no computer. . .blogs on hold for a bit

As some of you may know, my computer has unfortunately died. . . Yes a sad day for anyone, home or abroad. But the toughest part for me is the fact that I can't just go around the corner to my nearest technology center and have it fixed. Luckily for me, a couple of volunteers are heading back to the states in May, so I will be able to send it home with them, and hopefully my dad can bring it back with him, when he visits in June.
So until then, blogs will be a bit sparse. For that I apologize. I will be writing them in emails to myself on my blackberry, and posting them whenever I get a chance to borrow a friends computer.

With the dying of my MacBook, comes a big change of lifestyle for me. No more music, media (tv shows/movies), planning for grad school, studying for the GRE's etc. It was a rather harsh and abrupt change, that I have been trying to come to terms with. The thing that affects me on a daily basis is the music. I have found that without it, I do not enjoy cooking as much, nor do I have much motivation around the house. (My iPod was stolen a few months ago as well). Fortunately some fellow pcv's have helped me out, and I have some music on my phone now, which I can connect to speakers and listen to in that way.

I have been reading a lot in the mornings/afternoons/evenings now - not that I wasn't before, but even more so now. And have recently started the 'game of throne' book series. Thus far, I am truly enjoying them. I took a count the other day- I am already at 43 books read. . I can only imagine what the count will be at the end of my 2years here in Moz.

Work continues on in its usual fashion here in Quissico. I'm still finding my role in the hospital/with ICAP(CCS) to be difficult to pinpoint, so I have been spending a lot of my time with my community organizations. With the one- Acomuza, I have been doing nutrition workshops, we have been planting lots of Moringa trees, and I have been working with them and a doctor from the hospital to possibly set up a GAAC program. -quickly, it is a program that creates groups of PLWHA to once every 6 months send a different person to the hospital to receive medication for all the people in their group. On a rotating schedule it helps to ensure that all patients are getting their medication, cuts down the cost and hassle of transportation to the hospital, and helps keep them accountable for taking their meds. Its a cool idea.
With my other community organization, I am still focused on fixing up our garden, and getting an income generation project started. Its slow going, and at times frustrating beyond belief. . . But hopefully some progress will be made soon.

With my secondary projects- I have collaborated with a professor at the local secondary school, and we are creating a more credible english group that will meet twice a week at the school.
I also have a new counterpart for my REDES program, and we have started two new groups, one for older girls and one for the younger girls. The older girl group is up and running, and we are working on a theatre piece about Malaria to be presented next month (april is world malaria month!) at the hospital, in town, and in some of our organizations as well. The younger group is proving to be a bit difficult, with girls forgetting about meetings/general lack of interest. I am trying not to lose hope.

Went to the lagoon last Saturday, to find that it is still incredibly flooded. The amount of rain we received, and continue to have has not allowed it to drain out. Many people in the community have lost their gardens because of it, and I have lost my private place at the beach. Hopefully it will drain out sooner than later, and ill have my beautiful lagoon back.

Time continues to pass- this coming week will mark my the entry into my 11th month here in Moz.  . . Wow. And yet I still have another 15 to go. A bit daunting and depressing to know that so much time has already passed, and yet so much is still yet to go.

I anxiously await my dad's visit- we have a grand adventure semi-planned out! Victoria falls, a quick trip across Malawi, then cutting across northern Moz, to come south and spend some time here at site. It should be a really great time.

Lua is doing well, she is all vaccinated, dewormed, and growing at an alarming rate. I am teaching her new tricks, and letting her have free roaming abilities of the neighborhood when I am home, but keeping her leashed when I am not. I feel its a good balance.

Not too much else to say, April is fast approaching, which means our PDM conference with Peace Corps, and then Beer Olympics. May, there is Bushfire- a giant music festival in Swaziland, and June is dad's arrival. Hopefully the time passes quickly.

Until next time!
Xoxo
Your friend in Moz