Yo Puedo, Queretaro, Mexico

Activities seem to never stop here in Guanajuato, México and May was no exception. The first weekend the city was filled with Rotarians from five states to celebrate the annual District Conference held in Guanajuato. This conference helped me connect with other clubs in the surrounding areas to coordinate my presentations in conjunction with possible service activities, which I can partake in during my visit. I heard a rumor that some California representatives were present at the District Conference, so I set out on a mission to find the gringos. Sure enough, I found them, District 5240, all eight of them. To top off the ROTARY filled weekend I met four amazing women from India (who were on the Group Study Exchange). We bonded and shared many laughs about the adjustment to Méxican culture.

District 5240 represents at Guanajuato, Mexico District Conference 2008

IndiaGroup Study Exchange Participants

Shortly after this conference, the District Governor, Al Cipres, invited me to interpret at a business dinner with the Mayor of Salinas, California. I was thrilled that he thought of me and with close proximity of Salinas to Monterey, I was excited to have a visitor from home. The Mayor, Dennis Donahue (also a Rotarian), was in town to celebrate the sister city agreement between Salinas and Guanajuato.

During this meeting I learned that opportunities follow those that pursue them and/or you have to pursue opportunities. As a result, one thing led to another and we discovered literacy in Salinas is a significant concern for the city. Coincidently, two hours north of Guanajuato, in a city called Queretaro, where there is a literacy program, Yo Puedo (I Can) founded by ROTARIANS. Therefore, the Mayor asked me to evaluate the program and write a report for the city. The current initiative is through ROTARY involvement in both cities (Guanajuato and Salinas) the Hispanic community can address literacy together and impact both communities on a larger scale.

Salinas Mayor and Rotary District Governor Al Cipres.

After one month of planning I finally made it to Queretaro last week to evaluate the Yo Puedo program and I am working on my report for the Mayor. My hope is to review the documents at the Rotary International Conference with representatives from the Mayor’s club in Salinas and share updates with Don Kremer from our club. This professional opportunity is precisely what I had hoped I would experience as an Ambassadorial Scholar and one of the strengths of the Ambassadorial program. I have been given the chance to put my knowledge and skills into action in the international realm. Furthermore, coordinating and managing an international project dealing with timelines and expectations are invaluable.

YO PUEDO PROJECT

MPSRC Golf Tournament 2008

I've put some photos here: CLICK

And here is a movie (click on the arrow to play):

Updated Schedule May/June 2008

May 2008

27 Tuesday. Congressman Sam Farr

June 2008

02 Monday, Golf Marathon Fundraiser at Pasadera

03 Tuesday, NO MEETING

10 Tuesday. Steve McShane, National Secretary American Farm Bureau

17 Tuesday. Meeting

24 Tuesday. Dan Limesand, Director of Business Develop. CHOMP

28 Saturday. Kick out party/Bocce Ball. Customs House Plaza 12:30 pm

IHELP Dinner

Thanks to everyone that participated in this worthwhile event. We had great participation and Dennis led the effort as well as making sure the beans were cooked just right. (with Franks oversight of course.) It is also good to see new members get involved. Thanks again.

Cupcakes at Rotary MX

In mid-April I made my Rotary presentation to the Guanajuato Rotary Club; I was very excited about this opportunity. I was approaching three and a half months in México and I felt confident about my Spanish skills. Additionally, the members of Guanajuato Rotary Club and their wives had shared the culinary delights of their culture with such pride. I had tried tripa (pig intestines), lengua (cow tongue), and tequila (the really good stuff you drink slowly in a glass or try too! The tequila that is so good it burns as it goes down your throat and you feel all of your insides on fire! Needless to say, I failed many times in acquiring the taste for tequila).

With all this generosity in mind, I decided that I really wanted to share something from the States with the Club besides the bags of Ghirardelli chocolates that I had brought, something that is more personal, something that they had to try, and something that they didn’t know about their northern neighbors….CUPCAKES! Yes, that was it; they are small (contrary to the reputation of most food in the U.S.), children eat them at school to celebrate birthdays, and adults frequent bakeries in the evenings to enjoy gourmet CUPCAKES in various cities across the United States. Plus, singers, Rihanna and Beyoncé, featured CUPCAKES at their superstar events this month (Rihanna’s birthday and Beyoncé’s wedding). And did I mention they are delicious? And very cute?

My friend from Colorado was coming down for a visit and I asked her to please bring a CUPCAKE pan, baking cups, and the rest of the goods that you cannot find in GTO in order to make CUPCAKES for the meeting the following week. Unfortunately, I had to find a way to bake the CUPCAKES (I don’t have an oven); therefore, I activated my Ambassadorial skills and created a very simple, fun, and perfect Ambassadorial experience.

The night before the Rotary meeting I taught an authentic content based English lesson on BAKING and CUPCAKES at my friend’s house with his English students. Both Maria and Jorge live outside Guanajuato with their mother (their father lives and works in Texas and communicates with them via phone calls every third day). Their mother came over with the video camera and a camera to also partake in the lesson. I was surprised with their enthusiasm, but enjoyed their willingness to learn. We chatted and baked while listening to classic American music. Time quickly passed by and we frosted the first batch and of course, had to try the goods.

I creatively demonstrated how to eat the CUPCAKE, but I think because I had them laughing so hard I didn’t put enough attention to the little details (i.e., pealing off the baking cup!). It was at this point that I had the absolute best learning experience. Jorge proudly took a bite out of his CUPCAKE and then another, eating away just the top part. At first I thought he liked the frosting best, but then it became apparent that he had no clue how to (or even, if he should) separate the baking cup from the CUPCAKE. I wanted to laugh at something I took for granted, but I knew that he would be embarrassed (I mean, how would I feel if I was eating tripa or lengua and people were laughing at me!). With a kind reminder he chuckled and quickly pulled back the baking cup to finish what was left of this CUPCAKE.

As I was packing up my box of CUPCAKES and leaving Maria and Jorge, their mom joked that they were going to bake and sell these CUPCAKES in the community store they ran. A job well done, I must say, but this story doesn’t quite end here.

The next night I took my two large plates of CUPCAKES and I traveled down my hillside 100 steps (five flights of stairs), past the two feral cats and some lurching cockroaches in the dark, because the landlord forgot to pay the electric bill and half of the complex on the hill did not have electricity for the night. Victoriously, the CUPCAKES and chocolates made their way to CASA ROTARIA safe and sound and my presentation was a hit. However, to my surprise the ROTARIANS were quite hesitant to try my CUPCAKES and to their surprise, I responded, with utmost eloquence (in Spanish, of course), that after trying tripa and lengua in addition to having my throat burned 1000 times over by their royal tequila that they HAD to try my CUPCAKES. After a round of laughter the brave ones began to reach for the CUPCAKES. Because I was so shocked at their timid behavior towards my CUPCAKES once again, I forgot to discuss how to eat the CUPCAKES (you’d think a teacher would learn!). But, it was too late. I looked over and one gentleman was eating his CUPCAKE with a spoon. The outer edge of the baking cup was pulled back slightly and he was politely eating it. Señor Oscar ate his CUPCAKE in such a dignified manor that my thoughts drifted across the Atlantic to English Royalty. I glanced towards the other end of the table and I see another gentleman eating just the top of the two CUPCAKES in front of him. Naturally, I smiled and thought of Jorge the previous day. Was it possible? Did I really make the same mistake again? How was I not learning from them? More importantly, how do I save face for all involved and articulate eating instructions?

District Governor, Al Cipres and Club President Alejandro Navarro

This experience is an example of the beauty and power of the Ambassadorial Scholarship - one by one we can affect the world to make it a more tolerant, understanding, and accepting place. By making time, reaching out, and sharing Ambassadorial Scholars help local citizens (of all classes) see beyond their current knowledge, experience authentic culture in their community, and foster personal relationships and interests (thus, developing intercultural understanding).

I know that Maria and Jorge will share their experience with friends and talk about our class in addition to the music, food, and conversation we had regarding the United States (normal every day Americans, not tourists taking photos of their country and buying their artisan crafts, but regular Americans who live every day life much like in México). Moreover, I have witnessed ROTARIANS bragging to their wives and other ROTARIANS about my CUPCAKES and with impressive detail, they have explained how these CUPCAKES differ from any dessert they have in México. Of course, their statements are usually followed by another invitation to try tripa and lengua, because they are sure if I try it again I will like it! J I, on the other hand, learned that even the simplest actions (i.e., pulling back a baking cup) should not be taken for granted.

The magnitude of culture is colossal.

Our Newest Members

Please welcome our newest members. Dr Peter Purdue with sponsor Young and Steve Johnson with sponsor Duncan and Gene (not pictured). Please make time to get to know them in future meetings. I am sure they will both make great members.

20 Years of perfect attendance!!!

Congratulations to Mr Koh for 20 years of perfect attendance and being named the District Governor Nominee for the year 2010-11. Having sponsored over 35 members our club is honored to have him as a member. We look forward to your year as DG.

Dictionary Project at International School of Monterey

MPSRC donated 40 dictionaries to International School of Monterey. This is an ongoing project that will benefit 2 third grade classes each year. Thanks to Joe M, Don K, and Jeff H. for helping out.

San Miguel de Allende Rotary & Feed the Hungry

San Miguel de Allende Midday Rotary Club (District #4160 ~ Club #70057)
(http://www.rotarysma.org/)

San Miguel de Allende (SMA) is an hour and a half bus ride from Guanajuato and has a similar, but yet different level of intrigue. The streets are wider with slight inclines to them and the houses radiate various shades of fall colors (think orange and red leaves in September). The growing population of this city over the past twenty to thirty years has created a diverse population and foreigners account for half of the populace. As a result, English is commonly spoken and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to give one of my first Rotary presentations.

SMA Midday Rotary Club (District #4160 ~ Club #70057) is the only English speaking Rotary Club in México. At Present, they are busy working on last minute details for their diabetes awareness weekend conference this month and a potable water program in one of the rural schools in SMA. Since the neighboring Rotary club is an English speaking club in a Spanish speaking city, they are in constant need of translation services (i.e., various Rotary documents between the two clubs in SMA and the district). Last month I helped them with a grant translation and I know future opportunities will be presented to increase my translation skills this year (I am very excited for this practical experience).

To amplify my knowledge of successful non-profit organizations in México, Duane Eriksmoen (SMA Rotarian) invited me to participate in Feed the Hungry (a program associated with the Midday Rotary Club). Feed the Hungry builds kitchens at elementary schools in impoverished areas outside of San Miguel de Allende; it is common that students in the surrounding areas walk one to two hours to reach the closest school and most do so with little or no food. As a result, Feed the Hungry distributes food weekly to their school kitchens to feed 4,000 kids a day. During my stay in San Miguel de Allende I helped pack and distribute food to the 31 kitchens in their program. I also received the privilege of visiting a school (La Campana) during their morning snack time to visit with the students and meet the cooks.

For more information on Feed the Hungry and/or volunteer opportunities please check out their web site: http://www.feedthehungrysma.org/ or contact Rotarian, Duane Eriksmoen, at deriksmoen@aol.com. Additionally, I can be reached by email to better direct any specific questions: samantha.radovich@miis.edu.

Project Amigo

Project Amigo began over 20 years ago when Rotarian Ted Rose from California found himself in a humble rural village instead of at the base of the volcano he had traveled to Colima, México to explore. His experience in the village that day changed his life.

Ted Rose and his wife Susan Hill are the founders and directors of Project Amigo, headquartered in Cofradía de Suchitlán, a small rural village on the slope of Colima’s Volcano of Fire, 18 miles above the capital city of Colima. Project Amigo is a non-profit organization supported by Rotarians and Rotary Clubs throughout the United States and Canada. Its mission is to “enable the poor children of Colima to achieve their highest potential by providing educational opportunities, material support, enrichment activities, and medical and dental services not otherwise available to them[1].”

One of my main interests this year as an Ambassadorial Scholar is researching, observing, and participating in educational development programs in impoverished areas. I was fortunate to meet Project Amigo’s directors through Bob Hardenbrook, a Reno South Rotarian living in Guanajuato this spring. They invited me to spend a week at Project Amigo.

The ladies in a knitting club in northern California donated beautiful handmade hats and scarves to Project Amigo. Lety (Project Amigo staff) and I had the privilege of delivering these handmade goods to the kindergarten in Cofradía de Suchitlán and to the elementary school at the migrant labor camp in Quesería. This excursion to the elementary school helped me fulfill a photography class assignment at the Universidad de Guanajuato, and the students were more than happy to help me with my assignment during their recess. Lety, the children, and I shared many laughs as they proudly modeled their new attire on the playground with jumping, running, and walking poses.

Some other highlights during my week at Project Amigo that utilized my language and teaching skills included translating student letters to their sponsors in the States and Canada from Spanish to English; and working with Project Amigo’s higher education scholarship recipients at their afternoon homework club. I designed a language lesson where the students had the opportunity to practice their English and teach me Spanish!

After spending time in Cofradía de Suchitlán, meeting the people, and interacting with the students I decided that I wanted to be a part of this well-established, efficient, and dedicated program. As a result, I am sponsoring Blanca Janeth, a sixth grade girl this year in Cofradía de Suchitlán. I plan to return to Project Amigo to further help with their program and to meet Blanca Janeth this summer or later this fall.

I believe that education forms the base to all future growth and development in every country. Although Latin America has made progress in the area of education there is a still a long distance to go. In México, elementary school children receive four hours of instruction daily[1] and only 60% of students finish high school[2]. Additionally, only 25% of the Mexican work force has an education beyond middle school,[3] and many educators consider this statistic too high. Consequently, educational programs like Project Amigo contribute to the country’s long term development and foster a greater understanding in the community regarding service and pedagogy.

For more information on Project Amigo, student sponsorship, and/or volunteer opportunities please check out their web site: http://www.projectamigo.org/. Additionally, I can be reached by email to answer any specific questions: samantha.radovich@miis.edu or feel free to contact Project Amigo’s founder, Ted Rose, at ted@projectamigo.org.

[1] http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-4/mexico.html
[2] Gobierno de Estados Unidos de México (2007). Plan Nacional Desarrollo: poder ejecutivo federal (p.179)
[3] Gobierno de Estados Unidos de México (2007). Plan Nacional Desarrollo: poder ejecutivo federal (p.179)

UPDATED SCHEDULE APRIL/ MAY

APRIL 2008 - Rotary Magazine Month

01 Tuesday Gordon Nakagawa Captain US Navy

03 Thursday Dictionary Presentation 2 PM At ISM schoolin seaside Joe Mateo

08 Tuesday Jane Parker

09 Wednesday Board Meeting 5:00PM

15 Tuesday Eugene Ferris, Ireland

18-20 District Annual meeting at Tenaya Lodge

22 Tuesday Jeff club assembly Meeting

25 Friday I-Help at All Saints - Carmel Dennis Fike is the contact

29 Tuesday Peter Purdue NPS Dean

MAY 2008 (Team Six) - Joe Sweeney is the team leader. Celebration Month

06 Tuesday California Ships to Reef Eleanore Rewerts

13 Tuesday Joan Bizzozbro Care Packages for US Troops

14 Wednesday Board Meeting 5:00PM

20 Tuesday Jeff club assembly Meeting

27 Tuesday Sam Farr

Ambassadorial Scholar First Two Months

iew from EL PIPILA, a statue overlooking the city

After two months of living, volunteering and making friends in this beautiful city, I now feel like I can at last officially declare myself a bone fid Guanajuatense! I finally feel settled and a part of everything around me. I know my way up and down many of the hills and corners, which are unique to Guanajuato and so much a part of its very special charm. I can now call some amazing people my friends and I am becoming increasingly fluent when it comes to many of the local colloquialisms. I love it here and am so grateful to the many people who made this possible and who have been so very kind and made me feel so welcome. Thank you, thank you very, very much.

I have certainly been blessed with regard to my travels and I must confess that I am often moved to tears of joy and gratitude when I look back on my many international adventures and think of the truly incredible people I have met along the way, the sights, the sounds, the smells and the flavors. I wish everyone could have the travel opportunities I have been given, the desire to step outside of what is traditional and get to know and to become part of something entirely different and unfamiliar. Living in a foreign country is the most unbelievably rewarding experience, meeting new people, learning about their history and customs, learning their language, experiencing their culture and growing to understand and to see how in spite of the many differences, we are, in the end, more alike than different. We all want exactly the same things for ourselves and our families - peace, love, harmony and the joy and security that comes from feeling that you belong and being able to share your laughter and our tears with a our loved ones in a community that truly cares and supports us.

I am very excited that this time, my experience has been and will be different to those in the past, it will be less rushed and busy and the reason for that is that this time I am an academic year scholar and that status allows me the luxury of time to actually relax a little and enjoy the every day challenges of setting up a new life in a beautiful and exciting new country.

Guanajuato, Mexico is a colonial city in central Mexico located five hours north of Mexico City and four hours east of Guadalajara. The population of this colorful city full of gorgeous architecture and winding roadways is around 100,000 inhabitants. Guanajuato was built around the silver mining boom of the colonial era and is renowned for steep slopes and narrow streets that twist around the hillsides and disappear into a series of tunnels. University students, as well as internationally recognized musicians, artists, and dancers also add to the city’s diversity. In addition to its historical importance, Guanajuato, is also distinguished by some unusual points of interest, including the Museo de las Momias, a museum of mummies; The Museo Iconografico del Quijote, a shrine to Cervantes; and the birthplace of Diego Rivera (world famous Mexican painter). Most importantly for me, Guanajuato, is an ideal walking city; however, endless and steep cerros (hills) quickly turn a fun leisure walk into intense exercise! Guanajuato, has no traffic lights or neon signs, creating an extremely enjoyable atmosphere, peaceful, yet with plenty of life, and plenty to see.

Not only have I settled into my new home these past two months, but also, I participated in two Rotary associated projects (Colima and San Miguel de Allende) and made three Rotary presentations regarding the scholarship program. Throughout this year I will continue to make presentations to Rotary clubs around the area/country (depending upon where opportunities lead me). :) Additionally, I am enrolled in master level courses at the Universidad de Guanajuato that compliment my M.A. degree in Educational Linguistics from the Monterey Institute of International Studies.

These past two months have been filled with wonderful experiences and blessings and one of these has been the opportunity to meet a Rotarian from Reno Nevada, Bob Hardenbrook and his wife, Rosanne. They have taken me in and provided a home away from home. An example of their kindness and good humor was when I shared with them my craving for a good old American Hamburger, they promptly invited me to dinner and what do you suppose was on the menu, HAMBURGERS!! :) Additionally, they introduced me to Project Amigo (Colima Mexico), an educational program that I will soon be posting information to. Since Bob’s Spanish is limited; I have also found a key role at the local Guanajuato Rotary meetings on Wednesday nights (9 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.!) I am now the official interpreter! Unfortunately, Bob and Rosanne will be leaving at the end of this month, but I should like to take this opportunity to thank them for helping me with my initial transition and for their many kindnesses and support when I needed it most. Thank you and God speed, I will miss you.

Currently the Guanajuato Rotary Club is working with clubs in Salinas, California and in Indiana to install 15 water tanks in surrounding communities. Additionally, they are also busy preparing for the district conference in May, which will be held here in Guanajuato. I have very much enjoyed my Rotary experiences over the last months and as I continue to volunteer and be involved, I find myself gaining a much better understanding of the Mexican clubs, projects, and interests. In addition, I am presently looking into local service projects, in the field of education, with which I can become involved in the following months.

Semana Santa (Holy Week) is here and time is flying by. As spring arrives there are many concerts and plays preformed around the city. In addition to the culture and socialization heating up, I have also lately had some unpleasant encounters with some less attractive and hospitable residents of my beautiful little neighborhood - creepy-crawly creatures – a scorpion even, right above my bed!!! I am now armed and ready; hopefully my next encounter will not be as traumatic or as embarrassing as my first!

Thank you for this opportunity. ¡

Hasta Pronto!

Samantha

New Member

Welcome Michele to the MPSRC. Frank D. is her sponsor. Michele is a lifelong Monterey resident whos father was also a rotarian. Her classification is construction management. We are sure she will be a valuable member to our club!!

New Member for MPSRC

Welcome to our newest member Mr Ed Hoyt. Ed is sponsored by Ed Holden and yes 2 Eds are better than 1. Ed has spent most of his career in radio station ownership. His current classification is real estate. We welcome him to our club and I am sure he will be a valuable member.

Ambassadorial Scholar in Guanajuato, Mexico

Scenes from Guanajuato. More to follow!!