Week 8 and 9- Back from Hell

Week 8 and 9- I’m Backkkkk (heck I have no idea what week I am on)

I feel like I am back from the dead.  I had a time of it with stomach issues and feeling drained.  The Thursday before the beach I had a sore throat and what would be my normal allergy/cold illness after school starts.  So, I went to the beach anyway and had a good time. 

Tuesday, however, I wake up with a fever and stomachache as well as the things that go along with that.  I go to school, sit in on a meeting (dripping with sweat, unable to contribute and on fire) and Sarah immediately gets me a sub and a ride (the principal’s driver took me, waited and then drove me home) to the SOS clinic.  I have a bacterial infection (after waiting for a blood test to rule out dengue “bleed out the eyeballs” fever).  No biggie- but I guess in a third world country a bacterial infection is a big deal.  So... I sleep for two days and then wake up with a backache because the beds are so hard.  I had no Internet so I cannot even mindlessly surf the web and there is nothing, I mean nothing on TV.  I start watching Wreck It Ralph and I am now into it and what happens- the electricity goes out with five minutes left in the movie! I do not know if the evil man was defeated and if the little girl reaches her goal.  Damn- I am a complainer!  I go back to work on Thursday since I had no fever and since writing lesson plans is more of a hassle than going to work.  The kids are so sweet.  I wake up to an email message from two of my favorite seniors from CHS, go to work and was given a teacher appreciation gift of Coco Chanel perfume and am invited to a birthday party (customary here for the kids to take everyone to a nice restaurant for their birthday). I love it when you feel really crappy and then the day just gets better and better.

And then it gets worse.  I finally get Internet and realize that the boys have been trying to get ahold of me.  I wait at home until Dylan is up and about 9:00 pm my time I am back to no Internet. So I walk to the school.  As I arrive it is black- not a lights on all around.  No electricity means no server, which means no Internet.  I sit outside on the steps and start praying for a miracle. I am frantic because I do not like this feeling.  I am mom and if they need me they should be able to get ahold of me.  After praying, I look up (genuinely thinking the lights will be on because God and I have that kind of connection!) only to see more blackness.  About that time Mark (our new internet guy) walks around the corner- have I talked about what a “G” he is??) and I start crying. Needless to say, he’s my miracle and I soon get to talk to both Josh and Dylan. No emergencies- just wanting to talk- thank goodness.   I truly believe that my request for friends to pray for me and my “reminder” bowls are working!

So it is now Friday and I am starting to feel human again.  It is Myanmar food day so all the staff and kids dress up in traditional clothing and at lunchtime the gym is full of food from all around the area. One of my seniors lead me around and tell me what to get and even though I made sure they gave me just one little taste- it was too much after being sick. After school, we have a student council movie night-which is really just a chance for the kids to hang out after school and socialize. By the time I get home, my stomach is at it again.  But I refuse to let it stop me.  Saturday I am up and ready to find a couch (with three days on my back it is so important now to never have that discomfort again).  So I shop, buy the first couch I find (plus some “Ray Ban” sunglasses, some material and another piece of lacquer ware) and I wonder where all my money is going!  I go to the French Film festival and see Quartet directed by Dustin Hoffman- if it is showing in the USA run to see it- loved it!!!  However, too much, too soon, sick again.  I miss the party Sunday and stay home and sleep all day.

By Monday I am starving.  Bananas, crackers and 7-Up was good for a while but I need real food. No noodles, no rice, no curry! About seven others join me and I am a happy camper. The week continues; I feel ok but not up to par.  Friday comes around and it is the night we have reservations to tour the local brewery.  Now I have been on some brewery tours, but nothing like this.  Basically, we tour for about 10 minutes and drink for about four hours- FREE. By the end we are doing karaoke and end with the chugging contest (what are we 18??).  First five girls (ok-- if you insist--I'll do it) start.  I think back to college days and yes! I still have it. I win (do not know if I should brag about this but I do think I surprised quite a few of the younger teachers- I felt like I won the lottery (but really only got to take home a Myanmar glass mug- which, in reality, wasn’t even a prize but asked for it anyway). The bus ride home was a sing-a-long and then a stop at the local beer station for more (I know my limits and went home).

Today is Saturday and I feel fine.  I need to grade, but have inked out tomorrow for that, so I join my roommate and friends for a tour of the alligator farm and nice French meal and a mani/pedi to end out the day- oh and popcorn. Life is good. 

Reflections So Far:

1.   It does not matter how much technology a person has, nothing is better than knowing you can pick up the phone and call.  Nothing better than holding those you love and giving them a big squeeze.  I worry about my sister, and brother, my best friend and children.  I hear of friends losing loved ones and do not like the fact that all I can do is post a Facebook message.  I am glad I will be home for Christmas; I plan to get a lot of hugs and kisses into the few weeks I will be there.

2.   I think I understand why so many of the teachers who teach overseas like this continue to do it.  Basically, most of your needs are taken care of by others (no cleaning, laundry, shopping) and on a teacher’s salary one can live extremely well. A trip is around every corner and money can be saved to buy a house where one wants to land in retirement.

3.   The other day I told Sarah I did not think these kids needed me like the ones I am use to teaching.  She told me I needed to dig a little deeper and that I might find out differently.  So much of teaching is not just the academic part. I think I miss being mom to the masses.

4.   In a third world country, one cannot get too comfortable.  My friend Scott did what I am so afraid of doing- he looked up and fell into God knows what- yes- one of those things I mentioned that occur around here.  Sidewalk, sidewalk, sidewalk, BAMB missing sidewalk and kurplunk- whole body in hole. We nursed him but he ended up going to the hospital in Bangkok- infected leg.  One can never be too careful and I do not care how “old ladyish” I look, I am going to continue looking down and being careful.

5.   I found good tweezers!!  It’s the little things in life that really matter.

 Myanmar brewery tour

 Courtney and Graham- singing

 Chugging champs

 Yes- that is a man's face in his mouth!

 alligator

 baby alligator

 Myanmar food day- Principal and his assistant

 another nice umbrella picture

 seniors- Myanmar food day

 Moms serving

The gym turned Myanmar food day event headquarters

Pictures Ngwe Saung Beach September

It takes so long to load anything- I'm doing it in two posts.  Actually, I started to upload about 50 pictures and an hour later, I had to start all over. So.. this will give you a taste of the weekend. Good night.Enjoy!

 Our "Suite"

 Cutest little boy ever!

 Our favorite eatery. Look at the cool tree

 Our shade and our life guard

 beach front

 Our vespa taxis

 My "lucky" driver.  I think his shock absorbers were in shock!

 Sunset

 More sunset

 Nothing cuter than an elephant taking a bath

 The ride

 Me and my new friend

 awwwww

 Suspension bridge and you know they were making it rock back and forth

 This was a little bigger than our taxi boat , but you get the picture of what type of boat was trying to jump the waves.

 Our Pirate boat

 Bonfire with the locals

 We stopped at a place where they make handmade usable umbrellas.  Guess what everyone is getitng for Christmas!!!!  JK

 You wanted pictures of me.. here you go

 WOW!  Would love this for the porch

 artsy!! and below, the owner asked us to leave a message.  Had to leave my Texas mark.

Beach Time is the best Time!

End of week 6 Beach Time is the Best time!

Yeah- It is Thursday and I am ready for my first road trip.  I have few expectations so they can only go up.  We load in our huge van (we could pole dance if there were a pole) and head out of town.  On the trip are me, Courtney, Graham (a Canadian who spells his name totally different so will rebel here), Cheyenne, and Jody.  The ages range from 22 to old (me). I am ready to go with the flow and I am learning to do that fairly well. We take off and hit traffic about 15 minutes later. So.. Let’s make the best of it and open the windows and get crunk with the locals.  Graham buys quail eggs, ready to eat, as well as these wonderful flat dried crepes.  We add water to our picnic and call it a day.  As we head out of town something changes- mainly the road.  This is going to be one bumpy road- yet I did not know the half of it.  The irony of the situation was that every hour or so the driver had to pull over and pays a toll (I have no idea where that money goes).  Bumpity, bump, bump turn into bababababababab bump every ten miles or so and I think that was the road improvement. What was amazing was the scenery. Such green, lush landscapes interspersed with pagodas and huts. I see women chopping firewood, small shops with dry goods, huts with petro for motor bikes- and beer stations- always beer stations.   So many people living off of the land-working on the day’s chores whether it is harvesting rice, fishing in the stream or transporting goods from one place to another.  People live all along route. People with no modern conveniences; happy people. The bumpy road turn curvy- imagine bumpy, curvy roads in a big ‘ol van and you can imagine where our stomachs are.

We are pulling into town after about six hours and I cannot imagine where our “resort” is in this array.  What I have learned is that people use the term resort quite loosely here.  We walk down the path to our suite, open the door and are hit immediately with the strong aroma of mothballs.  I start to freak a little, but remember my new motto “Roll with it” and “Namaste” and begin to unpack.  Upon further inspection, I find the little culprits of the obnoxious smell in all corners of the room and under the bed. They are quickly removed. We hit the beach for a moonlight stroll and find we have three young men following us with flash lights- our guides. We plan the next day and retire for the evening. 

Friday begins with a tour of the one lane road they call the city center. We are here during the off-season so the hustle and bustle of the high season has not yet begun.  One local entrepreneur finds us and offers his serves.  The next day he will take us via Vespa taxi (and four other drivers) to the elephant farm and for a snorkeling adventure- yeah- my favorite things- animals and underwater colors. After lunch we go to the beach.  Well, the last beach I went to was Destin, Florida and was the guest at a million dollar condo with full-on beach service- chairs, umbrellas and cabana boys (not really cabana boys but it makes the story better).  The beach is beautiful and the waves great, but no shade, no chairs, umbrellas or cabana boys.  Jody is fair skinned so the “resort” employees rig up some material attached to four bamboo poles. Picture to follow.  I also notice we have a lifeguard; one young man silently sitting on the beach with an orange rescue circle at his disposal. I am so comforted. Beach fun is over and time for a message. The Vespa taxis arrive and as I walk out I can see the despair on their faces. Who will be the lucky one to transport me on their bike?  I laugh with them and tip big so in the end all is well. It is scary at first, but the freedom and the wonderful breeze makes the terror lessen and soon I am in my element. We go to a real resort for the message (I pass since there are only three workers and spend and hour just chatting with Graham.  I am learning more and more about my fellow teachers- each with his/her own story to tell.

Upon arriving back in our village, we walk to find a restaurant and return to a place we had seen in the morning and where we had promised a young man we would return. The food was fabulous and the service was beyond expectations.  This is in a land where tipping is not expected. At one point I am fanning myself and my waiter, Ny Lin, starts to take my fan so he could do it for me- obviously, I said no there will be none of that.  I do not think I could ever get use to that kind if service. The best part was the music.  A beautiful 21 year old playing his guitar singing American songs with a voice one would expect to see on The Voice or Americas Got Talent. Since we soon became the only ones in the restaurant, the song request flow.  And then it happened—yes- he asked me to join him on stage for what they think is a current rendition of Hotel California by the Eagles.  Highlight for me (I have no idea if anyone else liked it but my inner diva was on fire). Have I told you they are about 30 years behind on trends?  This includes music.  Remember, not too long ago Internet, news etc. was filtered and the general population was shut off from outside influence.   The waiters are now planning a bonfire for us for tomorrow night.  They want to sing with me some more and play the guitar.  I am having so much fun!!!

Saturday arrives and our free breakfast of one sunny-side up egg (which really needed to cook more so we sent it back taking five minutes to nonverbally say "over-easy), instant coffee, three pieces of toast and a banana hits the spot so to say.  We meet our drivers- thankfully, mine greets me with a smile-rather than a "Oh crap- her again!" and take we off to the elephants.  Once again- I have never seen such beauty (well- I probably have- America has beautiful landscapes- but I have not been on a road trip through those beautiful places since the Ozarks).  I loved the visual surprises of the greenery and then a lone flower pops out into my peripheral (God I love spell check) vision.  And the trees- oh my!  Such arrays of trees are here.  Some have layers where there is tree limb, branches and the larger tree limbs like the symmetry of an upside down Christmas tree.  Others, are all bark and then a plop of green on top. Villages are all along the route.  Small bridges made with one lone bamboo pole traverse over a water area and big, white cows (you know the ones with the humps) scatter about. My eyes are taking snapshots when my camera fails me.

Upon arriving at the camp, we cross one of those suspension bridges like one would see in an old time movie. Scary for me- fun for the young’uns. We watch an elephant get bathed and then they strap them up for us to ride.  I become an observer at this point and number one camera-man. For some reason it sounded more fun in theory.  I would rather chat with the locals and learn more about the farm and how the system works than try to climb with grace upon the beast.  They are actually working elephants that clear the land and move large trees.  They seem well taken care of so I am happy. 

About an hour after we are “home” we meet on the beach to await our boat. We wait, and wait and finally see a boat- but what we see  could not be ours I am thinking power boat with a 350 horse power engine- wrong again!).  It is straight out of a scene from Pirates of the Caribbean.  Soon we are told a little boat will come to pick us up (once again- I am thinking a little rubber boat with a small horse powered engine- wrong again- when will I get it?).  At this point I am laughing so hard I throw caution to the wind and say, “What the hell- why not?”  Well, watching the little boat trying to jump the waves was like reading The Little Engine That Could to a small child.  Yet all the wishing in the world was not going to help that little canoe-like wooden boat come ashore.  It capsized. So we figured it was off, but nooooo they would not be deterred. They will pan the water out. So they did and two in our party were crazy enough to get in the thing and try to go back out (no- not me). They capsized and one swam ashore; one swam to the ship. You guess it, Graham- the crazy Canadian. So, plan B.  We vespa to another beach where they waves are mild and an hour later the ship arrives. The wooden boat comes to pick us up and all the while I am thinking, “Tricia, how in the hell are you going to get in that big boat?”  Yes, I am worried.  I am the last to arrive so thank goodness, all in our party are at the front to the boat and do not see my entrance on to the ship. I do not even know if I can describe it but I will try.  No, there is no ladder. So I stand in the small boat, wobble, wobble some more- some young man grabs my butt, the skipper (a shirtless old man) grabs my arm and starts to make a heave hoe sound as he pulls.  I quickly say, “Oh, no- I do not want your help if you are going to grunt.” So I clear my stomach and roll on of my own volition (I think he got a boob shot but hope that was all). We are “All aboard” and heading out to the island.

What seems to be two hours in a ship that should be cruising but rather is more like-“putt, putt, putting” and we arrive.  It does not look like a reef area so I am now skeptical about the quality of snorkeling that will be forthcoming.  I have been thinking for the last hour how the hell I am going to get back on the boat/ship if I dive in. So.. I tell Graham to tell me if it is worth the humiliation I will go through to get back on before I take the plunge.  You probably guessed correctly, the Monsoon season is not a good season for snorkeling. So we get the idea to fish.  After all, this is a fishing boat and I have been sitting on a cooler of fish for two hours.  Their fishing “pole” is a spool with two hooks, two weights and some fishing line. No fishing for me.

We head back, see a gorgeous sunset (no cameras dang it) and arrive to find our little docking boat has gone ashore.  They want to retrieve it and taxi us back.  I..Have.. to.. get.. off… this.. boat… so I jump in and swim ashore.  And that, my fine friends, was a Myanmar version of a snorkeling excursion.  In route I have an epiphany----more in my endnotes.

Dinner at our favorite location with our wonderful hosts and a beautiful singer and we are asked if we are still up for a bonfire.  I say yes, what time do you close.  My new friend says, as soon as you guys leave. On- yea- we are the only ones there.  So we head down to the beach were they have already set up wood and start the fire (with gas of course – (visions of Dylan running after catching on fire from a gas fire comes streaming into my head and I notice the gas can right next to the blaze- emergency avoided).  Of course it starts to rain. We think it’s over but no…..  We just move it up a ways to a fishing hut (excuse us two people sleeping and your dog, but we are here to party) Yes; someone lived there- a relative of one of the boys.  The night ends with us at on the lawn of our resort sharing music on my IPod (and letting the musician listen to it with my Bose headphones), stories and with everyone calling me mama.  I guess that is a compliment.  I can’t wait to take my own boys there so they can meet my new friends. 

Instead of my usual ending, I will share my epiphany.  Had I had it my way, this weekend would have been at a nice resort lounging by the beach in the morning and then finishing off the day at the pool.  There would have been a swim up bar and a nice restaurant.  Boy, am I glad I did not have it my way.  If a person only takes in what the place has to offer in terms of tourists’ destinations (and there were plenty of what we see as resorts in this community)  I never would have seen what a local sees.  I would never had practiced English with my 17 year old waiter who now refers to me affectionately as mama (no worries- he has a real mom and I will not be bringing him home) and who has emailed me a sweet goodbye email.  I never would have learned that our snorkeling guide is supporting his parents (his dad was in the military and now gets the equivalent of $3.50 a month from the government) with his Vespa taxi service.  I never would have heard the lovely Myanmar songs at the campfire and I would not have experienced the local color.  I would have not learned that you do not need a pole to catch a fish and that although everyone tells me I can’t have a vespa- that I still want one. There is a time and a place for a comfortable resort (like April in Bornio!), but for now I am so glad I invested in the local economy and did not put more money in the hands of the 5% in Myanmar who do not need my money. 

That’s all for now- I will finish the week later. That will be being sick and my first gifts!!!

Week 6 and part of 7- For someone who has nothing to say I can sure fill some pages!

Week 6 and part of 7- I got nothing!

I look at my journal for this week and it is empty.  I guess it does not really matter where a person lives, if they are working full-time, life revolves around work.  Monday through Friday was just a typical work-week here in Yangon.  The people with whom I work are still amazing and really are taking great strides to make me feel at home.  I am getting to know the kids better and that is good.  My eight graders are so sweet.  I see them every day so I have gotten to know them better.  I love how they have taken my classroom routines and made them fun. When I say I have a few announcements, they burst out with the announcement song; when I say, “Have you got it?” They reply with “Got it, got it, got it, got it—get it, get it, get it get it.” And then I say, “Good” and we all say, “And let it roll.” I think I should have been an elementary teacher!  They are sharing their snacks.  The other day I was offered what I thought was a piece of green roll up, only to find it was a sheet of green seaweed.  Today a student was eating Lord knows what and offered me a bite- so of course I took it and had a wonderful burst of sesame seed and something else salad- it was delish. In the lounge the other day there was cheesecake- don’t get too excited- it was white cake with not sweet frosting and grated cheese on the top. I thought it was orange peel- imagine my surprise.  I am glad I just took a little taste so I did not offend. 

       My juniors and seniors are another story.  I see them every other day so it has been harder for us to know each other’s quirks.  My juniors are all new to the school so we are having a good time adjusting together.  My seniors on the other hand do not know what to think of me.  I have been going to the games though (volleyball and get this- they can use their feet if need be!) so we have become a cheering squad for the three boys on the team and in our class. The seniors have had the same teacher for three years (or it could be two) so they are having to adjust to me. It will happen and in the mean time, I will be patient.  Have I said, I love these kids yet?

Here in Myanmar, it is traditional for a person having a birthday to gift others.  I am not too keen on that idea since I love getting presents, but it is so selfless that I guess I should appreciate it.  Too bad (or perhaps not) that by the time the kids hit middle school and high school they celebrate off campus- but boy those elementary teachers are partying all the time.  My roommate was gifted with some lovely material of which it is intended she will make a longyi.

One of the other things I would like to mention is that the students are so loving towards each other.  It seems that we do something in America to steer young boys into homophobia.  I remember in Paris one time when I went to Moulin Rouge, (gosh that sounds pretentious!) boys were on the dance floor just dancing away with each other- no worries of others judging them or questioning their masculinity.  (I think more people questioned why they were dancing with me rather than the six 18 year-old gorgeous girls I was with!  I think maybe I had an invisible sign that read, “I am easy.” On it- just kidding)  Here, I see boys and girls affectionately holding hands and sitting close with no hang-ups about what others will think.  Yesterday, I saw two boys age about 10 standing by the little stream (I prefer to call it a little stream rather than the sewer area) looking down expecting to see a fish or something and they were just standing there holding hands.  It is sweet. It is just plain sweet that people can be affectionate towards their friends and not be called gay or a sissy.  We see it in the younger grades in America, but then something happens and boys are no longer “allowed” to be affectionate towards others who are not in their family.   Just an observation- not a judgment.

One of the things I got done this week was to plan a couple trips.  We have a three-day weekend coming up and I am going to the beach.  Ngwe Saung is on the western coast of the Bay of Bengal, nearly west of Yangon about 5 hours.  It is said to be unspoiled and beautiful. I am excited.  It seems that up until now, all I have done is gotten to know my co-workers and students (which is not a bad thing), but I have not even toured or seen the attractions here.  During the rainy season it is hard to get excited about going out an being in it all day. So this will be a much needed break- unless it rains all weekend. Of course, I will take that opportunity to play in the rain as I mentioned last week.  I will take plenty of pictures and will post one below I found on the web.  I am going with four other new teachers.

       I also made some solid plans to go to Nepal.  I will go with three other teachers who have been here a year or two, but who have never been to Nepal.  We will fly into Kathmandu, Nepal and stay with a local who runs a NGO (non-profit) called Nepal Social Service Fund that aims at eradicating illiteracy is a small village called Baliya.  I am excited to learn more about it and will send information incase others are inclined to support the cause. They concentrate on initiating education programs, health care, and agriculture and income generating programs with the Tharu people who live in the area. We will take in Kathmandu (lots of shopping!) and do a couple local sight-seeing trips and then get on another plane to Jomsom, Nepal (can you say Himalaya Mountains??!!) where one of the girls (who is crazy in shape) will meet up with a trekking guide and take off for three days.  The other two people and I will go to visit the temples (with a guide) and do a short trek to see all that nature has to offer.  I just read up on it some more before posting and I think it is going to be like something I have never done (and probably will never do again). I am a little freaked out because I think it is going to be cold (right now it is 50-60 degrees c) and I did bring any winter clothes.  At this point however, I cannot wait to get out of the humidity so I am in denial that I will be cold.  Look up some pictures and read about it- and then try to picture me there- bet you can’t!!! 

I am also talking about coming home for Christmas!!!!  The boys have two more days to register for their passports- I think it will work out better for them to come next Christmas when I know the place better.

Then the April break I am thinking about the beach in Borneo (which will come as a shock because I have a whole group of women who want to go to Italy in April but I think while I am on this side of the world- I should see it).  If, however, that trip becomes a reality and not just a pipedream, I am open for anything.  Right now it is just a thought but for all of you who want to visit- that might be just the place to meet.  More details to come.  Regardless- I will expect people next October or Christmas so start saving money.  Enough about trips.

       As the week ended, I signed up to go to the American Embassy to hear our Ambassador speak.  It was fascinating.  Once again, the people assembled were from all walks of life and attending for all different reasons.  The Ambassador told of what the U.S. was doing to help Myanmar make the transition to a democratic like government and how they were pooling efforts with other nations to ensure that the transition was as smooth as it could be. I took notes, but will not bore you with the details. It is my prayer that the efforts are sincere and that all around the world do not see this as an opportunity to take advantage of a wonderful people and rape them of their culture and traditions.  Many non-profits are on their way and one thing he mentioned was to make sure everyone knew what services were already being covered.  Peace Corp should also be setting up within the next six months. Inspiring.  I ended the evening at the British Embassy first Friday social hour that ended up being a big party after about 10:00pm.

       One need I see a ned to control the street dog population.  I think we have “adopted” two pups that hang out in front of our house.  This is a huge no-no so I hope that none of my new friends are reading this.  They are too cute and also too skinny. Funny though, Jody fed one some leftovers (outside of our gate- we will not let them in) and he ate all the chicken and left the veggies and cashews.  I guess he has a mature palate. I will not get too close until I have my rabies vaccine and not so close that I cannot leave him. Bentley would not go for such a street-smart dog. Oh my gosh- I should not have mentioned Bentley- I miss him sooo much.

That’s all for now.  I had a work weekend because I went to training on assessment strategies.  It was good but it sure makes for a long ten days straight of thinking about school. Hopefully, I will have some pictures of the beach that are filled with bright skies and beautiful water (it is the off season).  Happy football season---Hook’em horns! Go Cowboys and last but not least Go CHS Cougars and SV Rangers!

Things I do not miss:

1.   Cleaning house

2.   Washing clothes (although I am about to have to wash my white linen clothes in bottled water!)

3.   Thinking about what to cook (I love cooking but get tired of planning the meal)

4.   Violent news stories (I watch some world news and they do not have time for stories about fires and murders – just war and natural disasters)

5.   Telling kids to put up their cells phones while I am teaching.

6.   100 degree fall

7.   Fast food

8.   Processed foods (who am I kidding- that sounded good but I could sure go for a bowl of Blue Bell or a wheat thin)

9.   My big closet (we really have way too many clothes- it is so nice not to have so many choices).

10.                Driving in Austin traffic on game day.

Things I miss:

1.   Picking up the phone four days a week to call my bestie.

2.   Dylan, Josh and my extended family and friends.

3.   The GNOGs and my bunko group

4.   Picking up the phone to call anyone (I do have a skype number that is no cost to the caller because it is a local number. Facebook me if you want it!!)

5.   Water pressure oh how I love you- let me count the ways…

6.   Driving- will I remember how?  I still have to close my eyes through half of my taxi rides. Dang- they cut it close!

7.   My good tweezers, my bathroom mirror and my air-conditioned bathroom ($2.00 tweezers are not working/ I put on make-up with a little handheld four inch mirror because my bathroom is not air conditioned and I refuse to leave my bedroom door opened because I am trying to keep out mosquitoes!)  I make it sound much worse than it is!

8.   Walking without being careful. Our schools floor is marble and very slick; my street, is, well…. Uneven.

9.   Reliable internet (we just hired a guy to work weekends so perhaps weekend outages will stop).

10.                Sons of Anarchy and So You Think You Can Dance.

11.  Church- I miss my church.  There are some here but I have not made it to one yet.  I need to fill my soul and that is a good place to do it.