September 13th update

September 13, 2013

It’s been fun week. I can’t believe I leave Butajira in just a few short days. I have been spending a lot of time with my family. I’m going to miss them so much. Mickey is talking to me a lot lately, I don’t always understand or know what he is saying, but I can catch a word here and there. Ethiopian New Year was this past Wednesday, it was also a fasting day in the Orthodox religion. My family purchased a sheep at some point and I named him Fred. Well on Thursday Fred died. I woke up early to watch the whole process from the time slitting of the throat to the time all that was left was a tray full of meat.

Okay I’m getting ahead of myself. I can’t remember what I did Monday, I’m sure it was training then home to do homework or hang with family. Tuesday I got out of training early, so I was able to catch up on some things around my room and with myself, such as shaving, it’s a real chore here. I also got my hair done by Mekides. It didn’t take very long and it didn’t hurt as bad as I would have thought. I then hung out with the family for a while, playing cards and drawing.

Wednesday was a special day here and a long day. I didn’t have training, so I should have slept in, wrong, I was up at like 7:15, because the rest of the family was and I couldn’t sleep any longer. Normal morning routine, until around 10:00, when I had coffee, popcorn and difo (traditional bread). Oh I forgot to mention, Tsion let me have (borrow) traditional Amhara Region dress, so I wore this throughout the day. Around 10:30-10:45, mom, Etsub, and I went to grandma’s house, where I was offered more difo. At lunch time, we headed to uncle’s house (right beside grandmas), where I ate doro wat (chicken and sauce) and tibs (meat). Everyone else had a fasting meal shortly after. I normally eat by myself, while people watch or are nowhere to be found, this time they watched. After everyone ate, we had more coffee, popcorn and difo. I played cards and ping pong. Then finally headed home around 5:15ish. My friend Kat visited and we talked for a little. I don’t think much else happened Wednesday.

I didn’t sleep well Wednesday night. I could hear my siblings and cousin until around midnight, but they didn’t really keep me awake. I woke up randomly throughout the night. At one point I was awake for almost an hour worrying about things. There is so much to worry about because training is almost over and soon I will leave for Injibara and be on my own without 56 other white people.

Thursday is when Fred died, I already mentioned that process. I didn’t want to be in training, because I wanted to be home with my family, I felt like I needed to be, however I stuck it out. Once I did get home, I went to my older sisters house (Aberu) for a while. I had doro wat, coffee and milk and  hang out with the nieces (Heaven and Eldana). I think Heaven is finally starting to like me, right when I get ready to leave (sad face). I was with Tsion, Mekides, Etsub, and Mickey, we stayed out until 7:30ish. Normally I am home by 7 and PC has set a curfew for 7:30, because of the dangers that lay outside of the home. I get home and my neighbors are over having dinner.  Tibs are made for me and I get them at like 8:15. I have more coffee and play cards with Mickey and Yohanis (neighbor boy). That’s Thursday.

Today’s Friday and I had more sessions and language. I have really big language test (orally) on Monday and I’m really nervous. Today we studied and reviewed. Joel, Kat and I each of four units from the language book and have to teach them to each other. We covered like 5 or 6 units today and tomorrow we will finish the units and do a complete review of the questions that will be asked. My head feels like it’s going to explode with all the information I have taken in today. I had to go for a walk and sit by the gorge just to clear my mind for a bit. While sitting at the gorge some random guys walked up to me and started talking. I politely answered a few questions and then decided it was time to go, because it was getting dark. Now I am sitting in the living room listening to my siblings and a cousin in the other room. I don’t want to play cards, I don’t want to anything, but talk to someone. I am surrounded by people to talk to, yet I don’t want to talk to any of them. I want someone to sit with me one-on-one and help me with my Amharic, someone who will be patient and listen, someone who will correct me in a way that is encouraging. I want someone who may understand what it is like to be the situation of not knowing the language; however I don’t think there is anyone like that here.

There are times today, such as now, I just want to cry. I want to cry until I feel better or can’t stop. I have so many emotions running through my head and heart that I don’t know how else to feel. I am nervous to leave Butajira, to go to Injibara, to take this language test, for everything that lies ahead. I don’t know what else to do.

Well that’s all for now. Hopefully I’ll be able to post pictures soon. I have lots to post!

September 8th update

September 8, 2013

It’s been kind of quite around here. I had a headache for over a week and the PC doctor wanted me to monitor the headache and the fever (oh I had a low grade fever off and on also). The reason he was concerned was because it could be Typhoid or Malaria, but no worries, I went to the clinic (the 3^rd one I’ve been to in Butajira) and I am find. The blood tests came out negative, so I was just told to take cough medicine, because I also had a cough. The cough syrup is disgusting, so I only took it a few times. Okay, so that’s my health.

Last weekend, as in September 1^st, I had a Mock LPI, which is what my language is graded on. In order to pass the real LPI I need to be at intermediate low, well for the Mock LPI I tested at Novice High, so I’m right on track. I’m still learning language like crazy and trying my best to speak when possible. That is one thing the tester said I need to do more is talk to native speakers. Enough with language, you want to hear about my life and other important things.

So I just got distracted for almost an hour showing my siblings pictures of my time thus far in Ethiopia. I wish I could show y’all more pictures, however the connection is slow and I just don’t have enough time to wait for the pictures to upload. So until I have time more time and good internet connection which could be who knows when, I’m sorry your stuck with me writing and the occasional picture or two. I hope that’s okay with everyone, because that’s all you’re getting.

Okay, so today was a good day, well the whole weekend was good. Yesterday I got my Frisbee out and played with Mickey, the neighbor boy (Jonis) and some other neighborhood children. They had a blast, as did I. I brought my camera out and took lots of pictures, which you will see one day! Then Bisrat and another neighborhood kid (Abraham) brought a goat to the compound. I was told it will die in a few days. On Wednesday, September 11^th, it is Ethiopian New Year, so I’m assuming the goat will die Tuesday or Thursday. Last night Mickey wanted to play cards, so we played Go Fish and Uno. He loves that game. We taught Tsion how to play.

This morning I did laundry and I was a part of the whole process. I didn’t start and then stop. So there are four buckets, don’t ask me why or what each is used for, because I have no clue. Well, today I was in charge of the first bucket, which meant I did the initial wash/scrub of the clothes. I liked being a part of the complete process, it made me feel accomplished. After that I read for a while until lunch, then read some more. By this time, Etsub returned from wherever she had been with some cousins. One brought Mickey home earlier this week, but he came over. I learned the two female cousins that came today are the sisters to the cousin who brought Mickey home. It’s complicated and shouldn’t try to explain. Let’s say I have lots of cousins over here, just like I do in the states. Then I showered and read some more. The one cousin wanted to talk to me and I just didn’t feel like talking at the time, so I tried to stay busy. I played Frisbee with the kids, read some more, then my mom called. So that killed time.

Finally I wanted to take a walk. Once I started to leave. The cousin decided he was going leave. So I walked with him to grandma’s house. She was excited to see me! We visited with grandma for a little and his mom, before walking to the gorge. Were we sat and talked for about an hour. It was interesting to realize how privileged I am as an American. We talked about the differences in our cultures, our lives and pretty much anything, all while listening to music. We then returned home.

So that’s the weekend. It was exciting and eventful. Oh and my whole family is home.

I almost forgot to mention, last Thursday PC took the whole group to Lake Langano. It was lots of fun and a relaxing day. PC even splurged and provided cheese for lunch along with PB&J and watermelon, oranges, and bananas. It was a good way to almost an end of PST. Only a little over a week left. I can’t believe my time in Butajira has almost come to an end. I am said about this, but I am excited to move to site. I probably should start a list of things I’ll need to purchase for my house.

Much love!

August 30th update

So I know it’s been a while, but there doesn’t seem to be anything new to talk about. I go to trainings, then come home and watch a movie, to homework or read. My two youngest siblings, Mickey and Etsub, have been who knows where, so I’m not being checked on or asked to play cards. I did have to get a family picture this week for Peace Corps, it only have two-thirds of the family, because as I mentioned Mickey and Etsub aren’t here. So I type this (Friday, August 30, 2013) a chicken just wondered into my room. It’s the not first time and it won’t be the last.

I really wanted to right this blog because I don’t think I have told y’all about public urination in Ethiopia. So apparently is okay for men to urinate in public. I don’t the exact law, but I wish I did. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t see someone peeing on the side of the street. In the states this would not fly. Things are just so different sometimes.

I don’t really have much else to say. I’m doing well. Language is going, it’s getting hard, but I’m trying to keep up. I don’t study enough that’s for sure; it’s something I need to work on. I brought two packs of index cards (so 400) and I haven’t even used a fourth of the first pack. I just was never one to study in the states, I don’t know what I was thinking when I decided I’d need all of them, maybe I thought I’d change and study, who knows.

Well until next time. Much LOVE!!!!

Some pictures

 Monkey's everywhere

  Chickens which disrupt our language class.

 Had to walk past all these cattle and sheep to get to my compound.

 View from PC Office in Butajira

 My niece...this was the first time I got to hold her...she is getting so big!

  Lake Tana in Bahir Dar

 

 

Amhara Region Folks!!!