New Address!

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

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

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!

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...

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

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

INVITED

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