No, I'm not dead... I'm just not yet a faithful blogger. With time I will get better. I have now found a reliable, fast internet source in Mzuzu, so I now have access to the world outside Malawi. Yay! I can't believe how much has happened since August. Where to start?
We swore in on Sept. 1 at the ambassador's house in Lilongwe. Afterwards we had the best meal I'd had since the states (and have had since) at the country director's house. Macaroni and Cheese, pulled pork sandwiches, beer, brownies, it makes my mouth water just to type it. Shortly after, we were kicked out of the nest to become individual volunteers at our new home. My home is awesome! It's fairly close to the main road, so transportation isn't too difficult, and it's near a small mountain range. It's quite beautiful despite the fact that everything is brown and crusty. I can't wait for the rainy season when everything turns green!
I have been teaching now for about 2 1/2 months! How frightening is that? I'm teaching Form 2 (Sophomore) Math, and Form 3&4 (Junior and Senior respectively) Biology. I wish I could tell you which class I enjoyed more, but I love them all. Almost every day at least 2 students come to my house to play Bao (a local game), UNO (which I taught them), or to chat and ask me academic questions. I also taught them how to play bacci ball. They're now addicted to it, which is understandable - throwing colorful balls at other balls is a blasty blast. I have a group of young girls that frequent my house daily and don't speak a smidgeon of english. Because of this language barrier we usually dance or sing songs. Sometimes I get out a magazine and we look at pictures. I also taught them how to play hopscotch. They are wonderful people, and such hard workers even if it's not in the classroom. The people here amaze me!
Other than my headmaster being a difficult person to work with, the teachers at my school are very nice if not completely competent teachers. I have no place to talk; I've never been a teacher, and was thrown into being one here. The beginning of this week marks the end of term exams followed by a nice month long break. I'll havel to find someone to take care of my cat during that time. I have adopted a cute little kitten (white with black spots). Her name is TALULAR - it's an acronym for "teaching and learning using locally available resources". This concept was beaten into our heads during training, so I figure why not? Most of the times I call her Tal (shout out to Tally Ross). I'm trying to fatten her up with local fish and bread, but she still looks like a skinny village cat.
I celebrated the most unconventional Thanksgiving ever by buying my staff Fantas and making banana chocolate chip bread (kudos to Mom for the chocolate chips!). We then went around the staff room and said something we were thankful for. They thought it was a wonderful celebration. I thought, "Wow, I'm in Africa for Thanksgiving drinking Fantas and eating banana bread" This thought was quickly followed by "... and I love it."
The rest of my Thanksgiving shenanigans consisted of traveling to Livingstonia. It was the most beautiful place I've ever been aside from Swan Valley (obviously the most beautiful place in the world). It has a waterfall which unfortunately I couldn't climb, but got to climb into a cave behind it. I am drawn to them like magnets. I then proceeded to Mzuzu where there was a party. I missed most of it, but caught the end to get some chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. Obviously I was there for the important part. Every time I have access to ice cream, or even ice for that matter - I take advantage of it... I found a soft serve place in Mzuzu with sprinkles. Enough said.
After spending my Friday in a bus to get to Lilongwe, I chatted with the 80 or so volunteers who also came to celebrate. Saturday brought with it a shmorgasboard of food. No turkey or pumpkin pie, but there was a whole roasted pig, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and apple pie. I love American food! I can only take so much nsima. I'm staying at the boss's house on a real couch, and he has satellite tv on a 17'' screen! Doesn't sound like much, but the PCVs are all mesmerized by the awesomeness that is TV, a house with electricity, running water, carpet... I'll be so thankful for simple things when I get back to the states.
As for Christmas, I haven't made any set plans. I have IST (inservice training) coming up in a few weeks, and since I'm already in the south-central part of the country for that, I might go farther down to visit my friend Garrett in Mulanje and Blantyre. While there I may or may not visit the Carlsburg beer factory :) There's just so much to see in Malawi, and I feel like I don't have enough time to do it all!
I should probably mention that I had malaria a few weeks ago (2+). I was admitted to a health clinic in Mzuzu and stayed there for a few days. They had to hook up an IV, and i received 7 litres of fluid during my stay. I received 3 litres before passing urine, which just shows how dehydrated I was. I thought I was going to die. Luckily I have good friends that take good care of me here. Other than the malaria and a few times of possible intestinal bacterial infection or gastritis, I'm doing great. Unfortunately, the malaria attacked just before the 1/2 Marathon I was going to run in Lilongwe. I didn't get to participate, but there's always next year.
I am loving my life right now. There's nothing more I'd rather do with my life. The volunteers are amazing people. The natives are so kind and helpful. They make me laugh. I hope to blog more often, but no promises. I love you and miss you all! Nkhumutemwani chomene!
Friday, November 12, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
I'm in Africa!
I finally have access to the internet! The sensation of typing on a keyboard has become somewhat alien to me. My typing skills are bound to worsen over the next few years of sparse computer (and other technology) access.
Hey everyone- I'm alive! I'm in Africa! Malawi, to be exact. I've been here for about 1 1/2 months now. There is so much to share. Let me start near the beginning, a very good place to start. I arrived here with 34 other trainees in both the health and education sectors. We are an unusually large group of trainees, as the Peace Corps usually trains only one sector at a time. The large group results in much fun, but also some logistical problems with the schedule and transportation. We flew into Lilongwe on the 4th of July and were quickly moved to our training site in Dedza for about 2 weeks. During these two weeks, we learned what local dialect we would be speaking for the next 2 years. I found that I would be learning to speak Chitumbuka, a dialect spoken in the north. I was a little frustrated initially, because I had been studying Chichewa up to that point, but everything's alright now. Then we were sent to home stay.
So there I was, sleeping in a mud hut with a thatched roof, bathing out of a bucket, squatting over a hole in the ground, and all the while I'm learning to speak a dialect that my homestay family doesn't speak (they spoke Chichewa). It was very frustrating to be learning a language that had no practical application at the time, while the Chichewa speakers were practicing their language at home with their mothers and fathers. My family understood, though, and I had a fun time exchanging languages and other cultural differences. My amayi (mother) was a fantastic cook! But, it's easy to be a good cook when you deep fry everything I suppose. Malawi is a country of fried foods! Fried foods, sugar, and corn. Sounds a little like America, doesn't it? Unfortunately, cocoa doesn't grow here, otherwise I would be trying to teach them how to make some nice, sweet chocolate with that sugar! Hint hint - if anyone wants to send me chocolate I just might be willing to accept.
During our homestay we also learned how to teach in a Malawian setting. Basically, we were cramming a two year long masters program into 4 weeks. It was a little intimidating, but we have completed some teaching practice at a native school, and I think I'm ready to start teaching soon. I will be teaching Biology, and probably a little Math. It will be great to teach math in Africa while Mom is teaching on the other side of the world. Between the two of us, we've got two continents covered, Mom! However, I will not be called "Packebush" here, due to the complexity of my last name. I am now known as either "Madam Sara", or "Madam Packy". Some of the adults in my village simply call me "Packy", and it makes me laugh.
I found that my site will be just south of Rumphi (ROOM-pee) in the Mzimba district. It is a little school of about 150 students in a village just off the M1. I am replacing a married couple who really fixed the place up during their tour, so I am inheriting some wonderful amenities like a couch, a guest bed, a bookshelf, and a kitchen, all of which are luxuries in Malawi. Did I mention the bookshelf is filled with books and games? I will probably be playing a lot of solitaire.
There are so many things I want to update everyone on, but I don't have the time to do so right now. For example: I had a luncheon with the President of Malawi, I have ridden several public transport buses with chickens, I have already gotten sick once, the Malawians frequently pronounce their "r"s as "l"s and vice versa, so I am known as "Sala". There is much more I wish I could let everyone in on, but my time with the computer is short. The sun is out, there are frisbees to be thrown and friends with which to chat.
I would love to receive letters from anyone interested in sending me news or pictures, but please remember it takes around 6 weeks to get to me, and another 6 weeks to return one to you. Also, if you're particularly ambitious you could send me a package or call me! Obviously I'm not going to give my number out on the internet, but if you contact my mother or Ian, they could give it to you. My current address is as follows (however, I don't know if I'm going to keep this address or change it to a closer location relative to my site, I'll let you all know): Peace Corps/Malawi, P.O. Box 208, Lilongwe, Malawi, Southern Africa.
Thank you all for your letters, your support, and your love. I will do what I can to keep the blog updated, but please remember that I'm in Africa, and everything takes longer than you think it should.
Hey everyone- I'm alive! I'm in Africa! Malawi, to be exact. I've been here for about 1 1/2 months now. There is so much to share. Let me start near the beginning, a very good place to start. I arrived here with 34 other trainees in both the health and education sectors. We are an unusually large group of trainees, as the Peace Corps usually trains only one sector at a time. The large group results in much fun, but also some logistical problems with the schedule and transportation. We flew into Lilongwe on the 4th of July and were quickly moved to our training site in Dedza for about 2 weeks. During these two weeks, we learned what local dialect we would be speaking for the next 2 years. I found that I would be learning to speak Chitumbuka, a dialect spoken in the north. I was a little frustrated initially, because I had been studying Chichewa up to that point, but everything's alright now. Then we were sent to home stay.
So there I was, sleeping in a mud hut with a thatched roof, bathing out of a bucket, squatting over a hole in the ground, and all the while I'm learning to speak a dialect that my homestay family doesn't speak (they spoke Chichewa). It was very frustrating to be learning a language that had no practical application at the time, while the Chichewa speakers were practicing their language at home with their mothers and fathers. My family understood, though, and I had a fun time exchanging languages and other cultural differences. My amayi (mother) was a fantastic cook! But, it's easy to be a good cook when you deep fry everything I suppose. Malawi is a country of fried foods! Fried foods, sugar, and corn. Sounds a little like America, doesn't it? Unfortunately, cocoa doesn't grow here, otherwise I would be trying to teach them how to make some nice, sweet chocolate with that sugar! Hint hint - if anyone wants to send me chocolate I just might be willing to accept.
During our homestay we also learned how to teach in a Malawian setting. Basically, we were cramming a two year long masters program into 4 weeks. It was a little intimidating, but we have completed some teaching practice at a native school, and I think I'm ready to start teaching soon. I will be teaching Biology, and probably a little Math. It will be great to teach math in Africa while Mom is teaching on the other side of the world. Between the two of us, we've got two continents covered, Mom! However, I will not be called "Packebush" here, due to the complexity of my last name. I am now known as either "Madam Sara", or "Madam Packy". Some of the adults in my village simply call me "Packy", and it makes me laugh.
I found that my site will be just south of Rumphi (ROOM-pee) in the Mzimba district. It is a little school of about 150 students in a village just off the M1. I am replacing a married couple who really fixed the place up during their tour, so I am inheriting some wonderful amenities like a couch, a guest bed, a bookshelf, and a kitchen, all of which are luxuries in Malawi. Did I mention the bookshelf is filled with books and games? I will probably be playing a lot of solitaire.
There are so many things I want to update everyone on, but I don't have the time to do so right now. For example: I had a luncheon with the President of Malawi, I have ridden several public transport buses with chickens, I have already gotten sick once, the Malawians frequently pronounce their "r"s as "l"s and vice versa, so I am known as "Sala". There is much more I wish I could let everyone in on, but my time with the computer is short. The sun is out, there are frisbees to be thrown and friends with which to chat.
I would love to receive letters from anyone interested in sending me news or pictures, but please remember it takes around 6 weeks to get to me, and another 6 weeks to return one to you. Also, if you're particularly ambitious you could send me a package or call me! Obviously I'm not going to give my number out on the internet, but if you contact my mother or Ian, they could give it to you. My current address is as follows (however, I don't know if I'm going to keep this address or change it to a closer location relative to my site, I'll let you all know): Peace Corps/Malawi, P.O. Box 208, Lilongwe, Malawi, Southern Africa.
Thank you all for your letters, your support, and your love. I will do what I can to keep the blog updated, but please remember that I'm in Africa, and everything takes longer than you think it should.
Monday, June 21, 2010
9 days to departure
After telling many friends and family that I have a blog but, “haven't done much with it yet,” I have decided to inform loved ones of my pre-departure experience thus far. First, let me explain why I have named this blog “Defying Gravity”. Setting aside the fact that it's a great, uplifting broadway song, I actually feel as though I am resisting a pull in the opposite direction. I feel that there is and always was an expectation for me to go from undergrad at CofI, straight to veterinary school. This is the “original plan” I had made at age 12. Maybe I have put so much faith in that plan that its mass increased, giving it more gravitational pull on my life and how it would play out. I was so pulled by my plan's mass that the idea of not following it was out of the question. After some soul searching, and asking myself what I really wanted, I came up with the alternate plan to positively affect as many people in this world that I can – as cheesy as that sounds. So, here I am, 9 days away from a plane ride taking me first to Peace Corps orientation, then to Malawi, Africa to teach secondary science.
I have to be honest in saying that before my invitation arrived I didn't know Malawi was even a country, needless to say I couldn't tell you anything about it or even point to it on a map. I started learning Chichewa on the first day, starting with “Moni” (hello). I have been adding to my vocabulary about 1 word or phrase a day. Now I can say a few more things like “I am thirsty” “What's up” and “Where is the bathroom”. Unfortunately, there is no one to converse with me or correct me if I am wrong, so I'm going to bet the natives will totally own me in even the phrases of which I feel most confident. It's going to be very humbling. On a positive note, in a recent dream I replied in Chichewa. I think I told someone that I was sorry.
I have been getting things ready to pack for about a month. Everyone has been so wonderful and supportive, and have been giving me some provisions. I am a little nervous to be wearing a skirt/dress every day. If you have known me before departure you will know that I am not a “girly girl”, and that daily dress wearing will be quite an adjustment to me. Also, what about “that time of the month”? I have been reading some packing lists and suggestions from past and current PCVs, and I've heard there is a reusable tampon out there which is best. All women I mention this to cringe at the thought. Don't worry, I will not blog about the experiences (successes/failures) regarding this subject later, but it's just something to think about. I have bought some really great gear for my trip, like a solar charger, and some great new Chacos (which I love!).
What have I been doing while I'm home waiting to leave? Well, I am taking the advice of many current PCVs - eating a lot of my favorite foods while I can! :) I have heard most volunteers get pretty sick (not used to local foods) and lose 10-20 lbs during the first month or so, so I am banking on that counteracting my overindulgence. Maybe it's just wishful thinking. I have been riding my horses as much as possible. I doubt that I'll have the opportunity to ride anything in Africa, but I guess I could get creative and try to wrangle me a wildebeest. I have been soaking up as much History and Discovery channel as possible. I'm enjoying trying to get through the first 3 seasons of PSYCH, which doesn't help me get over my crush on Gus or Shawn. Hanging out with the parents, teaching mom how to throw a frisbee, and going on hikes/runs are also daily activities.
I am very excited, but starting to get a bit nervous about my 2 year long escapade. A friend once told me that he believed deja vu to be an indicator that you are in the right place at the right time. Essentially, you are doing what you are destined to do. Not that I necessarily believe his idea, but I haven't had deja vu in quite a while. Either way, I'm not going to stray from my plan to depart to and teach in Africa. Every day I grow more excited to meet the people I will be working with, and to be in the “Warm Heart of Africa”. I am going to check off many bucket list items in the next two years. I will probably add some too. I will miss you all very much! Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I prepare for my time in Malawi.
I have to be honest in saying that before my invitation arrived I didn't know Malawi was even a country, needless to say I couldn't tell you anything about it or even point to it on a map. I started learning Chichewa on the first day, starting with “Moni” (hello). I have been adding to my vocabulary about 1 word or phrase a day. Now I can say a few more things like “I am thirsty” “What's up” and “Where is the bathroom”. Unfortunately, there is no one to converse with me or correct me if I am wrong, so I'm going to bet the natives will totally own me in even the phrases of which I feel most confident. It's going to be very humbling. On a positive note, in a recent dream I replied in Chichewa. I think I told someone that I was sorry.
I have been getting things ready to pack for about a month. Everyone has been so wonderful and supportive, and have been giving me some provisions. I am a little nervous to be wearing a skirt/dress every day. If you have known me before departure you will know that I am not a “girly girl”, and that daily dress wearing will be quite an adjustment to me. Also, what about “that time of the month”? I have been reading some packing lists and suggestions from past and current PCVs, and I've heard there is a reusable tampon out there which is best. All women I mention this to cringe at the thought. Don't worry, I will not blog about the experiences (successes/failures) regarding this subject later, but it's just something to think about. I have bought some really great gear for my trip, like a solar charger, and some great new Chacos (which I love!).
What have I been doing while I'm home waiting to leave? Well, I am taking the advice of many current PCVs - eating a lot of my favorite foods while I can! :) I have heard most volunteers get pretty sick (not used to local foods) and lose 10-20 lbs during the first month or so, so I am banking on that counteracting my overindulgence. Maybe it's just wishful thinking. I have been riding my horses as much as possible. I doubt that I'll have the opportunity to ride anything in Africa, but I guess I could get creative and try to wrangle me a wildebeest. I have been soaking up as much History and Discovery channel as possible. I'm enjoying trying to get through the first 3 seasons of PSYCH, which doesn't help me get over my crush on Gus or Shawn. Hanging out with the parents, teaching mom how to throw a frisbee, and going on hikes/runs are also daily activities.
I am very excited, but starting to get a bit nervous about my 2 year long escapade. A friend once told me that he believed deja vu to be an indicator that you are in the right place at the right time. Essentially, you are doing what you are destined to do. Not that I necessarily believe his idea, but I haven't had deja vu in quite a while. Either way, I'm not going to stray from my plan to depart to and teach in Africa. Every day I grow more excited to meet the people I will be working with, and to be in the “Warm Heart of Africa”. I am going to check off many bucket list items in the next two years. I will probably add some too. I will miss you all very much! Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I prepare for my time in Malawi.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
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