Howdy guys, sorry I haven’t updated in a while. I’ve got stories to share, but don’t have the time to get them down now. Still, I want to let you know what’s going on in my life, so I’ll try to get some quick thoughts down.
It’s been a busy week at school, getting ready for quarterly exams. I wrote my tests on my computer, just because that’s easier/faster for me than hand-writing. There is a laser printer in the laboratory but everyone has insisted that it didn’t work, it needed ink. I took it apart and put it back together and now I have a stack of tests ready to give my kids! Awesome. I was supposed to hand-write my test, have it typed on an ancient type-writer, and then use the duplicator machine to make copies. The duplicator is a hand-crank relic of the stone age that makes duplicates of impressed paper. I was happy to bypass these beastly artifacts of fine, museum-quality technology.
I’m rushing because I need to pack for Phase 3, the last part of my training. I’ll be missing the administering of tests next week and instead will be kicking back with my Peace Corps hombres in Maseru. Darn. After that is Easter break, so I’m taking my first South Africa vacation with a group of volunteers to a place called Banana Beach south of Durban. Darn it all. It’s a rough life in Africa, let me tell ya. Some times I wonder how I manage.
I really have been missing home a lot lately, though. I have pangs at times where thoughts of malls, traffic, highways, wal-mart and Disneyland come pouring into my mind all at once, and suddenly I realize how far away from some American luxuries I really am. It all blows over in time, though.
In some sense, I left America to get away from it all, but nothing makes you appreciate America like being away for a while. Our problems and our politics seem so trivial from here. We argue about health care reform without realizing what a blessing it is to have a functional government in the first place. Hmmm.
On that same note, I heard a great song on the shortwave about being African today. My eyes actually watered up. I don’t know if the context is any different just from being out here, but it’s worth a listen. It’s called “Waving Flag” by Knaan. Anyways I’ve stalled long enough, I need to get packing. Have a great day!
*****OH! forgot to mention that only one of my kids is still missing from not paying school fees. Still hoping to see them back soon.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Ryan,
I continue to enjoy reading your updates! Thank you for sharing!
Have fun in Maseru, say “hi” to Parker for me!, and have a really great time on your vacation in Durban!
Safe travels!
Meredith
Both of the printers here are not working. I have a 3rd, brand new one, wireless even, but I can not install it because my DVD/CD drive has disappeared from my computer drive again. You fixed it last time. I can see it is still there physically, but my computer doesn’t have eyes, so it does not agree I remember you spent a few hours finding it, and doing your magic the last time it went to cyber heaven. You brought it back to life…sorry I do not have the same healing computer qualities that you do. Noah had a Science project due, could not print out his paper…it had to be hand written. How scary is that? He got a 100! I keep staring at the printers hoping they will see that I am pissed and fix themselves. It’s not happening, and Noah is not much help. Where did you learn all this stuff? Where was I? LOL Nothing Disney can not fix…we could use some fantasy land too. Sure glad we have all those memories, and smiles packed away to pull out and remember on a bad day. Hugs…Send some positive healing powers to my laptop please….Momma Bear OXOX
As a bit of a fan of “fine, museum-quality technology” I thought I’d let you know the Ditto Machine isn’t that old, it was used into the 1990′s in some schools in the States. Being able to use one isn’t a bad skill to have in the event of a nuclear holocaust or something similar.
Yeah that sounds pretty rough.
I happened upon Knaan a couple of months ago, not bad, apparently “Waving Flag” is the official song of the World Cup.
A suggestion for a future blog post: some of us are thinking about sending you a care package in the near future and we’d like to know what you’re most missing about home (it’s a little difficult to send you a Walmart).
ryan. keep being awesome dude. but in ur downtime think happy thoughts about my medical review! lets hope i get through it without finding out i have some horrible disease! anyway i got a super cool peace corps badge in the mail. ill wear it around and dedicate it to ryno. best dude in lesotho!
p.s. ur blog spell checks lesotho?
Everyone needs Disney once in a while: but especially when your in an unfamilliar country: the sense of isolation will creep up once in a while. Your box is in the works!
Missing Wal-Mart? Maybe the parasites have already make it to your brain. Oh my. Here is a reality check for you: A Double Wataburger all the way with cheese and bacon on a toasted bun with an order of fries, rings and a chocolate malt. Now if that makes you short of breath, I understand it. Many years ago I had Maseru on a Sesotho final and I was one of the few that got it right as “Place of red sandstone.” Be careful if it rains. Also, God only knows what Banana Beach spelled backword says in Sesotho so keep a good lookout.
Remember Ryan, it’s a jungle out there.
U. B.
Ryan! Bro! So good to here that your out there in it! The Chin, doing his thing and helping where he can. I miss you man… I heard that you had this blog when I went back to the states, but it totally slipped my mind until now. All in all, glad to know that your living the life with open eyes, and empty bucket. In Hawaii now, but leaving Sunday for Djibouti, I’m gonna be in the Horn of Africa for a year
…. Keep posting man, and I’ll keep reading! Bless…
I’m impressed! You’ve managed the almost imposslbie.