PCV in Kenya: Week 5

Monday

All of the Form 1 (Freshman) students began checking in to school today. The first 40 students get free uniforms, so we received our first 40 quickly. This was a great idea to receive the majority of our Form 1 students on the first day. They will still be registering throughout the week. I was able to introduce myself to the students and their parents to start the day. I then worked on lesson plans for the rest of the work day. Margaret (a co-worker) and I walked to the market together to get food. I visited the market a second time with Anitah, Laura, and Becky to look at clothes. It started pouring down rain, so we took shelter in Becky’s mom’s shop. When the rain let up, I walked back to school to collect my things and head home. At home, I chopped all the vegetables that I plan to use when cooking my meal tomorrow and had leftovers for dinner. I watched “Suits” during dinner to close out the day.  

Tuesday

School went well today. I helped Peter with a Form 3 Chemistry lesson in the morning then continued to lesson plan the rest of the day. We had a fish saleswoman come to the school and many of the teachers purchased fish from her. She cleaned them before sending the purchased fish home with the teachers. It is honestly a great business model. When I got home, I made potato soup and an egg sandwich and they both turned out great. The worst part was doing all of the dishes. I don’t have a kitchen sink, which really isn’t that big of a deal, but it makes washing many dishes a bit tricky. I wash my dishes in a bucket in the bathroom on the floor because there is a drain in this room. Once I cleaned up, I watched “S.W.A.T.”. I learned today that there is a warm setting on my shower head. This is a game changer because it has been set on hot and was often quite scalding. Don’t get me wrong, not complaining about hot water AT ALL 😊It is just so nice to be able to stand comfortably under the warm water now.

Wednesday

It was a normal day at school today. We have a new co-worker, Evans, who is helping out with a variety of classes. Evans was the top Form 4 (Senior) performer from last year. It is local tradition that this top performer come back to their school to assist with educating the students until they start their career or go to college. College begins in August / September, so he will likely be helping our school until then. It was a chilly day in Kenya today. So chilly that after work, I went on a jog. I intended to jog to Caroline’s house, but I couldn’t find it again, so I ran thirty minutes longer than intended. Tonight, I watched “13 Going on 30” in my attempt to work towards my goal of watching more movies this year 😊 I really liked it.

Thursday

I taught my first lessons to Form 1 Biology and Chemistry today. I also helped with another Form 3 Chemistry lesson. Anitah brought me an outfit from her shop in Siaya and it is so cute! I can’t wait to wear it to work. On my walk home, I saw a stray kitten. It was sitting in the brush along the side of the road and watching me pass. I stayed beside it for about 30 minutes seeing if it had any siblings, a mom, or if there were any houses nearby that it might belong to. After waiting, I tried to get it to crawl into my bag so I could carry it home, and it jumped right in. Me and my new little buddy walked home together and she did good the whole way. I showed her to Sammy then took her to my house so I could give her some food and clean her up a bit. While she was eating, I called Mama Gladys to see if she would be ok with having a kitten around the compound, and she gave me the green light. I made a temporary litter box and a bed for her to sleep in my bathroom tonight. While I was out in my living room, she spent her time sleeping in my lap which was so cute. I watched “Yellowstone” while eating dinner. The kitten slept all through the night which was awesome.

Friday

I decided to name the kitten Nala 😊 I took her to work today because I didn’t want to leave her in the house alone all day when she isn’t litter box trained. She slept in my lap all day while I worked. She was so cute. When I would go to my lessons, I put her in Peter’s office with her blanket and food and she did great. Anitah brought me some chapati to take home which was awesome. Nala is a bit unsure of the yard at the house, so we spent a few hours outside so she can become more comfortable out there because she is going to be an outdoor cat during the day once she is old enough. I think she is about 3-4 weeks old right now. I was starting to feel a bit under the weather today, so I only had enough energy to make ramen to eat with Anitah’s chapati for dinner. I watched another episode of “Yellowstone” while Nala slept on my lap. It was a great end to the work week.

Saturday

I woke up so sick today. I took the cold medicine that I purchased the summer between my Junior and Senior year of college while I was in Spain. It comes in a packet like Alka-Seltzer. It worked wonders when I purchased it and has continued to save me from cold symptoms ever since. I sadly only have one packet left, but considering I graduated college in 2020, I’ve gotten my use out of it. I worked on my laundry while Nala played in the yard. After, Nala and I took a nap and she is the best snuggle buddy. After a rest, I had some hot herbal tea and then I called my parents to show them Nala. Archer came home tonight so I went over to the main house with Nala. Archer and I had pineapple and then he came to see the finished carpentry work in my house. For dinner, I had ramen and chapati again and went to sleep very early.  

Sunday

I woke up feeling a bit better today but still not 100%. I had to go into Kisumu today for a vaccine. At Peace Corps HQ, I collected my mail. The vaccine was quick and then I was free to go to West End to do some much-needed grocery shopping. After shopping, I ate lunch at Java House before getting a matatu home. Mary was on the same matatu. She owns a shop in my market town and she is on the board at the Primary School. Today was the first full day I left Nala at home by herself, so as soon as I got home, I played with her outside until it got dark. She is still a bit unsure of the yard, but she will get used to it pole pole (slowly slowly). The sunset was amazing tonight. Archer left soon after the sun set to go back to work in Nairobi. I was still feeling a bit sick and didn’t have enough energy to cook, so I made two PBJ sandwiches for dinner. I was able to pick up litter and kitten food in Kisumu, so hopefully this week goes even smoother with training Nala😊

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