“Bas, ndapita” = (literally) “Enough, I’m gone” = “Goodbye” Wah-wah! Well people, I won’t beat around the bush about this, so I’ll just come right out and say it… I’ve decided to early terminate (ET) my service. They tell us … Continue reading →
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I’m on a life long journey an inner self voyage a mission to discover the deep inner workings of me. See, I’m never quite sure exactly how to define refining the basic meaning what it means to live this life. … Continue reading →
(pictures to come when I have better internet….) Well hello, hello! Long time no see, huh? Sorry ‘bout that! After hitting Malawian soil I’ve been none stop crazy busy. But I’m finally taking sometime to update the world on the … Continue reading →
T-minus 29 hours until I am on my way to AMERICA! We have just lost cabin pressure. Today I am attempting to mentally prepare for my holiday ku America. But let us rewind to the events of my Malawian life … Continue reading →
Good day mates! Long time no see! Sorry it’s been a while since my last post but things have been a little crazy and I just haven’t had the time. But now I do! So here’s what’s been going on … Continue reading →
What up gang? Ashleigh here. I’m in Lilongwe after yet another long stretch of time away from site and going home today. But I thought I give you all an update before I disappear for a while… Now for the … Continue reading →
Thunder tease, don’t you know you’re supposed to bring ease, appease the parched foliage, force the clouds to release? I realize now it’s merely a game the same thing every day but this lack of rain is a shame. Don’t … Continue reading →
Tsiku pa ndinabadwa, is “the day I was born.” March 30 was my 24th birthday and I celebrated it here in my village. I did go out with my friends in Lilongwe on Sunday night to celebrate while I was … Continue reading →
I’m beginning to notice a trend here aren’t you? I am not at site that often. Ok, well I am at site often, but there have been several trips I’ve made that have lasted over a week, which is a … Continue reading →
BAH! this is kind of a rant. Can I just say, I very much dislike Lilongwe. Even more so when I’ve been stuck here for over an entire week… It all started last Wednesday. I waited for 2 and … Continue reading →
Hello my loyal readers! There’s not too much to report as of late. Mainly life has just been moving along and slowly but surely I’ve started working. February has been an interesting month to say the least, full of ups … Continue reading →
Moni! Work: I thought I would post a quick update before heading back to the village this afternoon and just explain some of my project ideas and what I’ll be working on so you all can know what it is … Continue reading →
Congratulations to the new Health and Environment Trainees!! Not too long ago I was preparing for my departure to Malawi for Peace Corps as well. I remember all too well the late nights of blog stalking and packing, unpacking and … Continue reading →
A very Merry and very late Christmas to you all! And Happy New Year! I apologize for my slacking throughout the holiday season and even since then, but my excuse is that I did not really have time nor access … Continue reading →
Aloha! As predicted, much time has passed since my last real entry. Mainly because I forgot to pack my internet usb stick, so I was unable to post anything during IST. Now there is lots of catching up to do, … Continue reading →
Their crumpled, lifeless bodies litter the cold cement floor An unlikely graveyard Remnants of a long, overnight battle, a struggle to survive a fight for food a buzzing debacle of sorts. Fallen soldiers, ripped limb from limb Silent, sleeping amputees, … Continue reading →
Wawa! Well, it sure has been an eventful week! Monday I went to Lilongwe because another PCV, who works with the NGO Save the Children, needed some volunteers for their Every One campaign launch event that was Tuesday. I met … Continue reading →
Even though Rainy season ebbs nearer, hot season still gnashes it’s violent teeth at me. I am now even happier then before that I do not live by the lake because I would truly melt. Today is blistering hot. Period. … Continue reading →
You haven’t seen a silent strength like this before The long hours of physical labor “women’s work” I wonder if their necks aren’t made of steel or Their hands of thick, soft kevlar. I’ve seen these women accomplish impossible feats … Continue reading →
The transition from October to November is also the transition of seasons here in Malawi. While most of you at home are pulling out your cold-weather gear and bracing yourselves for winter, here in the Southern hemisphere, we are preparing … Continue reading →
Good news my devoted readers, I now have power in my house! Well, I kind of always had power just was unable to use it to charge all my things (as mentioned in previous post). Yesterday I had a rather … Continue reading →
Mwaswela bwanji nonse?! Sorry for the long gap in my posts. I have not been in Lilongwe in a few weeks and haven’t been able to properly charge my laptop. I am only able to write this now with about … Continue reading →
Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to this edition of Bizarre Foods, brought to you straight from Malawi, Africa. This episode is hosted by a new current Peace Corps Volunteer, Ashleigh Stafford. Ashleigh: Welcome! Malawi is a beautiful country, full of rich … Continue reading →
(Written on 9/18/2010) I’ve now been at site for a little over 2 weeks. I must admit that this week I am feeling much better than I was the first week I was here. As you may recall from my … Continue reading →
Well, using my offline blog writer has proven to be cheap to post pictures, so first here are these to give you all some visual stimulation to my novel-esque blog posts as of late… Enjoy! A member of the Gule … Continue reading →
Today I write to you from my new home in the Warm Heart of Africa. I finally have some peace after shooing away the plethora of children hanging outside my house watching my every move. I just finished eating lunch … Continue reading →
Well folks, as desolate as Africa may seem, I now have mobil internet on my laptop! *happy dance* This post is to test to see if I am able to use my offline blog writer to update my blog, making … Continue reading →
I am back in Lilongwe after my week of Site Visit. I’m leaving for the town Mchinji today for language intensive, but for now we’re hanging out at the office. I stayed at my new house this week and I … Continue reading →
Helloooooooooo everyone!!! Has it been as weird for you as it has been for me? I practically fell off the face of the earth for a month and a half! I apologize to those of you who probably have been … Continue reading →
Ok, it’s kinda late but I wanted to make one more update from the states before we take off to Africa! After turning in all my paperwork and registration form, I am officially a Peace Corps Trainee! *happy dance* I’m … Continue reading →
Well after the turmoil of my last post, I did it!! The duffel bag and green backpacker back pack are my two checked bags, weighing at a total of 77 lbs! *happy dance* I actually managed to finish Friday night … Continue reading →
Packing. Ugh. This is how it started. Piled all up on our futon in the spare bedroom. At first things we’re going swimmingly: I spent about 3ish hours organizing and packing up my bags…. except it wasn’t quite that easy. … Continue reading →
Dear Families & Friends, Greetings from the Malawi Desk in Washington, D.C.! It is with great pleasure that we welcome your family member to the Peace Corps/Malawi training program. During the past year we have received many questions from Volunteers … Continue reading →
THREE WEEKS! Oh my! I’ve been doing some serious “crunch-time” shopping this week. This is one thing I do not want to be rushing around last minute finishing. Especially since my last full day home will be spent waiting in … Continue reading →
News! Tuesday I received an email regarding staging! *happy dance* They sent it exactly one month to the day of Staging. Sorry it took an extra day to update, but there was a small hiccup which I will explain in … Continue reading →
The midnight hour proves to be an excellent time to update my blog, considering the last few posts were written ’bout this time. Last Monday I officially graduated from college! I now have my bachelor’s degree in Social Work and … Continue reading →
Since accepting my invitation to Malawi, much has happened! Monday I completed all my passport stuff and got it to UPS. It was a busy busy day! Then Tuesday and Wednesday I attended a training class called HIV Counseling, Testing … Continue reading →
FINALLY after nearly a week, that beautiful bulky package that is every applicant’s dream arrived at my door step today! And what a curve ball! I’m going to MALAWI!!! *happy dance* I leave July 1st and my job will be … Continue reading →
Now that the screaming and jumping and dancing has camled slightly, I just wanted to let everyone know I’m officially invited to the Peace Corps!!! I just got off the phone with the Placement Specialist, who called to do a follow-up interview with me. We talked for quite a while and he asked me about [...]
So many changes going on lately…
Several people on Facebook have been getting invites to Mali. I’m thinking Mali is packed now, so that only leaves one thing… BENIN! Well, we’ll see. I could seriously use anything positive Peace Corps wise happening. Even if all it is is a Placement check mark on my toolkit. I [...]
Quick update – I logged on to my toolkit this morning to find this lil’ beauty:
Once again I am back to just needing one last check mark! It was strange though because I never got an “application status update” email, the one we all love, when the medical hold was put on my application. And [...]
Ah-ha! Just as I was in a slump about my medical setback I got an email from my placement officer this morning requesting my updated resume and romantics involvement form. YAY!!
She also reminded to send in my final transcript when I graduate in May. She said that she finished with her preliminary review of [...]
As soon as the Health Desk starts dishing out July invites, I get a setback. *sigh*
I changed a medication I am on, and got a letter today from OMS requesting more info. Apparently just telling them what I was on wasn’t enough. Blah… So untill I can get the paper work filled out and signed [...]
Heart beating faster,
A long, drawn out pulse of a drum,
Of pounding feet on unpaved streets.
Mind reeling, spinning, faster beyond control,
Waiting, attempting patience,
Reminding myself to breathe.
Stomach in knots, churning..
Tension in previously unknown muscles,
Building, cramping, each minute [...]
AAAHHHHH!!
*deep breath*
Ok… So, I think my Restless Applicant Syndrome (RAS) has kicked into overdrive lately.
I mean it’s something that I always deal with but now that my birthday is just around the corner (March 30!) and the Health Desk might be working on July – September departures soon… oh man, it is seriously out. of. [...]
I recently had my 6 month check-up at my dentist. Everything is good, no cavities! (yippie!) This dentist I saw was different than the one that did my last check-up and filled out my dental forms, so she didn’t know about my applying to PC.
While I was there, I mentioned something about PC, and she [...]
I know that I am not a PCV (yet) but I feel like as a perspective one, and a female one at that, it is still my duty to pass on this information to all readers of my blog. My previous post mentions the 2008 reports of harassment and sexual assault, to which I seemed [...]
Soooo…. I’ve changed my mind about the private thing. It’s silly, and it’s driving me nuts keeping up with two blogs so I’m over it.. hahaha oh well, hopefully Placement will know I’m dedicated and passionate about Peace Corps if they do read my blog. *shrug* I’m slowly working on getting everything back up to [...]
(Quick update)With out jinxing myself, I secretly am wondering, “Is that it?” Shh..
2 hours, 3 shots, a TB skin test, 6 vials of blood and one urine sample later… I’m done? Well I mean of course there was more to al of it than that, I just can’t believe I managed to get everything [...]
Bah!
So I’m just sitting here waiting until my next class starts when my phone rings with a number I don’t recognize. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m really bad about screening my calls, so I sat there looking at it for a second, finally I answered. It’s was Shand! Ah!!! Ok ok [...]
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