Week 36: “Standing Outside the Fire”

  I feel like I am where I am supposed to be at this point in my life, however, that doesn’t mean that some days are hard, really hard and then others are great. I went to see a friend in her village this week and we were sitting on her front stoop listening to music when “Standing Outside the Fire” came on and I was reminded why I decided to join the Peace Corps. Every moment of every day may not be fulfilling and life altering but I am reminded of a professor I had at University who would remind us to “Not loose the forest to the trees.” When I get caught up in the day-to-day, I loose sight of the forest and the amazing experience I am having. I get caught up in the fact that I am missing my friends’ graduations, going to brunch in wicker park, and being in the same time zone as most of my family. However, what I am gaining is so much more, when I return my friends will still have their degrees, brunch can always be had, and my family will be a phone call away. In the mean time I am having enriching experiences that are cushioned by a lot of downtime where I get to fill my day with whatever I please.

This week the students were on holiday for Easter and thus there was not a lot of work to be had in Moshana. Consequently I set off to Kanye in hopes of getting paint donated for a world map project I am trying to complete at the school. As I walked into my first hardware store, I was reminded how much I dislike asking people for things especially donations. However, I was met with a generous shop keeper who after a very confusing conversation for me, donated 20liters of paint and various other supplies. I was touched by this mans’ kindness and so excited for the project to get off the ground. When the man asked where my car was parked so he could carry the paint to it, I laughed and said I was taking the bus. This was quickly deemed not a great idea and a friend of mine came to my rescue with her car. If only I was better at carrying things on my head, I am sure I could have maneuvered the paint.