What a Week!

We had our mid-LPI (language performance interview) on Wednesday which started the week a little stressful trying to be the best prepared. I felt good about my performance after the interview, and found out the next day that I was at a Novice High level. I need to be at an Intermediate Mid level by the end of training, which I think is attainable. After training on Wednesday, a group of trainees played a softball game against a youth team from town. It was so much fun to watch, and next week I plan on bringing a change of clothes so that I can participate. There was a beautiful sunset across the playing field. In fact, most sunsets and sunrises are breath taking here. I need to post some pictures!

Thursday after classes I went for a jog around the neighborhood with a fellow trainee Rachel and about six or seven little girls from the neighborhood. It was nice to get out and move and it was fun having the kids around. I also met up with the group on Friday evening. When I approached the group, I was greeted with hugs from the kids. It was really sweet!

On Friday, I found out my permanent site. I will be in a village named Tses which is 80km from the major town of Keetmanshoop and is located in South Central Namibia. Tses has a population of about 2000. I will be teaching 8-10 grade Math and IT at St. Therese Junior Secondary School. The school has about 190 learners and 8 teachers. I will be living with the Matron of the hostel and I will flush toilet, water and electricity. I will share the kitchen with the matron. Other duties I might have at the school include assisting with the library and with debates. There are two health volunteers in my shopping town of Keetmanshoop.

Also on Friday we had a cooking day with our language class. We cooked Fat Cakes and spinach and a fish dish. We also made these amazing dumpling things. We cooked ground beef with onion, green pepper, tomato and veg-all. Then we made a dough and put the meat mixture inside and then fried the whole thing. It was delicious!

Saturday our group went to the Hot Springs outside of Okahandja. I did not get in the hot springs because it cost an additional N$30, but there was a pool which I did enjoy. Although, the water was a little green and the bottom was very slimy with algae, but it was very enjoyable. Then we had a braai (grill) with goat, lamb and sausage. We also had some amazing vegetables and of course braai bread. Braai bread is something I will definitely bring back with me to the states. It’s amazing!

Saturday was my host ma’s birthday. I went to celebrate at her sister’s house in town and learned some dance steps. They call it the “Long Arm” and the “Swing” which seem similar to each other to me. I was able to catch on, and had a really great time.

Today I was able to sleep in. Then did some laundry and baked my first cake in Namibia! We haven’t cut into it yet, but it looks good and smells good, so I’m hoping it tastes good too!

Later this week I will be going to my permanent site for a visit. I’m really looking forward to it! It will be great to see the school and the village where I’ll be for the next two years. I’ll post more details of the village after my trip!

Success

It’s amazing how much I seem to accomplish in one day here. Today I slept in some (7:30am) and then went to see a dance group that performs traditional dances. They showed our group their dances and then we taught them an American dance – the electric slide. We couldn’t come up with another dance to teach, but it seemed to work very well and the group enjoyed it. Then they taught us some steps from their dances and we ended up in a huge circle with our Namibian friends pulling us into the center to dance. It really was a lot of fun.

Then we went to Rhino’s for lunch. I had a hamburger and fries with a coke – totally American! It was pretty good. They put a sauce on the burger that was interesting, but I liked it. I doctored the tomato sauce they use as ketchup to taste a little more what I’m used to. I added Worchester sauce and some Tabasco Habenero sauce and some pepper.

Then it was off to the grocery store to buy the ingredients to make spaghetti with meat sauce for my host family. Afterwards we made the trek back to our area of town which was about a 2k walk. It was very hot outside, but it was still nice to walk. I still need to find a place to purchase a hat, because my scalp is a little burned now.

Once I was back, I sat on the porch with my host ma and two of her sisters. Then I decided to take a nap. Then I worked on the stocking for Nathaniel. Around 7:30 I started making my meat sauce. I cooked on a gas burner and sautéed the garlic and onions, then cooked the meat. I had to wait until my host ma got back from taking her sisters home to show me how to use the can opener. It was not like any one I have used before. I finished the sauce and cooked the pasta and shredded some cheese. I couldn’t find any parmesan cheese, so I went with mozzarella. I served all the plates and we sat down to eat. There was the good kind of silence as we ate – everyone was enjoying it! And I was very pleased with how it turned out. My next cooking attempt will be next weekend where I’ll be baking a birthday cake for my host ma.

It’s now 10pm and I have had a very successful and productive day.

Looking for a New Home for Jezebel

Hello all - I received an email from Darylanne who has been so kind as to watch after my cat Jezebel since I have left. Unfortunately, her husband and son have started having some allergies due to Jezebel living with them (she has long hair) and we now are looking for a new home for her. Please let me know if anyone is interested or knows someone who is. Thanks!

Pictures!

Cultural Day

Today we had each language group cook a traditional meal for the trainees, trainers and host families. There were some chickens that were slaughtered for the meals. I tried to watch, but once I heard the chicken make a squawk, I had to turn away. But I did watch some de-feathering and cutting up into pieces. It took a while for everything to be cooked because it was all cooked over an open fire. I helped to make dough rounds for the brie bread (bread cooked on a grill). These were delicious! I also helped grind the sheep for the sausage. Both the brie bread and sausage were from the Afrikaans group. Once everything was good it was all set out as a buffet. I tried as many dishes as I could and most were tasty, but there were a few I could only take one bite of. The caterpillar was one of those! I’m not sure if it was a worm or caterpillar, since it was referred as both. Either way – I will say it was edible, but I most likely will not eat it again. I tried two different types of porridge – one was very grainy (tasted like sand) which I didn’t care for. Most of the meat was very good – chicken and sheep. The one fish dish I tasted was WAY too fishy! The beans were all good and the breads were all good. It was a fun day and I’m still full from it!

Typical Day

My day usually starts around 6am because that’s when the sun comes up and it wakes me up. Sometimes I also wake up during the night and early morning because of dogs barking or roosters crowing. I get up and turn on the heater for the water (just flipping the breaker switch) and then wait a few min. for the water to heat up some. It’s usually only luke warm when I get in the shower, but it’s not too bad. I take my shower and get ready for the day. My breakfast has been Wheat Bix with warm milk this past week – it’s sort of like mini wheats without sugar. Then I say, “Geniet jou dag” (Enjoy your day) to my host mom and walk to the pickup spot. Most days I walk with the other trainees that live close to me. Then we get picked up by the comvee and are taken to the school where we have our language lessons.

Language lessons are for two hours in the morning. Yesterday, my class went out into the neighborhood of the school to greet people. It was good practice hearing other accents. Then we are picked up again and taken to the town center where we have the remaining sessions of the day. Our lunch is from 12:30 to 2 and it’s nice that we are in the center of the town because we can walk to the shops and see lots of people. We have a tea break at 3, which I’m really liking the tea breaks! Then more sessions until 4:30 or 5pm.

We are then taken back to our neighborhoods. Once I get home, I sit down and tell my host mom what I learned at school. I then do my homework. Doing my homework right when I get home from school is a new thing for me, because I used to always wait until right before bed; but it’s nice to have it complete right away and I’m not too tired yet. Then I usually talk with my host family while dinner is cooking. Usually we watch some soapies. These are usually Spanish soap operas dubbed in English. Right now Shades of Sin and The Storm are the two we are watching. Shades of Sin is from Brazil and the main character’s name is Barbara. It’s weird to hear people talk about the show b/c I hear my name a lot!

We all sit down together to eat dinner. My host mom is a great cook and I’m enjoying the dinners a lot. There’s not many vegetables, but it all tastes very good! We had Japanese the other night – rice with onion, spinach and sausage. I need to start writing down the recipes so I can make them when I’m on my own. After dinner we talk some more, or watch some more tv. I’ve been working on the Christmas stocking for my nephew Nathaniel. My host mom also likes doing needle work; she was working on an apron this week, but has now finished.

Usually around 8:30 I retire to my bedroom. I’ll journal or read or check my email. I usually am asleep by 9:30 or 10pm which is early, but I need the sleep! Then the day starts again.

I’m going to cook for my host family soon and am trying to think of some good American dishes to prepare. Suggestions would be great! Also, if anyone has questions, please ask.