MIKES DIET,DIRT PATHS, AND MORE

Hi Everyone-- (it is Mike)

First, thnx to Mary for the calls,updates about the twins born on Sept 25. We are able to see the photos online, and they look great !! We also appreciate the calls, and when we do not hear,we know that " no new is good news". Of course, we REALLY wish we could see you,and the grandchildren, but that time will come.

About once a week I walk to school with the 18 Primary School kids....they get up at5AM, and leave about 6:15--6:30 for the walk to town.....the primary schoolis abnout 30--40 minutes. It always amazes me that they are up at 5, cleaned up, dressed, eat brkfst and ready to go. The kids do not leave together but in a little steady stream.....and usually by the time we get to the school we are in one big group. The weather has changed and in the last week about half of the days are misty,cool,rainy...like spring in OHIO.....and since we are walking on dirt paths, the shoes are a little muddy on our arrival. It is very important that the schoolchildren be dressed cleanly, and very well in uniforms, so of course much care is taken,upon arrival to clean up the shoes, spotless, and shining....

Now about those dirt paths, and perhaps this says more about Gail and I, than anything else......our first couple weeks in Swaziland we--and most the volunteers--would look out into the fields, and see "simply fields" often with cattle,and or chickens/ goats.........but nothing more, and nothing less. Then about week 4/5 we would look into the same fields, and notice the odd homesteads scattered about on hillsides,in valleys,on the odd dirtroad,off in the distance.......now we look into the same fields, and we see dirt paths and matted down grass paths, andwe know that all these paths lead to homesteads, or grazing fields, or schools, or shops, or churches........or whatever. I guess we are getting used to our surroundings, because it all looks as normal to us as Northam Park, and Tremont School, and the Upper Arlington Public Library. And it all makes perfect sense. To us now.

Last Friday we met with the Peace Corps Medical Officer, at our home. A routine visit to see how we were doing--which is GREAT. She did discuss with me my weight loss, you see I have probably lost about 20-25 pounds, and frankly if I get below a certain weight I suppose I will need to focus on putting on some pounds. This is all quite normal for American men I might add. The reasons are simple--NO junk food in my diet. No chips. No soft drinks. No pizza. No cookies. No cakes, etc. So anyhow, bottomline we are eating well,but I have lost some weight.....such is life.

Thats all from me for now, and yes GO BUCKS,and GO WILDCATS !