March 14

I gave my first test a few weeks ago. I would estimate that 80% of the students cheated in some way or another. It is impossible to stop students from copying when they sit three to a desk – there were also a bunch of other methods of cheating (some of which I caught, but most of which I probably still do not know about). They still did not score very well – maybe they will figure out that they (or their desk-mate) need to study next time.

I handed the test back yesterday (after spending weeks trying to decipher their names – which are unpronounceable Portuguese names and written in cursive – I have never liked cursive) and they were still trying to cheat (crossing out answers that I had already marked wrong and claiming that I mis-graded). I had a suggestion from one of my college roommates (who is notoriously tough against cheaters): fill one cup with sulfuric acid and one cup with sugar water, label them with their chemical formulas and ask the students to choose which one of the cups they would like to drink (if they are still alive after the test – they pass).

Two months ago I bought a hoe, went out into the yard, cleared some land, and dropped some seeds into the ground. A few weeks later I realized that my attempt at a garden had failed miserably. I reflected back on my life and realized that although I grew up in the Midwest and watched my mom harvest hundreds of pounds of vegetables every year I had never seriously partaken in the gardening. Luckily, my mother sent me a pair of gardening gloves, more seeds, and some advice. I am attempting (once again) to cultivate some food (mostly herbs). I currently have some green popping out of the soil and I am hoping to have some fresh Basil in a few months.

I visited the Chicamba Real Dam a while ago – a Portuguese colonial relic that supplies much of Manica Province (my province) with electricity. It is a huge dam in the middle of absolutely nowhere (it took me forever to get there). You tend to see this all over Mozambique: huge colonial-era infrastructure projects or mansions that are now in disrepair (or nearing it) while in the villages there is no infrastructure whatsoever (I guess it speaks to the negative side of colonialism). There was also a large lake that apparently has great Bass fishing (the Zimbabwean guys who do the bass fishing think it should be on the ESPN Sunday morning fishing show at some point). The only thing I remember about the ESPN fishing show is that I was always disappointed when I got up early on Sunday morning and I had to sit through fishing before sportscenter came on.

March 18

I told my students about Saint Patrick’s Day yesterday, but I did not have to pinch anyone because their uniforms are green already.