ISP time, oh my

So somehow I've completed my first week of ISP...
I feel a little stuck.
The past week I did a lot of background, literary research which is something I feel very comfortable with. Now I have to do something called "field work". I've heard a lot about it, but have never really done it. Ok, so maybe we had some small projects this semester where we were supposed to experiment with different field research methodologies...but this on such a larger scale.

I guess this is when I go running off to my adviser...

Oh! I failed to mention what I'm actually doing for my project. I'm studying youth cell phone culture (possibly focusing on girls? I switch back and forth...) and looking at how they appropriate and view phones says something about their values and desires.
Basically I just stare at people all day and see if they're carrying a phone, and how, what they're wearing, where they are...Or I interview my cousin, or guys I meet at concerts.

I realized that one of my big problems is that I don't know any Senegalese girls, except for my host sister. Who I wanted to talk to yesterday, but she was getting her hair tressed. So I've had to go through my guy friends and ask them if they have any girl friends...which is hopefully what's going to work out. Or I go walk around Université Cheik Anta Diop and try to make friends.

Truthfully, Senegalese girls intimidate me. They walk around in these stylish clothes like they just finished filming a T-Pain music video. Their hair and make-up is always impeccable. I on the other hand, am doing a good job of playing the dirty american hippy. It's not that I like this style...it just happens to be my travel wardrobe and my ability to not stay clean for more than 5 minutes. Trust me, if you came here and saw all this sand and garbage you would understand. Plus, it's hot. I sweat.
So somehow these Senegalese girls have their tricks and can wear cute jeans on an 85 degree day. Oh, and wear heels as their walking in trash and sand dunes.

What would you think if you were a stylin Senegalese girl and some weird, sans-make-up, long skirt wearing american came up to you and was like, "Hey, can I ask you about your cell phone?"

hm.

well, maybe that's just what I have to do. I just need a little more self-confidence.
Because I only have this week and next week to do all my field research and ohmygod that is nothing.

And do you know what else is crazy? Apparently I'm leaving in less than a month.