Monday, September 20, 2010

Never ending hop-scotch games and adolescent boys who love Rihanna - qui est ma famille!

The day I was dropped off at my host family’s house was probably one of the most nerve-racking days I’ve ever had. It was Monday, the day after we flew into the country. The morning began with an informative introduction to the ACI Baobab Center with the director/co-creator of the ACI Baobab facility. Then we toured around a nearby neighborhood in order to familiarize ourselves with the surroundings. One great thing about this program is that they have us find landmarks wherever we go so if we ever get lost we know how to describe to a taxi where to take us or find our way on our own through these landmarks. We found out how free the women really are behind scenes during our lunch around 1pm and then around 4pm we had a family orientation session. Our housing coordinator discussed the typical cultural/common sense "dos and don'ts" and answered questions we had (there were a couple students extremely nervous who asked quite a few nitty-gritty questions that were a little too situational... it was amusing). I was not nervous until the 5 o'clock hour. This was when all 5 of us Linfield Students hopped into a van to be dropped off one-by-one at our houses. I was last. At first I thought it was a good thing but by the time we had dropped off the other 4 girls and were on the way to my house I was shaking. I had no idea where I was in comparison to the Center because we had gone down so many little roads into different directions and into different neighborhoods. I was sure I was going to forget the Wolof greetings or the little French I knew. I thought I wouldn’t' be able to pronounce anyone's names and most of all I was afraid that my host parents wouldn't speak much French. I WAS WRONG. I have a very nice family and everything went well, my Wolof greetings included! When I arrived my 17year old brother (or he is 19, I cannot figure it out yet) shyly greeted me with a slight glance, a soft "Bonjour," and a light hand grab as he quickly took my suitcase to my room. Led through an outside hallway into a courtyard with a huge, beautiful tree, I was greeted by my host father and mother. They were very nice and my father showed me my room as well as gave me a tour to the restroom, the visiting area, and the living room area. I was given my own set of keys to the front gate, my room, and the living room so that is great. My room is off of the kitchen separate from the house; the setup is perfect considering it allows me to do my own things as well as be part of the family. I love the courtyard - the courtyard is where I get to write my letters and watch the kids roller blade, swing on the tree, and bike around in circles dodging the close-lines and the sheep. Yes, I almost forgot, we have two sheep that look like goats to me.

My family is amusing - I have three brothers, Dany (17 or 19), Moctar (14), Mohamed (12), and one sister, Marianna (9). They are a ball of joy. Definitely a group of adolescents with sporadic mood swings. However, they are fun and have spunky humors. The boys LOVE Rihanna and sing her music all of the time! It is hilarious, especially when I am sitting in my room with the door open and can hear them across the way singing in high-pitched tones or hear them singing along with the TV. It is cute. Marianna LOVES hopscotch. I taught her how to play and now she asks me to play every day which is fun, but also hot; I start sweating after 3 hops in this heat. Basically my host-siblings go back and forth between our house and their neighbor's house as well as hang out glued to the TV or venturing around the courtyard doing random rollerblading tricks/bike tricks/jump-rope things. My host mom works diligently all of the time. I think I have only seen her sit in front of the TV three times without work in her hands. My host father is a funny guy - he walks around all of the time dragging his feet so you can hear him a mile away. He does not work at the moment because he does something in the fishing industry and it is not the season so... he roams around or ventures out... I'm not really sure. They are all a bit quite when it comes to me. There is a bit of a language barrier but it is getting better and the more time I spend there the more they talk to me, include me, and make jokes with me. It is a nice process. Well, that is my family! I hang out mostly with Marianna, playing games, or with Dany because he talks with me the most. He is at the age where music, cameras, computers, and anything different than home is "cool". Also, there is this one tela-novela translated into French that we watch every night... it is so good! I am now glued to the cheesy, racy, drama. Well, off to a soccer match! Tout à l'heure

6 comments:

  1. I picture you playing hopscotch with your host sister all day and it is really cute.

    I can't believe the guys listen to Rhianna... some things I will never understand.

    You should post some pictures of your family when you get the chance. Glad you're having a good time!

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  2. Nice blog sweetie. You write just like you talk. I love that and you. Take some pictures of the house and your family. I wish I could sit in the courtyard with you. Remember when you and Melissa played hopscotch?

    You love, therefore you are loved. momxoxox

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  3. Ella Ella Ella Ella...Eh Eh Eh Eh....

    Lacey- My bladder is about to explode and Hilda just got in the shower. I thought you should know. :)

    Your family sounds great! What are the Mom and Dad's names? Last name? Pictures! Do you still get mail sent to the center or your residence?

    So happy it worked out for you. Teach them all your dance moves!

    K

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  4. ¡HOLA LACEY! ME PARECE MUY BIEN QUE TU FAMILIA ADOPTIVA TE ACEPTE, RIHANNA ME GUSTA COMO CANTA MAS LA DE "POR FAVOR NO PAREN LA MUSICA"JOJOJOJO TE DESEO TODA LA SUERTE DEL MUNDO Y SALUDOS A TUS HERMANOS ADOPTIVOS. BESOS Y TQM.

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  5. I am so glad that you are blogging! I love hearing about what you're doing. I hope that you are enjoying every minute! Also....you better think of me whenever you hear your host father dragging his feet. That way, I am always on your mind :) Please take a lot of photos!
    SEND ME YOUR MAILING ADDRESS!!!!!!!!!!
    I lub lub lub you girly :)
    xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

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  6. Hi Face :)

    Sounds like you are having a fantastic time with your family, minus computer glitches! I like the decor of your blog...very trendy! (though i doubt that is what you were going for.) Just finished watching Desperate Housewives, Vanessa Williams is a guest star this season! I love her.

    How is the food going? Mom said you were sick? You're not supposed to drink the water! I bet you are loving everything, though also so tired and whelmed. Wish I could give you a hug. Though I also want to pat you on the butt and say you're fine! The courtyard sounds lovely. I would like to see that.

    Alright, falling asleep. I have a bunch more to catch you up on, so I"ll send an email later. Hope you are feeling better and classes are going decent!

    lyly pretty one,

    Melissa

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