October update

This update is going to be short. I'm in the process of writing two other posts called Sites to See and Changes within Myself. I hope to have both up within the next two weeks.

Wow..I've been living on my own in Injibara for a little over a month now. Things aren't perfect and I don't think they will ever be, but I'm managing. The first few weeks I was eating out a lot, because well I couldn't make a fire on my charcoal stove. I now have a electric stove, but it is expensive. I plan to buy propane, but haven't gotten around to it, it's a trip to Bahir Dar. My house isn't comfortable or at least I don't think I'll enjoy living her for two years, so I'm in the process of looking for a new one. It is harder than it seems. I've been trying to go to school at least three times a week for a couple hours a day. Next week I am going to begin observing the English teachers. I also start Amharic tutoring next week, thanks to my friend Shmeles who connected me with one of his friends. Ummm...I'm not sure. There's so much going on, so much I need to do within the next few months and so much I wish I could do. Hopefully I'll tell you one day about this ceremony I attended for three of the primary schools. It was "Hand Washing Day" and it was madness. Kids would not and could not behave like they did here in the USA. I'll go into more detail another day. I'm sure there is more I should tell about, but right now I have nothing.
Please keep in touch!

Randomness from July 23rd

Sorry if I mention things multiple times, because I write my blogs throughout the week and post on weekends, I never know what I’ve mentioned and what I have haven’t.

On my first Sunday in Butajira, I went for a walk with Kat and Joel. Both of them are my neighbors and we are the only three who live in Kebele 2 (which is alike a small community). On this walk, Joel decided he wanted to see the river. So off we went to find the river, which wasn’t an easy task. Off we started down this….let’s call it a mountain, because that is what it felt like. It was steep at times, wet, muddy, and rocky. Joel is the adventurous one and like flew down it seemed. Kat and I took our time and didn’t even go all the way down. We did make it about ¾ of the way. We had help from, I think Kat’s brother and friend, they stuck with Kat and me to make sure we didn’t fall or anything. After climbing back out of the gorge we headed to town. On our walk we ran into a few friends, which was nice to know we were closer than we thought. So back to our walk through town, Joel stops and talks to everyone it seems like. While he stops, Kat and I continue walking. We were ahead of Joel and some neighborhood boys, when a cow turns toward me and takes a few steps. It scared the crap out of me. I jumped got away as quick as possible, while everyone laughed at me, including myself. So since that experience I have been hesitant of cows. It’s hard to avoid livestock in general because they roam free and are everywhere, cows, chickens, sheep, goat, donkeys, okay I think that’s it for now.

I haven’t been feeling to well the last two days. I’ve had a scratchy throat and a runny nose. It just ruins my whole mood though, because all I want to do is crawl in bed and watch movies. However I have a strict schedule and the rain hasn’t helped. It’s rained off and on for two days now.

I start teaching practicum tomorrow. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday I co-teach, then next week I’m on my own. I’m a little nervous but excited. I’m co-teaching 8^th grade three times this week, 7^th grade twice and 3^rd grade once. From what I understand of what  a PCVL (Peace Corps Volunteer Leader) on the ED. Team told me, next week I’ll teach all grades (3-8). There’s a great group of PCVL’s who are on training us.

October 6 Update

October 6, 2013

I went to Bahir Dar this weekend. Yesterday upon arriving I went out to eat with other PCVs. I had a yummy (sheep) meat ball sandwich with slaw. Afterwards, we went to the market and did a little shopping. In the evening, we went to Beer Gardens had some good pizza (without cheese) and hung out. After Beer Gardens, some of us went to a Jumbo Bet (beer house). We headed to the club (Office Bar) first but it was too early and we were the only ones there. We ended the evening in the club. This is where Amanda attempted to teach me to dance. It was a fun evening.

Today a group of 10 of us went to the Blue Nile Falls. It was beautiful. I felt like a tourist and not a volunteer. It rained this morning, so it was really muddy and the slippery. I almost fell a few times, but caught myself. I took lots of pictures and hopefully will be able to post soon.

The weekend was relaxing and exhausting at the same time. I got back to the hotel late from the club and had to be up early to head to the falls. I didn’t get the one thing I came into town for, which was a propane stove, but I plan to head back into Bahir Dar sometime this week.

I am getting better with the charcoal stove, when I ask someone on my compound for little wood or fire. I still don’t know and can’t start the stove myself, but I figure as long as I have someone else on my compound I’ll be fine.

There isn’t much else going on right now. I went to school twice last week and observed my liaison three times. I plan to go to school at least two-three times this week and observe some other English teachers or at least meet the other English teachers. I am slowly learning more and more about the education system in my town. Hopefully within the next few weeks I’ll have a tutor and continue to learn more about my school cluster, the education system and the town in general. That’s about it for now.

Much love!!!! <3 

September 29 Update

September 29, 2013

So I don’t remember the last thing I wrote about, so sorry if I already said this. I said goodbye to my family on September 18^th. It was hard. My mom cried, I cried, my brother (Bisrat) was nowhere to be found as I as leaving. My dad had to yell for him. My parents walked me to the hotel where everyone was gathering. It was a rough 30 minutes that’s for sure. I stayed in Addis Ababa for 3 days. On the 3^rd day, I swore-in as an official Peace Corps Volunteer!!!! We (G9) was taken to the US Embassy were, the directing ambassador swore us in. It was crazy and emotional, I shed a few tears. Then one-by-one, all 57 of us walked across the stage and received a certificate. My time in Addis was good as always, I ate American type food and ventured around town on Addis Day (a day designed for the volunteers to do some shopping and get to know Addis). There isn’t much else to say about my short 3 days in Addis.

On September 21^st, I arrived in Injibara and it was another culture shock. I went straight to my liaison’s house and had coffee. I then wanted to see my house; I shortly learned I didn’t have a house. The house I was shown on site visit was not finished. I was upset, I almost cried. Luckily I knew who to call and where I could stay. I ended up staying with my friend Deborah (who is also a G9). The truck/driver that was bringing our luggage on Monday would be able to find me a house. He did and now I am in my own, 2 room house. The main guy stationed in BahirDar still has to visit me and do a final approval, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be staying here. I haven’t bought much, but it feels like a lot. I’ve learned I don’t know how to make a fire using a charcoal stove; which is all I have right now, until I get to BahirDar and buy a propane stove. I’ve already learned that is rains a lot and it’s cold.

I received 3 packages from my mom and Aunt Kelly already. I was grateful for everything they sent. I walk around town a lot, just to show my face, because PC wants us to be seen. Within my first 3months I have to complete a CENA (community, education needs assessment). It’s all about getting to know my town and what the needs are in this community. I will have to talk to some important people and get some important information, but it’ll all be worth it is what I’m told and I’m sure it will.

My landlord seems really nice. She own one the many hotels in this town (it’s not a hotel like you would think) and a suk (shop). The compound is all concrete so it’s not too bad. My 2 rooms are in the back behind the main house attached to other rooms and the shint-bet (toilet which also holds the shower). It’s not Butajira, but it’s nice and it’s my own. I do miss my family and the food they provided me. I don’t eat often here, mainly because I have no means to cook (well the charcoal which I can’t lite).

There was a holiday recently, Meskel, it’s the holiday of finding the true cross. I’m not sure what the celebration is for, however they burn a tree shaped like a cross. Deborah and I attended the town celebration in the market and were the main attraction for the most part (everyone stared as us non-stop). Then the next day the individual families/compounds burned a tree. All I know it means lots of food and lots of coffee. I’m sure there are other things to it; hopefully I’ll understand more about this holiday next year.

Well it’s been an eventful week here in Injibara. I hope to have my internet running soon.  Love and miss everyone!!!! <3 <3 

UPDATED WISH LIST!!!!!!

Wish list!!!!

Always good to send:  hand sanitizer, tissues and gum (peppermint and fruity)

Candy: gobstoppers, chewy sweet tarts, Swedish fish, starburst, peanut M&Ms, anything chocolate, Hershey, sour gummy worms

Instant pouches (just add water): pudding, mash potatoes, mac’n’cheese, etc. 

Meat: Slim Jims, beef jerky, salami, pepperoni or any cured meat, tuna

Cheese: Velveeta, there are others you can send that won’t go bad, I just don’t remember which ones

Nuts: almonds, pistachios, cashews

Dried fruit: raisins, cranberries, etc.

Poptarts: chocolate, cookies and cream, s’mores

Oreos, anything oreo!!!

Marshmellows

Graham Crackers

Fruit snacks

Chocolate chips

Hot Chocolate!!! (I’ve got a cold site and hot chocolate would warm me up!!)

Seasonings: butter flakes, garlic salt, sweet’n’low, sea salt

Anything you feel I’ll like. There are slim pickings for American type foods and snacks.

Magazines (anything really)  

Command hooks (my walls are cement)

Stationary (envelopes, paper, postcards, etc.)

Cough drops (Strawberry, Halls Vita C)

Burt’s Bees chap stick

Air freshener/car freshener

Kids games (banagrams, flash cards, etc.)

Journal (I only brought 1 and it’s almost finished)

Send me letter and I’ll write you!!!!! (Make sure your address is clear so I can write back)

SURPRISE ME!!!!!!