correction: my cell phone number is
261.32.51.554.82
NOT the old number.
sorry for the confusion, it was the cell phone company's fault. and as soon as i learn this language i'm sending them a strongly worded letter.
About Me
- kathryn
- I'm from Virginia Beach. I live in New York. I appreciate simplicity. I'm rarely bored. I like puppies, rice, languages, and stories. I take most things personally, for better or worse.
Followers
The latest from Madland
3 comments:
Hi Kathryn!
Today's the day . . . you are an official Peace Corps volunteer now. Congratulations! I hope all goes well as you move to your new site this week. Can't wait to talk to you again!
Love,
Mom
Today is the eve of Christmas Eve and you are uppermost in our minds, Kathryn. Dad and I loved talking with you yesterday and we'll call again on Christmas Eve or Christmas (or, most likely, both). You sound great, and it is good to hear that you are getting settled at your new site. More about that in a minute. Just want to comment first on Jonathan's success in reaching you by phone at the church service this morning. He and Deborah made preparations during the week to call you by downloading Skype. They have been so thoughtful. Deborah emailed yesterday to ask if you had a favorite Christmas carol. Dad responded with an explanation of how Hark the Herald Angels Sing became Hark Harold the Angel Sings, so that was the song we chose to sing to you. We knew that would stir some funny memories. Before the singing, your voice came through loud and clear and it was music to our ears, but then it sort of faded away, so we didn't get to say goodbye, but I hope you know that you were in everyone's prayers.
One more side note. On Thursday night when Deborah and the Water's Edge group were practicing for Sunday, she knew there was one Christmas carol that she didn't have a contemporary arrangement for, so I think she intended to leave it out. It came back to haunt her when she asked us your about your favorite. Of course, the one she left out was Hark the Herald Angels Sing. I don't know what kind of scrambling she had to do to pull an arrangement together, but it was beautiful and she was so kind to go out of her way to reach you in a special way.
Back to the settling in . . . I hope you're enjoying the great luxury of being able to take your bucket showers inside now. It's amazing how one's definition of luxury can change. It sounds like it is very hot these days and I hope you are managing to find some ways to cool off a little. I forgot to ask if you are using a mosquito net on your bed. When I think of hot weather, I think there must be lots of mosquitoes. Be sure to protect yourself.
It sounds like your hours at the health center aren't too demanding yet, though I think working in any place where everyone around you is speaking in a different language would be mentally exhausting. I'm glad you've been invited to church and to dinner, though I don't envy you being served the heart of the chicken! How did you ever manage to keep it down?
I'm glad you got your new shelves. Your description of the Malagasy man walking 6-8 km. pulling them on a rickshaw is a pretty vivid reminder of just how different things are there.
Have you tried cooking beans again? Sounds like you've become a creative cook. I looked up information on how long you can keep butter without refrigeration. An "All Experts" site says butter can be stored at room temperature. When it becomes rancid, the bad smell will let you know not to eat it. Some say that if it starts to look bad, you can cut off the outer edges that look bad and eat the inner part that wasn't exposed to air. At one extreme is The Wisconsin Dairy Council, which says not to keep it out more than 2 hours. One of the respondents on the "All Experts" site, on the other hand, says he/she often keeps butter out of the frig for a few days and has never had a problem.
Can you get a mortar and pestle in Ambatu? If not, do you want me to get one here? It would be nice for you to be able to make peanut butter. Erin updated her blog recently and said she makes peanut butter by using a mortar and pestle, some oil, sugar, and salt. She says that an added benefit is that pounding nuts is a great way to work out tension!
Have you been able to find the lake that you couldn't find earlier? Has the two-year-old next door done any more rearranging of your things? Have you been teaching English? What do you need that I can send?
Well, it's midnight, so I guess it's officially Christmas Eve. You are probably leaving right now for Ambatu. I hope you'll have a good time with the other Peace Corps volunteers. Be safe and have fun. We'll talk to you later today. I love you!
Mom
Happy New Year Kathryn. We hope that the year ahead brings you much happiness and fulfilment in all that comes your way in 2008. We are thinking of you and continue to keep you in our prayers and live vicariously through your adventures!
Love
Aunt Beth and Uncle Andy
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