3/8
So not much has changed since my last update.  I am still in classes for about 10 hours every day.  It is overwelhming to say the least.  The language is supposed to be the easiest of the three to learn, but I still feel like I am not learning it well.  I have never been good with languages though so that probably plays a big part of it.  On top of having to learn a new language though, we are in an area of the country that speaks another language entirly so it makes it hard to practice.
I was sick for the first time this week.  It wasn't as bad as some of the other trainies have been dealing with but it still sucked.  I felt nauseous for about three days, on the third day around lunch I didn't want to eat, but since in Ethiopia not eating is NOT an option I did.  After my last class around 5:30PM I felt like I was about to vomit so I rushed home.  On the way home I made sure to ID places to loose it if I had to.  I made it home, but just barely, without vomitting, went straight to bed, and slept for nearly twelve hours.  I did wake up around 8pm to go to the bathroom, my parents almost made me go to the hospital because they were so worried, I had to insist that I was fine, and that if I didn;t feel better in the morning that I woul call the PC doctor.  I battled a fever for the first part of the night, but the next morning with the exception of a little nausea, and general tiredness I was back to normal.  I am pretty sure it was just a common cold and feel good that this was all I had to go through.
I have come to realize that PC has a hard time telling time.  For every meeting we end up leaving about 10-30 minutes late.  When our breaks are 30 minutes with the exception of lunch, and we often have to walk half way accross town, this can be a real inconvenience.  More than a few trainees are frustrated with this, I have to keep reminding myself that it isn't that big of a deal, but it is really frustrating to spend 10 hours each day in class with no break (when you count the travel time).  Once I am finished with PCT I will have three months to acclimate to my community before the work REALLY starts though, so I will soon be faced with the opposite problem.  But in Ethiopia we say "chigerillum" (no problem).
Today we learned that our language group is changing.  I still have one of my classmates studying with me, but the other one is switching to a new group.  We are also getting a new LCF (language and culture facilitator); I am pretty bummed about the change, but hopefully it will be for the best and I will learn even faster.  A few of the volunteers also went to watch the sun set at the nearby canyon.  It was beautiful scenery, but unfortunatly we timed it wrong and arrived just after the sun went down behind the hills.  It was still a good time, listening to music, and eating guacamole.  Tomorrow my assignment is to learn how to cook one of the common local dishes.  It will be interesing to see how they take a guy trying to get leasons on how to cook, but since my family has hosted a PCT before I don't think it will be too big of a deal.  I also am going to try to post this, upload some pictures, and Skype with some people.  So if only this get's posted don't say I haven't tried to get some pictures up.  I am trying to email, and facebook them so hopefully at least a couple get through.
I have made some great friends, and do consider my host family as part of my extended family.  Everyone here is kind, generous, and happy to have me here.  But I really miss you guys too.  So as you read this pretend I am giving you a big hug.  And to Mema, in cause I can't get anything through closer to your Birthday, know that I wll be thinking of you, and wishing you the best birthday ever.  Love you.