I think I’ve acclimated to the heat just a little bit.
Either that or it’s still much colder than it was in January/February (didn’t
have a thermometer at that point, so I can’t really offer any comparisons). The
fact that I no longer look like I’m going to pass out every time I step outside
is something I’m quite proud of. But of course, once again, I’ve failed at my
updates, so here goes nothing (in list form, per usual):
1.
Thanksgiving was a close to America-like as it
could have been. I hosted a PC Thanksgiving in Inhassoro and despite the many
planning obstacles (turkeys are very hard to buy this time of year due to the
fact they all have babies/are sitting on eggs. Not a problem I really dealt
with in the States) I think it all ended up going fairly well. We spent the day
on Santa Carolina, an island off the coast of Inhassoro that just might be my
favorite place in the world, and had a 14-person dinner later that evening at
my school’s hotel (I only have two plates in my house . . . and maybe a total of
five forks/spoons, tj planning fail). The cook at the hotel had never cooked a
turkey, I had most definitely never cooked a turkey, but we still managed to
turn the non-genetically engineered (aka: skinniest turkey I’ve ever seen)
turkey into a decent main dish. It was accompanied by just about every side
dish you’d find at a Sequim Thanksgiving (Laurie even successfully made a sweet
potato casserole using cassava). And we had five pumpkin pies – which means I
had pumpkin pie for breakfast for the next three days. Just like the US. It was
wonderful to be able to spend the holiday with friends, and was a welcome break
from the hellish previous weeks.
2.
As those who stayed in my house over
Thanksgiving can testify to, I kill one very large cockroach every morning. Why
there is only one is a complete mystery to me – why not two one day, one the
next? I’m definitely starting to miss the winter and it’s lack of bugs (in
other news, dug two incubating sand fleas out of my foot the other day. Ew.).
3.
While the situation is more complicated than I
care to write about in my blog, I have been having some difficulties at school
throughout our national/provincial exam period. As the only chemistry teacher,
I am responsible for everyone’s grades and the process has been a bit disheartening.
The whole thing has been a rather depressing way to end the school year;
luckily I had two bags of M&M’s to stress-eat my way through.
4.
Mango salsa has pretty much become my food
staple. It is so delicious. And doesn’t even taste too much like bleach.
5.
It rained yesterday. Which doesn’t sound too
exciting, but when it rains the temperature drops about 20 degrees and the
humidity drops below 50%. It’s a beautiful thing. Plus, I was talking to my
empregada the other day and apparently Inhassoro hasn’t had a real rainy season
in three years and if the rain doesn’t start soon (and rain for more than a
24-hour period) a lot of people are going to lose their gardens (which in many
cases are a large source of food for a substantial portion of the year). So my
fingers and toes are crossed for a lot of rain (if it doesn’t happen soon I
might end up doing Lagaan-style rain dances).
6.
Next week is my last official week of having
anything to do at the school, we’re on our professors’ break from December 10th
to January 9th. Still unclear as to what I’ll be doing/where I’ll be going . .
. maybe Malawi? Anyways, I’m going to have a bit of free time, so any book
recommendations would be greatly appreciated!!
7.
My current life plan involves taking the LSAT in
June in Johannesburg and applying to law schools in the fall. Which is kind of
crazy. But if anyone has any LSAT study suggestions (that are applicable to
life in Mozambique with very little internet), I could use all the help I can
get.
8.
Homeland is/was an incredibly addictive tv show.
I may have finished the first season in 3 days. And officially can’t wait for
season two to make it’s way to Mozambique.
And that’s my Mozambican life in a nutshell. Mango season
lasts for the next couple of months, so come visit! Also, since it’s the season
of Christmas/holiday newsletters, I’d love to hear what’s going on in your life
– letters haven’t had the best luck making it to me recently, but send me
emails, I’m going to have a bit of time on my hands!!