5 Things I LOVE about Mozambique

1. "Meus filhos"- Nhemba and Botao. The cat and dog who have been my companions, entertainment and family during these two years.

2. "Minha Empregada"-My housekeeper. Her name is Adelaide. She's only one year younger than me but she has already lived so much and has shown me true resiliency. She is the mother of the most adorable little boy in all of Africa! She's strong, beautiful, determined and has made my life here not only cleaner but a lot more comfortable as well. Whenever I don't know how to do something, where to buy necessary items or how to say certain things there she is with her bright smile to the rescue. She's so much more than a "maid", she's my friend.

3. "Comida da rua"-Street food! You can buy almost anything on the street here. From hard boiled eggs, chicken on a stick and an ice cold soda to socks, perfume, kitchen utensils, gold chains, beer, peanuts, light bulbs, nail clippers, diapers, jeans, sandals, lotion, a glass of wine, chips, towels, hats or even a new (probably pre-owned) cell phone.

4. "Fruta! Fruta!! Fruta!!!"- Fresh fruits. You can literally go outside and pick produce of trees. I have been in tropical fruit paradise! We're currently at the end of mango/pineapple season which means mango salsa, pineapple fried rice, mango pasta saucem pineapple jame, mango jam, pineapple-mango juice!! The possibilities are endless and the products are virtually free! Soon we'll over run by avocados, oranges and tangerines. YUM!

5. "Boleia"- Hithc hiking culture. I would NEVER attempt this in the States (and officially have never done it in Moz**) but here it is nothing to put your hand out and be offered a ride by a complete stranger who just happens to be going your way and who would love to have your company along the way. There are the occasional creepersm but most people just want to talk about what on Earth I'm doing so far from home and how much we both love President Obama!

Until the next 5!

Peace & Love

Mama Jay in Moz

The Countdown Begins

It's been a long time since I've written a post like this, but I find myself at a point in my service and life where I need a bit of introspection...

It's February 2013 and I have roughly five months left in the Peace Corps. I know I say this all the time but where has all the time gone??? Don't get me wrong I am BEYOND excited to be going home so soon but at the same time I'm nervous about leaving Mozambique.

The future is so uncertain. What will I do when I get home? Where will I live? Who will I hang out with? Can I still relate to my old friends? My family?

Many people have heard me talk and sometimes complain about the sloooooooow village life, but for the last 1.5 years it had suited me. I rise early and am in the house most nights when the sun sets. I've created a routine for everyday and with that have become comfortable here. I've grown accustomed to having a cup or two of tea (no matter how hot it is) every morning before work. I have set market days where I spend my afternoons buying produce and conversing with my favorite veggie ladies. I enjoy taking the time to prepare my meals and have been able to expand my repertoire to include fun spins on traditional dishes like feijoada (a savory bean stew) with a Thai twist (thanks for the recipe Mom!) and even homemade peanut butter and mango jam! *Have you noticed that I love food?*

At time the nearly glacial pace of life here annoys me but I try to look at five hour meetings that never start on time as less a nuisance and more a chance to chill with my co-workers and learn the local language (Ani babwata kudoku-I speak a little).  A fellow PCV and one of my best friends in Moz put it like this: when else in our lives are we going to have the time to lounge, read, cook, and relax as much as we do right now? I'll probably never ever get another opportunity to take a whole month off from work to hitch hike around whatever country I'm living in. <== Great Northern Adventure Post Coming Soon!

So while life in Moz is not always the most exciting it just happened to be exactly what I need at the stage in my life.

I only have five more months left and I definitely plan to spend them taking it easy, depending less on a schedule or watch and over all just living. Taking each day at a time, because I know that when I get back to the good ol' U S of A everything will be a blur. It'll be back to the busy city, back to school (prayerfully), long hours at work (hopefully), late nights of clubbing with the girls and plenty of time with the new man in my life :D

As much as I CANNOT wait I must remember to appreciate my time here, because before I know it all these smiling faces, pounding songs, genuine salutations and  pure, natural, unadulterated culture will be just a

faint but fond memory. 

Here's to Tchillar-ing the Mozambican way!

Peace & Love

Mama J in Moz

Top 5 Questions I get/HATE from Mozambicans

#1 "Where are you from?"
** This question usually precedes several guesses at my country of origin. "Angola? No, no, Brazil? Oh I know, South Africa?" Surprisingly, most people don't even throw Mozambique into the mix.

This leads us to...

#2 "You're American!?! I didn't know there were black people in America"
** My natural response is to ask them where they think Lil Wayne and Jay-Z are from and then remind them that President Obama is Black. <-- THIS is why we need more Black PCVs

#3 "But where are your parents/grandparents/great grandparents from?"
**I have gotten this not only from Mozambican's who don't have a good grasp of the African Slave trade or of American history/pop culture, but also from what I mistakenly guessed where educated Europeans. I am so tired of having to enumerate my family tree. This question has however, made me very interested in doing a genealogy test when I get back home.

#4 "Are you married?" *slash* "Do you have kids?"
**In Mozambican culture, a person -woman or man- isn't considered an adult until they have a household to care for. This means that since I live alone without a husband or children that I am, in their eyes, still a "menina"+ little girl. When I first got here I was vigilant about telling people that I am a woman, because I have ___ years on the Earth and have this or that degree and pay my own bills. After a year in, I know that they aren't trying to disrespect me. That's just they way it is here.

#5 "Will you marry me?" *back-slash* "Can I go to America with you?"
**Self explanatory.

 Bonus Question!!

#5a "Can I have your phone number?"

**My best friends will tell you that is question plagued me even in the United States. Mozambique and Mozambican men are just the same. Men everywhere are getting hip to the fake number thing. They call you while they're still in your face to make sure the number is real!! ::Creeper alert::

*** I have picked up a few tips to combat the creeper call epidemic:

•  "Oh sorry, my phone is only for work."
• "How about you give me your number instead"
• And when that doesn't work and they insist on taking mine, I store their number as "DO NOT ANSWER"
• When I'm really getting the creeper vibe and just don't wanna deal I give them the "NO!" and walk away. 

::Disclaimer:: I really do try to be open and honest in the name of cultural exchange but if I hear any of these questions ONE MORE TIME!!!!! ...but I digress

Peace & Love

~Mama J in Moz~

One. Year. Down...Un. Ano. Mais...

My first year of service...

There's so much to say. So many thoughts going through my head. So many feelings in my heart. Part of me is just counting down the days until I'm back in the States, continuing my life. Then there is the other "me" who feels nervous and even a little worried about only having one more year of service, projects, and the "vida Mocambicana".

It basically boils down to this: I'm extremely homesick and also mentally exhausted from the daily ebb and flow of Peace Corps life. Yet, at the same time there are still so many things left to do before I can go home. I won't truly feel like I've completed my service unless I accomplish the few (but rather grand) goals I have set for myself.

But I digress...

...The point of this post is not to worry about what lies ahead of me, but rather to recollect and reflect on what I've already done, seen, and experienced during my service.

In just one calendar year I have learned to effectively communicate in a new (and rather complicated) language. I've become so comfortable with my Portuguese that I have been able to give small-group lectures on various health topics. I've lived on my own for the first time EVER! I've made what I hope will be lifelong friends and have even earned a nickname based on my more maternal nature. I've been accepted and loved by a whole new family and community. I've learned to subsist on the bare minimun (much to my mother's chagrin-but sometime it be's like that). I've tested my will and courage by tackling large spiders, giant fish and "integrating" into a whole new world.  I have fallen in love with the cutest cat and dog this side of the Zambeze river and learned to find peace and contentment in being alone. I have become my own loctician and manicurist and have found that I am actually very good at both! I've survived and managed to successfully navigate Mozambican public transit. I've turned a reed hut into my HOME. I have learned how to blend savory and sweet into some of the most delicious dishes I have  ever tasted. I have come up against agism and sexism and proved my worth as a young, educated woman in each situation. I have provided counsel to my fellow volunteers. I have amassed an impressive collection of handmade, custom clothing made from traditional fabrics. I've lost weight, and learned to incoporate exercise into my everyday life.  I've learned some new dance moves to bring back to the US club scene. I can speak about 10 phrases in the local dialect and can count to 5, which really impresses the older ladies at work.
Yes...my first year has been full of so much. There have been tears, laughter, anxiety, excitement, hugs, early mornings, songs and dances, large locally brewed beers, experiments with food, cultural exchange, fun and most of all tremendous personal growth.

As I enter my second year, I am feeling more confident and am ready to take on whatever life throws at me. I have been extremely blessed to have this opportunity to fulfill a dream I've had for a very long time.

In year two I am planning to start a club for adolescent girls, a home garden, income generation projects for the organizations I've been assigned to, a road saftey activity, and so much more. I am going to travel more, laugh more, love more and enjoy the time I have left.

They say the second year goes by even quicker than the first. So, with that said...I better get on it!!!

Peace & Love

~Mama J In Moz~

Body Images

Before I left for Mozambique I attempted to lose a few LBs, to no avail, unfortunately...or was it?

                                                         <====REWIND====>

So, my first day in Namaacha minha mae (my host "mother") and I were talking--or trying to given that I hadn't really begun my Portuguese training yet...ANYHOO!!!--I could understand only fragments of the conversation about my family in the states. She asked if I had kids???? Do I look like I've had kids!?

I had to take a deep breath and realize that in her culture the fact that I was 23 years old meant that I could/would/should have already begun to have children. It had nothing to do with my weight. In fact a lot of people here in Moz think that I am "bem gordinha" (loosely translated to thick...i guess lol)


                                                              ***Update***

August 2012
I've been in Mozambique for a full year and some change and thanks to a healthy diet, lack of preservatives (ha ha) and more rigorous activity i.e.; walking everywhere! I have lost a fair amount of kgs. I'm quite happy with my transformation, but people in town are beginning to worry. I get asked everyday why I've lost so much weight. The locals have suspected everything from me missing home so much that I don't eat to me being sick. My personal favorite explanation for my weight loss by a Mozambican was that I was missing "lubrificacao biologica"---yup---biological lubrication. It sounds like exactly what you think it is! This man told me that I  was missing that certain something in my life and that I needed to find a "friend" to "play with" so that I wouldn't lose weight. The nerve!!

That's Mozambique for you! Where a girl can lose weight and it be seen as a bad thing!!

My Hairstory: A journey through photos (sorry they are out of order)

The boys got all the hair...

Freshly twisted locs in Moz

They're starting to loc! -Sept 2011

Still a few unloc'd Nov 2011

Senior Yr of High School I rocked braids (headed to a 70's party)

Blonde Ambition -Summer 2010 

Love a good Dominican Blow Out!

Twisted up do for HU Homecoming 2010

Afro-tastic!

Two strand twists to start locs!

Tried Tree-braids Winter 2010

I love a good accessory!

My very last blow-out Summer 2011

My Graduation Weave May 2010

Rocking Curly locs in Moz Aug 2012

Loving my locs. This is why I'm hot!\(and I made those earrings!)

My Hairstory

This morning, I looked in the mirror, gave myself a wink, untied my hair and fell in love with the woman staring back at me. Now a days I do this everyday. I fall in love with my eyes, my lips and especially my hair, but it wasn't always all hearts and roses between us.

No, for a good long while my hair and I were not even friends. We were constantly at odds. I wanted straight, it wanted curls. When I  wanted curls, my dear hair wanted kinks! The only time I could control how my hair looked was when I covered it with a weave or by braids. I wanted desparately to be proud of my hair and wear it as it was, but I had a few other things to work out in my mind first.

It wasn't until the winter of 2003, after a horrific at-home relaxer incident, which left my hair in patches and my scalp with scabs, that I made the decision that would transform our relationship forever...

After years and years of relaxing my mane, starting at an involuntarily early age. I decided to go "natural". I was told that the best way to go natural was to start with a "big chop" which meant that I would have to cut all my hair off and basically start from scratch. Having never really had what you would call long hair to begin with, I was initially appalled by this idea. I opted instead to grow out my relaxer with the help of twist extensions which I loved! I kept these up for a pretty long time, but it eventually became really expensive and all the while stalled the inevitable introduction I would have to endure with doing my own hair.

After about a year and a half of braids and twist extensions I finally decided it was time to contend with my "pouf". After clipping away the remainder of my relaxed hair, it wasn't very long and in my eyes didn't provide for many versatile styles. Most days I just wore it pulled back in the front-which my dad hated! He urged me to either loc my hair or keep it braided. As I wasn't quite ready for as  drastic and permanent a step as locs and with dad paying -I rebraided my hair time and time again.

By the time my freshman year of college came around, I still wasn't very comfortable with my natural hair. I rocked my "pouf" and occassionally got my hair braided. Every now and then, I would go with one of my best friends to get our hair pressed (she's never had a perm, chosing to have her hair pressed regularly to keep it straight). During winter break, I decided that I wanted to dye my hair-hoping that a new, brighter color would help me begin to love my hair.

I dyed my hair a gorgeous sun kissed bronzey color and LOVED IT! My mother told me that if I wanted to keep my color treated hair healthy, that I had to keep it moisturized. Never being one who liked to have a greasy head-this didn't really appeal to me, but I didn't want my hair to break off (it was short enough already!) so started to use coconut oil and to my surprise my hair became soft, manageable and more importantly-HEALTHY. I learned that if I twisted hair while wet and letting it dry in bantu knots that it when it dried the result would be a bush of soft curls. LOVE LOVE LOVED this style. I got so many compliments and other girls actually began to ask me for natural hair advice!

I began to tinker, toy, twist, knot, pin, braid and overall just enjoy and experiment with my hair.  I even got a fun asymmetrical haircut during my sophomore year. Going to a school as fashion forward and trend setting as Howard University afforded me the chance to swap stories, style ideas and product reccommendations with other Natural Divas. With every passing semester I grew more and more enamored with my hair and realized that as long as I took care of her, she would take care of me.

I learned that natural hair is as fun, sexy, edgy and as unique as the woman rocking it! I discovered that although my beauty has nothing to do with my physical appearance (although, I think I look pretty hot in any fro'd, twisted, braided or loc'd style), it's the confidence I derive from having beautiful, healthy, natural hair that makes me feel gorgeous every single day.

In the summer of 2011, after joining the Peace Corps and moving half way around the world to Mozambique, I made the decision to loc my hair. Initially, I was apprehensive-locing is a process which takes committment, patience and skill, especially when attempting this venture alone. Before leaving home I had  had a little bit of practice maintaining locs for friends and after seeing how easy and fun it was, my interest was piqued. A friend of my mother's who has had locs for many years introduced me to a few worthwhile products and her secret style weapon...youtube! I spent an entire day (if not longer) looking at videos on how to start, maintain, style and dye locs. After seeing literally hundreds of amazing locs I was convinced! Locing was the next natural move for me. I started with two strand twists and now retwist them about every three weeks. As of today i'm about a year into my loc journey and I think they are coming along beautifully.

  I may not keep locing for the rest of my life, but I know that the feeling of independence, creativity and confidence I feel by maintaining my own natural hair in whatever form it's in is what makes my mane amazing!!

The moral of this hairstory?

 Work, rock and love what you got! As my granny always says "good is what covers the scalp".

April is...Blog about Malaria Month!

                                         How I  prevent malaria while living in Moz!
 

                                   I sleep under a mospuito net. *It's like my anti malaria fort!

 I placed netting on all open windows *Lets air in. Keeps mosquitoes out!

                                    I never leave the house without my insect repellent!

I take my oral prophylaxis every week as directed!

\

BAMM!!!

                                                    April is Blog About Malaria Month!

So in honor of this I'd like to share a few facts about this potentially fatal yet easily preventable disease:

Worldwide: 3.3 billion people live in ares at risk of Malaria transmission. That's half the world's population!

Malaria is the 5th cause of death from infectious diseases worldwide and the 2nd leading cause of death from infectious diseases in Africa, after HIV/AIDS.

By 1951, malaria was considered eliminated from the United States, although on average, 1500 cases are reported every years in the US.

Chinese medical wirtings described the symptoms of malaria as early as 2700 BC.

The female Anophales mosquito has been identified as the vector (or carrier) of the malaria parasite.

Malaria can hide in the placents of a pregnant woman, meaning that she is asymptomatic, but the baby is still at risk for anemia, premature birth and lower birth rate.

On August 20th 1987, Ronald Ross, a Bristish officer in the Indian Medical Service, was the first to demonstrate that malaria parasites could be transmitted from infected patients to mosquitoes.

Facts for Mozambique
100% of Mozambique's population is at risk of malaria
Although, malaria accounts for just 29% of all deaths in Mozambique, it is the number one cause of death.
At 42%, malaria is the leading cause of deaths among children less than 5 years old

Happy Six Months In-Country-aversary!

As of December 2, 2011 I have officially been in country six full months! I can hardly believe it has already been this long.

I can remember so vividly my last moments at home. I can even recall brining in the New Year at home with friends and Family. Life has certainly changed in my six short months, both here in Mozambique and at home in the States.

I went from a life of relative comfort to a much more rustic existence and to my own surprise have adjusted better than pretty well. I have become more resourceful-learning scrub stuck on grease with sand, and to use laundry detergent when i've run out of dish soap- and if it's possible have become more domestic. I have no doubt that if I had to I could live without running water forever...not that I want to though!

I have communed with all manner of wildlife, from swimming with several ton whale sharks and playing "Auntie" to new born donkeys to sharing a living space with gekkos, newts, a pretty rambuncious but still incredibly cute "African Mutt" and what may potentially turn out to be an African WIld Cat. I have even, much to my chagrin but still quite an accomplishment, wrested with the occassional camel spider.
I went from roommate to single pet mother in one week. Saying "good bye" to my roommate was more emotional than I expected it to be, but i'm glad to have met and lived with her and am forever grateful for all the help she gave me. My initial fears about living alone have quelled. Having Nhemba (my puppy) and Botao (the kitten) around has definitely made the transitition easier. I've established a little bit of a routine and am now connected to the internet at home so I think I'm pretty happy.

Work is still pretty slow but it's getting close to the holiday season so I fear that it's just going to get much slower. I have spent my free time coming up with lots of ideas for how to help improve both my orgs so along with a few other "Non-resolutions" (since I never keep actual New Year's resolutions) I hope to begin working on my ideas in the New Year.

Wow, 2011 is already (almost) over. It started out a little rough but has proved to be one of my best. I am more than confident that 2012 will be just as amazing. I am the master of my fate and Lord willing will succeed in all that I set out to do.

Since coming to Mozambique, I've gained several adorable new siblings and a cool second (or third or fourth) mom. I have been so blessed to have gone through training and these first few months of service with the most awesome group of people ever! It's like having 28 best friends. We all just naturally get along and have since the very beginning. I am so thankful to have my Moz-16 family as a support system and I look forward to building upon, maintaining abd furthuring our friendship for the next 21 months abd many years to come. Anytime a group of us gets together we have already begun to make to get together after service LOL.
I have also been pleasantly surprised by how awesome all the other PCVs are here. Everyone is so down-to-Earth and also really open and helpful. The Peace Corps network has already proved to be an amazing resource (even before I actually got to Moz), not just in Mozambique but also volunteers in surrounding countries and the many RPCVs I've had the pleasure of meeting in whatever form (PC meet-ups, facebook groups, random mutual friends lol). I feel like I have joined a fratenity (for lack of a better word) and look forward to continuing  my association and involvement throughout the rest of my life.

I just need to make it through the rest of my service first. Which, I know that I can and will do with the love, support, advice, prayers, help and cooperation from my family, friends, fellow Moz-16ers (and 15ers, 14ers 13ers 17ers and even Moz-18ers-coming soon) and everyone I've met during my journey.

Thank You!

Until the next milestone! 

Ate Ja!

The Integration Period: a narrative

One day a young girl received a call from a kind man by the name of John. This call was one sent out many many years ago to young people all over the country to travel to far away lands to complete for a full two years of service to mankind. The call was to join the Peace Corps.

 This young girl answered that call with zeal and excitement.

Her story began like so many other volunteers. She quickly packed up her life-somewhat successfully into the requisite 80lbs of luggage- and was off to fulfill a long time dream in Mozambique.
She struggled a bit at the beginning of  Pre-Service Training, but soon made many friends, gained a few new family members, learned muito and had fun. After she swore-in she was ready and once again excited to begin her service...
That is however until she entered...the INTEGRATION PERIOD!!

Our young heroine once again packed her bags and after one final hot shower and a hurried buffet breakfast she was whisked away to a magical land called Inharrime.

When she arrived at her new home she was greeted by many new faces including her fairy god-mother disguised as her new temporary roommate, currently COSing (close of service) volunteer Ann.
Almost immediately, and all according to plan, the young woman was paraded around the tiny yet bustling town where she was introduced to many important members of the community including the Chief of Police, Dona Joanna, and several "Chefes do Bairro" (local neighborhood leaders).

After was seemed like a fairy-tale beginning the real story began. At the urging of her roommate the young woman was pushed into giving a palestra (lecture) to the activistas (community health workers) at her new organization, most of whom spoke only Copi (the local dialect) and could not read or write. She found it difficult at first to tailor her lesson to this group and became increasingly more aware that  her Portuguese skills were definitely not up to par but that even if they were nearly everything that happened at site happened in Copi!

Felizmente! (fourtunately), she was equipped with an excellent book of medical information specifically written for Mozambicans (or at the very least Portuguese speaking Mozambicans). This amazing resource continues to serve her very well during her first three months of service. Our young heroine has giving mini palestras on cholera, TB, Cancroid, Leperasy, Diabetes, PTV and even Children's Rights (thanks to good ol' MozSoft).
Although she is enjoying her work and she believes that her activistas are benefiting from her presence she has come up against two major (allbeit forseen) opponents:

1)Pronunciation-as if she weren't already self-concious about her language skills, having to explain complicated medical jargon has proved to be ten times worse! How can she expect people whose first language also isn't Portuguese to understand what ganglios or meningues are when she isn't even sure she saying it correctly!?

2) The "Misinformation Male Chauvinist "-there is one gentleman in particular at her organization who believes that he is God's gift to Tivikeli. He saunters into the weekly meetings late (if at all) the interrupts the "replicas" (when the weeks selected activistas translate and desiminate the information I gave them on the chose topic in Copi) wuth his own version of what causes and transmits diseases. Then the ladies have a ten minute conversation in Copi and the young lady fears that they are propogating the wrong information he has just given them simply because he is a man.

To get over these obstacles, the young woman has begun to read, write and speak more in Portuguese. She beleives that practice makes perfect so she has decided to talk to everyone and anyone without being embarrassed or offended when people correct her. As for the misinformation being spread, she has started to raise her hand and her voice more during the meetings and makes sure that if she sees or hears something amiss that she corrects it immediately.

All-in-all her integration period was not as scary or stressful as she thought it'd be. In fact it actually turned out to be a lot of fun. Our volunteer has traveled, experimented with new recipes, made more friends and has started to accumulate quite an impressive collection of capulana clothing.

At the end of the integration period her roommate/ fairy god-mother, who helped make her adjustment to life in Inharrime and as a Health Volunteer in general pain free left to return home. Thus begins the next chapter in the life of our heroine-living alone in a foreign country!

Stay tuned...

Ate Logo!

The Post-PC Life (musing...)

I believe it's never too early to plan for the future. In fact I knew I would join the Peace Corps after graduating from college when I was 15 years old!

With that said, I feel it's time for me to begin to study for the GRE, research test dates and locations and also begin thinking about which schools and programs might interest me once my service ends.

I know that I want to continue in the International Relations field, but  I also want to focus on health...

Here's what I'm thinking so far:
-Master's of Public Health
-Master's of International Development and Administration
*Mailman School of Public Health @ Columbia U
*Johns Hopkins School of Public Health
*U Penn-Public Health
~US Public Health Commissioned Corps
~World Health Organization
~USAID
All this may change but for now it's good to at least have my dreams and aspirations written down in plain site.

My future is in God's hands and from this angle it looks BRIGHT!

Five Things: I miss from Home (Vol. 2, Ed. 1)

#1. Dryer sheets- (weird I know) I really miss having clean smelling, soft clothes. It's definitely something I took for granted in the States.

#2. "Sleeping In"-It is really impossible for me to sleep  past 6:30, 7am at the latest! I guess it doesn't matter really considering the fact that I am usually in bed by 9pm most nights. Even on weekends!!

#3. Indoor plumbing-(obviously right?) or more specifically indoor bathrooms. I have graduated from my Xi-XI bucket upon arriving at site and now make at least one nightly trek all the way outside to the latrine, where I proceed to squat over a cement hole...you can imagine how difficult this is during times of tummy trouble or drowsiness. Needless to say I've never miss an Amerian Standard throne so much!

#4. Driving- aside from being able to go wherever I want, whenever I want, I really miss traveling comfortably. Whether that be while driving or riding with someone else-or even (my mother won't believe i'm saying this) using public transportation in the States. Taking chapas (the Mozambican equivalent of a bus, which more accurately resemble NYC dollar vans) is dangerous, smelly (deodorant just aint a priority here) and crowded. Riding in the back of Pick-ups can be fun but isn't really that comfortable either. I really also truly miss taking road trips or just cruising around town singing along with the radio as the top of my lungs.

#5. Getting "Gussied Up"- I think of all the things I miss most about home, I miss getting dressed up and going out. I used to take great pride and pleasure in painting my face, doucing on perfume and getting all decked out and looking (and feeling) pretty. I miss lipgloss, smoky eyes, high heels, short skirts and sexy tops. I miss going out to clubs with my girls, going to the movies with friends and having cocktails and lavish meals with my mother and her friends. I have already planned to use a considerable (well maybe not a huge amount) amount of my readjustment allowance to revamp, replenish and restock my wardrobe and train case.

Melhorar-acao?

Em ordem a melhorar meu Portugues eu decidi' que hei'-de comecar a escrever pelo menos um "blog" (nao sei a palavra em Portugues lol) cada mes.
Eles provavalmente ha-de ser muita corta e simples mas penso que ele vai ajuda-me muito.
E' emgrassada como posso viver e falar com pessoas diariamente que fala Portugues e ainda sento que eu falo bem.
Como outras linguas que eu tenho aprendid (ou pelo menos tentei a aprender) eu escrevo e leio melhor do que posso falar.
Tambem, tenho cemecado a ajudar meu vizinho (um voluntario de Japao) e um amigo dele aprender Ingles. Espero que posso melhorar meu Portugues como eles melhoram o Ingles deles.

Havemos-de Ver!!

Ate a Proxima!!

Belleza!!!!

It's amazing how a simple bucket bath accompanied by a full body, homemade, sugar scrub and a change of your finger and toe nail polish can give you a whole new outlook on life. Some people like to use being a Peace Corps Volunteer as a an excuse to let themselves go-higiene wise- I feel the exact opposite. To be completely honest I feel so much cleaner and refreshed here after a bucket bath than I think I ever did from a hot shower. Now, I realize that my judgement could be clouded by the fact that I have actually taken a hot shower in about a month (the weekend after swear-in -Aug 12th) but it's true! When I can take the time to heat up three or four kettle's worth of water and wash away the days dirt and sweat, the week's insecurities, fumbles with the language and/or whatever other stressors, I really truly feel clean, fresh, and rejuvenated. I also really thank the girls from Moz 14 and 15 who suggested that I bring nail polish and "smell good" (as my Godmom calls it lol). Spritzing on a little Black Amethyst or Exotic Couconut body spray and giving yourself a new set of brightly vernished hands and feet are like putting hot fudge, whipped cream and ten cherries on top of my Peace Corps sundae!

I mean I have always enjoyed getting my nails done and applying all the other products generally associated with being a "girlie-girl",  but when it's easy to take pampering yourself for granted after long HOT days, struggling to understand what is going on at your orgs or with your colleagues when everything is spoken in a language that you didn't spend ten intensive weeks learning ((But I Digress--i'll save that for a different post)). So in an effort to create a regular routine, stay "pretty" and to maintain my sanity I think I will allow myself a pamper day every week. Whehter it be a full body sugar scrub, repainting my nails, washing and retwisting my hair or even just plucking my eyebrows (WOOF! it's been a struggle lol) I will do whatever it take to keep myself happy. I've even begun a regular exercize regimine so I'm excited about seeing those results.
I'm determined to put all this free time to good use and to emerge from this 27 month cacoon a beautiful, healthy, happy, multi-lingual Peace Corps DIVA!!

As always my lovelies!!!
                                                            ~Ate Logo Meninos!!~

Aviso!!!

• Taking one's own advice is probably the hardest thing to do. For whatever reason, it is nearly impossible to encourage, persuade, dissuade or counsel yourself...well it is for me anyway.

In a recent conversation with one of my closest friends here in Moz, where I was the listening ear and eventually the counsellor, I realized that the stresses she was having were eeriely similar to my own and yet the advice I was giving to her sounded like a foreign language to me.
We were both dealing with feelings of inadequacy as is related to being "replacement volunteers"-meaning we are taking on the role of a volunteer that is preparing to end their service- and not really fitting-in with our communities, and the everpresent homesickness.  In response to her concerns, I said the following (and in writing this I hope that these suggestions with be clear to me as well):
Blaze your own path-don't try to fill the previous volunteers shoes. Put on your thinking cap, pack your new, different, fresh ideas and make your mark on your new community. Each volunteer is different and our individuality and varied personal experiences are what make this cultural exchange possible.

• Remember why you're here-joining the Peace Corps is a big decision and one that (hopefully) you took a long time to consider. You are here to "change" the world-or the very least your community--and in turn to learn more about yourself. These 27 months are just a drop in the bucket compared to all the lasting memories and experiences you will have when it's all done.

• Keep this whole thing in perspective-think about what else you would be doing right now? The job market (in the States) isn't the greatest. The mention of school loans, rent, phone bills, car notes, etc. alone are enough to cause many 20 somethings to retreat to the hills or in this case Mozambique. Remember that while you might be "roughing it" right now when you go back home you'll be in a much better position to take on the all that life in the developed world has to offer. You'll be a few dollars richer, your resume will be virtually "rejection proof", you'll be fluent-ish lol in another language (or two if you've learned a local language), you're stories of Peace Corps life will be a hit at any party or social gathering, the list of pros goes on and on. 

• Two years really isn't as long as it sounds-already we've been at site a month, and in-country for nearly 4! It doesn't seem like it as the days drag on but time is already flying! So, stop watching the clock and counting the days before you miss an opportunity to really enjoy all that this place and program has to offer. Set little goals for yourself and plan trips to occupy your time and to give yourself something to look forward to every week, month or year. 

*BONUS* T.I.M. This Is Mozambique!!-We've hit the Peace Corps lottery! Mozambique is an amazing country with awesome beaches, games reserves and some of the coolest PCVs anywhere! Take advantage of all the awesome things that Moz has in store like swimming with the largest fish in the world to learning how to play a timbila (a xylophone like instrument). Also, take time to visit some of the surrounding countries. It's amazing how a couple days away from site can rejuvenate you and give the energy to press on for one more week.

So in closing, it's not all bad. You just have to keep these few tips in mind and a prayer on your lips and your service will be a Peace of Cake ;)

As always meus amigos!!

I Come With Peace!!                              ~Ate Logo!!!~

The Beginning of Service Jitters...de novo (again)

On August 13th, 2011, I swore-in and officially became a PCV. I looked and felt beautiful (I think I'm allowed to toot my own horn once in a while considering I've been taking bucket baths for the past three months!) and everything was wonderful. I along with my fellow Moz 16ers stayed in a fabulous hotel for the weekend and had a great time!

That Sunday (the 15th), my nerves set in again, because that night I was to meet my counterparts. These would become my co-workers and confidants for the next two years...it was almost like meeting my host family for the first time again. Needless to say I had nothing to worry about, as both my counterparts were very friendly. Over the next two days we took part in Supervisor's Conference where they learned about the Peace Corps, it's policies and what they should from them, and also we discussed a little bit about what my counterparts wanted me to help them with.

The following Wednesday (the 16th) I, along with both of my counterparts (I was placed with two different orgs) and two other Moz 16ers were shuttled off to our sites.

At about 4 in the afternoon, I arrived in Inharrime and met my new roommate, two sitemates and two other volunteers from Inhambane Province. I was nervous and excited and anxious and tired and happy all at the same time! That night we talked and got to know each other a little bit of some cervejas and some really delicious Pad Thai (pause for Elyse's laughter...).

So here it is the 26th, about a week and a half later. I've met with both my orgs a few times and actually already gave a mini training on Cholera (I'll post about that experience soon). My roommate has been great! She's introduced me to all the important people in town, including all her favorite vendors in the market and I think that we get along really well. I have met most of the Activistas (basicly community health volunteers) and Peer Educators with whom I will be working most closely with over these next two years.

I start my day at around 9 and am pretty much done by 1:30...I'll definitely enjoy all the free time, but it also makes over-thinking things, worrying and feeling homesick very easy to do. Even though, these feelings are not new (as I've gone through this before just 10 weeks ago while living with my host family) and at least I speak better Portuguese now so at least that's one less thing to worry about, but I guess it's now sinking in that this is in fact my home for the next two years (I'll post pics soon). I know that in no time I'll be feeling right at home and comfortable with my surroundings--at least I hope so--

I'll keep you all posted!

Ate Logo!!

Landmines & Cyclones??? 26/07/2011

So apparently, there are still active landmines and unexploded ordinances left over from the civil and even colonial wars!!

We found this out in a recent Safety and Security session (with the always entertaining Alfredo). While explaining the history of these mines the Safety and Security Coordinator pulls up a slide with tips for how to handle yourself in the event that you have just stepped on a mine. Basically, we are to keep our feet/weight on said mine, stay calm, call the authorities and lastly NOT PANIC!!

At this point, I was completely dumbfounded and knew for certain that I could not guarantee that I would stay completely calm if I suspect that I have just happened upon a landmine of all things!!

~Uma coisa boa (a good thing) that came out of it though is that we (Moz 16) have a new catch phrase:
"If you didn't drop it, don't pick it!!"

The second part of this presentation was about cyclones. So according to the SSC cyclones are really dangerous, because they bring a lot of rain, and mud and also crocodiles and hippopotamuses???

So, because he thought (I guess) we weren't taking his warnings seriously enough-the SSC brings up a picture of a crocodile, then another on of the croc sem (without) skin AND THEN another picture of human remains that were found inside of the aforementioned croc.

A bit EXTREME nao e??

Yea I know!!! You can imagine our reaction!



                                                                   

Preservatives Added?

One day I was sitting at lunch with my host mom quietly enjoying a heaping helping of spaghetti and chicken when suddenly my mae turns to me and asks "usam preservativos nos Estados Unidos?" (Do they use preservatives in the US?).

Believing that I had understood her question correctly-and given the fact that we were eating- I confidently responded "sim, em comida" (Yes, in food). Mae gave me the most puzzling look, shook her head in disagreement and repeated her question. This time I responded "sim, algum pessoas usa preservativos em comida" (Yes, some people use preservatives in food)--rephrasing my answer thinking maybe I had said the wrong thing before.

Finally realizing that I did not understand what she was saying she sent my sister into her room to grab a pamphlet about safe-sex and preventing HIV. As I began to read, my eyes grazed over the phrase "usa preservativos" attached to an illustration of a condom. Completely shocked and frankly a little embarrassed at my poor comprehension, I exclaimed "Oh condoms?!" Minha mae simply nodded her head and said "sim" in an almost exasperated tone, as if to say "finally!" LOL

I went on to explain that yes, we do in fact use condoms in the States and that "preservatives" are put into food to keep it from going bad. After that she and I carried on a good, allbeit basic, conversation about the use of preservativos to prevent HIV and other STDs. I ever found out that the local Catholic congregation approved and even promoted the used of condoms for safe-sex.

                              ~Ahh the adventures in learning a foreign langugae LOL~

Ate Logo!!!

We're Almost There!! 09/07/2011

So it's the end of week five (now the beginning of week 9, but hey I don't have steady internet!), which means that in another five week myself and my fellow Moz-16ers will swear-in and officially be Peace Corps Volunteers.

In a few more weeks I will leave Namaacha and embark on my two year journey at my site (Inharrime!!!). I will leave the comfort and security of my host family to move into my own house in a new and strange location. So I know now that I will be living with a Moz-14er who will be COSing (Closing of Service) in either November or December, which I'm actually really excited about.

A couple of weeks from now I will be expected to take all the knowledge I've acquired during PST and begin work with my organizations. So many questions come to mind as I consider this: Are my language skills good enough?  Do I really know enough about HIV and other health issues? Am I really ready to live and work and possibly hang out with ONLY Mozambicans???

These first few weeks flew by. It seems like just weeks ago I was hanging out with my family and friends in Philly. It feels like like it was only days ago that I first met the other members of Moz-16 and now we feel like old friends. It must have been mere hours ago that I arrived in Namaacha and could barely communicate with my familia hospedeira (host family)- using hand gestures to communitcate. Now I can have a full (still very basic) conversations and am even writing compositions on health related topics entirely in Portuguese!!

I guess the saying that "time flies when you're having fun" is true-- as so much of my life had seemed to go by in a flash. And, although there have been tough times, I have had many laughs and made many friends. I look forward to improving my language skills and building many more relationships over the next two years.

If these first few weeks and months have gone by this quickly I can only imagine how fast these next few years will pass. Before I know it I could be back in the States sipping margaritas with sugar on the rim and gossiping about the latest celebrity scandal with my friends and family.

 I need to remember to take a deep breath and live each day for what it's worth. I have wanted to be in the Peace Corps since I was in high school. I'm finally her and I want to really make a difference and get all I can from this experience.

So while I can't wait to see my family and friends again, I must keep in mind that this is my home now so I might as well enjoy it!

I must live my life Pouco a Pouco, Dia a Dia-Little by Little, Day by Day

Ate....