Gobble Gobble! Err… Cluck Cluck!
jeudi, novembre 23, 2006
Quote of the Summer:
At the Ritz, seeing A Devil Wears Prada with my sister.
Sister: I have not seen a movie in the theater since Titanic came out!!
Me: …
Sister: What? That wasn’t that long ago.
Me: …
Random Woman Next To Us: :::starts cracking up::: Honey! That was 10 years ago!
Me: …
Happy Thanksgiving all! While the manly men of our PC group are out killing us a chicken or 2 (yah, for real), for our “feast” tonight I thought I would pop on over and give some thanks for my numerous blessings:D
1. The fact that I have not yet died from any of the following listed in the PC Cameroon Medical Manual: Malaria, Depression, Alcohol Abuse, Culture Shock, Typhoid, Brucellosis, Hepatitis, Dengue Fever, Amoebic Dysentery, Bacterial Dysentery, Giardia, Sunburn, Fractures, Sprains, Dehydration, Plaque, Gingivitis, Sinusitis, Constipation, Diarrhea, TB, Avian Flu, Bronchitis, Pneumonia, Ebola, Filaria, Shistosomiasis, Cholera, Tinea Pedis, Tinea Corporis, Tinea Vericolor , Lice, Plantar Warts, Hookworm, Ringworm, Staph aureus, Group A Strep, Scabies, Tinea Cruris (Jock Itch), Epididymitis, Non-Gonococcal Urethritis, Penile Lesions, Prostatitus, Maternity, Abortion, UTI, Vaginitis, HIV/AIDS, Chlamydia, Genital Warts, Gonorrhea, Herpes, LGV, Chancroid, Granuloma, PID, Syphilis, Hair Loss, Assault, Scorpion Stings, Animal Bites, Rabies, Human Bites (I know. Or actually… I don’t.). My favorite chapter in the manual is entitled, “Other Winged, Creepy-Crawly Things that May Sting, Bite, Lay Eggs on You, or Otherwise Bum You Out.” Comedic, aren’t they? You guys still want to visit me now? :D
:::knocks on wood:::
2. All of you! My Big Phat African Family! My homegirls and homeboys in Jersey, NY, Cali, Taxachusetts, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Virginia, D.C., Georgia, Costa Rica, the Virgin Islands, India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Great Britain, Senegal, Nigeria, Tanzania and Ghana (Roll call: “Hot Girl Check-In?”)! My fellow volunteers! You guys are so awesomely re-inspiring to me every day! And even the poor random folk who end up at my blog by accident! :] Thank you all so very much for the wonderful comments, emails, letters, texts, packages, prayers, wishes, and love! It is appreciated more than I could ever put into words:]
3. The fact that I have electricity at my homestay. More importantly, the fact that the electricity at my homestay goes out frequently. This way my homestay family cannot see the expression on my face (unless I smile) as I am eating their delectable dinners. Additionally, when I suddenly come across something crunchy in my food, I cannot see what it is. I just tell myself that it’s “protein.”
4. My daily evening bucket baths in the latrine. I have come to love my bucket baths. I have even mastered the art of using 2 gallons of water to wash my entire body and my hair! But the best part is the sky. The moonlight and the millions of stars… So gorgeous… I wish that you could all see it.
5. The fact that training is over in 3 weeks!!
6. The fact that somehow… I am still crazily excited to be here and to do some work :]
And on that note, can I have an “Amen! Halleluiah!”? May you all have “The Itis” tonight!
“Healthy wolves and healthy women share certain psychic characteristics: keen sensing, playful spirit, and a heightened capacity for devotion… inquiring, possessed of great endurance and strength… They are experienced in adapting to constantly changing circumstances; they are fiercely stalwart and very brave.”
~ Clarissa Estes
At the Ritz, seeing A Devil Wears Prada with my sister.
Sister: I have not seen a movie in the theater since Titanic came out!!
Me: …
Sister: What? That wasn’t that long ago.
Me: …
Random Woman Next To Us: :::starts cracking up::: Honey! That was 10 years ago!
Me: …
Happy Thanksgiving all! While the manly men of our PC group are out killing us a chicken or 2 (yah, for real), for our “feast” tonight I thought I would pop on over and give some thanks for my numerous blessings:D
1. The fact that I have not yet died from any of the following listed in the PC Cameroon Medical Manual: Malaria, Depression, Alcohol Abuse, Culture Shock, Typhoid, Brucellosis, Hepatitis, Dengue Fever, Amoebic Dysentery, Bacterial Dysentery, Giardia, Sunburn, Fractures, Sprains, Dehydration, Plaque, Gingivitis, Sinusitis, Constipation, Diarrhea, TB, Avian Flu, Bronchitis, Pneumonia, Ebola, Filaria, Shistosomiasis, Cholera, Tinea Pedis, Tinea Corporis, Tinea Vericolor , Lice, Plantar Warts, Hookworm, Ringworm, Staph aureus, Group A Strep, Scabies, Tinea Cruris (Jock Itch), Epididymitis, Non-Gonococcal Urethritis, Penile Lesions, Prostatitus, Maternity, Abortion, UTI, Vaginitis, HIV/AIDS, Chlamydia, Genital Warts, Gonorrhea, Herpes, LGV, Chancroid, Granuloma, PID, Syphilis, Hair Loss, Assault, Scorpion Stings, Animal Bites, Rabies, Human Bites (I know. Or actually… I don’t.). My favorite chapter in the manual is entitled, “Other Winged, Creepy-Crawly Things that May Sting, Bite, Lay Eggs on You, or Otherwise Bum You Out.” Comedic, aren’t they? You guys still want to visit me now? :D
:::knocks on wood:::
2. All of you! My Big Phat African Family! My homegirls and homeboys in Jersey, NY, Cali, Taxachusetts, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Virginia, D.C., Georgia, Costa Rica, the Virgin Islands, India, Pakistan, China, Japan, Great Britain, Senegal, Nigeria, Tanzania and Ghana (Roll call: “Hot Girl Check-In?”)! My fellow volunteers! You guys are so awesomely re-inspiring to me every day! And even the poor random folk who end up at my blog by accident! :] Thank you all so very much for the wonderful comments, emails, letters, texts, packages, prayers, wishes, and love! It is appreciated more than I could ever put into words:]
3. The fact that I have electricity at my homestay. More importantly, the fact that the electricity at my homestay goes out frequently. This way my homestay family cannot see the expression on my face (unless I smile) as I am eating their delectable dinners. Additionally, when I suddenly come across something crunchy in my food, I cannot see what it is. I just tell myself that it’s “protein.”
4. My daily evening bucket baths in the latrine. I have come to love my bucket baths. I have even mastered the art of using 2 gallons of water to wash my entire body and my hair! But the best part is the sky. The moonlight and the millions of stars… So gorgeous… I wish that you could all see it.
5. The fact that training is over in 3 weeks!!
6. The fact that somehow… I am still crazily excited to be here and to do some work :]
And on that note, can I have an “Amen! Halleluiah!”? May you all have “The Itis” tonight!
“Healthy wolves and healthy women share certain psychic characteristics: keen sensing, playful spirit, and a heightened capacity for devotion… inquiring, possessed of great endurance and strength… They are experienced in adapting to constantly changing circumstances; they are fiercely stalwart and very brave.”
~ Clarissa Estes
posted by Me at 3:21 PM
10 comments
God Bless Garoua
samedi, novembre 18, 2006
I was “down south” (a relative term) this week. One week away from Pitoa? Gone from dirty Garoua? Not having to eat rice and beans every freakin day? A week of “cooler” (an extremely relative term) weather? The chance to see monkeys and hippos (we saw both!)? No classes for 6 days?! Some peace and quiet… away from my overwhelming, though well-intentioned, host family??
I have returned (a day early due to some unfortunate circumstances), and let me just say that I LOVE Pitoa! This town is off the hizzy! I am sorry for all those armpit jokes that I made about you! Let me pay tribute:
Ma Chambre, complete with aluminum roof and door. [aka- My Luxury Quarters/Personal Sauna]
La Ride [aka- The Baddest Wheels on the Block… Albeit, the only wheels on the block…]
La Douche. [aka- The Deluxe Commode/Bath]
La Cuisine. [aka- The Ultimate Kitchen]
La Rue [aka- My Hood. The Street in Front of My Homestay. I Run This.]
When I lived in the USA… let’s just say I was not exactly patriotic (I will not disclose exactly what I was, because Big Brother is watching). Now that I live in a foreign country, let me tell you about my love for all things American. Actually, I won’t; cuz it will take me too long, and time is money on a dial-up modem. Just use your imagination. Well, I had a similar experience simply by moving down a province in Cameroon. I think that all Americans should be forced to live in a third world country for a year.
Anywho, we spent a night at a Catholic mission called Maison d’Accueil. It is run by these Polish nuns, who like to pretend that they do not speak English. I have not seen nuns in all their garb since the last time I saw Sister Act II. It was quaint and we saw mad foreigners! I met this one Dutch guy who has been living in Cameroon for years and loves it, and also a group of French girls our age who are here on vacation. It is always interesting to hear how the other foreigners wound up here. I tried to figure out how the nuns ended up here, but my French was not quite up to it and they insisted on continuing on with their “we don’t speak English” game. Although, I did make the 7 hour trip back up north all by myself! I am taking this as a sign that my French is improving, since I did not wind up in Chad, Nigeria, or Congo.
In my travels I have noticed that it seems like no matter what foreign land you are in, people (particularly the guys) are eager to show off the 20 or so English words that they learned in some grammar class years ago. Here is a sampling of the attempts which I have encountered:
Indigenous Male: “Hello! You are beautiful!”
Thinks to self: Merci, mais je sais ca déjà. Thank you, but I know that already.
My actual response: A smile and a “Bonjour.”
Indigenous Male: “Good Morning! Will you marry me?”
Thinks to self: C’est après-midi, douchebag. It’s afternoon, douchebag.
My actual response: A smile and a “Bonjour.”
Indigenous Male: “Madam! You will be my third wife!”
Thinks to self: Excusez-moi, pendant que sortir mon fait a la maison macis. Excuse me, while I get out my homemade mace.
My real response: A smile and a “Bonjour.”
Goodness, it’s worse than RPI. No offense to my male RPI friends! Love you! :D Anywho, time to go eat some beans! Don’t enjoy Thanksgiving too much without me :p Mmmm…. Turkey… stuffing… cornbread… drinkable water… :::sigh:::
I have returned (a day early due to some unfortunate circumstances), and let me just say that I LOVE Pitoa! This town is off the hizzy! I am sorry for all those armpit jokes that I made about you! Let me pay tribute:
Ma Chambre, complete with aluminum roof and door. [aka- My Luxury Quarters/Personal Sauna]
La Ride [aka- The Baddest Wheels on the Block… Albeit, the only wheels on the block…]
La Douche. [aka- The Deluxe Commode/Bath]
La Cuisine. [aka- The Ultimate Kitchen]
La Rue [aka- My Hood. The Street in Front of My Homestay. I Run This.]
When I lived in the USA… let’s just say I was not exactly patriotic (I will not disclose exactly what I was, because Big Brother is watching). Now that I live in a foreign country, let me tell you about my love for all things American. Actually, I won’t; cuz it will take me too long, and time is money on a dial-up modem. Just use your imagination. Well, I had a similar experience simply by moving down a province in Cameroon. I think that all Americans should be forced to live in a third world country for a year.
Anywho, we spent a night at a Catholic mission called Maison d’Accueil. It is run by these Polish nuns, who like to pretend that they do not speak English. I have not seen nuns in all their garb since the last time I saw Sister Act II. It was quaint and we saw mad foreigners! I met this one Dutch guy who has been living in Cameroon for years and loves it, and also a group of French girls our age who are here on vacation. It is always interesting to hear how the other foreigners wound up here. I tried to figure out how the nuns ended up here, but my French was not quite up to it and they insisted on continuing on with their “we don’t speak English” game. Although, I did make the 7 hour trip back up north all by myself! I am taking this as a sign that my French is improving, since I did not wind up in Chad, Nigeria, or Congo.
In my travels I have noticed that it seems like no matter what foreign land you are in, people (particularly the guys) are eager to show off the 20 or so English words that they learned in some grammar class years ago. Here is a sampling of the attempts which I have encountered:
Indigenous Male: “Hello! You are beautiful!”
Thinks to self: Merci, mais je sais ca déjà. Thank you, but I know that already.
My actual response: A smile and a “Bonjour.”
Indigenous Male: “Good Morning! Will you marry me?”
Thinks to self: C’est après-midi, douchebag. It’s afternoon, douchebag.
My actual response: A smile and a “Bonjour.”
Indigenous Male: “Madam! You will be my third wife!”
Thinks to self: Excusez-moi, pendant que sortir mon fait a la maison macis. Excuse me, while I get out my homemade mace.
My real response: A smile and a “Bonjour.”
Goodness, it’s worse than RPI. No offense to my male RPI friends! Love you! :D Anywho, time to go eat some beans! Don’t enjoy Thanksgiving too much without me :p Mmmm…. Turkey… stuffing… cornbread… drinkable water… :::sigh:::
posted by Me at 9:04 AM
1 comments
Core to the Corps
dimanche, novembre 12, 2006
Quote of the Week:
Whitney: 1) Maybe Allegra has it. 2) Well, pineapples are expensive in Maroua!
:::goes to cry a river for Whitney:::
Myriam: Si c’est la volante de Dieu !
You know those times when you’re sitting there… having a conversation to yourself. It goes something like this:
Self: God, can this possibly get any worse?
And then God, ignoring the fact that a) you were having a private conversation and b) that it was a rhetorical question, laughs in your face and responds.
God: Watch this.
Each time, I think that the recent incident has topped it all, but I am always wrong. Each time, I tempt fate to hit me in the face like the monkey that hit Jamie. So this time, when I found out the latest reason for God’s amusement, I made a conscious decision to resist my inner monologue.
So I found out about my post, a.k.a.- My home come December 14th:
a) I have no water au village.
b) I have no electricity au village.
c) I have no phone (landline nor cell) service au village.
d) I am 3 hours away from the closest “city” and over 26 hours from the capital.
e) I am 4 hours away (on a good day) from the closest volunteer in my staige.
For those of you thinking, “Umm… isn’t that Peace Corps? Isn’t that what you went through that 9-month application process to do? You could’ve had a baby during that time.” THAT is 1970s Peace Corps. An experience that is quickly disappearing and shall soon be extinct. And yes, I could’ve had a baby in that time. And be on a cool show on TLC. Most volunteers have it pretty freakin good nowadays. See Priya over at Beach Corps or get a copy of the latest national Peace Corps newsletter. Most of the PCVs have electricity and/or running water. Many even have appliances such as air conditioning, refrigerators, and ovens. Some even have internet in their houses. One of the other volunteers in my staige and province is working for CARE. They are hooking her up in an apartment with amenities and her own personal driver. Can we say “Posh Corps?”
What do I have? An oil lantern and a bucket. Is that what you were thinking?? Well, I do have those things, but I have so much more! You pessimistic les derriere-tètes (How’s my French?)! Let me tell you what I’ve got! I have got an opportunity! An opportunity to live an endangered Peace Corps lifestyle! An opportunity to utilize every skill I have acquired in my 12 years of Girl Scouting (Anyone need a knot tied? Oh wait… I never got that badge…)! An opportunity to positively impact and improve the lives of 12,000 people! An opportunity to meet Angelina Jolie! :::KEEP TELLING HERSELF THAT! KEEPS TELLING HERSELF THAT! KEEPS TELLING HERSELF THAT!:::BREATHE, STRETCH, SHAKE, LET IT GO!:::
Good thing God and I have the same sense of humor. And I know that my Dad is Hishomie, so whatever. :::Pops her collar:::
Speaking of, my Dad is going to Ghana in a few weeks to do that helping-out-type stuff that he does (wonder where I get it from). Have fun, Dad! And thanks for the package (even though, I know that Mom packed it and you probably had no idea what was in it, but I’m sure you mailed it… or taped it up… or did something useful… Thanks, Mom!)! I wish I could go see him… it’s just 3 countries away, but Peace Corps does not allow any traveling in the first 6 months of service. Pray for him! And for me! :D
Me: 3
Cameroon: 43453535
Whitney: 1) Maybe Allegra has it. 2) Well, pineapples are expensive in Maroua!
:::goes to cry a river for Whitney:::
Myriam: Si c’est la volante de Dieu !
You know those times when you’re sitting there… having a conversation to yourself. It goes something like this:
Self: God, can this possibly get any worse?
And then God, ignoring the fact that a) you were having a private conversation and b) that it was a rhetorical question, laughs in your face and responds.
God: Watch this.
Each time, I think that the recent incident has topped it all, but I am always wrong. Each time, I tempt fate to hit me in the face like the monkey that hit Jamie. So this time, when I found out the latest reason for God’s amusement, I made a conscious decision to resist my inner monologue.
So I found out about my post, a.k.a.- My home come December 14th:
a) I have no water au village.
b) I have no electricity au village.
c) I have no phone (landline nor cell) service au village.
d) I am 3 hours away from the closest “city” and over 26 hours from the capital.
e) I am 4 hours away (on a good day) from the closest volunteer in my staige.
For those of you thinking, “Umm… isn’t that Peace Corps? Isn’t that what you went through that 9-month application process to do? You could’ve had a baby during that time.” THAT is 1970s Peace Corps. An experience that is quickly disappearing and shall soon be extinct. And yes, I could’ve had a baby in that time. And be on a cool show on TLC. Most volunteers have it pretty freakin good nowadays. See Priya over at Beach Corps or get a copy of the latest national Peace Corps newsletter. Most of the PCVs have electricity and/or running water. Many even have appliances such as air conditioning, refrigerators, and ovens. Some even have internet in their houses. One of the other volunteers in my staige and province is working for CARE. They are hooking her up in an apartment with amenities and her own personal driver. Can we say “Posh Corps?”
What do I have? An oil lantern and a bucket. Is that what you were thinking?? Well, I do have those things, but I have so much more! You pessimistic les derriere-tètes (How’s my French?)! Let me tell you what I’ve got! I have got an opportunity! An opportunity to live an endangered Peace Corps lifestyle! An opportunity to utilize every skill I have acquired in my 12 years of Girl Scouting (Anyone need a knot tied? Oh wait… I never got that badge…)! An opportunity to positively impact and improve the lives of 12,000 people! An opportunity to meet Angelina Jolie! :::KEEP TELLING HERSELF THAT! KEEPS TELLING HERSELF THAT! KEEPS TELLING HERSELF THAT!:::BREATHE, STRETCH, SHAKE, LET IT GO!:::
Good thing God and I have the same sense of humor. And I know that my Dad is Hishomie, so whatever. :::Pops her collar:::
Speaking of, my Dad is going to Ghana in a few weeks to do that helping-out-type stuff that he does (wonder where I get it from). Have fun, Dad! And thanks for the package (even though, I know that Mom packed it and you probably had no idea what was in it, but I’m sure you mailed it… or taped it up… or did something useful… Thanks, Mom!)! I wish I could go see him… it’s just 3 countries away, but Peace Corps does not allow any traveling in the first 6 months of service. Pray for him! And for me! :D
Me: 3
Cameroon: 43453535
posted by Me at 8:51 AM
1 comments
A Letter to my Malaria Prophylaxis
dimanche, novembre 05, 2006
Dearest Larium,
I just do not understand. I know that we have only had the chance to rendezvous just a few times thus far… and perhaps it is too early in our relationship for me to expect much more from you… But… why? Tell me why you give others such abundant pleasure, yet only leave me feeling dizzy and nauseous. This is Cameroon, so I’m cool with the whole polygamy thing, but are you playing favorites?
I take you when I can, at approximately the same time each week. Right after lunch. Thought you liked that. Then what is up? Look, like I said in the beginning… I’m in this for the long haul. I am committed to you. Forget Doxycycline… though my skin would always glow afterwards... You just need to pull yourself together a bit, clean your act up.
And what was with that Cookie Monster scenario? Is that the best you can do? I have had more lucid moments without even trying. I suppose the hallucinations were an attempt at something… but, honestly. Swirling flower petals? It could be worse, but you know that I hate that movie.
I’m beginning to think you’re a little overrated. But you’re still better than the alternative.
Much love,
Me
I just do not understand. I know that we have only had the chance to rendezvous just a few times thus far… and perhaps it is too early in our relationship for me to expect much more from you… But… why? Tell me why you give others such abundant pleasure, yet only leave me feeling dizzy and nauseous. This is Cameroon, so I’m cool with the whole polygamy thing, but are you playing favorites?
I take you when I can, at approximately the same time each week. Right after lunch. Thought you liked that. Then what is up? Look, like I said in the beginning… I’m in this for the long haul. I am committed to you. Forget Doxycycline… though my skin would always glow afterwards... You just need to pull yourself together a bit, clean your act up.
And what was with that Cookie Monster scenario? Is that the best you can do? I have had more lucid moments without even trying. I suppose the hallucinations were an attempt at something… but, honestly. Swirling flower petals? It could be worse, but you know that I hate that movie.
I’m beginning to think you’re a little overrated. But you’re still better than the alternative.
Much love,
Me
posted by Me at 11:15 AM
4 comments