Moving on Up

Today was one of those beautiful Ugandan days. The sun was, of course, shinning but there was a light breeze to blow off the heat. At the conference center, it seemed like the birds were whistling, calling and hawing more than usual. The lush trees swayed in the breeze from Lake Victoria, and you could see the monkeys playing amongst the branches.

So, while this picture is totally true, it's basically true everyday. What made today so special? Duh- it's the last day of training! Yes, I said it. The LAST day of training!!! The whole day had that last day of school before summer feeling, which is a feeling I thought I had left in the past. As much as I feel like we've all been waiting for this day, I think we were all surprised it is actually here. Technically, we'll still be trainees for another week, and we'll finally claim that coveted title of Peace Corps Volunteer. Is it lame that I'm so excited to finally have that following my name? Chelsea Roberts, Peace Corps Volunteer. It sounds so much better than Peace Corps Trainee at least!

Today, most of us took our LPIs, which is the Language Proficiency Interview. This is the only test that Peace Corps ever gives you. So, yeah, it's kind of a big deal. And people take it very seriously. For good reasons. If you do not pass, Peace Corps will have to evaluate whether they should send you into the field where you'll hopefully improve. In three months time, you'll have to retake the LPI. Let me be clear, the LPI isn't some standardized test you can just cram for and hopefully remember your verb conjugations correctly. It is an interview. This means it is an oral exam, in which you're basically rambling on about whatever they want to know. It's pretty intimidating, especially because the person conducting the interview may be someone you've never met before, such as my case.

Because there was only one tester for Lugwere and Lunyole languages, some of us had to take the LPI yesterday, which I volunteered for. I thought it would have been a relief to take it earlier and just get it over with. Another trainee in our language group went first, and it felt like he was in there forever! Seriously, at least 30 if not 35 minutes. We couldn't figure out what the in the world he could be saying, and it only meant doom for the rest of us. Of course, once he finished, he clued us in on what was to come. Apparently, our tester is from the Mbale area, which speaks a different language all together. This means that while he can of course speak Lunyole, he has a slight accent and uses different verbs than we're used to. Our fellow trainee added nonchalantly, "Oh yeah, and he holds the recorder to your face, so don't freak out or anything." Yeah, no pressure whatsoever.

Honestly, I think it went alright...? I'll find out tomorrow. He did ask me about random things, including what my brothers in America like to do. By the way Grant, you like to read books and go running if you didn't know. And John-Paul, you watch movies and cook. Hey, I only have so many verbs in my vocabulary!

Hopefully, once I get to site, I can get a better grasp on my language. It was such a disadvantage that my host family (even though I love them so much) didn't speak my target language. I hope to befriend some village kids who are patient enough to teach me some more basics before I graduate to conversing with adults! I really want to use my language because I think it will make my integration and acceptance into the community so much easier. Bummer though that if I go 5-10 miles in any direction, I'll no longer find people that speak Lunyole!

For the last nine weeks, I feel like we've been in limbo, forever in transition. I'm so looking forward to finally putting my clothes away and to no longer be living out of a suitcase. Finally, we'll have a place more permanent, a place we can make our own and call home. Granted, that doesn't mean the next step is going to be easy. I'm a little anxious about jumping into a new community, in which I know only a handful of people, and try to make it my home. It's going to take courage, perseverance and patience.

Our Country Director told us that, no pressure of course, but the next 90 days at site will be setting the foundations for our next two years. However we act in the next three months will determine our relationship with our community. So, obviously, be the best volunteer you can, get out of your house, talk to people, do any work you can, stay at your site, practice the language, form friendships with your neighbors, set up your home, get a routine, find where you fit in. Even if we don't have any major successes, if we can integrate into our community, we've accomplished something. Remind me of that in three months when I'm complaining about not getting things done.

One of our fellow trainees reminded us of a very inspiring quote in the spirit of moving forward and on: "Wherever may go, go with all your heart." - Confucius. Yeah, there are some smart people here spouting off Confucius quotes, but I found it very fitting. We all need to have the right attitude to be an outsider for some time and work our way towards acceptance.

Last tid bit: I've been given a new name! I'll now be Chelsea Negesa. Honestly, I'm not sure what Negesa means, but my language trainer decided it fit me. I know it'll be so much easier than trying to explain that it's Chelsea, not Chelr, or Chelser, or Kelr. For whatever reason, people really like to throw that "r" in there, and then I never respond when they are calling my name.