So here is just a quick list of "Only in Zambia" moments I've had this week.

1. During our lesson on days of the week, a grade 1 students says: "I go to church on sunday so I wont be thrown on hell fire". I can't stop laughing.

2. On the minibus I was using to leave my village the driver randomly stopped the vehicle, got on a bicycle and rode away.

3. A crazy man kicked me while I was walking and a group of men who witnessed it chased him down, they came back to tell me "See Zambia is a very peaceful country,when someone attacks you we beat them". Harmony.

4. During a cab ride which held 5 passengers in the back seat ( me being one of them), we came across a river in the middle of the road due to heavy rains. The driver drives through it, water rises to just below the windows, the curious woman next to me opens the door. For 45 minutes I sit stranded in a vehicle in water almost up to my knees that is so dark I cant see my feet.

5.My head teacher's wife gets caught in the act, getting it on hot and heavy in the bushes. The next day it's on the radio that the wife to my school head is a home wrecker. The same day my head teacher announces his transfer to a new school. (I guess this could happen in America, but whatev.)

6. In a hitch with a random driver, a half hour into the ride the driver turns to us in the backseat and says, will you get the tequila out of that cooler and make me a drink. And we do.

7. A man walks by with his phone tied to a stick about 3 feet in the air, with a head set in, having a conversation, and clearly determined to get network.

8. The same drunk man who told me how peacefull a country Zambia is tells me when people ask me what I think of the government I should ball my hand into a fist (the sign of the opposition party). He says "If you hold your hand like this, in the shape of an L (supporting the current ruling party) then you will be attacked" my response " Sure, well what if I do nothing?" To which the peace maker of a man says "Ah, you will die".

9. During a ride I accepted from some guy he asks me, " You want Coke or Fanta?". I'm not thirsty so I say neither. His response, "This isn't Europe, this is Africa." "But sir I've never even been to Europe", "Well I don't know how you do things in the U.K. but today you're drinking Fanta".

10.A crazy man who tells me God revealed to him in spirit that I am his niece tells me my mother is at a funeral today and then looks at me very seriously and says "Now buy uncle a mango,and tell all of my wives I'm still here and I'm hungry".

Yep, life here may be simple but clearly it's never boring.

up, up, and away,

J.Obayan

Dear Pope, President Obama,Prime Minister,Aretha Franklin,Snookie and everyone else who has put their life on complete hold until I update my blog. You may now proceed living...

So here I am, in Zambia doing the damn thing. Life here has been kind of a whirl wind looking back on it thus far but its crazy what you can get used to. I'm sure everyone has a lot questions since I have yet to provide any answers of what my life here is like but rest assured that I have never been happier and my biceps are looking amazing.

Well, here are the basics. I live in a mud hut which probably isn't exactly what you're thinking. Yes it is mud but the mud is formed into bricks and "baked" in "ovens" so it looks like a pretty legit house you'd find in the ghetto of Detroit except with a grass roof. Its two rooms. One I sleep in the other I dont. I have a real bed, thats quite comfortable and I put my clothes in a real dresser. I sleep with real sheets and real pillows. Amazing, right?

Work...I'm a teacher. I'll be teaching grade 8 and 9 math and science to classrooms of about 60 students. I bike to work everyday (almost, but sometimes I get tired and stay home, not gonna lie). It's about a 10k bike ride one way.

Village... I live in Kaflekuma village in Chimba located in Mungwi district in the Northern Province of Zambia. I'm sure you've all heard of it. The trends in my village include Obama t-shirts, missing teeth, mismatch flip flops, the occasional fur coat, night gown and snow suit can also be found on days I like to call, zambian casual friday. Life in the village is grand and besides the bats, rats, snakes, termites and the flies that make me feel like I should be sponsored by some christian white family in America, I'd say I love everything (almost) about mud hutting it.

Food..I cook, then I eat it. Nothing really special there. I have a garden. I grow vegetables. Very Martha Stewart.

I dont really know how to sum up everything I've experienced in a blog post anyone has the time or interest to sit down and read. Above all else I want you to know that Yes, I am happy. Yes, I am safe. Yes, I would do this again 100 times (maybe 99), and Yes, you have to come see it for yourself.

Up,Up and away,

J.Obayan

So, I'm just going to start off by saying blogging is hard; in the way that first year spanish homework is hard. Because lets face it homework that consist of translating the color yellow is pretty elementary ( it's amarillo in case you we're curious or failed your espanglish class). Anyway I think of this blog as first year spanish homework, it's basic and it's simple, the hardest part is pulling it out of my backpack. So, if you've been staring at my blog refreshing the page every ten minutes (which I'm sure you have) then I want you to know I'm writing this blog for you crazy screen staring, page refreshing, people who miss me like crazy (the feeling is mutual by the way).

Staging is coming to a close, orientation is over. I caught my flight, friended some strangers, got a few shots, and heard a few horror stories; one which consisted of a girl sleeping in a hut having a rat the size of a cat fall on her face...yeahhh, about that.

So, far everything is going smoothly. I'm not freaking out, or having an emotional breakdown, I haven't locked myself in the bathroom to cry and devour a bag of peanut butter m&ms so at this point I would say I've passed at least one hurdle/checkpoint/ milestone (not sure which word really works so pick one).

The group of people I'm with is amazing. These people are straight up philanthropy rockstars. They've lived in countries I've never heard of and have eaten foods I didn't even think we're edible,they've chased rats out of huts,and speak languages I've never heard. I love these people but what I love most is knowing that soon, I will be one of those people.

You're probably wondering if I'm nervous, ready and excited and to be honest I don't know and it doesn't really matter because here I am and there I'm going and thats that. There are tons of things I'm looking forward to and tons of things I'm dreading but such is life as I know it and I like to think I manage just fine.

I know that this is going to be the experience of a lifetime, this is going to mold the already existing definition of me and at the end of it i'm going to be the one telling stories of fighting off rats and cliff diving. This is going to make me, break me,lift me,awaken me, pretty much everything short of shake and bake me.

To my friends, my family, my mommy, my sister, my ceeps, I love you and I miss you already. Saying goodbye to you has been one of the hardest things I've ever done, but knowing that everyday I'm gone is a day closer to seeing you makes living in the moment so much easier ( try it, it works).

Write me letters, I promise to return the favor each and every time.

I wont have much internet access for the next few months and after that its about 4 times a month I believe. I'll arrive in Zambia about 5am our time so if you're crazy and awake that early on thursday think of me and know that I am having the biggest holy shit moment of my life, in the best way possible.

Up,up and awayyyy,

J.Obayan

Sometimes you wake up to Monday morning and then before you know it you find yourself driving home from work on Friday and you think to yourself, Wow that week went by so fast. Every week is different though, some weeks seem to sprint and others seem to go slower than the asian driving in the fast lane going 10 under the speed limit with their right blinker on and no intentions of turning. So I guess the only thing I'm left to ponder is if this is going to be one of those fly by weeks or one of those asian driver weeks. I don't know but regardless of how long it feels like the inevitable is this: Next week I will be living in Africa. This week I have electricity, a car, running water, processed foods, taxes, starbucks, sushi, and a mall (even though I try my best to avoid that because from what I hear its not uncommon to see people you know there and homie don't play that)...Anyway,my point is this. My life is about to change, no scratch that my life is about to end and next week I will wake up in a mud hut living the life of someone else, that someone being a version of me that doesn't exist yet, but one I cannot wait to meet. So, to the version of myself that is yet to be born, the me that is currently planted within an African womb of unlimited possiblity, I want you to know, I've been waiting my whole life to meet you. I hope you like me. I hope I make you proud.

Up,up,and away,

J.Obayan

PS. shout out to all my asian drivers, nothing but love.

It's no secret to the general population that I'll be taking off to start my life in Zambia soon. Some days I have to look down at my shirt just to make sure it doesn't say " Ask me when I'm leaving?", "Ask me if I'm ready?" "Ask me if I'm nervous" "Ask me anything, please, ask!". I mean I can't blame people for caring and I'm honeslty blessed beyond measure to be surrounded by so many people who give a damn about me in the first place. I guess the annoying part isn't really the questions rather the fact that I have no answers, or more so that my answers seem to change by the day, hour and sometimes minute. I swear if I was the owner of a mood ring it would probably transition from black to purple to hot pink to aqua all within the time it takes me to type this blog. So in an attempt to organize the shelf of feelings stored within myself I've decided to prepare a short question and answer blog, kind of like the one's found in cosmo exept I'm not famous and if you turn the page you wont find 99 ways to blow your guys mind. Sorry.

Q: When do you leave?

A: Good question, I like this one. It's easy, straight to the point and the answer doesn't change. My flight leaves at 11:55am on February 15th which is awesome for me because I couldn't imagine having to leave on such a sacred holiday as Valentine's day. I'm flying out to Philly for orientation where I will be meeting up with the other 52ish volunteers in my group. I will fly out of New York on February 17th. The flight from New York to South Africa will be super quick, only about 15 hours ( piece of cake, right?) I will then fly from South Africa to Zambia which is an additional 2 hour flight. Eventually I will end up in Zambia, and after the year long process it took me to get there, the bajillion hour flight aint all that bad.

Q: Are you Nervous?

A: Are you Serious?

Q: Are you Excited?

A: Are you Serious (still)? Okay, I'll answer this one. Yes, I am extremely excited the Peace Corps is optional afterall and If I didn't want to go I would have never began this long journey. I'm incredibly excited to see Africa, to live a humble life with people who exist in a way so much more differently than we do. People who shake hands and talk face to face, people who still wave. I'm excited to form solid relationships that are formed through story telling, cultural exchange, respect, and survival rather that text messaging, wall posts, shopping and bacardi. I'm excited to teach, to grow, to change, to meet a new version of myself. Yes, I'm excited, I'm glad you asked.

Q: So what the hell are you going to be doing?

A: Sweating, a lot. And some other stuff too. My assignment is Rural Education Development. My goal will be to improve the accessability and quality of education through community development and teacher training. I will also work as a co-teacher and teach alongside 5th through 9th grade english, math and science teachers afterall, team work is dream work.

Q: How long are you going to be gone?

A: Peace Corps terms are 27 months. The first 3 months of my service will be spent in Chongwe which is a city outside of the capital Lusaka. During training I will learn the language, learn how to teach and work effectively and pretty much how not to look like a complete idiot on a daily basis. After those 3 months of training I will have a swearing in ceremony and transition from a Peace Corps Trainee to an official Peace Corps Volunteer. I will then move to my permanent site-assignment and begin work as a RED (Rural Education Developement) volunteer. Ya dig?

Q: What will you eat, what will you wear, what is the weather like?

Food, clothes and hot. I mean, do you know exactly what you're going to eat and wear for the next 2 years of your life? Yeah, me either. I'll give you an idea though. The main dish in Zambia is Nshima which is a cornmeal type dish, if you're super curious or just hungry check out this article called " Eating the Zambian Way" . When I teach I have to wear long skirts and button-up sleeveless shirts with collars...picture that one girl you went to highschool with who wasn't allowed to cut her hair and no one dated because she was married to Jesus and that's about how hot I'm going to look. Jealous?

Q: Can I email you, call you, and still stalk you on facebook?

A: Yes, please. I'll be getting a new phone and address once I reach Zambia. I'll post all of my new info once I have it. The internet connection isn't legit enough to handle skype so don't run out and buy a webcam just yet. I'll be able to check my emails once in awhile and I'll try to update my blog as much as possible. You can send me all of the letters and care packages your wallet can handle...which makes me think I should have found some wealthier friends during my last few months in the states. Damn.

Alright, I'm sick of typing and you're probably hella sick of reading. Seriously though, thank you all for caring enough to throw questions at me and loving me enough to sit through the answers.

Up, up, and away,

J.Obayan

PS. I'm not spell checking this, don't judge.

After you receive your official invitation to serve as a Peace Corps volunteer you are asked to submit an aspiration statement which basically introduces you to the people you will be working alongside with in your country of service and also provides an explanation of your motives of service. It took me awhile and I could never really get my thoughts on paper because they are too plentiful and scattered to place in chronological order. Anyway, Here is what I had to say to lovely PC staff in Zambia. I hope they like me.

I expect to be to be surprised. I expect that that I will be surprised by the amount of personal growth I achieve, by the amount of love and dedication I feel towards a nation of people whose faces I can only at present time use my imagination to picture, and to be surprised every day that I wake up in Africa that I have been granted the opportunity of a lifetime. I’m prepared to feel unprepared regardless of how many hours I have spent planning, and to feel alone regardless of how many people I am surrounded by. I expect to learn something new every single day and to still feel like I can never know enough. I know that Zambia will be my friend, and that the country will welcome me with open, even if slightly hesitant arms. Though we may argue, face disagreements and not always see eye to eye I know that after my 2 years of service Zambia and I will have built a strong friendship and be able to honestly say that we have learned from one another. That we have changed one another and I am confident that we will both be better off as the result of our time together.

A. Peace Corps as an organization encompasses so many of my morals, ideals, and personal convictions as a human being. The work of Peace Corps volunteers aligns with what I feel to be my life purpose and though I have yet to partake in a volunteer opportunity of this caliber allowing me to experience humanitarianism on such an incredible scale, I have gained much experience, knowledge and understanding through the volunteer efforts and professional endeavors I have accomplished thus far. Fueled by my desire to link the resources I have with the need I saw before me, I founded a student -led coalition called Four Crying Out loud and embarked on fulfilling a mission statement of bringing educational resources to children lacking the essential tools to succeed as students. This experience has been and continues to be one of the largest learning experiences of my life. I have learned that passion births dreams but it is action that foster s them. I have tasted what months of planning an event that ends up failing feels like, I have tasted the joy of changing circumstances of those who cannot change them themselves, and the overwhelming feelings of helplessness that come from not being able to do more. I can tell you that I know one person can only do so much. I know that I cannot change the world and I’ve accepted that. I do not plan on healing Zambia or saving its education system but I am ready to conquer each obstacle I am capable of every single day that I wake up and all call Africa home. I believe that education is a human right that should be shared by each individual regardless of nation, native tongue, or circumstance and I hope in my heart to use all of the knowledge and passion within me to partner with the Ministry of Education to improve the education system in Zambia.

B. I plan on meeting with my counterparts and joining the already existing efforts to further education in Zambia while at the same time using my own ideas and skills to create new avenues and pathways of possibility. My strategy for working effectively as a volunteer is to be patient, to listen, to care deeply and to hopefully act as a brick in building a bridge between the condition of the community and potential of the community.

C. My father is a Nigerian immigrant, my mother is German; I come from a family of White and Black skin. On the spectrum of color and culture I stand alone in the middle; unable to fully relate with either side of those I call my relatives. I truly feel that there have been innumerable events that have taken place in my everyday life that have separated me from not only society but those closest to me. Many individuals have to travel to the other side of the world to face the challenges of being a minority while I simply have to sit at a dinner table with those whom I share the same blood. I am confident that my life experiences have helped open my mind and my heart to accept not only people but situations that are different from those I am accustomed to. I believe that though I will undoubtedly face the shock that comes with being so fully immersed into a new culture, I am not only capable of adjusting but ready to embrace the differences, and similarities that link my existence to the people of Zambia.

D. During Pre-Service training I hope to learn everything I can. I hope to gain as much language experience as possible in order to adopt the culture and further assimilate as a member of the community as well as further my ability to communicate my ideas. I want to learn more specifically the current hurdles facing the Ministry of Education and the present strategies that have been adopted as well as those that have failed in the past so that I may further the policies that work and learn from the trials and error of those who have served prior to me and create a pathway for those who will follow.

E. Personally I think that my Peace Corps experience will give birth to a new me. I believe that the changes I will make personally will come in stages, and some I may not even realize until after my close of service. Professionally, Peace Corps service will cause me to discover the passion within me and I hope to be able to apply the skills and knowledge I acquire through my service in a way that turns the passion I have to contribute to mankind into action that creates tangible results. Whether I return to graduate school, or get a job behind the desk in a governmental agency I know that as a professional I will realize that it is possible to create change, to provide hope, to make a difference, that there is a great need that reaches beyond resources and beckons the actions of those who have been given the power to make a change. With the experience I gain through Peace Corps service I hope to eventually be one of those people.

Here is a quick lesson kids: Don't wear a headband in your passport photos regardless of how cute it makes your hair look and even if it is black and blends almost perfectly in with your hair because you will get a call saying you have to re-submit photos that are headbandless and less cute.

Up,up and away,

J.Obayan