Day Eleven

I am once again combating the Thursday slump. I don’t know what it is about Thursdays but they have replaced the Wednesday of olden days. I didn’t get much sleep last night because I still need to best the loudest buzzing bug in the world and my body hated me. I really thought of babying myself and lying in bed all day with movies but I’m really glad I didn’t. I have encountered the eternal wait of the patients the last couple days. Mainly because I too am waiting for certain nurses so I sit with them and feel their pain. It’s always good to get a patient perspective I guess. Geez, it’s frustrating. I haven’t quite figured out how the business hours system works here. For the most part people work from 9am-5pm. But lunch break is another story and whether they are actually doing their job is another. I’m trying not to judge because I hate assuming people don’t do their jobs. I’m still giving them the benefit of the doubt. Different culture, right? So needless to say I feel like I’ve wasted some time lately.

Today I went to the secondary school to meet with the English club for the first time. Of course I had the wrong time. A teacher pulled one of the members out of class just so he could tell me when they are going to meet. I’m going back at the end of their school day. I got to meet some teachers and a couple student athletes. These two girls sauntered over shouting at me. They had all the attitude of adolescent athletes. I loved it. There’s just something about that arrogant invincibility that is so hopeful, although still a lot of attitude. So in the end I met Jobst who is from Burundi. She plays football aka soccer for the school. I’m going to go to her game on Sunday at the local stadium. A reason to look forward to Sunday. I’m glad I get to promote female sports in Rwanda.

I’ve decided this town is perfect except for the fact that they don’t sell chocolate here!

I visited mental health this afternoon and got to show off the beautiful Snapfish book of family pictures that my sister made me. It was wonderful to show off my family to my coworkers. Great bonding time. They were especially impressed by how old my grandparents are.

I’ve even had other departments asking why I’m not visiting them. It’s great to feel that I’m not imposing since they are the ones asking.

I’m listening to Sad Brad Smith’s Help Yourself and pondering the gravity of this experience. Deciding to go into the Peace Corps was not just a personal decision. Sure, I made the plunge to transport myself to a foreign location and hammer this learning experience out for two years. But more than that, I dragged a lot of loving people into this adventure as well. I am fully aware that when I signed up, I was committing more than myself. Family and friends are coming along for the ride through their support, worry, anxiety, tears and pride. I consider my family to be the rock stars of this decision because (number one) they didn’t make the decision in the first place and (number two) they aren’t necessarily cut out for this. I happen to be born with some need to place myself in locations far from home, surrounded by strangers. To all my family who do not share this urge, it is hard to resonate the logic of leaving Michigan. I hope you are all coming around in your own time. Thanks for your support. I know this is bigger than me.