Sunday, June 29, 2008

Living Up To My Name

Yesterday, we went to an agricultural college to learn how to plant vegetables. It was interesting to spend the afternoon working in a field. When we were finished there, a group of us went into Lima to buy some guitars. Yes, I bought a guitar. No, I don't know how to play it. I do plan on learning in these 2 years, though... which is how I will be "living up to my name".

Randomly, after purchasing our guitars, we became emersed in a gay pride parade. It was crazy... tons of drag queens dancing on trucks, rainbow banners everywhere, and a giant vagina on top of a car. It took us forever to get back because there was traffic everywhere. The hilarity of this entire situation made this one of my favorite days here. I live for those moments.

Today, also, ranks high on the favorites list. My host mom really likes me now I think. We had a really long conversation the other night about our faith and she told me more about herself. We really bonded and so now she is trying to teach me to cook. A daunting task because, as most of you know, following a receipe is not my forte. Who forgets peanutbutter in peanutbutter blossom cookies and makes crumbly fudge? Yeah, that's me. So, we shall see if I become a master chef in these next couple months. After my cooking lesson, I went up on the roof to hang up my wet laundry. Believe it or not, this was actually my first time on the roof of my house here and I fell in love immediately. I now have a favorite spot here... where I fully intend on sitting in the evening to write journal entries and practice my newly devloping guitar skills.

The Next Top Chef,
Melody

Thursday, June 26, 2008

The Sickness

It's been a rough couple of days. I offically got sick on Monday morning... Welcome to Peace Corps Peru. Ironically (or maybe not "ironically" based on the theory that there are no coincidences) I recieved a glorious package from home that very same morning. I was pretty much on an emotional rollercoaster all of Monday. Don't get me wrong, the package was very much appreciated but it made me miss home REAL BAD. Who could blame me for missing the people that filled that package with all those amazing things...

Sidewalk Chalk -Apparently, this is a staple in care packages from home sent to me. I do recall recieving some during final crit week at college and making the dean very unhappy with references to "design hell" scribbled all over the sidewalk

Inspirational Quotes from Mommom and Grumps- If you know me, you know I LOVE quotes. I have a book full of them and quotes given by loved ones mean even more than ones I've just found.

Scribbles from Skylynn- Cutest thing ever... enough said.

Crazy pictures of friends from long ago- Thanks Susan... I really wanted pictures of you, Feesh, and Megan looking all "pre-teen" haha

Letters from Feesh, Susan, Tara, and Mom- This needs no explaination. Everyone loves letters!

Season One of the Office- Favorite show ever! Thanks dudes. I watched it all on Tuesday when I spent the whole day in my bed.

Random CDs- Based on my last post, it's pretty obvious why this part was so important to me. Thanks for making me cry to Backstreet Boys and Kid Rock... it sounds sad when you don't know the memories behind them. Oh and Butterfly Kisses? Seriously?? This makes me cry at weddings nevermind alone in my room in Peru!

I'll leave you with a lovely "coincidence"...

quote from Mommom...
"Be careful of the words you speak. Make them soft and sweet. You never know from day to day. Which ones you'll have to eat."

and a postcard from Jenn...
"If you can't say anything nice- don't say anything at all." -Thumper from Bambi
"I encourage- like the Bible in the book of James (my favorite book)- to guard your tongue. As you face challenges know the importance of this valuable lesson." -Jenn

I've become a soft-spoken person in Peru and not by choice. Because of the language barrier, I need to think long and hard about what I want to say before it comes out of my mouth. Its definitely a whole new concept.

Much Love From the Southern Hemisphere,
Melody

Monday, June 23, 2008

For Serious

“Because a song can take you back instantly to a moment, a place, or even a person. No matter what else has changed in you or the world, that one song stays the same, just like that moment. Which is pretty amazing, when you actually think about it.”

It’s a quote I wrote down a year or so ago that Susan had in her profile. I don’t know who said it or where it came from. I do, however, know how true it is, especially for me. My name is Melody because my dad is a musician and has a deep love for good music. Maybe it’s a genetic trait. When I close my eyes and listen to an acoustic guitar, I am back to the age of 5. I’m laying on the couch in my living room and the sweet sound of my dad playing lulls me to sleep.

Bluegrass music takes me back to long family road trips in the Bronco towing our little Scottie trailer behind us. We drove past the plantations of the south, through the black hills of South Dakota, in the mountains of Montana, and the beautiful scenery in Wyoming. We took a coastal route north up to Prince Edward Island, Canada. We stopped at every Indian reservation we would pass and took every scenic path that lead to a waterfall or some other wonder of the natural world. Other kids took planes to vacation destinations with their families… not us. We were lucky even though we didn’t know it at the time.

Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and all the other jazz greats remind me of nights at Nanny and Grandad’s house. I hear Nanny singing the little yellow basket song like it was yesterday. I remember Dad and Grandad watching the PBS jazz series over and over again hoping that they would find something they had missed during previous viewings. Once again, I remember complaining about having to listen to such “uncool” music. I had no idea I’d look back on those times with such fond memories.

Punk rock. Of course, I’m thinking of the Spike… that fabulous invention credited to Jeen and Brett. A Christian punk rock venue in Berks County, Pennsylvania. It was at the Spike that I came to befriend quite a few local bands throughout my teenage years. My favorite bands no longer exist... Last Tuesday, Emberfall, and Torn Perfection (of course I couldn’t forget the boys’ band!) but the Spike is still going strong. It’s becoming the music of a whole new generation… of course, I’ll still show up whenever I get the chance.

Country music was the last two summers. Western World… a country western club we went to in Japan the summer of 2006 with our newly found Marine Corps friends. Yes, I did ride a mechanical bull for the first time in Japan. Then there was my zany post-graduation road trip with Tara and Jamie last summer, 2007. We listened to country music as I drove my little VW through the Appalachian Mountains in Kentucky and down Rt. 40 to Nashville. Beautiful Nashville had live music in every bar and free concerts on the river… thinking about it puts a smile on my face.

((There’s nothing like keeping a tent in your trunk all the time. I spent like half the summer camping in various places.))

Rap music makes me think about Evelyn and Washington, NJ; trying to write our own rap songs inspired by Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Eve. It is sad but true. We were only 13.

Classic rock makes me think of my time spent with the ex-boyfriend… he was pretty much the biggest classic rock fan in the world. It makes me think of camping in the State Gamelands and driving all the way to Philly just to see Across the Universe. It makes me think of Friday nights at the drive-in movie theater, camp fires at Assateague, and the road trip to NC. I’m not a fan of the ex, anymore, but I am still a fan of the Beatles, CCR, Bob Dylan, the Stones, the Grateful Dead, Pink Floyd, Lynard Skynard, Janis Joplin, and Eric Clapton.

Hip-hop and 80’s dance music represents many a night danced away throughout my college education… whether it be in Philly with the design girls or in the hometown with Kara. Dancing is the best stress-reliever… as we may have proved, going out with no sleep to subside the pain of so many all-nighters. I miss watching the crazy moves of Jes B and Wendee. I miss nights at the Pourhouse with Bridget, Maureen, Jesica Simpson (when we would force her), Angie, Melissa, Jamie, Amy, Megan, H-Bomb, and the architecture boys. Those were some darn good times.

90’s rock and Y102… the music of my childhood. We always had the radio on at Mommom and Grump’s pool. It makes me think of afternoons in the sun with Tara, Toni, Ashley, Taylor, Allisa, Aunt Heather, and my Mom. It makes me think of summer thunderstorms on the porch, swimming in the dark, popsicles, and Tony’s pizza.

Now, of course, salsa music will make me think of Peru and my new comrades here. I’ll look back on all the crazy dancing we did at these fiestas just like I’m looking back on all these other memories.

I don’t associate techno with anything. I don’t like it and I refuse to consider it music.

I wrote this whole thing because I heard Rock Me Amadeus playing today at a restaurant in Peru with my family. I laughed a little to myself. Bridget, Angie, Maureen, Alexa, Curt, Adam, and Ryan would understand the humor in it and its association to a game of Name That Tune we played one weekend at Woodloch Pines in the Pocono’s.

This is my tribute to the world of music… and a little glimpse into the love affair that I have with it. It’s random like everything else I write about.

I miss you all like whoa,
Melody

Sunday, June 22, 2008

A Sunday of Reflection

I'm doing that thing I do sometimes, I'm missing home. I can't help but thinking that right now I'd be at C&C's with a bunch of people after church. Sunday's were pretty much my favorite. We'd hang out at Kara's or go over to the boys' house. Occasionally, we'd pass the time by going on a hike or driving a tractor (well that only happened once). I will, obviously, be alright... it's just one of those days.

I went to two fiestas this weekend. There are fiestas all the time here. One on Thursday night and another on Friday night. Dancing is pretty much my favorite... I love turning off my brain for a couple hours every now and then.

Yesterday, the group went into Lima. It was pretty fun, I suppose. I got to eat at Pizza Hut (I would say that was probably the highlight). We did get to see the ocean, at Miraflores, and beautifully colorful houses on the hillside behind the Palacio de Gobierno. Hopefully, I can get the pictures from people who had their camaras with them. I'm super tired these days so we came home pretty early and I fell asleep at like 8 haha. I'm fully aware of how lame it sounds to fall asleep at 8pm on a Saturday night. Definitely out of my character.

I think that people need to convince my parents to get an exchange student. I just feel the need to pay it forward in this situation.

Like I said, I miss you all very much!

Melody

Monday, June 16, 2008

My arm hurts

It hurts because I had to get a Typhoid vaccine today. No me gusta las vacunas. Today was rather dull. I'm used to having excitement everyday of the week and nothing happened. I'm super tired and I really want to eat a cheeseburger from McDonalds.

Interesting Fact: There aren't any stop signs here. Cars slow down and honk their horn at intersections and if their honk is unreturned they continue through. Its pretty dangerous.

Interesting Fact: My dog really hates me. I give him bologna in the morning and he still growls at me when I come home. I'm only trying to be his friend. I miss Hunter :(

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do and He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Hopefully something exciting happens tomorrow, so I have something good to write about.

Much love,
Melody

Sunday, June 15, 2008

No Coincidences

I finished reading the Celestine Prophesy yesterday. This is a fiction book and I'm definitely finding it hard to believe it is based on facts. However, the general message of it is something I already believed... there are no coincidences in life. Everything happens for a reason. Everyone we meet serves a purpose in our lives and, likewise, we serve a purpose in theirs. For these past 2 years, I have lived my life day to day, completely present in every moment... soaking it all in. I've never felt so at peace.

The words "Everything happens for a reason" take me back to a time and a place in my past. Sobbing and curled up in the fetal postion on the couch in my parent's living room. I remember my mom saying this over and over again to me, while I layed there in her arms. This was my lowest of lows. At a person's lowest of lows, everything happens for a reason is never something you want to hear. Of course, it's the only thing that can be said (at a lowest of lows, that is). It's all a mother could say to a daughter with a broken heart ready to fly off to Japan.

Last night, I went to a fiesta for my friend's host mom's birthday. A bunch of other volunteers were there and one of the girls asked me why I was in Japan... Who hasn't heard the story that follows this question? It's pretty epic. Last night was the first night in a long time that I expressed just how far I've come in the past two years. It was the first time in a long time that I even thought about Brandon with any emotion.

"Coincidentally" today in a small store in Chosica with my host family, an all too familiar song came on the radio. (I tend to relate songs to moments in my life... as I'm sure a lot of other people do) I had two "break-up" songs, one being the bad day song by Daniel Powder. I actually bought that CD on the marine base in Japan. In addition to that, the song 3am by Anna Nalick is my other one. I must ask what the odds are that directly following the bad day song, 3am came on the radio in this tiny store in this obscure city in Peru. I was a little bit blown away. I am not sure what this sign pertains to. When i figure it out I'll let you all know.

I hiked to the top of the mountain behind my house today with a bunch of friends. I'm pretty sure that there is no place on this Earth that is not beautiful. This area is nothing more than piles of dirt and rocks, yet on that mountain it was beautiful. (I posted pictures on the myspace) There is beauty in everything and everyone, no matter how hard it is to see at first.

I ate pizza tonight... a sad representation of pizza, but pizza none the less.

Your bosom friend,
Melody

Thursday, June 12, 2008

In a small internet cafe

Today was our mission impossible. I walked around all morning with my friend Erin trying to find a supermercado. Sadly, there are no supermercados in our town and we were faced with the grueling task of answering a trick question. We had fun and Erin thankfully speaks el español much better than i do. I´m killing time right now before our mission is over. Things are still going well here in Perú. I´m working really hard on my language skills and, hopefully, they are improving. My little hermana is the best! She is so cute and she is always excited to see me. I´m going to try to post my pictures but it takes forever here. When I do, I´ll take a picture of Diana so you all can see how cute she is for yourselves. Bridget´s comment on myspace makes me laugh... ¨You can take the girl out of design class but you can´t take the design class out of the girl.¨It is waay too true! I find myself uncontrollably talking about design related things. Maybe I will give design a shot when all this is done and overwith. Who knows. I´m liking where I´m at right now... Even though every other day I look around and wonder what in the hell I am doing here. I´m fully aware this is the adventure of a lifetime and I fully intend on enjoying it! Oh and I can´t put that Celestine Prophesy book down. It´s a good read regardless of how true it may or may not be. I miss you all very much!!

Señor Panda es mi amigo,
Melody Turner

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

First of Many

Here I am… in a Peru. It seems muy ridiculoso but I’m actually living here. I’m actually happy too. I miss home a lot but everyone here is very nice. I’m living with a family about 30 minutes outside of Lima in a small village. Our village is “quaint”. My house appears unfinished from the outside but inside it is clear that my mama cares about it very much. Everything is clean. We have electricity and running water… running water but the shower is freezing. The bathroom has tile, as does the kitchen. They have a computer and a television… All things we take for granted at home but they are rare commodities here in Peru.

My host mom’s name is Silvia and she is a 3rd grade history teacher. My host dad’s name is Jorge and he does electrical work. I have a 3 year old sister named Diana and an 18 year old brother that lives with his grandparents and is going to college to become a lawyer. He’s always here to visit though. My host uncle is here a lot too. He drives a truck for a living. I have been having intense conversations with him about US politics, our relationship to Puerto Rico, and spiritual energy at Matsu Pichu. (apparently its true, Evelyn) Oh and we have a little gato, named Mechito, that Diana carries around by the neck and tortures… Reminds me of the good old days with Ruby.

I wish I knew Spanish better. It is torturous trying to talk to everyone only in Spanish. I should’ve took Senora Roebuck’s class a little more seriously. A lot of the other volunteers speak Spanish really well. So, I’m feeling a little behind. They all studied it in college or studied abroad in Spain or Latin America. Either that or they grew up speaking it. It’s such an unfair advantage to adjusting in the culture. I’m usually good at learning stuff quickly… Hopefully I can catch up.
Speaking of the group, they are all amazing. I couldn’t ask to be down here with better people. Of course, you have to be a kindred spirit to do something this selfless with your life. It’s that feeling of friendship you get on a missions trip with people. There are 38 of us. 20 are youth development like me and 18 are small business development. (If you weren’t married to Ryan you could’ve come with me, Jamie!) There’s a guy from Allentown and another guy from New York that went to college at St. Joseph’s. We had a talk about how we could’ve both been out at the same time in Manayunk. Another guy is from the town in South Dakota where the Corn Palace is located. Thank gosh my Mom and Dad took us there instead of the Mall of America… It gives me something to talk to him about. He actually had his prom there. Haha. I’m not especially close with anyone in particular yet. You all know it takes time for the real me to come out. I give totally wrong first impressions.

Peru is beautiful. I’ve only seen a small part so far. I will upload my pictures on here for you all to enjoy. I have some pictures of Miami, too, because I ran off to South Beach with a couple guys from the group on our last night there. South Beach was pretty neat with all its Art Deco architecture going on and the ocean was sooo warm! We were only there for a couple hours… long enough for them to smoke some Cuban cigars and for me to enjoy the surroundings. (and the cigar smoke since I’m a second-hand addict) They totally had us spoiled in Miami.
I haven’t had to eat anything gross yet. I really like my host mom’s cooking. I keep stressing that I love chicken in hopes of never having to eat guinea pigs.

I miss you all very much. I listen to Brian Rowe and look at all my pictures from home and it make me sad to be so far away. All of Friday night I could only think about how I was missing Tom Petty. Saturday night, however, was a different story. We all went to the discoteca and danced the night away to salsa music. It was pretty amazing… one of my favorite nights in life.

Anyways, to summarize, Peru is great but will never compare to home. My real parents will always be my favorite and you guys will always be the most kindred of spirits in my heart. I can’t wait to hear from you! Much Love :)

Your favorite wanderer of the earth,
Melody