Another year older, another year wiser? That’s questionable. This year, to quote Avenue Q, I find myself “broke and unemployed and turning 33. It sucks to be me.” OK, technically, I’m a volunteer living comfortably on $200 a month and most of the time I don’t think my life sucks. But whatever, close enough.
I got together with some friends in town over the weekend for some pre-birthday fun. I accomplished my three major goals for the weekend: eat good food, hang out at the pool, and spend time with friends. I love this picture, by the way. Nothing says birthday in Lilongwe like a plastic penguin, a cake that says it sucks to be you, and a birthday candle that you can’t blow out until the electricity comes back on.
On the actual day of my birthday I went to school as usual. While I was teaching a goat came into the classroom twice and a truly ugly chicken came in once. Even though I’ve been here over a year, this still makes me laugh every time it happens. Thanks for the birthday greetings, animals! Macaroni and cheese, more cake, and time spent with friends in the village rounded out the birthday celebrations.
Right after that I got to host a volunteer who just transferred here from Niger. Peace Corps sent a language trainer every afternoon to give her a crash course in Chichewa, and I got to give her a crash course on teaching in Malawian schools. After a week in Lilongwe and a week at my school, she’s on her way to her site. It’s been an intense, but good week. With really good food.
Business as usual for the next few weeks, followed by the madness of typing exams!
