Attack of the Evil Bugs!

January 6th

Slowly the projects are being brainstormed and coming together. Unfortunately the dry season is doing a number on my sinuses and I have not been too motivated to do anything. My pillow is full of dust, therefore I don't sleep, therefore motivation takes a big hit. One of my moringa trees is trying to commit suicide. All the leaves are gone and it looks as if it has given up....poor little guy. The other tree seems to be doing okay, standing 3 inches tall. If I can get one tree to grow it will be a win, both for the center and me personally (I have always fancied that I have the black thumb of death rather than the much needed green thumb)
Taidu informed me today that he is moving to Tamale...or rather the Carter Center Guinea Worm team is stationing him in Tamale for data collection. This is a neighbor that has taken good care of me in Karaga. Usually when he comes back from a trip he gives me a loaf of bread, he always makes sure I am doing okay, and never once has he made me feel awkward (a lot of Ghanaian men have a tendency to make you feel awkward once they find out you are single, liberal minded or enjoy your very own personal space. There has been many a conversation where I begin spotting escape routes or wishing that my tendency to say exactly what is on my mind uses the elusive filter first – thats right people I am trying to filter. Paul probably thought he would never see the day) Anywho, I am going to miss Taidu, but I wish him the best of luck.
I am still on the quest for easy water transport. By the time I figure it out the rainy season will have made its way back to the Northern Region. I have finally got around to getting my bike fixed, it is no longer a brakeless screaming deathtrap. I even got the back tire fixed so it does not go flat every five seconds. The back wheel makes a funny sound, but I am going to take this fixit adventure one day at a time.
Tomorrow feels like a trash burning day. Nothing like getting up at 4am to burn your trash. At least it is chillish in the mornings, so the fire will not be all to uncomfortable =)
Love and miss you all.


January 8th

You know whats disturbing....a big unknown bug moving its way across your bedroom wall. You want to know whats more disturbing than that....the smallest spider in existence after claiming victory over said bug casually hauling across your bedroom wall.


January 11th

Today I found out that petrol prices went up and as a result so did my tro fare from site to Tamale. Good thing I always have extra money on me...not much but enough to qualify as extra. I'll just have to cut back on my Tamale trips, though with any luck my proposal for the poultry farm will go through and I will have to make trips to Tamale for supplies. Arg! Good thing about Tamale is that is where the mail is kept...**hint** the trip is always worth while if a card or package is waiting for me at the office.

January 14th

This month's theme is bugs. I don't know why...maybe because they are EVIL!! Today I found out the true meaning of fear and prayer. A black wasp type thing landed on my back while I was taking a bath! OH MY GOD! I stayed very still, closed my eyes, and hoped satan's helper left me be. As soon as it took off from my back, no stinging involved thank god, I grabbed my two yard and practically still indecent launched myself to safety outside of the small room. I found a sliver of bravery and approached the door and held it open, hoping that the wasp would fly to light and freedom. After a short time it took my offer of open air and I was able to finish my bucket bath in peace. You may be saying to yourself “Oh Catherine, you are quite silly.” but I doubt you would have acted any differently if you were in my shower shoes.

P.S. One month until my birthday.



January 16th

My tree is dead. I can't seem to get the little seedlings past 3 inches in height before they finally realize I am their caretaker and give up on all life. I am going to keep trying. One of them has to make it right???
found green onion at the market today. I am going to make soup and fried rice....and anything else I can think of to put this new flavor of goodness into. Never did I think I would be so excited about an onion, but a new flavor is a new flavor. I miss Safeway, oh the convenience and the variety. I think I will go food crazy when I get back tot he states...or definitely sandwich crazy. I had a dream about sandwiches the other night and it was glorious, so many finely sliced meats, breads, condiments, and vegetables. Mmmmmmmmmm.