Month One is now in the books

Yeah, I know you may be thinking, "big deal, it's just a month....seems like you just left yesterday." But I can tell you for sure that from my perspective, it's a milestone to get past the first month. And for some others, like best friends, my "granny Evelyn", and my family, they've felt nearly every bump in the road along with me these last 4+ weeks. My friend Ginny said something simple, honest, and from her heart yesterday, and it has stuck with me: I thought that coming here would be the hardest thing I'd have to do. But I was wrong. Staying here will even more difficult (and she thinks about her daughter's upcoming visit here and about her visit back in the states next month). All in all, we know and we remind ourselves that God has been good and He's been faithful.

You know the small things in life can make such a difference! Today at lunch, the biggest meal of the day, I had part of a chicken breast! I was SO happy! I actually had meat! If you know me well, you know I'm quite carnivorous. The previous day for lunch we were served boiled potatoes, cheese quesadillas, beans, half an ear of corn, and hard french rolls. I love all of them but would not eat all of those carbohydrates in one sitting if given the choice. For dinner last night I had a small portion of spaghetti noodles with marinara sauce and rolls. You know, before coming here, I can hardly ever remember being hungry....as proven by the size of my waist. But I have been hungry a lot here...not that food is being withheld....it's just lacking in protein. Last night all I could think of was how much I'd love to have a huge steak or about 1/2 of a baked chicken. However, at least here in Antigua I have access to close stores and restaurants. In El Salvador, I won't have those options within walking distance that I can go to anytime I feel like it and my meals will be rice and beans essentially everyday. So, I guess I'll just enjoy these carbs for now.

Oh...guess what...I'm getting my hair cut tomorrow. Yikes! We'll see how it goes. I don't think anyone here has hardly ever seen much less cut somebody's hair the way I wear mine. Of course, my mother wouldn't mind if I'd try a style that's a bit more traditional.

As I mentioned in the email attached to this posting, please pray for my best friend's dad, Harold. Kim just told me her dad was admitted to UVA hospital this afternoon. Pray not only for him and the doctors, but for the family too. I feel bad that I'm not there to be at Kim's side...there to decipher medical info for the family as I usually do when friends and family are ill...and there just to lend a hand. I feel like I've abandoned my post and abandoned my best friend.

I only just remembered that this weekend is Memorial Day weekend. I wish I hadn't remembered. Oh how I'd love to be at my Aunt Evelyn and Uncle Edward's annual picnic. (And I wouldn't mind the food either!) Thinking of this holiday brings so many fond memories of family and friends. Well...let me get to thinking of something else! It's time for the weekend with it's usual chores: studying, doing my wash by hand, and updating my Excel spreadsheet to account for every penny that's been spent. By the way, it's amazing how careful I've become to not let my clothes get too dirty since I've started to wash them myself! Sometimes on weekends I watch a DVD movie on my computer. I even found a little store that sells individual microwave popcorn bags! Yee Haw! Like I said, it's the small things in life! Hope you have a good weekend!