Well it’s been about two weeks since I last wrote a blog entry so I guess it’s time for another. Not much news to report since Conakry, no intersting stories like last time. I have, however, been my typical self, a roller coaster of emotions. I kind of flipped out this week, but it’s more or less do to the fact that my entire world exist of 16 other people than myself. I love everyone to death, but sometimes I just need my space. On top of that, my family was serving me absolute disgusting food that I just could not take.
So what have I been doing to destress and eat better? Well I will answer the second question first because the solution is easier. Since I was unsure of the best way to go about improving my meals, I approached my cross culture director and he told me to talk to my host brother about the issue, who I’m very close with. He simply asked me what I would like, and presto, I had the best dinner in Guinea that night. Easy as pie, food issues solved. All I really needed was variety, and that has been given.
Now on to the more difficult issue of how to deal with stress. Training is stressful. No joke about it. On top of taking 4 hours of French class, and 4 hours of education training, you are quickly forced to adapt to a new culture, new diet, and a host of other issues that come with it. And again, with the lack of access to the outside world, your whole world is 16 other people. So naturally, I get stressed.
I have picked up yoga has a side activity, as well as jogging. Since school last too long for me to join in any soccer games, I have to find ways to keep myself in shape. Yoga has quickly become a favorite activity, and while I still hate jogging, I have nothing else to do but deal with it. Somedays I hop on my bike and go on a 10 mile loop ride, but not very often. Basically if I keep up steady physical schedule, and a good diet, dealing with the other things that I can’t control is just easier.
So onto more exciting news. This week I’ll be checking out my site, Tormelin. For those who have not heard, Tormelin is in Fria, a state-type-thing if you will. The capital, if you will, Fria, is supposed to be an amazing town with ice cream and beer on tap. A cold beer, on tap, is always a welcome addition. Don’t get it very often in Guinea, or at all. So I head to Boke Sunday, then to Tormelin Tuesday, then back to Forecharia Saturday. Saturday starts the most intense part of training, practice school, but a little break will be a welcome surprise.
I have met my supervisor and he says the town is very excited to host me. I will be the third volunteer, but first since the evacuation in 2007. I’ll be teaching 8th and 9th grades to start, but I’m in charge of the math department seeing as how I am the only math teacher at my college (what the French call middle school). While my French still has a ways to go, the math trainer at Peace Corps told my supervisor that my math is superiour so I will eventually have the responsibility of guiding the 7th and 10th grade courses (which are taught by chemistry teachers). And at the end of the year, I will be responsible for holding a Breve review (Breve is the high school entrance exam) after I have more or less become adapt at French.
So exciting, but difficult times, still await. Yet I am doing everything I can to make the most of what I can.
-Dylan
