Big Happenings

Okay, not really big happenings, but exciting things for me! Things have gotten a lot better since my last post. I was feeling really homesick at that time and being sick did not help. I was having doubts about whether I could/wanted to do this. I suppose that's to be expected during a big change though. I feel great now, and am so happy I am here and did not make any rash decisions when I was feeling down.

Since my last post kind of a lot has happened. I have started hanging out with Ann a lot more. She works in finance and is from south of Chicago. We get along great and I love going to her apartment because it is comfy to hang out... it has a nicer living space and screens so I'm not constantly swatting at ants and mosquitos, or crying because of spiders and cockroaches. She, Marie Pierre and I decided we would all like to live together. Well, this is how it happened. Marie Pierre does not like where she is living now so she was going to rent Callie's apartment from HHF once Callie left. However, when the topic was brought up to Dr. Lowney he said no because he had already promised that apartment to me. I was like NOOOO I'd rather have Marie Pierre live with me than live by myself but have that apartment. Then we got the idea that the three of us could live together in one of the other houses for several reasons:

1. we like each other's company
2. i want a house with screens
3. security of walking home with someone
4. FUN

Dr. Lowney brought it up to Sr. Maryann and we went to see the Springfield House yesterday. Springfield House is in Sant Lespwa (Center of Hope- the maternal waiting home and kwashiorkor center) and is huge with a tall tin roof and screens! We will also have internet! I am also excited because we are going to get 2 cats because with the tin roof there is a potential for rats.. but kitties can take care of that :) So this weekend we are going to start cleaning- no one has lived there for a while so we need to take down all the curtains, have the walls painted, sweep, mop, clean the kitchen and bathroom, etc. There are rat remains, dead spiders, and dead cockroaches sooooo we need to do a THOROUGH cleaning. I am really excited.

Clearly I could not wait to get all that out there. So, as far as my job...

Last week Dr. Lowney was here with visitors so I went out to villages with them Tuesday through Friday. I didn't do a ton, but it turned out to be really good because I got to go to villages I haven't been to before and also do stuff with the Happy Houses and Goat project. I like getting out and about and learning more about what I need to do. I get nervous about the language barrier still, I am getting better but am far from fluent, but I know I am making progress as far as getting comfortable with the organization and seeing how things are done, who I need to speak to for something in particular, etc.

As of right now I just do what is asked of me on a daily basis. I input a lot of data concerning education, soccer, midwives, vitamins.. random data that needs to get entered into the computer. Next week I am going to learn about upkeep of the Hybiscus Shop (craft store) because I am going to help with that when visitors come. Also I am going down to HHF's school St. Pierre School to take pictures of the kids eating lunch to send to the food donor. And I just remembered that in the mornings next week I have to go over to Center of Hope and help pull charts because they are understaffed at the moment. Basically I just go around wherever I am needed and do what I am told. That is okay with me :)

Tomorrow is my birthday. In the afternoon we are doing school books for children of Save a Family (a welfare-type program) then going to Bette's for a late lunch. Ann is making me a cake so we'll have that there too, and then do something tomorrow night to celebrate too. It will be my first birthday away from home!