I made it to IST

November 29, 2010

GO WEST!!! My high school football team won the state finals. It is so sweet, of course it happened when I was in another country but I am so happy.

I had a great weekend and thanksgiving. We made Aunt Diane’s pulled pork, coleslaw, and potatoes. And then we made pineapple upside down cake and pudding. The pudding was a little hard because it was completely from scratch but I think it turned out pretty good. The pineapple upside down cake was another story, it didn’t necessarily cook but it tasted awesome (amazing how pure sugar and butter is the best thing ever). Also we killed a duck and cooked it. It was crazy, my friend Jake killed it and then we cooked it. I took some lovely pictures of the killing. It was crazy the feet were still moving after it had no head. It was really nice to hang out with everyone although it was a lot of work, so I hope we don’t have another party like that anytime soon. Oh yeah and we played Quiddler. I am now the owner of a brand new Quiddler, I am so happy. My friend Aaron brought it and didn’t want it anymore. It of course made my day.

Also had a girls night with Claire and Randi and it was wonderful. We made vegetable burgers and crepes with chocolate sauce and bananas and just sat around talking and watching movies. It was great. All it needed was some popcorn, gummy bears, and squirt and it would have been perfect. We watched An affair to remember. I think it was the first time that I saw it which is weird because Cary Grant is in it and I love him. But it was good, although not sure if I like the Actress in it.

I walked back to my village today with a full backpack and a chair tied behind it. Needless to say I was very tired when I got home. It took about 2 1/2 hours to walk, but it was nice and I need the exercise. Some people kept asking if I wanted to ride the pikipiki (motorcycle) and I kept saying I can’t. So of course another person asked me and I didn’t even respond and just kept walking because I was sick of saying no and getting nagged about it. Turns out that guy was actually one of my village officials, I realized this after he started honking at me. (How are you suppose to recognize someone when they have a helmet on, also I am ashamed to say but I have a hard time remembering what people look like) I have just met way to many people in way to short of a time. I hope by 2 years I have it down pretty good, but at the moment it is still pretty slow goin.

I also made corn bread today and it was AWESOME. I taught my friend J2 how to make. (I have to friends name Jessica. So from now on I am taking on David’s way of talking about his boys and call them J1 and J2. J1 is the younger one, who has 4 kids, and helps me a lot with work. She is my counterpart. J2 is older and I think has 5 kids. I usually go over to her house and we make food and talk.) It was a really good day in the village. I am actually a little sad that I am going to be gone some much in the upcoming weeks between seminar and traveling with Han. But I think that I need it after the last month that I had. It think it is going to help me a lot and get me ready to start tackling this projects.

November 30, 2010

I am aware that I do talk about food a lot but I think this is my hobby and also what I do to keep busy. I understand completely now why a lot of women don’t lose any weight while here and actually put some on. I am not sure how I am doing in that category yet as I have yet to see myself in a full length mirror. (I am a little frightened by this) But my clothes still fit from what I can tell so hopefully I am just staying the same. We will find out soon enough when I put a bathing suit on. It should be quite a sight especially with this lovely farmers tan I have going on. I think I am whiter than I have ever been in my life.

I went to the bathroom today and as I am sitting over the hole I look down and see a frog. Now I am not sure if this is the same frog that has been haunting me or not but I really hope he calls a truce soon because I am sick of seeing a frog every time I go to the bathroom. Also I am not sure if anyone else has this fear, but I have a fear that something is going to come out of the toilet and bite me (maybe a snake or crocodile) and seeing a frog is not helping things. I know this is crazy talk but that is one of my fears, along with swimming in a pool and the pool closing in and sharks coming out to eat me like in James Bond. (Stephi back me up on this) I know these are stupid fears but ya never know. (I swear I am not going crazy, I am actually doing really well these days, I guess I just needed a major break down first)

Talking of food again. I tried to make salted peanuts but I forgot the water part. Again they were a disappointment. Hopefully one of these days I will cook something good on the first try. I also ate into a mango today and saw a worm crawling around. Not a good day for food.

I have been reading a lot of the travel books about TZ and am overwhelmed with different ideas of what I want to do while I am here. There is just so much to do I am not sure where to start. I think at the moment when Hannah and Jenna come we are going to go see MT Kili and walk around some waterfalls then come to my village for Christmas and then go on a safari and to the beach to snorkel. This is the current plan but I am sure it will change a bunch before they actually get here. I am so excited, especially to snorkel because I haven’t been snorkeling in the ocean in a while. I think since senior year of high school, it is going to be nice to actually look at some cool fish again instead of the dull fish of Little Whitefish Lake. Also Ashleigh, I was telling someone about the Brook’s Lake sea monster this week.

December 1, 2010

In case anyone was wondering, I have the worst acne that I have had in years. I look hideous and now more than ever all of the bebe’s and mama’s are asking what’s wrong with your face. It is horrible, I’m a monster.

Things you can make on a kerosene stove:
1. Popcorn (although not as good not sure if it is because of the kernels or the stove itself)
2. Rice
3. Salted peanuts (somewhat like planters)
4. Cornbread
5. Biscuits

Things you cannot make on a kerosene stove
1. Ginger bread
I found out today that this is not possible and all it ends up being is this huge sticky glob of dough and a pan that Aunt Marti would say should soak for a few days if not a week. Big disappointment but I can try again on the charcoal stove. I am thinking gingerbread with icing for Christmas sounds AMAZING.

Also I wasn’t planning on it but today me and J1 cleaned my entire house and yard. (including washing the floors) Now why would I want to spend all that time cleaning when I am not going to be here to enjoy it, this is along the lines of why make my bed if I know I am just going to mess it up again. I just don’t see the point. Although the house does look really nice. Probably the cleanest it has ever been.