How to use a squatty potty

A few months ago I noticed a poster in a village that depicted in great detail how to use an outhouse toilet in true Lao style. While instructional/motivational/propaganda posters are used commonly in development work in Laos, I thought that one might be a valuable resource for visitors, tourists, and people new to Laos. Recently I found the same poster on top of a cupboard in my office in both boy and girl versions, which I’ve uploaded to flickr for educational purposes only.

The title, translated literally, is “How to use a latrine/outhouse”. These posters were designed for use in schools because both the boy and the girl wear the public school uniform: white shirt and black or blue pants/skirt.

Perhaps the most difficult part of the whole process are steps 3-5, where one must balance carefully without letting clothes or hands touch the (usually) wet, dirty floor. Practice squatting with feet flat on the ground and you’ll begin to get an idea. Those wearing pants would do well to follow this young boy’s example of scrunching pants near the knees to keep them from falling. Finally, note that water is used instead of toilet paper (see #5 for details).

I must note that the toilets I use on a daily basis are rather boring western-style toilets.

tags: howto, squatty potty, asian toilet

Blogging again

To all who have been checking my old blogs: welcome!
To all who have been bugging me about getting a blog: I’m back again!
To all who want more regular updates about my life: Come back again!

An explanation is due, of course: I stopped blogging about a year ago while applying for this Program HOPE! position in Laos. I wanted to remove as much as possible about myself from the internet, lest it get in the way of getting a visa for Laos. I have a visa now, so there should be no problem, as long as I’m careful what I say.

This blog will host more frequent updates of a wider range than what fits in my newsletter. Expect to read more about my daily life, travels, and knitting projects. Listen in on my thoughts about development work, communication, cross-cultural living, and global faith. Enjoy photos from my flickr site and perhaps even videos of my work.

I imported all the posts from my old blogs; feel free to browse what I wrote in years past. I wondered whether to create some posts about what happened since I last wrote, but decided that it would be a bit dishonest. Here’s the brief summary:

March 06: Accept Program HOPE! position in Laos
May 06: Graduate from Calvin College
June 06: Start working for CRWRC
thru September 06: training, waiting for a visa
September 20ish, 06: arrive in Vientiane, Laos
Oct-Nov 06: Study Lao language in Vientiane
Nov 23 06: Move to Phonsavan, my home in the Xieng Khouang province

Anyway, I’ll try to post something at least weekly from here on out. You may subscribe to the RSS feed, subscribe via email, or just check back often for updates.

bad news

I found out today that CRWRC did not offer me the Program HOPE position in Romania. Needless to say, this is quite disappointing for me. I am a bit confused as to what may come next. I am still in the pool for the Laos job, but I no longer have an offer on the table from them. So I hope that comes through, because I will seriously consider it. Romania was going to be a great place for me, but Laos will also be good. I also need to find a backup plan, though: Mennonite Urban Corps in Louisville? Reba Place? MCC?

I am honored that the person who got offered the job is a good friend and one whom is highly qualified: Sharon Bemis, with whom I went to Hungary and who graduated last year from Calvin. Send her an email if you know her.

And for me, I simply ask for your prayers: for wisdom, for peace, and for comfort.

the ordinary homecoming

This is perhaps the most ordinary homecoming of my life thus far – no heartwrenching existential crisises on airplanes, no teary goodbyes or hellos, no wide-eyed cultural reawakenings, no shocking temperature adjustments, no massive welcome from church and friends. Just me, my family, and life as usual.

And that is good.

It is good to be home once again, everyone all together for –perhaps– the last time of our college years. Little has changed, it seems, compared to any other homecoming of the past four years. My house is the same. My church has not changed one bit, and the people seem to be exactly where they were a year ago. My neighborhood looks the same. Even the streets of Santo Domingo have not changed one bit in the past year. It’s comforting, in a sense, and also just plain normal. To be honest, I’m the sort of person who sees more beauty in the ordinary than in the extraordinary. This ordinary homecoming brings tears to my eyes.

On Sunday night we sat in our backyard under shadows of stars and Christmas lights on the yard wall, cradling glasses of red wine and rocking in the chairs we’ve owned for more than twenty years. A light mist cooled our faces in the sultry, humid air, which smelled like the color green. We talked for hours about life–this night, my life: Laos, Romania, post-college… As usual, my family listened carefully, asked probing questions, interjected with their own stories and opinions, and offered pretty wise advice. It was probably the most helpful conversation I’ve had yet about this whole Program HOPE! thing. Other than an increasing inclination toward the Laos position, I also felt a sense of peace when someone reminded me that this is not the biggest decision of my life. 2 1/2 years will pass quickly, and both positions (should I be offered the Romania one) fit me well. I can’t go wrong, and I believe God is with me no matter what.

Job offer!

Yep, I’ve been offered the CRWRC Program Hope internship in Laos! Yay!

I’ve got till Dec. 23 to respond to the verbal offer; unfortunately I won’t be able to weigh Romania against Laos because I probably won’t find out about Romania until the end of January. The HR person told me I must evaluate the job “on its own merits”.

Please keep me in your prayers. This is a big decision for me. I just want to make sure it’s a good one.

Email me if you have questions, or want to offer congrats.