Next Wednesday marks my nine month anniversary in country. This seems absolutely crazy. I am constantly mixed with feeling I just left, feeling like I have been gone forever, and feeling like I have so much more to go and work has just started. While my friend Brittany is talking about having a "It could have been a Baby" party, (who said theme parties had to die in college it dawns on me that the holiday season is upon us! The weird thing about time, is we all measure it differently. For the majority of my life, my years were measured by grade levels and summer vacations; then flights home, concerts, papers, finals, shifts, gigs, buying plane tickets, changing seasons, and of course holidays! I no longer have the majority of those things to measure tie and while there are "seasons" in Zambia, it's really not the same. If you think Northern California is moderate and never changes much as far as weather goes, think again. Zambia has 3 seasons; cold, hot, and rainy. Cold is from about June-Aug. and really isn't cold. It's true the mornings and evenings do cool down, but the days are hot and sunny. Hot season as you might have expected is HOT and dry. Rainy Season is rainy (shocking, I know) but when the sun comes out it gets pretty hot. You know it will never rain in cold and hot seasons, and you know it will rain at least once a day during rainy season. And while the small weather changes do affect me more with no insulation, heater, ice, or popsicles, I am always in a skirt and t-shirt; give or take a scarf and sweater in the morning. Rainy season I never leave without my rain jacket and random plastic bags.
But I digress…..the reason I started the topic is because without the same seasons as the West Coast, I don’t really grasp that time is moving there as well as here. It might be a bit egocentric but part of me still thinks it’s snowing in Portland. I know life didn’t stop when I left, but I have no concept of the day to day, so only the big events seem to bring me back to reality; like the fact that Joshy is actually in college; and way too many people are now engaged; and Christmas!
As many of you know, I LOVE Christmas. I think Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, and Christmas should all be thought of together. A time of family, friends, cocktails, crafting, god food, good laughs, cuddling, Christmas movies/musicals, trees, tea, and of course Christmas music! And I start early. None of this wait ‘til after Thanksgiving shit. I start November 1st baby. (well to be honest, most years I have to working start on some kind of Christmas program in Oct) This year, even though I was in a sundress, I was cleaning my hut to the most awesome Christmas play-list in the morning on the 1st. It was fabulous. And really I have to do all I can here to make it actually feel like the holidays. This holiday season holds a lot of firsts for me. (like most of what I have done in Zambia…I guess that one was a bit too obvious) While I won’t be getting little booties to hang on the tree saying “Baby’s First Christmas”, this one might end up being more signifigant….A Christmas of Firsts!
This will be the first Christmas in my memory that I won’t be spending on Montego Key, which means this is the first Christmas away from my family (Last years freak snowstorm aka “arctic blast 2008” was a close call…but was saved by Craigslist…got to love it) …and NO bloody marys! With any luck I’ll be able to find something resembling tomato juice and vodka, but honestly there is nothing better than bloody marys at the Greenwells.
This will be my first Christmas out of the country; my first Thanksgiving sans family as well and will also be turkeyless. This will be the first holiday season I won’t make haystacks with my mom and stay up til midnight Christmas Eve wrapping presents along with the rest of my family, all ducking into different rooms avoiding someone different every ten minutes.
This will be the first year in who knows how long hat I won’t be singing in any type of Christmas program. First year with no tree, or lights, or hell…even electricity. First New Years with no ocean and I’m sure the list can go on….but never fear, not all firsts are bad and life here is totally worth it. It will be my first North-West (Zambia) Thanksgiving. All the Volunteers in the Province are coming and we are doing a Zam-style/Americaland Thanksgiving with lamb, chicken, and soya, instead of turkey and tofu-rkey. My mom is sending “White Christmas” so I can bring the tradition and greatness to the Peace Corps House. There will not only be lots of carols but I’m sure plenty of Christmas crafting, decorations, and a Christmas bed!
And while you are all bundled up and pale, I will be sitting on the shores of Lake Malawi with a group of people I love and eating fresh mangos. (still probably pale as well) New Years will include a full moon and hopefully just enough craziness. Plus, not only do I get to avoid all the holiday shopping commercials, I get to celebrate a whole 10 hours earlier. (Most five year old kids would kill for Christmas morning 10 hours earlier than last year)
So Happy Holidays everyone! I hope you enjoy the people around you and embrace all the cheesy and wonderful parts of this tie of year. I miss you all and love you all so much. Eat lots of food, drink good (or cheap) wine, sing carols as much as possible, and enjoy the lights……I’ll miss the lights for sure. Travel safely, and if you can, check in on my mom. I think all these firsts will be hard on her too.
And remember: Will Ferrell said it best…. "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear"
10 points if anyone knows what a Christmas bed is….
20 if you can correctly guess how many times I used the word Christmas without counting…..there really is no good synonym for that one….
(included in a letter written to Maggie Nov. 14, 2009 and posted by Dad)
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
All That Glitters is Gold
Posted by Karly
Written May 13, 2009
(Sorry for the delay. I was out of the country, then I moved. It took awhile for the letter to catch up with me)
ALL THAT GLITTERS IS GOLD
First, let me preface this entry by saying that I believe people are born with a sexual preference and people don't choose to be gay or straight. And while I am straight, I admire those who embrace who they are even when it can be a more difficult path. I will continually fight for equal rights and think they gay marriage struggle in America has gone on way too long. That being said, I don't think I will continue the fight in Zambia.
In Zambia being gay doesn't really exist and if it did, it would be illegal. One of the good sides of this (if there could ever be one) is the fact that men can be as feminine as they like. Grown men can wear pink cheer camp t-shirts. Guys hold hands in public. Men can sing as high and as loud as they want, and basically act as openly gay as they wish to and no one assumes anything because there isn't even the question of gay or straight. As heart-breaking as it is to see a clearly gay man and know he will never accept a part of him, it still makes me smile just a bit when I see a man just flaunting it!
Today I walked past the most flamboyant bike I have ever seen. Now a lot of people in Zambia trick-out their bikes with reflectors or crazy mud flaps, but this one went above and beyond. It was wrapped in streamers, covered in fake flowers, and even had a pinwheel on the handlebars. The driver of said bike is part of the praise team at the Church of Destiny and when I walked into the church and saw him tuning a guitar-like instrument, I thought, "now there is a homosexual." I felt so bad for him knowing he could never truly be himself (with that said, I don't actually have any idea what the underground gay scene is. As far as I now, no one has heard of any. Lusaka might be a different story, but where I am, I think the chances are slim--but there must be something, right?) So I sat there thinking, "at least this boy can sing and no one will say anything," but he broke my heart.
Then a week later her passed me on the coolest bike ever! It happened while I was in a bad mood getting worse, and it turned my whole day. I mean, how can a grown man riding a mike with a pinwheel and so may shiny additions it glitters not make you smile?
If you've got it--flaunt it!
Love to all,
Stevie
Written May 13, 2009
(Sorry for the delay. I was out of the country, then I moved. It took awhile for the letter to catch up with me)
ALL THAT GLITTERS IS GOLD
First, let me preface this entry by saying that I believe people are born with a sexual preference and people don't choose to be gay or straight. And while I am straight, I admire those who embrace who they are even when it can be a more difficult path. I will continually fight for equal rights and think they gay marriage struggle in America has gone on way too long. That being said, I don't think I will continue the fight in Zambia.
In Zambia being gay doesn't really exist and if it did, it would be illegal. One of the good sides of this (if there could ever be one) is the fact that men can be as feminine as they like. Grown men can wear pink cheer camp t-shirts. Guys hold hands in public. Men can sing as high and as loud as they want, and basically act as openly gay as they wish to and no one assumes anything because there isn't even the question of gay or straight. As heart-breaking as it is to see a clearly gay man and know he will never accept a part of him, it still makes me smile just a bit when I see a man just flaunting it!
Today I walked past the most flamboyant bike I have ever seen. Now a lot of people in Zambia trick-out their bikes with reflectors or crazy mud flaps, but this one went above and beyond. It was wrapped in streamers, covered in fake flowers, and even had a pinwheel on the handlebars. The driver of said bike is part of the praise team at the Church of Destiny and when I walked into the church and saw him tuning a guitar-like instrument, I thought, "now there is a homosexual." I felt so bad for him knowing he could never truly be himself (with that said, I don't actually have any idea what the underground gay scene is. As far as I now, no one has heard of any. Lusaka might be a different story, but where I am, I think the chances are slim--but there must be something, right?) So I sat there thinking, "at least this boy can sing and no one will say anything," but he broke my heart.
Then a week later her passed me on the coolest bike ever! It happened while I was in a bad mood getting worse, and it turned my whole day. I mean, how can a grown man riding a mike with a pinwheel and so may shiny additions it glitters not make you smile?
If you've got it--flaunt it!
Love to all,
Stevie
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Communtiy Entry Songs
Hey every one! I thought I would break from tradition and post something myself. I am currently in Lusaka at Headquarters and have a real computer at my disposal. Well the internet is a bit fussy and getting pics on facebook has been a nightmare but I am trying. I have now been in country over 6 months which just seems crazy! I have finished my community entry period and have been down in Lusaka for an in-service training with my intake (the group I flew to country with). It was wonderful seeing everyone again after 3 ½ months apart! It was an exhausting 2 weeks with long days of training and late nights of…catching up. After that 11 of us headed down to see Victoria Falls for a few days. And I jumped off a BRIDGE! Yes that’s right and I did it not once but twice. Victoria Falls is the 3rd highest bungee jump site in the world, measuring at 111meters high. Five of us decided to jump and the company that does it runs this package deal. So for 20 dollars more you can bungee jump, gorge swing, and zip line. After I jumped on my own, I took off one harness and put another one on, strapped to my friend and stepped off the bridge again. Let me tell you the second time is way scarier. The falls were absolutely beautiful and we had a great time at the hostel. But lets bring it back to the reason I started writing this entry…
We were all asked to present on our life in the village and summarize our community entry at training. Most people just kind of talked through some funny stories, Brittany (my neighbor) was interviewed by a puppet of her cat she made (which was equally hilarious and slightly worrisome). I decided to switch it up a bit and wrote a song, well two songs that sum up life in my village. I have had some many requests for the lyrics and suggestions to put then up, so I thought I would. The first one is called “Go Slow” and is a bit of a jazzy medium swing. A “go slow” is similar to a sit in or a strike. The teachers show up to work, sit there all day but don’t teach; which often doesn’t look much different than a normal school day. My schools were on a go slow for a good 6 weeks and all my work quickly disappeared. Let’s see…there are other references in the song you might not get but I promise they are funny. BOMA= my “town” nataz = school performing arts competition. Mazungu= white person. DEBS = incharge at the district level. “just ok” = everyone’s answer to everything. “Used”= phrase meaning I am comfortable with or used to… mufu= mufumbwe the district I live in. Don’t worry about the acronyms, it isn’t worth explaining there are so many of them. Hope that is enough to get your Zamlish started…
Go Slow
Chorus
[Go Slow, don’t move too fast
Just enough to keep the kids coming to sweep the class
Go slow, don’t move too fast
Next term might see some teachin’ so sit back and relax]
Now let me tell you all a little tale
Of life under the sun for one quite pale
The mission in front was impossible
To make teachers willing not just capable
Chorus
At first I hoped to be just a fly on the wall
But soon there was nothing to see at all
The first week of term was for cleaning the class
And all the complaints were just a pain in the ass
No rural hardship so we fight for the cause
And then with the what what, sports and nataz
The strike was decided the only way
No learning to do so pupils stayed at bay
Chorus
Yet I still have three months to fill with time
So I thought I’d tell you about in this here rhyme
With the schools all deserted and empty
I found many other things tempting
There is the important job of entertainin’
Always a hit- what’s that mazungu makin’
I became master of the brazier cake
Cause mufu birthday’s were serious to take
Chorus
Chasing after the DEBS took many a day
Happy to find a new one’s on the way
See our DEBS happened to be a big fat jerk
And seemed to hate me just as much as my work
Never turned down a single invitation
Resulting in hours of church and salvation
I made friends with the small one block boma
On days with power we cried HALLEJAH
Chorus
The strike finally ceased with 3 weeks to go
Hit the ground runnin’ on with the show
My ZIC’s quite a rockstar, she is one sassy lady
We were bikin to schools in my zone daily
Managed to fit some TGM’s in
Did lots of work with a program called SHN
I am used when it comes to life village side
Just ok with selling my soul… for a free ride
Chorus
House décor included some painting
And when I get home there’ll be kitty waiting
Let’s hope that the go slow is truly finished
Otherwise my to read list will be diminished
Not sure how much real teaching there will be to see
When all of these kids out runnin’ free
But I’ll still be there tryin’ to fight the good fight
One step at a time, proving education’s a right
Chorus
…just a bit of culture exchange
So the second song I wrote is a bit more on the ‘real song’ side. This one is more about just being here in general and what service really means or does. We all spend a lot of time wondering if any of this matters. Would our village just be better if we or all the NGO’s just left? Why are we actually here? Needless to say I had plenty of time to think all about this over the past 6 months and really still don’t have an answer. Nor do I think I will have a better one in two years. I just know this is what I am meant to do right now. Even through all the frustration and difficultly, I am really happy here and for now that is what matters. I believe there is true value in choosing to spend your time for others and most days that is enough for me.
I also had a few conversations with another volunteer in northwest about how often life in the village feels a bit like life on a boat- even though we are completely land locked. Often you look out and see nothing for miles. I live a simple life that can basically fit in to three suitcases; I cook one pot dishes on a small brazier; shower with a bucket; sit out in the sun and read a lot. The list goes on but you get the picture. In addition to that, the stars have become my biggest comfort. No matter what the day has been like, the Southern Cross always makes me smile and reminds me I love it here. I think partly because I was so excited for an entirely new sky before coming, but there is something about the Southern Cross that seems to connect me to my home here and my home in the states. The Southern Cross is just magical I guess.
But I put this disclaimer out- Please take these lyrics with a grain of salt. I really hate just putting lyrics down with out the music because I feel they always sound cheesier when read and not sung. Unfortunately I am lacking a recording studio, so you will all just have to wait for the real thing ‘til either you visit or I come back in 2 years.
Southern Cross
Verse 1
Cast out on a ship
set on land all a blaze
unknown how life has come this way
everyday set the course
destination unsure
and the patience of waiting and waiting, not knowing if it matters at all
Chorus
When the sun melts away
And one by one the stars appear
Then I gaze at the Southern Cross
And the world melts away
All the worries and the doubts
And I know that this is right
Verse 2
Some days start so strong
endless movement forward
this could be the real start of things
yet somehow turn away
everything falls apart
and I'm sinking and spinning and trying just to keep floating at all
Chorus
When the sun melts away
And one by one the stars appear
Then I gaze at the Southern Cross
And the world melts away
All the worries and the doubts
And I know that this is right
Bridge
How much can you change without taking what is there
And How much take you give without knowing if they care
And How much can you take without loosing while you came
There's value in unseen efforts
The beauty's in the choice of time
Verse 3
All it takes is one day
one sweet moment of bliss
then the shore somehow comes into view
on it goes spend your days
slowly gliding along
without seeing, or asking, not knowing how this became home at all
When the sun melts away
And one by one the stars appear
Then I gaze at the Southern Cross
And the world melts away
All the worries and the doubts
And I know that this here right
When the sun melts away
And one by one the stars appear
Then I gaze at the Southern Cross
And the world melts away
All the worries and the doubts
And I know that this is right yes I know that this, this is right
Hope you enjoyed and it wasn’t too long of an entry. To sum it up life is great- crazy- but great. I miss you all and think of you always! Wish you all to be happy, healthy, and great letter writers- Stevie
We were all asked to present on our life in the village and summarize our community entry at training. Most people just kind of talked through some funny stories, Brittany (my neighbor) was interviewed by a puppet of her cat she made (which was equally hilarious and slightly worrisome). I decided to switch it up a bit and wrote a song, well two songs that sum up life in my village. I have had some many requests for the lyrics and suggestions to put then up, so I thought I would. The first one is called “Go Slow” and is a bit of a jazzy medium swing. A “go slow” is similar to a sit in or a strike. The teachers show up to work, sit there all day but don’t teach; which often doesn’t look much different than a normal school day. My schools were on a go slow for a good 6 weeks and all my work quickly disappeared. Let’s see…there are other references in the song you might not get but I promise they are funny. BOMA= my “town” nataz = school performing arts competition. Mazungu= white person. DEBS = incharge at the district level. “just ok” = everyone’s answer to everything. “Used”= phrase meaning I am comfortable with or used to… mufu= mufumbwe the district I live in. Don’t worry about the acronyms, it isn’t worth explaining there are so many of them. Hope that is enough to get your Zamlish started…
Go Slow
Chorus
[Go Slow, don’t move too fast
Just enough to keep the kids coming to sweep the class
Go slow, don’t move too fast
Next term might see some teachin’ so sit back and relax]
Now let me tell you all a little tale
Of life under the sun for one quite pale
The mission in front was impossible
To make teachers willing not just capable
Chorus
At first I hoped to be just a fly on the wall
But soon there was nothing to see at all
The first week of term was for cleaning the class
And all the complaints were just a pain in the ass
No rural hardship so we fight for the cause
And then with the what what, sports and nataz
The strike was decided the only way
No learning to do so pupils stayed at bay
Chorus
Yet I still have three months to fill with time
So I thought I’d tell you about in this here rhyme
With the schools all deserted and empty
I found many other things tempting
There is the important job of entertainin’
Always a hit- what’s that mazungu makin’
I became master of the brazier cake
Cause mufu birthday’s were serious to take
Chorus
Chasing after the DEBS took many a day
Happy to find a new one’s on the way
See our DEBS happened to be a big fat jerk
And seemed to hate me just as much as my work
Never turned down a single invitation
Resulting in hours of church and salvation
I made friends with the small one block boma
On days with power we cried HALLEJAH
Chorus
The strike finally ceased with 3 weeks to go
Hit the ground runnin’ on with the show
My ZIC’s quite a rockstar, she is one sassy lady
We were bikin to schools in my zone daily
Managed to fit some TGM’s in
Did lots of work with a program called SHN
I am used when it comes to life village side
Just ok with selling my soul… for a free ride
Chorus
House décor included some painting
And when I get home there’ll be kitty waiting
Let’s hope that the go slow is truly finished
Otherwise my to read list will be diminished
Not sure how much real teaching there will be to see
When all of these kids out runnin’ free
But I’ll still be there tryin’ to fight the good fight
One step at a time, proving education’s a right
Chorus
…just a bit of culture exchange
So the second song I wrote is a bit more on the ‘real song’ side. This one is more about just being here in general and what service really means or does. We all spend a lot of time wondering if any of this matters. Would our village just be better if we or all the NGO’s just left? Why are we actually here? Needless to say I had plenty of time to think all about this over the past 6 months and really still don’t have an answer. Nor do I think I will have a better one in two years. I just know this is what I am meant to do right now. Even through all the frustration and difficultly, I am really happy here and for now that is what matters. I believe there is true value in choosing to spend your time for others and most days that is enough for me.
I also had a few conversations with another volunteer in northwest about how often life in the village feels a bit like life on a boat- even though we are completely land locked. Often you look out and see nothing for miles. I live a simple life that can basically fit in to three suitcases; I cook one pot dishes on a small brazier; shower with a bucket; sit out in the sun and read a lot. The list goes on but you get the picture. In addition to that, the stars have become my biggest comfort. No matter what the day has been like, the Southern Cross always makes me smile and reminds me I love it here. I think partly because I was so excited for an entirely new sky before coming, but there is something about the Southern Cross that seems to connect me to my home here and my home in the states. The Southern Cross is just magical I guess.
But I put this disclaimer out- Please take these lyrics with a grain of salt. I really hate just putting lyrics down with out the music because I feel they always sound cheesier when read and not sung. Unfortunately I am lacking a recording studio, so you will all just have to wait for the real thing ‘til either you visit or I come back in 2 years.
Southern Cross
Verse 1
Cast out on a ship
set on land all a blaze
unknown how life has come this way
everyday set the course
destination unsure
and the patience of waiting and waiting, not knowing if it matters at all
Chorus
When the sun melts away
And one by one the stars appear
Then I gaze at the Southern Cross
And the world melts away
All the worries and the doubts
And I know that this is right
Verse 2
Some days start so strong
endless movement forward
this could be the real start of things
yet somehow turn away
everything falls apart
and I'm sinking and spinning and trying just to keep floating at all
Chorus
When the sun melts away
And one by one the stars appear
Then I gaze at the Southern Cross
And the world melts away
All the worries and the doubts
And I know that this is right
Bridge
How much can you change without taking what is there
And How much take you give without knowing if they care
And How much can you take without loosing while you came
There's value in unseen efforts
The beauty's in the choice of time
Verse 3
All it takes is one day
one sweet moment of bliss
then the shore somehow comes into view
on it goes spend your days
slowly gliding along
without seeing, or asking, not knowing how this became home at all
When the sun melts away
And one by one the stars appear
Then I gaze at the Southern Cross
And the world melts away
All the worries and the doubts
And I know that this here right
When the sun melts away
And one by one the stars appear
Then I gaze at the Southern Cross
And the world melts away
All the worries and the doubts
And I know that this is right yes I know that this, this is right
Hope you enjoyed and it wasn’t too long of an entry. To sum it up life is great- crazy- but great. I miss you all and think of you always! Wish you all to be happy, healthy, and great letter writers- Stevie
Thursday, August 20, 2009
…….from a letter received 08-19-09
Blog Entry 07-20-09:
“That’s what the students are really for”
Part of the Community’s agreement to have us come and work for them for two years, is that the Community provides a safe (preferably dry) house, and help us maintain basic needs for a structure, i.e….a bathing shelter (bafwa), a latrine (chimbus), a gazebo (kinzanza), and a roof with no holes. Now my house is awesome, as I mentioned before, but the roof could use a bit more grass and I’m in such a busy area that my community not only promised to patch my roof, but to also rebuild the fence the volunteer here before me had. But once getting here, I didn’t actually think these two things would happen…..until today.
My APCD (the person in charge of my program and basically my boss) came to visit my site last week. We met with all my counterparts and reminded them of all the promises they made. Plus, the 6 week strike/go-slow is finally over 3 weeks before the term ends, so this week my counterpart was “on it”. My main counterpart is a teacher at my nearest school and it’s also her job to help monitor the other schools in the zone and facilitate in-service teacher trainings. Her official title is ZIC (zonal in-service coordinator). My ZIC is a sweet yet super sassy woman with a voice that gets shit done.
So today I came to the school for an afternoon meeting and found her directing all the 4th graders to take grass to my house. And all the 5th graders to take poles. It was quite a sight…tons of little kids in white and maroon uniforms running down the path with grass on their heads. The path starts to fill up and all you can see is grass bouncing, dust flying, and hear giggling as they fly down the road.
07-27-09….fast forward a week..
I have not only been to all my 7 schools, but Moses (my host father) has almost finished the fence around my house. It makes my place feel totally different. I like the privacy and it hasn’t stopped the kids at all…but I am just a bit worried that it might be too isolating. Oh well, only time will tell and it’s way too late now. Moses also said he’s going to build me a garden fence as well. Pretty soon I will have my own garden! I’m also currently cementing my walls so I can paint the inside of my house. Things are changing at “nzubo pa ba” Stevie.
Random side note…
The first school my ZIC and I went to visit for introductions is called Kakikasa and is about 4km away from me. After talking to all the deputy head teachers, I went and met all the teachers. I told them why I’m here and let them ask any questions they had. It came out that I’m a singer and they requested a short song, so I sang the first verse of “Amazing Grace”. Then when I was leaving the school they gave me a giant bag of ground nuts.
So in a way, I kind of felt like I was singing for peanuts……
Much Love,
Stevie
…Dad’s note…
Stevie has hit her 6 month mark and is currently back in Lusaka for a week of training with her entire group of PCV’s. After that they’ve all planned a group trip to Livingstone and Victoria Falls, which will include a 111 meter bungee jump over the Zambezi River. (100 % safety record they say) Stevie’s goal is to be one of the jumpers. (I might be rediscovering religion)
Blog Entry 07-20-09:
“That’s what the students are really for”
Part of the Community’s agreement to have us come and work for them for two years, is that the Community provides a safe (preferably dry) house, and help us maintain basic needs for a structure, i.e….a bathing shelter (bafwa), a latrine (chimbus), a gazebo (kinzanza), and a roof with no holes. Now my house is awesome, as I mentioned before, but the roof could use a bit more grass and I’m in such a busy area that my community not only promised to patch my roof, but to also rebuild the fence the volunteer here before me had. But once getting here, I didn’t actually think these two things would happen…..until today.
My APCD (the person in charge of my program and basically my boss) came to visit my site last week. We met with all my counterparts and reminded them of all the promises they made. Plus, the 6 week strike/go-slow is finally over 3 weeks before the term ends, so this week my counterpart was “on it”. My main counterpart is a teacher at my nearest school and it’s also her job to help monitor the other schools in the zone and facilitate in-service teacher trainings. Her official title is ZIC (zonal in-service coordinator). My ZIC is a sweet yet super sassy woman with a voice that gets shit done.
So today I came to the school for an afternoon meeting and found her directing all the 4th graders to take grass to my house. And all the 5th graders to take poles. It was quite a sight…tons of little kids in white and maroon uniforms running down the path with grass on their heads. The path starts to fill up and all you can see is grass bouncing, dust flying, and hear giggling as they fly down the road.
07-27-09….fast forward a week..
I have not only been to all my 7 schools, but Moses (my host father) has almost finished the fence around my house. It makes my place feel totally different. I like the privacy and it hasn’t stopped the kids at all…but I am just a bit worried that it might be too isolating. Oh well, only time will tell and it’s way too late now. Moses also said he’s going to build me a garden fence as well. Pretty soon I will have my own garden! I’m also currently cementing my walls so I can paint the inside of my house. Things are changing at “nzubo pa ba” Stevie.
Random side note…
The first school my ZIC and I went to visit for introductions is called Kakikasa and is about 4km away from me. After talking to all the deputy head teachers, I went and met all the teachers. I told them why I’m here and let them ask any questions they had. It came out that I’m a singer and they requested a short song, so I sang the first verse of “Amazing Grace”. Then when I was leaving the school they gave me a giant bag of ground nuts.
So in a way, I kind of felt like I was singing for peanuts……
Much Love,
Stevie
…Dad’s note…
Stevie has hit her 6 month mark and is currently back in Lusaka for a week of training with her entire group of PCV’s. After that they’ve all planned a group trip to Livingstone and Victoria Falls, which will include a 111 meter bungee jump over the Zambezi River. (100 % safety record they say) Stevie’s goal is to be one of the jumpers. (I might be rediscovering religion)
Monday, June 29, 2009
Letter from Stevie!!!! : D
Blog entry 5/23/09 – (Received and typed by Monica- LOVE YOU STEVIE!)
Some general questions:
Hello Everyone! I hope people are enjoying the beginnings of Summer. Although I have to admit that in my mind it is still snowing in Portland. Being here where the seasons are so different, I find myself just thinking of the states the way I left them. So I wouldn’t be surprised if I think it is Winter for the next two years.
So I thought I would take a few minutes to answer the questions I have been getting. I am only 3 months in and I am sure some of the answers will change with time, but right now here is where I am…
Are you picking up the language?
Well- not as quickly as I would like. Hopefully this is one of those answers that will change soon. I can greet and barely get by in the market. As for the rest of my vocab, it is centered around HIV/AIDS and education. But whenever I am working with people in these fields we use English. The official language of Zambia is English and is supposed to be what everything is taught in after grade 2. So because I spend the majority of my time with teachers, we speak a lot of English. In reality, very few students can actually speak English and all the lessons in school are usually translated into the local language. Plus, to work with people in the community especially women- I need to be better about studying and I have found a tutor in my village- I’ll keep trying.
Food: Any cool or funky foods> Are you getting enough?
Well let me assure everyone that I am getting more than enough. People are often disappointed with the amount of nshima I can eat. And the first week I was in my village I was getting so much food, I couldn’t eat it fast enough. Leftovers without a fridge is tricky. The staple food of Zambia is nshima- basically ground maize that is cooked into a porridge paste you roll it into a ball and eat it with a relish- either very cooked veggies, beans, or on a really special occasion- chicken. Nshima is very hard to make and doesn’t actually have any nutritional value but a meal is not a meal without nshima. It is believed “Nshima is POWER!” While it is not the healthiest food, Zambians love of it is understandable. The one thing nshima does is make you feel full. Whether or not your children are getting the vitamins they need, at least they are going to bed full.
Zambia is slightly lacking in its variety of food. It is a lot of nshima, ground nuts, sweet potatoes, onions, and tomatoes. A few bananas, sour oranges, and on a really good day giant avocado. The veggies are leafy- some are similar to kale, there is Chinese cabbage and most commonly it is sweet potato leaves or pumpkin leaves. Of course when you get the larger cities you can find more variety but where I am it is a lot of the same thing.
As far as cool or funky food…
The two finkiest think that I have not tried yet but are very popular, and mice and caterpillars. And something tells me I can go through my two years not needing to try these. Although I am a bit excited to try hippo meat at a festival next month.
Now that I am cooking for myself, I eat a lot of rice and soya pieces, eggs, pasta, oatmeal. I cool everything in a small charcoal brazier. I have been perfecting my tortilla skills and other breads. Last week I even managed to bake a pretty decent cake for another volunteers birthday!
Is it hot?
Yes! Right now it is cold season but there is very little cold about it. Maybe the mornings are a bit chilly and the sun is setting earlier but if this is cold season- I am not looking forward to hot season.
How is your house?
I love my house! It has three small rooms, tons of furniture because my host father is a carpenter, and a very nice grass roof that does leak yet (keep your fingers crossed for the rainy season). I have a nice dirt yard just waiting for me to plant a garden and a nice little kinzanza (a gazebo type structure). It faces five or six other houses on the compound so there are always people walking by and kids in my yard. I have a very cute cat posted down from the volunteer before me- Myo. Myo keeps the mice away and climbs in my lap in the mornings. Plus I am right down the road (well, path) from my main school. Which is nice- especially when meetings are canceled. My house is feeling more and more like a home and I seem to be handling living on my own just ok.
Ok- that is it for now- Life is pretty boring but hopefully I will have some good stories soon- keep the letters coming! I promise I will write back!!! Hope Life is well and I miss you all. Thank you for all the support.
Mwende Bulongo (travel well)
Na Natemwa (with my love)
Stevie
Some general questions:
Hello Everyone! I hope people are enjoying the beginnings of Summer. Although I have to admit that in my mind it is still snowing in Portland. Being here where the seasons are so different, I find myself just thinking of the states the way I left them. So I wouldn’t be surprised if I think it is Winter for the next two years.
So I thought I would take a few minutes to answer the questions I have been getting. I am only 3 months in and I am sure some of the answers will change with time, but right now here is where I am…
Are you picking up the language?
Well- not as quickly as I would like. Hopefully this is one of those answers that will change soon. I can greet and barely get by in the market. As for the rest of my vocab, it is centered around HIV/AIDS and education. But whenever I am working with people in these fields we use English. The official language of Zambia is English and is supposed to be what everything is taught in after grade 2. So because I spend the majority of my time with teachers, we speak a lot of English. In reality, very few students can actually speak English and all the lessons in school are usually translated into the local language. Plus, to work with people in the community especially women- I need to be better about studying and I have found a tutor in my village- I’ll keep trying.
Food: Any cool or funky foods> Are you getting enough?
Well let me assure everyone that I am getting more than enough. People are often disappointed with the amount of nshima I can eat. And the first week I was in my village I was getting so much food, I couldn’t eat it fast enough. Leftovers without a fridge is tricky. The staple food of Zambia is nshima- basically ground maize that is cooked into a porridge paste you roll it into a ball and eat it with a relish- either very cooked veggies, beans, or on a really special occasion- chicken. Nshima is very hard to make and doesn’t actually have any nutritional value but a meal is not a meal without nshima. It is believed “Nshima is POWER!” While it is not the healthiest food, Zambians love of it is understandable. The one thing nshima does is make you feel full. Whether or not your children are getting the vitamins they need, at least they are going to bed full.
Zambia is slightly lacking in its variety of food. It is a lot of nshima, ground nuts, sweet potatoes, onions, and tomatoes. A few bananas, sour oranges, and on a really good day giant avocado. The veggies are leafy- some are similar to kale, there is Chinese cabbage and most commonly it is sweet potato leaves or pumpkin leaves. Of course when you get the larger cities you can find more variety but where I am it is a lot of the same thing.
As far as cool or funky food…
The two finkiest think that I have not tried yet but are very popular, and mice and caterpillars. And something tells me I can go through my two years not needing to try these. Although I am a bit excited to try hippo meat at a festival next month.
Now that I am cooking for myself, I eat a lot of rice and soya pieces, eggs, pasta, oatmeal. I cool everything in a small charcoal brazier. I have been perfecting my tortilla skills and other breads. Last week I even managed to bake a pretty decent cake for another volunteers birthday!
Is it hot?
Yes! Right now it is cold season but there is very little cold about it. Maybe the mornings are a bit chilly and the sun is setting earlier but if this is cold season- I am not looking forward to hot season.
How is your house?
I love my house! It has three small rooms, tons of furniture because my host father is a carpenter, and a very nice grass roof that does leak yet (keep your fingers crossed for the rainy season). I have a nice dirt yard just waiting for me to plant a garden and a nice little kinzanza (a gazebo type structure). It faces five or six other houses on the compound so there are always people walking by and kids in my yard. I have a very cute cat posted down from the volunteer before me- Myo. Myo keeps the mice away and climbs in my lap in the mornings. Plus I am right down the road (well, path) from my main school. Which is nice- especially when meetings are canceled. My house is feeling more and more like a home and I seem to be handling living on my own just ok.
Ok- that is it for now- Life is pretty boring but hopefully I will have some good stories soon- keep the letters coming! I promise I will write back!!! Hope Life is well and I miss you all. Thank you for all the support.
Mwende Bulongo (travel well)
Na Natemwa (with my love)
Stevie
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Blog part of a letter sent to Erin G and received 6-3-09
4-19-09
I am about to enter my final week of training and just started reading "Life Of Pi". I came across this passage and think it perfectly describes our group of trainees.
"In many ways, running a zoo is a hotel keepers worst nightmare. Consider: the guests never leave their rooms; they expect not only lodging but full board; they receive a constant flow of visitors, some of whom are noisy and unruly. One has to wait until they saunter to their balconies , so to speak, before one can clean their rooms, and then one has to wait until they tire of the view and return to their rooms before one can clean their balconies; and there is much cleaning to do, for the guests are as unhygienic as alcoholics. Each guest is very particular about his or her diet, constantly complains, and never, ever tips. To speak frankly, many are sexual deviants, either terribly repressed and subject to explosions of frenzied lasciviousness , or openly depraved, in either case regularly affronting management with gross outrages of free sex and incest. Are these the sorts of guests you would want to welcome to the inn?" pg 14
....OK, so maybe not perfect, but a pretty good description. Except the "gross outrages" are more subtle and manifest into inappropriate jokes in mixed company, or a stronger need for hugs. Both are equally scandalous acts in Zambia. There is also the similarity in the way we are watched like zoo animals. "Look, there is a new group of White People in a constructed habitat
that is made to look like their natural home. Lets watch and see how they live."
...and it makes me smile.
It is going to be hard to walk away from training. Well not really training but my training group. Sure it is nice to actually have a schedule and a defined purpose for everyday, but I have a feeling I won't really miss 4 hour language sessions, 3 hour tech, and all day medical, cultural, and admin. presentations 6 days a week. It's just the people I don't want to leave. It is always the people. My life is and has always been about the other people in it. (thus the reason I even write this blog) And somehow in only 2 months I have become ridiculously close to people here. Peace Corps plays this horrible game where you are placed in an extreme situation with a group of people and just as you are making this your family, you all are torn apart and are scattered across the country.
So here goes- I am jumping into community entry- leaving behind another family and entering a village for 23 months.
Kafwako Lukatazno
( Ain't nothin but a thang)
I am about to enter my final week of training and just started reading "Life Of Pi". I came across this passage and think it perfectly describes our group of trainees.
"In many ways, running a zoo is a hotel keepers worst nightmare. Consider: the guests never leave their rooms; they expect not only lodging but full board; they receive a constant flow of visitors, some of whom are noisy and unruly. One has to wait until they saunter to their balconies , so to speak, before one can clean their rooms, and then one has to wait until they tire of the view and return to their rooms before one can clean their balconies; and there is much cleaning to do, for the guests are as unhygienic as alcoholics. Each guest is very particular about his or her diet, constantly complains, and never, ever tips. To speak frankly, many are sexual deviants, either terribly repressed and subject to explosions of frenzied lasciviousness , or openly depraved, in either case regularly affronting management with gross outrages of free sex and incest. Are these the sorts of guests you would want to welcome to the inn?" pg 14
....OK, so maybe not perfect, but a pretty good description. Except the "gross outrages" are more subtle and manifest into inappropriate jokes in mixed company, or a stronger need for hugs. Both are equally scandalous acts in Zambia. There is also the similarity in the way we are watched like zoo animals. "Look, there is a new group of White People in a constructed habitat
that is made to look like their natural home. Lets watch and see how they live."
...and it makes me smile.
It is going to be hard to walk away from training. Well not really training but my training group. Sure it is nice to actually have a schedule and a defined purpose for everyday, but I have a feeling I won't really miss 4 hour language sessions, 3 hour tech, and all day medical, cultural, and admin. presentations 6 days a week. It's just the people I don't want to leave. It is always the people. My life is and has always been about the other people in it. (thus the reason I even write this blog) And somehow in only 2 months I have become ridiculously close to people here. Peace Corps plays this horrible game where you are placed in an extreme situation with a group of people and just as you are making this your family, you all are torn apart and are scattered across the country.
So here goes- I am jumping into community entry- leaving behind another family and entering a village for 23 months.
Kafwako Lukatazno
( Ain't nothin but a thang)
Sunday, May 31, 2009
7.05.09 The noodles (from letter to Lauren)
I am not sure if I have mentioned this before so forgive me if I am repeating myself but - I love the kids (or noodles as Lexi has taught me and I use constantly). They are by far one of the things I love about Zambia. I think Carrie (my room mate throughout training) put it best... the kids here look like lost boys from Peter Pan. They run around barefoot, with ragged clothes in groups playing with anything they ca make into a toy. It is quite impressive actually. Old plastic bags and a bit of old string becomes a football, volley ball, cricket ball, or something to throw at smaller kids. Some twine/string, old dried corn rinds, drink cartons, tin cans -- they become make-shift cars of things to push and pull around. Since moving in I have become the newest form of entertainer. While I am walking to market little voices come screaming out of the bushes. "How-ah-you How-ah-are How-ah-you." Noodles just come and sit outside my hut watching me cook, read, wash dishes -- it never gets old. I have become their television program although this tv program smiles back and that sends them into a laughing fit. Their smiles break my heart every time. They really are just too cute to handle. Maybe in a year they will start driving me nuts but for right now Natemwa obewa bingi. I love the noodles! Stevie.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Care Packages!
hey everyone! So I am breaking the cycle and taking a few kwacha to write to everyone. Everything here is great. I am officially a volunteer!!! And am getting dropped at my site in two days- SCARY! Thank you all so much for the the kind thoughts and letters and keep[ them coming...I promise I will respond to any letters/ packages set my way. It is your best shot at getting some Zambia postage!
I have gotten a few questions about what to send me so I thought I would put up a list. Please don't feel like you have to. But if you so choose to put something in the mail, know that I will love you forever and you will probably make my life complete. If you do put a package together please don't feel like you need to get everything these are just ideas because people asked
things that I would love gettting...in no particular order
good tea
hot chocolate
candy...like sour worms, skittles, starburst etc
chocolate...in any form
your favorite baking recipes
any kind of protein that does go bad...packets of salmon, chicken, tuna, beef jerkey
magazines...like rolling stone, spin, the economist
ready spice packets...like taco/ fajita packs (not sure what those things are called but you know what I mean?)
any kind of art supplies
yarn
trail mix/nuts...I love most things trader joes comes up with
things that make water taste better...ice tea, kool aid, crystal light packets
And just because my birthday is coming up-aka if you want to send me a gift it should be in the mail by the middle of june
travel board games or games that breakdown easy
stationary
DVDs...things that you like to watch when you wnat to do nothing all day or are sick(especially tv shows...the office, grey's, arrested development...etc)
Ok that's it and really no pressure!
I'll keep the blogs coming
love you all
mushale bulongo
I have gotten a few questions about what to send me so I thought I would put up a list. Please don't feel like you have to. But if you so choose to put something in the mail, know that I will love you forever and you will probably make my life complete. If you do put a package together please don't feel like you need to get everything these are just ideas because people asked
things that I would love gettting...in no particular order
good tea
hot chocolate
candy...like sour worms, skittles, starburst etc
chocolate...in any form
your favorite baking recipes
any kind of protein that does go bad...packets of salmon, chicken, tuna, beef jerkey
magazines...like rolling stone, spin, the economist
ready spice packets...like taco/ fajita packs (not sure what those things are called but you know what I mean?)
any kind of art supplies
yarn
trail mix/nuts...I love most things trader joes comes up with
things that make water taste better...ice tea, kool aid, crystal light packets
And just because my birthday is coming up-aka if you want to send me a gift it should be in the mail by the middle of june
travel board games or games that breakdown easy
stationary
DVDs...things that you like to watch when you wnat to do nothing all day or are sick(especially tv shows...the office, grey's, arrested development...etc)
Ok that's it and really no pressure!
I'll keep the blogs coming
love you all
mushale bulongo
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
UFSIZ (Update From Stevie In Zambia)
Hey everyone! Below is the latest UFSIZ (Update From Stevie In Zambia)...
-Maya
Well if there is one thing both Peace Corps and the Zambian education system loves- it's acronyms. For example, currently I am a PCT (Peace Corps Trainee) in the middle of PST (PreService Training). I am in the RED program (Rural Education Development). Most of my trainings are at FTI (Farmers Training Institute). The PCMO (Peace Corps Medical Officer) has given me a total of 8 shots thus far and more are coming. I am about to go on my SSV (Second Site Visit) where I actually get to see where I am moving. Then hopefully after PST I will become a real PCV (Peace Corps Volunteer). Tomorrow I have interviews with the CD (Country Director), and TD (Training Director).
And that's just the beginning. The Zambian ministry of education (MOE) loves them even more! Every position has it's own acronym. Schools are broken into zones. Each zone has somewhere between 10-30 schools. In each zone, there is the ZHS (Zonal Head School), with a ZIC (Zonal Inset Coordinator), an acronym within an acronym inset (In-Service Training), and every school has an SIC (School Inset Coordinator). The ZHT, ZIC, and SIC make-up the ZEST (Zonal Educational Support Team). Then there is SPRINT (School Program for Inservice of the Term- Not sure how that one works...). SPRINT is baiscally any training or meetings for teachers. Like... a TGM (Teachers Group Meeting) or a SIMON (School Inservice and Monitoring) or a GRACE (Great Meeting at Resource Center)... And the list goes on and on- seriously that is just a few!
Now you can be a pro! I am afraid after my COS (Close of Service), I will never be able to speak in complete sentences...
Mwane!
-Stevie
-Maya
Well if there is one thing both Peace Corps and the Zambian education system loves- it's acronyms. For example, currently I am a PCT (Peace Corps Trainee) in the middle of PST (PreService Training). I am in the RED program (Rural Education Development). Most of my trainings are at FTI (Farmers Training Institute). The PCMO (Peace Corps Medical Officer) has given me a total of 8 shots thus far and more are coming. I am about to go on my SSV (Second Site Visit) where I actually get to see where I am moving. Then hopefully after PST I will become a real PCV (Peace Corps Volunteer). Tomorrow I have interviews with the CD (Country Director), and TD (Training Director).
And that's just the beginning. The Zambian ministry of education (MOE) loves them even more! Every position has it's own acronym. Schools are broken into zones. Each zone has somewhere between 10-30 schools. In each zone, there is the ZHS (Zonal Head School), with a ZIC (Zonal Inset Coordinator), an acronym within an acronym inset (In-Service Training), and every school has an SIC (School Inset Coordinator). The ZHT, ZIC, and SIC make-up the ZEST (Zonal Educational Support Team). Then there is SPRINT (School Program for Inservice of the Term- Not sure how that one works...). SPRINT is baiscally any training or meetings for teachers. Like... a TGM (Teachers Group Meeting) or a SIMON (School Inservice and Monitoring) or a GRACE (Great Meeting at Resource Center)... And the list goes on and on- seriously that is just a few!
Now you can be a pro! I am afraid after my COS (Close of Service), I will never be able to speak in complete sentences...
Mwane!
-Stevie
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Update Via Haley
I know we all miss Stevie, but how amazing is she! I’m so proud to call her friend…
LIVE from Zambia
April 3rd, 2009
Basic training schedule.
Right now I am two weeks into training. I stay in a smallish mud hut. It has a mat on the floor with my mattress on it. It is a thatched roof with garbage bags to help with the rain. I have a mattress draped in my LOVELY mosquito net at all times. I have a little window but just keep my door open so I can see and get any light in my room. I have a small stool, table and lantern. Every morning I wake up around 6:30, (two hours after the rooster, no not The Rooster), starts. My Bjmama heats up some water for my bucket bath. I have a bathing shelter that is basically an open room made of tall grass. After my bath I usually have breakfast of tea, peanut butter and some white bread or fried cornmeal. Then I have 4 hours of language-go home for lunch- then 3 hours of tech training. Thursdays and Saturdays are the only time my entire intake is together for HIV/Aids Training, as well as cultural sessions. So we have half of Saturday and Sunday off to study and do whatever.
Yesterday we threw together a game of Ultimate Frisbee and just hung around till dark. Basically, my day ends when the Sun’s gone, (around 8p) and I stay up for a bit with my flashlight, but am pretty lame and crash by 9:30p. I have training until the end of April and I think it will be a mixed blessing when it’s finally over. I am REALLY excited to cook for myself, have my own place, see and meet my community, actually be around people using the language I’m currently learning and be on my own schedule! But, this also will mean I will be totally on my own…might not have cell service and won’t see anyone from training for three months. So at this moment the training days feel like they are crawling by, but I am sure, like everything, I will miss them when they are gone.
Kaeikaipo,
Stevie
LIVE from Zambia
April 3rd, 2009
Basic training schedule.
Right now I am two weeks into training. I stay in a smallish mud hut. It has a mat on the floor with my mattress on it. It is a thatched roof with garbage bags to help with the rain. I have a mattress draped in my LOVELY mosquito net at all times. I have a little window but just keep my door open so I can see and get any light in my room. I have a small stool, table and lantern. Every morning I wake up around 6:30, (two hours after the rooster, no not The Rooster), starts. My Bjmama heats up some water for my bucket bath. I have a bathing shelter that is basically an open room made of tall grass. After my bath I usually have breakfast of tea, peanut butter and some white bread or fried cornmeal. Then I have 4 hours of language-go home for lunch- then 3 hours of tech training. Thursdays and Saturdays are the only time my entire intake is together for HIV/Aids Training, as well as cultural sessions. So we have half of Saturday and Sunday off to study and do whatever.
Yesterday we threw together a game of Ultimate Frisbee and just hung around till dark. Basically, my day ends when the Sun’s gone, (around 8p) and I stay up for a bit with my flashlight, but am pretty lame and crash by 9:30p. I have training until the end of April and I think it will be a mixed blessing when it’s finally over. I am REALLY excited to cook for myself, have my own place, see and meet my community, actually be around people using the language I’m currently learning and be on my own schedule! But, this also will mean I will be totally on my own…might not have cell service and won’t see anyone from training for three months. So at this moment the training days feel like they are crawling by, but I am sure, like everything, I will miss them when they are gone.
Kaeikaipo,
Stevie
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Yay! An update from the Rooster! I (Maggie, friend from Willamette) recieved this letter yesterday, and attempted to hack her account, only to find out she doesn't even have the right password for her account (really, rooster, REALLY). It is with further ado that I bestow these wonderful words upon the masses!
Friday March 13th, 2009
Currently I am sitting on my little stool watching my Bamama cut up vegetables for dinner. It is right before sundown and I can almost feel time slip by me- those last few minutes of usable light never seems long enough. The giant sky is threatening a storm and thunder is looming in the distance. But I am still not sure if rain will really fall. It is the tail end of the rainy season here and it is starting to cool off at nights- but it is a perfect 75-85 degrees during the day.....that is a guess- and hopefully soon my guesses will be in celsius!
As I switch to lamp light.....I am just finishing my third week in Zambia and my second week with my family. I will be here until the end of April (I think)....and honestly I keep waiting for the big freak-out but it hasn't happened! Life kind of just goes on....and although I am nowhere near comfortable, the unfamiliar is becoming comforting. Plus training has a very structured schedule so it just feels like what I am supposed to do. I am adjusting to the diet and minus one day of general stomach aching, I haven't gotten sick. Knock on wood- but I know my time is probably coming.
I had my first language test today. It was an oral test with two different teachers covering basic greetings, talking and asking about me/other people/ where I come from/ what I do/ what my family does/ names/ marital status, etc. Then the test my vocab on school supplies, gardening tools, food, body parts, eating utensils, illnesses and a few commands- oh and describing another person physically. Not bad for a only two weeks fo language class. I feel like I still have so much to learn and don't understand most of what my Bamama asks me but I made it through the test and I don't think they are sending me home yet ;)
Saturdays we only have half days of class. So after HIV training and then HIV training again in Kikaonde, a bunch of us usually play some kind of game at the football pitch. (**editor's note- roughly translated to SOCCER FIELD....she is so cultured!)
And really I am super excited for Sunday- we get to go into Lusaka and go to an "American" type shopping mall. Who would have ever thought I would look forward to a mall!? But it means a grocery store and I can buy fruit for the first time in weeks! ....and maybe some ice cream...... There is a fruit shortage or something in my village so an orange has become gold! Well, dinner calls......
Miss you all!
Shalaipo!
Stevie
Saturday, February 21, 2009
First words from Zambia
Hey I just wanted to let everyone know I made it safely and everything is GREAT. Zambia is beautiful, everyone is amazing and I am really excited to head out to our first Site visit tomorrow.
Love you all and will send a better email when I have the time!
Stevie
Love you all and will send a better email when I have the time!
Stevie
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Saturday, February 14, 2009
And we're off!
...well almost. I leave for DC on Monday and then head to Lusaka a few days later. I will be in training for the next three months and will eventually find out where I will be living for the next two years.
So here is how I am hoping this whole thing is going to work. I will have very limited internet so I will update when I can, but the majority of my posts and updates will come from letters I am sending back to the states. Mail takes awhile and the first three months are going to be crazy busy…basically, I will update as soon as I can but at this point “no news is good news.”
Thank you all for the wonderful words of support and encouragement. Please keep sending them because I will need all I can get. I love you all and will be constantly thinking of you and missing you! Rally those frequent flyer miles, check those travel sites, and get ready for slightly adventure traveling to Zambia, the real Africa. There will always be room in my small hut.
So here is how I am hoping this whole thing is going to work. I will have very limited internet so I will update when I can, but the majority of my posts and updates will come from letters I am sending back to the states. Mail takes awhile and the first three months are going to be crazy busy…basically, I will update as soon as I can but at this point “no news is good news.”
Thank you all for the wonderful words of support and encouragement. Please keep sending them because I will need all I can get. I love you all and will be constantly thinking of you and missing you! Rally those frequent flyer miles, check those travel sites, and get ready for slightly adventure traveling to Zambia, the real Africa. There will always be room in my small hut.
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