That’s the title to our technical sessions next week. Bridge to Post. Last Friday I had my last language test, and I made level, so I am allowed to be a volunteer. My level is intermediate high, go me. This past week I gave a presentation on live fencing/la haie vive completely en Francais. Then our tech exam was Monday and after it, we planted about 150 trees at the technical school in town. We tried to get some of the kids to help us, and a few of them did, but mostly they laughed at us. We have the day off today and tomorrow, then 3 more days of training and our swearing-in ceremony on Thursday, and then we leave on Friday as actual Volunteers. Its really strange that this part of the whole process is almost over. I am pretty ready to graduate from what feels like high school and be an adult again. I have missed my independence, but I am sure I will be overwhelmed when it comes back.
I talked to mom the other day, and I told her that I was having a hard time remembering what would be interesting to everyone, because I have gotten used to so much. She told me to talk about what we did for Thanksgiving. We got the afternoon off, so we all met up at the office in Garoua and cooked all day. There were committees for each dish thanks to the incredible organizational skills of a certain young lady from Pitoa. I was on the appetizer/deviled egg committee. There was another girl that wanted to make deviled eggs completely different from the way Granny taught me and I was unwilling to back down, so we had an egg off. There were no official results, but most of the agro kids told me they thought I won. Maybe they were just being nice, and our agro bond does run pretty deep. We also had grilled chicken, cooked on a fire outside. There was fried okra, stuffing, mashed potatoes, some glorious sweet yam/squash dish, stuffed tomatoes, guacamole, pineapple, and watermelon. We invited all of the staff and I think they liked it, but they could have just been being nice. It was pretty great, but I still missed the food at home. I think I actually missed the left-overs more than the actual dinner.
Now we are all at the office making grilled cheese sandwiches and then we are going to watch the Lord of the Rings. Don’t tell them, but I really don’t like that movie. I am, however, a huge fan of grilled cheese sandwiches. Tomorrow night I am supposed to make dinner for my family. I really want to make chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and gravy, and I am pretty sure I can find everything (especially oil) but the meat.
Well I am going to go start helping them cook and let someone else use my computer. I miss you guys and I apologize for the lack of details. If you have questions, let me know and I will try to do better. I will also try pictures more pictures, if not tomorrow, then next weekend. I love everyone, thanks for reading, and thanks for the comments, and thanks for the prayers. Je vous aime!
Dad said you could substitute sandhill crane (pink flamingo) for the beef. I’m sure that are bountiful in your area. You could fix chicken fried chicken which is another southern dish. I know you will come up with something. Love you, Mom
Good to hear from you. Your family was with us for thanksgiving but we did not have your eggs. It was great to hear your voice. We love you and keep planting….Granny & Grandad
hey ashley…this is your “cousin” lacye…i’m not sure if you remember me….somehow we are related, but its always hard to pinpoint how exactly. i ran into your mom the other day at the store and she was telling me about your blog. i’m so glad i found it and i hope i can keep in touch with you this way. i also have a blog about my 10 month old son, Maddox…the blog is lkalivoda.blogspot.com.
hope you have a great week!
of course I remember you! Thanks so much for the note. I will check out the blog soon. Merry Christmas!
3 things:
1. you are a Woodard woman…don’t ever back down from Granny’s deviled eggs! I missed our traditional food too! It’s funny that even in the States people make Thanksgiving so differently! I didn’t get mashed potatoes or cornbread dressing…weird. I talked to your mom as she was driving into seminole and we talked about the sights and scents of Seminole around Thanksgiving/Christmas. It’s like no other place in the world!
2. I don’t love Lord of the Rings either…don’t tell anyone!
3. share all the random/disconnected details you can think of…everything is fun to hear! Even what seems like the mundane or quirky
oh and one more…love you!
Dear sweet Ashley,
Thank you so much for news from Africa.
Congratulations on passing your test. (This means you’re elgible for coming home early- we love that.) Two years is a long time.
Our cold weather has arrived and that means spring is juct around the corner. It’ll be hot again here soon. We don’t know much about the seasons or weather there.
God bless you,
Uncle George
Ashley- Love that you had watermelon for Thanksgiving. We miss you and are praying for you.
Ashley I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. This is my third try this time to send an answer to this entry for Thanksgiving. I’m so proud that you are my special niece serving our Lord in ways that I can not do. God loves you too. We’re glad you passed your test (It’ll allow you to come home to us sooner.) Yours in the love of Christ.
Uncle George
I have received all of them, I think it was waiting on me to ok them. Thanks so much for the notes, they all mean so much to me. Merry Christmas!
Ok, so I went outside yesterday and it smelled just like Seminole. Wish we wee all together to make eggs and sleep in the living room together. We are praying for you!
Jess
me too! Its going to be pretty strange not lining up outside the living room and waiting for presents, eh? I guess we haven’t done that in years, but I still miss it. Love you guys!