July 24-26

I haven’t really felt well all week. I started taking some medicine from my Med. Kit on Tuesday and it seems to be working a little. It’s just a cold and I have to let it run in course, however when you’re walking what seems like miles a day, it’s hard to kick a cold. I have no time to rest until after 6:30 pm, any time before then I’m on the go. I’ve wanted to cry the past few days and I have, because I just hate being sick and not being able to do anything. On Wednesday, my homestay coordinator came to visit my language class, because Joel was sick and his host mom wanted to take him to the clinic. While she was there, she asked how I was doing and I started to cry. I wasn’t feeling good and my family was pushing me to eat that morning (like they do with most meals), but I just didn’t want to hear it. So I mentioned this to my homestay coordinator, so that night she came to visit my family and ever since I eat what I want and leave what I don’t want. It’s been nice to only have to eat when I feel full instead of consistently hearing “Bi” which means eat. I have to stay PC has amazing staff. The next day I went to the PC office and my homestay coordinator was there and she asked if everything was better. PC hires understanding and supportive staff!

I started practicum on Wednesday and I co-taught Grade 8 and 3. It was interesting needless to say. I don’t really know how to describe it. Things did seem to get better as the week progressed. I taught Grade 7 and 8 on Thursday and Friday. I wasn’t too excited to have the same Grade 3 all three days, but it wasn’t too bad. The school I am at is about a 20-25 minute walk from my house. Luckily Joel is at the same school, so I don’t have to walk by myself. Kat got placed at a closer school, she got lucky! Next week I teach by myself. I’m really nervous about that! On Monday I’m teaching Grade 8 again. Luckily I was told it would be the last time I have to teach grade 8. It’s not that it is difficult; it’s just that the English for Ethiopia books really stink. The textbooks for all the grades is either over their head or too easy and there is never enough activities or material in one lesson, so I have to come up with my own material. Since I have never taught before (just like many of my fellow PCTs) it has been a challenge.

I experienced physical harassment on Thursday; I was walking home from the PC office when a young boy tapped my butt with a stick. I turned around and yelled “NO, AYE, AYE”!!! Aye means no in Amharic.

Something I have yet to understand is why my host brother, who is 15, listens to Eminem unrated. Sometime last week everyone was in the living room, playing cards or something, and he has his phone playing music they all the sudden, Eminem comes on and is dropping every word imaginable. Oh, also my host brother (the 15 year old) also drops words outta nowhere. Things like this would not fly in the states. It’s been interesting listening to the music choices of my siblings and on the T.V.

I’m trying to remember if there is anything I am forgetting and I just can’t remember. I feel like my days run together and I never know what day of the week or what the date is. I feel like I’ve been in Ethiopia for longer than I actually have.

Last minute note: when I get to site, in less than two months, I will post a wish list of items I already miss. However, hand sanitizer, tissues (6 pack from Dollar Store) and gum (peppermint and fruity) are always appreciated. Or just letters about what’s going on in your life or the US…or magazines! I don’t get much news over here, so I have no clue about what’s going on in the world. Help me stay up dated! If you want to drop me an email, I would love that too! When I have internet there isn’t much I check except for Facebook, my email, my blog and yahoo.