Life Is Still Good

Life is still good.  I'm having some issues with the neighbors.  They let their goats run loose everyday and they are destroying my corn.  I'm pissed needless to say but I'm not sure what is & isn't culturally appropriate to say.  So far I've caught a few + demanded the owners bring me bamboo so I can finish my fence.  I have 1/2 an acre so that needs about 200 yards of fencing so getting the bamboo is slow  & tedious.  I might have to break down and start hiring people to help me.

Teaching is going a lot better this term.  I asked the students to tell me what changes I should make.  Some of them were really helpful, but others were complaints out of my control or complaints about my calculator policy. I don't allow calculators in my class because these kids can't multiply single digits without a multiplication table.

So now the students are understanding me better and class is more fun.  I don't have to kick kids out nearly as often and kids are beginning to show up more and more.  There are still about 20 or so who have only came once, but the rest are doing well.  One of the changes I made was giving weekly quizzes.  The students really like to be able to  see how they are doing each week.  It also keeps me really busy.  240 students are a lot to grade for.

I am also getting a long with my fellow teachers a lot more too.  We laugh and joke in the staff room and just the other day they brought up wanting to make some side income.  So I suggested soap making.  Another PCV has done it at her school and it is a big success, so I figured we could give it a shot.  Everyone of the teachers seemed really gung-ho about it, so we will see if their actions follow suit.  Folks here seem to have a hard time following through on their words.

Case in point:  Two months ago I had to go for 2 weeks of training in the capital, so I asked one of my students to finish planting my garden for me and do a few other things.  In exchange I would bring hims some sneakers + a school bag from the city.  Well I help up my end to be sure.  But he only did half the work.  He made excuses and I believed him even though the neighbor said otherwise.  So I gave him some other work instead.  He failed to do that on time but I forgave him and gave him other work.  All this time he has been insisting that I give him the bag and shoes.  He promises the work will be finished on Saturday so finally I gave in.  He's 15, I know where he lives, and he is my student.  I should be able to trust him.  Well that was a mistake.  Saturday rolls around and he is no where to be seen.  A week and he isn't around.  Finally he comes back all smiles and jokes as if nothing is wrong.  So I chew him out and demand the bag and shoes back.  He starts getting sour and even says I'm being rude.  Cultural differences aside, he is acting like I'm at fault.  He says the bag and shoes were borrowed by a friend and sure enough they aren't at his house.  His parents live 14km away in the village so I go and talk to one of the local elders about what I might have done wrong and what I ought to do now.  She says I was in the right and that she would handle it.  That was yesterday.  We'll see how things go.

In other news, Pearl, the gal I've been tutoring on the front porch most evenings, just had her baby.  I haven't seen her or the baby yet but I hope she brings him by soon.  I also want to wish her luck on her exams.  I sure hope she passes.

I finally got some aluminum foil and have lined my satellite dish with it.  I lit one potato on fire and burnt two more before I finally got the right distance and rotation speed figured out.  Then I preceded to roast sweet potatoes for me and all my neighbors.  Awesome!  Then, that very night a storm came in and blew the damn thing halfway across the garden.  Wouldn't you know it:  It was bend up pretty bas so its going to take some work to straighten it out.  I might have to get the welder in town to make some supports for it.

As for the windmill pump.  I am working on a miniature version first.  I just got all the parts from town to make a small dual piston pump using 1/2 inch pipe parts.  The non-return valves were pretty expensive, but if it works I'll have running water in my house.  More on that if it works.

I also have been at the mission quite a bit because a dude from Milwaukee came in for a week to do some water filter training with the Parish.  Apparently the Parish here is partnered up with Three Holy Women Parish of Milwaukee.  So I've been sharing cultural insights and learning how to make water filters out of sand and gravel.  Cool stuff!

Lastly, but not leastly, Penny G has moved up to "Best-Friend-In-The-World" status as she was the first to send me a care package.  Not only that, but it was full of BBQ sauce and coffee.  I have been exercising every ounce of will power I have to not consume it all in one week.  So a giant thanks to you Penny.  I will give you a giant bear hug next time I see you.  As for the rest of you slackers:  Shame.... shame.

I reckon that is about all I got for now.  I wish you all the best.

In peace, love, and laughter,
Dave