Blessings for the Countdown

I think it looks like all that I see are the bad things here. Well, while I do see a lot of problems, and it is especially bad for me right now, I really think it's all actually quite funny!! Where else would this happen to us? If we were in the states, this wouldn't be happening, so I'm enjoying the novelty of having no power...no fridge...no freezer...no stove/oven...no microwave...no drinking water...no music...no movies...

Anyway, since I've vented a bit about some of my issues, I thought I would also write down some of the blessings and things about this place that I will REALLY miss when our last 2 months (*58 days*cough*) are up...

I will miss having large groups of friends over (with their children), making a big mess, then standing outside to say good bye to everyone...and by the time I get back inside, the toys are put away, the table cleared and the dishes washed. You can't complain about that!

Only two more months... :(

I love that the kids can go outside and play happily at any time during the day. Even if it's raining, they go puddle jumping! There is no such thing as 'too cold' here. Sometimes, there is 'too hot', but then we just sit in the shade and eat fresh fruit and popcicles.

Only two more months... :(

Claire and I have 'school' all by ourselves while Andrew and Peter are happily occupied playing with the nanny.

Only two more months... :(

Cool names like: Napoleon (our guard), Hugh (our sometimes replacement guard, who is francophone and pronounces his name 'Ooog'), Ndumbi (our housekeeper), Meekness (our nanny), Patience (the nurse at the Health Unit), Comfort (the nurse at Josh's school)...

Only two more months... :(

Staying inside my house for days on end and not feeling cabin fever because it's SO BIG!!!

Only two more months... :(

If I DO run into problems with the house (and, yes, it does happen on a fairly regular basis, unfortunately) there is usually someone here within a few hours. That is definitely a perk when you live in a place where there are constant electricity issues.

Only two more months... :(

So, I really do like it here. The blessings are too numerous to count. I will definitely miss the people and all the fun things we've done. It is a beautiful country.