Happy Mother's Day

Spoke To Lisa

Talked a bit yesterday but we were cut off, and when we tried calling back we couldn't get through. So we called again today and chatted a bit more.

It turns out that after we were cut off Lisa went out visiting several friends (she's been visiting a lot of friends I gather) some teachers, some learners, some friends of Erna from the Hostel etc. So she has been busy joining in the community during the break between terms. Which is good - her socializing and getting involved in her community is important - from a Peace Corps perspective. When she's not doing classroom stuff that's what she's supposed to be doing. GRIN

In fact today we heard dogs barking in the background - whoever she was visiting had them as pets. We never got to ask what they fed dogs in Namibia. My guess is that it doesn't come in little cans or bags, GRIN.

 

There is Still Work To Be Done for Next Term

Lisa is working on lesson plans for the next term, and she's re-reading Charlie and The Chocolate Factory so she can make it "come alive" for her learners. Thank heavens that as she re-reads it she finds herself remembering why she liked it so much herself. So far she has 14 copies in hand and more are coming in the mail - she's overwhelmed by all your thoughtfulness and generosity!

 

Other Things Accomplished

Lisa is going over a GRE review book we sent her - for some reason thinking about GREs and grad school is a bit daunting at times. But she is thinking about all kinds of possibilities for when she returns - now if only President Obama's vision of America's future could be up and running by next January  with jobs - money for college etc available to all who desire it- hmmm -  I wonder who would be more surprised at that achievement - Lisa or Obama? GRIN

Lisa is also finishing up several books that she started, and is spending time relaxing to tapes we have sent her. She is enjoying her nice hot water, and shower - things she didn't have last winter in Namibia. And she is trying to write - she's flexible - she'll try poetry, short stories, even a novel - whatever works! She just isn't happy with her attempts at any of them yet. As writers ourselves her Dad and I sympathize.

 

A Raise

Seems like Peace Corps has granted them a raise. Approximately $100 Namibian - or about $10 US a month. Yes a month. Not exactly big bucks here - considering that the Peace Corps Volunteers are sort of on duty 24/7 in their communities. But in this day and age even a tiny gain is better than a decrease - and not losing benefits like that paid flight home at end of service is very very nice!

 

With luck we'll have more time next week to chat with Lisa - and thus more info for this blog - till then Enjoy Mother's Day and May!

 

Susan Rothman