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March 11, 2005
Boma Bound!
Well, now that I have recovered from the initial shock of my placement, I can tell you as much as I know about it! I'm going to be in a Boma (the word for a government center or town, coming from the British days). That in and of itself is a complete shock, because only 3 people in our whole group of 14 were chosen to go to a Boma site. It means that I will be working directly in the office of the Ministry of Education at the district level. This is a big job and I certainly didn't bring the clothes for it, but I'm up for the challenge. The name of the Boma that I will be living in is Choma (yes, I know Choma Boma, ha ha ha). It has roughly 50,000 people, but someone else can look up the stats for that for me... I don't have enough internet time, having to pay for it and all. I leave Sunday to go visiting for a week and meeting my bosses and such. I'm very excited.
So... maybe I'm not going to have the bush experience I thought I would, but I'm still going to be here waiting for people to come and visit. And Mom, I'm pretty sure I'll have electricity and maybe even a cell phone evetually (if I can afford to buy one here, they are expensive). No excuses for those of you who are wuses... I'll have all the creature comforts that they can provide in a developing nation. For those of you who wanted to visit with the real African experience, I've got my best friend here (Rue) going only 10 kilometers away from me in a village and she said we can all come visit whenever we want!
Keep the letters coming!
Peace... The Choma Boma Queen
Posted by ringo at March 11, 2005 3:30 PM
Tried to send you a send you a bit about Tonga usage but apparently never got through since my computer doesn't have all the bells and whistles.
Briefly, Tonga spoken by about a million, mostly, of course, in Zamba, but some as well in Malawi and Rhodesia. Glad you're enjoying it..
Posted by: len lefkow at March 11, 2005 6:31 PM
Ringo girl!
I just "rediscovered" this page and I am totally psyched! You're in AFRICA! Printed out the entries so I can read over the weekend (I'm going to be snowed in with about 20 ft of the white stuff) But I MISS you! You look great, and a brief glance tells me you're doing awesome. Viva La Ringo! Be safe, and have a kickin' time, girly.
mucho hugs and kisses,
~Lauren (in Maine)
Posted by: Lauren at March 11, 2005 7:15 PM
Wow! Of course they'd send our best and brightest to be in charge at the district level =) Miss you!!!!
Posted by: Irene at March 12, 2005 4:50 AM
I did your investigating for you. Hold on to your britches -- Population of Choma is: 204,898 -- pretty populated I's say! Love you, Mom
Posted by: Marypriebevine at March 13, 2005 7:18 PM
Ringo, I'm so excited for you. I know you will just plain kick booty at your new placement. You've got all of us rootin for ya here back in the homeland. I'm back in Fairplay, Colorado working for the Forest Service and snowboarding every chance i get. life is good! I love you bunches and miss you even more. Do you have a mailing address? I should browse the old entries but if its not there will you post it? And also let us know what kind of American stuff you miss, like goodies for a care package mmmmkay? And do you have a CD or tape player?
xoxoxo
jane
Posted by: jane at March 15, 2005 12:04 AM
Maybe you won't get the full bush experience, but i'm sure you will get some of it. Of course the education world knows you belong at the district level. By the way were the catepillars you ate alive? I can't wait to try them. Be safe and learn lots! Love ya, Bart!
Posted by: Bev at March 15, 2005 4:59 PM
good job on the assignment. sounds like we'll need to send you care packages of dress clothes? it is slightly ironic that the corps members who actually shower didn't get the assignment with running water, eh?
will you be running the whole department by the end of two years?
anyway, the wedding will be october 8th, 2005. you'll be with us in spirit, i'm sure. :(
Posted by: rebecca at March 16, 2005 8:04 PM
Congrats on your placement. Sounds like a great site to me. Good luck!!
Posted by: Marci at March 16, 2005 9:02 PM
I was reading between the lines of your Mom's comment. I can do that because of a special gift called "a mother knows." Anyway, it read: "Thank God she won't be out in the bush!" It sure looks like they didn't want to waste your intelligence, education and experience. Congratulations on your resume-building op! Just don't ask me to sew some seersucker duds!
Posted by: Joyce at March 18, 2005 12:33 AM
Annie, I am the world's worse communicator but I truly miss talking to you. I am glad that your living accommodations will be better than you expected. I will be taking advantage of this way of sharing with you. Today, the retired gang meet for lunch and we (Bert, Mr. Greene and me)will be getting together to send you some of the things you requested before leaving. Let me know if there are any changes in your needs. I like this COMMENTS section Ya! Ya! I miss not talking to you when I want to. Enjoy your stay in Africa and you will here from me soon. I have completed my real estate courses and now I need to take the state exam. Then, I will be qualified to locate you your own place in Choma. Ya! Ya! and have some extra money.
Veronique has been accepted at the University of GA and working at Six Flags. Jeffrey has his own apartment and works for Pizza Hut delivering on campus. Take care and enjoy! love ya!
Posted by: anne brown at March 18, 2005 11:43 PM
Hey my little Ringo!
I was just sitting here sending people Dan's new email address which is dansalmond@bellsouth.net when I ran head on into one of your emails! I didn't even know this site existed, so hi!!!!!
Wow- an invitation to Africa within the next two years---very tempting!!!
I loved reading everything you've posted so far. I have just recently remembered how much I love to travel and how long it's been since I have. A friend of mine and I are planning a bicycle tour this summer in Vermont and it just has me all excited. I'm also planning to visit my family in NYC and Colorado Springs. It's been too long..
I'd love to send you a package of stuff for you and your friends but I'm not clear what address I'd be sending it to. Please include it in your next posting. I can send real mail too.
I am planning on having my jewelry in two galleries this year and I'm planning an art show with a friend of mine to showcase our work to take place in September.
I cut my hair really really short! No more bad hair days!
Dan will be in Ireland from April 4-26. He'll be hangin' out with relatives and having one big party no doubt!
Amata has become a dual identity; a home for the college crowd (average age 22) and a men's shelter (average age 52). Except for Marilyn it's all guys! Oh, Actually I take that back, a couple moved into my old space. Noah continues to develop Shed World. Joon is moving out of your old space and across the driveway. Although I work for Dan, I'm not very aware of what all goes on at Amata anymore.
I do miss having you around! Don't be a stranger-post your address!!
Talk to you soon.
Love-Wendy
Posted by: Wendy at March 23, 2005 2:27 PM
Hey Annie! Congrats on your new assignment. Will you have to wear a bra? he he I am hoping by now you have received the Heritage Academy box of fun. Hopefully there are at least one or two things you can use in there. I really miss talking to you get really sad knowing that I can't just pick up the phone and hear your crazy self. When you get settled, Chris wants to send you his care package. Let us know if your needs have changed. Miss you!
Posted by: Stacey at March 25, 2005 11:15 AM