Happy Birthday to ME!!

Hello to all out there in blogland. I wanted to wish myself a very pleasant and happy birthday today! Some may be wondering why in the world I would dedicate a post entirely to myself, but isn't that what blogging is all about? We all have our special day, and I just love to celebrate.

We are in the midst of a birthday explosion. Here it goes:

Becca (my roommate) 25 October
Sara (Canadian intern) 27 October
Mia (World Teach) 27 October
Angela in my group 29 October
ME! TODAY
my little buddy Ashwin TODAY
Becca's sister also today
My mom 7 November
Caitlin in my group 8 November

Whew!!!

I'd also like to send a shout out to my sis for sending a FABULOUS care package, which arrived TODAY!!! And also to my friend Katie for reminding me that I'm a rock star. Yes, 100 stamps got your card here on my big day. Finally, to my friend Megan for your wonderful letter!

6 Weeks from today I'll be kickin it in NYC!!!! Yay!

Life is great, despite......

Ok, so I've been through this all before, but now it's just annoying. I've been invaded by bedbugs and ringworm for the 2nd time this year. After washing everything I own and setting off a "Doom" bomb (1 nuclear off from an atomic bomb), I think I've handled the situation. Tis the life of a PCV.

I've got a few friends heading to Swank-town this weekend for a marathon. I'll be waiting at the finish line...most likely with a beer in hand as I watch all the runners go by.

My mom just wrote me to tell me she saw a program on the Discovery Channel called Mom's on the Road: Africa. If you caught it, they were in Swakopmund and also went up to a Himba village. Check out the link I found:

http://travel.discovery.com/fansites/moms/slideshow/slideshows.html?clik=Moms%20on%20the%20Road%3A%20Africa_leftnav

I'm looking forward to celebrating my birthday here on the 30th....the big 28, but I'm even more excited to come home in less than 8 weeks!!!! It's almost been 1 year since I landed in Nam. The new Peace Corps group will be here soon: Nam26! Time is a flying!

The MYO grade 4's climbing up the mountain to see the Welwitschia plant. It's over 100 years old, and Namibia is the ONLY place in the world that has them! 

We took a little drive down the riverbed. It was quite an adventure to ride in the back of the bakkie. (shhh...don't tell Peace Corps!) We saw Ostriches, Baboons (which the kids kept calling monkey's all weekend) and Spring Bok (deer).  

This is a pic from the MYO grade 4 camping trip this past weekend. We went up to Mrs. Farbach's farm on the way to Namib Naukluft Park, about an hour outside of Swakopmund. It was simply gorgeous there! 

Sitting with the teachers from Omaruru schools as we make teaching aids. 

A pic of me teaching a workshop in Omaruru 2 weeks ago 

What the!?!?

I've decided that long posts are really boring, so I'll try to condense all that's been happening here into a concise post. Enjoy.

I don't believe what is going on outside my window here in Swakopmund! They sky is completely blue without a cloud in the sky, and the sun is SHINING!!! I don't think I've seen the sun at this time of day since last February. Does that mean it is really spring here??? It was even raining last week for about 30 seconds. Very strange. It's warm outside right now too! I don't have to wear a jacket.

I'm sure by 4pm the mist will return and my dream day will be smashed. (don't you love my optimism?)

Becca and I have now been without hot water for 1 month. Imagine taking a cold shower in the morning when it's only about 50 degrees and you don't have heat in your house. Not fun.

I hiked (hitch-hiked) up to Omaruru last week to teach a workshop with my pal Caitlin. We put it all together last minute (as the original facilitator canceled) so we were left to pick up the pieces. We rocked it though. We also had to say goodbye to our dear friends Autumn and Marcus who run the Sand Dragon. They moved back to the States last week :( It was really sad to see them go, as they have been a huge support system to all of us PCV's since we got here.

I'm going camping with the grade 4's in MYO this weekend. We are going to one of the sponsor's farms by the Swakop river. For most, it will be their first overnight away from home. We told the kids there is a lion who lives in the river. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!! (screams from all the kids.....)

I'll be stateside in less than 2 months now!!!! Whew hoo!!!