It’s been a crazy couple of days. My host family is still amazing. My Papa, George, bought me a little box des gateaux, and my Mama is an amazing cook! Yesterday I broke out the Uno, which was really fun. I actually made it through all the instructions in French without too much trouble. Some days it just feels like the French just pours out of me, but sometimes I just get to a point where all I have left is the empty stare.
Well, today is a very exciting day. I’m getting my hair tressed (braided) today. I’m so excited about it. It’s going to hurt for a while, but it will be a new experience. Besides, I think it will be easier to take care of. Maybe not, but I’m doing it anyway. I think I’m going to get really thin braids with weave that matches my hair color fairly well, maybe a little darker even. My Mama and I are going to do that together. We are also buying tissue today. Tissue is the French word for cloth. This is exciting too. I’m going to have some paints made, and maybe a bumba. A bumba is a dress for both men and women, but the womens’ version ties around the waist somehow while the mens’ is just loose. The mens’ looks SO comfortable. Men always get the comfortable stuff. Why is that?
Besides that, my language classes started yesterday. Those haven’t been fun so far. Don’t get me wrong, they could be, but I don’t think I’ve been matched up with my level yet. There are 16 business and ITC (Info technology) people here in the same village, and we all split up into language groups of 2 or 3 people per instructor. The other 2 people I’m with are struggling with things that I really don’t have trouble with at all, so I’m just waiting to be bumped up. Apparently we change the groups up every once in a while, so I hope that’s sooner rather than later. Who knows, maybe the first day was just a refresher on the basics. I’m sure I’ll find out.
I kind of wish we had today off (Saturday), but it’s not like it’s hard work or anything. I love the group of people I’m with. Last night we went to get a drink after work with some of the volunteers who are training us. That was a lot of fun. It’s especially interesting to see the bathrooms in the bars. The one we went to yesterday was a shower/bathroom… I mean it was a shower that people pee in. I don’t know what they do about the doo, but I assume that goes somewhere else. Luckily that wasn’t an issue for me. If you’re the type of person who’s disgusted by bowel movements, then you might not want to keep checking this blog. Apparently the stories only get better, as everyone gets interesting illnesses along with many other problems. Just imagine having explosive diarrhea in the middle of the night when all you have is a chambermaid. Haha. That happened to one of our guys yesterday. Hey, I’m just glad I wasn’t the first to get sick. I was betting on myself for that award.
Besides all that, I guess I’m still just trying to take in everything. I think I’m falling in love with Benin. I can’t stop staring at the women with babies bound to their backs with a piece of cloth and a tray of goods balanced on their heads as they stroll down the street. I’m completely at odds with myself over the trash issue here. Everyone here just throws their trash on the side of the road. If you’re eating a Fanmilk (local ice cream) and you’re done with it you just throw it on the side of the road. You just leave it there. That’s the hardest difference for me to accept so far. I have been very meticulous to throw away my trash in trashcans, but I can only wonder what happens to it after that. I really want to know. Does it get burned? Is it just thrown out into the road by someone else? Does it end up polluting a riverbed? Why do we pick up trash in the US? We are so worried about image at home. We don’t go to that store because it looks shady, even though they carry the same goods as any other store. We curl our lips up at the sight of trash or dirt or anything that’s not beautiful. Why? Isn’t it a joke we’re playing on ourselves? Everything gets dirty. Everyone has trash. In fact, America more than any other. Aren’t we teasing ourselves by trying to make it disappear? It never really occurred to me before, but at home I never really thought about my trash very much… I mean, you close the trash can lid and you never see it again. You know what I mean? Here, you see your trash again… I mean, either you have to dispose of it, or you reuse it. I’m amazed by the resourcefulness of these people. The kids here play mainly with homemade toys. The most creative one was just a Coke bottle cap with 2 holes poked into it and a string running through both that had been tied into a loop. They will hold the string in both hands, twist it up by spinning it, then pull on both ends and watch it spin for a while. Nintendo, what? Coke caps. Think about that for a while.
Okay, I’ve ranted for long enough. It’s time to do something else. I woke up at 3am this morning and had to use my chambermaid, and I guess that was so exciting that I haven’t gone back to sleep. It’s 5:30 now. Maybe I’ll boil some drinking water. Well, till next time.
Sarah
Saturday, July 29, 2006
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Life as of July 27th
I am now living with my host family, and I’m still really excited. They are very nice people, and I’m amazed at how generous and considerate they are all being. We were warned that people might stare at us a lot, especially the children, and that we would probably never have a lot of time when we weren’t being stared at or what not, but my host family is going way out of their way to treat me like any other, which must take quite a bit of self-discipline… I know that I would want to stare at me.
There is a rooster outside my window right now crowing, and it’s cracking me up… after every crow he makes this noise, like maybe he has a sore throat and he has to softly squeal in pain after every crow… maybe that’s just how roosters crow though… I really wouldn’t know.
Anyway, my host family is very nice. My Mami and Papa (George) are an Islamic couple who live in the center of one of the larger cities in the north. The house has quite a few rooms, and it is more in the style of what I remember seeing in Mexico, it seems to be made of a thin brick that has been plastered over. They even repainted my room for me. It’s a bright blue color, and it seems the paint was very thin. Mami and George have 3 or 4 kids, but from what I get out of my broken French, all of the little ones are in the North with their grandmother. There are 2 others here. One is a young woman who has come up for vacation from Cotonou… she’s probably 17 or 18, but it’s hard to tell.
Their house has a gate in front from the street, made of some kind of solid metal (I didn’t pay close enough attention). Once entering, in their personal car BTW, you see that there is a small dirt area surrounded by walls where the car is kept. They pulled right up to their house. On entering the house I first saw the living room. Here there is electricity and a television… Mami and Papa are special because they have a television, so later all the children of the family (there is another house behind or around here, or maybe they are living here as well, but Mami’s sister lives there with her whole family. There are lots of children. After being shown my room I unpacked all of my things, tried to find a place for them all in my lock box the Peace Corps issued me, then went outside to ask about the toilet and shower. Mami wanted me to take a shower, and so she prepared hot water for me in another room across what I guess would be considered the courtyard. We had a hard time with the miscommunication about the toilet. Apparently there is only 1 key for the latrine, and I was trying to ask where the key was usually kept, but they thought I was asking how to use the key in the door. I also got a demonstration on how to use the latrine. Hehe. They kept showing me over and over. After that, I also got a demonstration on how to use my room key as well. I surrendered to the miscommunication gods, and went to sit with the children in front of the TV. I enjoyed trying to catch them staring at me, and I tried to make it a game with a few of them, but I don’t think we are on playful terms yet. Mami soon came to get me for my shower. I kept trying to ask if I could help with things, but no one would let me. Anyway, she then showed me that the water on top of the stove was hot and that I shouldn’t touch the stove (I’m wondering where they think I’ve come from… I think they think I haven’t used locks or stoves before). Anyway, she then took me to the shower and added some cold water from the tap (they have running water as well) and then left me to wash myself. My first bucket shower. I quickly found that the most logical way of doing it was to almost do a headstand with my head in the water. I know, I know, this isn’t how it’s meant to be done, but can’t I have a little fun with it? By the end of these two years I’ll probably be bathing upside down, balanced on the rim of my peace-corps-issued metal bucket. Hahaha. After getting the hair doused and redoused, I did gradually work my way down my body in splashes, and surprisingly I finished with half a bucket to spare. It’s amazing, considering the amount of water I used just a week or two ago for one shower.
After bathing and changing shirts (I lack spare skirts), I found myself in front of the table in the living room by myself. In Benin, it is considered an honor for guests to dine alone. This will be how it is the whole time I am here as well. Dinner was delicious! The servant girl served me noodles with a few pieces of tomato and onion cooked into them… somehow the noodles are always oily… I don’t know what the oil is, but it is really good. It reminds me of Ramen or spaghetti without the juice or sauce, and maybe even with a fresh taste added to it. For the meat I had a chicken wing, but it didn’t taste like any chicken I’ve had at home. The meat is much leaner, and it’s a little bonier. It was good though, and I had more food than I could have finished in a week. For dessert, an orange. To drink, water. Oh yeah, and bread… always bread. I love the bread here. It’s very traditional French bread usually, and it’s served with just about every meal.
While I finished my dinner the children slowly began to filter in to watch the tv, and so after washing my hands in the bowl provided, I joined them.
It wasn’t long before I was beginning my usual process of passing out wherever I fall, so my Mama, a somewhat feisty older woman (in my view), told me, “Sarah, go to bed.”
Once in my room I prepared for bed (without a mirror, for the first time), brushed my teeth and spit it into the chambermaid I had been given, crawled under my mosquito netting, and quickly fell asleep. Apparently some PC people came by to check on me last night, but I was out. I only remember it as a distant dream, and I don’t know what I said (in French or in English), but I can only assume they left soon after that.
So, things are going wonderfully. I can’t wait to start my training today. I guess it doesn’t actually start today even, because we are getting a tour of everyone’s houses and talking about our first impressions. I’m still excited though. I wish I had spoken more to ma famille. They are extremely gentle and respectful people, and I really think I will like them. So, that’s all of my news now. To all of you, as always, I wish you the best of luck.
Sarah
There is a rooster outside my window right now crowing, and it’s cracking me up… after every crow he makes this noise, like maybe he has a sore throat and he has to softly squeal in pain after every crow… maybe that’s just how roosters crow though… I really wouldn’t know.
Anyway, my host family is very nice. My Mami and Papa (George) are an Islamic couple who live in the center of one of the larger cities in the north. The house has quite a few rooms, and it is more in the style of what I remember seeing in Mexico, it seems to be made of a thin brick that has been plastered over. They even repainted my room for me. It’s a bright blue color, and it seems the paint was very thin. Mami and George have 3 or 4 kids, but from what I get out of my broken French, all of the little ones are in the North with their grandmother. There are 2 others here. One is a young woman who has come up for vacation from Cotonou… she’s probably 17 or 18, but it’s hard to tell.
Their house has a gate in front from the street, made of some kind of solid metal (I didn’t pay close enough attention). Once entering, in their personal car BTW, you see that there is a small dirt area surrounded by walls where the car is kept. They pulled right up to their house. On entering the house I first saw the living room. Here there is electricity and a television… Mami and Papa are special because they have a television, so later all the children of the family (there is another house behind or around here, or maybe they are living here as well, but Mami’s sister lives there with her whole family. There are lots of children. After being shown my room I unpacked all of my things, tried to find a place for them all in my lock box the Peace Corps issued me, then went outside to ask about the toilet and shower. Mami wanted me to take a shower, and so she prepared hot water for me in another room across what I guess would be considered the courtyard. We had a hard time with the miscommunication about the toilet. Apparently there is only 1 key for the latrine, and I was trying to ask where the key was usually kept, but they thought I was asking how to use the key in the door. I also got a demonstration on how to use the latrine. Hehe. They kept showing me over and over. After that, I also got a demonstration on how to use my room key as well. I surrendered to the miscommunication gods, and went to sit with the children in front of the TV. I enjoyed trying to catch them staring at me, and I tried to make it a game with a few of them, but I don’t think we are on playful terms yet. Mami soon came to get me for my shower. I kept trying to ask if I could help with things, but no one would let me. Anyway, she then showed me that the water on top of the stove was hot and that I shouldn’t touch the stove (I’m wondering where they think I’ve come from… I think they think I haven’t used locks or stoves before). Anyway, she then took me to the shower and added some cold water from the tap (they have running water as well) and then left me to wash myself. My first bucket shower. I quickly found that the most logical way of doing it was to almost do a headstand with my head in the water. I know, I know, this isn’t how it’s meant to be done, but can’t I have a little fun with it? By the end of these two years I’ll probably be bathing upside down, balanced on the rim of my peace-corps-issued metal bucket. Hahaha. After getting the hair doused and redoused, I did gradually work my way down my body in splashes, and surprisingly I finished with half a bucket to spare. It’s amazing, considering the amount of water I used just a week or two ago for one shower.
After bathing and changing shirts (I lack spare skirts), I found myself in front of the table in the living room by myself. In Benin, it is considered an honor for guests to dine alone. This will be how it is the whole time I am here as well. Dinner was delicious! The servant girl served me noodles with a few pieces of tomato and onion cooked into them… somehow the noodles are always oily… I don’t know what the oil is, but it is really good. It reminds me of Ramen or spaghetti without the juice or sauce, and maybe even with a fresh taste added to it. For the meat I had a chicken wing, but it didn’t taste like any chicken I’ve had at home. The meat is much leaner, and it’s a little bonier. It was good though, and I had more food than I could have finished in a week. For dessert, an orange. To drink, water. Oh yeah, and bread… always bread. I love the bread here. It’s very traditional French bread usually, and it’s served with just about every meal.
While I finished my dinner the children slowly began to filter in to watch the tv, and so after washing my hands in the bowl provided, I joined them.
It wasn’t long before I was beginning my usual process of passing out wherever I fall, so my Mama, a somewhat feisty older woman (in my view), told me, “Sarah, go to bed.”
Once in my room I prepared for bed (without a mirror, for the first time), brushed my teeth and spit it into the chambermaid I had been given, crawled under my mosquito netting, and quickly fell asleep. Apparently some PC people came by to check on me last night, but I was out. I only remember it as a distant dream, and I don’t know what I said (in French or in English), but I can only assume they left soon after that.
So, things are going wonderfully. I can’t wait to start my training today. I guess it doesn’t actually start today even, because we are getting a tour of everyone’s houses and talking about our first impressions. I’m still excited though. I wish I had spoken more to ma famille. They are extremely gentle and respectful people, and I really think I will like them. So, that’s all of my news now. To all of you, as always, I wish you the best of luck.
Sarah
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Benin, At a Glance
Wow. Benin is an amazing country, and I have so much respect for the people here. My groups of 59 trainees for Benin arrived 2 days ago at night, and I have been mystified ever since. My first experience of Benin occurred on the bus ride to where we will be staying for the first 5 days, near Cotonou. First of all, just in walking out the doors of the airport, it seems that people all of a sudden became much more colorful in their clothing. Women in bright busy printed dresses with giant bowls of fruit or what-not balanced on their heads, and Zemidjans (little moped/bike-like motorcycles) everywhere. Once on the bus we had to drive through Cotonou. Even though it was dark, you could still see the silhouettes of women and men at the fruit stands, where the produce was lit by 1 citronella candle on each table. Our bus was constantly surrounded by Zemidjans, many of which were doing amazing balancing acts of their own... one guy had a refrigerator balanced on a Zemi, and at one point he got so close to our bus that some say he had 4 small inches to spare between us and him.... needless to say, there aren't really strict traffic rules here, or lines on the roads, for that matter (usually). Since Zemi's are the main form of transportation it seems, many of them also had passengers. In Cotonou all of the official Zemi drivers wear yellow shirts with green numbers printed on their backs... so really it's like a big yellow taxi at home,... except it lacks the 'big' part, the car frame, and the multiple seats. But they do have the motor, which is all that is really needed.
That night I had trouble sleeping. They say one of the side effects of Lariom (malaria pills) is insomnia... but I did sleep for 4 hours I guess. It wasn't that bad. Besides, I got to see the sun try to rise, as I waited in anticipation for my first glance of Benin in the daylight. It seemed as though the sun was having more trouble getting started than I was, but eventually the light filtered through the clouds and revealed the lush greenness of the palm trees, the smooth fleshy color of the sandy paths in the courtyard below me, and the tin roofs of one story buildings for as far as I could see. There were already people up and around also, and now I could see the bright colors and vibrant prints that everyone was wearing as they went through their daily morning chores. Some children were gathering under a grove of palm trees in the center of the courtyard... I only wish I could hear or understand what they were saying.
After a few hours of meetings and then lunch, we eventually all headed for PC headquarters, Benin... which is where all my mail goes to. The drive through Cotonou looked significantly different in the daylight. There were people everywhere. Had there been lanes, the road might have been as many as 6 to maybe 8 lanes wide, but they were full of cars packed full of people, some with only 1 or 2 people... but really mainly Zemi's ruled the road. Zemi's EVERYWHERE. The passengers of the Zemi taxi's all sat behind their drivers without touching them at all as they raced down the road. The line separating the street from the stands on the side of the road were fairly vague, as sometimes men and women would walk in the road when the sidewalk was taken. Many of the people on the sides of the roads, of course, were balancing their livelihoods on their heads in giant baskets... whether it be full of loaves of bread, woven bags, nail polishes, sunglasses, clothing material, or anything else one might have for sale.
The streets themselves managed to find themselves soaked in a layer of dust blown up from the road, and quite a bit of trash that had found itself lying there... but we're not talking your 'american trash'... there were no walmart sacks or McDonalds bags involved. In fact neither of those chains, as you might guess, seem to exist here. Actually, later in the day we took a walking tour of Cotonou, and apparently there is 1 fast food restaurant that just opened in Cotonou. They're trying their luck out, and I respect that. It's called 'Steers', and I have no idea what it's like or what they serve, but there were some people in there. The main food supply seems to be the market. The Volunteer who I toured with told me that the market in Cotonou might be the largest one in west africa, and it stretches on for what seems to be forever. You can buy anything at the market. There's even what the volunteers call a 'Western Apparel Area' where anything can be bought, from your knock-off purses to your tee-shirts, to your flip-flops and tennis shoes. You can buy voodoo love spells in the market as well, but I didn't actually see that yet. There are people everywhere though... many confronted us with their merchandise and their few words of english (rumor had gotten around that there was a fresh group of PC yovos somewhere around town.)
Over all, it was really exciting. I really like all of the volunteers and trainees so far, and they all seem to have a similarity that I can't quite put my finger on. I will say one thing for my training group though; our feet look like they all walked straight out of a Chaco advertisement... though there is some variation, of course.
Oh, by the way, I now feel comfortable with saying/defining "I want to help them" now... Another SED (Business) volunteer told me that to start a business in Benin it is extremely difficult, because there is no one source where you can go to get all the information and paperwork. Because of this there is literally no industry in the country. I want to get involved in helping find all the information, as scattered around the country as it may be, and help in putting it together as a package for businesses. That sounds like so much fun to me. I think I can actually help make a difference. Honestly, before now it seemed so vague, because I really had no definition of 'helping them', or what I would be doing, but now I'm starting to get a feel for things and i can't wait to get involved. I am so excited. Now I just have to finish training.... I think word has it that that will only be 9 weeks.... I don't know that for sure though.
Everything else is going fine, and I'm really bonding with my training group. The best things I could have thought to bring have definitely been the frisbee, hacky sack, and cards. We are card playing, frisbee tossing fools right now.... Things are good. Really, the Peace Corps has this integration and assimilation process down to a fine work of art. I am constantly surrounded by wonderful people, and we are all going through the same things. After Wednesday we will be sent to our host families, but we will still be reachable for one another, and then after training they scatter us around. So basically, they've given us a new support system - each other- and soon they will begin to tear that away a little bit as well. It's a solid process. I have faith in it.
As for me personally, I haven't had time to dwell on the trivial such as home-sickness and the lack of climbing. I do hope my parents are okay though. I'm sure it's probably just a matter of time before the home-sickness hits, but right now I'm having the time of my life. Not a thing is bothering me, besides the slight soreness in my arms from the shots... and the Lariom-induced insomnia.... those are just minor details though.
Well, to all of you (as always) keep in touch. I'm working on finding postage stuff like postcards and stamps, but you guys might hear from me within the next couple of months :) I know, it's a bit of a wait, but it's the best I can do. It will be exciting to watch the development though... apparently every day there is more cell phone usage/reception around the country, and the internet is following the same growth pattern. I don't think there will be any change in the mail system though, so sorry again about the wait. I hope you are all finding all that your heart desires. And again (not to over-emphasize a point or anything), KEEP IN TOUCH.
Sarah
That night I had trouble sleeping. They say one of the side effects of Lariom (malaria pills) is insomnia... but I did sleep for 4 hours I guess. It wasn't that bad. Besides, I got to see the sun try to rise, as I waited in anticipation for my first glance of Benin in the daylight. It seemed as though the sun was having more trouble getting started than I was, but eventually the light filtered through the clouds and revealed the lush greenness of the palm trees, the smooth fleshy color of the sandy paths in the courtyard below me, and the tin roofs of one story buildings for as far as I could see. There were already people up and around also, and now I could see the bright colors and vibrant prints that everyone was wearing as they went through their daily morning chores. Some children were gathering under a grove of palm trees in the center of the courtyard... I only wish I could hear or understand what they were saying.
After a few hours of meetings and then lunch, we eventually all headed for PC headquarters, Benin... which is where all my mail goes to. The drive through Cotonou looked significantly different in the daylight. There were people everywhere. Had there been lanes, the road might have been as many as 6 to maybe 8 lanes wide, but they were full of cars packed full of people, some with only 1 or 2 people... but really mainly Zemi's ruled the road. Zemi's EVERYWHERE. The passengers of the Zemi taxi's all sat behind their drivers without touching them at all as they raced down the road. The line separating the street from the stands on the side of the road were fairly vague, as sometimes men and women would walk in the road when the sidewalk was taken. Many of the people on the sides of the roads, of course, were balancing their livelihoods on their heads in giant baskets... whether it be full of loaves of bread, woven bags, nail polishes, sunglasses, clothing material, or anything else one might have for sale.
The streets themselves managed to find themselves soaked in a layer of dust blown up from the road, and quite a bit of trash that had found itself lying there... but we're not talking your 'american trash'... there were no walmart sacks or McDonalds bags involved. In fact neither of those chains, as you might guess, seem to exist here. Actually, later in the day we took a walking tour of Cotonou, and apparently there is 1 fast food restaurant that just opened in Cotonou. They're trying their luck out, and I respect that. It's called 'Steers', and I have no idea what it's like or what they serve, but there were some people in there. The main food supply seems to be the market. The Volunteer who I toured with told me that the market in Cotonou might be the largest one in west africa, and it stretches on for what seems to be forever. You can buy anything at the market. There's even what the volunteers call a 'Western Apparel Area' where anything can be bought, from your knock-off purses to your tee-shirts, to your flip-flops and tennis shoes. You can buy voodoo love spells in the market as well, but I didn't actually see that yet. There are people everywhere though... many confronted us with their merchandise and their few words of english (rumor had gotten around that there was a fresh group of PC yovos somewhere around town.)
Over all, it was really exciting. I really like all of the volunteers and trainees so far, and they all seem to have a similarity that I can't quite put my finger on. I will say one thing for my training group though; our feet look like they all walked straight out of a Chaco advertisement... though there is some variation, of course.
Oh, by the way, I now feel comfortable with saying/defining "I want to help them" now... Another SED (Business) volunteer told me that to start a business in Benin it is extremely difficult, because there is no one source where you can go to get all the information and paperwork. Because of this there is literally no industry in the country. I want to get involved in helping find all the information, as scattered around the country as it may be, and help in putting it together as a package for businesses. That sounds like so much fun to me. I think I can actually help make a difference. Honestly, before now it seemed so vague, because I really had no definition of 'helping them', or what I would be doing, but now I'm starting to get a feel for things and i can't wait to get involved. I am so excited. Now I just have to finish training.... I think word has it that that will only be 9 weeks.... I don't know that for sure though.
Everything else is going fine, and I'm really bonding with my training group. The best things I could have thought to bring have definitely been the frisbee, hacky sack, and cards. We are card playing, frisbee tossing fools right now.... Things are good. Really, the Peace Corps has this integration and assimilation process down to a fine work of art. I am constantly surrounded by wonderful people, and we are all going through the same things. After Wednesday we will be sent to our host families, but we will still be reachable for one another, and then after training they scatter us around. So basically, they've given us a new support system - each other- and soon they will begin to tear that away a little bit as well. It's a solid process. I have faith in it.
As for me personally, I haven't had time to dwell on the trivial such as home-sickness and the lack of climbing. I do hope my parents are okay though. I'm sure it's probably just a matter of time before the home-sickness hits, but right now I'm having the time of my life. Not a thing is bothering me, besides the slight soreness in my arms from the shots... and the Lariom-induced insomnia.... those are just minor details though.
Well, to all of you (as always) keep in touch. I'm working on finding postage stuff like postcards and stamps, but you guys might hear from me within the next couple of months :) I know, it's a bit of a wait, but it's the best I can do. It will be exciting to watch the development though... apparently every day there is more cell phone usage/reception around the country, and the internet is following the same growth pattern. I don't think there will be any change in the mail system though, so sorry again about the wait. I hope you are all finding all that your heart desires. And again (not to over-emphasize a point or anything), KEEP IN TOUCH.
Sarah
Friday, July 14, 2006
Accidentally Deleted This Whole Blog... Now I'm Undoing My Damage
I managed to delete my whole blog with the ever-so-swift click of a button. Luckily I was able to recover some of it before the whole thing reset, so only a few (4 or 5) posts are lost... please excuse the lack of pictures though, as they were all lost, the lack of old comments... lost as well, and any other temporary setbacks.
Kudos to You...
I’m about to move to Africa. I’M about to move to Africa. I’m ABOUT to move to Africa. I’m about TO MOVE to Africa. I’m about to move TO AFRICA. All emphasizing different points, yet all lacking that comfort that I wish I had. That comfort of knowing what’s around the corner. Okay, so that IS why I did it, because it’s not part of my reality, it’s not one of my norms, but I’m sitting here with 3 days and a few hours left, and it feels a little depressing. I feel like I’ve really connected with a lot of great people in the last few months… maybe this is just my natural masochistic side coming out, making me search for these bonds while saying, “The more it hurts to leave, the better”, but that’s really almost sick and twisted. Still though, I really have met/reconnected with some awesome people. Kudos to you guys.
In fact, you guys deserve such big kudos that I should give you each your own. Kudos, first and foremost, to my beloved Tulsa chica friends… aka, the old roommies (and they’re Tulsa neighbors). I’m really going to miss you guys. Kudos to my Student Store/Bookstore friends, Kristen and Dot. You guys probably don’t know it, but you were a huge part of my support system when we were in the same town. Truly, Kudos. Kudos to the OKC Rocks clan. Tracy and Venessa, I really wish I could have had a lot more time to hang out with you guys. Keep crankin’ like the badasses you are. Darshan, I had a great time chatting up politics, religion, and life with you that day. Sorry we never got to climb outside together, you guys. God, I would kill to get outside again. Oh yeah, and a definite kudos to Freddy for giving me a job at the gym. Kudos to the Vet Med student climber guy in good ol’ Stilly who made Stillwater amazingly fun to visit again. Kudos to Andy, my cousin, for always being there. I once ruined your New Years Eve by giving you a huge headache (with the help of a couple of pots that a banged in your ear all night) when we were 8, and you still love me. That's devotion. Kudos to Vineet for going to Switzerland with me on a whim. Kudos to you, Petey and friends… you guys make me wish I had majored in physics or botony. Kudos to Stillwater Tracy. I'll have to come visit you after you move to France. Kudos to Prof. Urich and Prof. Sukhdial. Urich, I owe you a lot. If anyone can make people question things, it would definitely be you. And Professor Sukhdial, you are a wonderful mentor and educator. I'm going to miss our discussions on cultures and the world. And, of course, an amazingly huge kudos to my parents. They are handling this ‘moving to Africa’ stuff amazingly well.
Wow. All of this sounds like I'm lying on my deathbed, never to return, telling my loved ones how much I appreciate them. It's really not like I'm dying. Actually, it really is just 27 months... I keep telling myself this, but I'm not a very good listener. I can’t even begin to imagine the life I’m about to surrender myself to though. I know I have plenty to be excited about.... I'm trying to stay focused on those.
And there are many things to really look forward to, even if they are short term things. For instance, I want to have my hair braided by a lady at the market. I want to bond with my host family, and feel what it’s like to really live in their world. I want to tear myself away from my electronics (I secretly hope something goes terribly wrong with them, or that maybe they get stolen. There’s that masochism again.). I want to hear the ideas of people completely different than me. As for my ideas, they can take them or leave them. I want to eat goats head… not for the taste, but just because it is a true delicacy in some places in Africa, and I want to experience it. I want to speak to a voodoo magic man/woman. I want to learn a local dance. I want to have a local song stuck in my head. I want to help people understand AIDS. I want to dream in french or fon. I want to survive without fast food, refrigerators and ovens. Oh, the things I want to do. I could go on and on.
I refuse to say "I want to help them." though. The reason I refuse to say this is because it is a truly vague statement. What is ‘helping them’ anyway? Personally, I think my ideas and oppinions will be naturally apparent, and obviously very different from their traditions and beliefs, and so I think that just existing in their lives might at least broaden their reality, just as they will be broadening mine, and maybe that will allow the possibility for new ideas for both of us. This is all I can really hope for: A broadening of the minds. And of course, I will do my job and all that it entails, but I am trying to enter everything with the acknowledgement that my work may be futile.
This is a long one, isn’t it? I should rap it up. Only 3 more full days. I leave OKC at 6am on Tuesday morning. 6 days left in the US total. …. I should be packing. Well, it should be amazing. These last days will disappear before they’re even born. …Much like us all, I figure…
Till Philadelphia,
Sarah
Feeling the Aloha
Here I sit, sand engrained in my skin, blisters all over my feet from my flippers, salt in my hair from the ocean, slightly sunburned and very dehydrated... Yes, yes, it truly is vacation time. Everything is going very well here in Hawaii. I'm officially PADI Scuba certified as of today, so that's pretty cool. The homework on the 4th of July didn't go over so well, but now I can dive anywhere I want... the ocean is my playground, and the reef; that's my Jungle Gym, and the turtles; they're my buddies that go 'weeeeee!' as we experience and explore our unimagineable little world. I never knew how awesome a reef could really be. Yeah, I've done the whole snorkel thing over and over, but diving is different. It reminds me of Steinbeck's Cannery Row. There's this one section where he describes the lifestyles of the reef dwellers... here, I found it... read this:
That's what I was thinking of when I was down there. Steinbeck was a genius. I can't possibly put it into better words.
Besides diving I haven't done much else. I feel like I just got here still, and soon it will be time to leave. That's kind of crazy. Honestly, I'm having trouble relaxing here. There is just SO MUCH I need and want to do back at home before I ship out, that I feel completely inhibited. I think it's kind of messing up the others, because they're relaxing more and more, while in the mean time I'm becoming more and more tense. I think I'm more combustible then this chunk of volcano I'm sitting on. Actually, I know I am (this volcano is inactive...I could explain the geological details later if you're interested.)
That's really just about all my news. I can't think of anything else that might be terribly interesting. I'm just trying to chill out and have some good family time before it's time to leave again.
Till the next time,
Sarah
That's what I was thinking of when I was down there. Steinbeck was a genius. I can't possibly put it into better words.
Besides diving I haven't done much else. I feel like I just got here still, and soon it will be time to leave. That's kind of crazy. Honestly, I'm having trouble relaxing here. There is just SO MUCH I need and want to do back at home before I ship out, that I feel completely inhibited. I think it's kind of messing up the others, because they're relaxing more and more, while in the mean time I'm becoming more and more tense. I think I'm more combustible then this chunk of volcano I'm sitting on. Actually, I know I am (this volcano is inactive...I could explain the geological details later if you're interested.)
That's really just about all my news. I can't think of anything else that might be terribly interesting. I'm just trying to chill out and have some good family time before it's time to leave again.
Till the next time,
Sarah
Bouldering, Packing, and Familly Vacation!
Okay, so I went bouldering yesterday, and it kicked my ass... and that's a little more literal than I'm really comfortable with. I took a nice fall and my ass is very colorful today, along with my shoulder. I'm fine though. All is well. I'm not really complaining though... actually it's kind of funny and cool. For some reason I really get a kick out of being sore. Everytime I try to move and hit hurts it makes me laugh. Is that odd? I don't think so. Besides, crying over it or wining isn't going to make it better. I think I probably laugh because it reminds me of how funny it would have been to see a video clip of my pretty little fall, which included falling onto a boulder, rolling off and onto the gound... Maybe I laugh because it's my ass that is sore. Sore asses are always funny.
Besides the fall kicking my ass, so did the routes. I think it's been so long since I climbed outside that I've become an indoor climber. yuck. I can crank out a route pretty well in the gym, but yesterday I only finished up 3 easy boulder problems. Although, I must say, I was fairly intimidated by the guys I was climbing with. One of them is amazingly strong. He has wings tattoed on his back, but I think they're real. He could just fly up anything! Maybe I should get some wings... Eh, it might interfere with my battle wounds.
Other then climbing, I've been working on packing as well. How do you pack for 2 years? I feel like such a technology-dependent, stereotypical American, but I think I'll have enough shock to deal with. Maybe a few gadgets will make it a little easier. I'm also lost on what to bring as a suitcase. My father is convinced that I should bring my hard-sided, heavy suitcase, but I have wait limits to worry about, and it's not like the beast will break down for storage once I get there. Hmmm... what to do, what to do...
Well, I guess I'll be leaving for Hawaii soon. I guess it will be my last family vacation for a while. My Aunt and Uncle and Parents will all be going. I'm looking forward to laying on the beach all day, maybe doing a little surfing, maybe a little snorkeling... but mainly I'll be vegging in the sun, drinking my pina colada ... not the kind in the pineapple though. Do you know how much they charge for those things?!!!? I am looking forward to swimming a lot though. I love being able to dive down into the ocean, maybe even just to get a closer glimps of a reef. I really like going down as far as I can though. I can get about 30 feet down before having to come up. I might even get certified to dive while I'm there. That would be nice.
Well, I think that's all of my latest news.
Till later,
édabo ! (Fon [local language of Benin] for Goodbye)
Besides the fall kicking my ass, so did the routes. I think it's been so long since I climbed outside that I've become an indoor climber. yuck. I can crank out a route pretty well in the gym, but yesterday I only finished up 3 easy boulder problems. Although, I must say, I was fairly intimidated by the guys I was climbing with. One of them is amazingly strong. He has wings tattoed on his back, but I think they're real. He could just fly up anything! Maybe I should get some wings... Eh, it might interfere with my battle wounds.
Other then climbing, I've been working on packing as well. How do you pack for 2 years? I feel like such a technology-dependent, stereotypical American, but I think I'll have enough shock to deal with. Maybe a few gadgets will make it a little easier. I'm also lost on what to bring as a suitcase. My father is convinced that I should bring my hard-sided, heavy suitcase, but I have wait limits to worry about, and it's not like the beast will break down for storage once I get there. Hmmm... what to do, what to do...
Well, I guess I'll be leaving for Hawaii soon. I guess it will be my last family vacation for a while. My Aunt and Uncle and Parents will all be going. I'm looking forward to laying on the beach all day, maybe doing a little surfing, maybe a little snorkeling... but mainly I'll be vegging in the sun, drinking my pina colada ... not the kind in the pineapple though. Do you know how much they charge for those things?!!!? I am looking forward to swimming a lot though. I love being able to dive down into the ocean, maybe even just to get a closer glimps of a reef. I really like going down as far as I can though. I can get about 30 feet down before having to come up. I might even get certified to dive while I'm there. That would be nice.
Well, I think that's all of my latest news.
Till later,
édabo ! (Fon [local language of Benin] for Goodbye)
I leave fore Benin July 18th!!!
Well, I finished jumping through all of the Peace Corps hoops, and now I'm officially going to be a trainee by July 18th. The first 2 days will be an orientation somewhere in the US, but after that it's off to Benin! I will be living the first 3 months (the training period) with a host family. I don't know exactly where I will be in Benin, but I know I will be flying into Cotonou. I will be doing Small Enterprise Development (SED), which involves anything from working with small businesses or groups to help them gain credit or to help them create a business plan, or even to help educate them on general business practices like marketing and book keeping. I will also be educated on helping the fight against AIDS and HIV awareness, and I will be working to help integrate women into the work force.
Living circumstances:
The living circumstances will be a lot of fun. I will most likely live in a mud hut without electricity, plumbing, or any other 1st world amenities. I will have to where skirts that go past my knees, and I will have to keep my shoulders covered. The Peace Corps is issueing me a bike, so that will be my mode of transportation. They tell me that I should expect to ride approximately 15 miles a day on pothole-ridden dirt roads. The nice thing about having to where a skirt all of the time is the fact that going to the bathroom should be easier that way. Usually the latrines are outside, and I'm assuming they are pretty much a whole in the ground. I'm also wondering if they are communal and without privacy. Oh well, if that's the case I guess I'll just have to get used to hiking up the skirt, squating, and waving to the neighbors.
What's Benin like?:
The average temperature on the coast is around 80 to 90 degrees, so it's not too bad, but the coastal area is facing problems with desertification. The northern area still has some rainforest left, and this is where the 2 national parks are located (the Pendjari and Park W). The northern area is also a muslim area, so if that's where I land I might have to keep my ankles and face covered in the traditional muslim way. All of that won't be decided till after the 3 month training period. I'm kind of hoping to land a spot in the south, but I'm really not picky.
The official language of Benin is French, but it looks like I might end up learning a local language called Fon. The word for foreigner in Fon is 'Yovo', and apperently that will be what I will mainly be called. I will probably be the only white person in the area for miles, so apperently they just refer to us as 'yovo'. ...this basically means I will be the equivelant of a purple person in Oklahoma. Who can blame them though? If I saw a purple person in Oklahoma I would probably say, "There's that purple person again." ...Word of advice for the day: BE NICE TO PURPLE PEOPLE. They are people too. What if you were purple?
...enough of the very odd analogy...
Want some Information?:
Well, if you are interested in getting more information on Benin and/or Fon from another PCVolunteers webpage, then visit fon-is-fun.org This page has pictures of mud huts and people and festivals, and also information on Fon and the culture.
If you're really an curious about Benin then maybe try worldinformation.com for a little more general information. There's also the CIA world factbook... I would google that one.
Mailing Info:
Feel free to send me mail if you feel like it! USPS mail can take anywhere from 3 weeks to over a month, or sometimes it doesn't arrive at all. Don't let that get you down though!!! I would love to hear from anyone/everyone from home if possible! Also, if you want to really keep communication with multiple letters, it is wise to number them in case one gets lost, or one arrives before another. Email is also an option, but I might not get to a place with internet very often, so don't be offended if it takes me a while to respond! Here is my information:
Sarah Haskin, PCT
Corps de la Paix Americain
01 B.P. 971
Cotonou, Benin
Afrique de l'Ouest (West Africa)
email: sarahinafrica@gmail.com
More mailing info:
If you are interested in sending objects then you should know that DHL and FedEx DO service Benin, and their packages will always definitely arrive. Also, it is recommended to send things in those bag-type packages instead of boxes. 3 reasons: 1) envelope/bag-type packages usually always make it faster, plus 2) USPS apperently won't ship boxes to Benin, and also 3) I must pay an import duty on boxes, but not on envelopes. Moral of the story: Send envelope-style packages if possible. I've heard you can fit just about anything into those things, and they come in really huge sizes.
Well that's all my information right now. Feel free to email me, or call if you want to hang out before I leave. I'm getting really excited, and it won't be long before I'm gone. I've got a lot of work to do before I can go though. Wish me luck!
Till later,
Sarah
p.s. - these pictures are from benin. The picture of the lady was taken by another PCV. If you want to see some more pictures go to http://www.africaquiz.com/Pages-fr/PAYS/benin/benin_photos_ambassade1.htm There are pictures of wild elephants, monkeys, and hippos, and also pictures from the major towns in Benin.
Living circumstances:
The living circumstances will be a lot of fun. I will most likely live in a mud hut without electricity, plumbing, or any other 1st world amenities. I will have to where skirts that go past my knees, and I will have to keep my shoulders covered. The Peace Corps is issueing me a bike, so that will be my mode of transportation. They tell me that I should expect to ride approximately 15 miles a day on pothole-ridden dirt roads. The nice thing about having to where a skirt all of the time is the fact that going to the bathroom should be easier that way. Usually the latrines are outside, and I'm assuming they are pretty much a whole in the ground. I'm also wondering if they are communal and without privacy. Oh well, if that's the case I guess I'll just have to get used to hiking up the skirt, squating, and waving to the neighbors.
What's Benin like?:
The average temperature on the coast is around 80 to 90 degrees, so it's not too bad, but the coastal area is facing problems with desertification. The northern area still has some rainforest left, and this is where the 2 national parks are located (the Pendjari and Park W). The northern area is also a muslim area, so if that's where I land I might have to keep my ankles and face covered in the traditional muslim way. All of that won't be decided till after the 3 month training period. I'm kind of hoping to land a spot in the south, but I'm really not picky.
The official language of Benin is French, but it looks like I might end up learning a local language called Fon. The word for foreigner in Fon is 'Yovo', and apperently that will be what I will mainly be called. I will probably be the only white person in the area for miles, so apperently they just refer to us as 'yovo'. ...this basically means I will be the equivelant of a purple person in Oklahoma. Who can blame them though? If I saw a purple person in Oklahoma I would probably say, "There's that purple person again." ...Word of advice for the day: BE NICE TO PURPLE PEOPLE. They are people too. What if you were purple?
...enough of the very odd analogy...
Want some Information?:
Well, if you are interested in getting more information on Benin and/or Fon from another PCVolunteers webpage, then visit fon-is-fun.org This page has pictures of mud huts and people and festivals, and also information on Fon and the culture.
If you're really an curious about Benin then maybe try worldinformation.com for a little more general information. There's also the CIA world factbook... I would google that one.
Mailing Info:
Feel free to send me mail if you feel like it! USPS mail can take anywhere from 3 weeks to over a month, or sometimes it doesn't arrive at all. Don't let that get you down though!!! I would love to hear from anyone/everyone from home if possible! Also, if you want to really keep communication with multiple letters, it is wise to number them in case one gets lost, or one arrives before another. Email is also an option, but I might not get to a place with internet very often, so don't be offended if it takes me a while to respond! Here is my information:
Sarah Haskin, PCT
Corps de la Paix Americain
01 B.P. 971
Cotonou, Benin
Afrique de l'Ouest (West Africa)
email: sarahinafrica@gmail.com
More mailing info:
If you are interested in sending objects then you should know that DHL and FedEx DO service Benin, and their packages will always definitely arrive. Also, it is recommended to send things in those bag-type packages instead of boxes. 3 reasons: 1) envelope/bag-type packages usually always make it faster, plus 2) USPS apperently won't ship boxes to Benin, and also 3) I must pay an import duty on boxes, but not on envelopes. Moral of the story: Send envelope-style packages if possible. I've heard you can fit just about anything into those things, and they come in really huge sizes.
Well that's all my information right now. Feel free to email me, or call if you want to hang out before I leave. I'm getting really excited, and it won't be long before I'm gone. I've got a lot of work to do before I can go though. Wish me luck!
Till later,
Sarah
p.s. - these pictures are from benin. The picture of the lady was taken by another PCV. If you want to see some more pictures go to http://www.africaquiz.com/Pages-fr/PAYS/benin/benin_photos_ambassade1.htm There are pictures of wild elephants, monkeys, and hippos, and also pictures from the major towns in Benin.
Good Time at the Lake
So, last weekend was probably the best weekend I've had in a few years. I'm not usually a big drinker, but last weekend I went to Grand Lake with the old roommies, Shannon and Andrea, and their neighbors and a bunch of assorted friends. Luckily our groups meshed really well... I think the beer might have helped a little bit.
Personally, I spent the whole weekend floating around on 'The Island ... of Love!', as we called it. Shannon and I were pretty much the only ones sharing 'The Island... of Love!', but there was plenty of love for all. Occasionally Andrea would join us, and once we even had a more furry visitor (Mox you old dog!), but mainly it was only Shannon and I.
Besides living on 'The Island... of Love!', we also camped out for a couple of nights, and the last night we all crashed on air mattresses in Jeff's parents lake house (Sorry about the mess Jeff).
The nights around the citronella candle (aka 'the fire') were just as much fun as the days on the lake. Somewhere in between our 4 days at Grand the 15 to 20 of us cleared out approximately 30 to 50 cases of beer, 8 to 10 bottles of liquor (big bottles), and a whole bunch of food.
For the grand finale we even got pulled over by the lake patrol for having too many people on the boat. Luckily we got out of trouble, but it's not really a Memorial Weekend on Grand Lake till 1) you've drank a lot of beer, 2) you've been to Dripping Springs, and 3) You've gotten pulled over by the lake patrol on the way back from Dripping Springs.
What a weekend. To all of you who were there, I have a deep respect for your alcohol tolerence and it was a pleasure doin' it big wit cha. For all of you who missed out, maybe next time?
As for the rest of this week, well, it's life as usual again. I started working at OKC Rocks ... feel free to come and visit me if you ever feel like doing a little bit of climbing. I've made some pretty cool friends there, and I'm looking for a climbing partner again ... preferably female this time. Any takers?
Besides work, I'm still waiting to hear back from the Peace Corps. They sent me another package of medical paperwork, but hopefully this will be the last one. Apperently I'm 'slightly anemic'. Oh well, I'll turn the paperwork in and hopefully get my assignment this week or next week. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
That's about all of my news this time.
Untill next time, sayonara.
Sarah
Personally, I spent the whole weekend floating around on 'The Island ... of Love!', as we called it. Shannon and I were pretty much the only ones sharing 'The Island... of Love!', but there was plenty of love for all. Occasionally Andrea would join us, and once we even had a more furry visitor (Mox you old dog!), but mainly it was only Shannon and I.
Besides living on 'The Island... of Love!', we also camped out for a couple of nights, and the last night we all crashed on air mattresses in Jeff's parents lake house (Sorry about the mess Jeff).
The nights around the citronella candle (aka 'the fire') were just as much fun as the days on the lake. Somewhere in between our 4 days at Grand the 15 to 20 of us cleared out approximately 30 to 50 cases of beer, 8 to 10 bottles of liquor (big bottles), and a whole bunch of food.
For the grand finale we even got pulled over by the lake patrol for having too many people on the boat. Luckily we got out of trouble, but it's not really a Memorial Weekend on Grand Lake till 1) you've drank a lot of beer, 2) you've been to Dripping Springs, and 3) You've gotten pulled over by the lake patrol on the way back from Dripping Springs.
What a weekend. To all of you who were there, I have a deep respect for your alcohol tolerence and it was a pleasure doin' it big wit cha. For all of you who missed out, maybe next time?
As for the rest of this week, well, it's life as usual again. I started working at OKC Rocks ... feel free to come and visit me if you ever feel like doing a little bit of climbing. I've made some pretty cool friends there, and I'm looking for a climbing partner again ... preferably female this time. Any takers?
Besides work, I'm still waiting to hear back from the Peace Corps. They sent me another package of medical paperwork, but hopefully this will be the last one. Apperently I'm 'slightly anemic'. Oh well, I'll turn the paperwork in and hopefully get my assignment this week or next week. Keep your fingers crossed for me.
That's about all of my news this time.
Untill next time, sayonara.
Sarah
Life in "the big city"
I guess I'm back in Oklahoma City for the rest of the summer before I take off in July. Besides the huge lack of sidewalks around here, things are going really well. I've got a job that will pay cash at OKC Rocks, and they are also going to buy my climbing wall off of me. Now kids, I call that, "Killing 2 birds with 1 stone." Besides that, I'll also work at the zoo ampitheatre whenever I can. ...So that covers the subject of work. The great thing is, I'll still have a lot of free time.
What am I doing with my free time? Well, I almost have all of my parents gardens planted (which is no small task. There are 4 large beds.) Besides that, I've been listening to a lot of the White Stripes, trying to edit to learn how to work Final Cut Pro to edit my video from my new video camera (any ideas?), and waiting for my Peace Corps invitation. There are 4 steps to becoming a PCV (Peace Corps Volunteer): 1. apply 2. get nominated 3. extensive medical paperwork/processing 4. recieve invitation. I should be recieving the invitation any day now. Once that gets here I'll know much more about my status, like the actual day I leave, where I will be going (besides just Africa), if I will have electricity (I'm betting I won't), and what work I'll be doing (besides just business).
Other than that, I'm just waiting for the pool painters to finish up my parents pool so that I can spend the rest of my summer in there. Hahah... you should see it. They had to sand blast the old paint off of it, so now there is sand everywhere in our backyard. It looks like it snowed. haha. Actually, now we have a beach to go with our pool. Seriously, there is a ton of sand back there. I guess it's just the amount of sand needed for 2 days of sand blasting.
Well, this probably hasn't been the most exciting post, but the whole point is to keep you updated on life, right? ...so there it is. Life is beautiful, and there isn't much else to say.
Till later, Adyos.
p.s. - I changed the settings to where you don't have to be a member of blogspot to post a comment, so feel free to leave a message!
What am I doing with my free time? Well, I almost have all of my parents gardens planted (which is no small task. There are 4 large beds.) Besides that, I've been listening to a lot of the White Stripes, trying to edit to learn how to work Final Cut Pro to edit my video from my new video camera (any ideas?), and waiting for my Peace Corps invitation. There are 4 steps to becoming a PCV (Peace Corps Volunteer): 1. apply 2. get nominated 3. extensive medical paperwork/processing 4. recieve invitation. I should be recieving the invitation any day now. Once that gets here I'll know much more about my status, like the actual day I leave, where I will be going (besides just Africa), if I will have electricity (I'm betting I won't), and what work I'll be doing (besides just business).
Other than that, I'm just waiting for the pool painters to finish up my parents pool so that I can spend the rest of my summer in there. Hahah... you should see it. They had to sand blast the old paint off of it, so now there is sand everywhere in our backyard. It looks like it snowed. haha. Actually, now we have a beach to go with our pool. Seriously, there is a ton of sand back there. I guess it's just the amount of sand needed for 2 days of sand blasting.
Well, this probably hasn't been the most exciting post, but the whole point is to keep you updated on life, right? ...so there it is. Life is beautiful, and there isn't much else to say.
Till later, Adyos.
p.s. - I changed the settings to where you don't have to be a member of blogspot to post a comment, so feel free to leave a message!
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