And then there we're 38

So I wanted to update the blog way soone but caught a cold that slowed me down a bit. There is tons to update on so I'll do my best to let you guys know what's going on.

First off we had our first Peace Corps ET (Early Termination), resulting in there only beng 38. Well that is if you don't count the mystery of Samuel, who was supposed to be number 40 but never got on the plane for DC. One of our girls really wasn't happy here and decided to go home. I wasn't that close to her so I don't really know her reasons, but it was unreal to see one of our own leave, and also to realize how easy it would be to go back to America. It seems crazy to me as I've prepared myself for a 2 year commitment to see someone leave so quickly. I'm not judging her situation, it's just really weird for me to see because it seems so far away from my life. I sincerely hope she is feeling better and we all miss her out here.
In better news, we found out where our sites are!! I will be teaching at St. Joseph's secondary school in Blama, Small Bo chiefdom, Kenema District, Eastern Region, Sierra Leone (you get all that?). It's a town of about 10,000 that's really beautiful, and nicely situated between Bo and Kenema, which are the 2nd and 3rd biggest cities in Sierra Leone. I'm right on the Bo-Kenema highway, which means traveling to and from site will be super easy. The school is also an agricultural school, so it has a school swamp (for rice) that is gorgeous! I will be teaching SS1 and SS2 (10th and 11th grade) chemistry and physics, and may pick up a math class 2nd term if all goes well.
The Peace Corps had a supervisor workshop where our principals came to Bo to learn about the Peace Corps and our role and how to best help us in that. My principal's name is Michael Samba, and he is really awesome. He's also the president of the National Council of Principals!! I also had the chance to meet some colleagues, and they all seem fantastic and are really helpful. I'm anxious to get to site and get started!
I am anxious to get started but nervous as well. We had a 2 week summer "practice" school where we really got to see how difficult it will be to teach here. Classes were crowded (up to 70 kids), classrooms were connected (so the ambient noise from the next classroom was often too much to teach through), students didn't have textbooks (so you had to balance writing their textbook with encouraging problem solving and creative thinking) just to name a few. We definitely have our work cut out for us.

Training is now coming to an end, and we will be sworn in as Peace Corps Volunteers on August 13th (yes Friday the 13th!). This strange time that is training is now coming to a close...training consisted of a crazy busy schedule, living with a host family, and doing everything with a large group of Peace Corps' Trainees, all things which will be markedly different at our sites. Everyone is feeling a mix of being excited and nervous at the same time...
That's the update for now from Bo, Sierra Leone. By the next time you hear from me, I'll be living in Blama on my own, and I'll officially be a Peace Corps Volunteer!!
-A

"Got everybody watching what I do, come walk in my shoes, and see the way I'm living if you really want to"

I kind of like the idea of starting every blog entry with a song lyric that describes my life in the moment...can't promise I'll keep it up but I'll try.

Since I gave you guys an update about day to day life last time, I felt like it would be fun to do an entry about what makes African Amanda different from American Amanda:

It is the happiest moment of life when I see a cucumber or tomato, which I definitely didn't like at home.
I greet everyone I see as I walk by in 1 or a mix of 3 languages.
I'm surprised when people aren't talking to me (and are actually talking to someone else).
I cannot remember why I ever needed socks, shoes that require socks, or a jacket.
Staying up until 11pm seems like a ridiculously late night, and sleeping until 7 is sleeping in.
I have to dance to get through the week...at least 2 nights of dancing to "dance out" the week.
I've danced in ways I have never danced before and (sorry) probably never will in the States.
I danced blindfolded for an hour in a dance meditation.
My capacity for white rice has tripled since I left.
My alcohol tolerance is exactly half of what it was at home, probably because I sweat all day and am always a little dehydrated.
Things like washing machines and microwaves are starting to seem weird to me even.
I communicate much more using just noises :)
I feel completely comfortable wearing my lapa skirt anywhere for any purpose, even as a yoga mat, sheet, or something to cover my bag to thwart tifs (thieves).
I laugh at anything that's funny...even (and especially) if it's something someone did that's funny. And yes I'm laughing AT them, not with them.
I no longer think silence is awkward, ever. In fact not much at all is awkward...

And...easily the worst thing about Africa: My voice is always a little bit gone, meaning I can't sing really at all...