Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Twelve months later
I think after doing anything for a year it makes sense to review and evaluate one's work, health, and general position. Most business owners would agree.
Let's start with the fun ones.
Mental health!
Apart from some odd habits formed as a result of spending so much time alone, I'm in a pretty good place right now. For example, I've gotten increasingly OCD in terms of having to do everything in a specific order. However, this weird tic also helps keep me busy, and as I've mentioned in earlier posts, being busy is very good for my mental state.
This month has been a good one in terms of motivation to do...well anything, really. For Pete's sake, I went running this morning. I just feel more stable in general. Things that might, in darker times, make me melt down, are no big deal lately. Example: I was in Fes the past two days meeting new Trainees and my cell phone AND iPod went completely dead. And I finished the book I was reading. And my program manager accidentally walked away with my pen. I didn't have chargers for either electronic device, nor did I have a replacement book or pen. This means that after an exhausting 48 hours of re-living "informative" sessions on bicycle safety, the (unofficial and heavily Berber-biased) history of Morocco, and cultural differences I had to take a three-hour train ride with no entertainment and no means of communication should I run into trouble. March/April/May me might have freaked out about this, but September me stared out the train window and fell in and out of consciousness, and everything was fine.
Physical health: I have a fancy new flu shot, I was weighed and blood pressured recently (both are fine) and, like I said before, I am feeling motivated to exercise. All these things make me feel a lot better about the sugar-based diet I seem to be on.
Work: It's too early to tell if any of my efforts are making a difference, but things are going okay. A running club I tried to get off the ground in March (note to self: it rains a lot in March and also you are really busy) has resurrected itself. Right now we are a small band of adventurers---just the host cousin and me, actually--but we run laps on the track every Tuesday and Sunday morning that we are both in town. After that we do some other exercises (today I taught her how to do a sun salutation), talk about who is more out of shape, then go home. Except today we ate breakfast together...which consisted of a candy bar, a pastry, sugary mint tea, bread and cheese. I know. We are working on it.
Another project I want to give a whirl is a club for English speakers. I'm working on the name...probably something like Anglophonia. My vision is to have bimonthly meetings with presentations on either different social issues or different Anglophone cultures. The problem here is that the vision is solely mine and I can see the whole project turning into a lot of work for me with hardly any skills transferred to Moroccan counterparts. It sounds bad, but a really important part of my job is finding other people who can do it for me.
Of course, there will also be day-to-day activities at the Dar Chabab. I'm still tweaking the schedule but it looks like there's going to be a lot of English tutoring this school year.
Social life: Before accurately evaluating this, I need to note that after a year living in Morocco my definition of normal is not yours. For example, saying that I get to see my closest friends every few months probably sounds pretty depressing to most readers. Saying that the bulk of my verbal interaction takes place in a language I'd never heard of 15 months ago might sound pretty stressful. Saying that I spend almost every Saturday night cooped up in my house watching The West Wing might sound pretty tragic. However! This stuff is all fine. I get a little lonely and I'm definitely not fluent in Darija, but I'm lucky to have internet and people in my town are pretty accustomed to my accent now. Plus, the relationship with the host family has never been better. I was at an engagement party for one of my host cousins last week and my host aunt spent five minutes explaining to one of the party-goers how I have two sets of parents now, her house is my house, I'm Moroccan, every time I open my mouth an angel gets its wings, blah blah blah. Truth be told this is all pretty standard coming from a Moroccan woman, but it's still nice to hear.
Regarding Andy: long distance relationships still suck, but it's bearable and I get to go home for a little bit in December.
Because, at the core of my being, I am a complainer, I need to come up with something negative to say. I'm currently COVERRRRRED in mosquito bites. I'd say about 50% of the last half hour (or 25% of the last hour) was spent scratching some part of my body. Let's go to the pie chart:
I'm just going to let Science do the talking on that one.
Let's start with the fun ones.
Mental health!
Apart from some odd habits formed as a result of spending so much time alone, I'm in a pretty good place right now. For example, I've gotten increasingly OCD in terms of having to do everything in a specific order. However, this weird tic also helps keep me busy, and as I've mentioned in earlier posts, being busy is very good for my mental state.
This month has been a good one in terms of motivation to do...well anything, really. For Pete's sake, I went running this morning. I just feel more stable in general. Things that might, in darker times, make me melt down, are no big deal lately. Example: I was in Fes the past two days meeting new Trainees and my cell phone AND iPod went completely dead. And I finished the book I was reading. And my program manager accidentally walked away with my pen. I didn't have chargers for either electronic device, nor did I have a replacement book or pen. This means that after an exhausting 48 hours of re-living "informative" sessions on bicycle safety, the (unofficial and heavily Berber-biased) history of Morocco, and cultural differences I had to take a three-hour train ride with no entertainment and no means of communication should I run into trouble. March/April/May me might have freaked out about this, but September me stared out the train window and fell in and out of consciousness, and everything was fine.
Physical health: I have a fancy new flu shot, I was weighed and blood pressured recently (both are fine) and, like I said before, I am feeling motivated to exercise. All these things make me feel a lot better about the sugar-based diet I seem to be on.
Work: It's too early to tell if any of my efforts are making a difference, but things are going okay. A running club I tried to get off the ground in March (note to self: it rains a lot in March and also you are really busy) has resurrected itself. Right now we are a small band of adventurers---just the host cousin and me, actually--but we run laps on the track every Tuesday and Sunday morning that we are both in town. After that we do some other exercises (today I taught her how to do a sun salutation), talk about who is more out of shape, then go home. Except today we ate breakfast together...which consisted of a candy bar, a pastry, sugary mint tea, bread and cheese. I know. We are working on it.
Another project I want to give a whirl is a club for English speakers. I'm working on the name...probably something like Anglophonia. My vision is to have bimonthly meetings with presentations on either different social issues or different Anglophone cultures. The problem here is that the vision is solely mine and I can see the whole project turning into a lot of work for me with hardly any skills transferred to Moroccan counterparts. It sounds bad, but a really important part of my job is finding other people who can do it for me.
Of course, there will also be day-to-day activities at the Dar Chabab. I'm still tweaking the schedule but it looks like there's going to be a lot of English tutoring this school year.
Social life: Before accurately evaluating this, I need to note that after a year living in Morocco my definition of normal is not yours. For example, saying that I get to see my closest friends every few months probably sounds pretty depressing to most readers. Saying that the bulk of my verbal interaction takes place in a language I'd never heard of 15 months ago might sound pretty stressful. Saying that I spend almost every Saturday night cooped up in my house watching The West Wing might sound pretty tragic. However! This stuff is all fine. I get a little lonely and I'm definitely not fluent in Darija, but I'm lucky to have internet and people in my town are pretty accustomed to my accent now. Plus, the relationship with the host family has never been better. I was at an engagement party for one of my host cousins last week and my host aunt spent five minutes explaining to one of the party-goers how I have two sets of parents now, her house is my house, I'm Moroccan, every time I open my mouth an angel gets its wings, blah blah blah. Truth be told this is all pretty standard coming from a Moroccan woman, but it's still nice to hear.
Regarding Andy: long distance relationships still suck, but it's bearable and I get to go home for a little bit in December.
Because, at the core of my being, I am a complainer, I need to come up with something negative to say. I'm currently COVERRRRRED in mosquito bites. I'd say about 50% of the last half hour (or 25% of the last hour) was spent scratching some part of my body. Let's go to the pie chart:
I'm just going to let Science do the talking on that one.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
The Pros and Con of having epic playlists
Pro: Congratulations, you have an epic playlist.
Pro: It has "Hashpipe" on it.
Pro: You no longer have to skip through a ton of crap you don't want to listen to on long car rides.
Pro: Other people are probably really jealous of your epic playlist.
Pro: After a really long day of running around Rabat you can get to your taxi stand, plop down in a seat and, while waiting for the cab to fill up, listen to "Don't Worry, Baby" and tune out everything around you.
CON: YOU TRY LISTENING TO GAGA'S "ALEJANDRO" WHILE SITTING STILL IN A CLOWN CAR FULL OF MOROCCANS.
Pro: It has "Hashpipe" on it.
Pro: You no longer have to skip through a ton of crap you don't want to listen to on long car rides.
Pro: Other people are probably really jealous of your epic playlist.
Pro: After a really long day of running around Rabat you can get to your taxi stand, plop down in a seat and, while waiting for the cab to fill up, listen to "Don't Worry, Baby" and tune out everything around you.
CON: YOU TRY LISTENING TO GAGA'S "ALEJANDRO" WHILE SITTING STILL IN A CLOWN CAR FULL OF MOROCCANS.
early morning anecdote
I'm treated like a child fairly often in Morocco.
Sometimes it's awkward, like when my landlord musses up my hair and claps me on the back so hard I stumble forward a few paces.
Sometimes it's humiliating, like that time I went to the hammam and was bathed by a naked stranger, then ordered to sit obediently in my underwear next to my host brother until our mom came.
And sometimes, some glorious times, it really works in my favor.
Yesterday morning I had to go to Rabat. Usually, getting to Rabat from where I live is almost comically easy. Grand taxis go straight there and back ALLLL day long.
Unfortunately, you can't depend on anything in this crazy world. According to a society of Cartographers for Social Equality, you can't even depend on latitude and longitude! Likewise, I arrived at the taxi stand yesterday morning to find at least 50 stranded hopefuls with no car in sight. Sucks to be us!
Actually, it sucks to be them, because when I walked up to the guy in charge of things to ask if he had any idea when a taxi might show up, he ordered me to sit next to him on the curb so that when the taxi DID come he could grab me and run to ensure I got a seat.
And that is exactly what we did.
Sometimes it's awkward, like when my landlord musses up my hair and claps me on the back so hard I stumble forward a few paces.
Sometimes it's humiliating, like that time I went to the hammam and was bathed by a naked stranger, then ordered to sit obediently in my underwear next to my host brother until our mom came.
And sometimes, some glorious times, it really works in my favor.
Yesterday morning I had to go to Rabat. Usually, getting to Rabat from where I live is almost comically easy. Grand taxis go straight there and back ALLLL day long.
Unfortunately, you can't depend on anything in this crazy world. According to a society of Cartographers for Social Equality, you can't even depend on latitude and longitude! Likewise, I arrived at the taxi stand yesterday morning to find at least 50 stranded hopefuls with no car in sight. Sucks to be us!
Actually, it sucks to be them, because when I walked up to the guy in charge of things to ask if he had any idea when a taxi might show up, he ordered me to sit next to him on the curb so that when the taxi DID come he could grab me and run to ensure I got a seat.
And that is exactly what we did.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Hey Summer--make like a tree and get outta here
It's obvious when looking at a calendar that I've been here a year. The simplest reasoning skills will lead you to this conclusion. I arrived in Casablanca on the morning of September 10, 2009 (it says it right here in my planner) and, a year later, I'm here in Morocco (my planner doesn't actually say this. It says that I need to buy more milk).
This is all pretty straightforward, but what REAAALLLLLYYYY made me see that I've been here a year was when I needed to put on a jacket in my house this morning. Yep, the very same house where, just a few months ago, a No Pants Policy was in effect. I've come full circle here, and now it's time for another go around.
I've so far spent about 1/24 of my life here, and by the time I leave it will be about 2/24, or 1/12. I know. I love reducing fractions, too. I'll spare you a long post about What It Means To Be In Peace Corps For A Year because I'm sure someone else will do that. Instead, I present you with a year in pictures:
Here's my CBT group last September, showing off the map we drew (Tanie drew) of our CBT site.
This was from L'Eid 2009. Me, Tanie, and her host cousin (?) getting henna'd
My friend Juan and me, moments before we swore in as PCVs last November.
From a day of SIDA activities, December 2009
Moving into my own house!
Donniell and me gearing up for my first trip to Fes
My town, and my friends, in the springtime
That one time I had a dog
Origami-ing with American kids at the American Club in Rabat
IST
My host cousin, Fuziya, getting married
Summer camp! (I'm the mime)
It's been a year. And now for something completely different.
A final word going out to Terry Jones: Jam3 rasek. Seriously, fuck you. I'm so sick of your shit and you are potentially endangering countless Americans abroad. The military aside, there are over 200 Peace Corps Volunteers currently serving in Morocco with 68 new Trainees arriving next week. And that's just one of the Muslim countries that welcomes Peace Corps. You and your hate can go to hell. Peace Corps had to evacuate Morocco in 2003 because the U.S. invaded Iraq and if my service comes to a similarly abrupt end because you're a dick, I'm going to do everything I can to educate the rest of our God forsaken country on why Islam is NOT out to get them.
I'd also like to mention that a few moments ago, one of my Muslim gendarmes stopped by my house to make sure I was aware of your shenanigans and make sure I was okay. This afternoon a dear Muslim friend now living in America called me to check in and wish me a happy L'3id. My Muslim host family only let me go home tonight on the condition that I come to their house as soon as I wake up tomorrow to eat breakfast with them. If these are really the people you want to protect your country from, I'm speechless.
This is all pretty straightforward, but what REAAALLLLLYYYY made me see that I've been here a year was when I needed to put on a jacket in my house this morning. Yep, the very same house where, just a few months ago, a No Pants Policy was in effect. I've come full circle here, and now it's time for another go around.
I've so far spent about 1/24 of my life here, and by the time I leave it will be about 2/24, or 1/12. I know. I love reducing fractions, too. I'll spare you a long post about What It Means To Be In Peace Corps For A Year because I'm sure someone else will do that. Instead, I present you with a year in pictures:
Here's my CBT group last September, showing off the map we drew (Tanie drew) of our CBT site.
This was from L'Eid 2009. Me, Tanie, and her host cousin (?) getting henna'd
My friend Juan and me, moments before we swore in as PCVs last November.
From a day of SIDA activities, December 2009
Moving into my own house!
Donniell and me gearing up for my first trip to Fes
My town, and my friends, in the springtime
That one time I had a dog
Origami-ing with American kids at the American Club in Rabat
IST
My host cousin, Fuziya, getting married
Summer camp! (I'm the mime)
It's been a year. And now for something completely different.
A final word going out to Terry Jones: Jam3 rasek. Seriously, fuck you. I'm so sick of your shit and you are potentially endangering countless Americans abroad. The military aside, there are over 200 Peace Corps Volunteers currently serving in Morocco with 68 new Trainees arriving next week. And that's just one of the Muslim countries that welcomes Peace Corps. You and your hate can go to hell. Peace Corps had to evacuate Morocco in 2003 because the U.S. invaded Iraq and if my service comes to a similarly abrupt end because you're a dick, I'm going to do everything I can to educate the rest of our God forsaken country on why Islam is NOT out to get them.
I'd also like to mention that a few moments ago, one of my Muslim gendarmes stopped by my house to make sure I was aware of your shenanigans and make sure I was okay. This afternoon a dear Muslim friend now living in America called me to check in and wish me a happy L'3id. My Muslim host family only let me go home tonight on the condition that I come to their house as soon as I wake up tomorrow to eat breakfast with them. If these are really the people you want to protect your country from, I'm speechless.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
For New Arrivals
My friend and fellow Stage-mate Ben posted some (I think) useful information for the incoming YD and Small Business Volunteers. Check it out at http://peacecorpsben.blogspot.com/
I would add that "Stuff You Should Know" and "Coverville" are awesome podcasts. Time well spent (Killed? Wasted?)!
I would add that "Stuff You Should Know" and "Coverville" are awesome podcasts. Time well spent (Killed? Wasted?)!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Bear with me here for about eight minutes
Barring images from Life magazine, this is both the saddest and most beautiful thing I have ever seen and probably ever will see:
Next time you think you are having a bad day, take solace in the fact that you are not a woman trapped in the body of a swan, in love with a prince who in Act III is going to cheat on you with your evil doppleganger and drive you to suicide.
Next time you think you are having a bad day, take solace in the fact that you are not a woman trapped in the body of a swan, in love with a prince who in Act III is going to cheat on you with your evil doppleganger and drive you to suicide.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
And then I say something!
I'm a complainer. I whine, I bitch, I moan. It's more a cry for attention than a sign of actual discomfort. What can I say? I'm the baby of the family.
I've got a lot going for me these days, though. I present to you, once again in lazy bullet-point form, things I like:
~I'll start with something that is usually a complaint. People won't leave me alone. There's always someone knocking on my door, random people stop me and want to know why I haven't been to visit them yet, my three-year-old host brother cries every time I leave his house and two men I barely know have proposed marriage. Yes, this is all very exhausting, especially for someone who needs like 23 hours of "me time" every day. But here is another way to look at it: My biggest problem in life right now is that I'm too loved.
~Marjane sells apple juice. Donniell, you're welcome.
~Mad Men is a part of my life again! I'm caught up through the second episode of season four and downloading episodes three and four as I type. Getting back into Mad Men is like riding a bike. I'm already way too emotionally involved and may have cried with Betty Draper when John F. Kennedy was pronounced dead (spoiler alert: JFK was assassinated in November 1963. Not sure if you heard about that.). Sure, my torrent downloader is telling me episode three will take 19 hours to download, but I'm optimistic. I'm pretty sure it's bluffing, and if not, let's be honest. I've got the time.
~I'm about as lucky as I can be in terms of what's waiting for me when I get home.
~My Dar Chabab kids have started stopping by my house, text messaging me and sending me facebook messages regarding when we are starting activities again. I've become such a recluse during Ramadan and it's exactly the push I need to start planning the 2010-11 school year.
~I just finished reading a book about methods of defeating your own clone, so I'm all set if that ever needs to happen.
~I've been in Morocco a year and don't (for the moment) want to shoot myself. Break out the bubbly!
I've got a lot going for me these days, though. I present to you, once again in lazy bullet-point form, things I like:
~I'll start with something that is usually a complaint. People won't leave me alone. There's always someone knocking on my door, random people stop me and want to know why I haven't been to visit them yet, my three-year-old host brother cries every time I leave his house and two men I barely know have proposed marriage. Yes, this is all very exhausting, especially for someone who needs like 23 hours of "me time" every day. But here is another way to look at it: My biggest problem in life right now is that I'm too loved.
~Marjane sells apple juice. Donniell, you're welcome.
~Mad Men is a part of my life again! I'm caught up through the second episode of season four and downloading episodes three and four as I type. Getting back into Mad Men is like riding a bike. I'm already way too emotionally involved and may have cried with Betty Draper when John F. Kennedy was pronounced dead (spoiler alert: JFK was assassinated in November 1963. Not sure if you heard about that.). Sure, my torrent downloader is telling me episode three will take 19 hours to download, but I'm optimistic. I'm pretty sure it's bluffing, and if not, let's be honest. I've got the time.
~I'm about as lucky as I can be in terms of what's waiting for me when I get home.
~My Dar Chabab kids have started stopping by my house, text messaging me and sending me facebook messages regarding when we are starting activities again. I've become such a recluse during Ramadan and it's exactly the push I need to start planning the 2010-11 school year.
~I just finished reading a book about methods of defeating your own clone, so I'm all set if that ever needs to happen.
~I've been in Morocco a year and don't (for the moment) want to shoot myself. Break out the bubbly!
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