Language Immersion

So let me tell you about language immersion. Oh my god what have i got myself into! I think this is the hardest thing i have ever done in my life. I have reached every limit i have and have been pushed farther. I have cried laughed screams and smiled in a span of an hour. I wanted to quit and loved this place at the same time. i have been stressed, frustrated, relaxed and overjoyed. I wondered if this was for me and why i am doing this? What is this all for is it worth it? My answer to that is YES! I can and will do it I have strength to prevail. I am doing this for me and for the people of Niger who need my help. In the end it will be the best thing in my life.

SO let me tell you about language immersion it was hard and we spoke a fair amount of English but also a lot of Hausa. There was four participants and two trainers. The girls which were five of us had to squeeze into a small hut which was made for one person. Oh wow was it small but we did it. The food was good we had one of the local women make us food. Sometimes we cooked ourselves. You will never guess what i have started to eat eggs, crickets, and beans. I know i hate those foods at home but i think the need for protein is making anything taste good. We had class everyday and a lot of different activities to do. Like teach someone how to make an improved cookstove in Hausa and i was alone. It was hell! I think it was the hardest thing i had to do since i got here. I started to cry in the middle of it and wanted to disappear. But they seemed to like it or they were just being nice one or the other. I can't tell yet since the culture is so different.

I'm nervous for my village since i don't feel like i can speak Hausa really well. I don't really understand when people talk and i don't speak really well. I know that this is normal and that i have only been here for a month and a half but it is very discouraging. Sai hankori (have patients) and i will learn it. I just hope I can pass my LPI's i will learn alot when i get to my village. I will get my site announcement this friday I'm really excited. I hope it's in Maradi but i have a feeling it's not. Since that is what Sangra said which is my adviser person. I really like it here it is the place the i felt most at home.

Niger is good it's getting cold well Niger's version of cold which is like 60-70 in the mornings we need to put on a sweater and it's cold to sleep. I say savor it while it lasts since the hot season is right around the corner and i will be wanting to have this cold back. The days are comfortable though which is nice.

Miss you all and Love you