PCV in Kenya: Week 26

Monday

It was a normal Monday at school. I had morning lessons of Biology and Chemistry then spent the rest of my time marking student books and finalizing a chemistry quiz. Phanuel agreed to come to Grass Roots Soccer training with me in a few weeks which should be fun. When school ended, I went to the market and only purchased what I went there for which was some good self-control for me 😊 At home, I did yoga, collected my laundry that I paid Jane to do for me this morning and then warmed up dinner. I watched “The Mentalist” and “Rizzoli and Isles” to end the day.

Tuesday

I only had to teach one lesson today as my other class was taking their biology exam. I spent the rest of my day marking student books. When I got back home, I immediately got to work on making vegetable steam-fried dumplings. While cooking, I called Grams and Grandpa and it was great to catch up with them 😊 Along with the dumplings, I made tortillas with the extra dough. These steam-fried dumplings are definitely one of my favorite things to make, they just take such a long time.

Wednesday

I teach the same students all day at school on Wednesday, so by the end of the day they are either tired of me or have carried their fun attitude through the day. Today they were in a great mood all day which was fun 😊 I spent my planning time marking biology quizzes. Before lunch, I walked over to the primary school to pick up their projector so I can use it with my classes tomorrow. When school ended, I walked to Elma’s for a language lesson. I picked us up some soda on the way. Our lesson was another good one. It is always good to see Elma. I left right as a storm was rolling in and I walked/ran home to avoid getting caught in the storm. At home, I did a bit of laundry before warming up dinner. I decided to bring my plastic chair outside today so I could eat on my “front porch”. It was a great decision 😊

Thursday

It was another normal day at school and I taught 3 lessons. In my planning time, I finished marking biology quizzes then worked on some paperwork for our grant proposal. On my way home, I dropped off the projector back at the primary school. At home, I managed to get my ring caught on my bug net which flung my ring off into somewhere in the room and I couldn’t find it… Hoping it pops up sometime soon. I talked to my mom and watched “Migration” before doing some yoga. I spent some time outside making my bracelet before warming up dinner. I again ate dinner outside because it was so nice outside. I came back inside when it got dark and the mosquitos came out. Back inside, I watched “The Mentalist” and washed dishes. Archer came by tonight to check on a few things and pick up fruit from his farm, so I went over to say hi to him when he arrived. He gave me a few papayas which was great and I called it a night.

Friday

My last biology class took their quiz today, so I spent my work day grading. Once I finished that task, I worked on a few items for the grant proposal before the day ended. At home, I rested while watching “The Mentalist” and eating some popcorn 😊 I then did yoga and warmed up dinner which I ate outside again. I also did some coloring before closing up my house for the night. I did some job research for after Peace Corps (still a long way away) then washed my dishes and called it a night.

Saturday

I got up much earlier than usual for a Saturday so I could get on a matatu around 7AM. I was in Kisumu around 9AM and was soon at Moi Stadium for the deaf soccer matches that were scheduled for the day. Teams from Siaya, Kisii, and Kisumu County were playing each other because the Kenyan Deaf National Team was scouting for more players for their upcoming game. This stadium is across the street from Dan’s school, so he came to watch with a lot of other Peace Corps Volunteers. I stayed for one of the games then went to United Mall with Marissa. We ate lunch and did some quick shopping. I then picked up Nala from the vet 😊 The staff all said she was so good while she was there which made me feel better about having to leave her there all week to recover from her spay surgery. She still has to wear the cone for one more week, so I am sure she won’t be happy about having to stay inside for another week. We soon made our way to mainstage where I went back to my site. On the matatu, I met Grace, a neighbor to my school. Back in my village, I walked home and ran into a lot of my students who were out walking with each other. They were excited to meet Nala but didn’t really understand why she needed to be spayed 😊 Veterinarian services for pets are not common at all. Back at my house, Nala adjusted to being back at the house. I made myself some popcorn and ate this with a piece of cake I purchased in Kisumu. While eating girl dinner with a glass of wine, I gave myself a full spa treatment of an eye mask, nose strip, and a foot mask. In addition, I started watching part 2 of the new season of “Bridgerton” and it was the perfect end to a Saturday 😊

Sunday

I began my morning with eggs and avocado for breakfast. Nala is very upset because she can’t fit through the window with her cone on. I also can’t let her play outside until the cone comes off because she would be very vulnerable outside. I attempted to put her harness on to see if I could walk with her outside a bit, but as soon as I got it on her, she turned into a bucking bronco 😊 So, no walk. I watched “The Hitman” on Netflix while cutting more patchwork pant fabric and working on a shag friendship bracelet. It was a ramen for dinner kind of night because market day isn’t until tomorrow and I am out of fresh food. I was able to talk to my dad, grandpa, and uncle for Father’s Day which was nice. After I chatted with them, I called Warren and Morgan and we talked for over an hour. It was so great to catch up on life. I ended my Sunday with some more bracelet making while watching the newest episode of “Criminal Minds”.

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