Fondonera
March 6, 2010
In an attempt to remind myself why I started the psychotic library project, I decided to write about my visit to Fondonera from a few weeks ago. Bernadette is the queen mother of the Fondonera clan. She found out about my project online and wrote to the Peace Corps. Her email was forwarded to me and we had been in…
Read MoreAmerican Efficiency
March 6, 2010
Four days since I found out that the Embassy had changed its policy and can no longer clear our container. Théo from RIDEV was in Douala the next day after the news to meet with someone working at the Embassy to learn the process, and in attempt to find a solution. Yet somehow, four days later, no real progress was…
Read MoreRetail Therapy
March 4, 2010
As a way to battle with all the Cameroonian frustration that I’ve had to dealt with, I’ve taken up retail therapy once again. The markets in Bafoussam have quite the gem if you are willing to take the time to dig, and deal with obnoxious men who yell ridiculous things and grab your hand in passing. The fripperie sells clothes,…
Read MoreCameroonian Fustration
March 4, 2010
The events of this week has left me totally frustrated with the way things work in this country. I was always aware of the inefficiency, but I do everything in my power to avoid them. This past week, I’ve had to deal with them first hand. Let me tell you, NOT fun. I grew up in Taiwan and thus was…
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Sarah’s Key
March 3, 2010
Last week, I read Sarah’s Key by Tatiana De Rosnay. I only wanted to read it because it’s a book based in Paris, I had no idea what the story is about. I read the books in two days and it was one of the more captivating books I’ve read recently. The books sets place in Paris, but goes back…
Read MoreYour Majesty
February 28, 2010
After nearly two years in Cameroon, there are some things that I still don’t understand about the culture, and I likely will never understand. The traditioanl chiefs that is prevalent here in the West region of Cameroon is one of such things. Yesterday, Théo and I met with the chief of Batié who had arranged a meeting with all the…
Read MoreTwo Faced?
February 25, 2010
Lately, I’ve found myself feeling more and more two-faced: the Wendy online and the Wendy offline. Somehow, most of my friends are not big into social media. Facebook is as far as they go, and even with that, they aren’t very active. I often feel out of place talking about my Twitter, blog, or Facebook usage. They don’t really understand…
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Change of Perception
February 24, 2010
Sometimes, I feel like Cameroon has broken me. Two years in this country have somehow taken away those sympathetic ways that once was a big part of my personality. I am often annoyed when people comment “aww… those poor people” on my pictures from this experience. I no longer “feel sorry” for Cameroonians or Africans in general. Don’t shed pity…
Read MoreBusiness Class Round III
February 23, 2010
Apologies for the lack of updates as of late. A lot seems to be going on lately, a lot, for Cameroonian standard. I attempt to think back to 3 weeks before I came to Cameroon, and wonder how I managed to sleep on average 4-6 hours a night, took 18 credit hours of courses, worked 20 hours a week, and…
Read MoreLife Brainstorming
February 19, 2010
After a long silence, Sciences Po Paris finally gave me an answer. They admitted me, and gave me a oodle of money from the Emile Boutmy Scholarship. The catch: they think my profile is better suited for the international affairs program in international political economy. Now the catch within the catch: this program is in French! I had to submit…
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