Last weekend, if you can recall from my previous entry, I took the GRE in Ouagadougou. In preparing to take the next step in life after Peace Corps, I have begun making early preparation for graduate school. While the GRE is only a small step, it is a first step into a process that may take the latter part of this year to complete. My target is fall 2012, assuming the world does not end. While I won't go into too much detail about post Peace Corps plans since mainly there are no details yet, for the first time in my life I feel ready and excited to go back to school, and unlike undergrad, I'm going in with an objective.
This weekend is the exciting international softball tournament of Ouagadougou. It's called SOFANWET. Why? I have no idea. Along with several Peace Corps staff members and other volunteers, we have assembled a formidable team this year. Before leaving the United States my dad gave me a set of DVD's entitled 'Baseball.' Ken Burn's insightful series, almost 24 hours in length, takes an in depth look at the history of baseball and it seems to emulate the history of America. This series has got me so hooked on baseball again that I have picked up an old glove and begun throwing the ball against a wall in my yard. Let's hope this rediscovered love for the game I grew up with translates into a good performance on the field. This Friday, we will find out!
*Softball Update
The tournament took place at the International School of Ouagadougou, which is like little America. It's probably the only place in Burkina Faso with grass. Inside the walls everyone speaks English and it's very possible to forget where you are. It's a very surreal place, and honestly it makes me uncomfortable.
Like any good Peace Corps Team we lost-all three games. Two of the teams that we lost to were from high school, embarrassing. But hey, we at least played JICA, the Japanese Peace Corps, pretty well. The tournament was really fun overall, and nobody enjoyed the hot dogs and snow cones better than us. One thing about the ex-pat lifestyle, those folks just don't appreciate things the little things like Peace Corps Volunteers. Plus, nobody had better fans than we did. Even down 10 runs in the last game our fans continued to cheer us on. Let's go Team Peace!
Here are some photos, courtesy of Scott Worthington:
My baseball card shot, notice the 'stache.
Becky, Tim, and Brittney having a good time.
One of my hits. (2 above) Al and Mike having fun (above)
Andrew and Diana (below) Team meeting (2 below)
In perhaps the most descriptive photo of all, voila:
We are the visitors by the way, go Peace Corps!
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