30.6.07

Famous People

So here we go again. The blog must be updated. First off, I was chosen to meet the First Lady of the United States, Laura Bush. She said some really nice things about the Peace Corps. Out of all the time she spent talking about Americans abroad, she spent the most talking about Peace Corps. It was refreshing. As I told others, "she's not bad for marrying the Anti-Christ."
After meeting the politician I met a gameshow host. The very next day I met Alex Trebek. He seemed really nice. For spending almost his whole life in front of a camera he was really down to earth and really nice. We enjoyed.
The training is going really well. Unfortunately I have a crush on most of the girls I'm teaching. Sigh. Such is life.

23.6.07

Sausages!

Remember that wonderful skit from Kids In The Hall? "SAUSAGES!" What a fun time. I enjoy it. Things are going well. I think I will be returning to Americaland soon. That should be a rip-roaring good time. Yessiree! Shucks. I will keep more people abreast to what is going on when more happens. As of right now. I am about to watch Fantastic Four the Rise of the Silver Surfer and see a famous person on Thursday. I have to be covert as is government policy. Let's just say I will be missing the meeting of Alex Trebek. Sigh. Oh, well. More later.

19.6.07

Training

The group is good. The new volunteers have arrived. And to greet them we (the tech team) are wearing matching sweater vests. It's pretty amusing to see. We enjoy. The trainees seem pretty cool. I enjoy hearing their questions. They ask a lot of questions that I asked myself when I entered this programme. It's refreshing to see. They will be packing for first site visit today and tomorrow off to the sites in Northwest, Central, and Southern.
As for me, today I will be meeting with Mrs. Barnhart at IOM. I'm hoping to squeeze myself into their budget for the next year. If not I guess I can try SHARE again. They seemed really responsive. The meeting is at 1500, so I will try to make it there eventually. I write more later.

11.6.07



this is me. On Chief Chibwika's vehicle. I was sick on this trip. It was about a 45 minute trip to my house from Mwinilunga. This is average.

The Name

Yeah. This mystery thing is stupid. It's Fraser. I don't know why I'm being an idiot and pretending to be a man of mystery. It probably comes from the fact that I read Pride and Prejudice and wanted to make myself more like Mr. Darcy. Not that he doesn't say his name. It's Fitz-something. But he does have this kinda mysterious charm to him. Not that I could ever be like Darcy. I have no pride. I have no money. I do have nice relatives, though. That's better. Yep. No Darcy-like ambitions here. Just a name. Fraser.
Went to Alpha Bar and the Brown Frog with some other volunteers. Nice place that Brown Frog. Like a proper club in the states. The band was good. They played some nice covers (from Bryan Adams to Tracy Chapman). My trousers ripped. It was a large hole. From the pocket of my jeans to the mid thigh. Luckily I don't get embarrassed by much. Oh, I'm wearing briefs today? What ever. Enjoy the show. On the subject of Tracy Chapman - do you think she actually waited for her loved one? I don't know. I think the song is full of crap. She just put some idealized romantic fictionalized idea into her song. Not realistic. She didn't wait. She thought she would wait and then she met someone else. Oh jesus. I'm getting bitter and applying my thoughts to what is actually a great song. Today is not a good day. But I am wearing my Eston-shirt. And I did get cleared for my extension. And I did get my homeleave taken care of. I'll be coming back to the States in August. That's cool.
My Dad is getting re-married. He sounds happy, so am I then. I think he works a little to much so I was a little suprised he actually met someone. Of course I even felt a twinge of jealousy. What is up with that? I live in a country were people would love to marry me (if only for a free ticket to the States) and I get a little jealous because he found someone before me. Man oh man. But now I'm happy for him. I'm not jealous anymore, it only lasted for a minute or so. Even so, it was a weird feeling to have - hence the mention on my digital journal.
Chongwe is nice. It is the new training centre for the Peace Corps out here. It has a lot of kinks but the actual place is better than Mwekera. But I think I'm the only person who feels this. I think there are more opportunities for Trainees to observe working HIV groups than in Mwekera. The people are nice - even if they speak Soli, a language that no one in the Peace Corps knows. Mitende! That's the greeting in general. I just shout Bemba or Nyanja or if I'm really feeling risque I shout Lunda: Mudi Ngh'i? Chiwahi? Kamana? Okay! Yeah, it's a nice place. I play football with the trainers at 1700 and I run or do yoga every morning. I guess I want to get into shape before I come home in August. I want my family to be proud of me. I guess they already are but I always want their approve - I hold them all in such high esteem. I will be great to see my brother again. What a guy. He's an officer now. Not only can he jump out of airplanes at night and what not but he's an f'in officer. That's so cool. He's a good kid (always the little brother) and I cannot wait to get back and have a proper beer with him and catch up. Okay, enough of the ramble. Goodbye gurnal.