Rainy Season turns to Dry Season

As you've all set back your clocks and our ground is drying up for the next few months, I figure it's time to give you a bit of an update.

I've been reluctant to blog within the past couple of months because my life has been so hectic, but more so relating to my work with Peace Corps Cameroon Admin "things."
I'm finally back in Fundong (and staying put) for [only] a week and a half, before the various Turkey Day activities begin. Then, with other things here and there at the start of December, before I know know it my Mom and Harry will be visiting! We're going to do a whirlwind tour of Fundong, spend Xmas in the Southwest region with my neighbor Peter and his family, see the beaches of Limbe, and then spend a little under a week in GABON!

Instead of writing paragraph upon paragraph in this entry, I'll just list things I've been doing, been wanting to do, and been thinking about recently. If you want more details/information, don't hesitate to ask me.

1) I really enjoyed helping out with the training of the new health/agro group - felt like an experienced volunteer and a therapist all at the same time

2) Having a year under your belt (as a PCV) feels very positive, especially seeing and hearing the anxiety of those just starting out

3) I love my community (here in Fundong) and miss them when I'm away too long. I enjoy continuing to learn the local dialect, Kom, and know that the locals appreciate it as well. As for Pidgin English, it's sort of like my inability to drive a stick shift, just not able to pick it up as easily!

4) I've caught up on the first 5 episodes of Glee, Season 2 --- not as great as Season 1.

5) I've decided to take the GRE in February, here in Yaounde. Hoping that the 2nd time around I perform better, this will help me figure out "what's next", after Peace Corps.

6) I recently acquired whole wheat flour (!) and made whole wheat tortillas this morning --- I can just feel the fiber having a hay day in my body, after so long!

7) My work as a PCV has taken a hiatus over these past few months and I feel is only going to continue that way until March (?). Don't get me wrong, it's not as if I've been sitting on my butt doing nothing. I've been continuing capacity building efforts with my NGO, Better Family Foundation, as much as is possible since I haven't consistently been around. I feel that a lot of my efforts have been towards preparing and executing training sessions for the new health/agro trainees. In addition to that, traveling within this country is an event in and of itself and takes time to accomplish and from which to recuperate!

8) I'm craving the ability to implement secondary projects (such as monthly Diabetes Awareness/Prevention sessions and more Choose A Future type activities) but lacking the consistency of being here to follow through.

9) I think I've decided that I prefer rainy season to dry season--a little mud is nothing compared with a lot of dust!

10) I have plans to travel, in mid-January, with a few friends from my training group to the East and Grand North regions of Cameroon! It's supposed to be a very different world around those parts.

11) I'm pleased to say that a small handful of Cameroonians (in and around Fundong) are thinking about making chocolate chip cookies for Xmas, instead of the traditional Chin-Chin (fried dough) - cross-cultural exchange is a success!

12) Pictures have been lacking from my more recent blog updates and I'm hoping that will change once my Mom arrives and bring the USB that I forgot while home in the States.

13) A Pencil for Pikins update is in the works, keep waiting patiently and I'll let you know when the new link is up! Thanks again for your personal interest in this project and to those connected to you who participated.

That's all for now.
Waka Fine Yah (You Be Well)!

Stef