Too much to say!

There is a lot to say in this post so get ready for a bunch of random stuff.

First off, I will tell you what I have been up to for the past week. Monday thru Wednesday we broke into two groups and while one group worked in the garden for the morning the other would be at a Nazarene school helping with the younger kids and then we would switch in the afternoon. The garden project is really coming along. We have all of the 11 beds finished with the two rows of cinder blocks around them and now we just have to put the good dirt in each one. I will post pictures soon I just keep forgetting to take pictures of the progress we are making.

At the Nazarene school we were able to help the teachers take care of the younger kids. The kids really need a lot more attention then they are getting. The reading level is really low and so is the math. The teachers are doing a good job at what they can but its hard when there is only one of them to teach 30 students. So thats why they asked us to come in so the teachers could teach their lesson and then we would go around to each student and help them do their assignment. I really enjoy teaching the kids here. I'll admit that sometimes they can be really sassy, but they're just so darn cute. One of the girls in our group, Jasmyn, is going to be the project lead for a reading camp at the Nazarene school in July. I'll be able to help out with that as well so I'm pretty excited!

Also this week, I have started a project of my own. In Belmopan, the capitol of Belize, there is a community center called the George Price Center that allows kids to come and get tutoring, use the library, etc. A few years ago a group came in from Japan and donated a whole computer lab to the center for the kids. Problem is, the kids don't know how to use the computers so they have to have a teacher with them to be able to use the lab and there isn't always a teacher available. The students really need this computer lab because they get homework assignments where the teacher has assumed they have internet access but some of the kids don't. So I'm going to come in and teach a two week course on how to use a computer as well as typing classes. The owner of the George Price Center told us that the reward for  students taking my course will be that they can use the computer lab whenever they want without the prescence of a teacher. This will be very beneficial to the students and the staff so that the students can get their homework done and the staff doesn't have to worry about the computers being ruined. So this week in our spare time Tori and I have been coming up with a curriculum for the course. Classes will begin June 18 so I will let you know how that goes!

This week we also went around to more schools and gave the dental health, nutrition, and CPR presentations that we have done before. I always love doing that because the kids get so excited to participate and win prizes.

Second, this weekend has been an eventful one to say the least. Not here in Belize, but at home!

1. Friday May 25 was the 2 year anniversary of Tiffany Lynn Searle passing away. I didn't get to participate in lighting chinese lanterns at her headstone but I'm sure it was a really awesome experience and I did get to look back on some pictures from last year and from when she was here with us. I also got to talk to Valerie (mother of Tiffany) over the phone for a little while and I really enjoyed that. I wish I could have called Nic but I guess I will be able to hear from him on Monday via email. Tiffany was and is an amazing little girl who touched the lives of so many people. I really miss her and wish I could have gotten to know her better. She is always in my thoughts.

2. Today, Saturday May 26 is the day my cousin Austin and his fiance Kendy will be sealed for time and all eternity. I could not be more excited for them and for Kendy to be a part of our family. I wish them the best of luck and sincerely apologize for not being able to be there for them on this special day! Congratulations!

3. Last but definitely not least, yesterday the American Fork High School baseball team won the State Championship against Taylorsville!! HOOLLLAAAA! Seriously could not be more excited for these boys. I can't wait to tell Nic. He will be so excited as well!

Sorry for such a long post but I just had to blog about all of it! Still having an amazing time here in Belize and can't wait to see whats in store for me next! Until next time, PEACE.

I Still Miss You.

Just have to put it out there that even though I'm having all these extremely fun adventures and having the time of my life, I still miss all of you. I think about you all the time.

 Family: I'm so sad I couldn't come to D.C. with you guys. Sad I couldn't be there to hear about all the fun and amazing things you did there. Or to hear about Tiffany's first day at work. (She's SO OLD.) I'm sad I haven't seen or talked to Steven and Allie in over 3 weeks.

 Nic: You won't read this but I miss you too! A LOT. People down here that I meet ask if I'm dating someone and, of course, I always say "yes" but then I tell them that I haven't seen you for a year and won't see you for another year and they all freak out. If you think about it, it really is pretty crazy. 

Searles: I miss every single one of you! (Including Chandra! (:) I'm sad I can't be there with you to meet Kerras newest child. I'm sad I can't be there to put up the pool and swim in it for the first time! And last but not least  

my ROOMIES! I miss you guys so freaking much! I miss being able to tell you guys everything! And my internet connection here sucks so we can barely skype. I hope you are all having a wonderful summer and I will see you in the fall! 

Just remember that I love you all and I'm so grateful to all of you for helping me get here. Really. I don't know how to repay you. Love you all! See you in 10 weeks! 

LOVE.

I LOVE TEACHING THESE KIDS.

Casey and I

The kids presenting their shapes to the class

Notes we get from the little girls! 

Bug Bite Count.

47 Bug Bites. 

Best Day Ever.

So this weekend we decided to take a little vacation to Caye Caulker because of the national holiday, and it might possibly have been the best decision ever. I really have been so blessed to be able to come down here and experience this beautiful place. Today we woke up at 6 thirty and walked around the island. Then at 10 thirty we hoped on a sail boat and headed out for our snorkeling trip. We had three stops. At the first, we saw two manatees! How cool is that?? At the second, we saw nursing sharks and sting rays and got to touch both of them! Then at the third, we saw sea turtles and a barracuda! When we got back we walked around some more, ate dinner on a dock over looking the ocean, and headed back to the hostel because the night scene here is a little sketchy. Without further adieu, PICTURES.

Taylor and I in the hostel

Anybody else think this could be a cover picture for the Bachelor? 

Known this girl for a day and already love her! 

Before we got FRIED.

So much fun snorkeling! 

Where I ate my dinner tonight! 

YOLO! (You Only Live Once)

Again, Tori and I

Super cute. 

Taylor, Leslie and I

Sketch-a-fretch.

Having a great night on the island of Caye Caulker! Monday is a national holiday here in Belize so all of the people we do business with won't work on Monday. We decided that with a day off we would make a 4 day weekend out of it and head to the islands. We are staying in a hostel for the weekend and its...interesting. Yeah. Just interesting. The island itself is super fun though! We have plans for a sailing/snorkeling trip tomorrow that I'm really excited for. But I gotta head to bed! Goodnight y'all!

Beautiful People.

Oh my goodness gracious. Today was the best day yet. I got to spend the day with tons of kids and I could not be in a better mood. They were some of the cutest little kids I have ever met. We went to an elementary school and taught them health awareness lessons such as: dental health, CPR, nutrition (obesity and diabetes), and the heimlich. We used posters, handouts, storybooks, and even handed out prizes for participation. They loved us to say the least and we loved them even more. 

After we taught 3 of the classes we went on a fieldtrip with them to an elderly home called Octavia. The kids had a whole program for the old folks with songs and stories and it was completely adorable. Its interesting because they pretty much force religion on these kids. All of their songs have something to do with Jesus. I think its great actually. Its just weird to see because it would be totally illegal in the U.S. There is no separation of church and state here. There were points when the kids were singing and I was almost in tears. I loved spending the day with them and so did the elderly. There was one lady in particular, Juanita, who was clapping and dancing along with every song. She was so funny and so cute. I loved sitting and being able to talk to her for a little while. While the kids were singing, there were a couple of us going around to the elderly individually and taking blood pressure and checking for cataracts and what not. There is a lot of work to be done there so we will most likely be going back. 

After we got back from the old folks home we went out to lunch while the kids had recess and ate. When we walked back in the gate to the school they came running up to us giving us hugs and wanting to play games. I got to play tag (mostly just me being chased by a bunch of 8 year olds around a big field), and some duck duck goose while Taylor and Carly had some kids playing with their cameras. Ahhh, it really was such a rewarding day. We taught 3 more classes after recess and then headed over to a much smaller elementary school of just 15 students. Keep in mind we're walking about 2 miles between each of these so my legs are getting buff and my farmers tan is getting hideously noticeable. 

I really have come to love walking around even though its blazing hot. Its just so laid back here. We walk around and everyone either says "hi" to us or is asleep in their hammock on their porch. The wild life is absolutely gorgeous here so it makes the long walks a lot easier. You might already know this but..I LOVE IT HERE. 

P.S. If you would like to be my friend on FaceBook, please add me. Alison Vincent. I made a new account recently. Gracias! 

Okay, now time for a picture OVERLOAD. Get ready. 

Bug Bites & Cat Calls

This post might freak my dad out a little bit but don't worry dad, I'm fine.

Walking around town, especially later at night it gets kind of sketchy. The sun goes down no later than 6 thirty which is right when we are normally out eating. So while walking back to our house its really dark outside. At least twice a day we get some cat calls our way or even an invitation to come to a club. ha. Last night I was hit on 3 times. One of them told me I had "a beautiful smile on my face." and asked me if I wanted to come to happy hour at the bar.  Now my parents are regretting paying for my smile. haha. Obviously, I was in a big group of people in a very populated area so I just politely said "no" and kept walking. None of them have been too pushy or scary. They just like to put the offer out there in hope that one of us is dumb enough to go with them. Again, don't worry Mom and Dad, I'm not that stupid and I'm always with other people.
Bugs. Ew. I have 9 bug bites already and it feels great! Not. They are kind of weird looking but  luckily they don't itch too bad unless I pick at them. Everyone else has only gotten about 3-4 bug bites though so I guess my blood is extra sweet? I'll take it as a compliment. Thanks mosquitos.
Yesterday I had the wonderful oppurtunity to hike some Mayan ruins in a near by city called Succotz. We walked about a mile up hill (dripping, and I mean DRIPPING sweat because of the insane heat) to reach the ruins and at first they looked really small but theres this place where you turn a corner and there is just this massive ruin. We hiked up the very steep stairs to the top and got to enjoy the beautiful view above the tree tops. I really haven't seen anything that beautiful. It was such a cool experience to just stand up there and think about how blessed I was to be there; to be able to experience that.
Today I went to the English branch for church and I loved it. The people here are so amazing. I don't think I can emphasize that enough. Most of them speak English and they speak it surprisingly well. I got to lead the music in sacrament because no one else knew how, and I also know one of the missionaries in the area. His name is Elder Van Camp (first name Chris. Some of you might know him) and he went to good ol' American Fork High. Pretty funny that I meet up with him in a forgein country. Its good to see a familiar face though. I plan to go back to that ward each week; I really fell in love with the people there. Two of my favorites that I met today are William and Mark. William is a 76 year old man who happens to be blind. He also happens to be one of the happiest people in the ward and it also just so happened to be his birthday today so we sang to him. He obviously loved it. Mark on the other hand is a 23 year old man who just received the Holy Ghost today. We got to witness his confirmation and it was so neat to see him smile so big after his blessing.
Again, I love it here and can't wait to see whats in store for me next.
Adios!

I'm finally HERE!

Helllllooo everybody! I am officially here in Belize and I'm loving it. We got here yesterday and started the trip off with an amazing Belizian dish made by one of the sisters in the ward, Sister Kay. (Mama Kay, as we call her.) Mama Kay is our chef for the whole trip. She will make us dinner Sunday-Thursday each day. She is an amazing lady and I've only met her once. I get wait to get to know her even better! (And eat more of her food! YUM.)
Right when we wake up each morning we go to the Market and get fresh fruits then to the grocery store for yogurt and cereal and what not for breakfast. At nights, with the left over fruit, we cut it up and freeze it and eat it as snacks during the day. Its seriously sooo delicious. Frozen watermelon is the best. Bananas in a close second.
It is insanely hot down here and being the insane sweater that I am, I constantly look like I just got out of the pool. For reals. Its 90 degrees outside with 90% humidity. And we don't have air conditioning in the house we are living in. I'm actually starting to get used to it but at times it is still miserable. Luckily there is pretty much a constant breeze. May is the hottest month of the year though so I just have to survive this month and then June is going to rain like crazy.
I absolutely love all the girls, and the one boy, in my group. We all get along great. Right now we're all sitting at a little cafe called "Flayvas" with WiFi and delicious food. I'm eating a beef fajita (: Be jealous.
Before I got here I expected the people to be mostly hispanic or latino but most of the population down here is Afro Carribean/Jamaican. They are such beautiful people. I love walking down the street and seeing all the different people. We get a lot of weird looks and also a lot of cat calls but its still great. We are just different and they aren't used to seeing a group of gringos walking around.
Today we got to do some gardening work at a high school. Plus side to gardening in this heat, I already have a tan line. BAM. I'm gonna be so dark when I get home! The high school is too poor to provide lunch for the students so most of the students just don't eat lunch. We are making the garden so that they can sell the fruits and vegetables so they can provide lunch. Also, the students will have the option of eating just the vegetables and fruits for lunch; its better than not eating.
A cool story: While working today we were getting pretty tired and this guy came by and was like, "Hey, wanna come see my pets out back?" at first I was a little sketched out but I was tired, needed a break, and we were at a school so whats the worst that could happen? ha. Anyways, so about 5 of us follow him back into a grove of trees and we tells us to be quiet while he throws out a bunch of cut of mangos. We stood there for like 5 minutes waiting for something to happen and then all the sudden out of nowhere, iguanas start coming down all the trees! HUGE IGUANAS. How cool is that?!
I absolutely love it here and can't wait to work my butt off to help these people even if its in the smallest way. BIG thanks to all the people who helped me get here. It really means a lot. I love you all and feel free to comment and ask any questions you have. We don't have internet in the house so only when I go out to eat (Saturday and Sundays) will I be able to reply or make a new post so don't worry, I'm not ignoring you.
Welp, time to enjoy my fajita!
Some pictures first though:

Beautiful Sunset

At the Market

Kinda blurry, but one of the iguanas! 

And another! Craziness. 

Digging in the garden. Woop woop! 

So um..we are going to this circus tonight! I'm pretty stoked. I've always seen them in movies but I never thought that circuses actually drove around from town to town. There was even a tiger!

At our lunch break. Lovin' the sweatiness. I know.

Jezzel and I. Love this girl already. 

View out my window, say what?!