You Are My Porridge

     A couple of weeks ago, someone yelled across the street, “You are my porridge!”  At first, I was rather confused by this.  What was this man trying to tell me?  Did he want me to make him porridge?  Did he want to make me porridge?  Then, after a while, I realized that in South Africa, they eat porridge for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Evidently, this was quite the compliment…

            I hope that everything is going well state-side.  Thanks to my brother, Dave, my sports connection to the US, I’m up-to-date on some things so, I’m sorry about the Phillies; that is a bummer!  Hopefully they’ll come through next year.  The past couple of weeks here were really great, so let me update you on my life in Limpopo (which is apparently known as the Eden of South Africa)…

            First of all, I celebrated my first South African birthday last Saturday.  I felt like it was a 36-hour birthday due to the time difference – let me tell you, I could get used to having a longer birthday!  It was definitely weird not being with my family and friends back home (I was feeling a bit nostalgic for Lady Antebellum and birthday cake shots), but I had a wonderful day nonetheless thanks to some of my best Peace Corps friends.  At first I feared that I might be spending my entire birthday in the back of a khombi – the taxi drivers don’t leave until every seat, and I mean EVERY seat plus some, is filled.  Eventually we were off to Polokwane, my head hanging out of the window (I am not quite sure why dogs enjoy doing this) so I made sure not to sweat to death.  When Mardy, Jill, and I arrived in Polokwane, we met up with Abby, Nick, Colin, and Casey at the Mall of the North.  They gave me the nicest birthday card (props to Casey for being a great artist)!  Thanks to my my parents, Erny, and Aunt Barb, I was able to purchase a new pair of shoes (Crocs has some really adorable & comfortable shoes for teaching) and a foam roller (which my host family LOVES!).  After a bit of shopping, we enjoyed a meal at Mugg & Bean, and then headed off to the Game Reserve.  One of the PCV’s from SA23 was the nicest host ever, making us feel quite at home.  The evening was spent eating a delicious cake (Betty Crocker Nick made a peanut butter and chocolate cake – the appearance didn't do it justice!), drinking Top Deck Martini’s (thanks Abby!), and playing a multitude of card games.  The next morning we were able to walk around the Game Reserve, and even see some animals; I’ve never been so close to an ostrich before.  It was definitely an unforgettable birthday.  Thanks to everyone at home for all of the warm wishes; they meant a lot!

            As much fun as I had, it was nice to come home.  Unfortunately the trip back was a little too eventful for my liking – let’s just say that I kind of stick out and get some unwanted attention.  I don’t know how many times or in how many languages I have to say “no, I don’t want your number” and “no, you can’t have my number” and “no, I will not marry you” to get the point across.  Luckily, my host family was home when I returned, arms wide open, to welcome me back which made the khombi ride back a little less upsetting. 

            As for my site – it continues to make me smile, and I continue to be amazed as to how lucky I was to be placed where I am.  I feel like a member of the community now, which is a really terrific feeling.  At one of the schools I am working with, we just began the Reading Intervention program.  I assisted the English teachers and the HOD with different strategies on how to successfully implement the program.  It was so great working with the teachers on this, and seeing how receptive they were to my advice.  I know that while they will learn from me, I will learn so much more from them.  This week was my first time teaching the 7^th grade learners English for the ANA (Annual National Assessment) Reading Intervention.  The lesson – which took about 2 hours – went really well!  I had the learners make their own Personal Dictionaries, and we started doing Personal Journals.  One of the PCV’s who was at our group’s training had suggested the idea of Journals, and I’m so glad that she did; I think it is going to be a successful tool for improving writing.  In addition, I played hangman with the class.  It’s a really great way to get the learners spelling, and learning new vocab.  Since they beat me, I brought all 57 of them cookies on Tuesday, which they were very happy about.  The teachers didn’t mind eating the extras, either!  I have also started the journaling program at the other school I am working with.  Last week, I discussed the reading program – D.E.A.R. – with the teachers.  Some of them have made the corners in their classrooms, which I was glad to see.  I have realized that I will definitely need to be patient on implementing it.

            In addition to working at the schools, I have started teaching the ABET class on Mondays and Tuesdays after school; this is the village’s adult education program.  The secretary at the school in my village goes there, so it really fell into my lap as luck would have it.  Although there are only 6-7 students on a given day, I am really enjoying working with these men and women.  We have had some really wonderful discussions so far.  I never thought that I would be teaching things like Life Skills, HIV/AIDS, how to develop positive relationships, etc. but I find myself doing so and loving it.  I am also teaching them English; last week I taught how to write Diary Entries, and this week I taught a lesson on poetry. 

            For some random notes… I love that when I have a bad hair day, I can simply wear a duku and I manage to get multiple compliments.  I’ve started practicing carrying items on top of my head (pots, buckets, bowls), which I love!  The women here make it look wicked easy, but it takes major skill!  I still need to keep my hands close to whatever I’m carrying to make sure that it doesn’t fall off of my head.  Hopefully I’ll be an expert soon!  I’ve also started to bake with my host mother.  This week we made banana bread which for some reason or another I manage to burn every time.  Luckily, it was salvageable!  Next week, we are going to try carrot cake.  I’ll be sure to let you know how it turns out!  I just finished reading Randy Pausch’s “The Last Lecture” and I am currently reading Mitch Albom’s “Tuesdays with Morrie.”  Both are great reads and are very inspirational.  If you have the time, be sure to pick them up. 

            This morning two other PCVs and I ran a 9k in Giyani!  It was my first race in SA and it went really well!  We were able to talk to the local running club, who we plan on running with a few times a month.

Sala Gabotse!

Love and Miss you All Very Much!

Meg J