So, I just wanted to let everyone know that my hospital project was fully funded thanks to the generosity of strangers and friends alike. Thank you. Family too, of course.
We are almost finished and I can't wait to show everyone photos of our new Poste de Sante. That means "health post" for those of you philistines who don't know French. just kidding. You're not philistines. I just wanted to use that word because I haven't had an occasion to in a long time.
Also, another reason I wanted to write was to divert your attention to my dear friend's excellent blog post about the event of the year. I wanted to kill a sheep in honor of Armand's visit to Senegal. My village family and Peace Corps friends immediately thought "wedding" so we compromised and had a huge spectacle of a party. Neither of us our Muslim, and so out of respect to the culture (and the fact that we don't want to be married) there was no wedding ceremony... don't worry, gentle readers, your writer is not married. Still, I was lucky enough to receive the services of the finest of hair and makeup artist in KM and all the wonderful ladies in my neighborhood pitched in the cook the most delicious meal ever. Most impressively, my PC friends from all over the country traveled from all over the country to meet Armand and have a party with us. We danced and did strange American things that confused my village and everyone loved it. I wish you could have been there. So anyway, here's the link
www.ericlella.blogspot.com The entry is dated feb 19th. I know this is a sloppy way of doing this but I can't get the internet to do what I want right now.
there are even pictures on that website. So it's worth going to.
see you all very soon.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
i finally decided to answer some questions.
I'm a RPCV, Kenya; now teach in Yreka, CA. Saw your request for donations. Our Health Science teacher is interested in possibilities to connect and help. Would you be interested in ...well, sort of ...letting a class adopt you? Steve
dear steve, sorry for the delayed response, i've been in village for a while. i woud love to have your class adopt me! please feel free to contact me at jessica.goza@gmail.com if you're still interested! Thank you!Jessica
why is the main photo on your blog so sassy and fabulous?
because i am sassy and fabulous.
Can you post pictures of all your outfits?
maybe one day, as a treat.
What is pepinere? Why does it need manure. Will you still be performing health education? D.
a pepinere is a tree or plant nursery. it needs manure to help fertilize the sand that everything is planted in. i still do health education.
Your mother and I are thinking of starting a petting zoo at Larry's produce. Send me an animal
i can get you a goat.
what does your poo smell like?
sulfur, mostly
what is cooking like over there? can you supply us with some recipes for the foods you make? i want the real senegalese experience.
american friends, this question was asked two years ago and since then i have learned how to cook so many senegalese foods. i will take requests when i return home.
Do you get everything that is sent or are some articles "lost in the mail"
sometimes letters get lost in the mail.
can you do skype without internet?
no. i don't know why someone would ask me this.
this blog is really old and should be updated with more ham.
i just saw this. it's awesome. no ham here, though.
Where can I buy an outfit and shoes like the ones you are wearing in your photo?
Come to my weekly looma (market) and i'll get you the hook up with my fabric ladies.
dear steve, sorry for the delayed response, i've been in village for a while. i woud love to have your class adopt me! please feel free to contact me at jessica.goza@gmail.com if you're still interested! Thank you!Jessica
why is the main photo on your blog so sassy and fabulous?
because i am sassy and fabulous.
Can you post pictures of all your outfits?
maybe one day, as a treat.
What is pepinere? Why does it need manure. Will you still be performing health education? D.
a pepinere is a tree or plant nursery. it needs manure to help fertilize the sand that everything is planted in. i still do health education.
Your mother and I are thinking of starting a petting zoo at Larry's produce. Send me an animal
i can get you a goat.
what does your poo smell like?
sulfur, mostly
what is cooking like over there? can you supply us with some recipes for the foods you make? i want the real senegalese experience.
american friends, this question was asked two years ago and since then i have learned how to cook so many senegalese foods. i will take requests when i return home.
Do you get everything that is sent or are some articles "lost in the mail"
sometimes letters get lost in the mail.
can you do skype without internet?
no. i don't know why someone would ask me this.
this blog is really old and should be updated with more ham.
i just saw this. it's awesome. no ham here, though.
Where can I buy an outfit and shoes like the ones you are wearing in your photo?
Come to my weekly looma (market) and i'll get you the hook up with my fabric ladies.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
scrooge
merry christmas everyone. i hope you're all having a wonderful time celebrating with your your family and friends. it's a nice time of year in america. after you're done reading this google "harmattan" and imagine picking the most painful boogers out of your nose.
btw, even though i live in africa i still make the sickest christmas dinners. take that, senegal.
btw, even though i live in africa i still make the sickest christmas dinners. take that, senegal.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Xaales/Dinero/Argent/Money
So, I'm going to be quite frank in this blog post: I need money. Lots of money. No, it's not for my personal use. I haven't sunk quite that low yet, even though I do eat EZ cheese right out of the can.
As many people on facebook may know, I'm currently soliciting donations for a hospital renovation project. The reason this one health facility in the middle of nowhere Africa deserves your money is because: 1. I live and work there. and 2. Last spring a dog dragged up a still born baby that was improperly disposed of and took in through the market. Obviously, people were horrified and they came to me asking for help. The principles of hygiene and sanitation here are a little bit different than they are at the places I used to work at in the States but I still believe the health facility here deserves a fighting chance. Which is why I'm going to continue to beg for money until this project is fully funded.
I have a very tight, specific budget for the project and all of the money will be allocated to a specific need. We need to change the ceilings that have water damage and mold, we need to fill in the cracks in the walls and floors, we need to get new mattresses that are covered in vinyl, we need to repair windows and doors so we can keep animals and mosquitoes out, we need to fix the sinks that don't drain or run water, fix the fans that don't cool the rooms down and fix the lights so the doctor can see. We are also building seating for patients so they have a place to sit while they wait for appointments. We are building an incinerator to safely dispose of medical waste. There is a lot to be done but with your help, we can do it.
And that is not to say the community will not be participating as well. They are providing 25% of the total cost of the project themselves. They are also planning a community wide clean up so that we can attack the negative attitudes towards poor hygiene as a group and change the way people think about their health and their environment.
This is going to be the last thing I do in my two year service in Senegal and I want to make it good. Please, please, please consider helping me out with that. I came here to change just a little bit of the world and so far, I feel like I have. But this project will allow me to really feel like I've done a solid thing for the community that has given me the privilege to work, live and share my culture with them.
If you allow me to make this project happen with your donations, I will paint your name or if you donate in someone's honor, I will paint their name on the wall of the hospital, thanking donors and letting the community know that this would not have been possible without the generosity of other Americans like me. I know that I have a wonderful group of family and friends waiting for me back home. I want to thank you ahead of time for your generosity and support.
This is the link for donating:
https://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=donate.contribute.projDetail&projdesc=685-193
This is the link for photos of the health post:
https://picasaweb.google.com/103517722113759676642/KeurMadiabelHealthPost?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNPqyO3AhpWjkgE&feat=directlink
Again, thank you so much for your support. I am so grateful for everyone's words of encouragement, packages, emails. Without your support, I would have never made it so far into my service and without it I won't be able to finish. So with all the gratitude and appreciation in my heart, I wish you a happy holiday season with your families and a wonderful new year!
As many people on facebook may know, I'm currently soliciting donations for a hospital renovation project. The reason this one health facility in the middle of nowhere Africa deserves your money is because: 1. I live and work there. and 2. Last spring a dog dragged up a still born baby that was improperly disposed of and took in through the market. Obviously, people were horrified and they came to me asking for help. The principles of hygiene and sanitation here are a little bit different than they are at the places I used to work at in the States but I still believe the health facility here deserves a fighting chance. Which is why I'm going to continue to beg for money until this project is fully funded.
I have a very tight, specific budget for the project and all of the money will be allocated to a specific need. We need to change the ceilings that have water damage and mold, we need to fill in the cracks in the walls and floors, we need to get new mattresses that are covered in vinyl, we need to repair windows and doors so we can keep animals and mosquitoes out, we need to fix the sinks that don't drain or run water, fix the fans that don't cool the rooms down and fix the lights so the doctor can see. We are also building seating for patients so they have a place to sit while they wait for appointments. We are building an incinerator to safely dispose of medical waste. There is a lot to be done but with your help, we can do it.
And that is not to say the community will not be participating as well. They are providing 25% of the total cost of the project themselves. They are also planning a community wide clean up so that we can attack the negative attitudes towards poor hygiene as a group and change the way people think about their health and their environment.
This is going to be the last thing I do in my two year service in Senegal and I want to make it good. Please, please, please consider helping me out with that. I came here to change just a little bit of the world and so far, I feel like I have. But this project will allow me to really feel like I've done a solid thing for the community that has given me the privilege to work, live and share my culture with them.
If you allow me to make this project happen with your donations, I will paint your name or if you donate in someone's honor, I will paint their name on the wall of the hospital, thanking donors and letting the community know that this would not have been possible without the generosity of other Americans like me. I know that I have a wonderful group of family and friends waiting for me back home. I want to thank you ahead of time for your generosity and support.
This is the link for donating:
https://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=donate.contribute.projDetail&projdesc=685-193
This is the link for photos of the health post:
https://picasaweb.google.com/103517722113759676642/KeurMadiabelHealthPost?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNPqyO3AhpWjkgE&feat=directlink
Again, thank you so much for your support. I am so grateful for everyone's words of encouragement, packages, emails. Without your support, I would have never made it so far into my service and without it I won't be able to finish. So with all the gratitude and appreciation in my heart, I wish you a happy holiday season with your families and a wonderful new year!
Whoa Crazy Update
Hello Readers,
SO MANY THINGS HAVE HAPPENED SINCE I LAST WROTE. it's insane, really.
So, My mother and sister came to visit and I showed them around Senegal. It was so fun being a host. I got to stay in a nice hotel in Dakar and take them to the touristy places like Goree Island and the renaissance statue. Then we went to St. Louis, Lompoul (camel riding!), Mbour (beach!), Kaolack (garbage!) and then finally my site, the good old Keur Madiabel. By the time we arrive in KM it was Tabaski time, the holiday where each family sacrifice's a sheep in honor of God's mercy towards Abraham about a zillion years ago. Anyway, no one in my family really knows what its about so we just have lots of sheep and call it a day. This year my family killed FOUR (4) sheep which was so much meat. I had Senegalese outfits made for my mom and sister and we all looked so funny dressed up after eating all that meat.
After that, I received an exciting text message from a friend letting me know that the Global Smile Foundation was doing a collaborative project with a Thies hospital to repair cleft lips. So I showed up in Thies, not knowing what to expect and I had the most amazing week of my service. The team that arrived in Senegal did an amazing job on 30 patients, even though all their equipment had been lost by the airline. I had the honor of helping out in the operating room (just like my good ol clinic days!), helping out in the office organizing photos (just like my good ol library days!) and translating occasionally. It was so inspirational to be able to help to change someone's life so drastically in such a short period of time. The American team used their own vacation time and money to be able to go on this mission and I felt so lucky to be able to talk to them about their experiences in the medical field both stateside and abroad. I can't wait to make medical missions part of my career.
Then I went to Dakar to finish a bunch of office work and to visit a friend who had recently moved into her apartment there. She has a gorgeous place that looks out over the ocean.
I just spent a few weeks in village and while I love everyone there, the kids find it impossible to leave me alone. I'm the designated kid washer now. :) So, I escaped my village and visited my neighbor, Jennie's, village where the kids didn't leave me alone there either. HA. I love the toddlers but I never realized the destruction they could leave in their paths.
I always feel like I'm in a frantic rush now that I only have a few months left of my service. I'm looking towards the future and getting ready, emotionally, to leave the home that I created for myself almost two years ago and create a new one, someplace else will a whole new cast of characters. I'll let you guys know how that goes.
I miss my readers and friends and I miss America. BYE BYE.
SO MANY THINGS HAVE HAPPENED SINCE I LAST WROTE. it's insane, really.
So, My mother and sister came to visit and I showed them around Senegal. It was so fun being a host. I got to stay in a nice hotel in Dakar and take them to the touristy places like Goree Island and the renaissance statue. Then we went to St. Louis, Lompoul (camel riding!), Mbour (beach!), Kaolack (garbage!) and then finally my site, the good old Keur Madiabel. By the time we arrive in KM it was Tabaski time, the holiday where each family sacrifice's a sheep in honor of God's mercy towards Abraham about a zillion years ago. Anyway, no one in my family really knows what its about so we just have lots of sheep and call it a day. This year my family killed FOUR (4) sheep which was so much meat. I had Senegalese outfits made for my mom and sister and we all looked so funny dressed up after eating all that meat.
After that, I received an exciting text message from a friend letting me know that the Global Smile Foundation was doing a collaborative project with a Thies hospital to repair cleft lips. So I showed up in Thies, not knowing what to expect and I had the most amazing week of my service. The team that arrived in Senegal did an amazing job on 30 patients, even though all their equipment had been lost by the airline. I had the honor of helping out in the operating room (just like my good ol clinic days!), helping out in the office organizing photos (just like my good ol library days!) and translating occasionally. It was so inspirational to be able to help to change someone's life so drastically in such a short period of time. The American team used their own vacation time and money to be able to go on this mission and I felt so lucky to be able to talk to them about their experiences in the medical field both stateside and abroad. I can't wait to make medical missions part of my career.
Then I went to Dakar to finish a bunch of office work and to visit a friend who had recently moved into her apartment there. She has a gorgeous place that looks out over the ocean.
I just spent a few weeks in village and while I love everyone there, the kids find it impossible to leave me alone. I'm the designated kid washer now. :) So, I escaped my village and visited my neighbor, Jennie's, village where the kids didn't leave me alone there either. HA. I love the toddlers but I never realized the destruction they could leave in their paths.
I always feel like I'm in a frantic rush now that I only have a few months left of my service. I'm looking towards the future and getting ready, emotionally, to leave the home that I created for myself almost two years ago and create a new one, someplace else will a whole new cast of characters. I'll let you guys know how that goes.
I miss my readers and friends and I miss America. BYE BYE.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
A YEAR LATER
so i feel bad because it's been a year and i haven't blogged. actually, that's a lie. i don't feel bad.
my mother always said if you don't have anything nice to say don't say it all. so i've been silent.
i don't really know how to sum up a whole year in a blog post so i'll start with the most recent things:
1. Moringa Tour- My friends Ari and Carla had the genius idea of planting intensive beds of Moringa, a highly nutritious but underused plant, in many villages. In July, we visited 20 something villages and planted beds of Moringa with the intention of returning to teach them how to utilize it. Last week, my friend Andrew and I visited 24 sites teaching rural community members how to dry Moringa leaves to maximize the nutritional benefits.
2. Spain- I went to Barcelona and Valencia to see the sites this past August. Honestly, it was hard to return to Senegal. Barcelona is such a beautiful city full of culture, food, friendly people, art etc. My friend Mika, sissy and I went to the Tomatina tomato throwing festival in a cute little town called Bunol. It was so much fun. I love it there.
Those are the main things. Other activities include: 4th of July, hiking water falls, visiting Mika's site, biking, helping out with trainings, painting murals, holding health talks, visiting St Louis for Jazz Festival, WAIST and dressing up as a hotdog, going home to US for vacation, tonsillectomy, seeing my friends and family at home, Halloween and dressing up like a banana, butchering and frying a turkey for thanksgiving, trying to organize projects for my community, celebrating victories and mourning losses, making friends and having them move away, lots of laundry by hand etc etc etc
so, as you can see i've been too busy to blog. but i enjoy hearing from everyone regardless and i am looking forward to seeing every one face to face one day.
my mother always said if you don't have anything nice to say don't say it all. so i've been silent.
i don't really know how to sum up a whole year in a blog post so i'll start with the most recent things:
1. Moringa Tour- My friends Ari and Carla had the genius idea of planting intensive beds of Moringa, a highly nutritious but underused plant, in many villages. In July, we visited 20 something villages and planted beds of Moringa with the intention of returning to teach them how to utilize it. Last week, my friend Andrew and I visited 24 sites teaching rural community members how to dry Moringa leaves to maximize the nutritional benefits.
2. Spain- I went to Barcelona and Valencia to see the sites this past August. Honestly, it was hard to return to Senegal. Barcelona is such a beautiful city full of culture, food, friendly people, art etc. My friend Mika, sissy and I went to the Tomatina tomato throwing festival in a cute little town called Bunol. It was so much fun. I love it there.
Those are the main things. Other activities include: 4th of July, hiking water falls, visiting Mika's site, biking, helping out with trainings, painting murals, holding health talks, visiting St Louis for Jazz Festival, WAIST and dressing up as a hotdog, going home to US for vacation, tonsillectomy, seeing my friends and family at home, Halloween and dressing up like a banana, butchering and frying a turkey for thanksgiving, trying to organize projects for my community, celebrating victories and mourning losses, making friends and having them move away, lots of laundry by hand etc etc etc
so, as you can see i've been too busy to blog. but i enjoy hearing from everyone regardless and i am looking forward to seeing every one face to face one day.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Life After Ramadan
Apologies dear readers for my lack of posting (you've likely heard this apology at least once before and will probably hear it many more times in the future) but I've been busy sitting around doing nothing. Well, just kidding...kind of.
The month of Ramadan has just passed and this year I chose to fast with my family. During Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset. They use this time of year to purify themselves by refraining from gossiping, thinking unclean thoughts (heehee), etc and devoting more time to thinking about Allah. Very nice. As you all know, I'm not Muslim but I decided to fast this year to show respect and solidarity. Also, people think you're way more badass if you're a fasting white girl. What they did not know was that most days I snuck water and food in my room. Yes, that's right. I'm admitting this online because it was hot and frankly I think it's dumb to give myself headaches and low blood sugar just so that people think I'm tough. But still it was a gigantic pain in the neck and it's not like I had full meals or anything.
My daily schedule went something like this: wake up at 5:30 eat last night's leftovers, go back to sleep for as long as possible, get up late (less hours awake means less hours hungry, duh), wander about the compound, play with children, sneak some water, go to the hospital/market to greet people and buy food for dinner, go home, nap, play with children, chat with my sisters while helping make dinner. around this time it's about 5:30 or 6 and everyone (especially me) is starting to get really crabby and hungry. at 6:30 everyone, seriously, everyone starts to ask me what time it is. This is because they want it to be 7:30 already and I'm one that has a watch or cellphone or clock. This is the only time anyone ever cares what time it is.
Also, no matter what time of year, I've noticed that they demand the EXACT time. If I say it's 5:30 they say REALLY? 5:30 exactly? and then they crane their necks to look at my watch. Then if its actually 5:28 they correct me and look at me like I'm either dumb or a liar. I mean, this is coming from people who seriously don't ever care about getting any place at anyone exact time. If I arrange to meet someone to do work or attend an event it always occurs and hour and a half late. EVERY. TIME. So the exact minute thing escapes me.
So anyway, at 7:30 or when the mosque says we break the fast. This is the best part of Ramadan. The whole family gets together on the patio or mat and has bread with butter, a delicious tea called kinkeliba and dates. The whole thing only last 15 minutes but it's nice to just sit and chat and the first drink and bite of food after a day of not eating is so satisfying. The bread is SO fresh during Ramadan since all the families buy loaves and loaves of it everyday. Then everyone disappears for a while until 8:15 until dinner. Let me tell you, dinner during Ramadan is the best. We had chicken 2 or 3 times during this month and meat twice! The bowl has tons of vegetables with all of my favorite garnishes. They really go all out.
So now you know all about Ramadan. It's over now but that doesn't mean I'm not still hungry. Send food! I love you all!
The month of Ramadan has just passed and this year I chose to fast with my family. During Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset. They use this time of year to purify themselves by refraining from gossiping, thinking unclean thoughts (heehee), etc and devoting more time to thinking about Allah. Very nice. As you all know, I'm not Muslim but I decided to fast this year to show respect and solidarity. Also, people think you're way more badass if you're a fasting white girl. What they did not know was that most days I snuck water and food in my room. Yes, that's right. I'm admitting this online because it was hot and frankly I think it's dumb to give myself headaches and low blood sugar just so that people think I'm tough. But still it was a gigantic pain in the neck and it's not like I had full meals or anything.
My daily schedule went something like this: wake up at 5:30 eat last night's leftovers, go back to sleep for as long as possible, get up late (less hours awake means less hours hungry, duh), wander about the compound, play with children, sneak some water, go to the hospital/market to greet people and buy food for dinner, go home, nap, play with children, chat with my sisters while helping make dinner. around this time it's about 5:30 or 6 and everyone (especially me) is starting to get really crabby and hungry. at 6:30 everyone, seriously, everyone starts to ask me what time it is. This is because they want it to be 7:30 already and I'm one that has a watch or cellphone or clock. This is the only time anyone ever cares what time it is.
Also, no matter what time of year, I've noticed that they demand the EXACT time. If I say it's 5:30 they say REALLY? 5:30 exactly? and then they crane their necks to look at my watch. Then if its actually 5:28 they correct me and look at me like I'm either dumb or a liar. I mean, this is coming from people who seriously don't ever care about getting any place at anyone exact time. If I arrange to meet someone to do work or attend an event it always occurs and hour and a half late. EVERY. TIME. So the exact minute thing escapes me.
So anyway, at 7:30 or when the mosque says we break the fast. This is the best part of Ramadan. The whole family gets together on the patio or mat and has bread with butter, a delicious tea called kinkeliba and dates. The whole thing only last 15 minutes but it's nice to just sit and chat and the first drink and bite of food after a day of not eating is so satisfying. The bread is SO fresh during Ramadan since all the families buy loaves and loaves of it everyday. Then everyone disappears for a while until 8:15 until dinner. Let me tell you, dinner during Ramadan is the best. We had chicken 2 or 3 times during this month and meat twice! The bowl has tons of vegetables with all of my favorite garnishes. They really go all out.
So now you know all about Ramadan. It's over now but that doesn't mean I'm not still hungry. Send food! I love you all!
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
i need your help/some photos
All that food right before bed during Ramadan has prompted my dormant insomnia to come raging back full force. Fortunately, as a result of all that extra time laying around in bed I've come up with a pretty cool (i think) project. What's cool about it is that it involves you guys, my dear readers- my most beloved friends and family-and everyone else in America that reads this. I know you guys are all so proud of me and so impressed and blah blah blah so here is a cheap and fun way to help me out plus you get something in return:
You send me a postcard from wherever you live in the good ole US of A and (on the same day i recieve it!) I will send you one from Senegal.
The whole point of this is to promote the second and third goals of the Peace Corps which involve cultural exchange. I plan on getting all the postcards together and showing them to the school kids in my neighboorhood while matching up the locations on a map. Cool right? You get a postcard from Africa and my young friends here get to see America. As my work here progesses I can use the postcards as a learning tool in classrooms once school starts again, in girl's and boy's clubs, in the english club at the high school, etc. I'm really excited about this and I hope you are able to help me out! Postcards cost $0.98 to send and they usually cost about a dollar at most. The kids here don't usually get to see images of America except through TV maybe. Schoolbooks here are scarce and so are magazines and other reading material. Part of the reason I'm here is to teach people about America and how great it is there so I'm hoping you'll give me the oppurtunity to do exactly that! Thanks!
My address:
Jessica Goza
BP 325
Kaolack, Senegal
West Africa
And here are some photos b/c a blog without photos sucks:
They got me to wear orange. This was at a TB event. All the volunteer health workers (relais) wore matching fabric. I look silly.
well i guess one photo since i haven't figured out picasa yet.
You send me a postcard from wherever you live in the good ole US of A and (on the same day i recieve it!) I will send you one from Senegal.
The whole point of this is to promote the second and third goals of the Peace Corps which involve cultural exchange. I plan on getting all the postcards together and showing them to the school kids in my neighboorhood while matching up the locations on a map. Cool right? You get a postcard from Africa and my young friends here get to see America. As my work here progesses I can use the postcards as a learning tool in classrooms once school starts again, in girl's and boy's clubs, in the english club at the high school, etc. I'm really excited about this and I hope you are able to help me out! Postcards cost $0.98 to send and they usually cost about a dollar at most. The kids here don't usually get to see images of America except through TV maybe. Schoolbooks here are scarce and so are magazines and other reading material. Part of the reason I'm here is to teach people about America and how great it is there so I'm hoping you'll give me the oppurtunity to do exactly that! Thanks!
My address:
Jessica Goza
BP 325
Kaolack, Senegal
West Africa
And here are some photos b/c a blog without photos sucks:
They got me to wear orange. This was at a TB event. All the volunteer health workers (relais) wore matching fabric. I look silly.
well i guess one photo since i haven't figured out picasa yet.
Friday, August 13, 2010
gratitude
before i write another post about what's going on over here i'd like to take some time/space to very publicly thank all the lovely people in america that have sent me things through the mail. i appreciate each and everything thing so incredibly much in ways that i don't think my dear readers can comprehend. i love coming into town and picking up a little piece of america, a reminder that people still care about me and that i haven't been forgotten. that sounds melodramatic, i know, but it's true. so THANK YOU SO MUCH. getting mail, email, phone calls brings me more joy and comfort than anything else.
MOM and DAD- thank you so much for the THREE packages i've received so far. i know they cost a fortune but i was so happy to opem them up! the banana costume has been a huge hit and of course, there are always so many things i NEED packed in there. you two know what i like and you send it over and i don't even have to ask. you're the best.
SISSY- TWO PACKAGES from my broke ass new college grad sister. full of food! materials to make spam masubi!, things to put on my wall, and sweet notes. i love you so much! and i got your postcard too!
ARMAND- you know how much i loved that enormous 20 pound monstrosity! i've been wearing the watch everyday, carry the water bottle with me everywhere and i'm slowly working through the drink packets and granola bars. the gumballs were a huge hit with the kids and the candy was a huge hit with me.
KAMMIE- you send the classiest package of all. i've never seen so much expensive candy all in one box. i'm breaking out the ferraro rochers for a special occasion. everything else i've ravaged in middle of the night hunger attacks. and like i've told you, i read that damn US weekly you sent about 6 times and had it memorized before another volunteer asked me for it!
RAINA- you really outdid yourself this last time. not only was that box filled to the bring with delicious snacks that i didn't even know that i wanted, you threw in a great selection of magazines, a santa cruz weekly, and best of ALL LETTERS AND NOTES FROM YOU AND FAMILY MEMBERS!!!! i will be rereading them over and over again during the rest of my service. very encouraging!
MICHAEL FARLEY- i LOVE the raiders banner. seriously. i'm going to miss the games this season and all the highs and lows of being a raider's fan. i also love things i can put on my wall to decorate my room. this is great!
BRIAN R. and ELAINE S.- got your post cards and they are beautiful. i'm putting them up in a special place for postcards and things from around the world. thank you for thinking of me and while you're on your own adventures!
So here is a small picture of me with one of my favorite children. she is a perfect angel and i'd bring her with me everywhere i went if i could. see how nicely she fits on my back?
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
i really love you guys and wish i could send you gifts of equal value in return but this what you're getting for now. i swear there has to be a special place in heaven for those who send things to peace corps volunteers. i know it's expensive and it's a pain in the ass to put everything together and get the the post office but it is appreciated and it makes me feel loved. thanks, again.
MOM and DAD- thank you so much for the THREE packages i've received so far. i know they cost a fortune but i was so happy to opem them up! the banana costume has been a huge hit and of course, there are always so many things i NEED packed in there. you two know what i like and you send it over and i don't even have to ask. you're the best.
SISSY- TWO PACKAGES from my broke ass new college grad sister. full of food! materials to make spam masubi!, things to put on my wall, and sweet notes. i love you so much! and i got your postcard too!
ARMAND- you know how much i loved that enormous 20 pound monstrosity! i've been wearing the watch everyday, carry the water bottle with me everywhere and i'm slowly working through the drink packets and granola bars. the gumballs were a huge hit with the kids and the candy was a huge hit with me.
KAMMIE- you send the classiest package of all. i've never seen so much expensive candy all in one box. i'm breaking out the ferraro rochers for a special occasion. everything else i've ravaged in middle of the night hunger attacks. and like i've told you, i read that damn US weekly you sent about 6 times and had it memorized before another volunteer asked me for it!
RAINA- you really outdid yourself this last time. not only was that box filled to the bring with delicious snacks that i didn't even know that i wanted, you threw in a great selection of magazines, a santa cruz weekly, and best of ALL LETTERS AND NOTES FROM YOU AND FAMILY MEMBERS!!!! i will be rereading them over and over again during the rest of my service. very encouraging!
MICHAEL FARLEY- i LOVE the raiders banner. seriously. i'm going to miss the games this season and all the highs and lows of being a raider's fan. i also love things i can put on my wall to decorate my room. this is great!
BRIAN R. and ELAINE S.- got your post cards and they are beautiful. i'm putting them up in a special place for postcards and things from around the world. thank you for thinking of me and while you're on your own adventures!
So here is a small picture of me with one of my favorite children. she is a perfect angel and i'd bring her with me everywhere i went if i could. see how nicely she fits on my back?
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
i really love you guys and wish i could send you gifts of equal value in return but this what you're getting for now. i swear there has to be a special place in heaven for those who send things to peace corps volunteers. i know it's expensive and it's a pain in the ass to put everything together and get the the post office but it is appreciated and it makes me feel loved. thanks, again.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Pictures
i've been at IST for the past two weeks so i've been in thies gaining back all the weight i lost in village. food is delicious and abundant here. i've been eating: salads, pasta, ramen, lots of chicken, paninis, and other various items. We were all so happy to see each other again yet unaccustomed to spending so much time with other american people so we all started to go a little bit crazy. this coming week i will be working at an embassy sponsored english camp. i'm looking forward to teaching english and working with motivated young people.
here are some pictures from july fourth in beautiful kedegou:
look at how beautiful kedegou is:
this is the room we stayed in! cute hut + air conditioning
mika in all of his america gear
they put these goats in bags and then tied them to the roof of our car
here are some pictures from july fourth in beautiful kedegou:
this is a really cute animal we made friends with at the campement we stayed at
look at how beautiful kedegou is:
this is the room we stayed in! cute hut + air conditioning
mika in all of his america gear
they put these goats in bags and then tied them to the roof of our car
Sunday, July 11, 2010
i owe you guys a post
this was the goat that mysteriously appeared in my backyard. that's when i found out there was a wedding the next day.
i don't know why the rest of this is a link and i lost interest in finding out about five minutes ago.
a lot has happened since the last time i posted. i wish i had written a blog on each event.
here is a list:
1. vaccinated two hundred children door to door.
2. scrubbed the hospital sitting area alone while a group of three men looked on and commented. i asked one of them what he did for work and he said he played football and trained twice a day. that was his "job".
3. made a pepinere alone. while children harassed me. went door to door asking for people's manure.
4. traveled to tamba and kedegou where i spent the fourth of july in an air conditioned hotel room on a river. i had roasted pig! pork for the first time since march.
5. suffered a tonsil infection from the stupid fishbone incident hampering my partying ability. my tonsils were covered in white gunk and touching each other.
6. the wedding that happened seems so long ago. i didn't get any good pictures. weddings here are not like in america. there is not formal ceremony that is visible to the public. that all happens a the mosque. here there is just dancing and eating. i wish i had gotten a picture of the bride with her amazing make up and outfit.
7. funeral today. yesterday my grandma here died. she didn't live with us so i didn't know her too well. but its been somber around the house since its my mom's mom. yesterday we went to the house to sit. today i went again to sit. all the women sit at the house all day. the men gathered outside, took the body (at that point women started crying and making noises), went to the cemetery to bury her. only men are allowed at cemeteries here, i don't know why. then the imam talked for one seemed like a hours but only b/c i was crammed on a mat with 40 other women and my legs fell asleep. then people came by and threw money on a mat and i left. later i realized they had borrowed my shovels to dig the grave when they were returned covered in mud. spent the rest of day the in my hammock since my family was out of the house. very nice indeed.
8. giardia naming contest winner: wingiardiam leviplopsa. i think this is all kinds of awesome. i love harry potter, duh. will "anonymous" please come forward to claim your prize.
this is my compound. my room is to the right through that door.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
FISHBONES ARE MORE DANGEROUS THAN PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT
WARNING: FISHBONES CAN BE DANGEROUS
fishbones stuck in your throat is a common fear of PC volunteers here in senegal b/c that's really all we eat. we are treated like babies and so we rely on family members to pick the bones out for us. i've become a very trusting fish eater. besides, my biggest fears were pooping my pants and having something stolen from me. i never gave much thought to the danger of fishbones.
well today, that has changed. they are evil little throat daggers than can cause hours or maybe even days of pain. this afternoon, i awoke from my afternoon repose feeling more than peckish. fortunately, the fataya lady had just rounded the corner and i had CFA to spend. i bought four fatayas. two to share and two for myself. fatayas are delicious fried snacks, dough with seasoned ground meat or fish stuffed in the middle. sometimes they are crisp like fried wontons and sometimes they are doughy like indian fry bread.
i was eating one with out looking as i was rushing to get ready to go to the market and, in my haste, i swallowed a fish bone. well it remains lodged there till this moment. i told my family at about 10 PM and they immediately told me to go to my father.
i went to him and he massaged my throat while whispering a prayer or incantation and made spitting noises and breathed on my throat. then i drank water. then i tried to examine with a toothbrush. then i threw up all over my floor. then i threw up outside. then my dad massaged my throat again. then i really couldn't stop throwing up. then i tried gargling. then i brushed my teeth. then i threw up some more (macaroni for dinner). finally i stopped throwing up and i asked my mom how to clean it up and she cleaned it up for me. then i decided i had had enough torture and went in my room to blog about it. i smell like bulimia.
now a storm is coming in. it sounds like someone is rolling around on my roof. today i went in my backyard and there was a goat tied up next to the wall. i went back to the front and said "hey did you know there is a goat in the backyard?" my sister said, "yes, there is going to be a wedding on friday. your brother is getting married. you are going the market today to get fabric for a new outfit. tomorrow you're going to the thiam's house to get henna."
no body tells me anything around here!!!! a wedding at my house and i'm the last to know. of course! today there was an important meeting and no one called, texted, or came to visit my house to tell me about it. the only reason i knew was b/c the daughter of one of the people that is supposed to help me came to fetch me in the market and took me to the meeting where her mom (the person who was supposed to give me the details) asked me if i forgot about the meeting! i don't think i can blame this one on language issues, either.
so much stuff happens in one day. i will let you guys know if i ever go that fishbone out. doesn't that fataya up there look delicious?
Monday, June 21, 2010
it's something to celebrate
i have internet in my village! it finally works. this is very exciting news. i like to use gchat and skype.
my google address is: jessica.goza@gmail.com
skype: saynotobananas
email address: jessica_goza@yahoo.com
let me know what's going on in your lives and i'll try to do the same.
my google address is: jessica.goza@gmail.com
skype: saynotobananas
email address: jessica_goza@yahoo.com
let me know what's going on in your lives and i'll try to do the same.
Monday, June 14, 2010
CONTEST!!! VERY EXCITING!!!!
so yesterday i woke up and had a minor freak about the length of my bangs. it had been three months and 5 days since i'd had them trimmed. unacceptable. they had gone passed the point of "sullen teenager" all the way down to "unmanageable mess" so something had to be done. of course, i couldn't cut them inside my room because there's no light so i brought a mirror and my scissors outside. i frantically starting trimming but my glasses were getting in the way of the scissors. i finally reached a point where i just said "good enough for africa" and took a shower. well, this morning i woke up again (obviously) and saw myself in the mirror and thought "what the hell did i do to myself" so i freaked out again (you know how i am about my bangs) and before i even had a chance to take the mirror outside i just started cutting again in the dark of my room. then, in the midst of it all i cut a gash in my finger with the scissors, which i didn't think was a big deal but now hurts very badly. the whole ordeal was a minor but disTRESSing (get it? haha) situation.
well, now my bangs are out of my eyes and face and i can see again. they don't look very good. but they are still there covering my bad eyebrow (seriously i think at some point last year i did serious damage with the tweezers) and making it look like my hair has some semblance of style.
on to the contest:
so my poop sample tested positive for amoebas. are giardia parasites amoebas? i don't know. actually, no they consist of two half cells. but my poop smelled like i had giardia. and even though i was treated for it with all kinds of things that were awful, my poop still smells like i have it. plus my stomach hurts. all i know is that there are some unwanted pests that have made themselves a new home.
i'll get to the point: who ever can come up with the best name for my new internal friends wins a prize. i will mail you something from senegal. it might not be anything cool but it will be handpicked by me and you will at least pretend to like it. all you need to do is leave a comment with your name in it (not in that little "ask me anything" box). i will announce the winner later. maybe, a week or two. bisimilah.
on to the contest:
so my poop sample tested positive for amoebas. are giardia parasites amoebas? i don't know. actually, no they consist of two half cells. but my poop smelled like i had giardia. and even though i was treated for it with all kinds of things that were awful, my poop still smells like i have it. plus my stomach hurts. all i know is that there are some unwanted pests that have made themselves a new home.
i'll get to the point: who ever can come up with the best name for my new internal friends wins a prize. i will mail you something from senegal. it might not be anything cool but it will be handpicked by me and you will at least pretend to like it. all you need to do is leave a comment with your name in it (not in that little "ask me anything" box). i will announce the winner later. maybe, a week or two. bisimilah.
Monday, May 24, 2010
What's with the poop situation? Details.
i have giardia. it's gross. i have diarrhea and it's painful. i have a douche. it's a square cement structure with a porcelain hole.i squat. so to flush it, i pour water down the hole. i don't use toilet paper anymore but i do wash my hands very thoroughly with soap. as the for giardia, i'm super sick but i think i'll get better in the next couple of days. feel free to feel sorry for me and leave comments on my blog and/or write me a letter.
Monday, May 17, 2010
MOVING TOMORROW
Hi guys. Moving into my new village tomorrow. Won't have internet for a few weeks but you can continue to send emails, comments, letters, packages and love my way.
Jessica Goza
c/o Stephanie Shumsky
BP 325
Kaolack, Senegal
West Africa
also my phone number is on facebook. i can text and you can call through skype or google voice. love ya'll.
Jessica Goza
c/o Stephanie Shumsky
BP 325
Kaolack, Senegal
West Africa
also my phone number is on facebook. i can text and you can call through skype or google voice. love ya'll.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
it looks like an outdoor kitchen. Do you cook on the ground?
yes the kitchen is outdoors. people generally cook in a pot on top of three rocks. they use wood for the fire. everything is on the ground. i have never seen a table in a senegalese home though maybe they exist in urban areas. in the villages we eat on the ground, on a mat, sitting around one of those giant bowls. we all share. some people use spoons and some use hands.
why your name is Mari Bop? They do not like your name?
my name is mari b/c it's easier for the people here to remember and say my name if i have a senegalese one. it also helps me to integrate into the community and show that i am a part of a family here.
so I got a package to send you. should I wait until you get that new place or send it now?
you should send it now! i am moving tomorrow and packages take about four weeks to get here. its best to send things in flat rate boxes b/c it's cheaper and also when i pay the tax on my end it's cheaper.
Friday, May 14, 2010
I'M A REAL VOLUNTEER
i haven't done anything yet but today, my and my new friends swore in as official peace corps volunteers. we took an oath and everything. here's how it went:
I, Jessica Goza, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.
So here I am supporting and defending the Constitution and stuff like that. Don't forget about me out here. I'm moving to my new home on Tuesday. I'm excited and scared for my new job, my new family, speaking my new language and hopefully, eventually making new friends. I was 16 when I decided I was going to be a Peace Corps volunteer one day and 8 years later, after blood (literally), sweat (in my eyes) and tears (probably more often than necessary), I exist as a real live volunteer! it's time to get some work done!
you can bet your ass i'm going to be posting some photos of my awesome senegalese swear in outfit as soon as i get five minutes and a comfortable chair. love you guys!
ALSO, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST BOYFRIEND I COULD EVER ASK FOR. I LOVE YOU!
I, Jessica Goza, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.
So here I am supporting and defending the Constitution and stuff like that. Don't forget about me out here. I'm moving to my new home on Tuesday. I'm excited and scared for my new job, my new family, speaking my new language and hopefully, eventually making new friends. I was 16 when I decided I was going to be a Peace Corps volunteer one day and 8 years later, after blood (literally), sweat (in my eyes) and tears (probably more often than necessary), I exist as a real live volunteer! it's time to get some work done!
you can bet your ass i'm going to be posting some photos of my awesome senegalese swear in outfit as soon as i get five minutes and a comfortable chair. love you guys!
ALSO, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST BOYFRIEND I COULD EVER ASK FOR. I LOVE YOU!
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