Sika | August 20, 2009
There’s something about speaking in Spanish–even when I know only half of what I say will be understood. And when I understand too, even when it´s only half (because I’m listening to Portuguese), it only amplifies that feeling. You know the sensation in your muscles when you’ve worked really really hard–so hard you can’t do anything [...]
Sika | August 17, 2009
I donºt have time for good updates right now, so just a couple quick things. Kris says to one of her coworkers, “She is going to Mozambique.” “Why?” Kris answered, “Kuwona [to see]. She wants to swim in the ocean.” “Sure?” “Yes.” “I hear it has salt,” he says, looking quite worried for me. “She [...]
Sika | July 30, 2009
On the way here this morning, we drove by the Chatha Coffin workshop and joinery, probably for the millionth time. It just occurred to me that the name of that place, when translated, is Finished Coffin workshop and joinery.
Sika | July 29, 2009
I’m not sure how this will translate in real life, but it’s really rather impressive, especially considering all I do to not activate these skills. My external hard drive stopped functioning. This is not the tragedy it may have appeared to be as I was nearly done with The Wire. Also the cease of functioning [...]
Sika | July 15, 2009
I have lots of things to post about. And I’ve been taking lots of pictures to go with the lots of things I have to talk about. The problem being, those pictures somehow object to being put online. That’s the only thing I can figure considering power and/or internet outages have been frequent, along with [...]
Sika | June 16, 2009
Obviously, I have not figured out how to properly use this function yet, but I’m sure it’ll be AWESOME when I do, ‘coz Sony wouldn’t do me wrong, would it? Oh, and it’s actually worse today. Noel and I are going to try to swap out my hard drive into Denise’s (Thanks, Denise!)old laptop tonight, [...]
Sika | June 16, 2009
In a country known for its interesting fashion sense, I saw what is perhaps the best outfit ever. Believe me when I say this guy has a lot of competition here. To start with, while gender roles are even more rigidly adhered to here, the whole concept of pink being a girl’s colour seems to [...]
Sika | June 11, 2009
Besides when I go to the chip stand and small children literally run screaming from me? When I go to the chip stand and find fried plastic in my egg. Mmmmm, bonus plastic!
Sika | June 10, 2009
Someone pointed out to the prison officials at Zomba Central that an old, tattered, faded Malawian flag might not be the best thing in the world to have flying at a government institution. So, they decided to replace it with a fresh, clean, bright and shiny Malawian flag. So bright and shiny in fact, that [...]
Sika | June 8, 2009
Is what I would be saying if the (Raging, y’all) Flames had beat Burkina Faso in Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday. It would be premature even then, what with the Flames’ historically lackluster performance, but now, after the game, I know I will never be saying that. I think the fact that the Flames did not [...]
Sika | May 21, 2009
There are many many funny signs in Malawi. I have mental notes to go track down and photograph lots. But this one, the idea of living withough photographic record of its brilliance was too much to imagine, so I took a picture of it on my camera phone. And then read it again and again. [...]
Sika | May 8, 2009
Today I had the students role play teaching their patients about atelectasis* More than one of them said, this is a disease which will lead to death if you don’t do what I say, or something to that effect. I told them to use plain English: so, I got, “Atelectasis is a disease which can [...]
Sika | May 5, 2009
1) I find it hilarious that I know people whose parents want them to get back home because of swine flu. Last time I checked, America=cases of swine flu. Africa!=cases of swine flu. Seems like it’s safer here, at the moment. Mandita! Come here if you can’t go to Mexico! 2) I’m working on an [...]
Sika | April 7, 2009
Went to Kubota gardens with my mom today. On one of the streams there was this icky, vaguely toxic-mold looking yellowy brown algae growing. I told my mom she should drink the water, but she told me to go first. I reminded her how, when we were in Pretoria, she double dog dared me to [...]
Sika | March 13, 2009
Prisoners in Malawi, those serving the last bit of their sentences, at least—are often sent out on work detail. They are dressed in what seems to be one-size-fits-all, [varying shades of] white, button-down shirts and shorts. There often is only one guard for maybe 30 prisoners. The prisoners aren’t chained, and in transport they look [...]
