Thanksgiving has arrived. While I do wish I were at home mashing potatoes (the extent of my turkey day responsibilities) there are so many things to be thankful for in Malawi.
1) My family. They are flying around the world to go to the bathroom in a hole in the ground and eat nsima. That is love.
2) My friends. In Malawi and in America. Emails, letters, packages of encouragement and support make me believe I have the best friends in the whole world.
3) Health. Maybe it was the chemical burn in eye or watching Sarah's courageous battle with cancer but out health is so precious. You never know when you might misread a contact solution label or go through a scary doctors appointment.
4) The rains. Rainy season is here in Malawi. While it will soon become a swampy, muggy mess I am currently thankful for the reprieve it gives from the heat. I am also thankful for the reminder that all seasons are temporary.
5) My Malawian family. I am thankful for the hugs I get from Dennis and Derrick every morning before I go to school, watching Derrick's body explode into a crazy wild spasm when he is so happy he can't control himself, for Vinny's songs when I come home from a trip, for Innocent's earnestness and perceptiveness, my Amayi's constant concern. Well, sometimes I am not thankful for that but it is really nice to have someone to make sure I am okay. Or, to let me know when I am getting fat.
6) Malawi. While it has taken my patience and occasionally my sanity and made me speak in an awkward bizarre accent constantly misusing words and switching my 'l's and 'r's while writing and speaking it has the lake. And millions of smiling faces and generous spirits, and crazy adventures, beautiful sunsets, hundreds of lessons, and a lifetime of memories. Fair trade.
7) The future. I am currently applying to graduate school. I have no idea where I will end up but I am so excited that next year at this time my life will be completely different. That is awesome.
8) Cold Fanta
9) My students. I love teaching again. My form 4s (senior year) are witty and clever, and hardworking and make me laugh every day. I will miss them. a lot.
10) Learning how to live alone. In a village in Malawi in Africa. This was and continues to be the toughest lesson. Being alone can be a scary thing-I am learning to embrace it and even crave it. I am thankful for that.
There are lots of other things I am thankful for like nutella, post-it notes, good books, Glee, etc but these are the big things this year. I am hope you take this time to be thankful too.
loads of love,
e
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Elisabeth Goes on Med Hold
I am not known for my direction reading skills. I prefer to figure things out in my own way. This week I learned an important lesson on reading directions-they are there for a reason.
Last Sunday I came into Lilongwe to go to the bank and run some errands. My plan was to be here less than 24 hours. That was my plan....
I wear contacts. I have worn contacts for years and don't enjoy wearing glasses. Peace Corps advises volunteers not to wear contacts because of the risk of infection. In order to avoid infections I have been using no-rub solution which requires a special case. Maybe you are familiar? In my hasty packing I forgot my contact case. When I realized this I didn't think twice to find some cups and let my contacts soak in the cups overnight. Now, this goes back to my lack of reading directions: on the bottle it says 'use only the lens case provided'-but living in Malawi has made me believe expiration dates and directions aren't totally necessary. Monday morning I woke up to go for a run and put my contacts in like I do everyday. I put my right contact in and felt intense fiery pain. My eye immediately pinched closed and it took my prying fingers to remove my contact. I ran into the shower and hoped my eye would stop spazzing. Unfortunately it did not. Luckily, I was in Lilongwe so I was able to visit the doctors. The doctor irrigated my eye and gave me goop (medicated eye drops) to put in 4 times a day. And then he told me I had to stay in Lilongwe until Friday...
Friday became Monday but now I am finally on my way back home! Lesson learned-read the directions on your contact solution bottle. They are not lying.
loads of love,
e
Last Sunday I came into Lilongwe to go to the bank and run some errands. My plan was to be here less than 24 hours. That was my plan....
I wear contacts. I have worn contacts for years and don't enjoy wearing glasses. Peace Corps advises volunteers not to wear contacts because of the risk of infection. In order to avoid infections I have been using no-rub solution which requires a special case. Maybe you are familiar? In my hasty packing I forgot my contact case. When I realized this I didn't think twice to find some cups and let my contacts soak in the cups overnight. Now, this goes back to my lack of reading directions: on the bottle it says 'use only the lens case provided'-but living in Malawi has made me believe expiration dates and directions aren't totally necessary. Monday morning I woke up to go for a run and put my contacts in like I do everyday. I put my right contact in and felt intense fiery pain. My eye immediately pinched closed and it took my prying fingers to remove my contact. I ran into the shower and hoped my eye would stop spazzing. Unfortunately it did not. Luckily, I was in Lilongwe so I was able to visit the doctors. The doctor irrigated my eye and gave me goop (medicated eye drops) to put in 4 times a day. And then he told me I had to stay in Lilongwe until Friday...
Friday became Monday but now I am finally on my way back home! Lesson learned-read the directions on your contact solution bottle. They are not lying.
loads of love,
e
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Thinking of Sarah
"Most people don't know there are angels whose only job is to make sure you don't get too comfortable and fall asleep and miss your life."
-Brian Andrea
My friend Sarah needs your thoughts, prayers, wishes, hopes, and every positive vibe you can send. She is getting married on the 27th of this month (well, she and her husband, Eric, already got married but this is the one with the bigger dress) and deserves a perfect day. Plus, she is such an amazing person you can help but not be inspired by watching these blogs.
Loads of love,
Elisabeth
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