Two Years Gone By

Dear Friends,

My two year Peace Corps service in Namibia is soon coming to an end. I feel a huge sense of accomplishment mixed with a huge sense of loss approaching. It's a strange and scary feeling to be ending one part of my life, yet on the brink of the next stage of my life. However, I am hopeful the coming days and months will be filled with beautiful reunions and exciting transitions.

The last few weeks have been hard for me. Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when I may never see some of the people again who have been a huge part of my life. I will do my best to stay connected, and I hope one day to return to this beautiful country. It will not happen for a few years, but I want to return to see all the 4 and 5 year old children I've been working with....to sit down and speak with them in English. I also want to see the grade 4-7 kids I've taught this year get ready to graduate, to see where their lives are headed.

My plan as of now is to move to New York City. This has been a dream of mine since I left for Namibia in 2005, and I'm anxiously awaiting the moment my dream becomes a reality!

I want to thank all of you who have supported me in the last 2 years by sending cards, packages, and encouraging emails. It has meant a great deal to know you are behind me, supporting me in my efforts.

I'll do my best to thank you all.....
My Mom and Dad
My sis - Katherine
My Grandma -Lola
Juan
Gina and Kevin
Kris
Katie
Mandy
Julie
Erin, Keith, Laney, Liam
Joey
Leann, Prabu, Ashwinn, Priya
Andrea
Gabriel
Sarah
Brandon, Jeff, Kyle, and Chase
Mary and Mike
My music teacher friends in Somerville, MA
My colleagues at the Healey School in Somerville, MA
Deb Hurley
Megan
My NC family

I'm very grateful to have had the chance to live and work in Namibia. I would not have been able to do it without you!

All of my best to you during this holiday season.

love,
Pam

Meme Pamela

Ok, so I swore up and down I would never wear an "African" dress, because clearly...well, I'm not African. However, I had an Owambo dress made and picked it up the same day I had prizegiving for MYO. I decided to wear it that evening, and everyone said, "Miss, you look beautiful!"

Then they started laughing.

I'm ok with that though :)

Nam25...We made it!

After 2 years of service, 80% of my Nam25 group finished out our contract! As the first group of people prepare to leave Namibia today, I thought I'd post this picture of all of us together one last time at our Close of Service conference back in September. All the best to my friends and colleagues!

MYO Camping trip

Make that Monkey Dance

So I'm riding my bike around Swakopmund, feeling the wind blow through my hair, and oops! a traffic officer flags me down because I'm breaking the bike helmet rule. I was lazy and didn't put it on.

I pull over, and he immediately begins the safety lecture. I'm expecting him to respectfully let me go after a few minutes, but not to his delight. He tells me that in order for him to let me go without the N$300 fine, I must pick my bike up and hold it over my head until he says to stop. This will show him how sorry I am for riding without a helmet.

I am amused. Was he serious? To appease him, I pick the bike up about 2 inches. "NO!" The other officers standing around him say, "Up over the shoulder!"

I couldn't bring myself to this public humiliation, so I told him he'll have to settle for the 2 inches of air between the tires and the ground.

He lets me go after 5 minutes