one week down... many more to go!

Finding your foot print in a see of many can be difficult and fun at the same time....

Well, one week has finally finished and the 3 of us have survived. I think I am going to go against the grain with this one and go backwards.

Today, we had our first day of spanish school. It was fun. We are attending for 4 hours which are split into first session and second session with a snack break in between. We took a taxi there and was a few minutes late. Our driver actually attend Ciudad De Los Ninos for 3 years. My first session teacher is Edison and my second teacher is Esla "Blue" (She wishes that her last name was blue because it is favorite color ^_^) During my first session we worked on pronunciation and syllabuls. We played hangman for the Abecederio and scrabble for the syllabuls.

For the second session, we worked on introductions. There was a lot of laughs that were had. This is my presente:
Me llamo Tania Brown. Soy estadounidense. Soy voluntaria.

For our ride back it was the same driver. He took us on the scenic route of the coast. It was our first time seeing it in the day light. It was beautiful. We passed a place that translated out to 'jump of the friars' which is a cliff rock on the coast where supposedly friars jumped off to their deaths. The ironic thing about that are is that they have a restaurant named after it.

For 4 days before today, we worked at Ciudad De Los Ninos. It has been quit the experience to work and not know what they are all saying. It has been nice to have bro. Hugo speak english. The ninos are very helpful. In my house, one of the hermana has a daughter who is one year older then the oldest boys. Ella se llama Danna. She really knows how to keep the boys in line, lol. the schedule is the same from Monday to Thursday and then changes for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (Next blog I will post the actual schedule).

On Tuesday and Wednesday (the first two full days), we went shopping and to the down town area where the embassy was. We went to Saint Domingo church to see St. francis of de porres and saint Rosa's graves. We also saw a lot of other bodies at Saint Francis church. This church had a large catacumb. It was crazy to see it all and also exciting.

Next blog should be up in about 3 to 5 days or maybe a week later... we will see.

A Hui hou

Changing rooms

When one door closes... another shall open!

It is time to go through that new door into a room called PERU. A room I never knew would exist in my life. It amazes me with how much God works in a persons life and he sure has done his share. It is time for me to show hime that his GIFTS will not go to waste.

Let me tell you are Peru:
I will be leaving on August 17 for Peru with two other volunteers (Alyssa and Michael). We will be working at Cuidad De Los Ninos which is a boys home and school. Our roles have not been defined yet. We are the first volunteers to serve in Cap Corps in Peru. So, we are sort of the test group. I will be going with very little spanish and a great will to learn the language. The length of service is 18 months. Within 6 months, I should be at a Spanish 102 level (I hope). I am truly excited about this challenge.

Looking back:
In the past two weeks, International Cap Corps serves have been attending a Ecumenical Orientation. We have meet other international volunteers from ECLA, RCA, PC-USA and one lucky one from Episcopal. We went through sessions on Racism, Sexism, Cross-Cultural conflicts and relationships, learned about Islam and went to visit a Mosque, safety and contingency planning, and other topics. Each one provided something to take with us on our mission.
Everybody had a great story to share and it was fun to get to know them personally. I hope we get to stay in touch through out our periods of service. The number one thing I learned was: Go without expectation and know that you will learn.

Half way through...

Spending half a year of your life in another state can break you down and build you back up. Will it keep you the same? I hope not.-- Tania Brown

Last year at around this time, I was working a routine. RAing in the dorm, making sure people are following the rules, recruiting/community serving/developing relationships for UCC (now Newman again), advocating for UMADD, interning at the YMCA, and just being me.

I had a lot to think about too and doubt set in me greatly. I made the decision to graduate (even though I was ready for a 7th year). In my mind the end was coming soon. What was I going to do next year?

Presently, I am faced with the same question. WHAT AM I GOING TO DO NEXT YEAR? and I really don't know what the answer is. A part of me wants to go international, but that is out of the list. A New York program captivated me in December of last year. Shelly spiked an interest in me for Montana. Lastly, this past Sunday I was projected the want of the people here in Detroit of me staying. I haven't allowed my heart to play a role in my decision yet because it went through a lot the last time I did that. Right now, I am using my head to decide what would be the best. I am looking at experience, skill training, status, and the need of the people.

There is so much to think about and so little time to do so.

This Lenten Season...

God has a sense of humor... what type depends on you as an individual. This past week I couldn't help but laugh at all the obstacles I am now faced with. I've been given the opportunity to reflect on me, instead of relfecting on others. Being without a personal computer has been pretty challenging. I have to wait till I get to work to have any time on it. I have to find other ways to pass my time which has become more essential to me achieving my goals.


I have lived a life filled with technology and it wasn't by choice. It is just that it is part of my generation. I have taken this obstacle as a challenge from God... he wants me to be without.


This Lenten season I will pray more (or be aware that I am praying). I will fast once a week (most likely on Friday). I will exclude Red meat, eat less chicken and eat more fish. I will beaware of my actions and eleviate as much negativeness as possible. But, if my spirit jars me then you are just gonna have to take it. I will try to keep my spirit at bay, but what peace is that for me. Gosh, no one can win.

Let this Lenten season be a reminder of ourselves. Let us be aware of what is going on outside and inside.

Inauguration Thoughts

Coming from a background where keeping up to date with the government wasn't the Forte, you start to wonder what you missed.  Honestly, I feel as if I haven't missed anything.  Today, marked a big jump in history.  It is the fire and the gasoline that burns the negativeness that has happened in our past.  To bringing a new foundation in which we as a community can grow a better future.  

Obama knows what is expected of him and he knows he isn't superman.  People heed to his words:  It may not happen over night or month or a year from now, but I promise that it will happen.  I hope that we as citizens of America can take these words and internalize them for our own individual selves.  Maybe we would be able to get that degree or go on that trip that we wanted.  Nothing can happen unless we will ourselves to do something.  

Obama also said that to see change we need to work with him.  things won't get done faster if we just sit and watch a leader do it.  That is why they are leaders, they gather all those that have the will in order to lead them to the way.  

May all of you take heed to what Obama had to say, coming from a non-political personality it is serious.  If I had to talk politics, what is written here is what I would say.  God Bless everyone and God Speed America.

2 Weeks Into The New Year

It has been exactly 14 days into the new year and I believe I am ready to achieve my goals.  Today (1/14/09), Gwen and I activated our YMCA account.  I am feeling pumped for this new year.  Life seems to have a funny way of showing you how to live and so does GOD.  On the way back home from working out at the YMCA, we passed by a young girl carrying a child.  I was like "SHE HAS A BABY!"  Gwen was like, "Should we go back?"  and I said "YES!"  

We went back and picked her up.  I was relieved that she took our offer because I couldn't allow her to walk with that child in below 10 degree weather.  We got to learn that her child was 3 months old and named Jeremiah.  

Living and working here in Detroit has built a guard and wealth of understanding of the world we live in.  It has helped me to maintain my seeing the beauty in ugly and getting to know God's people on a personal level.  I have gotten to hear many stories and want to hear more.  I hope to be the ear of listening for all those that have the need to share.

A New Year Equals New Routes

I believe I am starting this New Year off right… I got 7 hours of sleep and had money on me at the stroke of midnight (a family tradition). It feels great to be in this year of 2009. With all the negative things that is happening in our country, I can’t help but feel joyous and happy with where I am at. With every New Year comes what our society calls “Resolutions”. 

Ahhhh, that infamous list of taking away and barely gaining. “I want to lose weight”… “I want to stop smoking”… “I want to find love”. We focus so much on the things we hate/ dislike about our life at that moment that we don’t focus on the good that we are. Why get rid of all your nasty habits when you can focus on making the good ones BETTER! 

This year I choose to resolve the following:

1. Walk for 30 min. 4 days a week (build up to a run)
   
2. Go to the YMCA for strength and cardio on the weekdays (if I miss one make it up on the weekend)
   
3. Call my family once a week (twice would be a miracle)
   
4. Share my story with others (those who know me, knows that this is very hard for me)
   
5. Commit to my community for 6 hours a week (and strive for more each week)
   
6. Eat vegetables for all meals and meat for 2 meals a week.
   

I believe this will do for now, the one thing about resolutions is that they are meant to be revised and I know for sure I will be coming back to this list. May your journey to better yourself this year be successful. Let’s make the change we need happen. GODSPEED!!!