Prologue to blog post 23 –This blog has only 22 posts before this one? And the blog has been up for a year? And none of the posts have pictures? Whoever writes this blog must be an idiot who is severely technically challenged. I may be severely technically challenged, but at least I’m not a jerk. Trying to get pictures up as we speak! Well trying to at least.
Yes folks, a little over 13 months into my Peace Corps experience means that we are at the half way mark. Well technically you are not at the half way mark, but I’m at the half way mark, that’s unless you actually are at the halfway mark. HALF TIME!!!! We were down 17 points at the end of the first quarter and at the end of the half we are only down 10. Progress!
Coaches often times take a look at the stat sheet and compare it to the overall play of the team during half time to see what adjustments need to be made. So here is my first half of my Peace Corps service by the numbers.
10 Things I think Are Facts
1. Number of times I’ve been called China – 316
a. Number of times I’ve tried to explain where Vietnam is – 315 (I got lazy one time)
b. Number of times I’ve been called Mlungu (white person/foreigner) wondering where the white person was, only to realize they were referring to me – 22
c. Number of times I’ve been called Mlungu and realized that they were referring to me right away - 94
d. Number of times I’ve been mistaken for an Indian salesmen and that’s why I was not allowed to enter a stakeholder’s meeting - 3
e. Number of times people at stakeholder’s meeting apologized to me not realizing I was the Peace Corps Volunteer they were waiting for and not an Indian salesmen – 3
f. Number of times I have been arrested - 1
g. Number of times the police have threatened to deport me back to India – 1
h. Number of times I have been released from police custody and not deported back to India - 1
2. Number of times I have almost died – 3. Probably actually only twice, but you could argue 3.
a. Number of Global Fund Diseases contracted - 1
b. Number of times I have almost been administratively separated – 1
c. Number of times I have almost been medically separated – 1
d. Number of times I possibly could have received interrupted service – 1
e. Number of times I have thought about Early Termination of Service – You really wanna know?
3. Number of Weddings I’ve attended – 2
a. Number of lobola (price paid by husband to family of wife in order to be married, like dowry) ceremonies I’ve attended – 1
b. Number of funerals attended – 9
c. Number of host family members who have died – 3
d. Number of chronically ill patients I’ve visited and later seen die - 4
4. Number of riots/protests/demonstrations/rallies I have gotten sucked into somehow through no fault of my own – 3
a. Number of riots/protests/demonstrations/rallies I have gotten sucked into somehow that were blatantly my fault – 2
b. Longest time with no water access in the community – 27 consecutive days
c. 2nd longest time with no water access in the community – 23 consecutive days
d. 3rd longest time with no water access in the community – 16 consecutive days
e. Shortest time having running water – 3 days
f. 2nd shortest time having running water – 8 days
5. Amount of Rand (Exchange rate roughly $1 to R8, throughout the year) spent – R34, 683
6. Number of photos taken – 6, 102 (Yeah I know none have been posted on the blog, I’m on it geeze)
7. Number of long term funding contracts I have helped my organization secure – 1
a. Number of income generating projects initiated at my organization - 2
b. Number of grants/funding proposals written – 3
c. Total number of grants/funding proposals rejected (well probably will be rejected) – 2
d. Number of good ideas not coming to fruition – You don’t want to know, it will make you sad
e. Number of days without accomplishments – See 7d.
f. Number of staff taught computer literacy and are adequate with computers no longer needing my help - 3
g. Number of children who are entered into our comprehensive HIV/AIDS education program and have gone through a few classes – 223
h. Number of large scale research studies initiated – 2 (Both with different departments!)
i. Number of school visits made – A lot
j. Number of organizations and stakeholders in the community that now have an active working partnership and now realize Together Everyone Achieves More - 6
8. Number of people I have taught how to use chopsticks – 6
a. Number of people who use them successfully – 0
b. Score on language examination after 2 months after arriving in country – Advanced
c. Score I would probably have if I tested tomorrow after being 13 months in country – Novice/N00b
d. Number of sports clubs/leagues I have been involved in somehow – 3
e. Number of dance competitions I have seen/taken part in - 4
f. Number of mass emails I have sent to other Peace Corps Volunteers – 9
g. Number of times I have received a scathing email about sending too many mass emails by another volunteer – 1
h. Number of times I have sent a scathing email to volunteers who written me scathing emails about sending too many mass emails - 1
9. Amount of weight I’ve lost since I’ve been here – 35 pounds
a. Number of new holes punched in belt because I’m too cheap to buy a new one – 2
10. Number of people I have met, developed relationships with, and all the memories I have had so far throughout my time here – Priceless
So there it is my first half of my Peace Corps experience by the numbers. Man what a difference a year makes! Okay so #10 was corny as what and I realize it’s a lot more than 10 facts/stats and is more like 30 something. Yeah whatever go read a book or something. But looking at all these numbers and things that have been done over the past 13 months I can’t help but smile, cringe, laugh, wonder what the hell was I thinking, and “insert other actions here invoking some sort of emotion”.
It’s been one hell of a ride for sure. I’ve learned a lot and gained stories and experiences for a lifetime. I cannot wait to see what the 2nd half has in store.
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