I'm Healthy and Eat Fritters All Day Long

Its 5:00 am and I am wide awake waiting for my alarm to sound on my phone beside me.  My green mosquito net hangs around me as I lay on my comfy mattress under warm blankets in my homey tin-roofed hut.

The air is cold around me, but as I crawl out of my netted haven, the crispness reminds me of the new day ahead.  I grab a sweater, put on my shoes and head to the cimbuzi with my head lamp.  Using an outdoor pit latrine is now part of my routine and I realize upon reentering my hut that I barely registered what I was doing. 

Its now 6:10 and the sun is beginning to flood the morning with light.  I ready myself for the day ahead and dress in leggings, skirt, t-shirt, sweater, and scarf.

Finally, I got to greet my host family with a warm "Mwabuka buti." My Bataata and Bamaama respond with a smiling, "Kabotu."  The four bana are also around and silently smile a hello.

I have my breakfast of three fried balls of dough called Fritters with some peanut butter and Rooibos tea.  I say, "Ndalumba," to Bamaama, brush my teeth, grab my bag, put on my helmet, and bike down the bumpy dirt road to the PC training center. 

At the center, I greet the other trainees and sit down in the outside meeting area, sometimes called an nsaka.  The trainers facilitate the sessions on language, cross-culture, and technical training.  Midway through the morning, we break for tea and more fritters.  I have at least two or three!

Lunch comes at 12:30 and again I have a plate full of coleslaw, pasta, chicken, and rice.  If desired, I grab a coke or fanta.

By 14:00, I back in my chair between Mary and Kenny learning about diarrhea and preventing or treating it.  If all else fails, we can grab our poop cup and take a stool sample by ourselves to send in! 

It is at this time I am so grateful to be as healthy as can be and again go grab three more fritters from the kitchen during our afternoon break. 

After training, I bike back home and enjoy a bucket bath in my cisambilo with warm water my Bamaama heated.  Around 18:30 I sit down for a meal of nshima, cabbage, and chicken with my Bataata. 

Later, back in my hut under my mosquito net, I reflect in darkness about how blessed I feel for the most beautiful host family, an abundance of food and fritters, and a healthy body, soul and mind!

My Adventure Begins

Tomorrow I will fly out of Madison to begin my Peace Corps journey.

Thank you to everyone who has offered support, encouragement and positive words...I feel so blessed!  You all mean so very much, Thank you!

I know the next 27 months will be life changing and a whole new experience.  I am unsure exactly what this adventure will hold, but know it will be unforgettable!

Please check up on my blog whenever you have the chance, I will try to post as often as possible.  That may mean every few months, but I will keep posting!  Become a follower or add your email for updates over on the right side of this screen!  Then you'll always know when I post something new. 

If anyone would like to send snail mail, my current address is also over on the right sidebar.  Write anytime and I will try to return letters as well! 

I am all packed and everything is by the door.  Tomorrow will come surely, and just as soon as all my baby calves are fed and the calf huts are bedded (yes, I will be doing this before I leave), I will be en route with my wonderful family to the start of a once in a lifetime experience! 

Come join the adventure with me!!

Days Go By

Who else remembers it just being January and the cold temperatures were keeping us indoors and the snow was beautifully covering the ground?  Maybe you remember February with Valentine's Day and the prospect of Spring just around the corner.

Its just nearly unbelievable to me that half of this year is already behind us. 

The first six months of 2012 were not filled with too many events or activities or crazy happenings, but it was full none the less! 

I had several wonderful friends visit during January and even had the chance to go sledding!  February was going to a Spaghetti Supper and get ready for all the new babies coming.  March thru May was filled with so many new Jersey babies that not much else was on the agenda!  Of course, I did learn my Peace Corps placement in March and so that was always on my mind.

June came and with it came lots of warm weather.  Along with the temperatures rising and my skin turner darker, my mind was on Peace Corps.  I worked on some last paperwork and started putting toether the gear, clothes, and other supplies I'll need in Zambia.

And now it is July 1st.  Already halfway thru this year.  With a not too eventful first half, I feel as though the next 6 months will surely bring a whirlwind of adventures that will even outdo many of my experiences from the last twenty-some years! 

I wish you all a Happy July 4th.  I hope everyone is staying healthy and cool.  Have a great rest of 2012!