from Tofu with love

Sooooooo guess what!? I'm in AMURIKAAAAA! My 2+ years in the Peace Corps have finally come to a close. I am happy to say that I completed my service and am now a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer. As I reflect back on my service I remember all the good as well as the bad times. I am very happy that I got to experience so many things and help out Burkina Faso (however small my contribution may have been). I want to continue to broaden my horizons through travel, school, meeting new people, and staying open to new experiences. Next on this list vagabond's list is medical school (even though I do plan on moving to Berlin for a few months beforehand). I want to thank my friends and family here and in Burkina for sticking by me and helping me complete this monster of a job. Thanks for reading about my PC experience. Below are some photos of my goodbye festivities. Stay tuned for the next adventure =]  some of my gifts!  Health agents saying goodbye  Neuf (...

My best friend in Burkina, Roukie invited me to her home in the capital to celebrate Tabaski with her family. Tabaski is the second biggest Muslim holiday where they sacrifice a lamb. They are celebrating  the selfless act of Abraham and his son. In short, God asked Abe to sacrifice his son, Ishmael. Abe said ok and when he informed his son of his duty, Ishmael nobly accepted. In order to reward their willingness to serve and obey, the Lord switched Ishmael out for a lamb. Yay, now they don't have to eat their first born on Tabaski, a lamb will suffice! Here are some pictures from the party. PS they eat and or use every last but of the lamb. NO WASTE UP IN HERE! Be warned some are graphic.  The lamb in question skinning it the innards  making the dressing for the salad  washing the meat  trained butcher Nudia, Roukies daughter  Roukie, her husband, and I

Since I love weighing babies/ making sure that they are well nourished, I'm in the maternity everyday. This means that I find myself in the back birthing room quite often. I must admit that I enjoy watching child birth- not in a sick twisted way that usually accompanies a statement like that. It's kind of like watching a game (basketball, football, etc.) You're rooting for the object- in this case a baby not a ball- to go through the designated area. Not too different from a hoop or a goal post. The midwives look at me a bit sideways when I actually start chanting go, go, go, GO in escalation! Or when I cry wooohooo! when the babe makes it safley in the catcher's mitt. I like to think that I'm only encouraging the mom to be aggressive...b-e a-g-g-r-e-s-s-i-v-e. At least it will be a good story for her to tell the kids. I was in labor with you for 5 whole days, in the blazing heat, while a crazed American screamed nonsense at my vagina for you to come out...  Like ...