how can a tiny mosquito cause so much pain?

I am a little more inspired than I was yesterday, so lets see if I can dish out some real substance in this entry.

I spent the night vomiting. I had a fever. It continued into the morning. My bones ache, my head hurts, my stomach is twisted into knots. This could be my first bout with the legendary illness known as MALARIA! Quite frankly, I’m ecstatic about it. I think it’s comparable to surviving a gunshot. Sadly, Malaria leaves no scars, but my story will echo in the halls of eternity.

SCHOOOOOOOL’S OUT FOR SUMMER! SCHOOOOOOOOL’S OUT FOR SUMMER! Hells yea. Professor Banick has some time off. That teaching 6 hours per week really took a toll on me. I’m going to spend the next three months, traveling, sitting under the mango tree, and just appreciating all the beauty and frustrations this marvelous country has to offer.

My dear old friend Stan (80 yr old post mate) has decided his time in Cameroon is up. He will be ending his service and returning to the States next Friday. Its really sad to see him go, I’ve had a lot of good times with the guy, he may be the funniest and most clever SOB I’ve ever known. I’m happy for him, though, he knows its time to go, and he’s got three wonderful kids to be with in the States. Stan, Richard and I have spent countless evenings sipping gin, and playing scrabble at Stan’s mansion (by PC standards). Good bye old friend! There is a great picture of Richard, Stan and I (the Nanga-Eboko crew on Richards website, this was taken at Stan’s 80th b-day party, click here)

The volunteer group that arrived a year before me is gradually heading back to the states. A new group arrives next Saturday. The winds of change blow once again. Hard to believe, I’m just a year away from my return to reality. Occasionally I think about what I will do when I get back, a very commonly pondered topic among volunteers. My plan involves Hollywood, fame, and piles of money, which I will donate to Africa.

Okay, that’s all for now. Stay healthy