Bom Dia Friends and Family!
I feel like I have a lot to write about this morning. So, I am warning you… this may be long.
December 8, 2009 was our swearing in ceremony at the US Embassy in Maputo. It was amazing! I actually teared up a little when we had our right hands raised and we were repeating after Ruben. I couldn’t believe it was actually happening! I had waited so long! I AM A REAL PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEER!!!!
After the ceremony we got to tour the Peace Corps office in Maputo. It was fun trying to cram about 70 people in the office! That is where I had to say some goodbyes! It was hard! I didn’t realize how close I had gotten some of my new friends! I probably teared up then too!
After swearing in and the tour of the office, the Central Region folk stayed over night in Maputo because our flight left very early the next morning. We celebrated! It was like a much needed mini vacation! There are 11 of us in the Central Region. I am pretty sure we have the best group! Central includes Manica, Sofala, and Tete. Anyway, we head to the airport early early early the next day to find out that only half of us are confirmed on the flight! It was just craziness! I was part of the group that got left behind. We weren’t too upset though. Yes, we were sad to leave our friends but PC hooked us up in a nice-ish hotel for another night and we got more per diem. We think they were just testing our patience as new PCVs.
We finally made it to Chimoio. When we got there we had about 30 minutes before our supervisors conference was to start. The conference was nice. It wasn’t what I would call fun but it was a good conference. That evening we all hung out together for the last time for a while. It was bittersweet. We were all so very excited to get to site but we were sad to say goodbye.
Our supervisor picked us up the next day to take us to our new home. The truck he picked us up in was tiny! Our suit cases and boxes and stuff fit nicely in the back but the cab was a little cramped! Poor Kendra had to sit in the middle… it was a standard. Our director seems like a pretty cool guy. He didn’t talk much on the way so it was a very quiet 2.5 hour drive.
The minute we got to town he took us to our house. We immediately unloaded our luggage and then we were instructed to go to the school. Within about 25 minutes of arriving we had a staff meeting. It was crazy. Our director was trying to explain to our new colleagues that we have only been speaking Portuguese for 10 weeks so they should have patience with us. He also told them that when we are sick they are not allowed to visit us. That made me laugh. He was really trying to be nice to us and he was.
We finally were able to come home and relax and unpack! It was amazing! I love our house! We are so very lucky! We have two bedrooms and an indoor bathroom with running water most of the time, a kitchen with an electric/gas range, a living/sitting room, and verandas both in front and back. We have electricity almost 24 hours a day. That is amazing! The thing I love the most are our ceiling fans! It is REALLY hot here and they are life savers!
The view here is amazing! Directly behind our house is the school gym but behind that is this HUGE mountain! Now, I am from Oklahoma and we don’t have mountains… just big hills and I find it fascinating. It is really pretty when the clouds are low and they are coming in over the mountain… AMAZING! One day I am going to climb it!
So I do have plans for Christmas. We are getting together at a friend’s house. I am glad we will be together for Christmas. We exchanged names for Christmas. I don’t know what to get my secret santa. We are going to Chimoio tomorrow so maybe I’ll find something!
I don’t know how I will feel on Christmas day. This will be my first Christmas away from my family. It will be hard and I will probably cry. It has already been hard because this is my favorite time of year! The season, the lights, the weather…. I love everything about it! But here in Africa it is HOT and there aren’t many holiday decorations or holiday music everywhere you go. It doesn’t even seem like Christmas to me. Hopefully this time next year I will be visiting home and the year after that I will be home for good. So I only have to miss one Christmas! Sounds like a plan to me!
I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Catandica BABY!
Boa Noite!
SOOO…. I am going to Catandica, Manica! We swear in as volunteers on Tuesday Dec. 8! The next day I will be flying to Manica! I cannot believe this is actually happening! I have waited for soooooooooo long! I will be living in a house with a roomie. Her name is Kendra. She is a MOZ 14er too! She will be teaching English. I am glad I have a roomie. I think it will be awesome! We have already made the rule that we MUST speak only Portuguese to each other… I need the practice!
Did everyone have an awesome Thanksgiving?! I DID! PC let us have party! They provided turkeys and roasted veggies. We were supposed to bring sides and sweets. I made my mom’s traditional rum cake. It was rockin’! although the rum here tastes different… still good though. I made a trial cake for my host family and my host mom ate it all! She asked for the recipe! That is a HUGE complement… that is because my REAL mom rocks! So anyway our turkey day festa (party) was awesome! There was soooooo much food! We have some good cooks in MOZ 14. It was the first time I have been completely full since I have been here! Not all my cake was gone so my language professor took it home… it was his birthday. He ate ALL of it! Then the next day he asked my friend and me to make him a cake for his graduation from university. Of course we said yes!
Sometimes I wake up and cannot believe I am actually in Africa. I am sooooo lucky that I have an amazing family and rockin’ friends who are so super supportive! I am having so much fun and I am working so very hard! I cannot wait to move to Manica to continue my work! Thank you to all my family and friends! You all are the reason I am here! Because without your support, thoughts, and prayers I don’t think I could it! You all are AWESOME! - ok that was my cheesy thanksgiving speech.
Miss everyone LOTS!
SOOO…. I am going to Catandica, Manica! We swear in as volunteers on Tuesday Dec. 8! The next day I will be flying to Manica! I cannot believe this is actually happening! I have waited for soooooooooo long! I will be living in a house with a roomie. Her name is Kendra. She is a MOZ 14er too! She will be teaching English. I am glad I have a roomie. I think it will be awesome! We have already made the rule that we MUST speak only Portuguese to each other… I need the practice!
Did everyone have an awesome Thanksgiving?! I DID! PC let us have party! They provided turkeys and roasted veggies. We were supposed to bring sides and sweets. I made my mom’s traditional rum cake. It was rockin’! although the rum here tastes different… still good though. I made a trial cake for my host family and my host mom ate it all! She asked for the recipe! That is a HUGE complement… that is because my REAL mom rocks! So anyway our turkey day festa (party) was awesome! There was soooooo much food! We have some good cooks in MOZ 14. It was the first time I have been completely full since I have been here! Not all my cake was gone so my language professor took it home… it was his birthday. He ate ALL of it! Then the next day he asked my friend and me to make him a cake for his graduation from university. Of course we said yes!
Sometimes I wake up and cannot believe I am actually in Africa. I am sooooo lucky that I have an amazing family and rockin’ friends who are so super supportive! I am having so much fun and I am working so very hard! I cannot wait to move to Manica to continue my work! Thank you to all my family and friends! You all are the reason I am here! Because without your support, thoughts, and prayers I don’t think I could it! You all are AWESOME! - ok that was my cheesy thanksgiving speech.
Miss everyone LOTS!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Week 5 and 6
Hello Friends and Family!!
How is everyone?!
I am doing well! Everyday is super busy! This week we were on site visits. Each trainee went out into Moz to visit a current volunteer. I went to Quissico. It was amazing! I got to swim in the Indian Ocean! Yes, you should be jealous! It was a much needed break, even though the rest of this week has been tough. I am feeling a little overwhelmed with everything we have to do. Next week starts model school. We will be teaching Monday through Friday to Mozambican students. I am teaching 8th grade. I am a little nervous!!!! I don’t feel like my language skills are good enough yet to be totally comfortable. I know I can do it, but I am still nervous! BUT next Monday we are supposed to find out our site placements!! I cannot wait! I know where I would like to go, but I don’t know if I will be placed there. I am trying not to get too excited.
I hope everyone has a great weekend!!
Megatron
How is everyone?!
I am doing well! Everyday is super busy! This week we were on site visits. Each trainee went out into Moz to visit a current volunteer. I went to Quissico. It was amazing! I got to swim in the Indian Ocean! Yes, you should be jealous! It was a much needed break, even though the rest of this week has been tough. I am feeling a little overwhelmed with everything we have to do. Next week starts model school. We will be teaching Monday through Friday to Mozambican students. I am teaching 8th grade. I am a little nervous!!!! I don’t feel like my language skills are good enough yet to be totally comfortable. I know I can do it, but I am still nervous! BUT next Monday we are supposed to find out our site placements!! I cannot wait! I know where I would like to go, but I don’t know if I will be placed there. I am trying not to get too excited.
I hope everyone has a great weekend!!
Megatron
Monday, November 2, 2009
I have been here for 1 month!!! OMC!
Boa Noite!
I have been in Africa for more than a month! I doesn’t seem like it has been that long… probably because I am sooooo very busy!
Week 4 was tough for me. My group was working on 45 minute lessons. It is not easy teaching biology in Portuguese for 45 minutes! I know the material but I don’t feel like I know the language well enough to teach well. My professor says we are all doing great, but sometimes I think she is just being nice. J
My language class is going great. I feel like I am learning soooo much! I am now having REAL conversations with my host family and they understand what I am saying!! And you all know how much I love to talk!
My host family is taking great care of me! I actually think they are spoiling me sometimes. My host mom makes frequent business trips to Maputo. Every time she goes she always brings me something. Usually it is a food item for my lunch or launche (midmorning or mid-afternoon snackage). This week I got Laughing Cow Cheese. Except here it is called “Vaca que ri”. Yes, I was excited… You don’t know how much you love dairy products until you have none!
Saturday was Halloween. PC gave us permission to have a Halloween party. It was AWESOME! All the trainees were supposed to dress-up and bring a family member. Since my host sister was in town I took her. We both dressed up as ladybugs! It was fun trying to explain the concept of Halloween. They don’t really have any holiday that is similar. My family thought I was crazy when I was explaining trick or treating. It was fun though. After the party we were supposed to take our family members home and then all the trainees were going to meet up at a barraca for some fun… it was SOO much fun! I am not really a party person but my friends made me dance! I am pretty sure I was doing the Chandler dance!! What can I say… I am white girl with no rhythm! It is ok though… one of my friends was dancing with me and neither of knew what we were doing… maybe he just felt sorry for me J ha ha!
This week is going to be awesome! Tomorrow we are going to talk about classroom management and how to deal with large class sizes. (Usually the class size is about 70) After lunch we are going to tour the orphanage here. I am not sure how I feel about that yet. On Wednesday, we find out where we are going for site visits on Saturday!! I cannot wait for site visits! Friday I have a language proficiency test… let’s pray I do well! I don’t want to be that person who fails… that would be sad! L
I miss home like crazy, but I am having soooo much fun!
MozMeg
I have been in Africa for more than a month! I doesn’t seem like it has been that long… probably because I am sooooo very busy!
Week 4 was tough for me. My group was working on 45 minute lessons. It is not easy teaching biology in Portuguese for 45 minutes! I know the material but I don’t feel like I know the language well enough to teach well. My professor says we are all doing great, but sometimes I think she is just being nice. J
My language class is going great. I feel like I am learning soooo much! I am now having REAL conversations with my host family and they understand what I am saying!! And you all know how much I love to talk!
My host family is taking great care of me! I actually think they are spoiling me sometimes. My host mom makes frequent business trips to Maputo. Every time she goes she always brings me something. Usually it is a food item for my lunch or launche (midmorning or mid-afternoon snackage). This week I got Laughing Cow Cheese. Except here it is called “Vaca que ri”. Yes, I was excited… You don’t know how much you love dairy products until you have none!
Saturday was Halloween. PC gave us permission to have a Halloween party. It was AWESOME! All the trainees were supposed to dress-up and bring a family member. Since my host sister was in town I took her. We both dressed up as ladybugs! It was fun trying to explain the concept of Halloween. They don’t really have any holiday that is similar. My family thought I was crazy when I was explaining trick or treating. It was fun though. After the party we were supposed to take our family members home and then all the trainees were going to meet up at a barraca for some fun… it was SOO much fun! I am not really a party person but my friends made me dance! I am pretty sure I was doing the Chandler dance!! What can I say… I am white girl with no rhythm! It is ok though… one of my friends was dancing with me and neither of knew what we were doing… maybe he just felt sorry for me J ha ha!
This week is going to be awesome! Tomorrow we are going to talk about classroom management and how to deal with large class sizes. (Usually the class size is about 70) After lunch we are going to tour the orphanage here. I am not sure how I feel about that yet. On Wednesday, we find out where we are going for site visits on Saturday!! I cannot wait for site visits! Friday I have a language proficiency test… let’s pray I do well! I don’t want to be that person who fails… that would be sad! L
I miss home like crazy, but I am having soooo much fun!
MozMeg
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Week 3
Hello Friends and Family!!
How is everyone?!?! I miss home like crazy! BUT I am having a great time! I am learning sooooo much! Sometimes I come home in the evenings and I can’t even think… my head is full of new things and information.
This is the end of my third week! Can you believe it has been that long already?! It was an awesome week. We had many fun activities planned for us! I am pretty sure I laughed until I cried! It was much needed! I’ll try to post a picture… not sure if I can because the internet is dial-up slow!!!
Today, during our language class, we cooked with our families. All of our host mom’s met us at a friend’s house and taught us how to cook Mozambican food. We made Matapa, Couve, and N something (I don’t know all the words). We also made Chima and Rice. It was all very delicious. It was fun cooking with our host families. It is kind of funny though… they think we have no idea how to cook… but I DO! They just laughed at us!
Sooo… another crazy story… My host mom found out I go to a Nazarene Church in the US. She was very excited and told me that there is a Nazarene church here in Namaacha! How crazy is that!? I went on Sunday and loved it! They were so very excited to have me there! Apparently mom host mom told them I was coming because they knew EVERYTHING about me! AND the best part was… The pastor at this church knows all about BFC!! I just can’t escape the Nazarene’s!! J
I do have 2 fun stories for you…
Earlier this week my stomach hurt. I was just not feeling so great. My host mom could tell I didn’t feel well and asked and I told her. So for dinner she made beans and rice and then tried to get me to eat a spoonful of mayonnaise (unrefridgerated after opening). She told me it will help with my digestion… I am pretty sure it would have made me sick! I didn’t eat it!
This next story is kind of morbid… but really funny! Sorry if you don’t like it!
Some of the other volunteers have created a club while we are here in Namaacha… it doesn’t really have a name. But you are apart of it if you have killed a chicken and then later ate that same chicken. I am not apart of this club yet… I have helped cut up and duck but I did not kill it, it was already dead and plucked. So anyway, like I said earlier we made lunch with our host mom’s today. My friend Megan got to kill her first chicken. While she was in the process of killing the chicken a little chicken blood got on her foot. Instead of her mom getting a cloth to wipe it off… she used the clean feathers that were on the chicken head… She used a chicken head to clean off the blood!!! I laughed really hard when she told me this!
Now, I must go to bed… I have a test tomorrow!!!
MozMeghann
How is everyone?!?! I miss home like crazy! BUT I am having a great time! I am learning sooooo much! Sometimes I come home in the evenings and I can’t even think… my head is full of new things and information.
This is the end of my third week! Can you believe it has been that long already?! It was an awesome week. We had many fun activities planned for us! I am pretty sure I laughed until I cried! It was much needed! I’ll try to post a picture… not sure if I can because the internet is dial-up slow!!!
Today, during our language class, we cooked with our families. All of our host mom’s met us at a friend’s house and taught us how to cook Mozambican food. We made Matapa, Couve, and N something (I don’t know all the words). We also made Chima and Rice. It was all very delicious. It was fun cooking with our host families. It is kind of funny though… they think we have no idea how to cook… but I DO! They just laughed at us!
Sooo… another crazy story… My host mom found out I go to a Nazarene Church in the US. She was very excited and told me that there is a Nazarene church here in Namaacha! How crazy is that!? I went on Sunday and loved it! They were so very excited to have me there! Apparently mom host mom told them I was coming because they knew EVERYTHING about me! AND the best part was… The pastor at this church knows all about BFC!! I just can’t escape the Nazarene’s!! J
I do have 2 fun stories for you…
Earlier this week my stomach hurt. I was just not feeling so great. My host mom could tell I didn’t feel well and asked and I told her. So for dinner she made beans and rice and then tried to get me to eat a spoonful of mayonnaise (unrefridgerated after opening). She told me it will help with my digestion… I am pretty sure it would have made me sick! I didn’t eat it!
This next story is kind of morbid… but really funny! Sorry if you don’t like it!
Some of the other volunteers have created a club while we are here in Namaacha… it doesn’t really have a name. But you are apart of it if you have killed a chicken and then later ate that same chicken. I am not apart of this club yet… I have helped cut up and duck but I did not kill it, it was already dead and plucked. So anyway, like I said earlier we made lunch with our host mom’s today. My friend Megan got to kill her first chicken. While she was in the process of killing the chicken a little chicken blood got on her foot. Instead of her mom getting a cloth to wipe it off… she used the clean feathers that were on the chicken head… She used a chicken head to clean off the blood!!! I laughed really hard when she told me this!
Now, I must go to bed… I have a test tomorrow!!!
MozMeghann
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Lovin' Africa!
Hello friends!!
I have been in Africa for about 2.5 weeks!! I can’t believe it has been that long!! I am having so much fun!
I go to “school” M-F from 7:30 a.m. to about 5:00 p.m. In the mornings we have language class for 2 hours. I am really enjoying my language class… it is hard but I know I need it! After language class we have Tech classes. My tech class is learning how to give 20 minute biology lessons in Portuguese this week. Yikes! I need to start preparing now! After Tech class we usually have Cross Cultural training. We have talked about traditional rituals and the economy. Mozambique is a very interesting country! I am very excited to learn! Then after Cross Cultural Training we usually have language application for about an hour. PC keeps us busy!!
So far my favorite thing to do is going to the barraca and getting a Fanta with my friends. I love the Fanta here! I think I could drink about 10 a day!
I don’t really have any embarrassing stories yet. I know it will happen one day! I’ll make sure to keep you all posted!
I have been in Africa for about 2.5 weeks!! I can’t believe it has been that long!! I am having so much fun!
I go to “school” M-F from 7:30 a.m. to about 5:00 p.m. In the mornings we have language class for 2 hours. I am really enjoying my language class… it is hard but I know I need it! After language class we have Tech classes. My tech class is learning how to give 20 minute biology lessons in Portuguese this week. Yikes! I need to start preparing now! After Tech class we usually have Cross Cultural training. We have talked about traditional rituals and the economy. Mozambique is a very interesting country! I am very excited to learn! Then after Cross Cultural Training we usually have language application for about an hour. PC keeps us busy!!
So far my favorite thing to do is going to the barraca and getting a Fanta with my friends. I love the Fanta here! I think I could drink about 10 a day!
I don’t really have any embarrassing stories yet. I know it will happen one day! I’ll make sure to keep you all posted!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Jo-Burg
We made it! Now just one more flight to Maputo!
The last 48 hours have been crazy! We are all severly sleep deprived! It seems like everyone is excited... which is awesome!
I have to make this post short... I only purchased 30 minutes :-(
I hope everyone is doing well!
The last 48 hours have been crazy! We are all severly sleep deprived! It seems like everyone is excited... which is awesome!
I have to make this post short... I only purchased 30 minutes :-(
I hope everyone is doing well!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Philadelphia
I made it to Philadelphia with no problems! I didn't even get lost! I was so proud of myself! I checked into the hotel around 6:30ish. I got settled in and decided to go to dinner. I walked a few blocks to Chili's. AND on the way I found a 7-11! For those of you who don't know... I love love love 7-11 big gulps! I was excited!
This morning at the airport was bittersweet... I was super sad to leave my family but I was excited to leave! It was hard to say goodbye to my parents this morning. There was crying. I think the thing that scares me the most, and my parents will probably agree, is the communication. It will take time to get used to but I think I can do it!
I am sooooooooo tired! I must sleep so that I can have a great day tomorrow!
This morning at the airport was bittersweet... I was super sad to leave my family but I was excited to leave! It was hard to say goodbye to my parents this morning. There was crying. I think the thing that scares me the most, and my parents will probably agree, is the communication. It will take time to get used to but I think I can do it!
I am sooooooooo tired! I must sleep so that I can have a great day tomorrow!
Monday, September 21, 2009
5 DAYS!
I leave for Mozambique in less than ONE WEEK!! That is just pure craziness! I have started my packing process. The guest room bed is covered with all the stuff I am planning on taking. I'm not sure if everything is going to make it!
Thus far I have been super busy with last minute outings with friends and family. Here are a few pictures. Enjoy!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Two WEEKS!
I leave in 2 weeks! That is just craziness! I have sooooo much stuff to get done: packing, preparing my family, and saying good-bye.
I have received many emails preparing me for my departure. Everytime I read one I get more and more excited. I cannot wait! The only thing I am nervous about at this point is communication with my family and friends at home.
This week starts my last week at work. I'm not really sad to leave! I think it is because I am too excited to leave. Too excited to start my new career!
Tchau
I have received many emails preparing me for my departure. Everytime I read one I get more and more excited. I cannot wait! The only thing I am nervous about at this point is communication with my family and friends at home.
This week starts my last week at work. I'm not really sad to leave! I think it is because I am too excited to leave. Too excited to start my new career!
Tchau
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
My Assingment
Olá!
My adventures in Mozambique are about to begin! My journey began about one year ago, when I decided to join Peace Corps. It was a long process, which included: medical and dental clearance, essay writing, letters of recommendation, and getting permission to pass on ALL my financial obligations to my parents. I found out at the end of May '09 that I would be going to Mozambique. I will be teaching biology in Portuguese and I may have the chance to work with children, youth, women and men dealing with sensitive issues such as HIV/AIDS and gender role development.
My departure date is September 28, 2009. I will be flying from OKC to Philadelphia, which is where my staging event will be held. I will only be there for a short time because I will be flying out of JFK September 30th headed to Maputo, Mozambique.
When I arrive in Maputo (the capital city) I will be in Pre Service Training. During that time I will be living with a host family. Living with a host family will be very interesting... Communication will be very difficult at first but I am sure I will catch on quickly.
Tchau (pronounced chow - which means goodbye in Portuguese!)
My adventures in Mozambique are about to begin! My journey began about one year ago, when I decided to join Peace Corps. It was a long process, which included: medical and dental clearance, essay writing, letters of recommendation, and getting permission to pass on ALL my financial obligations to my parents. I found out at the end of May '09 that I would be going to Mozambique. I will be teaching biology in Portuguese and I may have the chance to work with children, youth, women and men dealing with sensitive issues such as HIV/AIDS and gender role development.
My departure date is September 28, 2009. I will be flying from OKC to Philadelphia, which is where my staging event will be held. I will only be there for a short time because I will be flying out of JFK September 30th headed to Maputo, Mozambique.
When I arrive in Maputo (the capital city) I will be in Pre Service Training. During that time I will be living with a host family. Living with a host family will be very interesting... Communication will be very difficult at first but I am sure I will catch on quickly.
Tchau (pronounced chow - which means goodbye in Portuguese!)
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