dating

Host family members, teachers, South Africans in general are fascinated about who the white American is dating (if anyone) . Yesterday I went visiting with my Mma. We stopped at one of my teacher's houses and we interupted her, her husband and their preacher/grandmother's meal. The grandmother was fascinated with me and quickly declared that I was nice while she queried what kind of farm animals we have in the US. Mma started talking about how great am I, listing off how I'm always laughing and smiling, I help with dishes and with the goats, causing the teacher to laugh. The grandmother then asked if I have a boyfriend and informed me that it's good that I don't, all boyfriends have AIDS. I guess husbands don't?
Then, the husband, who's convinced that I will marry in South Africa and stay forever AND go home and teach all of America Sepedi, informed me that there are too many single, white men in town. ie, I should marry one of them.
We return to normal topics of conversation and another visitor arrives to talk to the husband. Once the visitor is done talking to the husband, he starts talking to me. His first question? 'Will you marry me?' I informed him that that is not the question to ask an American girl first off, and it's best to talk to me before (if ever) asking that. He agrees, we talk for five minutes. He asks, 'Now will you marry me? We've talked.'
Walking home, my fiesty Mma told me that I can't date anyone in the village. They're not good enough.

you can never go home again

After being deemed healthy by the surgeon last Monday (benign and all those good words), I went back to my site. There were, of course, the normal feelings about going home. I'm not doing anything here, it's too hot, I want a shower, I don't have any friends; you get the idea. But, I received a HUGE mailing of books. Thanks to everyone at home that contributed to the book mailing, I feel rich! There was a massive wind storm while I was gone and it tore up my laundry tree. AND I have a new friend named Mina. Kittens, baby anything really, makes me happy. My host parents love and play with her too.

Above, my room with books. :D, left remains of tree with our pit toilet and neighbor's toilet in background

My old friends, the goats, with the top of the tree

MINA!

My host parents' great grandson, Zach, playing with Mina

finally holiday pics

I've finally completed my post from my last trip! There's lots of text and pics and if you click on 'holiday' to the left you'll find it.

de-lumped

Last week the Peace Corps doctor called and informed me that the main office in Washington DC approved the removal of the lump. I came down to Pretoria on Wednesday and met with a surgeon on Thursday. The surgeon did some training in Madison and was happy to hear that I'm from Wisconsin. The surgery itself was on Monday. The Peace Corps picked me up from the backpackers at 5:30 and dropped me at the Little Company of Mary (a private hospital here in Pretoria) and I filled out forms at procrastinated until the surgery at 3:30. An hour later, I woke up and in another half hour I could walk around. Just as I was falling asleep, a nurse came in to check on me and noticed a bunch of blood on my shirt; the bandage came off a little and the anastetic that was coming out leaked onto my shirt. Another bandage was added on top, and I fell into a nice, deep sleep.
The next morning the surgeon changed the bandage and discharged me and I've been staying at a guesthouse since. I have a private room, a comfy bed and if I want I can wander to the pool and smell the roses. I have been wandering around Pretoria to get food and use the internet, but I've been getting tired faster than normal and usual head back for a mid-afternoon nap.
I'm hardly in any pain and haven't been taking my pain medication. The lump was benign and there shouldn't be any scarring.
I should head back to my site on Monday or Tuesday and fall break starts Friday.