OPI

I’m pretty sure my first oral proficiency interview (OPI) a few weeks ago was better than today. Both were taped and I think the first would sound better if listened to I totally blanked at the beginning and it took me most of the interview to recover. Maybe I’m tired from yesterday, maybe I haven’t used Kiswahili enough since our CBT ended (2 weeks ago). Anyway it was awful.

Tonight was our CBT Farewell party and us PCTs were glad they gave us some beers because the alcohol helped us deal with the awkwardness. We had to sit at a head table with a bunch of chairs to the side in front of us, facing the space in front of our table. At least our teacher Anna sat up there with us. After a delicious dinner of pilau and fried chicken and such, 2 men danced to a few songs. There was also some awkward dancing by us and some of our family members. I was glad some of my family got up to dance because it made it a little easier – definitely not like a dance in the US unless its your first dance in grade school. Then the gift giving began. One of us would be introduced with a song and our families would come up to us in a line, give us a hug and a few presents. Although we really wanted to go out together to have a drink to assuage the awkwardness*, we went home with our families instead because they just gave us this party and gifts. When I got home I opened the presents. My sister gave me a kanga (already cut and trimmed) and Mama gave me batik fabric! The fabric is bluish-green with large white giraffe print on it; it is the same print many of my fellow trainees have, but a different color. I love it and am really glad I didn’t find batik to buy before.

*Note: For those who don’t know me, I don’t drink much alcohol and am against using it as a coping mechanism; wanting alcohol should give you an idea of just how awkward it was.