Back inTown

Culture shock central.  After being away for 2+ weeks in southern central Africa building a house and sweating from sun-up to sundown, I’m back!  Right now am vegging in front of the TV.  What a novelty!  And Internet?  Like OMG!
I feel like if I had a million years I could never explain everything I’ve seen, [...]

Off to Malawi!

Leaving in less than an hour.  Everything is packed, Tootsie Rolls et al.  So happy!  So excited!  So nervous!  And my bag weighs 41 pounds.  Whoa.
See y’all when I get back…somewhere around the 15h-16th.  Take care until then.

Mini-Crisis Averted

Two wee crisis came up over the Malawi trip this weekend and now, by Monday afternoon, both has been cleared. 
1. Hubster’s plane ticket from Calgary to London was cancelled.  It was by the travel agent, but they was some allusion to software not being compatible to Air Canada, yada, yada, yada.  So, we both laid [...]

18 Days and Counting

Last Malawi meeting today.  Found out we need to get some stuff that prevents cholera…even though the travel doctor didn’t insist we get it.  She insisted we buy the malaria pills that cost 5 times as much as the others, but not the cholera pills.  That makes me think they are not very expensive?  Let’s [...]

Africa Looming

Had a BBQ for the Malawi team last Wednesday and with a Merkin lit. final shortstepping that, there was really no time to think about it. 
Now that I’ve thought about it, I really don’t think a whole lot more than the nothing I thought last week.  We had a speaker that was born in the [...]

Revision on Purpose

I have this great friend B. who supports anything I do or say I might do or dream out loud in his general direction…you get the picture.  Not only is this friend a wonderful supporter, he is incredibly smart BUT he never pushes it on you, he’s just smart.  Not only is this wonderful friend [...]

Same as Last Year, New Purpose

So I’m trying to pole vault something discouraging into something positive…positive than for more than just myself.
Summation:  Last year – got into the 3-Day semi-finals, bombed.  A friend and I thought we would rent a generator, park ourselves at the contest site (in the parking lot) and write anyway.  My Grandfather took ill, I couldn’t [...]

Second Malawi Meeting

This meeting wasn’t a waste of time, but lots of info similar to last meeting.  “Wear conservative clothing, and no pants for the ladies” was the main message.  I’m wondering where to get a sarong right about now.
I’m also pretty nervous about working in the hospital, even for half a day.  The majority of the [...]

Penny Drive O Rama

After having the penny drive dill pickle jar on the staff room table at work out for 2 months, the grand total raised is:  $69.24!!  Wow!  It’s amazing what 2 months of spare change can add up to!
Thank you to all the lovely people I work with for their donations.  These are folks one fly’s eyelash [...]

Innoculation Stripe

The arm is still bruised, but its been a week and there is a horrible red, raised rash.  Not itchy, just ugly.  Put that together with the birthmark on my leg and I look like I’ve been dipped in a vat of hot oil.  (And I don’t even have any delicious breading…)