Mulli Uli?

Happy New Year everyone!

It's been a while but in the meantime I hope you all have been well. I have been living in Zambia for almost nine months! Time flies when you're having fun! Well I will try and give you a run down of what's been going on till now.

Myoka Village

 http://www.mayokavillagebeachlodge.com

Beautiful Lake Malawi

South Luagwa National Park

http://www.luangwa.com/

December: Had training in Lusaka, learned more about teaching (literacy) and HIV/AIDS. My favorite was that I was able to see my entire intake again, as community entry was over. (Where you live in your village for three months getting acclimated to where you'll spend the rest of your service.) After training we went on our first vacation to Malawi, and swam in Lake Malawi almost everyday....it was one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. The beautiful mountainous countryside was never ending. You know how you feel when you see all the changing color of the trees in the fall? The whole place was like that, I could barely breathe as we we kept driving through it. I would totally go back. The lodge where we stayed was also gorgeous...I twisted my ankle so it was swollen sometimes and hurt a little but it didn't stop me. The lodge was built on a mountain and the steps were steep and deep...and I landed too hard on it a couple of times and had to keep walking on it. I'm grateful it wasn't that bad...oh I forgot to mention that I also danced on it several times...for several hours! I was also a DJ for our nightly dance parties....what? Somebodies got to do it:) After Mayoka Village in Lake Malawi, we headed back to Zambia and went to South Luangwa National Park which is a word-renowned wildlife haven, I highly suggest it. Pictures are above.

January: Said goodbye to my fellow Pcv's and went back to the village...and started officially teaching, grade 8. I have around 98 students! Thankfully we have block scheduling, and there is a lot of absenteeism. Absenteeism is not good but I must say it can be a relief when the class is not jammed pack. I teach three days a week, two 80min classes. I have Mon. and Fridays off and I love it! On Jan. 20 while I was teaching someone broke into my home and stole most of my electronics and two flashlights. While this was sad, I have forgiven, and pray in hopes that they will be found and my things will be recovered. (My solar battery charger and inverter, my ipod, ipod speaker, my external hard drive, over the ear head phones ( I could hear the music so well;)) and my head lamp, and a flash light.) Peace Corps has been helping and giving me support...and thankfully I bought insurance, but please pray that I'm able to recover all that was lost, and that I will be able to get those things back. I miss being able to listen to music but I am hopeful, and will again soon.

February: I received some care packages from the USA! Thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You all know who you are and I am very very appreciative. I also have visited some other PCVs around my area, and that has been a blast, seeing there houses and set ups. Very cool. Other than that I'm teaching and it's fun seeing the students grow and understand. Though at times it is very challenging, I'm having a great time!

Oh I forgot...as far as my personal development I've been exercising around two to three times a week it feels great, and I have been running a mile also and I haven't stopped. I can also do 20 push-ups at a time, I did 80 on Wednesday! I have never ran a mile and not stopped to breathe maybe only one other time in my life. Also I've started studying music, my hope is a chapter a week of theory, history, vocal pedagogy, arias, voice lessons, choral conducting, and sight singing. Pray I continue to be consistent and keep enjoying the discipline that is becoming me; I'm having a lot of fun. My goal is to have gone through the books by September, and then do it again. I must say, I'm feeling very proud of myself! Other than that....my hair keeps growing, trying to see how big my afro will get.

Well that's about it for now, but I'll see you soon. Thanks for reading, love you all.

Be encouraged,

madetoencourageyou!