No time to say hello, "Goodbye!" I'm late, I'm late, I'm late!

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??

Good :)

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!! 

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?

Mine and Bubbles love affair <3

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.

Falling (with style) over the Atlantic Ocean 

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

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.

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 :)

September 2013                                              February 2014

Well, that’s life in Namibia. Stay tuned for the interview! Maybe I can post that next weekend. 

Thanksgiving Feasts

Happy Thanksgiving!!

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.

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.

This weekend I’m going to another “Nam-Thanksgiving” in another part of the country. I can’t wait! NomNomNom

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.

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.

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 :)

 Happy Holidays my politically correct readers! 

KAYEC Bronze 1 Camp

Afternoon Readers, 
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 :) 
The kids have been practicing their dancing skills for Cultural Fest! 

After I gave the girls a makeover, 

It was time to take some random, silly pictures! 

 

 

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 :)

I taught the kids some gymnastics. They're fast learners! 

WATER FIGHT! 

Trust Game!

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! 

September 2013

 October 2013

And yes... i realize I look like the "Overly attached girlfriend" meme in this picture. 

"Let's leave skype on so we can watch each other sleep."

Tootles readers. You rock my face.