She is dreadfully hot but endlessly thankful.

The Thanks!
I was experiencing a bad day a few weeks ago. I have written about bad days before on this Blog and this particular day was ripe with frustration, impatience and, yes, even some tears. I happen to be in my shopping town on this abysmal afternoon, which was both a curse and a blessing. A curse because there are ten times the people there as are in my village. Translation? That many more Namibians got to witness a Peace Corps Volunteer meltdown. A blessing? I checked my mail. On this day, I got packages from Peggy and Sandy. Amazing packages filled with the best a hungry, smelly, needy Peace Corps Volunteer could hope for. The overwhelming kindness was a reminder how much it means to me to receive help from home. A package from home has come to be a metaphorical umbilical cord, power line, blood vessel or simple breath of oxygen. I swear those brown boxes are filled with life. It reminds me I can do this work here because people back home are supporting me. You are the reason I can remain and can have a positive impact. Whether you send school supplies or personal gifts it all keeps me going. Ni itumezi. Na itumela. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. I just recently sent Warren a video of the learners showing their appreciation for all the supplies. As soon as it arrives in Colorado and he figures out how to upload it to my Blog you will be able to see it. I will keep you notified.

The Garden
I have planted a garden with the seeds sent to me from home. Again, the seeds were another blessing from various packages. I have been watering it faithfully and have started to see growth. Stand by to see if I successfully maintain a garden. I hope to eat an actual salad before Christmas.

The Fire Pit
I made a fire pit. I burn trash in it now, which is a common occurrence here. I plan to make it in to a place to cook meat outside. Yummy.

The Heat
It’s back. There is no easing in to the oppressive heat of summer. Someone simply flipped a switch and I started to sweat. It’s obnoxious. Insufferable. Foul. Vile. You get the picture.

The Ballot.
I want to thank Warren for tracking down any possible way for me to get my ballot. It was his enthusiasm that reminded me I had an obligation to make my voice heard. Even from another Continent. I was finally able to vote with a write-in absentee ballot. The act of choosing my American President from my sweaty chair in the sauna that is my office was, well, so cool. I felt a sense of pride and connectedness to America that I never had before. I liked that feeling. And I remind all those who read this to vote.

The latest greatest line from a learner…
Question from me: Define the term Chicken Pox?
Answer from learner: A type of food.

The Gamecocks
What is wrong with them? I dont expect a response. We are all busy people and don't have the time to list every problem faced by the University of South Carolina Football Team.

Is stealing always wrong?

Toilet paper, markers, puppies, pens, pencils, erasures, glue, magazines, matches, books, chapstick, candles, batteries, scissors, shampoo, stickers, camera, ipod speaker. This is a short list of some stuff that has been stolen from me in the past month and a half. It started innocently enough with people going through my trash. Stealing whatever they found of interest. Then it developed to crawling through the window of the library. And in the past two weeks it has morphed into going in my hut. I am not sure what to do about the incessant stealing but it has brought up some interesting issues for me. One point of view is these kids are poor and stealing a pencil or even my camera is simply a way to provide for themselves or their families, a type of Robin Hood, perhaps. Another point of view is that stealing, no matter the circumstance, is wrong and if we don’t make a stand now these kids will grow up learning to take things rather than learning to work for what they need. I am not sure where I fall with this but I am bummed it is happening. Not as much for the loss of material things but for the loss of trust and respect. Oh well. I am sure this issue will work itself out. In the meantime, I am not going to give up. The final term has begun and I am committed to do my best despite the stealing. Best wishes to all my teacher friends who have gone back to work. Have a great school year! My roller coaster ride continues. Hopefully with more ups than downs.

Happy Belated Birthday Mom!