A bird and a cat get on a minibus...

Today we took Rasta kitty into G/town to see the vet. She sat in her new cat carrier that Lisa gave us (THANK YOU LISA!) and had a fairly relaxed ride. Tim thought it was hilariously ironic that we sat next to a man with a bird in a basket on the way to town. Very Loony Tunes...

Our experience at the vet was less fun. Rasta got dewormed and some multi-vitamins (hopefully this will help her stop eating dirt). We were also concerned about the shape and feel of her stomach. Since we got her fixed in December it has been very hard and bumpy and she licks it until she gets hotspots.

The vet in town was awesome (undergrad and masters in Germany who did his Fulbright scholarship at Davis). However when he saw Rasta he said her surgery had been a “butchery” and she had definitely lost a few of her nine lives. I was almost in tears when he told us that it is almost certain that she still has her ovaries inside and it is possible that her intestines have formed lesions. Poor kitty!!!

For now he gave Rasta some antibiotics (a shot and some pills) to help with her exterior tummy wounds and after that series of antibiotics we will call him to set up an appointment so he can cut her back open in the hopes that he can reorganize and fix things. I am so pissed off at the “vet” who did such a bang up job on my little mewster. However, we trust in the skills of the G/town vet (any PCV who wants his info, give us a call, we highly recommend him).

We can also be grateful that we have even gotten to love Rasta at all. It was fate that brought her to us on a rainy day, when a chance walk brought us down a new route to where she was mewing on the side of the freeway. Without us, she wouldn't have survived past the torrential downpour that day. So whatever happens we are grateful to have found such a sweet friend in Rasta Kitty. We will keep you posted next month when she has her next visit to the vet.

What a day can bring

It is funny how life seems to provide you with exactly what you need when you need it.

On Friday I had a terrible day. The maternal/child health clinic was busy and the babies were especially fussy for some reason. I got especially frustrated with some moms whose babies wouldn't settle on the scale and wouldn't help me calm their children as I had to hold them screaming and kicking to get their weight. Then a very young mother (15 years old) came in with a very, very sick baby. The child had a fungal infection covering his entire scalp, thrush on his groin and at 2 months, only weighed 3.3 kg (7.2 lbs, basically in the 0^th percentile for weight). A coworker and I took charge of these children and headed over to the hospital to get some help. The infant was admitted, thank God, because I honestly think that the baby was dying. There were many reasons for why the infant was so malnourished but I don't want to get into that here. But I was just so saddened by the whole experience. To see that sort of suffering so up close and personal shook me to the core.

However, with the support of my loving husband and amazing housemate, Sara, I was able to talk through my emotions and cheer up a little. Especially because they reminded me how much my intervention in this case could literally save a life. Yay.

Then the weekend began and things turned around for me. Three volunteers came into Linden to participate in the Hash. For those of you who don't know, a Hash is a run/game/adventure/treasure hunt/obstacle course type thing. It is hard to explain, but basically you run around following clues left on the ground to find a trail that eventually leads to a BBQ and booze. It is often referred to as a drinking club with a running problem (real healthy, yeah I know). Tim and I had run 2 Hashes in San Diego before and enjoyed them but never got really into it. I was excited to learn there is a club in Guyana. So, Tony, Sara, Amy (a new PCV in Linden) and 3 other PCVs joined in with an eclectic group of expats and Guyanese in this wacky game. We made some great new friends, enjoyed a fun trail and good BBQ and afterwards ended up playing pool into the wee hours of the night. Happy times.

There is another Hash next Sunday in G/town and I am definitely planning on going. If we do 10 Hashes in Guyana we get a Hash name (a honor and something that follows you to any Hash you go to around the world). We will see if we achieve that before we go home.

Today we made eggs and banana pancakes and did our laundry and now we are lounging around reading. It is a good Sunday. Tomorrow I plan on checking in with the baby at the hospital. I am going to follow up with them and hopefully ensure that the child stays as healthy as possible. I am feeling optimistic and happy today. Awaiting whatever tomorrow brings...

Moms!

Happy Mother's Day to Our MOMS!!!

Our Moms are amazing, strong, intelligent women who raised us to believe in ourselves and believe in our power to serve our global community. Without the nuturing, love and support from our mothers, Tim and I would not have the courage to be on the adventure we are on right now. Thank you Mom for making us who we are today. We love you oceans and oceans.

And to all the Moms out there who weren't directly responsible for our creation, but instead are responsible for another unique being on earth, keep being amazing! Moms ROCK!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Some Musings

Happy Cinco De Mayo!

I wanted to add my 2-cents to our holiday. These last three weeks were a journey. A journey of friends, family, and food. Moreover, it was a journey of self. In previous posts, Chelsea has talked about the first three journeys with her description of the physical activities we did, the friends that we saw, and about the food we ate ( I will post some of my food pictures just for kicks.) However, each of these journeys are tied to the latter: our self.

This realization came through reflection and through the experiences we had. The first was heading down to San Diego when we visited our old school and old friends. It still felt like we had a place there It was an electrifying and wonderful experience. I wasn't sure if I felt that it would be any different but I did have this sense of unease, which was quickly dispelled the minute we walked into TJ and Groth's apartment. Then, going to Stone brewery and having the whole crew show up made me tear up I was so ecstatic to see everyone. Then, the next morning going to our old school, where some students still remembered us and watching the surprise of teacher's faces when we nonchalantly strolled into their classrooms was priceless. The welcome from everybody involved (including LA, Heather B :) ) was second-to-none. It showed how much our friends enjoy us (and it gave me a nice little self-esteem boost!)

And back in Oxnard to finish the week out, we visited my old high school friend, Llewellyn, and her awesome husband, Tom, who welcomed us with open arms, home-brews, and home cooked pizza. They were stoked to see us too! They also told us that they read our blog constantly, which was this crazy existential moment of realization that people care about what we do. It gave me new hope and it was a great time. Fast-forward to my birthday party. 30. Wow, what an age, but it's mine. 30-year olds say it gets better from here, but I remember hearing that when I was 20 too... But with respect to my over 30 friends I see their point, that the 20s was this strange decade of passage to adulthood, and when one turns 30 the journey is almost over. Not that a 30-year old cannot learn new tricks, for it is never too late to learn; however a 30-year old knows who he is. And for me, I am not feeling too different, maybe I knew myself way better than I thought I did? Anyway, I digress (isn't that a sign of old age? Or maybe it's the head wound :) ), the party was unbelievable. I felt so much love from all my friends and family. And I can't believe that everyone made it out. I had no idea who to expect but I was overwhelmed at who did come (Cameronicus, Grace, Drake/Morse, Flo, Veres, Adam, to name just a few) And even if it did have an unexpected ending...well was it that unexpected? I had a great, great time and I hope everyone else did too.

Northern California was it's own adventure. It was pretty great hanging out with Chelsea's brotha and madre, but the real journey was going to visit possible law schools for Chelsea. I've mentioned before that I'm not a planner but going to Davis, Berkeley, Santa Clara, and San Francisco and spending a little bit of time in each allowed me to become aware of my own emotions and ties to the future. I am really glad I am doing Peace Corps and I wouldn't take it back for a minute, but I am also okay with how our future is going to be. I could live and work in any one of those cities and give the necessary support that Chelsea needs, whatever her path may be. We were also able to spend some time with Cameron and Katt (and Cam's folks) in their San Francisco suburb, which was a tremendous experience. Thanks guys for letting us crash at your place. Likewise, I was able to spend some more time with some of Chel's friends and her cousin from “The City” who are about our age but a little further along (i.e. one baby on the way and one already born) and I could see the possibility for us. Sampa and Oma were also wonderful as they took us through the Olmec's history at the De Young and giving us memories that money can never buy.

And then we come to the last leg of our journey: Portland, Oregon. Coming here we knew that vacation was coming to close, but it was good to finally get to spend time with Douglas, Chels's dad, and Lisa, his fiance. They treated us so well and really made us feel at home. However, when Monday came though I dreaded the long journey, I wanted to come “home” to Guyana and start my routine again. I was tired of being a nomad, I wanted a home base to act from and as of now it's Guyana, but come 11 months, I will be more than ready to find a new place in California.

Though the physical journey may be over there is still much more for the journey of our selves.

Tim

P.S. This blog didn't even get into the societal pressure in the US for materialism or the nutso experience of going to a grocery store/mall the first time. One word: Overwhelming. Perhaps that can be for another day.

TT  

Gin!

Happy Cinco De Mayo!  Margs at JFK

Beer in LA with Heather B

Yeah Glazed sweet Potatoe Fries....insane! 

Gaffin Away

Thai Noodles in Berkeley 

Cameronicus and Katt in Alameada.

Wonderful Easter Breakfast Andy and Tara cooked up for us.

Back in Guyana

Well, after 25 days of an amazing vacation we arrived back in Guyana without a hitch.

We wrapped up our time in Santa Cruz with mom and Bup doing all the fun things that my hometown has to offer; bowling, playing laser tag and riding the Giant Dipper at the Boardwalk, going to Marini's, eating yummy pizza, hiking, watching Bup play volleyball at the beach and generally relaxing with family. Then, we headed up to Oregon to stay with Dad and Lisa for a few days. Up in the cold, misty Pacific Northwest we ate wonderful home-cooked meals, drank delicious wine, watched the Royal wedding and a football game, did a little shopping for wedding attire, visited Rogue microbrew for good food and drink. We also had two amazing visits, one from the Quinlivans, our friends from Peace Corps Guyana. It was so great to see them out of context and socialize in the real world instead of just in the Peace Corps bubble. We also headed over to my Aunt's house and got to meet my cousin, Dallas's 11 day old baby girl, Evelyn. Hanging out with my Auntie, cousin, her husband and baby was so super! I loved snuggling and kissing my first second cousin on that side of the family and catching up on all our lives.

Then, almost before we knew it we were in the airport flying back to Guyana. The trip was easy, although not quick (24 hours...ugh) but we encountered very few snafus. The strangest moment was when the flight attendant on our Caribbean flight told us we couldn't have the following in the exit row in which we were seated; anything under the seat in front of us, a blanket on our lap, a blanket folded up at our side, our water bottles, our shoes off, and my favorite, our books in our hands, since they were too “thick”. When we were told that we couldn't even hold our books or put then in the seat back pocket, we truly realized that we were back in “Caribbean mentality” where things don't always make sense and you just have to smile and go with it.

Coming into Linden and our house really did feel like coming home though. We were exhausted and I was feeling like I had a little cold (you know the stuffy, dried out feeling of being in an airplane too long) so we made a quick dinner and crashed out. This morning I woke up a little bit disoriented and had to remind myself where I was and why it was so damned hot. Oh yeah, it is hot. Welcome back to humidity. This heat is the only reason why we will be able to stand another 11 months of cold showers, which actually feel nice in this weather.

Anyway, we wanted to send out a sincere THANK YOU to everyone who made our vacation awesome. To our families who flew us out and gave us their own beds to sleep in, to everyone who bought us food and drinks to enjoy at home and bring back to Guyana, to the birthday party guests and people who celebrated elsewhere with us, and to everyone who reminded us that you will be there for us no matter where we are and how long we are gone for. We miss you and look forward to staying in touch over the next year as we all continue our adventures. Much love,

Chelsea

The boardwalk!

Volleyball. Smooth move, bro!

That's the "Strike" face...it didn't work.

LYRA!!! Such an pretty and amazing dog!

Proud Mamma, Pretty Baby

Just us gals.

Beer and food; good and good!

Yay for old friends and good times. go Quinlivans.

Home Safe!

Yay! We made it home safe to Guyana, but are truly exhausted. More to follow when we can think straight! Thank you everyone who made this trip possible and unforgettable! Much love to all!

Being Home is Awesome

A few brief highlights of our trip home so far:

Oxnard: Hanging out with the Tibbs Family, playing music, hiking, watching Kayli kick ass at her track meet, eating TDM burritos, pizza and home brew with the Somers-Bullers gang and then a most excellent party for Tim's dirty-fall-on-your-face-Thirty!

San Diego and LA: A quick surprise trip to HSHMC, a dinner date with our SD crew at Stone Brewery, kicking it with TJ and Groth, Cotixan burritos, playing Clue with Heather B. at Tony's Darts Away.

Nor Cal: Thai food with Nana, movies with Mom and Bup, a spectacular trip to the Bay Area with law school tours, dinner with Cameron, Katt, Alden and Francis, a fantastic day with Oma and Sampa in the City, Olmec at the De Young, tea and then dinner with Captain Forbes Thor Kiddoo on his floating island. Then drinks with Tara, Andy, Pablo and Casey and a two minute visit with sleepy baby Lucia.

Now, on to the Boardwalk, Pizza my Heart, Portland, Dad and Lisa and a visit to meet Baby Evelyn and see Dal and James....

Hiking in Ventura

Kayli and Ninja: Kayli is wearing her Track hoodie

Tim and his Bro jamming

Birthday dinner!

Such a good breakfast spot in Oxnard

Tim is OLD!

Some of the SD crew at Stone Brewery

Toney's Darts away.....Tim won the game  of Clue and the beer was magnificent

OMA!!! at the De Young

Artsy! Cam and Chels on a walk around Alameda

Forbes Island! Excellent Wine and Food!!

Smizing in the Japanese Tea Garden

Family and SF in the background

SWEET Baby Lucia!! She's a cutie!

Franklin, Andy and Tara's awesome bull dog!