Bonjour bonjour! I'm in Conakry on "vacay" for spring break. It's been great to see all my friends here and the ride here wasn't bad either, my car kept all 4 of its wheels on this time. Yesterday I took a boat (or a huge canoe with a motor) to an island to spend the day on the beach. This canoe had boards missing and water kept seeping through. A guy had to use a big bucket to scoop water out throughout this 45 min. trip. It was very exciting and kind of scary. While we were traveling at massive speeds of 10 mph, we saw many old, abandon ships along the way. The beach was amazing and even "clean". We grilled hot dogs and had some fish and spent the whole day riding the waves. I'm in Conakry until tomorrow morning, but I just wanted to write a quick blog. Things are still going well at site. I did lose my phone service, apparently they turned the antenna in Labe so the other side of Labe now has service. This morning I went to the US Embassy. I'm working on getting a well for my school, so we will see how that goes. I hope all is well with you guys. I miss you!!
Happy Easter!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
These past three weeks have gone by so fast. I have been super busy, it's been great! The weather here has changed drastically. I went from wearing leggings, sweatpants, two pairs of socks, a t-shirt, long-sleeve tee, and a hooded sweatshirt to bed to wearing only a tank top. Granted in January and February, it was probably in the low 70's, but now, wow, is it hot. During the afternoon, I literally sweat through my clothes-it's very sexy.
But most afternoons I spend with the doctor of my village. He's great and I've been helping him out around the clinic. I also assist him on trips to the bush to aid in deliveries and around other clinics; and I thought I lived in the bush.
Man, have I seen some pretty crazy things. I even once got so light-headed that I had to sit down and put my head between my legs. The doctor asked if I was scared and I just told him that we do things differently in the states. I will spare you the details, but I'll tell you a quick story that happened last week. The doctor and I were working at a clinic in Lahoya when a man came in and said his wife was in labor. However, the doctor still needed to see other patients, one being a woman well into her 50's who had given birth a year ago through a C-section. So after he literally took out a wire from one of the three skin protrusions below her bell button, we were off. Well, we got there too late. The young woman had already given birth with the help of her mother. There was blood all over the hut florr and the woman was huddled in the corner while the baby was on the bed. The baby girl wasn't breathing so the doctor did a bunch of things, including holding the baby upside down, to get her circulation going. After he gave her CPR, she was fine and able to breath. It was quite the experience and I'm very grateful she was okay.
It has been so great working with the doctor. He is very patient with me and my French and he explains everything. Classes are going well. I've been getting nervous about preping my tenth grade class for the Brevet, a test they have to take before they go on to high school (-like). My English classes are very entertaining. For weeks they have been begging me to sing the Star Spangled Banner. I have come up with many excuses not to like I'm sick, my voice is gone, but this last week we were chased out of the classroom by a swarm of bees. It was like a scene right out of a scary movie. My favorite part of English class is when I let them ask me questions. They have to say "how do you say____ in English?" Well, after some students asked what girlfriend and boyfriend and pregnant were, I had a kid tell me "me girlfriend she no pregnant". I about lost it. I told him that's good, because we don't need anymore Thiernos running around. He is one of those kids ho is a troublemaker, but you can't help but like. He's very smart and does well in class, he wants to become a doctor.
I can only imagine what I sounded like (and still do) when I started learning French. I guess my most embarrassing story regarding my ability to speak French happened in October. I was talking to my tutor about how bad the roads are here- there really not roads- and he was asking me what my preferred mode of transportation was. I thought about how carsick I get here and how biking up a mountain isn't my favorite hobby and then I remembered reading about how some Peace Corps countries get horses so I said le chien. Thinking I had said something brilliant, I continued on why mentioning they were big and strong. It wasn't until later (after I also said if I could be any animal, I would be a chien), when Rachel (who was also there during my chien stories like how I use to ride les chiens when I was younger) and it came to me and I asked her was I talking about dogs? And she said, "more so than anything else." I asked her why noone had stopped me and she said they thought I was being serious. We laughed for days.
So things are still going very well. I really enjoy my girls club. This past week we talked about the relationship between STD's and HIV/AIDs. Anyway, I hope all is well with you guys and I miss you all very much! LOVES.
But most afternoons I spend with the doctor of my village. He's great and I've been helping him out around the clinic. I also assist him on trips to the bush to aid in deliveries and around other clinics; and I thought I lived in the bush.
Man, have I seen some pretty crazy things. I even once got so light-headed that I had to sit down and put my head between my legs. The doctor asked if I was scared and I just told him that we do things differently in the states. I will spare you the details, but I'll tell you a quick story that happened last week. The doctor and I were working at a clinic in Lahoya when a man came in and said his wife was in labor. However, the doctor still needed to see other patients, one being a woman well into her 50's who had given birth a year ago through a C-section. So after he literally took out a wire from one of the three skin protrusions below her bell button, we were off. Well, we got there too late. The young woman had already given birth with the help of her mother. There was blood all over the hut florr and the woman was huddled in the corner while the baby was on the bed. The baby girl wasn't breathing so the doctor did a bunch of things, including holding the baby upside down, to get her circulation going. After he gave her CPR, she was fine and able to breath. It was quite the experience and I'm very grateful she was okay.
It has been so great working with the doctor. He is very patient with me and my French and he explains everything. Classes are going well. I've been getting nervous about preping my tenth grade class for the Brevet, a test they have to take before they go on to high school (-like). My English classes are very entertaining. For weeks they have been begging me to sing the Star Spangled Banner. I have come up with many excuses not to like I'm sick, my voice is gone, but this last week we were chased out of the classroom by a swarm of bees. It was like a scene right out of a scary movie. My favorite part of English class is when I let them ask me questions. They have to say "how do you say____ in English?" Well, after some students asked what girlfriend and boyfriend and pregnant were, I had a kid tell me "me girlfriend she no pregnant". I about lost it. I told him that's good, because we don't need anymore Thiernos running around. He is one of those kids ho is a troublemaker, but you can't help but like. He's very smart and does well in class, he wants to become a doctor.
I can only imagine what I sounded like (and still do) when I started learning French. I guess my most embarrassing story regarding my ability to speak French happened in October. I was talking to my tutor about how bad the roads are here- there really not roads- and he was asking me what my preferred mode of transportation was. I thought about how carsick I get here and how biking up a mountain isn't my favorite hobby and then I remembered reading about how some Peace Corps countries get horses so I said le chien. Thinking I had said something brilliant, I continued on why mentioning they were big and strong. It wasn't until later (after I also said if I could be any animal, I would be a chien), when Rachel (who was also there during my chien stories like how I use to ride les chiens when I was younger) and it came to me and I asked her was I talking about dogs? And she said, "more so than anything else." I asked her why noone had stopped me and she said they thought I was being serious. We laughed for days.
So things are still going very well. I really enjoy my girls club. This past week we talked about the relationship between STD's and HIV/AIDs. Anyway, I hope all is well with you guys and I miss you all very much! LOVES.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Mombeya's Clinic
So I said I would try and blog everytime I got to a computer. Not a lot has happened in the last two weeks. I'm still teaching English twice a week after school, and I also started an English class for adults on Monday nights. This past week, during my girl's club, we talked about the realities and myths of HIV/AIDS. It went really well and I think the girls feel a little bit more informed. Also, Hy-Vee has donated jerseys and bags for the girls soccer team, so thank you Hy-Vee!
My principal's wife had her baby last Friday and Rachel and I went to the hospital/clinic in Mombeya to visit the baby girl. She was adorable and they called her a port; she really did look white! The doctor there wants me to work at this clinic with him and I said of course. For some reason, he wanted to take my blood pressure and weigh me. All this when he had a roomful of patients waiting. My blood pressure was low and I explained to him that I was in a food coma as I had just had two lunches, one from my host mother and the other from a sacrifice for the teachers of Mombeya. Which also, I explained, might be the reason I weighed so much! He then asked me if I wanted to watch him take the extra finger off this new born baby. Uh yea I would. So I helped hold down the baby while he cut the circulation off the extension flab of the pinkie with some string. Then he just snipped it right off. I was fairly impressed on how sterile and efficient he was.
So I've been pretty busy and things have been going well. Miss and love you all!
My principal's wife had her baby last Friday and Rachel and I went to the hospital/clinic in Mombeya to visit the baby girl. She was adorable and they called her a port; she really did look white! The doctor there wants me to work at this clinic with him and I said of course. For some reason, he wanted to take my blood pressure and weigh me. All this when he had a roomful of patients waiting. My blood pressure was low and I explained to him that I was in a food coma as I had just had two lunches, one from my host mother and the other from a sacrifice for the teachers of Mombeya. Which also, I explained, might be the reason I weighed so much! He then asked me if I wanted to watch him take the extra finger off this new born baby. Uh yea I would. So I helped hold down the baby while he cut the circulation off the extension flab of the pinkie with some string. Then he just snipped it right off. I was fairly impressed on how sterile and efficient he was.
So I've been pretty busy and things have been going well. Miss and love you all!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Another hitchhiker? Pick them up!
Wow, it's been a long time. I am so sorry. I really am going to try and blog more often (goal: blog every time I get to a computer). So a lot has happened since I last blogged, so I guess I will quickly summarize what has been going on with me here. During the month of November, I continued to teach and I can't tell you how much I love my students. They are so respectful and helpful, which from the stories I have hear from other volunteers, this is rare. I am very lucky in that sense. Also during November, my friend Rachem and I took a five hour bike ride (literally up a rocky mountain) to Labe. Rachel and I have trouble finding transportation in and out of our villages so I find myself riding my bike a lot, especially to Rachel's site where there are a couple missionary families who feed us well! This bike trip was quite the experience and I have to say the ride back was like a walk in the park. After Labe, we continued on in a bush taxi to Mali-Yembering to visit our friends. These villages are in the northern Fouta and are beautiful. It gets the coldest there, and in fact, during the month of January, beaucoup de cows died because of it and the "government" of Guinea was contacted. We all came together and celebrated Thanksgiving in Labe. It didn't really feel like Thanksgiving-I mean it was like 90 degrees, but the food was great and I got to spend it with my friends who really have become my family.
During the month of December, I barely got any sleep as I was so excited to go home for Christmas. However, my trip to Conakry to catch my flight was an adventure in itself. I biked to Rachel's site to leave in a bush taxi "early" Sunday morning. The mini-van-like taxi finally left around 10; however, we didn't get very far when my driver was pulled over and a fight broke out. Apparently, my driver was suppose to be driving a different car, but he took this van, which was packed with about 17 people with baggage packed high on the top and on top of that were more people, because a porto (white person) was in it. Finally, the fight was settled and we were off. I shared the passenger seat with one other person. Whenever I ride in a bush taxi, I am in the most uncomfortable and distorted positions. We weren't even half-way there when we were going down a slight incline and the wheel fell off. After we screeched to a stop, we all got out and they tried to put the wheel back on. That didn't work. So there I was, on the side of the road, it was about 4 in the afternoon, and I still had a long way to go. After about an hour and a half on the side of the road, I started getting nervous and I started pacing, thinking about my options. There wasn't any phone service, I was about 45 minutes away from the closest village, and I was being attacked by bugs. I started wondering what my chances were for hitchhiking and whether I could just put my hand out and wave someone down. As I'm contemplating all this, I see this guy drive by and he is by himself (usually all cars are loaded with people). I decided not to do anything; however, lucky for me, he came back 5 minutes later and asked if I was going to Conakry and offered me a ride. So I went from sitting in the hot sun and a crowded taxi to an air conditioned truck. I explained to him that my French was bad, but that I was so grateful he picked me up. It turned out he could speak English so this Cuban man took me all the way to the Peace Corp office free of charge, while also paying for my dinner. And how was home? Amazing! It was so good to see all my family and many of my friends. And the food wasn't too bad either! Thanks to all who came and saw me. I am so grateful for that trip home.
I made it back to Guinea safely, despite all the political drama and change here. We are now only on alert status which means I can continue doing what I came here to do. I am very glad things happened as "peacefully" as they did and that I wasn't here for the coup. Last month I attended a week long seminar in Mamou. Before I left, I went with my sous-prefet, who is also my host dad, to a small village 20 minutes from Mombeya. I was told that the US ambassador was going to be there. As soon as I stepped out of the car a video phone was on me. The people there formed two lines (think the movie Grease) and the sous-prefet, some doctors, and I (the only porto there) walked in between these lines where people were yelling and cheering. I was then seated up front and presented as the US ambassador, a representative of the US Embassy and apparently, I gave a large sum of money for them to build a hospital. I'm sure my mouth just dropped; however, I couldn't help but laugh. I was really just a face to them that represented this aide. So after we blessed the land they were going to build on and they gave me some nice indigo tissue, we had a huge feast and I even got to eat fries! Back to the seminar in Mamou. It was a great time. It was the first time my whole group was together again and it was so great to see everyone. The seminar was so we could get an idea for our secondary projects. I have started two thus far. I teach English now, twice a week. They love it! I wish they were as enthusiastic about learning chemistry as they are about learning English. This past week I had my first girl's club, which was available to all the girl's in my school. We went over the type of things they wanted to talk about and next week we are talking about HIV/AIDs. I'm also doing some hunting for soccer jerseys for the girls. And last night, I got the chance to talk to our SED APCD about the possibility of getting a well for the school. So I am very excited about all these projects.
Everything is going very well. I really love Mombeya and the people there. Also, my French is getting better and I've been able to communicate more with my students. I have even started learning some Pular so I can greet the older women in my village. They think it's hilarous when I try and speak Pular. I also got a cat last month. His name is Caty. He is very cute and he loves eating those huge lizards, so it's been nice having him around. My host mom finally had her baby. A boy, who they call my husband. He is adorable. And some other excited news: I have reception at my house now so that's been great. So my new number (yet again) is 62978615.
Thanks to everyone for staying in touch with me by e-mails, mail, and phone calls. I love hearing from all you guys. Anyway, I love and miss you all very much and I promise I will be better at blogging.
During the month of December, I barely got any sleep as I was so excited to go home for Christmas. However, my trip to Conakry to catch my flight was an adventure in itself. I biked to Rachel's site to leave in a bush taxi "early" Sunday morning. The mini-van-like taxi finally left around 10; however, we didn't get very far when my driver was pulled over and a fight broke out. Apparently, my driver was suppose to be driving a different car, but he took this van, which was packed with about 17 people with baggage packed high on the top and on top of that were more people, because a porto (white person) was in it. Finally, the fight was settled and we were off. I shared the passenger seat with one other person. Whenever I ride in a bush taxi, I am in the most uncomfortable and distorted positions. We weren't even half-way there when we were going down a slight incline and the wheel fell off. After we screeched to a stop, we all got out and they tried to put the wheel back on. That didn't work. So there I was, on the side of the road, it was about 4 in the afternoon, and I still had a long way to go. After about an hour and a half on the side of the road, I started getting nervous and I started pacing, thinking about my options. There wasn't any phone service, I was about 45 minutes away from the closest village, and I was being attacked by bugs. I started wondering what my chances were for hitchhiking and whether I could just put my hand out and wave someone down. As I'm contemplating all this, I see this guy drive by and he is by himself (usually all cars are loaded with people). I decided not to do anything; however, lucky for me, he came back 5 minutes later and asked if I was going to Conakry and offered me a ride. So I went from sitting in the hot sun and a crowded taxi to an air conditioned truck. I explained to him that my French was bad, but that I was so grateful he picked me up. It turned out he could speak English so this Cuban man took me all the way to the Peace Corp office free of charge, while also paying for my dinner. And how was home? Amazing! It was so good to see all my family and many of my friends. And the food wasn't too bad either! Thanks to all who came and saw me. I am so grateful for that trip home.
I made it back to Guinea safely, despite all the political drama and change here. We are now only on alert status which means I can continue doing what I came here to do. I am very glad things happened as "peacefully" as they did and that I wasn't here for the coup. Last month I attended a week long seminar in Mamou. Before I left, I went with my sous-prefet, who is also my host dad, to a small village 20 minutes from Mombeya. I was told that the US ambassador was going to be there. As soon as I stepped out of the car a video phone was on me. The people there formed two lines (think the movie Grease) and the sous-prefet, some doctors, and I (the only porto there) walked in between these lines where people were yelling and cheering. I was then seated up front and presented as the US ambassador, a representative of the US Embassy and apparently, I gave a large sum of money for them to build a hospital. I'm sure my mouth just dropped; however, I couldn't help but laugh. I was really just a face to them that represented this aide. So after we blessed the land they were going to build on and they gave me some nice indigo tissue, we had a huge feast and I even got to eat fries! Back to the seminar in Mamou. It was a great time. It was the first time my whole group was together again and it was so great to see everyone. The seminar was so we could get an idea for our secondary projects. I have started two thus far. I teach English now, twice a week. They love it! I wish they were as enthusiastic about learning chemistry as they are about learning English. This past week I had my first girl's club, which was available to all the girl's in my school. We went over the type of things they wanted to talk about and next week we are talking about HIV/AIDs. I'm also doing some hunting for soccer jerseys for the girls. And last night, I got the chance to talk to our SED APCD about the possibility of getting a well for the school. So I am very excited about all these projects.
Everything is going very well. I really love Mombeya and the people there. Also, my French is getting better and I've been able to communicate more with my students. I have even started learning some Pular so I can greet the older women in my village. They think it's hilarous when I try and speak Pular. I also got a cat last month. His name is Caty. He is very cute and he loves eating those huge lizards, so it's been nice having him around. My host mom finally had her baby. A boy, who they call my husband. He is adorable. And some other excited news: I have reception at my house now so that's been great. So my new number (yet again) is 62978615.
Thanks to everyone for staying in touch with me by e-mails, mail, and phone calls. I love hearing from all you guys. Anyway, I love and miss you all very much and I promise I will be better at blogging.
Friday, October 31, 2008
So I lost my number so I have a new one. It's 011224 63823518. Sorry I keep switching my number! Anyway, I'm in Labe for the weekend. We are celebrating Halloween. My friend Rachel and I bought soccer jerseys and socks, along with jellies, because that's what Guineans wear to play soccer. Should be a good time. Mombeya is going well. My tutor was very helpful and classes finally started October 20th after only one strike. So I've been teaching for two weeks and it's going great. I write down everything I say to insure "success"; however, my students have the hardest time understanding things even when it's right there presented to them on the board. I teach four classes and in my 7eme class, I have about 75 students. 75 students who just stare at me and hardly respond, it's a good time. I am enjoying it. The other day they were making fun of my french when I turned my back to write on the board so I turned around and started talking in English. Their mouths dropped and they were shocked. I just stood up there and talked for about 5 minutes until we all started laughing. We then had a quick English lesson on what I was drinking, lemonade, and how to make it. My house is still coming along slowly. I ordered shelves and drawers so I can finally unpack; still living out of my suitcases. I return to Mombeya Sunday, don't know how quite yet, so that should be interesting. Anyway, I'm home in less than two months...can't wait! Love and miss you guys all!!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Did you know...
that cows never sleep? Or so it seems. Instead of getting woken up by roosters, I hear the low, grumblings of hundreds of cows from 2 am on. Okay, maybe not hundreds. So I finally moved into my site and was there for a week when I was dragged out and sent to Conakry to be placed on medical hold. Last Monday night, right before 7, I looked down at my foot where earlier I had noticed an infected mosquito bite. My left foot was so swollen I couldn't believe I hadn't noticed it. So I hobbled, because at this point I realized why it was so painful to walk (I'm not a very observant person apparently), to the field where I get phone service and called my doctor. Unfortunately, my doctor was traveling and did not have service so I called the nurse. I explained to her that my foot and ankle were swollen and my toes were purple. She immediately told me to get to a hospital. I told her I was 10 hours away from the Conakry hospital and that it is almost 7 and I'm not allowed to travel at night (it gets completely dark around 7:15). So she said she was going to have a doctor in Conakry call me. So he calls me and he says come to the hospital. At this point I'm kind of starting to get worried, but it's getting dark out and I need to truck it home. I tell them that I will call the doctor tomorrow. I do and after a day he sends a car for me, because I wasn't responding to the antibiotics (only because I found out recently that I'm anemic). The trip takes two days so we stop in Labe for the night and the doctor calls me to see how I'm doing. I tell him I can't feel my toes, they're numb. He calls the doctor in Labe, who doesn't speak English, and I'm taken to...the local mechanic to see him. So I sit in a back of car while he pokes around on my foot, asks me if my lower stomach hurts, and pulls one of my eyelids down and says something about red blood cells. He says I don't need to be rushed to Conakry and that I can leave the next morning. So I do. The eight hour ride was rough and I think I got even more sick. As soon I got to Conakry, I went to the hospital. I expected to see it crowded, but there was only one other patient. The hospital, I'm told, is the third best in Conakry...and the good news kept coming. In all seriousness, the hospital was an old Red Cross hospital with American fixings. I saw a doctor, he confirmed what I had been thinking...that I was going to live...phew. So now the doctor and nurse have been caring for it, as well as my infected ears (yes, I apparently still get ear infections, but I really think this was a bad one, I mean I can't hear out of one of my ears!). I saw the doctor tonight and he can't really understand why it's not healing faster. I told him I am a "delicate" and "fragile" being and that I will be just fine. So I'm hoping to go back to my site on Wednesday. I will be missing the first two days of school, but everyone tells me that school won't begin until Monday, if then. They always have some sort of strike before it actually begins.
So let me tell you about my first week at site! It was rough. I walked into my house, after searching for my keys for about 20 minutes (my bad!), and the person who dropped me off asked, "Do you want to stay somewhere else tonight? This place looks awful." I was shocked. Of course I wanted to stay in my new house. I was finally there. So a bunch of people got to work and started cleaning. We didn't get much done. For the next three days I bruised both my hips sleeping on a broken down straw mattress, got rained on throughout the night, got eaten alive by bed bugs, got a wall painted when they said they would finish that day, realized my latrine area would never really be clean, paid to have screens made so I wouldn't be bitten and not getting them finished for another four days (after they saw I couldn't walk because of an infected bite), and found the source of beaucoup de mouse droppings (the roof). And really...I can't wait to go back. The people there are amazing, so generous. I found myself a host family that seem very nice. Basically, I would starve without them. (I still am kind of hungry all the time there, but does that really surprise anyone?) I have a gas stove, I just don't have a gas tank right now. My host mother is 24 and has a baby on the way!! I cannot wait. I look forward to meeting my students and finally doing what I came here to do...teach. I'm feeling better (this just in, I'm not anemic anymore!) and I can walk just fine, I'm even starting to hear out of my clogged ear!
I miss all you guys...two months till I come home for Christmas!
Oh and my new number is 001224 63979427. I get texts!
So let me tell you about my first week at site! It was rough. I walked into my house, after searching for my keys for about 20 minutes (my bad!), and the person who dropped me off asked, "Do you want to stay somewhere else tonight? This place looks awful." I was shocked. Of course I wanted to stay in my new house. I was finally there. So a bunch of people got to work and started cleaning. We didn't get much done. For the next three days I bruised both my hips sleeping on a broken down straw mattress, got rained on throughout the night, got eaten alive by bed bugs, got a wall painted when they said they would finish that day, realized my latrine area would never really be clean, paid to have screens made so I wouldn't be bitten and not getting them finished for another four days (after they saw I couldn't walk because of an infected bite), and found the source of beaucoup de mouse droppings (the roof). And really...I can't wait to go back. The people there are amazing, so generous. I found myself a host family that seem very nice. Basically, I would starve without them. (I still am kind of hungry all the time there, but does that really surprise anyone?) I have a gas stove, I just don't have a gas tank right now. My host mother is 24 and has a baby on the way!! I cannot wait. I look forward to meeting my students and finally doing what I came here to do...teach. I'm feeling better (this just in, I'm not anemic anymore!) and I can walk just fine, I'm even starting to hear out of my clogged ear!
I miss all you guys...two months till I come home for Christmas!
Oh and my new number is 001224 63979427. I get texts!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
"It's like an end of an era"
I'm finally done with training and have been spending a couple of nights in Conakry to relax by the pool (haha, right? We actually did get a pool party at the director's house, we even got burgers-not as good as my father's though). It's been a great couple of days, but I'm ready to move to my site. Tomorrow I leave and by Tuesday night, I will be all moved into my house. For the last 2.5 months, I have been living out of my suitcases, so I am definitely ready to finally unpack. I can't believe the time has come where I will be living on my own and teaching. Classes commence October 15th and I am very excited. I taught for three weeks during my training and loved it. It's hard to believe that I've been here for 2.5 months and that training is over. However, I will still have training in French, intense training for the next couple of weeks. They are sending a French tutor with me. We had a farewell ceremony before we left Forecariah and it was hard to say goodbye to my family, especially my sister. She was amazing; she cooked, cleaned, and took care of me while I was sick. This past weekend I have bought things for my house at the marche (which is a scary and very filthy place). I bought screens for my windows, locks, a gas stove (which I need to learn how to use, then I need to learn how to cook), cooking utensils (and I had to ask, what's that thingy called again? Oh, a spatula.), paint (I'm going with white), and other stuff to fill my empty, dark house with. I'm looking forward to putting my house together, meeting and integrating into my community, and finally begin teaching.
And now, on to some other news...I'm coming home for Christmas!! I'll be home December 20th and I return to Guinea January 1st. I'm very excited, and I can't lie, but I'm very excited to eat good food. I already know what I want as a first meal. Also, I want to say, thanks for all the e-mails and letters and for the birthday wishes. I can't tell you how grateful I am. Thank you! I miss you all and love you very much!!
And now, on to some other news...I'm coming home for Christmas!! I'll be home December 20th and I return to Guinea January 1st. I'm very excited, and I can't lie, but I'm very excited to eat good food. I already know what I want as a first meal. Also, I want to say, thanks for all the e-mails and letters and for the birthday wishes. I can't tell you how grateful I am. Thank you! I miss you all and love you very much!!
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