Sometimes you’re the fly and sometimes you’re the swatter. Yesterday, I was the fly. I found out that I didn’t make my language level for post. After the first LPI, (Language Proficiency Interview) I moved from Novice Low to Intermediate Mid. After this weekend’s LPI, I didn’t move at all. I felt like a waste of space once I found out, but I’m trying to stay positive. I didn’t really feel like I deserved to be Intermediate High after the interview so this just kind of confirmed my thoughts. Granted, I don’t really think I should be teaching teachers either, but that is a rant for another day.
I have to get in 20 more hours of French lessons and the head language trainer will schedule another LPI for me. I am almost halfway there already so it looks like I will be taking the next LPI somewhere near the end of next week. I don’t feel like that is enough time, but I’m going to give it my best shot and hope for the best. I think this time they had me so freaked out that about using the proper tense that I just froze up and it seemed like I didn’t know what I was talking about. I’m seriously contemplating slugging down a beer beforehand to loosen up the nerves. No, I don’t care if the language interview is at 8AM.
On a brighter note, I got my first set of tailored paigne clothes made. I got a short sleeve short and some sick shorts made to perfection by the deaf brother of one of the fellow trainees. The man knows his stuff. Oh yeah, paigne is the traditional fabric that you buy here to get clothes made from it. Granted, ours was this ugly Peace Corps paigne for the swearing-in ceremony, but it was kind of cool that it had all of the countries in Africa that PC is in. Also, found out that even if we don’t hit out language level that we get to swear in. We just get a letter that says it is contingent upon us completing our language requirement. If I don’t make my level after the next interview, I have to stay in Bafia for an extra two weeks of strictly French lessons every day. I feel like 8 hours of French is kind of like beating my head against the wall so hopefully I won’t have to go through that. If it does happen though, it won’t be the end of the world. I know I’ve only been on this journey for a little over 60 days, but I feel like I’ve faced as much adversity as I have in my life. Life isn’t all cupcakes and rainbows and I wouldn’t want it like that. The rainy days make the sunshine feel that much better.
This will be a short blog post because I’m tired and I want to read for a bit, hit the French books, and go for a run in the morning. Sorry if this little guy felt like a pity party, I really wasn’t going for that vibe. I just wanted to share that I'm taking some punches, bouncing off the ropes, and coming out swinging. Send telepathic French vocab my way.
With love,
MMM
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