PCV in Kenya: Week 6

Monday

Today marked month four since leaving Atlanta. It was raining a bit when I left the house. This meant I had my full rain gear on which became extremely hot halfway through the walk because it stopped raining and the sun came out. When I got to school, we received our new school schedule and I like it. Each day is different. They differ in how many classes I am teaching, which subjects I have that day, and what time my lessons are. I taught Biology today, lesson planned, and did some paperwork for Peace Corps. I was still feeling a bit under the weather today but I actually got better as the day went on. Anitah, my co-worker that I share a work desk with, and I have a good system down on days when there’s beef for lunch. She likes the pieces with bone on it and I prefer the ones without, so we do a switch when we sit back down at our desk 😊 After lunch, I walked to the market to purchase vegetables and look at clothes because I haven’t done that in a while. I hit the jackpot on dresses today. I found three that fit me perfectly and a wrap skirt. I also visited Mary’s shop. Mary is a board member at the primary school and she owns a clothing and jewelry shop in the market. I run into her everywhere I go, even in Kisumu. She had a beautiful blue dera that was the right light material and had gold sparkles throughout it. Naturally, I had to buy it 😊 I feel like I can say I officially live in Kenya now that I have a dera to wear around my house. When I got back to school, my female coworkers wanted to see what I found so we had a bit of a show and tell. I then graded papers and went home. On this walk back, I chatted with Michael. He works Archer’s cows, bringing them to and from grazing areas every day which means I see him almost every day I am walking around. Back at home, I played with Nala and gave her a treat because she successfully used the litterbox all day! I made dinner and started watching “7 Years in Tibet”.

Tuesday

I graded biology work all morning then had a meeting with all of the Form 1 (Freshman) parents/guardians. This meeting was led by Principal Richard, myself, and Ambrose (the Form 1 class teacher). This meeting was to welcome them to school, inform them about myself and my role at the school and in the community, and encourage parents to complete bursary forms. Bursary forms are something parents/guardians can complete and turn in for a chance to receive money to cover student lunch fees. The meeting went well and was well received by those who attended and the board members who visited school later that day. When I got home, Nala and I spent time outside and I was able to listen and respond to Aunt Susan’s “Marco Polo” messages. I think Nala might be older than I initially thought, maybe 5 or 6 weeks old, because she is very playful. I finished watching “7 Years in Tibet” tonight. Another movie watched 😊

Wednesday

I had to get up earlier than usual today because my first lesson on Wednesday begins at 7:40AM. The lesson went well and I lesson planned before my double lesson of biology at 10AM. A double lesson is 80 minutes instead of the typical 40 minutes. This is convenient for labs and other lessons that require more time than the traditional 40 minutes. After these lessons, I packed up my things and went to the road so I could catch a ride with the Peace Corps car that was heading back to Kisumu. I was in an out of Peace Corps HQ in 10 minutes for my shot, so I had time to go to United Mall to do a bit of shopping and eat at KFC before heading home. On the matatu ride home, I watched the first “John Wick” movie. Back at home, I took Nala outside and she started to do more exploring today. This makes me happy because she is going to be an outdoor cat and I want her to like exploring 😊 I fully cleaned my house to end today because it makes me much more relaxed when I am at home.

Thursday

For our lesson today, we did a walkabout of lab equipment. It took a lot longer than expected, so they will finish this lesson tomorrow. After my lesson, I walked to the market to purchase vegetables and say hello to Baba Charles at his shop. After school and back at my house, I had time to do some yoga and a weighted workout with weights I found in Kisumu yesterday. I prepped my vegetables to cook tomorrow and had leftovers for dinner. The power in the house was touch and go tonight. I had time to talk to my parents and I watched “John Wick 2” while Nala slept in my lap 😊

Friday

Today was a normal school day, but I left a bit earlier than usual so I could meet with my language tutor. We had a good session, working on scenarios for my next language exam in a few months. When I got home, I prepped the filling for my spring rolls and did some yoga. Laura stopped by with her son and cousin which was a nice surprise. They were buying vegetables from Sammy 😊I finished the spring rolls and watched “John Wick 3”.

Saturday

Today was a lovely chill Saturday. I started the day by washing dishes and doing my laundry. I then set up my hammock and Nala and I relaxed in it all afternoon. During dinner, I watched “The Breakfast Club”. It was a good week for my movie watching goal 😊 I started listening to the “Game of Thrones” audiobook because I have caught up on all of the Spotify podcasts I have been listening to. It is a very easy book to listen to while doing random things around the house or walking places.

Sunday

I had a relaxing morning with Nala and then I walked to the market to get on a matatu to go to the next town over. I met Principal Richard, his wife, and youngest son there. He drove us to his church in the morning and then we went to their house for lunch. After lunch, we went to Kogelo to visit Obama’s father’s family home. We chatted with his uncle and were able to walk around the compound. They were very welcoming and kind. After this, Principal Richard took me back to the market town so I could take a matatu home. Back at home, I gave Nala the tennis ball I found in a shop today and she loves it. I also exchanged my Christmas tree decoration on my wall with a heart with some pink frill I found at the store. I watched an episode of “S.W.A.T.” while eating dinner. It was a fun day to end the week with 😊

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