PCV in Kenya: Week 8

Monday

I gave my chemistry classes their first quiz today. Before lunchtime, I headed to Jaramogi Odinga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) with Peter, Crystabel, and six students. Peter is my counterpart for the Peace Corps. He qualifies as my counterpart because he lives in my community and works at my school. He helps me with community-based development projects and cross-cultural understanding at school and in my community. He is also the department head of science at my school. Crystabel is our lab technician. She helps set up lab practicals and demonstrations. I talk to her on a daily to help me in chemistry and biology 😊 JOOUST invited our school to attend their innovation event by participating in the exhibition of innovations. The theme of the event was “Ecosphere: Innovate for a Sustainable Tomorrow”. When we arrived, all of the participants set up their exhibitions and then presented them for the judges. The participants were secondary students (the age of my students) and university students. The most interesting innovation I saw was from a university student. He had figured out a way to harness electricity from the heat of a latrine. His innovation is currently in the process of being patented and it was so interesting to see his work.

We ate lunch and then Crystabel took me on a tour of the school. She is currently getting her Masters degree here, so she had access to all the buildings. It was a great experience. At the end of the tour, we came across another innovation, cricket biscuits. They are very high in protein, so this group of students thought it would be a cheap way to offer people protein alternatives. I can’t say that I found them good, but they were edible 😊 This whole day reminded me of when we would take trips to Georgia Tech with Mr. Schuyler, my science teacher throughout high school. We left around 5PM to go back to school. I quickly headed to the market to purchase some vegetables. When I got home, I played with Nala a bit, and Sammy also spent time with her. Pets in Kenya are not common. Most animals should serve some type of purpose. So, Sammy thinks it’s very funny how much I love and care for Nala, but he gives her the same love and attention I do. Today, he was on his hands and knees trying to find her tennis ball under the couch so she would play with him 😊 I had ramen tonight and made boiled eggs in my air fryer. It works! I started to watch “Blade Runner 2049” to end the night.

Tuesday

I got to school and we left for JOOUST again after morning chai. Today was the awards day. Our group placed fourth. We stayed for lunch and then headed out. We stopped in Bondo on the way back so I could purchase a picnic basket. I am going to use this to carry Nala to and from the veterinarian this weekend. Once we got back to school, I headed home and swept the house before taking a quick nap. These two days at JOOUST have been so fun, but they have made me exhausted 😊 I made pasta with canned vegetables and garlic pasta sauce. I added an egg sandwich to complete the meal and finished watching “Blade Runner 2049”.

Wednesday

Today, Patrick, my Peace Corps Education boss, came to my school to observe my teaching. After observing my lesson, we drove to my house so he could fill out paperwork about the house. When I got back to school, Juma arrived at school. Juma is one of the Peace Corps safety and security officers. He and I had a few things to discuss and he also wanted to see my house, so we drove to my house for a second time today. When I got back to school, the board members were there and we chatted for a while. When it was finally time for me to go home, I was so socially exhausted. I heated up leftovers for dinner and that was all I had energy for tonight.

Thursday

All my lessons went well today and I had a much more normal day today compared to Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. I went to the market because it was market day. I exchanged two outfits with Sarah and walked away with two new wrap skirts, a shawl, and a dress. Since Sarah knows me, she lets me try the outfits on at home. If they don’t fit, I can take them back and exchange them for something else she has. She gets new clothes every Monday, so it is a great deal we have going 😊 When I got home, I packed up what I could for my trip into Kisumu tomorrow and called my mom and dad. I ate leftovers again and watched “Suits” tonight.

Friday

Today’s lessons were so fun. I did an awesome demonstration of iodine sublimation in my chemistry classes. Iodine forms a purple gas when heated. It then creates black crystal-like residue when it cools. Overall, super interesting to watch and the students loved it. I left work after my last class so I could go home, change, finish packing, and take Nala to Kisumu. I took her in the picnic basket I found on Tuesday. I put a blanket and her tennis ball in the basket so she would be comfortable and have something to play with. She sat in my lap in the basket the entire way into Kisumu on the matatu. When I arrived at the main stage, Tina picked me up and we went to eat at Backyard Patio. I got lemonade with passion fruit boba and it might be the best boba drink I’ve ever had. I also had a halloumi burger which was just as delicious. I haven’t had a halloumi burger since Sweden. Tina and I went back to Mama Gladys’ home after dinner. I set up all of Nala’s comforts in my room and let her play while I caught up with Tina and Mama Gladys. Gladys’ sister was also staying the night tonight. This meant I slept on the top bunk of the bunkbed. This was a bit concerning because of my tendency to sleep walk. It was also challenging because Nala likes to play and snuggle and Gladys’ sister wanted to sleep. So, Nala stayed on the top bunk with me until 5AM when I moved to the couch because I was paranoid either I or Nala was going to fall off the bed.

Saturday

I had a normal morning with Nala snuggles and “Suits”. We had chapati and chai for breakfast and then Tina drove Nala and I to Aniworld, the veterinarian office. Everyone at the office was very nice and helpful. Nala did amazing with her shots, but hated the deworming pill. I am so happy that I get to give her the second deworming pill by myself (sense the sarcasm 😊). When we were done at the vet, Tina and I went to United Mall and I grocery shopped. I was able to take Nala with me in the shopping cart which never would’ve happened at home. When I was done, Tina and I ate lunch. I got food from a pizza place and Tina ate food from Galito’s. The vegetable pizza was delicious and I had some leftover for dinner. Tina dropped me off at the main stage and I waited on my matatu home for over an hour before we had enough people boarded to depart. Nala slept the entire time from the moment we were done at the veterinarian to the moment we got home. When I got home, I organized my house, at my leftover pizza, and called it a day.

Sunday

I had the best sleep of my life last night. I prepped my laundry buckets with their soap and water and let my clothes soak in them while I unpacked from my quick trip. I completed my laundry then painted my fingers and toes in classic black. I swept my house and took out the trash and organized all the rooms in my house. For dinner, I made spicy lentils with a new type of noodle I purchased yesterday. It was very good. I watched “Suits” and “Love on the Spectrum” before calling it a night.

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