Saturday, March 27, 2004

Okay, so it’s definitely been FOREVER but that’s what happens when you work two full-time jobs. But I’ll give you a long summarized update.

Work. Work has monopolized most of my time. I figured out that I worked close to 90 hours last week and I’m sure that I worked about 60 or so this week. Most of my work getting everything together for the workshop is done. I just have reminder calls to make and a few little things to do. I think it will be a great three days. My work with PSI is going really well. The final draft of the Operating Procedure Manual is done. Last week I hired three students at the National University to translate educational pamphlets and client forms into Sesotho. I still have a few things to do, but the bulk of my work for PSI is nearly done. And one of these days I’ll actually start on my own research. :o)

Because I’ve been working so much, there has been very little fun time, but Daniella and I eat most of our meals together, so I get to have some social time. I have also gotten to know some of the expats a bit better. And I’ve gone over to Ladybrand a couple times as well…it’s a little city in South Africa, but it’s only about 30 minutes away, if even. There’s even a bar with a little dance floor, JP’s. Gerhardt, the Lancer’s Inn chef, left for a holiday to Thailand today so a bunch of us went to Ladybrand last night as a sort of good-bye. Our group of 12 took over JP’s, and we had a blast! It was quite a night.

I went to Beautiful Gate last weekend and took the kids some of the things that Shelley’s tennis team and St. John’s church had donated. It was so nice to be able to read new books and to color with the kids. One of the babies passed away last week. He only came to the orphanage a few weeks ago. When he came, he was only a few days old, but he had a pretty bad case of thrush. I have to admit that a small part of me doesn’t want to get any more attached to the kids than I already am. Last week, my favorite little girl started crying when I had to leave. She is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen. I can’t wait to show you pictures when I get back!

I can’t believe I’m over my halfway point now. I’ll be home in a little more than 6 weeks!