I'm still alive

So, I'm still alive and kicking. I've been super busy with work stuff and fun stuff, so I apologize for being such an anti-social blogger. :)  I am doing well here in Namibia. School is officially over for the month so I have been on "holiday" for the past three weeks. The first week of December was spent at a conference for Peace Corps called reconnect, it's basically a week of more training in Windhoek to check in with us all to see how the first two months at site have been.  From Windhoek I traveled to Swakupmond, a beach town where people from all over the world come to spend the holiday, Angelina Jolie had one of her kids in Swakupmond. :)  It was a good holiday at the beach but was too cold to go in the water and I was in a house with 6 twin beds and 21 other people... a little too crowded for my liking.  But fun times were had. 

Hiking from Windhoek to Swakupmond.  I have discovered that dancing while waving down cars is extremely effective.  Also, It doesn't hurt to have boobs.  :)

The sunset over the African Atlantic Ocean. B-e-a-utiful.

  The first hike of the day heading back up north toward home.

My first solo free hike.  It was in the back of a bakki and this was my view for almost the whole day.  Amazing.   Fyi- hitch-hiking is not that bad here.  It's actually safer then most paid transportation.

This past Sunday I traveled back up north to Ondangwa to spend the holiday with a few friends and near my home. It doesn't really feel like Christmas at all and is so wierd to see everyone posting on facebook about shopping and preparing for the festivities. It makes me a little homesick but I am trying my best to keep busy and enjoy life and my time here in Namibia.

I know this sounds super ridiculous but it's so wierd to me that life is actually moving along back home. Today I woke up to find out my best friend is engaged!!! It is really hard for me missing all of this. I'm very happy for them both but very homesick.

I have made some amazing friends here who are taking extra good care of me and even some local Afrikaaners (white Africans/Namibians) who are treating me like a queen (maybe not exactly like a queen but they are taking care of me).

One of my Afrikaaner friends took  me to this awesome tree that has a tiny church inside of it.  God's work at its best.  Amazing!

I also got mail today. I got an envelope filled with birthday letters from my sister Heidi's first grade class... they were AMAZING!!!

I also got my package from my family with the CUTEST pillow case in it... hahahaha... it is covered in old fashioned pin up style guys decked out in christmas underwear... hahaha... it is the greatest!

I am still doing really well here and am excited for the new year. I will actually start working and am a little nervous to start but know that I will find my feet and will work hard to succeed.

This Christmas is gonna be an emotional one but I am happy to be here and know I will be ok. I hate being so emotional at times but I wouldn't be me if I weren't.  :)

I love you all and wish you all the best Christmas holiday and the happiest New Year.