Freshers Ball

You may wonder... "Kaylee,  Why are you posting on your blog on a Saturday night.  Should you not be out doing something?" 

Well, I've been  "locked in"  my room for the afternoon and night.  That's not to say I didn't have a productive morning.   I went grocery shopping, for a run, and took a shower today all before 1pm! 

Each year a big dance, called the Freshers Ball, is held at the stadium for ub students.  They have dj's and music lasts throughout the day and into the night.  It sounds fun right!  Unfortunately, each year there is usually a lot of trouble associated with the ball.  Last year was apparently really bad.  Rumors circulating report people getting mugged, stabbed, raped, and rooms getting broken into.  The international students are apparently easy/wanted targets.  We were advised by both local students and the international office to not attend the ball and not only that but to stay locked in our dorms and not open the door for anyone.  Not very comforting, but nothing has gone amiss so far.  It's been a day of forced productivity.  I've researched travel options, taken a nap, and studied for my mammalian physiology test on Monday.  

Here are a few tidbits from the end of my week...

Thursday:

• I checked the international office, post office, and mail room in the administration building for a package.   No luck yet.... 
• I tasted my first cheese and egg papata.  WOW!  It was delicious!  I'm really going to want one all the time now... it was a bittersweet discovery.... :) 
• My physiology class was super short because all we did was discuss what would be on the test!  Woo!  Unexpected free time.
• I took old sheets in and received fresh and ironed new ones.  Wonderful. It's the little things in life....
• I had my third setswana class with my new teacher.  I hate to complain or sound whiny, but it was literately horrible.  The poor teacher doesn't really know what we've learned so far, she's not exciting, she repeats things over and over, and she gets confused often.  They split the class up, so that there are two smaller classes.  This is supposed to make it easier for us to learn.  But I miss my old class and old teacher!!!!!   But these are one of those times, where you just have to get over it.  If I keep up with this attitude I will do nothing but make myself miserable.  Therefore,  here's to a new experience to challenge myself!  Cheers.  
• I had a physiology lab.  We used programs on the computer.  It was very slow and monotonous.  Then they surprised us with a pop quiz.  Yeah, that didn't go well.....
• For dinner, I went to the curry pot  (the dining hall).  I ordered a special noodle mix thing and beans!  Yum
• Finally, the best and most productive thing of Thursday was my personal statement.  I created copy 2,932.  I like this one because it sounds more professional and explains more about how I felt with each experience.  I need to stop worrying over it and submit my applications soon!  

Friday:

• I again searched for my package.  I'm hoping that the delay is caused by "african time" and not that it is lost...  I am excited to check Monday! 
• I met someone at the library to buy a school book I needed.  The  bookstore was selling it for 600 pula and I just refused to pay that much.  I bought this one for 300, which was still a bit high in my opinion but at least now I have a book.  We've become well acquainted today.
• While at the library I plopped down on one of the couches to get some work done.   While there I couldn't help but keep glancing at the tv. There was some movie on that looked like it came straight from a sci-fi network.  How ironic that it was playing in a school library in the middle of Botswana.  
• Friday afternoon, I headed to the vet clinic.  Nora was already there and she got to see a dog with an uterine prolapse.  The afternoon was a bit sad.  We had to put down the dog we previously had done a blood transfusion on.  They believed she was bleeding internal and had planned to open her up, but she had a large seizure.  It was decided the best thing would be to end her suffering.  The second euthanasia was of a small puppy with parvo.  The euthanasia was done by injecting the blue juice straight into the heart instead of into a vein.  This is the first time I've seen this done on a conscious patient and I can't say it was the best experience.  Even so, good experiences or bad, I am so thankful to be able to assist and learn at the clinic.  I wish I was able to devote more time there! 
• I spent several hours in the dining hall for dinner socializing with different people and gossiping about the freshers ball.  It was fun and nice to not have to worry about anything.
• Friday night, I walked over to a group of people to Gaborone Sun.  It is a nice hotel with a golf course and casino.  That was the first time I've ever been in a casino.  I think I'm too stingy to enjoy loosing my money.  I did discover the game of blackjack.  It was fun to watch.    I probably won't be back soon.  There are too many other cool things to do here!  

Random facts:
The "2nd floor"  is actually the 3rd floor in american standards.   So if someone tells you "2nd floor"  go up two flights of steps!   
Fresh fruit smoothies do not exist here.  The "smoothies" they sell taste like milkshakes.  (Which are usually still delicious!) 
Bread, is sold mostly in a large loaf.  There is a machine at the store that you can use to slice the loaf.   My roommate bought one today.  She swears the bread is amazing.  I have been buying pre-sliced whole wheat bread, so maybe next time I'll adventure out!