3.13.05 - Well, it's time to change up my site again and I thought I'd start with a little disclaimer that the Peace Corps insists we label our personal sites with, and it goes..."The contents of this Website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. Government or the Peace Corps."  With that being said...bring on the truth! 

Kaday Library Development Project

As a part of my work with Kaday Village, I'm working to build a library and resource center for the community.  The three goals of the Kaday Community and Cultural Development Organization (KC & CDO) are Education, Health, and Cultural Preservation.  The library meets many community needs within these three areas.  It will improve the children’s study habits by providing a place and resources for them to complete homework during after school hours and on weekends.  Local agencies can use the facility to do workshops (i.e. Small Business Dev. Center - "Starting Your Own Small Business", EPA - "Mangrove Management", or Public Health - "HIV Awareness", etc.).  The elders can participate in many ways, including the recording of oral histories to be kept in the library as an effort toward the preservation of Yapese Culture.  If you would like to help or want to know more, please visit the Kaday Library Page on this site or email me at:  minemak@hotmail.com

New! Great Yap Quotes:

• “I’ve got 24 rolls of toilet paper and 2 packs of cigarettes.  I’m ready for anything.”--Parker

• “Global climate change fucked up my Peace Corps experience.”--Parker

• “It’s Okay... it’s your first time washing with Kool-Aid.” “Anjannette (Yapese girl) to Minema at New Years Party

• Someone said:  “Maybe that’s what helps him get up in the morning"  Marta's Response:  "I prefer ramen from the bag and Minema.” - Marta

• “You can’t go anywhere without your marfaw (necktie worn by women with traditional dress..topless).  You never know when you’re going to have to take your shirt off and shake it.” --Minema

• “They don’t make Peace Corps like they used too!!” - Palauan Hashers

• ""I used to have that problem...until I discovered bleach." -Tom (PCV)
• "The truth is a very valuable thing, so why should I give it all to you for free?" -Psn (Our teacher and friend)
• "Yapese breakfast: beetle nut and a side of Bud Light." -Liyon (Yapese guy)
• "Welcome to Yap. I hope you don't die." -Vincent Figir (former Yap State Governor)
• There's more guilt in Peace Corps than there is in the Catholic Church." - Tom (PCV)

Top 5 Lies That Yap Volunteers Tell Themselves:

5.  Man...my Yapese is gettin pretty good.

4.  I won't drink this much when I get home.

3.  I could lose these extra 10 pounds whenever I feel like it!

2.  I look good in knee-length shorts.

1.  My work here is sustainable!

Let me share some of my favorite quotes/mantras with you...

It's very hard when I become irritated with people to not compromise my integrity so I must keep reminding myself that...

The thought manifests as the deed - The deed develops into habit - And habit hardens into character - So watch your thoughts and it's ways with care - Let them spring from love born out of the concern for all beings. 

Budda (not his exact words but close) (Thank you Heather for sharing this with me.  I'm a better person because of it.)

You never know what might come your way, so...

It's better to be prepared and not have an opportunity, than to have an opportunity and NOT be prepared. 

(This is a mantra I learned from two great teachers of mine - Ondra Berry and Michael Nila of Guardian Quest)

The best advise from my auntie's friend Elenor:

"Fake it till you make it girl!"