Hey family and friends and other really nice people (who I think of as friends since you care enough to look at my blog!),
I just wanted to say thank you so much for supporting me the way that you have and give you a little update. I’ve been working on a blog about the rest of my time in Swaziland and the 10 days we spent traveling to the country that I am currently in- sorry it’s a secret. Just kidding, not a secret, just not allowed to write where I am online or on social media. So, if you wanna know and you don’t, you can send me an email and I’ll let you know all about it! I can at least tell you I’m in “Southeast Asia” and I am really loving it here.
Here in “Southeast Asia” we helped teach english at a school until they went on winter break. I was very, very sad that we had school break- for the first and likely only time in my entire life. I was in a classroom with 7 6th graders who spoke a wide range of english, it made things more interesting. I got to know them, play games, and they were practicing english the whole time. Since I don’t speak languages that are spoken in “Southeast Asia” it was like… immersion for them! Now that it’s break we’ve been doing various things around the smaller town on our own and with teachers from the school.
My favorite thing about being here is the mountains. It almost looks like Colorado. It’s in the 50s most of the time, but compared to the 100+ temperatures in Africa it feels like a freezing winter. My other favorite thing is the friends I’ve made here so far, including the trainer at the gym and a 9 year old boy who taught himself perfect english from Youtube. He’s currently attempting to help teach his friends, mom, and 3 older siblings, who don’t know any yet. I’m very excited to say I get to spend part of Christmas with them since his family had him invite me and my teammate!
My team and I are here with one other team and the other 4 teams are in the country’s capital. The dynamics of everything have certainly changed without everyone in one place, not having a kitchen, and having rooms with 4 or less people. We’re also getting used to having an increase in options compared to the one gas station we would go to in Swaziland. And some increased freedom!!! We’re allowed to be out until 9:30, compared to the rule in Swaziland of having to be almost home by 3 on Saturdays. And of course I am getting used to actually having wifi.
And finally an update on my fundraising, thanks to so many of you. I have currently raised $15,005 out of $16,600. So doing the math (which I actually do miss having to do on a regular basis) I have just $1,595 left to raise and I am 90.39% funded!! That’s so close!!!! I have until February 1st to finish fundraising, they extended the date since there wasn’t much we could do in Africa. But, thank you so much for helping me get this far! I can not believe that because of everyone’s help I have been able to experience a million moments I would never have imagined and made a 100 friends I didn’t even know existed. I’m learning the world is very big and very small at the same time. I hope you’re all able to keep up with my blogs and if you are interested please consider donating, even a little bit, to get me to my final goal.
Also please have an awesome Christmas! While I am sad to miss out on everything going on at home I’m sure Christmas will still happen next year (duh). But please eat Christmas cookies and ham and whatever else for me, I’ll have fried rice for all of you.
