settling in...

so i've been feeling pretty sick on and off (depending on the hour) for the last couple of days. however, recently, i have come to realize i am starting to feel more and more comfortable here, and am on some days---actually 100% content. this feeling is usually fleeting, however, the fact that it happens at all is a huge development.

for instance, this weekend i was supposed to go to another pcv's (peace corps volunteer) village just for a visit and a going away party for 2 pcvs who are on their way out. however, i have opted to stay in the village this weekend. why, you ask? i'm doing it because i feel sick. however, a couple of months ago i would have dragged myself from my death bed to see other pcvs. its a big step up. the fact that probably won't leave the village for about 3 weeks does not in any way phase me. i actually like it here. who would have thought?

these are the reasons i am starting to like being here:
-i have gotten close with my coworkers. they are all so nice and hilarious. i have a couple of good friends who i can see myself hanging out with all the time. it's nice to not feel awkward all the time and the american freak. haha.
-i no longer feel (that) awkward at my house. living with a family of 4 has really taken some getting used too. while i am still figuring stuff out, i don't feel out of my comfort zone all the time, which is really nice. ihave started hanging out with my host mother/sister/whatever alot. she is terrific.
-i am starting to enjoy my time alone. while it does get pretty f-ing boring here all the time, i am starting to better use the evenings and weekends, instead of just dreading the time at home. this means lots of crafting, reading, studying, baking and cooking elaborate meals (and currently, being obsessed with the olympics, but unfortunately for america, i am not a michael phelps fan. can't he let other people win for a change? south africa has hardly won anything and swimming is our thing! i hate it that when he is in a final the commentators refer to it as "another michael phelps bid for the gold". what a douche.)
-i'm now comfortable enough with my situation that i take the time to look around me and see how freaking beautiful everything is here. i also can appreciate the smallest things so much better here in the us. for instance, when the water is working and therefore i can take a bath. i am so relaxed about everything, so i am never phased. it's a nice attitude that i didn't really have in the us. i hope i carry it back with me. so, heh, its nice not to feel bad all the time.
-it looks like i might have some exciting stuff coming up at work! hooray! 2 big activities, the bakery (soonish?) and the development of the afterschool program (maybe in september?). also, the people i will be working with on these specific are pretty cool and almost as excited as i am to get them started.

so, in the end, what i would take away from this post is that: thank god i switched organizations/villages. if i hadn't that would have been a monstrous disaster. if i hadn't switched i would have definitely be on a plane to the US by now.

so, i do have alot of down days, but the ratio of good days to bad is starting to shift in my favor. hooray.

also, as a request of some friends of mine who have asked, here is an example of one of the things i do out of boredom (to a fault): cut my hair. what do you guys think? in this case i free-style cut about 5 inches off. it was nearly a disaster, i just kept cutting more and more off. (please keep in mind that the hair all over me is from the hair cut, and not some weird thing i've picked up from being in africa, hah.)

<3
t