Just another Friday

Hi, team,

I went to a meeting at the local high school today with my host babe. It started about an hour late and then was canceled because there weren't enough parents present to have a quorum. Meetings here are scheduled during the day, mostly, not in the evening as they would be in the U.S. I assume this is because transport doesn't run at night, and most people don't leave their homesteads at night. Also, fewer people work typical 9 to 5 jobs, so their daytime hours are more flexible. Anyway, they're going to try again next week. Issues on the agenda were school fees, how to deal with kids misbehaving, and what they want to build on the premises.

Next week is Election Day (I voted!), and we're going to spend it watching returns at the home of our country director. I'm reaaaaaally excited about this! Returns are going to start coming in at about 4 a.m. our time, so many of us will be spending the night at his place. He's a former Democratic congressman from Ohio. I think the GOP might be outnumbered at this particular gathering. Turns out Peace Corps volunteers lean liberal.

In additional exciting news, Jack arrives in less than two weeks! It seemed so far away when I first got here – FOUR MONTHS AGO. Now it's here, which is very, very exciting. I'm nervous about the difficulties we'll encounter, such as housing and work for him, but at least we can get started on figuring those out. It's going to be so much better with him here.

That said, I'm amazed at how much I've adjusted over these months. Life here is just life. I'm not always comfortable, but I learn and understand so much more every day. My family is becoming my family, which is really nice. The girls and I watch movies together, and I've pitched in with chores here and there. Weeding maize fields by hand is not easy.

Integration ends soon. That means freedom to move about the country. It also means I have a community assessment due. I've done some of it, but there's still a lot to finish. Best be getting on that, eh?

Don't forget to vote!

Salani kahle.