brb

I'm sitting on the floor of my room. My computer on a little bench in front of me, a candle flickering to my right, thunder looming in the distance accompanying a light rain and a symphony of crickets outside. Today was a pretty good day. I woke up and went for a run through the jungle as the sun was rising. I made breakfast (a three egg scramble with onions, garlic, and peppers hot enough to put hair on even my girly chest), took a bucket bath, and went to school.

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This “writer” would request your patience as I take a brief aside to explain a mild daily struggle. Although the official start date for school was last Monday (9/13), the first students just showed up yesterday (9/20). This is, and will continue to be, one of the most frustrating cultural adjustments- the idea that dates and time mean close to nothing here. As an American, my entire existence has been based on dates and time. One minute late is still late, the Blackberry alarm is constantly going off reminding you to be somewhere or do something, and between watches, cell phones, and clocks everywhere, there's really no excuse for not being constantly aware of the time. That being said, just typing that makes me appreciate the subtle (albeit very subtle) charm of simply enjoying the moment rather than having this ever-looming, yet invisible force reminding you of whatever you're not doing. I have no doubt that within two years I will adjust to the devaluation of time; of course, I will then return to the States and be fired from my first job, admonished by friends and family for being an inconsiderate prick, and miss the first quarter of all sporting events. But I digress...
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So I went to school and sat around waiting for my first class to begin. I hit a rough patch yesterday for a myriad of reasons, and was disappointed to return that state of bummer when I arrived at school. For the second day in a row I couldn't get it together, and was left uninspired and a little worried. But I walked into my second class, and God knows why, everything clicked back into place. I had a great lesson, the kids picked up on my energy and responded in kind, and the best part was, I brought JUG to Sierra Leone. For those of you who didn't attend a Jesuit high school, JUG stands for Justice Under God, and is basically detention with a much scarier name. Luckily I teach at an Anglican school, so this is a very graspable concept for the kids. God = good, but scary.

After school was out, we had a pretty productive staff meeting, which, in classic Sierra Leonean style, took two hours due to the first half hour being reserved for the reading of the agenda and then introductions (which could be viewed as unnecessary considering we've now all known each other for five weeks, but hell, it's only time we're wasting, right?). I returned home to make dinner (an hour and a half process just to make pasta, but highly enjoyable nonetheless), got calls from Natalie and Tommy (don't worry everyone else, I know how hard it is to download Skype and spend the 30 cents a minute on talking to your “friend” living IN AFRICA. Just kidding. Well not really. Okay fine, I'm mostly kidding.), and I've now taken you back to the beginning. Just a typical day living the dream over here- a few downs, lots more ups, and everything in between.

Some highlights of the past few weeks and some random notes:
Twenty-three of us went to River No. 2 a couple weeks ago to spend a few days R'ing and R'ing before school started. We rented rooms in a bungalow on the sand and had an absolute blast. It was paradise, with cold beers, coconuts, and fresh oysters on the half shell (a dozen and a half for $4) served daily. Picture plush green mountains protecting the white sand from any, well, people. Just stellar.
I harvested my first batch of corn last week and cooked with it. I wonder if that's as shocking to read as it is to type? My sweet potatoes should be ready for harvesting by December.
Another shocking update, I'm the self-appointed King of Tank-tops in SL. I certainly have my fair share of competition from both Sierra Leoneans as well as fellow PCV's, but my collection is rivaled by none.
A cobra snake stopped by my house on his way to presumably end someone or something's life today. Luckily my neighbors tried to hit it with a long stick. Score: Cobra 0, SL Youth 0.
Committees I'm on at school: Debate Society (Head), Disciplinary, Sports, Health and Sanitation, Teacher's Welfare, and Development. I've joined a Women's Club sponsored by the Red Cross. Don't worry, boys are allowed as long as you can show proof of a recent negative coodies test. I've also teamed up with some other teachers and am advising their Youth Group. Interesting note about that- due to the massive social setbacks caused by the war, “youths” are considered to be anyone from 15-35. Update: I'm now the official Vice Principal of St. Peter's. I'm expecting a hefty salary increase somewhere in the neighborhood of 0%.
My school has two teachers that have been teaching full time for four years now, yet are not on the payroll and have not been paid once in that time. It makes asking anything of them justifiably difficult, yet for the most part they do their jobs valiantly with only mild grumbles here and there. It's a wonderful reminder that there are some people who value education. And if you happen to have any connections in the Ministry of Education in Sierra Leone, please put in a good word for my coworkers. Thanks.
In the next few weeks and months I might be hitting some of you up in an effort to raise funds for my school to have some sports teams. We can't afford the volleyballs, soccer balls, and basketballs it takes to field these teams, so competing will be difficult at best. In advance, thanks for your consideration.
I could really use some good books and would be unbelievably grateful if you dropped off one or two of your favorites at either my mom or dad's house (or if you are currently applying for sainthood, send them yourself- address below. Letters, notes, and pictures also welcomed and encouraged). Again, thank you!

That's pretty much all for now. I'm hoping that accompanying this blog posting will be some photos I've taken of my house as well as some randoms from the experience so far so that you can get a visual of what I struggle to describe. By the time I get to an internet connection (probably a month from when I'm actually writing this), this could change, but here's my current thought process regarding my internet usage: my life here is very very complete. I have an amazing house that I'm quickly making a home out of, a really rad girlfriend, a supportive network of very close friends, a job that keeps me busy, and a cell phone that connects me to anyone back in the States. The last time I went on the internet I felt a bit shaken, emotionally. It was like taking steps backwards, and that is not something I can afford to do right now. In an effort to stay as present as possible, this is me taking a bit of a hiatus from blogging and checking email and Facebook. I'd always love to hear from you on the phone, and if there's something urgent that you emailed me, just hit my sister or parents up and they'll let me know. Thank you for understanding, thank you for reading, and as always, thank you for your support. It is felt.

Until next time, Peace and Love,

Surba

Phone:

232-078-616922

Address:

Brandon Brown, Peace Corps Volunteer
Peace Corps
PO Box 905
Freetown, Sierra Leone
West Africa