Thursday, July 18, 2013

Semester break!!


Let me start off by saying it’s almost school break and 33 days until America!

The past few weeks I’ve been having problems with my eyes…after talking to PCMO last week I was able to go to an optometrist in Nampula. Last Friday was my first appointment and thankfully the PC doctor was able to go with me to the appointment. It ended up being at the big hospital—which was very overwhelming. We didn’t have to wait long because they ushered me in and ahead of many other patients. I felt really bad because my problem was not as bad as some of the other men and women waiting to be seen by the doctor.
After the female optometrist examined my eyes she told me it was a bacterial infection and gave me eye drops and cream to use. And of course she wanted to see me again in a week. I was not excited to have to travel out of site again but guess it was necessary. I’m really hoping after tomorrow’s eye appointment she gives me the ok to wear my contacts again! I left site again today to make it to Monapo (to get my new working computer charger—thanks mom!) and am now in Nampula. There are a lot of nice things about Nampula that make me love coming here :) It has real stores and supermarkets where you can buy anything and everything you could want. Restaurants and take away food places that are yummy and free wifi at the Peace Corps office!

It’s been a nice break to come here now two weeks in a row. The timing was not the greatest with it being the last week of grading before the break but I got all my binders finished and turned in! I just hope they are correct and don’t need to be corrected. I felt like an idiot because one of the English teachers, Diamantino, told me that we had break this week…So of course on Monday I slept in, hung out around the house and then went to the market. Tuesday morning, Diamantino came to my door to give me work and inform me that all the professors were working this week and had break the following week. I feel like I’m always behind with the information and I’m pretty sure the other professors think I’m crazy and stupid since I miss meetings and workdays. Thankfully, I still managed to get everything done and even showed up to a meeting this week :) I’m pretty sure next Tuesday our break officially starts. I think we only have one week off and then have to come back and work/supervise the students working in the farms for another week. Then classes start again on August 1st, hoping my 8th graders come back more well-behaved :) 

I’m so ready for break! Next week I’m leaving to go to Gurue to celebrate my birthday with my Peace Corps besties! After that we are traveling back up to Nampula to go to our PDM/EGRA conference for a week. Then back to site to set up the library and afterschool tutoring program then HOME for my best friend’s wedding! Counting down the days until I’m reunited with my family and friends in America :) 33 to be exact!

Some pictures from these past few months: 
Bryson :)


Elsa showing her Dora picture


Our REDES girls preparing for their talent show


Sexual Health session at the REDES conferenee


Last day of the REDES conference 


Our man-made pond in Nacuxa


Our site visitors, Julia & Marieka, shelling peanuts with the crianças


Junait & I dancing during our dance party :)


Anna & some crianças dancing 


One of our favorite crianças, Lulu


More of our lovely crianças


Anna getting a back massage :)