Pamela Lowry in Namibia, Africa with the Peace Corps

A final thought....

A lot has happened in the last month, so much that it is hard to think about how fast life is moving for me now. For those of you who don't know, I was offered a job at the Harlem Success Charter Academy! Four days after I got back from Namibia, I headed up to NYC to interview for this job, after having a phone interview in Namibia the month before. I anxiously awaited to hear back from the school, and soon after the new year, they called with the good news. I promptly headed up to New York to find an apartment. The stars must be aligned for me, as it took me 2 days to find a wonderful place in Harlem...with my own bathroom! I couldn't be more thrilled!

So I've moved in and am taking this week to settle into my new place and neighborhood. It is a vibrant area (as is ALL of NYC!) and I am in love with it. This certainly will be an exciting stage in my life, one in which I may settle into for a while. It's comforting to know that there is no time limit on my living here. There was a strange feeling while in Peace Corps, that it was temporary, even though it was 2 years of my life.

I will start off next week at Harlem Success as a co-teacher in a first grade classroom. It's a way to get me in the door, as next year they are opening up 3 new schools. I will be the music teacher at one of those schools!

I'm looking forward to a life filled with tons and tons of music - the New York Phil, the Met Opera and City Opera, the fantastic gospel choirs in Harlem, the local jazz musicians, African drummers and discovering new music. NYC is such a playground! The free concerts, art museums, exhibits, and let's not forget the SHOPPING!

I'm also enjoying good food and the company of old friends. I am in heaven!

I will leave this blog for now, as it was dedicated to my life as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Namibia from 2005-2007. It is a service I am immensely proud of, and I wish all those about to embark on a similar adventure all the best. It will change you if you allow it to.

Thanks again for reading!

Love,
Pam

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

Finally, an updated blog!

The pictures below are from a day trip my friends and I took back in June to a place called Spitzkoppe. This was when Gina was visiting me. For some reason my computer didn't want to post these photos, but alas, I have overcome.

I'm sure you'll agree, Namibia is one beautiful country!