tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90379549351257426032024-03-21T12:52:38.945-07:00A Namibian ExperienceI am Because We Are Crystal Brighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12687357669840197372noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037954935125742603.post-35813195761172321952014-10-16T01:19:00.001-07:002014-10-21T02:43:29.182-07:00Library<center style="text-align: left;">
Hello there, lovely readers! </center>
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If you talk to me on a semi-regular basis, you've already heard about this because I won't shut up about it. You guys can still enjoy the pictures though.... if you don't talk to me, first of all, you probably should, and second...Enjoy :)</center>
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Several months ago I decided to start a small "library" at my after school organization <a href="http://anamibianexperience.blogspot.com/2013/06/kayec.html">KAYEC</a>. I got this idea because my kids kept asking me for story books to read and I had nothing to give them. Those who know me know that approximately 80 percent of my life is spent with my nose in a book. It's my heart and soul. As such, this simply broke my heart. No child should have to want for something to read. </center>
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So the search began. I started researching Namibian companies who might be interested in donating as I don't really believe in foreign donations (seems odd i'm sure, as i'm a Peace Corps Volunteer, but maybe that's a blog for another time). I didn't have much luck. Eventually, I decided I was wasting precious time and decided to dip into the vast well of resources my American heritage offers. A fellow volunteer told me about a volunteer run organization called <a href="http://www.darienbookaid.org/">Darien Book Aid</a> that will send one box of books to Peace Corps Volunteers. I contacted them and after a few emails everything was sorted. </center>
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It took a couple months for the books to arrive. So, while we waited, my co-worker and I had to figure out where we were going to put the books once they arrived. I wanted to keep them in a cabinet of some kind to further ensure their safety. At the time, we did have a cabinet in the office but it just had a bar in it for hanging clothes; there were no shelves. With the help of a few local workers and just a few more Namibian dollars, we were able to have some shelves built and put in! I didn't have the foresight to take a before picture, but here's an after! </center>
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Also, in the meantime, I created a "committee" to "run" the "library" lol The committee consists of three girls who are almost always at our program. They are in charge of checking the books in and out everyday. I decided to make it a "library" with a check in/out style because I wanted to ensure the books would stay at our center and wouldn't wonder off. So, everyday the books that are checked out, should also be checked back in. The kids can re-check out the same book the next day to continue reading, if need be. Check out my little librarian leaders at work :)</center>
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These kids were SO excited the day the books came in. I didn't tell them they were coming so it was a complete surprise :)</div>
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Everyday. EVERYDAY, these kids come to our center and read. They are so passionate about it and it just makes my heart melt. Even though it's not very many books; we barely have more than one shelf, this has definitely been my favorite project so far. </div>
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The three girls who run the library have even donated a few of their personal books from home to our little cause. I was uncertain of accepting them at first. I know they can't have many books at home, so I asked if they were sure; didn't they ever want to read them again? They answered, "Miss, we want other kids to be able to read them too." yeah. These kids are my world. </div>
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Crystal Brighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12687357669840197372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037954935125742603.post-84155228004748584822014-09-26T03:33:00.000-07:002014-09-26T03:41:02.970-07:00Holiday Adventure<br />
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**Disclaimer** </center>
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This blog post contains pictures of a semi-nude nature. It is the way of the Himba tribe women and is purely cultural. If semi-female nudity is offensive or inappropriate to your beliefs please choose another blog post to enjoy. </center>
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Ahoy! </center>
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In August, I was a facilitator for a week long workshop called Camp GLOW (Girls and Guys Leading Our World). It was an absolute joy to be apart of. If you want more info on the basics of GLOW check out one of my earlier blogs by clicking <a href="http://anamibianexperience.blogspot.com/2014/06/dont-you-wanna-glow-little-brighter.html">here</a>. Check out this <a href="https://vimeo.com/97240861">video</a> too. It will without a doubt give you goosebumps. I can't put into words the effect this camp had on the kids and facilitators, alike. Kids who were shy and timid when they arrived, blossomed into opinionated, self-confident individuals. Many were teary eyed and distressed to leave the Camp on the last day. It was a week of 80 learner's and 30 facilitators all growing, learning and loving together. Pure beauty. </center>
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After the camp ended, I went on a small vacation with my friend and her parents. We went all the way up north, almost to Angola, to her village, Onahmanama. While there, we attended a traditional Owambo wedding. It was definitely an amazing cultural experience. Then we headed West to Ruacana Falls. As it's the dry season, the falls where almost completely dried up, but we were able to tour a traditional Himba Village and go white water rafting.</center>
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Here are some pictures of the Himba family we were able to meet!!</center>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Himba! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Himba Hut!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad and baby! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole family! Also: Those wooden things in the front of the frame are pillows. Only the man is allowed to use them as a sign of status/respect</td></tr>
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Random Himba fact #36: When Himba women come of age their front two teeth are knocked out and it's viewed as a sign of beauty. Ouch</center>
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And Here are a couple pictures of my me and my friend gaining some arm muscle on the rapids! </center>
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Okay ladies and gents. That's all for now. be looking for another blog post in the near to immediate future. </center>
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Crystal Brighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12687357669840197372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037954935125742603.post-26244760496629643982014-07-13T08:57:00.000-07:002014-07-13T09:08:02.510-07:00World Hunger<center class="tr_bq">
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Many of you know by now that I'm considering extending my Peace Corps Service for an extra year. In an effort to better explain my rationale behind this decision I've written the following .... essay? short story? I'm not sure what it is. I've written a few of them on various aspects of my life over the years but I thought this one needed to be shared. I hope this helps you understand what this decision truly means to me. </center>
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World Hunger</center>
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Have you ever felt like you HAD
to do something? Like deciding to do it was the RIGHT thing? Like you were meant to do it? Like every minuscule moment and every important memory in your life was specifically designed to prepare you for this undeniable destiny? Like the elaborate story of your life was written long before your being was ever conceived of and you've finally figured out the plot? Like every heart break you thought you'd never survive, every devastatingly disappointing experience, every laugh, every tear, every piece of thread you've had to use to stitch yourself back together again was all a stone on the winding path you were designed to walk? </blockquote>
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It's like that. I've seen where my labyrinth is trying to lead me;<br />
where it NEEDS me to go. </blockquote>
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Most people have this feeling of unwavering certainty about more conventional life goals: marriage, children, 2 car garage, etc. I've never been certain about any of those. For me, the feeling is like an instant gratification telling me I'm on the right path after I've decided to pursue something. My feeling of undeniable certainty allowed me to feel conviction in my decision to drop out of high school. It gave me the courage to get my GED and start community college. It gave me the knowledge that I needed to get a degree in social work. It told me I'd need to succeed in achieving my master's degree. It led me to Gamma Phi Beta. It was there, lighting a fire deep inside my gut, the first time I heard about Peace Corps. It slowly kindled the embers over the years until the time came to apply for the
program and the fire surged back to life with a vengeance. Now, as I contemplate extending a third year in Peace Corps, the feeling of absolute certainty is a roaring inferno consuming my entire being. </blockquote>
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Intense, right? </blockquote>
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My dad once told me he felt his children had great potential to be someone of grand importance one day. I think he was right. The ultimate meaning behind the creation of my existence is to make a difference. I believe my life's battle will be forged in the name of oppression. It has become my responsibility to lift shield and sword for women who are beaten for their individuality rather than valued for their brilliance; to give voice to children's cries of pain and hunger; to unscrew the cap of the tightly bottled screams of fear inside gay men and women. The world is hungry and so am I- for equality. </blockquote>
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I want to show women what it means to be independent and successful. I want to take a child's hands in my own and show them their voice matters and they
can be heard. I want to teach them how to make a difference; that they aren't limited to their village. I want to teach men how beautiful it can be to work with women when they are respected and valued. It's my passion to join the global fight for human rights. </blockquote>
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I know these battles can, and need to be fought back home. The simple fact is that these people need me more. My impact reaches a far greater distance here. All of this is not to say I've made the decision already. I still have a lot of variables to consider. All I'm trying to portray is the intense feeling that I'm MEANT to stay. </blockquote>
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I hope that helps some of you to understand a little better.<br />
Until next time, Readers!<br />
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Crystal Brighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12687357669840197372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037954935125742603.post-40309259938872552612014-06-10T12:28:00.000-07:002014-06-10T12:47:31.746-07:00Don't you wanna GLOW a little brighter?! <center style="text-align: left;">
Sup fellow humanoids, </center>
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This year I will be a facilitator at Camp GLOW. What is Camp GLOW you ask? (I'm so glad you asked) </center>
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GLOW stands for Guys and Girls Leading Our World. Camp Glow is a week long camp for Namibian children aged 12-18 hosted every year by Peace Corps Namibia, <a href="http://www.fawena.org/">Fawena</a> and <a href="http://kayectrustnamibia.wordpress.com/">KAYEC</a> (the NGO I work with here). Everyday of the camp focuses on a different theme: Character building day, team building and gender awareness day, health day, future day, leadership day (this is the day I will be co-facilitating), and self discovery day. The camp will be held in Windhoek during the August school holiday and will include trips to parliament and the University of Namibia. </center>
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80 children are chosen from all over Namibia to partake in this one week extravaganza. The children are chosen based on nominations from Peace Corps Volunteers and the other stakeholders. (Seeing as I work with over 300 hundred children A DAY, it was really, REALLY difficult for me to narrow my nominations down to my 5 allotted slots. heart wrenching, it was.) Most kids in Namibia haven't even been out of the village/town they were born in. They may very well be natural leaders from birth, but if no one notices and gives them a chance, they'll never be able to put that fundamentally innate charisma into play for the betterment of Namibia as a whole. At GLOW these kids are given an opportunity. Maybe THE opportunity they need to make a difference. </center>
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Now, like most things wonderful, Camp GLOW is made possible in a large part due to donations. These donations cover everything from food, materials, and accommodation to transportation, admin and much more. Unfortunately we have not quite reached our goal for donations this year. </center>
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But no fear! YOU can help :) </center>
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And quite truthfully anything is useful (1 USD = approx. 10 NAD)</center>
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If you're interested in making a contribution click this heart -----> <a href="http://campglownamibia.weebly.com/support-us.html"><3</a></center>
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If you'd just like to read up on your <a href="http://campglownamibia.weebly.com/">GLOW</a> knowledge. </center>
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And don't forget to check out GLOW on FB: </center>
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and KAYEC: </center>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kayec-Trust/219803271403495">https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Kayec-Trust/219803271403495</a></center>
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Fact! It's been statistically proven that cool people watch this video:</center>
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Peace, Love and Cheese. The holey trinity. </center>
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(see what i did there... Swiss humor. I win) </center>
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Crystal Brighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12687357669840197372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037954935125742603.post-34729501488127603092014-05-28T01:47:00.001-07:002014-05-28T01:47:32.175-07:00Ignorance and Influence<center style="text-align: left;">
Hey hippies, </center>
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so this post is going to be more of a rant than anything else because this is about something that drives me crazy almost every single day over here. </center>
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The word Nigger. or Nigga. </center>
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Yes. I used the actual words. I know that's asking for a beating, but A) I'm in Africa and B) I use those terms because those are the terms my kids (and the general community) over here use so often because they don't understand the difference. Because no one ever taught them what the word means in the first place. </center>
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As Americans we don't realize the effect we have on other people/cultures/behaviors around the ENTIRE world. I never realized this until I came here, but it's really unbelievable how far our influence can stretch, whether we mean for it to or not. </center>
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Now, I understand the importance behind the black communities in America taking back the word and making it their own. I mean... I understand as much as a white, straight, woman who's never been suppressed enough to have to take back a negative term and make it my own can. But these kids and communities over here just see our movies and see our celebrities saying these things and they have no idea what it means. They're blind to the significance and the weight of the history behind what's being said. All they know is that the cool black guy in the movie who they look up to says it so it must just be something that cool people say. </center>
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We are literally breeding ignorance in other countries because we're ignorant of our own influence. </center>
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Whenever I hear someone say it over here, I simply ask, "Do you know what the word means?" The answer is always no. I then begin to give them a short history lesson on the weight that word contains, which is so hard to sum up in a few short minutes. </center>
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I know this is something that will most likely never change. But if you're a Black American (or even a really brave/stupid non-Black American) who uses that word, next time you say it stop and think about the people on the other side of the globe and the ignorance that's there because of us. </center>
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Rant over. Just think about it. </center>
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Ps. As I'm about to post this blog a group of Namibian 8th graders comes into my English class room saying, "what up, niggers" and everyone laughs. It breaks my heart. It really does. </center>
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Crystal Brighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12687357669840197372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037954935125742603.post-74337532379306364192014-05-16T09:27:00.003-07:002014-05-16T09:56:03.339-07:00From high school drop out to Peace Corps Volunteer<center style="text-align: left;">
Recently, one of my good friends over here (Amy Farrah Fowler from the previous post) heard my story and declared that it needed to be shared. </center>
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I never planned on college after high school. Honestly, I didn't think there was any way I would ever have the skills to actually graduate. I truly thought I wasn't smart enough. I figured trying would only end up as a waste of time, waste of money, and in the end it would steal the meager amount of confidence I couldn't afford to lose. However, I've always been somewhat of a forward thinker and around my junior year of high school I started doing some serious searching for what my life would be once I crossed the stage. I've always had a passion for traveling and absorbing other cultures, so naturally I was looking into working on cruise ships/airlines.</center>
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It was around this time my dad mentioned the Peace Corps to me. I still don't know if this was a strategic move on his part or just blind luck. You see, education is a strong passion of my father's and he has always encouraged his kids to go as far as they can where education is concerned. I think it was really hard for him to hear that I didn't even want to try after high school. Once I started researching the Peace Corps and attended a conference hosted by a recruiter who was a previous volunteer himself, I learned that (in most cases) you have to have a degree. I didn't know it at the time, but learning that information would ultimately change the course of my life. </center>
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Que the drama. Seeing as this story is set in high school, you didn't think it would be anything other than dramatic, did you? Well, I hope you're ready. </center>
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My sophomore year I joined our school's gymnastic team, despite the evil hag of a coach I had to endure. This woman was truly the second most awful human being I've ever met (and believe me, I've met my fair share of monstrous human beings). She actually encouraged us to be anorexic. Making snide comments about our weight. Like you're not already self-conscious enough as a high school female?? I remember one time, one of my teammates asked her how you get rid of love handles. Can you believe the complete waste of human skin said, "push away from the table"?! I repeat: hag. </center>
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Anyway. Now that you understand how truly awful she was, I can continue. The first semester of my senior year the hag started spreading rumors about me. I have this genetic skin condition that causes sores from time to time. it was especially awful during adolescence, obviously. Puberty is a cruel mistress. Well the hag took it upon herself to go to the school counselor and they collectively decided that I must get a note from a doctor that I'm not contagious before I'm allowed to come back to school. Lovely. I'm standing in line at lunch time to get my last homecoming dance ticket when I see my step mom walking toward me with the counselor in her shadow. Naturally, I'm completely confused. I end up being out of school for three days so I can get an appointment and get a piece of paper stating something that we all already knew. Hag. </center>
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Once I was deemed eligible to return to class, I learned that while I was out the hag decided to tell the rest of the gymnastics team some very disturbing, very untrue things about me. Like I have staph infection (this part was actually kind of true). Like I'm highly contagious. Like if I were to get on a piece of gymnastics equipment and then one of my teammates got on the same equipment, they could get staph from me. and it could KILL THEM. Seriously. Awesome. I immediately went to the office and called my dad. He was LIVID. </center>
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I soon became a social pariah. I mean... the other kids literally thought I could kill them. This is not what I needed. I was already struggling with severe depression. Great. Now I'm the best super villain that's never existed and can kill people by simply existing. hag. </center>
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I'll save you from the long drawn out process, but after much deliberation and consideration, my dad made a deal with me. He said that he would sign the dropout papers if I got my GED and at least made it through one semester of college. We shook on it. </center>
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The next day my dad and I were at the school talking to the principal and filling out the papers. Dad wanted to sue the school, the hag and everyone involved but I told him not to worry about it. We didn't really have the money for that kind of court case anyway. And besides. I'm a true believer in Karma. </center>
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When I went back to turn in my books I went by the hag's office to pick up my gymnastics t-shirt that I had already paid for. Can you believe the hag hugged me. She actually friggin hugged me. I should have pulled her close and whispered into her ear, "I've infected you. You will die in three days." Idiot. </center>
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I dropped out of high school in November 2006. I got my GED and was enrolled in community college by January 2007. In 2011 I crossed the stage for the first time with my Bachelor's of Social Work. In 2012 I made my second walk for my Master's of Social Work. I was officially accepted into the Peace Corps program in December 2012 and was sworn in as a volunteer on May 7, 2013.</center>
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Dreams do come true. </center>
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Crystal Brighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12687357669840197372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037954935125742603.post-20227739574123828192014-05-15T03:03:00.001-07:002014-05-15T03:19:35.385-07:00FINALLY! Another post...<center style="text-align: left;">
I know it's been forever. Sorry guys. I've really been unmotivated to write in my blog lately. I"m working on it. buuut I've also been pretty busy. The end of term 1 for the learners that I'm teaching was stressful, but then I got a whole MONTH off. I spent most of that in bed. Naturally. However, I did spend one week of it on vacation with another lovely volunteer who I will hence forth refer to as Amy Farrah Fowler. Just because I want to and I'm only slightly obsessed with The Big Bang Theory. </center>
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Most of my vacations end up being ridiculous and full of stories and this one was no different. We decided to rent a car. A manual car. In Namibia. This may not be a big deal to you, but neither myself, nor Amy Farrah Fowler have driven any car in over a year and neither one of us is well versed in the art of driving a manual. Not to mention many of the Namibian roads we were on were either complete sand or gravel. Our car, who I affectionately named George so I could curse at it when I couldn't get him into gear, was approximately 5 centimeters off the ground. and definitely was NOT a 4x4. Needless to say. We got stuck. </center>
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To top it off on the very first day of our trip Amy Farrah Fowler left her wallet in a taxi in Windhoek (the Capitol). It had all of her money, all of her credit cards, and her driver's license. Awesome. This means that I had to drive George for (almost, Shhhh) the entirety of our trip. ugh. At the same time Amy Farrah Fowler left her wallet, I also left my cell phone. Well, one of them, anyway. I eventually was able to get in contact with the taxi driver and ended up getting my phone back buy Amy Farrah Fowler's money and ID were long gone. Shizah. </center>
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Although, the trip started off kind of rocky, we ended up having a blast. We were able to go to Luderitz ( a southern coastal town in Namibia) and enjoy a Crayfish Festival. Since I hail from Louisiana (holla) I was unbelievably excited for this. However, I didn't realize that there is, in fact, a difference in Crawfish and Crayfish. Crayfish are HUGE! and delicious. </center>
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While in Luderitz Amy Farrah Fowler and I were also able to go on a cruise and see the legendary AFRICAN PENGUINS! </div>
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After Luderitz we headed to Sossusvlei, to climb the sand dunes. That is HARD work guys. Once we made it to the top Amy Farrah Fowler and I tried to do some yoga and sweet jumps. Amy Farrah Fowler was much better than me.... Check it</div>
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Like a new born bird trying to fly... </div>
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We also went to Swakopmund (another coastal city of Namibia where I went skydiving last year). While there, we went sand boarding! I really think I'm getting into extreme sports :) Although, I was complete rubbish at sand boarding. Oh well. </div>
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Other than that, our trip consisted of a lot of cursing and stressing out while trying not to stall George on a hill, laughing at my imaginative threats, just laughing in general, losing money, losing phones, breaking phones, losing almost all my underwear (that sound R rated but I promise it's PG), eating sooo much good food. Mexican included WHAAAA! yeah. Me singing a lot. I do that. about random things. Kind of like Marshall from How I Met Your Mother if you're cool enough to watch that. but yeah. That's my life. </div>
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In other news just really quick. The second term has started and it looks like I'm going to have a lot less behavioral issues from my Grade 8's and 9's (YAYAYAYAY). This is in part due to some positive reinforcement programs I've started in my classroom. </div>
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Also if you've read through this slew of crap to this point, another project I'm looking into is getting some stuff for my kids at KAYEC. I want to get a grant for story books (teen/young adult, non-fiction), sports equipment (soccer balls, pumps, etc), and games/puzzles for ages 12-18. I have to have so much of the materials donated, enter the reason for this paragraph. If you are interest in donating anything just email me: Raelyn89@gmail.com. Thanks a heap :)</div>
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Toodles ya'll. </div>
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Crystal Brighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12687357669840197372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037954935125742603.post-30976175546158205302014-03-15T06:34:00.001-07:002014-03-15T06:38:39.615-07:00First Interviews! <center style="text-align: left;">
Matisa! (What's up)</center>
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So, this interview idea just keeps growing and growing. Now, I'm thinking about taking a video of all the interviews and putting that together with all the other video's and some pictures I have to make a cultural documentary/movie thing. This means that this little project has now turned into something that will be ongoing throughout the rest of my service. </center>
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Also, instead of just interviewing a few people, I think I've decided to get input from different age generations, as well as different tribes in order to compare the answers. My town has four predominant tribes (Owambo, Damara, Hererro, and Nama). So, basically, I'm just going to interview every person I know and some that I don't know. Over the past two weeks I started gathering the different questions I wanted to ask. Friday I interviewed three youth; two are 14 years of age and one is 15. Two were from the Owambo tribe and one from the Damara tribe. Since the internet doesn't really allow me to upload their videos, here are the questions I asked and a compilation of their answers. Enjoy! </center>
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* The first answers are from a 14 year old male who is from the Damara tribe.</center>
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* The second answers are from a 15 year old male who is from the Owambo tribe.</center>
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* The third answers are from a 14 year old female who is from the Owambo tribe. </center>
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</center>
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<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What
is your definition of “culture?”<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Groups that do things that are passed
on to other generations<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Groups of people with similarities<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Similarities in how a group of people
act and what they do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="2" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How
do you define “family?”<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Group that cares, support and love one
another. They do not have to be blood related. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A group made by two people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A group of people from the same blood. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="3" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Who
holds the most “status” in your family?
Why?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mother because she is the “bread
winner” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The owner of the house, or whoever is
the eldest in room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Male’s, whoever is the eldest, whoever
owns the house<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="4" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What
are typical foods served in the culture? <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-Porridge with milk and sugar with any
type of meat, usually chicken, donkey, or goat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-Porridge with soup and spinach<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-Porridge with spinach and chicken.
Mopane worms are often eaten, also. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(porridge is made from maize meal and
cooked by adding it to boiling water. The end product is something similar to
plain, thick grits)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="5" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Are there any typical styles of dress
(clothing)? <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Women wear long dresses with many
colors in a square pattern while men just wear long trousers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Women wear a dress/top that is red/pink
and the men wear springbok animal skin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Women wear the traditional pink, black,
and white dress and men just wear whatever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="6" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> What do people do for fun?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sit, talk and tell stories. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Celebrate by clapping and dancing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They dance and celebrate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="7" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How
do you define success?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you achieve your goals<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Doing something for good. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Something good that comes from hard
work<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="8" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do
you consider your parents to be successful? Why?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, they achieved some of their goals.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, they did all the things for me,
like giving me a name and paying for me to go to school. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, they support, care, love and
provide food for me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="9" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How
important is education in your family?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is very important because when you
get older you have to have money to take care of your parents when they are
elders. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Very important because you need to be
able to get a job that can support you and your family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Very important because you need to get
a job. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="10" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Is
being on time important to you? Why
or why not?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sometimes, because I don’t like being
the first person at a meeting and I kind of like when people have to wait on
me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, people should be on time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Very much because if you are working
you must be on time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="11" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How
is time understood and measured? (e.g., how late can you be to a business appointment
before you are considered rude?) <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">30 minutes is acceptable but after an
hour the meeting must go on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">After 5 minutes you are rude. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">30 minutes is understandable but after
an hour you are rude.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="12" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What
is the most important meal of the day?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Porridge with soup or milk, which is
served at lunch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Porridge with spinach which is served
at lunch or dinner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Porridge which is served at lunch<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="13" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do
you eat foods that are native to your culture (traditional)? Why or why not? If you answered yes, name some of the
foods that you eat. If you answered
no, what types of foods do you eat?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, porridge<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, but mainly because it’s what mom
cooks and not because it’s my favorite thing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, but I hate spinach. I eat it
because it’s what is cooked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="14" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Did
you ever live with your grandparents or extended family?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes when I was one year old. (did not
know the circumstances that led to this)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, when I was small (did not know the
circumstances that led to this)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, for holidays. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="15" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do
you actively participate in an organized religion? Which one? <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, Church<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, Church<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sometimes, Church<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(When I asked which religion all three
simply answered “Church”, but they were referring to Christianity.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="16" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How
important is religion in your family?
Why ?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Very, they just believe<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Very, they believe<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Very important, they believe God gives
and helps the people<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="17" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If
religion is important in your family, do you plan to pass this on to your
children? Why or why not?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, they should know<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, to know there is a living God<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, so they can follow your (my)
footsteps<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="18" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Are
the roles of men and women specifically defined in your family? If so, what are they?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-yes, men take care of the animals/farm
while women clean, cook, take care of the kids. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-Yes, men take care of the animals
while women pound the muhungu (maize for porridge)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- Yes, men take care of the cattle while
women cook, fetch water or fire wood and cultivate the fields.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">19. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">What
are the cultural attitudes toward aging and the elderly?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">-
The eldest are the most important and respected in the family.</span><br />
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">- </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">The most important members of the
family are the grandparents followed by those who are eldest after them.</span></div>
<div style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">- You must respect your elders. </span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="20" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Is
change considered positive or negative (good or bad)?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Good<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Good<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bad, they want the traditional way to
stay. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="21" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do
you have any eating habits/rituals that are specific to your culture?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The men eat first unless there is an
elder and everyone eats with their hands. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The elders eat first and everyone eats
with their hands. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Elders eat first and everyone eats with
their hands. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="22" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Define
and describe the most important (or most celebrated) holidays or
celebrations of your culture.<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Weddings, births, December
holiday/Christmas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Christmas and New Years<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Christmas, weddings and baptisms<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="23" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Describe how a holiday is celebrated. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By eating a lot of traditional food. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Christmas: everyone is invited to a
house and a cattle is killed to eat. For New years they wait until midnight and
then make a lot of noise by banging on the tin roof. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By celebrating with dancing and food
and making a lot of noise. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="24" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> How would a visitor be welcomed to someone’s
home? <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If a seat is not available, the
youngest will get up and offer their seat, if they are someone who is important
then a chicken will be killed and eaten in their honor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They will be given chicken and
porridge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They will be welcomed with peace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="25" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> What are the norms around weddings?
births? deaths? <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<ol start="25" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-
Weddings: The groom should not see the bride for 24 hours before the
wedding and once the ceremony is over they will walk to the house to eat. Births:
the mother will stay with the baby for 2 weeks in the house. Deaths:
everyone will say nice things about the person. <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Weddings: everyone goes to the wife’s
house to eat, and then they go to the man’s house to eat. Births: there will be
a celebration with food and dancing. Deaths: people just cry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Weddings: there is nothing special.
White dress. Ceremony. Birth: The baby will be taken to the elders to be prayed
over. Deaths: did not know. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="26" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If
you are from a culture that speaks English as a second language, do you
speak your native language? If not,
why? If so, will you teach your
native language to any children you have?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes, they must learn<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes and yes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No, they will only be taught English and
Afrikaans. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Afrikaans the language that the white Namibians
speak)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="27" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How
is physical contact viewed in your culture?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">-A mother or father does not often hug
or touch their children. They will give them verbal praise if they are good. Contact
between a young boy and a young girl (even holding hands) is viewed as
disrespectful to all those older than them and should only be done after they
reach the age of 20. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">- (they
all said approximately the same thing for this question)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="28" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How
important is the individual in the culture? How important is the group? <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The most important thing is family not
the individual. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The group is most important but so is
the individual. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The group is most important. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="29" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How
is space used (e.g., how close should two people who are social
acquaintances stand next to one another when they are having a
conversation?) <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Boys and girls must not stand close but
two girls or two boys can. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(they all said the same thing for this
question)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="30" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How
do individuals “know” things? (e.g., are people encouraged to question
things? are they encouraged to
master accepted wisdom?) <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It is expected to just to accept the
wisdom of the elders. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You must accept the wisdom without
asking “why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wisdom is most encouraged. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="31" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Are
people encouraged to be more action-oriented or to be more contemplative?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">People should be more action-oriented<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They should be action-oriented<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They should be contemplative<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="32" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What
is considered most disrespectful in your culture?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yelling/disrespecting your elders<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(they all said the same thing for this
question)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="33" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What
is considered most respectful in your culture?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Greeting your elders<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(they all said the same thing for this question.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="34" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What
would you say is, from your perspective, the most commonly held
misconception about people of your culture?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We eat dogs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We eat dogs or frogs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Did not have an answer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="35" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Have
you ever experienced racism? In what form?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(None of them knew what racism was
until I explained it.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">They all said no<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<ol start="36" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Have you ever experienced Tribalism? In what form? <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have been treated bad because people
thought I Owambo’s eat dogs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="37" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What
can be done about racism and prejudice, in your opinion?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No answer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No answer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It should just be stopped. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="38" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do
young people today have a sense of culture? <o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Not while they are young, but some of
them do when they grow up<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No, they ignore their culture and think
it is old fashioned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="39" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What
is the best thing about living in Namibia?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Namibia is free and independent. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No answer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No answer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Courier New"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";">o<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(Most Namibians have not been out of
their town/village, much less their country. They don’t even know much about
other countries therefore it is difficult for them to compare living in Namibia
with living somewhere else and why it might be good/bad. )<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="40" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What
is the worst thing about living in the Namibia?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Passion killings, dumping of babies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No answer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No answer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="41" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Have
you ever felt excluded based on your gender or culture?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="42" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Do
you remember excluding others based on Culture or Gender?<o:p></o:p></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Once, there was a new guy who was from
a different tribe and he was excluded because he did not know the language the
group was speaking. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Is there anything you would like others to know that we have
not included here about you or your culture…..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">None had an answer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thank you- is there anything else you would like to share?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">None had anything. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
</center>
<center>
<a href="http://www.peacecorps.gov/psa/webbanners/468x60_commute" target="_blank"><img alt="You'll actually look forward to your morning commute. Life is calling. How far will you go? Learn more about the Peace Corps" border="0" src="http://files.peacecorps.gov/images/webbanners/full/468x60_commute.gif" height="60" width="468" /></a></center>
Crystal Brighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12687357669840197372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037954935125742603.post-71088177882225510042014-03-11T01:22:00.001-07:002014-03-11T01:36:27.208-07:00A Volunteer's tribute to Namibia <center>
<div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">It's officially my one year anniversary in Namibia! How insane is that?! I remember being at the airport and leaving my friends and family behind, crying from both happiness and sadness as I walked to my gate, alone. Somehow, that seems like just yesterday and, at the same time, a lifetime ago...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For all the love and all the pain,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For all the heat and the little rain,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For all the loneliness and all I've grown, </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For all the cultural differences and the understanding you've shown, </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For all the friends I've lost and all the friends I've gained, </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For all the clarity and all I've changed, </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For all the food you've shared and all the rotten meat, </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For all the running stomach and all the people I'm forced to greet, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For all the memories I'll never forget and all the projects I've tried to start, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For all the years to come Namibia will have a special place in my heart,</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">For all the smiles and all the tears, </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Cheers! </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Happy Anniversary, Namibia <3</span></div>
<div>
<h1 align="center">
</h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
<a href="http://www.peacecorps.gov/psa/webbanners/468x60_commute" target="_blank"><img alt="You'll actually look forward to your morning commute. Life is calling. How far will you go? Learn more about the Peace Corps" border="0" src="http://files.peacecorps.gov/images/webbanners/full/468x60_commute.gif" height="60" width="468" /></a></center>
Crystal Brighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12687357669840197372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037954935125742603.post-50724147414399055592014-02-23T02:12:00.000-08:002014-02-23T02:12:36.977-08:00No time to say hello, "Goodbye!" I'm late, I'm late, I'm late! <center>
<a href="http://www.peacecorps.gov/psa/webbanners/468x60_commute" target="_blank"><img alt="You'll actually look forward to your morning commute. Life is calling. How far will you go? Learn more about the Peace Corps" border="0" src="http://files.peacecorps.gov/images/webbanners/full/468x60_commute.gif" height="60" width="468" /></a></center>
<center>
</center>
<center style="text-align: left;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Okay guys. I know. I royally suck. It’s been almost 3 months
since my last post. I would give you some lame excuse, except… I don’t really
have one. Excuses are worthless anyway. To make it up to you, not only will you
get this post but also, as soon as I can conduct the interview, I’ll give you a
firsthand look at the daily life of my Namibian co-worker. You forgive me? Still
bestest friends??</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good :)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In December I went on vacation to Swakopmund and Walvis Bay.
Both are Namibian coastal towns. I also spent a few days in Windhoek, the
capital. While in Windhoek, I had all of my money stolen. It ended up being a
couple hundred American dollars and a couple thousand Namibian dollars (a combined total of approximately 400 USD or 4,000 NAD). I
left the money in our locked room thinking that it would be safer there than it
would be to walk around with it on my person. Oops. When I came back from dinner
one night I couldn't find the money anywhere. My best guess is that a staff
member of our accommodation took it. I almost called off the rest of the trip
but luckily, Peace Corps was able to reimburse most of the Namibian money that
was taken. My family and close friends back in the promise land got together
and helped me with the rest. I’m one lucky girl <3 love you guys!! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While in Walvis Bay we went on a seal and dolphin cruise. I
got to hug a seal! Jealous? His name is Bubbles. Things are getting pretty
serious. I may go back to see him this year ;) I also saw dolphins and ate oysters
for the first time. They were pretty good! Especially with tobasco sauce. Apparently,
Namibia has some of the best oysters in the world. Who knew? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZaE3a_7n__lrLzjucyRzYQ25OjAJ2XL_NI9RN5M5zCNLgpOfKdHFTJ7ifnWAQUj8KYaJbYpXuyNlLlDAfXf79UQH0O7sBHW8Jq7MhE3zblHxIk3JGULvXkAilfbMgcVMRK9zyr8Fc6c/s1600/DSC00120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUZaE3a_7n__lrLzjucyRzYQ25OjAJ2XL_NI9RN5M5zCNLgpOfKdHFTJ7ifnWAQUj8KYaJbYpXuyNlLlDAfXf79UQH0O7sBHW8Jq7MhE3zblHxIk3JGULvXkAilfbMgcVMRK9zyr8Fc6c/s1600/DSC00120.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mine and Bubbles love affair <3</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Swakopmund we all went Skydiving. It was AMAZING! The
view was so beautiful. On one side there was the ocean, on one side there were
mountains (or really large hills) and on the other side there were the sand
dunes. It was simply breath taking. The thirty second free fall before they
pull the cord for the parachute is the best part. I was simultaneously
screaming and smiling the whole time. Once my guy pulled our parachute he let
me steer us for a little bit. I will definitely be going again one day. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DiolygQ-olL5gmn7GrHoL26QnrSThB-RsRCLEWxmZzgRH50i5iRQapzGCB5M7rHJu7awSvykPGC1ilKLjRnmDIrKkPQwzvg0rHCqFW2VhijqyyCHbBSB_I5yeZGHLjOzFNhBC-J4X4I/s1600/IMG_0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DiolygQ-olL5gmn7GrHoL26QnrSThB-RsRCLEWxmZzgRH50i5iRQapzGCB5M7rHJu7awSvykPGC1ilKLjRnmDIrKkPQwzvg0rHCqFW2VhijqyyCHbBSB_I5yeZGHLjOzFNhBC-J4X4I/s1600/IMG_0070.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_1331314488"></span><span id="goog_1331314489"></span>Falling (with style) over the Atlantic Ocean </div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once I got back to site everything was a little boring for
awhile. I had a couple of weeks before school started up again and I had to go
back to work. I spent the time both working on art projects and being a couch
(bed) potato. I was actually excited once school started again and I had
something to do. I worked at my regular job (KAYEC) for a couple weeks before I
got a call from the principal of one of the secondary (high school) schools in
town. They desperately needed an English teacher for grades 8 and 9. So I’ve
been doing that for a couple of weeks now. It looks like I’ll be filling in
until they can find another English teacher. Since I’m working for free I
assume they won’t find anyone until it’s time for me to ship off lol </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Teaching is SO hard. The language barrier doesn’t really
help. All of my kids understand English, but our accents are so different they
have a hard time understanding MY English. Because of this, they haven’t made
the best grades. It really does make you feel like a failure when your students
fail. It’s just unfortunate, because I know that they would be getting twice
the points on all of the assignments if they had a Namibian teacher
explaining/reading the assignments. It’s getting a little better though. Plus,
it’s so fulfilling when just one kid starts to understand. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
For those of you who read my blog but are not my FB friend (if there even are any) here is an update on my hair! It's 5 months old now :)<br />
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September 2013 February 2014</div>
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Well, that’s life in Namibia. Stay tuned for the interview!
Maybe I can post that next weekend. </div>
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Crystal Brighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12687357669840197372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037954935125742603.post-19160689276768147232013-11-28T01:17:00.001-08:002013-11-28T01:17:48.778-08:00Thanksgiving Feasts <center style="text-align: left;">
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Happy Thanksgiving!!</div>
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As much as I wish I were at home eating myself into a stupor
with my family and loved ones, I’m excited to be here, sharing this holiday
with other volunteers who are from all over the US. </div>
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A couple of weeks ago I went to a volunteer thanksgiving get
together in the south. Our “Nam-Thanksgiving” was a hit. There were some
Namibians there and at least 20 volunteers. Being with people from all
different backgrounds and cultures who all share similar traditions for this
holiday is quite amazing. It gave us a kind of cohesion through all of our vast
diversities. Learning the traditions that the other’s miss from Thanksgivings
spent with their own families was also intriguing. One of my favorite parts was
sharing the history and meaning of Thanksgiving with the Namibians. </div>
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This weekend I’m going to another “Nam-Thanksgiving” in
another part of the country. I can’t wait! NomNomNom</div>
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For the past couple of weeks I haven’t had any work to do...
at all… My main job (KAYEC) has been on leave since basically the beginning of
November for the holiday season. I attempted to get involved with some
different groups around my town but, as it turns out, they are also finished
until next year. Sooooo I’ve been a little bored and trying to keep busy. Mostly
this entails doing small crafty type things to decorate my flat (you’d be
amazed at the things you can create with yarn….). I go on walks. Watch T.V.
shows (White Collar’s Matt Bomer is the most devastatingly gorgeous human being
that has ever existed). And of course I’ve been reading a lot. Riveting… I know.
This is my life. </div>
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Other than that, I’m just waiting for my vacation in
December! Some other volunteers and I are going to a couple towns along the
coast of Namibia and then we’ll also spend a few days in the Capital. While we’re
in one of the coastal towns we’re going to go skydiving. I might die. From nerves.
Or excitement. I’m not sure which, yet. I’ll keep you posted on that. </div>
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I know this post wasn’t the most exciting thing you’ve ever
read. But… this is my life. I can’t be exciting all the time. Deal with it :)</div>
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Happy Holidays my
politically correct readers! </div>
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<a href="http://www.peacecorps.gov/psa/webbanners/468x60_commute" target="_blank"><img alt="You'll actually look forward to your morning commute. Life is calling. How far will you go? Learn more about the Peace Corps" border="0" height="60" src="http://files.peacecorps.gov/images/webbanners/full/468x60_commute.gif" width="468" /></a></center>
Crystal Brighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12687357669840197372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037954935125742603.post-65945286769023945192013-10-27T10:31:00.001-07:002013-10-27T10:31:36.778-07:00KAYEC Bronze 1 Camp<center>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Afternoon Readers, </span></center>
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This past weekend my counterpart and I hosted a Bronze 1 Camp for our kiddos. "What's a Bronze 1?", you ask. Well, I'll tell you. Bronze 1 is the first level in our program. Every year a kid is enrolled into our program they go up a "level". There are different responsibilities and privileges associated with each level and each one also has a "camp" that goes with it. The Bronze 1 camp is reserved for having fun, while some of the others cover more serious things. Soooo, without further ado, here are some of the things we did with the kids this weekend :) </center>
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The kids have been practicing their dancing skills for Cultural Fest! </center>
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After I gave the girls a makeover, </div>
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It was time to take some random, silly pictures! </div>
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We tried to do that super cool thing where you all jump at the same time. It didn't quite work out but there was lots of laughter in our failure :)</div>
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I taught the kids some gymnastics. They're fast learners! </div>
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WATER FIGHT! </div>
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Trust Game!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4kFDyzLocTyWJUnOdgfbcu19HHer5TvTaZBy93w_Z55Vh7JKFX5KuKe83RWHfzHDSyzvAUbY0GH04sVUstsAeXXmDss4ImOur7ZGo4T0cD_t7R-k0bXohuhylKOKgryZQjN3CJjTUbg/s1600/DSC00218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4kFDyzLocTyWJUnOdgfbcu19HHer5TvTaZBy93w_Z55Vh7JKFX5KuKe83RWHfzHDSyzvAUbY0GH04sVUstsAeXXmDss4ImOur7ZGo4T0cD_t7R-k0bXohuhylKOKgryZQjN3CJjTUbg/s320/DSC00218.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Alright guys. It's taking these pictures forever to load but we also had a wet dance party after the water fight, played lots of games, had debates and just acted silly! I will leave you with just two more photos. It's been just a little over a month since I shaved my head and here is the progress. Its growing so fast! </div>
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September 2013</div>
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October 2013</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvkv1c3_TnvOUphQCNGg4x75zsWH0r9X0f_QZeSBR_5D57RgYa-9ETzr5aqhQSoHTE20v8XbmLNqvqRIhMh0dCg7Nr99StNx8-FSRSuz_dHArus8XdIhMiVd54KO8WN-AxM5c90-VWKE/s1600/DSC00019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvkv1c3_TnvOUphQCNGg4x75zsWH0r9X0f_QZeSBR_5D57RgYa-9ETzr5aqhQSoHTE20v8XbmLNqvqRIhMh0dCg7Nr99StNx8-FSRSuz_dHArus8XdIhMiVd54KO8WN-AxM5c90-VWKE/s320/DSC00019.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And yes... i realize I look like the "Overly attached girlfriend" meme in this picture. </div>
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"Let's leave skype on so we can watch each other sleep."</div>
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Tootles readers. You rock my face. </div>
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Crystal Brighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12687357669840197372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037954935125742603.post-25087757800095326102013-10-13T04:24:00.001-07:002013-10-13T07:52:36.753-07:00Zambia/Malawi Holiday<center>
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Okay, Readers. As promised, here is the details on my recent vacation to Zambia and Malawi. </center>
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This trip definitely set the bar for all other vacations to come. It covered everything from almost dying while visiting one of the seven wonders of the world to someone literally pooping their pants. We met so many amazing people from all over the world. Not to mention my wanderlust had me starry eyed just from seeing more of the world. </center>
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First, I'll lay out the logistics of the trip. I left my site on Saturday, September 21 at 6 am. We finally crossed over into Zambia that Sunday afternoon. We stayed in Livingstone, Zambia for two nights before making our way to Lusaka, Zambia via bus at 4am. We stayed in Lusaka for one night and then woke again for another 4 am bus ride. By the evening of Wednesday, September 25th we were in Lilongwe, Malawi. We stayed here for three days before making our way to Senga Bay, Malawi to see the lake. On October 3rd we began making the journey back home. I officially made it back to Namibia on Sunday October 6th. </center>
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Here are some maps highlighting the different African countries I traveled across: </center>
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I obviously started in Namibia </div>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQH27yRvPysDiGVnFVsPQYs_O-M8aCOI9dob2tJ1QJKHaN_nC29AQ" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQH27yRvPysDiGVnFVsPQYs_O-M8aCOI9dob2tJ1QJKHaN_nC29AQ" width="304" /></a></div>
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Then went through Zambia</div>
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRkjapJMKAAkYQQR8Tmz-E2BUb4S0gsDKG28V7OQCqch46-EmPW" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRkjapJMKAAkYQQR8Tmz-E2BUb4S0gsDKG28V7OQCqch46-EmPW" width="331" /></a></div>
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And finally ended up in Malawi</div>
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Okay okay okay. It's story time. </div>
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I call this one: Trapped at the Falls. </div>
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While we were in Livingstone, Zambia we met a guy who talked us into visiting Victoria Falls. We weren't going to go because the other two people I was traveling with had already seen the falls and we were kind of crunched for time. Our new friend,....lets just call him...Jason, persuaded us to make the time. </div>
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While we were walking through the park we saw people walking across the other side. You know. the side where the falls actually... fall. This was possible because the falls weren't full like they sometimes are. Well, obviously we decided we wanted to walk on top of Victoria falls too. So we went around to the other side and saw a path that clearly many others had taken given how many foot prints were left in the sand. We walked for a long time. Just playing around and taking pictures. One of the girls in our group was having some trouble traversing the rocky exterior of the falls and continuously fell into the small streams of the Zambezi river. This was made all the more hilarious by the fact that she was wearing a dress and kept flashing everyone. </div>
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After almost 2 hours or so of walking some people stopped us and told us the area we were in was restricted, we needed to turn around and... didn't you see the sign? (apparently we had almost walked all the way to Zimbabwe which is obviously not allowed as it is another country) Well, none of us had seen a sign. We began walking back looking for this elusive sign that (somehow) all four of us had missed. Sure enough, after a mile or so of backtracking: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIRBTpj2nSp_T0hxVxV_6uKfvWFJ-FSrwWwBEG2CVFtvpYVhD2Eki687kmdOl7GtMyB7YjSsvAfN9pCxC2HNfcEg_YN2wCU5DrJgI0PTL43DgUeJaRhT1rSZoUz4qv0wY8-VqVPqLWsk/s1600/DSC00049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIRBTpj2nSp_T0hxVxV_6uKfvWFJ-FSrwWwBEG2CVFtvpYVhD2Eki687kmdOl7GtMyB7YjSsvAfN9pCxC2HNfcEg_YN2wCU5DrJgI0PTL43DgUeJaRhT1rSZoUz4qv0wY8-VqVPqLWsk/s320/DSC00049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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At that point it was getting to be later in the afternoon and the sun was making it's descent. On our way back to the original pathway we were intersected by a guide who was apparently called by the guards who told us to turn around. Well... as it turns out.... it's perfectly fine to be on that side of the falls and go exploring.... as long as you have a guide. Yeahhhhh.... we missed that memo. It was at this point in our journey that the guide began lecturing us. "Where are you from" he asked. To which we responded, "America". The derision he felt at this was evident in both the scoff he made as well as the disappointed shaking of his head. We were not representing America well.</div>
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Now it became crucial that we get back in a timely matter, as the levee is often released at sunset and we did not wish to be swept off Victoria Falls. The girl who was mentioned earlier who kept falling was holding us up. The guide looked at her and said quite emphatically, "And what made you think your friend could make it anyway?!" We all died laughing at this. The guide did not get the joke. </div>
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We had almost made it back to where we were supposed to be. We could see the pathway. The only problem was.... it was blocked. By not one. not two. But THREE elephants. We had to be very careful lest the elephants decide we were a threat and trample us or chase us off Victoria Falls. It took about thirty minutes but eventually the elephants got bored and wandered off. leaving us a clear path to ... the path. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8X95e9wNYnuyaN3Hun_nSr_sgbjMDCSo3fHiYPB5WEGc1MBJsAcCDdUAVcKl7I2UiTzKZIxtbtOgijUADgjHItsVjiEOVZkSZTKceJlEYJp54bLsAIwPQdXakmb0IXqaml1i4jvsHcY/s1600/DSC00063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8X95e9wNYnuyaN3Hun_nSr_sgbjMDCSo3fHiYPB5WEGc1MBJsAcCDdUAVcKl7I2UiTzKZIxtbtOgijUADgjHItsVjiEOVZkSZTKceJlEYJp54bLsAIwPQdXakmb0IXqaml1i4jvsHcY/s320/DSC00063.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is a picture of the falls :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1iHiERUPaZcN3iz8pchiqWiZO-L6QGSaQ9Bds0Jdlh41LzFPWIkf3UI-7ZladCaFCgDzPhKEMiKGgK1GCXN7gY0tOmBL0q_QHkYCAD8cfCKe8aUfHRvUS7AjdD3qMbrzhYQmVQpvio8/s1600/DSC00020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1iHiERUPaZcN3iz8pchiqWiZO-L6QGSaQ9Bds0Jdlh41LzFPWIkf3UI-7ZladCaFCgDzPhKEMiKGgK1GCXN7gY0tOmBL0q_QHkYCAD8cfCKe8aUfHRvUS7AjdD3qMbrzhYQmVQpvio8/s320/DSC00020.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Man, that story was longer than I expected. Although I was going to tell a few more stories, I'll leave you with just one more. </div>
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I call this one: A smelly bus ride. </div>
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The night we stayed in Lusaka, Zambia we decided to go to the mall. We had heard there was a Subway there and we were beside ourselves with excitement to eat something so American. As it turns out, the chicken teriyaki was NOT the correct thing to get. I had the six inch. Nicky.... had the foot long. After seeing a movie in the cinema (yeah... that's right) we called it a night and went back to our lodging to get some sleep. We had to be up at 4 am to catch our bus for the next day. </div>
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The next day we boarded the bus at 4:30 am, as planned. However, since things tend to run on "Africa time" here, the bus did not depart the station until after 6 am. It was at this time that Nicky and I both began paining in our stomachs. About 30 minutes into the ride, the pain was becoming quite worrisome. Nicky, being on the isle seat, turn to the man seated in between the two of us and asked, "My friend, do you know when the next stop is? I am having running stomach." She had high hopes that her blunt honesty of the situation would lead the man to give an accurate estimation of time. She was wrong. The man quoted that we would be coming upon a town in the next 30 minutes. We waited an hour and a half. Let me type that again. AN HOUR AND A HALF. Now, I'm not sure if any of you have ever been in this particular predicament, but it is not one you wish to be in for an extended period of time. I was beginning to worry I would not make it to our desired destination: a bathroom, or even a bush, or anything resembling a bathroom or a bush. The pain, at this point, was unbearable. Nicky and I decided that it was time for the bus to stop, and stop NOW. It was a dire situation. </div>
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Im assuming many of you have never taken public transportation in an African country. In that case, let me explain a few things. There are no empty seats. The bus does not leave until every seat has a person in it. Often, many seats will have more than one person. Also, traveling lightly is not necessarily a popular concept. okay. back to the story. </div>
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It was time to make this bus stop. Nicky and I begin making our way to the front of this bus which is crowded beyond belief. I, being in the window seat, was forced to crawl over our friend whose concept of time was far from that of reality. Once I made it to the isle, Nicky and I began hiking over the mountains of luggage and personal items of those on the bus. These are NOT activities you want to pursue when you are worried your bowels are about to evacuate themselves on their own volition, I might add. </div>
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We eventually made it to the front of the bus and made the thing stop. As Nicky and I are walking to the bathroom she informs me that she in fact did not win this race and she had already pooped her pants. I was barely able to process this at the time, as I was still fighting my battle. We made it to the bathroom only to find out that it is three walls without a door and a hole in the ground. and, worst of all....occupied. We did the only thing we could. We walked around it and dropped trou right there. Behind this pit latrine lay the rest of the village. Yup. We pooped in front of, easily, 15 people that day. Thank God Peace Corps teaches us to always, ALWAYS, carry toilet paper on our persons. </div>
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That bus ride ended up lasting for 14 hours. Seeing as our bags were stored under the bus, Nicky sat in her own feces for 14 hours. Yeah... I was the lucky one that day. </div>
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Before Peace Corps I would have been mortified by this experience, and definitely would not have been able to talk about it. Now I'm writing a blog and posting it on the internet so generations to come can laugh. I guess what they say is true. Peace Corps changes you. </div>
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:)</div>
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<br /><a href="http://www.peacecorps.gov/psa/webbanners/468x60_commute" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="You'll actually look forward to your morning commute. Life is calling. How far will you go? Learn more about the Peace Corps" border="0" height="60" src="http://files.peacecorps.gov/images/webbanners/full/468x60_commute.gif" width="468" /></a></div>
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Crystal Brighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12687357669840197372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037954935125742603.post-30067110111473811512013-09-15T12:54:00.001-07:002013-10-13T09:07:37.666-07:00G.I. Jane<center>
<a href="http://www.peacecorps.gov/psa/webbanners/468x60_commute" target="_blank"><img alt="You'll actually look forward to your morning commute. Life is calling. How far will you go? Learn more about the Peace Corps" border="0" height="60" src="http://files.peacecorps.gov/images/webbanners/full/468x60_commute.gif" width="468" /></a></center>
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I know everyone's already seen it on Facebook, but I wanted to document it in my blog as well. </center>
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Before</center>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVGLIv8PyExo0rW3-wqKUchCq54ZlF22AX50WFQnqGAnIvjNdfpYfgs1PeVUqemVTYRbayz7YTK7seZLjqt62d_lwkYTkE8JIIb1aWhEFEBQ9BwwoOF58LteDW3cSJJ-AQMYzCeXkvm4/s1600/hairrr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVGLIv8PyExo0rW3-wqKUchCq54ZlF22AX50WFQnqGAnIvjNdfpYfgs1PeVUqemVTYRbayz7YTK7seZLjqt62d_lwkYTkE8JIIb1aWhEFEBQ9BwwoOF58LteDW3cSJJ-AQMYzCeXkvm4/s320/hairrr.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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After</center>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOtjMcn0y1ufIKUKVgMiRV2fxEM1t8Y7RHVCe5ZHQZXMtQ9Zrft1Uzkbs0UUDMjLU4xGJXooZ4MzekvtWo9K9KG84FVzVcEbWqi6_r1ACFu5jLsjre3R39uaBK-kkmf3_Ob66WuRfMs4/s1600/nohairrr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrOtjMcn0y1ufIKUKVgMiRV2fxEM1t8Y7RHVCe5ZHQZXMtQ9Zrft1Uzkbs0UUDMjLU4xGJXooZ4MzekvtWo9K9KG84FVzVcEbWqi6_r1ACFu5jLsjre3R39uaBK-kkmf3_Ob66WuRfMs4/s320/nohairrr.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Now, the question on everyone's mind seems to be "Why?"</center>
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well... here ya go:</center>
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*I've always said I would do it one day. Today was that day. </center>
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*I needed a change</center>
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*It's HOT</center>
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*I'm in Namibia... Why not?!</center>
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*It's been great experiencing this in the Namibian culture with the children I work with. I get the sense that they don't value themselves or feel they are beautiful because their hair is not like mine. I loved showing them how little my hair meant to me</center>
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*I'm through hiding behind the hair. This is me. I like me. It doesn't get more real than that.</center>
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Crystal Brighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12687357669840197372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037954935125742603.post-61862530761577064762013-09-09T08:57:00.000-07:002013-09-10T01:58:58.386-07:00Projects and such<center>
<a href="http://www.peacecorps.gov/psa/webbanners/468x60_commute" target="_blank"><img alt="You'll actually look forward to your morning commute. Life is calling. How far will you go? Learn more about the Peace Corps" border="0" height="60" src="http://files.peacecorps.gov/images/webbanners/full/468x60_commute.gif" width="468" /></a></center>
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Here’s what I've been doing for the past month or two :)</div>
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In a previous post I mentioned how my counterpart and I have
been working with our kids on fundraising. Our kids have hosted a soccer
tournament and a movie night, sold candy and collected money door-to-door.
Also, on Monday’s the kids bring in N$1.00 each to add to the fund. Overall we
have collected over N$800 so far (roughly 80.00 USD) We plan on
purchasing matching KAYEC t-shirts for
the kids with some of the money, and the rest we will continue to save and use
when we need things for events/activities. </div>
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My counterpart and I have also been working on putting
together a weekly movie night on Fridays for the community kids. We noticed
that many of the kids go to shebeens (bars) on Friday nights and drink alcohol
because they have nothing else to do. This behavior can lead to unprotected
sex, teenage pregnancy, and the contraction of HIV, all of which are huge
issues Namibia is facing. Our movie night idea will by no means solve this
problem, but it’s one less night SOME of the kids are at the shebeens. This
project is still in the planning stages. We’re currently waiting on approval to
use the community hall on Friday evenings. Once we get the approval we can
start the next Friday. We plan to charge N$2.00 to watch the movie and we will
provide a health/life skills discussion before the movie starts. The money
gained from the entry fee will be used to buy snacks and refreshments. Hopefully, we can get this started soon! </div>
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This week and last week I have mainly been working on a pen
pal program with a teacher in the states (who is amazing and shall remain
nameless for her own protection :)).
The program will involve 21 of my kids who will write letters back and forth to
a fourth grade class in America in order to increase cultural awareness and
bring about a cultural exchange. I work
with upwards of 50 kids a week and therefore chose my 21 kids based on their
attendance records for the past three months. I have been taking pictures of
each of the 21 chosen kids so that the kid in America will know who they are
writing to. I’m so excited to see this program get started, as are my kids! </div>
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In more personal news… I’m going to Malawi at the end of
this month!! Myself and two other volunteers will be going to a musical
festival and will be gone for 13 days. I am so excited! Stay tuned for the full
update on the trip! </div>
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Here are some other random things I've done this month!</div>
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I went hiking with my kids </div>
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I attended a Namibian Birthday party</div>
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and a Namibian wedding!</div>
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Well... That's all folks!</div>
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Crystal Brighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12687357669840197372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037954935125742603.post-42458570688719450582013-08-01T02:56:00.002-07:002014-10-11T04:28:58.170-07:00Race, Tribalism, and Gender EqualityHey there readers!!<br />
<br />
So this post will be less about me and my life and more about Namibian history and society. I have been corresponding with one of my friends, who I met in our undergraduate program, via email. She has been asking me questions about Namibia and I loved one of her latest questions so much, I decided to make an entire blog out of it! Enjoy :)<br />
<br />
"How do they view white people? Do you feel excluded? Have you noticed any racism between different tribes or any gender biases?"<br />
<br />
These questions are extremely difficult to answer without getting into some of Namibia's history.<br />
<br />
Namibia was actually the location of the 20th century's first genocide between the years of 1904 and 1907. During this time Namibia was known as "German South-West Africa". The genocide targeted two tribes in particular: the Herero tribe and the Namaqua tribe. In August of 1904 the Herero people rebelled against German colonial rule, thus beginning Germany's first genocide.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herero_and_Namaqua_Genocide">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herero_and_Namaqua_Genocide</a><br />
<br />
Today, there are still South Africans in Namibia. They are known as "Afrikaaners" and speak Afrikaans. As expected, there is tension between the white (Afrikaaner) Namibians and the black (native) Namibians. Afrikaaner Namibians tend to have more money and often go to private schools that only they can afford. It has been my experience that the Afrikaaners do not like to associate with black Namibians. The two entities seem to be very segregated.<br />
<br />
This history does effect me to a certain degree. For instance: because I am white it is automatically assumed that I speak Afrikaans. In fact, the kids I work with at KAYEC often ask me, "Do people in America speak Afrikaans?" It is also assumed that I am rich (this is more because I am American than that I resemble Afrkaaners). Children and adults alike will run up to me on the street and ask for money or food. I get proposed to daily and asked if I can take them back to America with me.<br />
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The Afrikaaners generally do not speak to me. They don't understand why I would leave America to come help black Namibians.<br />
<br />
There is quite a bit of Tribalism present in Namibia. Although, all the separate tribes identify as Namibian they do not always associate with the other tribes. It is my experience that each tribe holds a certain pride that their tribe is the best tribe. This is human nature, of course. It's just an interesting dynamic. Also, the different tribes often have different segments of the location they live in.<br />
<br />
Gender equality is a major issue here. The country has been working on this and has made great strides, however, it is normal for individual's to adhere to classic gender roles. For example: it is common for only women to do housework, such as cooking, cleaning, etc. It is viewed as shameful and un-manly for a man to be seen doing these activities. Children are not permitted to play with the opposite sex. Girls must play with girls and boys must play with boys. The job market is very gender based as well. It is not common that you will see people working in jobs outside their gender roles. Men are taxi drivers, for instance. While women sell baked goods or work in markets.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kas.de/upload/auslandshomepages/namibia/Women_Custom/ambunda.pdf">http://www.kas.de/upload/auslandshomepages/namibia/Women_Custom/ambunda.pdf</a><br />
<br />
The gender norms have effected me some. I recall a specific example when I was moving out of my host family's house. My host father was helping me load my bags. I picked up one of the heavier bags and put it in the back of the vehicle. My host father told me that girls must not lift heavy things. I told him that sometimes you have to do what you have to do. He then began explaining to me that it is disrespectful for me to lift heavy things in the presence of a man who could lift it for me. By me lifting it by myself, I am calling the man weak. This is strange for me because I am extremely self-sufficient and don't like asking for help unless I actually cannot do it by myself. It has taken some adjustment on my part, but I've gotten better.<br />
<br />
I know this post has been long. Thanks for reading!<br />
Stay tuned for next time :)<br />
Also. If you have any questions about Namibia, my life in Namibia or just want to keep in touch... feel free to email me!<br />
Raelyn89@gmail.comCrystal Brighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12687357669840197372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037954935125742603.post-16914380551512759312013-07-04T13:41:00.000-07:002013-07-04T13:41:46.264-07:00Happy Independence Day<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
So, I realize it’s
been awhile since my last post. Sometimes my life just doesn’t seem interesting
enough to write about for the world to read. For the past couple of weeks I
have been running KAYEC by myself while my counterpart was in the hospital and
recovery from an operation. That was definitely an interesting experience. The
kids have mostly been great, though. They have been planning a fundraising
event to bring in more money for KAYEC. They want to host a movie night and
charge a minimal fee for entrance. I’ll keep you updated on their efforts. </div>
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Mostly my days are
actually pretty boring at this point in time. I don’t have any other projects
except KAYEC right now. So I usually just hang out with the kids and help them
with their homework (this week was adding and subtracting decimals). The
highlight has usually been eating dinner with my site mate, Nicole. I would
probably starve to death without her. We have a lot of fun attempting to make Mexican
food with Namibian ingredients. Sometimes we fail. Sometimes we don’t. </div>
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Some other random
but interesting things that have happened since my last update: </div>
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I got bitten by a
dog. </div>
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I did not get rabies
from the dog. </div>
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My Ipod was stolen.</div>
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My camera was
stolen. </div>
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My Kindle was
stolen. </div>
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I had my first
stomach virus. And yes, It was awful. I still cannot eat meat. Don’t ask. </div>
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My Kindle was
returned with little to no damage. There was a short video and some
notifications that the Elvis songs the kid tried to download could not be
completed. </div>
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My camera was returned
(without me ever realizing it was missing and without batteries)</div>
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My Ipod was returned
dead with no headphones. </div>
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(these things were
all returned thanks to the detective skills of my amazing Namibian counterpart
and the Namibian police department. Chasing of the perp was involved in the
collection of these items. And yes, I did sing the COPS theme song as I ran) </div>
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I moved into my new
place. It’s absolutely wonderful. One day I will post pictures, I promise. </div>
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Well that’s it for
this post. </div>
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Until next time, </div>
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Happy Independence
Day America. You are missed. </div>
Crystal Brighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12687357669840197372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037954935125742603.post-394306409622733922013-06-13T05:07:00.002-07:002013-06-13T05:08:17.859-07:00KAYEC<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-indent: 0in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0in;">So far I LOVE the NGO
(Non-Government Organization) that I will be working with for the next two
years in Namibia. KAYEC (Katutura Youth Enterprise Centre) is an after school
organization for children between the ages of 12 and 18. These kids are
absolutely amazing. Every day they are faced with so many hardships, and yet
they are still striving to do better in school and become leaders. It’s
completely humbling to just sit and watch an older member voluntarily teach the
younger members to read or to watch all of the children come together and
facilitate an entire program for the community by themselves. Having worked
with children of this age group and socio-economic level in both America and
Namibia, it is definitely interesting to note the vast differences
distinguishing the children between the two cultures. I cannot wait to set up a
pen pal system with these children and a 4</span><sup style="text-indent: 0in;">th</sup><span style="text-indent: 0in;"> grade class in America.
The cultural exchange will be amazing to see.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Since starting at KAYEC I have
personally facilitated two trainings with the children. One consisted of a fact
or myth game aimed at teaching the kids about sexual and reproductive health
and the other was a leadership training. I was genuinely surprised at my own
ability to explain the different aspects of sexual and reproductive health to a
group of middle school aged children from a different culture, whose preferred
language is not English in a manner that they would understand it. The
leadership training went extremely well, also. However, explaining the
different types of leadership proved to be quite a challenge. They simply could
not decipher the meanings between Democratic, Authoritative, and Laissez-faire
leadership styles. There’s only so many ways I can break the information down,
but in the end I think they understood it…. I think. Seeing as how all of these
children are already leaders in so many ways, the rest of the training was a
breeze. </div>
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In
closing, I will leave you with some pictures and a video of the children I’m
lucky enough to work with everyday <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxx4-zAUtdeRHPbcWj0_2bdp0hhf-Tgf1lxwU4LmysgLlsnTMlLSjGOnN1Gs7Wu3WMSnholS59ohAbcXqqwqg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Crystal Brighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12687357669840197372noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037954935125742603.post-51396727976120626732013-05-11T08:31:00.002-07:002013-05-11T08:31:42.091-07:00Late Update!<br />
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So,
a lot has happened since my last post (sorry). Life has been hectic recently
and finding the time/internet connection to update is not always easy. So here’s
an update on my life <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></div>
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Site
Visit: I visited my permanent site! I was advised not to put my precise
location on my blog so talk to me if you don’t know where I am and would like
to know more! I can say that I am in a pretty good sized town. I have a
shopping store, post office and a few restaurants easily accessible. It’s
somewhat a tourist town so it’s very pretty. I was NOT expecting to have so
many amenities this easily available. I have electricity AND hot water
available to me. Most of the streets in town are paved. Once you leave town and
go to the less lucrative parts of the area (called the location) the streets
are no longer paved and are either dirt or gravel. For my first couple of weeks
I will be living in the location with a host family. After I get to know the
community somewhat I will move in town. I have a site mate named Nicole. She is
a volunteer with Peace Corps and has been in my community for a year already.
She volunteers at the community hospital and she’s absolutely lovely. My after
school youth group meets in the location everyday around two. I will spend a
large portion of time tutoring these kids in Math and English (Yikes!). I will
also teach them about HIV/AIDS and prevention when able. While in this
community I will also pick up secondary projects. These will include working
with any community organization/group to better the community that is not my
primary assignment with the after school group. </div>
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Language: So language has been an extreme difficulty
for me. There are two other volunteers in my group learning Khoekhoegowab and I
have been having the most difficulty. My issue has been that I can read it just
fine; I simply cannot speak it, nor do I understand when it is spoken to me. I
have asked my instructor for extra lessons, but time is limited. We took a mid
Pre-Service Training (PST) Language Proficiency Interview (LPI) and I scored
Novice Medium. The levels are as follows (Novice Low, Novice Medium, Novice
High, Intermediate Low, Intermediate Medium, and Intermediate High). In order
to pass as required by Peace Corps Namibia, I need to score Intermediate Low. This
means I need to raise my score two whole levels. The interview is strictly in
your target language (Khoekhoegowab) and consists of the interviewer asking questions
about your life in America, family, life in Namibia, host family, etc. In order
to achieve Intermediate Low you must complete a role play in the target language
(eeek!). Well, I recently took the last LPI… I have no idea how this happened
but I passed! I even did the role play. I almost kissed my instructor! I was so
proud! I answered almost every question </div>
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Swearing
in: Earlier this week I was sworn in as an official Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV).
My swearing in ceremony was held in Windhoek and the Prime Minister was
invited. This means it was somewhat of a big deal. I wore a traditional Damaran
(one of the tribes that speak Khoekhoegowab) dress. My host mom in Okahandja
had the dress made especially for me to wear to swearing in. Our swearing in
was later on NBC (Namibian Broadcasting Channel)! Yup, I was singing in a
different language on the Namibian news. Jealous?</div>
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Moving
to site: On Thursday I officially moved to my permanent site. I’m so excited to
be finished with training and be an official volunteer! My first three months at
site will consist of me completing a needs assessment to determine what
precisely my community wants and/or needs from me. This means I’ll be spending
a lot of time just walking around and getting to know people and talking to
community leaders and stakeholders. </div>
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Once
again, sorry it took so long for this post! However, now that I’m at site, I
will probably be updating less. I will maybe update once a month or when
something of importance happens! </div>
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Stay
classy, readers</div>
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Me in my Traditional Damaran Dress</div>
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Crystal Brighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12687357669840197372noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037954935125742603.post-10165089641242053702013-03-28T03:52:00.000-07:002013-03-28T03:52:07.996-07:00Across Cultural Lines
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“Holy Cow! I’m in Africa!!” I say this to myself at least
once a day, usually while I’m watching the sunset transform the sky into some
new impossible color that my camera can’t seem to capture. I wonder if there
will come a time when I’m no longer shocked by the fact that I’m here.
Sometimes I forget entirely that I’m in another country until I hear or see
something that reminds me of America and I have to step back and remember where
I am. For instance, last week I was unpacking my things in my new host family’s
house. I could hear the T.V. playing a commercial of a South African lotion in
the other room. Suddenly, the commercial changes and I hear Ryan Seacrest
asking me who’s going to be the next American Idol. I run to the next room in
shock. After the iconic logo and theme music fade, I’m left staring at the T.V.
for several minutes trying to figure out where I am. These moments happen often
and leave me very dazed and confused. </div>
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Apart from these jarring realizations of my current locale,
things haven’t been that different so far. This is mostly because I’m staying
in one of the wealthier areas of Namibia, while in training, that has access to
more resources. My final destination in this country will be much different,
I’m sure. However, here is a small list of things that are not quite the same
as I’m used to: </div>
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-Tomatoes, onions, and mayonnaise are used in most dishes
prepared here. This doesn’t cause a problem for me, but I know many people back
home who just gagged a little. Last night I had a “salad” that consisted of
tomato paste, carrots, peppers, and onions. Sounds weird, but was delicious. My
host mom, Alta, is going to teach me to make it. </div>
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-Butter is put on everything involving bread. Which doesn’t
sound that odd… until you see it put on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. </div>
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-Meat is a big deal here. Because of the land they don’t
eat as many vegetables, so the meals are primarily meat. They say Americans eat
too many vegetables and not enough meat. They also eat donkey and horse here. I
haven’t tried it yet, but if I do I’ll let you know how it is. </div>
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"></span><br />
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;">- </span>Side note: Saturday is cultural day
at training. Traditional foods will be prepared according to Namibian
standards. Mupane worms are on the menu. Stay posted for a review <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"></span></span> </div>
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-Children are in awe of white people. They stare
unabashedly and will wave constantly. The other day I was riding home from
training and saw a group of children waving at me from the window. I smiled and
waved back. They began jumping up and down, waving and blowing kisses at me.
All I could do was laugh. </div>
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-Gender roles and equality are quite different here. It is
not uncommon for a man to have a wife and several girlfriends. The respective
women of one man will all become friends and watch each other’s children. While
walking home from a fellow volunteers host house in my neighborhood the other
day, a man stopped me and asked if I was married. This is basically a pick up
line here. I answered, “very married” and he smiled and said, “I’m married
twice; it’s better that way.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
Crystal Brighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12687357669840197372noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037954935125742603.post-75727821018540972332013-03-17T06:42:00.001-07:002013-03-17T06:42:15.628-07:00First WeekMan! This first week has been crazy! It took forever to get here. I left Shreveport, Louisiana on 3/11/13 at 5:00am and arrived in Namibia on 3/13/13 at 7:00 pm! I traveled on 4 different airplanes and two buses to get here. The longest flight was almost 15 hours. <br />
<br />
I started training the day after I arrived at 7:30 am. So far I've been through 3 days of training and have been given too much information to process! I find out which African language I will learn tomorrow, as well as, meet my host family for the next 3 months. On Tuesday I will move into their house. I'm really nervous about it. <br />
<br />
Other than that, I've just been trying to see as much as I can. I'm in a town called Okahandja. It's not far from the capitol, Windoek. The people here are really nice and so far everyone I've met speaks english and about 7 other languages. This part of Namibia isn't really that different from the U.S. There are grocery stores and restuarants where you can get pretty much anything. Once I get placed at my permanent site, things will probably be much different. So, I better soak it up now!<br />
<br />
Today, I went on a hike up a hill (it was a mountain to me) that was called Pride Rock. On the way to the base of the hill we had to go through a farm with a bunch of children who decided to be our guides up the hill. There were about 5 or 6 of them, I guess. Many of them were not wearing shoes. You should have seen them flying up those cliffs! It was crazy! Once we made it to the top, we stopped for a bit and took some pictures. The kids were so excited! They loved having their picture taken and eventually just took the cameras and started taking their own pictures. On the way back they decided to follow us to our hostel and just sat and talked with us for a bit. It was definitely a wonderful day. The view of Okahandja from the top of Pride Rock was simply breathtaking. Pictures could never do it justice. Crystal Brighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12687357669840197372noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037954935125742603.post-33624478178977431612013-01-28T14:29:00.000-08:002013-01-28T14:29:10.150-08:00Why?Upon learning that I am planning on becoming a Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV), the first question many have for me is, "Why do you want to be a PCV?" or "What made you want to do that?". I would like to take the time to answer this question for everyone.<br />
<span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">I have always been an extremely
empathetic person who thrives on helping others achieve their goals. While in
high school, my plan was to join the Peace Corps immediately following graduation.
However, I was sorely disappointed when my research on the subject found that a
college degree is necessary in most cases in order to become a volunteer.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"> </span><br />
<span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">I then attended a seminar in order to become more knowledgeable on the application process. The knowledge gained from this seminar only proved to renew my vigor and passion for volunteering. In November of 2006 I dropped out of high school, received my GED and began college in January of the following year in order to expedite the process of becoming a PCV. </span><br />
<span style="text-indent: 0.25in;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">I am now 23
years old with a Bachelor’s and Master's of Social Work. My overwhelming need to help others spurred my
decision to get an education in social work. My personal values seemed to
parallel those of the profession. Only one month after receiving my Master’s
degree, I am still overwhelmingly passionate about becoming a PCV. </span><br />
<br />
In short, applying for the Peace Corps was never an option; It was, and is, something I HAVE to do. It feels more like a responsibility that I must see through to the end rather than a simple aspiration of mine.<br />
<br />
I hope this entry helped everyone understand my reasoning behind joining the Peace Corps. Before departing, I would like to leave you with a few of the best reactions I have received once people have learned I am joining the Peace Corps:<br />
<br />
"Aren't there people in America you can help?"<br />
<br />
"Why the hell would you want to do that for?!"<br />
<br />
"That's amazing! I wish I could do something like that."<br />
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"You're doing this for free?! You must be crazy."<br />
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"That's really inspiring."<br />
<br />
and my personal favorite:<br />
"Where are you going to get beer?"Crystal Brighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12687357669840197372noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9037954935125742603.post-61945023762684153562013-01-14T11:15:00.000-08:002013-01-14T11:19:13.736-08:00Ubuntu PhilosophyI figured I would start my first post by explaining my title. "I am because we are" is a rough translation of an African philosophy (Ubuntu) that my research has shown is a major part of the Namibian culture. Essentially, it means that humans cannot exist without the help of others. As in, the only reason I exist is because we all exist. For a less crude explanation, maybe Wikipedia can help:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu_(philosophy)">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu_(philosophy)</a><br />
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Side note:<br />
<br />
I almost titled this blog "Land of the Brave" due to Namibia's National Anthem. I found the themes of bravery and freedom to be intriguing due to their similarity to the U.S.<br />
<br />
"Namibia, land of the brave<br />
Freedom fight we have won<br />
Glory to their bravery<br />
Whose blood waters our freedom<br />
We give our love and loyalty<br />
Together in unity<br />
Contrasting beautiful Namibia<br />
Namibia our country<br />
Beloved land of savannahs,<br />
Hold high the banner of liberty<br />
Namibia our Country,<br />
Namibia Motherland,<br />
We love Thee"<br />
Crystal Brighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12687357669840197372noreply@blogger.com3