Natalie's Peaceful Adventure

My life in Pictures (with some explanation)

2010-06-01T05:23:00.004-04:00

Metal Day at Monkey Bay. Headbangin' for all.

I torture children and force them to take photographs with me. This is Zander, the son of Mufasa's Lodge owners Tinus and Katryn.

Zander and Darren resting whilst sword fighting with bamboo.

A very tiny Caitlin and Adam on top of the big rock at Monkey Bay.

The "half boat" that is getting worked on at Mufasa's.

C on the beach, knitting, of course.

My best friend in the village, John. He loves America.

Girls' Empowerment Day at Dwasulu CDSS. This is the Bridge activity, where girls learn about challenges they'll face in trying to reach their goals and about support devices they can utilize to get to the future they want to have for themselves. They get to balance on wood and embarass each other, so it's always a big hit.

Bridge

Girls' Empowerment in the classroom, fellow PCV Megan pumping them up Tonga style.

Lots of neighbors and mud projects. Here is a galimoto - car.

Small Update

2010-03-31T07:50:00.002-04:00

Hey all,
My projects are moving along nicely at site. My women's group decided that since the guinea fowl weren't laying eggs, we would sell those birds and buy chickens to profit from them instead. It's a bit more common, so we won't have an advantage in that sense, but those guineas were just eating and not giving anything back! The ladies are hopeful that now they'll get some income to help out the nursery school and some elderly folks in the area, both affected by HIV and AIDS.

The building for the maize mill is completed! We're waiting to order the mill, but I am the one holding things up on that front. I've been trapped in Lilongwe on an unexpected trip for over two weeks and it looks to be close to another two before I get out of here! Since the trip was unexpected I did not bring my checkbook, so I cannot order the mill. Eek - I feel guilty because the builder and others worked hard to rush the building and now they're just cooling their heels while I figure some stuff out here in town. Cross all your fingers for me that I get out of here soon.

If nothing else being stuck in town has given me plenty of cause for reflection on how much I value and cherish my time in the village (even though sometimes I run away from the village for a few days). I miss my Ngalan friends! I miss my house! My neighbor kids! My lakeshore! Even my form 3 students - and that's saying a lot. I want to go back to the village and enjoy my final 9 months there. I hope that I can do that next week, and then just stay there for a good long while. Well, except I'll have to come *back* to Lilongwe to order the mill. Sigh! I need a car =p

Otherwise, rainy season is all but over and we're entering dry / cool season, which is a welcome change after average temps well over 100 F. Soon it will be time for Malawians to harvest all the maize they planted in December and January, and that is my favorite time in the village because everybody is happy and full and content. Unless the crops fail, which luckily, in my area, they did not. There was so much rain, in fact, that there will be a 'bumper harvest' for rice, so yay for me! I love to see my neighbors getting fat and happy and just smiling together under the mango tree, sharing a bit of food with everybody who walks by. The little boy that I named (Michael, of course) will grow quickly; in fact he's already sitting up on his own and giving me big smiles every time I visit him and his mom.

I'm looking forward to my parents visit in July! So close, and yet so far. I have some fun stuff planned for them, as well as lots of relaxing stuff, and I just really can't wait to show them what I've been talking about since I returned from Kenya in 2003. Conversely, my Malawian friends are also anxious for them to show up. It helps to prove that I'm an actual human and not some strange, pink alien ;)

That's all for now, keep reading and commenting and showing the love <3

I.O.U. 1 blog entry

2010-01-18T05:01:00.002-05:00

Hey, two and a half months have flown by since I last posted here. Apologies; I've been letting my facebook status updates do all my work for me.

So, what's new? Well...
- I got my grant money. Yessir, the project is moving ahead. It's rainy season so I'm not sure how much construction we'll be able to do, but my village headman and my counterparts at the CBO (Community Based Organization) are motivated and anxious to get a move-on. The salesman at the mill place is tappin' his toe and my Member of Parliament is ready to deliver. I am pleased.
- The school-year calendar is FUBAR. Hence the remainder of my service will be spent (in addition to teaching and preparing for milling) searching for alternate housing for either myself or my 'replacement' volunteer, searching for something to do from August - December other than teaching, and not really getting a vaction, ever.
- My boss is retiring. Dora has been APCD for Education here in Malawi for a long time, and she kicks ass at it. She has gone to bat for me and others many times, she sticks up for us, she thinks of our interests, and we are going to miss her. Nobody will ever fill her shoes.
- My parents are talking to a travel agent about coming out here in July. The opportunity to show them where and how I live is so freakin' exciting I can't really sum it up. They will be shocked and awed and horrified and amazed as I am just about every day. Sweet.
- The transit house here in Lilongwe closes tomorrow. This is challenging because now to come to town will be much more expensive (by a factor of about 10, actually). "Secondary" projects are going to go down to nearly nada because writing a grant is a lot of work and we can't afford to stay here in town for 2 weeks while the proposal is farted around with. So we're not going to try, mostly. It also means that seeing other volunteers just isn't going to happen the way it has been. This is a bummer not just for social reasons but because I frequently get great ideas from other PCVs about how to deal with the challenges I face. So, this is another example of volunteer support failing. Sorry PC, but I think you made a big blooper this time. Time will tell!

I think that's all I've got for now. I hope that all of you at home are safe, happy, and warm. Drop me a comment or an email and update me on your lives.

Halloween

2009-11-06T07:46:00.005-05:00

I'm just going to post pictures. If you want an explanation; comment. It's my way to testing to see if anybody looks at this thing anymore =P

Eep! I haven't posted since July?!

2009-09-28T07:24:00.002-04:00

wowsa. So much has been going on since then. Good, bad, ugly, thrilling - all of it.
The big news is that the new group of Education Trainees arrived here in Malawi yesterday! So I've officially been here for a year, which is a mind warp. It's also sad because my friends who are a year ahead of me have already started COS-ing (finishing their service and going home). Luckily being in the Peace Corps and getting new volunteers coming into the country three times a year means that three times a year hand picked awesome folks arrive, the new Health group and new Environment group kick ass.
So, the new group is currently at our training location in Dedza and on Saturday will move into three different villages for their 6- 7 weeks of homestay and I'll go with them! Saturday to Thursday I'll be a "PCV of the week," hanging out with the newbs and doing my utmost to be simultaneously informative and positive. It'll be weird to be back in a homestay environment but I'll be armed with a can of doom and I will get free meals and hot bafas everyday so I'll deal :)
My women's group have finished building the khola for the guinea fowl and purchased the birds, but they're not laying eggs! This is a problem for an egg selling business. More to come as we figure this out.
I have a big old project in the works with a PLWA (People Living With AIDS) group in my village. I'm writing a grant to purchase a maize mill, which my community needs because many people can't afford the transport to the nearest mill. The PLWA group will run the mill and use all the profits for transport to get their medications, medicinal garden(s), better nutrition, and a revolving micro-loan fund for income generating activities, as well as support for people affected by AIDS such as orphans and the elderly who are left behind frequently to care for them. I'm feeling a bit daunted, it's a lot to undertake, but hey, this is what I want to do for the rest of my life so I'm diggin it, too. My community is motivated and have already started molding bricks for the building for the maize mill, the chief donated a piece of land, and I'm writing the grant and crossing my fingers. Cross yours too, if this works it will be awesome.
Otherwise, life's just life :) Hot season is upon us and we sizzle at the lakeshore (already 120 in the sun and getting progressively hotter for the next two months). I swim in gorgeous Lake Malawi everyday that I'm at site. I'm building a summer hut so I have a shady spot to sit outside since, with a tin roof, my house is literally an oven. School is going well, the Form 2's are writing their big exams that determine if they can move onto Form 3 next year, and in a couple of weeks the Form 4's will write their graduation exams. My neighbor is due to have a baby next month and I'm hoping she can't think of a name and asks for suggestions (Michael for a boy, Mina for a girl). I miss my friends and my family but I'm seeing how time flies here and know I'll be with them all again before I can believe it. Will try to post pictures next time, I haven't been taking many at all.

love to all from Malawi

Small Update

2009-07-01T04:46:00.003-04:00

Wow, for somebody who loves to write I really (honestly) hate updating this blog. Words are never enough to really communicate what my life is like here, but pictures help, so here's a few :)

I had a community meeting in my village last Friday, where in true peace corps style I executed "paca" (participatory analysis for community action - i think) activities.

The first photo is the women drawing a map of Ngala, our village, so that they can think of what resources are available and begin to conceptualize what resources could be put to more use.

The second photo is men doing the same thing. The women's map was simple, but quite effective. The men argued for about 30 minutes over whether the bar was a place of business or a leisure place. Hmmmm....

The last photo is one of the men explaining their map to myself and the other women.

This is the sort of work that I *love* - community action, getting input from those who would be affected by any type of development work... and lots and lots of Chichewa practice!

For pictures of my sister Christina's visit to Malawi a couple of weeks ago, I will direct you to her Picasa web album: http://picasaweb.google.com/christina01/Malawi?feat=email#

Mbua Zipatso - my women's group

2009-06-09T03:08:00.002-04:00

Our project is moving along....

Me happily giving 13,500 Malawi Kwacha to two members and their co-ordinator, Mr. Chirwa. This is close to $100 USD.

One of the members, looking very introspective.

The khola is being built! This is where the guinea fowls will live soon. These are several of the members and a few kids tossed in for good measure.

the khola sans human - these birds are going to live better than some local humans!

Two blog entries in 1 day... y'all are lucky =)

It's Been Awhile...

2009-06-09T02:47:00.004-04:00

All Apologies! I'm a terrible blogger, I know. I confess. But to be fair I have been quite the busy volunteer lately, as the pictures below will prove. I'm half way through 2nd term at school, which means half way through the first year! Wow - I've been here just over 8 months and to be honest I'm already I alittle bit worried about leaving! The word "extend" has come to mind several times in the last few weeks but of course I still have plenty of time to consider whether I'm seriously interested in that. "Cold" season is upon us - it's winter down here! Meaning that here in Lilongwe it's cold at night (jacket when outside, socks, thick blanket for sleeping) and in my village on the lakeshore I can still walk around during the day in a skirt and tank top but around 3am I wake up and pull a sheet up over my legs to stay warm. It is surely very different from winter as I've understood it for the last 27 years and I'm thrilled to say so. Y'all can keep it! The biggest news is that in just over 24 hours I'm going to be at the airport in LL picking up my SISTER! She's somewhere between SFO and Heathrow right now, and I cannot find words to express how excited I am to show her what I've been talking about since KSP in '03: Africa. Of course I'll post after her trip and add to the pictures below:

Me crying about my destroyed house (yea I'm in my house in this pic, not a landfill).... except not really crying at all.

What used to be my floor (and is now again a very nice floor).

Preparing fresh lentils from my garden. This took hours.

It's ant season!!!! Just a sampling from my bafa.

More picture lovin'

2009-04-16T07:19:00.003-04:00

I find that, speaking Chichewa and Chitonga frequently, and most frequently speaking Malawian English, has been eroding my ability to effectively communicate in American English. Hence, I post pictures and let you draw your own conclusions :) I swear, I'll draft an actual entry and deliver it unto the needy masses in the next month or so. Hands to God.

Mua Mission: A mission (hah) and museum about the history and cultures of Malawi and the role of the church in "supporting" those cultures (my political commentary stops there).

Photo Phun!

2009-04-05T05:41:00.004-04:00

The family I stayed with for six weeks during PST, the Akwendas. I <3 this family and I'm going to visit them next week!

Burned while cooking nsima, Malawi's staple food, which is prepared by boiling water, adding flour, and stirring until a dough-like consistency is achieved. Flesh optional.

What used to be my "chim," or chimbudzi (pit latrine). Rainwater underground sucked it down, and it went boom.

Cockroaches poured out for days!

My helpful cleaning crew of ants, eating a cricket I'd smashed about 3 minutes earlier. The cricked was gone in an hour. Thanks buddies!

So IST (In Service Training) is upon us and today we roll out to Dedza. I'll be back in town the 16th or so.

PHONE INFORMATION

2009-04-01T11:02:00.001-04:00

My number's been slightly changed, y'all.
Instead of 011 265 9 514 472
you now dial 011 265 999 514 472.
Okay? Okay!

6 months in

2009-04-01T10:14:00.003-04:00

Well, what a month March was. The overall theme seems to have been "suck it up" ~or~ "how to deal when everything breaks." And, I do mean everything. From the necklace my mother gave me to my brand new phone, from a key bridge washed out by rains to my very own outdoor toilet, and etc.,* a LOT of shit broke this month. I also received word that a piece of my father (his arm) broke. Perhaps the worst, though, is the departure of my friend Erica, who was so instrumental in making so many of my Malawian challenges bearable. So, cliched as it is, a bit of my heart has broken, too.
But it hasn't been all bad. I confined myself to the village for the entire month of March and survived - no - succeeded! I moved forward with my secondary project of raising guinea fowls for a women's group. I finished out Term 1 of the school year, and read some damn good books. I've been harvesting from my garden and sharing the bounty with friends and neighbors. I have 2 separate fan clubs of a-freakin'-dorable kids who run at me, squealing and waiting for a hand shake or head pat whenever I walk by.
In short, I've made the first steps into teaching myself to make the best of it. Seriously - there's duct tape holding up a part of my wall. I wrote "It's What You Make Of It!" on the tape and eyeball it appreciatively everyday. I've been here for 6 months, now, and have finally started learning from my neighbors instead of simply observing them.
As my fellow teacher Mr. Chunda would say, "when there is a problem, we sit down and solve the problem. We solve the what? The problem." (a pattern of repetition unique to Malawian educators). So, that's what I've been doing even though there's usually a lot of sitting down before the problem can be solved.
Pics will be posted as soon as I'm on a computer that allows it. Love to all.

*iPod, solar charger, plans, systems, logic, floor, budget, and a prostitutes assumed humanity

More Picture Happiness....

2009-02-25T07:32:00.003-05:00

Gorgeous! Pay no attention to the powerlines - they aren't helping me out at all!

The rainbow was East... this was West. While I was taking these pics my house was filling with bats, just to reward me for admiring nature.

We weeded! And holy crap there's a lot of vegetables in my garden.

Beans, cukes, and pumpkins galore....

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture came to my school and these are some of our students singing to him.

So all in all things are going well! I can't believe February is almost finished, though I *am* a little relieved, honestly. I'm done with rainy season and ready to keep the year moving. I know I've been terrible about updating this thing and I'm about to skip out again but I swear, leave me comments with what you'd LIKE to hear about, and I'll oblige. I'm in Lilongwe until Sunday so anybody who wants to can contact me before then.

Pics =D

2009-01-30T07:16:00.003-05:00

Myself and my fellow teachers at Dwasulu Community Day Secondary School! I don't *always* look this tired, I swear.

My form 1 students - well, most of them anyways :)

this building houses our staff room (left) and library (more bats than books in that one).

oh, the children. the children! We call them "iwes" here (ee-ways) - means "you" in an impolite way.

Moi! Just checkin' in!

More updates to come - for now life continues as normal. The rains have come and Malawians rightfully rejoice. Hope all is well with everybody at home!

Found! Another picture

2008-12-31T08:53:00.007-05:00

Just a quickie to post an additional picture of myself wielding a hoe and sweat soaked by 630 AM in our homestay village. Thought y'all'd like it.

PICTURES! Finally!

2008-12-30T05:20:00.002-05:00

This is a collage I made to keep myself busy at site for a few days. You can't really tell what an awesome drawer I am, but I swear - I AM.

Myself and Country Director Dale Mosier (Left) and the American Ambassador to Malawi. Yes that's a hand made African dress and, yes, I rocked it.

Gardening! A fellow teacher took this for me.

I *just* got to Lilongwe and I'm starved so that's it for now. Hope you all enjoy - leave me some comment love.

My best thoughts to the families of Tim W and Jenn C.

New Address!

2008-12-17T04:10:00.003-05:00

Hey all -
here's my new address:

Me, PCV

c/o Dwasulu CDSS

PO Box 10

Ngala, Dwangwa

Malawi

AFRICA

I've been at my new site since Friday and, other than the wind scorpions (look them up, they're GOD AWFUL), I'm really happy! I'm only about 1-2K from the beach and a lovely Lodge where I can occassionally spoil myself with cold beverages and/or food. My new headmaster is a great guy and the villagers have welcomed me very nicely overall. I'm not yet sure what I"ll be teaching but hey, that's part of the adventure. School starts 5 January 2009! I'll be in Lilongwe for New Years Eve so I'll be back online then. Right now I'm in Nkota-kota boma visiting my friend Carolyn. Send me love =) I expect lots of mail from those of you who have not slacked (i.e., everybody but my parents).

As you shiver and brace yourself against those cold winter gales, just think of me, in my tanktop and sunburn, sitting on the beach, soaking my feet, and looking two years into the future =D

Change of Plans

2008-12-11T08:36:00.001-05:00

Please disregard previous post and hold all mail! I will not be in Thyolo / Khonjeni for various reasons. I may be going to a different site in Nkotakota tomorrow. I will update you as soon as possible - watch for comments on this post as I may ask somebody state side to update you all there since I won't be getting to the internet for awhile again. Send good thoughts my way!

NEW ADDRESS

2008-12-08T10:24:00.003-05:00

SO Here's my new address:
Me, PCV (swearing in / making it official tomorrow)
PO BOX 28
Khonjeni, Malawi
AFRICA

My Phone number is 09 514 472 - from the states I believe you dial 0112659514472. Ask my parents, Shameen, my sister, or Maureen if you can't figure it out.

I won't be living in Khonjeni, so don't come stalking around there, but that's where my mail will go.
To all at the NCUA: thanks for the good wishes and I hope you'll enjoy a fabulous Holiday Party this December.
To my family and friends: I've received one Birthday card for mail in the last month. This is pathetic. You all ought to be ashamed! Now that you have my new address I'll accept no excuses for lack of mail. GET ON IT! ;)

To everybody: Training is over and I'm swearing in tomorrow. This is a mindwarp. In just two days I'll be at site, fending completely for myself. I'm sorry I haven't yet uploaded pictures but if you're on facebook search around for Malawi PST 2008 Education and you'll see some after you friend the appropriate people, whom I cannot list here. In other news: I have a broken teeth. Rocks in the rice. Hoo ray! Also, to be brief, I love and miss you all and think of home probably a little too often. I hope you're all gearing up for a fabulous BIRTHmas season and staying warm. Please keep in touch as best you can - you have no idea how it brightens my day to hear anything from home.
Lots of love,
Moi / Mimi / Ine / choose your pronoun

Alive and Well!

2008-11-06T04:22:00.002-05:00

Quickly, as there is limited time on the internet. I am alive and well and nearly finished with Homestay. I'll find out in about 2 weeks where I'll be stationed for the next two years. I can't post pictures right now but I will, I promise! It's hot season here and the rains are on their way. I'm living in a round, mud hut with a thatched roof and staying with a family of a mom, dad, 2 bros, and a sister or 3 depending on who you ask. It's fun! I'm learning the language and have hitch hiked, been eating goat and NSIMA, and other fun african things like carrying water on the head, etc. I'm getting mail from some of you - SLOWLY. Be sure to put "AFRICA" on the bottom of my address, otherwise it goes towards MALAYSIA. I have sent mail to a lot of you but postage ain't cheap so don't feel hurt if you haven't gotten anything.
I miss everybody a great deal and think of you all often. Send me love!!!!

T - 3 weeks and counting...

2008-09-05T14:46:00.002-04:00

Right - so there is a ton to do. I am preparing to leave Albany on Tuesday, and haven't packed a thing! This means that the next 18 hours will be spent sleeplessly separating the things I can logically keep from the things I need to sell or give away and making my apartment somehow conducive to many strangers plodding and prodding their way through my things - and giving me money!
If anybody is in the Albany area, I'm having a "going away" of sorts tomorrow (Saturday) evening - 8pm at Pinto and Hobbs on Dove and State in Downtown Albany. Come prepared to drink a shot and provide my friend Maureen with your contact information for me.
I also have a lot of other preparations to take care of, such as solar chargers to buy, clothes to make or buy, doctor's visits and roommate issues and all the joys of international relocation. I've gotten lots of helpful hints from current volunteers and from returned volunteers so I'm (surprisingly) optimistic about all of this going smoothly.

Special thanks to all my friends at NCUA (today is my last day!) who have sent me off with good wishes and promises to stay in touch, as well as some thoughtful gifts. I will miss you all and know I will think of you often! Remember me fondly at the next Regional Conference ;)

Will post again, most likely, before I leave on 9/26.

also

2008-08-12T14:27:00.001-04:00

I've re-enabled comments from anybody, so go wild!

INVITED

2008-08-12T12:07:00.002-04:00

Hello everybody! Today I received, and will soon accept, an invitation to serve in Malawi in Community Day Secondary Schools as an English teacher!!!
Staging is 9/26/08
Going to Malawi on 9/30/08, then staying there until 12/9/10!!!

I am:
- exhilerated
- scared
- grateful
- nervous
- sad
- motivated
- did I mention nervous?

I'm currently reaching out to current PCVs, RPCVs, and anybody who'll be joining me to contact me! I need input on what to bring, typical availability of things like electricity, cell phone service, whether it would be worth it to bring my laptop, availability of internet cafes, ideas on useful materials for the classroom, everything!!! There is a LOT to do in the next six weeks so I may not post on here again until.... well who knows. But keep checking!

Natalie =D
Peace Corps Invitee
Malawi, 2008 - 2010

Teaser?

2008-07-07T11:45:00.003-04:00

A little nugget - here's a copy and paste of a rushed and crazy e-mail I just shot off to my parents and sister and friend Shameen - forgive the awful grammar and peppering of profanity. Just to let anybody reading this who is going through the frustration of application know that they do not suffer alone!
...
Finally broke down and called the placement office and talked with the dude there for 10 minutes or so - I have been nominated to be an English teacher in ____________________. (a country he can't tell me! AGHGHH). I said 'well, are you guys looking at me for other areas other than English teaching?' and he got my drift and said right now that's where they're looking at putting me, but that could change, and if for some reason I can't take that offer they will look at me for other placements. He said to keep in mind that qualifying as an English teacher is actually a good thing, a lot of people don't, that ______________ has asked for a lot of English teachers and so they're trying to meet that need, and also that if I were to go over as an English teacher I'd have access to a lot of other stuff, since I'd be working in a school I'd be surrounded by teachers and kids and in an environment already centered upon community development / service. he said he'd "guess" I should hear from my placement officer "in the next few weeks," meaning it could be effing August before I hear anything. meaning - F**K. this pisses me off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WANT TO KNOW WHAT COUNTRY HE WAS LOOKING AT! and what I don't get is, if he is saying he knows that they're looking at me for English teaching in country X, why haven't they invited me? What more is there to do?

so there that is.
...
thoughts?

a nugget of information

2008-06-20T09:34:00.002-04:00

Just a little piece of information - my friend Nadine has the same type of medical clearance as I do and she heard from a person in the placement office that "our type" usually get sent to Central Africa, and mentioned Botswana. She said he didn't really sound like he knew what he was talking about, so not to take it too literally, but it's a few crumbs of potential information to tease me (and all of you) with. Looking at the map of where PC serves and taking what I'd consider to be "Central Africa," I'd say this narrows my possibilities down to Botswana, Cameroon, Zambia, ... and then it gets a little hazy as far as geographical borders go.

Like I said - just a nugget. It is just a few days shy of being six weeks since I got that email telling me they'd start placing me in 4-6 weeks... so my fingers are crossed to get some real information within two weeks, but I have no idea. I just know that September is practically around the corner, and I'm READY TO GO!!!

Small update

2008-05-22T11:33:00.002-04:00

I thought I had posted this before, but I didn't. Just notice that I got an email from the PC saying that, since I am nominated for September departure, they won't be looking at my file for placement for another 3-5 weeks now. They are trying to place those slated to leave in June (!) and July for now. So, it's an email that tells me to wait. More! But, at least they notified me so I am not sitting here thinking that I'll be placed any day.

Just in case any of you are keeping tabs! I probably won't have anything else to say for... 3-5 weeks!

At last...

2008-05-08T08:42:00.004-04:00

After approximately 5-6 months of Doctor's visits, follow-ups, follow ups to follow ups, bureaucracy, and angering a significant percentage of Albany-area medical personnel - I am medically cleared. You can't see it from there, but I'm doing a little dance of joy.

Now on to the battle for placement!!!

And, for absolutely no reason, here is a picture of my cat. Just because I am happy.

Just a Wee Update

2008-04-07T09:33:00.003-04:00

Okay - I am sending in what SHOULD be the last of my medical paperwork on Wednesday. For those of you keeping track, here's the breakdown
Applied September 07
Interviewed October 07
Received Medical packet November 07
Sent in completed Medical packet January 08
Received dental clearance February 08
....
will hopefully! be medically cleared by the end of this month.

I've also been in touch with an organization here in Capitaland called Equinox, for victims of domestic violence and their children. It looks like I'll probably be working in the after school program with kids, making snacks, crafts, homework helping, etc. That's going to be fun.

In any case that's the news for now, such as it is. I'll continue updating whenever anything new happens.

1st Contact from PC Placement Office!

2008-03-05T14:24:00.003-05:00

Well this isn't really anything huge, but for any readers who are following me along in the process, I thought I'd include it.
I was just contacted by a Student Aide from the PC Placement Office. She encouraged me to send her any updates to my resume or volunteer experience in order to make my application more competitive.
So I wrote back to her and expanded on my resume a bit.
Main point here? Things are moving along, and one or two people in DC are at this very moment deciding my fate.

comments

2008-02-16T13:36:00.001-05:00

Hey all - sorry but I had to disable anonymous comments, so you'll need to register in order to comment from now on. I don't like not knowing who is reading / commenting on my blog! So I fully expect you all (MOM!) to register because I need the comments/support.

Thank Ye

Dentally Cleared!

2008-02-13T11:07:00.001-05:00

Now I just need legal and medical clearance, then I'll be invited. That is all.

PC, you tease, you...

2008-02-12T10:00:00.001-05:00

I had a heart-in-my-throat moment the other day. I came home from work, bent down to scoop up the mail that is always scattered across the muddy, frozen floor (No, I'm not in a third world country yet, this is Downtown Albany), and saw the now familiar peace corps envelope, with "URGENT" stamped all over it. It was fat, and as I learned while applying for colleges, fat = accepted, small = rejected. I thought, "how can this be?! How can they have reviewed all my materials already, much less placed me?"
I walked up the steps, fearing words like "Departing May 1st." I questioned when ten days would expire, and with them my deadline for accepting my invitation. So, I took a deep breath... and...
I sent the wrong dental x-rays. Yeah, that's how I felt too. Damn it! I wish they had emailed me, telling me to expect my entire dental package back in the mail so that I didn't almost give myself a heart attack.
In any case Dr. Geisler's crew was kind enough not only to squeeze me in for an "emergency" appointment yesterday morning, but to give me even more free X-Rays. I owe them something; just not sure what to send. Peace Corps has the films now, and I'm tentatively assuming that, since I didn't get any of my vision or medical materials back, they must have everything they need to make an assessment. Now I can sit back and wait for six weeks or so, I've heard. Anyways sorry for the melodrama... I was bored :)

Inch by Inch

2008-02-06T10:30:00.001-05:00

PC has finally received my medical kit. They updated my toolkit yesterday morning, which is a relief. Now I just need to keep my fingers crossed that I filled everything out correctly and they're satisfied with my health. A friend, Nadine, said she thinks the PC asks for SO much medical information as a way to disqualify people, but I hope that's not true. But holy crap did they want a lot of information.

Scared

2008-01-22T15:50:00.001-05:00

Oh me oh my. I have all my medical materials gathered, save for evidence of my G6PD Titer (I don't know what it is either). Actually it's a test given to you to determine if you can take anti malarials - which I don't plan on taking anyways. I'd rather deal with Malaria than with the god awful dreams I suffered with Larium. Ever hacked your family into bits or starred in your own personal horror flick? You will, if you take Larium!
Anyways that aside. The title of this post is "scared," with good reason. Once I photocopy all these materials and mail them to OMS, I will be in the final stage: placement. After sending them in, unless OMS needs further clarification on something, my next contact from PC will be my invitation. Once I receive the invitation, which will include my destination country, program assignment, departure date, and passport/visa materials, I have 10 days to make up my mind. I'm ready. I'm ready? My heart is racing and my mouth just dried up, simply thinking about it.

I am terrified.

Small Update

2007-12-10T11:14:00.001-05:00

Alright, just a quickie. I finally heard back from Mr. Stand-In Doctor, who gave me some bad news. I have to get records from my pediatrician, who I'm pretty sure is retired, to prove my vaccination record. SO that's going to be a blast. I'm not even sure who has to fill out that paperwork. I'm also fasting today so that I can go get my bloodwork (Cholestorol, etc) done this afternoon, which is required. I also have to see a specialist, which will be incredibly annoying, but is required, *sigh* All this in addition to the fact that I've not made an appointment to see an eye doctor yet as I'm waiting for my vision insurance to kick in, and my freebie Dentist is going to try to get me to pay $150 to "shave down" a chipped tooth. Which I don't care about so long as it's not a health risk, so I'll have to refuse that service from the man who was nice enough to give me a free exam and x-rays.

All other things aside, anxiety is a constant about it. I'm working through it. I have little cave-in moments where I feel like an awful, awful person for leaving for more than two years. I feel guilty for my kitties, my family, and for my friends cos I already know of one wedding that I'm missing! Ay. I have a nightmare at least twice a week that Peace Corps Departing is tomorrow - I have nothing packed, I don't know where to go, I haven't said goodbye to anybody. So I look forward to those increasing in frequency for the next 9+ months. In moments of weakness, what does an Atheistic Pessimist like me tell herself? It's a funny thing - I'm forced to rely on my own strength instead of delegating that out to "God" or "luck." It's all how I look at it, how I attack it, how I cope with it. So it's a soul-making venture, no? I'll keep telling myself that ;)

oh HERE'S the frustration they warned me about...

2007-12-03T11:47:00.001-05:00

Allow me to take this time to express my extreme frustration with:

- My stand in Doctor for not having even started the paperwork I gave him a month and a half ago;
- My vision insurance for not kicking in until January first;
- My lack of dental insurance;
- a nameless office that told me it'd be fine if I don't submit my paperwork until July, which I found out is completely untrue. Whoops on their behalf.

and to note that yes, I saw all this coming, however it doesn't make it any easier. These people holding onto all my shit have the potential to keep me from the program I was nominated for if they don't hustle! My goal is to have everything submitted, medically, by February 1st. This means I will have to call the aforementioned Stand In Doctor in a little over a week to remind him that he told me he'd have this shit done within a week. Who even *knows* what my legal clearance will take... All this is a test of how I deal with stress and impatience. Those ARE my middle names, but at least when I'm feeling stressed and impatient in Africa, I'll still be enjoying myself.

I'm starting to feel like September isn't soon enough to get out of all that is "here."

Ring of Fire

2007-11-13T11:17:00.002-05:00

Okay, well there's not much going on right now. I've had my first physical and the Dr. I met with seemed to think most of the PC's concerns about my medical shit are pointless. He plans to write a lot of N/As on his paperwork I guess. I may have to go back for a few more tests, like cholesterol, but I've had those tests fairly recently so perhaps not. I'm also waiting for the bill for that physical with baited breath, as my health insurance has already paid for one of those this year. Supposedly though, Peace Corps will reimburse me up to $125 for these costs. I wish they'd pay them up front as I have no money to toss about.
***EDIT ADDITION: I got the bill. $316 due in 15 days. Yeah, Right!!!!!***
For the dental, I'm waiting for Dr. So and So to return to Albany from the middle east. He should be back tomorrow and supposedly will offer free dental exams and xrays to PC applicants.
For the eyes, I'm just hoping I don't get taken for too much of a ride. I have no vision insurance and can sign up for a decent plan but it's not active until 1/1/08 and I don't think PC wants to wait that long. So maybe it won't be worth it to get that coverage.
Otherwise, it's just a matter of wait and see. As the potential departure draws closer, though still quite far off, I already feel myself getting anxious about leaving my friends and family for more than two years. No Shorty to play with, nobody to come home to, none of Mom's cooking, no wasted hours on the internet messing with people for entertainment, nobody a mere phone call away. Sometimes I think what would happen if PC rejects me at the last moment and it's about 10% relief that I won't have to face those fears. Not going would be worse though.

...
Things to eventually be resolved by way of I-have-no-clue:
- find a super great home for my two kitties (temporarily of course)
- pay down credit card balance
- lose approximately 30 pounds. yeah.
- quit smoking
- sell / store all furniture
- sell corolla
- figure out how I'll vote / do my taxes / whatever else while abroad
- convince myself I'll survive 27 months away and WILL be able to secure a worthwhile job upon my return.
- endless elses.

BAM!

2007-10-26T09:33:00.000-04:00

Dear Natalie,

It was great meeting you the other day. After careful assessment and consideration, you have been nominated to the following program:

Program: English Teaching
Region: Sub Saharan Africa
Program Info: Post requires that trainees have English degree or Secondary Education degrees or certified in any subject at the secondary level.
Stage Range: September, 2008

Post Interview Musings

2007-10-25T11:27:00.002-04:00

Right, so I talked up the interview quite a bit, I figured I owed you all (you one or two) an explanation of what went down.

My recruiter was quite friendly and down to earth, which greatly put me at ease. I always sound a little like a stuttering robot in job interviews, though, and hopefully she just chalked that up to nerves. It was a little weird that it was less like a discussion and more like an interrogation because she would just ask me a question, then type everything I said onto her computer. The silence that ensued between the end of my answer and the beginning of her next question was painful! The questions were what I was told to expect, such as what my motivations for joining PC are, what worries or concerns I have, my experience with leadership, education, inter personal skills, learning a new language. yadda yadda, yadda yadda. I'm sure that's what you all expected, too.

She told me at the end of the interview that by today, Thursday, she should be getting in touch with me about whether / where / what program she is going to nominate me for. I am in F-E-A-R, as this is an essential element to the PC experience. Things on my mind:

She said that sometimes if a candidate isn't really qualified for anything, PC suggests that they spend a few months volunteering here and there to beef that up. She mentioned that twice. In my mind, that's her feeling like she's grasping at straws to nominate me for anything.

The second thing is also concerning. However, I think / hope that it's just the "canned" speech we've discussed before. She was super super insistant about my having to be flexible about my placement. I told her "Sub-Saharan Africa, PLEASE!" and while she understood my desire for Africa, she insisted that I could be asked to go anywhere. This is when I mentioned that my departure date is flexible - a couple months in either direction - if that would help to get me into a program I'd be most effective in and excited about.

Argh. I'm hoping she is going to follow through with what she said. Today could be such a great day, or I could spiral into oblivion if I'm not nominated.

Anyways kiddies that's the good word for now. I will, of course, post again once I receive word from my recruiter and react accordingly.

nothing much

2007-10-10T14:30:00.001-04:00

There's not really anything new to report. Just that I'm about two weeks away from my interview and I'm totally clueless as to how to repair. I've been through just about every nook and cranny of the PC website and believe that I'm familiar with the application / hiring process. I know from reading PCV blogs and from the PC website what to reasonably expect once I get over there, wherever there is.

As a side note, if any of my readers are in the Albany area, please come to the uptown SUNY campus this Friday, 10/12 at 6pm for a screening I've organized with Invisible Children. You know who they are! They were even on Oprah! We're going to watch the short (45 min) film then discuss the issues and what we can all do to help. There's going to be some really cool merch there too, which I know because they had it all shipped to me at work. So come on out! Business Administration Building, Room #130. It's free, fun, and fabulous and your presence will make me happy!

Interview!!!

2007-10-02T13:03:00.002-04:00

Well, this is happening more quickly than I ever anticipated! My recruiter called me this afternoon to schedule an interview. Apparently despite my screw ups I mentioned in the last post, she's all set with my paperwork. Phew! It's 3 weeks away, on October 23rd. Luckily she is coming to Guilderland, which is a suburb of Albany, so I don't need to travel to the city just for the interview. It would be cool to have another excuse to get down to see Rick and Daisy, but they'll just have to come up here! (hint, hint!) Alright so that's the news. Nobody leaves me comment love anymore, do I still have readers?! Also if by chance some PCVs or RPCVs happen to be reading this blog, please let me know what your experience of the interview was. I like to be prepared :) peace out.

quick progress

2007-09-28T11:29:00.001-04:00

Well! They gave me six weeks to complete the legal kit and get it back to them, so I did it in six days. This will hopefully demonstrate my dedication, determination, and ability to get shit done. Of course, after it was sealed and mailed off, I reviewed the directions and realized that I filled a bunch of shit out wrong on the fingerprint cards. Ooops! I also didn't make copies to keep for myself. Oops! I'm also not sure if my SUNY transcript actually says SUNY Albany anywhere on it. Ooops! So perhaps this will demonstrate my ability to rush through shit, disregard instructions, and waste other people's time. But that's okay. Worst case scenario is that I will have to get fingerprinted AGAIN next week. *sigh*
On a different note, I am thrilled to be going to VT next weekend. We are renting a car (yay! I get to drive a teensy Yaris!) and heading up Friday afternoon. I get to see my parents, the beautiful colors of autumn in my homeland, my friend Lisa, and our Plattsburgh-area friends, Erica and Monyette. I also get to show Shameen the notch, and Stowe for the first time. It's going to be a fast weekend, but then we both get Monday off for Columbus Day - god bless working for the government.
Now I wait for the phone call telling me to re-do the fingerprints and transcript. Sawa Sawa. After that, I wait for the interview.
Peace out :)

*** PS - I throw swahili words in here from time to time, since I'm always thinking about Kenya when I'm writing in here. I'd be happy to translate and might put up a post about my most commonly used swahili / swinglish phrases just for your entertainment.***

Here it is, because I'm bored now that it's afternoon.
Sawa (also sawa sawa) - okay (question or state of being)
poa - cool (same)
kupe moyo - literally to give heart, but means 'give strength.'
sasa - literally 'now,' but a greeting for younger people (response: fit, pronounced feet)
mara moja - at once!
pamoja - together
sms/flash - a text message
Habari - news / 'what's up'
pole - sorry
pole pole - slow / slowly
haraka! - hurry up
matatu - mini bus
kuku - chicken
kali - vicious
paka - cat
mbwa - dog
mbuzi - goat
chakula - food
viazi - potatoes
pombe - beer
mchi - people of the country; Kenyans
mjinga - idiot / fool
mzungu - european / white person
chai - yes it's tea, duh, but it's also "bribe"
kidogo - a little / small
whey! - not a swahili word, but a common expression of surprise or a way to get somebody's attention.
ugali - a food, like thick, heavy grits. basically I think it's ground corn meal boiled w/ water
sukuma wiki - collared greens!
githeri - another dish. rice and beans, etc.
mama - what a lot of grown women are called
mzee - elder - respectful name for grown men.
askari - guard
mtoto - child
shags - like "the sticks" - rural areas.

I can't think of anything else right now short of giving you all lessons in conjugation. I am B-O-R-E-D!!!
Anything else I might throw in that you're not sure of, ask me.

eekin' by

2007-09-26T11:19:00.001-04:00

Yup, I have to do the whole background check again. Yay. However! After getting the notarized letter from my mother (today, hopefully) and getting my fingerprints taken tomorrow, I can send the pack out on Friday. woo hoo! I filled out the addenda about my education experience in as much detail as I could without seeming ridiculous. I'm still hoping they see potential in me for a different assignment, but even if I spent my time teaching over there, I'd still feel I was making a difference.
I read in a couple of Kenya PCV blogs that they feel like they're unnecessary - they say that any KENYAN could be teaching these students English or Kenyan Sign Language or Math. That's true, but Kenya's teacher shortage is well known as corruption and graft steadily drain the government coffers. At least a PCV is a steady presence for two years, and will more than likely be replaced with another steady presence when they depart. Giving these kids, so many of whom are orphans or in otherwise challenging home situations, a trustworthy adult is important in and of itself. It's also useful to educate them in the PCV role of ambassador - they need to know that America is not the land of milk and honey, that they will not be instantly rich if they make it over here, and that they may just be best off staying in country and improving their own Nation. Too many educated people focus on getting out of their country, out of Africa, and the brain drain that results is yet another ingredient in the toxic stew of heart breaking circumstances for the continent. *deep breath* Anyway. There probably won't be another reason to post until after I send in the packet and get a response from my recruiter in New York City.

Recieved: One Legal Packet from PC!

2007-09-24T09:58:00.002-04:00

Yay! On Saturday I got my legal kit from PC. It has all sorts of fun stuff, like how I'm going to take care of bills while I'm gone, asking for more details on my experience with education, more information on references, fingerprint cards, background check information... I have to get unofficial transcripts from both SUNY and SLU. SUNY charges for that, did you know that? Damned state schools. I also emailed my recruiter and told her she should be getting everything back in the next week to two weeks, and wondered if the fact that I'm already employed by the Federal Government means I don't have to undergo another background check. Getting to the Police Station to get those prints done is a gargantuan pain in the ass, because Albany cops only dig on that once a week, in the middle of the day.
In other news, I do not qualify for any Spanish speaking assignments :( oh darn! Guess they'd better keep me in KE/TZ, eh? I speak mighty fine English and a mean Kiswahili.
More to come as I discover the joy of hoop-jumping for PC. <3

First Contact From Peace Corps

2007-09-18T14:48:00.002-04:00

Makes me nervous!!!!

So yeah. I got contacted today by the PC Office in NYC. She said my application looks great! And that I can expect my "legal kit" in a week or so, where they will ask for lots more information. She wants me to focus on my teaching experience (give a glimmer of what I'll be doing, or what?).... she ALSO asked me about my preference for Africa.
Her: "How would you feel about another region?"
Me: "Well, given my background and my professional aspirations, I would definitely prefer to be in Africa."
Her: "Would you reject it if invited to another region? I thought I was going to Africa and I ended up in Asia! What if you get an offer for, say, Belize?"
Me: "........... I would be willing to hear other options."

Reflection: Yes - I feared Africa and came to love it. Yes - it is possible that that would happen in another area of the world, probable even, after 27 months residence there...
She wants me to really elaborate on my teaching experience, both here and in Kenya. I'm hoping that that qualifies me for the Tanzania program at least, which I listed as a preference and which focuses entirely on education. She says they'll request addendums to my resume and to give as much detail as possible because "sometimes, when somebody doesn't quite qualify for a placement, with their elaboration on their own experience, we can push them through." Does that not sound like I'm qualified by only a hair? She's focusing entirely on my Bachelor's Degree, which is alright, but she also told me that my Master's really doesn't count for anything. That's about the bajillionth time I've been told my Master's Degree is worthless. Hey, whatever. A $15,000 conversation piece is totally cool!
How can not having my MA matter for anything? I spent all that time learning all about Africa, why wouldn't they put that knowledge to use? Wouldn't it be helpful for me to be aware of unique African challenges, to understand their past in greater detail, to comprehend cultural differences, to know how to live there, how to speak the language? Hell if you dropped me at Kenyatta Airport in Nairobi TODAY I bet I could find my way to Silver Spoons and be sipping a Tusker Baridi in the time it takes a matatu tout's lougie to congeal on the pavement!

I'll stop rambling for now. That made my heart race. Please everybody seriously cross your fingers and toes for me.

Getting Closer with details...

2007-09-17T11:26:00.000-04:00

Woo hoo! Okay so two of my three recommendations are on file with P.C. now. They've requested some additional paperwork regarding my students loans and credit card debt. It's a rush to be moving through the process... I can't wait until I get my first package from them with all sorts of goodies and red tape! Yay!

On the more personal side of things, I feel a bit surreal about this still. Am I truly ready to be on my own for 27 months? I think so. I predict that when I get over there, where ever "there" may end up being, I'll be acting very similar to how I acted the first time I went to Africa. I will be scared, I will feel out of place, I will feel completely discouraged by not knowing what my life for the next two years will look like. (This is because, while they give you your country assignment and your area where you'll be working (as in your topic, not the geographical area), for the first couple months you're there you have no idea where IN country you'll go. You find out a couple weeks before you actually go). Anyways, tangent aside, I know I'll bug out at first. I can count on my resolute and stubborn logic to get me out of that slump however.
One selfish reason I'm excited about this is that I hope the promise of the placement will motivate me to get in shape - if I go over there looking / feeling like I do now, I'm going to have a hard time hiking all day in the equatorial heat. Plus Africans will call me fat because it's not insulting in their culture! So I hope to be in better physical condition before I leave, and I know from previous experience that my physical condition only improves while I'm in Africa. Yay! I get my college body back! ( I HOPE!)
I've got the support of family and friends, though some seem to resent my leaving... I can't stay here to please others and continue to be in the slump that I've been in for the last year or so. Believe me, I'll be a better friend once I return and I don't feel like I have lately! So I'm excited. I'm scared. I'm hopeful, I'm worried. It's going to be fabulous.
Minute by minute updates will continue until my feet hit African earth - then you'll just have to wait it out :)

Day 1 - Submission Day

2007-09-14T11:37:00.000-04:00

Application Complete. I've submitted my initial app., the medical background info, my 3 references, and now I wait anywhere from 2-4 weeks to be contacted by a recruiter in order to schedule my interview and find out where to mail all the documents about my student loans and credit card debt. This blog will certainly get more interesting with time.
Cross your fingers for East Africa, y'all.