the great questions of our time...

hello all!
By the magic of a cellular modem donated by my friend Sarah when she headed back to the US, I am writing this from the comfort of my own home. That's right, as of right now my family doesn't have water but I have internet. Sometimes the place between developed and developing creates odd circumstances.
Okay, so I titled this blog "the great questions of our time" so I suppose it's time to get to those questions...

Often, in South Africa, things that should be simple fail to be simple. For example, I adopted a kitten from the SPCA in Mafikeng. When I saw the kitten, it was in a cage (that's how they roll here... there were also dogs and a monkey in cages) and the ladies working were trying to close (umm... an hour early) so it was a bit rushed. I knew right away this kitten was mine. It was naughty and crazy and meant to be my room mate. I was told I couldn't take "him" that day because "he" needed to get his shots. Cool, fine, whatever. I made plans to come back in a few days.
Well, when I came back, I was informed "she" was ready to go. I took a closer look at her little kitten body and thought, "oh, he's a she. Cool, fine, whatever". We journeyed home on the public taxi (no easy task in a culture that generally dislikes cats and often believes cats are embodiments of witches).
Looking at her later that night it hit me that this cat looks like someone. Who? Justice Ginsburg. So I named her Ruth Bader Ginsburg after my favorite Supreme Court Justice of all times. We live in a happy symbiosis of me feeding her and her attacking my feet and biting me awake every morning. She's a charming little asshole. It's been good to have company.
The thing is...and we're getting to the big question here...now, as she's getting bigger, I keep looking at Ruth and wondering, "ARE THOSE BALLS?". I don't mean to be crude, but really, it's kind of an important question. Do I need to call her Samuel Alito? I don't even like Samuel Alito. I suppose it'll be solved when I go in to get "her" fixed next month.

I don't know if you've heard, but South Africa has a new president. Last week Thabo Mbecki left office in what appeared to me to be a force out. People here in the village are pretty confused as to why the ANC (the ruling party here) couldn't wait the 5ish months until the next election. It's been really interesting to watch as an insider/outsider and to talk to people in my village about. South African politics are complicated and interesting. The Sunday Paper is always something to look forward to.
Another leadership shift is taking place in my life. One of the principals I've been working with has apparently left to work at another school. The thing is, HE DIDN'T TELL ANYONE! He just left. Weird, huh? Well, from talking to people I gather it's not all that weird at South African schools. People just leave. We're on a week break right now so it'll be interesting to see who is in charge when we come back to school.
Both of these situations lead me to another of life's great questions (although no question will eclipse the balls question) "Who is in charge here?"

Last question, promise.
In a little more than a week I'll be going to my Mid-Service Training (MST). A year ago, I was out of training and working as a PCV. Time really has started to fly. People told me it would happen, and I doubted it, but now I see it happening. A year from now, I will probably be back in the US, hopefully gainfully employed as a teacher.
I'm a little old for this last question, but lately I've started to wonder, "What am I going to do for a living?". I hear the US job market is shoddy but I'm just hoping employers will be wowed by my plethora of short term experiences and my good stories. Someday I'll actually have a job... Someday...