Day 311

Today I awoke to find that my pet rat had died. The german has always mocked my keeping of this sweet rodent who happened into my life with a broken leg. Why is life so cruel in this place?

Day 297

Thanksgiving passes. I watch a cobra stalk and devour a large rodent. The people toil in the fields as another harvest appears headed for disaster. The German dances shirtless to Abba outside his hut in the noon day sun. For what do I have to be thankful? For what?

Day 266

How can a Phillies World Series win put food in the mouths of my people?

Day 258

I meditate in the coolness of my grass hut. The german practices with his nunchucks in the heat of the noonday sun.

Day 253

Friday, October 16 is Boss Appreciation Day. Does anyone appreciate me?

Day 250

The German eats strudel baked in his Braun convection oven. I eat rice and curry cooked in an iron pot over an open fire.

Day 248

The German serves his country abroad. I work to help these people.

Day 246

My students work the harvest. Their backs are strong and lean.

Day 244

Another sleepless night. The rash has spread.

Day 242

I honor my country with my service. It is what I do. I shall never visit Brazil.

Day 239

The German has left the district. There is much work to do.

Day 238

This culture is not his culture. These children are not his students. The German readies his vacation.

Day 236

My problems and challenges are compounded by news of Donovan McNabb's rib injury. Will the dog killer, Michael Vick, step into the breach as QB 1 of my beloved Eagles?

Day 234

Is this not the face of freedom?




Do you doubt still our progress?

Day 232

The giardia has cleared up. So glad to find a Turkish chemist. Soon I will see my children again, unless they have their way. Everyone, it seems, is against me.

Day 169

I played some of Michael Jackson's hits for the children at the school. They danced with joy and carefree ease. Tears streamed down my face. I realize I've yet to fully process the passing of The King of Pop.

Day 151

One of the children brought me a bouquet of handpicked flowers. I have so much. They have so little. I wept.

Day 119

Their joy in life's simple pleasures sustains me. The german has refused to play frisbee. He claims it demeans their cultural dignity. I struggle with these questions as the smiles of the children light up.

Day 102

Why are boys so mean?

Day 97

The german and I listened to the Nuggets-Mav's game on his shortwave radio. It seems he is a big Dirk Nowitzki fan, so he was rooting for the Mav's. We hugged after the officials failed to call a foul and Carmelo hit the game winner.

Day 90

I have accepted the German's offer to reconcile. Mango blossoms near the main road. I am building a swing-set for the playground.

Day 86

They've taken me in like family.  A plate of rice.  A zesty curry.  A glass of water from the deep tube well.  Why can't the German understand these simple pleasures?

Day 78

I embrace life's simple pleasures. The sunrise over the paddy. The sunset over the river. And the gentle rocking of the seesaw with my friend.

Day 75

On the BBC today: Captain Phillips returns safely to his family in Underhill, Vermont.  We areennobled by the love he showed for his crew.

Day 72

Letters from home today. I have misunderstood the intentions of the German.

Day 67

The sweetness of his fruits is only surpassed by the warmth in his heart.

Day 61

Her food and friendship sustain me.

Day 56

In the garden today: poppies.

Day 55

Sunday. Under the peaceful whir of the ceiling fan, I wonder : Does Father Mahoney still take honey in his tea?

Day 52

Shahinul was right; the yoghurt has eased the symptoms.

Day 51

I ate breakfast this morning with the German: yoghurt with fresh fruit and pine nuts, coffee, danishes.

Day 46

Spring, today.  Still no word from the NGO.  Shahinul says it's time to plant.