Swearing in/ First few days at site...

The past week has been pretty life changing and liberating to say the least. Last Sunday all 38 PCTs traveled to Dar for swearing in. We once again shacked up at the Mzimbazi center, which was a lot more fun this time because we could actually speak Kiswahili to the people who live and work there.

On Monday we had a meeting at PC HQ going over logistics and money matters while at site and on Tuesday we met our mkuu (aka Our new school’s principle/ head master). My mkuu is a really sweet guy.  He was wicked excited to meet me. He was also super stoked to be receiving a PCV.  After a very awkward conversation and group session with him we had a free afternoon, so I traveled into Dar with Glen and Enoch (fellow PCTs). It was nice to be able to walk around and see what Dar actually looks like because the last time we were locked up for five days. Overall the outing was a success for a few reasons: 1) We didn’t get robbed 2) We found a shop, kama (like), CVS that had air conditioning [Oh yeah, forgot to mention Dar was one big sweat ball, 89 degrees every day and humid) and ESPN on the tv. 3) I bought a really cool navy blue dress for swearing in and some beaded sandals. 4) We made it back to the center safely in a taxi. Later that night the ritual pumzikia session took place and then we headed to bed.

Wednesday morning and swear in day rolled around. We arrived at the US embassy at around 9:15ish, went through the hairball that was security and finally made it to our seats.  The embassy, I thought, was a fitting, but also strange place to hold the ceremony because it seemed too much like being back in the states to me. The offices looks just like offices in the US and the building had all modern conveniences, aka a western toilet, sink and water fountain.  Any who, the ceremony took place in the main hall of the embassy and the country director for PC, Andrea, spoke as well as Ambassador Lenhardt and Director General, Tanzania Institute of Education, Paul Mushi. Two of the PCTs from the class read a speech we had written and we all sang a kind of sappy song in Kiswahili. After we took our, oath (officially making us PCVs) and about a million group pictures we were welcomed onto the lawn of the embassy for cake, which was amazing, meat kabobs, samosas and sodas.  Later in the day, around 5 or so, we rolled up to the Ambassador’s house for an early Thanksgiving dinner which was not quite like Mom’s, but still amazing. The Ambassador’s wife, Jackie, greeted us and was eagar to find out where we all hailed from in the states.  As for dinner…. we had everything; pasta salads, salads, chicken (turkey is wicked expensive here), gravy, mashed potatoes, rolles, stuffing, cranberry sauce, corn bake, veggies, pumpkin pie, apple pie, brownies, cookies, ice tea, coffee and juice. Needless to say we left the Ambassador’s house completely stuffed.  That night at the center many of us did not sleep because we had to be up and at the cars by about 3:45am. I think I slept for maybe 2 hours total.

The next morning we all said goodbye to each other in the pitch black and headed to the bus stand with other people who were going to our region. Saying good-bye to everyone was such a bazaar experience; we were put together for the past 2 months, we bonded over the most random, yet significant things and then we are suddenly separated from one another, two days travel for some, and have to live on our own and start all over again in a community of strangers. After arriving at the bus stand, our driver got into a bit of an argument with the man who was supposed to move our luggage to the correct bus. Actually, I wouldn’t really call it an argument; our driver held the man by the collar and was shouting at him. Honestly, not much fazes me after being in this country for the last 2 months, especially when I am half a sleep, but I was legitimately scared. After lugging our own bags to the bus, we boarded for what would be the most awkward 13 ½ hour bus ride of my life, but then again how many of those can I actually say I have ever been on? Just this one I suppose. The whole trip I sat next to my mkuu and because I didn’t sleep the night before the first 3 hours must have been pretty boring for him because I just slept.  In case you were all wondering, this bus did stop to let us go to the bathroom, once literally in the bush and another time at a legitimate rest stop.

I arrived at my new home for the next 2 years in the pitch black, aka 7:30 pm. Boarding students from my school were there to welcome me and take my bags. Let me just say here how reassuring it is when you arrive at your new home in a strange place and you can’t even see what it looks like. My bags were brought to the mkuu’s house, which honestly at first made me nervous because I thought I was going to have to stay the night there, but it was only a brief stop to meet the other teachers at the school, his family and have some dinner. After the first meeting, my new colleagues dropped me off at my house.  They showed me around and I unwrapped my mattress from the plastic and headed to bed. The next morning was like Christmas morning because I had a huge present to unwrap…. I opened my curtains to see what my new home looks like! The school is really cute. It is comprised of about 4 identical long buildings and is surrounded by a bunch of smaller teachers’ houses. The backdrop is green rolling hills that are home to pine and eucalyptus tress. About 7 villages, which all feed into my secondary school, surround the area.  There are two small dukas (stores) in my village that sell the basic necessities, soap, soda, eggs, bread, kerosene, salt, sugar, flour and other random items. The next nearest town Ndaga has a daily market and is located about 3km from my site.  Apart from the chickens that frequent my doorstep, I am very pleased with my site. I live smack in the middle of an agrarian society and as far as I can tell my neighbors are very nice and super welcoming (the girl next door gave me potatoes from her shamba (farm) for free).  Hopefully, I will fit in even more once I get to work on my garden.

For all you who are wondering, I have electricity, but it turns on when ever Tanseco ( The CL&P of Tanzania) feels like it and a water source 10 feet from my house. I also have two bedrooms, a choo (toilet), shower room, storage room and kitchen.

Alright onward with the weeks events, the 1^st  day at site after being introduced to the school before it was closed for break by the Mkuu, I ventured to Mbeya, a larger city about an hour coaster ride from my site, for a PCV Thanksgiving / welcome to the region dinner. Even though it was my second Thanksgiving dinner it was still amazing. All the PVCs in the area brought something, we had everything from chicken (again), green bean casserole, stuffing, pumpkin dessert, bread, chili to cake, guac and chips and fried rice. Everyone in the region is super nice and they were really excited to see the newbies.  The next morning I headed home and stopped by the market on the way to pick up some goods for the house; pots, buckets, baskets and other necessities. Sunday my Mkuu and another teacher from the school took their sons and me on a hike to Ngozi/ Crater Lake. The hike to the rim of the crater took us about 2 hours, but was well worth the long upward hike. The lake is absolutely beautiful and is surrounded by steep, heavily vegetated walls and was formed when Mt. Ngozi, a former volcano, blew its top. Yesterday was relatively uneventful. I did some laundry, P90x, spoke with a fundi about some furniture and a dresser and four village children took shelter in my house for a very awkward 30 minutes as it poured and hailed outside. This might be a good place to mention the climate of my site. Usually it is not too cold. At night I would say it creeps down to the mid 50s and high 70s during the day. It had also started to rain every afternoon, hence the “rainy season”. It is currently “summer” here because we are in the Southern Hemisphere, but come June and July, I am told, my site will have snow in the morning. Talk about Christmas in July!

 This morning I went for a run and was stopped by about 10 people expressing their sympathy because they thought I was running because I had to, until I explained I was exercising. One Bibi (older women), after hearing my explanation, put down the hoe she was carrying on her head and preceded to run and do jumping jacks. I was absolutely floored and thought she might lose all of her limbs or I would have to do CPR on her. In the late morning the secretary to the Mkuu came to tell me that I was needed by the Mkuu for our unscheduled trip (not surprising) to Tukuyu to meet the heads of education in the region. After a few brief meetings, I ventured out on my own to find lunch, chips mayai, basically deep-fried potatoes baked into an omelet ( Jordo you have to try this! I think you would really like it) and a few items, while my Mkuu waited in the longest bank line I have ever seen.

So far the first few days at site have been relatively uneventful. I have speaking as much Swahili as I possibly can and venturing out into my community as much as possible. I am looking forward to going back into Mbeya this weekend for a tour and to see how everyone else is faring in his or her village. Before I forget, I am now cooking for myself! So far only rice, potatoes and veggies, but I hope to gain some confidence and visit the butcher for steaki at some point this week.

As always, I hope things are going well back in the good ole US of A, everyone had a great Thanksgiving and no one was trampled at Walmart on black Friday.  As promised I have updated my address:

Carly Traub, PCV

(Third Hut on the Left)

Isongole Secondary School

PO BOX 222

Tukuyu, Mbeya, Tanzania

Not sure what my plans for Christmas are here. We are allowed to travel for either Christmas or new years, so we will see what emerges...

Miss you all. All my love from TZ!

At Site!

Just arrived at site! I have no idea what my school or the area looks like because I arrived after dark. We left Dar this morning at 6 am, but I have been up since 3:30am. After a 13 and 1/2 hour bus ride I had a light dinner with my Mkuu (head master) and his wife. I also met some of the other teachers at the school. After some talking and dinner the teaching staff dropped me at my house, which I will post pics of later! Just wanted to let you all know that I swore in yesterday day and am officially a PCV! Also, not to worry I had Thanksgiving dinner at the U.S. Ambassador's house last night. It was delicious! Happy Turkey Day everyone at home!!!

Swearing in Pic!!!

Shadow week/ Last week of Home Stay

Hello All! These past two weeks have been pretty eventful for the following reasons

1. I received my site assignment
2. I traveled to Lushoto for my shadow week.
3. We wrapped up training/ home stay!

So...let's tackle #1 first. My site has changed from my original assignment. I was originally placed in the Iringa region, but was asked to switch because a volunteer wanted to teach A Level, but was not placed at a school with A level. My school in Iringa had A and O level, so I was asked to switch to a school that is only O level. I will now be living in Mbeya in the Rungwe region and teaching at Isongole Secondary School! I have neutral feelings about the switch because I know I would be happy at either site. I do not know much about my new site, except that it (supposedly) has electricity and water. It is also in a region of a country that gets 3m of rainfall each year and is cooler. I will be about 30 minutes from my banking town and other volunteers, which will be very nice. I will also be in a region with a lot of mountains and lakes, which means lots of hiking and being outdoors in my free time! I will also be very close to the border of Malawi and Zambia. I am pretty excited to be able to travel to some other countries, while I am here and it is even better that they less than a days bus ride away! I will try to keep the blog updated as more details/ a new address become available.

Alright on to #2... The adventure to Lushoto started two Sunday mornings ago at 6 am. I left the house with chocolate cake, chips mayai and hot meat (prepared by my host mama) after being told to comb my hair... We drove to Chelinze, which is about an hour from Morogoro, to catch the bus to Lushoto. After waiting around for a good 1 ½ hours, we boarded the bus. It was a pretty sketchy coach bus with small lightly padded seats and people standing in the aisles. One of the first things I noticed, upon boarding the bus, was a cardboard box under a seat a couple of rows in front of me that contained not one, but three chickens. After getting settled in I took a nap, ate some cake and everyone who boarded the bus along the route inevitably hit me walking up the aisle, pulled my hair or “unknowingly” shoved their butts in my face. After a couple of hours of the above occurring, the bus veered off of the main road at Mombo up into the hills around Lushoto.  The road to Lushoto starts off perfectly fine, but one soon finds themselves on a coach bus traveling on a one lane road winding up the side of a mountain….in Africa. We reached Lushoto about 1 ½ to 2 hours after leaving the main road. There we met up with our host, Theresa, a second year PCV who is actually extending for a third year! Theresa was quick to inform us that about ½ hour outside of Lushoto the road is dirt and that because of the recent rains instead of the trip taking the normal 3 hours it could take up to 5. (Keep in mind at this point my dear blog readers that I have not seen a bathroom since about 5:30am) The ride up to Sunga was really nice because as we climbed in elevation the temperature dropped to a comfortable, what I would guess to be, 55-60 degrees. We arrived at Sunga Secondary School, where Theresa lives and is a teacher at about 4:30-5:00 pm ish. We were quick to find that there is no electricity or running water at her sight. We were also informed that a teacher from another school who was proctoring exams would be staying with us…a last minute surprise! After lighting a few candles and prepping dinner we went to bed. The next couple of days followed relatively the same pattern. We usually got up at 6:15ish, started some hot water for tea on the jicho/ kerosene stove, did the dishes from the night before, ate some breakfast and if you were me, did a little bit of yoga in the brisk morning air! Most of the mornings this week Eula and I would venture out for a good walk, about 1 ½ to 2 hours, (I should note here that on one of our walks we were actually lucky enough to see Kilimanjaro in the distance with snow!) come home and bake something for later in the day and then watch/ help Theresa review with her students for their exams. One day Eula and I got to teach a class on drug awareness… let’s just say it was quite an experience. We tackled every question from “Can I get a shot from the doctor to mask the pain in my ankle so I can play football?” to “If I take amphetamines then I can stay up and study more, right!?”. One afternoon our walk consisted of a jaunt into the local rainforest, which I thought was pretty cool, temperature wise. The climate of the Lushoto area is identical to that of Northern California, even down to the eucalyptus trees, which were imported by the Germans. Saturday afternoon our travels took us up to Mambo View Point (www.mamboviewpoint.org). MVP is run by a couple from the Netherlands and is a resort/ camp place set upon the highest peak around. We walked up to MVP in the morning, met the owner and went on a guided hike of the area and a cave with the owners dog Zua in tow. The walk down to the caves was really interesting and steep. At one point I turned around and looked back up the path we had just come down only to hear bells and to see about 40 goats and sheep coming down at us followed by three children yelling and poking at the flock. I could only compare this moment to the way Mufasa must have felt in the Lion King just before he was trampled by the heard of wildebeest (A this point if you have no idea what I am talking about please go watch the Lion King again). We eventually reached the cave, in one piece, and climbed inside (I actually almost got stuck!). The cave was formed long ago by rockslide caused by an earthquake. After our adventure in the caves we climbed back out and straight up hill. It was actually a little scary, but we eventually reached the viewpoint without any major problems, save for the fact that I had to help the guide carry the dog up the steep parts of the trail (i.e. over boulders). The view was absolutely beautiful and we could see in almost 360 degrees. We eventually walked back to MVP, had soda and tea and headed home. Sunday Eula and I traveled back to Moro and to spare you the details about the bus ride home it was exactly the same as above, basically people sitting in my lap for too many hours (5:30 am- 3:30 pm). All in all the shadow week was really nice and a welcome break from CCT, language classes and home stay. I really learned to bake on a jicho this week (breakfast bread, French bread, banana bread, chocolate cake [Monday was Theresa’s birthday, but we burnt the cake a little, pole] tortillas, etc.)

All the cooking this week has actually inspired me to try my own Julie & Julia experiment, PC style. I thought it would be really cool to cook my way through the entire PC cookbook that we received during training…we will see if this actually happens, but it could be entertaining! I also might be training for the Kilimanjaro half marathon at the end of February… we will see if this actually happens because I have no idea what the running conditions at my site will be like, but many volunteers run the full or the half and it would keep me motivated to workout here and give me something to do and it would counter balance all the cooking.

Lastly #3, Today is the last day of home stay. Honestly, I was petrified day one of home stay. I think most people would be. I did not speak the language and I moved all my stuff in the home of complete strangers on a different continent. After 6 weeks of home stay my view of families here has completely changed. There would be times I during the past weeks I would come home from Kiswahili class extremely homesick and after spending 30 minutes back at home with my host family it would disappear. I have found that families here are really no different than families back in the US, at least my host family wasn’t. Mama yelled at my host brother and sisters, my siblings had arguments between themselves, we had chores (I had to mop by bedroom floor), we watched television while eating dinner and mama sang while she was cooking dinner.

So…because last night was the last night of home stay our families threw our CBT a going away party. It was pretty awesome. The party was held outside underneath a tarp at Sarah’s house. Mike’s Baba, who I consider to be the mayor of Kila Kala, (our neighborhood) was the emcee for the event. We kicked off the party by joining in the Tanzanian version of the electric slide. All of our sisters started the dance and we eventually joined them. On that note now might be a good time to explain how my self-confidence has changed since joining the PC and living in Tanzania. I can honestly say that I am not as shy as I normally am. Before getting up to dance in front of people (sober), volunteering to lead a group activity, read allowed or be involved in any type of performance was really difficult, but I rarely feel that people here are judging me, even though they all stare because I am white. Moving on with the rest of the story… the rest of the party was pretty interesting… before dinner we were introduced with our families, one of our Babas said a prayer, our LCF said thank you to our families, we drank sodas and we had to cut the cake. The cutting of the cake is a big deal at Tanzanian parties. Our LCF/ Swahili teacher, Kondo, cut the cake into bite size pieces and then fed the five PCTs cake off of toothpicks, then each of us fed our parents a piece of cake off of toothpicks, while everyone else was singing. It was pretty interesting, but surprisingly not awkward. After the feeding of the cake we all ate a meal that was prepared by all of our Mamas, kabobs, potatoes, beef, cabbage, cooked banana, pineapple and watermelon. Following dinner we each said thank you to our families, I went with the half Kiswahili, half English speech, which was a smart move (Another thing I would have been terrified to do before coming here!). Post dinner we also presented our families with gifts and were presented with gifts. I received about four Tanzanian leis from my family along with a traditional Tanzanian outfit that Mama had made for me! Our families each received a family picture and when we returned home I gave my family some postcards, silly bandz (thanks Aunt Leanne!), lollipops and a jar of strawberry jam (something my family and I enjoy and something they would never buy for themselves). Over all the party was amazing and something I will never forget, but my night did not end there. Upon returning home Mama asked me if I wanted to attend a send off party with her, after hearing stories from other volunteers about their experience at these events I decided I had to go. For those of you who are wondering what a send off party is it is party to say goodbye to the bride before she is sent to marry her fiancé. It is usually put on by her parents and by contributions from the attendees. Mama and I arrived at the party and I was surprised and happy to see another volunteer, David, was there with his family (the only other white person at this event mind you). The party was held at a local restaurant, there were probably over 300 people and the theme colors were turquoise and pink. A send off party here in Tanzania is very well orchestrated and almost seems choreographed. If anyone from the immediate family moved anywhere, they did not walk, they danced. There was a ton of dancing and lots of bongo flava music! There was also the ceremonial cutting of the cake, which at a send off party is done by the bride to be and her maid of honor. At one point I got up to get my three complimentary sodas. Upon retuning to my seat the bride to bed was making her entrance, so I had to awkwardly stand in a space of sitting people, needless to say I stuck out and it did not help that I am a tall mzungu. My favorite part of the send off party was the video camera. Many send offs involve projection screens that are hooked up to a video camera, which makes its way around the party taking video of the guests and bridal party. Since the party was outside and it was dark the extra lighting for the camera was as bright as a big mac’s headlights and almost blinding. Once again, I feel I should remind my readers, I was one of two wazungu at this event, dressed in my new outfit Mama had given me and big white beaded Masai earrings. I stuck out like a sore thumb when that camera panned around the party and constantly found myself laughing when I could see myself on the screen. As awkward as it was, I can honestly say that the whole night I never felt like anyone was really staring at me, which was a nice change! It turned out to be a pretty late night, but I am really happy Mama let me tag along. I am sure I will never forget that experience and now I have a few new party traditions to bring back to the states with me! So… Asante Sana, Mama. Nilifurhahi kwenda. Niliimba na nilicheza juu ya Kiti changu. (Thanks Mama, I was happy I went. I sang and danced in my seat).

To wrap up my home stay experience, it was proven to me that experiences that you are afraid to partake are usually the experiences you learn and grow the most from. Take home message, folks, do things that scare you!!! I think it was Eleanor Roosevelt who said, “Do one thing every day that scares the shit out of you”.  I will miss my family dearly and if I am ever back in Morogoro I will be sure to stop in and say hello, hopefully in more Kiswahili, than English. They have taught me so much and I can only hope I have taught them a few things along the way too.

Okay so here is part of the blog where I ask for a little support from everyone back at home. As I will be moving to a new site (the school has never had a volunteer and my house has never been lived in) I am asking anyone who wants to send me some homemade artwork, quotes or pictures via mail that I can decorate my house with. I am not sure what my address at site is yet, but once I do, mail will reach me faster than it would be sending it to the address listed on the blog right now.

Once again I hope everything is going well at home and that you are all looking forward to Thanksgiving pour some gravy out for me and maybe some mashed potatoes. Wednesday is swearing in and I will be spending Thanksgiving Day on a bus to my new site, but Thanksgiving weekend I think I may be visiting other volunteers in the area! Also thanks to all of you who comment on the blog! You have no idea how nice it is to read your comments after a long day. Miss you all. All my love from TZ. 

Full Mzuka

Sorry folks, relatively uneventful week.

More teaching and CCT days occurred. Aron, a PCV and resident Bill Nye, orchestrated our POD day this week. It was pretty awesome we basically learned how to do complex labs, with less dangerous chemicals and minimal resources. Who would have thought syringes double as pipettes and plastic water bottles as beakers?

Another PCT, Sarah, and I ventured to the Fundi this weeks to have skirts and head wraps made for about Tsh 9,500 about $6.60, material and all.  Both turned out surprisingly well, so I went back on Monday with material for a wrap dress… We will see how it turns out on Saturday! (Hopefully I’ll upload some pictures)

The highlight of the week was going to Saba-Saba market with my host Mama and Mama mdogo (Mom’s little sister). Saba-Saba is a used clothes market and is in full swing on Sundays. I don’t really know how to describe the seen, but it is a cross between a flea market and a super Goodwill/ Salvation Army/ Thrift store. You can buy every thing from plastic sandals to used New Balance sneakers to soccer jerseys to used underwear. My favorite part of the market was probably a place I referred to as “Kasheshe” (chaos).  At the back of the market about 10-15 men stand on tables next to huge clothes piles of clothes and hold up items until someone buys it from them. They are yelling and bargaining with the people below them. If they don’t get bites on an item they simply throw it back into the pile next to them and try to sell the next item they grab. The whole scene is really loud and crowded, but you can buy a pretty nice dress shirt for Tsh 500 or about $.30. I was disappointed that I did not stop to buy real 7 for All Mankind jeans when I saw them, but what the hell was I going to do with them in 80 weather? The Daladala ride from town back home was also a pretty awesome site. After waiting for about 20 minutes for the dala to fill up at the bus stand dala passengers’’ emotions were running high as well as the temperature within the dala, so my host mama took it upon herself to yell at the driver “Tunaweza kuandoka!!!???” (Can we leave?).  It was definitely a “Go, Host Mama moment”, but seriously I would not want to mess with her! On the short trip home she also broke up a small fight at the back of the dala…I think my mama should rethink her job as a nurse and become a personal bodyguard.  

As I type this blog, I am listening to Bongo Flava, aka Tanzanian pop music. It is something that has continued to grow on me especially because it is all my Tanzanian family watches on TV at night, besides Pretty Girl 2, a story for another time. Bongo Flava = Full Mzuka (total excitement). It comes on the TV or the radio and I instantly find myself wanting to dance. At this point in my blog I would also like to thank Bongo Flava for helping me with my Kiswahili…it is nice to listen to and I am learning the language! I also feel I should mention that Bongo Flava can be heard all day long in the neighborhood I live in and can never be played loud enough or early enough in the morning. So here is to the solo DP (dance party) that will occur weekly to Bongo Flava once I reach site!

Another prominent feature in my life now a days is food, or rather carbs L. My host Mama is an awesome cook and I cannot hold it against her that the staple of every Tanzanian’s diet is carbohydrates, for good reason, but when my meal consists of rice, potato, yam and kiti moto (pork, which translates literally to “hot seat”) I get a little scared. I love my Mama’s cooking, but once I get to site, oil, carbs and salt are going to have to be all but gone from my diet.  On the upside I have been attempting to run in the mornings here about 3-4 times a week depending on how I am feeling. On that note, yes I have had some issues with bowel movements,(now is a good a time as any to mention it, right?), usually after I have eaten Kachembali, (raw tomatoes, cucumbers and red onion with a citrus dressing), but no majors so far.

This coming Sunday another PCT, Eula, and I will be traveling to Lushoto to shadow a PVC who is teaching O level Biology.  I am pretty excited to travel with Eula! I would describe her as having the combined personalities of George-Ann and Liz (Mom you know what I am talking about!)  and she is some one who has been a great sounding board during PST. I am also excited to travel to the northern part of Tanzania. Lushoto is in the Tanga region (Northeast) and should be cooler temperature wise than Morogoro, where it has still yet to really rain since we have been here.

Today (Thursday) also happens to be the last day of internship teaching at Morogoro secondary school! I would like to thank them for allowing the five us to enter their classrooms and the brains of their students for the last three weeks! I will miss the people at the school, especially my students, and the daily walk to school. On a similar note I will also miss the “school bus” I see every morning. Said “school bus” is actually a sedan, probably a ’95 Toyota Corolla, with about 10 children stuffed into it. I usually pass the school bus on my way through the Sokoni on the way to school and crack up every time I see it. There are usually three kids between the ages of 6-8 crammed into the passenger seat and seven kids packaged into the back seat. (This clearly goes against all airbag and seatbelt warnings) All of the kids have the “deer in the headlights” look plastered on their faces as the pass buy. Clearly this school bus is not safe and probably not something that I should find joy in, but the scene makes with laugh without fail every time I think about it or see it.  Guess it is the true meaning of “car pooling”…

As always, I hope things are going well at home! If you ever find yourselves bored I love to read letters! You can send them to the address on the side of the blog or next week hopefully I will be able to update to my address at site. Either way I will get a letter if you send it. On that note, if anyone ever wants to burn a CD with new music and send it….I would love you for ever/ definitely bring you something back when I come home to visit at some point. Oh also shout out to Andy Irons, hope you are surfing the eternal clean barrel… so bummed to hear about him.

I also hope everyone is enjoying the cooler weather, pumpkin pies, hot apple cider and the fact that the holiday season is right around the corner. All my love from TZ.