August 10-16

August 10

I woke up feeling really good this morning. I packed and went to breakfast. It was an interesting time talking to the owners of the lodge. The combi (bus) was an hour late. We were all pretty antsy to get on our way. We were taken to the hike point. I was traveling with two others. We waited for a bit then decided to find a car. I ended up squished as I had never been in a hike before. My head was stapled against a window by a huge hiking backpack…compliments of one of my travel mates haha. We got out in Okahandja and walked to group 38’s Cultural Day. It feels sooo good to not be the newbs now, although I don’t really feel like a veteran yet. I knew many of the trainees already, and met a few more people. I stayed there until the end of the cultural event. I help set up food for my host family (Afrikaans table). I was able to sneak some really awesome food. Fyi, the best food is the Afrikaans food because it’s the closest to American food  (potato salad, bbq meat, coconut donut things, garlic bread). It’s always the most popular table with Americans. The Group 38 Culture Day was…better than my group’s. They did a fashion show and seemed to have a really good bond. However, that’s also due to them being 40 in number and only being 3 weeks into PST. After they had cleaned up, I hung around the training center. I’m becoming pretty good friends with some of them, and I also love getting to know people. We watched a movie and then walked to Rhino’s, a bar and restaurant. Disclaimer: I did not drink with the trainees, which is a big no-no between current PCVs and trainees. I had such a good time with them! I was going to go home, but a bunch of current PCVs wanted to hang out. We ran to the market for exercise and food, then walked back to a pcv’s place. Let’s just say the next few hours were kind crazy. I got home at 830 and hung out with my second host family. I love both of my host families so much. I went to bed around 1030.

August 11

I talked to my dad for a few minutes when I woke up. Hiking stresses me out a bit, although I’m not bad at it. I knew that once I got to site I’d feel better. I had to walk 2kilometers with nearly 120 pounds of other people’s stuff plus my own. I went with 5 other PCVs to Brewed Awakening for breakfast. It was expensive. I went with two others to hike out. It took a while for all our three hikes today. The first ride was to Otjiwarongo with a former Namibian National Soccer Team Player. We got some food then went to the hike point. The second hike was from an Afrikaaner hunter. We had a really hard time getting a hike from Otavi. I thought we might have to stay with some friends of ours. We got picked up by one of the two coolest young Namibians I have met. He was exactly like an American young person, but he was an Electrical Engineer. He was brilliant. We had such an awesome ride with him. I was dropped off at my place. I ate dinner and went right to bed. I fell asleep really early.

August 12

I woke up extremely exhausted, sore, and a little sick. My mood was a little below average too, but that’s too be expected after being away from site so long. I went to the clinic and did weight and temperature all morning. I read gardening stuff and did excel expense lists. Lunch was just wheatbix, kind of a downer after having normal food at the conference for a week. Later in the day, I practice Arabic then watched 24. I went home and had Canned Fish and yisima (I love that stuff) for dinner. I played 5 games of UNO with a bunch of family members and won two of them. They are getting much better! I went into my room and played RTW for a bit then watched 24. Then I went to bed.

August 13

I woke up and walked to school early. I worked in the office all day. I was feeling really lousy in the morning. I’ve felt pretty worthless the last few days and the next week or so (after this post). It’s mainly because my projects are ALL school related, but school just went on break. The second factor is that my supervisor was gone for 5 weeks due to family emergency. I really want to do something at the clinic, but she’s the one I need to talk to. Anyways, I was soooo productive today. I researched my garden and talked about future projects with people. I also made a wishlist for my mom and dads’ care package J. I was in a skyhigh mood. I am also going to get a language tutor. I need to learn the language better, as well as have something to keep me busy and productive during work hours. I went and bought Toppers. Then I went back and tried to practice Arabic. Fyi, I realize it seems strange to be practicing language which has no purpose here, but there are a few reasons why  I am trying it. First, I plan/dream to move to the Middle East after Peace Corps Service and want to have some exposure to the language. I can be pretty forward thinking sometimes. The second reason is that I am surrounded by Rukwangali all the time and it just saps the energy out of me. It becomes boring after a while. Also, Rukwangali is spoken by about 80,000 people on the planet. One of my disappointments with going to Namibia was not getting to learn a language that I will ever use again. Arabic is spoken by a huge number of people and the location is my dream location to work in. I am definitely learning Rukwangali still. After Arabic, I played RTW, listened to music, and watched 24. I went home around 550. It’s getting lighter out later and warmer as well. Dinner was yisima (porridge) and a part of a huge fish from the sea. My family and I played some UNO. Then I went and watched some 24 and Big Bang Theory, then went to bed.

August 14

I did not sleep well. I took my clothes to the clinic for one of the workers’ mother to wash. I hadn’t had my clothes washed for some time because  my supervisor’s cleaning lady, who normally does my clothes, hasn’t come to the clinic because my supervisor is gone.  I walked back home in the morning to practice gardening. It didn’t go extremely well, although I learned. It was my first time and I am doing a specialized technique we have been taught. The work was harder than I thought. My hands got blistered and very dirty. Two local men came to my house and asked me to do their microfinance proposal for them. I said no, but that I would help them. I went back to the clinic and read gardening stuff and journaled. I had wheatbix for lunch. Later in the day I practiced Arabic, typed my journal, and watched 24. I was stoked that my laundry was done by the end of the day. It put me in a very good mood. I went home early. I went to bucket bathe because I was very dirty. I went to relieve myself and I was super irritated because a young girl kept watching me and FOLLOWING me from about 200 yards away. I was extremely irritated. Fyi, you just use the bathroom anywhere outside. Even though it was slightly warm outside, the bucket bath was cold and not enjoyable. After I dressed I felt very dizzy, weak, and faint so I opened up cans of baked beans, black beans, and salsa. It was all I had. I still ate dinner, which was my favorite meat. This type of meat has no fat and has the most amazing flavor. I found out this day that the mystery meat was SPRINGBOK! Wow! I went to my room after and started the first book of the Ender’s Game series, Earth Unaware. It was AMAZING. I could NOT put it down until 11pm! It was so exciting to have a book I was excited to read.

August 15

Tried to do my normal prayer, but failed. I walked to the clinic and then the school. I went and bought toppers. At the store where I bought the toppers, I asked to see the garden in the back I had heard about. I was expecting a little tiny thing, but to my amazement, the garden was like a professional garden. It was HUGE!!!!!! It was soooo beautiful! They had tons of different kinds of vegetables. They even had flowers. I noticed they didn’t use Permaculture methods. There were two modern beautiful houses. There was even a bbq and two very large yards behind the houses of GREEN grass and a few trees. It reminded me of America and I really missed my home. Not homesickness, but close. I really do miss America. I read some more stuff that gave me project ideas. The reading materials were about microfinance and grassroots soccer. One of the teachers tried to get me to do his hw for him, but I refused. I went back to the clinic late and practiced Arabic. I finished UNIT 1!!!! Then I watched Big Bang Theory. I went home and read by the fire. I talked with the headlady about the garden. Then I had a 15 minute conversation with her and I didn’t need any translation! I understood almost everything! I was so proud of myself. I scoff at those who think I am not learning the language. I played Uno with my family and then went to read Earth Unaware. It was so good! I stayed up until 10pm.

August 16

I woke up around 515am and prayed. I talked to my mom and dad. I was so stoked. My camera and everything hadn’t gotten to a PCV’s parents who were bringing it with them when they came to visit Namibia. I was so nervous, stressed, and upset that I wouldn’t get the stuff here soon. However, it came back!! They shipped it to another guy whose coming to Namibia this next week. I went to the clinic and then to school. I mainly wrote letters to people in the US and spent time with the teachers. The teachers and I left for Rundu. By the way, I had major hiccups allll day, and it became quiet painful after a while. I went and bought peanut butter, bread, and butter and walked to the PC Office. I watched TV and read the news. I walked to my place around 530. I was in a really good mood. I watched one of the two channel’s my friend has, the 2013 World Track Championships. Three other PCVs came in and I had a really good talk with them. I asked them about vacation price, such as Cape Town South Africa and Victoria Falls in Zambia. These are my two main international vacations I want to take. They told me it was pretty expensive, but they said they had saved the money from the PC stipend we get. Also, I don’t drink at all and that removes hundreds of dollars of expenses. We also talked about cameras and photograph (one of the PCVs is the one I jokingly blame for making me buy my new camera).I went to bed after talking to them.

August 3-9

August 3

I woke up at 620, obviously tired from my 230am bedtime. I skyped Mom and Dad for a while. All I did this morning was research cameras. I was contemplating buying a really nice once. I left around noon and ate my favorite salad at the Garden Café. I met my 3 closest friends at Rhino’s, a local restaurant. We went to the park and waited for the trainees to get back from their trip to Wdhk. We played UNO while we waited. The trainees did not get back for 3 or 4 hours. However, it was so good to meet them all, as well as see our old trainers. I got a ride back to my neighborhood. My host family had slaughtered a sheep. It was fun to hang with them. I went back to my host family and did more camera research. I skyped mom and dad and got their advice. I rarely buy expensive things, but I love pictures, and one other PCV’s pictures on his camera really made me want to buy a really nice camera. I had the stuff shipped to my parents. Also, my mom and dad said they’d send me a care package! After skyping with them, I washed dishes and went to bed.

August 4

Today was a pretty difficult day for me. I got up early and walked to town around 645. I waited in a park for my 3 travel buddies. We walked to the road and got a ride to Windhoek after about 30 minutes of waiting. We went to the PC Office to drop off our stuff first, then we head out to the mall where we ate at Mugg n’ Bean. I had a quesadilla that was pretty good. We walked around the mall for a while and then went to the SuperSpar. We walked back to the PC Office and were picked up by the PC van to be taken to the conference center, 10k south of Windhoek. They put us way out in the boonies…people were not very happy to be honest. I roomed with the older guy volunteer in our group. My counterpart was supposed to travel from Mpora, but he left late and he did not get to the conference center until very late, after I had gone to bed. Dinner was okay. I went back to two other non-Group 37 people’s room and had a really good time with them. I left and went and went to bed around 9.

August 5

I did not sleep well. I had many bad dreams and woke up exhausted. I was also feeling down. I prayed that God would get me out of the rut I was in. Breakfast was pretty good. We went to our first session of the day and just talked about our sites. By the way, this weeklong conference was called ReConnect, where we come together at the end of our first three months at site and debrief. I bought some batteries for my camera during the session (online). Tea time was phenomenal! They had mini loaves of banana bread and cookies! I had six loaves and 20 cookies. Fyi, a PCVs life does somewhat revolve around food, especially food that reminds us of home. After the day’s sessions, I went with three other PCVs to enjoy the sunset. I had a really good talk with one of them. The last few days had been extremely difficult. After dinner, I went and talked with one of my friend’s counterparts about my issues. After I finished talking to her, one of my friends asked to talk with me. It was exactly what I needed, and the floodgates opened. I vented to her about everything that was going on. I went on a little walk after that, and then went to the Group 36 PCV’s room. I had a great time just talking. I stayed there until 10pm.

August 6

I slept better this night than the night before. I enjoyed breakfast and walked around just praying and thinking. The sessions were pretty good. After the sessions I went and hung with the Group 36 PCVS. We went to dinner, which was great. I hung out with the Group 37 PCVs most of the evening in the lobby. I ended up talking to my best friend and another PCV. After that, I talked to a PCV about some of my struggles. She gave me some really good advice. Then I went to bed at 10.

August 7

I woke up feeling good, showered and shaved. Today was very difficult. The issues I was dealing with had left me so confused. My mind overthinks things. The morning was rough, although lunch was a bit better. The sessions were fine. After the sessions, I skyped my dad. He is so wise and gives awesome advice. He pointed out several things and asked a number of questions. After my conversation with my dad, I felt like I could be myself again. I was energetic, enthusiastic, and full of joy. People “socialized” a lot this night. We all moved to another person’s room and hung out. I went to bed at 10, only to be awakened by a very “happy” PCV who wanted me to get up and hang out…at midnight. It was funny. I went back to the other room, but only stayed there for 20 minutes. One of the guys whose room we were in looked so tired. I asked him if he wanted to sleep in our third bed. He gladly accepted.

August 8

I woke up feeling a little sad and hurting. I went to breakfast and said goodbye to the Group 36 PCVs. Our counterparts left too. After tea break, we all got homemade chocolate chip cookies! They were amazing! I was enjoying myself after the sessions started and continued for most of the day. I had a really good talk with one of my close friends. After class we all just hung out in the lodge. It was really mellow. We all went to bed really early. I went to bed at 8!

August 9

I woke up feeling rested. I skyped my brother for a few minutes, and almost teared up for some reason when I talked to him. I think it was due to the emotional strain from the issues I was dealing with. I had a great time talking with some PCVs during breakfast. We went to sessions. During tea time, we surprised one of the PCVs with a birthday cake. After lunch, I went and just enjoyed the view, thinking, praying, and processing things. After the sessions I was walking to my friend’s place when I saw her step out of the door, look around to see if the coast was clear, and sneakily (she thought) toss two apples on the ground. It was hilarious. I came in and relaxed. We went to dinner, but then came back to the room. I ended up having a very heartfelt talk with one of my friends about the issues I was having. It was a very open and honest conversation. I am very glad it happened. After that, I went outside and hung by myself. Then I went to bed.   

July 27-August 2

July 27

I woke up several times this night. Finally, I got out of bed at 6am. On my way to the PC office I had a wonderful prayer time. I went to Stephen’s Photolab and got some pictures developed for my host family in Okahandja. There were already  a few pcvs there. By the end of the day there were 9 pcvs there! We all ended up sharing media. They were especially happy with a lot of the stuff I had. It makes me feel good to share. I fixed one of the other PCV’s computer game probs as well as took the computer game for myself. I went to the Open Market to have lunch with some people and then bought some shitenges (the colorful pieces of fabric). After most of the other people left I skyped my dad for a few minutes, but ended up skyping my mom for four or five hours. Things are NOT easy here for me at all. I am going through a lot of personal growth and am dealing with “growing pains.” Anyways, the conversation with my mom was simply amazing. I had so many epiphanies. It was one of the best conversations I have had with in years. I went back to my friend’s place around 745 and talked for a bit. I watched some soccer and played my new computer game. I went to bed really late, around 1130!!

July 28

I woke up pretty early, but stayed in bed until 940am. The power was supposed to be off so there wasn’t a point to going to the PC office. I played some Rome Total War (Computer Game). I also had an amazing talk with the PCV whose place I stay at. He gave me some really good advice and project ideas and I really appreciated it. I went to the office around noon. I went to a few stores, but it was sooo strange to see them without electricity. I got a letter from my best friend here! It made me happy! I went to the car after that and saw my favorite host brother, T, who was away at school! The ride home took four hours. I found out that my supervisor wouldn’t be back for another week. I was a bit sad because I miss her. At home, I played UNO with my host family. Then I went and read for a bit. I went to bed at 9.

July 29

I didn’t sleep well again. I was also stressed about the week. I had three days to entirely organize a health club and determine who my student leaders would be. I went to the school early and saw the students at Assembly for the first time. I went around getting suggestion of Grade 7 students who might be good leaders for the health club. I observed all of Grade 7’s classes. There is a class in Namibia that is called Religious and Moral Education Class. As a Christian, I was curious to see what they taught. It was definitely interesting. Sadly, the theme of the class was “Pain and suffering comes after wrongdoing. HIV/AIDS is around because we are sinful. Illnesses and accidents are punishments from God. God will make your children die as punishment. GOD IS GOING TO PUNISH YOU IF YOU DON’T PRAY.” It was pretty strange to hear these things taught in school. I went back to the clinic around 1240. I talked with BH, my counterpart, about making a game club to help learners learn English. I had lunch, but my milk had gone sour. After lunch, I did a lesson plan for my Life Skills class the next day. I wished my best friend “Happy Birthday.” The big portion of my time after that was journaling and practicing Arabic. I went home around 545 and met the new driver. Dinner was a bit of challenge to eat, but I was still thankful I had food. I played Rome Total War and talked to one of my best friends back home until bed.

July 30

I went to the clinic at 635, then walked to the chool. Today was my second day of observing the Grade 7s. People were really standing out above the rest. I had a few minutes to talk to them about my health club. Unfortunately, it was only 5 minutes, and I don’t think they really understood what I was saying because I had to speak so quickly. I was really disappointed when only 4 boys raised their hands in interest. I was happy that one of the boys was one of the boys I was looking at to be a leader. We had tea and then I went and talked to the lifeskills teacher about my lesson plans. My first class was not good. We talked about domestic violence, but it is so hard to cram such a huge topic into 40 minutes. They are also very shy around me. The second class went much better and I learned a lot. After my day was done, when school got out at 1pm, I went to my teacher friend’s room and hung out. I played Rome Total War(RTW) for a bit and talked to the learners. I went home around 330, bought some toppers, and  played some more RTW. It was a really great day! I talked with my family and had an awesome dinner. I talked to the headlady about my projects, which she seemed to like. Then, we played UNO until 745. They all won besides me and one other person. Then I went and played RTW and listened to music until 10pm.

July 31

I woke up not wanting to go to school, but I ended up going. The printer at the school was finally working so I was able to print off some sheets of paper for the health club. God gave me such a wonderful opportunity. The Grade 7 teacher for three periods was gone for the day. (You don’t have substitute teachers here so the kids just sit in class doing nothing. I wanted to take advantage of this time so I went it and, basically, had fun with them. I wanted to make them more comfortable with me. I taught them how Americans say “What’s up” as well as different American handshakes. They taught me some of theirs. They loved it when I spoke Rukwangali. I let them ask me questions about America too. One of the questions I always get is “Is Rihanna (or Lady Gaga) a part of the Illuminati?” Many Namibians believe that there are many celebrities, namely Rihanna and Lady Gaga, who have sold their souls to the devil and that is why they make so much money. It sounds crazy, but it seems that the majority of Namibians, especially rural villagers, believe this. I taught the Grade 7s Tic Tac Toe and Heads-Up-7-Up. I went and observed their  next class. We played Simon Says. Then, I took the two students, whom I had chosen to be leaders of the health club, outside and told them all about it. They said yes!!!! We filled out the paperwork. Then I asked the Grade 7s who wanted to join the health club. I had 4 interested the day before, and today I had 50!!!! I have a GOOD problem now of having to narrow the number down. It was wonderful how God gave me the opportunities. I went to MS’s class and read. People from the Ministry of Health Immunization Program came very late and kept the learners over their allotted time. The teachers were not happy. I told my two leaders to go home and have their parents sign the permission slips. To my amazement, I found out they are brother and sister and live in the same place. Well done to those parents! I hung around the school most of the day. The learners are already acting different with me, more comfortable. One even said “What’s up” to me! I went and bought some Toppers and walked home. It was a purely beautiful day, slightly windy and overcast. I went back and ate. I Talked to my co-workers for a few minutes, then shaved and washed my hair. I listened to Celtic music while the wind blew through my office. It was purely wonderful. The sky was so beautiful that I went outside and took pictures. I played RTW and went home. Dinner was really good, spinach and pasta. Then, I went and packed and played RTW until bedtime, around 830.

August 1

I was so excited to leave for Okahandja, where my host family is, that I got up at 430. I walked to the road at 530. It took me 2.5 hours to find a ride. It was with an Afrikaaner. It was a good ride. He dropped me off in Grootfontein. It took me another 1.5 hours to get another ride. This ride brought me a further 90 kilometers closer to my destination. It was funny that both of the rides I had thus far were from men who owned security companies and who had both given rides to PCVs before. My next ride only took me 5 minutes to find. It was an awesome ride with a South African/Namibian businessman. We had such good conversations. He was really young too. He is really well connected too. I got into Okahandja at 3. I went to the Garden Café for a few minutes, but decided to buy food and go to my host families house. I took a taxi. It was SOOO amazing to be home. I wanted to cry/jump for joy at the same time. My host family honestly feels very similar to how it was when I was away at college and would come home for the holidays. I appreciate my host family so much more now too. I met the new Volunteer in Training, part of Group 38. It was so good to see my host brother and have dinner with all of them. I tooled around on the internet and went into my room and watched 24 until 1130.

August 2

I woke up early, but wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I stayed around the house all morning and walked to town and the Garden Café. I found some of my Group 37 PCVs already there. During lunchtime, the group of PC trainees came in. I met about 20. I thrive in this environment and had such a good time. I finally met some of the people I had been fbing for months. I walked home around 230. Around 5, I went to my other host family’s place. It was amazing. I met the new trainee who is staying with them. The trainee, myself, and our host brothers went outside around the fire. I went home and played around on the internet. I finished Season 2 of 24 around 230am.