June/July Posts

July 3, 2008, Language Training- Today was day 4 of language training. I’ve already had 3 different teachers and 3 different groups, which makes it difficult for me to continue retaining the words. Each teacher has a diverse style. My first language teacher was by far the best; she understands that sometimes we need to see it before we can comprehend it…especially considering this language is hard to pick up. There are many exceptions to the grammar which we are just supposed to accept. However, that makes it hard to know when to change the verb or noun in order for it agree w/ the other. The other frustrating things about this language: it’s only been a written language since they gained their independence from South Africa in the 70’s, which means that some words were spelled in siSwati the way they sounded- for instance, orange is li-olintji (lee o lean g); and there were lots of British and Dutch influences to words, so sometimes there is no translation- you just say the word in English w/in your siSwati sentence. There aren’t Swazi words for some things we’d like to describe. For instance, they only have names from the colors black, white, red, green and yellow and yellow is rarely used. My language class jokes that all you have to do to speak siSwati is put an e in front of a word and an i or i/y sound and you’re speaking siSwati. I’m being completely serious. I’ve heard from many people, non PC as well, that siSwati is one of the toughest languages to learn. It is coming slowly.

Beginning my journey- Friday, June 27- we arrived at Emafini Christian Center to begin basic self-health training…what we can do to minimize our risk of contracting HIV, to decreasing our chances of flu, malaria, etc., getting lots of immunizations and our malaria pills, which made me sick at first. I’ve adjusted to them but am still having very vivid, weird dreams, which is a side effect. Oh joy!

July 7, 2008- It is getting easier and easier to live w/ my host family. I’m less frustrated than I was on Friday. We moved to our host family homestead on July 4^th. My make (ma-gay) aka mother came to pick me up from Ngwane College. She has 2 children- a boy (bhuti aka brother) and a girl (sisi aka sister). Her mother, whom they call gogo or grandmother is the head of the homestead; her husband died in 1985. She has 2 sons and 3 daughters. Both sons…my uncles (malume) or brothers…work away from home; they sometimes visit on the weekends. Both sisters live here as well and each has 2 children. The one just younger than my make works in a garment factory. The youngest is going to school to be a hairdresser. I said she could braid my hair when it is long enough to braid. The eldest brother’s wife lives here w/ her 3 youngest children. I believe the oldest child is away at school. The eldest brother is a teacher. The younger brother repairs tv and electronics. So that makes 9 kids on my homestead. My make basically runs the homestead; she directs all the activities, organizes and feeds everyone, as well as teaches pre-school to orphaned children.

My make was instructed to primarily speak siSwati to me. Friday, Saturday and Sunday were difficult for me. Every sentence my make said was met w/ a blank stare from me. At least now I’m beginning to recognize certain words; therefore more able to piece together the words in some semblance of recognition.

Today I cared a 10 liter bucket of water on my head from the water source- which is a black hose sticking out of the side of a hill…yes I’m confused about where it comes from but am too afraid to ask- to my homestead… a 5 minute walk. I did well until the very end. I also helped make, bobhuti & bosisi (bo is used in front of the noun when speaking of many) cut up firewood. They had gone to the forest to chop trees. Once bundled, they each carry a small bundle on their head back to the homestead where they saw it up into smaller pieces. I will go w/ them to the forest next time. Today I just got to help saw it. They use a 2-person saw. Make kept asking if I was getting tired. I think they worry that I tire easily from manual labor. I told them I grew up on a farm, where I use to help do lots of things like cooking, laundry, and outside chores. But I think Peace Corps sent them the idea that we don’t know how to do anything so they must teach us. Oh well. I just keep offering to help. The other day make asked if I knew how to sweep the floor. Yes, I said. She said, show me. So I swept the floor, and I think she was amazed. Although that was the same day she told me she would help me make my bed b/c I hadn’t done it right. I thought it looked the same afterwards! One of the first nights here she offered to help me w/ my bucket bath. YIKES! I laughed, and politely said no, I know how. But I was ready to scream inside…NO ONE is helping me bathe! I can do it myself.

July 12- Returned from my 2 day shadowing experience this afternoon. I shadowed Maggie who works in the Siphoweni (sp?) region in a town called Lukhetseni. She visits a clinic once a week to help them distribute ARV’s- Anti Retrovirals- but her primary job is helping the 2 sisters at Cabrini Mission- an hr khombi (taxi van) ride from her homestead. She works in the hostel aka orphanage directing activities for the children staying there. It was great to see the work she is doing, but even better to chat about life in the Swaz and life in Peace Corps. Justine- the girl who shadowed w/ me- and I asked her to NOT sugar coat things. Our staff has been conveniently leaving out information from our training. For instance, Swazis are not a communal society like we were told. We were also told they are the friendliest people in Africa. Well, they are superficially friendly, with fierce competition b/w chiefdoms and sometimes even homesteads. The king does not serve his people; they serve him. And they are even less of a communal culture than Americans. I’m not sure if my family is the exception- there isn’t a lot of real concern shown or displaces of affection exhibited but they seem genuinely concerned w/ the overall welfare of each other. And when I arrived home after being gone 2 days, my make said everyone was missing me. So I need to do a little more observing. My frustration is that I’m getting 2 stories, and I’m trying to decipher the truth.

They are also not telling us the truth about events surrounding the dissolve of parliament and the upcoming elections, which are scheduled to take place in about 60 days. There have been demonstrations and some murders surrounding the politics of those involved in the elections- the people murdered- about 6- are directly involved in the elections. I am safe, but would like to know the honest truth about the areas around me. Are they safe? Please do not be alarmed. I AM SAFE.

More about shadowing- being petted. The children at Cabrini Mission were very excited to have 3 white women in their presence…more light hair to pet, jewelry to scrutinize and white skin to kiss. Yes, I was kissed on the arm…I think the little girl wanted to know what it felt like….she did it twice. Smile. Something else interesting- the children drew themselves to us immediately. They only knew us as Maggie’s new friends but it didn’t take long for them to sit in our laps, pet our hair, hang on our arms. It seemed to me they were craving human touch.

July 14^th- Being sick and the cockroach on my stove. I started feeling sick last night. My family asked me to cook the cans of tuna they received from PC (Peace Corps dropped off 3 week’s worth of food to help our families feed us). So I decided to make tuna rice casserole. I sautéed onions, added hard boiled eggs, milk and tuna- I didn’t have a lot to work with. I heated then added it to the rice they had kindly precooked for me. Then they made another pot of rice to add to it, completely diluting the rest of the ingredients. Oh well. After I heaped everyone’s bowl full, my make brought me cooked spinach to add to the bowls, and then cooked butternut squash! And after I added that, they brought me a chicken leg they saved for me from lunch. I thought I was cooking supper?! My plate of food was enormous! And I don’t think they really liked the casserole. The children gobbled it down like they do any food they are given- I think, sadly, they are perpetually hungry. My make and her bosisi said the food was nice and thanked me twice. But the look on their face when there were eating it was not one of enjoyment. It was prolly similar to my first sour porridge experience….. I will choke this down as best I can w/ a neutral face! So needless to say I went to bed feeling sicker to my stomach, and woke this morning feeling very yucky. I didn’t eat much all day and my teacher aka thishela was very concerned about me b/c I took a nap during lunch. He insisted I call the Medical Officer. She didn’t seem concerned. After class Jarrod, Jaclyn and Melissa came to my place to make lasagna. I actually felt hungry when we were preparing it, so I think I’m over the worst. We took it to Serena’s place and all Village C aka Lebovu (it is reb\d; bovu is red) shared their dinners together. When I came home to clean up the mess I found a cockroach on my gas stove. YUCK! I’ve seen others in my hut and I have to get over that fact that they will invade a space w/out discretion, but it’s so gross to actually come across them in your space…esp. on your cookware!

Mbabane Swaziland

I'm in the Swaz. We arrived by charted bus to Mbabane this afternoon. It took an hour to cross the border from South Africa into Swaziland. As we approached the border, and continued to travel toward our destination, the scenery changed from brown, desolate vegetation to lush green trees and fields. The one really great thing i saw in SA was an irrigation system... i think it was a Valley. I thought about what my dad would think about the farming practices. And in J'burg we saw palm trees- they are huge! Oh the other really great thing....cattle roam free along the roadside. We had to slow down a few times to avoid hitting ones that wondered onto the highway. Oh speaking of the highways, it's the British system; everything is opposite.

I'm feeling a little off b/c of the malaria pills. Kinda dizzy since tuesday, and last night i started having really weird dreams....apparently both are normal. GREAT!

The current volunteers were over-eager to meet us. A little overwhelming for me after traveling 2 days on a plane and then 4 hours by bus. They launched into conversation as sooner as we got off the bus. YIKES! Maybe they just wanted fresh conversation w/ new people.

My group is growing on me. I really like my roomie...she's lived in Mpls the last 6 years, is a Med Tech, vegetarian, loves bike riding, and it very laid back. We've enjoyed sharing our sarcasm. The rest of the group is super out-going and mostly extroverts. Not a bad thing unless you're an extreme introvert like me! Nonetheless, we all seem to be getting along.

My adapters and converters don't work here...i bought the wrong ones, so i need to sign off for now and save some battery space for tomorrow. I get to walk around Mbabane tomorrow w/ my walk-around allowance of 360 Emalangeni...i believe the conversion is 6 to 1....and that has to last me 2 weeks! Hopefully i'll be able to find the right outlet adapter.

This is still a surreal trip. It hit me at border crossing this i was actually in Africa. One day at a time, right?! Hugs, Love and Namaste

Staging, Day 2

I arrived in Philly yesterday and immediately started orientation. Allota information all at once but it was good. Mom, Dad, Sharon and Annette dropped me off at the airport yesterday morning around 5. Good to be sorta out of it, tired, groggy so i wasn't too emotional...making leaving harder. I hugged my dad first, and my mom last. I noticed later, as I was wiping tears away, that her perfume was on my shirt. Her scent, Skin Musk, got me to the Milwaukee airport feeling some semblence of home still with me. She told me to go with God's love; i go with her love, and dad's love, my family's love, my friends' love. More about my fellow trainees later....but so far so good.

Final's Week

It's the second day of final's week! Yipee!!!! I LOVE final's week b/c it means the end is almost near. I've always felt that way...even when i was taking classes. I just loved final's week and all it's drama, stress, cramming, late nights, coffee overloads. It all built up to successes, relief, lightness of spirit, spring fever, finality.

Including today, i have 9 days left at USD. OMG. Since April, time has escaped me. Seems like yesterday was just April 15th and this weekend had to have been April 1st. Right?! The other day i was walking downtown to rent some movies, and i was thinking about how easy it would be to stay here. I absolutely love my apt, but i bet i could afford a cute little house that's ALL mine. And it's great to walk or ride my bike downtown or to campus in a matter of minutes. Jones Food Center is my haven, loaded w/ organic and all-natural foods and Mister Smith's breads! To die for. Vermtown is lovely in the summer....serene, quiet, lazy. Carey's back porch patio is the place to be any day of the week...or night for that matter. No pushing your way to the bar, and every friday happy hour includes music! I plant a garden filled w/ veggies and loaded with flowers. I could participate in the Farmers Market. My job at USD would be mine for as long as i'd want.

But i wouldn't be happy, not completely happy anyway. I would continually wrestle w/ my soul, the need to do something more, to fulfill my passion for alternative healthcare, the desire to travel and learn and explore. And that's why i know i'm making the right decision. As scary as the unknown will be....as overwhelming as this process has been....as sad as i'll be for leaving those dear to my heart and the familiar....all those things pale in comparison to what i'll be doing, and who i'll become, and what i'll do w/ that knowledge once i return.

I'm struggling with saying good-bye. But the great thing about saying good-bye is knowing i'll say hello again really soon!

Getting prepared

So i think i'm fairly prepared...item-wise...for my upcoming trip. I have a solar powered battery charger that also charges cells phones, iPods and the like. Very cool! I have a Tivoli radio, which will serve as externals speakers for my iPod and claims to bring in major radio stations. It's cobalt blue w/ cherry wood. I have a voltage transformer and converter set...ya know for my hair dryer and straightening iron! (hehehe) I have work clothes, casual clothes, work-out clothes, dressy clothes. I'm taking my y0ga mat for sanity. My camera will capture my new home, neighbors and friends. A journal for ocassional lunatic rantings, frustrating days, and memorable, satisfying moments.
The thing i'm most struggling with: What shoes do i bring and which ones stay behind, getting packed away and never seeing my feet for 2 years? Dilemmas! I bought a pair of Keen sandals. I'm taking my running shoes. They recommend a good pair or 2 of casual walking shoes. Check. Check. Check. But what about going-out shoes? And the shoes I'll wear w/ my dress for the Swearing-in ceremony? And the shoes for social gatherings? I know, the drama! In all honesty, i'm (mostly) kidding. Okay, so i have a guilty pleasure for fashion and a small obsession for shoes. Really, i'm worried about what pair of cute, sexy shoes to take w/ me even though i say it's important. Can you say distration?! Have you noticed i'm NOT talking about if i'm mentally or emotionally prepared for this trip. Well....i'm saving that for another day.

So I'm Employee of the Month?

It's kinda comical.....oh and i don't like my picture. Does anyone ever?
http://usd.edu/press/news/news.cfm?nid=1301&uid=user

Gramms

My gramma died on monday evening. She was 96 years young, and up until about 2 years ago, was still spunky and spirited as anyone. She lived an inspiring life...living it by example, never wanting praise for anything. She raised 11 beautiful children, burying one. She lost her husband over 20 years ago but never seemed broken by it. Margaret was tough, a stiff upper-lipped Norweigan. She worked when she was tired; she sewed even though her fingers were worn; she made feasts for her family when there was little to put on the table; she believed in education, advocating her children's schooling, while fighting judgement for her decisions. I knew her as a go-getter, a feminist in her own way, a tireless gramma, a lover of life, a lover of folks dear to her heart. I never knew her to be fearful; she just did what needed to be done because it needed to be done. She lived in the present. She lived in the now, while not forgetting where she came from or the people from her past who helped shape her. Growing up, I aspired to live my life the way she lived her's: to be a hard worker without complaint, to sacrifice for family, to remain physically and mentally active, to live life every day, to love life every day. And from her example, I learned it was okay to be who I wanted to be; it was okay do what I wanted to do...to do what made me happy. Margaret had a remarkable soul. I will take her with on my life journey, to help guide me, to give me comfort, to continue inspiring me. I won't need to miss her for she lives on in her children, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is alive in my heart and memories. She leaves quite a legacy, one I'm proud to belong to.