Yup, Term 2 has been a pretty busy time for me. I’ve already explained what my weeks are usually like. I’ve had a bit of a break from the usual gallivanting around and have been staying put. Why? Because it’s exam time again! I’m getting better at typing Chichewa exams, but it’s still not high on my list of favorite activities. However, this term things are much easier because…
The electricity is back on! For anyone who’s been keeping track, that’s just over 4 months without electricity in my village. Remember when the power went out on Oahu right after Christmas 2008? Multiply that by 126 days. Granted, most people here don’t have electricity anyway, so it’s not quite such a big deal for them. However, it did mean they had to haul their maize 45 minutes by bike (assuming you have a bike, or access to one) to the next closest maize mill. I personally adore the sound of the maize mill because it means the electricity is on.
I know I said I was doing fine without electricity, and I was, but I’m so happy it’s back. Never mind that half my lights don’t work. Here’s a short list of things I appreciate about having electricity again, in no particular order:
-Charging my laptop at home after a morning of typing exams, instead of hauling myself and my computer somewhere else to charge it.
-Feeling free to actually use my laptop for more than just typing exams. Teach teachers computer skills so they can type their own exams! Music! Movies! Blog posts and emails!
-Cooking without crying over a smoky fire. I’m eating so much better now that cooking isn’t such an ordeal. Maybe I’ll finally stop losing weight (20 pounds, last time I checked).
-Heating water for a nice toasty bucket bath, just like homestay (minus the dead chicks in the bafa).
-Staying up “late” (i.e. not in bed by 7 p.m.) and reading or wasting time on the computer.
