Peace Corps: A mother's perspective

Monday, April 21, 2008

A mother's perspective

As a mother it is hard to drive your daughter to Philly and drop her off knowing that you may not see her for over 2 years. You just want to hold her, but you know you have to let her go and live her dream. Jaclyn has talked about doing this since she was in high school. It makes me proud to see her fulfilling her dreams and so willing to share herself with others, to make things better in this world.

As her sisters and me were driving back down 95, the car was very quiet for the first half hour, then we starting talking about it's not going to be that different. Jaclyn was always off traveling somewhere, whether it would be college, Australia, Italy, Costa Rica, road trip across the USA or spending months in New Orleans helping in the lower 9th ward. She was never home very long. Jaclyn has always had a hunger for new adventures, travel and a desire to help where she is most needed. (Believe me it was not at home cleaning her room.) So when we got home, we decided to see what clothes and shoes she left behind, because Jaclyn always had the cutest clothes and shoes. They were quickly divided up. (sorry Jaclyn, they would be out of style when you got back anyway.) I had the chore of cleaning her room of the mess she left behind, some things never change.

As we got back into our hectic lives, we wonder what Jaclyn is doing and how she is making out, but mostly we go on living our lives and dreams too. With all the new communications options it will be easier to keep in touch. (Look at me I figured out how to post on a Blog site.) I know it brightened my day when I received the e-mail that invited me to blog. I was amazed at her blog site, because Jaclyn was not very techy type person. I guess it is pretty easy, huh?

Well I will keep you updated with my insights as Jaclyn is off in Botswana. Jaclyn there are many wishes and prayers going out to you from co-workers, clients, friends and family. Comet was in your room last night crying, silly dog. Look forward to hearing from you and following your journey.

I love you sweetie,

Mom

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Quotes

Quotes
A Dear Friend gave me a little book to collect quotes, memories, and life lessons during my journey . . .
I thought I’d share some thoughts and words of wisdom that I have collected during my experience

“I love it when we put our heads together and they don’t bump.”
“You keep digging that hole and you’ll have a swimming pool soon enough.”
“I rise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it very hard to plan the day.”
“Do not forget that your will has power over all your fantasies and dreams. Trust it to see you through, and carry you beyond them all.”
“Dreams show that you have the power to make the world as you would have it be.”
“Perception is a mirror, not a fact. And what I look on is my state of mind, reflected outward.”
“Peace, like love, must first be uncovered within and then extended through our relationships in ever-widening, ever more inclusive circles, until eventually peace encompasses everyone.”
“Offering peace to others is a way to have it ourselves, and a natural result of having it is sharing it.”
“Qué sera, sera.” -- “What will be, will be.”
“Life is a near-death experience. The leading cause of death is life.”- so live it up so you never have to live it down!
“Sometimes you cannot believe what you see, you have to believe what you feel. And if you are ever going to have other people trust you, you must feel that you can trust them too--- even when you’re in the dark. Even when you’re falling.”
“Enlightenment is but a recognition, not a change at all.”
“We only become what we are by the radical and deep-seated refusal of that which others have made of us.”
“One day when our human kind become full grown, it will not define itself by the sum total of the whole world’s inhabitants, but as the infinite unity of their mutual needs.”
This pretty much sums it up: “So why am I here? Adventure is part of it. Proving myself is also part. Doing good is a very large part. The rest I guess will be known in time.”
“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable man persists in trying to adopt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.”
“People cannot be developed; they can only develop themselves.”
“If the people will lead, the leaders will follow.” ~Ghandi
“Only when the power of love, overcomes the love of power will the world know peace.”
“Of the gladdest moments in human life is the departure upon a distant journey into unknown lands. Shaking off with one mighty effort the fetters of habit, the laden weight of routine, the cloak of mnay cares, and the slavery of home, man feels once more happy. The blood flows with the fast circulation of childhood. A fresh dawn on the morn of life.”
“To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition, to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived--- this is to have succeeded.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
“With the best leaders, when the work is done and the task is accomplished, the people will say, we have done this ourselves.” ~Lao Tsu

Recipes

Pumpkin (Butternut) Bread
I think this is my favorite recipe so far in Botswana! (It’s a close rival to my long time favorite: Banana Bread)
Makes 2 loaves
3 ½ cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. baking soda
½ Tbsp. salt
1 Tbsp. cinnamon
½ cup chopped nuts
¾ cup butter
1 ½ cups sugar
4 eggs
2-3 cups cooked pumpkin (or butternut)
¾ cup water (as needed)
Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add nuts. In separate bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs one by one, beating well after each addition. Add pumpkin, then mix in dry ingredients. Add water as needed. Mix well. Pour into greased pan. Bake on 350 until top bounces back when touched or when knife comes out clean (about 40 minutes).

Smashed Squash
Butternut squash is readily available here and a staple in Botswana dishes, but I think you could use this same recipe with pumpkin or sweet potatoes for a tasty dish (especially around the holidays!).
2 medium sized butternut squashes
2 Tbsp. melted butter or margarine
¼ cup run or brandy (or substitute with milk)
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ground ginger
Ginger snap cookies (crumbled) or spiced pecans or both!

Rinse squash and cut into fourths- leaving the skin on.
Remove the seeds from the bottom half.
Put in a pot with about 1 inch of water and cook until tender (about 20-30 minutes)
Drain water and wait until squash is cool to handle
Scrape squash out of skin and mash with a fork
Add butter or margarine, liquor or milk, and spices
Cream together and put in a casserole dish or baking pan.
Top with ginger cookies or pecans
Bake on medium heat (350 F or 175 C) for 30 minutes.

Granolas
1 ½ cup oats
¼ cup sliced almonds
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
2 Tbsp. cashews
¼ cup sunflower seeds
1/3 cup maple syrup
¼ cup oil
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. salt
1/3 cup raisins (and/or craisins, figs, apples)

Add all ingredients beside fruit and stir. Spread on a lightly oiled baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes on 350 stirring frequently

½ cup water
1 Tbsp. salt
2 tsp. vanilla
6 cups oats
1 cup wheat germ
½ cup oil
½-1 cup honey
2 cups whole wheat flour (or regular flour)
1 cup coconut
Bring liquids to a boil and add mixed dry ingredients. Bake in a greased pan or stove for 40 minutes stirring often. Add raisins, dried fruit and/or nuts.

Maryland- styled Lemon Herb Spinach Salad
Ok this one is a bit crazy but believe me it tastes good and is perfect for a light, summer dinner!
Spinach- ribboned
Zucchini- sliced
Meat of choice, cut (I actually used a veggie burger and it did the trick)
Old Bay
Garlic clove, minced
Onion, chopped
Lemon juice
Olive oil
Salt
Pepper

Put meat (preferably already cooked) in a pan adding garlic, onion, lemon juice, and olive oil (You might need to add a little water too to make a nice marinade sauce). Put on low heat to simmer. Add sliced zucchini. Sprinkle Old Bay and pepper on top. Cook until hot and zucchini is cooked to desire. Briefly weep spinach. Place spinach on plate. Pour meat and zucchini mixture over bed of spinach. Eat immediately or spinach will get mushy!

To create a more filling meal, serve with Roasted Potatoes:

Wash and cut potatoes into bite-sized chunks. Chop onion. Spread evenly onto baking pan. Top with salt, pepper and old bay. Add a bit of water to the pan to prevent burning and check water level throughout duration. Bake until potatoes golden and crispy outside and soft inside (about 45 min.).

They are perfect to dip in the excess marinade!

Mediterranean Eggplant Spread
1 ¼ lb. eggplant
1 Tbsp. olive oil
½ medium onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
¼ cup chopped fresh basil leaves
¼ cup fresh parsley leaves
3 Tbsp. lemon juice
½ tsp. sugar
Salt & pepper

Cut eggplant lengthwise and brush sliced surface with olive oil and place face down on oiled baking sheet. Bake until tender (about 35 minutes)- eggplant will look wrinkled and deflated. Let cool.
Heat oil in skillet add onion for 3-5 min. Add garlic and tomato and cook for 1 min. stirring.
Scoop flesh out of eggplant skins and cut into bite-sized pieces. Add to skillet with tomato. Add basil, parsley, lemon juice, and sugar. Blend well. Salt and pepper to taste. Serves with toasted bread or crackers.

Curried Rice Salad
So out of the few spices actually used in dishes here- curry is one of them. So here’s one to try at your next cook out.
2 cups cooked rice
2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
2 Tbsp. chutney (I don’t know if they sell this premade in the states- if not I can post a recipe to make it from scratch)
1 can peaches, drained
1 Tbsp. curry powder
1 onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped (optional)
¼ cup lemon juice

Mix all ingredients, adding peaches and lemon juice last. Let sit in a cool place (fridge) for one hour before serving.

I’m thinking that some raisins and chicken chunks could be added to make this dish more complete for a nice summer dinner.

Banana Oatmeal Cookies
These are like a cross between banana bread and cookies- they have a consistency close to a muffin top. They are great for breakfast!
1 ½ c. flour
¾ tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. salt
½ c. mashed banana
¼ c. shortening
¾ c. sugar
1 ½ c. oats
1 egg
Optional: 1 c. chopped nuts
Makes about 2 dozen.
· Cream shortening and sugar
· Add egg and beat
· Stir in oats, banana, and nuts
· Add remaining ingredients
· Spoon on to an ungreased baking sheet (they do not spread much while cooking)
· Bake 10-15 min. at 350 or until lightly brown

Butternut Squash Soup
I just experimented with this and it turned out pretty well. Below is a basic recipe (I think this can easily be replaced by pumpkin if that’s easier to find, especially come Fall.)The prep is a little time consuming so I would recommend doubling or tripling the recipe so that you can freeze some for a second, quick meal. This would serve about 4 for dinner (main course) and about 6 as a lunch/snack/appetizer, etc.
2 medium sized butternut squash
1. Cut the squash in half at its waist
2. Cut off the ends
3. Cut down the sides to remove the rind (both halves)
4. Cut the bottom in half and remove the seeds (live carving a pumpkin)
5. Cut into bite-sized cubes
1 onion
2 cloves of garlic (or more if you’re like me!)
Olive oil (about 4 Tbsp.)
Salt & Pepper (about 2 tsp. each)
· Finely mince onion and caramelize with oil in a pan on med/low heat. It will take about 20-30 min. Toss and add water as needed so prevent the onions from drying out.
· Mince garlic and add to onions with a little more oil
· Add squash chunks and sauté for 5 min. (still med/low heat)
· Add water until it covers the squash
· Add salt, pepper and other spices (I added cloves and cinnamon. You might also want to try nutmeg, cumin, allspice, anise, anything sweet and savory)
· Cover and simmer on med. heat for about 15 min. or until squash start to get soft.
· Once soft, use a potato masher or a slotted spoon to mash the squash and stir.
· Add water, or for a creamier soup add milk, cream, or coconut milk, until soup is the desired consistency.
· Cook until smooth and bubbly- but do not boil, milk will separate!
I made mine with cauliflower and spinach. I steamed these well in a separate pot, because I wanted the cauliflower whole, not mashed with the squash, and added them to the main pot at the very end to finish. I also used milk for a creamy soup. This is a hearty soup and can easily be a full meal especially if you serve it with bread (I had some cornbread and it went nicely together).
Some other suggested variations:
· Coconut curry (coconut milk and 1-2 tsp. curry)
· Creamy potato (add peeled chunks of potato with squash and use milk or cream at end)
· Carrot ginger (add diced carrots and either fresh grated (4 T) or ground ginger (2 t.))
· Spicy (roast a red bell pepper, chop, and add to squash or add cayenne pepper)
Or create your own . . .

Dijo Mo Botswana
Here are a few traditional dishes . . .
They are rather bland, but you all asked for them so here you are!
Dipapata (like a dense biscuit or English muffin)
1 ½ c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
2 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. sugar (if you don’t like them sweet, omit the sugar)
Water
· Sift dry ingredients together
· Add water while you mix until dough reaches a soft doughy consistency (solid and slightly sticky)
· Add flour (so it doesn’t stick to your hands) and knead until smooth
· Divide dough into small balls and fold the outsides inward to form a disk shaped patty
· Place on a non-stick pan on low heat for about 5-10 min. on each side or until cooked through

Madombi (dumplings)
2 c. flour
1 tbsp. instant yeast
2 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. sugar
Warm water
· Mix dough and knead to same consistency as above
· Since this one has yeast, let it stand covered in a warm place until it doubles in size
· Punch dough down and knead for several more minutes
· Form disks/ patties as above
· Place in boiling water for 15-25 min.

Fat Cakes
Prepare the same as the dumplings only cook in hot oil instead of boiling water. Do not cover. When the cake floats on top of the oil, flip over and continue cooking until browned on both sides.
Butternut Salad
Butternut squash
Nutmeg to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
· Cut squash into quadrants and boil until soft
· Scrape squash out of rind and smash with a fork
· Add desired spices

Beetroot Salad
Boil beetroots until cooked through. Allow to stand in water until cool enough to peel. Grate.
You can also add grated carrots and a bit of mayonnaise until the salad is hot pink.
An Americanized version:
After beets are grated, cut onion into thin half slices and separate into ribbons and add to beets. Add 1 c. red wine vinegar, 1 tbsp. oil (preferably olive), 1 tsp. sugar, 2 tsp. salt, 2 tsp. pepper, 2 tsp. paprika, and 2 tsp. cinnamon and toss.

Mail

I am sending this out just because I have already been asked by a few and know I will get it more as the holidays come up. So here is some mailing advice for the next 2 years that I have received from current volunteers. The U.S. postal service has an international flat rate box ($30?) to send up to 20 lbs which from all volunteers' experiences seems to be the best. They also have an $11 flat rate envelope if you want to send smaller things. (They supply the box so be sure you pick it up first so you know what dimensions you are working with!) I have seen packages arrive where parents have sent things in their own boxes and the postage has been up to $100 and some of them are small packages or envelopes that are like $40 so be careful; and stick to those flat rate deals bc they seem best. Anything that needs to get here by express or extra security can be sent by DHL. Now that I have received my first packages, I can say that they arrived in about a week and a half- not bad! Also, I had no problem receiving them fully intact. So it seems like the mail system works pretty well- even all the way out here to Semolale. Also, for all of you who might be a little confused about regular postage rates, a standard letter requires a $0.94 international stamp. These I have also received here in Semolale, and it seems like they take just about 1 week to arrive. I am sending this to you all and you can give suggestions/ forward this as you get inquires from other family members or friends.Care Package suggestions:pens & office supplies & craft supplies (paints, glue, colored paper, markers)
Stationary and envelopesphotos- updated ones of you all and events i'm missing :(
seeds for a veggie garden and herbs and wild flowers that can grow in arid climates
acoustic guitar strings and tablature (especially some bob marley, bob dylan)
crossword puzzle books, magazines (travel, homes, nature, environmental issues)- the kids love anything Hollywood or current events- they don’t even have to be current!
board games or card games (like uno)
sports balls, Frisbees
computer games and tutorials (CD-Roms)
workbooks to teach English (Elementary level)
blank CDs
burned DVDs (or send some that I have left behind- maybe putting a bunch in a CD case would be a space saving way to send them) or CDs (maybe some keller williams, rusted root, dave, john butler trio, and any newly discovered music that you think I would enjoy) Also, maybe disney or kids movies because they loved Ratatoullie but I think if I watch it one more time I’ll go insane! I need to find a way to get Ravens games taped to DVD and sent next season so if someone could start some research that would be awesome! I’m thinking maybe Tivo can do this, but I’m not sure.
~also, the kids really like R&B and American Rap/ Hip hop artists I hear a lot about Chris Brown, Rhianna, Alicia keys, Beyonce and the like
Hemp & beads- the youth have seen the necklace that I wear all the time and want to learn how to make it and try to sell them to raise money for the group
batteries (AA rechargeable and the long life camera ones- lithium or titanium)
calenders with pics from national parks or other natural landscapes or beach scenes- they can be the 2008 clearance ones or even outdated I just want big glossy pictures to decorate withearl gray tea bags and green tea bags
incense sticks granola and cereal barsnoxema face wipes (those things the girls use on their face. i am covered in a layer of dust everyday)recipes- some of my faves like banana bread, chicken dishes, salads, and anything that can be made from scratch like cookies, breads, etc.hot cocoa and cappuccino mixes- winter is upon us!
spices and marinade packets (like the grill mate ones) and taco seasoningcereals- you know what i like: granola, life, frosted mini wheats, total w/ cranberries and they have a honey cluster one now, oatmeal squares, honey clusters, honey bunches of oats, special K with yogart and berries, honey nut chex, etc.craisinstrail mix/ chex mixes/ nuts***PAM***, they do not have anything like this and i refuse to use oil! so please, please, pleasebrownie mix, blueberry pancake mix (anything just add water)ziploc baggies and the Ziploc/ gladware storage containersfig newtons/ animal crackersshout wipes/ clorax pen/ mini sewing kitcountry time pink lemonade mixhand sanitizers/ cocoa butter/ chap stick

Peace Corps

Monday, April 21, 2008

A mother's perspective

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