Peace Corps

You’re going to poop in a hole.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koUWaAr-itY

Okay ( : but in all seriousness…

Peace Corps is a government funded organization that gets you traveling for free. Established by John F. Kennedy in 1961 Peace Corps has given numerous great learning experiences. While you are oversees helping different people from all over the world they pay for your living expenses and you can start by volunteering today. Nowadays, the application allows you to pick where you want to go.


They currently have volunteering opportunities in these following locations:

-Dominican Republic                                                             -Belize

-Eastern Caribbean                                                              -Mexico

-Jamaica                                                                                -Guatemala

-Benin                                                                                  -El Salvador

-Botswana                                                                            -Albania

-Cameroon                                                                           -Armenia

-Ethiopia                                                                               -Ukraine

-Ghana                                                                                 -Morocco

-Guinea                                                                                -Samoa

-Kenya                                                                                 -Fiji

-Thailand                                                                             -Tonga

-Nepal                                                                                   -Ecuador

-China                                                                                  -Peru

-Cambodia                                                                           -Columbia


I know that the conditions in which you stay aren’t luxury, but this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to stand in someones shoes. The encounters and adventures you have exploring a new life, beautiful land and way of living last forever.

You’ll be thankful that you did this.

If you have the heart of a helper, travel, eat foreign food and you love people, Peace Corps may not be such a bad idea. You live in the living condition of the locals, and see life through a different perspective. Not to mention that it looks really great on job applications.


Here are some videos on housing and experiences with the program:

Guyana: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohmDmgr7Y3g

Fiji: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXeOVDCqK8M

Dominican Republic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdiBNDe1cFA

Cambodia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z87PPQRQTqI

China: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPdyO33brhA

Nicaragua: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8F8M8wrbQ0

Peru: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZlTJgMO6sA

Phillipines: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKiSDZQnjNw

Ethiopia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgRnKd1Ze5E


http://www.peacecorps.gov/

If you would like to apply click the website link above ^^^

Island Recipe: Johnny Cakes

My Grandmother is from the island of St. Lucia and my father St. Croix. Growing up we had distinct dishes that often tasted different from what you would get at a America Caribbean Restaurants. I’d like to share with you a traditional food that I grew up with, that you could try making yourself with ingredients from your cabinets. Johnny Cakes can be eaten with Salt Fish, Ox Tail, By itself, ketchup or really any soup or meat!
Jamaican Fried Dumplings Recipe | Cook Like a JamaicanCook Like a Jamaican

Ingredients Needed: 
  • cups All-purpose flour
  • 1tablespoon baking powder
  • 2-4tablespoons sugar
  • 1teaspoon salt
  • 2 ½tablespoons of room temp butter of choice
  • 1 ½cups Vegetable oil

Instructions:

  1. Mix dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl and work in the butter with your fingers
  2. Add 1 cup of vegetable oil to the dry ingredients
  3. Add ¼ cup of oil at a time until you have a soft dough
  4. Sprinkle some extra flour onto a flat surface and knead the dough.
  5. Knead until the dough is well blended
  6. Feel free to sprinkle additional flour on the surface as needed.
  7. After completing all the steps allow dough to sit in a clean bowl covered with a towel for at least 30 minutes.
  8. After dough has rested, heat oil in frying pan and sprinkle the rolling surface again.
  9. Create small balls and roll out dough into circles with a rolling-pin or the palm of your hand.
  10. Be sure to not make them too thin.
  11. Pierce each piece with a fork several times or cut slices and then drop in hot oil.
  12. Fry on each side until golden brown.
  13. Allow to cool and drain on paper towel or brown paper bag.

Holiday! – March 28 – The Great Tea Master: Sen no Rikyu

Yaho! There were days, days where I was late for school and there she was. My grandma with a cup of tea. If I tried to leave without drinking some she’d get angry with me, because she believed that tea was essential for the rest of the day. It smelled delicious, hot on a cold day, and was healthy(Granted I used honey) . This I suppose is why Japanese tea ceremonies have always been a intriguing way of life.


Sen no Rikyu:

Japanese tea ceremonies aka Chado Sado or Chanoyu have been shaped and form to an art. One who helped mold, sculpt and raised it to a art would be The Great Sen no Rikyu.


The mentality: 

To understand what he brought to the table, you must understand the ideology of Wabi-sabi. Wabi-sabi is the view in

which you value something simple, imperfect and transient.

This is what Sen no Rikyu introduced, he believed that guest should be completely comfortable without the use of strict rules and over-elaboration.


What: 

In Chado Sado the tea is made by the host, and served with delicious sweets to balance out the bitter taste. You also admire the surrounding artwork, furniture, and tea cups. That are picked especially for the meeting of another person.


Here are the 7 rules for the way of tea:

  • 花は野にあるよう
  • 炭は湯の煮ゆるよう
  • 夏は涼しく
  • 冬はあたたかに
  • 刻限は早目に
  • 天気にても雨の用意
  • 相客に心をつけ候事
  • Arrange the flowers as they are in the fields.
  • Lay the charcoal so it boils the water.
  • Create a cool feeling in summer.
  • Make sure the guests are warm in winter.
  • Be sure everything is ready ahead of time and do not fall behind.
  • Be prepared for rain even if it is not raining.
  • Always be mindful of the guests. They’re your first, your last, your everything.

~YOU can partake in the tradition at home: all you’ll need is a cup of tea and the ability to enjoy the little things in life. ~