June 29, 2008
I have conquered the village. The village has not conquered me.
We have a well from which our water is extracted. It is piped into a huge tank. There is a pump/tank for the school and a different set for the surrounding community. At the school every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday our tank is filled, though there is no meter gauge when the tank is getting low.
So I’ve told you before how the water has gone off a couple or times over the weekends. It’s not usual so the first time it happened was a huge shock. Since then every Friday afternoon I fill 2 large pots with water just in case. I also have a 25L jug for emergencies. I always take a bath on Friday night and begin the necessary laundry (if the water goes off, it’s usually on Saturday morning).
It’s Sunday. By 11am I had (hand- as all “laundry” doing is) washed all the sheets, boiled rice, prepared meals for the week, and washed most of the dishes when it happened. The water went off. I didn’t panic. I didn’t get annoyed. I looked at my water pots and smiled. I thought of all my weekend accomplishments and felt a small surge of pride. I was productive and prepared.
CSR: 1
Village: 0 (this time)
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Hanging By A Thread
June 27, 2008
Me and Bri: An SMS Conversation
(all abbreviations have been spelled out for your sake)
Me: It was an alright week. There was some homesickness then consideration of going home in August. Interesting chats with host mom. Classes alright. Lots of quiet time and prayer this week. Optimistic.
Bri: You really are using positive coping. I’m impressed. Unless that was code for ‘spent the week drinking. Broke down and ate an earthworm, I hate this place.’ Really though, glad you connected with host mom and took some time for yourself.
Me: Oh girl, I’m hanging on by a thread…wish I brought that 6-pk but better that I didn’t. Find relief in escapism…just today talking about Mozambique in August. It’s all good when I’m in my room chillin’ with Jesus…when I get to class with those little buggers I’m just tryin’ to recall Christ at all %-). Sorry, didn’t mean to sound zen or anything in last sms.
Bri: Hey I could use some zen myself, no apologies. And yeah, I can relate to that for sure. Best part of the day is 5pm when I shut my door for the day, light a candle (electricity still out) and read til bedtime. And I look at my calendar alot. Alot.
Me: We MUST get some leads on what to do for August break next weekend…something to dream about under your flickering flames .
Bri: Sounds like a plan. I’m looking forward to looking forward.
Me and Bri: An SMS Conversation
(all abbreviations have been spelled out for your sake)
Me: It was an alright week. There was some homesickness then consideration of going home in August. Interesting chats with host mom. Classes alright. Lots of quiet time and prayer this week. Optimistic.
Bri: You really are using positive coping. I’m impressed. Unless that was code for ‘spent the week drinking. Broke down and ate an earthworm, I hate this place.’ Really though, glad you connected with host mom and took some time for yourself.
Me: Oh girl, I’m hanging on by a thread…wish I brought that 6-pk but better that I didn’t. Find relief in escapism…just today talking about Mozambique in August. It’s all good when I’m in my room chillin’ with Jesus…when I get to class with those little buggers I’m just tryin’ to recall Christ at all %-). Sorry, didn’t mean to sound zen or anything in last sms.
Bri: Hey I could use some zen myself, no apologies. And yeah, I can relate to that for sure. Best part of the day is 5pm when I shut my door for the day, light a candle (electricity still out) and read til bedtime. And I look at my calendar alot. Alot.
Me: We MUST get some leads on what to do for August break next weekend…something to dream about under your flickering flames .
Bri: Sounds like a plan. I’m looking forward to looking forward.
Delirious
June 22, 2008
I want to go home. My mind seized on this Friday and hasn’t let go since. I love the family pics my sister sent and I love hearing stories about my little munchkins. But I hate that they’re growing up without me. I have an intense longing to see them (“want” doesn’t begin to describe what I feel). My little burrito is now a super walking burrito and will be talking before I know it…and I won’t be there. Plus, this life is rough. I don’t love this country (probably never will). I don’t love this culture.
One of the things giving me comfort right now is cooking. On the weekends at least 2 of my 3 meals are a production. Yesterday for breakfast I had bacon, eggs, and hashed browns. Lunch was tuna cakes. This morning it was French toast and fried corn. Lunch ended up being a grilled cheese and salad but I prepared the spinach pizza topping for later in the week. I also rolled out some homemade tortillas and chopped veggies for tacos.
I feel like I spent a lot on groceries this month but right now it’s my sanity.
I want to go home. My mind seized on this Friday and hasn’t let go since. I love the family pics my sister sent and I love hearing stories about my little munchkins. But I hate that they’re growing up without me. I have an intense longing to see them (“want” doesn’t begin to describe what I feel). My little burrito is now a super walking burrito and will be talking before I know it…and I won’t be there. Plus, this life is rough. I don’t love this country (probably never will). I don’t love this culture.
One of the things giving me comfort right now is cooking. On the weekends at least 2 of my 3 meals are a production. Yesterday for breakfast I had bacon, eggs, and hashed browns. Lunch was tuna cakes. This morning it was French toast and fried corn. Lunch ended up being a grilled cheese and salad but I prepared the spinach pizza topping for later in the week. I also rolled out some homemade tortillas and chopped veggies for tacos.
I feel like I spent a lot on groceries this month but right now it’s my sanity.
(;_;)
June 15, 2008
Father’s day. Sunday morning. Broad daylight. Three of us talking while we walked over the bridge. Two teenage boys came up the slope from the parking lot at the side of the bridge just where the railing ends. We weren’t paying attention to them. Suddenly they’re too close to my friend. Then she’s saying no. All I know is that I have to get them away from my girl. I don’t even know what is happening yet but I’m pushing them off of her. They snatch her bag and run across the street and disappear into a gulley.
In shock we go to tell the mall security guards, the ones standing around chatting instead of checking the perimeter (I’m sure this wasn’t the first time this spot had been the scene of a crime). They must have been board as the mall was just opening and they had nothing better to do so they went to look for them. They too disappeared into the gulley. We watched and waited. We didn’t think much would happen.
Suddenly a guard came running at full speed from the mall. We looked up at the bridge and a guy with a gun was nudging the two young ruffians forward. Our mouths dropped open. As they walked past us we froze. Urged to follow by the security guards we did at a distance. All of the excitement gathered a crowd who were tagging along.
There were too many people stuffed into a mall security office, including the two boys. Suddenly they looked so young. One of them I was certain about the other I could not positively ID. But when we were adamant about his guilt he turned his own buddy in.
Security smacked them around a bit. Out came her cell phone. They smacked them around a bit more. Out came the SIM card. They smacked them around some more and lead them back to the gulley. Her bag, wallet, glasses, and other odds and ends resurfaced.
Did we have to fill out any paperwork? No. Can we go? Yes. What will happen to them? We will call the police.
* Please excuse me if I spoke to you on the phone that day, it was a rough day- Ben, Jam, O, Booda.
Father’s day. Sunday morning. Broad daylight. Three of us talking while we walked over the bridge. Two teenage boys came up the slope from the parking lot at the side of the bridge just where the railing ends. We weren’t paying attention to them. Suddenly they’re too close to my friend. Then she’s saying no. All I know is that I have to get them away from my girl. I don’t even know what is happening yet but I’m pushing them off of her. They snatch her bag and run across the street and disappear into a gulley.
In shock we go to tell the mall security guards, the ones standing around chatting instead of checking the perimeter (I’m sure this wasn’t the first time this spot had been the scene of a crime). They must have been board as the mall was just opening and they had nothing better to do so they went to look for them. They too disappeared into the gulley. We watched and waited. We didn’t think much would happen.
Suddenly a guard came running at full speed from the mall. We looked up at the bridge and a guy with a gun was nudging the two young ruffians forward. Our mouths dropped open. As they walked past us we froze. Urged to follow by the security guards we did at a distance. All of the excitement gathered a crowd who were tagging along.
There were too many people stuffed into a mall security office, including the two boys. Suddenly they looked so young. One of them I was certain about the other I could not positively ID. But when we were adamant about his guilt he turned his own buddy in.
Security smacked them around a bit. Out came her cell phone. They smacked them around a bit more. Out came the SIM card. They smacked them around some more and lead them back to the gulley. Her bag, wallet, glasses, and other odds and ends resurfaced.
Did we have to fill out any paperwork? No. Can we go? Yes. What will happen to them? We will call the police.
* Please excuse me if I spoke to you on the phone that day, it was a rough day- Ben, Jam, O, Booda.
How Far Will You Go?
June 13, 2008
I traveled five hours to Windhoek today. We drove. Just for the weekend to see friends, eat some Indian food, and see a movie. Crazy? Not when you live in Namibia.
I traveled five hours to Windhoek today. We drove. Just for the weekend to see friends, eat some Indian food, and see a movie. Crazy? Not when you live in Namibia.
Question Box
June 12, 2008
My kids are so funny! I put a box on the reading table- the question box. They can ask any question and they have to put their grade on the paper too. Oh they’ve been begging me to answer questions all week. Some of the things that have been on their minds (all questions have been changed to actually make sense):
* Is this the first time you plaited your hair? Is it all yours?
No, this is not the first time. I braid my hair every summer in America. Yes it’s all mine.
* Do people in North America eat earthworms?
I don’t know about Mexico or Canada but in the United States well…I don’t think so. (some people in Namibia eat them)
* Why haven’t we been getting stars on the star chart?
Have you been good lately? I asked you last week if you thought you deserved stars. You said no and I agreed with you. When you’re good you’ll get stars.
* We want to go to Chicago.
Shoot, I want to go to Chicago too. And that’s not a question.
* Will you come after study to our homestead?
Yes I will (screams of delight). I would like to see a Namibian homestead. I will come on the weekend and help you do chores. (shouts of disbelief and cries of yes!)
My kids are so funny! I put a box on the reading table- the question box. They can ask any question and they have to put their grade on the paper too. Oh they’ve been begging me to answer questions all week. Some of the things that have been on their minds (all questions have been changed to actually make sense):
* Is this the first time you plaited your hair? Is it all yours?
No, this is not the first time. I braid my hair every summer in America. Yes it’s all mine.
* Do people in North America eat earthworms?
I don’t know about Mexico or Canada but in the United States well…I don’t think so. (some people in Namibia eat them)
* Why haven’t we been getting stars on the star chart?
Have you been good lately? I asked you last week if you thought you deserved stars. You said no and I agreed with you. When you’re good you’ll get stars.
* We want to go to Chicago.
Shoot, I want to go to Chicago too. And that’s not a question.
* Will you come after study to our homestead?
Yes I will (screams of delight). I would like to see a Namibian homestead. I will come on the weekend and help you do chores. (shouts of disbelief and cries of yes!)
Group Support
June 11, 2008
Right now the people who understand me the most are the ones I met 8 months ago. My regular support network isn’t really giving me the support I need. It’s okay, I can’t expect them to understand a life that I live yet is still unimaginable even to me.
I’m coming to terms with this.
Right now the people who understand me the most are the ones I met 8 months ago. My regular support network isn’t really giving me the support I need. It’s okay, I can’t expect them to understand a life that I live yet is still unimaginable even to me.
I’m coming to terms with this.
Another POV
June 8, 2008
I get it now. I understand now how teachers often ET (early termination). I see how teachers teach to the more clever kids and the slower learners get left behind. I know now how people become okay with missing school, lowering their work ethic and other standards. I understand now how teachers get immersed in a secondary project just to see some tangible results of their volunteer effort.
The kids don’t care. They’ll probably end up being farmers anyway so they go to school just because they have to. Their parents don’t encourage them because so many of them are uneducated and don’t know the advantages education can provide. Teachers rarely have time to check their individual work so why do more than the bare minimum? They only need 20% to pass so what’s the point in pushing themselves to do more than that?
Now I know what the volunteer at our training meant when he said, “It’s like triage.” At that point I couldn’t imagine leaving a learner behind. I can now. I’m giving my life to these kids but if they don’t make use of it how much more can I give to the complacent?
I get it now. I understand now how teachers often ET (early termination). I see how teachers teach to the more clever kids and the slower learners get left behind. I know now how people become okay with missing school, lowering their work ethic and other standards. I understand now how teachers get immersed in a secondary project just to see some tangible results of their volunteer effort.
The kids don’t care. They’ll probably end up being farmers anyway so they go to school just because they have to. Their parents don’t encourage them because so many of them are uneducated and don’t know the advantages education can provide. Teachers rarely have time to check their individual work so why do more than the bare minimum? They only need 20% to pass so what’s the point in pushing themselves to do more than that?
Now I know what the volunteer at our training meant when he said, “It’s like triage.” At that point I couldn’t imagine leaving a learner behind. I can now. I’m giving my life to these kids but if they don’t make use of it how much more can I give to the complacent?
Truth or Dare
June 7, 2008
Truth or dare?
Truth.
Do you have any idea what my life is really like?
No.
Well try to imagine seeing your friends once ever 2 weeks. Easy? How about if all you can do to communicate with them is sms (ur thumb gets tired or what you’re trying to convey is just too big for that little screen to handle) and leave messages on Facebook? These are the ones who are closest to you and understand you most.
I dare you to not meet your friends for coffee, dinner, a movie, or even call them for 2 weeks.
Try to imagine only going grocery shopping once per month. You’re shopping for one month in advance…don’t forget anything. You’ll have fresh fruits and veggies for about a week then the rest of the month is full of frozen spinach and mixed vegetables. Now that you’re done it, haul all your stuff to the transport spot and then sit with it while you wait for them to leave 2 hours later than they are supposed to. Bring a book. Also, prepare yourself to be squished for a 2.5 hour ride that’ll take 4 hours. I dare you.
Try to imagine sand under your feet all the time; paved road once a month.
Try to imagine sunset at 5 pm and kerosene lanterns there after; electricity and a definite place to charge your cell phone once a month.
Try to imagine boiling your bath water on the stove, pouring it into a plastic tub, and then crouching over it to bathe; hot shower once a month.
Try to imagine not checking your email daily, or weekly, and not being able to view or upload pics; internet once a month.
Go ahead. I dare you.
Truth or dare?
Truth.
Do you have any idea what my life is really like?
No.
Well try to imagine seeing your friends once ever 2 weeks. Easy? How about if all you can do to communicate with them is sms (ur thumb gets tired or what you’re trying to convey is just too big for that little screen to handle) and leave messages on Facebook? These are the ones who are closest to you and understand you most.
I dare you to not meet your friends for coffee, dinner, a movie, or even call them for 2 weeks.
Try to imagine only going grocery shopping once per month. You’re shopping for one month in advance…don’t forget anything. You’ll have fresh fruits and veggies for about a week then the rest of the month is full of frozen spinach and mixed vegetables. Now that you’re done it, haul all your stuff to the transport spot and then sit with it while you wait for them to leave 2 hours later than they are supposed to. Bring a book. Also, prepare yourself to be squished for a 2.5 hour ride that’ll take 4 hours. I dare you.
Try to imagine sand under your feet all the time; paved road once a month.
Try to imagine sunset at 5 pm and kerosene lanterns there after; electricity and a definite place to charge your cell phone once a month.
Try to imagine boiling your bath water on the stove, pouring it into a plastic tub, and then crouching over it to bathe; hot shower once a month.
Try to imagine not checking your email daily, or weekly, and not being able to view or upload pics; internet once a month.
Go ahead. I dare you.
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