Well I have officially lived at my house in Dimako for 13
months, my longest time at one house since I graduated from high school. School
has already started, we are already in the 3rd week, and it is going
infinitely better than last year. It also helps that I only have 3 classes, and
2 of them are smaller than 30. One of my classes is amazing! Really smart and
motivated which also makes me motivated so that’s awesome.
With my new schedule it allows me to do more outside of
school since my hours are more condensed.
Hopefully soon I will start giving classes to some girls at the primary
school, so equivalent to the 5th grade. I am looking forward to that
and so is the director of the school. And in October I should be teaching basic
computer skills to my colleagues in the hopes that we will computerize the
students grades making life easier for everyone. Also one of my fellow PCVs has
asked me to help give a cross-cultural class encompassing everything from
colonization to the EU to some students at the after school center she works
at, as well as Adult English classes. So my year is filling up fast, which
makes me excited.
In addition to all of that, I have started working at the
boutique in my house’s concession and I LOVE it. I get to talk with all the
clients and everyone who walks by. It’s kind of fun just sitting in there,
reading a book until someone comes who wants to buy soap or some bread. It also
means that if I need something I don’t have to go all the way to the market
because it’s right there! Very convenient.
In other news, I celebrated my birthday with some fellow
volunteers. In fact there were twice as many people this year as last year. I
made pizza and a carrot cake, while another volunteer made chocolate chip
cookies and a salad. It turned out really well and fun =)
I have also been trying to studying for the GRE since I am
taking it in November and in the past 2 weeks my score has already improved
some, so that is good news. I have narrowed my schools down to George
Washington, Georgetown, American, and Yale. All with a focus in International
Affairs and US Foreign Policy.
Finally it looks like I will have a roommate for 6 months,
when a volunteer from another sector, Youth Development, will come and live
with me until my time is up. A bit unorthodox but since there aren’t a lot of
houses in Dimako it is hard to find a place for a PCV to live. Luckily I have
just bought another bed so they wont have to buy anything when they come, which
should be nice for them!
