01-DEC-2007 There's nothing like a nice stroll to China on a sunny afternoon. After a night out I purposefully chose to cut short, the 5am alarm rings and I've only been able to sneak in a couple hours of sleep. No matter how early you decide to turn in the night before a big trip, you almost inevitably end up tossing and turning for a few hours due to anxiety. I call it the 'itchy bones' syndrome. The more you try to relax, the more you feel the incessant need to shake your arms and legs about because the bones within them genuinely feel itchy. You just can't sit still, so you might as well give in and flail about for a while rather than trying to pretend it doesn't exist. As I'd headed back to ... read more

25-NOV-2007 One month until Christmas! We enjoy chiyaa by the fire at sunrise before heading off for our morning walk. I pick up a couple of those onion-ring type rotis from a different shop than usual and they certainly could've used some help. Halfway through the second one, I decide it's not worth wasting my hunger on and attempt to chuck it down over the hill. But no such luck. I let go of it a bit too late (blame it on the cold) and it ends up at the feet of this middle aged man brushing his teeth, missing him by an inch if that. Shit. I look at him and apologize in Nepali- he has a definite deer in headlights look on his face. I tell him that my throw is very bad and ... read more

19-NOV-2007 After the usual morning routine, I headed over to the children's school to watch them perform their exercises and prayers in formation. There appeared to be three classes at the two room schoolhouse- Nepali, English, and math. As luck would have it, I ended up sitting in the Nepali class where I was absolutely useless. So I sat at the bench at the outdoor classroom with the children and observed as the kids loudly shouted words with the class loudly screaming them back. Back in town, Steve and I went for two separate visits at the Organic cafe for much needed fresh food as a daal bhaat relief- banana pancakes, fresh fruit crepes, tomato mozarella salad, a heaping salad, and a fresh fruit salad (yes, all for me but an entire day's worth of goodness). ... read more

14-NOV-2007 The snowcaps are fully visible today and are absolutely breathtaking. It's certainly the best view we've had from the valley thus far, and it's only going to get better as the season progresses. Finish up health checks, with one little guy still in quite a nasty funk. Back in town, I grab my chocolate love cake and almost start crying again. I have to occasionally close my eyes to fully enjoy the moment- so happy! Back in the office, I organize the Charity binder and attend Steve's First Aid health talk. We have a health team meeting afterwards that takes absolutely forever. Instead of being on the spur of the moment, I wish I could know about these meeting ahead of time so perhaps I may be able to contribute something worthwhile. To get ready ... read more

10-NOV-2007 Only the little ones were left at the home in the morning for the health checks, as the older kids were involved in yet another Rupee-earning performance. After handing out meds, I stopped by Steve's (where he wasn't exactly feeling his best) and handed off the med kit to take care of the performing kids once he was feeling up to it. I hiked all the way to Durbar Square, taking about 1.5h, since it was such a beautiful day and there were so few vehicles on the road- no exhaust to fight- bonus! I was so happy that I could breathe fresh air, it instantly set the mood for the day. I picked up two fresh warm rotis at a shop right outside town to hold me over (only 10 Rupees!). I continued, and ... read more