Okay, my apologies again for my long hiatus. I've had a few things going on but have mostly just been pretty apathetic. As I said before I am sure I won't be teaching in any large capacity when I get back to the States, no take-backs, if's, and's or but's. If you see me trying to slap me in the face.
Needless to say it has been a little stressful and difficult these past few weeks excluding the past week - so let's talk about that. Last week we had our mid-service conference just prior to our 50th Anniversary conference. Both were a lot of fun, the latter more so than the former.
During our Mid-service conference we went over a few details and the administrative staff just touched on a few pieces of information they wanted to share with us. We also got the chance to talk with each other about how our sites are doing and any successes or challenges we've had. For the most part PCVs are having challenges with teaching, mostly just the same as myself. The other challenges, well, I'll spare you those details as I'd rather not have this be a vent session with no moral at the end.
As always it was nice to see so many faces again that I haven't seen for months, some up to the 8-9 months since our training. It's funny how our time spent together is - at least for me. As I've said before, the PCVs in the North (with the exception of Edward) are pretty closely clustered compared to me. They bump into each other in their shopping towns, pay weekend visits to each other, etc. Maybe that is why these past 11 months have seemed to fly by. I'm partially measuring them in my time spent with Americans. During this conference and our 50th Anniversary conference we were all trying to figure out the times when we would next see each other - the time inbetween seemed just to be "work" or "the middle stuff". Edward is a big inspiration to me in that regard. I know he has integrated incredibly well into his community, much more so than I have accomplished. He spends most of his time at site, and most of his day working. I feel I spend most of my time trying to last until lunch to where I retreat to the library for the rest of the day. Granted some learners (students) come into the library during study hour but it's pretty minimal - well, the ones I let in that actually study. There's plenty that want to come in and make a mess of things. There are a few more points I would like to mention in this regard but I'll keep the lid on them for the moment.
The 50th Anniversary All Volunteer Conference (AVC for short) was a blast. We had 103 of the 115 PCVs (I think that's our total here) in attendence. There were many PCVs I saw for the first time, sadly I didn't take the initiative to meet many of them but I did get to see a lot of PCVs that I rarely see, if ever. We had a few celebratory sessions such as PSA (public service announcement) videos over the years. Some of them were ridiculous. "If you think the glass is half empty, don't even bother. If you think the glass is half full, you might have a chance at making it." "Do you want to work 16 hours a day for people you've never met? If so, join the Peace Corps." Yeah, motivational my butt. Although there were definitely some that were motivational and made me feel a little bit guilty about my service so far. One thing I did notice is that a lot of them were NOT teachers even though currently 1/3 of all Peace Corps positions are for teachers. Probably smart marketing on their part. Though I will say I think PCVs that are teachers, and enjoy what they do, probably have some of the most rewarding experiences during service from the sheer number of relationships they establish. I have formed some strong bonds with a few of the students and a couple of the staff. Granted I feel mine is a somewhat small fraction, if I worked to have strong relationships with 100% of my learners my service would be something else entirely.
Alas, I sit here during my lunch with my grade 8 class in detention. I forgot/didn't get time to make my lunch so I'm in a particularly sour mood. Definitely pretty funny when they just sit here asking me to beat them in the office instead. Oh the temptations.....kidding. Though there is some definite animosity towards them, and as much of a challenge it can be at times of anger, beating children is not part of my character. Though I am getting less and less concerned for their well-being. Parents, or some sort of guardian, have come up to me asking about why I keep them late, during lunch, etc. Well, so far it's only been two, that I know of, but they've been really short conversations after telling them that the kids aren't doing any homework, making noise (being loud and don't stop talking), disrespectful, etc. "Oh, he/she didn't tell me that." Yeah, I'm sure they didn't. Just like the angry parents we had for kids getting kicked out of our hostel (they were sleeping with each other). Just kids being deliquients, not anything different from the rest of the world.
Okay, there is some definite bitterness here and I'd like to steer away from that. I think I mentioned that we got internet at our school, actually I totally haven't. It was about 1.5 weeks ago and I haven't written in like a month, so yay! Internet! Will be a lot nicer being able to get my nights back for sleep. The USB modem was nice because I can use it anywhere but only using it from Midnight to 6am (we got 2 extra hours but have to pay N$10 for the ENTIRE time....bah, corporations) definitely left me pretty tired. I'm hoping I can try and catch up on some things so I can upload bunches of pictures and maybe even some movies! Should be possible now that we have internet 24/7, and it's not even that slow! We need a few cables and I need to find the ethernet drivers for half of our computers but I'm hoping soon. They've managed to be pretty elusive. If anyone reading this ever donates computers, please send along the drivers with them. I want to install Ubuntu on them which I think would have everything working but I also want to keep Windows on them so they can have something more familiar. Plus I can monitor and hand off Windows easier than Ubuntu, which would take a decent amount of training and it's a lot easier to mess up.
I have downloaded some manuals on the subject though, both Windows and Ubuntu, and plan on trying to make some sort of training presentation. The question is just getting the time to do it. I have a busy couple weeks ahead as it's the end of term again but this time I'll have a week to just work at site with little worries, that is after I submit my grades. At least this time I won't be super stressed and pressed for time. I'm hoping then I can finally catch up with some of the IT work I have to do here. Then it's off to Camp GLOW, which I'm pretty excited for. Maybe I'll feel a little less guilty about my service giving up my vacation for a kids camp. I think it'll be pretty fun. Will be a good break to work with a new group of kids that are really trying hard in school. I'm assuming Liz is pretty thorough and selective during the application process. At least I hope so. Will be refreshing to have some energetic kids that I don't have to pester to do their homework everyday.
Speaking of vacations I need to finally get to planning my next one - December. It should be a long one and I definitely want to take advantage of it which means budget, budget, budget. We will hopefully get our cultural weeks again so I think I'll try and visit the North for a little bit. I also want to collaborate with a couple PCVs on some joint IT-Educational stuff. The previously mentioned thing I'm keeping a lid on may have some affect on my vacation as well (in a positive way) which would mean lots of studying - good studying though, that will be really useful. More skills I want to learn that I can finally scratch off my to-do list. Sadly, my guitar has seen little practice. Maybe I'll do that this week sometime, or next weekend. Would definitely be some solid stress relief and way more constructive than watching Television shows and movies. If you have any recommendations, please feel free to suggest them. I think I have everything figured out and what I want, it's just where I am. So if that changes then I think I'll be good to go! As for now, I'll try and allocate some pictures to post and see if I can get my youtube stuff updated again. So many things to do but hopefully you can finally get a better picture of life here in just a short while!
Monday, September 26, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Yep, I'm doing pretty poor at this again...
BUT! I have at least a workable excuse. Yes, I have had time to be updating here for which I am sorry I haven't. These past few weeks- change that, months have been pretty busy.
I may have mentioned to some of you about a possible site change to to Mariental in Southern Namibia, it is now a confirmed change. I will be moving sometime after the school year ends, not sure if that's immediately (I hope so) or before it starts up again.
Part of the reason I haven't updated recently is that has been taking a LOT of my time and effort.
I'll skip the venting of how I (and nearly everyone involved) wanted the site change to be sooner but didn't get it (a lot of work was put into trying to make this happen). Instead I'll just briefly mention that this new site comes with a lot of added responsibilities, ongoing and newly developed.
I'll talk about those later but some topics among them are discussing the status of the ICT program here (it's been put on hold, future status unknown and not looking good), trying to possibly start a new committee, training myself for the new site, still maintaining my work at my current site, etc.
But my last 2 months or so went like this (each item roughly a week or so): prep exams, end of term exams, marking (a.k.a. grading) exams, Mariental, Luderitz, Mariental, Windhoek, first week of term 3, mid-service medical (I'm healthy), 3rd week of school...and that brings us to the present, the 4th week of school. Also Group 30 is finishing up their service here so I've been trying to see some of them before they set off.
Speaking of end of service, I might actually be trying to extend mine. Lots of planning has been going into that too among other things.
So yeah, super busy, I'll try get a good long entry or two in this week but thigns don't look like they'll settle down until after my half-marathon next weekend (or full).......that I haven't trained for. Yeah, wish me luck!
Chris Janes, signing off.
I may have mentioned to some of you about a possible site change to to Mariental in Southern Namibia, it is now a confirmed change. I will be moving sometime after the school year ends, not sure if that's immediately (I hope so) or before it starts up again.
Part of the reason I haven't updated recently is that has been taking a LOT of my time and effort.
I'll skip the venting of how I (and nearly everyone involved) wanted the site change to be sooner but didn't get it (a lot of work was put into trying to make this happen). Instead I'll just briefly mention that this new site comes with a lot of added responsibilities, ongoing and newly developed.
I'll talk about those later but some topics among them are discussing the status of the ICT program here (it's been put on hold, future status unknown and not looking good), trying to possibly start a new committee, training myself for the new site, still maintaining my work at my current site, etc.
But my last 2 months or so went like this (each item roughly a week or so): prep exams, end of term exams, marking (a.k.a. grading) exams, Mariental, Luderitz, Mariental, Windhoek, first week of term 3, mid-service medical (I'm healthy), 3rd week of school...and that brings us to the present, the 4th week of school. Also Group 30 is finishing up their service here so I've been trying to see some of them before they set off.
Speaking of end of service, I might actually be trying to extend mine. Lots of planning has been going into that too among other things.
So yeah, super busy, I'll try get a good long entry or two in this week but thigns don't look like they'll settle down until after my half-marathon next weekend (or full).......that I haven't trained for. Yeah, wish me luck!
Chris Janes, signing off.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
अन अपडेट! नोट मच गोइंग ओं...
Alright, finally back into the swing of things. Been having some technical difficulties - seriously. My external died a while ago but I was able to work around that and then some issues with my computer but I think I have what I can fixed. The external hard drive was the fault of some wiring/weather/I'm not sure but hopefully I can claim it for insurance. My technology skills have been somewhat kept up while here - something I wasn't intending for though definitely a nice surprise. I'm even trying to refresh myself on website design and a few other things while learning some new stuff.
So Term 2 is a large part done...ish. Still 2 months to go, okay, that sounds rough when put like that. Alright, enough of the poor attitude. But on a more serious note I am a little tired of teaching. While at times I do enjoy it, I feel on the whole it is not the path meant for me - at least secondary school. I knew I didn't want to ever teach middle school yet here I am. Actually not as bad as I thought though I think the kids here are somewhat terrified of me which helps with behavior control a little, though not much since I told them I would not beat them. I have a feeling they don't fully believe that to which I'm a little grateful because discipline is never really been my strong suit, whether self imposed or imposing on others or even others imposing on myself. Just not my thing.
That being said yes, I do plan on finishing my two years here. It's still an amazing experience and I do love the handful of kids that actually work in class. Fits with my 90-10 rule: I used to think that 10% of humanity made up for the other 90% or something along those lines. Kind of a gloomy outlook on the world for sure (and arrogant, pessimistic, etc.). Though I do find it discouraging that only a couple students are able to get questions correct when the answer, written with work, is left un-erased on the board. Such is teaching I guess. The thing is I do enjoy teaching and helping people understand mathematics, physics, economics, etc. but I'm not too big of a fan of all that other stuff: discipline, behavior, blah blah blah. I know, I know, what of if/when I'm a parent right? I'd like to think that these couple years of teaching has prepared me somewhat for that and I pray that my wife will be much better at that sort of thing. Also, I don't plan on having 40 kids and I don't think my wife would like to go through that sort of pain, literally. Ideally, I/we can raise our kid(s) and instill them with the characteristics we value. The good thing: we're the actual parents.
I have SO much trouble dealing with parents - or a lack there of. How do you teach a kid what you feel is right (let alone legal) when the parents are constantly undermining you every step of the way. How do you instill a drive/need for education when the parents don't care? Granted I know some did not grow up with it and I can see how education is a foreign concept where the benefits are not readily seen or even currently applicable. There lives were fine, so can't their kids be fine without it too? They can but please don't have them sit all day in my class, talking, not taking any notes, playing football or "kung fu" right outside my open classroom door - the classroom they're supposed to be in. If they're a student in my classroom it's their job to learn, don't take notes? Don't do homework? Fine with me - as long as you're acing all the exams or nearly so. When you have a 2/30 for your homework grade and a 0/50 for exam scores - when I ask questions like "Do you like cookies?" - that's pathetic. Yes, that was a question on my final for last term, maybe1/3 missed it.
2 big thank you's are due here. First, obviously, to teachers. If you're a parent and getting on a teachers case, cut them some slack. Unless you'd like to step up and take care of 40 kids in a classroom all day long. Me? I'm already dying by tea break. Haha, yes, we have tea break (9:40-10:10am). If I'm a parent, and a future teacher of my kid can find this: print it out and show me, I will forever shut up if I'm bothering you. Second big thank you, to those students that are actually working hard. It's like I tell the other volunteers (and this is a big reason why I don't intend to be a teacher): I've made the active decision to stop trying and drag kids along. If you don't have motivation, not my place to give it to you. Not my teaching style and I'd say just not me as a person (Myer-Briggs test fooooooo!). Sounds harsh but I'm just not that strong/good/benevolent/whatever of a person to do so. Now I don't completely wash my hands of kids, I spend as much time as they will put in towards work. I tell them every week: no matter what time they come knocking on my door, I will help them. If I'm sleeping, I'll get dressed and sit at the table until they want to stop (yes, I have done this - now I make sure to answer the door with a shirt on). If they care, I care a lot. If they don't then my energy is better spent elsewhere.
Thank God I didn't have all teachers like me as a child, I would've gotten nowhere haha. In my defense though I have received positive feedback from students both here and in the states. I don't think I entirely suck as a teacher I just have pretty poor patience (though actually good in comparison to some judging by the stories I hear) and don't want to deal with the headache that is puberty for the rest of my life. I've found that kids either love my class or hate it, there are few that lay in the middle. Generally the students that care somewhat about school love it, and those that couldn't care less hate it - I'm okay with that.
I'd say my first speculation at teaching at the University level seems pretty accurate. We'll see what happens with that. And speaking of University, funny how time creeps up on you. Kind of disgusting to think about that I will need to start studying again in the near future for the GREs and any other exams I wish to take for Grad School/Job Applications. I've heard some stories and it seems like the testing process is infinitely more fun here in Africa! Hopefully I'll be able to teach myself some of the things I've wanted to learn in the mean time before then. I've made little progress with the guitar, kind of sad but I've hit some snags every now and then in that area. The back-handspring is coming along though! My ankles/feet are near perfect (they start to act up during exercise) so I'm hoping to have it down in the next month or so. After that: back flip. Or maybe the proper way to do a front hand spring. Perhaps some sweet dance moves? Or better yet, [rock] climbing moves. I still want that IronMan before my 30th birthday. Haven't been on my bike in forever here and haven't ran due to my feet (and laziness). It's been way too cold to swim.
Speaking of cold, I've actually caught one. I was spending way too much time in the library during early mornings. It is COLD here in the morning. The desert does not retain heat at all. The sun goes down, whoosh! Temperature just drops. Now I'm actually happy I brought my insanely warm sleeping bag - I've been using it in bed. Made me a little homesick for my old room - well, room setup/clothes/etc. Was nice to be able to throw on some long underwear, have my nice warm comforter. Wow, thinking of a house with climate control seems so...strange. I'm going to be a total idiot when I get back. Any volunteers on teaching me how to use a thermostat again? Or better yet, who wants to be my roommate?! I'll always wingman you when needed and you can use the Peace Corps line as many times as you want when we go out.....
Can't think of too much else. It's been a pretty dull 2 months or so. Well, dull as far as Peace Corps goes; I was sitting on a mattress when a drunk guy peed himself in a ride I got...that was gross - but so was college. Hopefully I'll have much better stuff to talk about next time!
So Term 2 is a large part done...ish. Still 2 months to go, okay, that sounds rough when put like that. Alright, enough of the poor attitude. But on a more serious note I am a little tired of teaching. While at times I do enjoy it, I feel on the whole it is not the path meant for me - at least secondary school. I knew I didn't want to ever teach middle school yet here I am. Actually not as bad as I thought though I think the kids here are somewhat terrified of me which helps with behavior control a little, though not much since I told them I would not beat them. I have a feeling they don't fully believe that to which I'm a little grateful because discipline is never really been my strong suit, whether self imposed or imposing on others or even others imposing on myself. Just not my thing.
That being said yes, I do plan on finishing my two years here. It's still an amazing experience and I do love the handful of kids that actually work in class. Fits with my 90-10 rule: I used to think that 10% of humanity made up for the other 90% or something along those lines. Kind of a gloomy outlook on the world for sure (and arrogant, pessimistic, etc.). Though I do find it discouraging that only a couple students are able to get questions correct when the answer, written with work, is left un-erased on the board. Such is teaching I guess. The thing is I do enjoy teaching and helping people understand mathematics, physics, economics, etc. but I'm not too big of a fan of all that other stuff: discipline, behavior, blah blah blah. I know, I know, what of if/when I'm a parent right? I'd like to think that these couple years of teaching has prepared me somewhat for that and I pray that my wife will be much better at that sort of thing. Also, I don't plan on having 40 kids and I don't think my wife would like to go through that sort of pain, literally. Ideally, I/we can raise our kid(s) and instill them with the characteristics we value. The good thing: we're the actual parents.
I have SO much trouble dealing with parents - or a lack there of. How do you teach a kid what you feel is right (let alone legal) when the parents are constantly undermining you every step of the way. How do you instill a drive/need for education when the parents don't care? Granted I know some did not grow up with it and I can see how education is a foreign concept where the benefits are not readily seen or even currently applicable. There lives were fine, so can't their kids be fine without it too? They can but please don't have them sit all day in my class, talking, not taking any notes, playing football or "kung fu" right outside my open classroom door - the classroom they're supposed to be in. If they're a student in my classroom it's their job to learn, don't take notes? Don't do homework? Fine with me - as long as you're acing all the exams or nearly so. When you have a 2/30 for your homework grade and a 0/50 for exam scores - when I ask questions like "Do you like cookies?" - that's pathetic. Yes, that was a question on my final for last term, maybe1/3 missed it.
2 big thank you's are due here. First, obviously, to teachers. If you're a parent and getting on a teachers case, cut them some slack. Unless you'd like to step up and take care of 40 kids in a classroom all day long. Me? I'm already dying by tea break. Haha, yes, we have tea break (9:40-10:10am). If I'm a parent, and a future teacher of my kid can find this: print it out and show me, I will forever shut up if I'm bothering you. Second big thank you, to those students that are actually working hard. It's like I tell the other volunteers (and this is a big reason why I don't intend to be a teacher): I've made the active decision to stop trying and drag kids along. If you don't have motivation, not my place to give it to you. Not my teaching style and I'd say just not me as a person (Myer-Briggs test fooooooo!). Sounds harsh but I'm just not that strong/good/benevolent/whatever of a person to do so. Now I don't completely wash my hands of kids, I spend as much time as they will put in towards work. I tell them every week: no matter what time they come knocking on my door, I will help them. If I'm sleeping, I'll get dressed and sit at the table until they want to stop (yes, I have done this - now I make sure to answer the door with a shirt on). If they care, I care a lot. If they don't then my energy is better spent elsewhere.
Thank God I didn't have all teachers like me as a child, I would've gotten nowhere haha. In my defense though I have received positive feedback from students both here and in the states. I don't think I entirely suck as a teacher I just have pretty poor patience (though actually good in comparison to some judging by the stories I hear) and don't want to deal with the headache that is puberty for the rest of my life. I've found that kids either love my class or hate it, there are few that lay in the middle. Generally the students that care somewhat about school love it, and those that couldn't care less hate it - I'm okay with that.
I'd say my first speculation at teaching at the University level seems pretty accurate. We'll see what happens with that. And speaking of University, funny how time creeps up on you. Kind of disgusting to think about that I will need to start studying again in the near future for the GREs and any other exams I wish to take for Grad School/Job Applications. I've heard some stories and it seems like the testing process is infinitely more fun here in Africa! Hopefully I'll be able to teach myself some of the things I've wanted to learn in the mean time before then. I've made little progress with the guitar, kind of sad but I've hit some snags every now and then in that area. The back-handspring is coming along though! My ankles/feet are near perfect (they start to act up during exercise) so I'm hoping to have it down in the next month or so. After that: back flip. Or maybe the proper way to do a front hand spring. Perhaps some sweet dance moves? Or better yet, [rock] climbing moves. I still want that IronMan before my 30th birthday. Haven't been on my bike in forever here and haven't ran due to my feet (and laziness). It's been way too cold to swim.
Speaking of cold, I've actually caught one. I was spending way too much time in the library during early mornings. It is COLD here in the morning. The desert does not retain heat at all. The sun goes down, whoosh! Temperature just drops. Now I'm actually happy I brought my insanely warm sleeping bag - I've been using it in bed. Made me a little homesick for my old room - well, room setup/clothes/etc. Was nice to be able to throw on some long underwear, have my nice warm comforter. Wow, thinking of a house with climate control seems so...strange. I'm going to be a total idiot when I get back. Any volunteers on teaching me how to use a thermostat again? Or better yet, who wants to be my roommate?! I'll always wingman you when needed and you can use the Peace Corps line as many times as you want when we go out.....
Can't think of too much else. It's been a pretty dull 2 months or so. Well, dull as far as Peace Corps goes; I was sitting on a mattress when a drunk guy peed himself in a ride I got...that was gross - but so was college. Hopefully I'll have much better stuff to talk about next time!
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