Unexpectedly, I will be making a trip back to the states. For my program, we have certain mandatory trainings that we have to take. I saw that one was being offered in DC next month so I put it on my training plan. I was honestly surprised that it was approved, especially since I'm doing another training in December in DC. But I'll take it.
I have mixed feelings about returning home. Part of me is excited because it's definitely an opportunity to see friends, shop (!), and just get those things I can't get here. But I also wonder how I'll ever get used to being away if I'm never really away for that long. Honestly, I've gone two months without seeing my linesisters and my family. I think this might be the longest I've gone without seeing my BF, but even three months isn't that long, right?
I hope I get a chance to see my sister. I want to see my friends, though I'm attempting to be selective about who I let know I'm in town. I see it becoming more stressful than fun if I'm spending all of my money trying to have dinner out every night with a different friend (or happy hour...or a cup of coffee, whatever). I found out my high school's homecoming is this Friday-- I had a dream about marching in the alumni band. For some reason, I couldn't find my boots. Random. And I didn't have a proper uniform. I literally got off the plane, went to the game and was like...hey, I'm ready. I don't even know where the clarinet was. It was a strange dream. Maybe it speaks to me just missing home and knowing that it will be a while before I'm able to really attend that (or T's homecoming...which I hear is the next weekend). I was tempted to try to go home but that would be doing too much-- to travel from DC home and then back again so that I can fly back to Addis. Doing the most.
I think I'm more looking forward to my time in December. I'll be better prepared for it--now I'm running around trying to buy a few trinkets for the folks I know I'll see. I know they could probably care less if I showed up empty-handed (after all..aren't I enough? :) ). But I like buying presents. I'll also get a chance to see my family, which I'm excited about. This will probably be one of the few times I've been excited to go to my parents' hometowns to see my extended family.
My feelings are mixed like greens (I crack me up). But I think I'll enjoy the brief respite from Addis, if only for a little while. We'll see.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Titled.
I've finally given the blog a title, which I marinated on for a while. I heard this poem a few times during that dark time known as Spring 05. I became more of a fan of Marcus Garvey after reading more of his quotes and poetry. Since 2008, I have made some decisions that have changed my life in many ways. I wasn't always supported in these decisions and frequently questioned if I was doing the right thing. One thing I learned through this entire experience, is that you have to be your own number one fan. If you don't believe in what you're doing, if you don't support your own decisions, it is more difficult to convince others that you're making sound choices. Thus, the title "Have Faith in Self".
Most people know that I am also working on my dissertation while in Ethiopia and anyone who has tried to work full-time and go to school knows that it requires a lot of discipline. Everyday, I am gaining a greater understanding of the difference between desire and ability. I'm at a difficult point in the process and I do get discouraged sometimes. However, I know that, if I don't finish the PhD, it won't be because I couldn't do it but instead, because I know longer had the desire to do so.
Anyway, I am hoping to become more reflective on some larger concepts regarding the Diaspora and development but today, I just wanted to share the poem from whence I have drawn my inspiration.
"Have Faith in Self" by Marcus Garvey
Today I made myself in life anew,
By going to that royal fount of truth,
And searching for the secret of the few
Whose goal in life and aim is joy forsooth.
I found at last the friend and counselor
That taught me all that I in life should know;
It is the soul, the sovereign chancellor,
The guide and keeper of the good you sow.
I am advised-"Go ye, have faith in self,
And seek once more the guide that lives in you"
Much better than the world of sordid pelf,
Alas! I found the counsel to be true.
Aha! I know right now that I shall see
The good in life, and be a better man;
I will by thought and deed pull all to me,
In saving others, yea, every one.
Go down and search yourself awhile in part,
And tell me all of what you see and hear;
Isn't there something pulling at your heart?
Tell me the truth and have ye then no fear!
There is a voice that speaks to man, within,
It is the Soul that longs for you to know
There is no need for you to grope in sin,
For you in truth and light may ever grow.
Most people know that I am also working on my dissertation while in Ethiopia and anyone who has tried to work full-time and go to school knows that it requires a lot of discipline. Everyday, I am gaining a greater understanding of the difference between desire and ability. I'm at a difficult point in the process and I do get discouraged sometimes. However, I know that, if I don't finish the PhD, it won't be because I couldn't do it but instead, because I know longer had the desire to do so.
Anyway, I am hoping to become more reflective on some larger concepts regarding the Diaspora and development but today, I just wanted to share the poem from whence I have drawn my inspiration.
"Have Faith in Self" by Marcus Garvey
Today I made myself in life anew,
By going to that royal fount of truth,
And searching for the secret of the few
Whose goal in life and aim is joy forsooth.
I found at last the friend and counselor
That taught me all that I in life should know;
It is the soul, the sovereign chancellor,
The guide and keeper of the good you sow.
I am advised-"Go ye, have faith in self,
And seek once more the guide that lives in you"
Much better than the world of sordid pelf,
Alas! I found the counsel to be true.
Aha! I know right now that I shall see
The good in life, and be a better man;
I will by thought and deed pull all to me,
In saving others, yea, every one.
Go down and search yourself awhile in part,
And tell me all of what you see and hear;
Isn't there something pulling at your heart?
Tell me the truth and have ye then no fear!
There is a voice that speaks to man, within,
It is the Soul that longs for you to know
There is no need for you to grope in sin,
For you in truth and light may ever grow.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Countdown to KiKi
We've all been anxiously awaiting (yes, "we") the arrival of my belongings and my car. My car has been in Addis Abeba for something close to three weeks now but has been held hostage by the Ethiopian Road Authority. Why? It's not because they found that product in my glove compartment. There were no white powdery trails on the dashboard and no green leaves and stems between the seats. I keeps it clean these days. Anyway, when you ship a car overseas, there is some basic information that the importing agency needs to know, including make, model, year, VIN (vehicle identification number)and sometimes, the engine number. When I took my car to the mechanic before I left DC, I asked them to find the engine number as this was not something that I could find on my own (obviously, because it's on the engine--and not just listed all shiny on a plate on the top of the engine). I was told that they couldn't find the engine number. I didn't put it on the shipping documentation and just figured that we'd cross that bridge when we came to it. I google-d engine numbers for my type of car (and where to find them) and most websites said that the VIN number will work instead.
Now, here is where things get tricky. Some of you know the complicated history of my car. When my Nissan Sentra began giving me trouble last spring and the repairs were going to cost more than the value of the car, I had decisions to make. My sister had offered to sell me her "old" car (my current Suzuki) but at the time, I was not fully employed. But after talking to her about my car issues, she offered to let me drive the Suzuki if I could make half of the car payment. We kept this deal for about six months or so, until November, when I actually bought the car. We won't go into the details of that nightmare (because my credit union is wack and slow), but it was a unnecessarily long struggle. Anyway, my sister handed over all of the paperwork from her car to me, including documentation from when she FIRST got the car in 2006 (or something). At the time, she had traded in her Pathfinder for the Suzuki.
Fast forward to July, when I'm preparing to leave for Ethiopia. I have all of this documentation because of the random information required to ship a vehicle. When they came and got the car, I *think* I had all of this documentation on hand. I use think because I can't understand why I would have a particular document when it wasn't relevant in any way but we'll discuss that in a minute. Anyway, everything goes according to plan when they come to get my car. I take everything out and take off my tags. This was at my sister's house and they literally tow the car away so it looked like my car was getting repossessed. My brother-in-law joked that they don't give you a chance to take off the tags when they repossess your car. Touche. I don't remember the man asking for my engine number but maybe I'm forgetting this tidbit. I don't think so.
Anyway, last week, I went to the folks in shipping who are handling the importation of my stuff and ask about my car. They tell me that the Ethiopian Road Authority won't release my car because they cannot find an engine number. I tell him that there is no engine number. He says "Well, there's an engine number on the documentation from the shipping company". What? I didn't give them an engine number, where did they get it? So I go to said shipping man's office and he shows me the paperwork and sure enough, there's an engine number. Hmm. I start going through my own paperwork and look at this copy of the trading transaction (when my sister traded the Pathfinder for the Suzuki). There's an engine number for the Pathfinder but not for the Suzuki. Mind you, its clearly marked that it's the Pathfinder engine number. I cross-check this with the paperwork over in shipping...and somehow, its the same. So they have the engine number for the Pathfinder listed for the Suzuki. I don't know how this happened because I would think that the shipping company would have looked at the actual engine to get an engine number, but no. And I would almost swear that I did not give the shipping people in the US that document (with the Pathfinder number). I have no idea how this happened. But now, the folks in Ethiopia are looking for an engine number that doesn't exist. We've managed to clear that up but it has delayed me getting my car. I got my Ethiopian license last week (everything is in Amharic, including my name) and will be getting my insurance this week. Allegedly, the keys to my car will be in my hand on Wednesday or Thursday (allegedly).
I'm scared to drive. We have to take a class at the Embassy that is supposed to prepare newcomers to the country to drive in Addis. This is where they essentially tell you that Addis has the highest traffic fatality rate in the world and that you have to be on the lookout for pedestrians (who cross the street at any point, at any time), donkeys, cows, sheep, goats, dogs, mini-buses and taxis. Yay. I actually don't want to drive but I'm so tired of being held hostage in my house (okay, not really but I do feel really limited in my goings). There's this one place, called Meskel Square, where none of the stoplights work. It's like a big free for all with at least six different streets meeting at this one intersection. I'm going to avoid that at ALL costs. Some people suggested hiring a driver for a few months but I feel like that's a waste of money. I've been riding with drivers since I've been here. I'll just be pumping my brakes and driving slow (homie).
Now, here is where things get tricky. Some of you know the complicated history of my car. When my Nissan Sentra began giving me trouble last spring and the repairs were going to cost more than the value of the car, I had decisions to make. My sister had offered to sell me her "old" car (my current Suzuki) but at the time, I was not fully employed. But after talking to her about my car issues, she offered to let me drive the Suzuki if I could make half of the car payment. We kept this deal for about six months or so, until November, when I actually bought the car. We won't go into the details of that nightmare (because my credit union is wack and slow), but it was a unnecessarily long struggle. Anyway, my sister handed over all of the paperwork from her car to me, including documentation from when she FIRST got the car in 2006 (or something). At the time, she had traded in her Pathfinder for the Suzuki.
Fast forward to July, when I'm preparing to leave for Ethiopia. I have all of this documentation because of the random information required to ship a vehicle. When they came and got the car, I *think* I had all of this documentation on hand. I use think because I can't understand why I would have a particular document when it wasn't relevant in any way but we'll discuss that in a minute. Anyway, everything goes according to plan when they come to get my car. I take everything out and take off my tags. This was at my sister's house and they literally tow the car away so it looked like my car was getting repossessed. My brother-in-law joked that they don't give you a chance to take off the tags when they repossess your car. Touche. I don't remember the man asking for my engine number but maybe I'm forgetting this tidbit. I don't think so.
Anyway, last week, I went to the folks in shipping who are handling the importation of my stuff and ask about my car. They tell me that the Ethiopian Road Authority won't release my car because they cannot find an engine number. I tell him that there is no engine number. He says "Well, there's an engine number on the documentation from the shipping company". What? I didn't give them an engine number, where did they get it? So I go to said shipping man's office and he shows me the paperwork and sure enough, there's an engine number. Hmm. I start going through my own paperwork and look at this copy of the trading transaction (when my sister traded the Pathfinder for the Suzuki). There's an engine number for the Pathfinder but not for the Suzuki. Mind you, its clearly marked that it's the Pathfinder engine number. I cross-check this with the paperwork over in shipping...and somehow, its the same. So they have the engine number for the Pathfinder listed for the Suzuki. I don't know how this happened because I would think that the shipping company would have looked at the actual engine to get an engine number, but no. And I would almost swear that I did not give the shipping people in the US that document (with the Pathfinder number). I have no idea how this happened. But now, the folks in Ethiopia are looking for an engine number that doesn't exist. We've managed to clear that up but it has delayed me getting my car. I got my Ethiopian license last week (everything is in Amharic, including my name) and will be getting my insurance this week. Allegedly, the keys to my car will be in my hand on Wednesday or Thursday (allegedly).
I'm scared to drive. We have to take a class at the Embassy that is supposed to prepare newcomers to the country to drive in Addis. This is where they essentially tell you that Addis has the highest traffic fatality rate in the world and that you have to be on the lookout for pedestrians (who cross the street at any point, at any time), donkeys, cows, sheep, goats, dogs, mini-buses and taxis. Yay. I actually don't want to drive but I'm so tired of being held hostage in my house (okay, not really but I do feel really limited in my goings). There's this one place, called Meskel Square, where none of the stoplights work. It's like a big free for all with at least six different streets meeting at this one intersection. I'm going to avoid that at ALL costs. Some people suggested hiring a driver for a few months but I feel like that's a waste of money. I've been riding with drivers since I've been here. I'll just be pumping my brakes and driving slow (homie).
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Now Don't Get Me Wrong...
I'm not letting this whole "I gotta cook" thing go to my head. However, I do believe in getting my money's worth. I actually have inner turmoil when giving tips because, honestly, what am I tipping you for? Bringing me my food? hot? Anyway, I pay my housekeeper/ cook to come three times a week. I give her money to go shopping and she's theoretically supposed to make enough food for the week and clean. Initially, we were having some issues with her making enough food to actually make it beyond dinner. But she caught on. We had a groove.
But recently, she's been a little off. Two Fridays ago, she asked to leave early because her daughter was sick. Okay, fine. Who am I to keep a mother from her sick child? Last Friday was the end of Ramadan/ New Year's Eve: I just get a text at 8:30am (when she's already supposed to be at my house) saying "It's a holiday. Call me if you want me to come". Hmm. We've known it was going to be a holiday all week. You wait until now to mention that you're not coming? I thought my guard wasn't coming either cause...apparently, it's a holiday. But he came. But she didn't. Interesting. So she comes on Monday, talking about how traffic was so bad, etc etc. Um hmm. When I get home on Monday, I realize she's essentially ignored all guest areas of my house. Okay, maybe she didn't get to it (though I don't know why she wouldn't b/c I live by myself and on my worst days, it doesn't take all day to clean up after me). I notice that she hasn't changed my sheets either. Okay...when are you going to get to that? So today, when I get home, I check my fridge. At first, I was about to be like WHOA? WHERE IS DINNER? Then I spotted a lone pot. Chicken curry-like situation...true. My room is "clean" (which really means, items are removed from my bed, the bed is made and the bathroom is clean). If I leave any clothes out, they get left out. Cool, I don't really have a problem with that. I haven't checked the sheets yet though. I look in the guest bath, dirty. Guest bed unmade. I'm like..Come.On. What are you doing all day that you can't clean an extra bathroom? You made a POT of food. Chicken curry doesn't take all day under any circumstances. My co-workers have said you have to be specific about what you want done but I didn't expect to have to lay it out word-for-word. No matter, I'm working on that note today (note instead actual conversation because there is a LOT that's lost in translation). OH. In addition, when I turn on the television, I noticed that my tv was not on the channel I left it on. And I don't mean, like I left it on three and came back and it was on four. No. My TV has to be on Input 2 in order to get the cable signal. The TV was on channel three when I got home. What is going on here? Honestly, I don't even have a problem with her watching tv. As long as you're doing your job. You can't be in here lunchin and watching tv. That's a no-go. So I'm annoyed. And I don't know how to approach this because who has practice having conversations with domestic help? No one. :(
But recently, she's been a little off. Two Fridays ago, she asked to leave early because her daughter was sick. Okay, fine. Who am I to keep a mother from her sick child? Last Friday was the end of Ramadan/ New Year's Eve: I just get a text at 8:30am (when she's already supposed to be at my house) saying "It's a holiday. Call me if you want me to come". Hmm. We've known it was going to be a holiday all week. You wait until now to mention that you're not coming? I thought my guard wasn't coming either cause...apparently, it's a holiday. But he came. But she didn't. Interesting. So she comes on Monday, talking about how traffic was so bad, etc etc. Um hmm. When I get home on Monday, I realize she's essentially ignored all guest areas of my house. Okay, maybe she didn't get to it (though I don't know why she wouldn't b/c I live by myself and on my worst days, it doesn't take all day to clean up after me). I notice that she hasn't changed my sheets either. Okay...when are you going to get to that? So today, when I get home, I check my fridge. At first, I was about to be like WHOA? WHERE IS DINNER? Then I spotted a lone pot. Chicken curry-like situation...true. My room is "clean" (which really means, items are removed from my bed, the bed is made and the bathroom is clean). If I leave any clothes out, they get left out. Cool, I don't really have a problem with that. I haven't checked the sheets yet though. I look in the guest bath, dirty. Guest bed unmade. I'm like..Come.On. What are you doing all day that you can't clean an extra bathroom? You made a POT of food. Chicken curry doesn't take all day under any circumstances. My co-workers have said you have to be specific about what you want done but I didn't expect to have to lay it out word-for-word. No matter, I'm working on that note today (note instead actual conversation because there is a LOT that's lost in translation). OH. In addition, when I turn on the television, I noticed that my tv was not on the channel I left it on. And I don't mean, like I left it on three and came back and it was on four. No. My TV has to be on Input 2 in order to get the cable signal. The TV was on channel three when I got home. What is going on here? Honestly, I don't even have a problem with her watching tv. As long as you're doing your job. You can't be in here lunchin and watching tv. That's a no-go. So I'm annoyed. And I don't know how to approach this because who has practice having conversations with domestic help? No one. :(
Monday, September 13, 2010
Melkam Addis Amet
Happy Ethiopian New Year! Saturday, Ethiopia celebrated its new year; it's officially 2003 according to the Ethiopian calendar. Obviously, Americans don't really celebrate the Ethiopian New Year but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy the party and some tibs (roasted meat). The new year is a very big celebration for Ethiopians. The main event is the slaughtering of animals. All week long, there were huge herds of sheep being led down the street. People in the office were talking about buying a sheep, ox, goat and/ or chicken to be slaughtered for the new year. Then, the feasting would commence. The meat of said sad slaughtered animal would be cooked various ways and people go to different people's houses all day. It's essentially a holiday of eating, drinking...and eating some more. I went to a co-worker's house for the celebration and there was SUCH delicious Ethiopian food. I smile now even thinking about it.
One of the interesting observations from this weekend, however, was the shift in holiday celebration in Ethiopia's most urban area, Addis Ababa. Everyone emphasized how family-oriented the holiday is (as most are in Ethiopia). However, as I talked to more people, I learned that its more family oriented in rural areas. With this new generation, the idea of spending the ENTIRE day with one's family doesn't seem to resonate as much. I thought about how the concept has changed in the US-- family holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving used to be SO family oriented. Everyone went home for Christmas and you spent all day with your family. You would eat at your house, then go to an aunt's house, then to grandma's house. It was an all day affair. These days, folks are having Thanksgiving night specials at the club...and people are really going. I feel like its the same thing here. I thought I wasn't going to see my Ethiopian friends but they hit me up in the afternoon like "What's good?" We went to a few bars later and they were packed. Like a regular Saturday night. It made me sad a little bit. Sometimes I like to think of some aspect of Africa untouched by outside influences, as if it exists in a bubble. But it doesn't. Globalization has touched this place, for better or worse.
PS. I received two packages today that arrived in the DMV on September 1. What is that...12 days? And it may have been here on Friday, but we were off. Look at how quick that was (compared to the five weeks). That's all I'm saying.
One of the interesting observations from this weekend, however, was the shift in holiday celebration in Ethiopia's most urban area, Addis Ababa. Everyone emphasized how family-oriented the holiday is (as most are in Ethiopia). However, as I talked to more people, I learned that its more family oriented in rural areas. With this new generation, the idea of spending the ENTIRE day with one's family doesn't seem to resonate as much. I thought about how the concept has changed in the US-- family holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving used to be SO family oriented. Everyone went home for Christmas and you spent all day with your family. You would eat at your house, then go to an aunt's house, then to grandma's house. It was an all day affair. These days, folks are having Thanksgiving night specials at the club...and people are really going. I feel like its the same thing here. I thought I wasn't going to see my Ethiopian friends but they hit me up in the afternoon like "What's good?" We went to a few bars later and they were packed. Like a regular Saturday night. It made me sad a little bit. Sometimes I like to think of some aspect of Africa untouched by outside influences, as if it exists in a bubble. But it doesn't. Globalization has touched this place, for better or worse.
PS. I received two packages today that arrived in the DMV on September 1. What is that...12 days? And it may have been here on Friday, but we were off. Look at how quick that was (compared to the five weeks). That's all I'm saying.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
A Tale of Two Packages
One of the benefits of my job is that we are essentially exempt from international shipping fees. There is a location in the DC area where we can have packages/ mail shipped and it will be carried across land/ country/ continent/ ocean for free to us. So we only have to pay for shipping to said address.
I ordered two items on Amazon at the end of July, along with some Netflix (Season 1 of Glee). Amazon informed me that one package was delivered to the aforementioned address on August 5 and the other on August 11. Everyone has told me that it takes about two to three weeks for you mail to actually arrive in Addis once it reaches the DMV area. Okay, fine. Two weeks go by, nothing. Three weeks, nothing. I'm asking the people in the mail room and they're like "Nope, we have nothing for you". I'm seeing other people leave work with 3,4,..8 packages. I can't even get my Netflix :( I go to the mailroom again and inquire-- nothing. I check the address on Amazon thinking that maybe I made a mistake. No, its the correct address. One of my co-workers who sits beside me is receiving packages every week. I ask her when she ordered her stuff--"oh, two weeks ago". At this point, we're approaching the five week mark and I have heard NOTHING regarding my things. I ordered more stuff because I need some books for my dissertation as well as other things for my house. If you've seen my facebook pictures, then you're aware of my goldilocks pillows. Anyway, I go down to the mail room and ask if they can contact the Embassy-- several co-workers suggested that perhaps my mail was still at the Embassy because they didn't know I had arrived to post or where I worked (b/c you can't look me up in the system right?). The people in our mail room say they'll send an email. This morning, it's confirmed that I have two boxes and four movies in the mail room at the Embassy. And that in the future, they should be informed of newcomers so that they'll know where to send packages. :-|
I was headed to the Embassy anyway today to get my health situation checked out (turns out I pulled some muscles and I have a burgeoning sinus infection-- good thing it wasn't the malaria and impending heart attack I had guessed). I go to the mail room and they tell me that they already sent my packages to my building. I asked them to double check. They look at a few boxes and say "Nope, nothing. It's already been sent". I ask them to check ONE more time and took note of the employee's name. I told him I would be sending him a dirty email if I got back to work and my stuff wasn't there. He does a cursory glance under the counter and what do you know...one of my packages was there. I ask him if there's anything else under there. He says "Well, let me check". He pulls out the second package. I'm trying not shoot him daggers of death with my eyes because I've been waiting for these packages for weeks. So he tells me I have to sign for them. There was a part of me that was just hoping that the packages had arrived this week. No. He has to go back into some other room to get out the OLD sign sheets from weeks past. I ask when they arrived. August 13 and August 20. I stare at the counter...at nothing in particular. Just stare for a minute to pull myself together before I say something sarcastic. It's not worth it. I try not to be one of those Americans who thinks that screaming, cursing and insulting will either rectify the situation or make me feel better. These types of things happen in the US-- I've heard many a story of epic failures on the part of UPS or Fedex. I was just annoyed because my things would have continued to sit at the Embassy in the pile of misfit packages because no one was even bothering to inquire as to who I was. I've now been added to the list (I think as of today) of employees in my building so perhaps my mail will actually arrive in a semi-timely fashion.
I'm going to get started on Season 1 today and hope that my mail that arrived in the DC area last Wednesday and Thursday shows up in the next two weeks.
I ordered two items on Amazon at the end of July, along with some Netflix (Season 1 of Glee). Amazon informed me that one package was delivered to the aforementioned address on August 5 and the other on August 11. Everyone has told me that it takes about two to three weeks for you mail to actually arrive in Addis once it reaches the DMV area. Okay, fine. Two weeks go by, nothing. Three weeks, nothing. I'm asking the people in the mail room and they're like "Nope, we have nothing for you". I'm seeing other people leave work with 3,4,..8 packages. I can't even get my Netflix :( I go to the mailroom again and inquire-- nothing. I check the address on Amazon thinking that maybe I made a mistake. No, its the correct address. One of my co-workers who sits beside me is receiving packages every week. I ask her when she ordered her stuff--"oh, two weeks ago". At this point, we're approaching the five week mark and I have heard NOTHING regarding my things. I ordered more stuff because I need some books for my dissertation as well as other things for my house. If you've seen my facebook pictures, then you're aware of my goldilocks pillows. Anyway, I go down to the mail room and ask if they can contact the Embassy-- several co-workers suggested that perhaps my mail was still at the Embassy because they didn't know I had arrived to post or where I worked (b/c you can't look me up in the system right?). The people in our mail room say they'll send an email. This morning, it's confirmed that I have two boxes and four movies in the mail room at the Embassy. And that in the future, they should be informed of newcomers so that they'll know where to send packages. :-|
I was headed to the Embassy anyway today to get my health situation checked out (turns out I pulled some muscles and I have a burgeoning sinus infection-- good thing it wasn't the malaria and impending heart attack I had guessed). I go to the mail room and they tell me that they already sent my packages to my building. I asked them to double check. They look at a few boxes and say "Nope, nothing. It's already been sent". I ask them to check ONE more time and took note of the employee's name. I told him I would be sending him a dirty email if I got back to work and my stuff wasn't there. He does a cursory glance under the counter and what do you know...one of my packages was there. I ask him if there's anything else under there. He says "Well, let me check". He pulls out the second package. I'm trying not shoot him daggers of death with my eyes because I've been waiting for these packages for weeks. So he tells me I have to sign for them. There was a part of me that was just hoping that the packages had arrived this week. No. He has to go back into some other room to get out the OLD sign sheets from weeks past. I ask when they arrived. August 13 and August 20. I stare at the counter...at nothing in particular. Just stare for a minute to pull myself together before I say something sarcastic. It's not worth it. I try not to be one of those Americans who thinks that screaming, cursing and insulting will either rectify the situation or make me feel better. These types of things happen in the US-- I've heard many a story of epic failures on the part of UPS or Fedex. I was just annoyed because my things would have continued to sit at the Embassy in the pile of misfit packages because no one was even bothering to inquire as to who I was. I've now been added to the list (I think as of today) of employees in my building so perhaps my mail will actually arrive in a semi-timely fashion.
I'm going to get started on Season 1 today and hope that my mail that arrived in the DC area last Wednesday and Thursday shows up in the next two weeks.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
One of These Things Is Not Like The Other...
So, I've been trying to take note of gender dynamics in Ethiopia, not just cause I'm the new gender "advisor" at work. I'm halfway attempting to blend in, largely because I can. But I have to get better at understanding how things work in terms of gender in this cultural. Last night, one of my new 'friends' invited me out to a bar with him and some friends. I go and I'm looking around and notice that I am literally one of maybe two women in the entire bar. There are lots of men there, sitting in groups, drinking beer and talking. But I definitely caught some glances from men around the room. At first I was a little uncomfortable, but once I just focused on the group I was with, it was okay.
We went to another bar and there was a much better mix. I asked one of the people I was with if Ethiopian women didn't go to bars. He said that they don't go by themselves or with just a group of women. Bars are more for men or mixed crowds. Sigh, way to stand out. This is an interesting place. I've been told the men are shy. Then, I was told the women are shy. I'm trying to figure out how people start dating if everyone is shy. Obviously, people are getting together somehow, given the number of bridal shops and the fact that Ethiopia has the seventh highest population growth rate in the world.
I also heard something disturbing at work today. Apparently, the American couples that are more likely to get divorced are those whose husband is not directly employed by the Embassy (i.e. his wife is the diplomat and he follows her around the world from post to post). I already had an idea that there weren't a lot of men who volunteered for career instability and stunting (which may not necessary be the case but that's my impression). When you move to a new country every two years, it's not guaranteed that you will be able to get a job at every post. Ethiopia is a particularly difficult post for spousal employment. It's frustrating because women are almost expected to let their careers be second to their husband's. For men to do so is rare. I remember my mom telling me that she didn't get her masters because both of them couldn't chase their careers. Some spouses are able to develop great careers (in terms of doing something they enjoy) but that may also be while sacrificing upward career mobility because you're never in one place for very long. Does this mean I'm doomed? Or that I'll have to sacrifice my career as a diplomat in order to do the family thing? I hope not. :-/
We went to another bar and there was a much better mix. I asked one of the people I was with if Ethiopian women didn't go to bars. He said that they don't go by themselves or with just a group of women. Bars are more for men or mixed crowds. Sigh, way to stand out. This is an interesting place. I've been told the men are shy. Then, I was told the women are shy. I'm trying to figure out how people start dating if everyone is shy. Obviously, people are getting together somehow, given the number of bridal shops and the fact that Ethiopia has the seventh highest population growth rate in the world.
I also heard something disturbing at work today. Apparently, the American couples that are more likely to get divorced are those whose husband is not directly employed by the Embassy (i.e. his wife is the diplomat and he follows her around the world from post to post). I already had an idea that there weren't a lot of men who volunteered for career instability and stunting (which may not necessary be the case but that's my impression). When you move to a new country every two years, it's not guaranteed that you will be able to get a job at every post. Ethiopia is a particularly difficult post for spousal employment. It's frustrating because women are almost expected to let their careers be second to their husband's. For men to do so is rare. I remember my mom telling me that she didn't get her masters because both of them couldn't chase their careers. Some spouses are able to develop great careers (in terms of doing something they enjoy) but that may also be while sacrificing upward career mobility because you're never in one place for very long. Does this mean I'm doomed? Or that I'll have to sacrifice my career as a diplomat in order to do the family thing? I hope not. :-/
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