I'm back!

First off, apologies for not updating this at all. I got back from holiday a few days ago and this is the first time I've had free time overlap with any form of communication. Well, this is the first time I sought it out since I had it freely available to me. Hmmm, where to start: vacation or end of term. I think I'll keep it chronological so let's start with the end of the school term.

Well, the end of the term jumped up on me fast. I was ready to do some review and coast into the last few days and give out some exams. Nope, didn't realize that we take the last two week sor so of the term and ALL the kids do is exams. Sort of like finals week. So I had to tie off the topics I was teaching and get those exams and reviews done real quick. Even better, lost two classes and gained another thanks to those teachers I mentioned previously. Was a little weird making an exam for a class I maybe taught for three days. Now I just have grades 6-8 for Mathematics (7+7+5 = 19) and grades 8-10 for BIS (3 mor periods for a total of 22). Slept very little trying to make the exams, give reviews and dabble in my other projects which I'll mention in a bit. I'm not sure who was more nervous and crunching during the exams, the kids or me. Well, nervous was probably me and crunching was DEFINITELY me. I'm pretty sure movie marathons are about just as useful for studying here as they are back in the States. Let's just say their scores horrifically reflected those movie-marathons in intellectual content.

After giving the first two exams early on in the exam weeks, I went to Group 33's Pre Service Training (PST) in Okahandja, the same place as my PST, to distribute the resource material I've been accruing. That was another huge factor to my insanely busy schedule. I was trying to put all the finishing touches I could on it and the fact that my external enclosure got wiped out didn't help the matter. If you're wondering what that means, it's translated: I thought my external hard drive crashed which contained the only copies of much of my work from the past 5-6 years...leading me to think I lost it all but it turned out only some wires got fried. So I borrowed some wires, bought a new external drive and copied everything over. I plan on ordering a new enclosure so things will be doubly backed up now....maybe even triple. That was a scary time.

Anyway, I digress. 33's PST was fun and I definitely enjoyed meeting all the new Nam PCVs. Also stopped by my host family and those of a couple others to say hello. Was good to see everyone again and definitely brought back some memories. Strange to think that was 6-8 months ago! Whoa, long time. Gave out what I had done as far as resources went and hung out for a day with the newbies. After my two days there I headed back to my school. Finished grading all the exams I stil had lying on my desk while trying to finish up grades and preparing the last few exams.

On top of that I was trying to do what I could to prepare for a workshop I was planning on attending that is put on by Peace Corps Namibia: Project Design Management and Male Engagement (2 workshops actually, PDM & ME for short). I wasn't originally planning on attending but since I've started to help out with the SanCACOS Music project here I thought it would be really useful if Jack and I (Jack being the head of it) attended. And it definitely was incredibly helpful. We got a lot of ideas and have been able to point ourselves in a solid direction for what we need to accomplish and how to do it as well. This was also given during the last week of the term so I had to squish in all my other work the week beforehand which was a little rough.

After the workshops, I came back to Tsumeb (my shopping town) since I left a lot of my vacation stuff here. I hung out for a bit then was off on vacation! Destination: Livingstone! On the way I was able to take a slight detour and see part of the Okavango Delta in Northern Botswana. Even got the chance to take a short mokoro trip and see some interesting places. Met these really cool guys from England that were doing a pretty solid tour through Southern Africa and hung out with them for a bit.

Then my arrival in Livingstone. Insane. I crossed over into Zambia from Kasane, a town in Botswana. You actually have to take a ferry across the Chobe river which is where all the fun began. Getting onto the ferry I was picked out as a mark for a hustler, he later gave up on me when he figured out what a poor pick I was. About half way through the ride I see a bunch of guys in mokoros paddling up to the side of the ferry. I was thinking they were going to try and hitch a ride or something and was about to help them out. Then I noticd the frenzy of movement on the ferry as people scurried around every which way to unload alcohol and comforters to the oncoming mokoros. I thought it a little strange that there were stacks and stacks of crates of booze but figured hey, who am I to judge? Livingstone is a big tourist town, probably gets pretty crazy and alcohol tends to usually be involved in those scenarios. Man, it was so insane though. And I believe this happens on every ferry ride. Who knows how much illegal booze is been imported down river into Zambia....oh and comforters (though I suspect they played their own critical role in this exchange). I even some some dude pop out of a hatch on the deck, grab some booze and shut it again. I was just blown away, seemed like some cartoon or movie. As soon as the ferry landed all these people just took off running with the leftovers that didn't make it onto the mokoros, incredibly entertaining to say the least.

Upon arrival, we headed over to the customs people for our visas. I had some issues since mine was soaked during a torrential downpour. Got a little nervous when the guy kept asking where my entrance visa was (as I repeatedly pointed to it) and then kept asking me how I got into the country. Then after officially passing through the gate and meeting up with taxis you get swarmed by people trying to rip you off on taxi fares: 320,000 Kwatcha to Livingstone (don't freak out too much the normal fare is 50,000 Kw). "Get in! Get in!" "This way!" "I'll take you now now!" "Here give me your thigns!" Oh, the first of all the crazy heckling in Zambia, I'm usually nice until they start getting grabby, that's when I start shoving back if you will.

Finally haggled a polite taxi guy down to 40,000 Kw (there was 4 of us so we filled it instantly.....a great resource to have for haggling). Arrived at the Backpackers place where everyone was staying, except me. I dropped off my stuff and rested a moment before setting out to find the other place where I ended up staying for half the time. I love my group but there's only so many people you cna live/tolerate for an extended period of time and I didn't want to deal with that issue. I'd rather just enjoy the people's company when it was there. Plus I really liked being on my own because it forced me to be a little outgoing, introduce myself and talk to people. A lot more intimidating thing than when doing so with a gorup of friends. I met so many people too! I think I'll start traveling on my own or just maybe with one other person a lot more now. It's been really enlightening here in regards to travel, meeting people, etc. the three days I spent there I met up with a few people at certain times for the park visits and stuff but mostly just explored on my own or with another person I met up with. I think one day I visited the Zambian side of Victoria Falls, another day I monkied around the rock climbing wall that the place had. Also got dropped from the top (thanks Steph....) which my feet/ankles are still a little tweaked from.

Pretty much did the same when I moved to the place where everyone was staying. Visited the Zimbabwean side of Victoria Falls, we got a big group to go bungi jumping and all followed it up with a Sunset cruise which had an open bar (...uh oh....haha). Was so cool! I didnt go bungee jumping....instead I went for the Big Air EXPERIENCE!!!! It included Bungee jumping, a zip line and a gorge swing! The zip line was first and a nice little relaxing treat. Next was the bungee jumping which a group of almost 10 of us did....myself in a speedo. Though they kind of killed my thunder when they told me a guy did it nakeda few days prior....oh trust me, I was tempted. The gorge swing was last and totally terrified me. I think because of the way the harness and ropes were set up, just felt so unnatural from all my time climbing. When I stepped off the platform my legs were flailing like crazy. i'm sure if I went in my speedo it would've totally been fine haha.

Then shortly after all the extreme activities we head back to our accomodation to get ready for the cruise. While we were waiting...Adam (a PCV from Montana in our group...Rocky Mountain shout out!) proposed to Jeanine (also in our group....but Cali, though I'm not hating). Yep, PROPOSED! Was so awesome, all the adrenaline was pumping from the bunge jumping then we were all extremely excited when he proposed and the bus pulled up immediately after we all gave our congratulations! Definitely made for a much more enjoyable boat ride...though I'm sure for most of us it wouldn't have made much of a difference if we didn't even cast off.

That's about it for vacation actually. Back in Tsumeb and have so much work to do it's ridiculous. Computer stuff like no other since I have a solid set of time and better access to internet, still much planning needing to be done, cleaning, organizing, etc. so it'll be a packed week for sure.

Yes, I do have pictures of almost all of this which I will definitely post. First thing is first, editing them, and all the stuff I just mentioned. So that's all for now I guess. I'm hoping to finally go and get my feet/ankles looked at in a bit. They hurt but I don't think there's much big damage to them since I landed almost perfectly on my feet (though it was about a 20 feet drop...so....not a little hop, I mean that's 2d10 without any feats!). I'll get working on my stuff, both fun and work and try to do a better job at the updates this term.

Blog Fail

So I know it has been a long time since I've written anything.....and it'll be even longer since I post anything of substance. I'm about to travel on vacation for a couple weeks so HOPEFULLY I will finally sit down and type something up when I return. At the very least I should put up some pictures. I had things I've wanted to write about but have been super busy with school, this resource file/memory stick we have, planning for our music project, etc. Things have calmed down...sort of, so when I return I should be able to take some time to post. Still have my lesson preparation for next term, grants and proposals to write, the websites, to plan...ugh, massive headache just thinking about it.

If you're curious what I've been up to...

Grade 7 and 8 Maths (7 and 5 periods a week), Grade 8 and 9 Physical Science (both 4 periods a week), grades 8-10 BIS (total 3 periods a week). Altogether that's 23 periods a week teaching, not bad at all for a first year PCV in Namibia. Even under our "max" which is 28 peridos the first year (20 the second year) which I'm sure many don't get the luxury of. Feeling pretty guilty though as we're in need of 4 teachers so I kind of want to try and tackle the empty classes. Our kids are running around crazy so it's created a pretty large discipline problem. Here's what's stopping me: trying to clean up our library and then start on getting some subscriptions donated. I think I'll be able to work with the secretary on this one so that'll be nice. And then trying to start my work for the music and arts center one of my colleagues wants to set up. Well not really a colleague, he's even more of a volunteer than I am. Really an amazing guy. He's a retired musician that is friends with my principal. Asked if he coud come down here and teach the arts classes for the school without pay. He's collected donations for instruments, books, all sorts of stuff from all over. I know, pretty ridiculous right? I'm getting shown up all over the place even as a volunteer. For trying to keep some time for myself: I have indulged in the occasional movie but I'm trying to stay clear of that realm. I've been going through shrinking and cleaning up pictures on my external hard drive while doing other housekeeping things on my computer. Speaking of computers I a also in charge of the resource project for the Namibian PCVs (I took this willingly, so I can't complain). Really cool to get a bunch of resources right from the start: books for all sorts of things, lesson plans for classes (well, NOW it has lesson plans....), etc.

Fun right? I've been trying to exercise so I don't totally let myself go. Trying to do a bit of reading, been somewhat successufl in this department. Almost done reading the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series. Read Dune, and the Ranger's Apprentice series so I've been a little busy in that department. Also have taken out the guitar a couple times. Not as much as I'd like to but enough where it's relatively in tune each time I take it out. Also want to start studying a variety of topics. I really should get back to studying Kwoekwoegowab so I can start dropping some sick rhymes around here...okay, maybe I should just work on getting past introductions first. But soon, soon I'll be throwing together lyrics like the world has never seen. As for the other topics I'd like to study: art, music, other languages, computer stuff, acrobatics, etc.; all things I've had on the back burner...and will probably keep there until I finish my service. Okay, that's a lie. I've finally decided to teach myself a back handspring and I'll be delving into website design for the arts center, the school, and maybe a couple other organizations around here. Also I want to make one for myself, a little online profile/resume/CV/"if-you're-really-that-curious-about-me-or-want-to-brag-to-your-friends-about-me-you-can-just-google-me-and find-it" website. At some point have to get myself back into math and econ before it gets too rusty and then there's the GREs but those all can wait until next year.

Yeah, I'm totally not strung out. Going on dates all the time, partying every third night, haha, if only. But I only jest. It's actually a blast. For example teaching: it always keeps you high strung (or at least it does with me) but the kids always find a way to make you smile and ease the tension...hopefully for at least a short while before they have you wanting to smash your head through a wall again. It's mostly just a continuous cycle of procrastinating things I REALLY should be doing with just things I need to get done...and a little bit of the spice of life thrown in on the side (music, reading....not the recently afore mentioned things). The arts center is also something I'd really like to help out with because 1) I can and feel I'd be a valuable resource 2) it's the arts and I think they're incredibly important 3) I really think the guy is awesome and is doing an amazing thing with it. As I look around the room while I type this, I realize I need to do some maintenance on my room and clean up a bit. But am also surprised at how kept together it is. I guess the daily grind keeps it from getting too out of control. Same goes for myself too. After shaving my head, I've grown a matching beard. If I can, I'll try an upload the schedule I made for myself but am still working on sticking to. It's more of a guideline really....

Okay, I could swear someone is harassing me and throwing stuff at my window. But, I'm not going to jump to conclusions.......and upon further inspection, it's only the-larger-than-a-golf-ball beetles that are flying into my window at mach II. I have some fun encounters with these guys also while biking. Keeps me on my toes; I get to pretend I'm a large battering ram going against a little tiny mouse door or soemthing. I guess saying my helmet is a shield that I headbutt-bash them with would be a better metaphor but you get the war analogy either way. Though that battle is nothing compared to the war I have with mosquitos. You think the Karate Kid was awesome catching a fly with chopsticks? Ha! He has nothing on me. I swated a fly using my sandal basing it's location purely off of sound. I've learned to put myself into a ninja trance state with lightning reflexes and can flick the wings off of those little critters with just a snap of my pinky. Okay, maybe not that awesome but my hands have turned into something like snapdragons. It probably looks like I'm doing flamenco dancing or something because I'll walk around or stand in place spinning and clapping wildly.

Anyway, in the spirit of me running maintenance on myself I'm going to head to bed. It's already 9:30 and that's past my usual bedtime (9 pm....yep). Though even worse because I might get up a bit early to try and use the internet (between 1am and 5 am remember?). I know you were probably thinking, how is he going to design websites when he's barely connected to the internet. I'll manage. Next weekend will be a lot of internet usage I hope. I really want to try and upload some videos (and more pictures) so you can see some action instead of just snap shots. Ahh, then there's Skype/GoogleVoice to try and set up! The list keeps growing and my mind's been at it all night. Well, I guess some days are just meant for brainstorming and others are meant for vigorous work. Today was definitely the former (I feel asleep in the library trying to work on the computers...twice). Okay, I'm off! Night!