Saturday Morning Cartoons

Yesterday I enjoyed a typical Saturday. What is a typical Saturday you ask? Well I'm glad you asked…

I woke up after a splendid 11 hours of sleep. I will admit I went to bed at 8:30 pm because I couldn't think of anything better to do.

I then changed into my usual Saturday housework outfit- worn-out, saggy jeans, my hot pink Michigan State t-shirt and my navy blue crocs. I took my radio outside with me and proceeded to weed and sweep my yard. A typical, responsible Rwandan woman does this each and every morning before she gets into the real work of feeding her family, bathing, sweeping out her whole house, farming and/or teaching or whatever other profession she is. I am not a typical, responsible Rwandan woman. I have been neglecting my yard for about three months. THREE MONTHS! I know… In my defense, during the dry season the weeds have a tendency to not want to grow. So on this particular morning I was punishing myself by not cooking breakfast until after I had finished my yard work. Little did I know it would take two hours! But I was rewarded with a thumbs up from Tabita and advice to pull the whole weed, including the root. She's full of these great pieces of advice. Maryanne wanted to help but I'm always afraid she wants to get paid so I declined. After the hunger started to take over, I quit. I swear I'll get to the rest of it later… maybe in a few weeks.

Then I cooked myself a lovely meal of eggs over easy and toast. Delicious.

I washed a few pieces of clothes and some towels. I would have done more but I have a tendency to stop after a layer of skin is torn off my middle and ring fingers and the water stings.

On this particular Saturday I had a special mission. Edison and I were conducting an essay contest for the secondary students to have an opportunity to attend a camp in Kigali. The camp is similar to a holiday camp…well, it is a holiday camp. It is called Camp GLOW, standing for girls leading our world. It was created for female empowerment. This year they are extending the camp to boys. Each camp will be one week long and the genders will be separated or segregated as they like to lament. The camp is being facilitated by Peace Corps volunteers and Rwandans…sustainability is our middle name, remember. The camp is being held in English so the essay is helping weed out the kids who aren't at a high enough level to participate.

Then I went back home. Avoided cleaning my house by reading and listening to Voice of America. Which only led to a gangling of children coming through my fence and barraging me with questions. After my patience ran out I sent them away. They wouldn't leave but after ignoring their calls for a while they got bored and went off to play what I assumed was a version of hide and go seek tag. Either that or one of the boys was avoiding the group by hiding behind the kitchen for reasons of bullying and wanted isolation. I may never know.

Made some oatmeal for dinner and watched some West Wing and fell asleep. Yep, that's the life right there.