A Day in the Life?
So, I know I should update this with something less selfish than material things that I want. I also realized that the particulars of "being at site" don't really mean much to you without some...
View ArticlePeanuts: A Revelation
If you knew me before I moved to Mali, you probably knew that I HATED peanuts. Most or all peanut products, actually. And I should tell you that before I came to Mali I was legitimately concerned at...
View Article"Working" in the fields with my host mom
A big part of my job this first three months at site is what Peace Corps calls "integrating." We're supposed to spend time with our host family and homologue and the community in order to learn about...
View ArticleThe Tale Of Fanta: The Post Office Is Not For The Meek at Heart
It's been a good while since I updated Good Golly Miss Mali, so I think it's fair to say I owe you some news. I've been in Sikasso for almost a week (for more on that Google Entamoeba histolytica), but...
View ArticlePoop In A Hole
Poop In A Hold is a video that I found funny. To my fellow PCVs, I empathize. To those of you who don't poop in a hole, I envy you. Enjoy!
View ArticleSix Months and Looking Forward
Right now, I'm at the Bamako stage house. It's a busy house, since this is not only the house where PCVs from the Koulikoro region come to take a break from site or do some work, but this is also where...
View ArticlePACA
I’ve had a lot of people ask me what I’m doing in Mali or what projects I’m hoping to start. Ah, good questions. By and large, Peace Corps gives you a free pass for the first six to eight months and...
View ArticleThe Importance of Manicures
The Peace Corps was established in 1961 to promote world peace and friendship through the service of American Volunteers abroad. The Peace Corps has three goals:1. To help the people of...
View ArticleAn Update On My Reading
Books I’ve Read So Far:1. The Bartimaeus Triology by Jonathan Stroud2. 3. 4. Midaq Alley, The Thief and the Dogs, Miramar by Maghib Mafouz5. 6. 7. Year of...
View ArticlePacking List
Dear Prospective PC Mali Trainees,When I was getting ready to come to Mali, a few PCVs posted their packing lists to help us out. I really appreciated it, so I’m going to do the same. Please keep in...
View Articleseven months
Written at site, 2 September 2011, 10:24amToday marks seven whole months in Mali. I can’t decide if it’s hard to believe or not. Here I am writing about it, so it must mean something to...
View Article6:30-8:30pm
Written at site, August 14th 2011, 7:24pmSo, I’ve decided that my least favorite time of day is between 6:30pm and 8:30pm. The reasons are thus: At 6 or so, the sun begins to set. Ordinarily, this time...
View ArticleOctober in Mali
As October moves its way through Mali, I’m enjoying the changes it brings. Most noticeably, the rain has stopped its daily badgering of the region. Now it hardly rains at all- perhaps once a week, if...
View ArticleTurning a Corner
9 November 20114:29pmMy houseFirst off, I want to say that I feel as though I’ve turned a corner. I was hesitant to write another post until I was sure I could be positive, but today is definitely the...
View ArticleThanks for the Camelbak
So, this week has been a blur. It’s mostly revolved around eating, drinking, dancing, and catching up with friends. Everyone has left by now, even the sick folks (which was the majority, for sure)....
View ArticleROME
19 December 2011, 7:54 am, Lisbon, PortugalSo, I probably should have started this blog when I was still in Bamako, but I didn’t really give the whole traveling experience too much thought. Of course,...
View ArticleRome and Back
Leaving, Part I: This Shit Is SadDecember 30th, 2011 11:44 AMFiumicino AirportWell, it’s over. I’m many hours early for my flight, as I shared a cab with Matt and Matt’s parents, Jan and Mike. The...
View ArticleScout and The Second Goal
Meet Scout. (Pronounced “Suh-COW” by my villagers)Scout is my puppy. She’s my first big girl responsibility. She’s my friend, my protector, and a surprising source of cultural exchange and conversation...
View ArticleValentine's Day Reflections
Happy Belated Valentine’s Day, dear readers! I know I’m a bit late, but you can blame Africa. Really, though, inspiration for a post hasn’t struck me in a while, but it’s more convenient for me to...
View ArticleLimbo, Spain, and Azawad: States I’m Experiencing (Remotely)
Greetings from the Bamako stage house! I have spent the last few weeks traveling (more on that later) and finally have 1) something worthy of an update and 2) internet, so here I am. For those of you...
View ArticleMoving!!
Well, folks, tomorrow is the big day. I’m going to leave my old village and move into a new village, and therefore begin Good Golly Miss Mali, Version 2.0. I can’t say that I’m looking forward to...
View ArticleKnock Knock! Coup’s There? A MILITARY JUNTA
As you may have heard by now, there was a military coup d'etat in Mali that happened this past Wednesday. My dad asked me to post a quick update on the situation from a PCV standpoint because I’m here...
View ArticleEvacuation
4 April 2012As I write this I’m sitting in a bus station waiting for Malians to fill up the bus that Peace Corps has arranged to take us out of Sikasso. It’s only 8 am, but already we’re flopping our...
View ArticleThe Post Evacuation Spin Cycle
Good golly I’m not in Mali, but I’m not home either.(Sorry, I had to. Mkay, got that out of my system).“Crazy” doesn’t even begin to describe the past month of my life. At last post, I was leaving Mali...
View ArticleScout Came To America (YES, REALLY!) All Knocked Up (Wait, what?!)
First of all, yes, Scout really is in America, and she really did have puppies. Here’s the proof:Poe, Lula, Gidget, Atticus, Waldo, JK Growling, and Susie QBut we have a lot to cover up to this point....
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