Nearly everyone around me seems to be on an academic schedule and for the first time in a very, very long time, I’m not. It’s hard. It’s almost a year into service and I seem to have hit a little bit of a wall here at site. A lot of the other volunteers who teach, the kids I’m teaching, friends at home, pretty much everyone is wrapping up their school year and looking forward to a change of pace with summer. I’m still trucking along at the health center with less to do in the afternoons now that the rains have started. It’s been frustrating, it’s been hard to stay at site and it’s definitely making me irritable.
I know this is something that will pass and projects will get going again, but for now I’ve been knocked out sync. I’m looking forward to the new group of volunteers coming because I think their arrival will not only give me an opportunity to reflect on what I have done here so far but also hopefully give me a little boost of energy! But they won’t be here for a few weeks so in the meantime I’m going to head into town this weekend for some rest and relaxation and if I’m lucky a little bit of good ole fashioned retail therapy.
In the meantime here are a few odd and ends:
- I tell everyone here that I get so many mosquito bites because I have sweet blood and I think some people actually believe me
- The bottom of your foot is probably the most annoying place to get a mosquito bite (or bee sting) **runner up: your cuticle area, right below your nail on top of your finger
- I’ve officially surpassed the 60 books read mark, 100 is definitely tangible
- I’m almost done with Cutting for Stone and I’ve really enjoyed it, I also finally read The Help and even though it took me a bit to get into it, it was as good as everyone said it would be
- It’s sour sop season here and my host mom mixes the fruit with a ton of sugar and ice, it’s ridiculously sweet but so delicious
- The fruit in Cambodia is way more interesting than the fruit at home
- The puppies (we only kept 2) like to steal my flip flops one at a time to curl up and sleep with
Happy Monday!
Hey Brenda I can’t wait to meet you in person! -Jill Preston
Keep your head up! You’re doing amazing things and don’t ever forget that! Meet you soon!
Hey Brenda,
Everyone hits the wall!! No biggy. Like you mentioned; it will pass. I have been reading an author named Lisa Scottoline. Have read two of her books – Look Again and Think Twice. Fast reads, very engaging. Maybe you’d like to check them out. I intend to read more of her. I still love your posts and look forward to more.
Hugs,
Rosie
Welcome to the non academic world. This will be your new reality. Now you have only to worry about the calendar, the lunar calendar, the astrological calendar, the Buddhist calendar, the alternate side of the street parking calendar
Lofe your observations as always…would love to see those little puppies! Ours apparently dressed herself up in Jim’s underwear last night (late – I’d already gone to bed) and totally cracked up your mom. Anna has a photo of it and will tell her to post it on FB. We had such a wonderful time with your mom and Jim – they made Anna’s graduation a true and very special celebration for us. We miss them so much, all the time….and YOU, too!! Sending you lots of hugs and kisses, Erica and Anna