Settling Into Site and Christmas

Well, it’s been two weeks at site and I think things are progressing well. I’ve already found an umodozi (tailor) and got a new shirt made. I can make it to the market and back without getting lost, and I found a good bakery and a boutique that sells big bottles of Coca-Cola. I’ve also met with my headmaster a few times and I am looking forward to the school year.

And, of course, I’ve had the pleasure of cat-sitting Lucy. She is quite the snuggler.

Also, those two weeks included Christmas. I honestly don’t remember Christmas Eve or Christmas that well, as I was hit with a bad bout of diarrhea and stomach cramps. I spent most of the holidays in bed, but I did travel on the 23^rd to see other PCVs in my region. We had a good meal and marveled at the beautiful Lake Kivu.

And so 2017 is coming to a close. I hope everyone has a wonderful 2018!

My living room

My kitchen

My bedroom, with an appearance by Lucy

My yard/laundry area

My bathroom

Chillin with the homies on the 23rd

View of Lake Kivu

More Lake Kivu

More chillin with the homies

Swear In

It’s official! I am a Peace Corps Volunteer! We swore in on Tuesday, December 12^th and moved to site on Wednesday! This will mainly be pictures from swear-in, as my site is still a bit of a mess. I still have some organizing and cleaning to do!

If you want my new address (aka if you want to send me snacks) just ask!
 

Nigel giving a speech in English.

Lia giving a speech in Kinyarwanda.

Sydney giving a speech in English.

Tarsheen giving a speech in French.

Kai giving a speech in French.

Alexi giving a speech in Kinyarwanda.

Before swear-in!

We're Volunteers now!

The milkshake I had after swear-in.

End of Training

Well, that’s it! In the past week, I and the other trainees have finished model school, passed our language exams, and said thank you to our host families, teachers, and the amazing staff that have seen us through Pre-Service Training. And now the time has come. On Tuesday, December 12^th, we will swear-in as Peace Corps Volunteers, and on the 13^th, we will move to our new homes. Here’s to the next two years!

Jess and I with our Kinyarwanda teacher, Gerardine! We passed!

Blaine and I reppin' the SEC!

College t-shirt day!

Me with my host Papa!

Joelle and I choreographed our amazing American dance to Thriller!

Last day of Model School!

Jess and I with our Rwandan co-teacher Hawa!

Model School, Week 2

It has been another super busy week! We had another great week of Model School, followed by a belated Peace Corps Thanksgiving on Saturday (yesterday). In between all of that, we’ve had dance practice. We will be performing a Rwandan dance at our host family farewell party and our swearing in, and we’ve finally decided on “Thriller” by Michael Jackson for our American dance. And I’m helping to choreograph. Now, I’m no dancer, but it’s been really fun coming up with the dance!

Only one more week of training left, then it’s off to Kigali and site installation!

My Superlatives!

Our Thanksgiving Dinner