Miscellaneous Things

Kamrin Hooks

Nov 22, 2025

3 min read

So many things have happened lately that don’t quite warrant full articles on their own… BUT mini excerpts all in one place are perfectly justified!

Our Family Dog Was Poisoned

Last week, someone poisoned our dog because they felt she roamed too much. The strange part is that animals here in Lesotho aren’t viewed as pets, and they roam freely. Pet culture basically doesn’t exist.

I remembered when Maru (our late pup) was sick and I asked when she’d be taken to the vet — everyone giggled. Animals here are left outside and fend for themselves to some extent. After I asked, I was told there was a medicine the pup could take. The next day, my family found some traditional medicinal roots, and Maru was healed.

But then… someone lured our dog away with poisoned meat. We found her foaming at the mouth the next morning. There’s nothing that can be done legally. It’s very sad, and it weighed on me more than I expected from a cultural perspective.

Final PST LPI Coming Up

Our last language test is soon! This determines whether we swear in and officially start our two-year service. I’m confident.

I want to make a video of myself speaking Sesotho — something I can rewatch forever. I’m proud of myself and the other volunteers. I wish I could learn every language this quickly. Maybe I should just move to every country that speaks a language I want to learn!!

Wicked: For Good Came Out

So one of my most anticipated films came out, and I can’t see it because there are no movie theaters in Lesotho… and we can’t leave the country until April 2026.

So I made the volunteers listen to me sing “For Good,” then listen to the actual track, and then tell me I sounded identical :).

I miss Broadway. I miss singing loud and hard and often. I think people might call me crazy if I start dancing and belting show tunes in the village. My mom knows how I get down; her house has never been this quiet since I left for college in 2019. I miss you, Mom! No one here sings duets with me.

The Dog Chase That Almost Ended My Life

I sprained/jammed two toes running for my LIFE from two dogs recently. I was walking to visit my neighbor when a woman started screaming and backing away in front of me. I turned my head to what she was staring at, and two giant dogs were full-on charging at me, ears pinned and flat.

I ran. I jumped a fence. I leapt over holes. I flung myself into my friend’s arms. Yes, I know you’re not supposed to run from dogs, but listen — I had to do what was best for me. I didn’t even realize I still had that speed.

Somebody give me my last year of track eligibility because I did get away!

Travel Plans!

I’ve started planning trips for my friends and family to visit me and all the places I want to see while I’m here. I can’t wait to share those adventures once our leave time begins. Even more than I just that; can’t wait to see my people.