Whirlwind

The last few months have brought more changes than we've experienced in years. And that's saying a lot for two people who got hitched, moved to D.C., and then moved to Togo. A quick breakdown:

Surgery for Joey
Many of you might not have known about Joey's struggle with pain over the last two years. For a long time we had no idea what the real problem was - only that his hands and arms were in excruciating pain. With the help of Courtney & Chester, we finally found a surgeon who knew exactly what the problem was and said she could fix him. So we spent close to 2 months in St. Louis, where both of Joey's arms were operated on. It was no fun for him, aside from the ability to watch every World Series of Poker games over and over, and we still have months of healing ahead of us. But the nerve pain has begun to subside and we're hopeful that this is the beginning of the end to that horrible health chapter!

A New Post
We recently found out that our next post will be in Norway! Talk about a paradigm shift. Of the 172 countries ranked by the World Bank for GDP per capita, Norway is #4 whereas Togo is #164. We're most excited about the ski resort that's 20 minutes outside of Oslo, hiking paths scattered throughout the city, the chance to sail, cross-country ski and even dog sled! In short, we look forward to the fresh air and chance to get physically fit again. We're saddened by what happened there recently though; it seems that no place is immune to dogmatic fanaticism.

On a different note, if you ever hear Joey worry over wasting 6 months of his life learning Norwegian, please remind him that it's his wet dream to speak Viking. You all know it's true too.

3 Weddings, a Funeral and a 40th Bday
I was fortunate enough to be back in the U.S. for three of my good friends' weddings. All stages of life were hit in various parts of the country: high school wedding in MA, college wedding in FL, and SF wedding in SF (the only obvious fit here!). Then I got to be a part of the fabulous surprise 40th Michelle planned for Rick. Sadly, after all of this family and friends time, my grandmother passed away a few days after we arrived back in Togo. We have been fortunate to be there for the good times and the bad with the people we love most. Considering we live in W. Africa I consider us pretty darn lucky for that.

A New Job
My new official title is "Development Projects Special Assistant." Oo-la-la. It's a full-time gig at the embassy managing USAID, Dept. of Defense and Humanitarian Assistance funding that comes through Togo. So far I have played Vanna White in many a check delivery ceremony, visited HIV+ Togolese women in their homes, questioned high-ranking Togolese military men about their vague transportation budgets, and politely took a giant box of condoms from a Colonel in charge of HIV prevention and Family Planning. I'm heading to Germany in August for a week of training at a military base on managing DoD funds. It's a pretty cool job and it's proving to be key in helping me get through our remaining year here.

A Safari
My parents flew back to Africa with me to see Togo and then head to Tanzania with us. Laine had previously avoided all airplane bathrooms her entire life. Can you believe that!? She'd never before been on a flight longer than 5 hours and always figured she'd just hold it. Obviously that wasn't going to work for this trip. Her impressions of such a ground breaking moment? Quote worthy!

"They're so small! How does anyone join the "Mile High Club" in there?"

I kid you not.

The rest of the trip was equally amusing. Stan helped Joey invent words their "Safari Man" song, Laine tortured Stan with a million questions to the Massai Warrior in the tiny Dung Hut, and we all fought constantly when losing at bridge (it's just a slightly competitive bunch). We would recommend the safari to everyone - it's an amazing thing to see 100 elephants crossing your path in the middle of nowhere Serengeti.

Despite the fun, we are happy to be back with Nala! The adventure continues...