Living My Peace Corps Dreams & Beyond: Lived (South Africa, 2006-2008)...Living!

Coming to America

2012-01-24T01:04:00.002-06:00

Hello Dear Reader,

The epic journey to America was completed about two weeks ago, and I'm still recovering. We took planes, trains (Amtrak, metros & subways), and automobiles from DC to Chicago to NYC and back. There were museums, lots of cheese cake, Christmas tree decorating, Times Square, ferry rides, plays, movies, Target, monuments, memorials, friends, family, and much, much more. Mind you, I've visited (and even lived in two) these three cities multiple times throughout my life, but I saw them through new eyes because of my lovely Ethiopian tourist.

Conversations we had about America's complex past, the definition of success and progress, and every day life helped to reshape my ever evolving perspective on being an American and life in America. Out in the world, America is the icon, a physical manifestation of success/glamor/glory/freedom. Out in the world, people either loath it, love it, fear it, hate it, idealize it and/or want to be a part of it (and sometimes all at once). Hell, throughout my lifetime, I've had all of those feelings. Whilst in America, I struggled with its complex history and attempted to understand how exactly I fit in. Since living abroad, my understanding of who I am, as an American, shifted in a direction I never would have expected. I've actually become rather patriotic. My appreciation for the struggles we've collectively been through has grown tremendously. The freedoms and liberties we have as individuals is a unique gift which is often times taken for granted when they are not routinely called into question (clearly a blanket statement, because there certainly are Americans who continue to be marginalized).

For my lovely Ethiopian, his first trip to the US of A was an overwhelming experience. He literally woke up dancing with excitement. Although he would never admit it, this trip was a dream come true. I had to pinch him to reassure him that this was not a dream (along with having to explain the expression after I actually pinched him). Periodically during our trip, I or someone else would ask him one of two questions: "How do you compare the US to Ethiopia?" and "What stands out the most on your trip thus far?" Because his responses didn't change much over the course of the three weeks we were there, I'll fill you in from what I remember (and add in my own thoughts and feelings...of course).

1. In Ethiopia, there are only a handful of ways food can taste. In the US, there are so many different tastes that one could spend weeks without overlapping culinary experiences.

2. Options. There are so many options for everything- from food, to activities, to information, ways of accessing information, ideas, etc.

3. Tall buildings. He attributed the tall buildings and the well-ordered infrastructure of the US as a testament to the hard work and forward thinking of the American people. (He took pictures of just about each one of the; and went to the tops of the Empire State Building, Sears Tower & the John Hancock Building).

4. Cheese Cake. I know I already mentioned 'foods' in general, but cheese cake deserves a special mention. My Ethiopian had never had cheese cake, only having heard of it from his favorite show "Friends". One bite of my brother's red velvet cheese cake from The Cheese Cake Factory had him hooked. We.ate.cheese.cake.all.the.time.and.talked.about.cheese.cake.all.of.the.time.

5.The Statue of Liberty. I've been to NYC a number of times, but never made the effort to visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. For me, Lady Liberty represents a story of migration (by choice) that excluded people who look like me. She is the story of liberty and equality for some, but not all. At the same time, she reminds me of how far we, as a people, have come. My ancestors reached American shores as shackled cargo, and considered as 3/5 of a person. Today, we are in boardrooms, business owners, families, farmers, ~Commander & Chief~, and complete citizens. We have come so far...from fear...to acceptance of difference...always redefining and reshaping what it means to be American.

For my beautiful Ethiopian, however, she is a symbol of America's dynamic past, present and future. She is the hope of a better future, an opportunity to be part of the intricate American fabric. She represents possibilities, of which both me and my Ethiopian are a part.

6. Family. I love, love, love my Ethiopian's family. At least once a day, I am in communication with at least one member of his immediate family. Each one of them embraced me with open arms. His family has become my family, with no distinctions between the love of my brother and his sisters. Equally, my Ethiopian blended so well into my family, that it feels like he's always been present. Routinely, my lovely guy remarked how loving my family is and how happy he is that he has been fully accepted. This, Dear Reader, is a dream come true for me.

7. The Washington Monument. We took gazillions of pictures at every angle possible.

8. The abundance of accessible information. My guy literally spent hours each day in museums. Unlike me, who would read a few display descriptions and move on, he studied the words and things he saw. We debated the theory of evolution vs creationism. He saw the fossil of Lucy, his great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great (throw a bunch of 'greats' in) grandmother (if you believe in evolution, that is). In the Smithsonian, Lucy was standing up and full of life. In the National Museum in Addis Ababa, she was an archaeological find.

For Christmas, my guy got an iPad and iPod, which immediately brought him into the world that Apple is trying to take over. "Apps", "smart phones", "touch screens", 4G Internet (I was impressed), "iCloud", and digital TV. Wow!

To say the very least, our trip home was nothing short of amazing. The best and most meaningful trip home to date. Together, and as a family, we were brought closer through this shared experience. It made him excited for the next trip, and stimulated my interests in, one day, moving back.

Until next time,

Dani

My Personal Life: Peace Corps 2nd & 3rd Goals

2011-12-16T09:27:00.004-06:00

Hello Dear Reader,

This festive season, I will have the exciting opportunity to incorporate Peace Corps' 2nd and 3rd goals into my personal life! Yep, you heard it right! But before I dive right into into it, let's revisit Peace Corps 3 goals:

1) Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women

2) Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of peoples served.

3) Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

Now that we are all on the same page, let's continue.

As you may have read several posts ago, I will soon marry a beautiful Ethiopian man, who, as it turns out, has never been to the United States. Although he's never been there, he could probably beat the both of us in American history, geography, and present-day politics. He's seen American movies, adores Sam Cooke-era music, and can quote 1960's slang better than any James Baldwin character. Can you dig it? While he can do all of these things, as can many 'outside observers', a true understanding of the USA can only be gained from experiencing its many facets from within. Without experiencing the magic that is the spirit of America and its people for one's self, one can boil the US and all of its many dimensions down to sound bites from CNN and Fox News. Similarly, without exposure to the world beyond US boarder patrol, Americans can be led to think that all Arabs hate us and all Africans wear Zebra loin clothes to work. Nope, that just won't do!

During our two-week trip, with stops in Washington, DC; Chicago; and New York City, my dear, sweet, sweetness will have the opportunity to meet up with old friends who have immigrated to the US. He will take the requisite in-front-of-the-White-House photo, walk up the steps of the Supreme Court, listen to down home blues, decorate a real Christmas tree, watch the 24 hour marathon of "A Christmas Story" on TNT like a real American, stroll along Lake Shore Drive, see the bright lights of Time Square, feel the warmth of family and friends as they welcome him into their homes and lives, go ice skating in Millennium Park, eat a real Chicago deep-dish pizza, and much more. My lovely guy will get to experience how Americans celebrate Christmas and bring in the New Year. (Side note: Did you know that, in Ethiopia, they use the Julian Calendar? Did you know that, on September 11th, Ethiopians brought in the year 2004? Did you know that, in Ethiopia, Christmas (known as Ganna) is celebrated on January 7th?) He will see that, to be American, does not equate to xenophobia. He will learn that, to be American, is not reduced to Black or White, but is actually represented by the myriad of colors in a rainbow.

On the same token, my family and friends will have the opportunity to get to know and love my sugar pie-honey bunch, just as I do. They will get to hear, for the first time, the bird song-like quality of Amharic. My guy and his BFF, who lives in the US, will guide the family as it accepts its first Ethiopian meal of injera, wot and kitfo. I won't have to simply describe the warmth and inviting qualities of Ethiopians. They'll get to experience it every time they walk into the kitchen, or ride up the elevator to the top floor of the Empire State Building, or as they stroll down the streets of LaSalle...all with my lovely Ethiopian guy. My family's understanding of and appreciation for Ethiopians will be even further broadened during their first trip to Ethiopia in several more months.

Striving towards the 3 goals of Peace Corps is not merely limited to 2 years of active service, at least not for me. Incorporating the 2nd and 3rd goals won't even end at the close of our two week vacation. Being of service to my global community, and fostering a better appreciation and understanding of each other is a life-long pursuit!

Here's to a very merry festive season and a HAPPY NEW YEAR (to those on the Gregorian Calendar system, that is)!!!

Until next time,

Dani

World AIDS Day: Practicing What I Preach

2011-12-02T07:30:00.008-06:00

Hello Dear Reader,

Right around December 1st, the day the world comes together to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, I often see messages pop up on Facebook and around the web encouraging people to get tested for HIV. Surely it is important to remind others to test, but I often wonder if those very same people test as well. Is it easy to tell someone how to think/act a certain way, yet do not take our own advice? When it comes to HIV testing, do we practice what we preach?

I can't speak for anyone but me, so I'll take this opportunity to share with you 4 reason why I choose to test regularly for HIV.

1) Not to sound cliche, but knowledge truly is power. Knowing my HIV status allows me to make wise and responsible decisions about my health and behavior so that I can stay HIV negative. Further, I can empower my sugar pie honey bunch to make decisions that are best for him (just as I am entitled to the same option).

2) I can't think of a good reason not to. If I could think of a reason, more likely than not, it would just be a lame excuse. HIV testing is relatively painless (sans the little prick on the finger...unless oral swab testing is available). Results of a 'rapid test' are available within 10 minutes...so quick that I could do it on my lunch break. It is super easy to find FREE testing services, and I surely do like the sound of that...particularly in these trying economic times (j/k).

3) Peace of mind.

4) I work in an environment that encourages routine, opt-out HIV testing and TB screening for everyone. Can I rightly continue to promote a behavior that I'm not willing to adopt? If you heard me preaching about the benefits of and responsibility to test, yet I did not do it, would you be inclined to take my advice? My passion for improving public health, for me, means that I must model the behavior that I wish to promote. In essence, I must practice what I preach.

Yesterday, on World AIDS Day, my organization and many others joined the ministry of health to increase awareness of HIV/AIDS throughout the country. A major highlight of the event was the provision of HIV testing and TB screening. Because all of the reasons I mentioned above, and to encourage my friends and family to test for HIV, I tested for HIV...and have the pictures to demonstrate how simple and easy testing can be!

Mobile HIV Testing & Counseling Unit

Preparing to test

All it takes is one simple finger prick!

Collecting a few small drops of blood...see, simple!

Waiting for my test results. HIV rapid tests can provide your results in less than 15 minutes!

Now I know my HIV status and can make responsible choices to stay HIV negative!

...and getting screened for TB can be fun too!

HIV does not care if you're gay or straight, single or married, blue or purple, rich or poor, American or African, 'good' or 'bad'. The only way to know your HIV status is to get tested.

Until next time,

Dani

Time Flies!

2011-11-14T07:01:00.002-06:00

Hello Dear Reader,

Earlier this week, I found myself staring at a calendar, trying to plan my (almost) annual pilgrimage to the US. November 12th was the date. Something about it stuck out. Hmm...November 12... Someone's birthday? Not a holiday. A meeting I've scheduled, perhaps? Tax day? No. Maybe it's time for my dog's annual vaccination. Nope, not that either. Why is this date so meaningful? I mean, the only thing about November that stands out is Thanksgiving, and admittedly, I haven't celebrated that holiday in years (#choosesnottorememberthefood&familyI'mmissing). Wait, wait...is it my parents' anniversary? No...that's not it...but it's definitely an anniversary!

Ahh...yes! November 12th most certainly is a special day...an anniversary day! The day marks 3 years of working in/service to the Kingdom of Lesotho! Wow...I can't believe it! Time surely flies! Three years ago, I never thought that I would still be in the same country, with the same organization. Three years ago, I did not begin to imagine all of the experiences (the good with 'bad') that I'd go through to bring me to this day! If you don't mind, I'd like to take you on a walk down memory lane:

* Almost 4 months to the day that I closed my service as a Peace Corps Volunteer, I was on a plane headed to the Kingdom of Lesotho, to start my life as a (paid) public health professional.

* Many evenings meeting up with friends for dinner, drinks, movies, silly/deep/meaningful conversations.

* Lifelong friendships made.

* Many trips to visit my friends/family living in Rustenburg (my Peace Corps site).

* Weddings, funerals, babies, new jobs, house warmings, traditional ceremonies, parties, graduations.

* Make ups. Break ups.

* Overcoming my fear of running to complete my first marathon, and subsequently removing the word "can't" from my personal dictionary.

* Gazillions of Skype calls.

* Road trips all over South Africa.

* Trips to places such as Egypt and Ethiopia.

* Learning how it feels to be a grown-up: filing taxes, purchasing a car, life insurance, buying a washing machine, turning 30....

* Meeting the man I will marry and trying to join two lives/histories/cultures/expectations/dreams.

* Taking note of how my perspective on people and the world has been reshaped with each new experience.

In the past three years, I have live enough for a whole lifetime. Each and every day presents an opportunity to challenge me, change me, and serve as a catalyst for me to grow more and more into the woman I want to be. Three years ago, I certainly did not think that I'd still be here...three years later. You may be asking, "What's the plan for the next three years?" At this point, there is no solid answer other than to say that I look forward to the magic that the future holds!

Thank you to my friends, family, and you for supporting me through this journey...as I continue to live out the dreams of my 3rd grade self!

Here's to the future!

Dani

Expanded Perspectives: LaQuita (RPSV- South Africa, 2006-2008)

2011-10-22T00:34:00.010-05:00

Hello Dear Reader,

I'm so excited to introduce a new 3rd Goal project of mine: Expanded Perspectives. Through this project, I hope to provide you with blog posts written by my friends and fellow RPCVs who have served in the Peace Corps all over the world (admittedly with a heavy leaning towards Africa). In their own words, you will get varied perspectives on life in the Peace Corps, what life can look like after the Peace Corps, and everything in between (related to the Peace Corps, of course)! I'm even trying to talk my parents into writing a post (for all of the concerned moms, dads, families and friends out there) about their experience with a child in the Peace Corps!

If you are a PC applicant, PC Invitee, PC Trainee, a current PCV, or RPCV, and would like to contribute, please feel to free contact me through the 'comments' section of this post! You're welcome to write about funny stories, anxieties about service/the application process, how PC service has made an impact on your life, or anything you can think of related to PC. *Note-Please consider your submission a generous donation, because you won't be getting paid, but then again, I don't get paid for this either!* Just remember to keep it clean, keep it fun, and keep the 3rd Goal moving!

Starting off this new venture is my dear friend, LaQuita, who served in PC South Africa (2006-2008) in a town called Klerksdorp, which is located in the Northwest Province. ***If you've looked through my little blog, you'll noticed that she is referenced throughout!***

This is the first entry in the journal LaQuita maintained during her service! Enjoy!

“What was my first day in South Africa like?”

After a 17 hour flight across the Atlantic Ocean, my descent into Johannesburg International Airport was greeted with the distinctive smell of South African air and a great degree of relief, “finally, we are HERE”. Much to my dismay, this cross continent flight was followed by a 3 hour bus ride to a rural village in Mpumalanga Province (Mpumalanga means “where the sun rises”). We arrived very late, joyously greeted by the PC training staff and a buffet of hot South African food! On a full belly, we all dragged our luggage to the rondavel.

Now, I have NEVER been camping a day in my life, so you can just about imagine the week I had filled with all kinds of bugs, no heat (the seasons in South Africa are opposite from the US, so it was Fall…and quite COLD), and unreliable water source. Early the next morning, my face was warmed by a breathtaking South African sunrise, the sweet sounds of nature, and the reality that I am in SOUTH AFRICA…and the thought, what in the WORLD have I gotten myself into?

Photo: Animal life at the PC Training Site

“My Rural Village in Mpumalanga Province”

Photo: Boekenhouthoek, Mpumalanga Peace Corps Training Village

Wednesday, August 7 marked “Doom’s Day”, just kidding, but we were definitely anxious due to the impending arrival of our host families. My mind raced with the questions, “What if they don’t like me?”, “What if my family would prefer a white volunteer?”, “How in the world am I going to adapt to living in a rural village with no indoor plumbing, a pit latrine, chamber pot, bathing and washing my hair in a bucket, and doing my laundry WITHOUT the luxuries of a washer & dryer?", “How will I communicate with my family if they cannot speak English?”

Our arrival in the village was commemorated with the slaughtering of goats and cows for a big feast! We were all adopted into our families with the unveiling of our African names. I was honored with the name “Mapule”; it means the one who comes with rain, God’s gift from the heavens. The time period also marked the end of a 2 month initiation for the young men/ and 1 month initiation for the young women in the village. The rite of passage takes place in the mountains, where the boys and girls learn everything about their culture and return as “Men and Women”. A huge celebration is hosted for each participant and everyone is adorned with traditional attire and performs traditional dances.

Photo: Ndebele Initiation

The warm welcome and genuine love expressed by my host family and the community as a whole has far surpassed my wildest imagination. We were truly treated like “celebrities” and the red carpet was rolled out for us each and every single day. It never seems to amaze me that a group of people who are living in absolute poverty by American standards are so willing to share ALL that they have with a perfect stranger, without any reciprocation. I will forever be grateful for their benevolence and will seek to emulate the kindheartedness bestowed upon me. My “family” showed me that it is the simple things in life that bring pure joy and Ubuntu (the African concept that “I am because We are”) is far more important that individual success. I am thankful for the countless hours of discussion about South African culture, the painful memories of Apartheid and their hopes and dreams for the future.

Photo: My wonderful host family

The Kingdom celebrates Peace Corps' 50th Anniversary!

2011-09-15T09:44:00.009-05:00

Hello Dear Reader,

September has been a month of celebration! I have been fortunate enough to celebrate Peace Corps' 50th anniversary twice in one month, which nicely coincides with my 5 year anniversary of officially swearing in as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer (September 2006)!

As you are aware, I was honored to serve as a guest panelist during Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health's celebration of 50 years of Peace Corps. Panelists participating in this event represented each decade of Peace Corps service to the United States and communities around the world. Today, along with my friend Blain (RPCV Paraguay, 2004-2008), I attended another celebration hosted by Peace Corps- Lesotho. The invitation requested guests to either wear business attire or 'national dress'. Believe it or not, I have not yet purchased a seshoeshoe (a dress worn in both Lesotho amongst the Basotho and in South Africa amongst the Batswana (where I served in PC))- pronounced se-shway-shway. Instead I wore a beautiful dress representing my new home away from home- Ethiopia!

Today's celebration was well represented by dignitaries from both Lesotho and the United States, specifically His Majesty King Letsie and U.S. Ambassador Bond, respectively. The common thread woven throughout the celebratory event was the enormous contribution Peace Corps Volunteers have made in the lives of not only the communities they've served, but in their home communities as well. One of the dignitaries from Lesotho commented about his personal experience with Peace Corps. One of his former teachers was a PCV in the 1960's. The impact this 23 year old teacher made on his life has made a lasting impact...some 50 years later!

In her speech, Ambassador Bond noted that Peace Corps Volunteers show that the world is both big and small- big in that each culture/community is unique in its own way, small in that, with each difference, there are many more similarities. Further, she stated that once an individual accepts the call to service in the Peace Corps, they will forever be a Peace Corps Volunteer. Just think about it, you'll never hear someone say, "I am an ex-PCV." No, we are "Returned Peace Corps Volunteers", because we have completed our two years (or longer) of service to our PC community, but spend the rest of our lives living out the 3rd goal (see previous post on 3rd goal). We are forever connected to the Peace Corps. I am so honored to be part of this awesome fraternity!

In addition to speeches, the audience was also treated to:

Cultural performances

Music sung by currently serving PCVs, and

We were honored to witness the new batch of Lesotho PCV being sworn in by Ambassador Bond and presented with certificates by King Letsie. How cool is that?!

Something else that touched my heart was to see that RPCVs, who served in countries all over the world and are now based in Lesotho, were well represented!

I'd say that today was a great day! Wouldn't you?!

As I end this little blog post, I'll leave you with a video of President John F. Kennedy's University of Michigan speech (1960), calling students to serve their country on a mission of global peace- a speech that inspired the development of the U.S. Peace Corps.

...and at the end of every speech or gathering in Lesotho, we pray for- Khotso (Peace)! Pula (Rain)! Nala (Prosperity)!

How far would you go to serve your country? Peace Corps!

Danielle

Emory University/Peace Corps Panel Discussion Link

2011-09-07T16:33:00.004-05:00

If you're interested in watching the live streaming of tomorrow's panel discussion from 1-3pm EST, follow this link:

http://mediasite.sph.emory.edu/RSPHMediaSite/Viewer/?peid=dd5b6a6fac3e4300935905ba40fc33fc1d

NEWS ALERT

Peace Corps Atlanta Regional Office
Contact: Steve Hunsicker
305-929-3066
shunsicker@peacecorps.gov

August 12, 2011

For Immediate Release Contact: Steve Hunsicker
305-929-3066

Emory University and Peace Corps Foster Public Health in American Communities

Thursday, September 8, Emory University and the Peace Corps will celebrate the Peace Corps 50^th Anniversary with the event, “Honoring Our Public Health Legacy, Inspiring Future Generations.” Co-sponsored by the Rollins School of Public Health and the Atlanta Area Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, the event will include a discussion with current Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams, and a panel session with key public health professionals who have served in each of the decades of Peace Corps’ history.

In a special feature of the 50th anniversary celebrations, the Peace Corps and the Rollins School of Public Health will sign a partnership agreement for the school to join the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program, a graduate school initiative—including financial aid and career-building internships—reserved especially for returned Peace Corps volunteers.

“The Peace Corps is delighted to have the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University as a partner in the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows program,” said Director Williams. “This new partnership not only opens doors to an enriching graduate school opportunity at a reduced cost, it also enables returned Peace Corps volunteers to continue their work in public service through meaningful internships in underserved American communities. Experience overseas, combined with graduate studies, position a Peace Corps Fellow well for all future endeavors.”

“We’ve piloted a Fellows program since August 2009 and witnessed great outcomes from our first group of Fellows. RPCVs add a unique perspective to leadership and service, enhance our academic programs and students' field experiences, and reinforce a culture of service that is integral to public health,” said Dr. Richard Levinson, Executive Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the Rollins School of Public Health.

As part of the new program, Fellows will participate in internships serving international refugee populations in the local Atlanta community. To this end, Emory has established partnerships with various local nonprofits including Refugee Family Services, Lutheran Services of Georgia, Clarkston Development Foundation, Fugees Family, Global Village School and Refugee Resettlement & Immigration Services of Atlanta (RRISA).

About Emory University

Emory University, founded in 1836, has become a major national teaching, research and service center with a total enrollment exceeding 12, 930 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. The school ranks among the 15 universities with the largest endowments and is one of the fastest growing research universities in the country. The Rollins School of Public Health is 20 years old, and Emory has offered degrees in public health for 34 years.

About the Peace Corps:

President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961, by executive order. Throughout 2011, Peace Corps is commemorating 50 years of promoting peace and friendship around the world. Historically, more than 200,000 Americans have served with the Peace Corps to promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of 139 host countries. Today, 8,655 volunteers are working with local communities in 76 host countries. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment. Visitwww.peacecorps.gov for more information.

About the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program

The Coverdell Fellows Program, formerly known as Fellows/USA, started in 1985 at Teachers College, Columbia University and now includes more than 60 participating universities in 30 states and the District of Columbia. The program is specifically reserved for students who have already completed their tenure abroad with the Peace Corps. More details can be found at peacecorps.gov/fellows.

About the Peace Corps’ Third Goal

The Peace Corps’ third goal, articulated by President John F. Kennedy, aims "to help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans." This goal is realized primarily through the efforts of the more than 200,000 returned volunteers who share their stories and experiences with their fellow Americans. Within the Peace Corps, the Office of Public Engagement works to promote the agency’s third goal through: Coverdell World Wise Schools, an initiative which develops free teaching and learning resources—based on volunteers’ experiences—for K-12 classrooms; Returned Volunteer Services, which facilitates returned volunteers’ transitions back to the United States; and the Paul D. Coverdell Fellows Program, which partners with graduate schools across the country to provide returned volunteers with scholarships and career-building internships in underserved American communities. For more information, visitpeacecorps.gov/engage.

For additional information, contact:

Tarvis E. Thompson, Communications Manager
Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University
O: 404.727.3516
M: 404.693.4766
tthomp8@emory.edu

Peace Corps 50th Anniversary: "Honoring Our Public Health Legacy, Inspiring Future Generations"

2011-08-31T08:36:00.003-05:00

Hello Dear Reader,

I'm excited to announce that Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health, in honor and celebration of Peace Corps' 50th Anniversary, is facilitating a panel discussion entitled:

"Peace Corps 50th Anniversary: Honoring Our Public Health Legacy,
Inspiring Future Generations"

Thursday, September 8th
13:00 to 14:35 (1pm to 2:23pm EST)

...and guess what?? I've been asked to serve as a panelist to speak about my Peace Corps service and my work in international public health! Too bad I won't be there in person, but I'll be Skyped in (just one more reason I looooove Skype)!

Here's a description of the event:

This event exemplifies the legacy of Peace Corps partnerships and the impact that the Peace Corps has made on global health through the eyes of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers who have made their careers in public health.

The event also marks Peace Corps’ commitment to the future and demonstrates the importance of ongoing partnerships with a signing ceremony to recognize the Rollins School of Public Health Paul D. Coverdell Peace Corps Fellows Program.

RPCVs representing the five decades of Peace Corps service and public health organizations including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Carter Center, and the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University will address the following topics:

1960's - Laying the Foundation – Kathy Parker

1970's - Responding to the Call – Deborah McFarland

1980's - The impact of Peace Corps on a Career in Public Health – Stephen Dorage

1990's - Partnerships – Kelly Callahan

2000's - Shaping One's Perspective – Danielle Morris

Remarks will be provided by Peace Corps Director Mr. Aaron Williams (RPCV- Dominican Republic, 1967-1970), and Georgia State Senator Mr. Jason Carter (of the Jimmy Carter- Carters) who served as a PCV in South Africa from 1998 to 2001!

The event is being co-sponsored by Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health and the Atlanta Area Returned Peace Corps Volunteers.

Pretty cool, huh? Yeah, I agree!

For more details, contact Emory University.

Wish me luck kids!

Dani

I am a product of "The Third Goal"

2011-08-19T14:13:00.003-05:00

Hello Dear Reader,

If you've been researching the Peace Corps, you probably know of or at least have heard a little something about the organization's 3 goals:

1) Do good in the hood (I know JFK didn't put it like that);

2) Represent the diversity that is America in "host countries" (no, we're not all like the people you see on "Jerry Springer" or "Keeping up with the Kardashians"); and

3) Bringing the world to America (but that happens already...cue the song "We are the world")...but seriously, (Returned) Peace Corps Volunteers are uniquely positioned to bring their individual experiences home to big city/small town America (no, the world isn't full of terrorists).

Goal #1 (check...and beyond...or so I'd like to think): The importance of/obligation to live a life of service was instilled in me from day 1 outside of the womb (thanks mom and dad). I'd like to think that my Peace Corps service merely added to my volunteer resume and now, over three years post service, I am continuing to building on that amazing foundation.

Goal #2 (ongoing): The awesome thing about my service was that I was one of two African American PCVs in PC-South Africa at that time. Being in this unique position, I was not only able to show South Africans that not all American Black people are rap stars playing out a looped episode of "The Wire", but I was given the opportunity to demonstrate that to my fellow PCVs as well. Sure, this was frustrating at times- I was brought to tears by it, expressed my anger and frustration about it, and made some of the most amazing friends who will forever been in my life (both South African and American).

I say "ongoing", because I am fortunate enough to be able to continue representing who I am...as an American...out in the world. I have grown tremendously from my experiences, and through these experiences, I've become both more patriotic and more broad-minded than ever. I've learned to drop the labels we as Americans cling to so tightly to define ourselves. I.Am.American.

Goal #3 (a lifetime): Better known amongst the PC set as "The Third Goal". The Third Goal- Bring the world to America (but this has taken place from our great nation's inception). Sometimes, however, we tend to forget that we all came from somewhere "out in the world". As it relates to PC, like I said, RPCVs are uniquely positioned to serve as America's constant reminder that the world is not always how it is depicted on CNN/BBC/Fox News/Al Jazeera. No, the world is not to be feared. Instead of confirming our fears of "it's us against them", PCVs are able to put a diverse face to the "Us" and help their fellow Americans see that the "Us" looks/feels/thinks/desires/hopes/dreams/loves/fears/hates/wants change just like "Them".

You see, I am the result of two RPCV's quest to achieve "The 3rd Goal". As I've mentioned before (I'm sure you're sick of hearing it by now), but in the 3rd grade during "International Day", my teacher invited two RPCVs (a couple) who served in PC- Morocco, to share their experiences with me and my classmates. Little did those (now) nameless, faceless RPCVs know, but, by sharing their experiences, they forever shaped mine. Every.single.thing that I did from that day on inspired me to want to see the world beyond the library books, tv programs, and newspapers. And now, it is through my little PC/RPCV blog, that I hope to pass that quiet light of inspiration that was handed to me over twenty years ago, to you.

Happy 50th Birthday Peace Corps!

With love,

Dani (RPCV South Africa 2006-2008)

Black Girls' Special: What am I going to do with my hair when I'm in the Peace Corps?

2011-08-12T05:19:00.003-05:00

Hello Dear Reader,

This special blog post is dedicated to all of the Black Girls out there who have considered joining the Peace Corps, but thought to themselves, "What am I going to do with my hair in the middle of nowhere?" For all of you non-Black Girls, don't worry, we all have something to learn in this post!

If you are a Black Girl or happen to know a Black Girl, you will know that hair is, shall I say, a 'sensitive' issue. Let's be honest- for many of us, our hair plays a major role in how we feel about ourselves.

A Black Girl's Hair:

Determines if we're going to get in the pool on a hot.as.hell.day, or not.
Determines if we're going to get our exercise on, in fear that our hair-do will not last until our next salon appointment.
Determines who and how we let someone touch us in fear that our hair might 'get messed up'.
Determines our Friday and Saturday schedule. I mean we need to make our regularly scheduled, hours long salon appointments.
Determines where we live. A good hair stylist is hard to find. Will you trust a stylist in D.C. the same way you trust your 13-year long relationship with your current stylist?
Determines our nightly bedtime routine. Moisturize, comb, wrap, scarf, satin pillow...
Determines how we feel about ourselves. Is it long enough? Straight enough? Styled just right? Is it the right texture? Will it behave today? I hope it doesn't rain, otherwise I'm in for a bad day. I hope it's not too hot, because I don't want to sweat out my style.

The list goes on.

I bet that if you're considering joining the Peace Corps (or living abroad), you've given pause to what you'll do with your hair. I'm sure that there are plenty of other Black Girls who wouldn't even consider joining or considered PC, but the well-being (etc) of their hair was was found to be too great of a barrier.

Don't worry, I too had this internal discussion! I knew that, first thing out of college, come hell or high water, I was going to join the Peace Corps...so I needed to make a plan for the queen's crown! My vision of my PC experience was to be in the middle of the bush somewhere and figured that I'd look pretty crazy searching high and low for a box of PCJ (little did I know that, even in that 'bush' experience I'd been dreaming of, a home perm kit or salon is never out of reach). Mind you, I was also a budding womanist and figured that I needed to get in touch with my ruuts (roots)! When I finally came to a conclusion, I was in Cape Town, South Africa attending a summer-long human rights program and in serious need of a touch-up. It was going to be now or never...so I did the best I could and threw a French braid at my mane. That summer, my new friends grew to hate the French braid. So did I. It wasn't until just after my Senior pictures that I cut the permed ends off of my hair and became fully "natural". Oh My! And the funny thing is that I didn't end up joining PC until three years later!

Black Girls...I should have probably prefaced my story by saying that this was my journey, and mine alone. Doing the 'natural' thing has served me well...10 years strong. But Black Girl, don't despair if you can't imagine giving up your luscious locs. During my time in PC, I served with Black ladies who had locs, perms, presses, home cuts (me), beauty shop do's, shaved heads, braids, twist outs, and everything in between. So fret none (yes, very country, I know!). Your hair does not have to stand in your way from you too living your Peace Corps dreams!

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

From one Black Queen to another...

Yours Truly,

Dani

Staying connected to home while living abroad

2011-08-10T10:56:00.004-05:00

Hello Dear Reader,

I hope that this blog post finds you well!

When I served in the Peace Corps from 2006 to 2008, staying connected with my friends and family back home was, well let's just say...expensive! If I wanted to communicate with my friends and family back home, I could 1) write an email if and when the internet was on its best behavior; 2) do what we in Southern Africa call a 'missed call', meaning let the phone ring a couple of times so caller ID would register your number, and hang up before anyone on the other side picked up or 3) Hope that someone on the other side would pick up the home sickness in the atmosphere and like you enough to call. Back then, I knew nothing about Skype and the internet speed wasn't fast enough to have reliable access to AOL instant messenger or gchat. Sad face.

During my service, I relied very heavily on option #2- the missed call. The challenge with this option was that my parents were often the only ones who could afford to call me back on a regular basis. As a result, my parents learned more about my personal and work life than they probably would have otherwise...boyfriend problems and all.

When I accepted my position in Lesotho, my parents were not too thrilled at the thought of gazillion dollar monthly phone bills (+/- $800/month) for the duration of my employment. Luckily, somehow, Skype came into my life...the single greatest invention for improving the quality of life for expats, only second to SOS insurance!

Ahh Skype! I (heart) Skype! With Skype, combined with 'fast and reliable' internet access, I'm able to keep up with everyone. I not only have the program, but a US number that people without Skype can contact me on (i.e. grandparents, my bank when I have fraud alerts on my accounts after using it in some random country, etc.), Skype calls forwarded to my Lesotho cell phone, group video chats, and low cost international calling rates when my fiance is on site visits and away from his...Skype! No, I'm not getting paid by Skype, don't worry. It's just that Skype has revolutionized my life abroad...don't even get me started on Facebook (although I think it's the devil!)!

Speaking of the Devil (not FB), but my dad is actually calling me right now. Hold please....

No fathers were harmed in the taking of this Skype screen shot

As you can see, Skype just allowed me to have a brief conversation with my daddy-o for a quick hello...and to tell him about my up-coming trips to Ethiopia and the US of A! Awesome, huh?!

I told him that he'd be making a guest appearance on my lil' ole RPCV blog, specifically talking about how the addition of Skype in our lives has allowed both them and me to be more comfortable with their only daughter living abroad and away from home for extended periods of time. He also wanted me to highlight the fact that, Skype is free, thus eliminating the need to keep calls to me as a line item on his budget!

On another note, with the advent of FB, smart phones, and inexpensive internet service on cellphones, currently serving PCVs are also able to afford to and are able to keep up with friends and family back home! For instance, PCVs in Lesotho, some of whom are so remote that, in order to get cellphone reception have to walk up the tallest hill, can even keep in touch on the regular! (P.S. That's something you can tell your 'nay-saying' parents when they bring that up as a reason why you should not serve in the Peace Corps.)

Oops...I need to cut this blog post short, I see that my BFF (an RPCV- South Africa) currently living in South Sudan just popped on Skype...gotta run!!!

Gchat with you later!

Dani

Love & The Expat

2011-06-29T11:14:00.004-05:00

Hello Dear,

When I was in 3rd grade, my teacher hosted 'International Day' for our class. In addition to eating 'ethnic' foods and gaining a new appreciation for the various cultures represented by the student body, my teacher invited two of her friends...RPCVs from Morocco...to share their experiences of life abroad. That one day opened my eyes to the world beyond my classroom...my neighborhood...my home town...the USA. Literally, the day that changed my life! I knew at that very moment that my life would, for sure, include service in the Peace Corps and beyond that...a life lived as a global citizen.

After school that day, I rushed home and told my parents about the amazing people I met and how I was definitely going to 1) have a pet monkey (don't know where that came from), 2) join the Peace Corps when I grew up, and 3) travel the world for the rest of my life. Everything (almost) that I did from that point on shaped the volunteer experiences I took on...the education I sought out...the jobs I took...the things I read...the vision I had for my future (right down to the type of husband and kids I was going to have...I have an imagination, ok?!).

With respect to the husband and kids thing...I always thought that, by 27, I'd wind up with a Frenchman (don't ask me why), we'd have kids named Jean-Michelle and Gaston (again...don't ask me why), we'd live in a village (but with a little flat in Paris), have a garden, and of course, I'd have a pet monkey like Bubbles (Michael Jackson's monkey friend in the 80's).

Peace Corps (check)! Life and career abroad (check)! My Frenchman, Jean-Michelle, Gaston, and Bubbles Jr by 27...not so much! Well...after learning overtime about the cruelty of taking wild animals out of their natural habitat, made me change my mind from a monkey to a dog...and after the unfortunate incident with Travis the super frustrated chimp, my decision to stick with a dog was confirmed. So instead of the monkey...I have a bovine relative...or rather a pig.

Instead of focusing on getting the French-American family of my dreams, I focused on doing all of the things I loved and figured that the man and the family would find me in the midst of me living my life. There were those along the way who I thought might have a shot at matching me toe for toe, yet again...not so much. So I kept living my life...and enjoying it!

My job was going great and I was newly assigned to an awesome project to strengthen nursing and midwifery education in Lesotho...how rad is that?! And the best part was that, because of my involvement in this program, I was sent to Ethiopia to attend a nursing leadership summit. What?!!!! Ethiopia...the second place I wanted to visit, after Morocco, of course. Little side story: towards the middle of my PC service, we were told that the PC Ethiopia program was about to re-open after being closed for some time and there was active recruitment of currently serving volunteers and RPCVs to help open it back up. What?!!! Uhh...Me!!!!! But alas, that didn't work out...but I managed to secure a spot at this awesome leadership summit in Addis Ababa several years later!

The first day I arrived, I knew I was 'home'. This was the first place that people looked me in the eyes when speaking to me instead of at my ridiculously poofy/curly hair. 'You look Habesha', they'd say. 'Oh, for real?'

The second day, I was minding my very own business when I saw this devastatingly beautiful Ethiopian profile walk in the room. 'Whaaaaaaaaaaaat!!!' Oh Yeah! And he noticed me too!

This beautifully handsome face and lovely spirit eventually caught my imagination over a helping of injera and tibs fed gursha-style. He asked, 'Can I come visit you in Lesotho.' I balked and said, 'Well that's dramatic!' After dinner, the lovely man dropped me off at my hotel and we said our goodbyes. The next day, I caught a flight to Lesotho thinking that I'd never see that classic nose of his again. The day after that, I sent an email with the parting words, 'You're more than welcome to pay me a visit in Lesotho.' And that's where the love story began...

...And during a recent trip to Addis Ababa, my lovely Ethiopian (who obviously took to heart lyrics sung by one Beyonce Knowles) 'liked it, so he put a ring on it'! Woohoo! In the immortal words of Shug Avery in Alice Walker's 'The Color Purple', "I's (almost) married now! I's (almost) married now!"

Move over Frenchman, Jean-Michelle, Gaston and Bubbles! Welcome to our forever Ethiopian man, Tekkle, Yohannes and Bubbles-substitute!

...in the midst of doing what you love...and living your dreams...what you want and need (and sometimes didn't even know you wanted and/or needed) will find you!

And that, my Dear Reader, is my short (kinda) and sweet story of 'Love & The Expat!'

Until next time,

Dani

Expats, dinasours and things...

2011-05-26T02:40:00.003-05:00

Hello Dear Reader,

As promised, and then un-promised, and then promised again, I'm back to give you one expat's perspective on living abroad...

Come November 2011, I'll be able to say that I've lived in Lesotho for 3 years. THREE YEARS?!!! Yes, three, whole years! Aside from the foreigners who moved to Lesotho, fell in love with the place and people, and have committed to building a life here, I'm one of the few expats who've been here for so long. You see, the every-day-expat tends to take assignments (job contracts) either with the same organization or a different one for six months up to two years. Three years?...well that's just crazy talk! At least in the Lesotho context, I'm damn near a dinosaur!

At every expat party, you're always either meeting someone new, saying goodbye to a friend, but usually both at the same time. Let me quickly take you to an expat party (in Lesotho). And since I love the highly acclaimed cult classic, The Golden Girls, I'll do it Sophia Patrillo (RIP) style:

Picture it- Maseru, winter 2011. That year was one of the rainiest winters on record. There was so much rain that we had to canoe to work and the village idiot (so not politically correct) tried to build an ark with his blanket as the sail...but I digress.

The young, extraordinarily beautiful Expat Dani (hey, I'm telling this story here) went to yet another expat party to bid farewell to Leena, who was leaving Lesotho after a year of living in the hut on top of Thaba Bisiou (the final resting place of the first king of Lesotho- Moshoeshoe). Dani had been to parties like this- ones where she barely recognized all who were there. Walking through the crowd of new people/same conversation was like dodging a Starbucks in Seattle...you can't! But she was prepared, she brought her handy dictaphone with a pre-recorded responses:

Newbie: Hello, my name is Newbie!

Me: [Turns on pre-recorded message] Nice to meet you Newbie.

Newbie: I work for HIV Kick It. Where do you work?

Me: Oh, you work with Mark and Anna.

Newbie: Oh, no. I'm the new Anna and my friend over there is the new Mark. So how long is your contract?

Me: I don't really have a contract. It's really based on the availability of funding. And you?

Newbie: I have a six month contract. I'm from San Fransisco. I'm trying to plan a road trip to Zambia, Mozambique, Cape Town, Namibia, and Swaziland. I want to go pony trekking and mountain climbing and learn Sesotho and learn how to drive a manual car...and and and...

Me: Oh, that's nice...I see my friend over there. Nice to meet you and if I don't see you again, goodbye.

Me: [Turns off tape player]

The moral of the story: keep extra batteries for your recorder.

Yes, I know that was a very weak attempt at a Sophia Patrillo a la Golden Girls story, but you get the point.

So as I fast approach my 3rd year in Lesotho, I have earnestly started the process of asking the question, "What next?" Should I stay and become a permanent fixture in Lesotho? Should I strike out and start the next, new adventure in another country, or should I go back to the US and finally stop putting off furthering my studies in a Ph.D. program (and move back abroad after wards)? Hmm... I mean the whole point of accepting this expat life was to explore myself and the world (hopefully at the same time). Even now, I'm not ready to settle down in one place for too long...and most lifetime expats will say the same...they don't want to go home for long and don't want to settle in one place long enough for it to start looking/feeling like home.

Again: Hmmm.....lots to think about!

And on a completely different note, but will perhaps be followed up with another post about Love & Life Abroad (a series even), next Thursday, I'm headed back to Ethiopia to spend some much needed time with my awesome boyfriend. Think eleven days of the bright lights of Addis Ababa...hot springs...tibs and injera...Ethio-jazz...schistosomiasis-free lakes...Oh My!

So until next time, Dear Reader, if you have any specific topics you'd like for me to address, feel free to post as many questions as you'd like. I'll do my best to address them.

Oh, and yet another note, my friend who watched me go through the final, frustrating stages of my Peace Corps application process just contacted me after some time. And guess what: She just completed her Pre-Service Training (PST) in Peace Corps Belize. Furthermore, her cousin will soon be entering PC- Cape Verde. ...And Peace Corps still lives on in my heart!

Can't wait to hear from you! Yes, I mean YOU!

Dani

Jay-Z did it too...

2011-03-29T05:56:00.009-05:00

Hello Dear Reader,

Yes, I'm back (said with head hung low in shame). After a great deal of persuasion and promises of a lifetime supply of Reese's buttercups, I've been talked into re-activating this little blog o'mine...even though my PC service ended 3 years ago...even though I've started up other blogs...even though I promised you in the previous post that I would be out like a light...suffice it to say...I'm back and we'll see how this goes!

You may be wondering...where in hell have you been (maybe not, but I had to start this post off somewhere, right?) and what can life look like after Peace Corps?! Well, that's an easy question to answer, Dear Reader! I've been going strong in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho for the past going on three years!....and a few other places in between:

Lesotho

Egypt

World Cup Feva in South Africa (in Rustenburg no less...my PC site)

Ethiopia

Zambia

I am the proud mother of a stinky, burping, snorting, sleeping, scooting, squish-faced Bulldog named Beef-Wellington!

...and after 7 months of training, I no longer have a dream deferred...

I just completed the Publix Georgia Marathon!

So as you can see, I've been kinda busy over the past 3 years! In starting up this blog again, I hope to express to you in not only words, but images as well, what one Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) did with her life post service. Furthermore, I hope to encourage you, through my own experience, to get out and see the world...learn through doing...expand...stretch...grow...challenge yourself...actively engage your world...and realize that the world is not only what you see on the O'Reilly Factor or even CNN.

...and if you have any questions, feel free to ask and I'll do my best to give you an unfiltered answer. I've always enjoyed a two way conversation, myself.....

Until next time!

Danielle

Err...Uhhh...2 years later!

2010-09-03T07:37:00.003-05:00

Hello Dear Reader,

It certainly has been a long time since I last posted on this here Peace Corps blog...almost two years in fact...a whole Peace Corps service (again). While I'm no longer in Peace Corps...the dream has continued. As I mentioned in my last post, I accepted a job working in Lesotho...and guess what?! I'm still here! Another thing I mentioned...keeping up with the past two years since we last spoke in a new blog...yeah...BIG FAIL!

So, I guess you're probably wondering...why in heck are you writing on this blog...two years later? Don't you have something else to think about...like life...a new job...something? To answer your questions...yep...I've got other things to do...and my life has moved on...but in a strange twist...I'm still very much connected with Peace Corps...Lesotho!

When I first moved to Lesotho, I met and became very good friends with a group of Peace Corps Volunteers (PCV) serving in this great country. I've had the opportunity to compare and contrast my service with theirs...share in their highs and lows...truly see (with my own eyes) how Peace Corps service can vary from one person to the next/from country to country/and so on and so on. I've even had the opportunity to bring some of my PCV-Lesotho friends to Rustenburg in order to show them around; and introduce them to many of the amazing people I grew to love during my two years of service, who continue to have a strong presence in my life today. (World Cup 2010: Ghana vs. Australia; Ghana vs. USA: both in Rustenburg)!!!!

As I mentioned, two years ago, I moved to Lesotho and made many wonderful friends (many of whom are current PCVs). If you're counting the time like I am...that means that it is now time for many of my dear friends to close out their service (COS) and strike out on their own: away from the safety and security of Peace Corps, into a world full of possibilities, to use the many valuable lessons learned from their service for the next great adventure(s).

Just as I was a little over two years ago, my (soon to be "R") PCV friends are reflecting on their service and wondering what the next steps hold. Often times, I'm called to give pause and reflect on my own service. I guess this mental (and emotional) trip is the reason for this unexpected visit to "Liv(ed)ing my Peace Corps Dreams" blog. Reading through my old posts...thinking about where I was at the time...compared to where I am now...the same person...with a deeper/better understanding of how I fit into this crazy world...with a whole lot more room to grow.

This really will be my very last post...but before I exit stage left...I thought I'd leave a few tid-bits for you (PC applicant, Trainee, PCV, wanderluster extraordinaire) to nibble on:

No matter where you are...no matter where you go...no matter who you are...no matter who you meet...we all want to be loved/accepted/appreciated/live out our dreams (varies from one to the other).
Patience is not only something to strive for because we've always been told it's a "virtue". Patience is, in fact, an invaluable tool to carry and use often in life's tool box. (I'm still working on that one).
The lessons I learned in Peace Corps have, after two years, stayed with me and will continue to shape my experience with each step I take.
Be kind in all that you do (in spirit, in mind, in heart).
Never loose the ability to grow: stretch yourself, live outside of the box (with one foot in so you can relate to others), "don't talk about it, be about it", and stop putting off your dreams (if you can think it, you can do it and the only one stopping you is you)!

No, I'm not Buddha with those last points...just an old RPCV...reflecting on two of the best years of my life...and wishing the best to my soon-to-be RPCV friends who are about to close one exciting chapter... and are sharpening their number 2 pencils to write the next one!

Over and out...

No...really...I mean it...I'm no Micheal Jackson (R.I.P.)...but this is it (sorry for that one)!

Your friend,

Danielle, RPCV (South Africa, 2006-2008)

P.S.: Lace up your sneaks and come running with me as I pursue another drea m- running a marathon! Eek! And the dream continues!

Expat Dani

2008-10-28T13:00:00.002-05:00

Dumela (Setswana- PC South Africa) or rather Lumela (Sesotho-Expat Dani in Lesotho) Dear Reader:

As soon as I accepted my new position, which would officially make me an expat, my parents and I began our feverish quest to find out what life would look like in my soon-to-be-new-hometown of Maseru. Oh sure, I've found the basic details like population size, weather patterns, geological make up, Peace Corps Volunteer doings, etc., but information about what to do, where to go, how, why and when have escaped me. I did find this cool map of Maseru though. So since I haven't found the type and amount of detail necessary to quench my thirst (read: My parents wondering if this is Peace Corps service Part Deux and what they did to make me want to move to a place that doesn't even have a mall), I've decided to start this whole blogging thing all over again to chart my journey of discovering what it means to be an expatriate...in Lesotho.

If you want to follow along, visit my new blog Expat Dani. Now that I'm starting this new endeavour, this will serve as the official last post on Living My Peace Corps Dreams (Yes, the end of an era...a moment of silence please.........). Onward and Upward we go!

And the dream continues.

2008-10-11T20:08:00.003-05:00

Hello Dear Reader-

It certainly has been a long time since I've posted anything...but I promise you'll understand why if you keep on reading. On July 18th, I took a United Airways flight from Jo'burg to Germany and Germany to Chicago and was met by my beaming father. I could not believe I was finally back home...on American soil...for good(?) Since being home, I've had the opportunity to travel from D.C. to New York, to Atlanta several times over, catching up with friends and family who kept me grounded and were eager to share in my two years serving in Peace Corps South Africa. I recounted stories, filled in the gaps that were evident and inevitable in this blog, and answered the daunting question: "So what next?"

So what next?

Starting in March, I began searching for jobs that would allow me to build on my Peace Corps experience: international public health/social equity/life abroad. In the end, I received two competing job offers. One offer was from a top medical school working in global HIV prevention programing. The position would be responsible for providing technical support to South African health care providers in the area of the prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT). It would require 3 to 5 trips a year to South Africa. The second offer, of which I accepted, is to serve as the Program Coordinator for a prominent US-based university that implements PMTCT programs in Lesotho. I will be coordinating program planning and implementation activities for the university in Lesotho. Yes, this means that within a month I will be relocating to Maseru, Lesotho indefinitely! You heard it right, I just left and now I'm going back, not as a volunteer but as a paid employee! I am so excited!!!! This is what I've wanted to do and now I finally get a chance to do it!

Still living out my dreams!

Leaving Site...

2008-07-14T03:21:00.004-05:00

...was very hard to do. On Friday, July 11th, my office threw me a going away lunch to reflect on our short but full time with one another. There were plenty of laughs and a few tears fell as memories were shared, friendships were solidified, and it was understood by all that "the world is round. Just as we met at one point, we will meet again". I kept that bit of wisdom with me as I began the lengthy process of "closing my service": saying goodbye to friends (therapists, co-workers, interpreters, comedians, dance partners/teachers, tour guides, mothers, fathers, sisters, aunts, etc), writing the necessary reports for Peace Corps, closing out my FNB bank account, and completing all of the final medical check-ups (including the three take home stool samples-homework if you will). Once again, I found myself having to pack for the long trip back home. (Review post entitled: A different kind of packing list...) This time, however, my bag was a little lighter and zipping it was a cinch. The real souvenirs from my Peace Corps experience...my two years living in South Africa...are immeasurable. They won't ever go out of style like a polka dot sweater. They will never fade from my mind like the soles of those leather shoes. I will never worry about leaving them behind. My souvenirs will live eternally in my heart, continuously giving me the strength to grow and follow all of my dreams...

Then

The third grader I was...the little girl who's world instantly expanded (imagine the possibilities) after listening to two Peace Corps Volunteers talk about their two years spent in Morocco. Setting a life-long goal of joining the Peace Corps and living a life of service at home and abroad. (Did they know that in one moment they changed someone's life?)

Now

The woman I have become...lived her Peace Corps dreams.

COS Conference and Last S2S (plus more than one) Meeting

2008-07-07T01:28:00.007-05:00

One June 22nd (Sunday), me and the rest of the S2S crew (and much more than one more) attended our last official meeting in Pretoria at a really happenin' Indian spot in Hatfield to catch up with each other, say goodbye to the first of our crew to leave (LaQuita "Mapule" Rogers), amend and second meeting minutes, eat good food, talk about our digestive systems and other bodily functions, have fun, and eat (did I mention that already?)! What a wonderful way to (start) say[ing] goodbye ("Mzanzi fo sho" style) to people who, for the past two years, became your (this is a run-on sentence like no other):

family/friend/support system/accomplices/advocates/"I need to get the hell out of site for a weekend" go-to-person/"If I get caught doing this, I'm gonna get Adsep'd (Administrative Separation-PC kicks you out)" point-person/sms (text messaging) buddy/phone when I can friend/the only person who truly cares to hear about your toilet habits over dinner/shopping buddy/travel mate/and the list goes on and on!

One (you, Dear Reader) might think that this meeting, the COS (Close of Service) Conference), and the process of saying "goodbye", would be a sad sight to see, but rather a celebration- full of laughs, jokes, funny stories, food (great food!), and "goodbyes"...for now. There were actually no good-and-proper goodbyes, because friends like these will be in your life forever...in body and/or in memories to last a lifetime.

Pictures:

1)Brad "Thabo" and Judy
2)Me and Krupa
3)Brenda, LaQuita, Liz and Me
4)Carolyn, Charlene, and Marti & Dave Fine
5)Bree, Krupa, and Brenda
6)Me and Judy (front), Brenda, LaQuita & Liz (background)
7)LaQuita, Liz and Me doing, as Liz and her family call it, "Dad eyes".

Lesotho...in a nutshell

2008-07-04T10:21:00.004-05:00

Finally, I got to go on my long-awaited trip to Lesotho (June 13th-16th)...Well Worth The Wait!

If you review the post entitled "Winding Down, Saying Goodbye" (or something like that), I spoke about my plans for the next month or two. Everything is coming together just like I said I would...with one amendment...my last day of work will by this coming up Friday (July 11, 2008).

And the Winner is...FSP Rustenburg

2008-06-11T06:32:00.004-05:00

FSP-Family Strengthening Programme- is a component of SOS Children's Villages that attempts to assist families taking care of orphans and/or vulnerable children with training, food parcels, referrals to social services, fuel, prepaid electricity, etc, rather than taking children out of their biological families. A couple of months ago, I was asked by the FSP team (Hophney, Mpho, and Emmanuel) to help them come up with a poster presentation of their activities. The poster would be taken to an all-FSP meeting in Pietermaritzburg and entered into a competition. Immediately, I started dreaming up what the poster would look like. I had Hophney take me around to just about every office supply store in Rustenburg looking for poster presentation board (you know the ones students use for their science fair projects...the three sided cardboard thingy?) with no avail. I guess those things haven't hit South African shores just yet. Well anyway, the team worked very hard on coming up with and arranging their ideas in just the right way...resulting in me staying at work until 7:30 pm on a Friday! I told Hophney and Emmanuel that if the prize for first place was an all-expense paid trip to Mauritius, it was mine! Hard work paid off, because I received a phone call a week later saying that it was unanimously decided that FSP-Rustenburg was by far the best poster presentation of them all...no luck on that trip to Mauritius...a box of chocolates was as good as it gets! Congratulations FSP-Rustenburg!

Poor chicken!

2008-06-06T03:45:00.004-05:00

The reality of life is that, in this vast animal kingdom of ours, there is something called a food chain. Another reality of life is that those nice cuts of chicken, beef, fish, etc. that lay and wait at the grocery store, in their pretty packaging, used to be, before all of the processing and what-nots, real animals. Now don't get me wrong, I'm a BIG meat eater. In fact, I believe that a meal is not a meal without meat, so this is not going to be a story about to eat meat or not to eat meat, but rather about dignity.

My experience serving in Peace Corps-South Africa, has brought me closer to reality, with respect to where my meat comes from than ever before. In South Africa, mala magodu (cow stomach and intestines) is served at funerals, weddings, and any other traditional function you can think of. Plus, my local grocery store always has a surplus stockpile of it, just in case you have that craving. At my local grocery store, you can also find pig feet, pig knuckles, and "Walk-y Talk-y"...can you guess what that is...packaged chicken heads and feet. Grilled chicken feet in particular are a favorite snack that can be readily found on a nice, hot braai stand (grill) at the Rustenburg taxi rank or any other street corner. On just about every other corner, you can find someone with a cage full of live chickens for sale. Personally, I don't want to know the intimate details of what I'm eating: it's mug shot, shoe size, last meal, etc., but hey, that's the reality of eating meat, right? I just prefer the packaged meat...a generic leg, thigh, breast, rump, etc...no face, no name, just...meat.

Well, today, on the way to Tapologo (a really cool and innovative hospice for terminal HIV positive individuals) to drop the SOS mothers off for their practicals, we dropped another mother off at a hatchery about 15 minutes away so that she could get some eggs. On the way back from Tapologo, we stopped to pick the mother up at the hatchery. Instead of the three passengers I was expecting to ride with, there was a surprise 4th passenger, a live chicken looking mighty resigned to the path his life was inevitably headed towards. I immediately became tense and was ready to get back to the Village so that I would not have to serve as the Grim Reaper's usher for longer than I had to! To add insult to injury, to mock the dignity of the soon-to-be dead, this poor, poor chicken, with his wings stretched back farther than I think they're supposed to go, the last thing he was ever going to listen to in his short chicken life was "This is how we do it" by Montell Jordan...Poor Chicken!

Winding down, saying goodbye!

2008-06-03T01:53:00.002-05:00

Sorry for taking so long to post on my blog. As you could probably tell from the last post, I've been busy contemplating the next stage of my life. After much consideration, I have decided to and have received approval to end my service (COS) on July 18th. Yes, July 18th! That's next month! Oh, so you want to know why? I guess the simple answer is that I'm just ready to go home. Keep in mind, however, that there are no simple answers, or at least not this one. I've certainly had my fair share of fun in Peace Corps- from my first few months of service living in Bhoek (as it is affectionately called)with my host family and their pit latrine, working at LifeLine, trips to Sun City and else where, the Rusty Dusty, meeting people and doing things that I will never forget, experiencing many "firsts", falling down and picking myself up again, making life long friends amongst my fellow Peace Corps Volunteers and local community members, working at and loving SOS Children's Village Rustenburg, and many, many other things that I cannot possibly fit into this blog. Having said all of that, I have had a "full" experience, nothing that I could have imagined as a 3rd grader looking at Peace Corps brochures. Now that time is winding down, you may be (secretly) wondering if my experience has lived up to the title of this blog...Yes! My Peace Corps Dreams have been realized. I was able to hold on to a dream of serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer for nearly 16 years. I studied, volunteered, worked, etc. along the way, preparing myself for turning my dream into a reality. Now, I am nearly at the end of that dream, or rather, just the beginning. Peace Corps Service might be nearing the end for me, but the lessons I've learned and adventures that I've had have forever shaped my perspective on life: change is not always immediate; people (cultures, societies, outlooks on life, experiences, etc.) are different, but for as much as we are different, we are all of the same...we all want the same thing: to be accepted, to be loved and to love, and to be successful (the definition changes with the individual).

I know that my reflections seem to be incomplete, but I'll continue to work on this rough draft for your sake and mine!

So what does my schedule look like until the 18th?

Pending the travel restrictions to Lesotho are lifted, I'll head there for a couple of days- pony trekking in the cold!

The day before my Close of Service Conference, me and my fellow Setswana-2-Setswana (plus 1) members will get together for our final meeting- almost the entire crew will be ending service early.

The COS Conference- where volunteers get together to talk about...what else...ending service and tying up loose ends.

My last day at work will be the 14th of July, and I'll head to Pretoria the next day in preparation for leaving the country.

Yes, there will be plenty of "goodbye" parties in between. I'm still trying to figure out how you say goodbye to a place that has become home...to people who have become family...plus packing up 2 years worth of memories into 2 bags (weighing under 60 lbs of course). I'm working on it, but the process is challenging...

In my next post, I'll be sure to post plenty of pictures...

Working on it...

Agh! I've got so much on my mind!

2008-04-21T07:16:00.003-05:00

Over the past couple of weeks, my mind has been racing and it's driving me crazy! Mostly, I've been forcing myself to start thinking about what I want to do after Peace Corps. For as much as I'd like to stay focused on the here and now, which has been drilled into my brain over the past year and some change out of necessity and circumstance, I feel compelled to start thinking about what I want to see myself doing post Peace Corps service. Another impetus has been the fact that, over the next couple of months, some of my closest fellow PCVs will be COSing early...Like in the June, July time frame! Batong, gomodimo!

Through my deep interest in reproductive health, women's health, HIV/AIDS prevention and care, public health, social justice, public health program management, and improving access to care, I'm strongly considering the option of heading off to medical school (not without first attending post-bacc studies). CRAZY, I know! So lately, I've been apply for various pre-med post-bacc programs. The thought of going back to school, and particularly going to medical school, is a daunting task. A task, however, that will hopefully take me to where I want to be professionally. I'll be sure to keep you posted as this train of thought develops. If I go back to school, this means that I may have to COS (Close of Service) early in order to start in the summer/fall. Eish!

In addition to applying for post-bacc programs, I've also started a job search. Two years of volunteer work has made me appreciate the paid life. So if you're reading this blog and want to hire a soon-to-be Returned Peace Corps Volunteer...Let's talk! Eish!

Extending service into another Peace Corps-health-related program is also an option. Peace Corps just reopened the Ethiopia and Rwanda programs. I've always wanted to go to Ethiopia, plus, as a Public Healther, my CV and amount of experience would receive a big boost if I had additional work experience in a post-conflict zone. Not forgetting the fact that I would be able to provide some assistance to a project in need of a Peace Corps Volunteer. Ya-rrrrrrrr (roll the "r")

Making other, more personal life choices have been semi-freaking (ok, TOTALLY) me out. Should I, shouldn't I and the implications of both! Agh!

On a more short term basis, I'm trying to plan what may be my final chance to vacation...a trip to Lesotho to go pony trekking. Ever since I learned of such a thing, I've wanted to go! Ke itumetse thata!!!! But ke batla go plan-a pele! Eish! Eish! Eish! I have to figure out what I'm going to cook tonight...cooking is my vice and daily torment!

Usually, writing things down (not necessarily in such a public forum) helps me to relieve some anxiety, but this, unfortunately has not provided me with the comfort that I hoped...plus I'm tired, hungry (didn't bring my scaf tin to work today), and I'm cold (beginning of winter), so I guess that's not helping either. Eish! Ya-rrrrrrrr, Sis!

Ok, well on a more positive note, I recently bought two pair of jeans (not the stretch ones either), and thanks to preparing (most) my meals and living the volunteer life (walking everywhere, carrying my heavy bags of groceries from one side of town to the other, walking very fast as not to be late for work, and exercising with the kids), I can now fit into a size 4 jeans! It's the small accomplishments, isn't it! I feel better already!

Plus, last night, Saziso and I went to a braai over one of his co-worker's houses. There was so much good food, great company, music, and a cute dog named Rudy! The main purpose of the event (organized by Saziso and Clayton) was to link me and Clayton's wife up, supposedly so that Estelle and I could become friends, but really to give the two guys permission to stay out very late! Indeed, Estelle is a very lovely woman and she has a really sweet family (daughter, two nephews and a sister that I got to meet), so becoming friends with her is a no-brainer! It hasn't even been 24 hours, and we're already sending emails and sms's (text messages)to each other!

So writing things down (for me) does help after all!

Look like Mommy?

2008-04-17T01:58:00.002-05:00

Isn't my mom beautiful? My father took this picture...I need him to start taking mine!

Running, walking, skipping, jumping jacks...

2008-04-16T08:20:00.005-05:00

One of the first few meetings I attended at SOS was a training for the mothers. During the training, the Village Director and the social workers encouraged mothers to look after their health and weight. It seems that, in other villages, SOS mothers tend to gain weight and have deteriorating health the longer they stay. This could be a result of many factors. In the meeting, I suggested that we could start a walking club with mothers. If you really want to know, I've started this club for selfish reasons! I want to get in shape! I want to be more physically fit! What a great way to keep motivated when you have lots of kids reminding you to get up and get a move on!

Initially, it didn't seem like the walking club would get off of the ground (or out of my head), but one courageous mother, Mme Portia, approached me and expressed her interest. It just so happened that soon after we spoke, the kids went on break from school and had ample free time. Our walking club initially started out with Mme Portia (who is a super star) and about seven children. We would go walking several times a week for about 2 hours around the neighborhood. The second time we went out walking, Mme Portia surprised me by having all of the children dressed in the same shirts!

The most children we've had thus far is 14. I've had them do warm up and cool down exercises, jogging, slow walking, fast walking, and relay races. Additionally during walks, I stress the importance of drinking lots of water; a light, healthy meal before exercising; and tips like keeping stomach muscles in while walking. Everyone seems to be enjoying it, but my challenge is to increase the number of mothers participating and even some of the office staff members. I'm working on it! Now that the children are back in school, we (the mothers and myself) are trying to find our own rhythm. The next addition to my plan is to start healthy cooking/eating/snacking sessions for both the mothers and children. Additionally, I've noticed that the majority of the kids do not have proper running outfits or running shoes. If you are out there reading this blog post and can possibly help us out, I'd greatly appreciate it!

Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure! I'll keep you posted!

Mozambique n' more

2008-04-15T09:09:00.006-05:00

Recently,I along with a few of my fellow Peace Corps Volunteers took an action-packed trip to Mozambique for a bit of rest and relaxation. We all met up in Pretoria for a 6 hour Translux bus ride to Maputo. Everything was going great until we go to the boarder of Mozambique when I realized that, instead of bringing along my PC passport with my 36 month visa for multiple entries, I brought along my personal passport which hadn't been used to visit or leave South Africa since 2005...silly me! Well, I waited my turn to get my passport stamped in and the boarder official looked at me and said, where's your visa, when did you get here? Basically, without my PC passport, it looked like I had remained in South Africa from 2005, the last time I had used it. I got a taste of what it felt like to be ILLEGAL! She threatened me with a HUGE fine as I was sweating bullets trying to explain to her that I was a poor volunteer working with orphans and vulnerable children in Rustenburg and that, really, I did have another passport with an official visa, and really, I did actually leave the country in 2005 as indicated by the exit stamp from O.R. Tambo Airport in Joburg, while my friends were looking at me like...well this trip is over before it began. To make a long and sweat-filled story short, I got my stamp out of South Africa (not too long after requesting for a boost in my allowance from my VERY LOVING PARENTS). On the Mozambique side of the boarder, the bus opperator, who was very nice, assisted (with a bit of sketch)us in getting our visitor's visa processed...we were on our way! After what seemed like forever and two days on the road, we landed in Maputo...new language, new currency to figure out, pushy taxi drivers, the works! All 5 of us, including buldging luggage, were stuffed into a late model Toyota Corolla and driven literally around the corner to our backpackers...The Base. As we stumbled, travel worn and weary, we were greeted at the door by an over zealous front desk attendant who seemed to know exactly who we were, because, without saying hello, he proceeded to tell us that there was not room at the inn. Apparently, the reservation policy at the Base is that you must confirm your reservation 24 hours in advance, which he said that he did, but no one ever received a call. Tired and irritated, two of us broke away from the group and searched frantically for an other place to stay that wouldn't break the PC bank. Eventually, we found a really cool spot...Fatima's...Once we were settled in (read: threw our stuff on the bunk beds), we headed out for food...we landed at a hip pizza spot, although my early Alzhiemers is making me forget the name. Four of us sat on the patio, enjoying the weather, the new language (Portugese), and pleasant atmosphere. Periodically, young guys would walk around the perimeter of the restaurant selling their arts and crafts. Tip: If you look at or entertain the vendors, they won't go away. The result of the evening is that you will be harassed for the rest of the evening. Two members of our party were officially banned from looking anyone in the eye for the rest of the trip. To end the evening, we hopped back into a taxi and, upon arrival at Fatima's, we (read: I) gave the taxi driver a tip he will never forget...an extra 350 Metacal ($15) because I gave him a 500 instead of a 50...We expected the driver to be waiting at the backpackers all day and evening trying to get us to ride with him!

Next day, we got up earlier than the roosters to catch mini bus to Tofo Beach, which was supposedly an 8 hour ride away (read: 10+ hours). While waiting for the bus, however, one of us was violently ill and we watched as one of the other lodgers arranged for an early morning romp with a comercial sex worker...something that we made note of during our entire trip...older, forigen men, usually of European decent purchasing young, black women for their time and other things.

Side Note: As a PROUD, BLACK WOMAN, traveling with a group of other PROUD, BLACK WOMEN, I (we)were confronted with the unfortunate realization that as a whole, Black women are often placed in situations where we can be bought and sold to the highest bidder for a few dollars and encouraged to forget with the addition of drugs and alcohol. Our bodies are for sale to bored and desperate Western tourists or people on the other side of town who want to take advantage of women and young girls who are clearly in a desperate mental/financial/emotional state. Unfortunately, many of us who were traveling together do not have to leave our own communities to see this situation, which is repeated for hours every night on a side street, once the sun goes down. I encourage other PROUD, BLACK WOMEN to fight for yours and other's right to no longer serve as a commodity. Get involved in a young sista's life, encourage her, support her, help her to see her bright future! If you don't, consider yourself as an addition to the problem. Instead, be a solution!

Back to the story: After many hours of riding in a mini-bus that retained a strong smell of day-old fish, head-bobbing-mouth-wide-open-drooling-sleep, stopping at every major and minor town to shop outside of your bus window for bread, fruit, socks, razors, etc., we arrived in the ruggedly, beautiful Tofo Beach! First stop: Food! The amazing part of vacationing in a sea-side town is that you can literally watch as fishermen bring in their catch to local restaurants, and for you seafood lovers, I'm talking about SQUID, SHRIMP (PRAWNS), ANY FISH YOU CAN THINK OF, EEL, CRAB, LOBSTER, you name it! The first evening at our backpackers, we ate an "all you can eat" seafood buffet! I went to sleep dreaming of fish (not a pregnancy dream for all of you down south folk), fish that I would be eating for the rest of my trip.

Ok, to cut this already long story short, we had a wonderful time sitting, reading,etc. by the ocean. Oh, the last night in Maputo, four of us went down to the local fish market. In this market, fisherman (maybe their wives is more like it) sell fresh catches of the day: Any type of fish you want, prawns, crab, lobster, mussels, etc. for CHEAP prices. On the other side of the market, you take your fresh fish to any number of restaurants that cook it for you. Even though it took a long time to get the food, we were all entertained by the festive mood and live music! This, is a MUST when in Mozambique!

In my opinion, however, the trip was much too short considering how long it takes to get there! A great trip none-the-less and much needed at that! I was getting very restless in Rustenburg and everyone, except those at my job, were getting on my nerves and I was amazed at how that short break refreshed me and helped me to see that I can stick it out for a few more months until my service is up! And just in case you're wondering, I made it back into South Africa with no problems, only thing is that I have to leave in the next 3 months (the length of time Americans can enter South Africa without a visa)to get stamped back out! But just in case I happen to go back to Mozambique, I made a few friends at the border who might be able to help me out if I ever run into any problems!

My self portrait

Man & Meat

That little brown dot is me!

Just a small sampling of the seafood that we got for cheap!

Maybe it's just me....

2008-03-17T07:39:00.003-05:00

but I really enjoy waking up in the mornings to go to work! I wake up at 6:00 am to walk a few miles in the rain, heat, and snow (I wish), in rush hour traffic to get to work every morning and sometimes on Saturdays because I love what I'm doing and I really enjoy the people with whom I work. I know, I know, I've only been working/volunteering with SOS Children's Village for a short time, but just being here makes me feel fulfilled...like I'm actually contributing to something...like I am a part of something big and worthwhile. I'm even planning to start waking up even earlier (5:30am) on Saturdays to start a walking club with the village mothers.

One of the best parts of my day is talking with my coworkers about things that are going on in the village, and in their lives. In such a short period of time, I have developed a really nice relationship with everyone in my office and look forward to seeing them first thing in the morning. The highlight of my day, however, takes place soon after the children arrive home from school, like just now when some of the kids (I call them my "regulars") stop into my office to check up on me. I get to probe them about homework and their social lives, and best of all, get to see their smiling faces.

I know, I know (again), you might be thinking that I'm making this all up, but I'm really not. It has taken me over a year of my Peace Corps service to reach a point where I am so happy with the things I'm doing (in my work life). The Peace Corps always says that this is the "toughest job you'll ever love", and I finally agree. I had to go through the "tough" part to finally find the part that I love.

Can you hear the bells?!

2008-03-07T06:08:00.003-06:00

Ba alright?!

Wow, it certainly has been a verrrrrrrry long time since I've been able to update my blog. You remember, about two posts ago, I told you that I was changing organizations? In changing organizations, I also lost a reliable connection to the net. Additionally, it took me a while to find and get settled into a/my new organization (I'll tell you about that later)! So now I'm working with SOS Children's Village in Rustenburg. At my org, there are two programs that are up and running. The first (of which I've yet to become familiar) is the Family Strengthening Project (FSP). Outreach workers and social workers identify families, either child headed households or families where there are orphans and vulnerable children, to provide assistance to: food parcels, skills-based training, clothing, etc. I hope that, as time goes on, I'll be able to learn more about it. The second component of the program is the actual orphanage, although being here has reshaped my idea of what an orphanage is/looks like. When I think of an orphanage, I think of: old, rundown buildings, nuns, old women, corporal punishment, a hall full of bunk beds, a dining room with long tables, ashy children wearing potato sack dresses, little girls with bobbed cuts. So right now you're probably thinking that I have more issues that you initially thought, or my perceptions are somewhat in line with yours. SOS Children's Village in Rustenburg makes me think of a family or rather families. The main office, which is located in a house deep in the heart of a recently developed neighborhood is a place that kids come and hang out. Where work stops because a child wants to say hello. The organization actually has ten houses that are integrated into the same community. Women from the community were hired on to take care of children, acting as surrogate mothers. The children, up to ten per household, are encouraged to call each other brother and sister. Children are taken on outings, nurtured spiritually, emotionally and physically. When you walk into a house, there is laughter and smiling faces, where as in their biological homes, these characteristics were virtually non-existent.

So, I guess you're asking yourself, "Well what does she do at this SOS Village-something or other?" Thus far, I'm helping to set up a monitoring and evaluation system for children who have been recently placed with the organization, to evaluate if they are adjusting to their "new" life. I've been helping with budgets (household and organizational), developing a life skills course for both the mothers and children, and I'm in the process of developing a mentorship program for the children. The mentor program is going to be a combination of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, professional/personal grooming, and "Take your daughter to work day." I hope to build up the children's life skills, etc. in such a way that they will be able to be healthy, happy individuals who follow their passions and realize that their past doesn't always have to predict their future in a negative way. I'll keep you updated. I have a lot of work to do between now and when my Peace Corps Service is up! But with all of that said, I feel fulfilled and in a place that provides a great learning opportunity and fosters out of the box thinking.

Yep, I said it, Peace Corps service is almost up! Can you believe that I technically have six more months to go? It has been a long journey, but one that I don't regret and will keep learning from for years to come. Since it's not over just yet in combination with having so much work to do until then, I'll leave those thoughts for later.

Well, since I'll be able to update you more often, I'll resist the urge to tell you my whole life story (between Oct and March)in one post! Thanks for hangin' in there with me guys through that pregnant pause! I'll chat with you soon!

Salang Sentle!

Joy comes in the morning...

2007-12-20T06:24:00.000-06:00

Usually when I dream, I go to a far off place. Because of the way I tend to jump in my sleep, my South African friends tell me that at that very moment (the jumping moment), I'm making that big leap across the Atlantic Ocean to an exotic location such as Atlanta or Chicago (hmm). Well, on the morning of December 19th at around 1:15 am, I'd long since crossed the pond when I was stirred from my sleep by a yelp (or was it a scream?!) in the next room. I asked, "Thuli, are you ok?" In a frantic and unexpected voice, Joyce (instead of Thuli) told me to come over in a double. As I opened the door to Thuli's room, I was met by Joyce kneeling on the floor clasping Thuli's hand as she was experiencing early labor pains. Because I haven't written in a while, and because pregnancy is not necessarily note worthy, I did not tell you that Saziso's Brother's girlfriend, Thuli is 7 months pregnant. FYI, Thuli is the mother of Tshepang (the cute little girl who is pinching Twobob's bum in the previous blog post). Joyce asked me to take over dula duty (i.e. comforting Thuli)while she and Saziso's mom where trying to arrange transport to take her to the clinic. Since I'm an expert on child labor, due to my over indulgence of TLC's The Baby Story and Bringing Home Baby and Big Mama's House, I knew that I was supposed to rub her back, hold her hand, and have plenty of towels. Tshepo (the father and Saziso's older brother) walked into the room and assumed his position of providing comfort as well. Not more than 15 minutes after I came in the room to help, Thuli started screaming in Setswana, a lanugage I'm not fluent in, however, knowing that labor transends language, knew that she was in serious pain. The pains seemed to be getting worse and all of a sudden her water broke... she needed to get somewhere medical soon! Water breaking, screaming, sqeezing hands, pulling down of pants, screaming, fluids spilling, out comes a baby boy, OH MY GOD! Yes, you read right, I was witness to the premature home birth of baby boy Kototsi! SHOCK! The three of us could not believe that this tiny little boy was just born on the floor at 1: thiry something in the morning! Saziso's mom rushed in the room to tell us that the transport had come, just to find that they baby had been delivered. Thuli and the baby (who was still attached) were transported in a neighbor's car to the clinic and then to the hospital. You might be wondering why we just didn't call the ambulance. Well, in Rustenburg and maybe the whole of South Africa, most times it's quicker to find your own transport. Back to the story, Thuli and baby (who is still not officially named, but Saziso and I can't decide to call him Speedy (Saziso) or "Comes early in the morning" (Me)) are doing well. The baby weighs in at 1.5kg. He'll have to stay until he reaches 1.6kg. I've gone to visit both mother and child twice.

Since I've been in Peace Corps, people keep asking me if there is anything "memorable" about my experience that particularly sticks out. I always say no...well, you've guessed it, I will remember this moment for the rest of my life! What a reason to write a blog post!

Patience, Flexibility, Creativity...

2007-10-20T02:54:00.000-05:00

It sure has been a while (or it seems like it at least) since I've made a post. Even though I've received no complaints from my mother's friend Michelle, I'd just like to go ahead and apologize to her. I'm sure she's thinking that she can no longer stand looking at pictures of rocks and waterfalls!

My relative silence has been due to being busy at site, Mid-Service Training (MST), and "changes" all around. So let's start by talking about MST. Mid-Service Training (MST)is an event that all Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) go through once they've hit the year mark of service. The purpose of training is to get any updated information about service, talk with fellow volunteers (in a formalized forum instead of sending text messages back and forth) about successes and challenges experienced at site, and in my case, receive updated information about all things related to HIV. In reality, it's a great time to meet up with friends that you may not get a chance to see very often, plan vacations, and again, in my case, include my fellow PCV's in my new secondary project: an extended game of Monopoly (South African version).

When we first arrived, many of us started to talk about the challenges at site: idelness, projects not going well, supervisor woes, mid-year slump, etc. Once we had a chance to do that, our perceptive-thinking Country Director helped us, through a technique called "appreciative enquiry", to realize that the positive experiences during service and personal growth often far outweigh the day-to-day challenges of "development work". Once that exercise was complete, the overall tone of the conference seemed to change for the better. This is not to say that our challenges are not real and very frustrating at times, but we collectively came to the conclusion that the only thing we can change is our attitudes and the way we approach each situation. This type of understanding, in my opinion, is a major factor in Volunteers' decision to stay on the job past a year and continue to slowly and painstakingly push the boulder of change. [Insert the Peace Corps slogan: "The toughest job you'll ever love."]

To change the mood a little, I think the best part of MST was where Peace Corps chose to host us: The Honeymoon Lodge which is located in a township outside of Polokwane. Ah, the Honeymoon Lodge!

After returning from a week of romance (read: none at all) at the Honeymoon Lodge, where there were power outages the entire week and after sunset, we did everything by candle light, I went back into Pretoria for my Mid-Service medical appointment. It turns out that I've lost a couple of pounds (but I figured as much since many of the clothes I brought here don't fit as well) and I'm relatively normal in every other respect (I put the emphasis on "relatively"). My favorite part about medical was that I got my eyes checked. If you know me at all, and many of you don't, you'd know that I love changing my glasses. At home, I have glasses of all shapes, sizes, and colors, some of which boarder the very strange. The new ones are my attempt at being more subtle, yet maintaining the chic!

Since returning to Rustenburg, I've been thinking about all of the things (successes, challenges, etc.) we discussed at MST, and how the only thing I can do is change myself. I've been asking myself, "how can I improve my experience and attitude for the last nine to ten months of service?". Without going into many details, I, along with my APCD (Peace Corps supervisor) came up with a plan so that I can get more work and satisfaction out of my Peace Corps experience. Officially, I will no longer work full time at my organization. Ever since my site mate and I arrived, we were told that we were going to be very busy with a PEPFAR grant that would be coming in any day now and were cautioned not to get too caught up in secondary projects. Let's now fast forward to over a year later and the grant has still not come through. The new plan is that I work with several organizations to begin life skills/peer education groups for students and orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs). I plan on spending some time with my friend and fellow PCV, Charlene, who lives a couple of hours away from me, in an attempt to examine the life skills course that she's been running for a while. Additionally, by facilitating HIV courses through my organization, I've had several requests to prepare courses for outside agencies. I do not plan on totally leaving my current organization, however, I will make myself available when there is work to do. I will also remain in Rustenburg, where I've made friends and have adapted to the ins and outs. I believe that this new arrangement can potentially be the best of both worlds. I hope that it works out like I'm planning. Now that I'm leaving, you may be wondering if I'm also leaving my site mate along with my organization. In fact, she will be leaving as well (because of the same to similar issues I've had) and will be going to another organization in another province. I wish her well in all of her new endeavors.

So, now you can see that a lot has been going on! Although I've experienced many challenges at site, I have come out a much stronger person and have learned a great deal about myself. I also know that, when met by these challenges, it is important to have patience, be flexible, and creativity is key!

And in a completely unrelated story:

Saziso's niece pinching Twobob's bottom!

The Escarpment Trail- Sabie, Mpumalanga

2007-10-02T02:55:00.000-05:00

The Escarpment Trail is part of a larger group of natural sites called the Panoramic View. These pictures are in no particular order so you won't be able to follow them if you just looked at the link. Here are just some of the pictures from the misguided misadventures of three card carrying members of Setswana 2 Setswana...North West Province Power!

Pinnacle Rock

The sun setting over Sabie

One forth of an nice Indian family that we stalked starting at Mac Mac Falls

The Top of Berlin Falls

The Middle

The Bottom

Mac Mac Falls

Mac Mac Pools

Me catching water from a waterfall at The Potholes

Another view of The Potholes

The Three Rondevals and then some

Colorful Lizards we saw mating at the top of the view at the Three Rondevals

Congrats to SA-16 on their recent Swearing-In

2007-09-27T03:13:00.000-05:00

Last Thursday, Peace Corps South Africa celebrated it's 10th year in South Africa. Prior to the event, rumors were flying around about the big name guests that were supposed to attend...Nelson Mandela was one of them. Big dissapointment! He was a no show! At the actual event, however, there were a bunch of supervisors who came to pick up their new volunteers, visitors, the Ambassador to South Africa and the Regional Director for Peace Corps South Africa. One of the things I spoke about with the Regional Director was my plan for post Peace Corps. Among many ideas, I'm considering extending service for a year...to cool places like Ethiopia or Ghana! I'll keep you posted on what I really do.

I'd say that one of the highlights of the event was the gift from SA-16's training village to the new volunteers, a traditional dance from a group of the village's young girls. I tried to upload the video, but the file is too big, so here's the no-so-good picture instead:

Other highlights include seeing friends,

pigging out at the buffet line (I perhaps had the best, most tender steak ever), and meeting up with my friend Rich who was a PCV in SA-8. During the summer between my freshman and sophmore year of college, I went to Tanzania for a couple of months with Operation Crossroads Africa (wonderful program by the way...I put the link up for it in the last post). While participating in the program (during orientation I met my soon to be best friend/soul mate Jeb), I made friends with Rich who went to Howard University. Rich joined Peace Corps as a member of SA-8 and still lives and works in South Africa. It's a shame that it's taken us a year (since I've been in country) to meet up, particularly since we live an hour away from each other. It was fun none the less!

After Swearing In, new volunteers were shuttled off to their sites, and the rest of us lived it up in Pretoria, etc. for the rest of the long weekend. I'll make another post to explain what I did.

Once again, congrats to SA-16, you've now joined the ranks!

My People, My People

2007-09-18T04:04:00.000-05:00

Over the past couple of months, I've received several hits on my blog from African Americans currently serving or interested in joining the Peace Corps. It has been rather insightful to hear about their experiences all throughout the world. It's interesting to see that, although we're spread out around the world, we share a common experience back home and abroad.

In some way, we are positioned within a unique opportunity to expose people in our respective Peace Corps sites to African Americans in addition to demonstrating that we're dynamic people and not just limited to what they might have seen on t.v., heard about through the grape vine, or listened to in rap songs. Within our American communities, we are exposing people (whether we're trying to or not) to African Americans who are doing positive things on a global scale, and potentially serving as an example to someone so that one day they could say..."Hey if he/she can do it, so can I!" I say the later with emphasis, particularly because, unfortunately and for many confounding reasons, many Americans don't have the opportunity to travel abroad or are not exposed to the joys of doing so. This is particularly the case as it relates to African Americans. We continue to be an under-represented bunch in the realm of international travel or just travel in general. I know people who haven't been out of their own town. Now I'm not saying this in judgment, but as a reality.

I hope that, through my experience, I can encourage other African Americans to explore their/our world. One doesn't just have to join the Peace Corps to do so. There are many domestic programs like City Year, AmeriCorps and Teach for America. Study abroad programs are also an option with Operations Crossroads Africa and Bardoli Global. I hope to serve as a resource to people of color who are interested in joining the Peace Corps and traveling abroad. In addition, I look forward to meeting and networking with other African Americans who are or were in the Peace Corps so that we can learn from each other's experiences.

It's Official...I'm coming home.....

2007-09-07T07:10:00.000-05:00

For a vacation. In November. Just in time for Thanksgiving. YEAH! For the past couple of months, I've been toying with the idea of coming home for a visit. At first I felt that there was some merit to saying that I haven't been back to the U.S. for two years. I wondered if coming home would break my focus, because I've adjusted to life in Rustenburg, but (maybe I'm rationalising here) it's not so different from home in many ways (which I've discussed at length in previous posts). Additionally, I've spoken to several PCVs in my group who have gone home and, instead of making it difficult to come back to site, it's left them refreshed. I think that's what I'm looking for: renewal and refreshment. It will be nice to see my family, friends, soul mate Gerald, Jestein, and Medin. It will be nice to eat all of the foods I've been craving...I've already made a list (who knows if it will all happen, but wishful thinking is allowed, right?):

Gosh, that list makes me so hungry! This also means that November (when I'm in town) is a good time to: have a baby, get married, buy a new car/home/condo, and feel generous enough to take me out to one of the above mentioned restaurants. November is, however, a couple of months away (but just enough time to book your tickets to come visit me), so I've got to buckle down until then...I've got work to do! Until the next time!

Amagluglug v.s. Nigeria

2007-08-23T07:24:00.000-05:00

One of the things that I most appreciate about being in Rustenburg, is that every once in a while, Olympia Park Stadium hosts soccer matches...for FREE! Free is definitely in my Peace Corps entertainment budget. So, after work on Wednesday, I headed to the stadium and got there before it completely filled to capacity, because the first few thousand attendees were promised a free vuzella (horn, sp?). Instead, the crowd received South African flags, but not as exciting as the vuzella (a soccer match requisite). Actually, this was nice for me as I've yet to get one (which will end up being one luck person's "gift" when I return home).

Since I'm not a soccer fan, I can't really say much for the game, with the exception that the score was tied when I left. One of the funniest aspects of my experience was during the pre-game entertainment, when a group of about 10 cheerleaders came out in their yellow crop tops and green spandex shorts. Prior to them coming out, everyone in the mostly male audience was jumping around, waving their flags in support of their team. Once the girls came out on the field with their hot pants on and started dancing to "The Thong Song" by Sisco, it was as if I'd suddenly gone from a crazy sports event to church. I couldn't believe (well, actually I could) how different the atmosphere was. Not a person was standing. All eyes were bobbing up and down, from side to side in tune with exposed hips and thighs. I couldn't help from laughing and discussing my observation with Saziso. He said that if anyone were to stand up and start waving their flag, blocking someone's view, they would get yelled at. Fans were just as serious about watching this spectacle as they were about their team winning.

Another thing that I noticed was a relatively attractive man with a beard. For some reason, I kept staring at this man, because something about him seemed to stand out from every other guy I see on a daily basis, and it wasn't because he was cute. After a few seconds, I realized that it was, in fact, the beard that made him stand out. I have not really noticed men around these parts, or in other parts of South Africa with beards, other than older Afrikaner men. I asked Saziso (South Africa according to Saziso) about how Black people might perceive the man, because he had chosen to do something that made him stand out from the crowd. (I phrase it that way, because, to a certain extent, it seems to not be viewed upon highly if you do anything to make yourself too different than the norm or makes you stand out in any way). I was told that people might/would judge him, because he would be perceived as "wanting too much attention".

Well, I can't think of anything else particularly exciting about the event, but I did have lots of fun hanging out with my friends and it was a nice way to celebrate Hump Day!

If you're actually curious about the game, click on this link: Amagluglug show Bafana how it's done

TB, Twobob, 2Bob, 2B, 2B or not 2B, Bob Bob, Double B, Double Bob, 20 cents

2007-08-22T05:26:00.001-05:00

Couchin' Bob

2BClose

I'm ready Captain, put me in....

2007-08-21T07:16:00.001-05:00

For the past year, with the exception for a couple of weeks at a time, my site mate and I have been relatively stuck with little to do. Of course, a great deal of the job description of a Peace Corps Volunteer is to rely heavily on your own level of motivation and creativity to get the job done regardless of: limited resources, lack of management, lack of direction (from your org/school or boss), lack of this, and lack of that. One of the ways I've kept from going crazy, because of the lack of direction from my supervisor, is to have an active social life and find other ways to put my degrees/education/experience to work. (For those of you considering joining the Peace Corps with an advance degree and expect that it will be used to the fullest extent, you need to rethink your expectations for service and be ok with the situation if it is not) Be creative.

Well, after several meetings over the past year, in preparation to receive a $500,000.00 grant from PEPFAR, and an extensive planning meeting today, it looks like my restlessness will be no more, or at least not for the next couple of months, because our extended mobile VCT services should be up and running by October. (that was a loooong sentence. My English teacher would not be proud.) I will be responsible for developing the Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) system for the project. That means I would kind of be like Santa Clause when he makes his list and checks it twice to keep tabs on the kids (through out the year) who are naughty and nice. But unlike Santa, I'd have to write a monthly report to our funder, and make changes when things are going well. With Santa, if he thought you needed to change your behavior, you just wouldn't get that red wagon with the wings on the sides. I will also be involved with budget management, as well as developing an HIV prevention strategy and identify curricula that address HIV and behavior change on the community level. Additionally, I'll be involved with HIV training and writing up a policies and procedures booklet for the project as it relates to how things and people should run.

Because I'll be so heavily involved in M&E, I'm planning to take a brush-up online course in program evaluation. If you're interested in M&E and want to do the same or learn, follow the link to my mother's organization: Tobacco Technical Assistance Consortium
The course is distance (computer) based, so you can participate from anywhere in the world, like me! (Shameful family plug, but I don't care, it's by blog!)

I really hope that things turn out well, although they usually do (knock on wood). I'm ready to jump in and get my mind running at top speed again. Since I've been relatively inactive at work, I feel like that little girl in my head has been running around up there, tossing around papers and files that have been kept so neatly organized. It's time to do a Spring cleaning or sorts (which is fitting because the weather is warming up again...it was 26 degrees C today) and prepare for the major tasks ahead! Wish me luck!!!!!!!!

Dildo update

2007-08-20T02:27:00.000-05:00

Just as I expected, thus far, the dildos that my friend sent me have been a hit, particularly with the female counselors! On Friday, I met up with four of the counselors who regularly go out on the mobile testing unit, in order to introduce the new educational tool and to have them refresh their condom demonstration skills. As soon as I walked into the meeting room with the brown box and a packet of condoms, everyone became giddy and could hardly sit still. Before introducing the dildos, however, I had to talk to them about the "Dildo Sign-In/Sign-Out Sheet". I told them, as they already seemed to know, about how expensive the dildos are and how our organization will not be able to afford to replace them if they happen to "disappear". Each dildo is numbered, so when a counselor wants to use one (for educational purposes only), they must write down the corresponding dildo number, etc., etc., etc. Somehow, I don't think that anyone hear what I had to say. To them, I must have sounded like the teacher in the Charlie Brown cartoon. Shame! After giving my little speech about taking responsibility for them if they're "lost", damaged, or stolen, we got to the part they were all waiting for: each one of them was handed a "life like" dildo of varying "skin" tones. It took a good twenty minutes for the ladies to calm down after noticing the texture, colors, veins, etc. Once we got that covered, one lady demonstrated how to correctly guide someone on how to use a condom. Each person gave tips on how to improve on the demonstration, although everyone in the group knows how to do it properly (teach someone how to use a condom that is). After the meeting, it took serious restraint for them not to run around the office with dildos, showing them off to other counselors!

Fast foward to today, one of the counselors on the mobile came into my office before heading out for the day, and told me that she told her husband about the dildos and said "to hell" with him! I told her not to have her husband coming to me complaining!

Sankofa (knowing where you've been so that you can move forward)

2007-08-17T07:19:00.000-05:00

A couple of months ago, my resident Peace Corps Safety & Security guy invited me to speak with the new trainees about unwanted attention. Although I don't really think that I've experienced much unwanted attention, other than having a few old and young men grabbing my arm, which really freaked me out, I thought it would be cool to meet and greet the people who are now where I was a year ago. When we first pulled up (on Sunday) to the orientation hall where trainees meet up for technical sessions, we ran into a two guys, who from the moment we saw them, looked like the prototypical trainee (other than being two white guys in middle of a town only composed of Black people). Their white tennis shoes looked like they were fresh out of the box. Their clothes were not yet worn down and tattered from Omo and hand washings. They had sunshiny faces, not yet weighed down by the emotional roller coaster that is Peace Corps service. They weren't yet jaded by bureaucracy (PC and South African), frustrations over teachers who are too lazy to teach, NGO directors with a serious case of founders syndrome, corruption, HIV related death and illness, etc. They haven't yet been inspired by people who seem to make a way out of no way. The questions they posed were full of anxiety and excitement about fitting into their respective communities. If some how Peace Corps or myself as a volunteer could give them a detailed outline of what things were going to be like for them over the next two years, they might have taken it, read it, reread it, highlighted special points, and would have written a list of additional questions they want to have answered.

At one point, I, along with LaQuita, another African American volunteer, had the opportunity to meet up with several of the African American female trainees, to talk about some of the issues that were specific to the "African American experience" in Peace Corps. They expressed some of the same feelings and concerns about the needs and experiences of African American people that are not addressed by Peace Corps during training (and during service I might argue) that LaQuita and I did when we were in their place. They were frustrated that, while some trainees were treated like rock stars in a village (because it is rare and almost unheard of for a White person or someone who is perceived by them as White, to take an intimate interest in their lives), people in the village judged them because they were Black and couldn't speak the language. Some people they encountered called them coconuts (black on the outside, white on the inside) because it was thought that the Black volunteers were really just South Africans who studied abroad and forgot their culture. They were concerned that Peace Corps prepared trainees with an assumption of "whiteness", that everyone's experience would be similar based on the fact that the majority of volunteers are white and because PC has limited experience with the understanding of and dealing with the complexities that a darker skin tone can play in shaping one's Peace Corps experience. Peace Corps doesn't tell you and maybe can't prepare you for the mountain of emotions a Black volunteer may experience after hearing an older, Black woman being called "girl." How can you be prepared to see a Black man riding in the back of a pickup truck in the cold and rain while there is only one person (a White man or woman) riding in the cab? Can Peace Corps tell you that the only way some South Africans, Black or otherwise, know how to greet you is by calling you a "nigger." America has a similar ugly experience with race, discrimination, and inequity. In America, however, we like to pretend that those things don't exist. You're told that "we" weren't responsible for what happened to you; time has passed, you should just "get over it"; etc. While serving in PC South Africa, volunteers are place in situations that mirror what some people with a darker hue (not just African Americans) in America went through in the past and are still going through today, yet have the inability or unwillingness to realize the same or similar reality on their own home soil. These particular trainees found that they lacked being able to commiserate with trainees of other ethnic backgrounds, because they simply "could not understand". They were frustrated at how their fellow trainees looked at them in judgment for making this experience a "black v.s. white", when that's not the point at all, but rather wanting to be recognized rather than being lumped in with the majority. After speaking with our kindred, LaQuita and I recognized the need to serve as a support system for them like we were a support for each other. Additionally, we realized how far we had come, but how we have a long road ahead.

Wathint' Abafazi Wathint' imbokodo!

2007-08-08T01:19:00.000-05:00

The English translation: "Now that you have touched the women, you have struck a rock!"

Tomorrow, I, along with South Africans, will commemorate the day, August 9, 1956, when thousands of women marched through the streets of Pretoria to the Union Building, carrying a petition with hundreds of thousands of signatures. The petition was against the proposed amendment to the 1950 Group Areas Act, commonly known as the pass laws, which, amongst other things, restricted the movement of Black men in "white only" areas. The amendment aimed to force Black women to carry pass books as well. Up until that point, only Black men above the age of 15 were required to carry around a "dompas" (dumb pass) with information including ID number, "homeland" (areas designated for specific ethnic groups, i.e. amaZulu, amaXhosa, Batswana), age, race, etc. These passes were to be carried around at all times and the carrier was required to presented it upon request. Passes also detailed whether or not the individual was allowed to move through and work in "with only" areas.

While so much as changed within South Africa to improve the lives of women, there is still so much to be done to increase women's political, social, and economic standing. Events to celebrate this day will be going on all throughout the country.

Although you may not be in South Africa tomorrow to take part in this wonderful day, you can still take the time to reflect on the impact that women have made in your life. If you are a woman, be proud that you have the power to create and just be. Each one of us can do our own part by ensuring that when we witness or are even aware of injustice directed at women (i.e. rape, domestic abuse, stalking, harassment of all forms, degradation, belittlement, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, manipulation, economic and social abuse, poverty, legal disempowerment, etc.) and do nothing, you become part of the problem instead of the solution.

Amandla!

Post backlog blues!

2007-08-03T04:43:00.000-05:00

One of my mother's friends, Michelle, is one of my primary blog followers. When I don't post enough (or my recent overindulgence of posting too much about Twobob), I get a complaint from Michelle via my mother. So Michelle, I just wanted to apologize about not posting enough and for not posting enough interesting stuff. I guess that I've grown so accustomed to the things going around me (cause this is my regular life after all), I forget that, what may be interesting to you seems humdrum to me. In order to make up for where I've slacked off, I'd like to tell you about a few of the highlights of my life that I haven't written about on my blog...they're not necessarily in order. Please sista girl, forgive me!

June 16th: Youth Day

On June 16, 1976, primarily Black South African students planned a peaceful protest to raise awareness of their issues with the Bantu education system, which was enacted under the apartheid regime. Similar to the poor quality of education provided by the government to African Americans in the US at that time (and arguably a similar poor quality of education that still exists today for these same cohorts...in both South Africa and America), Black South African students endured poorly trained teachers, over worked teachers, poor/out of date/not enough resources, etc. Again, similarly, the government tried to rationalize the idea that separate is indeed equal. WRONG. (Side Note: I recognize that it is not completely fair to compare the struggle of one group to another. We have each fought our own battles. I just can't help but to see my face in the mirror, so to speak.) Another blow to South African students was the forcing, by the government, to require that all students learn Afrikaans, the language spoken by the ruling party. Many of the teachers didn't understand Afrikaans, yet were expected to teach the subject to their students. Destined to fail. Doesn't it make sense to make it easy for you, if you are in charge, to make your subservients speak your language...so you can tell them how you want your kitchen floors cleaned?

Well, instead of being the peaceful protest that it was intended to be, the police fired guns, dogs were released, and tear gas was sprayed into the crowd of unarmed students. Many people were injured, several died. The face of the June 16th massacre is Hector Peterson, a 12 year old student who was apparently the first person killed.

Because the events are so thoroughly written about, I'll leave the rest of the story telling to the experts.

"How does this relate to you? This is completely random!" is what you're probably thinking, so I won't keep you waiting. On June 16th, in honor of the lives lost and the continuation of the struggle, it is customary (at least in Rustenburg) to wear your school uniform. My friend Saziso clued me in on the event after he started digging through his closet to find his old school outfit. His searching had a domino effect on the rest of his family, so everyone started looking for theirs too. Soon enough, his siblings and his mother were all dressed up. His younger brother Tapelo (16 years old) really got into it and put on his younger brother's school shorts...talk about cutters... Saziso's mom brushed her hair in the style of the day: the "fly-away". Interesting. Can't say that I'd wear it.

The whole event was so funny and so much fun to witness, particularly Tapelo and his short shorts which he wore the whole day. As I hoped on the taxi home, I sat looking out of the window as people in the location (new word for township) walked around in their school uniforms. Although watching an entire family dress up in too tight, too short school uniforms, the purpose of the day was not lost on me or any one else. Respecting the strength of those whose shoulders you stand on is the only way to move forward.

The Day I Saw A Man Get Hit By A Car!!!!!

When some people think about South Africa, visiting South Africa, or let their loved one join Peace Corps South Africa, after asking themselves: "So what country in South Africa will you be going to", they think of violence. Yes, South Africa can be dangerous, but living in Chicago can be crazy dangerous too! I've personally never been harmed (knock on a big piece of wood), but I do know of volunteers who have been mugged and such. For me, however, the time I feel most unsafe is every day...serving as a pedestrian in this great land. To me, walking across the street (or side walk or any other place a car can fit) is the most dangerous and unsafe aspect of my life here. Drivers speed, don't respect traffic signals (robots as they're called here), stop signs, cross walks, side walks, don't drink and drive campaigns, speed limits, hazardous driving conditions, they don't take care of their cars, over load cars, etc.) Some drivers take pleasure at speeding up when they see you crossing the street, just to see you run. I really could go on and on and on and on...and if you catch me on one of those days, trust me, I will!

I can't remember the exact date (which is the problem with not keeping up with the blog), but I was walking down the major street in Rustenburg (Nelson Mandela) returning from lunch, when all of a sudden, I hear a loud screeching noise. I was annoyed, which I generally am by cars here. All of a sudden, as though it were out of a movie, an SUV type vehicle came up near my right side and I saw a rather heavy set man flip over the hood of the car as though he was a rag doll. I could not believe my eyes! The man was lying on the ground in the most awkward position I'd ever seen a person in. What I expected: Someone to quickly pull out their cell phone and call 911; an ambulance rushing to the scene no more than 5 to 10 minutes later; people crying/screaming; people rushing to the man to help, yet not attempting to move him. What I actually saw: hundreds of people rushing over to the man...to stare at him and his injuries; a young man slipping the injured man's cell phone in his pocket; no ambulance in sight; people attempting to move the strangely situated man. I don't know what upset me more: 1) witnessing a man get hit by a car; or 2) the spectacle that was created by the situation. This is not the first time I've seen a violent situation (after the fact) while people go out of their way to stop and stare for the gore factor. When passing an accident, both pedestrians and drivers will stop what they're doing (including driving), just to go over and look at what happened. Even South African news papers will, on the front page, show a person with a knife sticking out of their head. Title reads: "She caught him sleeping with her sister." They don't spare the details. In the US, I often complained about the censorship that seems to blanket American media, but in times like these, I'm happy that I don't have to see it/know about it. Additionally, not to say that American roads are totally safe, but at least public health messaging seems to be taken to heart a little more than it is here.

Ok, ok, I know I've only written about two things...but I'm tired of typing, plus I have some work to get done. So as I think of things to day...I'll do another back post. Enjoy, while looking left, right, and left again (the opposite for me).

Are you homesick yet?

2007-08-01T03:43:00.000-05:00

Over the course of this month, several people in my office and friends from home have asked me if I'm homesick yet, seeing as how I've been here for a year (year since Swearing In on Sept. 28. 2007). My answer: Depending on the day! My mood falls under three catagories:

I can't believe I'm in the Peace Corps! I can't believe I live in a different country!

There are days when I can't imagine myself being anywhere else. I've wanted the chance to live in South Africa for a while now and have wanted to be in Peace Corps for even longer. I can hop on a taxi be in a different country in less than 3 hours. Life in South Africa and Rustenburg seem strange and foreign and I love it!

Life is normal.

There are days when I almost forget that I'm not in the U.S. (because the infrastructure of Rustenburg can be compared to any smallish city back home). Nothing particularly exciting happens. I'm just going from home to work and doing a little hanging out with friends in between. It feels like any ole regular day back in the U.S. I'm just living my life. Rustenburg has become my home, just like Chicago became my home after moving from Atlanta. Life is fine as wine!

Don't even go there...literally!

Then there are the days....those beautiful, 98 degree, sunshiny days (because it rarely rains, is rarely cloudy, and "winter" lasts a few short months) when I just want to go home and am ready to blow my savings on a plane ticket. During those days, I miss the "things" about home that are not here, but not "home" itself (and they are mostly food-related things...more so now because I'm hungry and I like to eat in general): Chick-fil-a; Wendy's; Mr. Everythings in the AUC; Taco Mac's; Carol Street Cafe; Casa Grande; Atkins Park; Adobo Grill, Willy's; up-to-date movies and music; flying to meet up with friends; a post office that will deliver my packages on time (sorry guys, it's starting to sound like I have a hang-up with the SA Postal Service).

Those I-wanna-come-home-right now-days, luckily, are far and few in between and only tend to last a day or so and then life gets back to normal. Once I'm over them though, the perspective that I had pre-funk comes back and I realize how lucky I am to be in my situation. I have made great (lifelong) friends, an adopted family that loves me, a job that is allowing me to experience new things and challenges me every day, support at the tip of my fingers, health care coverage that only our dear President must get, amazing sights/sounds/smells/smiles (I had to continue with the whole "s" thing...I was on a roll!), no bills (all of my living expenses are paid for), and an opportunity (for two short years) to see the world through different glasses.

My experience and having people constantly asking me about "homesickness", has made me evaluate my definition of "home". Home, to me, is not associated with a particular place. Sure I miss the people and things in different places, but home is where I am. I'm at home in South Africa. Rustenburg. Chicago. Atlanta. Durban. Bukoba. Cape Town. Potch. Savannah. When my two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer are over (one more year in fact), I'll leave Rustenburg for the next location...I'll miss my friends, Nando's, taxis, the irritating post office, the freedom, music, Generations, men's white leather loafers with pointed tips, the loss of personal space, budding democracy, and the many things I've yet to discover....home.

I just couldn't help it......

2007-07-28T03:59:00.001-05:00

Look like mommy!

Sleepingbob

2Bob enjoying the new toy that his grandmother sent him

Kego Gopotse

2007-07-26T03:08:00.000-05:00

While I was in Pretoria for a doctor's appointment last Friday, I received a phone call from the office that made my heart sink: my dear friend and colleague Faith passed away just the day before. Her death was completely unexpected by everyone...shock is the the spirit of the wind within my office. Faith was a beautiful person with a spirit that changed cobalt blue to sun yellow every day. She was dedicated to her family, friends, colleagues and her heart's pursuits. I know that she is missed by many, but I can't help but to be selfish and say that she is particularly missed by me! Have a restful sleep my angel!

My attempt at saving trees in the Amazon Rain Forest- from wooden to silicone dildos

2007-07-24T02:54:00.000-05:00

One of the activities of my organization, amongst many other things, is to demonstrate the proper application of condoms during educational talks and VCT (Voluntary (HIV) Counselling & Testing) sessions. Unfortunately, because of the enormous expense of anatomically "more" correct dildos, my org has been unable to afford anything more than wooden dildos....you know the kind you saw in high school sex ed classes (pre Bush& before sex ed classes were stripped out of the classroom because of those people who feel that abstinence is the ONLY way to prevent everything from STIs to ADHD).

In an effort to address the need, I recalled how, many months ago, one of my dear friends from Chicago asked me what I wanted/needed. At the time, she was a board member of amazing organization that supports the social, health, and all around well-being of African American women loving women, Affinity. In her on rite, she's an activist, educator, student, friend and divine diva! I knew that Gaylon would be the perfect person to ask, and sure enough, she jumped at the request. I wasn't exactly sure, however, if a big box full of dildos would be allowed through customs (and since I've had a bad history with the South African Postal Service not delivering my packages), I was particularly concerned...but hoped that it would shock them enough to actually deliver it. I had her write "used educational materials" on the outside of the box, but really wanted her to write "for needy sexy people". I'm not sure which one sounds worse, but I figured that I'd go for the former instead. Needless to say, the package arrive yesterday! I just can't tell you how excited people were at my office. I think this is probably the first time many of them have ever seen a "life like" dildo. Actually, this is probably the first opportunity that many of the female counsellors will be able to freely explore the male sexual anatomy. I say this because, as a part of some of the cultures present in South Africa, it is taboo for a woman to talk to her male sexual partner about how and when to engage in sex. In some cultures it is taboo for a woman to touch her male partner's penis. Some women have never seen their partner's penis. One thought is that it is not proper for a wife to touch or see her husband's penis. That job is reserved for girlfriends only (and having a wife and a girlfriend is culturally accepted, but that's a whole other story).

I think that these dildos will not only help educate people coming in for VCT, but will help in the empowerment of women (both counselee and counsellor).

I would really like to thank Gaylon for her overwhelming support of me, my organization, and the movement to combat the spread of HIV and empower people everywhere to take control of their sexuality! Ke a leboga thata gape!

Saving one tree and one person at a time!

Can you believe it....

2007-07-17T08:49:00.000-05:00

You can talk for free on weekends! (Ok, so you'd only get that reference if you watched South African t.v. commercials...it's really funny...check it out)

But really, can you believe it, I've almost been in South Africa for a year now?! I left Chicago on the 24th for a two day "Staging" in Philadelphia. We left on a South African Air flight to South Africa on the 26th! In preparation for coming to the Peace Corps, I talked to as many current and past PCVs, attempting to get a glimpse into what my live as a Peace Corps Volunteer would be. Well, let's just say that it's nothing like what I expected.

What I expected: Living in a mud hut. Fetching water. Loads of children following me around. Living with a host family. Eating strange foods. Walking every where I went. Boredom. Excitement. Hand washing clothes. Pit latrines. Little communication with the "outside world". Power outages (if electricity at all). Wearing skirts and flip flops 24/7. Fluency in a different language. I could go on and on...so I won't.

My reality: Living in a middle class community in a brand new flat with an electronic gate remote control. Super Spar/Pick n' Pay/Shoprite/Boxer (grocery stores) within a few blocks. Living down the street from my well established organization. Internet access. Waterfall Mall. Movie theatres. Sun City. Jeans and dress shoes. Community swimming pool down the street. Broken language proficiency. Muggings. Pretoria (a major city) less than an hour away. Cell phone. Etc.

My Peace Corps reality has not only changed my expectations of service, but have helped to shift other people's as well, including some of my fellow Peace Corps Volunteers who actually live in rural settings.

Overall, I can say that I'm enjoying my experience. I've made many friends. I've learned a great deal about the the multiple complexities that make South Africa the way it is (both good and bad). There surely have been challenges to adapting to life here (the dangerous way that people drive, differences in how time is perceived, differences in how "personal space" is perceived, racism, multiple concurrent partnerships, the impact of HIV, etc.) Some days I wanted to pack up and go home, but then something exciting happens which makes me rethink calling PC and telling them that I quit! Prior to joining the Peace Corps, I didn't take the program's motto to heart: The toughest job you'll ever love. Now I understand...

Living to die. Dying to live.

2007-06-20T02:17:00.000-05:00

Ever since we arrived at site, my fellow PCV Elayna and I have been coordinating the logistics of a PEPFAR funded mobile HIV testing unit that is set to begin operating in September 2007. In order to make the project a success, we've relied heavily (which any good community-based project should) on the input of both new and established stakeholders. One of our stakeholders, a major mining cooperation, liked the idea of a mobile HIV testing unit so much, they decided to provide funding for my organization to set up a mobile testing unit specifically to attend to the needs of people living in the informal settlements popping up around their areas of operation. "Hotspots" (the most under served areas) were identified and a running schedule was constructed. Due to the lack of time between being asked to start the project and the project's start date, there wasn't much time devoted to advertising (Shame)! So, what do you do when something doesn't work out just the way your want/need it to? You improvise! During the first few weeks of operation, VCT counsellors assigned to work on the van walked around the various informal settlements announcing the van's presence in the multiple languages spoken in the area (isiXhosa, Setswana, isiZulu, Venda, Shangan, etc.) Additionally, the van was driven around while counsellors announced the VCT schedule for the respective locations using loudspeakers.

Well, thus far, the project has been a success! The mobile unit is testing more people in one day than any other testing site (i.e. The Department of Health clinics and hospitals, private clinics, NGO-based clinics, etc.). The mobile is even out-pacing my organization's office-based testing service! Clearly, in this case at least, providing alternative testing options is useful when encouraging people to test, particularly when attempting to reach out to people living in economically resource poor communities, who may be unable to afford the cost of transportation to an office-based VCT site. This sounds cliche, but I'm going to say it any way: If people can't come to the service, bring the service to them. (There, I said it!)

So, you're probably thinking to yourself: So where does the title to your post fit into the story? Well, one of the most interesting bits of feedback provided by counsellors is the issue of clients and community members wanting to know more about the "HIV grant (Disability grant)". The South African government has provided a grant for people who are unable to work because of a mental/physical disability. In the case of HIV infection, if one is unable to work because of an HIV-related issue and the CD4 count is below 200, one is eligible for the grant. From my understanding, when the CD4 count rises over 200, the grant is stopped, because theoretically, you will be in a better state to work. So here's the missing link to the story: counsellors have noted that many people stop them to ask about how to get the grant money. People have come in for testing, and when testing negative, become upset because they don't qualify to get the grant money. When testing positive, some people are actually happy, because this means they have an extra income. I'm going to give you time to think about that one .........................................................................................................
..........................................................................................................

Sad and scary, huh?! I'm sure that many of these people have some level of understanding in terms of the possible implications of what one faces after testing positive: stigma, discrimination, failed health, isolation, being so weak that you can't stand up...and the list goes on. I say this, because the majority of people within South Africa, I would argue, know someone who is or was HIV positive. They've probably seen first hand that HIV in South Africa is not a pretty picture.I guess that it's difficult for me to understand on a deeper level, because I've never been in a situation where I felt the only way I could bring money into the house (to pay the bills, eat, seek medical treatment, put clothes on the backs of me or my family members, etc.) was to contract a disease. It is a level of desperation that I would never want for myself or anyone...but unfortunately, it is someone's...

Poverty, desperation, low self esteem, low self efficacy, oppression, misinformation, gender inequities, and a whole bunch of other issues compound on each other, creating a distorted reality whereby contracting HIV becomes an income generating disease........

8bob-6bob= Twobob

2007-06-19T03:59:00.000-05:00

Just a friendly little reminder: The time to start you Twobob countdown has come...10 days and counting, until my Twobob comes home with me! The family that is temporarily taking care of him has been so kind to me. They've sent email updates and pictures of how my little Bob Bob is growing up to be such a hansome big boy. I am, however, slightly concerned by the latest picture. I think my little Double Bob might be leaning towards the ugly side. Now don't get me wrong, I've been expecting a smush face and extended girth, but he's still a puppy. I thought that it was manditory that all puppies are unconditionally cute. My best friend Gerald insists that he's going to grow out of his current ugly phase. My parents tell me that, at the time the picture was taken, he was a bit caught off guard or maybe he hasn't yet learned how to pose on his good side. Whatever the case...I'm keeping my fingers crossed and am beginning to prepare myself on how to build up his self confidence. Wish me luck!

Patience and Persistence Make You Stronger!

2007-06-18T01:25:00.000-05:00

The view of John Legend from where I was standing

A few weeks ago, I found out that my favorite contemporary artist (aside from Anita Baker and Stevie Wonder), John Legend was set to perform at the famed Sun City on the 16th and 17th of this month! Needless to say, I had to get a ticket! You won't believe the scraping I had to do, in order to make sure that I could survive (i.e. eat, get from one place to the next, etc.) for the rest of the quarter on my Peace Corps living allowance. Now don't gt me wrong (this is a note to all of the Trainees coming in July and for all those interested in joining the Peace Corps and for all family, friends and concerned citizens), I get well above what "the average" South African makes, so I'm not hurting or anything. Since we got that out of the way, back to the story: After saving enough money (read: missing out on my daily candy bar fix and eating at Chicken Lickin' for lunch), I marched right up to my friendly Shoprite to the Computicket, so that I could purchase my well deserved ticket! To my shock and horror, their computers were down, so I was instructed to go up to the second Shoprite in town. When I got there, I was told that their ticket printer was down. I was instructed to call the main office. Before calling the main office, I went online in an attempt to buy the tickets. No such luck...my American bank card and my Peace Corps issued bank card have the wrong formatting for buying anything through Computicket. The same issue occurred when I phoned the main branch! Time was closing in on me...there was only a week remaining before the concert and the Saturday show was already sold out! Oh My! Finally, after many nights of crying myself to sleep and dreaming of John Legend singing "Save Room" to me as I teach community members about reducing their risk of HIV infection by condomizing, testing, and the need to address the issue of multiple concurrent partnerships, I GOT A TICKET! J. Leg...here I come...

Well, not exactly, but kind of.... So, public transportation in South Africa is remarkable. You can get just about anywhere...particularly to Sun City, as many of the employees live in my local community. Going off of the input from my colleagues, I was encouraged not to use it for this event, because I might not be able to get back (transport into town apparently wouldn't be available from Sun City after the concert let out). In an effort to find transport, I had to bribe everyone I knew with a car or with access to a car. I had to put on my best smiley face, give warm hugs, speak in a gentle voice, convince people that helping me would get them into heaven quicker because of my close relationship with GOD. (Disclaimer: The strategies used are not condoned, supported or encouraged by Peace Corps. The views expressed are mine and mine alone.) You know, things like that. Well, it worked! The father of a certain person agreed to take me!!!!

Picture it: June 17, 2007. Dressed to the nines in a dress not worn down and horribly disfigured from multiple hand washings. Hair newly cropped (read: peer pressure from a certain person, his aunt, colleagues, and friends complaining that I was starting to closely resemble Cousin It). Lipstick and make-up substituting for the usual: Cherry flavored Chapstick and soap and water. Standing less than 10 feet away from J. Leg belting out all of my favorite hits (P.D.A. and Another Again). Swaying along with the ebb and flow of the crowd of fans surrounding me! I was in heaven!

Seeing J. Leg in a live performance: A perfect end to a stressful month!

Lessons Learned:

Bribery works
J. Leg prefers boxer briefs (That's the kind of info you learn standing so close to the stage)
Peace Corps issued bank cards are a no-go when purchasing things online
Patience and Persistence make you stronger!

Happy Mother's Day To Me!!!!

2007-05-15T04:58:00.000-05:00

For the past couple of months, I've been contemplating, questioning, and calculating exactly how to fill the void in that part of my heart only reserved for "(wo)man's best friend". If you know anything about me, you know that I love animals of all types, but particularly with dogs! You would also know that I have a child of the four-legged kind at home that I've had since the 9th grade, Medin! He is indeed the sunlight of my life, but due to the fact that I'm living my Peace Corps Dreams, his grandparents decided that it would be best that he lives with them. In fact, he's been on an extended visit with his grandparents ever since I went away to college. Although we haven't lived together for a while, he is still my heart and no one can ever take his place.

Ever since I arrived at my permanent site, however, I've noticed that something's been missing... I said to myself, and just about everyone who would listen, "I think it's about that time to get a pet". My fellow Peace Corps Volunteer, Elayna patiently listened to me as I hummed and haaa'd about wanting to fill that void...and just how I was planning to do it. First, I thought about getting a bird...a parakeet. Birds are great, I've had one in fact, but still, something was missing. I thought about a parrot that enjoyed physical interaction...but depending on the breed, it might expect to live longer than I will...and I don't want my kids putting me in a home because I stuck them with a loud and moody bird. I finally had to do a little sit down with myself, realizing that all of the characteristics I was looking forward to in other types of pets were all wrapped up in a doggy package. So, to make a long story short, I've decided to get a dog...and English Bulldog to be specific! I've even found someone who raises them. I received a phone call on Monday morning, telling me that the puppies were born on Mother's Day! That's a good sign, right?! The puppy is the one in the middle (in the group shot). I think that he'll be coming home with me at the end of June! I'm excited! Overjoyed! I'll finally have a warm, snuggly button to keep me company! Yeah!!!!!

Just because I know you're in your respective locations, shifting in your seats to ask a few questions, I've decided to answer them for you:

Yes- I'm going to have time for a dog...all I've got is time! In fact, my supervisor said that I can even bring him into work with me. I'm taking an evening course to become a HIV pre and post-test (VCT) counselor with my organization...so in addition to growing up, he'll really fit in with my organization, because he'll be a trained counsellor as well! He'll be my best buddy, child, VCT counsellor, and co-worker all mixed into one!

Yes- I've already chosen a name: Twobob (slang for boyfriend) Karabo (Setswana for "The answer). The name "Twobob" is also slang for 20 cents, no relation to 50 cent (the rapper). I might even glue a 20 cent coin onto his dog tag. There was a really popular song that came out a couple of years ago by a group called Malika. The woman in the song is singing about a guy she really likes. I like the group, I like the song, and I think the meaning is funny. My co-workers helped me pick out the middle name.

Yes- I will be bringing him home (to the USA) with me, so if you know me personally, you'll have the chance to meet him! He might not understand your accents though, as he will not be used to other American accents (an mine is slowly shifting to be proudly South African) and I'm going to teach him Setswana: No Twobob! Go potty Twobob! Sit Twobob! Are you crazy Twobob?!

Kind of- I'm a bit nervous about having a dog in South Africa. I know that having Twobob will be a cross cultural exchange in and of itself, just based on the different ways Americans treat pets versus South Africans. In America, it's common place to see someone walking their dog down the street with a collar and leash. Dogs are on commercials. You probably wouldn't gasp when you saw a dog inside of the house, sitting on furniture, or riding down the street in a car. In my community, dogs are treated like, well, dogs... Dogs are for protection. Dogs are for little kids, but as soon as they (the kid or the dog) grow up, the dog is left to fend for itself. People in my community don't walk dogs on leashes down the street, or at least not that I've seen. One of the volunteers, Steph, often brings her dog Diesel to trainings, so it's not too strange to see around my organization. In fact, if you walk down the halls of my office, you'll see comic strips of a cat that used to hang around and became the unofficial mascot...but I think everyone in my office is a bit off kilter in the first place and should not be taken as the norm (with respect to animals).

As you can see, I'm two bob short of a Rand right now thinking of my new little friend! I'll make sure to keep you posted on how he's doing! Charlene and I have already set up play dates for Aisha and Twobob! Ish!

I never thought I would have to.....

2007-05-04T00:34:00.000-05:00

Give THE TALK, you know, the sex talk to a dog, but I did! It seems like it's come a little too late though. But before I go any longer, I need to jog your memory a bit, so you know who I'm talking about. Do you remember that cute little face I welcomed into the family a few months ago, Aisha, My Setswana 2 Setswana Sister's dog? Yeah, her! The 9 month old little girl that was so sweet, cute, and full of energy. I guess all of those characteristics that made her so much fun to be around, also made her fun to be around other dogs as well. It turns out that, while at a mandatory Peace Corps meeting, Charlene's co-workers didn't always keep such a close eye on little Miss Aisha. Seems that she (Aisha) didn't know how to handle herself like a lady during her first time in heat. Seems like little Miss Aisha has fallen in the family way...or like they say in Setwana: Aisha o mo mmeleng!

Well, during a recent visit, I had to give her...THE TALK...more like an on-going conversation. I told Aisha that, in America, being un-wed mother doesn't necessarily present her in the best light...socially (the unfair and unfortunate burden of being female). I know that she is proudly South African, so she doesn't exactly work on the American system even though her mother is proud to be an American. I asked her if she had considered the high incidence of HIV in her community and country. Of course, she didn't. I told her to condomize or consider getting herself fixed. I told her that she might find that her friends will distance themselves from her, because the things they had in common may not be there any more...they will have different foci. She will undoubtedly have to get a job to support her litter. I asked her if she had informed the father...she was a bit tight lipped and had a confused look on her face when I asked for his name.

Aisha new of my background with Planned Parenthood and public health. She knew that if she needed to ask questions, she could always come to me. I try to maintain an open door policy with all of my two and four-legged friends. I know that sometimes it is difficult for the younger generation to come and talk about sex with older people, but I'd like think that I'm a cool aunt...open, accessible, non-judgemental.

Now that the deed is done, and all we can do at this point is wait, her mother and I, and the entire Setswana 2 Setswana crew will provide a strong support system for her to utilize in her time of need...ish! Aisha!

Top 10 things to do over a 5-day weekend....

2007-04-26T05:00:00.000-05:00

Complete my 1st and 2nd Quarterly Reports for Peace Corps (already late...shame).
Catch up on sleep.
Visit friends
(Hand) wash that pile of clothes that keeps staring at me.
Go to the mall
Have a braai (BBQ)
File and buff my nails
Watch all of those DVDs my loving family and friends have sent
Get over this cold I have just developed
Make all of those overly involved recipes that I keep ticking off while looking through the Betty Crocker cookbook during my free time.

What's the deal with boy bands?

2007-04-25T01:32:00.000-05:00

I really don't understand this boy band thing! Now I have been guilty
of bopping my head to the latest popular tune that happens to be
playing on my car radio as I'm driving to or from work/school (ahhh...the
good ole days when I had a car!). I've never actively sought out that
type of music. Never bought it. Never researched online for news about
the band. Never attempted to go to a concert or hang up a poster on my
wall. I'm sure that we all (secretly) have our favorite song or group,
whatever the case may be...but I think some South Africans are taking
it a little too far.

For some reason or another, I thought that I would escape the pre-fab
song/hair/boy/wall poster/etc. that I had to suffer through since the
days of New Kids on the Block by joining up with Peace Corps South
Africa. I thought I'd be learning about a new culture through new
sights and sounds...things I've never heard before. Why is it then
that, earlier this week, as I was riding on a late-night taxi, did I
have to suffer from one taxi driver's attempt to be (what he thought
was) cool...one of those car-sized flattv monitors playing nothing but
back-to-back music videos of the Backstreet Boys. Additionally, if I
stay out in one of the various locations (townships) surrounding my
local community, why can I hear boy band songs being blasted throughout
the neighborhood at all hours of the day, particularly between the
hours of 8pm and 7am. Little did I know that finding something in
common with my local counterparts would be as simple as reciting the
lyrics to the song "I want it that way. Tell me why, ain'tnothin' but a heart ache...."

As is often said in South Africa, "Agh, Shame man!"

So is this what a proud mom feels like?

2007-04-24T07:34:00.000-05:00

As you may recall, a few months ago (how time flies), I conducted a 5-day "Advanced" HIV training course for a varied audience (in terms of home organization; ethnicity; language; etc.). In preparing for the program, I:

Took a mini- needs assessment of some of the VCT (HIV Voluntary Counselling and Testing) counselors in my organization. I was surprised to find out that many people, regardless of the fact that they were VCT counselors, did not have a strong grasp on HIV and related issues. I guess that's why I put the "advanced" part in quotations. It really was basic information.

Took into consideration what my boss wanted participants to know: ARVs; Opportunistic Infections; STIs (STDs for the old school); reproductive health issues; HIV and AIDS statistics; and discrimination and stigma issues.

Took into account my learning style and how my experiences as a student have either helped me to understand (or not) the information presented to me. Doing a little research on best practices for adult learning didn't hurt either.

Considered the type of training South Africans typically deal with...particularly the type of learning style used and encouraged at my organization...lecture/memorization...I wanted to make the program as interactive as possible...without eliciting the response, "not another group activity!"

Well, if you have been following along with my blog, you would know that the course turned out to be a great success. Many of the fears that I had about facilitating the course ( language barriers, cultural differences, how do you keep people engaged on one topic for five days from 8 am to 4 pm, will people participate, etc.) were elevated. I was surprised to find that people actively participated in each exercise like I've never seen many of them do before. I say this because, in many of the trainings I've observed at my organization, participants can be seen holding unrelated side conversations, falling asleep, and in general...just looking bored. People asked questions and truly seemed to take control of their own learning, which is something I hope to encourage amongst volunteers and staff members alike.

Ok, I totally gave you way more background information than I thought I would. So, anyway, my organization is currently hosting a 13-week counseling course. Unfortunately, I've been unable to participate very much in the course because I'm working on several other projects (not to mention...but I will...the trip with my mother). At first, I was feeling kind of bad for the counselors-in-training, because the same out of date teaching methods were going to be used. I guess I'm not a big fan of it, because that's not how I learn best (always thinking of myself...shame!), and that clearly, counselors are lacking a real understanding of HIV and AIDS. (They know what the words are and can spit them out with the best of them, but they don't truly understand the subject and rarely have the opportunity to engage it.) Well (I use "well" a lot, I've noticed), last week I was finally able to sit in a few classes, and boy was I in for a surprise. Some of the facilitators of the course (who also attended my training) were actually using more interactive teaching methods...many of which I used in the program I facilitated. The whole time I was sitting there, I just smiled at how something I did really made an impression on people enough for them to re-think their training methods. Of course I cannot take much credit for the techniques that I used (I had to get them from somewhere), but it felt good to pass the information along...or to help in the capacity building process...that's a Peace Corps term. I guess this is the first time since I've been here that I really feel like I'm accomplishing something.

As a treat to myself, I'm going to bask in the glow of small accomplishments...but not for too long, because so much more work needs to be done!

Still longing for the days with my mother....ahhhhh

2007-04-12T07:08:00.000-05:00

As I'm sitting here at my desk, attempting to prepare all of the details for the launch of the new mobile Voluntary Testing and Counselling (VCT) unit next weekend, the Pisces in me can't help but to day dream about the fabulously, devine time that I spent with my mother. A time when, for a few weeks, I was allowed to live the life of a regular American tourist, doing touristy things, eating great food, sleeping in late, having the ability to determine my schedule, not having to explain anything to anyone (about if my hair is real...natural...or store bought...chemically altered...am I bi-racial, etc, my nationality, my skin color, if I really chose to have my glasses look that way, why I dress the way I do, why I can't seem to get over the gag reflex everytime I eat pap or come close to mogodu, etc.), and most important of all SPENDING TIME WITH MY MOTHER.

So as I day dream, or rather "reflect" (my father's favorite word...ok...let me tell you a little story that is TOTALLY off the subject, but since I'm reminiscing, let's just go there. When I was a little girl, my family would often take short road trips to as far as Florida. My brother and I would often get out of control making tents in the back seat with blankets or fighting about who had too much space on the middle arm rest. In order to get us to be quite, my father would often tell us to reflect (on events of the past or on whatever else that would get us to shut up). So, at a very early age, I learned how to reflect, which brings us to the present moment.) As I reflect, these are some of the images that are conjured up....

Enjoy!

A Dung Beetle doing guess what...rolling elephant dung

Atop Table Mountain...taking pictures of other people climbing

Cape Point (Not really the most southern point of Africa)
10 points if you know where the real southern most point is

Just about the exact point where the "table cloth" forms over Table Mountain

My mother (somewhere) and the Kototsi Family

Tall times 2 in Botswana

Part of Victoria Falls in Black and White
(my attempt at being creative)

I guess this speaks for itself, right?

Around the (Southern Africa) World in less than 40 Days...

2007-04-04T02:32:00.000-05:00

Phinda- View from our Chalet

Hanging out with the Mitchelson Clan

Mom at work

D & D were here!- Cape Town 2007

Elephants playing around in Botswana

Me, Mom, Mike, and Tattoo

View of Victoria Falls from the Vic Falls Hotel

"The Smoke that Thunders- Victoria Falls"

My mother and I are back in our respective places of residence after traveling around Southern Africa for the past three weeks or so! I cannot believe that time went by so quickly. I guess that just speaks to the fact that my mother and I are best friends (sorry Jeb...you know I love you!) and we always seem to have so much fun together! It was so comforting to be around someone who needs no explanation for my mood swings around 12:00 noon. She just knows that the time has come for my mid-day feeding. I know that I can wake up early in the morning and have a full-on conversation about what my dog back home is doing at that particular time. You see, people in my local community have yet to pick up on those quirky habits, but it's only been six months in, so there's still time!

So, do you wanna hear about what we did? Like to hear it, here it goes:

Bring Your Mother To Work Day

My mother arrived in South Africa, and immediately came to visit me at site (my community). One of the things she said was a "priority" during her trip was to see where I lived and worked. Since she came to visit my job on a Friday, there was not much going on, as most of our counseling activities take place earlier in the week. She was, however, able to meet a few of my co-workers, see my "office", and view some of the remnants of the Advanced HIV training that I facilitated a few weeks before.

Later on that day, we unknowingly attended a surprise belated-birthday party for me, which was thrown by some of my friends. I was totally caught off guard when I walked into my friend’s house and everyone was singing and there were cakes and juice and lots of smiling people! I am loved! I think this also made my mother more comfortable with "allowing" her "baby" to stay in a strange country, knowing that I am cared for in my new home!

First Stop: Botswana Setswana

After leaving my site, my mother and headed out to Botswana to go on the first of two game drives. We stayed in a fabulously intimate game lodge located just outside the gates of Chobe National Park. As soon as we arrived at the lodge, we were met by one of the lodge managers, who ran down the list of do's and don'ts, which included instructions on when to eat, where to eat, when to be ready for game drives, and where we were to place dirty clothes. If you want you clothes washed only, put them in the bag. If you wanted them ironed too, place them in the basket. If you place your shoes in the basket, they will be ironed too...and oh, they don't wash "small items" (ie. undies). After each comment, our host would snap his fingers as if he was ordering a drink at the bar (I do not know which bar, but for lack of a better description). I told my mom that I felt like I was at summer camp! One day we made the mistake of taking too long to get to dinner. A night watchman was sent to our room to collect us. When we arrived to the communal table, where everyone eats together, our chairs were turned up to mark our absence. We surely learned our lesson! Trust, we were on time for every meal after that!

On the first day, we took it easy and lounged around our chalet, because we had a prime view of the game park. Elephants and other wild animals could be seen making their evening trip to the Chobe River for a drink and a dip. The next few days were all about meeting other guests from around the world (Hi Vee and Eric from San Diego, thanks for the snacks!), going on game drives, viewing Elephants, elephants, and more elephants, and catching up with each other.

NOTE: As I spent plenty of time at the lodge bar (drinking water and sprite of course), I tried to practice my Setswana (the language primarily used in my local community), just to find out that I've been taught how to be a lazy Tswana speaker! If you wanna learn true Setswana, go to Botswana or anywhere other than where I am!

Zimbabwe, where an afternoon meal can cost you $576,983 Zim Dollars

Well, I'll refrain from engaging too much into the political discourse that is currently swirling around Zimbabwe, but I will say that my first indication that something was not right occurred as soon as my mother an I stepped off the plane to get our entry visas. We were immediately told that visas must be paid in US currency as Zim dollars were not accepted as a form of payment. They do not accept their own currency, because it is virtually not worth anything. You might as well use it as wallpaper, although I know some wallpaper that is incredibly more expensive.

As soon as we left the airport, I was not exactly sure of what I was prepared to see, because the country is currently experiencing major political problems and 3 out of 4 people are out of work. Well, I must say that Victoria Falls has created a great illusion for foreigners wanting to reclaim their colonial past and forget about all of their troubles (and don't want to be bothered by anyone else's). I'm still trying to figure out what my "colonial past" is..... None the less, we stayed at the beautiful Victoria Falls Hotel, with its perfect view of the "smoke that thunders" or better known as Victoria Falls.

The first day, we went on an elephant back safari...basically, we rode around in a big circle for an hour riding on the back of an elephant. It was a very interesting experience, as for the first thirty minutes, I was so "sea sick" that I could not really enjoy the ride. Once I got over that, I was amazed at the power of these animals! She (Tattoo was her name) was able to carry three people on her back with ease. Tattoo was like a tree cutter and riding lawn mower all at the same time. At every possible moment, she was either ripping off a tree branch or clearing bushes and cutting grass just to stuff it in her mouth and move on to the next plant.

Victoria Falls! AMAZING! You can see the falls from miles (kilometers away). Standing near it was like being in a heavy rain shower. Luckily, the tour guide brought ponchos, because otherwise he would have been treated to a wet t-shirt contest (FYI...white shirts should never be worn near water...I guess I didn't go to enough "college weeks" in Miami or Daytona...)

Durban and Phina...oh my!

Of course, one of the "essential" stops on my mother’s Southern African tour was to visit my friends in Durban. Due to the fact that I'd been trying to get my family to come out to visit them for years, and my friends have eagerly been waiting, they weren't too interested in seeing me at all.

If you are ever interested in going on a luxurious game drive...GO TO PHINDA (CCAfrica )...You will not be disappointed. My mother and I were treated to a chalet all to ourselves with the most amazing views and potential for animal encounters. In the back of our "house", we had our own personal plunging pool from which animals regularly took drinks. The service was great and everyone that we met was so very hospitable!

Cape Town

I must say that, while on this entire trip, it was easy to forget that I was a Peace Corps Volunteer, because I definitely was not staying anywhere that a PC budget could afford. This was particularly the case whilst in Cape Town. We did the obligatory Robbin Island and Table Mountain tour. On the second day, we were treated to a day-long tour with a guide who clearly used his time with us to gripe and complain about how he as an Afrikaners has been displaced within the new government. Maybe I'm not sensitive enough, particularly to this guy, who tried to get my mother and me (as African Americans) to relate to his feelings of disenfranchisement....not a chance in the hell I've read about, nor any other one...well, as I was told in a former life...negativity won't take up (much of) my space today (literally in this blog and in my mind).

The rest of the days were amazing. My mother knew a few people who were in town for the Cape Town Jazz Festival, which was equally cool being around all of that musical energy. The rest of the days were spent giving my wardrobe a much needed boost at our local Victoria and Alfred Waterfront Mall. Additionally, I was treated to a day at the spa(aaaaah)! THANKS MOM!!!!!!!!!!

As you can see, this blog isn't my best effort, mostly because there's so much to say and I'm bogged down with work at this very moment (as soon as I got back to work, I hit the ground running).

In summary, (I promise I learned that this is not the best way to end a report), I had the best time with my mother. She truly brought a much-needed breath of fresh air into my life. We had wonderful conversations. She made me laugh. She allowed me to forget about everything in my life that may or may not have caused me stress! Mom, it was so difficult to let you go. I missed you even while you were with me. My friend asked me if I was going to cry at the airport...I said that I wouldn't...and I didn't...but that's only because I know that the separation is only temporary and that the rest of my family will be coming during the festive season.

THANK YOU MOMMY FOR MAKING THIS SUCH A WONDERFUL TRIP!

Advanced HIV and AIDS Training Course

2007-03-02T00:16:00.000-06:00

Whew, the judgement in the air is thick! My mother is even receiving complaints from her friends telling me that I need to stop slacking off. I know, I know, it's been well over a month since I've last updated my blog...but I have a good reason though (Can you feel the excuses coming?)! For the past couple of weeks, I've been very busy with Peace Corps stuff and planning for a 5-day Advanced HIV and AIDS Training Course, which I am facilitating, for my organization.

For the program, my boss requested that I address the human immune system; STIs; behavior change theory; ARVs; reproductive health; and any other topic I could think of. My first step in planning this program, was to conduct an informal needs assessment, as many of the participants in the course would be VCT (voluntary testing and counseling) counselors. I asked questions like: "What does a macrophage do?"; "What is Kaposi's Sarcoma?"; "Could you take a detailed sexual history of a client without feeling uncomfortable, even if your client is an elder?"; "How does HIV attack the human immune system?"; etc. In conducting this assessment, I found that many counselors were very unfamiliar with the signs and symptoms of the most common STIs, they were unfamiliar with the common opportunistic infections, and that they did not really understand how the human immune system and HIV work. Don't get me wrong, counselors are generally good at what they do, but I think the problem was how they were taught to learn and how they were taught the information...it was really a comment about the South African education system.

In South Africa, you have the teacher who has "all" of the information and the learner (South African for student) who is the sponge. In many South African classes (both historically and currently) teachers and students have learned the to memorize and regurgitate information for homework and tests...and then the information is lost. Subjects are not typically engaged and challenged. Students don't question teachers for fear of: looking "stupid", upsetting the teacher, standing out, etc. The various learning styles present in the classroom are not taken into consideration (tactile, auditory, visual, experiential) ****This is where I give a BIG shout out to the many teachers in my life who took this into consideration, particularly those at the PAIDEIA SCHOOL!!!!****

Well, enough of my social commentary, the American school system has its issues too!

So I took the information garnered from the needs assessment, information I picked up from reading about adult learning theory, my learning styles, my desire to pretend that I'm creative, etc. to identify topics to address and ways to address it. Additionally, I took the "boredom factor" into account. Who would want to sit in a class room from 9am to 4pm just looking at my (pretty) face?! (You won't answer that question if you know what's good for you! Except if you are saying that you'd rather do that than sleep and eat!) I wanted there to be a variety of topics so that it wouldn't feel like a 10th grade American history class. I wanted enough "alone time" so that group members wouldn't get sick of each other. I wanted enough group activities so there would be an exchange of ideas. I wanted participants to feel responsible for truly learning and engaging the topics that we'd be discussing. I randomly asked people to facilitate discussions. On the first day I posted questions around the room. I gave space so that participants could answer the questions, and told them that, as they go through the week and see incorrect information on the sheets, correct it.

So here's what happened:

Statistics were dicussed on how HIV and AIDS are affected the entire population (black, white, colored, Indian, etc) of South Africa. The roles of gender, poverty, stigma and discrimination, access to resources, race/ethnicity were covered. As much as it seems like a "black disease", its really a human disease (hence the "H" in HIV).

A skit was developed where people acted out the various components of the immune system. Elayna and I developed props for each character. Scripts were designed so that participants could read what the immune system was doing at that particular time (instucting the Macrophage to look through her goggles and find infected cells or pathogens, use her big teeth to eat them and brush them away with her broom).

Based on the understanding of how each cell works in the immune system, a skit was developed to show how HIV works to attack the Helpper T-cell. This skit helped them to understand what a viral load test and a CD4 test were really looking for. One participant said, a few hours later, that after this exercise, the information that she knew "clicked". It gave her the opportunity to put together the pieces of the whole HIV puzzle.

Opportunistic infections and the 4 stages of HIV infection were covered. I got people to personalize how someone with an OI might feel, and how this might impact their adherence to ARVs, willingness to disclose their status, and stigma.

STIs and their impact and association with HIV transmission.

I used a really cool activity to get people thinking about behaviors that may or may not put them at risk of infection. I broke participants up into groups and had them identify behaviors on a continum (unsure to high risk) that might put someone at risk for infection of HIV and other STIs. Groups were then asked to place their behaviors on note cards and place them on the continum, where they thought they should be. The larger group debated each group's placement decision. It helped people to understand how difficult it might be for the lay person to identify risk-taking behaviors. Participants also learned that some of the behaviors had to be contextualized. For example: deep kissing or "French kissing". Ordinarily, that behavior is not such a big deal in terms of risk, but what happens if someone has an open wound in or on their mouth (dissiminated infection, HSV1 or HSV2 chancre sore, etc.). Some behaviors that were brought up in the behavior cards were "poverty" or "homosexuality". This caused for a good discussion and a GREAT lead up to my full day of discussing stigma and discrimination. Homosexuality in and of itself is not a "high risk behavior". It brought up that groups of people are often associated with diseases, thus leading to stigma and discrimination, so instead of focusing on the group, focus on the behavior and target that.

I found a GREAT curriculum produced by EngenderHealth, about addressing stigma and discrimination in the health care setting. The activity mentioned above can also be found in this curriculum, although I've done it in my former life without the curriculum. I would highly recommend this one!

My friend, Setswana 2 Setswana Sister, and fellow PCV, Liz came up from Childline to conduct a presentation on HIV and AIDS and their impact on children. She did a great job! THANK YOU LIZ!!!!!!!

Just as we were about to start the 3rd day, my boss comes in and announces the possible Taxi strike that might take place on Thursday and Friday. Because the majority of group participants use taxis, we had to cancel these two days. They've been rescheduled for next Monday and Wednesday (March 5th and 7th). I'll keep you posted!

I do, however, plan on addressing Behavior Change Theory, (based off of one of our many great/heated discussions) the role of men in the prevention of mother to child transmission, we will watch a great movie called "Yesterday" (addressing stigma and discrimination in a rural village in the province of Kwa Zulu Natal), and (my friend, Setswana 2 Setswana Sister, and fellow PCV) LaQuita will come up and facilitate a discussion on ARVs. The last thing we're gonna do is something akin to a post-test. We're going to play a game of HIV and AIDS Jeapordy. The majority of participants have never heard of the game before...so it should be interesting. I think the next two days will be fun and exciting.

Plus, I must give a very BIG THANK YOU to my mother, who helped me out soooo much in putting this program together! Thanks again mom!

OTHER THINGS I'VE DONE:

Helped to celebrate my friend Saziso's 23rd birthday. His party was the hotness. Over 100 people came to the braai. I cooked my amazingly delicious cheese and potato dish, baked beans (Danielle style), garlic bread (bought from the Super Spar), and my scrumbibaliomtious carrot cake with cream cheese frosting! Thanks to all of my friends who helped me prepare the dishes!

Went to Jo'burg with another local NGO called Eduland. I had soooo much fun! That's a whole other conversation we'll have. I'll get back to that one at a later date!

Decided to get a pet. I'm not sure if this is my maternal instinct thing coming out or just a continuing theme of my complete love of animals. I think I'll be getting a bird...a parrot. Through my research, I've learned that many parrots live as long or longer than humans. Since I don't want my children or grandchildren hating me, because they'll have to inherit the bird, he has to live equal to or less than the normal lifespan of a dog. His name will be Lucky Bob Kototsi (last name is respective of the fact that Saziso will probably be keeping him when I leave), or L. Bob , or L.Bo (in reference to the whole J.Lo craze...or have I been gone long enough so that I'm so outdated?).

Well, that's enough for now. I'll be posting soon, but forgive me, because March, in addition to it being the month that the Second Coming of the Lord (me) was born, my mother will be coming for a visit, and I'll be busy with work stuff. I'll do my best though!

Salang Sentle!

Mixed Message.....

2007-01-23T07:22:00.000-06:00

Ok, I've got several tidbits of information to share, thus the "mixed" message:

Happy belated birthday Thabi (aka Charlene)! I just want to give a big shout out to Thabi on turning the big 2-5! A few of her random, LifeLine, and Jesus Dancing (even though she's Jewish) friends got together this past weekend to celebrate this special day! Thabi was treated to a trip to Spur for food and fun! Per the tradition of Spur, the birthday girl (or boy) has to wear a Spur crown while standing on their seat, and the wait staff embarasses them by singing a crazy happy birthday song. Happy birthday was sung in Afrikaans, English, Tswana, and Spur! Happy birthday again!

2. This is an appeal to the South African postal service. My mother sent me a package with
many of my requested goodies inside around the beginning of December 2006. Packages
generally take two to three weeks to reach my South African city. Well, it's now 2007 and I
feel like either Tom Hanks or Meg Ryan in Sleepless in Seatle, desperately hoping to be
united with the one I love (aka my package sent from home). I can't focus at work. I've
shyed away from friends and strangers. I can't sleep. I've lost my appetite. All of this is
due to the fact that my packages is somewhere in the world, lost.........forever? If you know
the whereabouts of my package....please connect it with its rightful owner!

3. On Friday, I was walking down the main street in my city, minding my own business,
when all of a sudden, some nasty old man decided that it was ok for him to pinch my arm
and wink at me. Yuck! Yesterday, again, I was walking down the same busy street, when
a strange man thought that it was cool for him to grab my hand and lick his lips. Double,
tripple, quadruple Yuck! If you haven't figured it out yet, it is NEVER ok to touch a
stranger (particularly me) unless said stranger (me) expressly gives you permission to do
so.

4. It's really hot in my city! I've never sweat so much! Ok, that's a lie. I've never sweat so
much when I'm not participating in an activity that really calls for sweat, ie. horse
back riding, softball or other sports-related activity, cutting the grass, etc. I've never
really appreciated a cold bath, or a lunch break bath as I do now!

5. "In town", there is an electronics store that doubles (or triples) as a beauty shop and
snack shop. I want to take a picture, just so that when I tell this story again, I'll have
hardcore evidence. I think my friend has a connection with the lady who works there.
Maybe she'll let me take a picture, and if not, I'll be forced to do it undercover.

Cultural Faux Pas

2007-01-18T00:17:00.000-06:00

Yesterday, while visiting the home of a friend, I noticed that the women and children in the family where all gathered around the back of the house, looking under the eve of the roof. Very soon I noticed what was the object of everyone's attention: a small bat about the length of my index finger. It was a cute little bat, hanging upside down as cute little bats tend to do. My curiosity was the subject of both discussion and entertainment. My friend's younger cousin explained that I should not get too excited by the bat's presence, because just before I noticed the bat, they were about to kill it (by means of beating it to death with a long metal pole, and if that didn't work, by spraying it with hair spray and lighting it on fire). I was a bit mortified! I placed myself between them and the bat, doing my best to recall all of those interesting little factoids I'd picked up during my days as a volunteer (Jr. Zoo Crew member) at the Atlanta Zoo and on the Nature Chanel.

Bats are generally harmless
Bats help to control the insect population (which is a plus for me, because I don't have an appreciation for insects)
Just one bat can catch hundreds of insects in an hour
They aid in the pollination of some of our favorite fruits and veggies: figs, dates, peaches, mangos, bananas, etc.

I knew that I started running out of reasons to spare the poor bats life when I finally said, "but he's so cute!" Finally, I offered an alternative: What if I tried to shoo the bat away with a stick? My friend's aunt shook her head (as if to say, "you silly little American"), but she allowed me to give it the old college try. Well, I think that I made the situation worse when the bad crept even farther under the roof until it was out of sight. A look of terror came across everyone's face. I was quickly told that the bat was intentionally sent to their house by someone in the community to do harm to the family. It would sleep all day, and in the evening, it would wake up and do it's dirty work. I was told that bats rarely ever go anywhere alone, and because this one was alone, that was a sign that it was no ordinary bat.

My friend's mother and aunt tried poking the bat out of it's hiding place. Finally, the hole was plugged up with wet sponges in hopes that it would suffocate.

I was torn. Part of me rationally knew that this bat was simply minding its own business by catching up on some sleep. The other side to the story is that my friend and his family really believe that they would suffer as a result of this bat's presence. It's not like me saying...step on a crack, break your mother's back...or don't break a mirror or you'll have seven years of bad luck.

Feeling kinda bad, I asked my friend if my actions were going to harm his family. He said that his family just thought I was funny because I didn't understand. I asked about the consequences if I did understand. He said, "that would be bad, very bad!" In this particular situation, I was happy to be an uninformed American.

Life's a beach...in Durban!

2007-01-08T07:06:00.000-06:00

Dancin' in the streets like it's 1999 in 2007!

Braai meat, fireworks, and friends on New Years

Qhawe (Marissa and Charles' son)

Sistas 4 Life (Marissa)

LaQuita, Jade, and Guess Who at the beach (if you couldn't tell)

LaQuita, Charlene, n' Me

During the festive season (South African for the Christmas break), a few of my Peace Corps friends and I headed down to Durban to visit my friends/family. It was rather surreal, I must admit, to have someone other than myself make the long (but not as long as the 18 hour flight it takes to get to South Africa) trek down to "South Africa's playground". Instead of taking a plane (as I ususally did), our charriot (aka Greyhound bus) shuttled us through exotic locations such as Pretoria and Jozi. What was extimated as a 9 hour trip turned into something like 12 hours, thanks to a delay in Jo'burg.

As we approached Durban, my friend Marissa and I were coordinating our meet-up spot. I knew that we were all in for an exciting reunion by the high-pitched squeal in her voice. I asked, "Are we about to make a scene in the bus rank." She responded, "Oh, hell yes...!" When we arrived, Charlene asked me if every other person was my friend. I kept reassuring her that there would be no question of who was who when Marissa, Charles and Qhawe arrived. I think I heard Marissa before I saw her!

Spending time with my friends from Durbs reminded me of how familiar and close we are with each other. It had been two years since my last trip, and meeting up two years later felt like I just saw them earlier that day. Knowing my friends the way I do, my Peace Corps friends would surely experience that same feeling, as if we've all known each other forever. By the end of the trip, I know this prediction came true...plans have been made for future visits...without me!

New Years Eve was spent in Lively Rustenburg...All I have to say is that prayer, braai meat, dancing in the street, 6-to-6's, fireworks, and alcohol have to potential to be either really exciting (as it was in my case), or explosive (like when drunk people who've prayed, eatten, stayed up for nights on end without sleep, and listen to the hottest songs in South Africa, play with fireworks and send people ducking and diving to avoid getting hit, and ending up being a story on the 7 o'clock news!)- true story!

Not your average pet....

2006-12-14T01:57:00.000-06:00

WARNING!!! NOT FOR ANIMAL LOVERS OR FOR THE FAINT!!!!!!!! DON'T SAY I DIDN'T WARN YOU!!!

For the past couple of weeks, one of my friends has been complaining about having sleep disturbances. Every night he hears the pitter-patter of little feet scurrying from one side of his one-room to another. His pets, he says, are being naughty and not obeying him when they were expressly told to stay outside. On Monday, he decided that his little pets were just too naughty and something needed to be done to let them know their place. A mixture of pap and galephirimi (translated from Setswana to English: "You won't see the morning") was placed in strategic locations around the room. All that was left to do was wait until the the next day. Somewhere between Monday night and Tuesday morning, my friend reported hearing things in his room shifting and falling from the only table in the room. "Surely", he said, "they [his pets] were dizzy"!

After work on Tuesday, I arrived at his house to bear witness to the specticle of my friend and his cousins turning the one-room upside down in search of what remained of his beloved pets. Both women and children gathered around as the number of mice was announced and bodies were displayed. His younger counsin found amuzement in chasing us around the courtyard with mice carcases. In total, eight mice were found. Yuck!

It's a girl!

2006-12-04T00:43:00.000-06:00

Charlene & Lele

There's been an addition to my family. It's a girl. She just arrived a week ago, weighing in at about 5 pounds and some change. She is: sweet, soft, playful, smart, loving, and most of all, cute! Guess what?! She can already talk and is almost potty trained! The first time I even heard about her, I knew that I would love her, cause she's just perfect like that. Oh, you wanna know her name? Well, she's got two: an American and Setswana name, plus several pet names. Her American and Setswana names are Aisha and Boruku bo botelele (long pants), respectively. Congrats are in order to my Setswana Sister for life! Setswana to Setswana! Don't worry mom, I'm just the aunt!

I am HIV/AIDS Affected

2006-12-01T01:26:00.000-06:00

I grew up in the 1980's when HIV was first diagnosed amongst gay, white, American men. At that point in my life, I was unconcerned about HIV and AIDS. I was too young and the people effected by the diesase didn't look like me. Why should I have been concerned? For a number of years, my mother worked at the Southeast AIDS Training and Education Center, which is an orgainzation that provides HIV/AIDS information and training to health care professionals. I was exposed to and surrounded by HIV/AIDS information and HIV effected/affected people all of the time. I still wasn't too concerned about HIV/AIDS. It was a theoretical disease to me, something that happened to other people...gay people, IV drug users, people who practiced risky sexual behaviors, sex workers, white people, poor people, older people, them...

The face of HIV/AIDS, the picture of who I thought was at an increased risk for contracting the disease has now started to look too familiar. The face is starting to look like me: A heterosexual, female of African decent. In America, African American women residing in the south are at an increased risk for contracting HIV than women living in any other part of the country. Eighty-three percent of all HIV/AIDS cases are reported amongst women. Forty-five percent of new HIV diagnosis were transmitted through unprotected, heterosexual intercourse. African Amercan women are 19 times more likely than white women to recieve an HIV diagnosis.

In South Africa, the situation is even more grave, and the face of HIV/AIDS still looks like me: young, female, heterosexual, black. Within a four block radius around my office, there are no less than 6 functioning funeral homes. You must ask yourself: How is it that there can be so many, and all of them are still in business? Basic economics: Supply in demand. There are about 1500 new HIV infections occuring each day. It is estimated that half of South African 15 year olds will not live to collect retirement, and individuals in this same cohort have a 56% chance of dying before the age of 60. There are approximately 5.4 million people infected with HIV in South Africa. That represents 11% of the population. One third of women between the ages of 25 and 29 are infected with the virus, and 19% of the work-age population (20-64) is HIV positive.

I am HIV/AIDS Affect.

I now ask: Are you HIV/AIDS Affected too?

World AIDS Day

Mail & Guardian: AIDS report paints bleak picture of youth

Mail & Guardian: Missing childhood, Missing Parents

BBC Report- Case Study: South Africa

Alternative Information and Development Centre

CDC: 2005 HIV Surveillance Report

Class Assignment: Write about how you spent your Thanksgiving Holiday.

2006-11-27T01:07:00.000-06:00

This Thanksgiving was one of the best that I think I've had, because I was able to experience the true meaning behind the holiday: Sharing with others. My roommate and I hosted a couple of our fellow Peace Corps Volunteers/good friends up for the weekend, unfortunately, however, our really good friend lost his gogo the week before. We didn't think that we would be able to hold dinner this weekend, because we wanted to support him in his time of need. As I was telling my friends about this dilemma, they suggested that they come anyway, because it is always interesting to experience traditions other than your own...that's what we signed up for by joining the Peace Corps, right? Due to transportation issues, only one person was able to get to here in time enough to leave for the Friday night vigil.

We arrived at Saziso's house at about 5:30 pm, because at 6:00pm, a horn was sounded off to announce the arrival of the casket. As the hurst backed into the driveway, people formed two lines on either side of the walk way, holding candles and singing hymns. The casket was ushered into a bedroom in the main house by several of the many male family members in town for the funeral. Prayers were said, hymns were sung, and there was a great deal of waling took place. Following this portion of the service, people went back to their various activities: cooking in large black pots (because the family provides food to visitors from Friday to just after the funeral on Saturday); chatting; praying; playing around (for the many children); etc.

At about 7:oopm, people started gathering under the tent, which was set up in the front yard, for an all night prayer session/revival. Prior to that starting, plates of pap (corn meal) and tripe were distributed to funeral attendees. Tripe is apparently a customary part of a pre-funeral meal, because a cow is usually slaughtered for the event and the rest of the meat is served at the funeral. My friend and I, along with at least 40 other people sang, listen to the service, danced, etc. My friend Saziso, in addition to being many other things, including a sangoma, is a preacher. So it was very interesting to see him in a different light. It was cool to meet the other preachers that he worked with, as well as a few of his sangoma friends. What an interesting contrast (or at least in my opinion). However, instead of conflicting with one another, the two lines seemed to fit seamlessly together.

Because I've yet to master the "6 to 6" (We've covered this already, remember? Well you would if you've been keeping up with my blog!), periodically, my friend and I would take a nap. I guess you wouldn't really call it a nap, because what seemed like every 5 minutes, Saziso or one of his friends/relatives would come in, turn on the lights, shake us and say "Are you asleep? You should go to sleep!" Thanks guys! We would also be rattled awake if anything particularly interesting happened, like when all of the chairs were moved from the tent, and church goers started to rotate around an invisible center piece, like the moon does around the earth.

Finally, at about 4:30 am or 5:00 am, things started to get somewhat quiet as people started to fall asleep, just to be up by 6:00 am for the funeral. When we "woke up", the day's frenzy was in full swing, and the church service had already commenced. The women were feverishly cooking and serving people. The men were talking and chopping wood for the fire. My friend and I, after the church service ended, followed the crowd and hopped into one of the taxis that had been arranged for the occasion. A short ride to the grave site was followed by a short grave-side sermon, lots of singing and drum playing. Once the service was over, we went back to Saziso's house to eat.

After we returned home, we were able to reunite with our other long lost friends who we hadn't seen in a few months. Being with my friends was like taking a long breath of fresh air. It was great to be able to share my life at site with them. We ate, cooked (we'll get to the menu later), laughed, looked at pictures, watched a few episodes of the first season of the Cosby Show (thanks mom from all of us), told funny stories, and took a much needed trip to the town pool. While at the pool, one of my friends began talking to the lifeguard who was trying his best to hit on her. He said that he had seen me around with a friend of mine. I asked him if I had to date someone at the pool to get in free. I was relieved when he said no, but was told that, next time, just ask for K (I'm protecting my source)! A free dip in the pool anyone?

After coming back from swimming, we did more of the cooking (which didn't seem to end until about an hour after our other friends had arrived). Our appetizer was freshly made salsa and chips. For dinner, we cooked green beans, baked beans, mac & cheese from scratch, a whole chicken and turkey with a garlic and sage base, garlic rolls, pumpkin squash, our famous potato dish, mealies (corn) on the cob, and for dessert, I made my first ever carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. Another friend made his/her delicious apple pie. Yummmmmmmmm!

Tshepo, Saziso, and several of Saziso's relatives (particularly his very attractive older brother Tshepo (don't be jealous girls...you know who you are!) ) and friends came over to share in our Thanksgiving meal. Prior to eating, we gathered around the kitchen island and told the story and tradition behind Thanksgiving. Then we all went around and said what we were thankful for. At first, I thought that might be a bit corny, but it turned out to be the most touching moment for all of us. Our South African friends had only seen/heard about the holiday on T.V. They were all so excited to take part in our festivities, just as we've (PCVs) been to take part in theirs. For the PCVs, that small (or large) part of us that was homesick on this particular holiday was relieved because we were together with old friends and new!

Once people were fat and full, all hell broke loose and we had a great time singing, dancing, laughing, and talking! There was a nice mix of popular South African music (Sista Bethina, the song about meeting the love of your life at the taxi rank, "O nwa, O nwa, O nwa", Dankie my bebeza, and other favorites), American music, and Michael Jackson music (a class of its own). One of my SA friends is a BIG Michael Jackson fan...my fellow PCV won his heart by having a more extensive collection than I do...in fact the whole night, they were wrestling with each other to get to the music fast enough to play their favorite MJ song! Hmmmm. We ended the night with babalas!

The next morning, everyone woke up, said our sad goodbyes until the next time, and the PCV/South African gang headed off to the taxi rank. Saying goodbye at the taxi rank, might I add, is not as romantic as when it's done at a train station, even at the airport. Maybe it's the whole mugging thing you're worried about. Maybe it's that you can't avoid smelling the aroma of rotting food or chicken feet roasting on the spit. So, I digressed a bit...sue me!

After putting my friends on the taxi, I jumped on another one with Tshepo, Saziso, and Montle, headed out to Saziso's...for more "holiday" fun. When I got there, we hung out, chatted, talked, and laughed. Ok...so I'm about to digress again...ready? So I hang out with people who love to drink beer, Castle Lite in particular. Because I don't drink beer and there is always a plethora of beer caps, I need something to entertain myself, right? Saziso dared me at one point to see if I was strong enough to bend bottle caps with the force between my thumb and pointer finger. Let's just say that I more than won the bet. It's become a habit, an addiction of sorts. For the whole of Sunday, Saziso's hot older brother Tshepo picked up on my habit and began to hand bottle caps to me without even thinking about it. At one point, I took a nap because I was exhausted. When I woke up, the thought crossed my mind about what was done with the caps collected while I was asleep. A few minutes later, Tshepo said, "Oh, I've got something for you." He had been saving all of the bottle caps for me...I smiled...ah, the spirit of giving was still in the air! Saziso later told me that he had been bending the caps until Tshepo realized it, and playfully yelled at him for taking the caps he was saving for me...see how they look out!

So, I'm back now...I was sitting with everyone in Saziso's room, when he walked in and called everyone to the front yard where three piles of clothes were resting under the tent. The clothes were his gogo's. The family members remaining after the funeral sat around the tent in silence, facing the front door of the house. The matriarchs of the family were led one-by-one to kneel in the door frame. One gogo (grandmother) took a razor and shaved a small piece of hair from the temples and the nape of each daughter. Another gogo collected it. This is one way to show that you are mourning the loss of someone. Every relative in the family is expected to wear a small blue sash pinned on their shirt sleeve every day for a few months, to show that they're mourning.

Once that ceremony was over, we went back to hanging out, watching movies, talking, and laughing. I was telling some of the men in Saziso's family about the many names I've been giving since I've been here: Lerato Machinini and Zanele (Za Za for short). Because I've somehow endeared myself to this family, Saziso's uncle (the man of the house) gave me a new name: Lebogang (Appreciated) Kototsi. Just now, my friend Tshepo said that, because Saziso's initials are SSK, I need a middle name...Lorraine...don't ask me why this one was chosen! So my full name is Lebogang Lorraine Kototsi (LLK). Call me Totsi for short!

In summary (don't you hate it when people include "in summary" in their concluding paragraph?), I really had a great time this weekend! I'm sure that this weekend will last in the minds of my friends (both South African and American) for a long time, forever for me!

THE END

E is for Intelligence

2006-11-23T01:26:00.000-06:00

Just now, I was sitting with LifeLine counselors in the training room at my office, waiting for a guest speaker to arrive so that we could watch a demonstration on how to use the Orasure HIV test kit. Some of the local mines have requested that our organization temporarily supply them with individuals trained in HIV voluntary testing and counseling (VCT). While waiting, we were instructed to go around the room, share one word on how you're feeling, and words that are associated with the letters in our name. When it came to me...well...it went all down hill.

My feeling: O sharp (aka. "I'm cool"...even though that's not a "LifeLine feeling"...I used it anyway).

D-Dimonate (Delicious...my Setswana speaking friends think I'm crazy for that one...because it refers to foods...or something perhaps a little naughty in the Batswana context)
A-Attentive
N- Naughty (In a South African context, that means precotious...Rodha supplied me with that one)
I-Inspiring
E- Intelligent...........(Yeah, I didn't really pass the 1st grade...I made nice nice with the lovely people at Emory so that they would give me my Master's degree. As soon as it came out of my mouth...I knew that I was wrong...the only thing to do was to laugh at myself! And boy, did I laugh! The funniest thing about it is that no one else got it...except Elayna...and she laughed at me too...so from now on, E is for Intelligence)
L- Laughable (for my many, many bloopers)
L-Lovable
E-Embarrassed!

Takin' it back to the old school...in Bapong

2006-11-15T07:17:00.000-06:00

(Pictured: Me, Saso, and cousins)

A comment on South African taxis...

2006-11-15T01:23:00.000-06:00

First, I must define for you what I mean by taxi, a South African taxi to be more specific. Imagine one of those VW vans...you know the ones I'm talking about...they're often identified with the 1960's, hippies, Woodstock, and free love...yeah, that one...that's what South African taxis look like.

Imagine how loud your 16 year-old brother/cousin/son/nephew/friend might play music in the car right after he received his driver's licence and got to take it out for a spin for the first time alone with four of his friends. You can actually hear the car before you see it. That's how loud taxis are.

Here's a little interactive portion for you: If you know anyone with a mini-van (although a mini-van is too nice compared to a taxi), ask them if you and more than a few strangers can borrow if for about 30 mintues (that's long enough). Gather a group of about 15 people you don't know (who may or may not have taken a bath, potentially have an open wound, not use deoderant yet worked a 15 hour day in 98.6 degree weather, who is carrying about ten bags of groceries and expects you to carry at least 3 of them on your lap, and who might be lactating and will expose you to the maternal process of breast feeding), and sit in the van without the air conditioner on and with only one window cracked.

There must be 4 people in the back row, and at least three people in the other three rows. On the front bench seat, it's the driver, a fairly attractive (or not) young female in the middle (so the taxi driver has someone to hit on for the entire ride, or until she gets out), and another stranger next to the young woman.

Try being the person who sits in the last row next to the window. Now get out of the taxi without anyone kindly moving out of your way.

A Couple Of Things You Might Experience:

On our first trip to Thlabane, to visit our friend Saziso and other co-workers, Elayna and I were given not-so-specific directions to give to the taxi driver, in hopes of getting dropped off on the correct street. Well, the directions, plus our language deficiency seemed like they'd get in the way of actually making it to our intended destination. A call was placed on my phone to Saziso, but after several attempts, things weren't getting any more clear. The phone was then passed to the young lady sitting next to us, in hopes that she might help point us in the right direction. After a 7 minute conversation, she didn't seem any more clear than we were, so without a word, the phone was passed up to the driver (via everyone in the taxi). After a 5 minute conversation, the phone was passed back to me...we arrived safe and sound...a big "THANKS" is in order to all of those ananomyous taxi patrons!

Last weekend, I, along with Elayna, Tshepo, and Saziso took the last taxi headed to Bapong, to visit Tshepo's "compound" (that's for you manqane). After about five minutes out of the taxi rank, a man seated near the back had a loud conversation with the driver. Saso immediately started laughing. We were soon to find out that we were making a short detour to the driver's house...so he could pick up his gun. I'm thinking about going over to his house, now that I know where he lives, and pay a visit to him and his family...I feel a special bond with him...I feel like we met, had a first date, and met the family all in one night...

FOR MORE ON TAXIS AND OTHER SORTED THOUGHTS, VISIT: TOO MUCH TAXI (A big SHOUT OUT to Elayna's friends! I feel like I've had too much taxi too!)

After the storm....

2006-11-13T01:32:00.000-06:00

Currently where I am, it's technically "rainy season", yet up until last week or so, there's been little to no rain. Last week, it rained and poured for a few hours, but generally cleared up by evening time. Last Friday, I was hoping to spend the evening on my balcony, reading, eating and sipping on a cold beverage, instead I was first treated to a visual dessert! The sky was overcaste, the sun was setting, and it was just the right temperature. As I was simultaniously reading my current book (Not without laughter, by Langston Hughes) and stuffing a piece of garlic bread in my mouth (courtesy of my neighborhood SuperSpar), something caught my attention: the color of the sky and the seemingly complete stillness around me. The sky was the most amazing mixture of blues and intense yellow. Over the course of the next two hours, the sky evolved into a meadly of pinks, oranges, yellows and reds. All I could do was sit in amazement as I was treated to what seemed like an experimental art show in the sky. I took pictures but it was truly a "you had to be there" moment. Enjoy the pictures anyway, however keeping in mind that it was a zillion times better in the moment.

On living with a PCV...

2006-11-02T04:47:00.000-06:00

Sure, I've had roommates before. My freshman year at Spelman College, I had a roommate. My junior year, I had three roommates (six or seven if you counted boyfriends). From senior year in college until after grad school, my best friend Loopy should have paid half of the rent, utilities, and food for as much as he stayed over. Nothing, thus far, has seemed to compare to living with my current roommate/friend/fellow PCV- Elayna.

Elayna has an unusual obsession with cheese. On several occassions, she has assured me that, amongst her friends, she is not so bad. Sure, I like cheese (Cheddar, Feta, Blue Cheese, etc.), but I never really cared about it one way or the other. Ok, well, I lied. I guess I do have something for cheese, particularly when I'm eating certain foods. There was that one time, when I was very young and my grandfather came for a visit. He took me and my brother to Wendy's, stood in a very long line, and ordered a cheeseburger for me. When our order arrived at the table, I was hurt to find that there was no cheese on my burger; a necessary ingredient for the perfect burger! I proceeded to throw a hissy-fit in the middle of the store, and threw it down, insisting that it just wouldn't do. (Ok, I feel a sense of confusion and judgement in your eyes. I know I'm talking about living with a PCV...but it's a nice tangent. Plus, I really wasn't a brat growing up...I promise...don't judge me!). I grew out of the whole cheese thing, but living with Elayna has made me very aware of my daily cheese intake. Cheese is included in just about every dish I eat. F.Y.I. the Super Spar has a nice selection.

Elayna and I think about food a lot. Maybe this is due to the fact that, while in Pre-Service Training, we didn't really have much control over what we ate...we were thrown into a paradigm where pap and chicken feet are king. Additionally, for the first few weeks here, we had to go grocery shopping very frequently, because we had no refrigerator. Tragic, I know. We talk about food to our U.S. family and friends (I've had Cheez-its, Reeses Buttercups, toco kits, etc. sent to me), with each other, and with our co-workers. We talk about food so much at work that I think they think we have eating disorders. They say, "Oh my gosh! Man, you're always hungry."

We've even started to dress alike. This morning, we were busy getting ready for work. I tried on different outfits, first putting on my beige pants and collar shirt. That was cool, but it just wasn't the one. (I'm sure you've had that experience before). I finally decided on blue slacks (to add that professional touch), a light blue collar shirt, black shoes and belt. Five minutes before work was to start, we both walked out of our respective rooms to head out on our three minute treck to work. To our surprise and amuzment, we were wearing the exact same outfit and matching color combination...are we starting to morph into the same person? Luckly, we work at a counseling organization, so if need be, we can get face-to-face, couples counseling.

Integrating into my community...Peace Corps-South Africa style

2006-10-16T08:07:00.000-05:00

Well, I’d like to say that I’ve not done anything out of the ordinary; nothing that I wouldn’t have done at home, but with a whole different group of people. On Saturday (October 7th), my roommate (and fellow PCV-Elayna) and I decided that we would throw a braai (BBQ/cookout) for some of our colleagues at the office, just to say what’s up and here we are…you’re stuck with us for two years! Well, as is the tradition with Black South Africans (from what I’ve been told and have experienced) when you say that you are gonna have a braai/BBQ, you are expected to pay for everything, which includes meat, meat, meat, more meat, pap (a tasteless, spongy substance made out of ground corn flour), and a beverage of the alcoholic-type. Well, we bought the biggest piece of steak we could find. It’s called a “Texan steak”. Indeed, it fits along with the myth that is Texas: BIG. We also cooked borewors (sausage-esk links), and of course, chicken. I was the grill master! Additionally, I cooked a cheese and potato dish that I’ve had twice before since being in South Africa. It was lekker fine! (Peel and slice potatoes 6 medium sized potatoes and one onion. In a separate container, add 1.5 cups of milk with two tablespoons of flour. Stir and add to potatoes and onions. Add freshly ground pepper, garlic power, and Laury’s seasoning salt sent from home. Add five to six tea spoons of blue cheese and three or four teaspoons of butter. Bake until potatoes are done at about 350 degrees F. When potatoes are cooked, layer with cheddar cheese, and let melt.) We also had salad and fresh garlic bread (on sale daily at your local Super Spar grocery store). I tell you, we ate like eating was going out of style…and all on a Peace Corps budget! Dijo tse dimonate tata!

The rest of the evening was nothing less than way too much fun! A few more people came, and brought more drinks and music. One of my coworkers brought his CD collection of popular South African dance music, and another guy pulled his car in our yard, put the music in and turned it on blast. We danced and danced and danced the night away!

This past Saturday, we all went out to the township for what we affectionately call a “6-to-6”, where you dance from 6pm until 6am the next morning. Really, it ended up being more like a 6-to-3, but, close enough! I figure I have two years to build up to three additional hours. What a great way to integrate into your community!

Can you tell the difference?

2006-09-29T07:37:00.000-05:00

AFTER: YEAH

Before

Other than the clothes and angle of the sun…can you see anything different? Yep, you guessed it…we’re officially Peace Corps volunteers (The first picture...if you couldn't tell). We swore in on September 21st at a local resort in the Mpumalanga Province. Just to catch you up to speed on what you’ve missed over the last few weeks, here are some of the things that happened:

In the afternoon, on Tuesday, September 19th, we all left our host families to move into the camp-like compound we lived in for our first few days in South Africa. I woke up extra early (around 4:30 am) to see my mother off for the last time as she was headed to work. The goodbye wasn’t as long and emotional as you might expect. This, however, is due to the fact that, for the week leading up to this day, my whole family was emotional over my departure. I will miss them a great deal, but plan to see them several times over the course of my two years…Salang sentle!

Wednesday night, the Education and NGO volunteers got together for one last hoorah. I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned this, but when we first arrived in South Africa, we were told to pack a “non-essentials” and “essentials” bag. People initially freaked out about parting with some of their 80 lbs (and more) of stuff, but doing this exercise allowed for less clutter in our host family homes. Interestingly, in my “essentials” bag, I managed to include my swim suit, which is useful in a land locked portion of the country…with no pond, pool, lake, bath tub, or slip-n-slide in sight! Well, I’ve said all this to say that we were finally reunited with our “Pretoria bags” as the “non-essentials” bag came to be known as. It was like Christmas, Presidents Day, and a 21st birthday combined. Over the course of two months, most of us forgot what we even packed in those bags. So on Wednesday night, we were all outfitted in “new” digs, smelling fresh (body sprays that we were separated from, but could have been useful after rinsing off in the dirty water you just washed up in…courtesy of the bucket bath), and with a renewed sense of hope for the future. That night, the party was in my room because I had the loudest speakers…who woulda thunk that such a little box could produce such big noise! The party was fun until my iPod froze…such a sad day! Let’s take a moment to reflect on the joy that an iPod can bring...filling your ears and mind with noises from home……………… The camp compound was divided into “the quiet side” and “the party side.” Really, let’s just be honest and say that the whole compound was “the party side”, because the majority of people stayed up!

Swearing in took place at a local resort. It was an event in and of itself to see the grungy people we turned into over the past six weeks, magically transform into well polished ladies and gentlemen…myself included. I was able to capture the actual swearing in portion of the event on video just in case you don’t believe that I’m now an official volunteer. Yes, you really can call me a Peace Corps Volunteer…I made it!

I can’t believe that time has flown by so quickly. It seems like just yesterday, I arrived in Philadelphia to start this journey. Now, I am about to take another step to coming closer to fulfilling my dream…Peace Corps here I come, or rather…Here I am!

Over the next two years, I will be working with a local organization that provides voluntary HIV/AIDS testing and counseling (VCT) through the efforts of local volunteers. I’m very excited about working with such an organization, because next year, I will start the process of becoming a VCT counselor, which will afford me some of the skills I was looking for in my life prior to the Peace Corps. Additionally, there seem to be several opportunities to become actively involved in several projects, particularly with respect to the new mobile VCT unit and working with the large mines surrounding my community. As I become better acquainted with my organization and my role within it, I’ll make sure to let you know.

Oh, you wanted to know about my living situation as a PCV in the NGO program? Well, let me first say that as an NGO volunteer, housing is usually arranged by the organization, or you will be given the opportunity to find housing (within a budget, of course) for yourself. Depending on your site location and budget, this could mean that you live the “traditional” Peace Corps experience (whatever that is), which could mean living in a rural village, with no electricity, pit latrines (or long drops as they are affectionately called), bucket baths, fetching water from the local watering source, and two years in a thatched roof hut. The other end of that spectrum could find you living in a nicely furnished apartment, in a gated community, in a large metropolitan area, with a gym membership. So, if you are thinking about joining the Peace Corps, expect both the expected and unexpected, because many things are possible.

I’m currently living in a two bedroom, one bathroom flat on the compounds of host family’s house. Sharing my flat is another PCV who will be working at the same organization as I am. We have a bathtub/shower combo, fully functional kitchen, electricity, and lounge. Both my roommate/PCV and I have the option of staying here or finding separate housing.

Well, as I’m sure you’ve noticed, I’ve written enough to keep you busy for a while. If you are going through the nerve wrecking Peace Corps application process, think you might be invited to Peace Corps-South Africa, or just have questions, please feel free to post a comment and I’ll get back to you A.S.A.P.

Tsamaya sentle!

Two days and counting...

2006-09-19T08:22:00.000-05:00

Can you believe it? I only have two more days until I officially become a Peace Corps Volunteer...no longer a mere trainee. It seems like the days have alternated between moving by so quickly and not moving by fast enough. Now that the time is almost up, and then time for another stage in this journey, it really has only been a short time in retrospect. Although the time has been short, I've learned a great deal about myself, my fellow Peace Corps trainees, and the people of South Africa. Now that the next stage is fast approaching...I look forward to what the next two years has to offer.

Tonight is the last night I will spend with my host family. I've grow to become an intergral part of their lives as they have in mine. Both the education and NGO trainees will move back into the camp-like compound we lived in upon our arrival in South Africa. Wednesday, there will be a party with the Education and NGO trainees, which will be a blast I'm sure. Thursday is the big day. We'll be joined by U.S. and Peace Corps Officials, along with our site supervisors, to a "light lunch" and a swearing in. The next time you hear from me...I'll be official...

I hope that you continue to read and enjoy this blog and share with me in my journey...until then...Salang Sintle!!!!! (I'll give you R5 if you can guess which of South Africa's 11 official languages that is)...Any guesses?

What I learned this past week.....

2006-08-25T09:18:00.000-05:00

I finally learned…in a visual way…what it means to say “the buck stops here.”

Dumelang Abantu!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-08-15T07:38:00.000-05:00

I know, I know, it’s been a looong time since I’ve updated my blog….but I have a really good excuse….I’ve been serving as a Peace Corps Trainee (PCT) in South Afrika! Enough said! Thus far, I’m really enjoying myself and am attempting to soak up as much as possible from this experience! I’ve made many friends within both the NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) and Education groups, but unfortunately, contact between the two groups is limited to random meetings at the local shopping plaza. During a much needed and sought after safari to the local shopping center, to upload on the essential items of any PCT (toilet tissue, potato chips, KFC, chocolate, power adapters, etc.), you see people that you know you should know, but haven’t seen in a while…SA-EDU Trainees! Just in case you need an example…so that you can relate to the experience…it’s like running into people you haven’t seen since college at the local Publix (or Shoprite as the case may be). I’m sure my fellow PCTs would liken it to smelling a home cooked meal after being forced to consume cafeteria food during freshman year of college.

In addition to making friends within the Peace Corps group, I’ve made many friends within my local community! Specifically, I’ve integrated very well into my host family and extended family! I’m learning Setswana…although the people in this area primarily speak Ndebele…this is Peace Corps people! My host family has been helping me learn Setswana…even though their primary language is Swazi…hmm. My host mother is great! She makes me laugh all of the time and that really helps to keep from getting homesick! I have family up the street and host brothers/cousins/uncles/aunts that live “on that side” (next door). They are all very protective of me and have so graciously included me into their warm and loving family! Some of my fellow trainees have had ups and downs with their families, but everyone seems to be settling in nicely.

As far as my average day goes, let’s just say that it leaves very little room for personal time or space. I wake up to my morning bucket bath at 6:30am…warm water provided by the tea kettle. My host cousins usually walk with me to school, as their high school is right next to mine. Monday through Friday, I attend language training in Setswana with six other NGO trainees, from 8am to 10 or 10:30am. After language class, we all attend sessions with guest speakers that talk about a range of topics related to NGOs, HIV/AIDS, gender based violence, just to name a few. These “technical sessions” have been hosted in the community “old age center.” We generally have 5 minute (10 to 15 minutes is more like it) breaks throughout the day, and have lunch around 12 or 12:30pm. I live so close to class that I usually walk home for lunch. I either end up eating last night’s leftovers or a PBJ (boy, a PBJ never tasted so good) with the salt & vinegar chips I picked up at the store (aka “tuck shop”). After lunch, it’s back to “tech sessions” until 4 or 5pm. After 5pm, I’ll either hang out with my PC friends and their host families, or hang out with my host cousins until my mom comes home from work.

One of the fun things to do, while waiting for my mom to come home, is explore the community in which I live. This usually consists of climbing one of the many beautiful hills that surround the town. If you take a walk up one of these hills, you seemingly escape to a whole other world full of peaceful silence and a stunning panoramic view. I wish my camera could capture the feeling and the view, but unfortunately digital cameras aren’t that advanced yet.

Ok…now to the fun stuff. Here are just a few things I’ve learned/experienced as a South Afrika-15 NGO Trainee:

Number of Shabeens (bars) immediately surrounding my house that bump music until 5ish am: 3 and counting.

I live in a town with a name no one (not even those who’ve lived here all of their lives) can either spell or say correctly.

Some roosters have a beautiful cock-a-doodle-doo…the rest…you’ll want to tell them to shut up!

My host brother is digging a new hole for the brand new pit latrine, because the current one is full…think about that one!

If you stare at a cow, it will stare back at you! If you stare at a male goat, it may charge you!

Letters I’ve sent to Freckle-maine with the wrong address that he will never receive: 2

Time of day that, according to my host mother, is unsafe to walk on the street in front of my house (or on one of the many hills atop my village, or when one of my host cousins/brothers acts up, or when walking to or from school) because “the Totsi (thugs) will get you!”: Morning, Noon, Night.

Number of people you attract when attempting to hand wash your clothes, that tell you how bad you are at it: at least 5.

You find yourself struggling to keep your eyes open at 8pm, and you and your fellow PCTs discuss how that was staying up “late.”

You watch the same news broadcast in 3 or more languages throughout the evening.

You either get addicted to the soap opera “Generations” or WWF, or both.

Water is not pronounced “water”, it’s pronounced “Wotah.”

At 1 am, you can hear a song from the play “Rent” at the local shabeen...”525,600 mintues….”

Imagine how many times it will take you to wash up in a bucket before you start readjusting your standard of cleanliness.

It is unsafe to visit the latrine after dark, because “the Totsi will get you”, so each individual is outfitted with a bucket in their room for those late night urges…create a visual image for yourself.

My nose is disproportionately darker than the rest of my body.

Most beautiful times of day: Sunrise, sunset, and midnight (you can see every star in the sky, plus the milky way…no, not the candy bar you city dwellers).

The best way to change a blank stare into a smile that will light up a room: Say hello! Lochane (Ndebele), Sanibonani (IsiZulu), Dumelang (Setswana/Sepedi), Hola 7 (slang)!

Well, I’ve written enough! If you want to contact me, leave me a message on this blog, contact my parents for my phone number (if you’re that ambitious), and WRITE LETTERS!

Until Next TIME!!!!!!!!!

Going...going...

2006-07-25T22:26:00.000-05:00

and at 5ish pm tomorrow....GONE!

Staging....finalmente!

2006-07-24T21:48:00.000-05:00

Hey everybody-

I've finally reached Philly after catching a 6:30 am flight! Yes, that meant that I had to get up (if I ever really went to sleep in the first place) at 3:00 am and be out of the house by 4:15 am to get to O'Hare. Just prior to leaving, my mom, dad, and dog took our last pictures and then lugged my overweight luggage to the car. I got to the airport and finally, it was time to say goodbye to the two most important people in my life...my parental units. Although I tried to keep a stiff upper lip throughout the entire process, it really hit me that I would be saying my final goodbyes for a while. I know, I know, I'm not dying or anything, it's just the Peace Corps. However, I was informed that during the two month Pre-Service Training, I would not have internet or phone service. I've never gone that long without a word from them. I know, however, that we will all pull through and be much stronger when it is all over and done with.

So now I'm in Philly, meeting new faces and finally meeting the people in my Yahoo group. I've sat through informational sessions and have signed my life away to Peace Corps for the next two years. I've now transitioned from an Invitee to a Peace Corps Trainee (PCT). In September, I will be sworn in as an official Peace Corps Volunteer. I'm still not clear as to what I'll be doing and where I'll be going, but I'll make sure to keep you posted.

I know this entry isn't the most spicy bit of gossip (Jay-Pee), but I'm dog tired and have to wake up at the crack of dawn to meet up for another informational session. Wish me luck! I'm not sure when I'll be on next....maybe I'll get a chance tomorrow, but if not...you'll hear from me in a couple of months.

Ya'll come back now, ya here?!

A different kind of packing list....

2006-07-21T18:52:00.000-05:00

Wow,

I can't believe that I only have three more days until I head off to the Peace Corps-South Africa staging event. A few months back...oh, let's just say March...I was wondering if I would even have the opportunity to serve. Now, I sit in my wreckage of a room contemplating exactly which sweater to bring and which shoes to leave behind. I keep packing and repacking my bag, hoping that the next time, my suit case zipper will actually close. In some strange way, I feel as though I'm trying to pack my life up in my bags (2 bags hopefully equaling approximately 80 lbs by the time I'm done) so that I'll have everything I think I'll need for a two year stint in an undisclosed location, hoping that I don't leave anything important behind. Inevitably, however, some things will come with me and some things will stay. Maybe I'll forget about that really cute skirt that I wore to that fabulous party in Bucktown, and be so excited when we're finally reunited once I return home. I wonder if that blue blouse with the black dots will even be in style in 2008 (oh, but trust, quality never goes out of style). On the other hand, maybe I'll pine away for those b.a. (mom that's for you) maroon pumps with the zebra tipped toes (no animal lovers...no zebras were harmed in this commercial), and in my first care package from home, they will so kindly be included. Either way, my packing must continue and I'll keep trying until I make it right...hopefully, I'll be reunited with my pumps and all of the other things I left behind soon (granted that no moths eat them, no one else decides to wear them, and I can still find them after being in storage for so long)...12 months is it?

Back to packing........

To sum it up in a word....

2006-07-17T23:00:00.000-05:00

Goodgoogleymoogly!!!!

Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3.....

2006-07-13T09:08:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone-

I've recently received word from the Peace Corps "South Africa Desk" about how and where to contact me while I'm gone...at least for the first two months. When I get word of my permanent site address, I'll make sure to post it. Please feel free to contact me as much (I need letters and care packages people) as you want! I love receiving mail in the states, so this aspect of my being won't change once I'm in South Africa!!!

At least for the first two months of Pre-Service Training, there may or may not be regular communication with me. Yes, I know you're distraught by this news...limited telephone calls, letters, emails, and blog entries...but trust me, it will all work out! When the opportunity presents itself, I'll get a cell phone. If you want the number, email me or contact my parental units.

Ahhh....letters and packages! From prior experience, letters generally take two to four weeks to arrive (more like 3 weeks). If you're expecting a letter from my end, be patient, it should arrive soon (hopefully)! Number each letter/package that you send, so we can collectively know if the mail service (both US and South African) is working in our favor.

If you're planning to send a letter during Pre-Service Training, send it to:

Danielle D. Morris, PCV

U.S. Peace Corps

P.O.Box 9536

Pretoria 0001

South Africa

Packages can be sent through DHL to:

Leah Berkowitz, co/U.S. Peace Corps

Danielle D. Morris, PCV

126 Verdoorn St

Sunnyside, Pretoria

South Africa

DHL will need the telephone number to Peace Corps South Africa: 01127123444255

Well, that's all for now! Later Skater!

Live it up, we could go crazy, live it up, you and me baby...live it up, live it up, live it up!

2006-07-12T11:36:00.000-05:00

Hey There-

Long time no see (read)! If you've been following along with the misguided adventures of Dani-Mo, you'd already know that I've been working very hard at having as much fun as possible with family members and friends. Towards the beginning of this month, I had the opportunity to hang out with my Sunday School homeboy Jermaine and his family in Chicago. If I had to pick out the most exciting thing we did, it would be the self-guided tour of the Taste of Chicago, dancing in the park, and getting soaked at Millennium Park (Ok, I know that was more than one thing..more like a list...but it all happened in the same day...so that counts, right?). As a side note, if you've never been to Chicago in the summer time, it is a must do! The city is colder than a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ on a _ _ _ _ _ _ _(fill in the blank) for most of the year, but right along with everything else in nature, it comes alive during the spring and summer months!

On July 3rd, I headed off to the great city of Atlanta, my home town! Getting together and laughing with my family and friends on the 4th of July is something I will always treasure. Ok...here's another side note...every once in a while, when talking to a person who has been in/is in/interested in the Peace Corps, you'll hear about how difficult it is/was to convince family members and friends that joining Peace Corps is better than the many alternatives: not joining Peace Corps, getting a "real job", going off to school, etc. In some situations, parents/friends/significant others believe that they know what is best for the individual, and refuse to accept anything outside of the box they have created. For anyone experiencing this situation, I offer up my full support and encouragement to follow your heart!

I guess that I've been on the lucky end of the spectrum, where I've received nothing less than everyone's full support, regardless of if they understand my decision or not. While I know that I will be miss tremendously, everyone...including the most unlikely characters, know that this is my dream and that it will propel me forward in a positive direction. As I spent time with my friends and family in Atlanta and Chicago, I was enveloped with love and sent along knowing that I have the best support system! I love you all!

Currently, I'm in the midst of livin' it up in Tacoma with my homie Jay-Pee. Thus far, I've been to a couple of high school/AAU basketball games, cook outs, a Rainiers baseball game, a day at and around the Experience Music Project, played a game of Mafia, several games of Spades, watched The Devil Wears Prada, laughed, talked, and laughed a whole lot more! Every time we hang out, there's always something fun going on. I've concluded that good times come along with his infectious personality!I'm constantly reminded of why we are so cool...we're opposites, but ironically, we're soooo similar! Well, anyway, I'm sure that once this trip is (sadly) over, I'll have more to post.

When the opportunity presents itself, I'll make sure to post some crazy pictures!

A time for good byes...A time for new beginnings

2006-06-30T12:39:00.000-05:00

Yes, today is my last day as a research staff member at Northwestern University. It has definitely been an insightful journey to learning about myself, Chicago, gang violence, and life outside of being a student.

Yesterday, my co-workers took me out to lunch at a lovely Ethiopian spot in Evanston. We ate, laughed, and talked about what's next in my life, their lives, and the future of the project. I learned a great deal from each one of them, which is something I will never forget.

The day before, I said my goodbyes to some of the staff members at CeaseFire. For about a year, I've lived and breathed gang life in Chicago. I had an amazing opportunity to be exposed to a life I've never known, and grew to respect the people who are putting their lives on the line to make a difference in the lives of others. I wish the program and all of the staff members much success! I will definitely be keeping up with the program!

On to new experiences...

A continuation on the theme: "Life is fine, fine as wine"

2006-06-25T11:30:00.000-05:00

Oh, Lil' Miss Missy (and friends),

I must say that I'm at a great station in life (the Sedgwick Brown Line to be exact): I'm headed into my last week on the job; I keep meeting/reconnecting with people in/headed to South Africa; I will have just about a month (from yesterday) until I start one of the greatest adventures of my life; I have an opportunity to spend time with some of the best people I know here and will have the opportunity to do the same with people I know in South Africa; and in general, life just can't get any better!

My Job

I digress. When I received my invitation to serve in Peace Corps South Africa, the remaining time before resigning from my job seemed daunting. There was so much work that still needed to be done and I tried my best not to focus on the end (June 30th), because I wouldn't be able to concentrate on completing it all! And now, the time is upon us!

When I handed in my resignation letter, my boss decided to pull me off of some of the weekly meetings I've been attending since I started working at NU. The move was rather abrupt, and I didn't think there would be an opportunity to say goodbye to the people I've grown to know over the past year. It's interesting to serve as an evaluator of a program. You're supposed to maintain your objectivity, but you can't help but to start believing in what people are trying to accomplish, and connect with people on a more personal level. Last week, my boss walked in my office and said that my co-worker attended the meeting I usually go to, and the reported that the program staff insisted I could not possibly leave without saying goodbye! How sweet! So my boss encouraged me to take off work early one day next week to say goodbye! I'll miss the guys and wish them all the best!

Well, tomorrow will be the beginning of the end of my time at Northwestern University. On Thursday, my co-workers are taking me out to lunch at a local Ethiopian spot! On Friday, I'll have my exit interview and then proceed to roll bounce! I've learned so much about myself as an employee (my strengths and weaknesses), how to evaluate a State-funded program, Chicago, gangs in Chicago, Chicago politics, community policing efforts, and much, much more! I feel blessed to have this amazing opportunity to learn and grow!

Meeting/Reconnecting with People

The Yahoo group I've been a member of for a few months, that is dedicated for invitees soon headed off to South Africa with me, keeps expanding! It's great to have the opportunity to meet a very diverse group of people who share a common goal: serve in the Peace Corps. There are several people in the education program, and many more in the NGO Capacity Builders group (that's the one I'm in). We've all shared some great ideas with each other, comforted each other by knowing that we are not alone, and that there are many people that share our same hopes and fears. We've shared packing lists, made up silly polls for the group to take, exchanged resources, and for the So. Cal volunteers-having a pre-staging meet-up...You guys are oh so cool!

A couple of years back, my mother took one of her students under her wing, and that student (Kristin) went off to serve in Peace Corps Botswana. Last Christmas, Kristin came to visit with me and my friends in South Africa. We had a ball. I remember one night, Kristin, Marissa and I were in the midst of playing a game of Monopoly (I was losing and they ganged up on me...how crazy is that!), and had a craving for McDonald's french fries and hot apple pies! (Oh, you remember those fried apple pies that Micky D's used to serve...nice and crunchy! I was so disappointed that they changed to baked apple pies...just not the same!) We all hopped in the car (pajamas and all) and drove down to McDonald's, ordered Cokes, a few pies, ice cream, and fries (I'm still trying to bring my cholesterol down from that one). The guy at the window was a Bruin-ou...and we proceeded to hit on him until our order was up. Girls' night out, Sherwood style! Well, wasn't that a tangent! Back to the story, Kristin has just finished her Peace Corps service (and a couple of months traveling through South Africa), and will soon be headed back to the states. Soon after she returns, my lovely Kristin will be coming to Illi for a visit! I'm so excited and am so very proud of her and all that she's accomplished! Kristin M U, if you're reading this...You go girl!

The summer between my freshman and sophomore year at Spelman College, I participated in a program called Operation Crossroads Africa (this is also when I met my best friend Loopy Gurdlekisser), and went to Tanzania. In the Tanzania program, there were three groups. In one of the groups, I met a really cool guy! We kept up for a while, and I got a chance to visit him right before he headed off for his own stint in the Peace Corps...interestingly, he went to South Africa. Unfortunately, we lost track of each other, but with the help of a little post in one of my Yahoo groups, I found him...and he's still in SA! How great is that! So, hopefully, we'll be able to catch up when I'm there. I always did enjoy his insight, and look forward to hearing more!

An update on pre-staging plans

June 30th-July 2nd: The S.S. Jay-Pee and Ms. Pink Gloves will be in town!

July 3rd-5th: Headed to the Dirty-Dirty to visit my friends and family. On the 4th my uncle is having a cook out...and can't wait cause he makes the BEST desserts! Some time while I'm there, I'll be hooking up with Jessy-Wessy, Caroline, and hopefully Anna Banana. I'm gonna kick it with my brother and his friends (more like brothers), and see many more people!

July6th-10th (or later): I'll once again get to show Jay-Pee what happens when you put the Dirty-Dirty in Illi and give it a little 253/206 love! I'm also gonna kick it with the favorite homie Chris Cross Your Heart! Oh, so much fun!

July TBD: Kristin will come for a visit! KMU, I hope you're bringing lots and lots of pictures! Neci and Kye Hannah will be coming for a visit too! We love you with all of our hearts! I think the plan is to spend the day at the American Girl's store...we'll see about that one! Some of the wonderful ladies I've had the pleasure of meeting are gonna meet up for a good-bye dinner! How nice! My brother and Christina will be coming for a visit, but I'll see them in the ATL when I get there. I'll finally sell my sweet precious Candy. Packing, re-packing, and just a little more.

July 24th-26th: Philadelphia for staging.

July 26th: Headed to New York (where I'll meet up with Loopy for the last time in a while) and then to Pretoria, South Africa.

Wow...as usual, I get long winded, so I'll stop right there. I'll make sure to keep you updated on all of my adventures!

Staging Update!#$@%

2006-06-19T16:25:00.000-05:00

Ahh, the gloriousness of Peace Corps! Don't cha just love the way they keep you waiting with baited breath and anxieties out the so-on-and-so-4th, 5th, 6th, to find out their next move?! Oh, so I guess you want to know what has caused me say such things. Well, after coming home for a mid-day refresher (eating lunch at O'Brians and a walk to the bike store with the parental units) on Saturday, my mother grabbed the mail on our way to the crib. As she looked through the short stack (none of which is ever for me...except bank statements...student loan people...and the random bill...boring!), I was notified that I had a package...and it was from the Peace Corps...my staging packet!

As you know, we've covered the whole "staging" conversation a few posts ago, so I won't digress. I opened the packet, which included a pile of papers and a CD. One sheet in particular, was the itinerary for staging...which is supposed to be set for July 17th...or at least that is until the Peace Corps changed the date to July 24th leaving out of Philly (I was right after all)! No problem-o...oh...oh...goody two shoes...that means that I have extra time to fit in visits with the family and friends! This also gives me the opportunity to procrastinate about everything from selling my car, getting a power of attorney written up so that my parents will once again be my legal guardians (is this progression or regression?), spending a few more days of quality time with my favorite pup-cake and parents, eating my favorite foods, hangin' out with the girls, chattin' it up with Jeb and Jay-Pee, and a few more days to do nothing if I feel like it (or don't feel like it...I'm not sure which one)!

The next thing I need to do is call the Peace Corps travel agency, to book my flight out of Chicago to Philly. Oh, and that also means that I'll be headed out of Philly to NYC on July 26th, then to Dakar, Senegal for a short lay-over, and then to Jo'burg. Can I add a cha-ching to that schedule...more Delta frequent flyer miles for me. I already have more than enough to take an international flight anywhere in the world...beautifully coveted frequent flyer miles!

Life is fine, fine as wine!

Peace Corps Nomination Party

2006-06-14T23:09:00.000-05:00

Yours Truly

Me and the Parental Units after the Peace Corps "Nomination Party"

Hey,

Today, my parents and I attended the annual Peace Corps "Nomination Party" hosted by the Chicago recruiting office, which was held at the Mexican Fine Arts Museum. The first part of the meeting included a question and answer section, where audience members (full of interested people, family members of currently serving volunteers, invitees who have already received their assignments, and those in the application process) asked questions of a former volunteer, her parents and another couple who's three children served. Very interesting.

Next, family members in the audience were asked to go to the front of the room and introduce themselves, as well as talk about their family members' assignments. I thought that my mother would be eating up their words, because she had her little pen and paper out to take notes. Well, I was kinda wrong, because instead of taking notes, she was doodling like a high schooler in 5th period American History class. Over dinner, I realized that she was actually paying attention, or at least she remembered enough to pretend like she was listening.

Once the parents were finished, and were handed a Peace Corps coffee mug, everyone in the audience who has received an invitation to serve, a project, and leave date, were asked to go to the front of the room and say: their name, program title, and departure date. There was one lady who called herself "older", one other African American female going some where in Eastern Europe, a bunch of seemingly recent college graduates, and an older married couple. Instead of getting cool coffee mugs (even though I don't drink coffee and prefer sweet iced tea...which is served in a nice tall glass), we were given a Peace Corps key chain and luggage tag. When I took my seat, I told my dad that I was happy I got the luggage tag, because that was $4.00 that I didn't have to spend...is Peace Corps making me cheap?

The president of the Chicago Returned Peace Corps Volunteer group spoke about her respective organization, and informed all of the invitees that the group awards grants for volunteer projects. I'll make sure to keep her number!

Finally, after the event was over with, I ran into one of the family members who stood up with the first group. She was a really nice African American lady whose 70 year old aunt is serving in the Peace Corps in a country close to South Africa. It was great talking to her, and look forward to connecting with the aunt while I'm serving...see, I'm already starting to make connections.

I'll keep you posted as more things occur...I guess this is a nice way to say I'm tired and sick of typing...so I'm going to practice looking at the back of my eyelids. Until next time!!!!

Packing Conversation (Part II)

2006-06-13T11:09:00.000-05:00

As you may or may not know, I am a member of several Yahoo groups dedicated to Peace Corps. One group is for anyone interested in Peace Corps (current/returned PCV, interested, nominated, invited, applicants, you name it!), Returned Volunteers from South Africa, and others who have been invited to serve in South Africa (about 15 of us that we know of)...in short: peacecorps 2; [sa-RPCV]; and [sa2006pcts].

The [sa2006pcts] have made contact with current and former South Africa Volunteers in the [sa-RPCV] group, asking about everything under the sun, including packing advise and tips. Yesterday, I was reviewing all of the packing tips, which got me into the packing mood...my parents keep telling me not to wait until the last minute. After creating a list based off of what I've garnered, my mother so graciously ushered me around to a couple of different stores (Costco/Target) in order to get what I needed. After last night, I feel closer to being ready to hop on the plane...as well as closer to being broke...which isn't a good feeling...sooooo, if you feel like donating to the cause, I won't complain!

Remember, this is my tentative list...it sounds nice in theory when stuff is outside of my bag...but in the bag is another story. Also, many of these things are small...so right now, I have two nearly empty bags when all of the stuff is inside...but like I said, we'll see! I'll keep updating it until I leave for Staging. Things written in bright red still need to be purchased.

Toiletries (This section is complete)

Palmer's Cocoa butter (2 bottles)
Tooth brush (3)
Tooth brush holder (1)
Tooth paste (2)
Dental floss (2)
Retainers (2)
Suave roll-on (2)
Women's once-a-day vitamins (1)
Q-tips and cotton balls (1 box each)
Pumice stone (1)
Razor, plus razor heads (4)
Neosporin (1)
Rubbing Alcohol (1)
Hand Sanitizer (1)
Sewing Kit w/ extra needles (1)
Safety Pins
Lent brush (1)
Mini tissue packs (8)
Cherry chap stick (6...to feed my addiction)
Body soap (4 bars)
Noxema face bars (3)
Soap container (2)
Sanitary napkins (an heir and a spare package)
Brush (1)
Ponytail holders (lots...to manage what months of missed hair cuts will not)
Bobby pins (lots...to strap down my thick hair)
Shampoo (need)
Conditioner (1)
Tide (small bottle)
Handy wipes (1 package)
Fingernail clippers
Make-up (limited...I don't wear it much here and don't think I'll pick up on the trend there)
Tweezers (not for the eye brows)
Small mirror
Loofah
Glasses (2 pair per Peace Corps' request)
Glasses cleaner (3...I loose them)
Glasses repair kit (need)
Sunglasses
3 month supply of perscriptions (per Peace Corps' request)

Packing/Camping Gear

Compass (to guide me to the nearest Nando's)
Osprey Arial 65 camping pack
Large suitcase
Book bag
Books (hopefully you generous people will buy a book for me off of my wish list)
Bag locks
Water proof backpack cover
Tent
Ziploc bags (gallon/sandwich size)
Nalgene water bottle (2- one wide mouth and one small mouth)
LED flash light
Sleeping bag
Full size bed sheets
Pillow
Laundry bag
Towel set
Scissors

Entertainment

iPod
Lonely Planet South Africa guide book
Lonely Planet Southern Africa guide book
Solio solar charger for phones and iPod
iPod speakers
Back up battery pack
Ear buds
Map of the world
Laptop
Back up battery
Rechargable Batteries
Cell phone (unlocked 900/1800 band)
Thumbnail drive
System back up disks
Digital camera
Camera batteries (2)
Memory cards (2)
Scrabble
Playing Cards (3-4 decks...Uno too...even though I don't remember how to play)
Pictures (My dad and I are going to look through the volumes of pictures we have and put them on disk...to be printed out soon)
Soccer ball (for host family children)
Atlanta and Chicago memorabilia (for host family)
Index Cards (for language training)
Pens/Pencils
Sharpie Markers
Note pads
Envelopes
Journal (to write everything I won't put on my blog)

Clothes (Yet to be determined...but I already own what I'm bringing)

Northface Fleece (Polkadot Pink)
Black Jacket (1)
Marmot Waterproof Jacket (1)
Gloves
Scarf
Hat
Long johns (2)
Sports socks (16)
Dress socks (black/brown)
Thermal socks (2...damn...I'm bringing a lot of socks!)
Workout pants (1)

I'll miss you most of all...Stinky Stinky Fat Cupcakes!

2006-06-10T09:16:00.000-05:00

I knew that you were mine even before I met you at six weeks old. I met you, along with your birth mom, brothers and sisters. I said to myself: I wanted you to choose me. There was a really cute puppy that I just knew would be mine, but as usual, you want what you want when you want it. As I was holding this sweet ray of sunshine, I felt you tugging at my shoe strings...it was love at first sight!

Fast forward through your puppy years: your childhood friend Cowboy, sliding into the beveled glass window a few times, running away only to return at 4 am the next morning without your collar on, loosing your puppy teeth, jumping in the Chattahoochee River (stand up fool, stand up), and so many other memories.

You watched me go away to college. I watched you take your first plane trip to Chicago. You watched me through the windows by the front door as I'd get in the cab headed for a flight back to Atlanta. I've watched you as you bark, kick, and scratch while you're asleep.

Now you're a senior citizen, a card carrying AARP member, leaky potty boy, calm, cool, collected, distinguished gentleman. I love you and I'll miss you when I'm away! Hold it down in the Chi my boy!

Take a tour of the S.S. Jay-P...check!

2006-06-05T23:47:00.000-05:00

Ladies, this is how you do it: Have him cookin' you breakfast with a smile! Whip that batter Jay-Pee...and I want some bacon and eggs too!

And the rest of the night was a blur!

Me and Jay-Pee out with Mary and AJ at the Ram

Hey there,

You're back...I guess that means you want to hear more about what I've been up to...with only a few weeks remaining before the big move to ZA! If you remember the agenda that I included a few posts ago...you would know that this weekend I was in Tacoma, Washington, visiting my friend Sunday School Jay-Pee (the S.S. Jay-Pee for short)! If I could sum my trip up in a word (which I don't think is possible): Wow (for everyone); "Be my bass...a boom boom" (for Jay-Pee). I knew he was cool (from the many, many, many conversations we've had), but he is even better in person! We laughed, ate (he cooked pancakes, bacon, and eggs one morning and a noodle, broccoli, and chicken dish after I requested that we eat a meal with veggies), went drinking with AJ and Mary, worked on little to no sleep, hung out with (his) friends and family, listened to a lot of music, did the SpongeBob Squarepants dance (me) and the extra special E-40 dance (him), saw "The Break Up" and had to wait in the movie theater parking lot while Jay-Pee locked me out of the car and drove around just for a few laughs, played cards with Uncle Zack and Michele (and got a beating...thanks a lot Jay-Pee), watched the "Pink Gloves" play and win, gave a personalized-midnight concert, laughed and listened to him play the trumpet at 3 am while everyone in the house was asleep, went to Seattle and watched a neuvo-Janice Joplin dance to a live blues band, and laughed a whole lot more!

Why is it that time seems to move so quickly when you're having sooo much fun? Before I knew it, my long weekend was up (Friday-Sunday), and was dreading the thought (or reality) of leaving...which is why I'm very, very happy that it worked out that I stayed until today...and had even more funny experiences! Hopefully, I'll be able to make an extra trip out there for more fun in the sun...well, overcast sky and light drizzle. If I didn't have to go back to work...I'd still be there...but alas...all things must come to an end...but not in this case...it's just the beginning!

Wanna hear some of the music we listened to? (PBJ...you're teasin' me...lol)

,

Resign from my job...Check!

2006-05-31T18:26:00.000-05:00

Little Miss Missy,

You knew it was coming...the day that I would really have to show my commitment to Peace Corps...accepting a vow of poverty (going from a salaried job to a volunteer's stipend) for the next twenty-seven months. Yes, today is the day that I turned in my letter of resignation, with my last day being June 30th. I think I rehearsed what I would say to my boss a million times. I even examined the situation and all of its possibilities in role play exercises: Me (as me), Me (as my boss), Dad (me), Mom (boss), Dad's friend (me), Loopy Gurdlekisser (boss), Medin (co-workers), Emma...girlfriend of Medin (boss), Me (as me again)...oh, ok...you get the picture.

As much as I role played, worried, dreamed about resigning, talked about resigning, drew pictures of resigning, I was still shaking in my boots (black mary-janes) when I went to do to deed. You see, I have an overwhelming sense of loyalty and sometimes guilt (which I plan on sharpening so I can turn it around and use it to get my future children to do the dishes...just playing, well, maybe not), which made it difficult to leave my job after I committed to it...but I've been told that it happens all of the time...and maybe next time, it won't be so dramatic (at least on my end). When speaking to my boss, I pointed out that I really enjoyed my job, liked the people I work with, learned a lot, etc....but I've got to fulfill this dream of mine...joining the Peace Corps! In the end, she was very supportive of me and wished me well. Now, I'll focus on tying up loose ends at work...and at home...six more weeks until I'm ZA bound!