So I figure you must be wondering what my daily life is like. The truth is every day is so different. So I am going to give you a glimpse into my Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of last week.
Friday Morning Woke up about 5:15, feelin' lazy, so I sent an iwe to get my water. As I am currently out of cookies this proved to be a bit more challenging than normal. But still, the job got done, and not by me. Got ready, SWEPT, and went off to the clinic. My actual work at the clinic wasn't too exciting today. I was just coping information from the patient's visits into the registry. Though, since I'm a virgo, I found this really enjoyable. I can tell you, though, this morning, the clinic tested about 25 people for malaria and only two were found negative.
Saturday Morning Gilbert, my counterpart in the village, came over at about 8 and dug a rubbish pit and made a bunch of ridge for beans. He did all this in about 1 1/2 hours. All by himself. I find this crazy. It would have taken me all day. While he was doing this I was cleaning and painting my house. I had it in my mind that I was going to help him. Then, after seeing him working, I realized that he knew I would only be getting in the way. But I was finally able to burn my trash, first time since I had moved in. As my trash was burning I was sitting outside, washing my sheets, guarding my burning trash from the curiosity of the iwes. They like to get in there and see what I'm throwing away. Then I took a nice bucket bath.
Sunday Morning I filmed the church service. This was my second attempt. My camera battery died halfway through the service. I am worried that they are going to ask me to film again. Another two times. I don't mind, but I do have to stand up in front of the church, and its a bit distracting. But the choir sounds beautiful and I enjoy listening to them sing.
Friday Afternoon Sewed some of a curtain made out of chitenge. Chitenge is a 2m cloth that all the women wear and I chased some iwes out of my yard. Then I took my new bike for a spin. I really love my new bike. Found a new network spot...hopefully I can find it again. After I got home Moreen came over. I love Moreen. She is in 5th grade and is absolutely hilarious. She brought some girls over who were hoping to use my nail polish to paint their nails, but, conveniently I was planning a health talk and had an excuse to say no. But they stayed, and Moreen told them all about me. She told them what I liked to eat, to wear, to do, just about everything. She even got up and reinacted some of the times that we spent together. But everything she said was true, so how could I mind. I just laughed and nodded my head in agreement at everything she said. I met another neighbor. She is 17 and just graduated 12th grade. She speaks a little English and I speak a little Bemba so we had a good time. I showed her some photographs of America.
Saturday Afternoon Chased some iwes out of my yard. I've been doing that all day. I started working on a really neat puzzle today. I'm planning on hanging it up after I'm done...maybe I'll put it together one more time first. I think it will be a cool addition to my hut and a fun activity. The same girls came over to paint their nails that came over yesterday. I made popcorn and they painted their nails. Today I also started to teach myself how to crochet.
Sunday Afternoon After church I was really wanting some time alone, but that didn't happen. I had visitors all day. And it was pretty enjoyable. There was a lot of sitting silently watching the trees sway in the wind. Probably what I would be doing anyway. And I also ate a lot of mangoes.
Friday Night I read some notes that my friends wrote about me before I left. It made me feel really happy and good about myself. Then I read my book and went to sleep.
Saturday Night I drank some tea and danced to the sounds of my neighbor's drumming next door. Then I read and went to sleep. I wanted to work on my puzzle, but its too difficult by candlelight.
Sunday Night I was invited over to my neighbor's house to eat nshima and veggie relish. I had a really great time over there. My neighbors are great people. They don't speak english, but maybe a few words. Though we can always communicate pretty well. The kids told their mom everything we did that day. Again I laughed and nodded in agreement.
If you are thinking of sending me a Christmas present I would be very much appreciative! I know that sending packages are expensive so if you would like to send money to my mom (PO Box 4772 Kailua-Kona, HI 96740) she will know what to do with it. And if you would like to send me a package just message me and I can give you some ideas!
