Long time writting

12 August 2007
Hello all!! How are things in the countries you live? I am ok. I am having some personal issues with a person I work with. It is annoying and I am really trying to work through it with out yelling or blowing up. So far so good. I may have to get some aid from an elder worker. Oh well. This week was ok. I got rice and curry packets from villagers on Wednesday and Thursday night so I didn’t have to cook and got to eat nice food. They were wrapped in banana leaves…mmmmm. Makes it yummy. I also got homemade ice cream from one of the farmers. It was nice…with cashew and sultanas (raisins). I made a cake for them but I sort of messed it up a bit. I put a bit too much vinegar. I read the recipe 4 times, was confused, but put the vinegar in. Then I read it one more time…and was very annoyed that after I put it in I realized I was reading the wrong line. Anyway it was bad, but they appreciated the effort. I have to make another one sometime and redeem myself. Hmmm what else. Oh yes I learned 2 new dishes; a canned fish curry and upumma a northern dish of vegetables and semolina. I think I am going to try it tonight. We will see.
Yesterday we played a mean game of Ultimate Frisbee. I was playing my heart out but we lost all three matches. That was really disappointing. I did however get the catch of the game. It was awesome, I totally went flat out. My teammate missed the catch but never fear…I was behind him to catch what was missed. I am great.
On a sadder note, I am missing the State Fair and the Henry County Fair (District 10 show is there this year) It really sucks and I am a bit bummed out about it.
Ok a bit more, I just got back from YFC/Y Gro staff retreat. It was good times. A bit scary at first b/c of my terrible speaking skills and even if I can speak some english and some sinhala just over half of the people spoke tamil so…I don’t really know any tamil yet. Plus there were lots of people there and I am a bit afraid of lots of people in groups…then you add the language thing and life gets a bit more complicated. I roomed with Dilani the secretary from the Madampe office. She speaks VERY little english and Annette from Up country and she speaks all three languages quite well. The sessions were great and I learned a lot, and had some great GOD-time. It was good, I will send pix sometime. Some extra-conference learnings…There is a person I work with that I am having trouble getting along with. This was a family conference so I picked up some info when I saw how his/her spouse and child were like ducks behind this person. I see where a person like me could throw off a person like that. I am no duckling!
I wish I could see you all and talk to you first hand but that probably won’t happen for a while.

Hey one more

6 August 2007
Ok one small additional story. I went for a massage. Yes, like the kind in a fancy shmancy place where they give you a robe and tea and play nice music. My friends got together and a 90min session for me for my birthday. It was really interesting and nice. I don’t know as though I would ever pay for one for myself b/c it is quite expensive, but I am glad I did it once in my life…good experience. Um, also now is “fair season” back home. That makes me sad that I am not there. Ok that was just a short update I thought I’d send.
Peace
jodi

Hey....look at me!!!!!

5 August 2007
Well well well, I am back (as in I wrote) and in under a month. Go me, I win!!!! Hmm what have I been up to since my walk on the beach? Well, I am still working…that is going well I think. Last week we opened a bulk milk tank in our second village of Kappangamua. I gave a speech…in sinhala. It was no oratorical masterpiece but they understood. At one point they clapped and I had to quickly translate what I was saying into English and then I understood why they were clapping. I said, “they were up to the challenge that this new equipment would bring.” The evening before we went to the village to help them set up for the festivities. Instead I just sat there and then they fed me rice and curry and we watched Sinhala teledramas with one of our new farmers. I managed to communicate how surprised and angry I was that Karan had married Tanya when he thought that Nandani was going to died, and also that I didn’t know that Annula’s wife died while trying to kill his ex-wife who he still loves but is now married to another man….Yea!!! I can communicate small things.
People are getting ready to leave now, and that is sad. (there is a mass exodus of ex-pats out of SL now that most of the tsunami work is done) Sabrina left today, Jen and R&N (sorry rachel and nigel you are reduced to just initials) leave early September and so on and so forth. I am consoled by one small thing however. I get all their things when they leave. Sorry you have to go….thanks for the TV. But all joking aside, I would much rather have their company than 20 new shirts and a tv. And so it goes.
On Saturday, Jen and I had lunch with our friend Priya. She is a nice cook and made Northern Sri Lanka (Tamil) food. It was great. She also had a saree that she really didn’t like the color of, so she gave it to me!!!! I went today (Sunday) and got measured for a saree blouse. I have other sarees but I just got ready made stretch jackets to go with them. This will be nice with a real jacket. The workmanship of this gentleman’s jackets is EXCELENT too so I am excited to see how it turns out. Oh, Priya is also taking me somewhere to get some cheap sharwal Kamises (those are the long shirts with the baggy pants and a shawl ) they are generally quite expensive, but she got 4 for 3000/= rupees. (a little less than $30)
Well, I am done for now…will post again later.
Pray for peace in this country.
God Bless, Jodi