Remember after the 2016 presidential election Mark Zuckerburg went on a 50-state tour of the US to “learn about the people who use his platform”? Remember it being absolutely not a backfired presidential pre-bid because of all the incredibly awkward photos of him next to normal people?
While I have no intention of profiting off of destabilizing American democracy, I respect a glammy photoshoot to boost one’s clout. Mark Zuckerburg taught me to not let my awkward side, or shame, stop me from posting. For that I owe him everything. Meta commentary aside (get it?) this gallery is dedicated to my Mom who gets to see nice pictures of her son. I also must give considerable credit to my Country Director Jamie Fouss, a godsend of a man, who the size of his heart is only matched by the size of his camera budget. Most of these will be his work, which I doubly appreciate because my pride prevents me from ever asking someone to take a photo of me. Also, the content of this website is mine alone and does not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Government, the Peace Corps, or the Timor-Leste Government.
Enjoy!!
January 2023 - April 2023
Peace Corps training and a little more
Where it all started! I bought my first camera then the first quality picture I take is of myself. Humility be damned! This isn't just any bathroom mirror selfie, I took this in a hotel bathroom in San Francisco where all the Peace Corps Trainees met up before flying out to Timor-Leste.
Meeting the aforementioned Jamie Fouss for the first time. Unfortunately, my mask is blocking my ear-to-ear smile. Love a good firm handshake.
Jetlagged but excited to overpay for fruit on the streets of Dili for the first time. As of writing this, my Tetun skills have improved from $2/bunch of bananas to $1/bunch of bananas.
Speaking of overpaying for food, these are the chickens I bought for an educational group cooking session. Because my last job was at a vegan restaurant, out of respect to my former coworkers, I will not post what happened next to Cluck-Cluck and MF (MF being the name of the bird on the right who tried to make a break for it during this photoshoot)
During training in Gleno. While I was not an official trainer yet, I conducted English lessons every single night at my host family's house. Very wide range of learners who'd show up, but I like to think we made it work.
Asking all the kids to pretend like they're studying for the photo, but Tito doesn't get the memo. Very on brand for Tito, our neighborhood "nakar-teen"
Practice lesson in Gleno
I wrote a story about my failed first lesson. This was from the redeeming third lesson. Neither of these boys have a textbook to do the assignment, so I give them mine. I come back a few minutes later to see they haven't done anything because they don't have pens or paper! So, I give them mine. I return ten minutes later to blank pages. All three of us break down in laughter. I couldn't be mad considering how many times I've been in that same situation of just not wanting to do any class work. Well, I come back later to see everything done and a little extra. I believe that laughing loosened them up, made me seem approachable and sympathetic, which made them actually get their work done.
Zoom background type decor
This is from when I was tempted to start a silly snack review channel for blog subscribers. As much as I love pedantic review of mundane objects and unserious photoshoots, I decided against the series because it feels bad consuming copious amounts of plastic when 100% will either end up in the forest/river or locally burned then inhaled.
My friend Jade, with me grooving in the back
Mike and Kyle's (respectively) shared birthday party. Mike's family played a 30-minute loop of a nursery pop happy birthday song that I was having a lot of fun with.
Full heart gazing upon the birthday abundance
Modeling the Spring '23 fits for our new Timor/US fashion collab
Domingues Martins, my host father during training in Gleno. I promise he is an incredibly joyous and smily personality, despite the stern look. Many in Timor-Leste prefer a mean mug in photos.
My boy Aurelio! My host brother during training in Gleno. Aurelio absolutely helped with my language learning than anyone else. Just a cool chill dude.
Rejoicing that training is over! Also that Jade was stationed to a middle school, as she had wanted so badly.
Best man bun on the island next to the best mustache on the island. A collaboration for the ages
Counterpart conference meeting all of our future supervisors. It looks like I'm saying something wildly profound or controversial, but I'm just introducing myself.
Swearing-in ceremony to be an official Peace Corps Volunteer
Taking the oath!
Just casually hanging out with the President of the world's 156th most populated country
Throwing up Shakas in front of Cristo Rei, the massive statue overlooking the bay of the capital Dili.
Cristo Rei again, you can tell because I am doing my best Cristo Rei rendition.
My Ermera host family's kitchen with my sipping some coffee
"Sardines are a great source of very affordable protein and omega 3 fatty acids that are also shelf stable and not damaging to the health of the ocean and...." probably
Hanging out with Doctor Sevinj! She's very happy I'm a fiber superfan.
Looking cute as hell infront of my host family's home.