tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53877389349590089822024-03-14T02:37:07.083-07:00Haley in LesothoI've started this blog in order to stay in touch with everyone while I'm in Lesotho. Internet access may be limited, but I'll update this as often as possible.
The views and opinions on this site are mine, and mine alone and are not affiliated with the Peace Corps.Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411957493167242688noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387738934959008982.post-50946413625668446042011-05-02T02:10:00.000-07:002011-05-02T02:12:55.133-07:00Easter VacationMay is here and the weather is cold. What a difference it is from the states! Normally my birthday month is full of sunshine and fresh flowers. Here in Lesotho it's marked with frost and the end of tank tops. I thought I was excited to break out the winter hats, gloves, and scarves, but that excitement ended when I remembered I'd also have to watch movies from the comfort of my sleeping bag, and bake cookies just to heat up the hut. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ahhhhh</span>.....African winter. I'm going to purchase a small gas tank just for my heater so I can at least attempt to stay nice and warm.<br />The transition into winter was made even more difficult since I spent my Easter holiday on the beaches of the Eastern Coast of South Africa. Karolina, Parker, Chris Jones and I spent about a week in the small town of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Cintsa</span>. Our hostel was beautiful, right on the water, and every night they <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">offered</span> a free wine activity! Vacation doesn't get much better than that! Chris Jones and I met Parker up at his site in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Mokhotlong</span> and we traveled down to SA via <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Sani</span> Pass. I knew <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Sani</span> was in the mountains, but I had NO IDEA how terrifying the trip down would be! The three of us were stuffed in the back seat of a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">combi</span> (public taxi) driving STRAIGHT DOWN the face of a mountain. The switch backs seemed to be never ending. At one point we stopped for an overheated radiator, and then again for a blown out tire. There were about 5 b0-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">ntate</span> (men) working as conductors for just this one taxi! I was convinced that something would go wrong and we would plummet to our deaths. I'm normally pretty afraid of heights, but I've experienced some bad roads in Lesotho. I thought I was beginning to overcome my fears. Nope! My leg was shaking and had I had the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Sesotho</span> skills to speak to the driver I would have explained that I'd walk down and they could pick me up at the bottom. Instead I rode it out. The boys found my fear pretty amusing, but were supportive still. Once we were safely on flat ground I was relieved and ready for a cold beer. I will NEVER drive over <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Sani</span> pass again, but I'm happy to have had the experience. I just wish I wouldn't have been so scared so that I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">could've</span> taken some photos of the road.<br /> In total we took 2 and 1/2 days to reach the town of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Cintsa</span>. We were traveling on a public holiday using public transportation. No matter how early you wake up you can only get so far! Plus, we went up through <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Mokhotlong</span> and over <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Sani</span> which took extra time, but I'd promised Parker I'd visit his site again. On the return trip we smartened up and came through the south of Lesotho. I've now been t0 9 of the 10 districts in Lesotho. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">YAY</span>!<br /> My amazing grandfather sent me a new camera so I've got LOTS of pictures to post. I'm now going to attempt to put up some pics from our Easter <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">vaca</span>. However, I always struggle with this part of the blog process. Here's hoping.......................................Didn't work :( I'll keep trying.Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411957493167242688noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387738934959008982.post-26474657553126300712011-03-08T23:26:00.000-08:002011-03-09T00:14:00.798-08:00Nothing MuchAs promised I'm doing my best to keep on the blog. I don't have much to mention this time, but I suppose I can just do a quick update on what's been going on.<br /><br />DANCE~<br /> Dance class is going great! The girls are still loving it! Now the students at the other primary school (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Hlotsenyane</span>) where I teach Life Skills are bugging me to dance with them. I don't know if I'll have time to do both. Especially since I have to split up my current class into two different days to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">accommodate</span> the big age differences. I told the girls from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Hlotsenyane</span> just to come up and join the current dance class. We'll see if they actually do it. They'd have to walk about 20 minutes up hill to get there :( However, while teaching Life Skills at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Hlotsenyane</span> last week I honored Mr. T <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Maresco</span> by playing some music for the students during and activity, and then allowing them to have a "one minute dance party". They really loved it!!! Tom said he did this with his students, which makes me laugh cause the kid couldn't dance for crap, but he was right when he said the students really enjoy it!<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ECCD</span>~<br /> Early Childhood Care and Development, also known as my "primary assignment" here in Lesotho. My job is to train the teachers. This second year with my teachers has gotten off to a slow start. I feel frustrated because we're discussing all the stuff that I trained them on last year, all over again. I hoped to get passed "how to do a lesson plan" and onto more <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">interactive</span> ideas. I wanted to get into things like classroom management and specific activities they can do with their students. We touched on these things a little bit last year, but now they want to cover the same stuff all over again. I worry about what will happen when I leave. I was hoping to have laid a stronger foundation last year so that this year the Area Resource Teachers could work as the trainers. This way once I leave they'll still have someone who can teach them. We're off to a very slow start. I'm not giving up, but its clear that I've got my work cut out for me.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">MOSHOESHOE'S DAY~</span><br /> This Friday, March 11, is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Moshoesheo's</span> Day (pronounced Ma-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">shway</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">shway</span>). This is a Lesotho holiday honoring King <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Moshoeshoe</span>. Last year I went to some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">ECCD</span> events. Basically I sat in the sun while the teachers and children did races and some traditional dances. This was fun for an hour or two, but by the end of it I was hot and tired. This year I decided to skip the events and use the long weekend to visit my friend Parker in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Mokhotlong</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Mokhotlong</span> is the most northern district in Lesotho. Getting there is a long and uncomfortable taxi ride. But I've only gone once, and it was to deliver very <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">tragic</span> news, so I thought I should go back on a happier note. However, in the last couple of days I've caught a nasty little cold. I'm pretty sure I got it from my host family. They were all sick last week, and the kids spend A LOT of time hanging out in my house. Now I'm suffering from a soar throat, headache and constant runny nose. I'm not looking forward to feeling this way on a taxi ride up the mountains for 4 hours to get to Parker's site. I'm going to decide in the morning if its worth me making the trip, or if I should reschedule. We'll see.<br /><br />THIS & THAT~<br /> Not much else is really going on. I've got some beautiful sunflowers growing outside of my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">rondoval</span> (I'll post a photo once I have a camera again). I would have a lot more flowers to go with them, but my family has been doing some renovations on the house next to mine, which lead to the destruction of my seedlings. <br /> My family adopted a cat a few weeks back. We (fellow <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">PCV's</span>) named him Zygote, to go with the dog, Fetus. But we were calling him Ziggy. When I returned home last weekend after a visit to some friend's houses Ziggy was nowhere to be found. I asked the kids where he was and they said he either ran away or was eaten by dogs. Sad right? But animals tend to come and go here and no one thinks much of it. I don't like cats a whole lot, but I was pretty excited about Ziggy. He used to come sunbathe on my porch all day. He was a cutie :(<br /> I planted a garden a while back and am now <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">reaping</span> the benefits. However, the benefits are few. As with my flowers, my family dug up my garden without realizing it. My <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Ntate</span> (host father) went out to weed my plot one day. He didn't realize I'd planted on the whole thing, as he couldn't see anything sprouting up (this was only weeks after I'd planted the seeds), so he dug up most everything. He left the lettuce that was just beginning to sprout, but the peppers, cucumbers, and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">zucchinis</span> were lost. I was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">disappointed</span>, but I can buy all that stuff in town. I was left with TONS of delicious leafy <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">green</span> lettuce, which I cannot buy, so I guess its okay. I've been having some AMAZING salads, and those are hard to come by in Lesotho. My family has some <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">tomatoes</span> growing which they share with me. I buy onions at the shop and green beans in town. Add some American Ranch dressing and I'm one happy girl!<br /><br />Well I suppose that's enough for one day. I hope everyone reading this is doing well. I miss you all very much. But I thank you for the letters, phone calls, packages, and blog comments. Like I've said before, you're an amazing support group! Miss you!<br />HayHaleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411957493167242688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387738934959008982.post-58446806731322983442011-03-02T06:23:00.000-08:002011-03-07T07:06:46.151-08:00Callling all PitsosFirst of all I should start this blog by wishing my older sister a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">HAPPY</span> BIRTHDAY!!!! I hope she reads this and feels special. Especially since I forgot to send her a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">bday</span> card this year. Please forgive me, sister. I thought about you all day, and now you're getting an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Internet</span> birthday acknowledgement to try and make up for my slacker <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">tendencies</span>.<br /><br />Now on with the day to day updates. The title of this post is "calling all <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">pitsos</span>". Many of you are probably wondering what a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">pitso</span> is, so please allow me to explain. A <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">pitso</span> is basically a village meeting. The chief always attends a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">pitso</span> and any everyone in the village is responsible to uphold any <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">agreement</span> made at a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">pitso</span>, whether they were in attendance or not. These are pretty important meetings, and they have the potential to be great venues for getting things done.<br /><br />I requested to have a block of time in the next village <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">pitso</span> about a month ago. The reason I asked is because my wonderful friend Elissa donated hundreds of toothbrushes and other dental care items to me for the people in my village (Thanks!!!!). I could easily give these things away in one of my life skills classes, or to the teachers at a workshop. However, I decided I would try and disperse them amongst the most needy people in the village...the orphans. When I asked to have time at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">pitso</span> to do this I explained the plan. The chief told me he would call the orphans to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">pitso</span> and I could discuss whatever I wanted with them at that time. The first <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">pitso</span> was to be held three weeks ago. When that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">fated</span> Sunday morning came I was told there would be no <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">pitso</span>. WHY!?!? Well, it seems that the chief of the village had been arrested. Since the chief is needed to have the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">pitso</span>, it was going to be postponed. Okay fine. We rescheduled for two weeks later.<br /><br />Two weeks later came, and I had declined an invitation to poker night with a bunch of fellow volunteers. This was a real bummer cause I'd been wanting to play poker since I got here! But I had an obligation to my friend Elissa and the orphans. I woke up early Sunday morning and was told that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">pitso</span> would not be at the chief's place this time, but in a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">donga</span> down at the bottom of the village. For all of you American readers, a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">donga</span> is basically a big ditch. They're not known for their cleanliness....teenagers go to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">dongas</span> to get into trouble. I thought it was quite strange that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">pitso</span> would be at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">donga</span>, but I went with it.<br /><br />I was unsure which <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">donga</span> they were speaking of, so I used my limited <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Sesotho</span> skills to ask a young boy to help me find the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">pitso</span>. The poor kid wondered up and down the village with me asking around for half an hour. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">No one</span> seemed to know anything about this meeting. I was getting very frustrated, hot, and mad that I'd missed poker night for this! After speaking with a few more people the boy left me at the side of a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">donga</span>, just standing on the dirt road with two bags of toothbrushes. He said, "You should wait here, and the people will come". I couldn't believe it. I was now at least a half hour late, yet there was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">no one</span> around, and I was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">literally</span> sitting at the edge of a ditch! After a few minutes b0-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">ntate</span> (3 men) <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">offered</span> me a chair and told me to sit on a small cement platform. I sat there, in the scorching morning sun for 2 hours. There was not an orphan in site! After a while some women and men gathered, but still no chief and no orphans. The assistant chief came, greeted me, and tried to call the chief but there was no answer. We continued to wait. Just when I was trying to decide which <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">Sesotho</span> phrases I could string together in order to gracefully avoid sitting here for the rest of the day the assistant chief approached me again. He simply said that the chief was unavailable, and that we should re-schedule....AGAIN. I agreed, as I'd already waisted a good portion of my day doing nothing. However, we decided that since Sunday <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">pitsos</span> had failed us twice now, maybe this time we'd try for something during the week. I'll keep you posted!Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411957493167242688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387738934959008982.post-26132122738178041042011-02-20T13:45:00.000-08:002011-02-20T14:11:02.003-08:00Dance, Dance, RevolutionMy first ever Lesotho dance lesson brought tears to my eyes! About 50 girls attended the class, ranging from ages 6-16, or higher. I knew right away that the next session was going to have to be divided by age groups. One day a week for the older girls, and one day for the younger ones.<br /> Dance in Lesotho is much different than the dancing I know how to teach, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">clearly</span>. In order to give the girls a vague idea of what we were going to learn I showed them the "Halo" dance from Glee. So, there we were, 50 girls crammed into a teeny-tiny, sweltering hot church. I busted out my tiny little computer and told them to, "just watch". They were <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">undoubtedly</span> curious and confused as to what they were about to see. However, as soon as the song started and those girls on the screen, all dressed in their yellow dresses, started dancing the b0-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ausi</span> gathered as close to the computer as they could get. The amazement in their eyes brought tears to mine!<br /> After the clip we started with some VERY simple technique. We started with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">plie's</span> (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">plee</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ays</span>) in first and second position. I thought they'd hate it, but they really tried, and seemed to love it! We did some other simple warm-ups, stretching, across the floor routines, and then finished with each different grade level standing up to perform "step touches" that we'd learned during the warm up. The moves were about as simple as I could make them, and they will continue to be. Dancing here in Lesotho is vastly different than your typical American dance class, as you can imagine. The simple idea of standing on, or pointing their toes blows them away. However, the excitement, pride, and happiness I was able to see in their faces made me feel better than I have in a long time.<br /> I don't believe for a second that this is a "sustainable" project, which is what we strive for as Peace Corps volunteers. However, I don't really care either. I know these girls are comfortable and having fun, and that's all that matters to me. If I can build up self confidence in even a few of them I will feel accomplished! Of course I've got lofty dreams of what this could turn into, but I'll be happy with spending a few hours a week making these young ladies feel valued! I'll do my best to keep the blog posted on our progress.Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411957493167242688noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387738934959008982.post-52372214662798156312011-02-16T02:47:00.000-08:002011-02-16T02:59:18.308-08:00"I get up. I walk. I fall down. Meanwhile I keep dancing"The quote above is from a card sent to me from my very special friend Sammy. The words hold very true to my recent days here in Lesotho. Yesterday was Thomas Maresco Jr's birthday. Knowing that the date was coming up, and only a day after Vday was difficult. I tried to honor him in the best ways that I could. I made some delicious food. He would've been very proud of this, as he was the best cook in Lesotho, and I'm deffinitely not known for my culinary skills. I allowed my IPOD to play through the songs that I normally would skip in order to avoid the sad thoughts. I "felt the feelings" as I've been advised to do. February 15th was, and will forever be, a difficult day for everyone who knew him. My heart goes out to all of his family and friends!!!<br /> Today is a new day and the sun is shining. Yesterday I may've "fallen down" a few times. But today I'm up and dancing...literally. This afternoon will be my first ever Lesotho dance lesson. I've invited b0-ausi (girls of all ages) from the village to join me in the church building after school for dance class. I'm assuming a BUNCH of them will come this first day. They will probably be dissapointed when I start with technique and simple steps. This is sort of what I'm going for. I want the group to dwindle down to only those girls who are serious about being there. I hope to have 10-20 girls who come once, or maybe twice weekly. I look forward to seeing what will play out. You can never really tell!<br /> As promised, numerous times, I'm making an honest effort to keep up on my blog this year. My camera unfortunately is not working, so pictures will be limited. I will do my best to keep up on the narration though. Thank you to the readers who haven't given up on me :)<br /> Khotso (Peace)<br /> HaleyHaleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411957493167242688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387738934959008982.post-8432329978862655432011-01-24T02:56:00.000-08:002011-01-24T03:20:02.406-08:00Brightening things up with some photos.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Gazjh981yw0/TT1dwOCChZI/AAAAAAAAAIM/2cdvUp3JX5Y/s1600/DSC04549.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Gazjh981yw0/TT1dwOCChZI/AAAAAAAAAIM/2cdvUp3JX5Y/s200/DSC04549.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565707797481555346" border="0" /></a> Posting photos in Africa is difficult, at best. My intention was to post five or six photos, but it's just not working out. Here are the two that loaded succesfully. Hopefully I can get some more up in the future. I'll keep trying.<br /><br />The photo on the bottom is of the giant boulder that sits outside the front door of my house. The family dog, Fetus, named by the family, is in the foreground and you can also see his tin-roofed dog house.<br /><br />The photo in the top right is of my host sister<br />Mohlabase. She caught this moth and is showing it to me through my<br />burglar bars.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTHdY8l3E1gygQEzwnZsUl7z871xJp62I_oALLdIf9orttknXRmbsqs0-ivpIM7MUq8zR0PXb2B2c3kCStV-07EGxlJKZJ7grIICvIQNx4UcIv28A2heX72cbsQnqcyIJlTyx_fj3Sqdi/s1600/DSC04527.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrTHdY8l3E1gygQEzwnZsUl7z871xJp62I_oALLdIf9orttknXRmbsqs0-ivpIM7MUq8zR0PXb2B2c3kCStV-07EGxlJKZJ7grIICvIQNx4UcIv28A2heX72cbsQnqcyIJlTyx_fj3Sqdi/s200/DSC04527.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565707777284100370" border="0" /></a><br />I'll work on getting the other photos up later. But for the moment I'm frustrated with this process.Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411957493167242688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387738934959008982.post-37307903029378037492011-01-24T01:59:00.000-08:002011-01-24T02:17:33.199-08:00The Second Year<span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Everyone says the second year of Peace Corps goes by much faster than the first. My first year flew by, punctuated by cultural integration, fantastic vacations, and getting to know some of the best friends I'll ever have. Sadly, it all came to a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">screeching</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">halt</span> in September. Since that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">tragic</span> day I've been struggling to put the pieces back together. I'm just now able to write about my experiences of the past few months, and still I find the task to be a challenging one.<br /> Monday, January 17<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span> marked the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">beginning</span> of the school year in Lesotho. Whether I'm ready for it or not I am forced to face my second year of work, integration, and general African lifestyle. However, this time I have to do it without the support of some of my best friends. So far the rain has been pouring down daily, which makes moving about quite difficult. Roads are flooded, bridges are non-<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">existent</span>, and everywhere you step you wind up covered in mud. I have no doubt that this year is going to be full of daily ups and downs. Latrines are flooding, houses are crumbling, rules are changing, and I'm always missing my friends. My first year here was one big adventure. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Everything</span> was new, exciting, and fun. The reality of Lesotho has changed a lot for me. This second year will surely be nothing like the first and that makes me more sad than I can explain. I can only hope that I will be able to enjoy the positive things that my work, my remaining friends, and Lesotho have to offer. <br /> I will attempt to write on this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">blog</span> more regularly, but I can't promise anything. <br /> ....Here's to year two....<br /><br /> <br /></span></span>Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411957493167242688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387738934959008982.post-4424443256508103432010-10-16T15:41:00.000-07:002010-10-16T15:58:55.097-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Gazjh981yw0/TLouC_zvy3I/AAAAAAAAAHI/xTdl7UvZz_k/s1600/DSC02193.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Gazjh981yw0/TLouC_zvy3I/AAAAAAAAAHI/xTdl7UvZz_k/s200/DSC02193.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528782121573796722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Gazjh981yw0/TLotp6_zt-I/AAAAAAAAAHA/Zn4GDdOwIm8/s1600/DSC03047.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 196px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Gazjh981yw0/TLotp6_zt-I/AAAAAAAAAHA/Zn4GDdOwIm8/s200/DSC03047.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528781690785478626" border="0" /></a><br /><a style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nDQcD78HJGVbtrE-GCGgKOBh9qJlD54ISzEHtlS4uersX3pKlHO1qIE4OdcGnuQwTzYHk1Y2Da8zqY1qnxo-f6ktykwdOtVRqQoJwsEuoF0BI1rp_FQUsMXsed1aPcIC5IWbRZZXpzGw/s1600/DSC03047.JPG"><br /></a><span style="color: rgb(102, 51, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">I've said over and over that I'd try to be more committed to my blog. I'm in the US now and there would be no better time to catch everyone up on all that has been happening. However, considering the circumstances that brought me to America I find myself at a loss for words. Everyone says that time will heal...I guess we'll see</span>.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><br />"</span>Sometimes, when one person is missing, the whole world seems depopulated<span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">."</span></span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Sx4sWUN7tV58Y-Tea56upInCAtSCDDcPIiJKRw6imrHZ24SAwau8Mdin0wpEwI4X0kPXNrKJkA05-V3bbFyjfF6FHrBNX1ZMR5g64bFiJo04UdIDubEN_5ba2QMSlPz8jNlW0MQF2bR-/s1600/DSC03679.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Sx4sWUN7tV58Y-Tea56upInCAtSCDDcPIiJKRw6imrHZ24SAwau8Mdin0wpEwI4X0kPXNrKJkA05-V3bbFyjfF6FHrBNX1ZMR5g64bFiJo04UdIDubEN_5ba2QMSlPz8jNlW0MQF2bR-/s200/DSC03679.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528780115406407026" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkH9B0QB_LVXRsAo1GhohylppoQyj1JMp9QTgMUkIg7quil6aLmYTRKLpCFoV9kOMNV8UGdTW1sgrr0Af6VMo05fMf8hTawKPXgKRLR2ge3OCYI3IBOe0I0mZdvzLbg-51dHErqaAjn04/s1600/DSC04417.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQkH9B0QB_LVXRsAo1GhohylppoQyj1JMp9QTgMUkIg7quil6aLmYTRKLpCFoV9kOMNV8UGdTW1sgrr0Af6VMo05fMf8hTawKPXgKRLR2ge3OCYI3IBOe0I0mZdvzLbg-51dHErqaAjn04/s200/DSC04417.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528780110985998866" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102);"> </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"></span></span>Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411957493167242688noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387738934959008982.post-91606618131510531052010-06-27T07:22:00.000-07:002010-10-16T15:26:29.728-07:00Kea Leboha Haholo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Gazjh981yw0/TLoma9wBctI/AAAAAAAAAGY/IIwCiEFz9xM/s1600/DSC03513.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Gazjh981yw0/TLoma9wBctI/AAAAAAAAAGY/IIwCiEFz9xM/s200/DSC03513.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528773737245143762" border="0" /></a><br />Kea Leboha Haholo~Thank You A Lot<br />I was motivated to write this blog the other day when I had two fellow PCV's come visit me. In the last month I have been blessed with MANY care packages from home. Other volunteers may say TOO many, but I'm a good sharer, so they should all be happy! The last time I went to the post office I had a total of 7 packages to pick up!!! Luckily my host mother had gone with me, so we paid an abuti (young boy) to carry the boxes to the taxi, and then once we got off the taxi at the top of my mountain we called my host brother to bring the wheel-barrow to get the parcels the rest of the way home. Walking through the village behind a wheel-barrow full of packages made me feel a BIT like a spoiled American....but what the hey!<br />Back to the point of this blog. The two PCV's who came to visit had a great time checking out all my newly acquired loot. Much of its origin being from my oh-so-supportive Grandfather. We munched on American foods and tried on my new winter clothes, while drinking our, not so delicious, Lesotho beers. Somewhere in the middle of it all we decided that Papa had earned a thank you card, not only from me, but from all the other volunteers who get to take part in these wonderful care packages. Being that we have A LOT of time on our hands, no television, and booze, we decided that a card wouldn't be enough. In true PCV fashion we came up with a nice rhyme that I'd like to share with you all now.<br /><br /><strong><em>Papa your love engorges us all.</em></strong><br /><strong><em>Pasta Roni we eat, so "Dudes" name we call.</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em>Without all your goodies, </em></strong><br /><strong><em>we'd be freezing in our cotton hoodies.</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em>Looking good in our LL Bean, </em></strong><br /><strong><em>though we don't bathe, we still appear clean.</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br /><strong><em>Without all of your gifts we'd be too thin.</em></strong><br /><strong><em>Please don't be shy to send them again and again.</em></strong><br /><strong><em></em></strong><br />Thank you EVERYONE for all of your support!!! Courtney, you spoil me more than anyone ever should! Suzie and Pete, Janet, Mom, Regan, Boyfriend, The VanBoenings, Rikki and Jeff, Hannah, Peter, and the little ones, Kocus and Chantel.....I hope I haven't forgotten anyone. Thank you all soooo much!!!! The packages, letters, post cards, pics, and everything in between are truly appreciated by me....and all the other PCV's that I get to share with!!! We all thank you!!!!! I hope to pay you back when I get home with a bunch of ridiculous tales from Lesotho, shared over rounds of drinks...that will be on my tab :) LOVE YOU ALL!!!!Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411957493167242688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387738934959008982.post-89007646119292494592010-06-14T03:07:00.000-07:002010-06-14T03:18:25.954-07:00Winter Break<span style="color:#993300;"> Winter Break is now upon us. The last day of classes was Friday, June 11, and they don't start up again until the beginning of August. The months of June and July will be filled with some work, some play, and A LOT of down time. </span><br /><span style="color:#993300;"> With this break comes the World Cup! As anyone who knows me can vouch, I don't care at all about sports. However, when its all taking place so near to me I can't help but "feel it". That's one of the WC slogans, "can you feel it?" I watched the first game on t.v at a restaraunt/bar across the street from my village, and watched another one the other day. My host family will be watching them all, I'm sure, so I can follow the whole thing if I want to (probably won't). I will however be spending a day in Bloemfontein South Africa for the game on the 20th of June, Paraguay vs. Slovakia. This is not a game I'm invested in at all, but the dates worked well, and we even managed to find a place to stay in spite of our last minute planning. We've got a flat that belongs to some nuns (they'll be outta town) and it's only 3 minutes away from the stadium. I'm excited to be right in the middle of the action. I didn't get tickets to the game but I plan to watch it from a crowded bar somewhere in Bloem. Should be a good time! Maybe we'll get lucky and the flat will have hot showers too! BONUS!</span><br /><span style="color:#993300;"> </span>Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411957493167242688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387738934959008982.post-82710700720846961372010-06-08T09:09:00.000-07:002010-06-30T03:07:39.162-07:00Horseback Hikes....<strong><em><span style="color:#003300;">First off let me please apologize for my lack of blogging. I've gotten some complaints from friends, and I'm sorry. There's really no excuse....except that I have no idea who reads this, so I get a little overwhelmed when it comes to describing my day-to-day life....I'll try to get over it :)</span></em></strong><br /><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#003300;">This last weekend myself and another (he will remain unnamed for this post) PCV decided to take our horses on a little hike to find "Narnia". As many of you know, Lesotho is a beautifully mountainous country, and many of us volunteers live somewhat or extremely remote. A few of us have a mission to find our own personal "narnias" around our sites. A narnia is simply described as a beautiful, private, place where we can relax, that hopefully isn't too much of a hike to get to. This particular weekend we intended to go a further distance to find a narnia that was above and beyond......and this is how it played out.</span></em></strong><br /><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#003300;">I will describe our adventures as best I can, however I know that no matter what I write, or what pics are posted (later this week) I will be unable to portray just how insane it all was.</span></em></strong><br /><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#003300;">We picked up our horses around 10am or so. Two full grown gorgeous horses, one black, one brown, and an adorable little colt who tagged along the whole way! The weather was amazing! It's Autumn here, so all of the leaves are changing color and falling. The air had a slight chill to it, but the sun was shining and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Niether one of us are outstanding on horseback, so we rode at a nice walking pace and took in the views. Some of the trails were a little smaller than I would've liked and since there are no landscapers in the mountains of Lesotho we were beaten by branches along the side of the trails a few times. Those horse riding helmets aren't only cute, but they also come in handy when large branches are coming straight for you, and there's no way to avoid them.</span></em></strong><br /><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#003300;">Our first stop was just across a small stream. We found a nice patch of grass near a tiny but beautiful waterfall. We took a pic here.....but my accomplice slipped in the mud twice trying to pose, so the pic isn't the best ever. We rested at this first stop for 20mn. or so letting the horses drink while we munched on fried rice we'd prepared the day before. Upon departure our horses freaked out a bit at the site of another horse. This other horse appeared to be chained, or was just dragging a chain behind it, of this I'll never be sure. We threw a couple rocks at it and moved along. Situation averted.</span></em></strong><br /><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#003300;">Next we continued up the mountain as far as we could take the horses. One of the other PCV's students lives near the top, so we stopped here to tie up the horses. We explained (in our amazing Sesotho) that we would be back for them later, and that we were going in search of the metsi (water). The family wished us well, and then the mother said, "the small boy is there." I still don't know what that meant. Maybe one of their sons had gone in the same direction earlier. Either way, we never met up with a small boy, and at the time it seemed like a creepy, horror movie, thing to say. As we set off on the second half of our adventure my buddy felt the need to remind me that this trek had only been made once before, and therefore the path wasn't well known. I had no problem with this, as I'm usually down for a good adventure.</span></em></strong><br /><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#003300;">Soon enough we reached a waterfall. Our goal was the waterfall that has the "constant rainbow".....this was not that fall. We'd been hiking for a good 15 mn. up a stream, and my friend was sure if we just went a bit further we'd find the one we were looking for. However, we were kinda stuck at this one. The only way out was to back track, or to climb up a small ledge. By this point I was tired of carrying my riding helmet. I didn't want to leave it at the house where we tied the horses, so I'd brought it with me. I decided to risk looking like and idiot, and just wear it. From this point on, I was thankful to have that helmet! Getting up the ledge wasn't too hard. My friend went first, and stated that, "if you can't make it up this, this might be the breaking point." Yee of little faith. There was a dead tree 1/2 way up so all I had to do was grab onto it and pull myself up, using my amazing upper body strength (yeah right). Somehow I managed, and he snapped a pic which I will insert later. Once we got up the view wasn't very promising. We were faced with a lot of overgrown greenery and dead branches. No trail in sight, but we kept on trekking (like idiots).</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#003300;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#003300;">As we continued hacking our way through over grown roughage I began to wonder how we'd ever find our way out. Eventually we came to a good sized waterfall. However, it was not the one with the contstant rainbow that we'd been in search of. We were now located at the bottom of a waterfall, Surrounded on both sides by steep mountains, and behind us was a good 30 minutes or so of hiking through tree branches. We were at a total loss. My fellow PCV was convinced that if we just got to the top of the waterfall our prospects would be better. I had to agree, as my other choices weren't any better. The only way up was to scale the side of the mountain to our left. I took the lead, as he has a tendancy to fall, and I didn't want him plummetting down onto me! Within two steps I knew this was going to be a bitch. Those two steps got me absolutely nowhere being that the dirt I was climbing up was loose, and the more steps I took the more dirt and rocks slid down. Our only option was to haul ass up this mountain and grab onto every dead tree along the way, hoping that they were still rooted to something. At this point I began to get a little worried.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#003300;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#003300;">I don't do well with heights, although I'm getting much better. About 1/2 way up the side of the mountain we came to a decent resting point at yet another dead tree. I looked down and realized that if either one of us fell we'd probably end up seriously injured, if not worse. My legs were shaking, and I wanted to cry. Just making it to this far had been ridiculously challenging. My buddy almost fell once, and my only response was, "NO!" as I kept on up the mountain. We were now halfway up and I was fiercely gripping onto the two most stable rocks around me. We still had a ways to go, and from this point on we'd be bouldering. No more landslides, now it was straight rock, and we still had no idea what we'd find at the top. </span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#003300;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#003300;">Bouldering was much better than the land slide climbing. I spent a few drunken nights bouldering barefooted on the beaches in Bellingham ( say that 3 times fast), and am thankful for that experience now! My body has never been so angry with me. I was using every muscle I had to get to each new rock, while aslo trying not to ever look down, as I would've freaked out! My PCV was an amazing spotter, and he claims to have saved my life once by holding my foot, but I would've been fine ;)</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#003300;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#003300;">Once we made it to the top of the waterfall we found some stable ground, which was all I really wanted at that point. However, there was still a very long way to go before we'd be out of the wilderness and back on a decent trail. This next part of the journey was taken slowly. We had to climb for awhile up large rocks, but they weren't steep and/or scary. We stopped often to rest, reflect, and search for those elusive Lesotho diamonds. Soon we were about 3/4 of the way up the big mountain. I'd mention its name, but its a little x-rated, and as I said before, I don't know who's reading this. Soon we spotten civilization, one lone hut, which isn't exactly a safety sign cause you have to wonder who the hell lives all the way up this mountain? Anyway, we'd been packing around (actually I hadn't carried anything) the fixings for egg mc-muffins all day, so we finally came to a good place to stop, build a fire, and eat. I didn't want anything to do with food, as I was still in panic mode, but I ate anyway, and I'm glad I did. The mc-muffins, cooked over an open fire, consisting of english muffins, cream cheese and fried eggs were delicious! I know it sounds gross, and maybe it was just the addrenalin, but they were yummy! We snapped a couple photos, and began our journey down....finally!</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#003300;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#003300;">I've gone into great detail about the adventures on the way up.....and as readers you're probably bored by now. As far as the journey down I'll say only a few things. We may have suffered some elevation sickness, as we were both light headed at a few points. The trails were not always made for or by humans, there was a lot of butt sliding, and once we got in sight of the house where our horses were tied I'm SURE the family was laughing at us! We rode our horses home, and made it back before dark with almost no problems....except when my buddy fell off his horse onto river rocks, and almost got trampled, but that's a minor detail :) He's fine now. I learned a lot about myself during the hike, and probably will do a few things differently on the next outdoor adventure, but we made it out alive, and can look back on it and laugh now!</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#003300;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#003300;">Hope this blog didn't totally freak Mom and/or Dad out. I'm tough guys, don't worry! Love you all, and thanks for reading. I really will try and keep up on the blogging from now on!!!</span></em></strong><br /><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#003300;"></span></em></strong>Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411957493167242688noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387738934959008982.post-46606915494662315252010-05-28T06:22:00.000-07:002010-05-28T06:43:42.756-07:00These pics are completely random and out of order, but better than nothing right?<br /><br /><br />Here is my rondoval and my lovely dog Fetus.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Gazjh981yw0/S__FYZi28yI/AAAAAAAAADw/wOChvV2tnnE/s1600/237.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476312694870438690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Gazjh981yw0/S__FYZi28yI/AAAAAAAAADw/wOChvV2tnnE/s320/237.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>These are some girls at Lesotho High School in Maseru who just HAD to take a photo with me.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5pMsdlAz3UXbb0Qxc1m2ZpueQlPSK-p6ODQgtkFCEeKx2kPZEEJg4u6HTddiEQRpr7QjJWXOMi9QIMwpMC_rt9tVcS5Z-o6jsWFg96MZZDIkT-UU005XmYsWwTOapZBgTMwNUpPV2SvVU/s1600/236.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476312692162426754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5pMsdlAz3UXbb0Qxc1m2ZpueQlPSK-p6ODQgtkFCEeKx2kPZEEJg4u6HTddiEQRpr7QjJWXOMi9QIMwpMC_rt9tVcS5Z-o6jsWFg96MZZDIkT-UU005XmYsWwTOapZBgTMwNUpPV2SvVU/s320/236.JPG" border="0" /></a> These are some cutie likonyana (young kids) at our Child's Day event. My district's color is green, so both the kids and teachers get decked out! Someday I'll have my very own kelly green track suit. Can't wait!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVXFOR1IORMcQ06rHpigZsmEeEA97bKO_qhEPGi6X-WnwVZ0FvygPDcrB8aZgPsX9UDneQmvZOcnuuta6dfm01d6rSo5SNIka6LwVy9wM2lR-Ne8U1PoooHgp2KrqlgbGWKm_fNM0SZvB/s1600/213.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476312680288262274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 295px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiVXFOR1IORMcQ06rHpigZsmEeEA97bKO_qhEPGi6X-WnwVZ0FvygPDcrB8aZgPsX9UDneQmvZOcnuuta6dfm01d6rSo5SNIka6LwVy9wM2lR-Ne8U1PoooHgp2KrqlgbGWKm_fNM0SZvB/s320/213.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Just some cows by a car. </div><div>Pretty typical.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJcMTtNrI7vcYukbSVtsXYgT3EiehKYACP2X0iDYhCNOR1eAR4_cmRBr_pQgafAO-__lol3X2mghbUcKs3hCUp78A_nOx9bryurkZfJdyd8SGCB1Ig9wa9mrKLGAtpEMny2OLysC-W1Hr/s1600/193.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476312674348819938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJcMTtNrI7vcYukbSVtsXYgT3EiehKYACP2X0iDYhCNOR1eAR4_cmRBr_pQgafAO-__lol3X2mghbUcKs3hCUp78A_nOx9bryurkZfJdyd8SGCB1Ig9wa9mrKLGAtpEMny2OLysC-W1Hr/s320/193.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Gnarly bruises from my first horse riding expedition.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37osn6oOKwSZt5zt2lajdYlO8DRNNG7mDtZv-BASPeaoNikgTuujElFxEbSio7q-Sddc3IYYbmsfOVAa62sbMO6waNCGvVTYzbPK18Ws-viiXh-jokMY_LMvnNi8ho4QZMFD8KicaauiM/s1600/190.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476312666446885586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg37osn6oOKwSZt5zt2lajdYlO8DRNNG7mDtZv-BASPeaoNikgTuujElFxEbSio7q-Sddc3IYYbmsfOVAa62sbMO6waNCGvVTYzbPK18Ws-viiXh-jokMY_LMvnNi8ho4QZMFD8KicaauiM/s320/190.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here is my horse KN3. That's what's branded on his butt....so that's his name. The pictures is taken in my yard.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8OigQylld7bMWMsvT_xTaxdNDynSIxeTnhzTOk2JJvDknCygZ3By2GR3YdN0OReExHsB5geFtWK7BtDZHuDFF4rnwPoTdluuKZlGMDCxeSXzPMPuMq4IoUBVBrzIBPM8imTrLAt0Nzns/s1600/184.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476311675187835682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW8OigQylld7bMWMsvT_xTaxdNDynSIxeTnhzTOk2JJvDknCygZ3By2GR3YdN0OReExHsB5geFtWK7BtDZHuDFF4rnwPoTdluuKZlGMDCxeSXzPMPuMq4IoUBVBrzIBPM8imTrLAt0Nzns/s320/184.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Sqi1e4iX50iF75PEy0K8wet2dUn9hsdXOmE3zzvCcteYSaYfqAcChYDrW_jsHvBC7dLUYMD-3eQc9IpWnKdVAHgDIoUOpxivk_JmXj4CkFfNWAwt8QL6AJ9bSdvj7Z8ZZ04Ntpv3auuY/s1600/153.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476311671910100754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 303px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Sqi1e4iX50iF75PEy0K8wet2dUn9hsdXOmE3zzvCcteYSaYfqAcChYDrW_jsHvBC7dLUYMD-3eQc9IpWnKdVAHgDIoUOpxivk_JmXj4CkFfNWAwt8QL6AJ9bSdvj7Z8ZZ04Ntpv3auuY/s320/153.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Mount Up!!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYtac7NA4xO9x2x-b8ngSVkAS-lzsDMFEJwsFfgadx51aikJK6zqxNoc7l1acqkg40OqThRxnzj_twIdEUWv75LQkLtqC8V3ohwTX27QObrf7BmCYe6l8mVZuHOlX0MxYKTvTkrvNM3NR/s1600/138.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476311669922798434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyYtac7NA4xO9x2x-b8ngSVkAS-lzsDMFEJwsFfgadx51aikJK6zqxNoc7l1acqkg40OqThRxnzj_twIdEUWv75LQkLtqC8V3ohwTX27QObrf7BmCYe6l8mVZuHOlX0MxYKTvTkrvNM3NR/s320/138.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We appreciate a good Coke here. PCV Leeza and I at the Butha-Buthe KFC after our literacy and Life Skills workshop.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbyph8P6JSuXCa_28FaLMuEMHXizelDEFLHfU7edROgBE3lTU2Agn2RsTInhl4Q548J3om0FzkszJWD3J4CjlQWBA9-F0CMhN_lV0qMcqElaSi5zhGCQSq5lfMeftqPD71_I1CBwP5qZg/s1600/135.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476311662246089826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbyph8P6JSuXCa_28FaLMuEMHXizelDEFLHfU7edROgBE3lTU2Agn2RsTInhl4Q548J3om0FzkszJWD3J4CjlQWBA9-F0CMhN_lV0qMcqElaSi5zhGCQSq5lfMeftqPD71_I1CBwP5qZg/s320/135.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This may or may not be the most PCV's you can fit into one rondoval. This pic. was taken at our site visit, when we were actually still only trainees. We all stayed the night here, and oh what a slumber party it was!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3TLqkra9TZSbGQ7IRCst7Po4o2y-OeNSIvg87oCsrzsEqp9tLBZkkt9eLY9Y0DychpRUgoHasEJcBUP69FKwL0aw1oWJolL5no6y_l0jmYAW0-N9MEQGZZp1d1OfWduoxD2lcjp0eSKN/s1600/DSC01929.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476311657072278706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3TLqkra9TZSbGQ7IRCst7Po4o2y-OeNSIvg87oCsrzsEqp9tLBZkkt9eLY9Y0DychpRUgoHasEJcBUP69FKwL0aw1oWJolL5no6y_l0jmYAW0-N9MEQGZZp1d1OfWduoxD2lcjp0eSKN/s320/DSC01929.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411957493167242688noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387738934959008982.post-88085351435637790802010-05-10T09:33:00.000-07:002010-05-10T09:52:04.948-07:00Literacy and Life Skills WorkshopThis last weekend I got to be a part of a wonderful workshop. The Ed volunteers from last year started a pilot program in the nearby district of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Butha</span>-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Buthe</span>. Using <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">PEPFAR</span> (President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) funds they were able to order AIDS/HIV themed books for 12 schools. The books are set in African villages, and the characters are African children. A few of the books were even translated into <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Sesotho</span>. Needless to say, these are valuable resources for the teachers here. The workshop started Thursday evening and went through the weekend, ending Sunday morning. Three teachers from each school were invited, and they ALL came!!! <br /> The workshop focused on teaching the teachers (and some principals) how to use the books in their classrooms. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">PCV's</span> in Lesotho have managed to set up hundreds up libraries throughout the country, but we are finding that often times the books don't get used. Being that books are precious items here, they tend to get locked away, so as not to be damaged. However, they are also not accessable to the students. The workshop focused on incorporating the literature into their curriculums, teaching reading comprehension, and basic reading skills. <br /> The whole experience was positive and encouraging. The teachers were very excited about their books, and the teaching tools we gave them. As a volunteer I think the weekend was a success, and now we are going to try to implement this into the other districts of Lesotho. I was also able to speak with a local publisher, so a few other volunteers and I will be spending our cold winter months writing books for ECCD (Early Child Care and Development) with the hopes of getting them translated and published for next year!Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411957493167242688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387738934959008982.post-53510385792078253452010-05-02T05:49:00.000-07:002010-05-28T06:57:48.082-07:00Durban<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mCsf3aD9UqtquSiTay2t4N0-aLx7GCVDcjWkvUQs780J6zY_htfgacWK333mxpCOa1bufXHVYDZWvjWI4Y_X9zDe1CDYfaoe1Y3yzJXF1TblXXZKJqLf4FJD7vpvPb31RtYSx_12wgCi/s1600/DSC03136.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476318818760846754" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_mCsf3aD9UqtquSiTay2t4N0-aLx7GCVDcjWkvUQs780J6zY_htfgacWK333mxpCOa1bufXHVYDZWvjWI4Y_X9zDe1CDYfaoe1Y3yzJXF1TblXXZKJqLf4FJD7vpvPb31RtYSx_12wgCi/s200/DSC03136.JPG" border="0" /></a> Left: RBV's even in Africa.<br />Below: Easter Brunch<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMV7-HVE4pHN68-lFinCILFs9UUup8VogHhyphenhyphenM6cT2AQ2c8nOQFxsmiV8sFTqmMr-xx0TZKO-NglwkH0ynUvkUyjPSSqkyQiJzWks8d-0f-JU2pg-sumt4kL-7bKFZ_8-yzZyT8rmRu9SWG/s1600/DSC03078.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476318808931401218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMV7-HVE4pHN68-lFinCILFs9UUup8VogHhyphenhyphenM6cT2AQ2c8nOQFxsmiV8sFTqmMr-xx0TZKO-NglwkH0ynUvkUyjPSSqkyQiJzWks8d-0f-JU2pg-sumt4kL-7bKFZ_8-yzZyT8rmRu9SWG/s200/DSC03078.JPG" border="0" /></a> Girls at the Ushaka Aquarium.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ii9U6LBhpRvE5IplMyW085UUftc0suLnRbHg9EQ9NqoGPM02S46MU8AeeyvfS4D0Q2sTdtlMvXyzBEhYgMv-3jbzqMYLQSf_DKMP1TzFlCTKJaiL0x6_3P-f5j0_7_A_j9hzu56RJKpr/s1600/DSC03046.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476318806611447874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Ii9U6LBhpRvE5IplMyW085UUftc0suLnRbHg9EQ9NqoGPM02S46MU8AeeyvfS4D0Q2sTdtlMvXyzBEhYgMv-3jbzqMYLQSf_DKMP1TzFlCTKJaiL0x6_3P-f5j0_7_A_j9hzu56RJKpr/s200/DSC03046.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Gazjh981yw0/S__K7hCcn7I/AAAAAAAAAEI/za7gZEwG70g/s1600/DSC03033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476318795735539634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 152px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Gazjh981yw0/S__K7hCcn7I/AAAAAAAAAEI/za7gZEwG70g/s200/DSC03033.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Left: All dressed up for dinner</div><div>Below: Group pic on the beach.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jkcZUy7OV0LYcmQ6UPygo1zTdh3lUPtKR40FilM2suDM6m7aAWg90m0FKxhkn3EkTPMPkipGgOMkImx6W-vS3_Pk-lohcMQCu5_TlHwJg16XYU3FSTEME5JpFzA_C_WXFz_dlUgvDDIO/s1600/DSC02989.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476318793447895554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jkcZUy7OV0LYcmQ6UPygo1zTdh3lUPtKR40FilM2suDM6m7aAWg90m0FKxhkn3EkTPMPkipGgOMkImx6W-vS3_Pk-lohcMQCu5_TlHwJg16XYU3FSTEME5JpFzA_C_WXFz_dlUgvDDIO/s200/DSC02989.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I guess it's been almost a month since I went on vacation. I apologize for taking so long to post anything about it. From the small country of Lesotho, to the big city of Durban South Africa. The differences were apparent almost immediatly. As volunteers we went from being greeted and questioned by everyone we pass to going completely unnoticed. The anonymity was a nice change. The weather was wonderfully warm and allowed us to swim in the ocean and float the lazy river at Ushaka Marine World. Our first day was waisted in a large mall, as we ladies had to shop for "nice" shoes in order to get into the bars. our PCV flip-flops don't cut it in the city. I hate malls so this wasn't mch fun, but it was nice to see such a variety of shopping options. Unfortunately on a PCV budget we're restircted to mostly window shopping. I laso ate McDonald's for the 1st time (it tastes better in America) and some PCV's got Subway (this would've been the better choice). That evening we went out to Sushi on the beach and had a great time! I'm running out of computer battery, so I'll sum up the rest quickly.<br /><br />My favorite day was Saturday where a few of us girls went to an amazing market where I could've spent ALL my money, but managed to only spend most of it :) I picked up some tny souveniers for family and friends, and was FINALLY able to buy a purse. I've been needing and wanting one since I got to Lesotho. After the market we met up with some other PCV's at Ushaka Marine World where we went down the largest water slide in the Southern Hemisphere (I hated it) and floated the lazy river with some beers before checking out the aquarium. From Ushaka we went straight to a Sharks Rugby game. This was my first Rugby experience, and I loved it!!! The whole vaca. was filled with amazing food, sandy beaches, and booze. I had a great time and now we're busy planning vaca. number two!<br /><br /></div></div></div>Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411957493167242688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387738934959008982.post-16761352321939531922010-05-01T05:18:00.000-07:002010-05-04T07:46:33.718-07:00Host FamilyThato helping w/the water pump at my house. Me, my host sister, brother, and neighbors.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLW2oWDOemTkUPV96y9-BuOeSwiiXk7p4OoaF5hWycbVnDGsfPUOhyrilUicmi32VlmK6B8D7U8VQqDfnrMmDEYRchCBLaJ5wYivshbwjX6hEeWNTNd2U7RUHo2F_4xQRugfeEtESazyT/s1600/244.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466279349828389890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLW2oWDOemTkUPV96y9-BuOeSwiiXk7p4OoaF5hWycbVnDGsfPUOhyrilUicmi32VlmK6B8D7U8VQqDfnrMmDEYRchCBLaJ5wYivshbwjX6hEeWNTNd2U7RUHo2F_4xQRugfeEtESazyT/s320/244.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwBXHOjDtKZB0U3-xqZ84pbLtrC48DlVFRgLFy2Y3XcBgRGzauJ7zAokOIpkFmIfKdCO6Ku2dPOhRwOBpBDoBKcBoAhKlTqpkdkbMiybuB-6X_tSGJU5ugbgtzGXoLrhM4u9n3k8fPpIR/s1600/DSC02402.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466279341482069090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwBXHOjDtKZB0U3-xqZ84pbLtrC48DlVFRgLFy2Y3XcBgRGzauJ7zAokOIpkFmIfKdCO6Ku2dPOhRwOBpBDoBKcBoAhKlTqpkdkbMiybuB-6X_tSGJU5ugbgtzGXoLrhM4u9n3k8fPpIR/s320/DSC02402.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJygUl4fVE0YF_pEw05Xx3yCci80nNnbJ1nJ38hLfpLzbEVl4ieJ3gJPevJuDrKwSAxK0dD8zEIeNp6QSF9ONJt5VDCr6epSpr5ZPTr1lDlrMT3dK2mAGWqcgBdLfDgz2r2WJqvDajJx4A/s1600/DSC02585.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466279332562825714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJygUl4fVE0YF_pEw05Xx3yCci80nNnbJ1nJ38hLfpLzbEVl4ieJ3gJPevJuDrKwSAxK0dD8zEIeNp6QSF9ONJt5VDCr6epSpr5ZPTr1lDlrMT3dK2mAGWqcgBdLfDgz2r2WJqvDajJx4A/s320/DSC02585.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>My host family is wonderful! I've been telling many of you about them over the phone and emails, so now I can finally post some pictures. My little abuti (brother) is 6 years old and his name is Thato. My ausi (sister) is 10 and her name is Mohlabase (not sure on the spelling). My other abuti is 19 and his name is Nchakha. I've also got 3 other siblings who are grown and don't live at my site, but I see them often. The kids and I spend a lot of time playing in the yard, practicing English and Sesotho, and doing arts and crafts outside of my hut. I'm never too lonely with all the kids around. I could write sooo much more, but time is limited. Anyway, here are some photos.</div></div></div>Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411957493167242688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387738934959008982.post-76629067572330744182010-05-01T05:00:00.000-07:002010-05-01T05:17:46.302-07:00World Wise Schools<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEideqbC0J0XtSF-FJ8ptKSXrwJWUhMgFMZl-J5lOkNfc5ErN4FkogSAyAXyHeRNizqEd2xJlWH0nS-vU1lEozVDOlyFjBYqsQiy-dEIKySvHjZT0I8JEJOHwKY_WKd2u2bf7y8hS4weBN5S/s1600/264.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466274237151197522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEideqbC0J0XtSF-FJ8ptKSXrwJWUhMgFMZl-J5lOkNfc5ErN4FkogSAyAXyHeRNizqEd2xJlWH0nS-vU1lEozVDOlyFjBYqsQiy-dEIKySvHjZT0I8JEJOHwKY_WKd2u2bf7y8hS4weBN5S/s320/264.JPG" /></a><br /><div>This one is for you Jen. Since being in Lesotho I've been part of a program called World Wise Schools, which links classes here in Lesotho with classes in America. I'm sending our my first batch of pen-pal letters to Ms. Jennifer Steven's 3rd grade class on Monday. However, since she was efficient enough to send me photos of all of her students I decided I needed to do the same. Class 6 at Hlotsenyane Primary School in Leribe worked for WEEKS on their letters, and they were super thrilled to take a class teacher. I've worked hard to get to an internet source that would allow me to post some pics, as that's nearly impossible, unless you want to spend a lot of money, soooooo....here are the students!!!</div>Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411957493167242688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387738934959008982.post-47000329400163740062010-02-18T00:19:00.000-08:002010-02-18T00:29:36.022-08:00Morning Routine<strong><span style="color:#330000;">Since becoming settled in my new home I can't help but take note of the many differences between by morning routine here in Lesotho compared to that in America. I will now share those differences with you fine people :)</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330000;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330000;">~I wake up to the buzz of flies and the crow of roosters instead of to an alarm.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330000;">~I wake up hours early vs. minutes late.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330000;">~I drink instant coffee instead of the real stuff (although sometimes I do splurge).</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330000;">~I look out the window at a mountain vs. a manicured golf course.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330000;">~I watch herd boys go by instead of golfers.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330000;">~I listen to O FM "The Sound of Your Life" instead of watching the Today's Show.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330000;">~I talk to Fetus, the dog rather than my boyfriend.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330000;">~I ALWAYS take the time to fix breakfast vs. relying on a last minute Starbucks run.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330000;">~I do my dishes vs. doing my hair.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330000;">~I apply sunscreen vs. makeup </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330000;">~I get dressed in the same clothes I've worn for days vs. a fresh, clean outfit.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330000;">~I have a 20 minute hike down the mountain to get to work vs. a 5 minute drive or bike ride.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330000;">~Once at work I listen to Sesotho rather than speaking English.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330000;">~I rarely have a schedule or agenda to follow vs. having every minute accounted for.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330000;">~I maybe work 2-3 hours a day vs. always working 8 or more.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330000;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#330000;"></span></strong>Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411957493167242688noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387738934959008982.post-78884240795948229552010-02-12T21:14:00.001-08:002010-02-12T21:20:05.222-08:00Top 10 Reasons to Love Your Pit LatrineThese are in no particular order, and I wanted to include a picture, but it's not happening today.<br /><br />*You can't stink it up because it already smells.<br />*You don't have to worry about flushing with your foot vs. your hand to avoid germs....you just don't flush.<br />*You can see what's happening in the yard through the crack in the door.<br />*It's self cleaning...the lizards eat the bugs.<br />*You can flush anything down it; tin cans, wine bottles, whatever....although I don't.<br />*No water is wasted.<br />*The toilet will never flood.<br />*No one can hear you pee.<br />*There's great ventilation through the holes in the walls and ceiling.<br />*You don't have to worry about dropping something in and having to fish it out. Once it falls in it's gone forever! Unless it's Rusty's torch and then your host family will fish it out and give it back to you in the morning!Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411957493167242688noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387738934959008982.post-58956438549329940892010-02-12T10:21:00.000-08:002010-02-12T10:27:10.166-08:00No pics again :(I'm trying to post pics again, and it isn't working. Not sure why. I'll post some on Facebook and try again in the morning. Sorry guys!Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411957493167242688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387738934959008982.post-56605053652854700212010-02-12T09:48:00.000-08:002010-02-12T10:21:05.304-08:00February a Month of VisitsHAPPY B-DAY DAD AND HAPPY V-DAY EVERYONE!!! Thanks so much for all of the packages and letters. I'm convinced that I've got the most devoted friends and family around. I am receiving both packages and letters at the new address in two weeks!!! Thank you again for all of your love and support, it truly brightens my days here! <br /> February so far has been consumed with visits of all kinds. I spend my week days touring the Leribe distircit, one ECCD center at a time. Once in a while a visit gets canceled at the last minute, or traded for a home visit with a teacher to drink coke, eat, and socialize instead. I take these variations in scheduling as they come, and try to view the time as cultural learning opportunities. I am extremely grateful to finally be visiting the schools that I will be working with. If these visits get off track once in a while I have to remind myself to be happy that I'm being shown around at all. Finding the silver lining in things is something I find myself doing on a very regular basis in Lesotho. Positive things happen to positive people and I challenge myself to stay optimistic even during the most frustrating of situations. <br /> My weekends have also been filled with visits. These visits to fellow PCV's, although expensive at times, are necessary for my sanity. PCV gatherings allow me perks that aren't available at my site. These include, but are not limited to, washing machines, internet access, movies, t.v. shows, new music, meat in meals, and good old fashioned companionship. I look forward to these visits as they break up the monotony of the weeks. I haven't had this many slumber parties since junior high!<br /> The month of March will be filled with more school visits. On the 21st all of the ED 10 group will reconvene in Maseru for more training, and then off to Durban for our first official vacation! We'll no longer be on "lock down" so I'll be able to travel to Maseru to use the VRC (volunteer resource center) for reliable internet access and thus more consistent blog updates. <br /> Enjoy your hot showers while I struggle to keep my feet clean!<br /> ~HaleyHaleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411957493167242688noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387738934959008982.post-48419062080173553892010-01-23T23:51:00.000-08:002010-01-24T00:22:41.499-08:00I'm a volunteer now!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibISx4_MB6-GB1GlNVxRJCTc_RErmPQF1mhVsnDQIj1RngdDtyu3num400vwlgFhkmxNx1UkM3l9mKvnv-WCBUv1zrMztM6s0I2nx-oRhncobJDP_fmNae8SiNv-G-afE9ddYK2G-T7i8d/s1600-h/IMG_1422.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibISx4_MB6-GB1GlNVxRJCTc_RErmPQF1mhVsnDQIj1RngdDtyu3num400vwlgFhkmxNx1UkM3l9mKvnv-WCBUv1zrMztM6s0I2nx-oRhncobJDP_fmNae8SiNv-G-afE9ddYK2G-T7i8d/s320/IMG_1422.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430213173122868146" border="0" /></a>Above is the Basotho Hat Mt. at Thaba Bosiu. Below is a group photo after we were sworn in. We're now officially VOLUNTEERS!!! Every last one of us. YAY!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtM5zfsok4EfdsHcIbulipugf9fUG_e3CbpI0Ho7nqFNyzn_DAgOyT5Aa-DcWv92fXMut7W2k0DOK2nqtg0S3SjjB50_3bRL8Bd67B-5HNKb4m8gix1NR-2MP0UMHxUGGC7IEumouS7LcC/s1600-h/012.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtM5zfsok4EfdsHcIbulipugf9fUG_e3CbpI0Ho7nqFNyzn_DAgOyT5Aa-DcWv92fXMut7W2k0DOK2nqtg0S3SjjB50_3bRL8Bd67B-5HNKb4m8gix1NR-2MP0UMHxUGGC7IEumouS7LcC/s320/012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430213166838474882" border="0" /></a><br /> I finally got two pictures posted. I stole them from my friend Shanthi's camera, so I'll get some of my own up next time. I came to Shanthi's this weekend and was blessed with running water, electricity, booze, and the internet. I feel like I'm at a Bed and Breakfast compared to what I have to work with on the average day.<br /> We were sworn in as volunteers on January 7th. The whole thing was broadcasted on Lesotho television, and when I got to my site my host mom came running into my rondoval telling me to come quick. When I got into her familie's house she pointed at the t.v. and said, "I SEE YOU!" She was pretty excited, and I enjoyed watching it as well. (Yes, my host family has t.v.) I got to watch Inspector Gadget with the kids the other day, talk about a blast from the past. <br /> I'm at my permanent site now in Matukeng. We are on "lockdown" until March 21 which means that we are not supposed to leave our districts. Peace Corps does this in order to encourage us to integrate into our communities. I'm finding it difficult because I really miss being around the other volunteers. I've been visiting those that are in my district on the weekends, and plan to keep that up :) I've got electricity, and my host family is great. I'm living in a rondoval and I have a puppy named Fetus. Yeah, strange name I know....he's named after some sort of past loan company in Lesotho. I explained what a fetus is in English and they kind of liked it. I love the dog, but he bites A LOT, and my family thinks I'm crazy for wanting to play with him. Dogs are not pets to them, they are used to gaurd their property so my family treats the dog much differently than I do.<br /> My job is still pretty vague. I should be traveling around to all the different ECCD schools in my area, but no one wants to be my tour guide, so I've been helping my host mom teach her likonyana (preschool) class instead. The volunteer that was at my site before me experienced the same type of thing her first few months. I'm sure I'll get into the groove of things eventually, it's just going to take much longer than I expected.<br /> I have a new address that is more direct, its a personal p.o. box, and the mail doesn't get stopped up in the capital city, so hopefully it'll be even faster. Right now letters and packages have been taking about a month to get to me. I appreciate all the comments, letters, and care packages from everyone. I hope things are going well in the states. I miss everyone, but have deffinately made some great friends here.<br />Until next time.....Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411957493167242688noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387738934959008982.post-68659385605743476552009-12-18T01:49:00.000-08:002009-12-18T01:56:01.999-08:00Just a Quick UpdateHello Everyone! I still can't get pictures up....I have to load them onto my external hard drive and then plug that into the internet cafe computers....I'll hopefully do this sometime in January. I know it's frustrating not being able to see any pics, but believe me, I have many to share when the time comes.<br /> We have one more week at CBT, and then we will be at the training center for the holidays and then off to my permanent site. I will be stationed in Leribe (the district) and Matukeng (The village...I'm not 100% on the village name). But I'm very close to a camp-town, which means I will have a grocery store, internet cafes, local fruits and vegetables and other things. I will be living in a rondoval with electricity, at least I hope I have electricity. The last volunteer had a refrigerator and a lamp at her site, so I'm assuming that means power too :)<br /> Well, a PC frustration is happening. I just got told to go to the training center to get my allowance RIGHT NOW! We're always so organized (sarcasm). I'll try to write more soon!!!! LOVE YOU ALL!Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411957493167242688noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387738934959008982.post-82824977020172412742009-12-05T00:01:00.000-08:002009-12-05T00:11:21.714-08:00Community Based TrainingHELLO FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!! I feel like it has been so long since I got to update this. My internet access is still very limited. I am in Maseru, the capital city today doing some food shopping with the other volunteers because this week we begin cooking for ourselves. I am at an internet cafe and have, again, very limited time, but I'll try to update as much as I can. I don't k now if I'll be able to load pics today, but if not I'll keep trying. As soon as I swear in as an actual volunteer, and not just a trainee I will have better access to computers. Our swear in date is January 7th.<br /> I am currenty staying in the village of Maqhaka (the q is pronounced as a click!). I have a family that is hosting me, so I have 2 sisters, a mother, and one of my sisters has a 4 year old daughter. All women, not much different than home :) They treat me very well, and I'm learning a lot from them. For example, I can now cook bohobe (bread from scratch), eat that Regan and Mom! :) And today I will learn to wash my clothes, yes, in a bucket! I've got the bucket bathing down! <br /> My job while in Lesotho is to teach the teachers of Dequanyana (spelling?) which is preschool. Last week we taught two full day lessons and they went very well. The hardest part is that the younger kids don't speak much english, so we do a lot of translating into Sesotho, but it helps me to learn the language. This coming week we will be putting on workshops for the teachers. I'm pretty nervous because I don't do public speaking well, but it should be a good experience.<br /> I'm afraid I may get cut off without warning, so I'm going to update facebook real quick. No pics today, but I'll keep trying. I have taken many, I just need to move them from camera to computer. If you haven't already heard, I can text easily. My mom and Adam have my number. To text internationally you may have to speak to your phone provider. I've only received texts from Chelsea and Amber so far....thanks guys! :) I miss you all dearly!!!!! More to come.<br />LOVE HALEY!!!Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411957493167242688noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387738934959008982.post-424841019928549522009-11-22T03:59:00.000-08:002009-11-22T04:04:23.255-08:00Safe in AfricaHello all!!! I'm just doing a quick update from an internet cafe in Butha-Buthe, which is a small village in Lestho. I only have a few minutes, so this'll be brief, and sadly I don't have time to post any pictures, but maybe tomorrow. I'm visiting a current Peace Corps Volunteer at her sight for the next two days, and since we've been so shut-off from communication she's been sweet enough to bring us to the internet cafe :) I'm doing well......so much to say, so little time. I've sent out some letters, but it takes at least 2 weeks to get them to the states, more like 4 weeks I believe. I'm eagerly awaiting letters from all of you back home. My address is:<br />Haley Waggoner/PCT<br />United States Peace Corps/Lesotho<br />PO BOX 554<br />Maseru 100<br />Lesotho Southern Africa<br />I'd love to get some letters, and pics from home!!! I hope everyone is doing well! I should have a phone sometime in the next week, so I'll be able to stay in touch better starting soon. I will be investing in a phone with internet access.<br />LOVE and MISS you all!!!!!<br />HaleyHaleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411957493167242688noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387738934959008982.post-89160020786581780752009-11-10T20:17:00.000-08:002009-11-10T20:31:56.994-08:00Off to LesothoToday is 11/10/09.....let the count down begin. Right now I'm in Philadelphia, and I had my first Phillie Cheese Steak for dinner. It was delicious! My hotel roomies and I were also able to get up this morning and walk around Philadelphia for a bit, so I got some photos of the liberty bell and independence hall that I will post later, as I have limited time on the hotel computer (welcome to the next two years of my life). Today we went through "staging" which was just the basic PC paperwork and registration, and some ice-breaker games and lessons (gotta love that). I am officially PC trainee now, and not just an invitee. We're headed to New York in about 5 hours, and from there we will fly into Jo-Burg, and from there to Maseru...the capitol city of Lesotho. I can't believe it's all finally happening! The education group that I'm with consists of about 30 people, mostly females, but a handfull of guys. So far everyone is very nice, and we all seem to be depending a lot on our senses of humor to get us through this transitional period.<br /><br />I want to thank everyone for the amazing going away party that was thrown for me, and for all the wonderful gifts. I think I'm pretty prepared....I deffinately have enough luggage! I know I didn't get to send thank-you cards to everyone, so for the record, "THANK YOU!!!" I coudn't have made it this far without everyone's support. I will miss everyone a great deal, but I'll come back with many stories to tell.<br /><br />For the next 3 months we will be stationed in Lesotho for training, and I've heard that during that time we won't have any internet access. I promise to update this every chance I get, but I don't know how often that will be. I still don't have an address for sending letters or anything, but as soon as I do I'll post it.<br /><br />Love You All! Now I'm off to call the boyfriend ;)Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08411957493167242688noreply@blogger.com8