Friday, October 24, 2008



Hey all, I have had the wonderful opportunity to get to town again and I felt like I should write a bit about whats going on... Well last week I took my Oral and Written language test and they went well... I scored average on my written and intermediate low on my oral (we need to score intermediate high) to swear in. But Hamna shida (no worries), I am busting out my pseudo Kiswahili every day to beef it up a bit! Last week, I was observed teaching and the guy said I did great, and that he thinks I will make a great teacher!! I was so excited, because my students are actually understanding my super slow "special" mix of kiswahili and english. All of the secondary schools are taught in english and I have the pleasure of teaching the kids that just came from primary school (which is taught in kiswahili)... so its exciting that they are actually grasping the information... granted its units but still.... haha. Life has been pretty good, just chit chatting with the fam and making embarassing mistakes with my pronounciation.... I cant barely pronounce english words let alone kiswahili words that are 30 letters long with 4 consanants next to each other... The other day I tried to tell my momma that I wanted a certain type of drink, but I ended up saying that I wanted vigina....haha!!! She looked at me all crazy and busted out laughing, fell out of her chair and proceeded to roll around on the floor.... After 15 mins she said that I need to pronounce my y's.... so yeah... This is tit!

P.S thanks cammie for reminding me more about american food... what i would give for some chicken and broccoli alfredo..... or actually anything that is not ughali, rice, potatoes and fish.... As I will say again... the food is suspect! haha

Oh the pic is from our trip to Mkume... peep the "daladala" on the gansta lean... we def. rode there with no brakes (no, seriously) for 3 hours( with 29 ppl on a 19 passenger bus).... I guess this is Peace Corps... What doesnt kill you makes you stronger...or so I've heard!

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Life thus far

Hey all just wanted to give a quick update. Sorry I havent been able to update as often as I would like I live about a 35 min daladala ride from the town's internet cafe plus a mile walk to get to the actuyal daladala stand. Not the transportation that I want to do weekly (google it!). Well life has been going well it is week five and we just came back from Mikume park where I took some amazing pics.. I will update as soon as possible. My kiswahilli learning is going well... I was struggling at first but being in a ost family that does not speak english has forced me to really learn the language. I took my mid-exam on friday and the trainers said I was pretty awesome!!!My host mama is awesome..but sadly she as malaria now and is very very anal about everyting so i wont get it.... I get tucked in at night!! haha. I have been teachign for the past week and its going pretty well... although I feel horrible when the students ask me a question because it takes me about 5mins to even understand what tey are asking(and they are speaking english!!) Thus far I have lost about 15 lbs so I am pretty pumped although my mama is freaking out!! I am having the worst time adjusting to the food...very greasy and without spices of any kind... I was fooled at all of those OU African Celebrations that had spicy food!! haha.. well life is great. My swearing in date is on thanksgiving so while you all are eating thanksgiving goodness i will be making the most irrational and crazy decision of my life! Haha... its really great and I would love to hear from you all! Feel free and even slightly obligated to call me... Grandma and Monica Chillious have my number... so I am ordering everyone to make it happpen! The best time is 11pm - 1am and 11am -1pm (US TIME) I got to bed about 8pm. Also a letter would be nice... I am like the only one that doesnt get any mail I look like an orphan (guilt trip I hope it works)... so step it up!!! If you are really fancy and want to send a package here is my wish list:

Beef Jerky (seriously)
powder soup (chicken noodle)
mm's (any and every kind)
camp fan (runs by winding up... the mosquito nets are like heat trappers)
bbq sauce (dont judge me)
skittles/starburst

... and anything else you think i would enjoy!

Love you all and I miss you!! I still cant believe I am actually here.

Random fact I've learned: I am very very allergic to citrus.... funny story