Nearing the end of training..

I had some free time and thought i would post; even though i havent done much lately. We are closing out model school, so in the past week I have written, proctored, and graded exams. Overall, the students did ok. I took pictures of my classes at the end, so when i figure out how to post them, you will all get to see my kids. Through most of training, we have had action packed schedules, and now we finally have free time. its kind of weird having absolutely nothing to do. I have a presentation to give (in french), a soiree culturel (where all of the clubs give a skit or something to show everyone what they have been working on), our model school closing ceremony, a trip to yaounde and then swearing in. it will go by quickly im sure.
so in the past week:
-we have played numerous scattergories games using scraps of paper, not an actual game
-we have searched for new bars to hang out at, bc pierres (the usual haunt) is getting really old
-i have played a lot of uno games with my host family. i learned that the pidgin word for shuffle is boxam
-i had two 13 year old girls cook dinner for the weekend. my mom went out of town, so the girls cooked. my meals involved lots of plain bread and boiled bananas. needless to say, ive had better
-we visited the chefferie superieur and met the chief of bangangte. we saw historical black and white photos of the previous chiefs, and saw an authentic zebra skin rug, complete with mane. it had a very nice end table on top of it. he served a huge lunch, with chicken, goat, fish, rice, fried plantains, greens and more. it was delicious... well, all except the chicken that tasted like rubber (the knife i had couldnt even cut it) and the goat. i found out later that when there are chickens that run around and eat out of the neighborhood garbage piles, the meat tastes a little rubbery. the goat wasnt bad except for the huge layer of fat around the meat. the meat was good though.
-i received letters and packages galore this week! 2 packages (both from mom), and 4 letters. it makes me so happy bc i know that people havent forgotten me. feel free to keep those coming. i think letters are almost nicer than packages bc i can re-read the letters. better yet, send letters with packages!
-i also received a message from a rpcv that served at my post in 1999. the experience sounds life changing, and he still references the pc experience. i hope to be like that when i finally return home in 2010. it sounds so far away, but 3 months have already passed by in a flash.

i cant wait to move to post.. im trying to buy a few things ahead of time, for my house that is still under construction. at some point, i would like to get a cat. it will be nice to have some company, and cats are good for eating bugs. by the way; my post is in the filaria capital of the world. if you are bored, look it up. its only the worst disease ever. anyway, back to peace corps life. hope all is well at home!