21

When I was sitting down to write this blog post I was counting in my head how many months I've actually been here. I got distracted and looked back at the very beginning of my blog to see what I was blabbing about back then. My very first blog post was entitled "21" because I wrote it a mere 21 days before I got on a plane for Senegal. It struck me as I was reading it that this blog post could be named 21, too; I've got 21 months under my belt...and only a few more to go. I will continue to marvel at the fact that my Peace Corps service is almost over up until the very last blog post, so my apologies in advance for wearing out the phrase "it's hard to believe." Having all those months behind me should make the next 2 seem like nothing, but admittedly, time is moving painfully slow. Even frantic job hunting and making preparations for post Peace Corps life can't seem to speed up the hours during which I'm not busy.

I started my last round of Junior Achievement classes this week. I will definitely be a bit heavyhearted each week knowing that it will be the last time I'll teach that certain lesson, but I'm anxiously awaiting passing the torch onto my replacement so that they can (hopefully) continue with JA. Thus far, the teachers all seem on board with allowing the next volunteer to teach the classes in the Fall and continue the progress towards a sustainable program. If Peace Corps works the way it should, I'm surmising that at some point along the line the Senegalese teachers will be able to teach the classes without any need for a Peace Corps volunteer.

My progress with the middle school and the scholarship program is on hold, at least for this week. The professors are still refusing to release their students' grades in hopes that it will give them leverage in bargaining agreements with the Senegalese government. I am unsure of the specifics behind the agreements, and while I'm assuming that the professors have just cause to fight for what they're fighting for, the whole situation could not have more unfortunate timing. School will be out in a few weeks and without actual grades the students in 8th grade cannot take the BFM this summer, which is the entrance exam into high school. They're all basically in academic limbo and I'm sure it's extremely stressful and frustrating for them. I've been pressuring the principal and secretary all week to talk to the head professors on my behalf and persuade them to at least give me the names and phone numbers of the top students. That way, even without numerical grades, I can at least start the scholarship process. Hopefully next week this will get resolved....insh'allah.

In other news, I officially booked a plane ticket home! I will be on American soil July 20th. Having a plane ticket in hand definitely makes it all seem a bit more real. I have also officially decided that I'm moving to Seattle once I figure out how to get myself and all of my belongings out there. I've done a lot of soul-searching in the past 6 months and while leaving the Midwest behind (for the second time) will be emotionally difficult, being near the Mom, having access to the great outdoors, and the chance for a fresh start won out in the end.

68 days and counting...