today, technically. but classes won't really start until monday the 5th. and guess who has a 7am class? me! and this morning i had 4 classes, but i was gonna teach 3 different grade levels...aka too much work. so my censeur enlever-ed my 4eme class (9th grade) but i am okay with that because they were my worst class last year. so i am again stuck teaching only 3 classes. i am going to try and get a fourth class.
the other day i was really upset because my neighbor once again asked me for money to build her a building on their land so they could make some money. and that was really frustrating, but i forgot to bring my flashdrive and i am not as angry as before; so i guess it's good that i didn't post that blog. but it makes me wonder: if someone who has been friends with 2 PCVs and has gone to 2 Camp GLOWs ...if someone like that still doesn't understand that i am not here to line peoples' pockets with money...what hope is there for everyone else? wow, that totally sounds Debbie Downer, but i don't know how to express it any other way =(
back to the topic of school. i am really looking forward to this year. already i kinda know how things work. and showing up at school isn't gonna be all awkward like it was last year cause i déjà know the admin and the teachers (sadly, i don't know their names) and i know my students! and i also have my lesson plans from last year, therefore i know what went well and what didn't; therefore i am hoping that the lessons will be at least 50 percent better. (i don't know why 50 percent, but 50 percent it is.)
This year’s birthday was one of the best I’ve had. Pizza, beer, bar-lounge, dancing, champagne, tequila and a car ride home.
Swear-in was good. Lots of speeches were given. Food and drinks at the end. And this year I just jumped right in there and attacked, otherwise I’d be left with nothing. And then I left for home around 4ish with lots of goodies, including cheese!
My birthday meme was awesome. I woke up and it took me several moments to realize that it was really my birthday. Initially, I thought it was the next day. Hahaha, I guess that happens when you’re old, ha. When I read a text from a PCV I thought she had gotten the date wrong, so I double checked the calendar, oops! I started the day by doing some laundry, followed by cleaning of my house. Then it was a shower et après ça I made myself lunch/dinner. I sliced up the cheese and made me some nachos. Not macho ones or deluxe with all the toppings. Just regular tortilla chips with cheese and some salsa to dip them in…just like my mom made when I was little. Before I started to eat, I opened up my birthday cards from the fam and shed a tear for each of those cards. (I am even more of a cry baby these days, especially when it comes to hearing from my family.) Moving on, I put in The Breakfast Club and for dessert I ate some gummy candy I bought in the city and some Greek chocolate from Christopher and Weihow. Around 21:30 my dad called and I got to talk to him and Melissa and Nathan. Mom wasn’t home, but we reserved some minutes so that she could call me later. I went to bed around 22:30 and was reading in bed, finishing up The Time Traveler’s Wife (a VERY good book, btw). And mom called around 22:45 and we got to chit chat. Overall, it was a very nice, low-key birthday and I could not have asked for anything more.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
awesomeness
Someone came over to my house this morning and installed some A/C! And while I was in town I picked up a down comforter and a feather bed. Boy, I think I am gonna have to get a humidifier so that I can slowly readjust to a non-humid environment. I am gonna continue sleeping under the mosquito net; I don’t wanna gamble getting malaria.
I think I might get high speed cable or DSL wireless internet installed too. It’s a little expensive, but whatever. My neighbor knows someone who knows someone who can install it for free and then I just have to pay it on a monthly basis…I just have to walk to their bureau and pay the bill, just like I do with my water and electric bill. It’s gonna be awesome. I hope that I manage to still get out of the house on a daily basis like I do now….haha.
The day after tomorrow the newbies are going to swear-in as volunteers! I am going into town tomorrow so that I can celebrate my birthday with my PC colleagues without having the whole swear-in thing cloud my day…even though my birthday is not till Sunday. We are going out for pizza (Pizza Hut!) and beer (PBR on tap!! We’re getting these beer bong type pitcher things. I see them there every time and this time I get to try it out!) followed by ice cream at this place that is kinda like Coldstone.
But what’s really cool is that I made friends with some expats who have a helicopter! So guess who gets to ride into Cotonou in a helicopter! ME!! I’ve always wanted to ride in a helicopter and wear those cool looking headphone thingys. By car it takes me like 2.5-3 hours to get to the bureau, but I’m thinking that I might make it in half that time! Woo-hoo!
School starts in like a week or something, I dunno. This summer has been so awesome and it’s been a lot busier than I thought it was going to be. So I can imagine that this school year is gonna go by even faster than the summer and faster than it did last year.
Today was so hot! I think that the hot season is right around the corner. Either that or the weather is all effed up because of global warming or something. The weather here is being abnormal compared to past years. Maybe we should blame it on El Nino. Whatever happened to him? Did he start behaving himself and that’s why we don’t blame him anymore?? It was so hot that after lunch today, my friend and I walked over to this cute little place and got happy hour drinks and sat under the trees in the cute backyard area. We felt like getting smoothies or root beer floats or something to cool down, but they close down for lunch and she had to get on her way…so we’ll go there next time.
And get this…they are opening up a Starbucks next to CEG1…it’s like the biggest high school in town and pretty much in the center of town. Mmmm, frappacinos (did I spell that right) are gonna be such a treat! Though no one really knows when they’re opening up. I miss those green straws!
I think I might get high speed cable or DSL wireless internet installed too. It’s a little expensive, but whatever. My neighbor knows someone who knows someone who can install it for free and then I just have to pay it on a monthly basis…I just have to walk to their bureau and pay the bill, just like I do with my water and electric bill. It’s gonna be awesome. I hope that I manage to still get out of the house on a daily basis like I do now….haha.
The day after tomorrow the newbies are going to swear-in as volunteers! I am going into town tomorrow so that I can celebrate my birthday with my PC colleagues without having the whole swear-in thing cloud my day…even though my birthday is not till Sunday. We are going out for pizza (Pizza Hut!) and beer (PBR on tap!! We’re getting these beer bong type pitcher things. I see them there every time and this time I get to try it out!) followed by ice cream at this place that is kinda like Coldstone.
But what’s really cool is that I made friends with some expats who have a helicopter! So guess who gets to ride into Cotonou in a helicopter! ME!! I’ve always wanted to ride in a helicopter and wear those cool looking headphone thingys. By car it takes me like 2.5-3 hours to get to the bureau, but I’m thinking that I might make it in half that time! Woo-hoo!
School starts in like a week or something, I dunno. This summer has been so awesome and it’s been a lot busier than I thought it was going to be. So I can imagine that this school year is gonna go by even faster than the summer and faster than it did last year.
Today was so hot! I think that the hot season is right around the corner. Either that or the weather is all effed up because of global warming or something. The weather here is being abnormal compared to past years. Maybe we should blame it on El Nino. Whatever happened to him? Did he start behaving himself and that’s why we don’t blame him anymore?? It was so hot that after lunch today, my friend and I walked over to this cute little place and got happy hour drinks and sat under the trees in the cute backyard area. We felt like getting smoothies or root beer floats or something to cool down, but they close down for lunch and she had to get on her way…so we’ll go there next time.
And get this…they are opening up a Starbucks next to CEG1…it’s like the biggest high school in town and pretty much in the center of town. Mmmm, frappacinos (did I spell that right) are gonna be such a treat! Though no one really knows when they’re opening up. I miss those green straws!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
looking forward
Yesterday Angelina and Catherine came over and we hammered out a priliminary letter to a big, international NGO, PLAN Benin to get the ball rolling on Camp GLOW. PLAN has offices all over the world; google them if you like. Anyways, PLAN Benin funded our Camp GLOW last year, 100 percent. I am working with Angelina and Catherine in organizing 2010's annual Camp GLOW. It's gonna be a lot of work, but I know that it's gonna be one of the most worthwhile things I have ever done in my life!
The three of us also took the opportunity to plan a little more of our trip to Dogon Country in Mali this Christmas. We are doing a 4 day trek through the cliff villages and visiting the largest mud-structure in the world and will be camping out under the stars. We officially booked our guide Oumar, who apparently speaks English!
Also, yesterday I stopped by my school to say hello to the Administration. I chatted with my diréctrice for a while and then the censeur showed up and I requested to have/follow one of my classes from last year. It looks like I am going to have two 5eme classes. The other two classes are going to be either 6eme or 4eme...I am leaving it up to them to decide for me cause I could go either way. And I am going to have Fridays off and no 17-19h classes, and hopefully no 15-17 classes (it's WAY to h-o-t to teach 15-17). ((this is all 24 hour time)) It felt really nice just physically being at my school and reminds me how much I love my job here!
In other things, I am looking forward to going to Cotonou this Thursday. I am going out with my friends for an early dinner pizza lunch and beer and then perhaps on to some ice cream. On Friday, PSL-22 (the new trainees) are swearing-in as volunteers; it's going to be a good time all around. And then on Sunday I al going to open up the birthday cards my family sent me =)
I hope and will assume that everyone is doing awesome back home since it's been a while since it's been months since I have heard anything.
The three of us also took the opportunity to plan a little more of our trip to Dogon Country in Mali this Christmas. We are doing a 4 day trek through the cliff villages and visiting the largest mud-structure in the world and will be camping out under the stars. We officially booked our guide Oumar, who apparently speaks English!
Also, yesterday I stopped by my school to say hello to the Administration. I chatted with my diréctrice for a while and then the censeur showed up and I requested to have/follow one of my classes from last year. It looks like I am going to have two 5eme classes. The other two classes are going to be either 6eme or 4eme...I am leaving it up to them to decide for me cause I could go either way. And I am going to have Fridays off and no 17-19h classes, and hopefully no 15-17 classes (it's WAY to h-o-t to teach 15-17). ((this is all 24 hour time)) It felt really nice just physically being at my school and reminds me how much I love my job here!
In other things, I am looking forward to going to Cotonou this Thursday. I am going out with my friends for an early dinner pizza lunch and beer and then perhaps on to some ice cream. On Friday, PSL-22 (the new trainees) are swearing-in as volunteers; it's going to be a good time all around. And then on Sunday I al going to open up the birthday cards my family sent me =)
I hope and will assume that everyone is doing awesome back home since it's been a while since it's been months since I have heard anything.
someone want (to watch) my dog?
Rosie; these days
i really, REALLY want to bring Rosie back home with me, but i am also planning on going to France for 7 months next year, a little after i get back to teach some more English (mid september to be exact, if i get the job). So if you or anyone you know that i could trust with my precious would be willing to take care of her let me know! she's a super sweet dog and you don't even really have to buy her real dog food. leftovers work just fine...that's what i feed her here =) and i'm pretty certain that she's not gonna get much bigger.
and this is a picture of a goat that fell down a well thingy. it's not very deep maybe 8-10 feet deep. but the poor thing was down there for several hours and it was bleeting the whole time, and everytime i looked down it looked up at me and shut up. haha, stupid goat!
i really, REALLY want to bring Rosie back home with me, but i am also planning on going to France for 7 months next year, a little after i get back to teach some more English (mid september to be exact, if i get the job). So if you or anyone you know that i could trust with my precious would be willing to take care of her let me know! she's a super sweet dog and you don't even really have to buy her real dog food. leftovers work just fine...that's what i feed her here =) and i'm pretty certain that she's not gonna get much bigger.
and this is a picture of a goat that fell down a well thingy. it's not very deep maybe 8-10 feet deep. but the poor thing was down there for several hours and it was bleeting the whole time, and everytime i looked down it looked up at me and shut up. haha, stupid goat!
Lobogo; pâte rouge, and petits
YAY for new jeans! I went to Lobogo the other day to visit Angelina who had been home for the past 3 weeks or so. I went there right after English Club in Zounbonou. (That town…I swear, no taxi driver ever understands what I’m trying to say…and have to repeat myself 5 or more times.) So anyways, I went to Lobogo and Angelina and I had a grand old time. We just sat and talked for a while before starting up dinner and she handed me my bonne choses from là bas. Mom sent me a new pair of jeans and a new pair of shoes! (I feel so American and normal wearing them!) And Angelina got me some goodies for me and Rosie! It was awesome and a little like x-mas. Then we went over to salué her neighbors whom I think may be a little obsessed with me. But it’s cool, it’s nice to be missed and feel the love from people.
The neighbors ended up buying us like 3 beers each, which ended up being a nice accompaniment to doing the 2000 piece puzzle of NYC Times Square that Angelina brought back. Yup, that’s what we do here for fun…puzzles, read books, crochet, watch movies, cook…kinda makes me feel like I’ve aged like 50 years, haha.
I was gonna leave the next day around 3-4ish, but I stayed another night cause I was so intent on finishing the puzzle, plus I decided that the dog would be okay for another day. My buddies Gaytón aka Gaga, Angél and/or Tangi feed her when I’m gone anyways. No harm done.
I had a really good time away from post.
I am now 9 days away from becoming officially old(er). PS—thanks mom, dad, and Melissa for the birthday cards! And Melissa, I promise I haven’t opened them up yet…I’ll do that on my birthday! It’s weird, I don’t feel like I am gonna be 25, Does one ever get to feel like their age? I feel like the only way that I know that I am getting older is because other people are growing up and moving forward in their lives.
I have found out that school is officially starting on October 1st, in hopes that everything will be said and done and ready to start classes on the 5th—the day I am set to do my mid-service exam. Cool. Whatever.
Today Ruth and I made pâte rouge. Ruth was a 5eme student of mine last year, and she comes over once in a while and we show each other how to cook. Rest assured that I don’t hang out with all my students because most are NOT trustworthy.)Pâte rouge is, in my opinion, the most delicious of the pâtes. I had to run back doen to the parc to buy some meat, which was probably a few days old. I found out today that they’ll slaughter another cow on Saturday morning. This leads me to believe that a cow is slaughtered not on a daily basis. But whatever, I got the rib section of the cow and it was quite tender. I may study up on parts/cuts of the cow and try to get a kilo of filet mignon for roughly 4 dollars. Or maybe a t-bone steak, or some other delicious cut. People here aren’t all that picky so I guess if I know my cow well enough, I can cook up something delicious.
Ugh, I am so scatter-brained. I hope that what I write here is somewhat comprehendible.
Oh and here is a little excerpt from Nine Hills to Nambonkaha by Sarah Erdman. It kind of explains how children are seen/treated all over West Africa.
Kids are the lowest rung in the well-entrenched “petit” system that rules West Africa. Basically, anyone younger or less important than you will double as your errand boy or girl without a complaint…I began my days doing everything myself, but quickly realized that [some things] are done far more efficiently by small children [ie running to buy an egg, lemon, tomato paste, etc from a little boutique, which is like a mini little shop]. There’s a certain beauty to the system: kids respect their elders wholeheartedly and often consider it an honor to serve them. They actually argue who gets to [carry my motorcycle helmet].
Children graduate to petit status around age four…Parental affection is all but curtailed. Kids are taught to consider themselves inferior until they grow up and can lord over a new flock of petits. Their pride is trampled upon so they don’t become too uppity…
-page 86-
Nine Hills was a fairly good book and illustrates what life is like here. Though we are in different sectors, she did health—I teach English. She lived in a small village where everyone probably knew her name—I live in a big town where all the people in my quartier don’t even know my name. She was probably a super volunteer—I am probably not. She lived without running water, electricity, shower, toilet, etc.—I do not. But it draws a good enough picture. I recommend you read it to get a better idea of what life in West Africa is like.
The neighbors ended up buying us like 3 beers each, which ended up being a nice accompaniment to doing the 2000 piece puzzle of NYC Times Square that Angelina brought back. Yup, that’s what we do here for fun…puzzles, read books, crochet, watch movies, cook…kinda makes me feel like I’ve aged like 50 years, haha.
I was gonna leave the next day around 3-4ish, but I stayed another night cause I was so intent on finishing the puzzle, plus I decided that the dog would be okay for another day. My buddies Gaytón aka Gaga, Angél and/or Tangi feed her when I’m gone anyways. No harm done.
I had a really good time away from post.
I am now 9 days away from becoming officially old(er). PS—thanks mom, dad, and Melissa for the birthday cards! And Melissa, I promise I haven’t opened them up yet…I’ll do that on my birthday! It’s weird, I don’t feel like I am gonna be 25, Does one ever get to feel like their age? I feel like the only way that I know that I am getting older is because other people are growing up and moving forward in their lives.
I have found out that school is officially starting on October 1st, in hopes that everything will be said and done and ready to start classes on the 5th—the day I am set to do my mid-service exam. Cool. Whatever.
Today Ruth and I made pâte rouge. Ruth was a 5eme student of mine last year, and she comes over once in a while and we show each other how to cook. Rest assured that I don’t hang out with all my students because most are NOT trustworthy.)Pâte rouge is, in my opinion, the most delicious of the pâtes. I had to run back doen to the parc to buy some meat, which was probably a few days old. I found out today that they’ll slaughter another cow on Saturday morning. This leads me to believe that a cow is slaughtered not on a daily basis. But whatever, I got the rib section of the cow and it was quite tender. I may study up on parts/cuts of the cow and try to get a kilo of filet mignon for roughly 4 dollars. Or maybe a t-bone steak, or some other delicious cut. People here aren’t all that picky so I guess if I know my cow well enough, I can cook up something delicious.
Ugh, I am so scatter-brained. I hope that what I write here is somewhat comprehendible.
Oh and here is a little excerpt from Nine Hills to Nambonkaha by Sarah Erdman. It kind of explains how children are seen/treated all over West Africa.
Kids are the lowest rung in the well-entrenched “petit” system that rules West Africa. Basically, anyone younger or less important than you will double as your errand boy or girl without a complaint…I began my days doing everything myself, but quickly realized that [some things] are done far more efficiently by small children [ie running to buy an egg, lemon, tomato paste, etc from a little boutique, which is like a mini little shop]. There’s a certain beauty to the system: kids respect their elders wholeheartedly and often consider it an honor to serve them. They actually argue who gets to [carry my motorcycle helmet].
Children graduate to petit status around age four…Parental affection is all but curtailed. Kids are taught to consider themselves inferior until they grow up and can lord over a new flock of petits. Their pride is trampled upon so they don’t become too uppity…
-page 86-
Nine Hills was a fairly good book and illustrates what life is like here. Though we are in different sectors, she did health—I teach English. She lived in a small village where everyone probably knew her name—I live in a big town where all the people in my quartier don’t even know my name. She was probably a super volunteer—I am probably not. She lived without running water, electricity, shower, toilet, etc.—I do not. But it draws a good enough picture. I recommend you read it to get a better idea of what life in West Africa is like.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Tata Yovo!
(i wrote this on friday but forgot my flashdrive at home so i couldn't ost it the other day when i was at the cyber)
Today was a good day, I guess, other than waking up WAY later than I wanted. After I woke up I got ready to meet my friend, Chinatsu by Supermarché Bel Air. Chinatsu is doing the Japenese version of Peace Corps, it’s called JICA…although I don’t know what it stands for. Anyways, we met up for some lunch of yam pilé at my favorite restaurant, Maquis Les Collines. It was a good meal and good conversation but when it came time to pay l’addition…the tanti was useless and we waited around forever for our reliquat (change). Finally I went back to the kitchen to talk to the head-tanti and patron to sort things out.
Then we walked back towards the parc and went our separate ways. I bought a ton of veggies from my ladies and then went home and hung out with my favorite person, Mayo, for a while. We played football with Rosie’s little football and I tried to teach him how to count to 5 in English. And it’s amazing really, how little kids (like really little, but already talking…say 3-4 years old) they have such a talent for picking up other languages. And by that I mean that getting Mayo to say things in English…he doesn’t have an accent! I gave him a few glasses of water (which I had mixed Propel into) and he sucked it all down. “C’est bon!” is what he told me after drinking the flavored water. What a cutie. I tell him I am going to take him home with me—là bas (in my bag). He giggles at the thought, but then refuses because he doesn’t want my dog to eat him. Hahaha. I guess he thinks I am just gonna take him to my house here (across the street from his) and there my dog, Rosie will eat him. Mayo, just like any other child/person in this country is terrified of dogs. Ha. The hard part about hanging out with my buddy is telling him to go home. I told him that I was tired/ needed to work/ his mom was calling him…so many excuses, but the kid wouldn’t budge. So finally, and this is horrible of me, I told him that he should ride his bike and that I would see him later or tomorrow. But I guess all he heard was “go get your bike.” So I go inside and he comes back with his bike and starts banging on my door, “tata……tata……tata” but if I answer he’ll never go away. Eventually his mom calls him and he goes home. Oh, Mayo. And before I forget, he has started to call me “Tata Yovo,” which is better than just plain Yovo, but oh well, we’ll work on it.
I just realized that today is the 8th anniversary of 9/11 and I really can’t believe that so much time has passed! My life wasn’t really all that impacted by it, but I can still remember the day pretty vividly.
School starts essentially 3 weeks from Monday. Although, I won’t be there for the first official day because that is when I am scheduled to go and do my mid-service exam. Not really looking forward to that…they are essentially going to check EVERYthing, and I’ll just leave it at that.
My 25th birthday is in 2 weeks and 1 day. The newbies swear-in in 2 weeks. Next week I am going to talk about holidays in America at English club, then visit Angelina whom I haven’t seen in a month.
And in November, Catherine and I are hopefully gonna start painting a world map on a wall at the orphanage by my house. There was a volunteer who was here from 2007-08 who did a lot of work at the orphanage and started to do a world map, but left town before she could really get started. Catherine and I will pick up where she left off, but not exactly cause Jennifer chose to paint the wall on the opposite side of the building, where essentially no one would see it. Part of me feels, oh, I dunno what the word is, for wanting to paint the wall everyone can see when they come to visit the orphanage. I guess I’ll post pics up once we start the work, but you’ll see what I mean.
Oh, and in just about a month, I will be able to apply to a teacher assistant position in France. It’s this deal set up by the French and Americans where someone like me or anyone with “two years of higher education” and “a proficiency in French” can apply to live and work (teaching English to elementary or secondary school kids) in France (or an overseas dept. of France: French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, or the Réunion—whatever that is!) for 7 or 9 months and be paid like $1,013 for 12 hours of work per week! What an amazing opportunity! Not to mention, it’ll give me about 7 or 9 more months to figure out what I want to do with my life. The program, I assume, starts Oct. 1st every year. So that would give me just enough time to relax and visit people. I figure my French will be at it’s best at this point in my life, and bottom line, why not?
That’s all for now, folks! À tout moment!
PS, if you get a chance and want to kill time, get your hands on a game called “Plants vs. Zombies.” It’s a GREAT time killer, super addicting, and super fun! Trust me :)
Today was a good day, I guess, other than waking up WAY later than I wanted. After I woke up I got ready to meet my friend, Chinatsu by Supermarché Bel Air. Chinatsu is doing the Japenese version of Peace Corps, it’s called JICA…although I don’t know what it stands for. Anyways, we met up for some lunch of yam pilé at my favorite restaurant, Maquis Les Collines. It was a good meal and good conversation but when it came time to pay l’addition…the tanti was useless and we waited around forever for our reliquat (change). Finally I went back to the kitchen to talk to the head-tanti and patron to sort things out.
Then we walked back towards the parc and went our separate ways. I bought a ton of veggies from my ladies and then went home and hung out with my favorite person, Mayo, for a while. We played football with Rosie’s little football and I tried to teach him how to count to 5 in English. And it’s amazing really, how little kids (like really little, but already talking…say 3-4 years old) they have such a talent for picking up other languages. And by that I mean that getting Mayo to say things in English…he doesn’t have an accent! I gave him a few glasses of water (which I had mixed Propel into) and he sucked it all down. “C’est bon!” is what he told me after drinking the flavored water. What a cutie. I tell him I am going to take him home with me—là bas (in my bag). He giggles at the thought, but then refuses because he doesn’t want my dog to eat him. Hahaha. I guess he thinks I am just gonna take him to my house here (across the street from his) and there my dog, Rosie will eat him. Mayo, just like any other child/person in this country is terrified of dogs. Ha. The hard part about hanging out with my buddy is telling him to go home. I told him that I was tired/ needed to work/ his mom was calling him…so many excuses, but the kid wouldn’t budge. So finally, and this is horrible of me, I told him that he should ride his bike and that I would see him later or tomorrow. But I guess all he heard was “go get your bike.” So I go inside and he comes back with his bike and starts banging on my door, “tata…
I just realized that today is the 8th anniversary of 9/11 and I really can’t believe that so much time has passed! My life wasn’t really all that impacted by it, but I can still remember the day pretty vividly.
School starts essentially 3 weeks from Monday. Although, I won’t be there for the first official day because that is when I am scheduled to go and do my mid-service exam. Not really looking forward to that…they are essentially going to check EVERYthing, and I’ll just leave it at that.
My 25th birthday is in 2 weeks and 1 day. The newbies swear-in in 2 weeks. Next week I am going to talk about holidays in America at English club, then visit Angelina whom I haven’t seen in a month.
And in November, Catherine and I are hopefully gonna start painting a world map on a wall at the orphanage by my house. There was a volunteer who was here from 2007-08 who did a lot of work at the orphanage and started to do a world map, but left town before she could really get started. Catherine and I will pick up where she left off, but not exactly cause Jennifer chose to paint the wall on the opposite side of the building, where essentially no one would see it. Part of me feels, oh, I dunno what the word is, for wanting to paint the wall everyone can see when they come to visit the orphanage. I guess I’ll post pics up once we start the work, but you’ll see what I mean.
Oh, and in just about a month, I will be able to apply to a teacher assistant position in France. It’s this deal set up by the French and Americans where someone like me or anyone with “two years of higher education” and “a proficiency in French” can apply to live and work (teaching English to elementary or secondary school kids) in France (or an overseas dept. of France: French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, or the Réunion—whatever that is!) for 7 or 9 months and be paid like $1,013 for 12 hours of work per week! What an amazing opportunity! Not to mention, it’ll give me about 7 or 9 more months to figure out what I want to do with my life. The program, I assume, starts Oct. 1st every year. So that would give me just enough time to relax and visit people. I figure my French will be at it’s best at this point in my life, and bottom line, why not?
That’s all for now, folks! À tout moment!
PS, if you get a chance and want to kill time, get your hands on a game called “Plants vs. Zombies.” It’s a GREAT time killer, super addicting, and super fun! Trust me :)
Saturday, September 12, 2009
missing home :(
Tomorrow (September 8th) I am going to English club in Zoungbonou and will be talking about the Star Spangled Banner and the Pledge of Allegiance. And looking at the words to each and then the researching what it all means…it’s beautiful. America is awesome and I won’t see it for another year.
And I miss my family. I miss talking to my mom every night. I miss taking my sister on errands, shopping, etc. I miss driving. I miss fast internet in my own home. I miss feeling cold. I miss gummy bears. I miss pho. I miss my dog. I miss washing machines and dryers. I miss fast food, especially the drive-through part. I miss real grocery stores. I miss movie theaters. I miss cute boys with blonde hair and blue eyes. I miss all paved roads. I miss “one-person-per-seat” and the whole “click it or ticket” deal because that implies that one is obligated to wear a seatbelt. I miss the absence of HUGE cockroaches and mice in my house. I miss only having to speak English. I miss debit cards. I miss traffic lights. I miss left hand turn lanes. I miss coffee and Starbucks (on every corner). I miss Evergreen trees. I miss freeways. I miss (whole) rainy days and weeks (you would too, eventually)! I miss those days where it’s sunny and still freezing cold outside. I miss regular haircuts. I miss wearing make-up and cute clothes. I miss wearing high heels even though I hate them at the end of the night. I miss department stores.
I miss America.
And I miss my family. I miss talking to my mom every night. I miss taking my sister on errands, shopping, etc. I miss driving. I miss fast internet in my own home. I miss feeling cold. I miss gummy bears. I miss pho. I miss my dog. I miss washing machines and dryers. I miss fast food, especially the drive-through part. I miss real grocery stores. I miss movie theaters. I miss cute boys with blonde hair and blue eyes. I miss all paved roads. I miss “one-person-per-seat” and the whole “click it or ticket” deal because that implies that one is obligated to wear a seatbelt. I miss the absence of HUGE cockroaches and mice in my house. I miss only having to speak English. I miss debit cards. I miss traffic lights. I miss left hand turn lanes. I miss coffee and Starbucks (on every corner). I miss Evergreen trees. I miss freeways. I miss (whole) rainy days and weeks (you would too, eventually)! I miss those days where it’s sunny and still freezing cold outside. I miss regular haircuts. I miss wearing make-up and cute clothes. I miss wearing high heels even though I hate them at the end of the night. I miss department stores.
I miss America.
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