Hello World!
I am sitting here in a mosquito infested cave, also known as my humble abode, and decided I would write an update for my blog…just for you to read. Despite my complete lack of activity at this moment in time, I still refuse to write my updates in paragraph form and shall, as per usual, write my thoughts out in bulletin points. Enjoy:
1) I really love minesweeper despite being incapable of beating the expert level. Seriously, I’ve tried for months now. One day my time will come, and I will beat the game into oblivion and then…nothing will have changed in my life, but it will still be awesome.
2) I only have five short days left in Madagascar (including today). Where the hell did my time go, and why does it feel like tomorrow is already yesterday before I have time to blink?
3) Still freaking out about going back to America. Earth to Kim: why am I so scared?
4) I saw my first pregnant Malagasy lady the other day…not a huge occurrence, but one that made me realize how long you have to live in one place to truly even begin to understand the local culture…or everyday life.
5) Work is crazy, as usual. Lots to do and not enough time. Crossing my fingers that I manage to wrap up everything I am supposed to…keep your fingers crossed!
6) I tried zebu heart last night (brochette style) and it was really weird. It coated the top of my mouth and had this strange texture that was almost…flaky?
7) I suddenly realized today how few souvenirs I have bought for people. So to all of you who know me back home…I have been thinking about you often, just haven’t been buying you any useless objects that you will never feel emotionally attached to and will only grow to despise. That being said, I’m going to the market this week to buy sarongs and replenish my wardrobe (since the rats have eaten almost everything I own…and that is no exaggeration).
8) I got robbed the other night, which was unnerving but not entirely unexpected. Unemployment is rising in Madagascar and my friends have noted that there are more street vendors and higher crime rates; people doing whatever they can to get/make money. Thankfully I only lost the equivalent of 20 USD. Hopefully the guys needed it more than I do.
9) In the past few weeks I’ve learned a lot about love, relationships, and all of that mushy crap. I am fast realizing how much my friends in Africa have rubbed off me; I’m pretty much so against commitment now. Life is so transient out here…or at least in the jobs I’ve worked. That being said, I’m realizing how lucky I have been to have dated nice guys in the past, and I’ve learned more than ever that you should always treat others the way you would like to be treated. I think in general, I have just realized the true value of good friendship, honesty, commitment (ironically, given my last statements), and sincerity. Any kind of true sincerity coming from any male would be so welcomed.
10) I ate some delicious Yaourt Maison (house yogurt…made from Zebu milk) the other day. After the Malagasy independence day there was literally a city-wide shortage of the stuff. Considering that I was seriously contemplating giving up all other nourishment to subsist purely on this white, sugary treat…it caused me physical pain to be without it. Thank God for yogurt.
11) The matchboxes here often feature a white woman with a black man and they look like they are in love. The pictures are drawn and the people are always wearing 80’s clothing. I do not understand.
12) I realized today how I haven’t put untreated water in my mouth for nine months. It will be SO weird to be able to brush my teeth with tap water, drink tap water, and not have to worry about boiling everything long enough to kill whatever evil disease lies in wait to steal my health.
13) In the lonely planet guide for Madagascar, look under Diego and read about Boite Noire. It describes the place being full of local fishermen and their lady friends. That would be me and my local Malagasy crew. Funny how the guide has SO much wrong information (including a bunch of wrong prices), but they hit the nail on the head with that description.
14) It is amazing how many days I go here without looking into a mirror or doing things that I would have done every day in America. The only time I see myself in a mirror is when I happen to go to the bathroom in one of the two hotels I visit to check my email.
15) I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I LOVE how African people dance. I love it. I adore that Malagasy and Equatoguinean men will just dance or sing whenever they please…I love dancing, and it’s so nice to actually have dance partners, unlike in America.
Alright, that’s about it. Really, I’m not lying, that’s all that is going on in my head and my life for the time being. Hopefully I’ll more exciting things to report soon 
Cheers friends!
