tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-181409782024-03-07T11:01:56.463-05:00In this Lehman's terms...Back to America.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230462489025453343noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18140978.post-10586310345598061742013-03-16T17:50:00.002-04:002013-03-16T17:50:37.588-04:00Homemade Vapor RubFor my birthday I received some essential oils and the makings for different salves. Today in the midst of studying for finals, instead of taking a nap when I was exhausted I made a cup of chai tea and made a vapor rub.<br />
<br />
<i>melt in a double boiler:</i><br />
<b>-1/3 ounce of beeswax</b><br />
<b>-1 Tbsp. shea butter</b><br />
<i>turn off heat and add:</i><br />
<b>-4 Tbsp. coconut oil</b><br />
<b>-30 drops of various essential oils</b><br />
<i>transfer to a 4 oz tin </i><br />
<br />
I used<br />
-10 drops eucalyptus<br />
-5 drops tea tree<br />
-5 drops camphor<br />
-5 drops peppermint <br />
-3 drops rosemary<br />
-2 drops lemon<br />
<br />
So basically that means :<br />
-1 part beeswax<br />
-2 part shea butter<br />
-8 part coconut oil<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230462489025453343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18140978.post-53524368573944513632012-02-29T23:26:00.003-05:002012-02-29T23:42:15.976-05:00I'm in!So I had a great trip to the Pacific Northwest! I was accepted to both schools; I received the acceptance letters on my birthday! I fell in love with Bastyr University in Seattle and have sent my letter of intent to start their ND program in the Fall. Now all I have to do is successfully complete my last prerequisite, a General Psychology class which starts in two weeks.<br /><br />Here's a couple of links with a little <a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR9zTIPA80t1BYusxBbl9ygtZ6z8IV0rEMmTXspIw9zoG4DsM1jCQ"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 264px; height: 191px;" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR9zTIPA80t1BYusxBbl9ygtZ6z8IV0rEMmTXspIw9zoG4DsM1jCQ" alt="" border="0" /></a>more information on the program in addition to naturopathic medicine:<br /><a href="http://explorehealthcareers.org/en/Career/83/Naturopathic_Doctor/eurl.axd/e1e7626bc67e4f4b8162803dfae2be3e#Tab=Overview">Explorehealthcareers.org</a><br /><a href="http://www.bastyr.edu/">Bastyr</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230462489025453343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18140978.post-66597035676972829582012-02-14T13:23:00.002-05:002012-02-14T13:39:43.793-05:0014 Mindfulness TrainingsIn preparing for naturopathic medical school interviews next week, I have been looking at many common interview questions. One was: name three people, dead or alive, that you would invite to dinner and why? This got me really thinking. I initially wanted to spend it with some family members, some dead and some in California, but then I thought about the actually opportunity this dinner would provide. I decided there were three people I was interested in meeting, each covering the training of my mind, body and spirit.<br />Mohatma Ghandi-famed social justice activist, <a href="http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/images/mahatma-gandhi.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 126px; height: 104px;" src="http://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/images/mahatma-gandhi.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Rodney Yee-my favorite yoga guru ;)<a href="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/71158_61509257416_1706721_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 104px; height: 112px;" src="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/71158_61509257416_1706721_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> and Thich Nhat Hanh- a buddhist monk famous for his spiritual guidance. I know these may sound like cliche choice, but I think it would be a life changing dinner! (Anyone else notice the Eastern connections??)<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://wkuplondon.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/thich-nhat-hanh-3281.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 135px; height: 103px;" src="http://wkuplondon.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/thich-nhat-hanh-3281.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>In that spirit I decided to take the next 14 days to practice Thich Nhat Hanh's trainings in mindfulness. Today:<br /></div><strong><br />Openness</strong><br /><br />Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, I am determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory or ideology, even Buddhist ones. Buddhist teachings are guiding means to help me learn to look deeply and to develop my understanding and compassion. They are not doctrines to fight, kill or die for.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230462489025453343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18140978.post-18591017910151221122012-02-13T18:17:00.003-05:002012-02-13T18:23:46.054-05:00Personality Type!!<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia;">I am an INFJ!</span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;color:#22ad4a;" ></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia;"> They are sometimes described as counselors, a very unique and most rare personality type, I believe it accurately described me in many ways, especially myself in work and personal relationships. Interesting discovery...</span><br style="font-family: georgia;"><br style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Find out your type </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/jtypes2.asp">here</a><br style="font-family: georgia;"></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia; font-style: italic;" class="Right_head">Some Famous INFJs:</span><br style="font-family: georgia;">Gandhi</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><br style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Sidney Poitier</span><br style="font-family: georgia;">Eleanor Roosevelt</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><br style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Jane Goodall</span><br style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Emily Bronte</span><br style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Sir Alec Guiness</span><br style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Carl Jung</span><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br style="font-family: georgia;"></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Queen Noor<br />Aung San Suu Kyi<br /></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230462489025453343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18140978.post-15067400310724317442012-02-13T17:51:00.003-05:002012-02-13T18:01:15.711-05:00New Beginnings???It's been over two years since I've been back from Africa and let my blogging come to an end. I spent the good part of those two years taking classes at UNCG in order to enter a medical school program. Along the way I found a part-time job at the local hospital as a transporter/clinical assistant.<br /><br />These past two years, I have tried to help Ousmane with his transition to life in the US. It has been very rough at times but I think we've come a long way. Despite his stubbornness and his keen ability to drive me crazy I love him with all my heart.<br /><br />I'm flying out next week to the northwest to interview at two schools for their Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine program. Bastyr University in Seattle and National College of Natural Medicine in Portland, so excited and nervous at the same time!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230462489025453343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18140978.post-75436165511676606552009-12-19T20:59:00.004-05:002009-12-19T21:32:31.115-05:00Post-Africa<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFLd4sf-nnbDtTOVzWaqhcmMAzOXCZ7zqjRURZY5_h5vuqEqWv9MQoIG5iVnK3taKOPZP5Y3RoNi6gyA092JB2_KM2KBhFlm_8fyknXZPb8oWOJjdNefeDGtvtTUawkosIKyd/s1600-h/PICT0079.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFLd4sf-nnbDtTOVzWaqhcmMAzOXCZ7zqjRURZY5_h5vuqEqWv9MQoIG5iVnK3taKOPZP5Y3RoNi6gyA092JB2_KM2KBhFlm_8fyknXZPb8oWOJjdNefeDGtvtTUawkosIKyd/s320/PICT0079.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417132855011163554" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpIyTveUBXHs-S6oueXtctraUjiqSDnrNId6cD4Lm-ahKAOMeO53gZxokY4GH8hOFBgu9ECf38qCZ4WO_HE5UzRODqyA4kgNoD4nFlNZa0glvenyT0KLe86Hyj27q-3FzS1Io/s1600-h/PICT0069.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpIyTveUBXHs-S6oueXtctraUjiqSDnrNId6cD4Lm-ahKAOMeO53gZxokY4GH8hOFBgu9ECf38qCZ4WO_HE5UzRODqyA4kgNoD4nFlNZa0glvenyT0KLe86Hyj27q-3FzS1Io/s320/PICT0069.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417132849400208146" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Ousmane and I spent two months living in the Parcelles neighborhood of Dakar. I guess, I can check another item of my "things to do before 30" list. Dakar was okay, expensive so kind of frustrating to live there, unemployed and on a budget. But I gotta say living right on the beach with my husband for those two months was like an extended honeymoon. On November 6th, exactly one month after our first trip to the embassy, Ousmane received his visa.<br /><br />After Ousmane got his visa, we decided to high-tail it back to Kedougou to spend the Senegalese holidays there with his family (unfortunately my camera broke before the holidays so no pics). Tabaski was great, the previous volunteer who lived with his family, along with the current volunteer who lives there, were both present. We had a really big sheep and ate meat for a week- yum yum!!<br /><br />I got back to North Carolina on Dec. 13th after a 9 hr delay (can't complain too much, South Africa put me in first class from DKR to JFK). Ousmane should be here before I start classes next month(Jan. 19). Until then, I'm enjoying my first snow in over three years, hanging out with mom, getting ready for a visit from Kenny, and helping mom with the Christmas baking!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230462489025453343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18140978.post-91064218288435146422009-10-04T11:05:00.002-04:002009-10-04T11:53:41.936-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcFPvie3fAKwsWhqi_h0RDp81y_WyWM33STnbLNGUIPBfxEKMgr51PZtn0tMv6faxpKKrmj7c89x5_oojebaooqs5Ioc2ntiGfCbLccPDEbR5HH0i7EF5Q1ATCyVJuqLlGIBa/s1600-h/IMG_4547.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcFPvie3fAKwsWhqi_h0RDp81y_WyWM33STnbLNGUIPBfxEKMgr51PZtn0tMv6faxpKKrmj7c89x5_oojebaooqs5Ioc2ntiGfCbLccPDEbR5HH0i7EF5Q1ATCyVJuqLlGIBa/s320/IMG_4547.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388768929645714242" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxw4NO5YILwzYKQtJqE2jcH5vZymQzySytLGztf9IcJ9GwnncR904cMmwHL3wD2d6jk7Q2BuO6z4x2cq4bzYwqmrdx28WDn-ILyUEXvM4P03hZ99hX009Wg83UpGwfvNP8o7U/s1600-h/IMG_4636.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJxw4NO5YILwzYKQtJqE2jcH5vZymQzySytLGztf9IcJ9GwnncR904cMmwHL3wD2d6jk7Q2BuO6z4x2cq4bzYwqmrdx28WDn-ILyUEXvM4P03hZ99hX009Wg83UpGwfvNP8o7U/s320/IMG_4636.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388767526770100850" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipd-fUnob6qZn4cRde3D6B3SlUi_gh56cdFP5JS96znc2izy-HAU_j1gkDwrBtnroU9ENpkqhm0LxMm9kwpVeQoVY98ye8-EjPOBL5j9LC0NrHdFmlPQvEAk1BtjC-LvVf-bqp/s1600-h/IMG_4721.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipd-fUnob6qZn4cRde3D6B3SlUi_gh56cdFP5JS96znc2izy-HAU_j1gkDwrBtnroU9ENpkqhm0LxMm9kwpVeQoVY98ye8-EjPOBL5j9LC0NrHdFmlPQvEAk1BtjC-LvVf-bqp/s320/IMG_4721.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388767514825792498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik88rznjpPSYJFBjBU3m73-yJRB1M9yEY_hyphenhypheniSNthh0rmgWgcoTQxuAVRF7JTlr2bVJGUPfeIQ2t3p5N-0BT6V5PIezYxYOfy49mIwkhpAZ7LH4kNmFIw6WGbF02JAI-M5mxh4/s1600-h/IMG_4780.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik88rznjpPSYJFBjBU3m73-yJRB1M9yEY_hyphenhypheniSNthh0rmgWgcoTQxuAVRF7JTlr2bVJGUPfeIQ2t3p5N-0BT6V5PIezYxYOfy49mIwkhpAZ7LH4kNmFIw6WGbF02JAI-M5mxh4/s320/IMG_4780.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388767500997262418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGbW97BFu-3pACYDQmaeMF_a7tQdUYJWFH-3tCrPWSdJBADqLaYcPys7-q31V1I2vYVQb-eI5z_Y1ttdwY9NyTfViNn7QIeTtQC8bpfwcCQcNe3exzU4JeSvlANT0xgz2pqFt/s1600-h/IMG_4801.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGbW97BFu-3pACYDQmaeMF_a7tQdUYJWFH-3tCrPWSdJBADqLaYcPys7-q31V1I2vYVQb-eI5z_Y1ttdwY9NyTfViNn7QIeTtQC8bpfwcCQcNe3exzU4JeSvlANT0xgz2pqFt/s320/IMG_4801.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388767492176358642" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMOAxuT8VOQIoU7YMC3Cs9iXtVYHG7I_FkPO3SU3AQRyqJ7dFb-NCAdyB4Fmp4j1h0ettH9TX5uLKQ6zuI6fi3WP6sXezjQNN_Lz1P1zJd_5Ztm4MGaQKE8UybGSjRhMEsbC2/s1600-h/IMG_4773.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvMOAxuT8VOQIoU7YMC3Cs9iXtVYHG7I_FkPO3SU3AQRyqJ7dFb-NCAdyB4Fmp4j1h0ettH9TX5uLKQ6zuI6fi3WP6sXezjQNN_Lz1P1zJd_5Ztm4MGaQKE8UybGSjRhMEsbC2/s320/IMG_4773.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388767482898741666" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7Cbwn3mGsctnvvO85SwzjieoItZVoWvI_84srAi8y9L4OkhhbjDkhmWdnXBIcpuiXvjz3FQpZRv0MBl60t06CPQfKD7FCIQU1TiU0cMBrgyUrBID0jsgeHsiJdpWiqmmeaDm/s1600-h/IMG_4792.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7Cbwn3mGsctnvvO85SwzjieoItZVoWvI_84srAi8y9L4OkhhbjDkhmWdnXBIcpuiXvjz3FQpZRv0MBl60t06CPQfKD7FCIQU1TiU0cMBrgyUrBID0jsgeHsiJdpWiqmmeaDm/s320/IMG_4792.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388763795695858162" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />AT LAST I have put up some photos and actually written on here: I was away from blogging for several reasons, first of all I really had nothing to report since I wasn't really doing anything. Then I got married a few weeks ago, but I didn't have PC permission so I couldn't really tell everyone. But as of September 27th I was finished with Peace Corps (congrats to me!). So now Ousmane and I are in Dakar, living on the beach, applying for a visa, studying calculus (me getting ready for school) and taking driving lessons (that's Oussy), although I might need some practice after so many years of not driving...<br />so let's see: our first appt at the embassy to drop off the petition to apply for a visa is Tuesday-wish us luck!<br />I hope you all enjoy the photos! We were married during the month of Ramadan so we couldn't do a big fete (more my style anyway), but the other volunteers all showed up and made it a rememberable wedding. I'm trying to upload a bunch onto facebook, but this cyber cafe isn't too great.<br />Oh and last night we had our 'wedding cake' (thanks mom and Neda (Mali RPCV living in Dakar)). Mom sent us a cake mix and we went to Neda's yesterday and baked the cake ater which Neda took us out to a lovely dinner at the French Cultural Center, we then returned to her house to frost and eat the cake not forgetting to take pictures of us feeding each other pieces of cake-also look to facebook for those photos.<br />Missed you all-I hope to be updating more often now!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230462489025453343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18140978.post-44821064257689922682009-07-29T09:23:00.010-04:002009-07-29T10:42:51.239-04:00Mosquito Net Distribution<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgnVOAiMTxkp4O1gEA76kfVOZilFirr1vvBHsb68VwJ5rYd_D0oPJrrPV0gZis0-w7u0_AuehlMPVlH6UoqgsKKnVMho85Rzp-goYWTHF7UOLA8UTm2X0qcg159xqI86_KFBV/s1600-h/PICT0053.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsgnVOAiMTxkp4O1gEA76kfVOZilFirr1vvBHsb68VwJ5rYd_D0oPJrrPV0gZis0-w7u0_AuehlMPVlH6UoqgsKKnVMho85Rzp-goYWTHF7UOLA8UTm2X0qcg159xqI86_KFBV/s320/PICT0053.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363881746880391474" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DrKk6-x6Ed2vX3xbUynS84vczHMAFSbSJT-nn6duzslZxAJd3nJJViyaCtSzFRBpLYQB5f2VjIegVk7dzhyphenhyphenKrNV-mUqXwRrgaTIfi7uiSHLr2HKxFZw0XsqRVoXDAFJYSr-Z/s1600-h/PICT0046.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DrKk6-x6Ed2vX3xbUynS84vczHMAFSbSJT-nn6duzslZxAJd3nJJViyaCtSzFRBpLYQB5f2VjIegVk7dzhyphenhyphenKrNV-mUqXwRrgaTIfi7uiSHLr2HKxFZw0XsqRVoXDAFJYSr-Z/s320/PICT0046.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363880833545003570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbqSdvZVhOzWyfRowDdnBH2vlSa8o7HhgKjtL9pM_fw8Nbdpio9Wt0Llyhz9ZFihDssEintP-mHJbK4fY1s2FTDNCaK0w8chGPdA289281G3fRC3EDx1eZ0-b53zwXhRpyfEZ/s1600-h/PICT0044.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbqSdvZVhOzWyfRowDdnBH2vlSa8o7HhgKjtL9pM_fw8Nbdpio9Wt0Llyhz9ZFihDssEintP-mHJbK4fY1s2FTDNCaK0w8chGPdA289281G3fRC3EDx1eZ0-b53zwXhRpyfEZ/s320/PICT0044.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363879563868397826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvEc1KvvBvCn6wL7zd4-Kwy2oqQiSvlFQOuDpfcO87bfaSgMgWT8het74PXTwl7JUhU5E6b-XFUOWloXTBqqelU_pW5gNBvgz6nvIN7krzOuwBrhScmj9iLvr_HsGczFg_lWT/s1600-h/PICT0040.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvEc1KvvBvCn6wL7zd4-Kwy2oqQiSvlFQOuDpfcO87bfaSgMgWT8het74PXTwl7JUhU5E6b-XFUOWloXTBqqelU_pW5gNBvgz6nvIN7krzOuwBrhScmj9iLvr_HsGczFg_lWT/s320/PICT0040.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363878463763335666" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifTqnamoxyip4bnbNze_DBqv6uycVp_kl1ntN294WUsWEcQmGLJFNKYDRuA3e11A2rTAa-2GwU53ID894dFS1YaVXerEACe6FmIH-UW2Dr6TXldK9i_49NR84BanDrUVu2Kmw/s1600-h/PICT0037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiifTqnamoxyip4bnbNze_DBqv6uycVp_kl1ntN294WUsWEcQmGLJFNKYDRuA3e11A2rTAa-2GwU53ID894dFS1YaVXerEACe6FmIH-UW2Dr6TXldK9i_49NR84BanDrUVu2Kmw/s320/PICT0037.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363877420078292402" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaATBMxb1617ImjGUHL6mPZFBldPqeN_3-cjyaXn1dEL2_bMrIdK3TrxDQMQhy2OPVMhm2c58XF56PpLdOrm0lPSmxV7-TziLP-kCtKkPgBNYZRrTSEn3WUqryQpuOoxkm7yxt/s1600-h/PICT0028.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaATBMxb1617ImjGUHL6mPZFBldPqeN_3-cjyaXn1dEL2_bMrIdK3TrxDQMQhy2OPVMhm2c58XF56PpLdOrm0lPSmxV7-TziLP-kCtKkPgBNYZRrTSEn3WUqryQpuOoxkm7yxt/s320/PICT0028.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363876240679385106" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomnafaH5wFvbCKE4SIb__i2x7uv69Mk3euw_GkHm35fBb5H0XE677yKycWJyTKMpNYKEOeFViGMXJHfUeFGQQ-OJQXAvPpMoQnRS6JGxbXoy9Mvzw0avSAL-DOZZ5RMFHrbL4/s1600-h/PICT0014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomnafaH5wFvbCKE4SIb__i2x7uv69Mk3euw_GkHm35fBb5H0XE677yKycWJyTKMpNYKEOeFViGMXJHfUeFGQQ-OJQXAvPpMoQnRS6JGxbXoy9Mvzw0avSAL-DOZZ5RMFHrbL4/s320/PICT0014.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363874466532917266" /></a><br /><br />Just got back into Kedouogou after spending almost two weeks out 'en brousse' in the area of Saraya. We distributed over 16,000 mosquito nets, and there are still villages we didn't hit. Our estimates for population (based on government info) was way-off. But it looks like we have enough nets coming our way to finish off the distribution in September. I'm not going to lie to you, it was a crazy, trying time for me. I was really disappointed on the commitment levels and participation with some locals in the health infrastructure. People saying they're going to help out in a certain way and then not doing what they said. Anyway what's done is done. Here are some pics of the bad roads we passed, getting stuck in mud, crossing the river to visit Mali for 10 minutes and actually distributing nets. The Senegalese guy in the boat is Gouda (like the cheese), the resident 'f-in badass' ambulance driver in Saraya who was fearless and super helpful on this trip.<br /><br />In other news, Ousmane just got back from Dakar where he got his passport! yay, the first step done, now we just need to get married and apply for a visa, wait that's a lot of stuff... I'm on it! I'm going to be going to Dakar this weekend for a week or two to work at the Embassy's English camp. Hopefully get the lowdown about visa info from Embassy people. take care y'all!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230462489025453343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18140978.post-89559808554514505702009-07-16T06:15:00.004-04:002009-07-16T06:46:02.491-04:00Another round of Ingly<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZDRk_BRWQS2dskyJNqSWAehvvC7nWfJ-VsYO28ybg3ICgME9P3XQFbQ9TAn4fM7kCweuOx6d1Yj9PtlI_pS9UyQzkm26c3xDQDrxSEUV7VyAPrpRztq9amLPc83TikruRgLq/s1600-h/PICT0280.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZDRk_BRWQS2dskyJNqSWAehvvC7nWfJ-VsYO28ybg3ICgME9P3XQFbQ9TAn4fM7kCweuOx6d1Yj9PtlI_pS9UyQzkm26c3xDQDrxSEUV7VyAPrpRztq9amLPc83TikruRgLq/s320/PICT0280.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359003848531054594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7WnW7WQvXRx805srfZK7ItG3vxh0iU0P4UvICjP5omcrEfkPGMWYvVq47CtCLMlPsfnat5ncRUMPiM_YfudeH0a5h5rgvWVwVX-RWWxWskHgiULwDehoOYr29ykm9CCk8Jqf/s1600-h/PICT0293.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7WnW7WQvXRx805srfZK7ItG3vxh0iU0P4UvICjP5omcrEfkPGMWYvVq47CtCLMlPsfnat5ncRUMPiM_YfudeH0a5h5rgvWVwVX-RWWxWskHgiULwDehoOYr29ykm9CCk8Jqf/s320/PICT0293.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359002282589384098" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBjeC_-TcQFO3UR12Kfl5hPNIVTjcY2X9iMWB2Ibc6Ha1sRrfPY-uCSgUcsKO4JrEpFdlJeWgeEMsUOGTqICIXIATwVewBpmEXgVUMkq2xwS8n2vZjga5FM7OFaoZ8QOoRUDY/s1600-h/PICT0281.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBjeC_-TcQFO3UR12Kfl5hPNIVTjcY2X9iMWB2Ibc6Ha1sRrfPY-uCSgUcsKO4JrEpFdlJeWgeEMsUOGTqICIXIATwVewBpmEXgVUMkq2xwS8n2vZjga5FM7OFaoZ8QOoRUDY/s320/PICT0281.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359001188565482050" /></a><br /><br />As some of you may know, my closest teammate in Mali, Brooke, is here in Senegal doing research on chimpanzees for the summer. In honor of her visit, I wanted to take her out to see some of the coolest, non-touristy part of Kedougou. So we rode over thirty miles on our bikes Tuesday, in order to reach some magnificent waterfalls, rarely seen by outsiders. Ousmane was also there, which was great because this sort of camping adventure is not something Senegalese often do. So we get out to the falls only to find that there wasn't really any falls just a few trickles of water. That changed however after 5 house at the falls- thunderstorm ensued. And it was a big one- we were in tents but that didn't protect us from the lightning and thunder which was right next to us, soooo loud and earth rumbling! Unfortunately, our tent had holes in the bottom which ended up flooding the tent about 10 minutes into the storm! The storm dies down in the night allowing us to get some sleep, and in the morning the falls were full! However, as soon as the morning fire was built more rain clouds moved in, so we moved out. I had to be back in Kedougou by the evening and the non-waterproof tents, pushed up forward, so we ended up riding our bikes in the rain basically all morning trying to get back to Kedougou. It was great! Spending two adventure-filled days with some of my favorite people.<br /><br />In other news, I don't know if I told you but in addition to my chicks I also have a duck. And she laid her first eggs the other day, not just one but three! I was so proud- had to take a picture!<br /><br />PS check my post in October for good pictures of the falls...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230462489025453343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18140978.post-82027698032386173392009-06-29T06:22:00.004-04:002009-06-29T06:50:12.537-04:00CHICKENS!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1BlfIqRvFD2XbV6tqQaQEiax5abJ88QnQsTHRawUVuNyYP8De6qWsc4TAJ-jtx-P63V_SnXFz-bnRdUrfD8d-ODwLEaZlZvBKxloOFBDCxK339WPju2lxemYfS3Rk-4vV8Ih/s1600-h/PICT0270.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1BlfIqRvFD2XbV6tqQaQEiax5abJ88QnQsTHRawUVuNyYP8De6qWsc4TAJ-jtx-P63V_SnXFz-bnRdUrfD8d-ODwLEaZlZvBKxloOFBDCxK339WPju2lxemYfS3Rk-4vV8Ih/s320/PICT0270.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352699505574424514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGclWWVrnxuJSvw-CF2OWfU3xWyinotrewyI6hcjKLk0cZHk9fV4CkLlEOJ9nwwJkSzWeH7-7_Kc629pC5fLoakM1dFevkoEjcxuzWuhuHterY4dIP6aHQZV5PzXCxRR_nm-g3/s1600-h/PICT0274.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGclWWVrnxuJSvw-CF2OWfU3xWyinotrewyI6hcjKLk0cZHk9fV4CkLlEOJ9nwwJkSzWeH7-7_Kc629pC5fLoakM1dFevkoEjcxuzWuhuHterY4dIP6aHQZV5PzXCxRR_nm-g3/s320/PICT0274.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352698098428901522" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNjxEAtoIe3oRMyRutrXFObLLI1VEydFZql320V_ZwDOXpZKh05dveuSMI2JynRxhr6YIxP19d4GEgX7dot1lm9co8qgcfPQpT24UYVcabjUyoT3tUUEHG-9JRa2fBz7Q2BbI/s1600-h/PICT0272.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNjxEAtoIe3oRMyRutrXFObLLI1VEydFZql320V_ZwDOXpZKh05dveuSMI2JynRxhr6YIxP19d4GEgX7dot1lm9co8qgcfPQpT24UYVcabjUyoT3tUUEHG-9JRa2fBz7Q2BbI/s320/PICT0272.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352696444171384306" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzf0_iXrIpOnUyRfUoto23dsQw96AR41yi76JfpMy_smjr3oi7Ho-rQf2SAZXqeatP4GUX3DrIZ5h6vHbS-JGRDDguWVzQa9LAs3w7SPVMtSuo8mYyqI5jcUCutwN63EbJuUYl/s1600-h/PICT0269.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzf0_iXrIpOnUyRfUoto23dsQw96AR41yi76JfpMy_smjr3oi7Ho-rQf2SAZXqeatP4GUX3DrIZ5h6vHbS-JGRDDguWVzQa9LAs3w7SPVMtSuo8mYyqI5jcUCutwN63EbJuUYl/s320/PICT0269.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352695477423180322" /></a><br /><br />I have chicks! Yes, I became a mother to twenty chicks, sadly only 17 remain ( I later found out from the vet that the chicks I bought were probably rejects brought down from Dakar). Here's some pics of the workers building the house for them, a pic of the house with the chicks in it, me and Ousmane and a pic of me and a baby chick.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230462489025453343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18140978.post-32399177969920350952009-06-10T07:31:00.004-04:002009-06-10T08:16:56.522-04:00HiatusSorry for going a little AWOL on y'all. I've been kinnda busy here lately. First off, we just did a tour of every middle school in the region of Kedougou in order to conduct interviews for a scholarship that the PCVs of Senegal give out every year to girls in financial need. We were promised 11 scholarships for our region (one for every middle school [although later we found out there are actually thirteen]). I was kinnda heading the scholarship part. We conducted interviews, did house visits and proctored essay writing, all for the application process. <br /><br />Tacked on to this tour of the region, we used this as an opportunity to start our visual aid campaign against AIDS. We painted a mural at every middle school we visitied, below is an example. Still working on trying to get the billboard part of the campaign finished... Also in line with my AIDS work, we just did another training of over 50 health workers on the promotion of the female condom. And hopefully by next week we'll be starting a training on gardening with the association for people living with HIV/AIDS. We actually have a fairly large bit of land for them, so after the training this is going to turn into a great nutritional supplement for the participants.<br /><br />I don't talk about my personal life that much here, but I've had a lot of people asking questions, so I must give in: I am engaged. I've been dating Ousmane Kante for about 7 months now and we've decided we want to spend the rest of our lives together. I don't know what else to say besides we love each other and we are really excited about our future together. He's of Bambara origin, but has grown up here in Kedougou. Anyway here's a pic of him and I.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZphtv3mzKOr_Xl4sd8ze-1-kd04l85h73qxwboHXKfGOZOFbgfNtNx2NvK0HxbQsmvZYey54DDqK1jmAAQuaiK2eRuPEj_6jmXD7zJ0al21bI0y7uI-nCfM7z8ZqafTEgugU1/s1600-h/PICT0251.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZphtv3mzKOr_Xl4sd8ze-1-kd04l85h73qxwboHXKfGOZOFbgfNtNx2NvK0HxbQsmvZYey54DDqK1jmAAQuaiK2eRuPEj_6jmXD7zJ0al21bI0y7uI-nCfM7z8ZqafTEgugU1/s320/PICT0251.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345665713835791874" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg629GO3xDxGeSf0-SUlQionq6syeDOw-VufV7fUj4lfM4gEe1CwU-qaal44jMgtTrgU1oXnIc906zkCvoiRbii_DRsF1Xu5Bkm7IByLGyMxV0JJ0ewEMm0JkdsEQMIrFL41UB7/s1600-h/PICT0257.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg629GO3xDxGeSf0-SUlQionq6syeDOw-VufV7fUj4lfM4gEe1CwU-qaal44jMgtTrgU1oXnIc906zkCvoiRbii_DRsF1Xu5Bkm7IByLGyMxV0JJ0ewEMm0JkdsEQMIrFL41UB7/s320/PICT0257.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345662293348160498" border="0" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230462489025453343noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18140978.post-89737860409567743352009-04-22T08:35:00.003-04:002009-04-22T09:02:57.824-04:00A VERY IMPORTANT PROJECT CLOSE TO MY HEART<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0mr6Fk27W5Zc5d8vCWzt3_lE_AALzojCXZMYNTrnv9X2GXlycNzvlZEC7z0V5EYfUEwraVxfOeCi_xeA1SuE178STcl7CykCDzHH5HPKtS0w_6qokGj0hesBEnMcEvpLPnd4/s1600-h/PICT2341.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0mr6Fk27W5Zc5d8vCWzt3_lE_AALzojCXZMYNTrnv9X2GXlycNzvlZEC7z0V5EYfUEwraVxfOeCi_xeA1SuE178STcl7CykCDzHH5HPKtS0w_6qokGj0hesBEnMcEvpLPnd4/s320/PICT2341.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327499612909589554" /></a><br />Please visit <a href="https://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=resources.donors.contribute.projDetail&projdesc=688-302">here </a>to donate money to help build a maternity in Kouoro (my village in Mali).<br />I did a lot of work to get this project off the ground and am very happy to see it being taken to the next step with Audra, the current volunteer in Kouoro.<br />Help realize this wonderful project, which works to meet the basic fundamental needs of having a safe place and a trained mid-wife to deliver babies.<br />Kouoro is a poor village of subsistence farmers who so generously opened their homes and hearts to me for two years.<br />I know I ask a lot and that times are especially hard in America, but every little bit will help. Just think about how much you spend going out to eat or the movies and think about how much that amount could help to realize the construction of this maternity and impact the health of hundreds of Malians from the village of Kouoro.<br />Thanks in advance<br />Peace to all<br />MicheleAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230462489025453343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18140978.post-50876591145730541692009-04-22T07:51:00.002-04:002009-04-22T08:16:53.414-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaIIGGQDZqGQ05a1xpWv-FnbuaPV_tY2_X5fZPtpATrp_YQQuH_AzFQ0xx9B5yRk7BXhilRrzuz3fkAn9lwVkkWYBmZgO5Sw0gLnkxmY_zPg3cWtPrebURH6IYqCTHNid-0wKm/s1600-h/PICT0215.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaIIGGQDZqGQ05a1xpWv-FnbuaPV_tY2_X5fZPtpATrp_YQQuH_AzFQ0xx9B5yRk7BXhilRrzuz3fkAn9lwVkkWYBmZgO5Sw0gLnkxmY_zPg3cWtPrebURH6IYqCTHNid-0wKm/s320/PICT0215.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327487673603598066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FTH5y9TMxhE7tYFLI2lg9uFpUJbl1qtHOn1uUM8mk_BgH9fGVzcO3NjFlQljGJ0sp911ISMlkUyBunEa9KmnQVjPc-rSy73GUmFvoTvHKxLZ-VwqZOAnD5CUR8VBYvfWj3bk/s1600-h/PICT0218.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FTH5y9TMxhE7tYFLI2lg9uFpUJbl1qtHOn1uUM8mk_BgH9fGVzcO3NjFlQljGJ0sp911ISMlkUyBunEa9KmnQVjPc-rSy73GUmFvoTvHKxLZ-VwqZOAnD5CUR8VBYvfWj3bk/s320/PICT0218.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327485118114151474" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WVAv8idvlE1CPAi8iuf8xRtE8mLCqZ7xGl-QhC47YOyn1XDxfAGwNlF_5vAGWI3iDhyphenhyphenCJtmr3dqBiVDPWtF8wtmSEDDo_KRA0MonSkIXb-iq5ynhfwpTfZlJy0yS5Tpz5wSx/s1600-h/PICT0230.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WVAv8idvlE1CPAi8iuf8xRtE8mLCqZ7xGl-QhC47YOyn1XDxfAGwNlF_5vAGWI3iDhyphenhyphenCJtmr3dqBiVDPWtF8wtmSEDDo_KRA0MonSkIXb-iq5ynhfwpTfZlJy0yS5Tpz5wSx/s320/PICT0230.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327482037915430274" /></a><br /><br />SO the first pic is the hotel at Tubab Dialaw, the second is the beach there and the third pic is us girls looking lovely at the hotel we stayed at in Yoff.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230462489025453343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18140978.post-83507682760295640192009-04-22T07:21:00.002-04:002009-04-22T07:57:04.680-04:00beach<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbqQ1mhc0wEv-hYVKwAgx2xw0x9QGGQsGyQcyQ0fcGT2OYFV0I_DOFeG25FMZPFLZplnKSzHkvedybzYXCu-sJxzQ7_NDKQmHg5erZL9FgHXZqeT1GqZQkfnrmBHLV0ZbwgEj/s1600-h/PICT0227.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbqQ1mhc0wEv-hYVKwAgx2xw0x9QGGQsGyQcyQ0fcGT2OYFV0I_DOFeG25FMZPFLZplnKSzHkvedybzYXCu-sJxzQ7_NDKQmHg5erZL9FgHXZqeT1GqZQkfnrmBHLV0ZbwgEj/s320/PICT0227.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327477546642026482" /></a><br /><br />I went on vacation! I went to Tubab Dialaw and Dakar for about 6 days. I dyed my hair with henna and was trying to capture it for y'all here. I had a great time with Kay a PCV down here and her friend, Tessa, visiting from Spain. I just needed a little break, and that's what I got. Tubab Dialaw was relaxing and the hotel was beautfiul and had delicious food... But it was cold. Now I'm back in Kedougou, suffering in the misery that is hot season, although the juicy mangoes are a refreshing relief.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230462489025453343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18140978.post-88767978067467591242009-04-02T06:42:00.005-04:002009-04-02T06:57:48.331-04:00pics<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZfABbKvqjQnu6vIjmUAmC4nUnYgw3Z6VtV3k71D0TMsw0B8PgvzPeT_FsSqdgJLEKF1utd3nViWUmE4SEJ1KylCbA7kXCsETfXdVbpcrMSdETFgTHIQ2dEzbpQUcbaML5xNy/s1600-h/Image002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6ZfABbKvqjQnu6vIjmUAmC4nUnYgw3Z6VtV3k71D0TMsw0B8PgvzPeT_FsSqdgJLEKF1utd3nViWUmE4SEJ1KylCbA7kXCsETfXdVbpcrMSdETFgTHIQ2dEzbpQUcbaML5xNy/s320/Image002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320044920717021314" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv597Zy4X8ZQTwlvpWYoz5-NwTgnteyn2k5SxPzYzzJqquSotDFpzByJtqRF4dvQ8wSIVlmr14p425s-DOouresAWJ-RmPqI8e_HFpmJR_BzEFEFbohOvAWbCP65KcfquPxSma/s1600-h/Image001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv597Zy4X8ZQTwlvpWYoz5-NwTgnteyn2k5SxPzYzzJqquSotDFpzByJtqRF4dvQ8wSIVlmr14p425s-DOouresAWJ-RmPqI8e_HFpmJR_BzEFEFbohOvAWbCP65KcfquPxSma/s320/Image001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320044576377543810" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EJfPaOj8-AHHJb9K91LQuCDTERt2lFj2usaUN499wyxJJAVQ201588XOrVwjTg1hsQvluTds80RaiF3T6jMAEfPmQHrhO1kcP79grXXEfJRaY6WnocIV7WSYNwTn8tEzS3-D/s1600-h/Image003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EJfPaOj8-AHHJb9K91LQuCDTERt2lFj2usaUN499wyxJJAVQ201588XOrVwjTg1hsQvluTds80RaiF3T6jMAEfPmQHrhO1kcP79grXXEfJRaY6WnocIV7WSYNwTn8tEzS3-D/s320/Image003.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320044290934154962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZE0rI-qgjeBE7MchuvkmAeWI5o7s7235YXDEGfP3uvT8a0rrQdpuqMqyXQa1MAXbp9cqbEezG_NRHoaw9qSOW4PKjLcHVgwzuHF7EFsy0UXbN5nENmeO3caL4-ri2NpUE0E1H/s1600-h/Image000.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZE0rI-qgjeBE7MchuvkmAeWI5o7s7235YXDEGfP3uvT8a0rrQdpuqMqyXQa1MAXbp9cqbEezG_NRHoaw9qSOW4PKjLcHVgwzuHF7EFsy0UXbN5nENmeO3caL4-ri2NpUE0E1H/s320/Image000.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320043481600569650" /></a><br /><br />The first two pictures are of a training i organized earlier this month. We trained female community health workers in the promotion of female condoms. IT was great, most of the women came into the room that morning not even knowing female condoms existed. by the end of the day they could all giver perfect demonstrations and facilitate discussions about female condoms.<br />The promotion of female condoms is a really great activity here because 1. they are free, 2. many times the woman wants her partner to wear a condom but he refuses, this way she can still protect herself 3. with the growing AIDS problem in the region every avenue of retarding the spread needs to be examined.<br /><br />The other pics are in the OR with the American opthamologists. There's me in my scrubs and then the other pic is the actual cataract after being pulled out of the eye, not too clear, but nevertheless I wanted to post it.<br /><br />FYI it is so much faster to load pics from my phone than my camera. they are lesser quality but i can upload more. enjoy!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230462489025453343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18140978.post-24549950912900913952009-04-02T06:27:00.002-04:002009-04-02T06:41:36.469-04:00shrimp scampi<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOkBMn9tfy6ceADX5pAggqi6YhTwrTnQo67b9GJSYhCKyXb-LRbkzBqFQ2CIOmaxuZ7i4FZN3Jqo9NUCKZf5SpdthorqTfuYVfvXaaZDeduY_8LOOCeZneO0VY-UgwRyOiS52/s1600-h/Image012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOkBMn9tfy6ceADX5pAggqi6YhTwrTnQo67b9GJSYhCKyXb-LRbkzBqFQ2CIOmaxuZ7i4FZN3Jqo9NUCKZf5SpdthorqTfuYVfvXaaZDeduY_8LOOCeZneO0VY-UgwRyOiS52/s320/Image012.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320040570335469490" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aqmNj10SgMgxMecAad-NxEWwIvywrgN2sPN1zBL97NC1XyMeCVC_3t3n438cS8Wsz1BfaqPLpwn0cXC73uoULL_adXqYwFWMz079I2HOyJPfIjj1axBZ9_gMd7jEdoNHbtnf/s1600-h/Image010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aqmNj10SgMgxMecAad-NxEWwIvywrgN2sPN1zBL97NC1XyMeCVC_3t3n438cS8Wsz1BfaqPLpwn0cXC73uoULL_adXqYwFWMz079I2HOyJPfIjj1axBZ9_gMd7jEdoNHbtnf/s320/Image010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320040342814511282" /></a><br /><br />Ok I hope you see these pics well. you know sometimes it's good to talk about other things besides peace corps and work:<br />Yesterday I got a kilo of shrimp. I've never cooked it before but love shrimp and wanted to eat something delicious. So after I got this kilo I called good ol' mom to make sure i knew how to cook it correctly. As you can see from the before and after pics I think i did ok!<br />I first made some pasta then drained it and put in some butter and herbes de provence. Then I shelled all the shrimp, cleaned it. Sauteed garlic in a lot of butter. Then added chopped green onions, lemon juice, some white wine and the shrimp. Right before taking it off the heat added some salt and pepper. Then threw that over the pasta. Pretty tasty if you ask me.<br />Enjoy and happy cooking<br />PS these photos were taken on my phone with the memory card mom sent. I love you mom! sending you shrimp through the web!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230462489025453343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18140978.post-58072660048534422212009-03-28T07:19:00.001-04:002009-03-28T07:23:46.261-04:00malaria againPlease don't forget about our Malaria net distribution. We're still accepting (and needing donations). Every few bucks can help save LIVES. I don't want to hound you for money but this is a really great project and everyone can help if they want to,so I encourage you to do whatever you can. Thanks and much love<br /><br />http://www.AgainstMalaria.com/NetLifePCV2009Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230462489025453343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18140978.post-34959618968745924512009-03-28T07:02:00.003-04:002009-03-28T07:16:56.845-04:00busy busyLife has been busy lately and with the assault that is hot season, it's been crazy for me.<br />I spent two weeks in the operating room with two visiting American ophthalmologists, while they performed 107 cataract surgeries. It was a very long two weeks but probably the most interesting in my life. I got to do stuff even medical students don't get to do. I wasn't alone however, Kay another Health PCV, and I were in there for the two weeks. I'll try to find some pics to post but as for now go <a href="http://www.pcsenegal.org/">here</a>, and check out the Eye Clinic article. We often worked from 8AM-8PM with an hour break for lunch, so it was really a change from normal Peace Corps work schedule. I helped co-organize the clinic and really feel that this project made my service, it's an amazing gift, giving sight back to people. Thanks to Right to Sight and Health (the name of the group of doctors) for giving sight back to people who would never have gotten the opportunity if not for them and their tireless work.<br />Now I'm trying to wrap up a bunch of AIDS projects before a Washington deadline... (note to self for future: Washington deadlines=no sense in Africa). That's it for now y'all!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230462489025453343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18140978.post-32035522944913606102009-03-07T11:42:00.002-05:002009-03-07T12:40:58.512-05:00Fight MalariaI think that I had mentioned in a previous post about a mosquito net distribution program that all the volunteers in Kedougou are working on.<br /><br />Last year they did a big comprehensive project covering two arrondissments with universal mosquito net coverage. This year we want to take it up notch and cover the whole health district of Saraya.<br /><br />Net Life is raising funds to supply the nets to us PCVs here in Kedougou. Now, Against Malaria, a mosquito distributing NGO, is matching any funding the Net Life puts up.<br /><br />$2.50 is all it takes for a mosquito net.<br /><br />It's simple to donate - just go <a href="http://www.AgainstMalaria.com/NetLifePCV2009.">here </a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">YOU WILL BE SAVING LIVES</span><br /><br />This is a comprehensive, fully transparent project. These nets will not be sold on the black market. They will be delivered directly to villagers by Peace Corps volunteers in conjunction with the local health infrastructure.<br /><br />It is a tragedy that more isn't being done in the fight against malaria: there is no vaccine for malaria (and with the way the rest of the world contributes to the funding of the search, it doesn't look like there will be one soon). Mosquito nets are a great way to prevent malaria because the mosquitoes that carry the disease only bite at night.<br /><br />Please tell friends and family about this project, it really is a great way to help SAVE LIVES of thousands of Senegalese men, women and CHILDREN.<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br /><br />http://www.AgainstMalaria.com/NetLifePCV2009.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230462489025453343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18140978.post-51435632779565363772009-03-03T10:41:00.001-05:002009-03-03T10:43:11.643-05:00Help Fight Malariahttp://www.AgainstMalaria.com/NetLifePCV2009 <br />Check this out. I just got the link, will post info tomorrow!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230462489025453343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18140978.post-21542534804771894182009-03-02T04:05:00.002-05:002009-03-02T04:27:21.430-05:00pizza on my birthdayI had a really nice relaxing weekend to celebrate my birthday. On Saturday after having a tasty lunch of yassa, I went to the river with some friends. It was really nice to just hang out there and swim, since it's been rapidly heating up here in Kedougou (mid-upper 100s)! While we were down by the river banks a friend of a friend came over and started talking to us (he used to run a nearby tourist campement) and he was talking about how he was going to make pizza and bring us some. I laughed it off as if it was just another false commitment people make. then later that evening he showed up at my house with pizza! For those of you who think this is no big deal just some pizza-think again! No restaurants serve pizza here and cheese and ovens are hard to find, so this was a real gem of a present.<br />Later that night we went to a local dance party and I danced my little heart out so all in all I'd say it was a really nice birthday.<br />Thanks for all the phone calls, skype calls, emails and facebook messages. I love you all! peaceAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230462489025453343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18140978.post-85855184634889844952009-02-22T13:11:00.002-05:002009-02-22T13:16:56.890-05:00le mois prochaineHey back in Kedougou, a nice trip down but very long (and I didn't spot any cool animals). It's already really hot here, I'm sweating as I write this email. Now, I'm just getting ready for next month, it's going to be a busy one, with all the projects we got going on. I am not complaining, actually reveling in it!<br />I got an invitation for my cousin Rog and Annette's wedding in April. Wish I could go, but unless I find a sugar daddy (the tickets are looking around 1,500 USD), it looks unlikely. It will be a lot of fun though, so congratulations to the both of them, two wonderful people.<br />Well, my time is up, just a quick hello.<br />PeaceAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230462489025453343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18140978.post-16514873240836550792009-02-18T07:14:00.006-05:002009-02-18T09:41:01.795-05:00WAIST 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkkw5W1ZgQ_E_aN4jeKfL98iESS7GbA-2EWjWrdAbP9kKiAMXmacfL3OQ-21J9C-XmxSr3P5NXAPGBq_Vh5bcRgkg2NB6RbfGK3lhzU8T0sVBSH4giHOEy0V_7_wmeh_IXtpYi/s1600-h/PICT0174.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkkw5W1ZgQ_E_aN4jeKfL98iESS7GbA-2EWjWrdAbP9kKiAMXmacfL3OQ-21J9C-XmxSr3P5NXAPGBq_Vh5bcRgkg2NB6RbfGK3lhzU8T0sVBSH4giHOEy0V_7_wmeh_IXtpYi/s320/PICT0174.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304123670506617826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNP1C0-HHQPlFQycdQmQiAiU60ce2zbI6VewdmRVm4n7sFTFohSlGijgQzgRIiXSwOwqnPOiB6G8puwB8EVS5Fp4ma-s-MQCGtKQI9vr0Z2avenTisGy3lu22zZS5qjEmM4eS/s1600-h/PICT0173.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzNP1C0-HHQPlFQycdQmQiAiU60ce2zbI6VewdmRVm4n7sFTFohSlGijgQzgRIiXSwOwqnPOiB6G8puwB8EVS5Fp4ma-s-MQCGtKQI9vr0Z2avenTisGy3lu22zZS5qjEmM4eS/s320/PICT0173.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304123173232824578" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnjw8cTeZc7p8otKkvf0XHFoxYz_aTVJiLCaMAnBVV6wy1RxmaLAvxsqBIOHEg2dEvr6Mo_l4CVh2hfxmWrjsr3CFkDXhthIfqe1d2NpQoKjfyNvIcPlW66LgX-hGqWt1Qpg1/s1600-h/PICT0171.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnjw8cTeZc7p8otKkvf0XHFoxYz_aTVJiLCaMAnBVV6wy1RxmaLAvxsqBIOHEg2dEvr6Mo_l4CVh2hfxmWrjsr3CFkDXhthIfqe1d2NpQoKjfyNvIcPlW66LgX-hGqWt1Qpg1/s320/PICT0171.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304122261252136050" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SWfUNfgqdn5bpB_6D7XZyGsYG8QzZConPrA4hKysZdF6v3Hx6qUMn562Pwa8uwBYPTYs8Iea9QC9qpF0Ivh0vtCpa2z4k5XMX9TFBWhyCo6Ocz5sfx-xnpgRpgmZtd6aQ3p1/s1600-h/PICT0179.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SWfUNfgqdn5bpB_6D7XZyGsYG8QzZConPrA4hKysZdF6v3Hx6qUMn562Pwa8uwBYPTYs8Iea9QC9qpF0Ivh0vtCpa2z4k5XMX9TFBWhyCo6Ocz5sfx-xnpgRpgmZtd6aQ3p1/s320/PICT0179.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304118082791905282" /></a><br /><br />I've been in Dakar last Sunday doing various things but mainly participating in WAIST activities. It was a lot of fun. I played for Tambagou (combined Tambacounda and Kedougou regions), well, more like we goofed off-but it was great. The costume theme was Peace Corporate (think corporate attire with a crazy Peace Corps twist [you can't see my full ensemble in the pic I had hot pink stocking and cut off pinstripe shorts). There was a contingent of about 20 volunteers from Mali, so I had a really good time catching up with some old friends. The only complaint I have about WAIST- it was so COLD. Dakar is on the ocean and all weekend there was crazy cold winds.<br /><br />The first picture of artisinal items being sold (I loved the photo)<br />The second pic is the tambagou team doing some pre-dancing before a game<br />Then there's Katy, Anna and I (Sikasso PCVs)<br />Lastly, Me, Laura and Ben drinking some champagne on day 2 of WAIST<br /><br />I stayed with Bernadette and had a really nice time with her. There was a death in the family next door which is also a part of their family. She was a really old woman whom I never even met. So for 7 days there were numerous people coming in and out (which meant delicious food for lunch and dinner everyday), then Monday was the funeral- a very nice service followed by a really big party at the house.<br /><br />On Tuesday we had an All Volunteers Conference. It was actually really interesting and useful. There are about 150 volunteers in country but we never really get to share our experiences. Each and every volunteer is doing great work and this allowed volunteers to share lessons learned. thanks for setting it up.<br /><br />I'm headed back to Kedougou tomorrow in a station wagon with 5 other volunteers. Thanks Dakar<br />Much love y'allAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230462489025453343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18140978.post-29616501221359957802009-02-05T14:03:00.001-05:002009-02-05T14:15:00.837-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGeUkMKdmd1tShktVAO82rEKITBYKzRmmXqJj1Hv18144LQ3IHpvPVXeQuoa2qPyER-Ep6oa3P0Q4ngRBrM-D3053-FjNYtssE_CY5zk80m795ykM4bhGTeYxeLTkcE450ro6/s1600-h/PICT0154.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGeUkMKdmd1tShktVAO82rEKITBYKzRmmXqJj1Hv18144LQ3IHpvPVXeQuoa2qPyER-Ep6oa3P0Q4ngRBrM-D3053-FjNYtssE_CY5zk80m795ykM4bhGTeYxeLTkcE450ro6/s320/PICT0154.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5299393237025785842" /></a><br /><br /> me and the dog and the monkeyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230462489025453343noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18140978.post-33292769127536588922009-02-05T13:29:00.002-05:002009-02-05T14:01:51.554-05:00projectssorry for the delay in response ya'll. Things have been kind of busy here. so what have i been up to?<br /><br />Still fighting AIDS. We got a lot of projects planned for the next few months and i believe that I'm going to be even busier than now. First of, lots of meetings have taken place. We're trying to set in place the regional Committee for the Battle against AIDS, the creation and development of this committee has been going on for the past 3 months but I think it is finally working. The committee is set-up to coordinate the activities, share information and collaborate amongst all the different actors in the fight against AIDS here in Kedougou. We PCVs are coordinating projects, with money set aside by USAID, in the fight against AIDS. One project is training radio jockeys on how to communicate information about AIDS to the population. Another project is the training of 60 health relays in the region on better practices of passing information in regards to AIDS. There is a visual marketing campaign in which we are going to set-up billboards along the routes and poster on big cotton trucks that go to every village (these visuals will have messages about AIDS). Also I'm hoping to celebrate international women's day with an AIDS theme, training and educating the female population in Kedougou. And most of this is happening in the next two months.<br /><br />So that was just AIDS. We just submitted a proposal last week for a project in which we (the PCVs of Kedougou) would distribute mosquito nets to the whole population of the region of Kedougou... yeah, that one is going to be crazy, still waiting to hear back though.<br /><br />There are some American Ophthalmologists who are coming for two weeks in March in order to conduct cataract surgeries as well as eye check-ups and consultations. This is a really great opportunity for the population of Kedougou; because most people don't have access to eye health care, so many people go blind from cataracts here.<br /><br />Also still trying to get some things going concerning waste management in hygiene, although it's taking last priority.<br /><br />Amidst all that next week all volunteers are going to Dakar for WAIST (see last Feb's blog). I'll be there for almost two weeks. It's going to be a crazy two months. But I keep reminding myself that as soon all this stuff is done and I'm less busy, I'm going to take a vacation.... now where to???Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08230462489025453343noreply@blogger.com0