Six months later and I'm still alive.  I've made it past my one year mark and am officially half way done!  I can't believe how fast the first year has flown by.  I remember being told during training that the first year will fly by but the second year will vanish into thin air... I'm not ready for it to be over but I am ready to start my life and see my family and friends. 
I still have no clue what starting my life means but I do know that I have amazing people who I miss dearly waiting for me back home. 
The one year mark has come with unexpected home sickness and heartache but has been filled with great love from friends made here and from back home.  I have learned a lot of about myself and what I want in some aspects of my life by living here... but I still have no clue what I want to be when I grow up. 


Let me recap the past six months for you.
- Visited Victoria Falls with some friends for the May holiday.
- Had my heart broken by a few boys.
- Fell in love with the smiling children of Ondangwa.
- Hosted a Day of the African Child Fundraising event and helped raise over N$246,000 for Oonte OVC Org.
- Helped put on an entrepreneurship quiz and an entrepreneurship day for the learners.
- Found a great church that is spoken in English with some amazing people and new friends.
- I have discovered how rare true and loyal friends can really be.
- I have learned how to be happily single again.  I get a LOT of male attention here... most is harmless friends that like me that I brush off... not always so subtley. :)


I still can't believe that I live in Africa!  I feel like this is only stuff people write about in books or movies... but its not, I am living the dream.

Everyone here keeps asking me what I see myself doing after my service, whether it is marrying and staying in Namibia or moving back home... all I can say is that one year is a long time and anything can happen.  I'm not gonna say that I am gonna stay here forever but I'm also not gonna say that I can't envision myself living here for a longer extended period... I actually can (but in better conditions). 

I am truly blessed and praise God for his direction and pray for strength and courage to finish my service in a faith filled manner.

These shoes were made for walking... and walking... and walking...

These are my first pair of TOMS shoes I got about two years ago at a Style Your Sole event to raise funds for my trip to Uganda with my church.

These shoes have taken me many places.

All over southern California,

All over Uganda,

They have even gone down the American River in Northern California on multiple white water rafting trips.

Now they take me all around Namibia,

Or in todays case on my walk to work.

I love these shoes.

TOMS shoes are not only comfortable but they are a great organization that donates a pair of shoes to a child in need everytime you purchase a pair.  Its a one for one concept.

I wonder what it would take to get them to donate to the OVCs here in Northern Namibia?  Most of the children walk around barefoot or in some type of 'China Shop' flip flops.

Shoes are very important here.  Earlier this year I learned just how important.  I got a parasite in my foot in the form of a worm because I was walking around barefoot in the sand.

My learners look at my shoes funny every time I wear a pair of TOMS because they think they look like slippers... they just don't understand why I wear them.

I know this is kind of a random post, but I am random, what more would you expect from me. :) 

Aside from my TOMS shout out, I am doing well.

School is going great.  The learners are taking their term one exams this month and we get the month of May off.  I plan to travel a little and work at my OVC (Orphans and Vulnerable Children Org- Oonte OVC Org). 

Easter weekend was great.  I got a four day weekend and visited Ruacana Falls about 3 hours NW of here.  It was gorgeous but the 500 stairs to the bottom really sucked when we had to climb back to the top of the falls back to the bakki.  Anyone that knew me during my college waterpolo years knows what happens to me when you mix in lots and lots of stairs... it isn't pretty.  :)

Life is amazing and I feel very blessed to be here.

I'm happy.  :)

Easter Adventures

Happy Easter!!!

So this weekend was an adventurous one. I had good Friday off work so a few friends and I journeyed about 300k north/west almost to Angola to Ruacana falls.  It's a beautiful giant waterfall that flows on the Zambezi river... and its the biggest waterfall I have every seen... I haven't seen many. It was beautiful... except for the 450+ slippery stairs you had to walk to get to the bottom of the falls and then you had to climb them to get back up to the road/cars. It was straight up and so tiring... Anyone that ever played polo with me in college knows what happens when I run stairs... lets just say my stomach doesn't like them! :) That night we camped along side the river at a campground called Hippo Pools, they don't have hippos but they do have crocodiles. Rick, my fellow volunteer/friend that lives in town near me, had never been camping and the collective group of us were not very prepared. We arrived with two hammocks and a tent. The town we were dropped off in had no grocery store so we bought cans of beans, a loaf of bread, and a jar of peanut butter from the gas station to eat for dinner and breakfast. We arrived at the campsite after climbing the waterfall and set up our tents then we went in search of firewood, or in our case twigs that Rick set up into a fire-less stack of firewood. hahahaha. We had no matches.  Thankfully there was a nice Afrikaner family staying nearby that gave us some matches and fire starters. We sat around the fire and had a great time. The next day we started our journey back home. We started walking what we thought wouldn't be too tough of a walk back to the falls... wrong... it was uphill at about a 30-40% incline and was killer... thankfully I flagged down a truck driving towards the falls and a nice man drove us to the falls and to town. It was a short weekend trip but it was a great one. I also got to see a few friends I haven't seen in a while which was super nice.

Today I arrived back home to my own bed... there really isn't anything that feels more like home then your own bed. :)

I got home and started uploading some pictures from my trip and then started going through my old pictures. I found a copy of a video all of my friends and family made for me right before I left for Namibia... watching the video made me realize how truly blessed I am! I live in a beautiful country and have amazing people here and back home who love and support me. This wasn't my traditional Easter holiday of egg hunting, church, and tons of food spent at home with my family, but it was a great one filled with gratitude for my God who died for me and loves me and has blessed me with sooooo much in life. I am eternally grateful! I pray that all of my family and friends are happy and healthy. I know I am. :)

If your a bird, I'm a bird!

Today I am flying home back to Namibia from a well spent week filled with lots of food, love, and memories made back in the states.  It was a whirlwind of a trip but was sooo worth it!  I saw a lot of people and witnessed the marriage of Alison and Sean.  A lot of people have asked me how I am liking Namibia... let me put it this way, I miss my family and friends dearly but as soon as I set foot in Johannesburg I felt homesick... for Nam.  I think some of it has to do with how developed the airport was and how many people are there hustling around... it just really made me really overwhelmed and miss my home.  Today I have spent over 24 hours traveling/in the air and still am not in my new home country.  I am merely hours away and am so excited but nervous for the rush of emotions I most likely will be hit with.  Being a Peace Corps volunteer is an amazing opportunity but is emotionally draining at times.  I feel like I was made for this job... I might not feel like I have done much yet but the fact that I love what I do and the people I meet means something, right?  Enough for now.  I just wanted to check in and say how great my visit back home to the States was. 

Happy Namibian Independence Day!  22 years strong!

Glass half full...

So life lately hasn't been that great for me... for a few personal reasons. But... I am choosing to change my view on how things are going and be grateful.

I LIVE in Africa. How many people do you know that have actually lived in Africa? Let alone anywhere outside of the US? At least one... me!

There are these beautiful sunflowers they grew at my OVC. They are seriously the most beautiful sight... I'll post pictures soon to prove how gorgeous they are!

The toddler aged kids here are so precious. At least one if not 12 run out and greet me with a big hug when I arrive to work at my OVC. How can that not make my days start off great?

I met the US Ambassador and PEPFAR Coordinator this week at my OVC. They are like celebrities here in Namibia. They were very nice and loved Oonte OVC. Why wouldn't they? It's a blessing to get to work here!

I do know something about business and have something to offer my learners (students). Most of the grade 10 learners passed their first exam with flying colors! That is huge here! :) I also started a tuck shop (snack bar type store the learners will eventually run). I am excited to teach some of our top learners some skills in depth and help them put those skills to practice.
-Funny story. I opened our tuck shop last Friday for break and I think more learners came by to watch me or look at me then to buy stuff. It's funny because I stand in front of them all in class and they still can't get enough of looking at me. I just laugh and greet them.

Namibia has been pretty good on my self esteem. I have been told by many people how amazing I am. :) There have even been many proposals and professions of love! hahaha. That too makes me laugh out loud!

There is usually a lightning and thunder storm daily and they are amazing! It’s like a free ticket to Mother Nature’s own light show and is so pretty.

I have made some amazing friends. One of my best friends here happens to be a 41 year old man (a fellow PVC)... when you meet the two of us individually you'd never guess we'd hang out... but together we rag and tease each other to know end. It's pretty hilarious. There are some other PCV's who help keep me sane and love me for me. They are all amazing! They come to town often and hang out with us... people don't really go to the village to hang out, so I consider myself super lucky.

The locals are amazing as well. Everyone I work with is so sweet and friendly and they answer all my crazy questions. I am lucky to work with these people. Some of the other volunteers tell stories of conflicts and lazy co-workers and it just makes me so grateful for everyone around me.

I live in a "village" in town. I live a 20 minute walk (2-3 km) to the road which is town. My volunteer friends tell me my house is not in a village because it is so close to town and most everyone speaks English. It's true, I am so lucky. I live in a newer house with my Meme and Tate (mom and dad) that has a bathroom with a flushing toilet and a shower and the whole house has electricity.

I go home to visit my family and friends in a little less than two weeks! I am so excited and am so blessed to get to witness the marriage of two amazing friends! Thank you, Linda. Your gift of bringing me home for Al's wedding is one of the best gifts ever!

I get to Skype with my family and friends fairly often helping me to not get homesick.

As far as the personal things... life goes on. We learn from our trials and tribulations and I am grateful for them because they will make me into a stronger better person. I am just so thankful for the blessings God has showered me with.
Love you all!

On a side note... I wish these flies would drown in my half full glass... they are so annoying and relentless! :)

Packing list ideas for future Nam PCV's.

Ok, so i have seen many people post packing lists for coming to Namibia but most of the lists were written by guys.  Though they were somewhat helpful... I'm a girl and items are considerably different in some departments. 

  

Bags:

• OGIO duffel with rollers looking thing... its huge but held the majority of my stuff... its sturdy as well. :)  We were worried about it being too big for the airlines but they never said a word.
• Hiking backpack from REI- I suggest going in and being fitted... I went in and they ordered  me a metro pack without sizing me and its great for a short person... I'm not short.  The good thing is it has a smaller backpack that attaches too it so I had an extra bag to store stuff.  :)
• OGIO backpack that held and protected all my electronics. (It was my carry-on)

These are the things that I packed and how useful I found them.

 

Clothing Items:

• Dress pants-2 (I brought 2 pair and my mom sent me a 3rd)
• Skirts-3 (remember it gets hot and kinda humid so light weight stuff is nice, darker colors makes for multiple wears, we have to hand wash everything!)
• Dress shirts- 8 (I brought some shirts I am able to dress up or dress down)
• Leggings- 2 (love them!!)
• Dresses- 4 (I was also sent two more by my mom... I actually wear them a lot.  Plus bring one or something nice for swearing in)
• Jeans- 2 (one pair cropped and one pair long... its hot in the north and i haven't worn the long pants often)
• Casual pants/cargos- 2 (They dry much faster and are cooler but sadly mine are worn out and must be retired... they were older when I got here and the hand washing was a bit much on them)
• Tshirts-10 (I'm guessing that's how many I brought)
• Tank Tops- 6 (I layer shirts... but wear them a LOT)
• Long sleeve shirts- 2
• Underwear- a lot!!!! (hahaha... My mom has an obsession with giving underwear with every gift... so I have a ton!)
• Bras- 8 (I brought a ton of bras because they are not of very good quality here... plus 3 sports bras)
• Flip Flops- 3 pair (I'm a California girl and live in them. I've worn through one pair of rainbow's already.  Bring a pair of plastic cheap ones, you'll want them for when you do laundry, shower, or things that you don't mind them getting dirty or wet.)
• Chacos-1 (I bought these and have maybe worn them 6 times since I've been here.  They are comfortable but I'm not a big fan myself... I'm a die hard flip flop wearer I guess.)
• Toms- 3 pair (I love Toms and what the org does.  I wear my black toms with my skirts and stuff.  They are holding up pretty well here... except for rainy season and walking through puddles and mud... no traction or water protection.  Though some learners will stare at your feet or ask why you are wearing slippers.)
• Dress shoes- 1 pair (I'd suggest more then one pair.  I brought a pair of old flats and have feet bigger then a size 10 so I can't really buy many more here... they are hard to find.  I'd suggest multiple pairs if you have bigger feet.  Dressy sandals are great as well)
• Tennis shoes- 1 pair (I've worn them a few times but not much. Its too hot in the north for me to wear shoes)
•  Gloves (1pair) and Scarves (2)-  I live in the north and it has yet to get cold enough for either of these but they didn't take up much space. 
• Cardigans- 4 (During PST they didn't like us to wear sleeveless dresses or tops at all so I wore a cardigan with most of my outfits)
• Sweaters- 2 (I've worn them a few times when not in the north)
• Heavy(warmer) sweater/jacket- 1 (I haven't worn it... we'll see if I do in the winter)
• Socks- 6? (two pair of crazy thick socks- I have worn them on the three cold nights we've had. :)  4 pair of ankle socks)
• Hats- 4 (1 hat, 1 beanie, 2 cute lightweight beanies for days I need to cover my dirty hair... the HAT is a must... I've worn it and it saves me from the crazy powerful sun)
• Windbreaker- 1 (haven't worn it yet)
• Flannel PJ bottoms- 2 pair (I have worn them a few times)
• Running/PJ shorts- 3 pair (I live in them when home)

(During PST they stress that you dress business casual... Beware of tank tops/sleeveless shirts... They don't like them at PST but at site I am OK.)

 

*also keep in mind that this is Namibia and mostly desert... its hot so choose breathable clothes and easy to wash stuff.

Electronics:

• 1 Netbook (its lite and portable)
• 1 External hard drive (500gb) (I was stressing because I don't know how to download movies to it or steal from the Internet... but everyone else in PST had a butt load of movies and TV shows... We share, because sharing is caring. :))
• 1 External DVD/CD player/burner (I have a netbook without the CD drive... this way I can watch movies my family has sent me)
• IPod- (I love it!!! I have speakers to hook it up to or I walk through my village to work or to town listening to it... It makes me happy.)
• Digital Camera (with an extra memory card)
• Nook Book- Love it...I have access to WiFi occasionally but I have trouble updating or downloading new stuff at times. Maybe check out kindles ability to upload via plugging it into your own computer.
• Flash drives- I brought one and more sent to me... You'll want a few. 

Other Stuff:

• 3 headlamps (I have used maybe one but I am happy to have them... I don't like the dark)
• 1 small(tiny) maglight flashlight (My family calls it my torch... I have used it when the power goes out during storms or when we are trying to kill a snake on the homestead at night)
• Journals- like 5... I'm not a journaler so I have yet to make it half way through one :)
• Pens- I brought a handful and maybe have 5 now... They walk away all the time... I suggest having family send you promotional pens when they send you stuff... that's what i am doing.
• Envelopes and paper- I brought maybe 20 and still have some stashed.
• Meds (bring the stuff you absolutely have to take... but all the over the counter stuff like pepto and stuff.. they will give you within a few days.  I'm running out of ibuprofen so I'd recommend bringing a decent sized bottle.  I have a ton of the other stuff that I haven't even touched)
• Deodorant- Bring alot and ask people to send you some.  (The stuff they have here is anti perspirant... the stuff at home is that plus deodorant)
• Toothpaste and toothbrushes- 2 each (you can get these easily here)
• Feminine Hygiene products- I use the Diva cup and have a few of their pads and am very grateful that I bought it... saves a ton on money and is pretty convenient.  They sell OB tampons here and some pads but they are crazy expensive.
• Makeup- I didn't bring much and actually had my sister send me some more mascara and eyeliner.  I sweat so much here that I don't even bother with powder or cover up or anything. 
• Sunblock- I brought Neutrogena faces and LOVE it!  Peace Corps will give you quite a bit as well and will give more on request... but bring face sunblock if you break out easily... the stuff we get is super thick.
• Hand Sanitizer- 5 mini bottles (I have maybe used one bottle.  I live and work where there is running water and I have soap.)
• Fingernail clippers- 2 pairs (Bring them!)
• Tweezers- 2 (never know when you'll need them.. either to get a thorn out of your foot or pluck your insanely bushy eyebrows)
• CHAPSTICK!!!- 5 tubes? (I'd die without chapstick... I'm a little addicted.  My mom sends me tubes of burts bees every care package.  It gets hot and dry.)
• Umbrella- I brought a compact one and carry it daily... you never know when it'll begin pouring.  I also got a free MTC one here and its huge and sturdy. :)
• Mosquito repellent- I brought a can and have used it a few times.  When I go out I usually borrow some... so it is a good thing to have.  Mosquito bites on your feet and ankles are the WORST!!!
• Lotion- I didn't really use it back home in Cali but when I got here my skin was crazy dry so I bought some.  Its pretty good stuff
• Gifts for your host fam- I really didn't bring anything for my fam because my mom was mailing me stuff... It didn't get here in time so I ended up printing and framing a picture of my mom and sisters for my fam.
• Shampoo and Conditioner- you can get it here but I recommend bringing some good conditioner... my hair got crazy dry and falls out like no other.
• Curl cream- If you have curly hair bring lots of the product you plan to use.  I don't use much but have run out of the two bottles I brought and I have yet to find anything other then gel.
• Hair ties/bobbi pins- bring plenty... they disappear sometimes.
• Bear Grylls Tool- its like a leatherman/Swiss army knife but cooler because Bear Grylls designed it... and lets face it Bear Grylls knows survival and is HOT :)
• Bear Grylls ultimate survivor kit- my brother decided he'd rather me be safe then sorry... there is like a snare and flint and stuff in it... hahaha... I have used the small knife though and LOVE IT!
• Razors- I bought a pack of 12 disposables and have maybe used 4... It gets tiring shaving while taking cold showers... or some bucket bathe.  The razors here are super expensive.
• Sheets!- I brought one and am planning on getting some more from home.  I'd suggest bringing full size flat sheets... the sheets here are not very good. 
• Ziplocks- I have used a few but not too many.
• Nail polish and remover- My feet may be constantly dirty but my toes always look cute.  :)  Its the little things.  Plus I painted my host sisters toes and they LOVED it!
• Purse/bag- I suggest something that doesn't look expensive.  I brought a hobo style fabric bag I had made for me in Uganda.  The nicer your stuff looks the more likely of being mugged... or so I hear.  :)
• Bathing suit- 2 (we (Namibia) are on the coast!  Plus there are lodges or homes with pools scattered all over Namibia.)
• Bandannas- 2 (I haven't used them... but maybe I will someday)
• Towel- I brought a towel and washcloth... you can get both here but they can cost a pretty Namibian penny. We have these shetange's that are a strip of fabric that some people use... i prefer a towel. I'd bring a few washcloths... they come in handy when bucket bathing and also when washing dishes.
• Nalgene bottles!!!! I live out of my nalgenes... they last forever!  Other bottles work too but so far my nalgene is winning.  I also have a Columbia aluminum bottle that works well.
• Sleeping bag.  Go for something light and compact... you'll definitely use it!!!
• Sewing kit... I have had to mend quite a few things.
• Scissors- you never know when you'll need them. I've used mine.
• Bottle opener key chain- I didn't bring one and hate asking people to open my coke with their teeth... makes me cringe.
• Glasses/sunglasses- I brought two pairs of glasses and three pairs of sunglasses.  You can get cheap sunglasses here from the China shops but I like my stuff from home. :)  Its seriously bright here.

-I know this is a crazy long list and crazy unorganized but I hope it helps anyone preparing for this awesome country!  :)  Also, I know I forgot a ton of stuff but feel free to comment with any questions you may have.

Happy Heart Day!

Happy Valentines Day to all back home!

Things are still going pretty well here.  I love it really.

School is doing well, I'm working with my counterpart on teaching entrepreneurship and starting a tuck shop (basically a snack shop for the learners to run).

My OVC is a little uneventful at the moment.  Don't get me wrong, I love it there but there isn't much to do right now.  We had a meeting with a German Org last week and hopefully they are going to help us find some funding or a partnership to improve and expand our garden and farming projects.  I love it when I walk to work because every time I arrive I am greeting by about 20 preschool children who run up to me calling out 'shilumbu' meaning white person and they all wait for a hug from me.  I love kids!  :)

Weather.  It is supposed to be the rainy season right now but if it is, this is the driest rainy season I have ever seen!  Last year there were record rains and lots of flooding... it looks like we might have a dry season instead... who knows.  It has been pretty hot here but bearable. 

I get to go home for a week long visit in one month and I am so excited!  I can't wait to see my family and friends!  I am actually coming home to attend Alison and Sean's wedding... I can't wait! :) 

I know this blog post is pretty boring but its better then nothing right?

I remember when I was applying for the Peace Corps I would read current volunteers blogs and was always so frustrated when people didn't update their blogs often.  Well, being on the other side of the spectrum now I can say that life just doesn't seem exciting enough to write home about.  I know its crazy awesome and unreal to say that I LIVE in Africa... but I have grown accustomed to living here.

My life consists of walking crazy distances to get places, that's normal for me now. 
I pick up bugs that are crawling on me with my fingers, rather then freak out and swat them away.
I wash my hair every other day... that would very very very rarely happen back in the states.
Sand in my food is normal.  When I went to Uganda I would get an occasional pebble and would lose my appetite... now I just pick it out if its too big to chew.  :)
I wash all of my clothes by hand and it takes close to 3 hours to wash it all... that's not including dry time.
I eat a TON of peanut butter sandwiches... its kind of a staple food for me.
I have great boobs!  hahahaha.... sorry if that's TMI but I have been told a lot lately how great my boobs really are. 
I drink water from the bathroom sink like nobody's business... It's really quite tasty.
It's not weird for a car/truck/bakki/complete stranger to pull over and offer me a ride to wherever I am walking to... It actually makes my day.  :)
I am often approached by children who constantly tell me 'give me one dollar' which I reply with 'you give ME one dollar!'
I read an insane amount... Thank goodness for my nook and the crazy awesome library at our local PC office.  I've read about 25 books since I landed in Namibia. (seriously, the list is on the right side of this blog!)
The sunsets here are unreal!  They are so beautiful that it amazes me!
I love it here, I truly do!
I thank God for sending me here!