Journal Entry 12/6

 Yesterday, I woke up ungodly early again despite my WICKED tiredness to the 5 AM prayers. I did some origami in bed so I could stagger the amount of crap I needed to finish in the upcoming days. I was out the door by 9:30 and despite finishing my chores in record time and even eating my breakfast I was dead tired! I was fighting sleep the entire field trip to the Regional Health Teams and hospitals and I wasn't the only one, hah. One of my colleagues straight up tilted her head back and passed out. That early wake up call yesterday KILLED everyone. We got to eat lunch in Soma at Ramadan Restaurant and I split a delectable chicken and chips dish with Alicia. We finished the day by visiting Kathy, an older health PCV, who mobilized a traveling drama group that acts like a health acting troupe. It was great to see despite not knowing what they were saying - we watched 3 skits on malaria, environmental sanitation, and hygiene. We returned at a relatively good time before sunset, showered, dinnered where I surprised myself by eating a LOT by my standards of coos, out to math, and I think I'm making headway with the young ones of the concept of "patience" and "taking turns." It was the concluding day to our 2-day field trip series and I was tired the entire day. I think everyone could see it. But, it's all over now and it was definitely inspiring. 

TODAY, I woke up replenished and did everything I needed to do to make it to Ida's by 8. Of course I find out we're doing 1 on 1s when I arrive and it's not even my turn until 10:30... dammit. So, I conversed withs ome neighboring kids, they have so much energy and are really adorable, corrected some math problems, made new ones, memorized hand washing lines for an afternoon health talk in Serehule, and studied by myself. Alicia came by for her turn while Elizabeth came out. Elizabeth and I chatted a bit and I pumped her up to finish training strong because we are so close yet it feels like there's a million things in our way. We laughed at how motley the crew was (motley in a good way, because apparently motley has a negative connotation) and in particular, the Serehule group. This was, for many Jalanbereh denizens, their first time with foreigners/toubabs and they get an older, tall White woman, a curvy, medium built Black woman, and a short as hell young Asian woman. Elizabeth also made me laugh at how Peace Corps put the most intense/enthusiastic/dramatic people in the same group. Welp, we made it pretty successfully if I do say so myself.

It was finally my turn to go into Ida's house and we legit just talked in Serehule to prep for the final test. I feel way more confident now but still I'm going to write note cards to study from during tomorrow's Marathon March. Anywho, it seemed like I was only in there for 10 minutes but I think that was enough. Ida really wants me to get to the "top of the class" and I hope I can do her proud. PRESSURE'S ON AH. Apparently scoring advanced has been done before. I studied with Elizabeth outside some more and felt so hungry until lunch came. It was fried rice with a medley of different ROASTED veggies (unheard of) and steamed beef. Ida made this nasty smelling medicine and it was pungent as hell. I hope it helps her, it just reminds me of awful Chinese herbal medicine that made me want to barf more. SO, we ate and debated whether or not Alicia should go on the Marathon March and what to bring. I'll be packing 2.5 liters of water with ample amounts of Gatorade, mosquito repellent, sun lotion, a head net just in case, anti itching oil, a spoon, some napkins, a big zip lock bag full of mixed nuts as a snack, a small towel, my hat, and iTouch. My phone conveniently died but thankfully I secured an appointment with the in country hairdresser - a PCV named Cat who has a knack for cutting hair - and found out the pick up time for tomorrow before it did so.

Finally, the PC staff arrived and we did our hand washing demonstration. It went okay, not the best since everyone was busy and we had a small audience and they were way weary about being observed than actually paying attention to the lesson. Later, Bah2, Seth, Peter, and Katim came over to my place to look at my compost (which is the best by the way says Bah2, suck it AgFos!) helped me weed, and got guidance on the annoying insect problem I have. Apparently sprinkling wood ash on the leaves will do the trick. They left shortly after and  fetched some water. Came back, chatted with the ladies and jokingly yelled that I wanted to be naked because I was so hot and sweaty. They laughed but cleaaarly in an "oh shit" way... why? Because, as one of the younger ladies that I always joke with says, my totally conservative, old, reserved dad was sitting 8 feet away. Oops. Of course. I greeted him, took a shower, studied, dinnered, mathed, and finally went to sleep for the insane trek tomorrow in the bush.