Alright, I have found my way back to the internet and can properly update you all on what’s been happening ( :
A couple of weeks ago, I visited a current Peace Corp Volunteer and was able to stay with her for a few days. The purpose of this trip was to see how a volunteer lived, worked, and what they did day to day. I’m really glad we had the opportunity to do this. The trainers and other PCV’s have been explaining to us different things to expect and trying to paint a picture of what we could expect at our site. Visiting a volunteer, seeing them cook, work, clean and fend for themselves really helped me more in imagining life after training. I had a lot of fun and was introduced to a new TV show that I absolutely love. Some of you may have heard of it: Ugly Betty. If you have a chance, the show is hilarious.
This past week was all about language. On Thursday, we had a stimulation day, where I had to speak Dhopadhola for two and a half hours. Then, yesterday, I had a mock Language Proficiency Interview (LPI). Therefore, we had 2-4 hours of language everyday (!!). Now, I’m not saying that I don’t enjoy learning or don’t like the language. I just want to point out that, after ~twenty minutes of one subject, your brain automatically shuts off and begins to wonder. It’s true! I would go so far as so say that it’s even a scientific fact. So, you can imagine the state of my brain after 4 hours…
On Monday, I am going to a secondary school, where I’ll be teaching. I’m not sure which subject, or even how many classes, but I’m told we are going to be expected and that a lesson plan will be waiting. I’ve taught in the secondary schools before (ok, only once and that was a couple of weeks ago) and the students are very respectful. I don’t forsee any problems and am excited to get in front of the class again.
Right now, I am visiting Kampala, where I have just had the best meal ever, which will take at least 24 hours to digest. I am going to see a soccer game between Uganda and Malawi now, so I need to scoot. TTFN!!
~Rachael
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Saturday, March 7, 2009
My Wishlist ( :
Ok, so the easiest way to put up the wishlist was to put it in a post.
-pickles (if anybody can figure out a way to send these too me, I will love you for forever and ever!)
-snacks that will last (fruit snacks, granola bars, chex mix etc.)
-sweets
-mixed CDs! (I'm going to by a cd player)
-washclothes
Ok, I can't actually think of anything else right now, but I'll let you know as they come. Thank you if you do send, but don't feel like you have to!!
-pickles (if anybody can figure out a way to send these too me, I will love you for forever and ever!)
-snacks that will last (fruit snacks, granola bars, chex mix etc.)
-sweets
-mixed CDs! (I'm going to by a cd player)
-washclothes
Ok, I can't actually think of anything else right now, but I'll let you know as they come. Thank you if you do send, but don't feel like you have to!!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
This is me... where I am!
Hello everybody! I’m not allowed to actually post where in Uganda I am since people might take advantage of that. However, I can tell you in the individual letters that I have started to write. There’s a lot that I want to update you on, but I will try to keep it somewhat brief, since I actually want you to finish reading this post.
First things first, I have a phone(!) My number is 256-75-272-6239. It is free for me to receive any calls or texts, so call whenever ( : I know, I know, I will call you guys as well. Give me some credit! I’m not that cheap. Just remember that there is a ten hour difference between here and Denver, so plan accordingly. However, texts can come at anytime!
Right now, I am a PCT (Peace Corps Trainee). We have various training classes Monday through Friday 8-5 and Saturday, 8-12. Everyday I have at least two hours of language training. The language that I’m learning is Dhopadhola, which means that I will be serving in the eastern part of the country, near the Kenyan border. The language itself is not very hard to lean, but I need to actually make time to sit down and learn it. The other classes are mainly about culture, secondary education in Uganda and health classes. I have had more vaccines injected in me than I care to remember. I have also learned about more infections and sicknesses that I can get here than I though existed in total. The good thing is that the majority of these aren’t problems in the US, so when I come back, I don’t have to worry about it! Until then…
I am staying with a host family during training. I have a host mom, dad, three brothers and a sister. All of my siblings are younger than me, but not by much. My sister and two of my host brothers live at home. I have never lived with a host family before, but I am enjoying my family very much! They don’t treat me like a guest, but like part of the family, which is exactly how I want it. I am in the midst of learning how to cook and I also want to try and cook an American dinner for the before I leave. Thursday through Sunday, I watch a soap called Second Chance. And, while I am on this subject, just let me say how awesomely bad this show is. It is a telenovela (El cuerpo de deseo) that is dubbed in English that almost every family watches and is faaaabulous. I love this show! Monday through Wednesday, my host family always asks what I am going to do, since I don’t have Second Chance to watch. To which I just sigh, since I am so sad.
Next week, I am going to be staying with a Peace Corp Volunteer (PCV) for four days. I am excited because I actually get to see a PCV in their natural environment but a little nervous, since I have to find my way to their area by myself. It is very possible to get wherever I’m going (which I don’t actually know yet) without incident. However, I can definitely see myself getting a little lost. Those of you who know me know that my sense of direction is not the best. However, I want it to be noted that I always find where I need to go! Just by a different way…no, wait, a better way.
Ok, that’s all I have for now. I’m going to post a “wish list” in my profile. Some people have asked if I need anything. I think the easiest thing is to put up a list of things that would be nice to have, but that I can live without. My address is in a previous post. To ensure arrival, it is better to mail those small, padded envelopes. Another PCT has already had a package get stolen in route. Please, do not feel any obligation to send me anything but letters (yes, that’s right, feel the obligation to write to me!)! This is just if you’re feeling, um, bored or something. Anyways, I miss all of you. TTFN!!
~Rachael
First things first, I have a phone(!) My number is 256-75-272-6239. It is free for me to receive any calls or texts, so call whenever ( : I know, I know, I will call you guys as well. Give me some credit! I’m not that cheap. Just remember that there is a ten hour difference between here and Denver, so plan accordingly. However, texts can come at anytime!
Right now, I am a PCT (Peace Corps Trainee). We have various training classes Monday through Friday 8-5 and Saturday, 8-12. Everyday I have at least two hours of language training. The language that I’m learning is Dhopadhola, which means that I will be serving in the eastern part of the country, near the Kenyan border. The language itself is not very hard to lean, but I need to actually make time to sit down and learn it. The other classes are mainly about culture, secondary education in Uganda and health classes. I have had more vaccines injected in me than I care to remember. I have also learned about more infections and sicknesses that I can get here than I though existed in total. The good thing is that the majority of these aren’t problems in the US, so when I come back, I don’t have to worry about it! Until then…
I am staying with a host family during training. I have a host mom, dad, three brothers and a sister. All of my siblings are younger than me, but not by much. My sister and two of my host brothers live at home. I have never lived with a host family before, but I am enjoying my family very much! They don’t treat me like a guest, but like part of the family, which is exactly how I want it. I am in the midst of learning how to cook and I also want to try and cook an American dinner for the before I leave. Thursday through Sunday, I watch a soap called Second Chance. And, while I am on this subject, just let me say how awesomely bad this show is. It is a telenovela (El cuerpo de deseo) that is dubbed in English that almost every family watches and is faaaabulous. I love this show! Monday through Wednesday, my host family always asks what I am going to do, since I don’t have Second Chance to watch. To which I just sigh, since I am so sad.
Next week, I am going to be staying with a Peace Corp Volunteer (PCV) for four days. I am excited because I actually get to see a PCV in their natural environment but a little nervous, since I have to find my way to their area by myself. It is very possible to get wherever I’m going (which I don’t actually know yet) without incident. However, I can definitely see myself getting a little lost. Those of you who know me know that my sense of direction is not the best. However, I want it to be noted that I always find where I need to go! Just by a different way…no, wait, a better way.
Ok, that’s all I have for now. I’m going to post a “wish list” in my profile. Some people have asked if I need anything. I think the easiest thing is to put up a list of things that would be nice to have, but that I can live without. My address is in a previous post. To ensure arrival, it is better to mail those small, padded envelopes. Another PCT has already had a package get stolen in route. Please, do not feel any obligation to send me anything but letters (yes, that’s right, feel the obligation to write to me!)! This is just if you’re feeling, um, bored or something. Anyways, I miss all of you. TTFN!!
~Rachael
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