Wednesday, April 20, 2011
A year in review
LONG Time! It’s been a while yet again since I’ve written. Since I’ve officially been in the village and in Zambia for a year, seems only right for me to do some sort of review of what has happened. But instead of spending countless hours at the computer Ill just review in a list… a top 10 of sorts.
Top 12 realizations of the year (in no particular order)
1) You can’t live in two places at once- In the beginning, I was really upset about being so disconnected from family and friends. I tried to live in America and Zambia at the same time in the sense that I tried to stay the person I was in American while living in Zambia. That didn’t work too well. As soon as I let my American life go - in the sense of accepting the fact that I’m no longer the person I was living the life I use to- I started to find my place here. I want to be a part of everyone’s life back home and I can, but I have to be HERE in order to make the most of the experience. I’m glad I learned that!
2) “Take chances, Make mistakes, get messy"- Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus said it best I think! You only get one life, might as well live it up and take anything for granted. I have the rare opportunity to do some amazing things that people only dream of. Seeing one of the 7 wonders of the world, petting a lion, living in Africa, meeting the ambassador, taking showers under the stars, seeing the 2nd longest waterfall in Africa those types of things. I also live a life most would hate. Black mambas, flesh eating ants, unreliable public transport, leaky roofs and of course no electricity or indoor plumbing. But really what is life without risk. I get bored easily and I haven’t been bored yet here. This is literally a dream for me even with the occasional series of unfortunate events but that’s anywhere. So long story short....I wouldn’t trade this for anything!
3) Don’t forget to say thank you- Many times in the hustle and bustle of my former life, I rarely took the chance to stop and take in the world around me. Here, it’s completely different. This place reminds me to stop and be thankful for the little things. One morning around 6am I was awaken by my dog, chickens and the sounds of the village. I was angry that I was up at 6am and I walked out my house grumpy. I looked at the sun rising over my yard and I quickly said sorry (for being grumpy) and thank you because I was up early enough to experience the beauty of nature. We ask for a lot and forget to be grateful for the little things and what we have. I catch myself saying thank you more often now.
4) If you bring them sweeties, they will come- When I first went to the village, I took so much pride in doing all my own chores. I felt independent and it kept me busy. As my service continued and started getting busier, I realized that there were just some things I hated and really didn’t have time for. I hate fetching water! It’s not like its far or anything I just really don’t like doing it. About 5 months in, I realized that the kids in my village wanted candy and they would do ANYTHING to get said candy. So now I give them candy in exchange for jerry cans full of water!!! Its perfect and now since I’ve started my garden the kids come around everyday to get me water. Too bad they can’t write my lesson plans ;)
5) Always bring a book to a meeting- Meetings never start on time…ever. So instead of being annoyed or angry I just bring a book or something to do. I like to think I’m multi-tasking. There really is no exception to this rule.
6) The secret ingredient is cheeky chili/ sweet chili sauce- I’m no chef but I do enjoy cooking. I like trying new things and making culinary creations. But I’ve noticed that literally everything I cook has either cheeky chili (hot sauces) or sweet chili sauce. Zambians love salt and I love spice. My teachers make fun of me because I like cheeky chili so much and use to carry a bottle in my purse.
7) Just because it looks or smells good, doesn’t mean it taste good- no explanation needed especially because this is in reference to what I make. I guess that’s why Zambians don’t smell their food….its deceiving.
8) Fat is a term of endearment- In the Zambian Culture, it’s a good thing to be called fat because it means you have enough food to eat and you are healthy. In American culture, it’s obviously a bit different. Even after a yr I cringe a little when I’m sitting in the village with the women and they can’t stop talking about how fat I am, especially after I’ve just come from Lusaka and Kasama where I’ve eaten my weight in cheese and they can tell. I’ve started telling people that it’s an insult in my country to tell someone they are fat. So now they say I’m just a “bit” fat.
9) “If soya pieces were in America, this is what America would taste like”- This is what one of my PCV friends said after we had Mexican night at my house and I used soya pieces. Soya is the new chicken! Soya pieces are basically tofu/soya bean chucks. You can cook them like chicken and add them to anything. I eat them at least 3 times a week. You can put them in pasta, curry, tortillas, or even eat them straight out of the bag (I haven’t gotten that desperate yet). To top it all off, they are a great source of protein! I’m bringing some back to the states.
10) After a long day, nothing hits the spot like a bucket bath- Bucket baths are so nice for some reason. I rather bucket bath then take a shower, especially when you can take a bath under the starts.
11) Hitch Hiking is an art…and a sport- People are so nice here and are willing to help you anyway they can, for me that normally means driving me somewhere. I’ve met a lot of interesting people getting a “lift” and it’s not as dangerous as it sounds. I get the seat with a seat belt 8 times out of 10 and the drivers are super nice. I even get free rides sometimes. Transport is the biggest problem in this country and since I live 10 hours away for Lusaka (Nations capital) and 6 hrs from my provincial house, I do what I can to get where I need to be. Especially when vacations are concerned.
12) Music is the universal language and dancing is how you communicate- I love dancing and I love that I am in a country where people express themselves with music and dance. My dancing abilities surpass my Bemba speaking abilities and at every function I go to (even school meetings sometimes) I’m required to dance. The women in my village even know my favorite Zampop song! Here you dance to tell stories also. During Camp GLOW, the girls did a dance showing how to say no when a sugar daddy approaches you. It’s also fun to dance to my American music with people in the village; they don’t know how to dance to Jay-z or Adele.
Top 10 highlights of the last year
10) 4hr hike to Kalombo Falls, the 2nd tallest waterfall in Africa
9) Gratitude Sunday (every Sunday)
8) KITCHEN PARTY!!!
7) Grade 9 Debates- it was the first time anything like it had happed at my school
6) Seeing Victoria Falls
5) Northern Province house days/ Camp GLOW
4) HENDRIX!!!!
3) TGM on teaching and learning aids
2) Village Birthday Party
1) Safari in Botswana/ Petting a LION
It’s been a great year in every aspect. There have been some ups and downs for sure and they have made me stronger to say the least. I’ve had some success in teacher training in the form of leading teacher group meetings. I’ve seen and improvement in the kids as they were able to hold debates in English. People say it (teaching pupils in the rural areas) can’t be done but it can. These kids were able to pick topics, develop arguments, counter arguments and express themselves verbally in what is probably their 3rd or 4th language. The teachers now know it can be done and want to implement these themselves. I’ve developed relationships with the women in my village and I’m seen as a daughter to them.
This week I helped with training of the new volunteers and watched the volunteers 1 yr ahead of me leave. It’s been a mix of; look at where I was a year ago and look where ill be a year from now. I’ve learned a lot about a lot in the last year and hopeful I could help the new trainees learn something too. I also visited my host family from training this week. It was emotional in the sense that with some rough patches in my current village, I wish I could have this family near and it was comforting to know they still remember me and have room in their heart for me. It’s great that they still love me even though my Bemba has gotten worse. Someone from home told me in a letter that this is an amazing journey that most people only dream of. A journey of happy and sad times, of growth and learning and she was right. She also told me to enjoy my journey….and I’m doing just that. I’m excited for what the next year of service will bring. Hopefully it will bring another great Camp GLOW, a resource center full of books and computers, more condom demonstrations, more trips to beautiful places, more village shin-digs, less books in my personal library because I would have read them all, more Bemba and more growth, strength and happiness.
Top 12 realizations of the year (in no particular order)
1) You can’t live in two places at once- In the beginning, I was really upset about being so disconnected from family and friends. I tried to live in America and Zambia at the same time in the sense that I tried to stay the person I was in American while living in Zambia. That didn’t work too well. As soon as I let my American life go - in the sense of accepting the fact that I’m no longer the person I was living the life I use to- I started to find my place here. I want to be a part of everyone’s life back home and I can, but I have to be HERE in order to make the most of the experience. I’m glad I learned that!
2) “Take chances, Make mistakes, get messy"- Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus said it best I think! You only get one life, might as well live it up and take anything for granted. I have the rare opportunity to do some amazing things that people only dream of. Seeing one of the 7 wonders of the world, petting a lion, living in Africa, meeting the ambassador, taking showers under the stars, seeing the 2nd longest waterfall in Africa those types of things. I also live a life most would hate. Black mambas, flesh eating ants, unreliable public transport, leaky roofs and of course no electricity or indoor plumbing. But really what is life without risk. I get bored easily and I haven’t been bored yet here. This is literally a dream for me even with the occasional series of unfortunate events but that’s anywhere. So long story short....I wouldn’t trade this for anything!
3) Don’t forget to say thank you- Many times in the hustle and bustle of my former life, I rarely took the chance to stop and take in the world around me. Here, it’s completely different. This place reminds me to stop and be thankful for the little things. One morning around 6am I was awaken by my dog, chickens and the sounds of the village. I was angry that I was up at 6am and I walked out my house grumpy. I looked at the sun rising over my yard and I quickly said sorry (for being grumpy) and thank you because I was up early enough to experience the beauty of nature. We ask for a lot and forget to be grateful for the little things and what we have. I catch myself saying thank you more often now.
4) If you bring them sweeties, they will come- When I first went to the village, I took so much pride in doing all my own chores. I felt independent and it kept me busy. As my service continued and started getting busier, I realized that there were just some things I hated and really didn’t have time for. I hate fetching water! It’s not like its far or anything I just really don’t like doing it. About 5 months in, I realized that the kids in my village wanted candy and they would do ANYTHING to get said candy. So now I give them candy in exchange for jerry cans full of water!!! Its perfect and now since I’ve started my garden the kids come around everyday to get me water. Too bad they can’t write my lesson plans ;)
5) Always bring a book to a meeting- Meetings never start on time…ever. So instead of being annoyed or angry I just bring a book or something to do. I like to think I’m multi-tasking. There really is no exception to this rule.
6) The secret ingredient is cheeky chili/ sweet chili sauce- I’m no chef but I do enjoy cooking. I like trying new things and making culinary creations. But I’ve noticed that literally everything I cook has either cheeky chili (hot sauces) or sweet chili sauce. Zambians love salt and I love spice. My teachers make fun of me because I like cheeky chili so much and use to carry a bottle in my purse.
7) Just because it looks or smells good, doesn’t mean it taste good- no explanation needed especially because this is in reference to what I make. I guess that’s why Zambians don’t smell their food….its deceiving.
8) Fat is a term of endearment- In the Zambian Culture, it’s a good thing to be called fat because it means you have enough food to eat and you are healthy. In American culture, it’s obviously a bit different. Even after a yr I cringe a little when I’m sitting in the village with the women and they can’t stop talking about how fat I am, especially after I’ve just come from Lusaka and Kasama where I’ve eaten my weight in cheese and they can tell. I’ve started telling people that it’s an insult in my country to tell someone they are fat. So now they say I’m just a “bit” fat.
9) “If soya pieces were in America, this is what America would taste like”- This is what one of my PCV friends said after we had Mexican night at my house and I used soya pieces. Soya is the new chicken! Soya pieces are basically tofu/soya bean chucks. You can cook them like chicken and add them to anything. I eat them at least 3 times a week. You can put them in pasta, curry, tortillas, or even eat them straight out of the bag (I haven’t gotten that desperate yet). To top it all off, they are a great source of protein! I’m bringing some back to the states.
10) After a long day, nothing hits the spot like a bucket bath- Bucket baths are so nice for some reason. I rather bucket bath then take a shower, especially when you can take a bath under the starts.
11) Hitch Hiking is an art…and a sport- People are so nice here and are willing to help you anyway they can, for me that normally means driving me somewhere. I’ve met a lot of interesting people getting a “lift” and it’s not as dangerous as it sounds. I get the seat with a seat belt 8 times out of 10 and the drivers are super nice. I even get free rides sometimes. Transport is the biggest problem in this country and since I live 10 hours away for Lusaka (Nations capital) and 6 hrs from my provincial house, I do what I can to get where I need to be. Especially when vacations are concerned.
12) Music is the universal language and dancing is how you communicate- I love dancing and I love that I am in a country where people express themselves with music and dance. My dancing abilities surpass my Bemba speaking abilities and at every function I go to (even school meetings sometimes) I’m required to dance. The women in my village even know my favorite Zampop song! Here you dance to tell stories also. During Camp GLOW, the girls did a dance showing how to say no when a sugar daddy approaches you. It’s also fun to dance to my American music with people in the village; they don’t know how to dance to Jay-z or Adele.
Top 10 highlights of the last year
10) 4hr hike to Kalombo Falls, the 2nd tallest waterfall in Africa
9) Gratitude Sunday (every Sunday)
8) KITCHEN PARTY!!!
7) Grade 9 Debates- it was the first time anything like it had happed at my school
6) Seeing Victoria Falls
5) Northern Province house days/ Camp GLOW
4) HENDRIX!!!!
3) TGM on teaching and learning aids
2) Village Birthday Party
1) Safari in Botswana/ Petting a LION
It’s been a great year in every aspect. There have been some ups and downs for sure and they have made me stronger to say the least. I’ve had some success in teacher training in the form of leading teacher group meetings. I’ve seen and improvement in the kids as they were able to hold debates in English. People say it (teaching pupils in the rural areas) can’t be done but it can. These kids were able to pick topics, develop arguments, counter arguments and express themselves verbally in what is probably their 3rd or 4th language. The teachers now know it can be done and want to implement these themselves. I’ve developed relationships with the women in my village and I’m seen as a daughter to them.
This week I helped with training of the new volunteers and watched the volunteers 1 yr ahead of me leave. It’s been a mix of; look at where I was a year ago and look where ill be a year from now. I’ve learned a lot about a lot in the last year and hopeful I could help the new trainees learn something too. I also visited my host family from training this week. It was emotional in the sense that with some rough patches in my current village, I wish I could have this family near and it was comforting to know they still remember me and have room in their heart for me. It’s great that they still love me even though my Bemba has gotten worse. Someone from home told me in a letter that this is an amazing journey that most people only dream of. A journey of happy and sad times, of growth and learning and she was right. She also told me to enjoy my journey….and I’m doing just that. I’m excited for what the next year of service will bring. Hopefully it will bring another great Camp GLOW, a resource center full of books and computers, more condom demonstrations, more trips to beautiful places, more village shin-digs, less books in my personal library because I would have read them all, more Bemba and more growth, strength and happiness.
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