Let the blogging begin!

It's exciting to see YIIP Blogs spring up from all over the world! Many of your blogs have already made me drool, get goose bumps, laugh and literally say out loud - NO WAY!

I strongly encourage everyone to check out other YIIP blogs. You'll never believe what some YIIPers are experiencing half way around the world! 

These blogs in particular caught my attention this week:

Sarah’s blog from El Salvador http://solidarityseeker.tumblr.com/

 

Thugs steal water pipes which leave many towns without water! Seriously? Wouldn’t somebody notice people digging that deep? And why steel water pipes? (Also on this blog, a really interesting account of a new brides life in El Salvador.)

Alina’s Blog from Nicaragua http://girlwithhugebackpackinnica.tumblr.com/

An interesting picture is posted on Alina’s blog which reads “WARNING: reflections in this mirror may be distorted by socially constructed ideas of ‘beauty’ ”. Alina, I am extremely interested in knowing what made you post this picture? Does it reflect the definition of beauty in Nicaragua? Or could it be how you view the definition of beauty in North America after comparing it to that of Nicaragua? 

After seeing Alina's picture and reading Sudi’s post http://sucdi.wordpress.com/ on the definition of  beauty in Kenya,  I remember how the definition of beauty  in El Salvador affected me. I felt more content, confident and beautiful in El Salvador than I had ever felt at home. How is the definition of beauty where you are affecting you?

Oliver’s Blog from Germany http://olivershen.wordpress.com/

A LAUNDRY CAFÉ ! – Totally Bizarre but interesting in my opinion!  How does it work you ask? Read Oliver’s post called “Laundry and Life lessons” posted on May 17^th to find out. (Tons of beautiful pictures of Germany too!)

Brianna’s Blog from Kenya www.creativeinkenya.wordpress.com

Brianna crosses off  “what I value” on her scavenger hunt list.  Her accounts of the education and health system she is witnessing seem unreal to me at home. After complaining about taking French in summer school for the last few weeks I think I’ll shut up now.

Robin’s Blog from South Africa http://adventureinjoburg.blogspot.com/

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to eat a big, fat, Juicy CATERPILLAR? Robin can give you an account. Check out her post from May 18^th called “A few highlights” for the story. I found her most recent post quite interesting too! 

Alexandra’s Blog from Italy http://allyinitalia2011.blogspot.com/

A dynamic blog! The pictures of food have me drooling; the fact that she saw the girls from jersey shore is just… what are the chances?! And her latest posts on “the definition of beautiful in Italy” and “Work, work, work” had me chuckling.  

For those of you who haven't updated your blog yet, let's go! I am anxious to read about your adventures!

Your blogging mission:

Check off at least one of the ten statements found below every 2 week by blogging about it! (A minimum of 6 must be submitted by the end of your internship).

Scavenger Hunt Checklist

•  Something that touched your heart.

•  Something you now appreciate that you didn’t before.

•   A lesson learned.

• What you value.

• The definition of beautiful where you are.

•   A moment you will always remember.

•   See yourself through someone else’s eyes.

•   Best meal of the summer.

•   Movement.

•  Turning point. 

Be creative! This is your opportunity to briefly pull out of your day to day activities and reflect on who you are within this international experience. Developing this understanding will make your experience all the more meaningful.

As for what's new in Canada, today we are FINALLY having our first day of pure heat and sunshine! If this weather keeps up I will surely have some adventures of my own to update you with - until then, keep working hard!

Lisa The YIIP Assisant Alleyne