Oh god i'm broke! You'd think that eating benga every day (about 2 dollars for one weeks worth) and biking to tougan to avoid bus fair would afford me a sense of economic security... but allas! I'm quite the spender. It really comes at the expense of two things: First if I feel like buying something will help be study/be a more effective teacher I seem powerless to resist it. For instance I spent 6000 francs today on notebooks (about 12 bucks worth) and gave my school director cash to pick up another set of biology books while he is in Ouaga (just for comparison with the one I inherited from babet). I also bought a battery that I hooked up to one of babets old lights to enable me to enjoy the western comfort of a different sleep schedule than the sun. The second of course is partying. This month of September is a chance for all peace corps teachers to just spend time integrating into the community and not necessarily be bogged down in lesson planning and test grading. So to that end, I make an effort to go out every night with my burkiabé friends. It's pretty cool because people usually don't let me pay for much as I am the guest, but due to my modest salary and to me kinda over furnishing my house I'm still in the red.
One awkward thing is that in the course of my leisure with my friends I very frequently run into my students (or future students as I have yet to teach them anything). The thing is one of the points that was hammered into us at stage was that we need to be adult and super professional around our students at all times to maintain sense of respect, in and out of class. So when one of your students happens to be the gal that is serving you booze, it becomes quite the tricky proposition. Not to mention that there is no real way of telling a student from a non student based on age as I might have students as old as 25. I always dress professionally and never make an ass out of myself, but I would prefer to know if a student was listening to me talk so I could use more proper french and not the hurried, error prone conversational stuff I throw around with my friends.
I'm still trying to design a sustainable work out routine here. I really like the bike rides in for internet, they are quite satisfying. I've also been in talks with a local metal worker that said he could build me (upon my request) a set of gymnastic rings that I could use to fight the losing battle against losing every scrap of muscle from my body. Working out is very meditative for me so I hope to build a satisfying routine.
Well i guess that's all. I'm not sure if anyone reads this but if you do comments are always loved. I really like to know what's up in MPLS.
till next time-
5 comments:
Avid reader here. I'm hooked for at least the next two years. I know how frustrating that is to write and not know if anyone is interested.
St. Paul is rockin' I'm defs in for a global tour when you're done. I'm ready for an out. I'm going to Europe for six weeks this winter, any chance you'll venture northward during dec or january?
Had lunch with your mom. We talked a lot about you...;) but a lot of other stuff too.
Miss you!
PS I got your text, you should convince the cafe to download skype. I'd love to hear your voice!
I am also an avid reader. You probably have more than you think. Also, you don't need to worry about working out--I got that covered for you. I finished the duathlon (2mi run, 22mi bike, 2 mi run) in under 2 hours. Fukkin yea.
Also also, I'd have a hard time being professional all the time...but I suppose you'll know soon enough who all your students are.
much love,
Allie
Hmmm. I guess I can't loan you mom money from here. Sorry about that. You would know that you would spend it on notebooks and a biology book! You used to be so good at saving your Halloween candy until Easter. See what an intellect can do to you? Right down the tubes!
Sorry I missed you on Sat, but I saw the text's for Mom, she was happy you sent them. You will stay in shape killing giant flying bugs and scorpions. You need to build a enormous fly swatter that you can pulverize those biting beasts with. You must be getting ready to start teaching, I hope that goes great. You will be fabulous, you are such a hard worker at what ever you do.
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