I just joined a group called "Dining for Women," thanks to my Peace Corps friend, Mary Broude. A new chapter was started in Orange County by Elizabeth Boretz, and the concept is: We get together, dine in, catch up with friends, expand our knowledge of the world, and donate to projects that reduce poverty and promote gender equity. What Continue Reading
Too Many Distractions in the U.S.
Life in the U.S. is full of distractions; that's probably not news to you, but it does come as a shock after living in a rondavel in Lesotho, where my only distractions were the sounds of roosters crowing at 4 a.m., donkeys braying day and night, dogs defending their territories, and Basotho villagers yelling across the corn fields. I used to think Continue Reading
My Recent Dating Story You Won’t Want to Miss
It all started when I parked my car and noticed a skinny man pulling into the space across from mine in an old Buick. I picked up my pace thinking, I hope that’s not him. We agreed to meet at "Mother's Kitchen" and I entered through the sliding doors and pretended to look at the chocolates and candy and all the flowers as it happened to be Continue Reading
Recycling Trash to Toys
Twice a week, I burn my trash in a small pit outside my rondavel. Tremendous guilt sets in the minute I strike the match, realizing that I’m contributing towards global warming. Each time, I’m surprised to see how easy it is to burn plastic bags and Styrofoam packaging trays. The fact that this is a big, “No-No” in many parts of the Continue Reading
Children Debate Major Cultural Differences-Gutsy Living
As a Peace Corps volunteer teacher in Lesotho, I'm discovering major cultural differences, even in the classroom. What may seem, "normal" in a school in Lesotho, would be cause for jail, in the U.S. I'm helping grade 7 prepare a debate on, “Are teachers to be blamed for the poor performance of students?” While brainstorming points on the Continue Reading
