If you havent noticed I dont update my blog but I do send out group emails once a month. if you want me to add you to my list. email me at josephlockridge@gmail.com. if I dont already know you, tell me how I should and next month you'll get an update.

thanks so much/ke aleboga

ps My life has more updates then just McDonald's :)

hey ive been slacking on my blog. . .ta da.

but i though it was important tell you want ashlee, leeann and i ate for xmas today

BIg mac meal

chicken mc nugget meal

large fry X2

apple pie X4

ice cream sundea with chocolate syrup

big mac

more chicken mcnuggets

not bad for christmas. . .ha ha. mcdonalds was open so we went. it was delicious, amazing and taster in south africa then back home in the usa (probally because i dont eat it home).

now if only there was a taco bell or taco time here and we could really do some damage to our gut.

i hope this finds you all well with more then a bit o mcdonalds. . .

so i joined the hype. fell into the cult and read Eat, Pray, Love. Ive heard about this book through several pcv's, adverts and rave reviews online and how "it changed people's lives". well it didn't change mine. Elizabeth, although poetic and sorta lyrical carried me through Italy, but stumbled, failed and had me regreting each page of india and by the time i got through the pretentious attitude of India, Indonesia barely saves the book from a complete crash. i know this is a bit harsh. if you're in the library, sit down read Italy but skip the rest of eat, pray, sucks unless you're one of the many many followers that it changed your life.

the other book i read recently was fast food nation. if you liked the expose style of nicked and dime you're bound to enjoy fast food nation. the book pushes past the neon arches and looks at whats in the meat and how much its actually costing you. as a social worker and as some one who cares about the lower-middle class(having been one. . .yes Ive worked at taco time in my teens), this book points out how dirty the industry is and how much people at the top could care less about people at the bottom. this book is sadly just and expose and not a call to action-it leaves it up to the reader to decide what to do with the information.

FDR once said "the test of our progress is not whether we add to the abundance of those who have much, its whether we provide enough for those how have too little"

so check out childrensalliance.org, sign up for their updates and alerts and get the out of the fast food line.

So its been 1 1/2 years since I left Cheney. Alot has changed since then. . .I have changed.

Shortly after arriving in country to Botswana, I posted, what I considered light hearted "facts" on Thursday, May 31, 2007 about Botswana and my quick perceptions on the culture. It has come to my attention that the information was not completely accurate and has offended several people. This was not my intend and for that I am sorry.

the blog entry has since been deleted.

I am not an anthropologist or a bigot. These statements are not facts, but perceptions which I had One month after arriving to Botswana through session with our language and cultural facilitators during which they told us "It's not offensive to describe someone as fat, ugly or dark," "Never look down a pit latrine" and "Motswana think all Americans lives are like the Bold & the Beautiful". These views only reflect the statements made by language and cultural facilitators and not all Motswana.

Since this blog I have moved to my site in Shakawe as well as had the opportunity to travel all around the country and get to know Host Country Nations, South Africans and many other people from various countries and culture. Many of which I consider my closest friends while living and working in Botswana which I now consider home.

I would encourage any and all people to seek many blogs to gain a wider knowledge on our experiences in Botswana as I am not the only US peace Corps Volunteer who has a blog. Ie Ashlee, Jen etc

Bo-tswana - the country

Se-tswana - the language

Mo-tswana - person of the country

(singular)Ba-tswana - people of the country (plural)

on Sept 19, 2008- myself and two other volunteers had another successful sexual health celebration. the celebration was much like the event we had in shakawe, we were able to add more games, use more facilitators and include TB education in conjunction with a local n.g.o (non govt organisation). even in the middle of the day, with the sun at its hottest, we had the community show up in large numbers to participate, get tested for HIV and be informed on gender, HIV/aids, body and nutrition. there was lots of enegry and excitement around prizes, information and local dance groups preforming throughout the day.

all the facilitators wore shirts which said "1:3" on the front with an aids ribbon with "what are you doing about it?" on the back in setswana (not in english). it was an idea that we came up in conjuntion with a girls glow group and how they are encouraging thier friends and loved ones to change thier own behaviors so botswana can one day be an hiv free nation.

as the day came to a close, we took down the tents, paid the cooks, put the kgolta back in order and stumble back to the house for the long awaited shower to cool off from the heat of the day and clean the dirt under our nails and toes. . . .only to find the water in entire village was off due to an elephant digging up the pipe. so with a 5 gallon bucket of stored water, we split it between 3 volunteers and bucked "bathed". ahhh and ugghhh. but we rolled with the punches and by the afternoon the next day we all had an actual shower, which was amazing.

events like this remind us all of the power and commitment young people have in creating a better healthier future for themselves and thier nation. so often we are unable to witness how our being her impacts those around us. . ."go to the people, live from them, learn from them, love them." Lap Tzo

its hot ta ta ta ta. summer here we come!

I had an amazing weekend witnessing the largest San Dance Festival in the World. The festival I believe is on its 11th Year was a must for myself and other volunteers to attend. IT allowed us to see the best the culture has to offer by seeing something each culture has: song, dance, a story telling and tradition. All of this transcends language and differences and brings people together.

I am so fortunate they allowed us to see a part of their culture. Thank you.

Below is information sent to me from a Peace Corps Volunteer who helped coordinate the event:

The dance festival this year takes place on August 15 and 16, at the Dqãe Qare Game Reserve. The dance festival was designed as an annual event where Kuru D’Kar Trust brought together various San, Kgalagadi and Herero people to have the opportunity to dance their healing dances and share their cultures and beliefs. It was not intended to be a performance, and it is not a competition. The event is now alcohol-free, as alcohol was interfering with the sacred nature of the dances. However, the dance festival is an event that is growing in popularity with visitors, and Kuru D’Kar Trust also invites key people to attend to learn a little more about the San culture, with the hope that this will help in integration and preservation of this special culture.

This is not a big commercial event, and there is conflict in the community and among the dancers as to whether an audience is actually wanted or not, so please don’t expect polished customer service, luxury service and all your needs catered.

However, you are welcomed to share the San culture and experience this event that people have described as sacred, exciting, educational and very worthwhile.

The dances and celebrations begin in the early evening on Friday, August 15, 2008. The dances take place in an open arena area, and since the day is long you should be prepared for hot sun, cold wind and hard seats. The nights can get quite cold out here in the Kalahari thirstland.

“Even though I have fat thighs, flabby arms, a pot belly still gives good lovin’”

-Freshly Ground (South African Band)

I just made cinnamon rolls and they are delicious! I ate the whole thing too.

Cinnamon Rolls (enough for 1 Joe or 2 Kezaks)

I make these at least twice a month or twice on Sunday’s depending on my mood. They’re super quick and easy and perfect for a 4:30 am bus ride. I adopted it from Modern & Traditional Recipes Book (from the CJSS). Village version works well, you’d be surprised. If you double or triple this recipe, do so in small batches or get a Kezak to help you in the kitchen. I always do the Village Version since I can’t brown sugar in my village. . .and since it’s cheaper.

City Version

Dough

1 cup flour

pinch salt

2 tsp baking powder

2 Tbsp sugar*

2 Tbsp butter

6 Tbsp milk

*I prefer raw sugar not white

Filling

1 tsp cinnamon**

2 Tbsp real brown sugar

**You can also add raisins, prunes, pitted dates, sliced almonds or your favorite chopped nut

Icing

¼ cup powder sugar

2 Tbsp butter

1 tsp vanilla extract***

Drops of water

***Try adding lemon, orange zest or almond extract

Directions

Mix dry and wet separately, combine. The dough should be soft but firm (almost like play dough). Add water if too firm.

Roll out dough using rolling pin into an oblong 1 cm thick. If you do decide to put raisins in, I like to first let them plump up by placing them into water before hand

Spread filling over dough and roll up into a Swiss roll (like the little Debbie Snacks)

Cut into 2 cm slices and place onto a pan.

Bake on top shelf for 20 mins-turn half way. Check depending on your oven. I like mine a bit doughy so you may need to cook yours longer

Icing:

Melt the butter in the pan, add powdered sugar (or castor sugar), vanilla and several drops of water. Icing should be runny but almost honey consistency.

Pour over baked rolls, cool and eat.

Village Version

Dough

1 cup flour

pinch salt

2 tsp baking powder

2 Tbsp sugar*

3 Tbsp oil

3 Tbsp milk

3 Tbsp water

Filling

1 tsp cinnamon**

4 Tbsp sugar*

*I prefer raw sugar not white

**I was Brian’s and we had a cinn/nutmeg something mixture, it worked well.

Directions

Mix dry and wet separately, combine. The dough should be soft but firm (almost like play dough). Add water if too firm.

Flashback to preschool and Roll out the dough into small snakes and flatten with an empty wine bottle***.

***Nederburg bottle is longer then Tassenburg, which makes it a bit easier

Sprinkle filling on the flat snake and roll up into a cinnamon roll

Bake on top shelf for 20 mins-turn half way. Check depending on your oven. I like mine a bit doughy so you may need to cook yours longer.

This is the second consecutive year 6 students from Northwest Territories and Nunavant travel to Shakawe, Botswana to work with Belega Bana Day Care Centre.

Last year when the group arrived I was just new to Shakawe and so I was still learning about the village I would come to know as home. Freya, Cathy & the 6 young girls welcomed me in and showed me parts of the area I may not have otherwise seen so early on in my stay. Additionally they also shared with me their culture in artic regions of Canada. Spending the first month with them at in Shakawe didn’t allow me time to be homesick or freaked out because we were learning about my village together. This included eating enormous cream filled donuts by the bag and chasing them down with a large can of Coke. Oh memories.

With the arrival of the new group with 6 new teens (3 young men and 3 young women), new group leaders (Andrew & Lois) and a new vibe we were able to create a memorable 4 week stay.

A couple key things had shifted from the 07 group: the director of Kuru who planned the 4 week stay of 07 group had stepped down and I would be working with the Peace Corps Volunteer recently placed at Belega Bana.

The group accomplished a lot in their visit and they should be very proud of themselves. I am very proud of them as I was able to witness first had how they began to realize how much they have in common with people from the other side of the world through cultural exchange, volunteering and through interactions in the community. “It’s a small world after all,” whether you’re in Disneyland spinning on a teacup, an Innuit volunteering in Shakawe or country mouse from Washington State working in Botswana.

During their time they were able to many activities which included the following: relocate the kitchen at the day care, build a house for a destitute, cultural youth exchange with the junior secondary school, game drive, cultural hike, a trip to Tsodilo Hills, Krocovango Crocodile Farm, camping, local presentations of their culture, mokoro boat rides, painting murals, camp fires, attend local craft shows, Humbukushu Dance Festival and much more. Not bad for 4 weeks?

We were sad to see this group leave (as we were with the last group), but they were able leave a lasting impression on the people and the community of Shakawe.

I encourage you to visit their website for more information:

From their website www.nya.ca/

“In 2007, NYA enabled 42 youth from Nunavut and the Northwest Territories (NWT) to acquire high school credits as well as concrete skills in the areas of journalism, communications, environmentalism, office administration, recreation, social services, and management through volunteer work placements in communities across Canada and around the world.

NYA is the only program of its kind, geared specifically to the needs of predominantly aboriginal northern youth. Though other exchange programs to which Northern youth can apply exist, what had been lacking until the creation of NYA was a significant and permanent youth program specifically designed to meet the unique needs of youth living in isolated communities in Canada’s north.

The program meets a growing imperative for initiatives that will enhance the confidence and world view of northern youth to enable them to assume the many leadership opportunities that exist for youth in the north. Programs that broaden a young person’s horizons will ultimately lead to higher levels of education and skill attainment as these youth reach for the possible - a conception of which will be directly traceable to their participation in this exciting, carefully designed, national and international exchange program.

NYA was developed to meet the unique needs of young people in the North and has already solidly demonstrated its ability to profoundly influence Nunavut youth in a positive way, most notably through a 93% high school graduation rate among its alumni. NYA is also unique in its commitment to sustained involvement in the lives of its participants and alumni. NYA is committed not only to the personal development of northern youth, but also to the development of strong and vital northern communities.”

So I didnt get eaten alive by the sandy beaches on the Indian Ocean or get captured by natives (although I tried). I changed my phone number which according to many other volunteers allows for text messages to be sent to most american cell phones and visa versa.

so here it is (including country code etc-yes its this long) 011 267 750 28435

I hope all is well in the summer in the northern hemis!

So for the last 10 days or so (I lost track of time). I've been with Ashlee and LeeAnn in Mozambique for vacation. It's been amazing. . .here are some highlights!

Maputo: LeeAnn made some fire island chili that even a group of frat boys wouldn't eat (wimps. . .they didn't go to UW or EWU). Ashlee tried her best to get a competition going to eat it.

Tofo/Tofu Beach: Sand, surf and shells. We ate some amazing food, bumped into an American, got a collection of paintings, shell bracelets and had our way with Timpo Tinto (sp?), the local rum sold in plastic water bottles.5 years old again: LeeAnn & I collected shells while walking along the Indian Ocean and swam out to find more. . .Inhaca Island: off the coast of Maputo, a small island where we walked 3 hours to get to the run down light house. A beautiful escape from the tourist town of Tofo, but super pricey if you stay at the not so all inclusive resort on the island (we opted for the "budget" one and had twice as much fun).Inhaca Island Chili: LeeAnn made chili again that didn't set the toilet on fire in the morning. Horray!Mozambique has been great. The people are friendly, the food is great and the beaches oh so warm, soft and inviting.

So I'm sitting at an internet cafe in Maputo and we're about to make our way to Swaziland. .. .for our next adventure (fire island chili not included)

What an exciting last week it has been. Wow. Preservice Training is a lot more fun, a lot less stress and a lot faster when you're not in it.

This week reminds me of how much I've grown in the last year since landing in the new country. the new pcv's are experiences alot of the same emotions that I did (and people in my group did) just one year ago.

The new group (Bots7) is great. I'm exited to welcome the new pcv's to the delta who will help define my next year just as Bots5 defined mine over the last year. New relationships/ new friendships are being created even now in the quiet sms's and the chitter chatter of small conversations amoung all 60 Bots 7.

I think each group is special in thier own right, bots1-current and how the relationships in each group form supportive networks for us all. For these are the people who are witness' to our service.

As I welcome new groups and bid farewell to other groups. I reminded how blessed I am to be here and doing the work of the Peace Corps.

Here's to the next year (or two).

Cathy Saltwick, Peace Corps Volunteer who arrived in 2006 died on 30 May 2008. While I did not know her as well as other volunteer, her life and death has impacted us all. I am blessed to have met her, spoke with her and briefly touched by a presence who lives on in the faces, smiles and hearts of so many others. . . .

from http://cathysaltwickmemory.blogspot.com

"Our dear friend and colleague, Catherine Saltwick, passed away on 30 May 2008 in Botswana, Africa where she was posted as a Peace Corps Volunteer. We, her fellow Peace Corps Volunteers, have created this blog to honor her and to allow all of her many friends, PCVs and her family to share their stories and their grief. To say we are shocked and saddened by the accident that took her from us is an understatement. To say she is missed and will never be forgotten is a truth.

Cathy was a seeker of truth, a seeker of adventure and a seeker of love and she found it all in Botswana. She served in the small village of Mookane and enjoyed her Peace Corps experience so much, she had just signed up for an extended third year of service, where she was to be posted at PSI in Gaborone. She spoke fluent Setswana, a feat few of her fellow PCVs accomplished. She said that the Peace Corps changed her for the better, but we all thought she was wonderful the first day we met her. Her motto was: “It’s all good,” and she said it often.

Cathy is respected by so many and we will miss her terribly. Her spirit lives on in each of us because she touched our lives with her inner and outer beauty, with her love of life, with her calm assurance of confidence and contentment and with her life of service and caring about others.

We are proud to call her a friend and we love her."

Please visit http://cathysaltwickmemory.blogspot.com for photos, stories and more.

Sexual Health Celebration, Shakawe

There’s a saying I’ve heard time and time again while working in Botswana. “Nothing comes together. . . it falls together”

If you’re half as left brained or right brained as me who loves planning every little detail weeks ahead of time. . .this could drive you a bit mad. One of my many goals during my service is letting go of control. And by letting go it means that I actually let go and don't the face, the hand motions, the mumble, the grumble or squeal in my chair.

I’ve had lots of teachable moments letting go over my time in Botswana. Anyone who has gone through pre service training knows this first hand. Every detail of your life during PST is preplanned, pre-bused, pre-arranged, pre-everything 6 days a week. . .and the 7th day, the peace corps trainee rested, did laundry and ate traditional food for the 21st time that week.

So 2 other volunteers in my area and I planned a Sexual Health Celebration on 24th of May 2008. . .and here’s how it “fell” together.

Background:

Events across are done here in such a way at the kgolta that there is a head table, a vip section and lots of protocol. Protocol includes the following: prayers, national anthems, welcome remarks, speeches, dance and more. The people and the head table usually include the chief, head men, special guests, sponsors etc and the people in the vip section behind the head table include heads of departments and local organizations. The people sitting here get snacks, fizzy drinks and feed first after the event.

There isn’t much or any deviation from the way its done (ever).

We wanted to break tradition (it was risky. . .really risky).

We identified a need: Education on 3 main areas

1. Body & Health

2. Sexual Reproduction

3. HIV/AIDS

We identified a way to address this: Educational, Interactive, Informal & Fun

(No high table, No food and No vip)

We identified a target audience: general community

We identified a location: Shakawe Main Centre

We identified a date: 24 May: a Saturday to maximize school participation and food traffic.

We then “secured” funding following protocol from a national non-gov’t organization using our District Multi-Sector AIDS Committee (DMSAC) which was done in late December 07 to do Sexual Health Celebrations in each of our 3 villages in the Okavango Delta.

We sent out invitation letters and followed protocol as much as we could in terms of project start up.

Fast forward:

We find out in early May that funding hasn’t come through, so we call off the event and delay “until further notice.” The funding we applied for was for under US $1,000 for each event. This is nothing because most events include food which drives up the cost of events very high. An event in my village which was put on by another organization cost upwards of US $8,400.

Fast Forward:

16th of May. I’m at a going away dinner party in Maun for Peace Corps Volunteers completing their 2 year service and the follow week I have a training Monday-Wednesday. I get a phone call from Laura M, the Health Educator at Kuru, who has heard about the Sexual Health Celebration from a friend of hers, she calls and asks me on the status, I inform her that it’s delayed due to funding not pulling through. We continue to talk about the project, what she’s doing at her organization and she says she’ll call me back in 5 minutes. 10 minutes later she calls me and asks if I could do the event as scheduled if I had funding. I hang up the phone call the 2 other PCVS involved on the project, inform them of my absence the coming week, but we decide between 3 locations we can do. So I make the phone call back to Laura who approves the funding for our event.

And things start falling together (quickly). . .

During the week we were able to mobilize our GLOW group, local NGO’s, lay counselors from the clinic to test (the HIV testing organization who we secured fell through 3 day before the event), posters, tents, funding, prizes, games etc.

And by the time we all got to Shakawe on Thursday eve, we were able to get Carly, an American doing a semester abroad, and a new volunteer in the area on board to help us with the last 48 hours before the day of the event.

The morning of Saturday 24th of May:

The area supposed to be clean for the event- still isn’t, 2 of the 3 tents we had secured by community partner are no where in sight and no one really knows what happened. The vehicles transporting the drama group, HIV testing counselors and the dj are delayed at the foot and mouth gate, but I have coffee from America keeping me warm, 4 Americans keeping me sane, a large gathering of GLOW junior secondary students keeping me motivated and a community keeping me excited.

TocAdi, a local organization part of Kuru, loans us their tent and we make due with just two, a friend of a friend gets another tent for HIV testing, and half the students are cleaning the area. Soon enough the tents are up (Patrick is an eagle scout, always handy to have around with HUGE tents), and the HIV testing counselors arrive, then the drama group and the dj is setting up his area. Wow. I’m tired just typing all this .

So the event is a huge success between all the games, prizes, condom bobbing (condom’s tied to an apple, I made sure they were “granny smith” in honor of my home state), HIV testing, drama groups, music, dance and much much more. All without a head table or vip section.

So we ruffled a few feathers, gave out lots of candy, a few dvds, tons of airtime, tested 30 people and fell together at the end of the day full of euphoric exhaustion.

Fast Forward: Laura agrees to fund 3 more events in other villages after hearing first hand how it went from people in the community and seeing our pictures as proof. I’ll let you know how those fall together as well. . . .

What I just finished:

"The Five People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom

Everyone I know has read this book, so when I was given it, I read it over the weekend. While it was interesting, I felt as though it was just. . .eh okay. I'd recomend taking a class with Tess Taft at Eastern Washington University's School of Social Work which is more inspiring and will change you opions (and life) regarding what it is to die, to cross over and to be loved.

"The Namesake: A Novel" by Jhumpa Lahiri

"The Namesake takes the Ganguli family from their tradition-bound life in Calcutta through their transtion into America. With empathy and insight, Lahiri explores the expectations bestowed on us by our parents and the means by which we come to define who we are." Lahiri is an author everyone should read. . .and be inspired by. Fall in love with her characters as I did.

"Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri

"Navigating between the Indian traditions they've inherited and the baffling new world, the characters in Jhumpa Lahiri's elegant, touching stories seek love beyond the barriers of culture and generations." Lyrically written prose which gives the reader glimpses into lives of which could continue for hundreds of pages. . . .it won the Pulizer for a very good reason.

"And the Band Played On: Politics, People and the AIDS Epidemic" by Randy Shilts

"In those early years, the federal government viewed AIDS as a budget problem, local public health officals saw it as a political problem, gay leaders considered AIDS a public relations problem, and the news medica regarded it as a homosexual problem that wouldn't interest anybody else. Consequently, few confronted AIDS for what it was, a profoundly threatening medical crisis.

May 31,1987. By the time President Reagan had delivered his first speech on the epidemic of Aquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, 36,058 Americans had been diagnosed with the disease; 20,849 had died"

What I've Read:

"9 Parts Desire" by Heather Raffo

This book looks into the lives of Muslim women in the Middle East and in parts of Africa. While this book was interesting, its stumbles at achieving what "Under the Banner of Heaven" did for the Mormon Religion. I wanted to like this book more and although parts of the last chapter are well written, overall I feel it fails at what I wanted to get out of it.

"The Memory's Keepers Daughter" by Kim Edwards

Twins are born, both healthy and beautiful on a winters day, the doctor delivering notices that has Downs Syndrome, in an instant he gives the baby to the nurse and tells her to take the baby to an institution, the woman who delivered the babies (his wife) is told the died. And the story unfolds. . .I enjoyed this book, toward the end it became a bit predictable, but overall it was a great quick "summer read." (we're on opposite seasons down south)

"Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

A fictional memoir of Callie who later becomes Cal. A beautifully coming of age story of a young Greek girl and her family. It's a journey worth reading about family dynamics (and a few secrets).

"One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

One of the best books I've read. This novel is about generations, war, family legacy and so much more. Set in South America. . .and a tale of a tail of sorts. I can't wait to read another one of his books.

"Forever" By Pete Hamill

The stories starts in Ireland in the early 1700's and transitions to New York. This was an okay read, the book was overall interesting, warning the ending kinda is a let down. I have no attachment to New York or Ireland which may account for my interest in the book. Jerry who loaned me the book enjoyed the book but has lived in New York.

"Minor Characters: A Young Woman's Coming-of-Age In the Beat Orbit of Jack Kerouac" by Joyce Johnson

50 years ago, Jack Kerouac came out with a book that would change a generation "on the road." Joyce Johnson's memoir gives the reader an touching glimpse into the world of the beat poets. I've held onto this book for almost 2 months before quickly reading it all today (10/14/07), tearfully reading the last few pages. . .I wanted it to last longer, I wanted to know more. If you're fasicinated by the beat poets, you'll be drawn in deeper by Joyce as a woman coming of age in a time period, that was more then June Cleaver or Jack Kerouac.

"Denny Smith (Stories) by Robert Gluck

THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR EVERYONE. The book provides glimpses into vivid realities that we may or may not relate to. In 'Forced story. The early worm,' a scene unfolds with "I blaze for a moment and subside. The perilous century turns away in the night and the latch clicks shut. My skin touches strange pillows and blankets, and the feeling of being alive displays itself like a ghost in the darkness." In the story ''Purple Men" Gluck tells the story of two men Daryl and Trent and their lives together over a period of time. . .touching, vivid, I felt like a fly on the wall in their home.

"Niether Here Nor There: Travels in Europe" by Bill Bryson

A cynical people watching guide to Europe. Bryson is humorous using cultural observations with Europe in the background. I have never been any of the destinations in his book, but I'm eager to discover which ones are true after my tour in Africa. . .anyone care to join me?

“Christ the Lord” by Anne Rice.

If an 8 year old Jesus could write an autobiography, following his the year his family left Egypt, it would read something like this. Rice goes from Vampires to Jesus in a 1st in a realistic fictional portrayal of his life between age 7-8. It is during this year young Jesus begins to unravel the mystery of his birth and how different he is from other children his age. “Christ the Lord” wasn’t exactly a page turner, but I found it fascinating. How do you explain to a 7 year old that he can heal the blind, turn clay pigeons alive and he is the son of God? The book unfolds as you catch a glimpse of what life could have been like for young Jesus. Additionally, Rice describes beautifully the interplay between him and his family members. One interaction in particular is with James, his older brother later in the book, which is worth turning the pages for. If you’re interested in the life of Christ, or just wondering why Rice went in a different direction, check this book out. The paperback version has a supplement which Rice briefly describes her journey to Christ.

“Ishmael” by Daniel Quinn

A gorilla and a man discuss the history of man. It revolves around the story of the takers and the leaves: the book points out that we’re all enacting a story. It has some good points on the attitudes of man and I wanted to like this book more, but it’s short and a bit repetitive. I’ve read other books which encourage readers to look beyond yourself and support the community we’re apart of. I do think this would make a great off Broadway play.

“A Year of Magical Thinking” by Joan Didion

When I was back in the states I watched an interview with Joan and Vanessa Redgraves who is bringing this book to life on stage, I was hooked, picked up the book and waited to read in when I landed in Africa. This is a beautiful memoir, which follows Joan a year after husband dies and as her daughter is in the hospital. Joan doesn’t allow the reader to feel story for her; the book follows her analytical process of her husband’s death and the world around her. One of my new favorite quotes comes from this book, “I love you more then one more day.”

“One of These Things is Not Like the Other” by D. Travers Scott

Film Noir meets Lifetime Movie: a set of quadruplets discover that they’re really triplets. The book follows their fictional journey to find their mother and the truth. THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR EVERYONE. There are a couple senses which everyone may not be comfortable with. I found it interesting as a quick read. Check out other reviews online if I perked your interest.

“Zambezi” by

This is one of the best book I’ve read so far while in Africa. The fictional book follows Jed Banks, military, who finds out his daughter, a researcher in Zimbabwe, is eaten by a lion. Banks hunts down the truth and several other characters are woven in the story: a journalist from Australia, his daughter’s mentor and her boyfriend, rich hotel tycoon. This book was a page turner (after the first 50 or so pages) and I finished it in less then 2 days. It’s set in South Africa, Zimbabwe and in the Zambezi. The book is fast past and beautifully describes parts of South Africa, the region and the country.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chobosky

This book is a fictional dairy of an 8th grader transitioning into high school. The reader follows the dysfunction, the hormones and the challenges of being young. The book was published my MTV, and while is a great attempt into a window of high school; it just reminded me how glad I am to be past it all. If your looking for something like this, but don’t want to read the book, I would recommend “My So Called Life: the Complete Series” or “Never Been Kissed.” TV series and film do a beautiful job of reminding, most of us, the awkwardness and challenges of being a teen. I recommend skipping the book and sitting down to My So Called Life. The television series, while only lasting a year in the 90’s addresses many complex and challenging issues with an amazing cast. It was very progressive for it’s time and still very relevant.

*My Goal over the next two years is to read 1-2 books per month. Don’t take my word for these books, do your research and recommend books to me too. I may not have access to them, but standard rate boxes are cheap, with no wiegh limit, which isn’t bad, as long as they come before I leave (June 2009).*

525,600 Minutes Ago

One year ago felt very different. I was getting on an airplane, jumping in head first into whatever “this experience” would become “over there” in “Africa.”

To the dismay of a Sally Field Ad, Discovery Channel, Disney and Hollywood films; it’s a bit different (but don’t take my word for it). Africa is more then just then well feed Americans “pleading” to save the children (although our Country Director can be very passionate in a non televangelist way), the Lion King (Ashlee and I sing all the songs to Doit), Blood Diamond (Peace Corps doesn’t pay enough to buy diamonds), The Last King of Scotland (he was on the airplane when we flew to South Africa-the Actor), Hotel Rwanda (the accommodations here are slightly less luxurious, but from the right angle I can look like a bell boy) or an exciting scene in the African Prairie when the animal gets attacked (watching a donkey move from the middle of the road can be breathtaking). All this from the seats of your Ikea couches drinking Starbucks and eating Taco Bell (my couch is broken, I’m borrowing Patrick’s laptop watching a China Shop movie, drinking Tasenberg and eating Chakalaka with rice).

It’s going well. The year has flown by and I was told the 2nd year goes by faster then the 1st. With projects lined up, trainings in Gaborone, relaxing vacations with other Volunteers and PEPFAR reports; I have no doubt that the next 568,800 minutes will fly by just fast.

I am safe & sound and so very blessed.

Thank you for all your happy thoughts, cards, phone calls, emails and amazing packages. It has helped even out the ups and downs of the last 12 months (and given me a reason to do the happy dance)

Happy birthday to me (again) I just got another fantastic package from Katie and my big brother!

Full of the latest gossip from US Weekly and interesting facts from the National Inquirer (I had to explain to my friend how reliable the news from Nat Inquirer actually is. Unless its true a baby can be saved using Viagra).

I chewed down several pieces of almond roca (sugar rush), a handful of sour patch kids, drank a little crystal light and Zac and I dug into the Velveeta Shells and Cheese (super amazing tasty lunch sensation!). You almost had to roll me out the door I ate so well! YUM!

Thank you thank you thank you for all the goodies!

This evening Rachel, the American Researcher from Tsodilo Hills came over and treated me to the film (which her mum sent her) and Cup Cakes.

The movie was amazing (Suzan S & Krista you'll LOVE IT. . .if you haven't already seen it) and the cup cakes were super tasty (she made them herself, but had some help from a super friend)! As we all know, I'll be turning 27 on Monday (ekk!) and since Rachel is going to be in Namibia, she came over early and treated me!

It's great to have people in my area who go the extra Kilometer to remind that yes. . .even after 27 year. I should celebrate, even though Im not really a birthday person.

I can now say I'm in my late 20's and noticing it in the reflection, although the Aveda Products Katie sent me are helping reduce the appearence of fine lines and wrinkles while at the same time protecting my skin from the sun.

Oh and Of course we talked about work work work and even caught up on the excitment of Easter. . .someone had a SUPER hmm mmm hmmm of a time! I hope everyone back home also had a super Easter too!

Monday April 7th is my birthday. .which also means I've been in Botswana for almost a year! wow! I'll get to that in anther blog.

So rent/buy and sing your way through "Across the Universe" make a cupcake and send me your birthday wishes. . ..across the Ocean.

thank you thank you thank you for the thoughtful package filled with magazines, a poster, book, letter and candy! You rock! I gave some candy to my neighbor and the women and the Kgolta, they loved it! Ill pass on the book when I'm finished reading "And the Band Played On".

It made my day and week! happy dance!

My neighbors and Simon from Seronga thought they were pregnant. The rumors were flying. My dogs have gained weight and after being in heat for sometime and having to chase away male dogs from my fence. I did it. And being pro-choice and all. It just made sense.

I took my dogs to get fixed. Benny and Queen were not thrilled. It only cost p900 (which is 20 days if pay for Peace Corps Volunteers), so Rachel from Tsodilo Hills pitched in and horray it's done!

They're a bit sore and come to find out. . .they weren't pregnant after all.

Happy belated Easter all.

I spent an amazing weekend with Jerry and Brian in Seronga (look at the map,

its deep in the delta on a BUMMMPY road).

Jerry: is the volunteer in Seronga who leaves in May, he's from Seattle and

is in 30's a bit quaky and a whole lot of fun.

Brian: a 40 something republican male who wears Chanel under eye cream.

Brian and I talk about politics alot together and over the past 6 months our

friendship has grown alot.

So we hitch hike from my village to the ferry and from the ferry to Seronga.

Seronga is only 100km from the ferry but the trip takes almost 4 hours due

to road conditions from the rainy season and the fact that we're in the back

of what's like to a simi truck (we're in the back of the bed of it).

We get there, eat. Have a bit of fustration ordering a Coke after the lonnng journey and then later settle down into Jerry's house (a round studio house). We unpacked and Jerry handed out gifts (one of the perks of having volunteers leave. . .not that Im happy he's leaving). Jerry filled my bag with several books, magazines and Nagchampa! its scent from home. . .the Chateau de Chadwick on First Street! oh memories!

So Easter was pretty lazy (the best ever) filled with a boat trip, eating and more eating, meals with Jerry's friend Simon and playing with puppies.

Easter was great. Jerry was a jem, Brian was a hoot.

Until the next holiday.

hey I found this website. . .its a quick link! I hope it helps!

http://www.peacecorpswiki.org/Botswana

feel free to continue emailing me (and other questions).

Relax. . .enjoy your time with friends and family and the access you have to sushi, delivery pizza and local coffee houses like Kafka Coffee with the chatty attractive barista who knows how to make a bone dry capp on the spot. . . .oh memories!

Today President Festus Mogae visited Shakawe on his farewell tour of the country (think Cher). Lots of singing (not by me or him), dancing, lots of food, and lots of preparation. All in all it went smoothly after a couple of long days Tuesday and Wednesday. I even managed to get a photo with him which I will hang on my office wall after grad school. I'm thinking ahead!

The president has warmly welcomed all Peace Corps Volunteers over the years and it was exciting to see him in his element-with the people of his country. He has provided excellent leadership, direction and compassion over the years during his service and know for myself and other volunteers its been an honor to work in Botswana on behalf of the partnership he created many years ago with the United States.

We are all sad to see Festus Mogae step down as president but are excited with the new leadership by the vice president and the legacy he brings as the son of the first president of Botswana.

Regardless where you live in the world, you maybe more at risk to violence simply because you are a woman. This is such a sensitive topic, but I feel as a person, as a social worker, as an ally and as a friend I must give this direction.

I would strongly encourage all women taking a basic self defense/sexual assault class prior to coming to Botswana. Check out your local YWCA, Red Cross, or Sexual Assault Education Center for class information. The most useful classes will not be martial arts-based - martial arts are valuable in many ways, but also take years to become adept enough that they are useful for self-defense. Many non-martial arts-style defense classes will meet on the weekends or in the evenings for a month or so - about 10-20 hours of training is standard.

Self-defense specifically aimed at women is particularly useful. This is partially because most women carry strength differently in their bodies and defense oriented toward women will take advantage of your natural strengths, like leg and hip strength.

Self-defense classes will not be a guarantee that you will experience violence or that you won't be hurt. However, these classes can increase your tools in a crisis situation and could potentially help you avoid them.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: You are at no more risk for violence when you go to your host country then you could be then living in anywhere in the United States (or the world). That said, having necessary training/understanding of how to protect yourself is is key. It saddens me that this course is not given to all women at an early age.

I in NO way endorse/promote/use pepper spray or any other means of perceived self defense which my inadvertently be used against someone. Pepper spray and mace are weapons and, as weapons, can easily become more dangerous to you than to an attacker.

Note: Peace Corps does provide information and ways in which to have a safe service and our safety and security officer is nothing sort of AMAZING in his response, care and professionalism around this topic.

That said: Basic self-defense is not provided, which like CPR, which we should all be trained in and hopefully NEVER have to use.

Most importantly, I would also like to make clear that nobody should have to be trained in these skills. The reality is that you shouldn't have to learn these skills, that gendered violence shouldn't happen. Unfortunately, that's not the world we live in.