just another day in paradise

i realize i haven't really told you about what life in my new home is like.  now that i've been "home" for two weeks, things have settled into a bit of a routine, and i'm sure you are curious what i spend my days doing.

actually, i'm curious as well.

i'm not quite sure what i've actually DONE that has made the time go by.  

well, usually, the roosters start waking me up anywhere from 2am to 6am.  there is one that stands directly outside my window, and he has a crow-off with one in the distance.  and back and forth they go.  i, being the ever champion sleeper, fall back asleep.  i usually get up around 8, i suppose.  i make some breakfast, either pancakes, french toast, or eggs, and read a little bit.  i decide i should get showered and ready for the day, but then i always decide i should do my cleaning first so i shower after i'm all sweaty.  so i do my dishes, sweep my floor, rearrange my house (again), or whatever ambitious tasks i am up for.  

i did a lot of laundry these first couple weeks, both my clothing, and random bedding and linens that were left to me.  

and i want you to appreciate what doing laundry means here: filling a tub with water, and sitting on a stool and scrubbing the heck out of things.  and scrubbing the heck out of your hands.  ouch.  and then moving the soapy items into clean water and doing it again to rinse.  and then wringing things dry and then hanging them up.  it's no simple task here.  be impressed.  i've earned it.

ANYWAY.  so after i've done some cleaning, i take a shower.  yes, i did say shower.  my house does have a shower.  i love it.

after that, i'll read or write or nap or even start on an art project.  

at some point, perhaps a sandwich for lunch.  

usually i end up walking to town.  it's about a 30-minute walk, and i've yet to plan my walk such that i don't leave at the very hottest point in the day, so by the time i arrive at any destination, i'm completely sweaty and dying for some water.  i might wander around the market a little bit, or just walk up and down the street exploring, or i might go to the internet cafe.  then i start heading back home, pretty much as soon as i've cooled down, and soon i'm sweating again.  

so then i've got the whole evening in front of me.  it gets dark before 7pm here, so if i'm home by dark, i still have a lot of time on my hands.  sounds like time to make a wonderful dinner!  i made spaghetti with garlic bread one night, and i'm certain it was the best spaghetti ever made.  i made macaroni and cheese (with laughing cow cheese), made banana bread once, and oh, i'm just getting started.  

i have so much time to figure out how to be a good cook while i'm here!

so then after dinner, turn on some music and chill again.  maybe have a friend over for a game or just read or write.  

then bed!

and repeat.

school is scheduled to begin on 15 september.  classes will begin one to two weeks after that, depending on when the students actually show up.  so in a month or so, i'll find a new routine with a new schedule!