Or so it was a couple days ago. But we were celebrating. And yesterday there was no power, so here we are on Sunday.

If you haven't realized it yet, this group of stagieres likes to party. And we did it this 4th of July here in Cameroon the good 'ol American way - with burgers and beer pong!!! Yes, we had actual ground beef and cheese and heinz ketchup and french fries (more like chips - but they tasted great). The only thing that was missing was the apple pie, but apples have to be imported from France and are expensive and we had no cinnamon. But I was reveling in red meat. Oh how I miss it!

Yesterday I bought my first couple pieces of pagne (their word for fabric) and am looking forward to having my first clothes made for me. Hopefully I will be able to convey what I want in French. If not there's always pictures to point to. Also yesterday we were treated to dinner at the Mayor's house, who happens to be a woman. The dinner was fabulous as was the wine, and cake for dessert.

News - I have my post! I will be in a little place called Santa in the Northwest province. I hope that's not too specific, but I'm not going to post a map or anything so it shouldn't be a problem. You all who don't have to pay by the hour for internet can do research online and let me know what you find out about the little berg. Site visit is Wednesday...

I'll close with another food story. The other day I was talking with another stagiere about food he was served in Senegal, including stomach. Coincidentally, that evening at my house there was a strange looking "meat" with the plantains. Kinda brownish-grey carpety looking stuff, just like he described. My host mom put a piece on my plate, "viande!" What part of the meat, I asked, not quite sure what I was hoping for but I got the answer I expected - beef stomach. Well, now it was already on my plate. I said "I don't eat" in French but nothing going. So, I took a bite. It actually wasn't that bad to taste but the texture was something else, all the little villi from your stomach lining getting stuck in your teeth. But I ate my whole piece and kept it down. However, I don't think it's a recipe I will be bringing home!

Bet you didn't know that did you? Maybe that only applies here in Cameroon...

So yes, today is my birthday! I'm turning 28, on the 28th, in the year 2008. Watch it people, planets are aligning...

What does one do for their birthday here in the 'Roon? Well, actually I don't know what they do but I can tell you what PCV/T's do - we throw a fête, where my amazing new friends make bomb ass enchiladas (we had REAL cheese!!). And garlic bread, and mashed potatoes, and spanish rice, and salsa. And we dance to American music. And "bomb ass" becomes a regular part of your vocabulary. And curfew is extended, but because you don't know your host brother's cell phone number you get locked out. But it was immense fun, aided by a large Amstel and a sachet of Fighter whisky. Yes, whisky comes in little plastic sauce pack like thngs.

This was actually our second party. At the first one we had bruschetta, omelettes, super hot guacamole and banana pancakes. These stagieres are great chefs. I do believe we're having crepes tonight!

What else - it's not hot. It's hardly even sunny. I think my French has progressed from the ability of a two-year-old to a three-year-old. The most I've been without running water has been a day and a half. We have a cat at my house named Menu, not pronounced like the list of foods at a restaurant. He's why we don't have mice. I'm seriously rethinking the idea of having chickens at my post because those bastards start waking me up at 4am. For now, I can't really think of anything else too interesting. Let me know if you have specific questions, I suppose. Off to Chez Pierre and then to a hold 'em tournament, man it's rough...

Sorry that it has been a while, I think I bring an electronic force field to the cybercafe that shuts it down. C'est l'Afrique...

So, to explain the title, this blog will be about the various Cameroonian cuisine I have been introduced to. The fish heads in the soup I expected and was given a tutorial on by a current volunteer. Not so bad, but I skipped the eyes. A few days later, we were all invited to an awards ceremony at a school, where they were kind enough to provide us with food, including chicken. Unfortunately I wasn't really paying attention, and grabbed some piece with skin on it. A lot of skin. That's my excuse for not knowing immediately that it was the neck. Now, I know that some people in my family fight over who gets the neck, but usually it isn't surrounded by skin that is impossible to bite through. But I tried my best.

That would not be my last experience with animal skin, however. The next day, after attempting and failing to explain that I would be eating luch with the other stagieres, I was given a plate with some taro (a mashed up root vegetable) with a yellow sauce, and a mysterious curl of, what is this? does it...ohmygodyesitdoes...it has hair. Apparently a demlicacy in these parts, it was a piece of cow skin. Now I'll usually try anything once, but I had to pass on that. More for them!

If that wasn't enough, a couple nights ago at home we had meat for the first time (as opposed to fish, or white starchy carbs). When I asked what it was, I was informed it was goat. That's fine. But then my host mom informed me that it was la tête - the head. I'm still not sure exactly what I was eating. I asked my trainer, all she said was de solée - I'm sorry.

But beyond that the food is good; glad to be having plantains again, lunch at school from the "pot lady" is tasty and cheap, and the avocados are amazing.

Sorry that last post sounded so blah, I couldn't find the exclamation point on the French computer I was using.

There's 38 of us...still. Which is a good thing. People are starting to come down with various gastrointestinal irritations, but I have been exempt for now. After an hour lecture on diarrhea, my modesty about such things has diminished considerably so I apologize if you are reading this on your lunch break. Food has been tasty though. Mmmm Magi MSG!

We're leaving Yaounde tomorrow, heading to Bangante in the West province for our homestay and training, which should be a fun three-or-so-hour bus ride. Also, I have picked up a few items (first aid kit, voltage regulator, water filter) which should make moving stuff even more difficult than it was at the airport. I think I might just be carrying my own body weight. I'm looking forward to seeing a new place though, and meeting my new family.

I have a cell phone, and get free incoming calls so if you want to call me, e-mail me and I'll give you my number. Remember the time change!! Other than that, it's been fun, not as hot as it is in Michigan (strange, I know) and hasn't rained yet. I placed into Novice Mid in French, so I have a bit to go but I'll get quite a bit of practice.

Off to dinner, to pack, and to nurse my vaccine arm...au revoir!

I'm here in Cameroon; attempting to type on a french keyboard. We have hot water in the hotel...that is a very good thing. I will get a cellphone in a couple days, so I will actually be able to talk to people. Well, people are waiting and so far there is not much to say, but all is well; I have all of my bags and my own room.

Once I thought the hard part was over, it happens again. Time to leave. It's amazing how quickly you form bonds to people and places when you're in this type of situation. Like why am I sad to be leaving the streets of Philly? I'm not seriously going to miss the bartenders, or Market Street, but it feels that way. And I will miss our trainers, who were absolutely wonderful. They have an amazing ability to take the edge off of this whole process.

But, we have a fun group here, and it will be interesting to see if our friendly competition with the Togo group will continue on our flight. Us 'Roonians have strength in numbers though, and, well, we're just plain awesome...it's as simple as that. We're 36 strong, and even our trainers were impressed with us. It's a diverse group, but I am near the apex of the age range so everyone's pretty young. 3 birthdays tomorrow! I think I almost know everyone's name, which means that, yes, I have been paying attention.

I am nervous/excited about finally getting to Cameroon, wonder how much is going to be similar to Ghana and how much will be different. The curiosity is almost overwhelming, and yet the reality of it hasn't quite set in. That probably won't happen for at least three months though! Well, I'm gearing up for my 7-some-hour nap...I mean flight...to Paris...

My next entry will be from Cameroon - that's gotta seem pretty cool, huh? I promise it won't be in French.

...in Philadelphia, that is.

No, I'm not in Cameroon yet. Just approaching the first leg of the journey. Despite all the freaking out, I'm here. Thanks, Mom, for coming to the airport! You don't know how much that meant to me, also making sure you and D had passes to come to the gate...kept it dramatic :). Miss everyone already.

So, despite the adrenaline coursing through my brain, and my stomach's dislike of flying, I was asleep within 10 minutes of being in the air (surprise surprise). Got to the hotel via shuttle, room's not ready yet, and haven't met anyone else except the guy setting up the PC registration room. He doesn't seem too intimdating, and I have a feeling this will be a lot like Jumpstart's SLI or the AmeriCorps kickoff...posterboard and rainbow colored markers.

Wish me bonne chance, I should be getting back, or getting food...mwwah!

With just over a week left before departure, I figured I should get this thing started. Since I am not feeling very creative, I will post some things that might prove useful to some people - my timeline and aspiration statement. My packing list would probably be quite useless now, as it is constantly under revision, and I will probably end up taking too much stuff I don't need (because of my stubborn refusal to actually follow anyone's advice, no matter how many times I hear it - though I promise *promise* to only take one pair of jeans) and will inevitably not take something that will sorely be missed (because of lack of space/available weight, or again because I don't listen). This lack of preparation could be surprising seeing that I'm probably one of the first people to get invited to my program...I must have missed that Girl Scout meeting. Oh well, I like pressure.

P.S. I love parentheses, and know I use them too often, but how else can I demonstrate the many different directions my brain goes in?

Ahh...the timeline:

5/15/07 - Application in

5/24/07 - Reference kit received

6/8/07 - Interview

6/28/07 (also my birthday!) - Second interview; was given several (read - more than I have heard most people get) nomination choices and pick Sub-Saharan Africa leaving in March, primary teacher training/community development, looks like Uganda. Of course, this negates my whole where-they-put-me-is-where-I'm-supposed-to-be philosophy, now that I had to choose. Went through about 2 weeks of doubt, not about joining the PC but whether I made the right decision.

6/29/07 - Legally cleared

July something - Received medical packet, all appointments scheduled for Aug. 10 at the VA

10/1/07 - Got an e-mail saying my program was moved from March to February 10

10/26/07 - OMS received my medical forms (sent late because I was out of the country on vacay and didn't get my results from the VA for a looong time)

11/8/07 - Faxed in new tetanus shot info

11/10/07 - Medically cleared

11/29/07 - Dental Clearance, after having to get 3 fillings

12/19/07 - Called my PO to check my status {thus begins the rollercoaster}; was informed my program was filled and she would call me in 1/2 hour to discuss a different invitation. Despite feeling crushed, I keep up my sunny disposition on the phone and tell her that is great, I just want to know where I'm going! She called back in about 20 minutes with two choices leaving in June, teaching science (not exactly what I wanted to do, as I'm not a teacher and only have a bio minor, but that's what they were pushing for since the nomination stage). Choice A - Ghana; she only told me the country because I had volunteered there before and usually they don't like to send people where they have been before. Choice B - A French-speaking country, a quick look at the unofficial program directory says it's probably either Burkina Faso or Cameroon. We discuss my concerns over returning to Ghana (which I loved, but was interested in going somewhere new) and my lack of French. End up selecting B, I like a good challenge.

12/24/07 - Received invitation packet to Cameroon

12/28/07 - Accepted invite

At first, I was disappointed at having to wait six months instead of two. I wanted to be gone, to be able to skip at least part of the Michigan winter, to meet some of the people whose blogs I had been reading. I knew something like 40% of invites are different form their original nominations, and was sure to tell everyone that "I MIGHT be leaving in February." However, if you believe that everything happens for a reason, I have a very good one for staying here these past six months...

So on to the aspiration statement. Keep in mind that I don't have any idea if this is what they want to hear, as I'm not there yet and haven't talked to anyone about it. But, it's what I came up with:

A. The professional attributes that you plan to use, and what aspirations you hope to fulfill, during your PC service. Although my Peace Corps service will differ in countless ways from experiences I have had before, I can use skills and strengths developed through the myriad volunteer and professional activities I have undertaken. While teaching school in Ghana in 2004 and working with preschool children in the Jumpstart program, my patience and adaptability to new and unforeseen situations grew, as did my commitment to a lifetime of service. As a volunteer coordinator, I learned leadership and organizational skills that will enable me to succeed in the classroom and beyond. My current work with a local non-profit has instilled in me the capacity for working with, and growing, a small budget, building relationships with all members of a community, cooperation with larger systems, and various methods of program implementation. Shirley Chisholm said, “Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this Earth.” I aspire, though Peace Corps service, to pay this “rent” to the best of my ability, and am sure that I will gain back more value than I can imagine.

B. Your strategies for working effectively with host country partners to meet expressed needs. My strategies for working with host country partners are much the same as what I use with Child’s Hope – listening carefully to the needs and expectations of the community, using culturally sensitive and appropriate programs, and being flexible when needs, expectations, and methods change. As a teacher, I will work to balance the supplied curriculum with fresh ways of teaching it.

C. Your strategies for adapting to a new culture with respect to your own cultural background. As an anthropology and sociology major, I have a deep appreciation and respect for human cultures. I have an eagerness to understand other people and learn from them. I have grown up in an ethnically and racially diverse area of Michigan, but also one where segregation is prevalent. I have worked to bridge communities and facilitate dialogue here, and I believe this openness to ideas and willingness to accept others will help me to truly become a member of the community I will be living in, rather than a long-term outsider.

D. The skills and knowledge you hope to gain during pre-service training to best serve your future community and project. Language – first and foremost. As a beginner in French, I expect to be immersed in a program that will help me learn the language quickly and give me a good foundation to build upon. I hope to be able to begin instruction in a local, indigenous language as well. I also look forward to learning about all aspects of Cameroonian culture (gender and class differences, religious and local traditions, food, interpersonal communication, dress, medical practices, and especially education) and additionally an introduction to the curriculum, systems and resources I will be working with.

E. How you think Peace Corps service will influence your personal and professional aspirations after your service ends. I do not have a premade “map of my life,” with Peace Corps marked as a stop on my journey. I cannot say what influence this service will have on my aspirations, because I do not have a specific, solid idea of what those are or should be after I serve my term. As every previous experience of my life has shaped and determined the next one, so will Peace Corps service. While “Peace Corps Volunteer” looks great on a résumé, that is not why I am doing it. Rather, it will help me achieve the personal aspirations I have now – continue service work, become a global citizen, be a conduit for dialogue, experience a different culture, learn to make fufu. I have no doubt, though, that serving will have a positive and profound effect on my future endeavors, whatever they may be.