We were the first members of the public to be crossing the bridge (it will not be open to the public yet for another 3 weeks)
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Monday, April 04, 2005
Kittens!
Yes, Daphne our cat (Karen's friends Christened her "Daphne" recently) has had her kittens. She totally confused us this morning when she walked around without her big belly & no kittens in sight. We were already worried that she had given birth to dead kittens or something, because we didn't hear anything and couldn't find her kittens anywhere. After a while it became clear why we didn't see them....she has had her litter on the inside of an old sofa. The lining had come lose on the bottom and her kittens are inside that. It looks like there might be 4 of them. Daphne is nursing them right now. So sweet.
By the way, check out what Caroline is doing these days. It's a really cool concept; a new way of distributing and promoting music. Click on "Prohibition". I'm so proud of my friends and the stuff they're up to these days. I was just talking to my friend Gilly, who has directed the show "Wife swap" for ABC recently. I remember when she used to work in a bar and doubted that she would ever be able to make a career for herself in television. I always knew that she would make it, though. You can always see if people have what it takes. It's more a personality thing than anything else.
For instance, I remember there used to be a guy who worked in the MTV post room. He was such a nice person. I knew that he had "that special something". Although, for a long time, I seemed to be the only person who noticed that in him. I remember him talking about leaving MTV as he didn't see his way out of the post room (he'd been there quite some time). I urged him to stay. I was convinced that it was only a matter of time before he'd be given a chance by someone. Well, I was right. Soon he was given a position in "artist relations" (I believe that was what it was called). Where he had to look after all the band that came in. He did a great job and moved on to become road manager for U2. After that I lost touch with him, but I'm sure he's still doing well somewhere.
In hindsight, these were some of the things I liked best about my old job. Spotting talent! I helped some really cool bands break through to the mainstream (Like the Prodigy, Moloko, Faithless, etc.) And as the jury member on Popstars in Germany, I helped put together the "No Angels" (Dumb name). Anyway, that band did end up breaking all records in Germany and I believe that to this day they are the best-selling German band ever (Shame I never got any royalties). Anyway, these are some of my most fond memories of my old life. Seeing others do well & knowing that I played a small part in their success.
I guess that's what I hope to achieve with some of the kids here too. Not that I want them to become popstars...but I just hope that some of the kids will use the chance that they have been given through the sponsorship & that they'll do well in whatever field they chose. I guess time will tell.
By the way, check out what Caroline is doing these days. It's a really cool concept; a new way of distributing and promoting music. Click on "Prohibition". I'm so proud of my friends and the stuff they're up to these days. I was just talking to my friend Gilly, who has directed the show "Wife swap" for ABC recently. I remember when she used to work in a bar and doubted that she would ever be able to make a career for herself in television. I always knew that she would make it, though. You can always see if people have what it takes. It's more a personality thing than anything else.
For instance, I remember there used to be a guy who worked in the MTV post room. He was such a nice person. I knew that he had "that special something". Although, for a long time, I seemed to be the only person who noticed that in him. I remember him talking about leaving MTV as he didn't see his way out of the post room (he'd been there quite some time). I urged him to stay. I was convinced that it was only a matter of time before he'd be given a chance by someone. Well, I was right. Soon he was given a position in "artist relations" (I believe that was what it was called). Where he had to look after all the band that came in. He did a great job and moved on to become road manager for U2. After that I lost touch with him, but I'm sure he's still doing well somewhere.
In hindsight, these were some of the things I liked best about my old job. Spotting talent! I helped some really cool bands break through to the mainstream (Like the Prodigy, Moloko, Faithless, etc.) And as the jury member on Popstars in Germany, I helped put together the "No Angels" (Dumb name). Anyway, that band did end up breaking all records in Germany and I believe that to this day they are the best-selling German band ever (Shame I never got any royalties). Anyway, these are some of my most fond memories of my old life. Seeing others do well & knowing that I played a small part in their success.
I guess that's what I hope to achieve with some of the kids here too. Not that I want them to become popstars...but I just hope that some of the kids will use the chance that they have been given through the sponsorship & that they'll do well in whatever field they chose. I guess time will tell.
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Caroline is here
I'm sorry everybody, I've had to take my last posting about Skippy off. I just can't stand to have to look at it every time I see my blog. Anyway, she died. And it was horrible.
In the meantime, two more dogs have died around here. It turned out to be tick fever, not bees. Now all the dogs around here are getting preventive medication, so hopefully that was the last of it.
Now, something completely different; My friend Caroline Prothero is here & I'm having a very nice time with her. We hadn't seen each other for about two years! Anyway, we've been to Five Sisters Falls for a swim, had a little horseride and tried to put face masks the other night. The face mask thing did not work out the way we planned it, but was hilarious anyway. I laughed so much my stomach hurt and the face mask cracked and fell off my face.
Caroline is off on a horse ride again this morning & I'm off picking out tiles for our new bathroom (after spending so much time doing up our rental rooms, we are now finally get round to fixing up our own space). Not sure yet what we'll do this afternoon. Would like to do some yoga and a nice meditation. Caroline brought me lots of Deepak Chopra CD's with guided meditations, so maybe we'll do that.
In the meantime, two more dogs have died around here. It turned out to be tick fever, not bees. Now all the dogs around here are getting preventive medication, so hopefully that was the last of it.
Now, something completely different; My friend Caroline Prothero is here & I'm having a very nice time with her. We hadn't seen each other for about two years! Anyway, we've been to Five Sisters Falls for a swim, had a little horseride and tried to put face masks the other night. The face mask thing did not work out the way we planned it, but was hilarious anyway. I laughed so much my stomach hurt and the face mask cracked and fell off my face.
Caroline is off on a horse ride again this morning & I'm off picking out tiles for our new bathroom (after spending so much time doing up our rental rooms, we are now finally get round to fixing up our own space). Not sure yet what we'll do this afternoon. Would like to do some yoga and a nice meditation. Caroline brought me lots of Deepak Chopra CD's with guided meditations, so maybe we'll do that.
Saturday, March 26, 2005
She's still with us...
Still haven't been able to see a vet today, they are all out of town. But I have been in contact with two vets by telephone, which has been a real comfort. We have been giving Skippy aspirin, lime & sugar, egg & milk and lots of water (all by syringe). She still hasn't moved, but wags her tail weakly when you call her name. And about an hour ago she surprised me by eating two slices of cooked meat. So who knows....She might just make it.
Skippy
It's been 3 days now since Skippy was attacked. It looks like she may have been stung by lots of bees at once. I took her to the vet two days ago. She was given a jab then & we gave her a second jab yesterday. But she just isn't getting better. I keep thinking that she is going to die. So we just take turns in holding her and feeding her lime juice & sugar (which seems to help a little). I tried to get hold of a vet again yesterday. But no one was in. I even phoned a vet's emergency number in Belize City, but no answer there either. Hopefully there will be a vet that we can get hold of today, because we just don't know what to do anymore. It's very sad.
Okay, I better get back to her. She is yelping. I'll tell you later how everything went.
Okay, I better get back to her. She is yelping. I'll tell you later how everything went.
Thursday, March 24, 2005
Mucho info, madness in the jungle
You know what it feels like when the "Inbox" of your email is loaded and disorganized? Well, that's what my life has been like for the last few days. Actually, the desk that I work on is another dead give-a-way; It's messy & disorganized like my brain.
Basically, there are just so many people who want to help/join forces with the Jaden Foundation & there are so many projects that I would like to get involved in. Also, Tella works as our cook these days, so I don't have as much help with Lucas. Our resort is full & we are still training our staff, so a lot of time goes into that.
And then there are unforeseen things, of course. Yesterday we had a crazy emergency going on as Jaimy (one of Banana Bank's former wranglers and father of Lucas' best friends Nicki & Emelda) got arrested in Mexico. He is trying to get across the border to the US & was already traveling illegally through Mexico. His wife (Tella's daughter) was told that she had to send $3000 by Western Union within the next hour to have him released. She was hysterical and got everybody else fired up to. People all put money together and she was about to cross the river to send it off. The problem was, there were too many holes in the story that she was being told. Obviously, she was too hysterical to even notice this.
It turned out that she was told that if she send the money straight away, Jaimy would be released into the United States (we told her that would not be possible), none of the numbers she had been given in Mexico worked, she didn't know who this person was that she was sending the money to, etc. Lucky enough, I managed to calm her down and stopped her from sending this money. Today she got a phone call from Jaimy again and he is no longer in prison. We still don't know what happened exactly.
Anyway, it's still a mess. Today Jaimy's wife asked me to phone the people in the States who had promised him a job, just to check if they were really serious about this. I tried the number & it is no longer in use. Also, the address is a p.o.box, so God knows where Jaimy is planning to travel to? I hope he'll turn around and come back to Belize. This whole thing is just a mess.
Also, our dog Skippy nearly died today. She got stung by bees last night and lost the use of her legs. She had collapsed onto a nest of fire ants and was covered in them when we found her. Today I took her to the vet, but she was already in anna....bulubu (something or other) shock. You know, where you have such a bad allergic reaction that you can hardly breath and your heart is the next thing to give out. Anyway, I think she's ok now. She's been sedated, was given glucose on a drip and received an injection for her reaction.
Oh...And our cat is about to give birth to kittens. I've already checked her in with the vet for 7 weeks after the birth, so she can get neutered (don't want any more kittens after this)
Right, that's enough info for today. Jay & Jasper, if you're reading this; please send me a digital picture of the two of you. Adios everybody. I'm going to clean my desk now, as I have to start somewhere ; )
Basically, there are just so many people who want to help/join forces with the Jaden Foundation & there are so many projects that I would like to get involved in. Also, Tella works as our cook these days, so I don't have as much help with Lucas. Our resort is full & we are still training our staff, so a lot of time goes into that.
And then there are unforeseen things, of course. Yesterday we had a crazy emergency going on as Jaimy (one of Banana Bank's former wranglers and father of Lucas' best friends Nicki & Emelda) got arrested in Mexico. He is trying to get across the border to the US & was already traveling illegally through Mexico. His wife (Tella's daughter) was told that she had to send $3000 by Western Union within the next hour to have him released. She was hysterical and got everybody else fired up to. People all put money together and she was about to cross the river to send it off. The problem was, there were too many holes in the story that she was being told. Obviously, she was too hysterical to even notice this.
It turned out that she was told that if she send the money straight away, Jaimy would be released into the United States (we told her that would not be possible), none of the numbers she had been given in Mexico worked, she didn't know who this person was that she was sending the money to, etc. Lucky enough, I managed to calm her down and stopped her from sending this money. Today she got a phone call from Jaimy again and he is no longer in prison. We still don't know what happened exactly.
Anyway, it's still a mess. Today Jaimy's wife asked me to phone the people in the States who had promised him a job, just to check if they were really serious about this. I tried the number & it is no longer in use. Also, the address is a p.o.box, so God knows where Jaimy is planning to travel to? I hope he'll turn around and come back to Belize. This whole thing is just a mess.
Also, our dog Skippy nearly died today. She got stung by bees last night and lost the use of her legs. She had collapsed onto a nest of fire ants and was covered in them when we found her. Today I took her to the vet, but she was already in anna....bulubu (something or other) shock. You know, where you have such a bad allergic reaction that you can hardly breath and your heart is the next thing to give out. Anyway, I think she's ok now. She's been sedated, was given glucose on a drip and received an injection for her reaction.
Oh...And our cat is about to give birth to kittens. I've already checked her in with the vet for 7 weeks after the birth, so she can get neutered (don't want any more kittens after this)
Right, that's enough info for today. Jay & Jasper, if you're reading this; please send me a digital picture of the two of you. Adios everybody. I'm going to clean my desk now, as I have to start somewhere ; )
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
More on our Punta Gorda trip....
I have to say, I have fallen in love with this Southern part of Belize. The Toledo district is just so unspoiled and beautiful. The mountains, the jungle, the Maya villages, the coastline, it's all stunning. It does feel like stepping back in time about 10 years though, compared with Belize City and the Cayo district. Many villages are still without electricity and running water and the infrastructure is just not what it is in these more Northern parts (and we complain about things here...)
On our drive down to Punta Gorda I noticed that we had not come across any other cars on the highway for over an hour. This stuff just doesn't happen anymore in places like Cayo. Belize is developing so fast, but Toledo is still pretty much untouched.
The inspiring thing is that there are many farmers getting into organic farming in the Toledo district and there is a lot of attention being paid to people preserving their cultures. The organic cocoa industry is growing rapidly in Toledo. There is a brand of organic chocolate in the UK, called Green & Black. Their best-selling chocolate is the Maya Gold, which is grown in Belize. Because it is part of the "Fair trade" deal, the farmers have the security that they will continue to receive an agreed price & they get assistance from "Fair trade" in the form of equipment and expertise. "Regular" farmers don't usually receive these kind of things, whenever the market price of their crop goes down, they are in deep trouble.This Fair trade deal is also encouraging Belizeans to look into growing organic coffee. There is even talk of growing industrial hemp (although this issue is still controversial).
Anyway...got to go. I'm back off to the children's homes with a mission group who dress up as clowns and do face painting for the kids. They did their "clown show" last year & it was a huge success.
On our drive down to Punta Gorda I noticed that we had not come across any other cars on the highway for over an hour. This stuff just doesn't happen anymore in places like Cayo. Belize is developing so fast, but Toledo is still pretty much untouched.
The inspiring thing is that there are many farmers getting into organic farming in the Toledo district and there is a lot of attention being paid to people preserving their cultures. The organic cocoa industry is growing rapidly in Toledo. There is a brand of organic chocolate in the UK, called Green & Black. Their best-selling chocolate is the Maya Gold, which is grown in Belize. Because it is part of the "Fair trade" deal, the farmers have the security that they will continue to receive an agreed price & they get assistance from "Fair trade" in the form of equipment and expertise. "Regular" farmers don't usually receive these kind of things, whenever the market price of their crop goes down, they are in deep trouble.This Fair trade deal is also encouraging Belizeans to look into growing organic coffee. There is even talk of growing industrial hemp (although this issue is still controversial).
Anyway...got to go. I'm back off to the children's homes with a mission group who dress up as clowns and do face painting for the kids. They did their "clown show" last year & it was a huge success.
Monday, March 21, 2005
Sunday, March 20, 2005
Tumul K'in school
We went to visit an amazing school in the Toledo district of Belize on our road trip a few days ago. It is a boarding school for "disadvantaged" youths from the rural villages (especially the Maya villages). The school teaches these children about ancient Maya practices, not just in a class room, but by actually "living it". They harvest according to the Maya calendar, they do rituals and pay close attention to the moon and the energy of the seasons. Next to this, they teach the kids about modern life; computers, the eco-tourism industry, how to run Quickbooks, use of the Internet, etc. They try and blend the old with the new. And they teach these young people skills that can assist in the survival of their villages, whether it be through sustainable development, (organic) agricultural practices, building techniques, research methods, traditional medicine or eco-tourism. It is an incredibly inspiring place & I really want to try and help them reach their goals.
I'll write more about the school and the rest of our trip soon. For now, I've included part of the school's brochure to explain some more about the Tumul k'in school:
'Tumul K'in Centre of Learning is an innovative educational institution located in the heartland of Toledo on 500 acres of land neighboring Blue Creek Village. It was established in response to the high poverty rate among the Maya people of Toledo; high levels of unemployment among young people; lack of educational opportunities for rural youth and communities especially Maya; the lack of culturally relevant education and; the need for innovative education that will reach students who have been failed by the education system. Most importantly, it was established to harness the hope and potential offered by the wisdom and knowledge of the Maya and the synergy produced through the integration of this wisdom and knowledge with modern science and technology.
GOALS:
1. To provide alternative, empowering education that prepares caring, critical and reflective persons capable of making optimal and wise use of their cultural, natural and personal resources for a sustainable development
2. To research and develop practices in the areas of land and natural resource management, agriculture, sustainable technology and education based on the integration of Maya and modern knowledge and wisdom.
3. To become an autonomous, self-sustainable institution through the sale of services and products and other income generating activities.
4. To strengthen Maya cultural values"
To be continued....
I'll write more about the school and the rest of our trip soon. For now, I've included part of the school's brochure to explain some more about the Tumul k'in school:
'Tumul K'in Centre of Learning is an innovative educational institution located in the heartland of Toledo on 500 acres of land neighboring Blue Creek Village. It was established in response to the high poverty rate among the Maya people of Toledo; high levels of unemployment among young people; lack of educational opportunities for rural youth and communities especially Maya; the lack of culturally relevant education and; the need for innovative education that will reach students who have been failed by the education system. Most importantly, it was established to harness the hope and potential offered by the wisdom and knowledge of the Maya and the synergy produced through the integration of this wisdom and knowledge with modern science and technology.
GOALS:
1. To provide alternative, empowering education that prepares caring, critical and reflective persons capable of making optimal and wise use of their cultural, natural and personal resources for a sustainable development
2. To research and develop practices in the areas of land and natural resource management, agriculture, sustainable technology and education based on the integration of Maya and modern knowledge and wisdom.
3. To become an autonomous, self-sustainable institution through the sale of services and products and other income generating activities.
4. To strengthen Maya cultural values"
To be continued....
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
My precious little nudist
Lucas has finally allowed me to put waterwings on him today (You won't believe the hysterical episodes we've been through over this). Anyway, you should have seen his delighted little face when he realized that he doesn't go under water with them. So he swam around the pool today, deep end and all.
It's funny....parents (and grandparents) have this certain "look" sometimes when they are gazing at their offspring. We've all seen that "look"; it's the one where they smile heavenly and look as if their child is either the messiah or simply the most divine being ever to have walked this earth. Well, I had that goofy smile on my face today. Several times even; first when he swam around the pool by himself, then when he said " I love you & I miss you" on the phone to my mum and then again when he went for a naked horse ride (he's becoming quite the nudist)
Ok, I'm going to hang out with Lucas some more. I'm off for a day-and-a-half tomorrow without him, so I want to spend some extra time with that little monkey today.
It's funny....parents (and grandparents) have this certain "look" sometimes when they are gazing at their offspring. We've all seen that "look"; it's the one where they smile heavenly and look as if their child is either the messiah or simply the most divine being ever to have walked this earth. Well, I had that goofy smile on my face today. Several times even; first when he swam around the pool by himself, then when he said " I love you & I miss you" on the phone to my mum and then again when he went for a naked horse ride (he's becoming quite the nudist)
Ok, I'm going to hang out with Lucas some more. I'm off for a day-and-a-half tomorrow without him, so I want to spend some extra time with that little monkey today.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Slacker!
Well, well.....I've been quite the lazy blogger lately. So much has happened but, apart from the few pictures of our San Pedro trip, I have not had the discipline to report any of it.
Anyway, things are good here. The business is going fantastic. Our website now gets 500+ hits a day. Andy and I also added some pages especially for cruise ship passengers. It seems that there are many cruise ship passengers who do not want to go around in large groups & are happy to pay a little extra for something a bit more exclusive when they get to Belize. Check out our Belize Cruise Ship Excursions page to see what we offer.
Been to another great piano lesson with Miss Bunny today & discovered that the ring finger of my left hand has a hard time operating independently. Whenever it moves, my little pinky moves with it. They are like these "out of control" kids. They simply go where ever they want, but never where I tell them to. So my task for the coming weeks is to get control of these two fingers (funny assignment, don't you think?)
Oh, and far as the non-profit status for the Jaden Foundation goes....
Looks like I may not go for it after all, as it turns out that it will cost me about 2 to 3 thousand dollars to set it up. I went to the Ministry of Human Development today to find out about it. Having a non-profit status in Belize will not result in tax deductions for foreign donators & only helps to import goods into Belize duty-free. But I don't need help with that, as I am already working with government departments & they can just sign waivers for me anyway. So...I think I will leave it for now.
Something I'm quite excited about; on Thursday I'm going on a little road trip with Matt Miller (head of the Peace Corps), Karen and maybe a few other people. We're going to Punta Gorda, which is in the South of Belize. And we are visiting several Maya villages down there. The Southern part of Belize is by far the poorest region of the country & I've been wanting to go and find out what is needed there with regards to education. Matt will be introducing us to the principal of a special "Maya school" there. This school is dedicated to preserving the Mayan way of life (next to the standard curriculum) by teaching classes in the Mayan language and teaching the kids about the old religion, etc. It should be very interesting.
Anyway, things are good here. The business is going fantastic. Our website now gets 500+ hits a day. Andy and I also added some pages especially for cruise ship passengers. It seems that there are many cruise ship passengers who do not want to go around in large groups & are happy to pay a little extra for something a bit more exclusive when they get to Belize. Check out our Belize Cruise Ship Excursions page to see what we offer.
Been to another great piano lesson with Miss Bunny today & discovered that the ring finger of my left hand has a hard time operating independently. Whenever it moves, my little pinky moves with it. They are like these "out of control" kids. They simply go where ever they want, but never where I tell them to. So my task for the coming weeks is to get control of these two fingers (funny assignment, don't you think?)
Oh, and far as the non-profit status for the Jaden Foundation goes....
Looks like I may not go for it after all, as it turns out that it will cost me about 2 to 3 thousand dollars to set it up. I went to the Ministry of Human Development today to find out about it. Having a non-profit status in Belize will not result in tax deductions for foreign donators & only helps to import goods into Belize duty-free. But I don't need help with that, as I am already working with government departments & they can just sign waivers for me anyway. So...I think I will leave it for now.
Something I'm quite excited about; on Thursday I'm going on a little road trip with Matt Miller (head of the Peace Corps), Karen and maybe a few other people. We're going to Punta Gorda, which is in the South of Belize. And we are visiting several Maya villages down there. The Southern part of Belize is by far the poorest region of the country & I've been wanting to go and find out what is needed there with regards to education. Matt will be introducing us to the principal of a special "Maya school" there. This school is dedicated to preserving the Mayan way of life (next to the standard curriculum) by teaching classes in the Mayan language and teaching the kids about the old religion, etc. It should be very interesting.
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Feeling hot, hot, hot...
My goodness, it is absolutely boiling here today! Lucky enough, we have a wireless connection so I can sit outside and work on the computer. It's just unbearable inside the house right now.
Anyway, all is good here. The Route De Maya came and went. It was nice having so many people around. Andy drank a bit too much and fell asleep outside on a wooden chair (how does he do that?) And we ended up with a bar full of slightly rowdy (but funny) women. It was quite enjoyable.
Lucas had a fever last night and kept us up a bit. The weird thing is, he won't have his afternoon sleep today. I thought he'd be knackered (I am). It's gone past 2 and he's still charging around. Very strange.
Now, Lucas has 2 favorite "toys" these days:
Anyway, all is good here. The Route De Maya came and went. It was nice having so many people around. Andy drank a bit too much and fell asleep outside on a wooden chair (how does he do that?) And we ended up with a bar full of slightly rowdy (but funny) women. It was quite enjoyable.
Lucas had a fever last night and kept us up a bit. The weird thing is, he won't have his afternoon sleep today. I thought he'd be knackered (I am). It's gone past 2 and he's still charging around. Very strange.
Now, Lucas has 2 favorite "toys" these days:
- A football
- A broom (sometimes substituted by PVC pipes)
So I've decided that it's no use buying him expensive toys, because he doesn't play with them anyway. At least not for long. A toy can hold his attention for up to 5 minutes, a broom can keep him entertained for at least half an hour. The same with a football. He can play football for hours, but plays with his cars only for minutes at a time. Cuddly toys don't seem to do anything for him. All he does with them is throw them around the house. Actually, that's not totally true...he also tries to "feed" cuddly toys with whatever he is eating. If I don't spot it in time, we end up with moldy teddies stuffed underneath the bed or the sofas . Quite disgusting, really.
His favorite thing is copying the other men around the house. So if David is cleaning the pool in the morning, Lucas does the same a with a broom or a PVC pipe later (I prefer the PVC pipe, because it doesn't make the pool dirty). If John is shoveling, Lucas is shoveling. If Andy waters the plants, Lucas waters the plants (and then tries to destroy the plant). And of course, he sees them playing football, so he wants to play football. He now tries to keep the ball up, which is too hard for him of course. Still, it's funny to watch.
Oh by the way, I did something really exciting today (exciting for me....I'm sure it won't sound as exciting to anyone else...) I've started piano lessons! I have been wanting to learn to play the piano for years now, but never actually got round to it. The lady teaching me is called Miss Bunny. She is a Creole lady in her fourties, who plays the piano in the Anglican Church. She is a most amazing teacher. I can't believe how much I've already learned in just one lesson. I guess it's partly because I learned to read music before with my singing lessons (I had lessons from the age of 12 to 18). Still, I can't do that anymore...look at some random notes on paper and then sing them (we did try and it was disastrous). But there is obviously some part of my brain that still remembers this stuff & I'm sure it made the piano lesson a lot easier. Miss Bunny and I had so much fun and laughed so much, I can't wait to go back next week.
I'm also going to check out rehearsals for a community choir in Belmopan. I'm going a bit stir-crazy, not singing or dancing or acting. I need some kind of creative outlet again.
Oh, and finally, I now know where to go to get the non-profit status for the Jaden Foundation. I'm going to the offices on Friday. But first we're off to San Pedro for a night tomorrow. See ya!
Friday, March 04, 2005
Route De Maya
I always forget to check my comments. Just looked at them this morning for the first time in weeks and noticed some lovely comments and advice from Jaime & Bill Erickson about the "non-profit" status that I'm trying to get for the Jaden Foundation. Thank you both. I will read through the Belize Companies Act & see what it says about it. And Bill, please send me your email address or email me at Simone@greendragonbelize.com . I would love to hear about your experiences with setting up a non-profit in Belize and in the States.
Oh, and it's the Route De Maya today. Which is the big canoe race that goes from San Ignacio all the way to Belize City. It's a 3-day race and the first stop is at Banana Bank later today. So I believe that we'll have a very full house tonight. Lynwen is following the racers as part of the rescue team. She is staying with us, so is Sharane, our massage therapist and our tour guide Gonzo (and who ever else shows up). It will be a fun evening, I think.
Anyway, that's all later. I first have to do another "drop-off" in Belize City. One of our guests is checking out. Of course, we have lots more are arriving too. The rooms downstairs are all booked out. So we'll all be very busy. It's gonna be a crazy one....
Oh, and it's the Route De Maya today. Which is the big canoe race that goes from San Ignacio all the way to Belize City. It's a 3-day race and the first stop is at Banana Bank later today. So I believe that we'll have a very full house tonight. Lynwen is following the racers as part of the rescue team. She is staying with us, so is Sharane, our massage therapist and our tour guide Gonzo (and who ever else shows up). It will be a fun evening, I think.
Anyway, that's all later. I first have to do another "drop-off" in Belize City. One of our guests is checking out. Of course, we have lots more are arriving too. The rooms downstairs are all booked out. So we'll all be very busy. It's gonna be a crazy one....
Thursday, March 03, 2005
The meeting
Had a wonderful meeting yesterday with Mr. Mustafa Toure. He is the head of the IT department of the Ministry of Education. I brought him the educational software that was donated by the InterVol medical team. It was perfect timing! The government of Belize is starting a teacher training program soon and did not have any software yet to work with. So now this software will be used as part of the program. Isn't that great? And, of course, the programs will be available to schools too.
Mr. Toure was very impressed with my digital camera (Fujifilm Finepix S700). It has 12 mega-pixels and is just the most perfect gadget. I can take pictures and then edit what I shot in the camera, zooming into people's pupils or in to a raindrop on a flower petal, without hardly losing any picture quality. Anyway, Mr. Toure introduced me to almost everybody at the Ministry of Education and made me show off my camera by taking everyone's picture. It was good fun.
The Ministry of Education now wants to include the Jaden Foundation in the charities that they officially work with & will post an announcement on their website about The Jaden Foundation. I'm very happy about that.
By the way, the thing that's most challenging to me is being diplomatic. Although I have to say, I'm getting better. Yesterday I kept saying to myself "you can never be too polite, you can never be too polite" & I think it worked. Usually when I meet government officials I slap them on the back and crack stupid jokes, but this time I reigned myself in. You see, in my old MTV job I had to do the opposite. I had to treat famous people like they were my old school mates. But I had already discovered that in a place like Belize, that type of behavior is not appreciated. Especially not in politics. So anyway, I'm getting better. It's quite a funny challenge, actually.
Right, that'll do for today. I was quite moody before I started writing this, but I feel better again already. Or is that the effect of the coffee?
Mr. Toure was very impressed with my digital camera (Fujifilm Finepix S700). It has 12 mega-pixels and is just the most perfect gadget. I can take pictures and then edit what I shot in the camera, zooming into people's pupils or in to a raindrop on a flower petal, without hardly losing any picture quality. Anyway, Mr. Toure introduced me to almost everybody at the Ministry of Education and made me show off my camera by taking everyone's picture. It was good fun.
The Ministry of Education now wants to include the Jaden Foundation in the charities that they officially work with & will post an announcement on their website about The Jaden Foundation. I'm very happy about that.
By the way, the thing that's most challenging to me is being diplomatic. Although I have to say, I'm getting better. Yesterday I kept saying to myself "you can never be too polite, you can never be too polite" & I think it worked. Usually when I meet government officials I slap them on the back and crack stupid jokes, but this time I reigned myself in. You see, in my old MTV job I had to do the opposite. I had to treat famous people like they were my old school mates. But I had already discovered that in a place like Belize, that type of behavior is not appreciated. Especially not in politics. So anyway, I'm getting better. It's quite a funny challenge, actually.
Right, that'll do for today. I was quite moody before I started writing this, but I feel better again already. Or is that the effect of the coffee?
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Little update
It’s raining. I don’t mind though. It’s been so hot the last few days, it’s nice to have a cooler day in between.
Received a phone call from the Ministry of Education this morning. Their IT department will help me with the distribution of the educational software. They also want to know more about the Jaden Foundation and hopefully list us as a charity that the Ministry of Education officially works with. In this meeting today, we can also look at how to get the donated computers from Rochester shipped to Belize.
Now, the Belize Jungle Dome is doing great. We’re pretty much fully booked through the month of March. And since we cook meals for the guests too these days, it means that we will all be very busy.
Oh, and we've booked our flights to Europe! We are really going! We fly into the UK on the 7th of May and leave again on the 26th of May. I am so excited. We haven't seen our friends and family for much too long. And I'm planning a charity dinner for the Jaden Foundation for when I'm in London (some time between the 10th and the 16th).
My dad will celebrate his 60th B-day round that time as well, so all my brothers and sisters (there's 6 of us in total) will be together in Holland again for that. It must have been at least 4 year ago since we were all together. Miriam is flying in from Aruba to be there as well. We haven't seen her since she moved away from Belize, which was April or May last year. We have to find a way to see each other more often....
Received a phone call from the Ministry of Education this morning. Their IT department will help me with the distribution of the educational software. They also want to know more about the Jaden Foundation and hopefully list us as a charity that the Ministry of Education officially works with. In this meeting today, we can also look at how to get the donated computers from Rochester shipped to Belize.
Now, the Belize Jungle Dome is doing great. We’re pretty much fully booked through the month of March. And since we cook meals for the guests too these days, it means that we will all be very busy.
Oh, and we've booked our flights to Europe! We are really going! We fly into the UK on the 7th of May and leave again on the 26th of May. I am so excited. We haven't seen our friends and family for much too long. And I'm planning a charity dinner for the Jaden Foundation for when I'm in London (some time between the 10th and the 16th).
My dad will celebrate his 60th B-day round that time as well, so all my brothers and sisters (there's 6 of us in total) will be together in Holland again for that. It must have been at least 4 year ago since we were all together. Miriam is flying in from Aruba to be there as well. We haven't seen her since she moved away from Belize, which was April or May last year. We have to find a way to see each other more often....
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Thursday, February 24, 2005
The Jaden Foundation
Been spending the last few days in front of the computer setting up the new Jaden Foundation webpages (click on the name to be directed to the webpages)
It has been quite hard getting all the information together about the kids. Last year I bought books for children that I had never even seen, all I saw was their book lists. Anyway, it's all going to more organized and official this time around. Karen is doing the book keeping from now on (yeeha!) & we're setting up a Jaden Foundation bank account. And everything is going to be online. Our accounts, names of the sponsors & the children, pictures of fundraising events, etc.
The one thing that we're still having a hard time with is finding out how to get the official non-profit status in Belize (no one seems to know). Obviously, this is quite important, so we'll keep at it. I'll let you know how it goes.
Now, for those of you who live in a city and aren't aware of it....tonight is full moon! So I have organized a Full Moon Gathering at our place. It will be a way to unite the holistic community of Belize. The plan is to make a monthly ritual. It should be fun.
So, Namaste to you all. Try and out of the house tonight and enjoy this beautiful full moon.
It has been quite hard getting all the information together about the kids. Last year I bought books for children that I had never even seen, all I saw was their book lists. Anyway, it's all going to more organized and official this time around. Karen is doing the book keeping from now on (yeeha!) & we're setting up a Jaden Foundation bank account. And everything is going to be online. Our accounts, names of the sponsors & the children, pictures of fundraising events, etc.
The one thing that we're still having a hard time with is finding out how to get the official non-profit status in Belize (no one seems to know). Obviously, this is quite important, so we'll keep at it. I'll let you know how it goes.
Now, for those of you who live in a city and aren't aware of it....tonight is full moon! So I have organized a Full Moon Gathering at our place. It will be a way to unite the holistic community of Belize. The plan is to make a monthly ritual. It should be fun.
So, Namaste to you all. Try and out of the house tonight and enjoy this beautiful full moon.
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
Free Mojtaba and Arash day!
Today is the first action day of the Committee to protect bloggers. It's the "free Mojtaba and Arash day". These two cyber dissidents from Iran have been incarcerated by the Iranian government. The Committee to protect Bloggers is asking all Bloggers to talk about Mojtaba and Arash today. Please read their stories on the Committee's website .
Freedom for all. Don't let the blogging stop!
Freedom for all. Don't let the blogging stop!
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Party time at Banana Bank!
Wow, I'm just having so much fun with this medical team from Rochester. They are just a lovely group of people. They all give their time, money and expertise and, unlike some other charity groups that I've seen, they do this with such unending joy. Occasionally you get people volunteering here with huge amounts of self-pity and martyrhood, like they have to do it, but don't really want to. Not this group. They are all incredibly positive, funny and loving. And they are good party people too. Last night we had a blast! We cranked up the music as loud as it would go, drank, sang, danced and laughed till 10 o'clock (and believe me, that actually feels late in Belize : )
They brought lots of supplies for the local primary school and the children's homes in Belmopan. We handed it all out yesterday. It was enjoyable and sad at the same time. You just want to take all these kids home with you. They are all so adorable.
Our next plan is to bring second-hand computers to Belize. We just need to find a way to bring a 20-foot container from Rochester to Belize (for free or for very little money). They will fill the container with medical supplies for the hospitals and computers for the schools. Isn't that exciting? I hope we can get it organized pretty soon.
Have nice day everybody!
They brought lots of supplies for the local primary school and the children's homes in Belmopan. We handed it all out yesterday. It was enjoyable and sad at the same time. You just want to take all these kids home with you. They are all so adorable.
Our next plan is to bring second-hand computers to Belize. We just need to find a way to bring a 20-foot container from Rochester to Belize (for free or for very little money). They will fill the container with medical supplies for the hospitals and computers for the schools. Isn't that exciting? I hope we can get it organized pretty soon.
Have nice day everybody!
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
She's fine!
Almost forgot to tell you guys....Iraida is okay. The results of the CT-scan already looked fine when we got it yesterday, but we had it looked over this morning by the Rochester medical team.
It is still quite possible that she's epileptic, but they won't put her on any medication for the time being. We'll just see how it goes. And who knows? She may not have another episode for years. At least she has not got a brain tumor. By the way, can you believe it that that doctor just send her home like that before? Saying that she probably had a brain tumor? Absolutely outrageous!
Anyway, all is well.
It is still quite possible that she's epileptic, but they won't put her on any medication for the time being. We'll just see how it goes. And who knows? She may not have another episode for years. At least she has not got a brain tumor. By the way, can you believe it that that doctor just send her home like that before? Saying that she probably had a brain tumor? Absolutely outrageous!
Anyway, all is well.
Monday, February 14, 2005
Iraida
Nora's 16-year-old daughter Iraida had a seizure last Saturday. Some of the women who saw it, said that she was vomiting blood as well, but I assume that she simply bit her tongue in the process. Anyway, today we are taking her to Belize City to get a CAT-scan. We need to find out what's the matter with her. She's had a seizure before, when she was still an infant & she has always been a bit "slow". Maybe that seizure caused some kind of brain damage.
The doctor who examined her on Saturday kept mentioning the possibility of a brain tumor (which, of course, freaked us all out a bit). Lucky enough, my dear friend Dr. Peter Alan was able to calm us all down again. I phoned him with the other doctor's findings & he said that the most likely cause of the seizure is epilepsy, not a brain tumor. Still, we need to know for sure, so we'll get in checked in a minute.
The CAT-scan will cost $400. I've decided that we'll use the donated school money to pay for that. Because Iraida was part of my original class & was the only one that never got to go to "real" school afterwards (she was 14 already and unable to read, write or do simple maths). I feel that the least we can do is offer her some help now that she needs it.
Once we get the results, we can take it back here and have it looked at by the medical experts from Rochester, NY. They are staying at Banana Bank for the coming week and are in Belize to offer free medical advice to the local community. They are such lovely people. They were the ones who offered to bring supplies for the local primary school. Apparently, they've brought lots of stuff. So we'll get to bring that to the school some time this week. That will be so much fun. Anyway, I better get going....
The doctor who examined her on Saturday kept mentioning the possibility of a brain tumor (which, of course, freaked us all out a bit). Lucky enough, my dear friend Dr. Peter Alan was able to calm us all down again. I phoned him with the other doctor's findings & he said that the most likely cause of the seizure is epilepsy, not a brain tumor. Still, we need to know for sure, so we'll get in checked in a minute.
The CAT-scan will cost $400. I've decided that we'll use the donated school money to pay for that. Because Iraida was part of my original class & was the only one that never got to go to "real" school afterwards (she was 14 already and unable to read, write or do simple maths). I feel that the least we can do is offer her some help now that she needs it.
Once we get the results, we can take it back here and have it looked at by the medical experts from Rochester, NY. They are staying at Banana Bank for the coming week and are in Belize to offer free medical advice to the local community. They are such lovely people. They were the ones who offered to bring supplies for the local primary school. Apparently, they've brought lots of stuff. So we'll get to bring that to the school some time this week. That will be so much fun. Anyway, I better get going....
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Very pleasant day
Today is just such a lovely mellow day. Karen and I spend some time lying by the pool, reading books. It's funny how you hardly ever do that kind of thing when you live in a place like this. Anyway, it was very enjoyable. The weather here, by the way, is just amazing. Blue skies, wispy little clouds, the works! It is getting quite hot though.
The strikes are all over now, at least for the time being. The kids are back in school and everybody gets their water and electricity again. The government agreed to increase the teacher's wages, but the issue of the raised taxes is still unresolved. We'll see how it all works out in the end.
Now, at the party of the International Women's Club last Friday I was told that a directory/newsletter for charities in Belize (listing volunteering opportunities, etc.) already exists. Thank God for that! I had started to work on it & it was proving to be a complete nightmare. Most charities were dragging their heels. I had to ask special permission, they had to discuss it in board meetings, I had to draft official letters, etc. And I just hate stuff like that. Why do things have to be so bloody complicated? All I wanted to do is print up something basic.
As I said, I was quite relieved that others are doing it. Apparently, there is an issue coming out in 2 weeks time. I hope it's really good.
Lucas is racing around me right now on his toy bike, sporting his new haircut (I cut his hair, Andy's hair and Max's too). I don't know how I managed to do it, but they all look pretty good.
So funny, Lucas is learning how to work with money. Well, actually, he's just learning how to spend it. We give him 5 cents every day, which he takes next door to buy a bubble gum. And today he fell in love with a little silver ring that this Mayan lady was selling. All the Mayan kids have jewelry, so it's quite understandable that Lucas wants some too. Anyway, I gave him the 5 dollar to buy it. He was so proud of himself. When he got he ring, he punched the air & is now showing everyone who'll look at it. He really feels like a big boy now.
Yesterday I said to him "I love you so much, you're such a nice boy. Do you know that? That you're a nice boy?" He answered "Yes mum, you're welcome". Bless him
The strikes are all over now, at least for the time being. The kids are back in school and everybody gets their water and electricity again. The government agreed to increase the teacher's wages, but the issue of the raised taxes is still unresolved. We'll see how it all works out in the end.
Now, at the party of the International Women's Club last Friday I was told that a directory/newsletter for charities in Belize (listing volunteering opportunities, etc.) already exists. Thank God for that! I had started to work on it & it was proving to be a complete nightmare. Most charities were dragging their heels. I had to ask special permission, they had to discuss it in board meetings, I had to draft official letters, etc. And I just hate stuff like that. Why do things have to be so bloody complicated? All I wanted to do is print up something basic.
As I said, I was quite relieved that others are doing it. Apparently, there is an issue coming out in 2 weeks time. I hope it's really good.
Lucas is racing around me right now on his toy bike, sporting his new haircut (I cut his hair, Andy's hair and Max's too). I don't know how I managed to do it, but they all look pretty good.
So funny, Lucas is learning how to work with money. Well, actually, he's just learning how to spend it. We give him 5 cents every day, which he takes next door to buy a bubble gum. And today he fell in love with a little silver ring that this Mayan lady was selling. All the Mayan kids have jewelry, so it's quite understandable that Lucas wants some too. Anyway, I gave him the 5 dollar to buy it. He was so proud of himself. When he got he ring, he punched the air & is now showing everyone who'll look at it. He really feels like a big boy now.
Yesterday I said to him "I love you so much, you're such a nice boy. Do you know that? That you're a nice boy?" He answered "Yes mum, you're welcome". Bless him
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Out the sandbox
I'm not really into writing tonight, but just wanted to share with you all that we're out of the Google "sandbox". This means that after all the work Andy has done to our website
(www.greendragonbelize.com) it is now finally front-page material. Go to Google and type in stuff like "Belize family vacation", "All-inclusive Belize vacation", "adventure travel Belize", "adventure travel", Belize vacation" etc. (whatever you can think of)
Andy is such a genius! I'm very proud of him. Anyway, will write tomorrow....
(www.greendragonbelize.com) it is now finally front-page material. Go to Google and type in stuff like "Belize family vacation", "All-inclusive Belize vacation", "adventure travel Belize", "adventure travel", Belize vacation" etc. (whatever you can think of)
Andy is such a genius! I'm very proud of him. Anyway, will write tomorrow....
Friday, February 04, 2005
"The ladies that lunch"
It looks like the strikes may come to end soon. Many schools are back in today (apart from the ones in Belmopan and Belize City). Apparently, the government has now agreed to pay the teachers their promised wage increase. The taxes (income tax, sales tax, import duties, etc.) are going to be raised, though. All the government has proposed is to postpone the tax increase for one month. I'm not sure how that can be of any help to anybody. Anyway, we'll see in the next few days what will happen.
John has taught Tella, Nora and Linda (Tella's daughter in-law) how to make pizzas today. They all thought that it was hilarious to see John with an apron on in the kitchen & I guess they have a point. John's not much of a cook, but he can make brilliant pizzas. Funny that. Anyway, they all did a great job. I just ended up with a "naked" pizza as Lucas ate all the meat of mine (motherly love...in a few years he'll get his hands slapped if he tries that)
Tonight Karen and I will go to Belize City to a party from the International Women's Club. Should be fun. It's a big carnival bash. Rita is not joining us. She calls it a party for "the ladies that lunch" (because so many are diplomats wives, etc.) Anyway, I'm sure that Karen and I will have a blast. We are putting our sparkly dresses on and will have to cross the river like that to get to our car. I'm sure that all the Banana Bank workers are going to crack up when they see us. Rita is staying home with Andy, Lucas and John to watch a pay-per-view movie. Anyway, I'll take some pictures tonight. Adios.
John has taught Tella, Nora and Linda (Tella's daughter in-law) how to make pizzas today. They all thought that it was hilarious to see John with an apron on in the kitchen & I guess they have a point. John's not much of a cook, but he can make brilliant pizzas. Funny that. Anyway, they all did a great job. I just ended up with a "naked" pizza as Lucas ate all the meat of mine (motherly love...in a few years he'll get his hands slapped if he tries that)
Tonight Karen and I will go to Belize City to a party from the International Women's Club. Should be fun. It's a big carnival bash. Rita is not joining us. She calls it a party for "the ladies that lunch" (because so many are diplomats wives, etc.) Anyway, I'm sure that Karen and I will have a blast. We are putting our sparkly dresses on and will have to cross the river like that to get to our car. I'm sure that all the Banana Bank workers are going to crack up when they see us. Rita is staying home with Andy, Lucas and John to watch a pay-per-view movie. Anyway, I'll take some pictures tonight. Adios.
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