Hi Everyone,
So I know that it has been a really long time since I have posted, and yes I hate excuses, but really, I have been busy. Technically now I should be going to bed but I really just wanted to send a shout out. After training in Morogoro at the end of March, I started teaching A-level Math only instead of chemistry and Basic Applied Mathematics. Well, I am getting a run for my money. All those things in college I never thought I would use again... Guess what.... I have to relearn them. But don't worry, my worries of forgetting math while I am in TZ is no longer a worry. In fact, I am learning some new things, like sets and logic. So now I will be able to make a sound argument. Anyway, my weeks have been a bit rough. So I haven't had much time to post or write letters. But I hope to send some letter this weekend. It is my first weekend to myself...well kind of. I tell you, when you think you are finally free, your weekend fills up so fast that next thing you know, it's Monday and you start it all over again.
I am beginning to wonder if I am working harder here than last year! I know you may laugh Laina, Michele, and Maureen, because we worked our butts off last year, but this is pretty demanding. Anyway, I hope everyone had a good Easter. I went with a fellow teacher to visit Dodoma. It was very pleasent. I got to see the biggest University in TZ. UDom. It is really nice, a lot of it is being built new right now. Also, i got to see the Dodoma region while it is green because it is rainy season right now. And boy, was it gorgeous! Well, sorry to be so short. More later, but dishes are calling before I go to bed so I don't find them attacked by ants in the morning (may be slight exageration).
Meg
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
March Already?
Hey Everyone,
So I am officially able to travel. I have been a volunteer now for 3 months! What am I going to do. I don't know yet. But will definitely keep you updated. So last week was my birthday and I baked cookies as a birthday gift to myself. I even got to use real American chocolate chips, and they were Toll house too! THANKS MOM AND DAD! I even shared them with the some of my fellow teachers. But don't worry I ate my fair share too. I think they were part of my dinner that night. I have made cookies before but I didn't have vanilla and boy does that make a difference. Some of you may be thinking. Baking cookies how can that be. Did you know that you can make your own oven using a small stove of wood, kerosene, charcoal, maybe even electricity a big pot, three rocks, a smaller pot, a lid, and a damp towel. I have even made banana bread this way.
Also for my birthday I was able to have ICE CREAM. It was pretty amazing is all I have to say. I with fellow Tanzanian friend, and they asked if it tasted like ice cream from the states. I said I had forgotten and that all I knew was it tasted good. I tell you it is the little things that can sometimes make your day - sometimes it is hearing that one song on the radio.
This past week I was able to see some other volunteers that were in town. It is nice to see other people that share the other experiences with you. And to speak English fast. If you have ever lived in a foreign country where all you here is another language, and you are trying to comprehend what is said. Sometimes you get tired and space out. Let's just say that this can happen a lot. For me, this happens especially in church. First, it is in another language. Second, there are really now books. Third, it is in another language. Though, I have to say, I went to a local church this last weekend and I actually understood the main points. Let me tell you how good that made me feel.
Let's see, I am still figuring out this teaching thing. It is definitely a little harder than I thought it would be- at least for the chemistry. But slowly, I am getting it. Hopefully in the next 6 months I will get it down. So another week will continue, though it will definitely be a bit slower that A-level is on break. I don't have to go in as much because I am only teaching the 6 classes a week. I wish you all a great week! Until next time Kwa heri!
Megan
So I am officially able to travel. I have been a volunteer now for 3 months! What am I going to do. I don't know yet. But will definitely keep you updated. So last week was my birthday and I baked cookies as a birthday gift to myself. I even got to use real American chocolate chips, and they were Toll house too! THANKS MOM AND DAD! I even shared them with the some of my fellow teachers. But don't worry I ate my fair share too. I think they were part of my dinner that night. I have made cookies before but I didn't have vanilla and boy does that make a difference. Some of you may be thinking. Baking cookies how can that be. Did you know that you can make your own oven using a small stove of wood, kerosene, charcoal, maybe even electricity a big pot, three rocks, a smaller pot, a lid, and a damp towel. I have even made banana bread this way.
Also for my birthday I was able to have ICE CREAM. It was pretty amazing is all I have to say. I with fellow Tanzanian friend, and they asked if it tasted like ice cream from the states. I said I had forgotten and that all I knew was it tasted good. I tell you it is the little things that can sometimes make your day - sometimes it is hearing that one song on the radio.
This past week I was able to see some other volunteers that were in town. It is nice to see other people that share the other experiences with you. And to speak English fast. If you have ever lived in a foreign country where all you here is another language, and you are trying to comprehend what is said. Sometimes you get tired and space out. Let's just say that this can happen a lot. For me, this happens especially in church. First, it is in another language. Second, there are really now books. Third, it is in another language. Though, I have to say, I went to a local church this last weekend and I actually understood the main points. Let me tell you how good that made me feel.
Let's see, I am still figuring out this teaching thing. It is definitely a little harder than I thought it would be- at least for the chemistry. But slowly, I am getting it. Hopefully in the next 6 months I will get it down. So another week will continue, though it will definitely be a bit slower that A-level is on break. I don't have to go in as much because I am only teaching the 6 classes a week. I wish you all a great week! Until next time Kwa heri!
Megan
Saturday, February 19, 2011
TWO WEEKS in a ROW
So this is a new record for me. I have officially posted for two weeks in a row. So for those of you that heard about the bombings in Dar es Salaam, about 20 people died and about 300 people were injured. No one I know was injured. And I have not been affected by this not being near Dar.
Not too much as happened this week. It has been kind of slow because the Form VI students finished their test last week, and the Form V were studying for the annual exams. They are finishing up this following week. Then I will only be teaching 6 periods a week on three days. Until school starts up again in the beginning of April. I don't know if I will continue to teach only Basic Applied Mathematics or more. I will see.
Though by the end of the week I was definitely ready for Friday! It had felt like a long week. Also, I was ready to be alone for a little bit. So I have a pretty good sense of humor about making mistakes. I laugh at myself if I fall, but you get to a point where you get sick of people laughing at you. My Swahili is pretty good. I know when people are talking about me but not always what. So, on Thursday I shut the door, turned on my American music, and read all the wonderful mail I received from everyone! SHOUT OUT TO EVERYONE WHO SENT ME MAIL! THANKS! It really brightened my day. Also, glad I have so many people writing because then I get all the stories. Also, if you sent me a letter you should be getting one soon.
Last night was pretty exciting too! I made the most delicious thing ever... banana bread in my homemade oven. YES you can cook without an oven...even bread. And I still had some left this morning. And today, I am going to pick up a new outfit that I am pretty excited about. And get a few items. I am also meeting a fellow PCV. Overall, last night and today have been pretty good. Well, I wish you all the best on your last week of February. Time is flying this year. Before you know it will be December 2011 and I will be seeing you all and wishing you Merry Christmas, baking cookies with delicious frosting, being really really cold (I think I may even be able to empathize with Laina on how cold it is), and putting up Christmas decorations. But now, I will say Kwa heri until next time. Missing you all. Have a good week!
Not too much as happened this week. It has been kind of slow because the Form VI students finished their test last week, and the Form V were studying for the annual exams. They are finishing up this following week. Then I will only be teaching 6 periods a week on three days. Until school starts up again in the beginning of April. I don't know if I will continue to teach only Basic Applied Mathematics or more. I will see.
Though by the end of the week I was definitely ready for Friday! It had felt like a long week. Also, I was ready to be alone for a little bit. So I have a pretty good sense of humor about making mistakes. I laugh at myself if I fall, but you get to a point where you get sick of people laughing at you. My Swahili is pretty good. I know when people are talking about me but not always what. So, on Thursday I shut the door, turned on my American music, and read all the wonderful mail I received from everyone! SHOUT OUT TO EVERYONE WHO SENT ME MAIL! THANKS! It really brightened my day. Also, glad I have so many people writing because then I get all the stories. Also, if you sent me a letter you should be getting one soon.
Last night was pretty exciting too! I made the most delicious thing ever... banana bread in my homemade oven. YES you can cook without an oven...even bread. And I still had some left this morning. And today, I am going to pick up a new outfit that I am pretty excited about. And get a few items. I am also meeting a fellow PCV. Overall, last night and today have been pretty good. Well, I wish you all the best on your last week of February. Time is flying this year. Before you know it will be December 2011 and I will be seeing you all and wishing you Merry Christmas, baking cookies with delicious frosting, being really really cold (I think I may even be able to empathize with Laina on how cold it is), and putting up Christmas decorations. But now, I will say Kwa heri until next time. Missing you all. Have a good week!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Back with a superb internet connection...well, at least for today!
Guess what everyone! I was able to post! So I haven't posted since before Thanksgiving. HAPPY CHRISTMAS and NEW YEARS! Hope your new year's resolutions are going well!
I am currently teaching at a school in the Mt. Kilimanjaro region. I am teaching mathematics at the A-level (kind of like the first two years of college) and computers. Then, I am teaching chemistry at the O-level (like high school). It is going well, but there are a few things that are a little rocky. All the things that go along with being a first year teacher. I am slowly learning.
I am really enjoying my life in Tanzania and I actually feel that I can get around by myself. People finally believe that I am able to go to the market by myself and find my way around town. I can even bargain. Last weekend, I bargained for a taxi (trust me this is a big stepping stone). I am able to somewhat communicate with the students. Though my form 2 student still laugh at me. Eventually, I will be able to communicate and teach in English and Swahili without laughing.
I had a good holiday season. I spent it at school. I went to church on Christmas. So during the service, I was really trying to pay attention and understand. But I just didn't know what was going on. So I found out later, that the service was actually in kichaga, which is a local language in the area. Also, I now know about 10 words in kichaga. I am learning both kiswahili and kichaga. When I speak kichaga, everyone always laughs because I am a mzungu (which means white person). On New Years, I visited the mother of my friend.
Since then, I have been teaching. On the weekends, I go to the local market to buy food for the following week. On Sunday, I go to church and do all the cleaning and washing for the week. So the average day is as follows:
6 am- I wake up and go for a run or do yoga.
6:30 am - I return, get ready for school and eat.
7:35ish- Running a little late, I head to the school chapel for school devotions.
8:00ish - School starts and I teach, prepare lessons, and correct. It depends on the day for my teaching schedule
4:00ish - I leave school and go home about a 2 minute walk. I live on campus.
until about 5:30ish I do whatever and then prepare dinner, and do whatever until about 10 pm when I go to bed.
I am really excited to return and cook some of the tanzanian food I am learning to cook. I am learning to cook boiled bananas (don't say you won't try it before you have tasted it) because it is delicious. It is probably one of my favorite food. I can make ugali, kind of rice, and chipati. I have had a failed attempt of doughnuts, but I think I figured out the problem today. So I will report back on that.
So since today is the 12th of February, I am going to throw out a BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHELE! I hope that you have a great birthday!
Well, that is all for now.
Megan
I am currently teaching at a school in the Mt. Kilimanjaro region. I am teaching mathematics at the A-level (kind of like the first two years of college) and computers. Then, I am teaching chemistry at the O-level (like high school). It is going well, but there are a few things that are a little rocky. All the things that go along with being a first year teacher. I am slowly learning.
I am really enjoying my life in Tanzania and I actually feel that I can get around by myself. People finally believe that I am able to go to the market by myself and find my way around town. I can even bargain. Last weekend, I bargained for a taxi (trust me this is a big stepping stone). I am able to somewhat communicate with the students. Though my form 2 student still laugh at me. Eventually, I will be able to communicate and teach in English and Swahili without laughing.
I had a good holiday season. I spent it at school. I went to church on Christmas. So during the service, I was really trying to pay attention and understand. But I just didn't know what was going on. So I found out later, that the service was actually in kichaga, which is a local language in the area. Also, I now know about 10 words in kichaga. I am learning both kiswahili and kichaga. When I speak kichaga, everyone always laughs because I am a mzungu (which means white person). On New Years, I visited the mother of my friend.
Since then, I have been teaching. On the weekends, I go to the local market to buy food for the following week. On Sunday, I go to church and do all the cleaning and washing for the week. So the average day is as follows:
6 am- I wake up and go for a run or do yoga.
6:30 am - I return, get ready for school and eat.
7:35ish- Running a little late, I head to the school chapel for school devotions.
8:00ish - School starts and I teach, prepare lessons, and correct. It depends on the day for my teaching schedule
4:00ish - I leave school and go home about a 2 minute walk. I live on campus.
until about 5:30ish I do whatever and then prepare dinner, and do whatever until about 10 pm when I go to bed.
I am really excited to return and cook some of the tanzanian food I am learning to cook. I am learning to cook boiled bananas (don't say you won't try it before you have tasted it) because it is delicious. It is probably one of my favorite food. I can make ugali, kind of rice, and chipati. I have had a failed attempt of doughnuts, but I think I figured out the problem today. So I will report back on that.
So since today is the 12th of February, I am going to throw out a BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHELE! I hope that you have a great birthday!
Well, that is all for now.
Megan
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