Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
tuesday timetable
wow ... so much for blogging regularly once setting foot in my own country. maybe that inspiration will come once we have a home of our own.
today we decided to go across the river and enjoy a truly sumptuous lunch at the Olive Garden, treat from some fellow missos from "home". we all miss PNG quite a lot and are feeling somewhat displaced here ... the place where all things should be familiar. it is quite something to realize first hand that everyone goes on without you very well. I cannot blame them for not thinking about third world countries a whole lot. I cannot blame them for not choosing to go without brown sugar, for example, for a month and a half simply because it isn't available. I cannot blame them for not hanging their clothes out on the line every day or doing without power a couple of times in 24 hours either.
I sympathize with not wanting to have to bleach any fruits and vegetables before consuming them. I understand not wanting to sift all flours and powders for meal worms or weevils. I get that ice cream really isn't a luxury and grocery stores aren't usually in a 20 x 20 shop, only open an hour and a half three days a week.
I mean, who WANTS to live in a place that has you sweating through all your clothing by 9 am? Who in their right mind would CHOOSE to endure 96 percent humidity on a fairly regular basis? Who determines to bake a lasagna in a kitchen that is already more than 100 degrees warm? I understand that the majority of people do not speak fluent tok pisin.
and ...
Maybe, just maybe, it isn't normal for everyone to take malaria prophylaxis at dinner. Perhaps it is kind of weird to discuss diarrhea symptoms over tea, or to show off the latest emerging rash, honestly looking for confirmation of diagnosis and remedy suggestions. It could be that self-medicating isn't a common occurance in "normal" circles. It likely isn't the norm to go to school barefoot either, especially if you are the teacher.
most schools probably have enough books for all students attending. most families have access to a doctor or at least a nurse. most children only speak one language, not four. most people have a paying job.
my country of birth has so much to offer. right now it just feels like a little bit of overkill.
re-adjusting is hard. I hope you can bear with us ...
today we decided to go across the river and enjoy a truly sumptuous lunch at the Olive Garden, treat from some fellow missos from "home". we all miss PNG quite a lot and are feeling somewhat displaced here ... the place where all things should be familiar. it is quite something to realize first hand that everyone goes on without you very well. I cannot blame them for not thinking about third world countries a whole lot. I cannot blame them for not choosing to go without brown sugar, for example, for a month and a half simply because it isn't available. I cannot blame them for not hanging their clothes out on the line every day or doing without power a couple of times in 24 hours either.
I sympathize with not wanting to have to bleach any fruits and vegetables before consuming them. I understand not wanting to sift all flours and powders for meal worms or weevils. I get that ice cream really isn't a luxury and grocery stores aren't usually in a 20 x 20 shop, only open an hour and a half three days a week.
I mean, who WANTS to live in a place that has you sweating through all your clothing by 9 am? Who in their right mind would CHOOSE to endure 96 percent humidity on a fairly regular basis? Who determines to bake a lasagna in a kitchen that is already more than 100 degrees warm? I understand that the majority of people do not speak fluent tok pisin.
and ...
Maybe, just maybe, it isn't normal for everyone to take malaria prophylaxis at dinner. Perhaps it is kind of weird to discuss diarrhea symptoms over tea, or to show off the latest emerging rash, honestly looking for confirmation of diagnosis and remedy suggestions. It could be that self-medicating isn't a common occurance in "normal" circles. It likely isn't the norm to go to school barefoot either, especially if you are the teacher.
most schools probably have enough books for all students attending. most families have access to a doctor or at least a nurse. most children only speak one language, not four. most people have a paying job.
my country of birth has so much to offer. right now it just feels like a little bit of overkill.
re-adjusting is hard. I hope you can bear with us ...
Sunday, December 21, 2008
un.believable
would you even believe me if I told you that since it is so hot in our hotel room (read: 82 F) I decided to watch some tv, in just a tank top and some boxers ... and that is precisely when the fire alarm chose to go off?
AND it is minus 5 or something OUTside
oh my word
AND it is minus 5 or something OUTside
oh my word
stuck in an elevator ...
can't get out ...
well, maybe not, but I love that line from Mixed Nuts.
If you didn't hear already, our anniversary was a bust. It was number fifteen this year and I was expecting to still be in PNG, but the Lord has us in Vancouver instead.
for, like, ever!
So the big day comes and first off, our kids are with us. I love my kids, don't get me wrong, but they weren't there the day I got proposed to OR the day I got hitched ... and it is kind of too bad we couldn't have celebrated alone. Oh well, never mind. The bus ride to the laundry mat was fantastic and watching the clothes drying was really moving too. I almost cried ... wait, no ... that actually did happen. so sad.
I tried not to let it get me down, but this has not exactly been the best last month for us.
So, we have tried to explore Vancouver as best we can, only, truth be told, it kind of sucks.
Is that too harsh? I'm not on the base anymore so I am allowed to say sucks.
We did have a great time at the Aquarium, LOVE riding the bus for at least 45 minutes any time we want to go anywhere, and have a cheesy showtimes photograph to prove how happy these last five days have all been.
oh, but wait, the best news for last!
we get to stay a whole TWO MORE DAYS because our flight got cancelled!
are you jealous?
well, maybe not, but I love that line from Mixed Nuts.
If you didn't hear already, our anniversary was a bust. It was number fifteen this year and I was expecting to still be in PNG, but the Lord has us in Vancouver instead.
for, like, ever!
So the big day comes and first off, our kids are with us. I love my kids, don't get me wrong, but they weren't there the day I got proposed to OR the day I got hitched ... and it is kind of too bad we couldn't have celebrated alone. Oh well, never mind. The bus ride to the laundry mat was fantastic and watching the clothes drying was really moving too. I almost cried ... wait, no ... that actually did happen. so sad.
I tried not to let it get me down, but this has not exactly been the best last month for us.
So, we have tried to explore Vancouver as best we can, only, truth be told, it kind of sucks.
Is that too harsh? I'm not on the base anymore so I am allowed to say sucks.
We did have a great time at the Aquarium, LOVE riding the bus for at least 45 minutes any time we want to go anywhere, and have a cheesy showtimes photograph to prove how happy these last five days have all been.oh, but wait, the best news for last!
we get to stay a whole TWO MORE DAYS because our flight got cancelled!
are you jealous?
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
tuesday timetable
oh my word. what a week.
my husband has spent the last three days in town trying to re-book some airline tickets that were mysteriously cancelled on us this past Friday.
Going to town is not cheap (read: fifty U.S. dollars a trip), so he will often kalup long pmv and ride to and from. Today was special. He got to cram into a van along with 20 other people (no, I am not kidding). The van has seats for 15.
This IS Papua.
One of the passengers was so drunk, he slept on Neal's shoulder ... isn't Neal hospitable? I always knew I married well.
Tomorrow, Neal gets to repeat the whole process for the fourth day in a row. Isn't he keen? I mean, who wouldn't like to drive or ride for an hour, one way, only to sit down in a plastic chair, waiting, waiting, waiting ... maybe going outside to buy a skolop, then going back inside only to be told "tomorrow I promise ..."
The other day, at the market, Neal and Gabby found the most appropriate shirt:
Kimbe. Land of no return.
slightly humerous.
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