Tuesday

So today was the first damper- My class African Popular got moved to a time where I can not take it so I do not know what I am going to do. I can technically not add another class because I am taking 4 others but I still do not know about the Twi class and the transfer of those credits… Andi and I are going to walk around this afternoon and see if we can find a class that me might be able to take. (Update: NOTHING!!!!) The biggest problem is all of the guidelines that are set on what you can and cannot take during the same semester- one thing is you have to take ALL the same level- so I am taking all 300 levels…and right now there are not many 300s that are left that one I can take, two fit my schedule, three are approved and four are not in the same groups as Theatre and music….So I am going to see if I can just take the 3 classes and the Twi and call it good. I will still be able to graduate on time so I don’t see it being an issue. I am waiting for a call back from Dr. Olson to see if this will be okay. Let's Hope!!!

So- on a better note- I went to my 7:30am class- I can’t believe I have one- but it won’t be too bad now because I only have two back to back and not three- as of now…The professor seems like he will be good. Our first play is Macbeth; it has been a while since I read it. So after our class let out I went to the book store so I could start reading it. My friend Ezra that I meet in my Theatre Management class ‘reserved’ / saved me a seat which was really nice. The professor pointed me out since I am the only Oburoni (white person) in the class, the lecture hall fits 400 people but there were probably only about 175 of us. He asked me where I was from and my name. I guess the one good thing the professor will remember your name. The same thing happened in my Theatre Management Class, I don’t know if I mentioned that in a earlier post. People in general are having a hard time pronouncing my name because of the ‘ss’ sound. After class Ezra and I meet up while waiting for the class which has now left my schedule and talked. He is the youngest of 7 which is considered a medium size family here. He seems to be very nice but I am keeping guard up till I get to know him more, most of the people in the department seem to know him- which I don’t know if that is a good or bad thing. He ‘auditioned’ to be on the set crew of one of the show- so far I have seen 4 audition notices- so there should be a lot of shows to look forward to! He has offered to ‘escort’ me to shows. The things I am putting in quotes have similar meanings to both cultures but depending on the person they might mean different things. So we will see- if I go with him I would have others come with me. Both Andi and Johnny enjoy the theatre so maybe if the two of them come too I would feel comfortable going.

After class 3 of drumming I am starting to get it but it still needs some work. I have been tapping on my desk as I wait for the internet to load practicing the different rhythms. The professor is very funny and sorta picks on me and a few others but it with a full heart. He is so passionate about music and dance. This is a class for international students so there is a mix of ethnicities- Asia, European, and American.

It is very very humid today- the last two days have been good but today even though its only 78F out it seems much much warmer because of the humidity.

I am going to go talk to Aunt Theresa or Messilant about volunteering if possible I would like to start next Wednesday. (I am worried about my name with little ones if that is where I end up, I might do the ‘rissa route with them.)

I will speak briefly on being a minority- today and Thursday was truly the first time that I can say I was a minority. When I work I am typically the only female or maybe one other female but I never feel except when the guys “harass” me- in playful ways- that I am a female/minority in my field. But sitting in class surrounded by locals it actually felt intimidating, amazing, and electrifying all at the same time. I know that today race is something that most people accept everywhere- but I think about the days of Rosa Parks, MLK Jr and others who stood up for the minority and wonder what it would be like if I had to fight to sit in an all African school- would if things changed in the past been this way? I sit there and thought of the freedoms I have and each time that a person asks me if I voted in the election I am able to proudly say yes- and I am sure they care who I voted for but no matter if I answer that question when asked or not they will accept that right. As the lecture started and the professor congratulated the class on one last semester’s results but also on a peaceful election I thought about it- when in our recent past have we had to worry about a terror field election? I know things have happened in elections which prohibited certain groups from voting but today we certainly allow them to as a nation it is certain individuals who have created this unrest. Those are some thoughts of the day about minority- I am sure as time goes on I will have some other thoughts about this…

Thanks all for the comments- Let me know if you have any specific questions about life here...

I guess that’s it for now- who know when this will actually be posted…
Midge