Somewhere in between

Dear people:
There seems to be some kind of misconception in Americaland that I am "saving africa". I am not, for the record, saving anything or anybody let alone a whole continent. (I also wish to express clearly to those who insist on calling me one: I am not a missionary. At least, not in the common conotation of the word.) From my conversations and letters, it has occured to me that some of you "over there" seem to think living here-- for just two years by the way-- makes me some kind of a hero. And Im having a hard time figuring out why.

At night chickens have no livers

When you're new to a language everyone laughs at you. You just can not figure out why they're so mean. And sometimes you yell mean words in english back at them and storm back to your house and blast christmas music while you viciously attack your courtyard with a broom. Or maybe thats just me.

More pictures

 

My entire stage (people I went through training with)

 

Women in the maternity

 

 The end of handing out over 2000 mosquito nets

A Day in the Life

19 February 2010

The first thing I remember thinking is: I’m gonna shoot those damn pintads. The pintad  (just say it like you’re from Boston: “pin-tahd”) is an extremely dumb, loud, tasty bird my neighbor happens to own. I am becoming more and more confident pintards are headed for extinction like their friends the dodo.

Pictures

This is me (and you all didn't really think I was in Africa...) in my "bedroom" before I painted it.

This is my house and part of my courtyard. (Probably not like you pictured, right?)

 The depot of my CSPS (ie where I work sort of)

Getting to a computer (and other difficult things)

Hi! I miss you all!
I am currently in Ouaga ("Wah-gah") the capital city taking a day to get better (dont worry, its just allergies!) and buy things they just don't have anywhere else (like baking powder!) and also to pick up some packages (thanks mom and dad and kate for christmas I was too overwhelmed to do anything but stare for a good 30 minutes and a special shout out to Melissa Goehl who gets an awesome friend award!) and mail (oh my gosh I can't tell you how much it means to me! Thank you all for the notes and letters!)
Just thought I'd take a minute whole I was here to try to explain why I suck at updating you all.