Strange...or just different?

I, Erin, stopped for a moment to enjoy the beauty of this flower in our front yard.  Then it struck me: it’s December.  Everything inside of me wants to reject this truth.  If it is December, than it should be cold, all the sights and sounds should suggest the Holidays are coming, and flowers such as these definately should not be blooming.  This is just another example of how life as we previously knew it is different here. 

I know we are in a different country, I know there are only two seasons (dry and rainy), and I know there are many other differences.  But I am still surprised by the new things we encounter.  Just yesterday John looked out our back window to see a new animal in the back yard, a chicken had appeared.  Our backyard is a small area surrounded on ALL SIDES by walls at least 30 feet high.  How did this chicken arrive in our backyard?  A few months ago we had a similar incident with a cat.  We still don’t know how that happened; thankfully a friend carried the cat out.  This chicken on the other hand belongs to someone, but to who we do not know.  Caedmon and I tried asking people in the houses behind us.  At one, which houses a small restaurant, the lady said they did have chickens.  This was only after I clarified live chickens, not chicken to eat; it was a restaurant after all.  She said something about someone coming to see, but as no one stopped by last night I am sure I misunderstood her.  For all I know she didn’t understand me as I tried to explain the unexpected presence of a chicken in my backyard. 

Often I feel we are adapting well to this new culture, yet at other times all of the differences seem very evident.  Right now we have no idea what to do with this chicken.  Thankfully we have more insight than that for most of daily living here, but there is still a lot of adjusting to be done and definitely how to adjust in some areas is still uncertain.  One specific area is schedules.  Our neighbors are often outside when we are inside eating or getting ready for the day.  To what degree do we adjust and to what degree do we work with what we are use to.  As we learn language and culture we would like to become as much like this culture as possible to better relate to people here.  Yet we are still learning that balance as we cannot completely shed our own culture which is so deeply ingrained in us. 

Please be thinking of us as we continue to adjust. 

Nursing Opportunity #2

At least 4 months ago I (Erin) stated I would be seeking out a nursing volunteer position.  Yet since then I have not.  At the time I lacked confidence in my language ability and was quite unsure as to where (a local clinic or hospital) or even how to start.  Mostly though, I was just lazy.  Well, despite my laziness, I have been blessed with an opportunity to shadow nurses at a local hospital.  We are so thankful for this opportunity for many reasons, though mostly for the manner which it came about. 

John participated in a“Fun Bike” with some friends a week ago.  During this bike ride he met a gentleman who invited him to visit his office.  After learning the gentleman was the director of a local hospital, John mentioned I am a nurse.  The gentleman, hospital director, again invited John and now me to his office.  Three days later we visited the hospital director; with our boys in tow as well.  We had no idea what to expect, but hoped to explain my desire to learn medical terminology and just see how patients are cared for here.  As soon as we arrived at the hospital the Director called four other professionals in to meet with us as well.  One was the Nursing Director, another was a Nursing Supervisor for a specific area, and the other two where directors or heads also.  We chit-chatted a little, intermingled with some awkward silence.  By the end of the meeting I had communicated my desire to shadow and they invited me to come the following Saturday.  We then were taken on a tour of the hospital by the Nursing Director and Nursing Supervisor. 

The following Saturday I spent 4 hours at the hospital with the Nursing Supervisor and her fellow nurses.  Wow, what an opportunity.  I basically can come as often as I’d like, for how ever long I’d like and shadow the nurses.  During the Saturday morning visit I was able to visit patient rooms with the Nursing Supervisor, look at patient charts, and talk with the nurses on shift.  This whole opportunity came about by natural, local means.  John ‘happened’ to meet the Hospital Director.  The Director was the one to invite us to his office and offered me the opportunity to shadow.  Through it all we didn’t have to wonder if we were pursuing this in a culturally appropriate way as the locals were the ones leading. 

Lastly, we are thankful for the specific hospital.  It is relatively close to our house and is a pretty typical, simple hospital.  I hope this opportunity will expose me to the typical medicine practiced here and a great deal of vocab! 

Whitman is 2 years old!

Our youngest is now 2! Ever since his birthday on the 1st, Caedmon has proceeded to inform or remind people Whitman is now 2.  I can hardly believe it as well.  It certainly does not feel like December as we continue to experience, and don't expect any change of our 80-90 degree weather daily and don't see many signs of the upcoming Christmas Holiday. 
But the 1st of December arrived none the less.  We began our celebration of Whitman's birthday by eating cinnamon rolls for breakfast, complete with a candle. 

Then proceeded to open presents with grandparents via skype, what a treat that was, maybe more for all of us adults more then the boys.  Whitman frequently asked for help opening his gifts, which worked well with an older brother who was more then eager to help!

not sure how to start

finally sunglasses of his own

That evening we invited two familys over who both have kind of adopted us; taking us on out of town trips and including us in their family celebrations.  We ate homemade pizza and store bought cake to celebrate.  It was a really nice way to celebrate the 2 years of Whitman's life so far!