Friday, November 30, 2012

(November 27, 2012)



So I didn’t kill the chicken, but I held the wings and feet. Maybe next time? Well, Thanksgiving was fun and super delicious. Well, I guess onto the holiday season.  The holiday season is always weird here because I associate Christmas as cold, snowy, and a Christmas tree. I might decorate with snowflakes.  But it will definitely not snow as it is getting really hot here. But, hopefully there will be cheer, thanksgiving, generosity, and holiday music. But, when I was on the daladala this last Sunday, I saw the Stanic Bank was decorating. I might have to go check this out tomorrow. I don’t know if this makes me unfestive or more festive. As I believe, the reason for the season is the birth of Christ. My favorite explanation is in a Charlie Brown Christmas. It gives me the chills every time I see it and trust me I have seen it many times. 

So why will I be more festive….I will be celebrating with my “family” here, no gifts except maybe cards, and great food. One thing I love is it is unnecessary to give gifts. This is not because I am cheap, but I think we often get caught up in the holiday season and forget to enjoy it and forget the real meaning.

(November 21, 2012)



So maybe I am going to not post until after Thanksgiving…I did try, hopefully I will be able to post on Saturday. So stay posted. Not that you are reading this until I post on Saturday Morning. I will hopefully post this attempt at Megan killing the first chicken?

(November 20, 2012)



So I have been back about a week and a half. I am definitely adjusting. This weekend I began to wonder if my decision to continue working at my school was the right one. Everyone from my group of two years ago is leaving, and I am remaining. That feels weird. Then, those of us who are staying, most went to work with NGOs.  As well, after Peace Corps, I am thinking I would like to work for an NGO after being in the States and having the time to think about what I want to do next year.  However, none of the NGOs were a fit for me. So I decided to stay at my school.  So here I am.  So, I am going to sit back and see where this year takes me. Hopefully, my gut instinct was right.
Also, I have finally got the inspiration to actually feel like doing some things from more time to do than think! THANKS! So what do I have planned for the upcoming year:

·         MATH MEET: I am hoping to start working on this in December, and maybe get it going in February for an O-level Competition with my school and two local schools.  If that goes well, maybe try a second O-level competition and the first A-level competition in late April. If all goes well, try a second A-level competition in beginning of November

·         RUNNING: I am going to run the Kili Half Marathon Again in February
·         GET BETTER AT KISWAHILI, MAYBE LEARN XHOSA

·         WORKING ON START UP VOCATIONAL TRAINING SCHOOL

·         STUDYING FOR GRE, APPLYING TO GRAD SCHOOLS?

·         LOOKING FOR A JOB?

·         FIGURING OUT HOW I FIT INTO AFRICA

·         MOST IMPORTANT….WHERE AM I GOING TO TRAVEL IN A YEAR??

·         ENJOY MY LIFE!!

Continued Later…So I just got back from visiting a friend, and I am now listening to “Give Me Everything Tonight”. I feel like last year I always waited for the moment in that song and forgot the everyday normal things. So many times, I feel we look forward to those nights that we forget the in between. Yeah, I enjoy those nights, but those nights are best when they are not expected. Lately, I look forward to things, and yeah they are fun, but not as much as I build them up to be. However, when I am not expecting them, they are always always the best. So, maybe I am not going to give everything to just one night.    

But, I am really excited for Thanksgiving. Although, I will not celebrate it with many of you on Thursday or with turkey, I am going to celebrate Friday with a chicken.  Also, for those vegetarians and vegans out there, just fast forward to the next sentences. I am going to kill a chicken myself and make it from scratch. Picture will be to come.  So, we are going to roast chicken, mashed potatoes, maybe some fruit, wali (rice), ugali (stiff porridge), bananas, maybe pineapple. It is going to be amazing…if you are going to be in Moshi... Karibu! 

Since, I will not be posting before Thanksgiving. I want to wish all a Happy Thanksgiving.  I am thankful for every one of the amazing people in my life! Each person is such a blessing and is an important piece in my life! So this year, I am thankful for amazing people, the opportunity to figure out where my passions truly lie, and an amazing year ending and another to start. Though don’t be mistaken, I will be thinking of all you celebrating on Thursday and wish I could be with you. Because there is nothing to be more thankful in life than love, and my family and friends are the loves of my life. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

First Day Back (November 12, 2012)



So I have been back in Tanzania for 2 full days. I really enjoyed my time home. And I was so glad to see all of you loved ones! I was so glad to have been able to share in one of my best friend’s wedding.  I had so much fun and loved spending every minute with all of you! However, after 4 weeks, I was ready to come back, because I love my job, right now this is just where the roads have brought me, and I missed my Tanzanian home. 
My flight from Amsterdam was late coming in and customs took longer than I hoped. But, to greet me at the airport with a smile was one of my good friends from school. After a long journey, a familiar smiling face at the airport is always a great reminder that you are home.  The downside to Saturday was I had arrived a day to late to fully enjoy some friends before they left. 
So, according to my father traveling from west to east is easier on jet lag than east to west, I don’t know that I totally agree. Getting to bed at 12:30 am on Saturday and waking up at 4:30 am and not able to go back to sleep is example one. Today, 11:00 pm to 4:30ish am is example two. Today was not as productive as I would have hoped.  Though, naps definitely make today that much better. But I have my fingers crossed for tonight!
But, what is it truly like being back? After not being home for more than two years, I definitely appreciate the nice amenities of the US – hot water at your fingertips, fast internet, WASHING MACHINES, water all the time from a faucet. But, I knew what I was expecting when I got back. I just have to readjust to the old way of doing things. But all of this is minor.  The best welcome home gift was a scenic sunrise this morning during my run. Imagine being at a raised level looking down on a flat land with random hills sprouting and low clouds with the peaks of those hills peaking though adding the gorgeous colors of a sunrise. It was a great run.  So now, it’s time to get back in the swing of things.