Back in the LIB

It’s been a summer and a bit since I’ve updated this blog, but I think it’s understandable considering I’ve been off of work and back in the states for a good part of this time. That being said, I’ll quickly update you all on the past happenings of my life.

First, I quit my job. That’s right, during these tough economic times I may be the only person who’s left his/her job by choice, but I did. The school was not a good fit for me. I put in a full year of teaching there, but it was time for me to go. I loved my students and the time I spent with them; they were fantastic—funny, cute, inquisitive, and creative. While they were difficult sometimes (as all kids are), I can’t say that they weren’t great and I won’t miss them, I will, but some other things came into the picture convincing me it was time for something new.

That being said, I am back in Liberia. I took a job with an INGO with which I’ll still be involved in teaching. (Email me for more information.) I’ve been back in country for almost three weeks now. It’s rainy season here, so most days are overcast or it’s raining. The good news is the temperature is lower during this season, so the heat isn’t as oppressive as during the dry season. This is especially good news as my new home only has one air conditioning unit that is located in the living room. On top of this, it is currently not functioning properly, so we don’t have it plugged in anyway. Also, my room is all the way down the hallway, as far away as possible from the a/c unit, so it doesn’t really do me any good. Hopefully by the time dry season comes around (think mid-October) I’ll have adjusted. The unfortunate thing about the rainy season (on top of all the rain) is the humidity. It is so humid that my clothes have begun to mold. My bedsheets are already damp by the time I crawl into bed at night. Nothing, absolutely nothing, is dry. Just another reason it’s good to have a/c here. At this point, I don’t want it for temperature control, but rather moisture control. I can tell you that anything that stays moist for a few days becomes smelly, then eventually moldy, and so on and so forth. Boo.

Other than the wet factor, my new home’s not so bad. (Well, the wet factor and lack of hot water. Cold showers or warm bucket baths—neither leave me feeling especially clean.) Our house faces the ocean, so I’m constantly surrounded by an ocean breeze and the sound of waves. The porch (which faces the sea) has two hammocks set up for idle days of reading and lounging which feels gloriously indulgent at times. I live with five other girls. It’s nice to have roommates after a year alone, but also strange to get used to after a year alone. It’s also difficult to come into a house of five people who know each other pretty well and be the new person. The difficulty is doubled by the fact that since I lived here last year I’ve other friends that I really enjoy being with so I’m often trying to get out of the house and be social. It’ll all come together, though, in due time, in due time. Right now I’m fighting patience as I wait for everything to get started and my second try here to really begin.


Stay tuned for: my summer adventures
travel by helicopter
a hike in the woods (or in this case, jungle)