This morning began rather early, as expected. I woke up around 3:30am, but I didn’t just wake up. I was more energized than I have been in weeks. Or months for that matter.

Did some quiet-time that started as prayerful meditation and turned into me reading Psalms and Proverbs straight through, and then Titus for good measure.

At some point, I began to hear noises from Beckie and the kids in the adjacent room. I should mention that I have the honor and privilege of having the master bedroom all to myself. It’s fantastic. No joke.

My only other night-time guest was a rather noisy mosquito that I tried to kill several times during the night. I don’t think I ever succeeded. My aim is a bit poor when I am still half asleep.

BUT I made up for it with tremendous precision in the morning, when I successfully caught two frogs, “Greenie” the praying mantis, and several large beetles. I only managed to scare the salamander back into the wall.

Don’t worry, all were returned to the wild, so I can catch them again tomorrow morning. It was quite fun.

Unfortunately, Greenie was not quite so peaceful this morning. Caleb did not like the idea of sharing a shower with him… AT ALL. Caleb was also not pleased with the unpredictable nature of Greenie’s friend, the salamander.

Beckie and I encouraged Caleb to PLEASE get in the shower. We poked and prodded, tried to reason, be sympathetic, and be authoritarian. It was tough work, man.

It wasn’t until I was able to get Greenie outside and scared the salamander away, that Caleb would consider the possibility of stepping foot inside the bathroom.

However, a few minutes after Caleb gave in and started to soap up, he ran out suddenly. He discovered a frog under the wooden pallet he was standing on.

Needless to say, Caleb finished washing his hair in the kitchen sink.

Now this frog was no fool. He did NOT want to be caught. Thankfully, I had had some practice with the first one who startled me in the doorway of my bedroom not much earlier.

But, I lived to tell the tale and am even more war worthy in the art of definitiveness. Senior Froggie the second is out happily hopping around in someone else’s shower. Or ours. That would be rather funny actually.

ALSO! MONKEYS! After hearing a tremendously loud banging sound on our metal roof around 6:30 am I’d say, we discovered that we are neighbors with a large hoard of CUTE monkeys. I doubt I will need to set an alarm tomorrow morning.

The kids and I took a morning walk at some point. We discovered various types of dung, the kids pushed each other around a little, and we took a ton of cute pictures to send back home.

My favorite part was discovering a collection of at least 15 bird’s nests hanging from a tree which drinks from a bright blue pond.

Promptly at 8:30, Ruleigh picked us up and took us to Jacques and Lizzie’s for breakfast. Okay. So the first thing I have to do is describe this house. Picture…. a huge gray stone building in the shape of a hut, with some sort of thatched roofing. Hopefully no one who is an expert on architecture reads this.

Their home is lovely. That’s all there is to it. When we arrived, a cheerful table was set with yogurt, cereal, and juice. We also had toast with appelmus jam (apricot) and an egg dish which Lizzie has named: Lizzie’s Egg.

The kids were starved, and ate most of the rice krispies. Natalie also discovered that cheese tastes better when it is grated. I’m wondering if food just tastes better when someone lovingly prepares it for you. I think I agree to both assessments. I don’t think I will ever get over the joy of being able to savor simple foods and eat slowly.

Jacques, Annie, and Tommy joined us. These three hard-working men spoke in Africaans for most of the meal, discussing important business, I’m sure. Annie was especially animated using large hand gestures , and as Jacques listened attentively, his bright blue eyes were accentuated by the deep laugh lines on his tanned face.

Seriously, though. I’m not a creeper. I just really enjoyed watching them, even though I didn’t understand a thing they said. I have always loved staring at people. I just have to be a little more stealth about it nowadays, so people don’t feel too uncomfortable.

Speaking of uncomfortable… Jacques has already decided that he is going to find me a match this month, so I won’t leave as scheduled. I’m wondering if this idea had been previously discussed as Tommy definitely winked at me when we were introduced.

Natalie and Caleb had fun playing fetch with Simba, the Jack Russell Terrier. He has some seriously long legs for his breed, and shocked me when he jumped about  3 feet in the air to snatch a stick that Natalie hadn’t thrown fast enough for his liking.

After breakfast, Beckie took off with Jacques to make changes to the new questionnaire, and the kids changed into their swimming suits and we headed off to the pool.

After the kids tired of splashing me and doing handstands, Caleb and I played an entertaining round of “Would You Rather.”  We determined that he would rather be thirsty in a desert, and I would rather be cold in the arctic. He would rather walk on clouds, and I would rather walk on water.

When the kids were tuckered out, we headed back home. Natalie was the first to declare nap-time. Caleb was sooo thoughtful and picked up all the clothes that had been strewn across the bedroom floor in search of the illusive swim suits.

I started reading Evangeline’s book, and then, Lord, what was I thinking? fell into one of the deepest sleeps I have ever had. SOOO BAD! Oh well.

Caleb woke me up when it was time for lunch. I vaguely remember the conversation, and wasn’t able to utter much at lunch. It took a game of “Are you a Moron?” on Caleb’s Ipod Touch to bring me back to life.

After lunch, we went to town. Mokopone. We stopped by the bank, and then Beckie when to an outdoor cafe to work, and the kids and I took the grocery list and hit “Game” or a Walmart look alike.  We got random things like pots and pans (we are getting a stove installed soon), a whiteboard, knives, and cereal bowls.

It’s tough shopping when you know little of the currency exchange and there are no familiar brands. I also lost the shopping list somewhere in the store too. I’m still bewildered by how that happened. It was rough trying to remember everything.  Because of this flub up, Beckie and I had to wing it at the grocery store later. I think we did a fairly decent job considering the overwhelming crowd of shoppers and lack of time. Jacques wanted to get back to Shikwaru pronto.

Personal favorite from the shopping extravaganza: Yum Yum peanut butter. It’s just got to taste better than Jiffy.

The fam is eating pb&j right now.  I probably should go be social. I think the plan is to watch some Monk tonight. Another new experience.

Natalie and Beckie are getting ready to crawl into bed. Caleb is still zonked out on the couch. His eyes are open, but he’s mentally spent. Unable to muster enough energy to drag himself to his feet.

Traveling was surprisingly smooth. The most concerning part was the huge check-in line in Seattle. I also wasn’t impressed when TSA started intimidating Natalie with questions. Child trafficking protocol, I suppose. It was way over the top though. She was unnecessarily insensitive and rude.

But, I guess the question is, when is it necessary to be insensitive and rude?

Watched a pirated dvd of Avatar with a 23-year old, traveling sales rep, with a diamond stud earring. I am embarrassed to admit that he could have conned me into buying pretty much anything.

South African customs was a breeze. They didn’t ask me a single question. Yay for streamlining World Cup tourists.

First impressions: I love the way it smells here. It is so raw and rugged.

Biggest surprise: Getting fumigated while chilling on the plane in Senegal. It’s approved by the World Health Organization, they announce, as we all choke on the fumes.

Funny moment: when gliding ever so smoothly to the front of the white SUV in the airport parking lot, with the brilliant plan of being co-pilot, Jacques notices my total obliviousness, and says, “Feel like driving?”

Oh hey, former British colony. People do drive on the left side of the road.

I would like to drive around here! Just got to get one of those international driver’s licenses. Details…

Natalie isn’t pleased that there is a huge green praying mantis in the shower. I think it has to be a good omen. I promise I’m not superstitious.

Orien is incredibly bright in tonight’s night sky. Hope to do some more star gazing in the near future.

My first assignment is to figure out some food we can make with a frig and a microwave. No oven.

Beckie is thinking she might just make the investment and purchase a little stove and toaster oven when we go grocery shopping tomorrow afternoon.

Oops. My computer battery is dying. No adapter at the moment.

Bedtime!