Passion Flower by Kate

African Passion Fruit Flower

Photo by Kate

Alright, so a whole week has passed and I have really yet to feel like I've accomplished anything. I like to try to make this blog always pretty funny and positive, but to be honest…HOLY CRAP I AM BORED! Ok, that sounded a little funny anyway, I try to make you people laugh.

My house isn't done…big surprise there, I knew it wouldn't be from the moment I heard all those weeks ago that my house was in the process of being built. It's just a little frustrating that I am pretty much unable to do anything else until I am moved out to my house and that date doesn't seem to be getting any closer. It’s even hard to buy things right now FOR the house because I don't have the space (nor the burning desire to be extremely annoying) to store these things at my post mate's place. Additionally, I could probably finish the work on the house…what's left is the most basic of details (besides the digging of the septic bed…I'll leave that to the professionals) that they tell me must be done before move in. Lastly, it's Christmas in 9 days (but who’s counting?) and in Cameroon Christmas apparently lasts for about a month. I don't see any work being accomplished any time soon! I've been living out of a bag since I arrived in this country and I just can't wait to be done!!!! Ok, I'm sure that's enough to get my point across.

In a happier spirit…today is my first DAY ALONE!!! I have not been alone this long since September and I'm definitely relishing it. I decided to not leave the house all day (this sounds pretty boring) and read books and write down recipes, and I even made a paper crane mobile and some rice pudding. What am I talking about "getting nothing accomplished"…right… :>) The 2 girls who were staying with me at my post mate's left last night to take the rough trip to Mvangan, their post, and my post mate is in Yaounde, not to return till tomorrow. I made good use of her laptop to watch every movie on it (when we have electricity) and write to all of you!

Other random stories: in my last post I talked about how I waited for my counterpart on some ladies porch. So she asked me to come back and meet with her brother, I didn't initially understand for what but I was bored so I said OK. Turns out he's an artist, actually quite a good abstract-ish painter and he wants me to work with him (ie. Find him money, art shows, and supplies) and he gave me a whole bunch of little paintings FOR FREE!!!! This was exciting! The lady, his sister, is also bringing me back a "welcome package" of fish and shrimp from the beach town Kribi, where she was this weekend. I've never had shrimp before, we'll see how that goes! I also then ran into a random guy I recognized that I'd met on site visit (I've run into a few people that I know this way around town…small world biznaz) and he turned out to run the pharmacy downtown, and he told me I can call him with any health problems "in the middle of the night". So I'm in good hands, I hope.

Another volunteer (the girl my dad referred to as sharing an interest in needle crafts :>) came down and did some shopping with us on Wednesday, things like this become my weekly highlights. I've got some interesting new clothes due to lack of other entertainment than shopping, including one dress I was told made me look like a flying squirrel, you'll have to picture that. I also enjoy the neighbor kids of my post mate. They call me "the joker"…hmmm….I'm running out of fuel for this blog post, but thanks for reading! Send vibes of productivity my way!

My camera has now died for good, so no more pictures for at least a month until my post mate's boyfriend brings me my new one, Thanks Mom and Dad!