Daily Schedule

I feel a little bad that some of my updates have been less than chipper, but adjusting can be uncomfortable.  I  also realized today that I'm trying so hard not to offend people, and trying not to be a stereotypical American, that I'm making myself uncomfortable!  Maybe if I relax a little, I'll have a better time.

Today, while I had beautiful internet access, I caught up with some good friends and Africa travelers- and it did wonders for my mood!

Someone asked what it is I do all day, and after a week of traveling and meetings, I have finally settled into a schedule.  This week is a little odd, because my host father/supervisor is in Windhoek on business, but the following weeks will follow a similar rhythm.   


6:30 (ish) my host mother wakes me up, and the "lady" (housekeeper/babysitter) gives me buttered bread, super salty namibian eggs, and tea.  As I eat breakfast, I help my host sister finish her homework that she never finishes the night before


7:15- host mom & siblings & I leave the house, drop kids off at school (along super bumpy sandy roads and in the midst of traffic), and my host mom drops me off at work


8:00 work starts- right now I'm working on a grant proposal to hopefully get this organization more funding.  I try to lay the groundwork for research interviews, meet people, not commit social faux pas, and write papers for my summer credit/research

9:00- tea break

9:30- back to work.  I spend all day in the office, in the boss's chair no less, when other people are spinning and weaving.

12:00 lunch

4:00 the work day ends, people say good bye to me, and I stay enjoying the internet while I wait for my host mother to "knock off"- get off work- and pick me up.

5:30- host mother picks me up, we run errands- yesterday we bought groceries at Pick & Pay
If we get home quickly, I help the kids with homework or tell them about America or watch TV before dinner.

7:00- dinner, usually meat and traditional meal.  They still serve me with a plate and utensils they wouldn't use, and brush me aside every time I try to tell them this is unnecessary

8:00- shower, say good night, and go to bed.  This is quite early for me, and I always think that I will get more unpacking/rearranging done or some other work, but I'm always super tired and go to bed!

Interspersed throughout the day are intercultural interactions and questions that I've partially included in other blogs.