The Complicated Ways
February 27, 2009
You know how at interviews when they ask, “Describe a time when you had to think quickly on your feet to respond to unexpected problems”, or “Describe a time when you had to solve a problem creatively”? I think living in Cameroon has allowed me to have at least one story a day that answers to these behavioral type questions.…
Read MoreStoned Heart? or Stronger?
February 27, 2009
Last week, Juliette went back to France. The population of “les blancs” in village is now down to one – just me. Several friends and I accompanied her to the airport. On the way there, I noticed that I felt nothing and became alarmed by the lack of feelings. Starting at age 12, I’ve had to say many goodbyes to…
Read MoreJustice Served
February 9, 2009
This morning, I spent the morning doing dishes, cleaning the house. I set out a box of trash in the backyard and was planning on burning it after I took a shower. I took the shower, just as I was getting ready to go take care of the trash, I saw the box was gone and the fence door cracked.…
Read MoreSolitude
February 3, 2009
Power went out a few hours ago, so I lit a candle, made some dinner, and began watching “Paris”. A french movie that had been recommended to me by, well, a French. The film had wonderful music that made me miss playing the piano and terrific cinematography that made me wish I was on the next plane to Paris. There…
Read MoreSomething Positive
January 27, 2009
Okay, so I realize there have been a lot of negative energy lately. I’m hitting the 6-months post-graduation, post-vacation-mode, crisis. The 6 months before graduation went something like this: wake up at 7am, depending on the days, I would have classes until noon-ish, go to manage money for rich people or help StudioSTL win $35,000 or volunteer for refugee children…
Read More
Sunday
January 26, 2009
Morning Laundry Sometimes I am amazed at how my mood can change so rapidly within a single day. This particular Sunday was a perfect example. I woke up at 8am after 7 hours of perfect beauty sleep, in my quiet house, feeling fantastic. Computer works. Internet works. And plenty of yummy goodness from the US of A. Life was good.…
Read MoreThoughts
January 26, 2009
During the two-ish weeks that I was without a computer, I did a lot of thinking, a lot of reading, and a lot of being completely alone. It’s quite refreshing but at the same time gave me a chance to re-evaluate my life here in Cameroon, and my role here as a Peace Corps volunteer. I had the chance to…
Read MoreComputer Mayhem
January 26, 2009
So continuing from the previous entry, I will relate the process of getting my computer fixed here au Cameroun. In the US, this is what I would’ve done: Get in car. Drive to the Mall. Drop it off at the Apple Store Genius Bar. Get a latte at the Starbucks while waiting. Return to the Genius Bar. Drive home. Voilà.…
Read More
Joyeux Noël!
December 27, 2008
Merry Belated Christmas to all! Happy Early New Year! After a whirlwind of traveling for the past several weeks, I decided to return to village and host Christmas chez moi. Juliette is the only French left since Jérémy went back to France for the holiday, so I invited her over along with 4 other Americans for the festivity. Christmas here…
Read More“Training” in Kribi
December 27, 2008
The reunion with fellow stagemates in the beach town of Kribi was everything expected and much more. This In-Service Training, or IST, marks the end of our first three months at post, which supposedly are the most difficult time due to all the newness and adjustments. But as you know, my first three months were filled with splendid goodness, so…
Read More