Housework

People doing umuganda in Rwanda

Friday was fun. Did the whole Disability meeting thing and lunch at La Planet. It was a little sad, I used to get there a bit early and meet up with Karen for a good chin-wag, but I'm the oldest volunteer left now.

Suggested a drink at the end, but everyone was heading off elsewhere. The post-Disability meeting drink used to be compulsory *sigh*

But, as it happened, one of the new vols, Steve, was in to talk to someone and he was up for a Friday unwind so we went to Chez Lando and shared fish brochettes and had a couple of beers. Cindy (my Chinese friend who I met through Jo, here working on the casino) was also there with a group. Steve's a funny guy, with some interesting life experiences, so it was nice to get to know him a bit better. He's suffering the same extreme boredom I have been of late.

Then I popped home, but it was still early and, despite being a bit knackered, it was a Friday. So, I hopped a moto down to Nyarutarama Tennis Club for a last drink with Hirut, who was getting up at 5am Saturday to take some people from the World Bank to do umuganda lol Poor thing.

Yesterday, I did absolutely sweet FA. Just bumbled about the house. Got annoyed at my landlady at one point. They've been doing renovations: painted my gate a nice blue, laid a driveway, and made pretty patterns on my walls, but seemed to think it was fine for a bunch of strange blokes just to let themselves in and wander around my garden on Saturday morning. They didn't appear to be doing much, so I threw them out and have requested, through VSO, that they let me know how much longer the work is likely to take and, if they need access to my garden, to ask. Hate strange men wandering around - especially on a day when I just want to slob about the house.

Anyway.

I got a mystery present! It was forwarded from the UK and it's wrapped up in Christmas paper: red with cuddly monsters on. I couldn't make out who it was from, and there's no label on it. I'm going to take it to Sierra Leone with me so that I have something to open on Christmas Day. So THANK YOU! Whoever sent me a mystery present :)

I really am feeling so much better recently. No idea what that whole depressive stage was about, but it was horrible. Took a while to get over, but all is like it ever was again. I do occasionally find myself having flashbacks to home and what I'd be doing at this time of year there. Nostalgia. But I think I'll last another year. It will be totally fantastic when I finally do go back for a proper Crimble. The food - I'm dreaming of the food...*drool*

I've also put in for my In-Service Grant the other day - just over £400, which really takes the sting out of my plane ticket! :) Sadly, though, turns out I didn't actually need to buy additional travel insurance. I'm covered by VSO for as long as I work for them, and I have seven days to get my own cover or go home after I finish. Oh well, at least I'm doubly covered I suppose.

Also, VSO don't pay for Malaron, which is recommended for this trip. Hirut has a spare stash, so she's giving me enough, which is extremely generous as it costs a fortune!

I'm off to hers tonight for food and hookah. Then off to a movie night, which is run by an ex-pat she knows each Sunday. I've not been before and looking forward to it.

Tomorrow, I'm meeting a friend, Lucky, for breakfast, and taking him to the office. He's originally Congolese but works and studies in South Africa. I met him when he was working for the Burundian Association of the Deaf and they visited. He'd worked here for five years, too. He's off to study at Gallaudet soon. Nice guy, so it'll be good to catch up.

On Tuesday I'm hoping to meet up with volunteer Amanda, who is a teacher, and just bumming around before going home at the moment. I'm trying to rope some vols into helping me with the English translation for the AKR dictionary because, at this rate, I'm never going to finish it.

So, nice, sociable start to the week. I'm always better when I'm busy and have things to do.

Oh, and housework lol Since getting rid of Karzai, I've just remembered exactly what's involved in keeping a house! A lot! I've just done almost two weeks' worth of washing! My arms ache, but it's great exercise. Cleaned the bathroom and the kitchen. Still need to do the floors, though :o/ But it's good for me! It's exercise, and distracts me from sitting on my arse on the internet all day lol