First week....down!

Ok. Just to be clear, I am pretty sure the Internet hates me. And computers. All the youth can get online...but I never can. Ugh. Frustrating. But I get a lot of reading done!

Sooo, I completely forgot to mention a really important part of what I did my first week here. The other youth and I went to the Village of Hope Orphanage. The owners showed us around to all the houses that kids live at. There are 4 girls and 5 boys in each house with a "mother" and "aunt" and they try to keep siblings and relatives together, which I think is awesome! And their rooms are VERY clean. Geez. Mine was never clean at that age...or ever for that matter. But they go to school and learn business and entrepreneurial skills. Some go to university, others go into business. And they don't do adoption because they feel these kids are now their own children and they are all a big, happy family. All the children were adorable and we played with them after the tour. We split into two teams and played football....which obviously I didn't help the team at all. There was one point where the ball came to me and I quickly kicked it away and stood at the other end of the field. Ha! Professional for sure. But then we had to go cuz the new youth was arriving that night and I hadn't moved my stuff out of the house into the dorm...which I got in trouble for. Oops!

Anyway, this kid Alex. He is the most incredible, insightful, and loving 15 year old ever! When the youth and I went to the Institute, we saw him and he came over to talk with us. I told him I thought it was amazing how he did children's classes, JY groups, and tutored Ruhi. And this was his answer.

"I do it for the love of Baha'u'llah. My only wish is to serve Him."

At which point my jaw completely dropped onto the ground and has yet to come back up. I was speechless and just stared at him like a creep. Ugh. LOVE THAT KID!!!! He had to go back to school though, so hopefully he will be back during the December break.

I also had my first Feast and we sang a ton of songs....well I listened because I don't speak any of their languages...yet. However, Stella, one of my girls, taught me a song. And there was a boy there who was playing the drums and he was soooo good! I really want him to teach me, but I never see him. I need to hunt down one of the girls who drums and learn from them.

Well, so far I love my girls. I mean, sometimes I want to rip out my hair, or theirs, and feed them to sharks, but overall I really enjoy them and all their...personalities. Some have a little attitude, but oh well. They are girls. One of them I know will give me a little trouble, and I'm pretty sure she hates me....but she hugged me the other night....so I'll play it by ear. And there is this other girl that I absolutely adore!!!!!!!! I want to take her home. She is really quiet....which is the complete opposite of most of the other girls. But! I will not play favorites. I will not play favorites. I will NOT play favorites.  Well, I really don't. I just actually know her name so I don't feel awkward talking to her. But I think I have at least 15 names down. So....what, 20 more to go??? No problem....

However, there was a little incident the other night, Thursday, and I just wanted to punch a gir--...uh, wall...ha! Just kidding. Kinda. But they had to got o bed early cuz they had missed curfew the night before and they were already a couple minutes late when a whole group started to yelling in the bathroom cuz they had found a note and a picture of one of the girls grandmother's in the pad pin (it was empty except for the picture, note, and a pencil case). The note said, "beware, it will strike again. don't be like that. Diana and Chisonge are next." Well, all heck broke loose and girls were crying and no one wanted to sleep alone or with the lights off. They also said someone had been putting stuff in their for the past couple days, but no one told me. I tried to calm them down and tell them no one was going to hurt them but....they are 8th grade girls. I mean, I'm sure a few were scared and a few just wanted to reason to scream and stay up late. So I tried to call the matron becuase one of them also needed medicine...so after 4 phone calls, 2 house calls, and a call to the principle, she showed up an hour later. I was really frustrated at this point and told her what had happened and she started talking to the girls one by one. I had asked the two mentioned in the note to be strong and calm down becuase they weren't going to get hurt. Shalom and I were saying that it was a sick joke and all, and I asked if they could be an example to the other girls and help calm them down. Which they did an awesome job of doing. And one girl, Arian, went to all the rooms and read Bible passages with the girls. Mah! Love her. But, finally, the girls settled down and went to bed.

That was a test. And I am pretty sure I failed. Ha!

I had a family meeting the next night and talked about the the little prank. I REEEAAAALLLY don't want to deal with witchcraft so I want to nip it in the butt. Soooo...hopefully that won't happen again.

During quiet time on Friday, some 12th year girls came to my dorm and were getting shoes from them and they were being really loud. I was mad cuz they can't be over there anyway, and the fact that theyw ere being loud....mah! And they were crowding around this one girl, who is new, like a freaking pack of wolves trying to get shoes from her. I told them to be quiet and leave and finally after getting the shoes they did. But I asked the new girl, Chanda, if she had been scared and she said she had been.

I wanted to fling the 12th year girls at trees. I was so mad that they had bullied her so I went to Shalom and Mei, who are their dorm mothers and told them about it. Mei wasn't happy, but we didn't know which girls did it, cuz I don't know their names, and Chanda didn't want to get in trouble. I hope I am never their dorm mom cuz they will hate me cuz I'll be a little demon dorm mom. Ugh. Man. I hope there are anger management classes in Lusaka...

Oh! And my Bemba name is Chikondi, which means love. Ironic? Yes.

Ok. Moving on. On Saturday I went with the basketball team (some of which had shoes from my girls!) to the Olympic Youth Development Center for a basketball tournament. The seniors came in first and the juniors came in second. Both are going to the finals and some are being scouted for the national team. It was so much fun to watch, even though it was outside and extrememly windy. I got layer of dirt all over me and I niiiiice sunburn. Mmmm! And they have a ton of spirit and are so supportive of each other! I don't think my high school team would know what to do with themselves in that situation. Haha! But on the hour long bus ride over at 7 am, they were singing and drumming the whole way, and during games they would stand on the sideline and sing and dance and cheer for each other. I loved that. They are actually a team. The coach invited me to go to their practices....which one is right now...so I want to do that.

Oh, I am also reading a lot of books written in the 50's. Ya know, the ones for youngish teenage girls? I am getting a kick out of them! The language is so funny and entertaining. Hahaha! Just thinking about them makes me chuckle. Actually, they have really good themes....they're just....
Ah....so funny.

Yesterday, we had devotions at the school and at the Institute. The one at the Institute was awesome. They sang a lot of songs and I'm telling you, they know how to do it. Literally, every time they sang, the mixture of the men's and women's voices would grab your soul and just shake it and give you goosebumps. And the boy who is an amazing drummerwas there and was incredible again. His name is Humphrey, I think. And for the last song, we all got up and danced in a circle. Oh man. Sunday's are GREAT days.

Colleen, Krista , and I cleaned our bathroom as good as we possible could. All the cleaning supplies were empty and there wasn't much to use....so, when we go to town we are getting some stuff....such as gloves with no holes.

OH!!! And my girls are gone for a whole week!!!! They went to Tree Tops which is a game park. I got up at six am and said goodbye to them. I only have the 6th and 7th grade girls with me...so 7. I am going to enjoy the peace and quiet. I mean, I miss my girls....but I miss silence as well. Hehe! And one of the girls gave me a bag of chips before they left....and the name of the chips, you ask???

SIMBA!!!!

No lie. Obviously I was overjoyed and probably scared my girls with my happiness, but come on! The Lion King! Work with me people!!!
That made my day. Possibly my year.

And the sunsets are gorgeous every night. It really is like the Lion King. Not that I would EVER doubt it, but the brilliant red, orange, yellow fire colors...and so vibrant! I am quite spoiled with the beauty of this place. And I love the people....even if they take shoes from new students or stay up much later than they should because of a joke...I love 'em.

And I am learning the names of the teacher's finally! Mr. Njovu gave me my Bemba name and he is the basketball coach...so I have no excuse not to know his name. And one teacher, Ms. Mukulumwa, gave me a history lesson of the Zulu kings and how the tribes of Zambia came to be. It was fascinating. This place is fascinating.

Last Friday was my first deepening with the Baha'i girls from the school. We talked about the importance of prayer. Once it got started it was fun and some of the girls had great questions and answers. Friday's will be great days too.

The youth servers may also study the Dawnbreakers or God Passes By with someone from Lusaka once a week. We are continuing with the Iquan right now, but were thinking weekends we would switch it up.

Also, I love the children's classes. Only two and I love them. This is what Africa does to you....or crazy loud girls who take a while to listen. haha! And the junior youth group is fun! I had my first one yesterday and there was this one boy, Jonas, who was sooooo cute!! He is 7....but tagged along with his friends. OH MY GOSH!!! I also want to take him home. Sidenote: I'm probably going to end up in jail for being a creep.
However, whenever the older boys were being loud or not listening, he would shout, "You guy's need to stop talking!" Ha! A 7 year old telling 12 year olds to behave. Love it. He was so adorable. And they listened to him.....that was great. afterward, another boy, Shuton, was playing with a tennis ball and Rose stole it and threw it to me. Then Shuton grabbed my wrist and said he would twist it if I didn't give him his ball, so I laughed and said, "fine."

WARNING: When a 12 year old boy says he is going to twist your arm if you don't do something and you say fine....He is going to twist your arm.

So, If I had known about the above warning, all would have been well cuz I wouldn't have said fine. But I did...and he twisted my arm. And I iced it later and now it's swollen. Little chump. But, I told him too and I don't really care. He is actually a really awesome kid and is SOOO much fun to joke with. But really, just give him the ball. he takes that seriously. Hehe!

Speaking of joking....I'm a really terrible example for my girls. Mutale and Natasha were playing Chiato and I wanted to scare Mutale so I sneaked up behind her and then jumped at her and asked who was winning. She screamed and dropped the rocks...and Colleen and I left and went to the computer lab. On the way there, Mutale snuck up behind me and just as I heard her footsteps she pounced and I almost peed my pants. Hahahaha! Then she ran back to the dorm and I picked up some monkey fruit (which is really hard) and snuck over to the dorms and yelled her name and chucked it at her....well 10 feet away, but in her direction. She screamed, and I bolted back to Colleen. Then I heard a little voice call my name and I turned and Mutale was standing at the gate to the dorms swinging a broom stick in her hands...Ha! Please! I'll just make her clean the ablutions for a week if she hit me!
But I knew she wouldn't so I went back and grabbed a broom and shew as hiding under a table so I started poking around under it while I asked the girls if they had seen her. Bahahahahah! I am a terrible example, but.....she was a good sport. However, I most likely won't be threatening my girls with monkey fruit or brooms anymore...I want the dorms to be a safe place for them. Not a place where they fear their dorm mom.

Or do I?

Hmm, what else? Everything just flies by so I forget things....but I think I have covered most of it.

Banjo, our adopted kitty, still hangs out with us in Mei's room. Which reminds me! I LOVE the youth here. One of them peed her pants...completely...so I knew our friendship was true. Haha! But everyone is so helpful and supportive. I already know I will miss them all when they leave. Haha! So many funny moments.

Well, if I gforgot anything, I will just write it in my next blog like I did with this one. And sorry that they are so long. I really wanted to keep them short...but that is not going to happen. haha!

I love everyone back home...and the other's who are serving around the world!
Oh, and Roya, I was looking in the Pool/Computer book in reception and I found your name and stalked all your sign in's and out's. Some of the girls tell me I act just like you and talk like you...so hopefully that's compliment. They seem to like you...so I'll just go with it. Haha! The older girls remember you and another girl, Justin Larson. And so do the staff. Well, the ones who were here when you were. You both made a good impression here!

And I made a little mistake on my last blog. Shadon is not from Washington. I have heard she is from Texas. For sure, the United States.

And I'm excited for Wednesday. That's my day off!!!!!!! Starting Tuesday night at 8 and ending Wednesday night at 8. Sleeping in...YES.

One last thing. My friend gave me a glow in the dark star and I put it on my wall to pretend it's the Northern Star. It remeinds me of all the counselors at camp Carmel and that glorious song we made up. Ha! It makes me happy.

Hoping everyone is doing well! Love you guy's!

So far, so good...with INTERNET!!!! Barely.

I am here. In Africa.

Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuumm, what?

Yeah. Yeah. Insane!

The flight over was pretty good. I have never been served so much food on a plane before. I got 4 meals on all but one flight. Whew! And I got mostly caught up on movies.
So far I am loving it...minus the red ant invasion in my room (killed those suckers), which Colleen got a kick out of. I want to get a jar full and but them in her underwear....but I won't.

Anyway, I have been to Lusaka a few times and the bus ride there....probably the highlight so far. I would say they are 10-12 seater buses, minus the drivers, but they manage to squeeze in at least 20. We are each other's seatbelts...But I sat next to a mother and her baby, who was the cutest thing I've seen. I don't know how those mothers manage to wrap up their babies, feed, carry groceries, and keep their child from crying all the time all the while looking quite content.

I have also learned that negotiating is like breathing here. On bus rides, at markets...pretty much anything that doesn't have a written price on, you will negotiate for. But, they are usually pretty nice about it. Actually, every Zambian I have met is extremely nice. They all smile back and ask me how I'm doing, even in the city when we are passing each other. By the way, Lusaka is really crowded. That's the only thing I dislike. However, I'd pick this place over Manhattan any day.

Oh! And on my second outing to Lusaka, I was going to try and cash my travlers checks. Literally, after trying 8 different places, I gave up on that. And my ATM card didn't work. So, with barely any money in Africa, I was feeling pretty darn good...
However, that has all been straightened out, hopefully. But for real. Don't use American Express if you are going to another country. I totally forgot they didn't work. At least not anywhere I've been and no one in Zambia does them...so just don't do it.

The food here is good so far. A couple girls became vegetarians because they didn't want to eat meat every day. I will laugh if I do the same. Which I very well could because I also had a "children's class" last Friday and I thouroughly enjoyed it....so anything is possible. Oh, and I use the term children's class loosely cuz everyone is on holiday so the 10 kida that showed up, we just played games with them. And this one boy, Alex Jr., pretty much led it. This kid is amazing. AMAZING! I think he is 13 or 14, I could be wrong though. I wouldn't be surprised if he turned out to be 80. I mean, he does children's classes, he's an animator, AND a tutor. Dear Lord. I felt quite inferior to him. He led the games and was sooo kind to the kids. Ah! I was just so impressed with him.
Anyway, according to Colleen, another youth server, there are usually about 15 or more kids in the children's class. What?! That never happened back home. However, most of these kids live on the compound or near it. But still. That's awesome. I'll be taking notes for sure. In a near by town there are 7 children's classes going down with 72 participants total. My mind has been blown.

Last week, Colleen, Mei, Oriana and her borther, and I went to Ibis, which is kinda like hangout/relax place and the waiter there was asking us about the Faith so we are planning a mini fireside for him to come to on Friday.

Also, we had dinner at Mrs. Mukendi's, the matron, and the food was pretty good. I'm trying to eat as much as possible cuz I'm pretty sure the school food won't be as good. Anyway, we watched a lot of Disney and then said some prayers after. Her kids are adorable by the way.

What else have I done.....Oh yes! I got in trouble my fifth day cuz I hadn't moved my stuff out of the house where I was staying, to my dorm room and the other youth, Krista, needed my room. Oops. My bad.

These are the youth servers:

Colleen: from Canada
Oriana: from Italy (she went back on Wednesday though..after some trouble at the airport with the weight of her bags)
Mei: from Singapore
Krista:from Virginia
Shadon: from Washington, I think (she actually hasn't come yet, but should at the end of September)

I finally know my way around the place for the most part. And there are a ton of monkeys. They're pretty cute...but kinda loud. I just ate some of the monkey fruit as I typed this and am now sucking on a seed.

I also went swimming and the water was freezing, but it was fun.

Back to the food, I have had Indian food a couple times and it was delicious. I also ate some caterpillars last night. Definitely something to try...but I think once was good enough for me. Nshima is good too. That I could eat everyday...oh wait!! I most likely will be. Ha!

So the girls come on Sunday...I have the 8th graders who are supposedly the best beahved. I have heard that the first week or so is "The Battle" though....that is soooo reassuring. Apparently they like to test you to your limits. Oh this should be fun. I cannot wait. However, I am positive this year will be one that is exactly what I need. Difficult, but oh so enlightening.

I can't really remember everything I did, but that's the long and short of it. It has been really great so far and I have met many wonderful people, though their names I don't remember...or never even grasped. Oh man. That's going to be so hard! I am going to have to ask everyone at least 6 times to tell me their name, and then have them spell it out.

Well anyway, I miss my family and friends (especially my dog) but I'm not homesick...yet. I'm sure when estrogen is slapped in my face everyday I will be, but for now I just feel prefectly content. They love salt here, so obviously this is my homeland. But really, I feel good here. I love the place and the people. It was a dream to come here and it is finally happening. I hope I feel the same way about it when I leave.

And since I can't write on Facebook for some reason right now I would like to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Aaron. Have a wonderful wonderful day and an incredible year. I'm sure you will have nothing less. Story: At the market on Sunday Colleen, Mei, and Oriana were trying to buy earrings and were trying to get a lower price. So naturally, we became friends with the seller and he started talking about Alaska and how it's too cold there. In his words, "I would die faster." Haha! I thought that was funny.

Oh, and Ms. Davis, the woman I was staying with/the principal, has figured me out pretty quickly. She has noticed that whenever I have a question, I always start with "um"...Really. Please refer to the second line of this post. It's true.
So I need to start throwing her off. Perhaps starting with another little phrase like, "so" or "hey you!" or...I'm sure I will thank of something.
Alright, well I'm sure I have left out some events that have happened, but oh well. Hopefully I will be able to get on more during school, but don't hold your breath. The Internet is very slow here. It's not a lie. But patience is a virtue.

Hope everyone is doing well and you are all in my prayers! Love you all!

Oh, and Emily, I hope Spain is marvelous and Jessi and Natalie....Best of luck!!! To everyone in school...well, stay strong. And have fun! Ha! Or try. Vanessa, call my mom everyday! And for the one who is left in Medford till the end of September...I am still chuckling a little, but I can also imagine the pain that will bring, so Connie, I would like you to know that your spirit is here with me for sure. I feel it...including when I look at the attractive men for you. Bahahahaha!

I also want to thank not only my family, but Roya Ansari and Justin Larson as well. I am soooo thankful and grateful for all the help you two have been. Seriously. I feel more prepared now for this journey. If I need to whine/complain to someone, I know who to go to. Haha!