My primary school

We have had two horrible storms this season and my primary school has suffered loss in both. The first one happened while I was away at training and the second one was last week. It was thunder, lightning, wind, and heavy rain for all of 30 minutes, but the damage was extensive.

This is my primary school. I had hoped to show you pictures of the horrible damage my school’s structure has experienced in a storm last week, but have been asked not to. Actually, I was told that I could share with my family and friends, but “not the whole world.”  :-)

Basically, one large pepper tree was completely uprooted and we lost the whole roof of one building and roof damage on another.

But, here are some legal pictures to post: undamaged buildings with the South African flag up the pole; our grounds keeper; the teachers’ lounge; wonderful women who feed + 500 every day (and wrangle those large, three-legged cast-iron pots during special occasions!), and educators and staff.


Soon, Karen

Friday evening… 26 February 2010

Follow me along on my evening stroll...

This is my South African version of a garden spider. Isn’t he lovely? Or she… Haven’t identified her, but when I do, will let you know. She resides in this magnificent clump of lavender. If you look closely, you can see her.

The lecturer’s theater is where I hope to have Saturday night movie night, if I ever get a proposal written and some funding obtained for a DVD player/projector.

And the library, where I love to hang out.

Then you see the long road that I haul my grass clippings down to the garden and can understand why the people here think I’ve lost my mind.

And a favorite pepper tree, that even though burned, still carries on. I feel inspired by its efforts.

And a sunset.

Hope you enjoyed my Friday night stroll.

Soon, Karen

“If I hate it, I can just come home.”

One of my favorite things to do to make my family laugh is to share my botched self-portraits.  I usually look goofy enough that I would never share with anyone else.  Well, today I'm brave enough to share: enjoy.  I'm supposed to be looking contemplative.  :-)

“If I hate it, I can just come home.”

This was me talking last year, when announcing to friends and family that I had joined Peace Corps. Knowing that I adore living in Louisville, KY, my friends and family often asked, “What if you don’t like it?”

And I would respond: “If I hate it, I can just come home.”

What a trite, silly, offhand comment to make: I didn’t have a clue.

First off, let me say, that since I’ve arrived in South Africa, there hasn’t been ONE DAY pass that I haven’t thought about going home. So why am I still here? Well, it’s complicated…

For one thing, when you become prayerful about your life and about your life's work, your decisions take on new meaning.  And with being in South Africa, it's not just about me and what I want anymore.


Another thing: There is a joke among some of the older volunteers that originated upon arrival into South Africa. The flight was so horrendous (SEVENTEEN HOURS!!), that several of us joked, “Well, I’m staying. There’s NO WAY I’m getting back on that plane!"

This joke kind of sums up my whole Peace Corps experience to date: I have overcome such obstacles and challenges that if I even think about returning home, there is always the thought to follow, “That would mean I have endured all this for nothing.”

And I have endured a lot—all of us have. It’s one thing to talk about immersing yourself into another culture, and it’s another completely to actually DO IT. It's one thing to think about leaving your family, your friends, your home, and your work and it's another to actually do it.  It’s difficult!

Here's anonymous quote from some PC literature:  "There comes a day when all of this suddenly becomes apparent, all at once.  Things are no longer picturesque, they are dirty.  No longer quaint, but just furiously frustrating.  And you want like crazy to just get out of there, to go home."  ---PCV, Peru

This was my thinking on Day Two at permanent site (September 19, 2009).  The good news about reaching this point, is that there is no where to go but up.

Also, since I have strong intrapersonal skills, in that I know myself and my limits very well, I knew I'd have a very rough first six months.  So I promised myself that I would stick it out for at least six months.  My "you can go home" date was originally January 31, 2010: my sixth month mark.

I had said all along that I would feel fine once my work began and I had a regular schedule.  And I still believe this.  Well, my South African schools have gotten off to a rough start.  While school was supposed to be well underway by the end of January, it has not.  So I bumped my "you can go home" date to February 27, which is tomorrow.

I remember once having a discussion with someone about the pros/cons of getting married verses only living together.  The person replied, "If you get married, all of the doors are closed so it's more difficult to leave the relationship."

I had never heard the marriage commitment explained this way, and it made sense.

So yes, tomorrow is my official "you can go home date."  If I weren't handed my work schedule, from both the primary school and the college this week, and if I hadn't seen my PC supervisor this week, I may have, indeed, have decided to go home.

Happily, this week, I have a clear plan of action and my work plan for the year and my PC supervisor validated, supported, and positively addressed many of my concerns.  She proved to me that she is my advocate and she wants ME to be happy, and I feel ever so much better having talked with her.

I have decided to "close the door"  on that pesky, persistent question of "Do you want to go home?" and commit myself to finish my service with Peace Corps/South Africa.

I feel already, like I've lost a hundred pounds!

Soon, Karen

A day of seeing red...

About 20 years ago, I learned a very, very, very important life lesson. The lesson was: Life is so much easier if you have God in it! I learned too, that it didn't matter what my conception of God was, (for example, I could use Jehovah, Allah, Buddha, etc.) it was only important that I USED it.

I think I've always believed in some sort of Higher Power, except when I was trying, as a teen-ager, to shock my family by declaring I WAS AN ATHEIST. I had always believed in God, I just never knew how to use it. (It, him, they, her... who knows?)

The big lesson was: if you ask for help from your Higher Power every day, life is SO MUCH EASIER.

It was almost ridiculous when I initially tried it; I remember thinking, "If it is so easy, WHY DOESN'T EVERYONE DO IT?" :-)

I also learned, that if I could get on my knees while asking for help (Ouch! and "Too much trouble"), it was even more evident how easier life could be.

Now, I wish I could say that I get on my knees every day, twice a day, but I don't. In fact, I can't even say that I get on my knees MOST days. I usually have to be very afraid of something I'm facing and it often involves worrying about my sons in what they should or should not be doing. My sons certainly bring me plenty of practice getting on my knees!

There is something I face on a regular basis that also brings me to my knees: teaching.

Now, I've been teaching off and on for over 20 years, find the profession generally agreeable, and feel I'm quite gifted and talented as a teacher. However, I suffer with terrible "stage fright," fully dread a day of teaching, and put a great deal of emotional energy into preparation and execution. I'm a limp rag by the end of a teaching day.

Teaching scares me and it wears me out.

Over the years, I've found myself on my knees in the restrooms of the Humanities Building at the University of Louisville, the restrooms of both Knobview Hall and other buildings at Indiana University Southeast, and the restrooms of Jefferson Community and Technical College.

When I get on my knees before entering a class, I usually come out of the class session feeling mighty fine.

I often wonder if my HP has me in the teaching profession JUST SO I have to get on my knees regularly. :-)

So, here in South Africa, it is no exception: I am terrified upon entering a classroom. So, I've been on my knees, well, in my hostel room. (I don't think HP would even want me on my knees in a pit toilet.)

So, yesterday morning, I was rushing off to class and I realized, while I was on the path to my primary school, that I had forgotten to get on my knees. In fact, I had forgotten to ask for help at all. As I began my prayers as I walked, a little red dragonfly approached and then flew right by my side for about 50 feet. He hovered right at my hipbone and flew along with me, as if he were "walking with me." I smiled when I realized that I'm never alone, especially when feeling panicked about missing my daily surrender.

Isn't this guy SPECTACULAR! I love him! As usual, the photographs (not mine; see below) don't do him justice: he is absolutely VIVID! His red seems coated in neon. I just love him.

After he left me, I rounded a corner to a beautiful bunch of these red star zinnias (Zinnia peruviana) that grow wild in South Africa. I too, absolutely love these flowers and hadn't seen them in my area until yesterday. Once again, I was feeling in good company. (This photo too, is not mine, see below.)

And lastly, peppers. These are peri-peri peppers, (photo not mine), of a variety I have been consuming lately.

Their Latin name is (Capsicum frutescens) and the nickname is "African Devil." As you can imagine, they're pretty spicy. (Photo below, is not mine.)

Back home in Kentucky, my household has a family tradtion of having an evening "hot toddy." Now, these toddies are not full of alcoholic spirits, but are full of fire nonetheless. We take tomato or vegetable juice, add a fiery hot pepper, and usually green tomato pickles that are as hot as fire. Oh yes, and a squirt of lemon. They burn all the way down!

We enjoy these especially if we feel a tickle in our throats and worry that a chill or cold may be coming on.

I've just read a couple of books by Neil M. Orr and David Patient, both who have dedicated themselves to bettering lives of those affected with HIV/AIDS. I'll have the honor of attending a workshop presented by these gentlemen in a few weeks.

I found their books/booklets very informative. What I liked best about them is that they suggest life style changes to boost immune systems. All kinds of suggestions are made: how to eat, how to grow your own safe food supply, etc. (I especially enjoyed the gardening section: it is a "how to" in building a home garden with the same types of gardening techniques I'm trying to introduce to my community's garden.)

In their discussion on keeping the body warm, they have this to say:

"Cayenne pepper is the safest of the heating spices if you have a sensitive stomach...We suggest that--three times a day--you take a quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a glass of water or fruit juice, with a little lemon juice. Viruses, in particular, do not enjoy the increased heat. This is why the cayenne pepper drink helps to clear up many skin conditions, such as warts, herpes, and shingles." (Positive Health, 2008), 47.

So, my family and I were right about a hunch that the spicy pepper might ward off any bug-a-boos. And I'm delighted to be having my "hot toddy" three times a day! Wooo Weeee! And I toast my loved one at each swig.

Soon, Karen

http://www.wildabouttheworld.com/gallery/data/504/medium/IMG_4650.jpg

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/05/20/dragonfly_so_pretty.jpg

http://www.treehugger.com/dragonfly-threatened-specie.jpg

http://www.types-of-flowers.org/pictures/zinnia.jpghttp://www.fiery-foods.com/dave2/images/favorites/peri_painting_cropped.jpg

YUM!

Another bunch of goodies from home: spices, herbs, spices, herbs, spices.  I'm tickled and feel ridiculously happy with my new variety of YUM!  This will certainly see me through my remaining year and a half.  Yes, I'm almost able to say I have a remaining year and a half.

I also received some homemade twine, news clippings from home, stickers, and inspirational reading.  And letters from home!  YUM!

One of my favorite things to use is rosemary sent to me from my garden last spring. I have two varieties and while it is suggested to use rosemary with meat, I use it to flavor everything: beans, rice, soup.

Remember the flower I noticed at the Pretoria Botanical Garden that I thought was a protea?  It is.  The common name for this on us "sugarbush protea" (Protea repens) and is South Africa's best known protea.  Its image is found on SA's 20c coin.  (Image is mine, a repeat.)

Do you remember these black and yellow bugs that I thought were bees?  These are actually a garden pest called a CMR beetle.  (Don't have Latin name handy, sorry!).  They are named CMR beetles because their strips resemble the stripes of the Old Cape Mountain Rifles. (Image not mine; see below for web address.)

And this guy is a snap (not my image; see below) of the twig wilter.  Remember my story about me picking big bugs in the garden, the one with armored legs?  This is him. Isn't he a bugger?

Soon, Karen

http://www.insecta.co.za/coleop/images/thumbnail/Mcr%20523e.JPG

http://beetlesinthebush.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/petascelis-remipes.jpg

Still laughing...

About a week ago, I was preparing my breakfast and noticed a bug on the inside of my oatmeal bowl. He was very tiny and I had never seen a bug like this before. I thought, "Ick. I hope this new bug has just flown in the window and decided to land near my breakfast" and quickly brushed aside the thought that the bug might be coming from inside my breakfast. (Denial.)

Then I saw the bugs again, and although disgusted, I figured the bugs would be killed when I cooked the oatmeal. The old joke is, it's extra protein.

I had convinced myself that the oatmeal was the only food item contaminated and discarded it. Today, when I was eating my whole wheat cereal, guess who came crawling out of my breakfast?

I believe he is a saw-toothed grain beetle, and is pictured in the photo above.

I'm still laughing!

Soon, Karen

The following link is where the photo above officially lives:

http://agspsrv34.agric.wa.gov.au/Ento/pestweb/images/sawtooth3degesch.jpg

All you can do is laugh...

A good friend of mine says, when the world is flying around her and falling to pieces, “I just laugh. If you don’t laugh, you’ll cry.”

When she would say this, I never could quite understand her philosophy. When things are flying around me and the world falling to pieces, I get frustrated and angry.

This week, I’ve finally understood her philosophy, and have been laughing all week.

(Before I begin my tirade, let me be the first to admit, when it comes to my work—MY TEACHING—I become more than a bit of a planner. I’ve learned, in my teaching experience, that if you plan well, the teaching goes well. And if you don’t plan well, well, you’d better be ready to endure a very uncomfortable 45 minutes of the students taking bites of you, chewing them well, and spitting them out on the floor. Teaching is like this children’s rhyme I was taught as a child: There was a little girl, who had a little curl, right in the middle of her forehead. When she was good, she was very, very good, but when she was bad she was horrid. Teaching is like that: when it’s good, it’s very, very good, but when it is bad, it is HORRID.)

So, it’s Sunday, February 14, and tomorrow is Monday morning. Before Monday morning, I need to grade 70 papers, have two sections of Grade 6 English planned and ready to go, grade assignments for my college English Level 3 class, and have their lesson planned for.

It was the Valentine’s Day weekend and I hadn’t realized how all of the Valentine’s Day activities would crunch my time. I had company coming so needed to clean and do laundry, which swallowed most of Saturday morning/afternoon. We had a Valentine’s Day dinner/dance on Saturday night and a lengthy church service on Sunday.

(Oh, also, I had hoped to work around 20 hours in the community garden. Didn’t happen.)

So, Sunday night, I grade 40 of the 70 papers and wake early Monday morning to develop my lesson plans for the 3 classes I will teach later that morning.

I go to the college staff meeting at 7:30 Monday morning to learn that a) we still don’t have a class schedule and b) we still don’t have textbooks for our students.

(Classes “officially” started on the 25th of January, but we haven’t had a schedule to direct us where to go or what time to be there to have class. So, neither educators nor learners had anywhere to go or have anything to do, so nothing—especially any teaching or learning—has happened. We have had a temporary schedule for the past two weeks, so I’ve had a week to teach about the 4 students who knew enough to show up the first week, and this week, most students have shown, but their “exams” started on Tuesday. Yes, their exams, for which they haven’t been to class for, or had the textbooks for, started on Tuesday.)

I’m laughing.

After the staff meeting, I teach my 9:30 class then sprint to the primary school for my 6th graders. After their classes, I return to campus to grade the remaining 30 papers, grade the college papers that have come to me that same morning, and now need to create a test for my 6th graders to take later in the week (but the test I create is needed tomorrow—Tuesday—for submission and approval.)

I’m laughing.

Oh, I should mention here, that there is a bone of contention with my supervisor at the primary school. He believes I should remain at the primary school all day, everyday, and is unhappy with my comings and goings. He knows that I have other commitments, but doesn’t realize all of the “groundwork” I’m laying in trying to get my classes up and running, without having the resources to do so. So, he’s not happy.

I should also mention, that while the college is struggling with their schedule, the primary school’s schedule is changing weekly. (The college is trying to arrange my schedule around the primary school’s schedule, which is ever-changing.)

I’m laughing.

I’m up most of Monday night and rise early Tuesday morning to do more of the same: grade papers, create lesson plans, conduct class, run back and forth between the college and primary school, and attend meetings.

I’m laughing.

I spend all of Tuesday night creating the test for my sixth graders that must be submitted on Wednesday. Wednesday, I teach my college class, (oh, thank goodness, the textbooks finally arrived, so at least they have the course materials available to them, even if they don’t have a concrete class schedule, informing them of when to go to class and which room to go to), and run to the primary school to submit the test I’ve created for approval.

I come home Wednesday and collapse. (After having a conversation with my supervisor at the primary school attempting to reassure him that “You (I) will be here tomorrow, right?). I don’t collapse for long because I have my college class to prepare for tomorrow.

On Thursday, today, I show up to my college class, after spending most of Wednesday night and most of Thursday morning preparing my lesson plans to find there is no class today, because the students are at the police station having their registration papers certified so they can apply for scholarships next year. Yes, this is important, but why is this happening today/now, and not weeks (or even months) ago?

I’m laughing.

Not only is there no class today, but there is no class tomorrow. Tomorrow, Friday is when we are PROMISED our class schedule. What are the chances of us having a class schedule, finally, on Monday?

I’m laughing!

Soon, Karen