December 27, 2008
Its been a long time. Sorry, I haven’t really felt like writing. Things have been rough. I left Sri Lanka on October 31st (well actually 3am on Nov 1). Some co-workers came with me to the airport. We got stopped at the check point by my house. My police-friend was working there and so we just chatted and then he let us all go. Everyone was confused and amused. I cried when going into the airport. On the plane, I was accompanied by another girl I play Frisbee with and her co-worker as their visas had also been rejected. There was also another gentleman I knew on the flight. That was helpful. The flight was supposed to take off at 1235am but was delayed until 3. Then my next flight at Bangkok was also delayed. It made for a long and sad journey. I was trying not to cry the whole time on the flight. They gave me an orchid (usually business and first class passengers get orchids upon leaving a Thai Airlines flight.) and I felt a bit better. Gayle, Larry and Annika met me at the airport (BG CRs) and Annika made me smile right away. Anyway, I was only the “new kid” for a while b/c 2 new service workers came the next day and one more a few days after that. I went to pick up the 2. I had a sign hanging around my neck to welcome them. Annika and I had made it earlier that evening out of old “happy cow” cheese cartons.
Then for a week I visited the place I will be working. We visited farmers and all that good stuff. Election day happened when I was in the field. We thought it was funny that it got over so easily. At Robin’s house (now her OLD house and my NEW house) we had an Obama party. It was fun and there was a lot of chocolate. Moving on, the rest of the month was spent in language study, emotional distress, and intestinal illness. We did have an all staff conference that I thought would really stink b/c it was all in Bangla, but I found it really good. We had thanksgiving dinner and the expats did a dance choreographed by me. It took me over 4 hours to choreograph a 2 min dance. It was a Bollywood style dance. I am magic. I tried to upload it onto You Tube but it didn’t work. Boo. I will try again now!!! Ok all is starting.
What else?
(January 7, 2009) Ok, the video worked. Its on youtube name: Who said Mennonites can’t Dance. On December 5th I left for Sri Lanka (3 wks to finish up work and say good bye to people better). I was so so so happy to be home. I was smiling the full 12hr transit. It was so nice to be back. I was met at the airport by a good friend and it was great. I didn’t plan much for the trip b/c I wanted quality time with people and not the rush around to too many events like my previous good-byes had been. I spent some time at the office (although very little of my time was spent there and even less of that was spent working- mostly I just chit chatted with work friends. Ask me over in person sometime why.) I spent 4 awesome days down south at the beach with some friends. Most all the time was spent body boarding, which was super fun. We also went for a 3 hour whale watching trip. We saw a dead sea turtle and the fish that were eating it. Booo. It was a good ride anyway. One of my favorite parts about the weekend was when my friend’s son (3yr) got toppled by a wave, stood up, shook off and said, “that was awesome.” He was always afraid of the ocean, but has gotten so confident. That was cool. Christmas day I got up and went to church then off to my friend Priya’s for a big lunch and then to the children’s home run by my pastor and his wife for dinner. I power ate twice in one day. It was painful but great. I had almost a whole plate of ham for dinner. The only downer to the night was that I got gored by a cow that one of the children takes care of. There is still a bump and it only just stopped hurting. After Christmas, I just hung with friends and chilled. OHHHHH I forgot on the 18th I went to my friend Anju’s wedding. It was my first Buddhist wedding. It was nice. Very beautiful. I am so happy for him.
Ok back to end of Sri Lanka visit. One of my good friends (formerly atheist) Experienced God. That was a very good experience. Now said person is searching for more truth of God. It makes me happy b/c this person was very sad for a very long time and now feels they have found purpose and meaning in God.
Anyway, I am back in Bangaldesh. It is COLD!!!!!!!!!! Oh my goodness. It gets down to 12 C in the evenings. Wow. I just am not used to that type of cold weather. However, I am adjusting surprisingly well. It’s a bit weird to be honest. I moved into my house where I will be staying for the remainder of my time here. It is nice. The day after I moved in I hosted a New Years Eve party that went really well. New Years Day I did some work at the office but managed to fit in 6 movies with the girls. I am magical. All in all things here are pretty ok. I have lots of work to keep me busy now and that is a nice change. I enjoy throwing myself into work. Speaking of, I am going to get some done now. Peace
~Jodi
Its been a long time. Sorry, I haven’t really felt like writing. Things have been rough. I left Sri Lanka on October 31st (well actually 3am on Nov 1). Some co-workers came with me to the airport. We got stopped at the check point by my house. My police-friend was working there and so we just chatted and then he let us all go. Everyone was confused and amused. I cried when going into the airport. On the plane, I was accompanied by another girl I play Frisbee with and her co-worker as their visas had also been rejected. There was also another gentleman I knew on the flight. That was helpful. The flight was supposed to take off at 1235am but was delayed until 3. Then my next flight at Bangkok was also delayed. It made for a long and sad journey. I was trying not to cry the whole time on the flight. They gave me an orchid (usually business and first class passengers get orchids upon leaving a Thai Airlines flight.) and I felt a bit better. Gayle, Larry and Annika met me at the airport (BG CRs) and Annika made me smile right away. Anyway, I was only the “new kid” for a while b/c 2 new service workers came the next day and one more a few days after that. I went to pick up the 2. I had a sign hanging around my neck to welcome them. Annika and I had made it earlier that evening out of old “happy cow” cheese cartons.
Then for a week I visited the place I will be working. We visited farmers and all that good stuff. Election day happened when I was in the field. We thought it was funny that it got over so easily. At Robin’s house (now her OLD house and my NEW house) we had an Obama party. It was fun and there was a lot of chocolate. Moving on, the rest of the month was spent in language study, emotional distress, and intestinal illness. We did have an all staff conference that I thought would really stink b/c it was all in Bangla, but I found it really good. We had thanksgiving dinner and the expats did a dance choreographed by me. It took me over 4 hours to choreograph a 2 min dance. It was a Bollywood style dance. I am magic. I tried to upload it onto You Tube but it didn’t work. Boo. I will try again now!!! Ok all is starting.
What else?
(January 7, 2009) Ok, the video worked. Its on youtube name: Who said Mennonites can’t Dance. On December 5th I left for Sri Lanka (3 wks to finish up work and say good bye to people better). I was so so so happy to be home. I was smiling the full 12hr transit. It was so nice to be back. I was met at the airport by a good friend and it was great. I didn’t plan much for the trip b/c I wanted quality time with people and not the rush around to too many events like my previous good-byes had been. I spent some time at the office (although very little of my time was spent there and even less of that was spent working- mostly I just chit chatted with work friends. Ask me over in person sometime why.) I spent 4 awesome days down south at the beach with some friends. Most all the time was spent body boarding, which was super fun. We also went for a 3 hour whale watching trip. We saw a dead sea turtle and the fish that were eating it. Booo. It was a good ride anyway. One of my favorite parts about the weekend was when my friend’s son (3yr) got toppled by a wave, stood up, shook off and said, “that was awesome.” He was always afraid of the ocean, but has gotten so confident. That was cool. Christmas day I got up and went to church then off to my friend Priya’s for a big lunch and then to the children’s home run by my pastor and his wife for dinner. I power ate twice in one day. It was painful but great. I had almost a whole plate of ham for dinner. The only downer to the night was that I got gored by a cow that one of the children takes care of. There is still a bump and it only just stopped hurting. After Christmas, I just hung with friends and chilled. OHHHHH I forgot on the 18th I went to my friend Anju’s wedding. It was my first Buddhist wedding. It was nice. Very beautiful. I am so happy for him.
Ok back to end of Sri Lanka visit. One of my good friends (formerly atheist) Experienced God. That was a very good experience. Now said person is searching for more truth of God. It makes me happy b/c this person was very sad for a very long time and now feels they have found purpose and meaning in God.
Anyway, I am back in Bangaldesh. It is COLD!!!!!!!!!! Oh my goodness. It gets down to 12 C in the evenings. Wow. I just am not used to that type of cold weather. However, I am adjusting surprisingly well. It’s a bit weird to be honest. I moved into my house where I will be staying for the remainder of my time here. It is nice. The day after I moved in I hosted a New Years Eve party that went really well. New Years Day I did some work at the office but managed to fit in 6 movies with the girls. I am magical. All in all things here are pretty ok. I have lots of work to keep me busy now and that is a nice change. I enjoy throwing myself into work. Speaking of, I am going to get some done now. Peace
~Jodi
posted by Jodi Crossgrove at
9:57 PM
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