Down With The Sickness!!

So originally I was going to title this blog ¨Down with the sickness¨ because I got pretty sick the weekend after Pakisa, Gail, and company left. I had what I now think was a 24 hour flu of some sort and then I was fine after I rested for the weekend. However, now it retains its title because the woman I live with - Mama Jackie - suggested I go get a Malaria test today and so I went with the oldest girl and got my finger pricked. A few hours later we found out I indeed have Malaria..!! I was slightly surprised because I havent felt sick. The last few days I have been tired but I thought that was related to my Hypothyroid and didnt even know that was a symptom of Malaria. So now Im onsome meds that were seriously cheap in comparison to what I paid for other things this weekend...we'll get there...So that was a relief. I went to the convent next door and the Nuns who speak English were able to talk to me a little about the meds and that Id just be more tired and that fruit juice might be something to think about right now.

So this weekend some wonderful Canadians I met while Pakisa was here and who are the only people from N. America Ive met so far who live close...the other side of my street just across another smaller street, about a 5 minute walk! I was ecstatic when I found that out! Anyway, they were planning on taking me to the market a few weekends ago but that was when I got sick so they took me this weekend. I went mainly to look and see and discover what I can get here and what I get to ask Mommy and Daddy to ship me. I discovered that you really can get everything. HOWEVER...I went to specifically pick up notebooks, pens and pencils for my 12 kids for our English sessions during the week. Seriously, no exaggeration...14 notebooks - not even as good as spiral bound - along with some pens and pencils...50 DOLLARS....50 friekin dollars!! And the candy I WANTED to get along with it because one of my kids' birthdays in in a week or so was an additional 30 bucks!! To spend that much on candy in the US I would have to buy like 6 lbs of candy at Smart and Final!!! this wasnt even a pound of candy!! So unfortunately I couldnt do that and just went with the necessary notebooks and school stuff for now. I was pretty shell shocked after that and the fact that literally a can opener was 24 bucks...that I didnt actually check the prices on other necessities like toiletries. Ill look at prices for that stuff next time when I am a little more mentally prepared!

If anyone is keeping track I officially have been away from home for a month now and officially in Kinshasa a month as of tomorrow and officially been with my Congo family a month the end of the week! So Ive survived so far with little incident honestly. One case of Malaria when I didnt even feel sick isnt anything to complain about for now. As I told someone today, in the US I used to say I was having a bad week, or you know whatever the situation but here its hard to judge on a week by week basis. I have to just go one day at a time. Today was a good day, at first I laughed with Mama Jackie and oen of the other women who works here about having Maleria because I honestly found it amusing. BUT then I went and called my mom and then cried for like 10 minutes after! Thanks mom! It really wasnt a bad day I just have to put things in perspective. Recently my kids have been getting more into our schedule of English and eating lunch and then sports or our long walks so I look forward to days just to see who will say what in English to me when we arent actually in our English sessions at that moment! You wouldnt believe - out of the mouths of babes thats for sure! I do miss being funny because I would like to think of myself as quite amusing but I cant really be funny in French yet. I sometimes mock my kids as an example and thats gets a laugh. Or I want to say something but Im usually sure it wont come out right so I just laugh along when others are amusing.

The Malaria is wiping me out today so this is about to wrap up. Again, I have plenty of pictures and videos but I cant upload them yet. There is an American I think can help me but he is at the conference with Pakisa in where ever right now. So maybe in about a month that will be working. But just so you know I taught them American football and its hilarious...it has not yet been videod but that and me teaching are on the queue for being videod dont you worry!! My kids are really pretty funny!

Ok I hope all is well with all of you and feel free to email me because I find it refreshing to hear from people and keep up. I also find that I love to tell about whats going on and about my kids! So ask away and share whats going on in your life!!

Love and God bless! Have a good week