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!