‘Jump’n Ship: take II’

Oops, I just realized a gave a bogus link to the next blog in my previous post.  Long story short, I’ve reached my limit…of storage and started a new blog here…

olcoyote.wordpress.com

Hope to see you there!

‘The Joe’

 

Volunteering Information: Brian “The Most Quotable Man in PC” Mintey

Of all the people in my Peace Corps group, ID6, B. Mintey has surprised me the most. In the beginning, I wasn’t sure we’d hit it off, despite having a Tampa, Florida connection. Brian came off as a serious character. Anytime there was a presentation during our pre-service training, you could bet, as Brian is known to say, “dollars to donkeys,” (or something to that effect) that he’d be throwing in his two scents. This inevitably extended the session longer than it needed to be, which inevitably prompted me to roll my eyes. In his defense though, he always had something insightful to say, and that overzealousness I once mocked turned out to be one of the things I admire most about the man.

Fast forward two years and I am now proud to count Mintey as one of my true allies. He’s a smart, straight shoot’n sunuvagun and, as I once told him, “he has a real passion for life.” I’ve asked Mr. Mintey to answer a few questions, which can found below.

1) What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned about yourself since you’ve been in the Corps?

Brian- I’ve come to realize how drastically and quickly one’s self perceptions can change. I have always considered myself and been regarded by others as an exceptionally patient, relaxed, and easygoing person. From the moment I came to this country I have been under stresses that were never problems for me before. I feel intense personal scrutiny from everyone I meet and am forced to interact socially far more often but with far more superficiality than I would ever have tolerated in America. Because of my responses to this, I have had to abandon my old, easygoing self image. I have instead become an extremely impatient, anxious person.

Such a radical change in self perception was, at first, disconcerting. But now I am simply amazed by it. I’m interested to talk to more people who know me here to see how they perceive me and then compare it to how people back home think that i have changed.

2) Who in our group, ID6, has suprised you the most (in a good way)!?

Brian- I was most surprised by my friend Alex. Wen I first arrived I was turned off by his facade. But the intensity of PST quickly broke that down. I have come to know him very well and to find that he is humble, thoughtful, and in my opinion the best ambassador of Indonesian and American culture that the Peace Corps has.

3) You’ve undergone a lot of physical changes since arriving and CLAIM to feel better than ever. What new habit, in your opinion, is most responsible for this?

Brian- I am probably physically healthier here than I have ever been. When I came to Indonesia, two habits got me back into shape: the Madurese fish and rice diet with almost no sweeties and consistent working out. The latter began as a way to manage stress and has been indispensable in that regard. I have rarely been sick and when I have it has never been serious.

4) Speaking of seafood, two years ago you were a fresh fish here. Now, as a seasoned, grizzled vetern, what advice would you impart on the new group arriving in March, ID8?

Brian- Adjusting to life here is difficult. And it should be. It is stressful and will tax your patience and nerves. That has been made clear to you before you signed up. You will have your self perceptions and your assumptions about others challenged in ways you won’t expect. That is a rare and wonderful opportunity. Find someone you can talk to openly and frankly about these challenges, but do not whine and complain…not to your friends, not on Facebook, and not on your blog. It is a privilege to be here – no one is making you stay – you are surrounded by people bending over backwards to try and help you. Open and frank discussion of problems is productive. Whining and complaining insults those around you and flies in the face of why you are here.

5) Finally, what is the one thing do you think will genuinely miss about this experience when we wrap up in June?

Brian- I will miss coming home to my old training village and host family in Batu. After an absence of a few months I can step off that orange angkot and feel completely at home. That feeling is all the more special because I can remember the first time I did it feeling completely alien. It actually became my home in a more intense way than any other place I have ever lived.

‘2014 battle cry at my school’

C.O.S. 2014

One month ago I glanced at my calendar, saw a note that said “C.O.S.” and smiled from ear to ear. That was one month ago. I’m in an entirely different frame of mind now. Not unlike the hotel cafe I’m typing this in, I feel a little empty. The scratchy throat and tired eyes I’m sporting probably don’t help matters, but they don’t tell the whole story. C.O.S. held great promise. It was our very last ID 6 meeting as a group and we were being put up in a beautiful, mountainside hotel for three nites to hold hands and reflect. Unfortunately, our stay was cut a little short by an unexpected volcanic eruption in a neighboring area. And here’s the irony comes in…C.O.S. went out, not with a volcanic bang, but with a, pardon my French, church mouse fart! It was anticlimactic in an important way and the worst part is, I know I’m partly to blame. I couldn’t have said goodbye to more than four people this morning…many of whom I may not see again: that’s shameful. There are a lot of very nice folks involved in this operation and I’m feeling more than a little guilty that I didn’t try and make more of an effort to connect with them.

On a positive note, the P.C. staff did a dynamite job with a difficult situation, I managed to shoot a couple baskets in the sports gym (something I’ve SORELY missed the last two years) and squeezed in a few great laughs with a few great people. Those are the types of experiences I treasure most anyway and with just under four months remaining, there are many more smiles to be had!

*The volcanic ash that blanketed our resort.

**My boy, Magic Mike and me…the last two jokers standing at UMM Inn.

‘There’s a storm a brew’n’

And that storm has a name, C.O.S., which is Peace Corps speak for ‘close of service.’ Every group has their very own C.O.S. event toward the end of their service and ours will be held next week. In typical Joe fashion, I somehow managed to get my paperwork a full month later than everyone else, so I just recently was able to have a look at it. Reading about all the preparations needed really makes it seem more real.

I must admit, I am happy the finish line is in sight. During my medivac experience in D.C., I got a little nibble of what life post PC might look like and I really liked the taste of it. However, at that time I was staying in a nice hotel in Georgetown on PC’s dime with no other responsibility than having to get my knee in working order. When we leave here in June, things will be a little different. I’ll need to find some scratch, shelter and whatever else it is ‘civilians’ need to survive. There’s also the matter of post-PC travel to consider. Many departing volunteers like to take a trip before heading home and I am no different. Last but not least, I recently learned that my most tenured friend (we’ve known each other since second grade of elementary) is getting married in Florida only days after I am expected to leave Indonesia, which is wonderful, if not time sensitive news. I have some decisions to make.