Lunch with Miss Swaziland

Hey everyone! I am in town so I thought I would blog for you quick! I didn't end up going to Zambia over Easter. Rooms were booked. Apparently its a good idea to reserve in advance over holiday weekends. :) Who would have thought? A lady was gone for the weekend who lives in town and works for a nongovernment agency, so she invited me and my friend Deja to take care of her dogs (and her television) this weekend. It was great and relaxing. All the volunteers in the country were gone pretty much to vacation spots around South Africa and I was watching Lady Gaga videos and eating grilled cheese. Life was good.

Its been a random week for me. They may not surprise any of you, but it was random even for me. A dog ate my phone and now looks really classy with duck tape covering its underbelly and bite marks all over the sides. I've had medical problems. Nothing serious. Concerning my bowels...and thats as much as you need to know. Peace Corps wanted to get blood tests and ultra sounds to see if I had an alien in my intestines or something (because thats what it felt like), but everything turned out groovy. Nothing a little fiber and prunes couldn't solve. The peace corps driver brought me to the clinic and waited in the car. I always play around with him. He's a 40 yr. Swazi man that smiles all the time. When I came to the car after my appointment I said, "Bongani, I've got some good news and I've got some bad news..." (My friend, Jantina, would always do this.) He looked concerned, so I continued, "Good news is...I'm going to make it. Doc said its just a little gas." He shook his head and stayed quiet anticipating the bad news. "Bad news is...I have...a tail." Bongani's eyes got so big. It was quiet for about 20 seconds. I couldn't hold it in. I busted a gut laughing at my own joke and then had to tell him I was kidding through the tears of laughter. He was so concerned and said, "Oh Jaclyn, I was scared." He's such a good man. haha Oh Bongani.

Anyways, we are getting ready for next weekend (25th). Our beauty pageant is coming. Alexis, the other volunteer helping, is working hard and in town doing publicity a lot. I'm on the phone talking to people who we are trying to confirm they will show up for the health fair to give free services for the community in the morning. I'm going to take pictures of the pageant, so everyone who donated dresses can see what dress was worn by the girls! So fun. We also confirmed both Mr. Swaziland AND Miss Swaziland (who just got back from Miss World pageant in J'burg, South Africa) are going to be judges! I went for lunch with Miss Swaziland Wednesday and it was so fun. We talked about business first and then I started asking about all the Miss World contestants. She was so honest with me and Alexis. We were asking if Russia was cold and if the French girls shaved their pits. It was so fun. We're running out of time and everything is getting crazy, so please keep us in your prayers. Who knows what's going to happen. I've never planned something in this type of capacity before, so while it is exciting...I'm still nervous. I hope the girls don't kill each other. Jaclyn will NOT be have any divas. I'm going to brind a tranqulizer gun to prove it. :) One cat fight and...BAM! Miss Sandleni Inkhundla is comotose for 4-5 hrs.

Miss you guys. Don't forget to write or call!