Monday, December 24, 2007

Christmas time in Guinea

Well I've been in country for three weeks now and so far i've been sick twice and have had pink eye. I've been working on my french and been profusely sweating at all times. Training is draining and demanding at least it is for me. I spend days in classes and after class I spend time with other volunteers, my host family or just studying. So after that, by the end of the day I have no energy left for anything else.
My host famliy is treating me very well. I have a big family five brothers and two sisters and two cousins that also live with us. I've never had a sister before so it feels kinda cool to have two sisters. I have two older brothers and three younger. My mom is a teacher and she helps me with my french. . .she tries to help me. I'm a little reluctant right now but I'm working on it. The thing I like most about my family is that my singing and dancing amusing them. (My speaking Susu amuses them too) But they enjoy Akon so my siblings ask me to sing for them all the time. And my sisters love to dance so they are constantly asking me to dance a swell. I'm glad that I can amuse them easily.
Site announcements was last week. I'm going to the tiny village of Toutournoun. It's about outside north of Labe. (if you want to google it) This is where i'll be for the next two years after training. I'm looking forward to seeing my village but it won't be for another three weeks. By then I'll know more details, most importantly whether or not i'll have a toilet or not. lol. My swearing in date is set for Febrauary 8th which I am very excited about. Also by then I should have a phone on which to call home and tell people how much I miss them.
Well for now my address remains the same and I am looking forward to recieving lots of "kim I miss you" letters.

By the way Merry christmas everyone and hope you have a safe and happy holiday and a happy new year. I miss you all and I'm always thinking about you.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

First Impressions

My french is terrible and surprisingly enough I'm enjoying it and taking it all in. I really miss home but at the same time I am very glad I left. I am looking forward to spending the next two years here.

Sunday, December 2, 2007

Orientation Anxiety

I'm in philly. Our orientation is finally over and we are off tomorrow, and i'm excited. I'm really happy that i decided to come, I had so many last minute jitters. They are still there but a lot less intense. So i said my farewells to my family , my friends and my boyfriend and now I'm on my own and it feels scary. I cried a bit when my bro dropped me off but I think I'm gonna start crying when I leave for Guinea. I know thats when I'm really gonna start realizing how much I miss home. sad face.