Monthly Archives: February 2008

Random things, illustrated

I took this picture because it gives me the opportunity to explain a few more of those things that are normal to me but aren’t anything you’d think about if you didn’t live here. So let’s start out with the … Continue reading

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That’s Africa

On transport heading home today, Raymond sat in the seat behind the coaster (that would be a bus) door with his knees over the handrail and his feet pinning the door shut as the spring has come out of the … Continue reading

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25 February

I yelled at my students today. I do this thing: usually I stay at the front of the classroom, it being quite difficult to amble down the “aisles” between the 74 desks in my class. But if the students aren’t … Continue reading

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24 February

Sometimes, when I smoosh the life out of a mosquito between my hand and the wall instead of between my hands, I leave the broken and mangled body there as a warning to other mosquitoes. Is that wrong? I did … Continue reading

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Late eulogy for Giuliani’s potential presidency

I am listening to the NYC Live version of Bruce Springsteen singing 41 Shots (American Skin), a song, along with Tuesday Morning* by Melissa Etheridge, guaranteed to make you cry (well, ok, by you I mean me) and make you … Continue reading

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Life After Peace Corps

I have been thinking about what I’m going to do with my life after Peace Corps (can you believe I’ve already been here for 8 months?!?). Specifically, I’ve been thinking about if and how I want to take advantage of … Continue reading

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Pigmentation

So riding out to Namikango Orphan Care and forgetting my sunscreen (I know, I know, stupid) I got dark again (well, for me. Otherwise known as “normal people colored”–thanks, mama). I think I kind of understand the desire to get … Continue reading

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I have a toilet seat!

I am in Lilongwe, waiting for transport from my school back to Zomba (they have interviews for the next intake of students here this week). Since I know I am getting a ride to my door, I thought, hmmm, what … Continue reading

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FISA

I wanted to post this Wednesday but the vagaries of the internet prevented me from doing so. Please read the link below and then use the ACLU script (or your own if it’s better) to contact all the representatives you … Continue reading

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10 February 2008

I had a very busy weekend. Saturday I finally met the mfumu, the chief or village headman, of Matawale. I had asked the Campus Administrative Officer*, Jeremiah, if he could introduce me to the mfumu, but he had never met … Continue reading

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Yoga

I was doing yoga* today. I did L-pose at the wall. It’s funny, because as far as I can tell there are two L-poses, one where you make an L-shape with your hands against the wall, and the other where … Continue reading

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Wokuba

I want to preface this post by saying that usually at the Zomba market I don’t bother to bargain much because usually I get the Malawian price or close to it. And when I find later that I should have … Continue reading

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More Language Geekery

A couple of days ago I was telling my office mate, Jane, that sometimes, when I can’t think of a word in Chichewa, a Spanish word escapes instead. Jane said that doesn’t really help since nobody here speaks Spanish. But … Continue reading

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Wherein I trick you with a clever title and a silly beginning only to pull a bait and switch

Derek has been teasing me because when I got back from the U.S. I told him I was expecting rain but not the incessant cloudiness, continuous bursts of drizzling, and general dreariness. Specifically, I said, “Dammit, why is it acting … Continue reading

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