Obama-rama!

I was so happy to hear that Obama won the election!  It's interesting how so many people here were congratulating me on the results- this is truly a validating moment for many Africans.  I wasn't so thrilled to hear that Californians decided to ban gay marriage.  I guess we can't win them all.

Anyway, apparently there are some rumors going around that I may have been eaten by a lion or something.  I'm here to say no, that's not true.  I am indeed alive.  The first two months here were a bit lonely and depressing.  Apart from the language barrier (thanks so much for the relevant training Peace Corps), I didn't have much to do.  I'm only into my second week of teaching!  So there wasn't a lot to write about, and I wasn't feeling particularly motivated to do much.  Apologies.  I am happy to report though that things have picked up significantly!  I am pretty darn happy.  There are so many things to write about, and I feel quite overwhelmed about where to start.  Instead of trying to cram it all in here, I'm going to make an effort to write more consistent entries on various topics of interest.  I could probably go on for awhile about how school works, what food I am eating, my small children, tribal conflicts, chieftancy disputes, marriage proposals, etc.

I finally have a daily routine and am keeping pretty busy.  I am teaching Integrated Science to the Form Ones (how I went from Physics to Biology to Integrated Science is another mess...).  I teach about 20 40-minute periods a week.  My biggest challenge right now is getting those students to respect time, not functioning on "African Time," or as us PCVs like to say, the GMT.  There have been a few afternoons full of group punishments.  They are learning, small small.  I think the time issue has become one of my largest frustrations here.  I'll have to write more about that sometime soon.

My day begins around 4:30.  I have to drag myself out of bed to get to the girls dormitory by 4:45 to drag the girls out of bed for volleyball practice at 5:00.  If I don't wake them up they won't make it out to the field until closer to 6:00 (then they won't make it to their classes by 7:00 and then use it as an excuse to get to classes around 9:30, which of course the Sports Master has no problem with...).  Oh, right, so I've joined to volleyball team!  That's been a lot of fun.  It's been a good way to get to know some of the girls better and to get some exercise.  I leave there by 6:30, and if I don't have a 7:00 class or if there's no morning assembly I'll go jogging for about a half hour.  Serena has been a great motivator (the girl ran the Accra Marathon last month!)- she's actually got me running in the morning.  Well, by "running" I should say jogging really really slowly.  I usually have some classes throughout the day.  If I don't have classes then I'm grading and lesson planning.  That takes up most of the day.  By 3 or 4 my new drinking buddies are ready to head to town to take some beers.  I've made some fun friends with some faculty.  They seem to think that since I'm a volunteer it's their duty to buy me beer everyday.  Everyday.  I've met a lot of their friends in town and I feel like I am actually getting a social network.  Good times.  By evening time I've got to come home to cook some dinner, read a little, and then head to bed pretty early.  When lights are off I'm usually in bed by 8.  If lights are on then it's closer to 10.

The days are also scattered with various responsibilities related to being Housemistress- girls wanting exits, seizing cell phones, sickness (unfortunately I already have a stockpile of hospital stories), fights, surprise role call, etc.  I'm enjoying being Housemistress- the girls are in desperate need of some female leadership.  More about that later.

I almost forgot to mention that there has been an addition to my life!  His name is Sankofa.  Unfortunately the internet is too slow today to upload a picture.  I'll get some up soon.  Puppies are a handful!  I'll have to dedicate a whole post just to him and his cuteness (oh God I sound like my mother).

Things are good.  I'm happy.  I am becoming a crazy dancer (school dances here are so so so much fun!).  Life is nice.  The first two months in Kpandai gave me a lot of time for introspection, which can be both cathartic and tortuous.

In other news, there are a few things I wanted to mention.  First, I was quite sad to head about Randy Pausch's passing.  His strength was moving and inspiring.  I highly recommend viewing his "Last Lecture" if you get a chance.

Second, I have been hearing a lot about Geoffrey Canada- specifically on "This American Life" and "Fresh Air" (oh how I love Terry Gross!).  His is the president of the Harlem's Children Zone in New York.  The work he has done with that organization is incredibly ambitious- and it seems to be just what is needed for education reform in America.

Lastly, I want to leave you with a Franciscan Blessing that my friend Tricia sent to me.  It's been a big help, so I thought I should pass it along:

"May you feel discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.

May you feel anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may wish for justice, freedom, and peace.

May you feel enough foolishness to believe you can make a difference in this world, so you can do what others claim cannot be done."

Thanks for that Tricia.  I miss you all so much.  Thank you for all of the wonderful letters and kind words.  They really help to pick me up when it's needed.  I hop you're all fighting the good fight hard.  More to come soon.  Cheers.