tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14063086635517491872024-02-20T21:47:49.089-08:00Warm heart of Africa, meet strange cynic from MichiganThe contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. government or the Peace CorpsBeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06710018767991252791noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1406308663551749187.post-9766297017402239992011-05-30T06:20:00.000-07:002011-05-30T06:26:19.847-07:00Old Lady Smalls<div>The other day, I was sleeping in to 6:30 because it was a weekend, and I decided to treat myself, when I was woken up by a horrible booming sound of rocks on my tin roof that could only be those dang kids in my yard again, throwing stones at my tree to steal lemons. I let my dog out, who chased them away and cackled before I got to work on my new quilt.</div><div><br /></div>You kids today and your internet references I don't understand, and your Ga Gas, and iPads- in my day, we had phones that made calls dagnabit. <div><br /></div><div>I DON'T UNDERSTAND TWITTER</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Beeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06710018767991252791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1406308663551749187.post-69737630559830727492011-05-20T07:15:00.000-07:002011-05-20T07:17:17.085-07:00A PCV Watches TV<p class="MsoNormal">As some of you may know, I recently received what is quite possibly the greatest package of all time.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Zach sent me a little netbook and a hard drive loaded up with TV and other media, and it has changed my routine in amazing ways.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Now, instead of compulsively reading books all day when I'm not working, I read COMIC books on my computer all day when I'm not working.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This, my friends, is progress. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">And, of course, there is the TV, oh TV, how I missed you- one of my favorite parts of having shows to watch is the way that Hector will watch it with me- or rather, she'll watch me watch TV.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Last night, she laid on my chest sphinx -like, and twisted her head in that cute sideways dog way every time there was a strange noise on the show I was watching- and every time I would laugh, her eyebrows would crease in concentration, and she would look between me and the screen, alternatively twisting her head and whining a little. Dogs are cool.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I had about two seasons of shows to catch up on- some observations:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">-30 Rock- always awesome.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">-The Office- over it. I'm sorry, but you all have jobs with health insurance, and get to have houses with toilets, and I'm supposed to derive humor from the fact that you get bored at your job?</p> <p class="MsoNormal">-Parks and Recreation- like it. Pretty much like the office, but with less complaining.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">-Various BBC Sci/Fi shows- nice escape for a lonesome little PCV, because hey, I may have problems with ants in my house, and on more than one occasion have woken up with a cockroach in my bed and stuff, but at least I'm not a vampire/misfit who can read minds/ghost who lives with a werewolf/or the last of the time lords. Another thing I like about the BBC is that I feel like the actors on it are good looking, but aren't too good looking. This is good for my self esteem, because even though I ran out of shampoo a month ago, I feel like I could be on TV, at least in England.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">-Mad Men- you would think that after living in Africa, that I'd be sick of consumerism or the ad industry, but I think that Don Draper might just be too handsome to do anything that would really make me annoyed for long.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Of course, I don't spend all of my time watching TV on my wonder of a netbook (its so small!), I have also been working- though in the past five weeks, we have had school on a Monday exactly ONE TIME! The reasons for the various holidays in chronological order: Easter Monday, Labor Day, Something I can't remember, possibly a bank holiday, and last Monday, it was Kamuzu day.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Any time there is a holiday over the weekend, the government closes down schools the following Monday, but doesn't announce it until the Friday before at around 2:00.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I went to Catholic School, and we never had Easter Monday off- and how can you have a Labor Day if your country doesn't have unions? Or Labor, for that matter, practically every day is Labor day if 90% of your country is unemployed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The one that gets me the most, however, is Kamuzu day- the man was a genuine dictator, but he still gets a national holiday.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Ah well.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">My women's groups are going well- the Umoza group which sells school uniforms is inching toward our goal of buying a new sewing machine!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Thank you very much to anyone who bought a bag from me over Christmas, because this is how we have been able to afford to really get the business going. We just need a few more people to pay us for their school uniforms, and we can buy it.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>See, we have a problem, as a PCV, I am unable to be in charge of the group finances, which is fine, but that also means that the group 'sold' all of its uniforms on credit this term, even though I told them not to, but then, I only really work with the group on an advisory capacity, so what can you do?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Either way, this has made me sigh like a Peanuts character on more than one occasion. If we hadn't sold the uniforms on credit, we would have bought the second sewing machine months ago, and Ama Banda would have been able to teach sewing lessons out of her house to the other group members.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Instead, we've been chasing people to pay us for school uniforms their children have already been wearing for months.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The other group, which I usually think of as the Wednesday group, is also really getting into its stride.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>A few weeks ago, I gave the group members a little loan of about 3,000Mk to start a scone* business, and they have already managed to start paying me back while maintaining the business.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The group has pulled together nicely now that they have a purpose, and each member now has a little bit of money to take home to their families, but the majority of the profits are going toward making improvements to the primary school in the village. Their long term goal is to hire a teacher, and there is some talk of perhaps hiring one of my current students once he has finished with school. For a kid with such few options, this is huge.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The other day, that kid and I were walking home from the group meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My bag was full of fresh baked scones from the group, and we ate them as we went.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I asked Franzelo what the previous PCV in my area was like, and after much deliberation he came up with two statements: “He had a bicycle, and he loved vegetables.”- but he didn't just say that he 'loved' vegetables, he said he 'loooooved' vegetables. What will they say about me? She had a bicycle, and she loooooved dogs. I'll take it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Ok, I should go, the ants are back.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">-Melissa</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">*a scone in Malawi is really just a bread roll, don't ask me why they call them scones</p>Beeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06710018767991252791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1406308663551749187.post-41553127992838076952011-04-19T03:34:00.000-07:002011-04-19T03:56:56.916-07:00Regular DaysHey guys,<div><br /></div><div>Sorry I haven't written much lately, but really, to me life here is the same old same same. Here is a rundown of how my days tend to go- to me, this is boring everyday stuff, but maybe it will be interesting to the likes of you:</div><div><br /></div><div>Most days, I wake up, set a pan of water to boil, let the dog out (or else she stands on me until I do), and then I go back to doze until the water boils. I have a hot plate in my bedroom, which makes me really spoiled. Once the water is boiling, I mix it with cool water from the tap in my backyard (another thing that makes me spoiled), and I take a bucket bath in my shower (spoiled!). While I am bathing, I have another smaller pan of water that I boil for my coffee. </div><div><br /></div><div>After bathing, I make breakfast, usually pancakes. I mix the batter from scratch, which is actually pretty easy. I can get dressed as I fry them in my skillet, a benefit of having your hot plate in your bedroom. Finally, I eat my breakfast while reading, I drink half of the coffee at the table, and bring the rest to school so that I can be nice and caffeine buzzed when I teach. If I am running good on time, I can drink my coffee slowly and really savor my book, but usually I have to sort of bolt down my breakfast before I run across the street to the school.</div><div><br /></div><div>At the school, I teach my classes and sit in the library making sure that the students are working. At my desk, I plan or grade, but mostly I read books. The best times are breaks when the form one students rush in for new books. The classes I teach are Life Skills for forms one and two, and English for form one. The form one students are great, they work hard and ask good questions. The form two kids are troublesome and I have to keep on my toes with them, and usually have to plan very structured lessons that bore me. With the form one kids I can get more creative. </div><div><br /></div><div>After school, I either have meetings with my women's groups, or I go to the market. Umoza meets on Thursdays, the Kaweta group on Wednesdays, and the Science and Tech. Club meets on Mondays. Other times, I might nap. I also might make a snack before the meetings, popcorn is pretty easy to do. </div><div><br /></div><div>On Fridays, I go to Chintheche, I check my mail and go online. After that, I buy my food for most of the week. There is a guy who sells lots of different vegetables who I like to visit because otherwise its only onions and tomatoes all week. I also have a place I like to get my flour from, a fruit guy and an ufa lady. Ufa is the flour I make Hector's food with. The man I buy my fruit from is a cheerful little old mad who greets me the same way each week: 'Hello Madam!!!!'. My ufa lady always asks about my dogs and tells her friends about me, she lets me try my tonga on her. Of course, there is also Bright, at the internet cafe, and the guy at the post office who likes to joke with me. When I get parcels, the guy at the post office might pretend I have nothing, and then bust out a pile of packages and laugh- he never tries to get bribes, good man. After shopping, I sometimes visit my carpenter, who is a good guy, and is fun to talk with. He has made all of my furniture. </div><div><br /></div><div>On Saturdays, I do my laundry while listening to the BBC, and afterwards I tidy up my house, sweeping and mopping the whole house. This usually takes all day, so that by four, I am done, at which time, I read or sew. The little neighbor girls might come over to play at that time, which is nice, they are quiet and polite, but Hector scares them. </div><div><br /></div><div>On Sundays, if it is hot, I'll go to the lodge. Hector usually comes too. There I read and swim until I get light headed and have to go back.</div><div><br /></div><div>My evenings are the best time, and they are the same every day. I will read until the sun sets, and I can't see anymore, and I'll turn on the light to keep going. At around six, Zach calls, and we talk while I make dinner. I can most days fix a whole meal and eat it while we talk during his lunch break. When we are done talking, he goes back to work, and I'll read at my kitchen table with a handful of candy to cool my mouth off (I use too much spice in my dinners almost every day).</div><div><br /></div><div>That's about it-</div><div><br /></div><div>Beeb </div>Beeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06710018767991252791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1406308663551749187.post-68614783935748583462011-03-08T04:48:00.000-08:002011-03-08T05:12:46.595-08:00Science CampHey everyone!<div><br /></div><div>Well, science camp was a success! We ran out of time, so I'm saving some of the experiments for later, but the kids LOVED it! Especially the solar cars. I was very happy that some friends were able to come and help- Vanessa took over the lecture on the electric motor, because, yeah, I don't really know much about electricity. I was able to do the demonstration, but as for taking questions... nope, couldn't do it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Everything here is good! Sorry, I don't have much more time to write a big long post, but I love you all!</div><div><br /></div><div>beeb</div>Beeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06710018767991252791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1406308663551749187.post-37685971039447532912011-02-25T05:53:00.000-08:002011-02-25T06:01:22.501-08:00WHO'S READY FOR SOME SCIENCE!!!I am!<div><br /></div><div>I got the go ahead for my itty bitty day camp from the boss-man, who said that we can get me a little grant when I apply for it, so that's good, now I just have to write and submit the thing. We don't need money right this moment, but I'd like to know that the group will be supplied with iron nails and insulated wire for a bit longer. The experiments and posters are all set and assembled- I just need to add color to the posters that I made, but I can get that done over the weekend. Vanessa is coming up next Tuesday to help set up and teach- and by this time next week, we will be on our way to Mzuzu so I can buy more fabric for Umoza, and she can go to some meeting. </div><div><br /></div><div>Umoza is going just fine- and the other women's group, the one that meets on Wednesdays is also just fine. They have started turning a profit on home made peanut brittle which they store in my house at night when it rains. Yeah, guess who their #1 customer is...</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, as of yesterday, all but one of the puppies are GONE! This is a good thing. One puppy is cute, five puppies are a pain in the ass. </div><div><br /></div><div>so that's about it in the world of Melissa. The world is puddle wonderful and green, things are good. </div><div><br /></div><div>beeb </div>Beeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06710018767991252791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1406308663551749187.post-32556393996481882632011-02-22T05:14:00.000-08:002011-02-22T05:37:13.782-08:00Science and Technology Club Part IIHey all! So after a weekend at the beach to celebrate a friend's birthday, I'm back and really getting into preparing for next week's break when (drumroll please...) I am going to have a day camp for the Sci/Tech club! What?! Yeah, it is a week long break, and yes, I am going to spend it fiddling around with science experiments with my students. Don't judge. <div><br /></div><div>Most of the experiments I'll be presenting/ letting kids mess with come courtesy of Kitty and her amazing science kits! My favorite was definitely the kit that showed you how to make little things like a battery operated motor out of wire and paper clips, or another one which used the concept of electromagnets to create a telegraph machine. The solar cars are also awesome, I kept looking outside in hopes that the sun would come out so I could test them. Hope and pray for sun next week!</div><div><br /></div><div>This is how the camp will go- I have 5 main topics: sound, flight, electricity, magnets, and solar. The magnet activity will be next to the electricity activity so I can save time with the electromagnets. Each subject has about 5 activities to go with it, so the camp will either need to happen over the course of 2 days, or I'll need help (I have friends who are maybe coming though, keep your fingers crossed). Either way, I'm excited! I feel like Esther. </div>Beeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06710018767991252791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1406308663551749187.post-10521330574996848102011-02-15T06:46:00.000-08:002011-02-15T06:55:23.829-08:00Science and Technology ClubSUCCESS!<div><br /></div><div>Ok, ok, maybe this is a little premature, since we've only had our first meeting, but I will say that I for one had a good time teaching the little lecture I put together on flight. I told the students the basics of airplane flight, showed them some books that they could borrow for more reference, and then we took some of the balsa wood airplanes that I got in a package (thanks kitty!), and we threw them around, trying to see which model would go the farthest, and why. The kids loved it when one of the planes did loops. Then, we went back to the library and the kids made their own airplanes out of some index cards I'd found. It was a fun little lesson to start with. I think that next week we are going to work on simple machines (screws, wedges, levers, maybe even, gasp, a pulley)- I've got my carpenter working on making some simple shapes out of scraps for us, and he is even making me a peg board so that I can better demonstrate the principles. Today, a form 1 who isn't even taller than me yet borrowed a book about airplanes that I'd pulled and put on display under the 'technology club' poster. I'd say thats progress. </div><div><br /></div><div>melissa</div>Beeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06710018767991252791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1406308663551749187.post-66689661126907413152011-02-11T05:25:00.000-08:002011-02-11T05:49:36.573-08:00Ant ProblemI have an ant problem. There is really not much to be done about it, I keep all of my food in ant-proof containers, and the dogs make sure that there isn't a bit of food on the floor, but the ants seem to be ok with eating anything- dead insects, book glue, my backpack (why, I don't know, but they always seem to be on it). Sigh. Some day, I'll have nice things, and a house that isn't infested with things I only used to see on the discovery channel... someday.<div><br /></div><div>Things here are good, as you know, the rainy season is my favorite, so I am generally happy. I also have a pretty exciting stack of books sitting in my bedroom waiting for me to take them to the beach down the road. Yup, its a good life alright. </div><div><br /></div><div>In my most recent packages, I received some science type kits and a bunch of science books, which has inspired the staff to start a science and technology club. Now, I am no science teacher, but I think I'll manage. I think it would be cool to get the kids to make contraptions, sort of like what we used to do with tinker toys when I was growing up, and hopefully I can give small lectures about physics and simple tools. I have an idea in mind that we'll all make crazy contraptions a la Rube Goldberg that will solve all of our problems. This is, of course, not going to happen, but a girl can dream, right? Hopefully my local carpenter can help us by providing scraps of wood and things for a low cost, anyone who would like to send tinker toys or gears and stuff in their next packages will be very popular with the kiddies, I'm sure. </div><div><br /></div><div>Otherwise, no new news!</div><div><br /></div><div>Love,</div><div><br /></div><div>Melissa </div>Beeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06710018767991252791noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1406308663551749187.post-12374330677880154902011-02-08T06:29:00.000-08:002011-02-08T06:45:02.860-08:00Rainy Misty Mountains<div>Before I start in on my planned blog entry that I penned in my off period while I was sitting in the library, let me just thank Kitty R., who is a rockstar, and sent me 4 packages which all arrived today- my postmaster pretended at first that only one was coming, that joker. They are now strapped to my bike- I am waiting to open them until I get home :D</div><div><br /></div>We are in the middle of the rainy season here, so the entire countryside is green. This is my favorite time of year here, I have decided. There is a pass North of Mzuzu along the M1 which goes up the mountains and along an escarpment. The last time I traveled North to visit my friend who lives on the other side of the mountains, it was dry and yellow, and you could see scorch marks on the hills from brush fires, and the trees were sad low twisted things. Now though, when you travel through the mountains, everything is misty and green, it is the most beautiful thing I've seen in a long time. <div><br /></div><div>This time last year, I remember being in the back of a pickup truck with some friends on our way to some training or another, and we went through the mountains from Salima to Lilongwe. I think what I liked most about that trip was the way the clouds touched their surrounding hills, because we don't have anything like that where I'm from. </div><div><br /></div><div>My goal this term is to stay in the North and avoid the capitol as much as possible, unless Peace Corps demands that I go, or if, no sorry, WHEN Esther comes back. Last term I went six times: once in September for a rabies shot, then in October for the GRE (and an unfortunate bout of Malaria at the same time, in case you were wondering, even though I was on an IV drip 12 hours before I sat for the test, my scores weren't too shabby)- then I went again for Thanksgiving and to fly out to America, then of course I was there again when I returned from America, and finally I had MST in January, which meant that I was through Lilongwe both on my way to and from Dedza. I. Hate. Lilongwe. I have been away from the stupid place for about a month now, and I'm still annoyed by it- I can never meet with anyone from the office unless I am missing school, since office hours are only on the weekdays, and in order to get home in one day, I have to leave at 5:30. No thank you. So I'm boycotting the city- a bridge went out to the South of me, barring my way to the capitol, good riddance. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'd rather stay here along the lake shore up in the North, and when I do travel, I'll try to stay as close to home as possible. I think that in the future, I'll remember my time in the Peace Corps as me sitting in the back of a truck going along the lakeshort, or though the mountains to Mzuzu, my hair tucked into a hat to save it from the wind as I pass by terraced fields on steep hillsides, then past banana trees, and finally through the rubber tree plantation, where the rows of trees all seem to lean to the South. It is a good life here in Northern Malawi, I promise. </div>Beeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06710018767991252791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1406308663551749187.post-3301892853375969572011-01-18T05:56:00.000-08:002011-01-18T05:57:57.328-08:00Losing My MindI wrote a long, awesome blog post, and forgot it at my house. Now in the internet cafe, they have had the same song on repeat for an hour straight. <div><br /></div><div>5 minutes left on my time, I'm definitely going crazy.</div>Beeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06710018767991252791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1406308663551749187.post-12441999857737872622011-01-09T02:23:00.000-08:002011-01-09T02:31:38.610-08:00On BraveryWhen I was in America, I sometimes felt like when I was talking to people, it was difficult to explain what my life is like here in Malawi- I think the term ‘ships passing in the night’ applies here- no matter how hard I tried, I don’t think I was able to get my point across, and it isn’t that my friends and family didn’t try to understand my stories, it’s just that the way people live here is so different, that without any point of reference it is impossible for us to understand each other. I guess the thing that bugged me the most about it was that I seem to get credit for living in a place for 2 years where people live their entire lives. People live here, raise their children here, fall in love, have dreams, tell jokes and have spats with neighbors. It isn’t always a happy sunshine type life, but what is?<br /><br />A lot of people have the idea that Peace Corps volunteers are brave, but really, that’s not bravery, it’s something else maybe, but whatever it was that compelled me to choose to come here needs another name. Bravery is when you face something that is bigger than yourself, and you know that you can lose, but you do it anyway.<br /><br />Right now, my Uncle Kenny is very sick. I found out about this when he wrote me a letter about his golf game, which has been slipping. Two and a half typed pages later, he nonchalantly mentioned that perhaps the reason behind this is because of his Chemo treatments. Here’s the thing about Uncle Kenny, he doesn’t let himself get depressed, or maybe it isn’t even something he has to block out- maybe that’s just how he’s wired. I can just imagine him talking to the doctor about his treatment plan, and mentally taking notes about how he’ll have to change his tee time. That’s just the kind of guy he is. In his own words:<br /><br />“But hey, this is the Dude. I have been knocked down. Used to get knocked down playing football in high school all the time. So what do you do when you get knocked down? What do you mean what do you do? You get up off your butt and get back after it. That’s what I am doing… My handicap has gone up from a 6 to a 9 but what the heck. The upside is that I don’t have to give Uncle Tommy as many strokes as last year. See, look for the upside.”<br /><br />I often get homesick, but this is different, in a time like this, single days mean more, and I wish I could be home so that I could be with my family, but I know that if I could talk on the phone right now with Uncle Kenny, he’d tell me to stay here in Malawi, and make good on my promise to my community, and that he’ll be up and golfing in no time. I hope so.<br /><br />Maybe someday I’ll have to find out if I’m brave, but not if I’m lucky. I love you Uncle Kenny. Get better.<br /><br />Beeb.<br /><br />sidenote: Uncle Kenny totally looks like Colonel Alistair MacDonell of Glengarry<br /><br /><a href="http://www.1st-art-gallery.com/thumbnail/202169/1/Colonel-Alistair-Macdonell-Of-Glengarry,-Exh.-1812.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 369px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 600px" alt="" src="http://www.1st-art-gallery.com/thumbnail/202169/1/Colonel-Alistair-Macdonell-Of-Glengarry,-Exh.-1812.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Beeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06710018767991252791noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1406308663551749187.post-40851014555368192572011-01-04T05:35:00.000-08:002011-01-04T05:56:15.036-08:00Back to Work<div>Those of you who know me know that I worry- I worry a lot. Well, I'm happy to say that all of my worried about coming home were baseless. My student took great care of my house *AND* kept a detailed record of all the household expenses so there would be no problems when it came to paying him- I'm proud of the kid. My house is still standing (albeit crawling with ants- oh rainy season, how I missed you). </div><div><br /></div><div>My dog is still alive, though a bit worse for wear, she had her pups when I was gone and is skinny as a rail at the moment because all of her energy is going towards making milk for her babies- also, apparently she was bit by a snake on her leg one day after they were born while she was going out to feed them at whatever strange place she gave birth to them. The wound is not infected or anything, but it is pretty gnarly- I don't want to gross anyone out *cough cough, Mom, cough* but she was bit on the part of her leg below what I learned in Coach T's class was her heel, and I can see her tendons. She has let me clean it and bandage it though, so hopefully it will heal. You know, I'm actually pretty happy my student was watching my house while she had her pups, because he knew what to do- he followed her out to the hidey hole she gave birth in, brought the pups back to my house, and then he even put ant poison outside of the storage room they are in, because I guess ants can swarm newborn puppies and kill them. Hector, for her part, seems to have grown up a lot- I'm a little sad my bouncy dog is gone, but I guess she's just concerned with eating and nursing, I think she's a good mom, as far as dogs are concerned. Her puppies are nice and fat, there are four boys and one girl, which in Malawi, is ideal, since people prefer male dogs. My head teacher already asked for one (he recently had a break in too).</div><div><br /></div><div>Otherwise things are getting back to normal. I had a huge pile of exams to grade when I got to work today, but the grading is going quickly, I think that the change in weather is making it easier since it is much cooler now. One of my kids defined the word 'library' as 'the place where books are stolen'- I think he meant to say 'stored', but it made me laugh all the same. </div><div><br /></div><div>Shout out to Megan & Thom, who sent me a package ages ago that I didn't get until just now, the summer sausage inside was an amazing choice. Also, I got an outstanding package from Alice who blew me away by sending an entire bag of Oreos. I cried a little. Berrios, I used the book you got me today in my Form 1 class, so Yewu, and last but not least- I finally, after many trials and tribulations, received my package from Gracie. I haven't opened it yet since I still have to bike back home after this, but I will proudly wear the world map coat to my training next week, and all of my Peace Corps friends will be jealous. </div><div><br /></div><div>Love you all!</div><div><br /></div><div>beeb</div>Beeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06710018767991252791noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1406308663551749187.post-79441253141011416332010-12-31T01:25:00.000-08:002010-12-31T01:36:12.268-08:00Home AgainHey everyone!<br /><br />I am officially back in Malawi! *cheering & clapping*<br /><br />My flights weren't so bad, and though I wasn't able to drag myself out of the Amsterdam airport to walk around the city- I did have a hell of a nap in their aptly named 'cozy lounge'. I know that my trip back to Chintheche is going to be hot and uncomfortable, but at least the end is in sight- tomorrow evening, I will (hopefully) be reunited with my beloved Hector, and I'll be able to start getting back to a normal type life... kind of.<br /><br />Thank You so much to everyone who visited me while I was in the US- and triple that if you fed me. I'm going to miss you all, but my trip was good I think, because it helped me remember what I'm doing here in Malawi.<br /><br />As for tonight, New Years Eve, I am in the city of Lilongwe, but I think I'm going to end up crashing. I see a pillow in my immediate future.<br /><br />Alright, love to all :)<br />MelissaBeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06710018767991252791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1406308663551749187.post-68886535652745374452010-12-18T20:40:00.000-08:002010-12-18T20:43:05.482-08:00A ConversationOk, so, backstory.<br /><br />Both of my brothers, Matt and Chris, live in China now, teaching. About 2 months ago, my big brother Matt got married to a Chinese woman who, according to him, is too good to him. They like to talk on Skype with my dad. Alright, so now, here is a conversation they had the other day:<br /><br />[9:05:11 AM] Matthew Small: dad<br />[9:05:14 AM] Matthew Small: can you read this<br />[9:05:50 AM] Christopher Michael Small: Hey Dad<br />[9:05:58 AM] Matthew Small: lol<br />[9:06:10 AM] Mike Small: Hello Chris.<br />[9:06:25 AM] Matthew Small: chris, your situation is comical to me.<br />[9:06:31 AM] Matthew Small: should I tell dad<br />[9:07:59 AM] Christopher Michael Small: Hello Dad<br />[9:08:02 AM] Christopher Michael Small: probably not<br />[9:08:41 AM] Mike Small: Do you still have a job?<br />[9:09:02 AM] Christopher Michael Small: Yeah<br />[9:09:11 AM] Christopher Michael Small: it's nothing like that<br />[9:09:29 AM] Mike Small: Do you still have a place to live?<br />[9:09:41 AM] Christopher Michael Small: yeah<br />[9:09:58 AM] Matthew Small: I suspect that there is somewhere he could crash if he wanted too<br />[9:10:44 AM] Christopher Michael Small: So pretty much your first impulse was to phone Dad on this Matt?<br />[9:11:13 AM] Mike Small: Does this involve the police?<br />[9:11:20 AM] Christopher Michael Small: no<br />[9:11:25 AM] Christopher Michael Small: some dude is hitting on me<br />[9:11:46 AM] Matthew Small: you little tease<br />[9:11:52 AM] Matthew Small: I ment my house<br />[9:12:09 AM] Matthew Small: but yea,<br />[9:12:12 AM] Matthew Small: there's that<br />[9:12:22 AM] Mike Small: Is he Chinese?<br />[9:12:29 AM] Christopher Michael Small: yeah<br />[9:12:59 AM] Matthew Small: dad wanted to come by the way<br />[9:14:22 AM] Mike Small: Did we need to warn you about Chinese men- if so here it is, "please do not get married to a chinese man."<br />[9:15:21 AM] Matthew Small: Donna says they're good providers<br />[9:15:38 AM] Matthew Small: although they don't make much<br />[9:15:58 AM] Matthew Small: but he would you like a queen, kid-o<br />[9:16:11 AM] Christopher Michael Small: treat me like a queen<br />[9:16:20 AM] Christopher Michael Small: Bah, I make more money than him<br />[9:16:35 AM] Matthew Small: yea, probably<br />[9:16:44 AM] Matthew Small: lol<br />[9:16:56 AM] Mike Small: Can he cook?<br />[9:17:26 AM] Matthew Small: true enough<br />[9:17:35 AM] Matthew Small: he might expect you to do that<br />[9:17:37 AM] Christopher Michael Small: I don't know, maybe<br />[9:18:00 AM] Christopher Michael Small: Why, are you writing up a list of pros and cons now?<br />[9:18:43 AM] Matthew Small: So wait, you have know dad and I for like over two decades<br />[9:18:55 AM] Matthew Small: and you're still gunna ask that question<br />[9:19:09 AM] Mike Small: No I am sticking with my original warnings.<br />[9:19:26 AM] Christopher Michael Small: ok<br />[9:20:02 AM] Matthew Small: I dunno. I'm pretty hjappy with my chinese spouse<br />[9:20:35 AM] Matthew Small: you know, I haven't had to do my own laundry since I got here.<br />[9:21:46 AM] Mike Small: It is hard to believe that she has seen your underwear and is still with you.<br />[9:24:24 AM] Christopher Michael Small: ok, I think i'm going to sleep soon<br />[9:24:30 AM] Matthew Small: and yet..here we are. Also, standards in developing countries are different<br />[9:24:53 AM] Christopher Michael Small: indeed<br />[9:26:10 AM] Mike Small: Ok. Chris go to sleep. Maybe the three os us can talk tomorrow.<br />[9:26:25 AM] Christopher Michael Small: ok, cool<br />[9:26:28 AM] Christopher Michael Small: cya<br />[9:27:06 AM] Matthew Small: yea, see ya, bro<br />[9:27:08 AM] Mike Small: Good night Chriss- Goodnight Matt.<br />[9:27:34 AM] Matthew Small: wait, I'm not leaving<br />[9:29:29 AM] Matthew Small: so how are things at home<br />[9:32:04 AM] Matthew Small: alright. talk if your still there. if not, cya later I guess<br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="if(typeof(jsCall)=='function'){jsCall();}else{setTimeout('jsCall()',500);}" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Beeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06710018767991252791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1406308663551749187.post-41437223399291785032010-12-18T07:25:00.000-08:002010-12-18T07:30:41.843-08:00Proof<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ngrams.googlelabs.com/chart?content=Klingon,Chitonga&corpus=0&smoothing=3&year_start=1800&year_end=2000"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 401px; height: 145px;" src="http://ngrams.googlelabs.com/chart?content=Klingon,Chitonga&corpus=0&smoothing=3&year_start=1800&year_end=2000" alt="" border="0" /></a>The Blue Line is 'Klingon'- the Red Line is 'Chitonga'Beeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06710018767991252791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1406308663551749187.post-78091088258859798082010-12-12T15:09:00.000-08:002010-12-12T16:02:15.218-08:00Let it snow, let it snow, let it... ok, now, that's enough... ah, oh well... let it snow!I have been in Michigan for a few days now, and there are a few things I've noticed. The first thing I realized is that I'm normal- yup, that's right, I am absolutely normal. That is to say, in Michigan I'm normal. It is normal to wear shirts about the mitten state, be rowdy on the weekends, and tell impossibly long stories, you just have to be in Michigan.<br /><br />Let me give you an example. Yesterday, I made the trek to East Lansing with Carrie and Zach to see some friends. When we arrived at Carrie's house, the dogs attacked us (of course), and Carrie's mom fed us breakfast- as each of her family members walked downstairs, I noticed that every single one of them was wearing a Michigan State University shirt or sweat shirt. Even Carrie's brother's girlfriend was wearing an MSU shirt- so there we were, 7 adults with spartan pride. Earlier in the week I went to the mall and saw more than one store selling novelty T-shirts about the mitten state- so there! It isn't just me!<br /><br />Then we went to East Lansing where we were rowdy. Carrie's little brother- alias 'army of one Bob' showed up at Woody's pretty inappropriate. First he offered to taze us, because apparently it is the secret of the energizer bunny's power- who knew? Next, he pulled out his own bottle of whiskey and a bottle of soda and made his own drink, sometime later, he asked me how it felt to lose both of my brothers to the communists. It was pretty amazing, apparently when I went to the bathroom, he tried to get my friends to help him 'take melissa and her brothers down', because I guess we don't love 'mericuh enough.<br /><br />The weather here has been dangerous, Carrie and I spun out on the highway on our way home, so we got a ride from one of Carrie's brother's girlfriends, who had a car with newer tires. Because of the weather, I'm staying at Carrie's tonight and going home tomorrow. We just had some turkey with her two brothers, both of their girlfriends and her parents, it is nice to be able to borrow someone elses' brothers for a while since mine are in China.<br /><br />So I'm happy to be home for a bit, but don't worry about me, I'm definately missing Africa too.<br /><br />beebBeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06710018767991252791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1406308663551749187.post-68704898083188511442010-12-06T02:02:00.000-08:002010-12-06T02:04:47.054-08:00What do I want for Christmas?Answer: this is what I want for Christmas.<br /><br /><a href="http://michiganawesome.myshopify.com/collections/t-shirts">http://michiganawesome.myshopify.com/collections/t-shirts</a><br /><br />I'll be home WEDNESDAY!Beeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06710018767991252791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1406308663551749187.post-86234623676249204182010-11-29T01:58:00.000-08:002010-11-29T02:14:13.729-08:00Thanksgiving #2!I can't believe I've been in Malawi long enough to have had two Thanksgivings here, but there you are!<br /><br />On the actual day of Thanksgiving, I was in Mzuzu, aka, the greatest place in Malawi (or maybe second only to Nkhata Bay), we killed a turkey- Gerard from the zoo wanted to do it by an injection of vodka. That is exactly something he would do.<br /><br />The next day, Friday, I headed down to Lilongwe, beer, dancing, food, a good time was had by all- then of course, the actual celebration at the Ambassador's house was even more fun- and then that night when we went dancing was a fun EXPLOSION! Ugh, seriously, friends in 'Merica, you'll have to show me an extra good time if you want to try to compete.<br /><br />So yup, that's that, I'm super excited to go home and see everyone, but I do have a good life here too.<br /><br />Love love<br /><br />beebBeeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06710018767991252791noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1406308663551749187.post-54209803742381252282010-11-18T02:15:00.000-08:002010-11-18T02:21:12.448-08:00Oh beautiful...Hey guys!<div><br /></div><div>So yes, I'm excited to go to narnia, I mean America, but I can't help but be a little nervous about traveling alone- I'm sure things will be fine, as one of my friends pointed out, I've been living in Africa for more than a year. Still.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm also a little sad that I won't be able to show any pictures of Malawi, since my camera charger and computer were both stolen- my camera is about 5 years old, but hopefully I can get a new camera charger when I'm home (or maybe a new camera...?)</div><div><br /></div><div>That's about it, I'm getting excited to see you all, and the Umoza group is currently at work sewing napkins and place mats for me to sell when I get home- the fabrics here are really something, so hopefully we'll have buyers. I also hope to bring some carvings and stuff home, fingers crossed. </div><div><br /></div><div>See you in a few weeks!</div>Beeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06710018767991252791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1406308663551749187.post-3413760138807797192010-11-11T23:55:00.000-08:002010-11-12T00:01:07.452-08:00!!!Today is going to be a good day.<div><br /></div><div>I am currently in Chintheche on the hunt for a catfish. There are catfish in Malawi, and I am going to fry one with some friends tonight. I cooked a ton of food too to surprise them with once they get here so it should be a good time- you can't go wrong with cookies. </div><div><br /></div><div>Also!! I just got 3 huge packages in the mail today- one from cousin Gracie and 2 from the Rothwells. I haven't opened them yet because I'm worried about carting them home, but I'm sure they're amazing, I can't wait!. </div><div><br /></div><div>So that's about it, all in all, a promising day as it is only 10:00. </div>Beeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06710018767991252791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1406308663551749187.post-13743685359315081862010-11-08T05:48:00.000-08:002010-11-08T06:07:08.638-08:00Home!Today in the library there was a huge pile of books on the floor when I walked in- Mr. Simkonda and Mr. Msumba were on the floor, spider crouched, sorting through them. When I asked them 'what's all this then', they told me that the books had been donated from a school in Livingstonia that recently upgraded from being a secondary school to a University. I didn't know schools could do that. <div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I started to help them sort, and I came across a book from the early 1950's called 'America in 1,000 pictures', which was just a bunch of pictures sorted by state (all 48 of 'em). I stood for about 20 minutes just looking at the cheezy 1950's pictures. </div><div><br /></div><div>I'm going home for a visit in December though :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Two things that are a little sad about my visit though- I won't have any pictures to show since my computer was stolen, and Chris won't be there. The pictures, well, you guys can just deal with that (and I can't put them on the internet from here, so there was no way to back them up, so please, no guilt)- but Chris' being in China- that's rough. I was planning on just doing everything with him when I got back, and soaking up his absurdity and wisdom. Plus, I don't know how I'll react to being in a country where I can wear anything and eat actual food- a place where internet and phone calls are free? Where do I go? What do I do? I wanted Chris to be there, because he would probably go with me to Meijer at 2am and not judge- and afterward, he'd fully support my desire to go into a McDonalds and ask them to make me a flurry with a pie (a plan I've been thinking of for a while). Because of this lack of little brother, I'll need other people to rally and visit, yes yes? Please come see me in Grand Rapids, I miss you all- I have made no travel plans yet, just come see me. </div><div><br /></div><div>Take care! I'll see you all in a month!</div>Beeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06710018767991252791noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1406308663551749187.post-20417339267291129902010-10-29T06:24:00.000-07:002010-10-29T06:43:06.259-07:00To begin, a shout out to Christi and Kitty who both sent awesome packages around early September- thanks guys! I am going to enjoy my coffee and beef jerky, maybe at the same time, who knows, I'm crazy.<div><br /></div><div>Also, to all my friends living in DC, I am seriously jealous that you get to got to the Rally to Restore Sanity. Wish I could go- even though when people try to explain the current American political scene to me over the phone, I get confused and get a headache. </div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, congratulations to Chris, who is leaving for China soon. For those of you who don't know, my older brother Matt now lives in China with his new wife (yay!), and my little brother Chris is also going to go there to teach, and maybe also to find a wife- that remains to be seen. So, for anyone who was born between the years 1984-1988, get ready for my mom to empty-nest all over you, because she isn't going to have any kids in America soon. Just kidding mom, don't get mad. </div><div><br /></div><div>My week has been ok, it's getting really hot, but the library seems to always be a good 10-20 degrees cooler than the outside, so I've been in there a lot, as usual. The acting ambassador is slated to visit my school this upcoming week on Thursday, which should be cool- I'm a little nervous about it actually, my head teacher wanted to have a big party for her, which wouldn't be good, because she just wants to see a normal school day, and I've also had some conversations with people who seem to think that maybe she'll come and build us a laboratory, which she isn't going to do, since the woman isn't Oprah, and that isn't the point of the visit. Plus, I've been working for the past year to try to get the idea across that nobody is going to just build us anything, and that we have to use the resources we have. We had a library that was being eaten by termites, and a bunch of computers in boxes under a thick layer of dust when I came here- and if you'd asked anyone back then what we most needed, they'd have said computers or more books- come to find out we actually had some nice books and passable computers, we just needed to use them. Now we're working on renovating one of our old classrooms to use as a laboratory, so we're cleaning old lab equipment and using locally available resources to build storage and work places. I think that this is actually better than just having someone give us a lab, personally, but it is like pulling teeth to get anything done. Have you ever read that book 'if you give a mouse a cookie'?, I'm pretty sure the guy who wrote that worked in a developing school somewhere.</div><div><br /></div><div>I guess that's the problem, isn't it? What the community wants isn't what the donor wants to give, and both could be completely different from what the community really needs. I think it is all very sticky- people have the best of intentions when they come out here, but who knows if their projects are going to work? I think that I want to study education and international development in grad school- maybe I'll end up at American University like the rest of Peace Corps. That would be nice, maybe then I could make it to the next Stewart/Colbert rally- September 2012? Anyone?</div>Beeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06710018767991252791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1406308663551749187.post-41039830173354487062010-10-25T00:17:00.000-07:002010-10-25T00:48:16.118-07:00Malaria Free! Way 'ta Be!Hey all!<br /><br />So yesterday I felt head-achey and sleepy, so I stayed around Mufasas and rested- then today, I went to the medical unit for my check up and was declared cured! Whoot! No more parasites attacking my red blood cells!Beeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06710018767991252791noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1406308663551749187.post-53445788644071187332010-10-23T06:35:00.000-07:002010-10-23T06:59:14.372-07:00Welcome to AmericaSo, as you may know, I have been preparing to take the GRE. I got a few test books and went to town on them for about two months, and then this week I went to Lilongwe to take the test. I had some things to get done at the Peace Corps office, so I went down two days before the test to get my work done and get into a GRE state of mind.<br /><br />The night before I left I felt kind of sick, I puked up the banana I ate for lunch, skipped dinner, and spent the night in an uncomfortable sweaty-sleepy-shaky state. That morning I felt better, if a little sluggish from lack of sleep, so I threw myself on a bus for the 7 hour trip to Lilongwe. The bus trip sucked, of course, and someone next to me ralphed into her chitenge, which was uncomfortable since you can't exactly get off of a bus here in Malawi once you are on it- this is also the reason why I don't drink water when I travel here. By the time I got to the Peace Corps office, I was tired, thirsty and generally ratty looking, but I had a doctor's appointment for my mid term physical, so I went in to see the medical staff.<br /><br />It took them about two seconds to diagnose me with Malaria.<br /><br />Now, I'm a good little volunteer, I take my anti-malarials, but sometimes I forget, especially on the weekends, so I must have forgotten to take my meds last Saturday and Sunday, which is when the filthy little vampire bug must have gotten me. I guess though that when you take your meds that the symptoms aren't as bad, so it makes sense that I just thought I had food poisioning.<br /><br />The worst day was yesterday, when I couldn't keep anything down, and they hooked me up to an IV drip all day, and my temperture spiked to something around 110. That sucked. The doctor let me use his computer to see if I could cancel or re-schedule my test if I had a doctor's note. Nope. All cancelations must be made at least three days in advance, well, three days ago I felt ducky. He was shocked- 'So what, you aren't allowed to get sick? welcome to America'<br /><br />So what about the test? Well, I took it this morning at the testing center at the embassy, it was a paper based test, and the examiner had some serious time keeping issues (he cut us off early on the first verbal section, dick), but I did it. Now I need to go sleep.Beeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06710018767991252791noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1406308663551749187.post-81491697693546685042010-10-18T05:41:00.000-07:002010-10-18T05:54:55.903-07:00GRE count down, 6 more daysHey all! Sorry to anyone who has been trying to phone and hasn't been able to get through, my new phone SUCKS. I don't know what else to say but keep trying. <div><br /></div><div>I am still studying for the GRE- I feel like I am going to do ok- apparently the hardest part for most people is the verbal section, but due to my extreme nerdiness I have never had a problem with words, so I'm not stressing on it- I'm worried about the Math section. Math, my lifelong nemesis- my Achilles heel, my Everest... you get the picture. I'm at the point in my studying now where I am just deciding which questions to just skip.</div><div><br /></div><div>Life in Chintheche is nice- Hector is delightful, as always, though I'm worried that she is becoming a woman now, if you get my drift, and I'm looking for a solution to the possible puppy problem. This is why most Peace Corps volunteers get boy dogs, but she showed up at my doorstep shivering from the rain in the arms of one of my students, how could I say no?</div><div><br /></div><div>The form 1 students are learning to use the library! I have started to poll students about which books they do and don't like- it turns out that they would like more books about sports, history, science, and animals. They tend to like folktales and other types of stories, but little kids books aren't as popular. Their reading levels are still developing, so things that are too difficult aren't really great, but anything with lots of illustrations and easy to follow readings are great.</div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, anyone who has sent me a package since my break-in, they haven't arrived quite yet, but since I just got my birthday packages sent in early September, I'm sure they're coming. I did, however, get a letter from my Uncle Kenny, aka 'The Dude', about his golf game that was sent September 20. As always, it was a classic. </div><div><br /></div><div>Love to all,</div><div><br /></div><div>beeb</div>Beeperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06710018767991252791noreply@blogger.com2