Almost a year! I can't believe it can you?

Hello All

So it has been a little while since I last posted something but I haven't had a lot to talk about I guess.I will almost have been here a year. The new volunteers come in March like I did and the cycle starts again. I am hoping to go help out with the new volunteers training which I am excited about.  I went to Likoma Island, an island on the lake and then spent New Years at Nkhata Bay, a lake town known for its new years eve parties. It was great I had a relaxing time on the island went snorkeling, walked around on the island, and took a boat ride to another lodge for Christmas dinner. New Years was fun but for me it isn't a big deal. It was nice to hang out and have some drinks with other Americans.

It is now rainy season till March or April. So it has made things more interesting like slipping and sliding on the muddy dirt roads. The electricity going out every time we have a storm. As well as reading a bit more. I don't mind the rain most days because I know it will bring food. The chimanga(corn/maize) is tall and growing cobs and the pineapple and avocados have started coming in. To say the least I have been enjoying some salads ie cut up vegetables mixed together sometimes with vinegar. No lettuce here just greens which are not too great as salad. But I am growing some lettuce so hopefully I will have a lettuce salad soon.

Okay in terms of work. I have been going once a week to meet with the HIV/Aids support group and teach them about natural medicine. We cover a few plants a week and how to use them or what needs to be done to them to treat a certain problem. Both of the tree nurseries that I have helped set up are doing well and soon should be able to be planted in the ground and maybe we will start some more. Next week the Bee Keeping group will have a business management training from a women at a local NGO. Also the women's group that I work with wants to start a project where they make clay pots and raise chickens to help their children and local orphans go to school. So I am working on a grant that will allow them to build a shelter. So hopefully it all works out, I am at the beginning stages of it.  So things are moving along a little slower then the usual slow because of the rains people don't really do much when it rains just stay in and do the basics. But I have also been working on some personal goals so that allows time for that.

Vince has bought his ticket to come out at the end of April. I am looking forward to laughing at him a lot and showing him a good time. I will be coming back to the states at the end of August early Sept for Kally and Andrew's wedding. I am also looking forward to see all the family and being part of an awesome occasion. I am still looking at tickets so when I buy one I will let all know so we can plan to meet up.

I am enjoying life here but now also thinking about what I will do when this is over in terms of work. I am not sure yet a few things have crossed my mind like going to graduate school or continuing working abroad. I am really not sure yet I guess I have a year but as I know that goes by quicker then you realize. Like I said I didn't have much to say so sorry for the lack of exciting news.

Hope all are well in 2013
Love and Miss you All
Essie/Esther