Friday, March 27, 2015

Community Service Day 2



Where our chocolate begins....












We made this!!!  And then we ate it.

Rachael had a run-in with a BIG ant hill
Naome playing patty cake with Eustace and Emmanuel

Taylor, Yasmine, and Naome on the new hammock!



Will tutoring
 
Day 4 entry:  By Taylor, Josh Thomas, and Will

Have you ever imagined making your own chocolate? Well, we have made that dream come true! A very nice farmer let us visit his cocoa farm. He cracked open a cocoa fruit and let us taste the sweet substance that surrounded the bean. He then showed us they dry the bean for six whole days. To make chocolate, they then crush up the dried beans in a metate (a grinding stone) and mix in the desired amount of cocoa oil and sugar. Then, it was put in the freezer for 15-20 minutes. It was delicious!

After our chocolate experience, we worked to build the fence and paint the cafeteria of the local school. The kids helped very much, and were very affectionate. In fact, Yasmine had three kids on her at once! It was sometimes hard to understand what the kids were saying, for some only speak spanish. We then delivered ice cream to the kids, who were very excited since they rarely get ice cream. Once the kids got out of school, we all played a game of soccer on their field. It was very fun! We came back to a great dinner of pizza and watermelon, which was great because we have been eating food from Belize all week (We love the food here though!)

In all, today was both a great learning experience and a fun time. We are very  excited as some of the leaders from this community are coming to have dinner with us tomorrow night. We hope to learn more from them about their village. Well, its starting to thunder and lightning, so we should probably get to our rooms. we are having a great time here, you better BELIZE it!
         
Shout outs: 
  1. Missing all of my family and especially my sister, having a great time.  -Christian Nash
  2. Miss you Mom and Dad. I love you and I hope you are doing well. - Jasmine Jones



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29 comments:

  1. UnknownMarch 27, 2015 at 8:29 PM

    Wow! Sorry for this worried mom comment-but I saw the pic of the ant bites- are you okay Rachael? Those look like some really painful bites?

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    1. AnonymousMarch 28, 2015 at 6:21 AM

      Hi Valerie! Rachael is fine! I'll have her reply to you as soon as she comes in for breakfast. Watch this space!

      Delete
    2. Rachael FisherMarch 28, 2015 at 6:44 AM

      Hi mom,
      Yeah it hurts a little but I'm doing much better. I put some of the bug relief on it as well as the aloe vera. They both helped but slowly. I'm okay. You don't need to worry.

      Delete
    3. UnknownMarch 28, 2015 at 7:10 AM

      This comment has been removed by the author.

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    4. UnknownMarch 28, 2015 at 7:12 AM

      Hi Rachael, Thanks for letting us know and glad it helped and you are feeling better. We miss you and hope you are having a great time.
      Joshua (and Halo) say hello too!
      Love you,
      Dad

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    5. UnknownMarch 28, 2015 at 7:16 PM

      Hi Rachael- So glad you are ok! Love you Mom

      Delete
  2. UnknownMarch 28, 2015 at 4:59 AM

    Yum. What kind of chocolate did you make? Milk or dark?

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  3. UnknownMarch 28, 2015 at 5:46 AM

    Josh!!!
    You know I love chocolate! Now you can make some for me when you get home! I'm so happy you are enjoying all of these experiences! I miss you! Have fun! Soak up the sun. It's still cold here! Ugh!

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  4. UnknownMarch 28, 2015 at 5:52 AM

    I'm glad you're having a great time! I miss you more!🎋😘 -Remy Nash

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  5. LisaMarch 28, 2015 at 6:06 AM

    Looks like you guys are doing outstanding work on that fence! It's so nice to see that you are helping more at the school with painting and tutoring. This truly is a great experience. We are so proud of you! I love reading the blog…your descriptions of your day are really fun to read and imagine about. The chocolate looks yummy! Any way you can bring some of that home? Eddie you know I love chocolate! Eddie we love and miss you! Have fun today!! xo

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    1. EddieMarch 28, 2015 at 6:31 AM

      Hi Mom,
      I miss you too and I hope everything in Maryland is going well. I can't bring any chocolate home because it melted in like 20 minutes. I tried to bring some home, but it melted so fast. I Love u.
      Bye,
      Eddie

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  6. Anne JonesMarch 28, 2015 at 6:44 AM

    Hi Jasmine, Mom and Dad love you too!! Miss you though. From all the pictures, it looks like you and all the kids are having a wonderful time. Did you get to sample the chocolate you made and was it delicious?

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    1. JasmineMarch 28, 2015 at 7:12 PM

      Hey Mom and Dad, I miss you guys so much. I am having so much fun playing with the children. It is very awesome here and it is going to be sad to leave here. Yes, I did try the chocolate that I made and it was amazing. Love you and can't wait to see you!! - Jasmine

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  7. DkwtdMarch 28, 2015 at 8:28 AM

    Hi Naome, the house is too quiet with out you. We miss and love you so much. It looks like you are having an amazing time. Love all the pictures especially the one with Eustace and Emmanuel playing patty cake. Can’t wait to see you on Tuesday! Love Mom

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    1. NaomeMarch 28, 2015 at 6:47 PM

      Hey guys. It feels so weird not seeing you guys everyday. I miss you, Amman, and the dogs so much. Don't worry, the loudness in the house will be back in a couple days. I love you so much. See you soon.

      Delete
  8. AnnMarch 28, 2015 at 8:29 AM

    Hi Neil, just popping in to say HI & that we're thinking about you & missing you BIG time. Comet & Ginger miss you too. They've taken over your bedroom! Enjoy this wonderful opportunity-You're creating memories that you'll remember forever. Love, M+D+K+C+G

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  9. Marlana TitusMarch 28, 2015 at 8:50 AM

    Hi, Joshua T. - Mom here - all of us at home, including Gammi and Hank, are keeping up with the Belize blog every day. Jake won't admit it, but he misses you alot! I am so proud of you for working with the fence, painting and tutoring. When are you going snorkeling? Please take pictures! Soldier and the rest of us send love.

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  10. UnknownMarch 28, 2015 at 1:29 PM

    Hi Sanjana, did you get to eat some of the chocolate? How is the weather there? I can see some flurries as I look out the window here. Do bring back some warm weather when you all return on Tuesday! Everyone here misses you. Amamma, Pedamma, Pedanana, Shivanna...they all send you their love and are awaiting your return with all details of your adventures. Love you,

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  11. UnknownMarch 28, 2015 at 1:55 PM

    Hi all, how was tubing today? Did you finish up with your projects at the school? We are looking forward to seeing some more photos. Katie and Will, it's very quiet here without you!! We can't wait to hear more about your adventures on Saturday. Enjoy your last evening at Maya Center. We miss you both!

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    1. KatieMarch 28, 2015 at 7:20 PM

      Hi mom, its Katie!
      Tubing was so relaxing and fun today. My group was with Sanjana, Naome, and Yasmine. I can't wait for you to see the pictures! Belize is so beautiful! Well, enjoy your last few days of quiet, because we only have two more days left until we leave. I have so much to tell you about our days here! Thanks, miss you too!
      Katie M.

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  12. Pam KMarch 28, 2015 at 2:00 PM

    Hi Jack, Great work on that fence. I'm sure you enjoyed making and eating chocolate. I hope you left some for the other kids. :-). Please, please bring back the warm weather. It is freezing here, and we even saw some snow flurries this afternoon. We all miss you!

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  13. Martin FamilyMarch 28, 2015 at 3:16 PM

    FABELIZEABLE! All of you should be very proud of yourselves. You are our young ambassadors representing the U.S. Your enthusiasm, camaraderie, and collaboration in the various cultural activities to include; education, sports, dancing and upgrading the school’s infrastructure will leave a very positive life-long impression with the people of Belize. Can’t wait to hear and see the pics from your next adventures in Tobacco Caye. Looks fabulous.
    With love and admiration to all of you, especially to you Ryan, Mom and Dad.

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  14. AnonymousMarch 28, 2015 at 6:33 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  15. UnknownMarch 28, 2015 at 6:47 PM

    The Kindergarten class has enjoyed hearing about all that you are doing in Belize and especially loved the picture of Mrs. Lawson and the tarantula! They want to say hello to the students there and are interested in finding out what they are learning at their school. We are so proud of all the work that you are doing and look forward to hearing more about your trip. Mrs. Lawson, you will probably spend your first day back answering all kinds of questions! We hope you have fun at the beach and have a good trip back! God bless you all, Mrs. P

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    1. Destiny DryMarch 28, 2015 at 6:49 PM

      Today she ate a termite...it tasted like mint! Ask her about that one!!!!

      -Mrs. Dry

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  16. John K.March 29, 2015 at 8:54 AM

    Jack - We have a bunch of fence that needs repair. Glad you'll be able to handle it. Enjoy your time at Tobacco Cay. Love, Dad

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  17. UnknownMarch 30, 2015 at 8:00 AM

    Candace, Cameron, Maya, Omeed, Ivan, Nathan, Joshua, Solomon and Juliana couldn't believe that Mrs. Lawson ate a termite! They all said, "Ewwww!" Was it fried or dipped in chocolate? Could you bring back some for them to try? (JK. LOL. :) Maybe we will work on a story called, "Mrs. Lawson's Adventures in Belize!" Hope the rest of your trip is just as eventful and exciting! See you soon!

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  18. Evan GMarch 31, 2015 at 5:39 AM

    Does anyone know what type of ants Rachel found? I'd be interested to know.

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  19. Angela TorrejonMarch 31, 2015 at 5:41 AM

    About how long did it take to make the chocolate?

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