After a very long hiatus from my blog I’m finally posting
again. Sorry it took me so long…readjusting back to Mozambique and the time
zone here was a little rough. As you know a few weeks ago I was in America for
my best friend’s wedding. It was such an amazing trip home! I got to eat at all
the places I had been thinking about since last September and got to see most
of my family and friends! It was only a short trip, about 12 days, and it felt
even shorter. The jet lag wasn’t too bad but because I was busy 24/7 with
wedding events and then just out and about seeing family and friends it was
crazy busy and tiring. When I finally got back I slept the whole weekend trying
to catch up on sleep and the jet lag.
Before leaving America (the first time—last September) I was
really nervous about coming home during my service and then have to leave to
come back to Mozambique. At first I thought maybe I didn’t need to go home during
these 27 months because it’d be too hard to come back. After about a few weeks
of training I decided that I was crazy to think I could go without seeing my
family and friends for 27 months.
I’m so blessed that I was able to fly home and be with my
best friend for the most important day of her life. I know a lot of PCVs miss
out on weddings, funerals and major life events and I felt so incredibly happy
to be able to go to America for that day. I knew it was going to be sad to come
back to Nacucha after spending so much time with my family and friends but I
made it back! Yes, I did look like a bit of a crazy person in a few airports
when I started crying but I have made it back to site and am back into my
teaching routine.
The first weekend was really rough with jet lag—I couldn’t
sleep at night so I ended up sleeping everyday until noon. I hadn’t done that
in so long it felt weird. After 4 or 5 days I was finally back to normal. On a
side note I have an amazing roommate…she was happy to have me back in Nacucha
(even though I think she was more happy to get her computer charger and ranch
dressing) :) and
wanted to help me adjust back to life at site. She offered to watch Pitch
Perfect with me anytime I wanted, even in the middle of the night since I
couldn’t sleep. If you know Anna you would know she absolutely hates those kinds
of movies but I love them. In her words she thought I was emotionally
vulnerable after coming back from the states and wanted to help me through it
by watching my favorite movie. I’m so happy to have such a nice roommate/friend
who puts up with my craziness.
When I went back to class and saw my students again it made
life easier—they were all so excited to see me they gave me hugs and kisses on
my cheeks. It’s good to be back teaching English again…even though they keep
asking me why I didn’t bring them cake back. I tried to explain that I had no
room in my luggage and it wouldn’t make it back in my bag on the airplane. They
were still happy to have me back.
The past few weeks at site have been crazy—we’re ending this
set of modules and get a new schedule next week. I have been grading nonstop
since I got back and have been trying to get caught up with my classes.
Thankfully I’m almost caught up with grading all the tests!
I’m going back to washing my clothes by hand…having a
washing machine was so nice in America. I forgot how easy it is just to throw
your clothes in there and they get clean and dry in a few hours. It was very
different to be back in America but at the same time felt like I had never
left. Now being back in Nacucha feels the same way.
I’ll be posting again soon…no more month long hiatus. I
can’t wait to post pictures of the library when I get all the donated supplies
from the Bergan Auxiliary…the kids are going to be so excited to see all the
nice stuff they can use at the library. It filled 10 boxes that are now in
transit to Nacucha. I think the Priest is going to be a little curious when I
ask him to go get all those boxes. :) Now I guess I better go and hunt down bricks and wood to make some bookcases.
