Expectations
August 15, 2008
The rain continues to fall; the rainy season persists. Next week this time, I will officially be a volunteer for the Peace Corps and celebrating the last night with fellow trainees and then off to my village. Time has flown by quickly, and despite annoyances relating to training, I’ve enjoyed getting to know many wonderful people. I am especially proud…
Read MoreThe Things We Do
August 7, 2008
I got two more packages yesterday! Katie and Emma both rock for sending me goodies! Since they both sent the goods in bubbled envelopes, the chocolate bars were rather smashed. In the States, I would never eat a smashed, melted Reese’s Peanut Butter cup, but here; I opened that sucker and licked it clean. It was quite a sight to…
Read More“Grocery Shopping”
August 1, 2008
This morning, I visited the meat market for the first time in Cameroon. David and I went to the market to buy beef for our party tomorrow. Each weekend, we find an excuse to party and get our curfew extended from 7pm to 9pm. This week, it’s Joe’s birthday! In his honor, we will make burgers and sangria. Making burgers…
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Christmas in July!
July 31, 2008
Today, I was not a kid left out at summer camp! The package mom had sent me a few weeks ago made it to my hands! Many people got packages today and it was literally Christmas in July. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so much utter excitement permeating throughout one room. The highlight of my package was all those…
Read MoreFate in a Hat
July 10, 2008
I come from two different cultures that share the same attitude towards life – that life is compose by a series of cause and effect and I have a great deal of control over my own future. Yet today was the second time in 6 months where I have absolutely no control over the immediate future, which will consequently affect…
Read MoreFreezing in Africa
July 8, 2008
I am currently sitting on my bed, wearing the only light hootie i brought and sweatpants, my feet are placed under my laptop for warmth. I am in Africa, and I am freezing. This is a perfect example how one should not generalize Africa, the continent. After all, Africa is a ginormous place. If the US has varying climates, why…
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Lesson of the Week
July 6, 2008
Do Laundry Every Weekend. I learned this the hard way today. Last weekend, I was lazy and didn’t do laundry since I still had enough clothes to last through this week. The consequence of that behavior was me spending more than 3 hours washing my clothes by hand and having slightly bloody knuckles. Did you know your knuckles are very…
Read MoreIdioms
July 6, 2008
Where there is low, there is high. Last night, we were invited to the Lady Lord Mayor’s house for dinner. She’s the Mayor of Bangangté and married to a French man. The entire city didn’t have power or water, making it a perfect night to hang out at the Mayor’s pad. Rest assured, there was water AND electricity; also booze…
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Sans Electricity? Sans Problem!
June 29, 2008
I cannot lament enough on how wonderful technology is! This past week was long, and there were moments when I thought, “what in the world am I doing here?” “Why did I give up hot shower/microwave/all forms of modern conveniences to learn a 4th language and to live in this outrageous place?” This is a wild place and despite my…
Read MoreProgress!
June 29, 2008
I am concluding my 3rd week in-country! I am starting to feel more settled, and started having moments when I thought, “omg, what am I doing? I am suppose to live this for TWO YEARS?” People in this group are really great and I am getting quite comfortable with this solid support group. It’s slightly terrifying to think that in…
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