him, and now Ringo’s fate was testing the clock.
After Ringo arrived at the vet, he too tested positive for anti-freeze in his blood. They determined since he was a bigger dog, a shepard-retriever-mutt-mix, it might not have affected him as quickly. He would however need a blood transfusion. He ended up staying at the vet that night, heavily drugged, and mom was once again able to return home. With Peanuts body.
My parents had a small memorial service for him. They buried him under an apple tree next to his brother, Buddy. Buddy was run over this last Labor Day, on the same road that my dad had his accident on. My dad said a eulogy, and everyone in attendance had tears in their eyes. Even my brother. I guess they realized how different things could have been, if they were attending the funeral of my father.
Major point I hope readers pick up on.....store your anti-freeze properly!!! I know there are people out there who leave it out in hopes of killing squirrels, well I kindly ask you now to PLEASE STOP! You never know who might be creeping around; a beloved small family pet or even a small child! The risks are too great, please do not leave it to chance.
In other news, Thursday, May 1st, 2008 was also my big interview with the Peace Corps. An hour and a half conversation, that I was rather indifferent towards. Which was rather surprising to me, especially since the Peace Corps has been my dream for years. The only dream I have had longer was to be a scuba instructor! I was excited to be finally having it, after wanting it for so long, but I was also filled with a lot of other mixed emotions. Especially with all that had recently been happening in my life. For example, if my dad was in a car accident and I was overseas, it would be impossible for me to drive right through the night and be home by the time my mother reaches the front door. Just one of the many thoughts I had. Guess it is up to the gods now, we’ll just have to wait and see what they have to say. I hope they like me again.
Friday, May 2nd, 2008
Thankfully Ringo survived. I do not know if my family could have handled loosing him too. I guess Ringo had to wear one of those ridiculous cones around his neck to keep him from pulling his I.V. out, but it was unable to stop him. In the morning he had it out and was up and whining, we think whining to come home.
In other news today, a little cute, yellow bird flew into our window today and died.
Still trying to find the positive to this one.
My friend Shell said that maybe this little cute, yellow bird had a life that we knew nothing about. Maybe the squirrels ate all of its food, trashed it’s nest while it was not looking and made this bird’s life a living hell, so at least now, even though the bird has reached the end of it’s flight, maybe, just maybe, it is in a better place.
Therefore, maybe, just maybe, this little cute, yellow bird is no longer a victim of squirrel abuse.
Monday, Cinco de Mayo, 2008
I am to call the Peace Corps to find out whether I am considered a nominee. I played phone tag all day with the lady, and won’t find out whether my life is about to completely change until tomorrow.
Another extra perk for the day is I got a speeding ticket today while driving back to Oshkosh. The officer was very friendly about it though, since I was honest with him. He still had to issue me a citation, bam another four points gone, but the nice cop-like gentleman he was, he gave me the lowest price range that he could. Thanks I guess? Not his problem, I mean it is only my 5th speeding ticket...oops...I wonder how many points I have left?
So, looking at the citation at hand in both lights, loosing four points is not an ideal situation for my insurance, and nice cops still make me poor....but at least it was not a car accident.
My dad called me later to give me grief about speeding. He also had just received a speeding ticket a couple of weeks ago while on vacation with my mom. He too had a real friendly police officer, and he too lost four points but the cop knocked his speed down to make it cheaper too.
Just for the record, my dad was also given a ticket for his accident; driving too fast for something.
My dad also has had to take the speeding class a couple years ago to regain points on his license.
I wonder who I inherited speeding from!?!?
Tuesday, May 6th, 2008
The big news is finally in, and..........I am now considered a nominee for the Peace Corps! While nothing is decided yet, I have the option of going to the Pacific Islands in September to be a Primary Teacher Trainer. Whatever that means! Frankly, who cares I am going to finally have my hut on the beach! Words cannot even begin to describe how lucky I feel that this was even an option! The lady who gave me the interview said I could choose between North Africa/Middle East, which most likely would have been in Jordan, or the Pacific Islands. Hmm, let me think about this, right. As soon as I heard the Pacific Islands was even an option I heard the whistles and sirens going off and it felt like I was being called to “come on down!” on the Price is Right!
Thursday, May 08, 2008
How do you pack for two years when you do not know where your going, or when. Or even if? I have gone to the library and checked-out about twelve books on a the Pacific Islands and a couple movies. I love this dream.
Monday, May 19, 2008
I want to start changing my life now to prepare to leave, but still now that would be premature. I have seen all the required doctors and have had all the tests taken. Now I just sit and wait for the results to come back to me. I hope I pass! I cannot wait to send them back and wait some more! Hopefully, since September is not that far away I will take somewhat of a priority and they will look at my file immediately! I wonder how old I will be before I get skin cancer?!
Beginning of a new life, Tuesday, May 6th, 2008
To say that is has been a tumultuous couple of days would be putting it mildly. To say that my luck has completely hit rock bottom would be an error, but it is still difficult to look upon my luck with complete favor. Let us now take a brief moment and summarize my recent past occurrences, and then leave the final decision up to you.
Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008. It started with a phone call I received around 9 pm Wednesday night. It was from my brother, Jason. My brother and I have a good relationship, but we are not the kind that have regular phone conversations, especially this late at night-he has two beautiful little girls with an early bedtime. Anyways, he was calling to tell me that my father had been in a car accident. My heart dropped. To this moment I have a tough time recalling whether my mind was completely overflowing with random thoughts or if it was completely empty. He said that he had flipped his truck driving home from work. I asked if he had been drinking. Jason listed things that might be wrong with my dad, saying areas like his face, chest, lungs, kidneys, spine, ankles, but said that it was still to early to tell the complete damage that was done to his body. Apparently he was waiting at the hospital with my mom, and they had not seen him yet since he was still having tests done, but they knew it was bad. I did not know what to do. I immediately began crying and waiting and packing. I did not know what to do. I knew I would be going home, yet I waited for them to call back with more information. I frantically began cleaning everything, busy motion to keep me from sitting too still and thinking too much. I was too emotionally wrecked to drive. While I waited two friends came over, to wait with me and distract me. We watched a stupidly funny, cute movie. I cannot remember what it was about. It is funny how my mind purposely blocks things from my memory. What I can remember is how badly I was shaking. Just writing this now, thinking about it in-depth again, my shakes return. Mid-movie Molly, my sister-in-law called me to give me an update on my dad. She listed the things that were possibly hurt on him, and it seemed the list lasted forever....broke ribs, a ruptured kidney, a punctured lung, a broke nose, compressed discs in his spine, ankles....he was covered in blood and was still having tests done on his head. I lost it again, crying so badly it was difficult to speak. Molly made me promise her that I would not drive home that night. She knew I was too upset, and said my mom had enough going on without worrying about me on the road too. I pulled myself together, returned to my friends, the shakes, and the movie I was completely lost in. The movie ended about quarter after twelve, and my friends hugged me good bye. Immediately after they left, I grabbed my keys and sack of dirty clothes and headed to my car. Technically, I did not lie to Molly. I arrived home around 2:30 am and let the dogs out, after hugging them a million times. Once again I began picking things up, like the salads that were prepared and waiting to be eaten. Around 4 am I was still too wired to sleep, but figured I should try. I climbed into my niece Augusta’s miniature bed and slept with her baby doll Stella, some of her other random toys, and both of our dogs. It was a little crowded, but safe. At 4:30 am my mom came home. She was surprised to see me but I could tell she was relieved, we both were. While she talked to me about what happened she turned into the frantic cleaning, moving woman. I wonder where I get it from. She told me she had to stay at the hospital so long because she had to monitor my dad’s breathing. A little side note, my dad is a big guy (well he used to be 40 lbs bigger, but that was before he went on the nutri-system diet...besides the point) with high blood pressure and sleep apnea. My mom had to stay and wake him up ever so often because his punctured lung kept collapsing while he was sleeping, which to all us medical geniuses pretty much means bad news. After talking for awhile, we decided we should try to rest, I think mostly she just wanted to be alone to process the evenings events.
The next few days were pretty rough. It was hard seeing my dad, who is usually a control freak, leader and hero to all, helpless in a hospital bed. His accident was a big reality check for himself, and us all. We definitely believe that someone was riding with him, especially after seeing his truck, and we are so very thankful for all that we have. Luckily, my dad survived and only broke all of his ribs on one side, four on the other, only bruised his kidney, punctured one lung, broke his sternum, and compressed two discs in his upper back (he already had compressed discs in his lower back.....meaning my father who once stood 6’3” is now probably 4’10”....but not really). He never needed any stitches, according to the doctors - my mom has a different opinion. His ankles, head and face all turned out to be just fine. In fact, the next day he wanted his cell phone and lap top back so he could do some work. What a fighter, not even broken bones and heavy drugs could slow his business ego down. Something, I hopefully did not inherit from my father!
Now to summarize the good and bad of things:
Yes my dad was in a severe car accident and is going to spend the majority of his summer healing, but fortunately he survived. This is definitely a miracle, especially after seeing his Ford F150 fully equipped with the armor of a hydraulic lift tailgate, brace for a plow, a stainless steel toolbox that lined the bed of his truck, and a metal bracket to attach appliances to....twisted, crushed and shrunk down to the size of a S10. Thank god no one else was involved.
While at the junk yard examining my dad’s truck, which clearly was in a horrific accident, I noticed a truck that belonged to another recent car accident victim from my hometown. This other truck hardly looked like it was in an accident at all, but unfortunately the driver of that truck was not as lucky as my dad.
My dad spent five days in Intensive Care, then was moved to the Special Care Unit for another couple days. Luckily my work place was very understanding and supportive and gave me some time off to be with my family. It was much appreciated.
Friday, April 25th, 2008.
I was all set to return to Oshkosh today. I had spent a lot of time with my dad, and we all decided it would be okay for me to return to work...instead of watching him sleep in the hospital. I spent the morning with him, and then it was time for me to leave. I felt alright leaving him because he had a nonstop flow of visitors, calls, cards and flowers frequenting his room. The thing that I did not feel alright about was my stomach. I had woke up the night before at 4 am and thought my appendix was exploding. It was the worst pain I have ever felt. I sat up for an hour and a half crying, shaking, unable to move or twist in any direction. It was awful. It felt like all of my muscles were being ripped apart. I wanted to wake my mom up to take me to the hospital but wanted her to get her rest more. Neither one of us had gotten very much sleep lately, and I did not want to worry her any more. Anyways, I ignored the pain and tried to sleep it off. I woke up in the morning and my side still hurt. I told her about it but added that she should not worry, I would be fine, it was probably just something caused by stress. Unfortunately though, I had been having weird stomach problems for about a month now – I will save you the gory details, but let’s just say it was not fun or pretty! I figured I lived with them for that long, why not longer?
After I left the hospital I called my mom to let her know I was leaving. Like the good, worrisome mother she is, she was still frantic about my stomach and insisted I go the doctor. I had already been to one in Oshkosh - but believe they misdiagnosed me. I told her I would think about it. I then called my nurse friend and she finally scared me into seeing a doctor. Needless to say I did not make it to work that day, and just for fun, they gave me the next day off as well. I did, however, make it to the same Emergency Room that my dad had been rushed to by ambulance two days prior. I had the same doctor and everything. My family was getting pretty well-known around the Emergency territory. I was checked in around 1 pm, finally saw a doctor after 5 pm and was checked out after 7:30 pm. I was told to come back for some more tests, since it was after hours there was nothing more they could do.
Tuesday, April 29th, 2008
I had the joys of an uncomfortable surgical procedure today. All I can say is wow, powerful drugs, or maybe it was just my body has no tolerance for them? I heard the stories from my friends who have had these before, and they were all awake during their procedures. Not me. I remember meeting Carlos the anesthesiologist and being carted in the direction of the room. We went through one set of doors, then another, then I was gone. I do not remember even seeing my doctor or anything. The next thing I knew I was awake and people were talking to me, in fact I think they were laughing at me? I know I was talking, maybe I was funny? Oh well, just another memory I don’t remember.
Adding it all up, I still do not know. Some days it still seems like my stomach is rotting, but at least I know now my colon is clean and healthy.
My dad’s accident was on a Wednesday. He was able to check out of the hospital on the Thursday, the following week. A week that will always be remembered by the Gruett family.
My dad was to come home Thursday morning and we still needed to prepare for his return. Mom and I needed to clean the house, carpets and all, and arrange the furniture to accommodate my dad’s new hospital bed which was to be the new centerpiece in our living room. We decided to wait until morning, ah sweet procrastination.
Tuesday night, the Tuesday before the Thursday my dad was to come home, our dogs, being the typical free spirited wild canines they are, decided that they deserved a little free run time. I have to admit they deserved it, with all of our time recently being spent at the hospital, they were not exactly receiving an excessive amount of our attention. In the past they have been known to take off for days on end, winding up in the neighboring towns – or neighboring houses. Once again, does not sound like anyone I know. Anyways, for some mysterious reason they were only out running for a couple of hours this night. Upon their arrival around 2 in the morning, they found me, still sleeping in my niece’s miniature bed surrounded by a plethora of toys. They both immediately jumped into bed with me. They knew better than to try to sleep in my mom’s bed. They knew they were on her naughty list. She does not approve of their wild curiosities which leads her to long nights worrying. Normally I am more forgiving. However, on this night, in the already crowded bed, I too was not in the mood to share my limited space with two soaking wet creatures from swamp thing. Did I mention we live by a lake? Ringo, a dog who loves the water but hates to swim, was used to being turned away for being too wet, so he just curled up by the foot of my bed. Peanut on the other hand, jumped to the floor and took off in a mad sprint towards the living room, hunched over with his tail between his legs. I assumed his peculiar behavior was just his nerves because he knew he was in trouble. In the morning when we woke up we found pee stains and doggie doo-doo all over the floor. Needless to say this was not an act to make for happy moms in the morning. The dogs spent the day outside on the porch, and mom and I cleaned every inch of the house, carpets and all.
Unfortunately, around mid-morning I had to return to work, and my life so I was unable to be of assistance in the unfortunate events that continued to plague our house.
Thursday May 1st, 2008. If mom and I had paid more attention to our dogs, maybe we would have been able to prevent what happened. As it turned out, the pee stains we thought were on the carpet were actually water that had been regurgitated. Poor Peanut was not feeling well at all. In fact the next morning when mom woke up the floors were dirty like the previous morning again. Peanut kept drinking water, then spitting it back up. He was in a weird place physically and mentally. Mom was very worried about him, but unfortunately she had to go and pick my dad up from the hospital. Just to give yourself a time frame, the hospital is in Rhinelander, 30 miles from our house. She worried the whole way. When my mom and dad returned home, Peanut, our little toy poodle was having seizures and was practically in a coma. She immediately loaded Peanut into the car and headed back to Rhinelander, again 30 miles away. By the time they had reached the veterinarian, all of Peanuts organs had shut down except his heart and liver, he was completely brain dead and comatose. They determined that he had gotten into anti-freeze and that it was too late. There was no choice but to euthanize him.
Once mom learned that anti-freeze was the culprit, she immediately began to worry about Ringo. Leaving her no choice but to return to Crandon, pick him up, and rush him back to the vet in Rhinelander, another 30 miles each way. In case you have not noticed time was not on our side. If Peanut had reached the vet earlier there might have been hope for him, and now Ringo’s fate was testing the clock.
After Ringo arrived at the vet, he too tested positive for anti-freeze in his blood. They determined since he was a bigger dog, a shepard-retriever-mutt-mix, it might not have affected him as quickly. He would however need a blood transfusion. He ended up staying at the vet that night, heavily drugged, and mom was once again able to return home. With Peanuts body.
My parents had a small memorial service for him. They buried him under an apple tree next to his brother, Buddy. Buddy was run over this last Labor Day, on the same road that my dad had his accident on. My dad said a eulogy, and everyone in attendance had tears in their eyes. Even my brother. I guess they realized how different things could have been, if they were attending the funeral of my father.
Major point I hope readers pick up on.....store your anti-freeze properly!!! I know there are people out there who leave it out in hopes of killing squirrels, well I kindly ask you now to PLEASE STOP! You never know who might be creeping around; a beloved small family pet or even a small child! The risks are too great, please do not leave it to chance.
In other news, Thursday, May 1st, 2008 was also my big interview with the Peace Corps. An hour and a half conversation, that I was rather indifferent towards. Which was rather surprising to me, especially since the Peace Corps has been my dream for years. The only dream I have had longer was to be a scuba instructor! I was excited to be finally having it, after wanting it for so long, but I was also filled with a lot of other mixed emotions. Especially with all that had recently been happening in my life. For example, if my dad was in a car accident and I was overseas, it would be impossible for me to drive right through the night and be home by the time my mother reaches the front door. Just one of the many thoughts I had. Guess it is up to the gods now, we’ll just have to wait and see what they have to say. I hope they like me again.
Friday, May 2nd, 2008
Thankfully Ringo survived. I do not know if my family could have handled loosing him too. I guess Ringo had to wear one of those ridiculous cones around his neck to keep him from pulling his I.V. out, but it was unable to stop him. In the morning he had it out and was up and whining, we think whining to come home.
In other news today, a little cute, yellow bird flew into our window today and died.
Still trying to find the positive to this one.
My friend Shell said that maybe this little cute, yellow bird had a life that we knew nothing about. Maybe the squirrels ate all of its food, trashed it’s nest while it was not looking and made this bird’s life a living hell, so at least now, even though the bird has reached the end of it’s flight, maybe, just maybe, it is in a better place.
Therefore, maybe, just maybe, this little cute, yellow bird is no longer a victim of squirrel abuse.
Monday, Cinco de Mayo, 2008
I am to call the Peace Corps to find out whether I am considered a nominee. I played phone tag all day with the lady, and won’t find out whether my life is about to completely change until tomorrow.
Another extra perk for the day is I got a speeding ticket today while driving back to Oshkosh. The officer was very friendly about it though, since I was honest with him. He still had to issue me a citation, bam another four points gone, but the nice cop-like gentleman he was, he gave me the lowest price range that he could. Thanks I guess? Not his problem, I mean it is only my 5th speeding ticket...oops...I wonder how many points I have left?
So, looking at the citation at hand in both lights, loosing four points is not an ideal situation for my insurance, and nice cops still make me poor....but at least it was not a car accident.
My dad called me later to give me grief about speeding. He also had just received a speeding ticket a couple of weeks ago while on vacation with my mom. He too had a real friendly police officer, and he too lost four points but the cop knocked his speed down to make it cheaper too.
Just for the record, my dad was also given a ticket for his accident; driving too fast for something.
My dad also has had to take the speeding class a couple years ago to regain points on his license.
I wonder who I inherited speeding from!?!?
Tuesday, May 6th, 2008
The big news is finally in, and..........I am now considered a nominee for the Peace Corps! While nothing is decided yet, I have the option of going to the Pacific Islands in September to be a Primary Teacher Trainer. Whatever that means! Frankly, who cares I am going to finally have my hut on the beach! Words cannot even begin to describe how lucky I feel that this was even an option! The lady who gave me the interview said I could choose between North Africa/Middle East, which most likely would have been in Jordan, or the Pacific Islands. Hmm, let me think about this, right. As soon as I heard the Pacific Islands was even an option I heard the whistles and sirens going off and it felt like I was being called to “come on down!” on the Price is Right!
Thursday, May 08, 2008
How do you pack for two years when you do not know where your going, or when. Or even if? I have gone to the library and checked-out about twelve books on a the Pacific Islands and a couple movies. I love this dream.
Monday, May 19, 2008
I want to start changing my life now to prepare to leave, but still now that would be premature. I have seen all the required doctors and have had all the tests taken. Now I just sit and wait for the results to come back to me. I hope I pass! I cannot wait to send them back and wait some more! Hopefully, since September is not that far away I will take somewhat of a priority and they will look at my file immediately! I wonder how old I will be before I get skin cancer?!
Aspiration Statement
Aspiration Statement
Alyssa Gruett
Federated States of Micronesia & Palau
September 10th, 2008
A. My educational, work and volunteer experiences have provided me with an abundant amount of opportunities to develop my leadership and organizational skills while promoting the well-being of youth in my community. My past experiences have all reinforced in me the love I have for working with other people and the satisfaction that can come with the collaboration of a common goal. The aspirations I hope to fulfill will mostly be achieved with the increase of my understanding. I want to thoroughly understand a new culture’s educational system while living their everyday lifestyle. I want to challenge myself to live in a new environment and be accepted among the local residents. I am intrigued by all the opportunities available to me and am excited to volunteer my service to the Peace Corps.
B. The most effective strategies that I rely on for working collaboratively with host country partners are respect and open communication. Respect is crucial to maintain a professional and comfortable working relationship. With open communication needs and concerns can be easily expressed, scrutinized and best resolved through the assistance of multiple viewpoints. I am adaptable, approachable and resourceful and will use these traits to collaborate with my host country partners to resolve addressed needs.
C. The best way for me to get adjusted to my new cultural surrounding is to get involved. By making new friends and getting to know my host family I will be able to connect firsthand with the culture. Keeping active will also maintain my focus on my task at hand. Getting involved in the community will not only allow myself the privilege of getting know it’s members, but will also allow them the chance to learn about me.
D. In my pre-service training I hope to gain a beginning understanding of the language, environment and culture in which I will be immersed into. I want to learn more of what exactly is to be expected of me during my service, and the expectations I should have for my future host partners. I expect to be trained with a basic preparation for my task at hand, and I expect to be introduced to the resources available to continue my research and efforts to contribute to the best of my ability.
E. After I complete my service with the Peace Corps I plan to return home, hopefully to a classroom of my own. I look forward to incorporating my new cultural experiences into my art lessons and sharing my newly acquired knowledge with all I am able. I am also very interested in continuing my education with one of the great graduate programs that coordinates with Peace Corps service.
Alyssa Gruett
Federated States of Micronesia & Palau
September 10th, 2008
A. My educational, work and volunteer experiences have provided me with an abundant amount of opportunities to develop my leadership and organizational skills while promoting the well-being of youth in my community. My past experiences have all reinforced in me the love I have for working with other people and the satisfaction that can come with the collaboration of a common goal. The aspirations I hope to fulfill will mostly be achieved with the increase of my understanding. I want to thoroughly understand a new culture’s educational system while living their everyday lifestyle. I want to challenge myself to live in a new environment and be accepted among the local residents. I am intrigued by all the opportunities available to me and am excited to volunteer my service to the Peace Corps.
B. The most effective strategies that I rely on for working collaboratively with host country partners are respect and open communication. Respect is crucial to maintain a professional and comfortable working relationship. With open communication needs and concerns can be easily expressed, scrutinized and best resolved through the assistance of multiple viewpoints. I am adaptable, approachable and resourceful and will use these traits to collaborate with my host country partners to resolve addressed needs.
C. The best way for me to get adjusted to my new cultural surrounding is to get involved. By making new friends and getting to know my host family I will be able to connect firsthand with the culture. Keeping active will also maintain my focus on my task at hand. Getting involved in the community will not only allow myself the privilege of getting know it’s members, but will also allow them the chance to learn about me.
D. In my pre-service training I hope to gain a beginning understanding of the language, environment and culture in which I will be immersed into. I want to learn more of what exactly is to be expected of me during my service, and the expectations I should have for my future host partners. I expect to be trained with a basic preparation for my task at hand, and I expect to be introduced to the resources available to continue my research and efforts to contribute to the best of my ability.
E. After I complete my service with the Peace Corps I plan to return home, hopefully to a classroom of my own. I look forward to incorporating my new cultural experiences into my art lessons and sharing my newly acquired knowledge with all I am able. I am also very interested in continuing my education with one of the great graduate programs that coordinates with Peace Corps service.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Application Essay, 1
Living Aware
Compassion is universal. Even though we live in a world full of language barriers and cultural differences, one common truth exists: we all need each other. While needs may vary, needs remain undeniable. As humans, it is one of our greatest gifts when we recognize the needs of others with compassion.
Studying abroad in Rome, Italy in May of 2005, truly sparked my awareness of cultural differences. My Germanic heritage and blonde hair made me different from the majority of people around me. I was different and I stood out. This was also the case when I traveled to Japan in August of 2007 to climb Mt. Fuji. These differences intrigued me and my awareness continued to be active, even in areas closer to home.
In June of 2006 I volunteered with the Hands On organization to provide disaster relief in New Orleans, LA. I was amazed at the extreme cultural differences that exist between the north and the south in the United States. Having already lived in the south (Orlando, FL) for eight months, I thought I would have been somewhat prepared for what I was to experience. Helping, conversing and socializing with the locals opened my eyes to different lifestyles; both as they are now and how they used to be before the hurricanes. By reaching out to the local community and listening to their stories, I gained valuable life lessons about everyone coming together to pull through the hard times. The hurricane destruction was heart-breaking. Seeing street after street completely demolished was a sight almost indescribable. Then our time came to help. We gutted family’s homes, leaving their possessions, memories, and past lives, mold-infested in a pile on the street. Working together fully clothed in Tyvek suits and safety gear, our group of volunteers overcame the heat and humidity working long hours which were physically and emotionally exhausting. Our physical stamina and endurance were tested, but we needed to be strong. Working as a group, we needed to be actively aware of our surroundings, listen accordingly to our leaders, and remain self-motivated. Once again, it was the conversations with the locals that encouraged me to continue. The families were grateful for the help, but knew the cost, none of our lives would ever be the same. While the hurricane completely devastated them all, their lives of poverty were nothing new. In fact, one man even told me that the hurricane happened for a reason; it brought attention to an area in desperate need.
I returned home with a heightened awareness of the differences that existed within my own community, and an increased sensitivity to other peoples circumstances. I was more aware of the poverty level and how diverse it actually was around me. I learned more about my community and became more conscious of other people’s values. My attitude towards several areas in my life was drastically impacted, having positive effects on my behavior. I only hope my experiences, behavior and compassion, will also positively impact those around me.
Compassion is universal. Even though we live in a world full of language barriers and cultural differences, one common truth exists: we all need each other. While needs may vary, needs remain undeniable. As humans, it is one of our greatest gifts when we recognize the needs of others with compassion.
Studying abroad in Rome, Italy in May of 2005, truly sparked my awareness of cultural differences. My Germanic heritage and blonde hair made me different from the majority of people around me. I was different and I stood out. This was also the case when I traveled to Japan in August of 2007 to climb Mt. Fuji. These differences intrigued me and my awareness continued to be active, even in areas closer to home.
In June of 2006 I volunteered with the Hands On organization to provide disaster relief in New Orleans, LA. I was amazed at the extreme cultural differences that exist between the north and the south in the United States. Having already lived in the south (Orlando, FL) for eight months, I thought I would have been somewhat prepared for what I was to experience. Helping, conversing and socializing with the locals opened my eyes to different lifestyles; both as they are now and how they used to be before the hurricanes. By reaching out to the local community and listening to their stories, I gained valuable life lessons about everyone coming together to pull through the hard times. The hurricane destruction was heart-breaking. Seeing street after street completely demolished was a sight almost indescribable. Then our time came to help. We gutted family’s homes, leaving their possessions, memories, and past lives, mold-infested in a pile on the street. Working together fully clothed in Tyvek suits and safety gear, our group of volunteers overcame the heat and humidity working long hours which were physically and emotionally exhausting. Our physical stamina and endurance were tested, but we needed to be strong. Working as a group, we needed to be actively aware of our surroundings, listen accordingly to our leaders, and remain self-motivated. Once again, it was the conversations with the locals that encouraged me to continue. The families were grateful for the help, but knew the cost, none of our lives would ever be the same. While the hurricane completely devastated them all, their lives of poverty were nothing new. In fact, one man even told me that the hurricane happened for a reason; it brought attention to an area in desperate need.
I returned home with a heightened awareness of the differences that existed within my own community, and an increased sensitivity to other peoples circumstances. I was more aware of the poverty level and how diverse it actually was around me. I learned more about my community and became more conscious of other people’s values. My attitude towards several areas in my life was drastically impacted, having positive effects on my behavior. I only hope my experiences, behavior and compassion, will also positively impact those around me.
Application Essay, 2
Past, Passed to the Future
This past October, my community experienced an extreme emotional devastation where seven of our youth horrifically lost their lives in a murder/suicide. For what felt like an eternity, time in my hometown completely stood still. One survivor serves as a constant reminder of the tragedy.
While this horrific act took a little out of everyone involved with my hometown, it gave us a little something special too; it made us realize how lucky we were to be such a close-knit community. In our time of need, we all came together. The comfort and support everyone provided gave us the faith we needed to ensure we would prevail and be alright. Even though we suffered an extreme loss, we were all reminded of how precious life is and we were re-connected by a tie that would be forever bound.
Growing up in a small, close-knit community gave me the privilege of learning first-hand the advantages and disadvantages of being able to walk down the street and greet everyone by name. The greatest advantage about my community is while our numbers may be few, are strength is immense, especially when we band together. People in my community have come together to celebrate local festivities, confront the threat of a copper and zinc mine, and to respect the cultural differences of two local Native American tribes. However, our greatest strength has always emerged when community members were in times of need.
I want to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer to comfort and support those in need while inspiring them towards a greater goal. I want to see life from a completely different point of view, experience a new culture and positively impact others. I want to live a life that focuses on what really matters; like all the smiles that simple joys may bring.
My past experiences, have caused me to reflect on my character and helped me to see myself as devoted to a greater cause. I am a person who loves to learn, seeks adventure, and has a strong desire to become fluent in a new language to the point where I am able to understand the nuances. I work best under pressure, can juggle multiple obligations, will succeed with multi-tasks, and treasure meaningful relationships. Most importantly, I have goals, enjoy working hard, and love being a part of an organization that is making a difference. Through my personal life, school experiences and two years of AmeriCorps service I have had a taste of what life has to offer and in the process learned essential living skills. I view Peace Corps service as a natural progression for continuing to serve others and personally grow.
This past October, my community experienced an extreme emotional devastation where seven of our youth horrifically lost their lives in a murder/suicide. For what felt like an eternity, time in my hometown completely stood still. One survivor serves as a constant reminder of the tragedy.
While this horrific act took a little out of everyone involved with my hometown, it gave us a little something special too; it made us realize how lucky we were to be such a close-knit community. In our time of need, we all came together. The comfort and support everyone provided gave us the faith we needed to ensure we would prevail and be alright. Even though we suffered an extreme loss, we were all reminded of how precious life is and we were re-connected by a tie that would be forever bound.
Growing up in a small, close-knit community gave me the privilege of learning first-hand the advantages and disadvantages of being able to walk down the street and greet everyone by name. The greatest advantage about my community is while our numbers may be few, are strength is immense, especially when we band together. People in my community have come together to celebrate local festivities, confront the threat of a copper and zinc mine, and to respect the cultural differences of two local Native American tribes. However, our greatest strength has always emerged when community members were in times of need.
I want to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer to comfort and support those in need while inspiring them towards a greater goal. I want to see life from a completely different point of view, experience a new culture and positively impact others. I want to live a life that focuses on what really matters; like all the smiles that simple joys may bring.
My past experiences, have caused me to reflect on my character and helped me to see myself as devoted to a greater cause. I am a person who loves to learn, seeks adventure, and has a strong desire to become fluent in a new language to the point where I am able to understand the nuances. I work best under pressure, can juggle multiple obligations, will succeed with multi-tasks, and treasure meaningful relationships. Most importantly, I have goals, enjoy working hard, and love being a part of an organization that is making a difference. Through my personal life, school experiences and two years of AmeriCorps service I have had a taste of what life has to offer and in the process learned essential living skills. I view Peace Corps service as a natural progression for continuing to serve others and personally grow.
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