Dancin' In the Rain

I have been so busy everyday, it's hard to write on this thing regularly. Here are some of the things I've been doing in no particular order...

Last week I went to visit a maternal clinic for "at-risk" pregnancies. I was able to sit in on a patient-nurse consultation and it was very interesting. The mother to be had recently had malaria and because the medicine could harm the baby, she wasn't able to get treatment. She seemed like she was doing well and after the consultation the nurse determined that the baby would be fine and so would the mother. It was great to be in an actual clinic and get a taste of what I could be doing. After the interview, we were able to watch the doctors examine the patients and ask questions. All of this reminded me of why I came here and made me very excited to get to my site and actually start working!

On the same day I went to the clinic, I came home and it started to rain! I got so excited I made my host family run outside and dance in it with me. They think I am very peculiar but seemed to enjoy the dancing. Especially my host mother Gewndalyn. That women can cut a rug!

On Saturday we learned how to grow some local vegetables and take care of chickens! I'm definitely planning on having a garden of my own complete with hens and plenty of fresh eggs. After the gardening lesson, I convinced some of the other trainees to play some ultimate with me. It was such a release to play. I needed it!! Everyone seemed to enjoy it and they want to play again on Wednesday. Woot Woot!

I taught my host family how to play UNO yesterday and they loved it (thanks Dana!). Tonight they are going to teach me some Guyanese games and we might even play Monopoly (fingers crossed).

Tomorrow is Mashrmani (AKA Mash), Guyana's independence day. My host family is taking me to Anna Regina (pronunced like vagina but with an r... cracks me up every time!)to watch the parade and celebrate like a true Guyanese. I am very excited to see all of the costumes and take part in the celebration!

So life here in Guyana is going great. I still miss home every day, but take so much comfort in the support I'm receiving from everyone. I'm having burrito and Sierra Nevada withdrawls so those of you in Chico should hit up Pepe or 8th and Pine and wash it down with a delicious brew of your choice! Thinking of you all everday:)